1
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Kojak N, Kuno J, Fittipaldi KE, Khan A, Wenger D, Glasser M, Donnianni RA, Tang Y, Zhang J, Huling K, Ally R, Mujica AO, Turner T, Magardino G, Huang PY, Kerk SY, Droguett G, Prissette M, Rojas J, Gomez T, Gagliardi A, Hunt C, Rabinowitz JS, Gong G, Poueymirou W, Chiao E, Zambrowicz B, Siao CJ, Kajimura D. Somatic and intergenerational G4C2 hexanucleotide repeat instability in a human C9orf72 knock-in mouse model. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:5732-5755. [PMID: 38597682 PMCID: PMC11162798 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Expansion of a G4C2 repeat in the C9orf72 gene is associated with familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). To investigate the underlying mechanisms of repeat instability, which occurs both somatically and intergenerationally, we created a novel mouse model of familial ALS/FTD that harbors 96 copies of G4C2 repeats at a humanized C9orf72 locus. In mouse embryonic stem cells, we observed two modes of repeat expansion. First, we noted minor increases in repeat length per expansion event, which was dependent on a mismatch repair pathway protein Msh2. Second, we found major increases in repeat length per event when a DNA double- or single-strand break (DSB/SSB) was artificially introduced proximal to the repeats, and which was dependent on the homology-directed repair (HDR) pathway. In mice, the first mode primarily drove somatic repeat expansion. Major changes in repeat length, including expansion, were observed when SSB was introduced in one-cell embryos, or intergenerationally without DSB/SSB introduction if G4C2 repeats exceeded 400 copies, although spontaneous HDR-mediated expansion has yet to be identified. These findings provide a novel strategy to model repeat expansion in a non-human genome and offer insights into the mechanism behind C9orf72 G4C2 repeat instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Kojak
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | - Junko Kuno
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | | | | | - David Wenger
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | | | | | - Yajun Tang
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | - Jade Zhang
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | - Katie Huling
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | - Roxanne Ally
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | | | | | | | - Pei Yi Huang
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | - Sze Yen Kerk
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | | | | | - Jose Rojas
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Guochun Gong
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | | | - Eric Chiao
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
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Currò R, Dominik N, Facchini S, Vegezzi E, Sullivan R, Galassi Deforie V, Fernández-Eulate G, Traschütz A, Rossi S, Garibaldi M, Kwarciany M, Taroni F, Brusco A, Good JM, Cavalcanti F, Hammans S, Ravenscroft G, Roxburgh RH, Parolin Schnekenberg R, Rugginini B, Abati E, Manini A, Quartesan I, Ghia A, Lòpez de Munaìn A, Manganelli F, Kennerson M, Santorelli FM, Infante J, Marques W, Jokela M, Murphy SM, Mandich P, Fabrizi GM, Briani C, Gosal D, Pareyson D, Ferrari A, Prados F, Yousry T, Khurana V, Kuo SH, Miller J, Troakes C, Jaunmuktane Z, Giunti P, Hartmann A, Basak N, Synofzik M, Stojkovic T, Hadjivassiliou M, Reilly MM, Houlden H, Cortese A. Role of the repeat expansion size in predicting age of onset and severity in RFC1 disease. Brain 2024; 147:1887-1898. [PMID: 38193360 PMCID: PMC11068103 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad436] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
RFC1 disease, caused by biallelic repeat expansion in RFC1, is clinically heterogeneous in terms of age of onset, disease progression and phenotype. We investigated the role of the repeat size in influencing clinical variables in RFC1 disease. We also assessed the presence and role of meiotic and somatic instability of the repeat. In this study, we identified 553 patients carrying biallelic RFC1 expansions and measured the repeat expansion size in 392 cases. Pearson's coefficient was calculated to assess the correlation between the repeat size and age at disease onset. A Cox model with robust cluster standard errors was adopted to describe the effect of repeat size on age at disease onset, on age at onset of each individual symptoms, and on disease progression. A quasi-Poisson regression model was used to analyse the relationship between phenotype and repeat size. We performed multivariate linear regression to assess the association of the repeat size with the degree of cerebellar atrophy. Meiotic stability was assessed by Southern blotting on first-degree relatives of 27 probands. Finally, somatic instability was investigated by optical genome mapping on cerebellar and frontal cortex and unaffected peripheral tissue from four post-mortem cases. A larger repeat size of both smaller and larger allele was associated with an earlier age at neurological onset [smaller allele hazard ratio (HR) = 2.06, P < 0.001; larger allele HR = 1.53, P < 0.001] and with a higher hazard of developing disabling symptoms, such as dysarthria or dysphagia (smaller allele HR = 3.40, P < 0.001; larger allele HR = 1.71, P = 0.002) or loss of independent walking (smaller allele HR = 2.78, P < 0.001; larger allele HR = 1.60; P < 0.001) earlier in disease course. Patients with more complex phenotypes carried larger expansions [smaller allele: complex neuropathy rate ratio (RR) = 1.30, P = 0.003; cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) RR = 1.34, P < 0.001; larger allele: complex neuropathy RR = 1.33, P = 0.008; CANVAS RR = 1.31, P = 0.009]. Furthermore, larger repeat expansions in the smaller allele were associated with more pronounced cerebellar vermis atrophy (lobules I-V β = -1.06, P < 0.001; lobules VI-VII β = -0.34, P = 0.005). The repeat did not show significant instability during vertical transmission and across different tissues and brain regions. RFC1 repeat size, particularly of the smaller allele, is one of the determinants of variability in RFC1 disease and represents a key prognostic factor to predict disease onset, phenotype and severity. Assessing the repeat size is warranted as part of the diagnostic test for RFC1 expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Currò
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Natalia Dominik
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Stefano Facchini
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Roisin Sullivan
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | | | - Gorka Fernández-Eulate
- Nord/Est/Ile-de-France Neuromuscular Reference Center, Institute of Myology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, APHP, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Andreas Traschütz
- Research Division ‘Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases’, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Salvatore Rossi
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della Testa-Collo, UOC Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Garibaldi
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Center, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Mariusz Kwarciany
- Department of Adult Neurology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Franco Taroni
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Alfredo Brusco
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Jean-Marc Good
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Francesca Cavalcanti
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), Italian National Research Council (CNR), 87050 Mangone, Italy
| | - Simon Hammans
- Wessex Neurological Centre, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Gianina Ravenscroft
- Neurogenetic Diseases Group, Centre for Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, University of Western Australia, Nedland, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Richard H Roxburgh
- Neurology Department, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand and the Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | | | - Bianca Rugginini
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Elena Abati
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Manini
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Quartesan
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Arianna Ghia
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Adolfo Lòpez de Munaìn
- Neurology Department, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country-Osakidetza-CIBERNED-Biodonostia, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Marina Kennerson
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Filippo Maria Santorelli
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Disease Unit, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Jon Infante
- University Hospital Marquès de Valdecilla-IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, 39008 Santander, Spain
| | - Wilson Marques
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 2650 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Manu Jokela
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, Tampere University and University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland
- Neurocenter, Department of Neurology, Clinical Neurosciences, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Sinéad M Murphy
- Department of Neurology, Tallaght University Hospital, D24 NR0A Dublin, Ireland
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Paola Mandich
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino-UOC Genetica Medica, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Fabrizi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Chiara Briani
- Department of Neurosciences, ERN Neuromuscular Unit, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - David Gosal
- Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal Hospital, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Greater Manchester, M6 8HD, UK
| | - Davide Pareyson
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | | | - Ferran Prados
- Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1V 6LJ, UK
- NMR Research Unit, Institute of Neurology, University College London (UCL), London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- e-Health Centre, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, 08018 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tarek Yousry
- Neuroradiological Academic Unit, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Vikram Khurana
- Division of Movement Disorders and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sheng-Han Kuo
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - James Miller
- Department of Neurology, Royal Victoria Hospitals, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, NE1 4LP, UK
| | - Claire Troakes
- London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, SE21 8EA, UK
| | - Zane Jaunmuktane
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Paola Giunti
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Annette Hartmann
- Division of General Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nazli Basak
- Koç University, School of Medicine, Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation, Neurodegeneration Research Laboratory (NDAL), Research Center for Translational Medicine, 34010 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Matthis Synofzik
- Research Division ‘Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases’, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tanya Stojkovic
- Nord/Est/Ile-de-France Neuromuscular Reference Center, Institute of Myology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, APHP, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Marios Hadjivassiliou
- Academic Department of Neurosciences, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2JF, UK
| | - Mary M Reilly
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Andrea Cortese
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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3
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Sellier C, Corcia P, Vourc'h P, Dupuis L. C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion: From ALS and FTD to a broader pathogenic role? Rev Neurol (Paris) 2024; 180:417-428. [PMID: 38609750 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2024.03.008] [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: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
The major gene underlying monogenic forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) is C9ORF72. The causative mutation in C9ORF72 is an abnormal hexanucleotide (G4C2) repeat expansion (HRE) located in the first intron of the gene. The aim of this review is to propose a comprehensive update on recent developments on clinical, biological and therapeutics aspects related to C9ORF72 in order to highlight the current understanding of genotype-phenotype correlations, and also on biological machinery leading to neuronal death. We will particularly focus on the broad phenotypic presentation of C9ORF72-related diseases, that goes well beyond the classical phenotypes observed in ALS and FTD patients. Last, we will comment the possible therapeutical hopes for patients carrying a C9ORF72 HRE.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sellier
- Centre de recherches en biomédecine de Strasbourg, UMR-S1329, Inserm, université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - P Corcia
- UMR 1253 iBrain, Inserm, université de Tours, Tours, France; Centre constitutif de coordination SLA, CHU de Bretonneau, 2, boulevard Tonnelle, 37044 Tours cedex 1, France
| | - P Vourc'h
- UMR 1253 iBrain, Inserm, université de Tours, Tours, France; Service de biochimie et biologie moléculaire, CHU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - L Dupuis
- Centre de recherches en biomédecine de Strasbourg, UMR-S1329, Inserm, université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
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4
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Ryan M, Doherty MA, Al Khleifat A, Costello E, Hengeveld JC, Heverin M, Al-Chalabi A, Mclaughlin RL, Hardiman O. C9orf72 Repeat Expansion Discordance in 6 Multigenerational Kindreds. Neurol Genet 2024; 10:e200112. [PMID: 38149039 PMCID: PMC10751011 DOI: 10.1212/nxg.0000000000200112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives A hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the noncoding region of the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetically identifiable cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia in populations of European ancestry. Pedigrees associated with this expansion exhibit phenotypic heterogeneity and incomplete disease penetrance, the basis of which is poorly understood. Relatives of those carrying the C9orf72 repeat expansion exhibit a characteristic cognitive endophenotype independent of carrier status. To examine whether additional shared genetic or environmental risks within kindreds could compel this observation, we have conducted a detailed cross-sectional study of the inheritance within multigenerational Irish kindreds carrying the C9orf72 repeat expansion. Methods One hundred thirty-one familial ALS pedigrees, 59 of which carried the C9orf72 repeat expansion (45.0% [95% CI 36.7-53.5]), were identified through the Irish population-based ALS register. C9orf72 genotyping was performed using repeat-primed PCR with amplicon fragment length analysis. Pedigrees were further investigated using SNP, targeted sequencing data, whole-exome sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing. Results We identified 21 kindreds where at least 1 family member with ALS carried the C9orf72 repeat expansion and from whom DNA was available from multiple affected family members. Of these, 6 kindreds (28.6% [95% CI 11.8-48.3]) exhibited discordant segregation. The C9orf72 haplotype was studied in 2 families and was found to segregate with the C9orf72-positive affected relative but not the C9orf72-negative affected relative. No other ALS pathogenic variants were identified within these discordant kindreds. Discussion Family members of kindreds associated with the C9orf72 repeat expansion may carry an increased risk of developing ALS independent of their observed carrier status. This has implications for assessment and counseling of asymptomatic individuals regarding their genetic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Ryan
- From the Academic Unit of Neurology (M.R., E.C., M.H., O.H.) and Smurfit Institute of Genetics (M.A.D., J.C.H., R.L.M.), Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience (A.A., A.A.-C.), Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology (E.C.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; King's College Hospital (A.A.-C.), London, United Kingdom; and Department of Neurology (O.H.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark A Doherty
- From the Academic Unit of Neurology (M.R., E.C., M.H., O.H.) and Smurfit Institute of Genetics (M.A.D., J.C.H., R.L.M.), Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience (A.A., A.A.-C.), Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology (E.C.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; King's College Hospital (A.A.-C.), London, United Kingdom; and Department of Neurology (O.H.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ahmad Al Khleifat
- From the Academic Unit of Neurology (M.R., E.C., M.H., O.H.) and Smurfit Institute of Genetics (M.A.D., J.C.H., R.L.M.), Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience (A.A., A.A.-C.), Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology (E.C.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; King's College Hospital (A.A.-C.), London, United Kingdom; and Department of Neurology (O.H.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Emmet Costello
- From the Academic Unit of Neurology (M.R., E.C., M.H., O.H.) and Smurfit Institute of Genetics (M.A.D., J.C.H., R.L.M.), Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience (A.A., A.A.-C.), Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology (E.C.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; King's College Hospital (A.A.-C.), London, United Kingdom; and Department of Neurology (O.H.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jennifer C Hengeveld
- From the Academic Unit of Neurology (M.R., E.C., M.H., O.H.) and Smurfit Institute of Genetics (M.A.D., J.C.H., R.L.M.), Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience (A.A., A.A.-C.), Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology (E.C.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; King's College Hospital (A.A.-C.), London, United Kingdom; and Department of Neurology (O.H.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark Heverin
- From the Academic Unit of Neurology (M.R., E.C., M.H., O.H.) and Smurfit Institute of Genetics (M.A.D., J.C.H., R.L.M.), Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience (A.A., A.A.-C.), Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology (E.C.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; King's College Hospital (A.A.-C.), London, United Kingdom; and Department of Neurology (O.H.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- From the Academic Unit of Neurology (M.R., E.C., M.H., O.H.) and Smurfit Institute of Genetics (M.A.D., J.C.H., R.L.M.), Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience (A.A., A.A.-C.), Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology (E.C.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; King's College Hospital (A.A.-C.), London, United Kingdom; and Department of Neurology (O.H.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Russell L Mclaughlin
- From the Academic Unit of Neurology (M.R., E.C., M.H., O.H.) and Smurfit Institute of Genetics (M.A.D., J.C.H., R.L.M.), Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience (A.A., A.A.-C.), Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology (E.C.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; King's College Hospital (A.A.-C.), London, United Kingdom; and Department of Neurology (O.H.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Orla Hardiman
- From the Academic Unit of Neurology (M.R., E.C., M.H., O.H.) and Smurfit Institute of Genetics (M.A.D., J.C.H., R.L.M.), Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience (A.A., A.A.-C.), Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology (E.C.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; King's College Hospital (A.A.-C.), London, United Kingdom; and Department of Neurology (O.H.), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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5
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Rajagopal S, Donaldson J, Flower M, Hensman Moss DJ, Tabrizi SJ. Genetic modifiers of repeat expansion disorders. Emerg Top Life Sci 2023; 7:325-337. [PMID: 37861103 PMCID: PMC10754329 DOI: 10.1042/etls20230015] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Repeat expansion disorders (REDs) are monogenic diseases caused by a sequence of repetitive DNA expanding above a pathogenic threshold. A common feature of the REDs is a strong genotype-phenotype correlation in which a major determinant of age at onset (AAO) and disease progression is the length of the inherited repeat tract. Over a disease-gene carrier's life, the length of the repeat can expand in somatic cells, through the process of somatic expansion which is hypothesised to drive disease progression. Despite being monogenic, individual REDs are phenotypically variable, and exploring what genetic modifying factors drive this phenotypic variability has illuminated key pathogenic mechanisms that are common to this group of diseases. Disease phenotypes are affected by the cognate gene in which the expansion is found, the location of the repeat sequence in coding or non-coding regions and by the presence of repeat sequence interruptions. Human genetic data, mouse models and in vitro models have implicated the disease-modifying effect of DNA repair pathways via the mechanisms of somatic mutation of the repeat tract. As such, developing an understanding of these pathways in the context of expanded repeats could lead to future disease-modifying therapies for REDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeerthana Rajagopal
- UCL Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, U.K
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London WCC1N 3BG, U.K
| | - Jasmine Donaldson
- UCL Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, U.K
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London WCC1N 3BG, U.K
| | - Michael Flower
- UCL Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, U.K
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London WCC1N 3BG, U.K
| | - Davina J Hensman Moss
- UCL Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, U.K
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London WCC1N 3BG, U.K
- St George's University of London, London SW17 0RE, U.K
| | - Sarah J Tabrizi
- UCL Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, U.K
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London WCC1N 3BG, U.K
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6
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Akçimen F, Lopez ER, Landers JE, Nath A, Chiò A, Chia R, Traynor BJ. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: translating genetic discoveries into therapies. Nat Rev Genet 2023; 24:642-658. [PMID: 37024676 PMCID: PMC10611979 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00592-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in sequencing technologies and collaborative efforts have led to substantial progress in identifying the genetic causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This momentum has, in turn, fostered the development of putative molecular therapies. In this Review, we outline the current genetic knowledge, emphasizing recent discoveries and emerging concepts such as the implication of distinct types of mutation, variability in mutated genes in diverse genetic ancestries and gene-environment interactions. We also propose a high-level model to synthesize the interdependent effects of genetics, environmental and lifestyle factors, and ageing into a unified theory of ALS. Furthermore, we summarize the current status of therapies developed on the basis of genetic knowledge established for ALS over the past 30 years, and we discuss how developing treatments for ALS will advance our understanding of targeting other neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulya Akçimen
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Elia R Lopez
- Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - John E Landers
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Avindra Nath
- Section of Infections of the Nervous System, National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Adriano Chiò
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, C.N.R, Rome, Italy
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Citta' della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Ruth Chia
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Bryan J Traynor
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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7
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Liu X, Zhao X, He J, Wang S, Shen X, Liu Q, Wang S. Advances in the Structure of GGGGCC Repeat RNA Sequence and Its Interaction with Small Molecules and Protein Partners. Molecules 2023; 28:5801. [PMID: 37570771 PMCID: PMC10420822 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155801] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The aberrant expansion of GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeats within the first intron of the C9orf72 gene represent the predominant genetic etiology underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontal temporal dementia (FTD). The transcribed r(GGGGCC)n RNA repeats form RNA foci, which recruit RNA binding proteins and impede their normal cellular functions, ultimately resulting in fatal neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, the non-canonical translation of the r(GGGGCC)n sequence can generate dipeptide repeats, which have been postulated as pathological causes. Comprehensive structural analyses of r(GGGGCC)n have unveiled its polymorphic nature, exhibiting the propensity to adopt dimeric, hairpin, or G-quadruplex conformations, all of which possess the capacity to interact with RNA binding proteins. Small molecules capable of binding to r(GGGGCC)n have been discovered and proposed as potential lead compounds for the treatment of ALS and FTD. Some of these molecules function in preventing RNA-protein interactions or impeding the phase transition of r(GGGGCC)n. In this review, we present a comprehensive summary of the recent advancements in the structural characterization of r(GGGGCC)n, its propensity to form RNA foci, and its interactions with small molecules and proteins. Specifically, we emphasize the structural diversity of r(GGGGCC)n and its influence on partner binding. Given the crucial role of r(GGGGCC)n in the pathogenesis of ALS and FTD, the primary objective of this review is to facilitate the development of therapeutic interventions targeting r(GGGGCC)n RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaole Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Xinyue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Jinhan He
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Sishi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Xinfei Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Qingfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
| | - Shenlin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (X.L.); (X.Z.); (J.H.); (S.W.); (X.S.); (Q.L.)
- Beijing NMR Center, Peking University, Beijing 100087, China
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8
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Motor, cognitive and behavioural profiles of C9orf72 expansion-related amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol 2023; 270:898-908. [PMID: 36308529 PMCID: PMC9886586 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11433-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) individuals carrying the hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in the C9orf72 gene (C9Pos) have been described as presenting distinct features compared to the general ALS population (C9Neg). We aim to identify the phenotypic traits more closely associated with the HRE and analyse the role of the repeat length as a modifier factor. METHODS We studied a cohort of 960 ALS patients (101 familial and 859 sporadic cases). Motor phenotype was determined using the MRC scale, the lower motor neuron score (LMNS) and the Penn upper motor neuron score (PUMNS). Neuropsychological profile was studied using the Italian version of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS), the Frontal Behavioral Inventory (FBI), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). A two-step PCR protocol and Southern blotting were performed to determine the presence and the size of C9orf72 HRE, respectively. RESULTS C9orf72 HRE was detected in 55/960 ALS patients. C9Pos patients showed a younger onset, higher odds of bulbar onset, increased burden of UMN signs, reduced survival and higher frequency of concurrent dementia. We found an inverse correlation between the HRE length and the performance at ECAS ALS-specific tasks (P = 0.031). Patients also showed higher burden of behavioural disinhibition (P = 1.6 × 10-4), lower degrees of depression (P = 0.015) and anxiety (P = 0.008) compared to C9Neg cases. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides an extensive characterization of motor, cognitive and behavioural features of C9orf72-related ALS, indicating that the C9orf72 HRE size may represent a modifier of the cognitive phenotype.
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9
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Teng Y, Zhu M, Qiu Z. G-Quadruplexes in Repeat Expansion Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032375. [PMID: 36768697 PMCID: PMC9916761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The repeat expansions are the main genetic cause of various neurodegeneration diseases. More than ten kinds of repeat sequences with different lengths, locations, and structures have been confirmed in the past two decades. G-rich repeat sequences, such as CGG and GGGGCC, are reported to form functional G-quadruplexes, participating in many important bioprocesses. In this review, we conducted an overview concerning the contribution of G-quadruplex in repeat expansion disorders and summarized related mechanisms in current pathological studies, including the increasing genetic instabilities in replication and transcription, the toxic RNA foci formed in neurons, and the loss/gain function of proteins and peptides. Furthermore, novel strategies targeting G-quadruplex repeats were developed based on the understanding of disease mechanism. Small molecules and proteins binding to G-quadruplex in repeat expansions were investigated to protect neurons from dysfunction and delay the progression of neurodegeneration. In addition, the effects of environment on the stability of G-quadruplex were discussed, which might be critical factors in the pathological study of repeat expansion disorders.
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10
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Younger DS. Neurogenetic motor disorders. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 195:183-250. [PMID: 37562870 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-98818-6.00003-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Advances in the field of neurogenetics have practical applications in rapid diagnosis on blood and body fluids to extract DNA, obviating the need for invasive investigations. The ability to obtain a presymptomatic diagnosis through genetic screening and biomarkers can be a guide to life-saving disease-modifying therapy or enzyme replacement therapy to compensate for the deficient disease-causing enzyme. The benefits of a comprehensive neurogenetic evaluation extend to family members in whom identification of the causal gene defect ensures carrier detection and at-risk counseling for future generations. This chapter explores the many facets of the neurogenetic evaluation in adult and pediatric motor disorders as a primer for later chapters in this volume and a roadmap for the future applications of genetics in neurology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Younger
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Neuroscience, CUNY School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine and Neurology, White Plains Hospital, White Plains, NY, United States.
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11
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Zhou X, Huang H, He R, Zeng S, Liu Z, Xu Q, Guo J, Yan X, Duan R, Li J, Tang B, Xu Y, Sun Q. Clinical Features and Reclassification of Essential Tremor with
NOTCH2NLC
GGC
Repeat Expansions based on a long‐term follow‐up. Eur J Neurol 2022; 29:3600-3610. [DOI: 10.1111/ene.15552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xun Zhou
- Department of Geriatric Neurology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
| | - Hongyan Huang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Runcheng He
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
| | - Sheng Zeng
- Department of Geriatric Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
| | - Zhenhua Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders Central South University Changsha Hunan China
| | - Qian Xu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders Central South University Changsha Hunan China
| | - Jifeng Guo
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders Central South University Changsha Hunan China
| | - Xinxiang Yan
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders Central South University Changsha Hunan China
| | - Ranhui Duan
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences Central South University Changsha Hunan China
| | - Jinchen Li
- Department of Geriatric Neurology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences Central South University Changsha Hunan China
| | - Beisha Tang
- Department of Geriatric Neurology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders Central South University Changsha Hunan China
| | - Yanming Xu
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Qiying Sun
- Department of Geriatric Neurology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders Central South University Changsha Hunan China
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12
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Blum JA, Gitler AD. Singling out motor neurons in the age of single-cell transcriptomics. Trends Genet 2022; 38:904-919. [PMID: 35487823 PMCID: PMC9378604 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Motor neurons are a remarkably powerful cell type in the central nervous system. They innervate and control the contraction of virtually every muscle in the body and their dysfunction underlies numerous neuromuscular diseases. Some motor neurons seem resistant to degeneration whereas others are vulnerable. The intrinsic heterogeneity of motor neurons in adult organisms has remained elusive. The development of high-throughput single-cell transcriptomics has changed the paradigm, empowering rapid isolation and profiling of motor neuron nuclei, revealing remarkable transcriptional diversity within the skeletal and autonomic nervous systems. Here, we discuss emerging technologies for defining motor neuron heterogeneity in the adult motor system as well as implications for disease and spinal cord injury. We establish a roadmap for future applications of emerging techniques - such as epigenetic profiling, spatial RNA sequencing, and single-cell somatic mutational profiling to adult motor neurons, which will revolutionize our understanding of the healthy and degenerating adult motor system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A Blum
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Neurosciences Interdepartmental Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Aaron D Gitler
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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13
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Mori K, Ikeda M. Biological basis and psychiatric symptoms in frontotemporal dementia. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 76:351-360. [PMID: 35557018 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by focal degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes, clinically presenting with disinhibited behavior, personality changes, progressive non-fluent aphasia and/or impaired semantic memory. Research progress has been made in re-organizing the clinical concept of frontotemporal dementia and neuropathological classification based on multiple accumulating proteins. Alongside this progress a list of genetic mutations or variants that are causative or increase the risk of frontotemporal dementia have been identified and some of these gene products are extensively studied. However, there are still a lot of points that need to be overcome, including lack of specific diagnostic biomarker which enable antemortem diagnosis of underlying neurodegenerative process, and lack of disease modifying therapy which could prevent disease progression. Early and precise diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia is urgently required. In this context, how to define prodromal frontotemporal dementia and early differential diagnosis from primary psychiatric disorders are also important issues. In this review we will summarize and discuss current understanding of biological basis and psychiatric symptoms in frontotemporal dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohji Mori
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Manabu Ikeda
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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14
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Breevoort S, Gibson S, Figueroa K, Bromberg M, Pulst S. Expanding Clinical Spectrum of C9ORF72-Related Disorders and Promising Therapeutic Strategies: A Review. Neurol Genet 2022; 8:e670. [PMID: 35620137 PMCID: PMC9128039 DOI: 10.1212/nxg.0000000000000670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In 2011, a pathogenic hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9ORF72 gene was discovered to be the leading genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Before this, the C9ORF72 gene and its protein were unknown. The repeat expansion was found to cause both haploinsufficiency and gain of toxicity through aggregating RNA products and dipeptide repeat proteins. A worldwide effort was then initiated to define C9ORF72 ALS/FTD and unravel the pathogenic mechanism for the development of therapeutic options. A decade later, C9ORF72 genetic testing is readily available. There is now an increasing appreciation that C9ORF72 not only is the leading genetic cause of ALS/FTD but may contribute to a spectrum of disorders. This article reviews what is currently known about the C9ORF72 expansion and how C9ORF72 expansion manifests in ALS, FTD, psychiatric disorders, and movement disorders. With therapeutic strategies fast approaching the clinic, earlier recognition of possible C9ORF72 expansion related disorders is even more paramount to improve patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Summer Gibson
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
| | - Karla Figueroa
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
| | - Mark Bromberg
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
| | - Stefan Pulst
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
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15
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Barbé L, Finkbeiner S. Genetic and Epigenetic Interplay Define Disease Onset and Severity in Repeat Diseases. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:750629. [PMID: 35592702 PMCID: PMC9110800 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.750629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeat diseases, such as fragile X syndrome, myotonic dystrophy, Friedreich ataxia, Huntington disease, spinocerebellar ataxias, and some forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are caused by repetitive DNA sequences that are expanded in affected individuals. The age at which an individual begins to experience symptoms, and the severity of disease, are partially determined by the size of the repeat. However, the epigenetic state of the area in and around the repeat also plays an important role in determining the age of disease onset and the rate of disease progression. Many repeat diseases share a common epigenetic pattern of increased methylation at CpG islands near the repeat region. CpG islands are CG-rich sequences that are tightly regulated by methylation and are often found at gene enhancer or insulator elements in the genome. Methylation of CpG islands can inhibit binding of the transcriptional regulator CTCF, resulting in a closed chromatin state and gene down regulation. The downregulation of these genes leads to some disease-specific symptoms. Additionally, a genetic and epigenetic interplay is suggested by an effect of methylation on repeat instability, a hallmark of large repeat expansions that leads to increasing disease severity in successive generations. In this review, we will discuss the common epigenetic patterns shared across repeat diseases, how the genetics and epigenetics interact, and how this could be involved in disease manifestation. We also discuss the currently available stem cell and mouse models, which frequently do not recapitulate epigenetic patterns observed in human disease, and propose alternative strategies to study the role of epigenetics in repeat diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Barbé
- Center for Systems and Therapeutics, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Steve Finkbeiner
- Center for Systems and Therapeutics, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Steve Finkbeiner,
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16
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Verdone BM, Cicardi ME, Wen X, Sriramoji S, Russell K, Markandaiah SS, Jensen BK, Krishnamurthy K, Haeusler AR, Pasinelli P, Trotti D. A mouse model with widespread expression of the C9orf72-linked glycine-arginine dipeptide displays non-lethal ALS/FTD-like phenotypes. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5644. [PMID: 35379876 PMCID: PMC8979946 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09593-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Translation of the hexanucleotide G4C2 expansion associated with C9orf72 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD) produces five different dipeptide repeat protein (DPR) species that can confer toxicity. There is yet much to learn about the contribution of a single DPR to disease pathogenesis. We show here that a short repeat length is sufficient for the DPR poly-GR to confer neurotoxicity in vitro, a phenomenon previously unobserved. This toxicity is also reported in vivo in our novel knock-in mouse model characterized by widespread central nervous system (CNS) expression of the short-length poly-GR. We observe sex-specific chronic ALS/FTD-like phenotypes in these mice, including mild motor neuron loss, but no TDP-43 mis-localization, as well as motor and cognitive impairments. We suggest that this model can serve as the foundation for phenotypic exacerbation through second-hit forms of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandie Morris Verdone
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maria Elena Cicardi
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xinmei Wen
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sindhu Sriramoji
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katelyn Russell
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shashirekha S Markandaiah
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brigid K Jensen
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karthik Krishnamurthy
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Aaron R Haeusler
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Piera Pasinelli
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Davide Trotti
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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17
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Masrori P, Beckers J, Gossye H, Van Damme P. The role of inflammation in neurodegeneration: novel insights into the role of the immune system in C9orf72 HRE-mediated ALS/FTD. Mol Neurodegener 2022; 17:22. [PMID: 35303907 PMCID: PMC8932121 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00525-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is an important hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). An inflammatory reaction to neuronal injury is deemed vital for neuronal health and homeostasis. However, a continued activation of the inflammatory response can be detrimental to remaining neurons and aggravate the disease process. Apart from a disease modifying role, some evidence suggests that neuroinflammation may also contribute to the upstream cause of the disease. In this review, we will first focus on the role of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 gene (C9orf72) hexanucleotide repeat expansions (HRE)-mediated ALS/FTD (C9-ALS/FTD). Additionally, we will discuss evidence from ex vivo and in vivo studies and finally, we briefly summarize the trials and progress of anti-inflammatory therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pegah Masrori
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, Experimental Neurology, Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, 602, 3000, Leuven, PB, Belgium.,Neurology Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Antwerp, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Jimmy Beckers
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, Experimental Neurology, Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, 602, 3000, Leuven, PB, Belgium
| | - Helena Gossye
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Antwerp, 2650, Edegem, Belgium.,VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases, University of Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,Laboratory of Neurobiology, Experimental Neurology, Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, 602, 3000, Leuven, PB, Belgium. .,Neurology Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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18
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Wieben ED, Aleff RA, Rinkoski TA, Baratz KH, Basu S, Patel SV, Maguire LJ, Fautsch MP. Comparison of TCF4 repeat expansion length in corneal endothelium and leukocytes of patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260837. [PMID: 34855896 PMCID: PMC8638873 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Expansion of CTG trinucleotide repeats (TNR) in the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) gene is highly associated with Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD). Due to limitations in the availability of DNA from diseased corneal endothelium, sizing of CTG repeats in FECD patients has typically been determined using DNA samples isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes. However, it is non-feasible to extract enough DNA from surgically isolated FECD corneal endothelial tissue to determine repeat length based on current technology. To circumvent this issue, total RNA was isolated from FECD corneal endothelium and sequenced using long-read sequencing. Southern blotting of DNA samples isolated from primary cultures of corneal endothelium from these same affected individuals was also assessed. Both long read sequencing and Southern blot analysis showed significantly longer CTG TNR expansion (>1000 repeats) in the corneal endothelium from FECD patients than those characterized in leukocytes from the same individuals (<90 repeats). Our findings suggest that the TCF4 CTG repeat expansions in the FECD corneal endothelium are much longer than those found in leukocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric D. Wieben
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United states of America
| | - Ross A. Aleff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United states of America
| | - Tommy A. Rinkoski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United states of America
| | - Keith H. Baratz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United states of America
| | - Shubham Basu
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics and Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Sanjay V. Patel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United states of America
| | - Leo J. Maguire
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United states of America
| | - Michael P. Fautsch
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United states of America
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19
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Ramic M, Andrade NS, Rybin MJ, Esanov R, Wahlestedt C, Benatar M, Zeier Z. Epigenetic Small Molecules Rescue Nucleocytoplasmic Transport and DNA Damage Phenotypes in C9ORF72 ALS/FTD. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11111543. [PMID: 34827542 PMCID: PMC8616043 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11111543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease with available treatments only marginally slowing progression or improving survival. A hexanucleotide repeat expansion mutation in the C9ORF72 gene is the most commonly known genetic cause of both sporadic and familial cases of ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The C9ORF72 expansion mutation produces five dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), and while the mechanistic determinants of DPR-mediated neurotoxicity remain incompletely understood, evidence suggests that disruption of nucleocytoplasmic transport and increased DNA damage contributes to pathology. Therefore, characterizing these disturbances and determining the relative contribution of different DPRs is needed to facilitate the development of novel therapeutics for C9ALS/FTD. To this end, we generated a series of nucleocytoplasmic transport “biosensors”, composed of the green fluorescent protein (GFP), fused to different classes of nuclear localization signals (NLSs) and nuclear export signals (NESs). Using these biosensors in conjunction with automated microscopy, we investigated the role of the three most neurotoxic DPRs (PR, GR, and GA) on seven nuclear import and two export pathways. In addition to other DPRs, we found that PR had pronounced inhibitory effects on the classical nuclear export pathway and several nuclear import pathways. To identify compounds capable of counteracting the effects of PR on nucleocytoplasmic transport, we developed a nucleocytoplasmic transport assay and screened several commercially available compound libraries, totaling 2714 compounds. In addition to restoring nucleocytoplasmic transport efficiencies, hits from the screen also counteract the cytotoxic effects of PR. Selected hits were subsequently tested for their ability to rescue another C9ALS/FTD phenotype—persistent DNA double strand breakage. Overall, we found that DPRs disrupt multiple nucleocytoplasmic transport pathways and we identified small molecules that counteract these effects—resulting in increased viability of PR-expressing cells and decreased DNA damage markers in patient-derived motor neurons. Several HDAC inhibitors were validated as hits, supporting previous studies that show that HDAC inhibitors confer therapeutic effects in neurodegenerative models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Ramic
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 NW 10th Ave, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.R.); (N.S.A.); (M.J.R.); (R.E.); (C.W.)
| | - Nadja S. Andrade
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 NW 10th Ave, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.R.); (N.S.A.); (M.J.R.); (R.E.); (C.W.)
| | - Matthew J. Rybin
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 NW 10th Ave, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.R.); (N.S.A.); (M.J.R.); (R.E.); (C.W.)
| | - Rustam Esanov
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 NW 10th Ave, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.R.); (N.S.A.); (M.J.R.); (R.E.); (C.W.)
| | - Claes Wahlestedt
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 NW 10th Ave, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.R.); (N.S.A.); (M.J.R.); (R.E.); (C.W.)
| | - Michael Benatar
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th St., Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Zane Zeier
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 NW 10th Ave, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.R.); (N.S.A.); (M.J.R.); (R.E.); (C.W.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-305-243-1367
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20
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Sharpe JL, Harper NS, Garner DR, West RJH. Modeling C9orf72-Related Frontotemporal Dementia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Drosophila. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:770937. [PMID: 34744635 PMCID: PMC8566814 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.770937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
An intronic hexanucleotide (GGGGCC) expansion in the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In the decade following its discovery, much progress has been made in enhancing our understanding of how it precipitates disease. Both loss of function caused by reduced C9orf72 transcript levels, and gain of function mechanisms, triggered by the production of repetitive sense and antisense RNA and dipeptide repeat proteins, are thought to contribute to the toxicity. Drosophila models, with their unrivaled genetic tractability and short lifespan, have played a key role in developing our understanding of C9orf72-related FTD/ALS. There is no C9orf72 homolog in fly, and although this precludes investigations into loss of function toxicity, it is useful for elucidating mechanisms underpinning gain of function toxicity. To date there are a range of Drosophila C9orf72 models, encompassing different aspects of gain of function toxicity. In addition to pure repeat transgenes, which produce both repeat RNA and dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), RNA only models and DPR models have been generated to unpick the individual contributions of RNA and each dipeptide repeat protein to C9orf72 toxicity. In this review, we discuss how Drosophila models have shaped our understanding of C9orf72 gain of function toxicity, and address opportunities to utilize these models for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne L Sharpe
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nikki S Harper
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Duncan R Garner
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Ryan J H West
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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21
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Ratti A, Peverelli S, D'Adda E, Colombrita C, Gennuso M, Prelle A, Silani V. Genetic and epigenetic disease modifiers in an Italian C9orf72 family expressing ALS, FTD or PD clinical phenotypes. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2021; 23:292-298. [PMID: 34382491 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2021.1962355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The presence of the hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in C9orf72 gene is associated to the ALS/FTD spectrum, but also to parkinsonisms. We here describe an Italian family with the father diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD) at the age of 67 and the two daughters developing FTD and ALS at 45 years of age. We searched for C9orf72 HRE with possible genetic and epigenetic modifiers to account for the intrafamilial phenotypic variability. Methods: C9orf72 mutational analysis was performed by fragment length analysis, Repeat-primed PCR and Southern blot. Targeted next generation sequencing was used to analyze 48 genes associated to neurodegenerative diseases. Promoter methylation was analyzed by bisulfite sequencing. Results: Genetic analysis identified C9orf72 HRE in all the affected members with a similar repeat expansion size. Both the father and the FTD daughter also carried the heterozygous p.Ile946Phe variant in ATP13A2 gene, associated to PD. In addition, the father also showed a heterozygous EIF4G1 variant (p.Ala13Pro), that might increase his susceptibility to develop PD. The DNA methylation analysis showed that all the 26 CpG sites within C9orf72 promoter were unmethylated in all family members. Conclusions: Neither C9orf72 HRE size nor promoter methylation act as disease modifiers within this family, at least in blood, not excluding HRE mosaicism and a different methylation pattern in the brain. However, the presence of rare genetic variants in PD genes suggests that they may influence the clinical manifestation in the father. Other genetic and/or epigenetic modifiers must be responsible for disease variability in this C9orf72 family case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Ratti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Peverelli
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Colombrita
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Prelle
- U.O.C. of Neurology - Stroke Unit, ASST Ovest milanese, Legnano, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, "Dino Ferrari" Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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22
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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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23
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Frottin F, Pérez-Berlanga M, Hartl FU, Hipp MS. Multiple pathways of toxicity induced by C9orf72 dipeptide repeat aggregates and G 4C 2 RNA in a cellular model. eLife 2021; 10:62718. [PMID: 34161229 PMCID: PMC8221807 DOI: 10.7554/elife.62718] [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: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The most frequent genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia is a G4C2 repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene. This expansion gives rise to translation of aggregating dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins, including poly-GA as the most abundant species. However, gain of toxic function effects have been attributed to either the DPRs or the pathological G4C2 RNA. Here, we analyzed in a cellular model the relative toxicity of DPRs and RNA. Cytoplasmic poly-GA aggregates, generated in the absence of G4C2 RNA, interfered with nucleocytoplasmic protein transport, but had little effect on cell viability. In contrast, nuclear poly-GA was more toxic, impairing nucleolar protein quality control and protein biosynthesis. Production of the G4C2 RNA strongly reduced viability independent of DPR translation and caused pronounced inhibition of nuclear mRNA export and protein biogenesis. Thus, while the toxic effects of G4C2 RNA predominate in the cellular model used, DPRs exert additive effects that may contribute to pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Frottin
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.,Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Manuela Pérez-Berlanga
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.,Department of Quantitative Biomedicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - F Ulrich Hartl
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Mark S Hipp
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.,Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.,School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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24
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Smeyers J, Banchi EG, Latouche M. C9ORF72: What It Is, What It Does, and Why It Matters. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:661447. [PMID: 34025358 PMCID: PMC8131521 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.661447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
When the non-coding repeat expansion in the C9ORF72 gene was discovered to be the most frequent cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2011, this gene and its derived protein, C9ORF72, were completely unknown. The mutation appeared to produce both haploinsufficiency and gain-of-function effects in the form of aggregating expanded RNAs and dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs). An unprecedented effort was then unleashed to decipher the pathogenic mechanisms and the functions of C9ORF72 in order to design therapies. A decade later, while the toxicity of accumulating gain-of-function products has been established and therapeutic strategies are being developed to target it, the contribution of the loss of function starts to appear more clearly. This article reviews the current knowledge about the C9ORF72 protein, how it is affected by the repeat expansion in models and patients, and what could be the contribution of its haploinsufficiency to the disease in light of the most recent findings. We suggest that these elements should be taken into consideration to refine future therapeutic strategies, compensating for the decrease of C9ORF72 or at least preventing a further reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Smeyers
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, APHP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, DMU Neuroscience 6, Paris, France
- PSL Research university, EPHE, Neurogenetics team, Paris, France
| | - Elena-Gaia Banchi
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, APHP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, DMU Neuroscience 6, Paris, France
| | - Morwena Latouche
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, APHP, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, DMU Neuroscience 6, Paris, France
- PSL Research university, EPHE, Neurogenetics team, Paris, France
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25
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van der Ende EL, Jackson JL, White A, Seelaar H, van Blitterswijk M, Van Swieten JC. Unravelling the clinical spectrum and the role of repeat length in C9ORF72 repeat expansions. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2021; 92:502-509. [PMID: 33452054 PMCID: PMC8053328 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-325377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery of the C9orf72 repeat expansion as the most common genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, it has increasingly been associated with a wider spectrum of phenotypes, including other types of dementia, movement disorders, psychiatric symptoms and slowly progressive FTD. Prompt recognition of patients with C9orf72-associated diseases is essential in light of upcoming clinical trials. The striking clinical heterogeneity associated with C9orf72 repeat expansions remains largely unexplained. In contrast to other repeat expansion disorders, evidence for an effect of repeat length on phenotype is inconclusive. Patients with C9orf72-associated diseases typically have very long repeat expansions, containing hundreds to thousands of GGGGCC-repeats, but smaller expansions might also have clinical significance. The exact threshold at which repeat expansions lead to neurodegeneration is unknown, and discordant cut-offs between laboratories pose a challenge for genetic counselling. Accurate and large-scale measurement of repeat expansions has been severely hindered by technical difficulties in sizing long expansions and by variable repeat lengths across and within tissues. Novel long-read sequencing approaches have produced promising results and open up avenues to further investigate this enthralling repeat expansion, elucidating whether its length, purity, and methylation pattern might modulate clinical features of C9orf72-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L van der Ende
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Adrianna White
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.,Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Harro Seelaar
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marka van Blitterswijk
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.,Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - John C Van Swieten
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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26
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Glasmacher SA, Wong C, Pearson IE, Pal S. Survival and Prognostic Factors in C9orf72 Repeat Expansion Carriers: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Neurol 2021; 77:367-376. [PMID: 31738367 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.3924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Importance The c9orf72 repeat expansion (c9 or c9orf72RE) confers a survival disadvantage in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); its effect on prognosis in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) remains uncertain. Data on prognostic factors in c9orf72RE disorders could inform patient care, genetic counseling, and trial design. Objective To examine prognostic factors in c9ALS, c9FTD, c9ALS-FTD, and atypical phenotypes. Data Sources The MEDLINE, Embase, Amed, ProQuest, PsychINFO, CINAHL, and LILACS databases were searched between January 2011 and January 2019. Keywords used were c9orf72 and chromosome 9 open reading frame 72. Reference lists, citations of eligible studies, and review articles were also searched by hand. Study Selection Studies reporting disease duration for patients with a confirmed c9orf72RE and a neurological and/or psychiatric disorder were included. A second author independently reviewed studies classified as irrelevant by the first author. Analysis began in January 2019. Data Extraction and Synthesis Data were extracted by 1 author; a further author independently extracted 10% of data. Data were synthesized in univariate and multivariable Cox regression and are displayed as hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals. Main Outcomes and Measures Survival after symptom onset. Results Overall, 206 studies reporting on 1060 patients were included from 2878 publications identified (c9ALS: n = 455; c9FTD: n = 296; c9ALS-FTD: n = 198; atypical phenotypes: n = 111); 197 duplicate cases were excluded. The median (95% CI) survival (in years) differed significantly between patients with c9ALS (2.8 [2.67-3.00]), c9FTD (9.0 [8.09-9.91]), and c9ALS-FTD (3.0 [2.73-3.27]); survival in atypical phenotypes varied substantially. Older age at onset was associated with shorter survival in c9ALS (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.02-1.04; P < .001), c9FTD (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.06; P < .001), and c9ALS-FTD (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.004-1.04; P = .016). Bulbar onset was associated with shorter survival in c9ALS (HR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.27-2.08; P < .001). Age at onset and bulbar onset ALS remained significant in multivariable regression including variables indicating potential diagnostic ascertainment bias, selection bias, and reporting bias. Family history, sex, study continent, FTD subtype, or the presence of additional pathogenic sequence variants were not significantly associated with survival. Clinical phenotypes in patients with neuropathologically confirmed frontotemporal lobar degeneration-TDP-43, motor neuron disease-TDP-43 and frontotemporal lobar degeneration-motor neuron disease-TDP-43 were heterogenous and impacted on survival. Conclusions and Relevance Several factors associated with survival in c9orf72RE disorders were identified. The inherent limitations of our methodological approach must be considered; nonetheless, the reported prognostic factors were not significantly associated with the bias indicators examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella A Glasmacher
- College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Charis Wong
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Iona E Pearson
- College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Suvankar Pal
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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27
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Riemslagh FW, van der Toorn EC, Verhagen RFM, Maas A, Bosman LWJ, Hukema RK, Willemsen R. Inducible expression of human C9ORF72 36x G 4C 2 hexanucleotide repeats is sufficient to cause RAN translation and rapid muscular atrophy in mice. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm.044842. [PMID: 33431483 PMCID: PMC7903916 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.044842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The hexanucleotide G4C2 repeat expansion in the first intron of the C9ORF72 gene explains the majority of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases. Numerous studies have indicated the toxicity of dipeptide repeats (DPRs) which are produced via repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation from the repeat expansion and accumulate in the brain of C9FTD/ALS patients. Mouse models expressing the human C9ORF72 repeat and/or DPRs show variable pathological, functional, and behavioral characteristics of FTD and ALS. Here, we report a new Tet-on inducible mouse model that expresses 36x pure G4C2 repeats with 100bp upstream and downstream human flanking regions. Brain specific expression causes the formation of sporadic sense DPRs aggregates upon 6 months dox induction but no apparent neurodegeneration. Expression in the rest of the body evokes abundant sense DPRs in multiple organs, leading to weight loss, neuromuscular junction disruption, myopathy, and a locomotor phenotype within the time frame of four weeks. We did not observe any RNA foci or pTDP-43 pathology. Accumulation of DPRs and the myopathy phenotype could be prevented when 36x G4C2 repeat expression was stopped after 1 week. After 2 weeks of expression, the phenotype could not be reversed, even though DPR levels were reduced. In conclusion, expression of 36x pure G4C2 repeats including 100bp human flanking regions is sufficient for RAN translation of sense DPRs and evokes a functional locomotor phenotype. Our inducible mouse model suggests early diagnosis and treatment are important for C9FTD/ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- F W Riemslagh
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E C van der Toorn
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R F M Verhagen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A Maas
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - L W J Bosman
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R K Hukema
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R Willemsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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28
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Ahmed RM, Hodges JR, Piguet O. Behavioural Variant Frontotemporal Dementia: Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Understanding of the Disorder. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1281:1-15. [PMID: 33433865 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-51140-1_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), particularly the behavioural variant (bvFTD) form, has fascinated researchers. Recent years have seen an increasing interest in aspects of bvFTD that extend beyond the initial focus on cognitive changes and frontal executive dysfunction. Changes have been identified in aspects including fundamental changes in physiology and metabolism, and cognitive domains such as episodic memory. Work on social cognition has emphasised the importance of a breakdown in interpreting and expressing emotions, while the overlap between psychiatric disorders and bvFTD has been brought into focus by the finding of high rates of psychotic features in carriers of the c9orf72 gene expansion. We review these aspects in the chapter " Behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia: Recent advances in diagnosis and understanding of the disorder" and also potential markers of disease progression and early diagnosis that may aid in the development of treatment options, which have thus far eluded us.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah M Ahmed
- Memory and Cognition Clinic, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,Central Sydney Medical School and Brain & Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - John R Hodges
- Central Sydney Medical School and Brain & Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Olivier Piguet
- School of Psychology and Brain & Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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29
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Pattamatta A, Nguyen L, Olafson HR, Scotti MM, Laboissonniere LA, Richardson J, Berglund JA, Zu T, Wang ET, Ranum LPW. Repeat length increases disease penetrance and severity in C9orf72 ALS/FTD BAC transgenic mice. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 29:3900-3918. [PMID: 33378537 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
C9orf72 ALS/FTD patients show remarkable clinical heterogeneity, but the complex biology of the repeat expansion mutation has limited our understanding of the disease. BAC transgenic mice were used to better understand the molecular mechanisms and repeat length effects of C9orf72 ALS/FTD. Genetic analyses of these mice demonstrate that the BAC transgene and not integration site effects cause ALS/FTD phenotypes. Transcriptomic changes in cell proliferation, inflammation and neuronal pathways are found late in disease and alternative splicing changes provide early molecular markers that worsen with disease progression. Isogenic sublines of mice with 800, 500 or 50 G4C2 repeats generated from the single-copy C9-500 line show longer repeats result in earlier onset, increased disease penetrance and increased levels of RNA foci and dipeptide RAN protein aggregates. These data demonstrate G4C2 repeat length is an important driver of disease and identify alternative splicing changes as early biomarkers of C9orf72 ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrutha Pattamatta
- Center for NeuroGenetics, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Lien Nguyen
- Center for NeuroGenetics, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Hailey R Olafson
- Center for NeuroGenetics, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Marina M Scotti
- Center for NeuroGenetics, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Lauren A Laboissonniere
- Center for NeuroGenetics, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Jared Richardson
- Center for NeuroGenetics, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - J Andrew Berglund
- Center for NeuroGenetics, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,RNA Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Tao Zu
- Center for NeuroGenetics, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Eric T Wang
- Center for NeuroGenetics, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Laura P W Ranum
- Center for NeuroGenetics, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Colllege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,Fixel Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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30
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Gagliardi D, Costamagna G, Taiana M, Andreoli L, Biella F, Bersani M, Bresolin N, Comi GP, Corti S. Insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutics for C9orf72-related amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia. Ageing Res Rev 2020; 64:101172. [PMID: 32971256 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2020.101172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In 2011, a hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in the noncoding region of C9orf72 was associated with the most frequent genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The main pathogenic mechanisms in C9-ALS/FTD are haploinsufficiency of the C9orf72 protein and gain of function toxicity from bidirectionally-transcribed repeat-containing RNAs and dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) resulting from non-canonical RNA translation. Additionally, abnormalities in different downstream cellular mechanisms, such as nucleocytoplasmic transport and autophagy, play a role in pathogenesis. Substantial research efforts using in vitro and in vivo models have provided valuable insights into the contribution of each mechanism in disease pathogenesis. However, conflicting evidence exists, and a unifying theory still lacks. Here, we provide an overview of the recently published literature on clinical, neuropathological and molecular features of C9-ALS/FTD. We highlight the supposed neuronal role of C9orf72 and the HRE pathogenic cascade, mainly focusing on the contribution of RNA foci and DPRs to neurodegeneration and discussing the several downstream mechanisms. We summarize the emerging biochemical and neuroimaging biomarkers, as well as the potential therapeutic approaches. Despite promising results, a specific disease-modifying treatment is still not available to date and greater insights into disease mechanisms may help in this direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Gagliardi
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Costamagna
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Taiana
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Andreoli
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Biella
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Bersani
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Nereo Bresolin
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pietro Comi
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.
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31
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Lulé DE, Müller HP, Finsel J, Weydt P, Knehr A, Winroth I, Andersen P, Weishaupt J, Uttner I, Kassubek J, Ludolph AC. Deficits in verbal fluency in presymptomatic C9orf72 mutation gene carriers-a developmental disorder. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2020; 91:1195-1200. [PMID: 32855285 PMCID: PMC7569387 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-323671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A mutation in C9orf72 constitute a cross-link between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and fronto-temporal dementia (FTD). At clinical manifestation, both patient groups may present with either cognitive impairment of predominantly behaviour or language (in FTD) or motor dysfunctions (in ALS). METHODS In total, 36 non-symptomatic mutation carriers from ALS or FTD families were examined, including 21 subjects with C9orf72 and 15 with SOD1 mutations. Data were compared with 91 age-matched, education-matched and gender-matched healthy subjects (56 were first-degree relatives from ALS or FTD families, 35 with no known family history of ALS/FTD). MRI scanning for diffusion tensor imaging was performed to map fractional anisotropy (FA). Subjects performed an extensive neuropsychological assessment to address verbal fluency, language, executive, memory and visuospatial function. Measurements were repeated after 12 months. RESULTS C9orf72 expansion carriers performed significantly worse in verbal fluency and non-verbal memory and presented with distinct alterations in structural white matter integrity indicated by lower FA values in inferior and orbitofrontal cortical areas compared with carriers of SOD1 mutations or healthy subjects. Loss of structural integrity was associated with decreased verbal fluency performance. White matter alterations and cognitive performance showed no changes over 12 months in all subjects. DISCUSSION Reduced verbal fluency performance seems to be a distinct clinical feature of C9orf72 carriers before symptomatic disease onset without evidence for change over time in our cohort. The results support the emerging hypothesis of a general disorder in development in addition to neurodegeneration in C9orf72 carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothée E Lulé
- Department of Neurology, Neuropsychology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Julia Finsel
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Patrick Weydt
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Gerontopsychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Antje Knehr
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Ingo Uttner
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Kassubek
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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32
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Modelling frontotemporal dementia using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. Mol Cell Neurosci 2020; 109:103553. [PMID: 32956830 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2020.103553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) describes a group of clinically heterogeneous conditions that frequently affect people under the age of 65 (Le Ber et al., 2013). There are multiple genetic causes of FTD, including coding or splice-site mutations in MAPT, GRN mutations that lead to haploinsufficiency of progranulin protein, and a hexanucleotide GGGGCC repeat expansion in C9ORF72. Pathologically, FTD is characterised by abnormal protein accumulations in neurons and glia. These aggregates can be composed of the microtubule-associated protein tau (observed in FTD with MAPT mutations), the DNA/RNA-binding protein TDP-43 (seen in FTD with mutations in GRN or C9ORF72 repeat expansions) or dipeptide proteins generated by repeat associated non-ATG translation of the C9ORF72 repeat expansion. There are currently no disease-modifying therapies for FTD and the availability of in vitro models that recapitulate pathologies in a disease-relevant cell type would accelerate the development of novel therapeutics. It is now possible to generate patient-specific stem cells through the reprogramming of somatic cells from a patient with a genotype/phenotype of interest into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). iPSCs can subsequently be differentiated into a plethora of cell types including neurons, astrocytes and microglia. Using this approach has allowed researchers to generate in vitro models of genetic FTD in human cell types that are largely inaccessible during life. In this review we explore the recent progress in the use of iPSCs to model FTD, and consider the merits, limitations and future prospects of this approach.
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33
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Ababneh NA, Scaber J, Flynn R, Douglas A, Barbagallo P, Candalija A, Turner MR, Sims D, Dafinca R, Cowley SA, Talbot K. Correction of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis related phenotypes in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons carrying a hexanucleotide expansion mutation in C9orf72 by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing using homology-directed repair. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 29:2200-2217. [PMID: 32504093 PMCID: PMC7399532 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The G4C2 hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in C9orf72 is the commonest cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A number of different methods have been used to generate isogenic control lines using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 and non-homologous end-joining by deleting the repeat region, with the risk of creating indels and genomic instability. In this study, we demonstrate complete correction of an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line derived from a C9orf72-HRE positive ALS/frontotemporal dementia patient using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and homology-directed repair (HDR), resulting in replacement of the excised region with a donor template carrying the wild-type repeat size to maintain the genetic architecture of the locus. The isogenic correction of the C9orf72 HRE restored normal gene expression and methylation at the C9orf72 locus, reduced intron retention in the edited lines and abolished pathological phenotypes associated with the C9orf72 HRE expansion in iPSC-derived motor neurons (iPSMNs). RNA sequencing of the mutant line identified 2220 differentially expressed genes compared with its isogenic control. Enrichment analysis demonstrated an over-representation of ALS relevant pathways, including calcium ion dependent exocytosis, synaptic transport and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes ALS pathway, as well as new targets of potential relevance to ALS pathophysiology. Complete correction of the C9orf72 HRE in iPSMNs by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated HDR provides an ideal model to study the earliest effects of the hexanucleotide expansion on cellular homeostasis and the key pathways implicated in ALS pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidaa A Ababneh
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Cell Therapy Center, University of Jordan, Queen Rania St, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Jakub Scaber
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Rowan Flynn
- James Martin Stem Cell Facility, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Andrew Douglas
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- Wessex Clinical Genetics Service, Level G, Mailpoint 627, Princess Anne Hospital, Coxford Road, Southampton SO16 5YA, UK
| | - Paola Barbagallo
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Ana Candalija
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Martin R Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - David Sims
- Weatherall Institute for Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Ruxandra Dafinca
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Sally A Cowley
- James Martin Stem Cell Facility, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
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34
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Ranganathan R, Haque S, Coley K, Shepheard S, Cooper-Knock J, Kirby J. Multifaceted Genes in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-Frontotemporal Dementia. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:684. [PMID: 32733193 PMCID: PMC7358438 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia are two progressive, adult onset neurodegenerative diseases, caused by the cell death of motor neurons in the motor cortex and spinal cord and cortical neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes, respectively. Whilst these have previously appeared to be quite distinct disorders, in terms of areas affected and clinical symptoms, identification of cognitive dysfunction as a component of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with some patients presenting with both ALS and FTD, overlapping features of neuropathology and the ongoing discoveries that a significant proportion of the genes underlying the familial forms of the disease are the same, has led to ALS and FTD being described as a disease spectrum. Many of these genes encode proteins in common biological pathways including RNA processing, autophagy, ubiquitin proteasome system, unfolded protein response and intracellular trafficking. This article provides an overview of the ALS-FTD genes before summarizing other known ALS and FTD causing genes where mutations have been found primarily in patients of one disease and rarely in the other. In discussing these genes, the review highlights the similarity of biological pathways in which the encoded proteins function and the interactions that occur between these proteins, whilst recognizing the distinctions of MAPT-related FTD and SOD1-related ALS. However, mutations in all of these genes result in similar pathology including protein aggregation and neuroinflammation, highlighting that multiple different mechanisms lead to common downstream effects and neuronal loss. Next generation sequencing has had a significant impact on the identification of genes associated with both diseases, and has also highlighted the widening clinical phenotypes associated with variants in these ALS and FTD genes. It is hoped that the large sequencing initiatives currently underway in ALS and FTD will begin to uncover why different diseases are associated with mutations within a single gene, especially as a personalized medicine approach to therapy, based on a patient's genetics, approaches the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Ranganathan
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Shaila Haque
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Barishal, Barishal, Bangladesh
| | - Kayesha Coley
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Shepheard
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Johnathan Cooper-Knock
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Janine Kirby
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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35
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Bendotti C, Bonetto V, Pupillo E, Logroscino G, Al-Chalabi A, Lunetta C, Riva N, Mora G, Lauria G, Weishaupt JH, Agosta F, Malaspina A, Basso M, Greensmith L, Van Den Bosch L, Ratti A, Corbo M, Hardiman O, Chiò A, Silani V, Beghi E. Focus on the heterogeneity of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020; 21:485-495. [PMID: 32583689 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1779298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The clinical manifestations of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are variable in terms of age at disease onset, site of onset, progression of symptoms, motor neuron involvement, and the occurrence of cognitive and behavioral changes. Genetic background is a key determinant of the ALS phenotype. The mortality of the disease also varies with the ancestral origin of the affected population and environmental factors are likely to be associated with ALS at least within some cohorts. Disease heterogeneity is likely underpinned by the presence of different pathogenic mechanisms. A variety of ALS animal models can be informative about the heterogeneity of the neuropathological or genetic aspects of the disease and can support the development of new therapeutic intervention. Evolving biomarkers can contribute to the identification of differing genotypes and phenotypes, and can be used to explore whether genotypic and phenotypic differences in animal models might help to provide a better definition of the heterogeneity of ALS in humans. These include neurofilaments, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, extracellular vesicles, microRNA and imaging findings. These biomarkers might predict not only the development of the disease, but also the variability in progression, although robust validation is required. A promising area of progress in modeling the heterogeneity of human ALS is represented by the use of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs)-derived motor neurons. Although the translational value of iPSCs remains unclear, this model is attractive in the perspective of replicating the heterogeneity of sporadic ALS as a first step toward a personalized medicine strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Bendotti
- Mario Negri-ALS Study Group, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Valentina Bonetto
- Mario Negri-ALS Study Group, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Pupillo
- Mario Negri-ALS Study Group, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- Department of Neurosciences and Sense Organs, Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Aging Brain Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari; Fondazione Giovanni Panico Tricase, Lecce, Italy
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Christian Lunetta
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Serena Onlus Foundation, Milano, Italy
| | - Nilo Riva
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
| | - Gabriela Mora
- Department of Neurorehabilitation, ICS Maugeri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- Unit of Neurology, Motor Neuron Disease Center, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Lduigi Sacco", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Federica Agosta
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Manuela Basso
- Mario Negri-ALS Study Group, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy.,Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), Università degli Studi di Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Linda Greensmith
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Center for Brain & Disease Research (VIB) and Laboratory of Neurobiology (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Antonia Ratti
- Department of Neurology - Stroke Unit and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milano, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Corbo
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa Cura Policlinico (CCP), Milano, Italy
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Adriano Chiò
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology - Stroke Unit and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milano, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, "Dino Ferrari" Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Ettore Beghi
- Mario Negri-ALS Study Group, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
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36
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Khristich AN, Mirkin SM. On the wrong DNA track: Molecular mechanisms of repeat-mediated genome instability. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:4134-4170. [PMID: 32060097 PMCID: PMC7105313 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev119.007678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Expansions of simple tandem repeats are responsible for almost 50 human diseases, the majority of which are severe, degenerative, and not currently treatable or preventable. In this review, we first describe the molecular mechanisms of repeat-induced toxicity, which is the connecting link between repeat expansions and pathology. We then survey alternative DNA structures that are formed by expandable repeats and review the evidence that formation of these structures is at the core of repeat instability. Next, we describe the consequences of the presence of long structure-forming repeats at the molecular level: somatic and intergenerational instability, fragility, and repeat-induced mutagenesis. We discuss the reasons for gender bias in intergenerational repeat instability and the tissue specificity of somatic repeat instability. We also review the known pathways in which DNA replication, transcription, DNA repair, and chromatin state interact and thereby promote repeat instability. We then discuss possible reasons for the persistence of disease-causing DNA repeats in the genome. We describe evidence suggesting that these repeats are a payoff for the advantages of having abundant simple-sequence repeats for eukaryotic genome function and evolvability. Finally, we discuss two unresolved fundamental questions: (i) why does repeat behavior differ between model systems and human pedigrees, and (ii) can we use current knowledge on repeat instability mechanisms to cure repeat expansion diseases?
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sergei M Mirkin
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155.
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37
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Bardelli D, Sassone F, Colombrita C, Volpe C, Gumina V, Peverelli S, Catusi I, Ratti A, Silani V, Bossolasco P. Reprogramming fibroblasts and peripheral blood cells from a C9ORF72 patient: A proof-of-principle study. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:4051-4060. [PMID: 32125773 PMCID: PMC7171411 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
As for the majority of neurodegenerative diseases, pathological mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have been challenging to study due to the difficult access to alive patients' cells. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a useful in vitro system for modelling human diseases. iPSCs can be theoretically obtained by reprogramming any somatic tissue although fibroblasts (FB) remain the most used cells. However, reprogramming peripheral blood cells (PB) may offer significant advantages. In order to investigate whether the choice of starting cells may affect reprogramming and motor neuron (MNs) differentiation potential, we used both FB and PB from a same C9ORF72-mutated ALS patient to obtain iPSCs and compared several hallmarks of the pathology. We found that both iPSCs and MNs derived from the two tissues showed identical properties and features and can therefore be used interchangeably, giving the opportunity to easily obtain iPSCs from a more manageable source of cells, such as PB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Bardelli
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,"Aldo Ravelli" Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Sassone
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Colombrita
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Volpe
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Gumina
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Peverelli
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Catusi
- Lab. di Citogenetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
| | - Antonia Ratti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,"Aldo Ravelli" Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Dino Ferrari" Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Bossolasco
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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Hayes LR, Duan L, Bowen K, Kalab P, Rothstein JD. C9orf72 arginine-rich dipeptide repeat proteins disrupt karyopherin-mediated nuclear import. eLife 2020; 9:e51685. [PMID: 32119645 PMCID: PMC7051184 DOI: 10.7554/elife.51685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Disruption of nucleocytoplasmic transport is increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS caused by a C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion. However, the mechanism(s) remain unclear. Karyopherins, including importin β and its cargo adaptors, have been shown to co-precipitate with the C9orf72 arginine-containing dipeptide repeat proteins (R-DPRs), poly-glycine arginine (GR) and poly-proline arginine (PR), and are protective in genetic modifier screens. Here, we show that R-DPRs interact with importin β, disrupt its cargo loading, and inhibit nuclear import of importin β, importin α/β, and transportin cargoes in permeabilized mouse neurons and HeLa cells, in a manner that can be rescued by RNA. Although R-DPRs induce widespread protein aggregation in this in vitro system, transport disruption is not due to nucleocytoplasmic transport protein sequestration, nor blockade of the phenylalanine-glycine (FG)-rich nuclear pore complex. Our results support a model in which R-DPRs interfere with cargo loading on karyopherins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey R Hayes
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Lauren Duan
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Kelly Bowen
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Petr Kalab
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Jeffrey D Rothstein
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
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39
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Moore KM, Nicholas J, Grossman M, McMillan CT, Irwin DJ, Massimo L, Van Deerlin VM, Warren JD, Fox NC, Rossor MN, Mead S, Bocchetta M, Boeve BF, Knopman DS, Graff-Radford NR, Forsberg LK, Rademakers R, Wszolek ZK, van Swieten JC, Jiskoot LC, Meeter LH, Dopper EG, Papma JM, Snowden JS, Saxon J, Jones M, Pickering-Brown S, Le Ber I, Camuzat A, Brice A, Caroppo P, Ghidoni R, Pievani M, Benussi L, Binetti G, Dickerson BC, Lucente D, Krivensky S, Graff C, Öijerstedt L, Fallström M, Thonberg H, Ghoshal N, Morris JC, Borroni B, Benussi A, Padovani A, Galimberti D, Scarpini E, Fumagalli GG, Mackenzie IR, Hsiung GYR, Sengdy P, Boxer AL, Rosen H, Taylor JB, Synofzik M, Wilke C, Sulzer P, Hodges JR, Halliday G, Kwok J, Sanchez-Valle R, Lladó A, Borrego-Ecija S, Santana I, Almeida MR, Tábuas-Pereira M, Moreno F, Barandiaran M, Indakoetxea B, Levin J, Danek A, Rowe JB, Cope TE, Otto M, Anderl-Straub S, de Mendonça A, Maruta C, Masellis M, Black SE, Couratier P, Lautrette G, Huey ED, Sorbi S, Nacmias B, Laforce R, Tremblay MPL, Vandenberghe R, Damme PV, Rogalski EJ, Weintraub S, Gerhard A, Onyike CU, Ducharme S, Papageorgiou SG, Ng ASL, Brodtmann A, Finger E, Guerreiro R, Bras J, Rohrer JD. Age at symptom onset and death and disease duration in genetic frontotemporal dementia: an international retrospective cohort study. Lancet Neurol 2020; 19:145-156. [PMID: 31810826 PMCID: PMC7007771 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(19)30394-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frontotemporal dementia is a heterogenous neurodegenerative disorder, with about a third of cases being genetic. Most of this genetic component is accounted for by mutations in GRN, MAPT, and C9orf72. In this study, we aimed to complement previous phenotypic studies by doing an international study of age at symptom onset, age at death, and disease duration in individuals with mutations in GRN, MAPT, and C9orf72. METHODS In this international, retrospective cohort study, we collected data on age at symptom onset, age at death, and disease duration for patients with pathogenic mutations in the GRN and MAPT genes and pathological expansions in the C9orf72 gene through the Frontotemporal Dementia Prevention Initiative and from published papers. We used mixed effects models to explore differences in age at onset, age at death, and disease duration between genetic groups and individual mutations. We also assessed correlations between the age at onset and at death of each individual and the age at onset and at death of their parents and the mean age at onset and at death of their family members. Lastly, we used mixed effects models to investigate the extent to which variability in age at onset and at death could be accounted for by family membership and the specific mutation carried. FINDINGS Data were available from 3403 individuals from 1492 families: 1433 with C9orf72 expansions (755 families), 1179 with GRN mutations (483 families, 130 different mutations), and 791 with MAPT mutations (254 families, 67 different mutations). Mean age at symptom onset and at death was 49·5 years (SD 10·0; onset) and 58·5 years (11·3; death) in the MAPT group, 58·2 years (9·8; onset) and 65·3 years (10·9; death) in the C9orf72 group, and 61·3 years (8·8; onset) and 68·8 years (9·7; death) in the GRN group. Mean disease duration was 6·4 years (SD 4·9) in the C9orf72 group, 7·1 years (3·9) in the GRN group, and 9·3 years (6·4) in the MAPT group. Individual age at onset and at death was significantly correlated with both parental age at onset and at death and with mean family age at onset and at death in all three groups, with a stronger correlation observed in the MAPT group (r=0·45 between individual and parental age at onset, r=0·63 between individual and mean family age at onset, r=0·58 between individual and parental age at death, and r=0·69 between individual and mean family age at death) than in either the C9orf72 group (r=0·32 individual and parental age at onset, r=0·36 individual and mean family age at onset, r=0·38 individual and parental age at death, and r=0·40 individual and mean family age at death) or the GRN group (r=0·22 individual and parental age at onset, r=0·18 individual and mean family age at onset, r=0·22 individual and parental age at death, and r=0·32 individual and mean family age at death). Modelling showed that the variability in age at onset and at death in the MAPT group was explained partly by the specific mutation (48%, 95% CI 35-62, for age at onset; 61%, 47-73, for age at death), and even more by family membership (66%, 56-75, for age at onset; 74%, 65-82, for age at death). In the GRN group, only 2% (0-10) of the variability of age at onset and 9% (3-21) of that of age of death was explained by the specific mutation, whereas 14% (9-22) of the variability of age at onset and 20% (12-30) of that of age at death was explained by family membership. In the C9orf72 group, family membership explained 17% (11-26) of the variability of age at onset and 19% (12-29) of that of age at death. INTERPRETATION Our study showed that age at symptom onset and at death of people with genetic frontotemporal dementia is influenced by genetic group and, particularly for MAPT mutations, by the specific mutation carried and by family membership. Although estimation of age at onset will be an important factor in future pre-symptomatic therapeutic trials for all three genetic groups, our study suggests that data from other members of the family will be particularly helpful only for individuals with MAPT mutations. Further work in identifying both genetic and environmental factors that modify phenotype in all groups will be important to improve such estimates. FUNDING UK Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health Research, and Alzheimer's Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina M Moore
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jennifer Nicholas
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Murray Grossman
- Department of Neurology, Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Corey T McMillan
- Department of Neurology, Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David J Irwin
- Department of Neurology, Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lauren Massimo
- Department of Neurology, Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vivianna M Van Deerlin
- Department of Neurology, Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jason D Warren
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nick C Fox
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Martin N Rossor
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Simon Mead
- Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London, London, UK
| | - Martina Bocchetta
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Rosa Rademakers
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Lize C Jiskoot
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lieke H Meeter
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Elise Gp Dopper
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Janne M Papma
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Julie S Snowden
- Cerebral Function Unit, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jennifer Saxon
- Cerebral Function Unit, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Matthew Jones
- Cerebral Function Unit, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Stuart Pickering-Brown
- Cerebral Function Unit, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Isabelle Le Ber
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière & Centre de Référence des Démences Rares ou précoces, Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d'Alzheimer, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Agnès Camuzat
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière & Centre de Référence des Démences Rares ou précoces, Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d'Alzheimer, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Alexis Brice
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière & Centre de Référence des Démences Rares ou précoces, Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d'Alzheimer, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Paola Caroppo
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière & Centre de Référence des Démences Rares ou précoces, Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d'Alzheimer, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Roberta Ghidoni
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Michela Pievani
- Alzheimer's Neuroimaging & Epidemiology Laboratory, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luisa Benussi
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuliano Binetti
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Bradford C Dickerson
- Frontotemporal Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Diane Lucente
- Frontotemporal Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samantha Krivensky
- Frontotemporal Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caroline Graff
- Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogenetics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden; Unit for Hereditary Dementias, Theme Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
| | - Linn Öijerstedt
- Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogenetics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden; Unit for Hereditary Dementias, Theme Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
| | - Marie Fallström
- Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogenetics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden; Unit for Hereditary Dementias, Theme Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
| | - Håkan Thonberg
- Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogenetics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden; Unit for Hereditary Dementias, Theme Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
| | - Nupur Ghoshal
- Department of Neurology, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - John C Morris
- Department of Neurology, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Barbara Borroni
- Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alberto Benussi
- Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Galimberti
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Centro Dino Ferrari, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Elio Scarpini
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Centro Dino Ferrari, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio G Fumagalli
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Centro Dino Ferrari, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ian R Mackenzie
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ging-Yuek R Hsiung
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Pheth Sengdy
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Adam L Boxer
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Howie Rosen
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joanne B Taylor
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matthis Synofzik
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Center for Neurology and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Carlo Wilke
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Center for Neurology and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Patricia Sulzer
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Center for Neurology and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tübingen, Germany
| | - John R Hodges
- Brain and Mind Centre & Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Glenda Halliday
- Brain and Mind Centre & Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John Kwok
- Brain and Mind Centre & Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Raquel Sanchez-Valle
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Lladó
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Borrego-Ecija
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Santana
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Miguel Tábuas-Pereira
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fermin Moreno
- Cognitive Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Donostia Universitary Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain; Neuroscience Area, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain; Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Disease, Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Myriam Barandiaran
- Cognitive Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Donostia Universitary Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain; Neuroscience Area, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain; Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Disease, Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Indakoetxea
- Cognitive Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Donostia Universitary Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain; Neuroscience Area, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain; Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Disease, Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Johannes Levin
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Munich, Germany
| | - Adrian Danek
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - James B Rowe
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Thomas E Cope
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Mario Masellis
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sandra E Black
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Philippe Couratier
- Centre de Compétence Démences Rares, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Geraldine Lautrette
- Centre de Compétence Démences Rares, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Edward D Huey
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sandro Sorbi
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | - Benedetta Nacmias
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Robert Laforce
- Clinique Interdisciplinaire de Mémoire, Département des Sciences Neurologiques, Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus, and Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Pier L Tremblay
- Clinique Interdisciplinaire de Mémoire, Département des Sciences Neurologiques, Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus, and Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Rik Vandenberghe
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Brain & Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emily J Rogalski
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sandra Weintraub
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alexander Gerhard
- Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Departments of Nuclear Medicine and Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Chiadi U Onyike
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Simon Ducharme
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sokratis G Papageorgiou
- Cognitive Disorders/Dementia Unit, 2nd Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Adeline Su Lyn Ng
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amy Brodtmann
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Finger
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Rita Guerreiro
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Jose Bras
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Jonathan D Rohrer
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.
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40
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Jackson JL, Finch NA, Baker MC, Kachergus JM, DeJesus-Hernandez M, Pereira K, Christopher E, Prudencio M, Heckman MG, Thompson EA, Dickson DW, Shah J, Oskarsson B, Petrucelli L, Rademakers R, van Blitterswijk M. Elevated methylation levels, reduced expression levels, and frequent contractions in a clinical cohort of C9orf72 expansion carriers. Mol Neurodegener 2020; 15:7. [PMID: 32000838 PMCID: PMC6993399 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-020-0359-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A repeat expansion in the C9orf72-SMCR8 complex subunit (C9orf72) is the most common genetic cause of two debilitating neurodegenerative diseases: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Currently, much remains unknown about which variables may modify these diseases. We sought to investigate associations between C9orf72 promoter methylation, RNA expression levels, and repeat length, their potential effects on disease features, as well as changes over time and within families. Methods All samples were obtained through the ALS Center at Mayo Clinic Florida. Our primary cohort included 75 unrelated patients with an expanded C9orf72 repeat, 33 patients who did not possess this expansion, and 20 control subjects without neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, 67 members from 17 independent C9orf72 families were selected of whom 33 harbored this expansion. Longitudinally collected samples were available for 35 C9orf72 expansion carriers. To increase our understanding of C9orf72-related diseases, we performed quantitative methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme-based assays, digital molecular barcoding, quantitative real-time PCR, and Southern blotting. Results In our primary cohort, higher methylation levels were observed in patients with a C9orf72 repeat expansion than in patients without this expansion (p = 1.7e-13) or in control subjects (p = 3.3e-07). Moreover, we discovered that an increase in methylation levels was associated with a decrease in total C9orf72 transcript levels (p = 5.5e-05). These findings aligned with our observation that C9orf72 expansion carriers had lower expression levels of total C9orf72 transcripts than patients lacking this expansion (p = 3.7e-07) or control subjects (p = 9.1e-05). We also detected an elevation of transcripts containing intron 1a (upstream of the repeat) in patients carrying a C9orf72 repeat expansion compared to (disease) controls (p ≤ 0.01), an indication of abortive transcripts and/or a switch in transcription start site usage. While methylation and expression levels were relatively stable over time, fluctuations were seen in repeat length. Interestingly, contractions occurred frequently in parent-offspring transmissions (> 50%), especially in paternal transmissions. Furthermore, smaller repeat lengths were detected in currently unaffected individuals than in affected individuals (p = 8.9e-04) and they were associated with an earlier age at collection (p = 0.008). Conclusions In blood from C9orf72 expansion carriers, we found elevated methylation levels, reduced expression levels, and unstable expansions that tend to contract in successive generations, arguing against anticipation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jazmyne L Jackson
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - NiCole A Finch
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Matthew C Baker
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Jennifer M Kachergus
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | | | - Kimberly Pereira
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Elizabeth Christopher
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Mercedes Prudencio
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Michael G Heckman
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - E Aubrey Thompson
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Dennis W Dickson
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Jaimin Shah
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Björn Oskarsson
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Rosa Rademakers
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
| | - Marka van Blitterswijk
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
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Roggenbuck J, Doyle C, Lincoln T, Glass J. Theme 2 Genetics and genomics. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2019; 20:114-134. [PMID: 31702465 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2019.1646990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: A genetic basis is found in ∼70% of familial and ∼15% of sporadic ALS, in research cohorts. Clinical trials of gene-targeted therapies are underway, heralding a new era of personalized medicine in ALS treatment. However, ALS management guidelines do not include recommendations for the offer of genetic testing. Many persons with ALS who desire genetic testing are not currently offered it, and the yield of genetic testing in clinic-based ALS populations is unknown. The ALS GAP program, sponsored by the Northeast ALS (NEALS) Consortium, provides free genetic testing for patients with ALS who have a family history of ALS or dementia. We report genetic testing outcomes in the first 142 patients tested in the
program.Objectives: 1) To create a pilot ALS genetic testing program for NEALS clinics, 2) To study the rate of ALS gene identification in a US clinic-based populationMethods: Persons with ALS and a family history of ALS (fALS) or dementia (dALS) who receive care at a US NEALS clinic are eligible for testing. Patients classified as fALS (having a positive family history of ALS in a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree relative) are eligible for C9orf72 testing, with the option to reflex to a 5 gene (SOD1, FUS, TARDBP, TBK1, VCP) panel. Patients classified as dALS (having a positive family history of dementia of any type in a 1st or 2nd degree relative) are eligible for C9orf72 testing only.Results: Currently, 29.5% (34/115) of US NEALS clinics have participated in the program. Of 142 patients who have completed testing to date, 78 (54.9%) were classified as fALS and 64 (45.1%) as dALS. Among fALS cases, 42/78 (53.9%) tested positive, including 32/78 (41%) with a C9orf72 repeat expansion, and 10/78 (12.8%) with other pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in SOD, FUS, TARDP or VCP. Variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in FUS were identified in 2/78 (2.6%). Among dALS cases, 12/60 (20%) tested positive for C9orf72.Discussion and conclusions: Participation in ALS-GAP indicates significant clinician and patient interest in ALS genetic testing. This program addresses several current barriers to testing access, including cost, identifying appropriate candidates for testing, and appropriate test selection. Although 38% of patients who participated in the program have thus far received a genetic diagnosis, our testing outcome data suggests that the gene identification rate in fALS cases may be lower in clinic-based patients than in research cohorts, particularly for genes other than C9orf72. This program may serve as a model for the practice of ALS genetic testing in the clinic setting. Consistent, equitable testing policies, as well as an accurate understanding of the genetic profile of clinic-based ALS populations, are needed as gene-targeted therapies reach patient care.
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Cammack AJ, Atassi N, Hyman T, van den Berg LH, Harms M, Baloh RH, Brown RH, van Es MA, Veldink JH, de Vries BS, Rothstein JD, Drain C, Jockel-Balsarotti J, Malcolm A, Boodram S, Salter A, Wightman N, Yu H, Sherman AV, Esparza TJ, McKenna-Yasek D, Owegi MA, Douthwright C, McCampbell A, Ferguson T, Cruchaga C, Cudkowicz M, Miller TM. Prospective natural history study of C9orf72 ALS clinical characteristics and biomarkers. Neurology 2019; 93:e1605-e1617. [PMID: 31578300 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000008359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To define the natural history of the C9orf72 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (C9ALS) patient population, develop disease biomarkers, and characterize patient pathologies. METHODS We prospectively collected clinical and demographic data from 116 symptomatic C9ALS and 12 non-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) full expansion carriers across 7 institutions in the United States and the Netherlands. In addition, we collected blood samples for DNA repeat size assessment, CSF samples for biomarker identification, and autopsy samples for dipeptide repeat protein (DPR) size determination. Finally, we collected retrospective clinical data via chart review from 208 individuals with C9ALS and 450 individuals with singleton ALS. RESULTS The mean age at onset in the symptomatic prospective cohort was 57.9 ± 8.3 years, and median duration of survival after onset was 36.9 months. The monthly change was -1.8 ± 1.7 for ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised and -1.4% ± 3.24% of predicted for slow vital capacity. In blood DNA, we found that G4C2 repeat size correlates positively with age. In CSF, we observed that concentrations of poly(GP) negatively correlate with DNA expansion size but do not correlate with measures of disease progression. Finally, we found that size of poly(GP) dipeptides in the brain can reach large sizes similar to that of their DNA repeat derivatives. CONCLUSIONS We present a thorough investigation of C9ALS natural history, providing the basis for C9ALS clinical trial design. We found that clinical features of this genetic subset are less variant than in singleton ALS. In addition, we identified important correlations of C9ALS patient pathologies with clinical and demographic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Cammack
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Nazem Atassi
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Theodore Hyman
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Matthew Harms
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Robert H Baloh
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Robert H Brown
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Michael A van Es
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Jan H Veldink
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Balint S de Vries
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Jeffrey D Rothstein
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Caroline Drain
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Jennifer Jockel-Balsarotti
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Amber Malcolm
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Sonia Boodram
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Amber Salter
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Nicholas Wightman
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Hong Yu
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Alexander V Sherman
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Thomas J Esparza
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Diane McKenna-Yasek
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Margaret A Owegi
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Catherine Douthwright
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | | | - Alexander McCampbell
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Toby Ferguson
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Carlos Cruchaga
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Merit Cudkowicz
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA
| | - Timothy M Miller
- From the Department of Neurology (A.J.C., T.H., C.D., J.J.-B., A.M., S.B., A.S., T.J.E., C.C., T.M.M.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (N.A., H.Y., A.V.S., M.C.), Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurology (L.H.v.d.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., B.S.d.V.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology (M.H.), Columbia University, New York, NY; Department of Neurology (R.H. Baloh), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Neurology (R.H. Brown, N.W., D.M.-Y., M.A.O., C.D.), University of Massachusetts, Worcester; Department of Neurology (J.D.R.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Biogen Inc. (A.M., T.F.), Boston, MA.
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Jiang J, Ravits J. Pathogenic Mechanisms and Therapy Development for C9orf72 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Frontotemporal Dementia. Neurotherapeutics 2019; 16:1115-1132. [PMID: 31667754 PMCID: PMC6985338 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-019-00797-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2011, a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the first intron of the C9orf72 gene was identified as the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The proposed disease mechanisms include loss of C9orf72 function and gain of toxicity from the bidirectionally transcribed repeat-containing RNAs. Over the last few years, substantial progress has been made to determine the contribution of loss and gain of function in disease pathogenesis. The extensive body of molecular, cellular, animal, and human neuropathological studies is conflicted, but the predominance of evidence favors gain of toxicity as the main pathogenic mechanism for C9orf72 repeat expansions. Alterations in several downstream cellular functions, such as nucleocytoplasmic transport and autophagy, are implicated. Exciting progress has also been made in therapy development targeting this mutation, such as by antisense oligonucleotide therapies targeting sense transcripts and small molecules targeting nucleocytoplasmic transport, and these are now in phase 1 clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Jiang
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| | - John Ravits
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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Abstract
The discovery that repeat expansions in the C9orf72 gene are a frequent cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) has revolutionized our understanding of these diseases. Substantial headway has been made in characterizing C9orf72-mediated disease and unravelling its underlying aetiopathogenesis. Three main disease mechanisms have been proposed: loss of function of the C9orf72 protein and toxic gain of function from C9orf72 repeat RNA or from dipeptide repeat proteins produced by repeat-associated non-ATG translation. Several downstream processes across a range of cellular functions have also been implicated. In this article, we review the pathological and mechanistic features of C9orf72-associated FTD and ALS (collectively termed C9FTD/ALS), the model systems used to study these conditions, and the probable initiators of downstream disease mechanisms. We suggest that a combination of upstream mechanisms involving both loss and gain of function and downstream cellular pathways involving both cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous effects contributes to disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubika Balendra
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, UCL, London, UK
| | - Adrian M Isaacs
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK. .,UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
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Forsberg K, Graffmo K, Pakkenberg B, Weber M, Nielsen M, Marklund S, Brännström T, Andersen PM. Misfolded SOD1 inclusions in patients with mutations in C9orf72 and other ALS/FTD-associated genes. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2019; 90:861-869. [PMID: 30992335 PMCID: PMC6691870 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2018-319386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) caused by mutations in superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) are inclusions containing SOD1 in motor neurons. Here, we searched for SOD1-positive inclusions in 29 patients carrying ALS-linked mutations in six other genes. METHODS A panel of antibodies that specifically recognise misfolded SOD1 species were used for immunohistochemical investigations of autopsy tissue. RESULTS The 18 patients with hexanucleotide-repeat-expansions in C9orf72 had inclusions of misfolded wild type (WT) SOD1WT in spinal motor neurons. Similar inclusions were occasionally observed in medulla oblongata and in the motor cortex and frontal lobe. Patients with mutations in FUS, KIF5A, NEK1, ALSIN or VAPB, carried similar SOD1WT inclusions. Minute amounts of misSOD1WT inclusions were detected in 2 of 20 patients deceased from non-neurological causes and in 4 of 10 patients with other neurodegenerative diseases. Comparison was made with 17 patients with 9 different SOD1 mutations. Morphologically, the inclusions in patients with mutations in C9orf72HRE, FUS, KIF5A, NEK1, VAPB and ALSIN resembled inclusions in patients carrying the wildtype-like SOD1D90A mutation, whereas patients carrying unstable SOD1 mutations (A4V, V5M, D76Y, D83G, D101G, G114A, G127X, L144F) had larger skein-like SOD1-positive inclusions. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Abundant inclusions containing misfolded SOD1WT are found in spinal and cortical motor neurons in patients carrying mutations in six ALS-causing genes other than SOD1. This suggests that misfolding of SOD1WT can be part of a common downstream event that may be pathogenic. The new anti-SOD1 therapeutics in development may have applications for a broader range of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Forsberg
- Medical Biosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Bente Pakkenberg
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Markus Weber
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
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Rostalski H, Leskelä S, Huber N, Katisko K, Cajanus A, Solje E, Marttinen M, Natunen T, Remes AM, Hiltunen M, Haapasalo A. Astrocytes and Microglia as Potential Contributors to the Pathogenesis of C9orf72 Repeat Expansion-Associated FTLD and ALS. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:486. [PMID: 31156371 PMCID: PMC6529740 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are neurodegenerative diseases with a complex, but often overlapping, genetic and pathobiological background and thus they are considered to form a disease spectrum. Although neurons are the principal cells affected in FTLD and ALS, increasing amount of evidence has recently proposed that other central nervous system-resident cells, including microglia and astrocytes, may also play roles in neurodegeneration in these diseases. Therefore, deciphering the mechanisms underlying the disease pathogenesis in different types of brain cells is fundamental in order to understand the etiology of these disorders. The major genetic cause of FTLD and ALS is a hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in the intronic region of the C9orf72 gene. In neurons, specific pathological hallmarks, including decreased expression of the C9orf72 RNA and proteins and generation of toxic RNA and protein species, and their downstream effects have been linked to C9orf72 HRE-associated FTLD and ALS. In contrast, it is still poorly known to which extent these pathological changes are presented in other brain cells. Here, we summarize the current literature on the potential role of astrocytes and microglia in C9orf72 HRE-linked FTLD and ALS and discuss their possible phenotypic alterations and neurotoxic mechanisms that may contribute to neurodegeneration in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Rostalski
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Stina Leskelä
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Nadine Huber
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kasper Katisko
- Institute of Clinical Medicine - Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Antti Cajanus
- Institute of Clinical Medicine - Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Eino Solje
- Institute of Clinical Medicine - Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Neuro Center, Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mikael Marttinen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Teemu Natunen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anne M Remes
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.,Research Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Mikko Hiltunen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Annakaisa Haapasalo
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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An ALS case with 38 (G4C2)-repeats in the C9orf72 gene shows TDP-43 and sparse dipeptide repeat protein pathology. Acta Neuropathol 2019; 137:855-858. [PMID: 30919029 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-019-01996-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Ross JP, Leblond CS, Catoire H, Volkening K, Strong M, Zinman L, Robertson J, Dion PA, Rouleau GA. Somatic expansion of the C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat does not occur in ALS spinal cord tissues. NEUROLOGY-GENETICS 2019; 5:e317. [PMID: 31041398 PMCID: PMC6454309 DOI: 10.1212/nxg.0000000000000317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Objective To test for somatic C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) and hexanucleotide repeat length instability in the spinal cord of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases. Methods Whole and partial spinal cords of 19 ALS cases were dissected into transversal sections (5 mm thick). The presence of C9orf72 HRE was tested in each independent section using RepeatPrimed PCR and amplicon-size genotyping. Index measures for the testing of mosaicism were obtained through serial dilutions of genomic DNA from an individual carrying a germline C9orf72 HRE in the genomic DNA of an individual without a C9orf72 HRE. Results None of the sections examined supported the presence of a subpopulation of cells with a C9orf72 HRE. Moreover, the C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat lengths measured were identical across all the spinal cord sections of each individual patient. Conclusions We did not observe somatic instability of the C9orf72 HRE in disease relevant tissues of ALS cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay P Ross
- Department of Human Genetics (J.P.R., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (J.P.R., H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Pasteur Institute (C.S.L.), University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences and Robarts Research Institute (K.V., M.S.A.N.N.), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (L.Z.); and Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (J.R.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Claire S Leblond
- Department of Human Genetics (J.P.R., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (J.P.R., H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Pasteur Institute (C.S.L.), University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences and Robarts Research Institute (K.V., M.S.A.N.N.), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (L.Z.); and Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (J.R.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hélène Catoire
- Department of Human Genetics (J.P.R., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (J.P.R., H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Pasteur Institute (C.S.L.), University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences and Robarts Research Institute (K.V., M.S.A.N.N.), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (L.Z.); and Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (J.R.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kathryn Volkening
- Department of Human Genetics (J.P.R., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (J.P.R., H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Pasteur Institute (C.S.L.), University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences and Robarts Research Institute (K.V., M.S.A.N.N.), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (L.Z.); and Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (J.R.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Strong
- Department of Human Genetics (J.P.R., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (J.P.R., H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Pasteur Institute (C.S.L.), University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences and Robarts Research Institute (K.V., M.S.A.N.N.), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (L.Z.); and Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (J.R.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lorne Zinman
- Department of Human Genetics (J.P.R., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (J.P.R., H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Pasteur Institute (C.S.L.), University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences and Robarts Research Institute (K.V., M.S.A.N.N.), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (L.Z.); and Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (J.R.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Janice Robertson
- Department of Human Genetics (J.P.R., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (J.P.R., H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Pasteur Institute (C.S.L.), University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences and Robarts Research Institute (K.V., M.S.A.N.N.), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (L.Z.); and Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (J.R.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patrick A Dion
- Department of Human Genetics (J.P.R., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (J.P.R., H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Pasteur Institute (C.S.L.), University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences and Robarts Research Institute (K.V., M.S.A.N.N.), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (L.Z.); and Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (J.R.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Guy A Rouleau
- Department of Human Genetics (J.P.R., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (J.P.R., H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Pasteur Institute (C.S.L.), University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (H.C., P.A.D., G.A.R.), McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences and Robarts Research Institute (K.V., M.S.A.N.N.), Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (L.Z.); and Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (J.R.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Fournier C, Barbier M, Camuzat A, Anquetil V, Lattante S, Clot F, Cazeneuve C, Rinaldi D, Couratier P, Deramecourt V, Sabatelli M, Belliard S, Vercelletto M, Forlani S, Jornea L, Leguern E, Brice A, Le Ber I, Brice A, Auriacombe S, Belliard S, Blanc F, Bouteleau-Bretonnière C, Ceccaldi M, Couratier P, Didic M, Dubois B, Duyckaerts C, Etcharry-Bouix F, Golfier V, Hannequin D, Lacomblez L, Le Ber I, Levy R, Michel BF, Pasquier F, Thomas-Anterion C, Pariente J, Sellal F, Vercelletto M, Benchetrit E, Bertin H, Bertrand A, Bissery A, Bombois S, Boncoeur MP, Cassagnaud P, Chastan M, Chen Y, Chupin M, Colliot O, Couratier P, Delbeucq X, Deramecourt V, Delmaire C, Gerardin E, Hossein-Foucher C, Dubois B, Habert MO, Hannequin D, Lautrette G, Lebouvier T, Le Ber I, Lehéricy S, Le Toullec B, Levy R, Martineau K, Mackowiak MA, Monteil J, Pasquier F, Petyt G, Pradat PF, Oya AH, Rinaldi D, Rollin-Sillaire A, Salachas F, Sayah S, Wallon D. Relations between C9orf72 expansion size in blood, age at onset, age at collection and transmission across generations in patients and presymptomatic carriers. Neurobiol Aging 2019; 74:234.e1-234.e8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration Related to C9orf72 Hexanucleotide Repeat Expansion. Behav Neurol 2019; 2019:2909168. [PMID: 30774737 PMCID: PMC6350563 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2909168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Two clinically distinct diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), have recently been classified as two extremes of the FTD/ALS spectrum. The neuropathological correlate of FTD is frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), characterized by tau-, TDP-43-, and FUS-immunoreactive neuronal inclusions. An earlier discovery that a hexanucleotide repeat expansion mutation in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) gene causes ALS and FTD established a special subtype of ALS and FTLD with TDP-43 pathology (C9FTD/ALS). Normal individuals carry 2–10 hexanucleotide GGGGCC repeats in the C9orf72 gene, while more than a few hundred repeats represent a risk for ALS and FTD. The proposed molecular mechanisms by which C9orf72 repeat expansions induce neurodegenerative changes are C9orf72 loss-of-function through haploinsufficiency, RNA toxic gain-of-function, and gain-of-function through the accumulation of toxic dipeptide repeat proteins. However, many more cellular processes are affected by pathological processes in C9FTD/ALS, including nucleocytoplasmic transport, RNA processing, normal function of nucleolus, formation of membraneless organelles, translation, ubiquitin proteasome system, Notch signalling pathway, granule transport, and normal function of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43). Although the exact molecular mechanisms through which C9orf72 repeat expansions account for neurodegeneration have not been elucidated, some potential therapeutics, such as antisense oligonucleotides targeting hexanucleotide GGGGCC repeats in mRNA, were successful in preclinical trials and are awaiting phase 1 clinical trials. In this review, we critically discuss each proposed mechanism and provide insight into the most recent studies aiming to elucidate the molecular underpinnings of C9FTD/ALS.
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