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Yu-Taeger L, El-Ayoubi A, Qi P, Danielyan L, Nguyen HHP. Intravenous MSC-Treatment Improves Impaired Brain Functions in the R6/2 Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease via Recovered Hepatic Pathological Changes. Cells 2024; 13:469. [PMID: 38534313 DOI: 10.3390/cells13060469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD), a congenital neurodegenerative disorder, extends its pathological damages beyond the nervous system. The systematic manifestation of HD has been extensively described in numerous studies, including dysfunction in peripheral organs and peripheral inflammation. Gut dysbiosis and the gut-liver-brain axis have garnered greater emphasis in neurodegenerative research, and increased plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines have been identified in HD patients and various in vivo models, correlating with disease progression. In the present study, we investigated hepatic pathological markers in the liver of R6/2 mice which convey exon 1 of the human mutant huntingtin gene. Furthermore, we evaluated the impact of intravenously administered Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) on the liver enzymes, changes in hepatic inflammatory markers, as well as brain pathology and behavioral deficits in R6/2 mice. Our results revealed altered enzyme expression and increased levels of inflammatory mediators in the liver of R6/2 mice, which were significantly attenuated in the MSC-treated R6/2 mice. Remarkably, neuronal pathology and altered motor activities in the MSC-treated R6/2 mice were significantly ameliorated, despite the absence of MSCs in the postmortem brain. Our data highlight the importance of hepatic pathological changes in HD, providing a potential therapeutic approach. Moreover, the data open new perspectives for the search in blood biomarkers correlating with liver pathology in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libo Yu-Taeger
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr University of Bochum, D-44801 Bochum, Germany
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ali El-Ayoubi
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr University of Bochum, D-44801 Bochum, Germany
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Pengfei Qi
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr University of Bochum, D-44801 Bochum, Germany
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Lusine Danielyan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Departments of Biochemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, and Neuroscience Laboratory, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan 0025, Armenia
| | - Hoa Huu Phuc Nguyen
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr University of Bochum, D-44801 Bochum, Germany
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan 0025, Armenia
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2
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Ban XX, Wan H, Wan XX, Tan YT, Hu XM, Ban HX, Chen XY, Huang K, Zhang Q, Xiong K. Copper Metabolism and Cuproptosis: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Med Sci 2024; 44:28-50. [PMID: 38336987 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-024-2832-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Copper is an essential trace element, and plays a vital role in numerous physiological processes within the human body. During normal metabolism, the human body maintains copper homeostasis. Copper deficiency or excess can adversely affect cellular function. Therefore, copper homeostasis is stringently regulated. Recent studies suggest that copper can trigger a specific form of cell death, namely, cuproptosis, which is triggered by excessive levels of intracellular copper. Cuproptosis induces the aggregation of mitochondrial lipoylated proteins, and the loss of iron-sulfur cluster proteins. In neurodegenerative diseases, the pathogenesis and progression of neurological disorders are linked to copper homeostasis. This review summarizes the advances in copper homeostasis and cuproptosis in the nervous system and neurodegenerative diseases. This offers research perspectives that provide new insights into the targeted treatment of neurodegenerative diseases based on cuproptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Xia Ban
- Department of Human Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 430013, China
| | - Hao Wan
- Department of Human Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 430013, China
| | - Xin-Xing Wan
- Department of Endocrinology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 430013, China
| | - Ya-Ting Tan
- Department of Human Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 430013, China
| | - Xi-Min Hu
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 430013, China
| | - Hong-Xia Ban
- Affiliated Hospital, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, 010050, China
| | - Xin-Yu Chen
- Department of Human Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 430013, China
| | - Kun Huang
- Department of Human Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 430013, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 430013, China.
- Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China.
| | - Kun Xiong
- Department of Human Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 430013, China.
- Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, 430013, China.
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3
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Barwell T, Seroude L. Polyglutamine disease in peripheral tissues. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:3303-3311. [PMID: 37642359 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
This year is a milestone anniversary of the discovery that Huntington's disease is caused by the presence of expanded polyglutamine repeats in the huntingtin gene leading to the formation of huntingtin aggregates. 30 years have elapsed and there is still no cure and the only FDA-approved treatment to alleviate the debilitating locomotor impairments presents several adverse effects. It has long been neglected that the huntingtin gene is almost ubiquitously expressed in many tissues outside of the nervous system. Growing evidence indicates that these peripheral tissues can contribute to the symptoms of the disease. New findings in Drosophila have shown that the selective expression of mutant huntingtin in muscle or fat is sufficient to cause detrimental effects in the absence of any neurodegeneration. In addition, it was discovered that a completely different tissue distribution of Htt aggregates in Drosophila muscles is responsible for a drastic aggravation of the detrimental effects. This review examines the peripheral tissues that express huntingtin with an added focus on the nature and distribution of the aggregates, if any.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Barwell
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Laurent Seroude
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
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4
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Chen L, Min J, Wang F. Copper homeostasis and cuproptosis in health and disease. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:378. [PMID: 36414625 PMCID: PMC9681860 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01229-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 124.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
As an essential micronutrient, copper is required for a wide range of physiological processes in virtually all cell types. Because the accumulation of intracellular copper can induce oxidative stress and perturbing cellular function, copper homeostasis is tightly regulated. Recent studies identified a novel copper-dependent form of cell death called cuproptosis, which is distinct from all other known pathways underlying cell death. Cuproptosis occurs via copper binding to lipoylated enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, which leads to subsequent protein aggregation, proteotoxic stress, and ultimately cell death. Here, we summarize our current knowledge regarding copper metabolism, copper-related disease, the characteristics of cuproptosis, and the mechanisms that regulate cuproptosis. In addition, we discuss the implications of cuproptosis in the pathogenesis of various disease conditions, including Wilson's disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer, and we discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting cuproptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyun Chen
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XThe Fourth Affiliated Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China ,grid.412017.10000 0001 0266 8918The First Affiliated Hospital, Basic Medical Sciences, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Junxia Min
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Fudi Wang
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,The First Affiliated Hospital, Basic Medical Sciences, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China.
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5
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Foster VS, Rash LD, King GF, Rank MM. Acid-Sensing Ion Channels: Expression and Function in Resident and Infiltrating Immune Cells in the Central Nervous System. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:738043. [PMID: 34602982 PMCID: PMC8484650 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.738043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral and central immune cells are critical for fighting disease, but they can also play a pivotal role in the onset and/or progression of a variety of neurological conditions that affect the central nervous system (CNS). Tissue acidosis is often present in CNS pathologies such as multiple sclerosis, epileptic seizures, and depression, and local pH is also reduced during periods of ischemia following stroke, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury. These pathological increases in extracellular acidity can activate a class of proton-gated channels known as acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). ASICs have been primarily studied due to their ubiquitous expression throughout the nervous system, but it is less well recognized that they are also found in various types of immune cells. In this review, we explore what is currently known about the expression of ASICs in both peripheral and CNS-resident immune cells, and how channel activation during pathological tissue acidosis may lead to altered immune cell function that in turn modulates inflammatory pathology in the CNS. We identify gaps in the literature where ASICs and immune cell function has not been characterized, such as neurotrauma. Knowledge of the contribution of ASICs to immune cell function in neuropathology will be critical for determining whether the therapeutic benefits of ASIC inhibition might be due in part to an effect on immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria S. Foster
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Lachlan D. Rash
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Michelle M. Rank
- Anatomy and Physiology, Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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6
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Maung MT, Carlson A, Olea-Flores M, Elkhadragy L, Schachtschneider KM, Navarro-Tito N, Padilla-Benavides T. The molecular and cellular basis of copper dysregulation and its relationship with human pathologies. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21810. [PMID: 34390520 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100273rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient required for the activity of redox-active enzymes involved in critical metabolic reactions, signaling pathways, and biological functions. Transporters and chaperones control Cu ion levels and bioavailability to ensure proper subcellular and systemic Cu distribution. Intensive research has focused on understanding how mammalian cells maintain Cu homeostasis, and how molecular signals coordinate Cu acquisition and storage within organs. In humans, mutations of genes that regulate Cu homeostasis or facilitate interactions with Cu ions lead to numerous pathologic conditions. Malfunctions of the Cu+ -transporting ATPases ATP7A and ATP7B cause Menkes disease and Wilson disease, respectively. Additionally, defects in the mitochondrial and cellular distributions and homeostasis of Cu lead to severe neurodegenerative conditions, mitochondrial myopathies, and metabolic diseases. Cu has a dual nature in carcinogenesis as a promotor of tumor growth and an inducer of redox stress in cancer cells. Cu also plays role in cancer treatment as a component of drugs and a regulator of drug sensitivity and uptake. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge of Cu metabolism and transport and its relation to various human pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- May T Maung
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, USA
| | - Alyssa Carlson
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, USA
| | - Monserrat Olea-Flores
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - Lobna Elkhadragy
- Department of Radiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kyle M Schachtschneider
- Department of Radiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,National Center for Supercomputing Applications, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Napoleon Navarro-Tito
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Guerrero, Mexico
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7
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Chuang CL, Demontis F. Systemic manifestation and contribution of peripheral tissues to Huntington's disease pathogenesis. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 69:101358. [PMID: 33979693 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease that is caused by expansion of cytosine/adenosine/guanine repeats in the huntingtin (HTT) gene, which leads to a toxic, aggregation-prone, mutant HTT-polyQ protein. Beyond the well-established mechanisms of HD progression in the central nervous system, growing evidence indicates that also peripheral tissues are affected in HD and that systemic signaling originating from peripheral tissues can influence the progression of HD in the brain. Herein, we review the systemic manifestation of HD in peripheral tissues, and the impact of systemic signaling on HD pathogenesis. Mutant HTT induces a body wasting syndrome (cachexia) primarily via its activity in skeletal muscle, bone, adipose tissue, and heart. Additional whole-organism effects induced by mutant HTT include decline in systemic metabolic homeostasis, which stems from derangement of pancreas, liver, gut, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and circadian functions. In addition to spreading via the bloodstream and a leaky blood brain barrier, HTT-polyQ may travel long distance via its uptake by neurons and its axonal transport from the peripheral to the central nervous system. Lastly, signaling factors that are produced and/or secreted in response to therapeutic interventions such as exercise or in response to mutant HTT activity in peripheral tissues may impact HD. In summary, these studies indicate that HD is a systemic disease that is influenced by intertissue signaling and by the action of pathogenic HTT in peripheral tissues. We propose that treatment strategies for HD should include the amelioration of HD symptoms in peripheral tissues. Moreover, harnessing signaling between peripheral tissues and the brain may provide a means for reducing HD progression in the central nervous system.
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8
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Illarioshkin SN, Klyushnikov SA, Vigont VA, Seliverstov YA, Kaznacheyeva EV. Molecular Pathogenesis in Huntington's Disease. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2018; 83:1030-1039. [PMID: 30472941 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297918090043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a severe autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a combination of motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms, atrophy of the basal ganglia and the cerebral cortex, and inevitably progressive course resulting in death 5-20 years after manifestation of its symptoms. HD is caused by expansion of CAG repeats in the HTT gene, which leads to pathological elongation of the polyglutamine tract within the respective protein - huntingtin. In this review, we present a modern view on molecular biology of HD as a representative of the group of polyglutamine diseases, with an emphasis on conformational changes of mutant huntingtin, disturbances in its cellular processing, and proteolytic stress in degenerating neurons. Main pathogenetic mechanisms of neurodegeneration in HD are discussed in detail, such as systemic failure of transcription, mitochondrial dysfunction and suppression of energy metabolism, abnormalities of cytoskeleton and axonal transport, microglial inflammation, decrease in synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - S A Klyushnikov
- Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, 125367, Russia.,Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russia
| | - V A Vigont
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russia.
| | | | - E V Kaznacheyeva
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 194064, Russia.
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9
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Ratai EM, Gilberto González R. Clinical magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the central nervous system. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2016; 135:93-116. [PMID: 27432661 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-53485-9.00005-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) is a noninvasive imaging technique that can easily be added to the conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequences. Using MRS one can directly compare spectra from pathologic or abnormal tissue and normal tissue. Metabolic changes arising from pathology that can be visualized by MRS may not be apparent from anatomy that can be visualized by conventional MR imaging. In addition, metabolic changes may precede anatomic changes. Thus, MRS is used for diagnostics, to observe disease progression, monitor therapeutic treatments, and to understand the pathogenesis of diseases. MRS may have an important impact on patient management. The purpose of this chapter is to provide practical guidance in the clinical application of MRS of the brain. This chapter provides an overview of MRS-detectable metabolites and their significance. In addition some specific current clinical applications of MRS will be discussed, including brain tumors, inborn errors of metabolism, leukodystrophies, ischemia, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative diseases. The chapter concludes with technical considerations and challenges of clinical MRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria Ratai
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - R Gilberto González
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Boston, MA, USA
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10
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Cellular prion protein directly interacts with and enhances lactate dehydrogenase expression under hypoxic conditions. Exp Neurol 2015; 271:155-67. [PMID: 26024859 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Revised: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Although a physiological function of the cellular prion protein (PrP(c)) is still not fully clarified, a PrP(c)-mediated neuroprotection against hypoxic/ischemic insult is intriguing. After ischemic stroke prion protein knockout mice (Prnp(0/0)) display significantly greater lesions as compared to wild-type (WT) mice. Earlier reports suggested an interaction between the glycolytic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and PrP(c). Since hypoxic environment enhances LDH expression levels and compels neurons to rely on lactate as an additional oxidative substrate for energy metabolism, we examined possible differences in LDH protein expression in WT and Prnp(0/0) knockout models under normoxic/hypoxic conditions in vitro and in vivo, as well as in a HEK293 cell line. While no differences are observed under normoxic conditions, LDH expression is markedly increased after 60-min and 90-min of hypoxia in WT vs. Prnp(0/0) primary cortical neurons with concurrent less hypoxia-induced damage in the former group. Likewise, cerebral ischemia significantly increases LDH levels in WT vs. Prnp(0/0) mice with accompanying smaller lesions in the WT group. HEK293 cells overexpressing PrP(c) show significantly higher LDH expression/activity following 90-min of hypoxia as compared to control cells. Moreover, a cytoplasmic co-localization of LDH and PrP(c) was recorded under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Interestingly, an expression of monocarboxylate transporter 1, responsible for cellular lactate uptake, increases with PrP(c)-overexpression under normoxic conditions. Our data suggest LDH as a direct PrP(c) interactor with possible physiological relevance under low oxygen conditions.
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11
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Sturrock A, Laule C, Wyper K, Milner RA, Decolongon J, Dar Santos R, Coleman AJ, Carter K, Creighton S, Bechtel N, Bohlen S, Reilmann R, Johnson HJ, Hayden MR, Tabrizi SJ, Mackay AL, Leavitt BR. A longitudinal study of magnetic resonance spectroscopy Huntington's disease biomarkers. Mov Disord 2015; 30:393-401. [PMID: 25690257 DOI: 10.1002/mds.26118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Revised: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Putaminal metabolites examined using cross-sectional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can distinguish pre-manifest and early Huntington's Disease (HD) individuals from controls. An ideal biomarker, however, will demonstrate longitudinal change over short durations. The objective here was to evaluate longitudinal in vivo brain metabolite profiles in HD over 24 months. Eighty-four participants (30 controls, 25 pre-manifest HD, 29 early HD) recruited as part of TRACK-HD were imaged at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months using 3T MRS of left putamen. Automated putaminal volume measurement was performed simultaneously. To quantify partial volume effects, spectroscopy was performed in a second, white matter voxel adjacent to putamen in six subjects. Subjects underwent TRACK-HD motor assessment. Statistical analyses included linear regression and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). At all time-points N-acetyl aspartate and total N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), neuronal integrity markers, were lower in early HD than in controls. Total NAA was lower in pre-manifest HD than in controls, whereas the gliosis marker myo-inositol (MI) was robustly elevated in early HD. Metabolites were stable over 24 months with no longitudinal change. Total NAA was not markedly different in adjacent white matter than putamen, arguing against partial volume confounding effects in cross-sectional group differences. Total NAA correlations with disease burden score suggest that this metabolite may be useful in identifying neurochemical responses to therapeutic agents. We demonstrate almost consistent group differences in putaminal metabolites in HD-affected individuals compared with controls over 24 months. Future work establishing spectroscopy as an HD biomarker should include multi-site assessments in large, pathologically diverse cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Sturrock
- Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, Vancouver, Canada; Centre for Huntington Disease, University of British Columbia (UBC) Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
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12
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Zhang Q, Guo P, Wang J, Yang M, Kong L. Gender-specific metabolic responses in focal cerebral ischemia of rats and Huang-Lian-Jie-Du decoction treatment. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra19934d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
1H NMR based metabolomics approach combined with biochemical, histological and immunohistochemistry observations was successfully applied to explore gender-specific metabolic differences in ischemic stroke and the protective effect of HLJDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- PR China
| | - Pingping Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- PR China
| | - Junsong Wang
- Center for Molecular Metabolism
- Nanjing University of Science & Technology
- Nanjing 210094
- PR China
| | - Minghua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- PR China
| | - Lingyi Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Nanjing 210009
- PR China
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13
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Krishan S, Richardson DR, Sahni S. Adenosine Monophosphate–Activated Kinase and Its Key Role in Catabolism: Structure, Regulation, Biological Activity, and Pharmacological Activation. Mol Pharmacol 2014; 87:363-77. [DOI: 10.1124/mol.114.095810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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14
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Muller M, Leavitt BR. Iron dysregulation in Huntington's disease. J Neurochem 2014; 130:328-50. [PMID: 24717009 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is one of many neurodegenerative diseases with reported alterations in brain iron homeostasis that may contribute to neuropathogenesis. Iron accumulation in the specific brain areas of neurodegeneration in HD has been proposed based on observations in post-mortem tissue and magnetic resonance imaging studies. Altered magnetic resonance imaging signal within specific brain regions undergoing neurodegeneration has been consistently reported and interpreted as altered levels of brain iron. Biochemical studies using various techniques to measure iron species in human samples, mouse tissue, or in vitro has generated equivocal data to support such an association. Whether elevated brain iron occurs in HD, plays a significant contributing role in HD pathogenesis, or is a secondary effect remains currently unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Muller
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia and Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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15
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Yager JR, Gasparovic C, Magnotta VA, Adams W, Fiedorowicz J, Paulsen J, Jorge R, Beglinger LJ. Preliminary study of the association of white-matter metabolite concentrations with disease severity in patients with Huntington's disease. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2014; 26:101-4. [PMID: 24515683 PMCID: PMC7853078 DOI: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.13020040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy is used to measure several metabolites in cortical gray and white matter in patients with Huntington's disease. The preliminary results show that CAG-repeat length correlates with white-matter N-acetylaspartate concentrations, and disease severity correlates with several metabolites.
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Casseb RF, D'Abreu A, Ruocco HH, Lopes-Cendes I, Cendes F, Castellano G. Thalamic metabolic abnormalities in patients with Huntington's disease measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Braz J Med Biol Res 2013; 46:722-7. [PMID: 23969973 PMCID: PMC3854413 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x20132332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2012] [Accepted: 05/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurologic disorder that is not completely understood; its fundamental physiological mechanisms and chemical effects remain somewhat unclear. Among these uncertainties, we can highlight information about the concentrations of brain metabolites, which have been widely discussed. Concentration differences in affected, compared to healthy, individuals could lead to the development of useful tools for evaluating the progression of disease, or to the advance of investigations of different/alternative treatments. The aim of this study was to compare the thalamic concentration of metabolites in HD patients and healthy individuals using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We used a 2.0-Tesla magnetic field, repetition time of 1500 ms, and echo time of 135 ms. Spectra from 40 adult HD patients and 26 control subjects were compared. Quantitative analysis was performed using the LCModel method. There were statistically significant differences between HD patients and controls in the concentrations of N-acetylaspartate+N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAA+NAAG; t-test, P<0.001), and glycerophosphocholine+phosphocholine (GPC+PCh; t-test, P=0.001) relative to creatine+phosphocreatine (Cr+PCr). The NAA+NAAG/Cr+PCr ratio was decreased by 9% and GPC+PCh/Cr+PCr increased by 17% in patients compared with controls. There were no correlations between the concentration ratios and clinical features. Although these results could be caused by T1 and T2 changes, rather than variations in metabolite concentrations given the short repetition time and long echo time values used, our findings point to thalamic dysfunction, corroborating prior evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- R F Casseb
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Departamento de Raios Cósmicos e Cronologia, Instituto de Física "Gleb Wataghin", CampinasSP, Brasil
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Vazquez A. Metabolic states following accumulation of intracellular aggregates: implications for neurodegenerative diseases. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63822. [PMID: 23667676 PMCID: PMC3646825 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of intracellular aggregates is a common etiology of several neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondrial defects and oxidative stress has been pointed as the major mechanistic links between the accumulation of intracellular aggregates and cell death. In this work we propose a “metabolic cell death by overcrowding” as an alternative hypothesis. Using a model of neuron metabolism, we predict that as the concentration of protein aggregates increases the neurons transit through three different metabolic phases. The first phase (0–6 mM) corresponds with the normal neuron state, where the neuronal activity is sustained by the oxidative phosphorylation of lactate. The second phase (6–8.6 mM) is characterized by a mixed utilization of lactate and glucose as energy substrates and a switch from ammonia uptake to ammonia release by neurons. In the third phase (8.6–9.3 mM) neurons are predicted to support their energy demands from glycolysis and an alternative pathway for energy generation, involving reactions from serine synthesis, one carbon metabolism and the glycine cleavage system. The model also predicts a decrease in the maximum neuronal capacity for energy generation with increasing the concentration of protein aggregates. Ultimately this maximum capacity becomes zero when the protein aggregates reach a concentration of about 9.3 mM, predicting the cessation of neuronal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Vazquez
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Center for Systems Biology, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America.
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Tsunemi T, La Spada AR. PGC-1α at the intersection of bioenergetics regulation and neuron function: from Huntington's disease to Parkinson's disease and beyond. Prog Neurobiol 2011; 97:142-51. [PMID: 22100502 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2011.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2011] [Revised: 10/20/2011] [Accepted: 10/25/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Neurons are specialized cells with unique features, including a constant high demand for energy. Mitochondria satisfy this constant demand, and are emerging as a central target for dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Huntington's disease (HD) and Parkinson's disease. PPARγ co-activator-1α (PGC-1α) is a transcription co-activator for nuclear receptors such as the PPARs, and thereby coordinates a number of gene expression programs to promote mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation. Studies of PGC-1α knock-out mice have yielded important insights into the role of PGC-1α in normal nervous system function and potentially neurological disease. HD is caused by a polyglutamine repeat expansion in the huntingtin protein, and decades of work have established mitochondrial dysfunction as a key feature of HD pathogenesis. However, after the discovery of the HD gene, numerous reports produced strong evidence for altered transcription in HD. In 2006, a series of studies revealed that PGC-1α transcription interference contributes to HD neurodegeneration, linking the nuclear transcriptionopathy with the mitochondrial dysfunction. Subsequent work has strengthened this view, and further extended the role of PGC-1α within the CNS. Within the last year, studies of Parkinson's disease, another involuntary movement disorder long associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, have shown that PGC-1α dysregulation is contributing to its pathogenesis. As PGC-1α is likely also important for aging, a process with considerable relevance to neuron function, translational studies aimed at developing therapies based upon the PGC-1α pathway as a high priority target are underway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiji Tsunemi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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Sturrock A, Laule C, Decolongon J, Dar Santos R, Coleman AJ, Creighton S, Bechtel N, Reilmann R, Hayden MR, Tabrizi SJ, Mackay AL, Leavitt BR. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy biomarkers in premanifest and early Huntington disease. Neurology 2010; 75:1702-10. [PMID: 21060093 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0b013e3181fc27e4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate in vivo brain metabolite differences in control subjects, individuals with premanifest Huntington disease (pre-HD), and individuals with early HD using ¹H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and to assess their relationship with motor performance. METHODS Eighty-five participants (30 controls, 25 pre-HD, and 30 early HD) were recruited as part of the TRACK-HD study. Eighty-four were scanned at 3 T with single-voxel spectroscopy in the left putamen. Disease burden score was >220 among pre-HD individuals. Subjects underwent TRACK-HD motor assessment including Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) motor scoring and a novel quantitative motor battery. Statistical analyses included linear regression and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS Total N-acetylaspartate (tNAA), a neuronal integrity marker, was lower in early HD (∼15%) vs controls (p < 0.001). N-acetylaspartate (NAA), a constituent of tNAA, was lower in pre-HD (∼8%) and early HD (∼17%) vs controls (p < 0.05). The glial cell marker, myo-inositol (mI), was 50% higher in early HD vs pre-HD (p < 0.01). In early HD, mI correlated with UHDRS motor score (R² = 0.23, p < 0.05). Across pre-HD and early HD, tNAA correlated with performance on a tongue pressure task (R² = 0.30, p < 0.0001) and with disease burden score (R² = 0.17, p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate lower putaminal tNAA in early HD compared to controls in a cross-section of subjects. A novel biomarker role for mI in early HD was also identified. These findings resolve disagreement in the literature about the role of MRS as an HD biomarker. We conclude that putaminal MRS measurements of NAA and mI are promising potential biomarkers of HD onset and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Sturrock
- Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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20
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Josefsen K, Nielsen SM, Campos A, Seifert T, Hasholt L, Nielsen JE, Nørremølle A, Skotte NH, Secher NH, Quistorff B. Reduced gluconeogenesis and lactate clearance in Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2010; 40:656-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2010.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2010] [Revised: 07/23/2010] [Accepted: 08/11/2010] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder that usually presents in adulthood with characteristic motor and cognitive features and with variable and diverse psychiatric disturbances. Following the discovery of the causative defect in the HTT gene in 1993, great advances in understanding the pathogenesis of HD have been made, yet no effective disease-modifying therapy has been identified. In this new era of HD research, we have seen the emergence of a number of large clinical trials, the systematic search for novel biomarkers and the recent initiation of the first pre-manifest HD clinical studies. In this review, we seek to provide an overview of the clinical and genetic features of HD together with a summary of clinical research at this time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Sturrock
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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23
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Duran R, Barrero FJ, Morales B, Luna JD, Ramirez M, Vives F. Oxidative stress and plasma aminopeptidase activity in Huntington’s disease. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2010; 117:325-32. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-009-0364-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2009] [Accepted: 12/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Wong HK, Bauer PO, Kurosawa M, Goswami A, Washizu C, Machida Y, Tosaki A, Yamada M, Knöpfel T, Nakamura T, Nukina N. Blocking acid-sensing ion channel 1 alleviates Huntington's disease pathology via an ubiquitin-proteasome system-dependent mechanism. Hum Mol Genet 2008; 17:3223-35. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddn218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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25
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Martin WRW, Wieler M, Hanstock CC. Is brain lactate increased in Huntington's disease? J Neurol Sci 2007; 263:70-4. [PMID: 17655868 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2007.05.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2007] [Accepted: 05/30/2007] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Impaired brain energy metabolism with increased regional brain lactate may play a role in the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease (HD). Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has provided conflicting evidence, however, regarding metabolic changes. Our objective was to evaluate the potential contribution of CSF lactate to the changes observed with MRS in HD. We performed single voxel MRS at 3 T in 23 patients with HD and 28 age-matched control subjects using a method to segment voxels into grey matter, white matter, and CSF, and to extrapolate regional lactate content to a hypothetical voxel containing 100% brain in order to control for differences in CSF lactate. Lactate/creatine and lactate/N-acetyl aspartate (Lac/NAA) ratios were significantly increased in parieto-occipital (p<0.05) and cerebellar (p<0.01) voxels in HD patients. After extrapolating group Lac/NAA results to a theoretical voxel containing 100% brain, this ratio was greater in the HD group than the control group, suggesting possibly increased lactate in this predicted voxel, although the difference between groups did not reach statistical significance. These results suggest an increase in brain lactate content in manifest HD, in a regionally non-specific fashion, although the possibility of a CSF contribution to this increase cannot be ruled out. Regardless, this supports the possibility of impaired mitochondrial function resulting in abnormal brain energy metabolism in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- W R Wayne Martin
- Division of Neurology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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26
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Pandey M, Varghese M, Sindhu KM, Sreetama S, Navneet AK, Mohanakumar KP, Usha R. Mitochondrial NAD+-linked State 3 respiration and complex-I activity are compromised in the cerebral cortex of 3-nitropropionic acid-induced rat model of Huntington's disease. J Neurochem 2007; 104:420-34. [PMID: 17953654 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.04996.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial complex-I dysfunction has been observed in patients of Huntington's disease (HD). We assessed whether such a defect is present in the 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) model of HD. Rats treated with 3-NP (10-20 mg/kg i.p., for 4 days) exhibited weight loss, gait abnormalities, and striatal lesions with increased glial fibrillary acidic protein immunostaining on fifth and ninth days, while increase in striatal dopamine and loss of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity were observed on fifth day following treatment. We report for the first time a dose-dependent reduction in complex-I activity in the cerebral cortex when analyzed spectrophotometrically and by blue native-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis following 3-NP treatment. The citrate synthase normalized activities of mitochondrial complex-I, -II, -(I + III) and -IV were decreased in the cortex of 3-NP treated rats. In addition, succinate driven State 3 respiration was also significantly inhibited in vivo and in the isolated mitochondria. These findings taken together with the observation of a significant decrease in vivo but not in vitro of State 3 respiration with NAD(+)-linked substrates, suggest complex-I dysfunction in addition to irreversible inhibition of complex-II and succinate dehydrogenase activity as a contributing factor in 3-NP-induced cortico-striatal lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mritunjay Pandey
- Laboratory of Clinical & Experimental Neuroscience, Division of Cell Biology & Physiology, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
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27
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Choi JK, Dedeoglu A, Jenkins BG. Application of MRS to mouse models of neurodegenerative illness. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2007; 20:216-37. [PMID: 17451183 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.1145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The rapid development of transgenic mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases, in parallel with the rapidly expanding growth of MR techniques for assessing in vivo, non-invasive, neurochemistry, offers the potential to develop novel markers of disease progression and therapy. In this review we discuss the interpretation and utility of MRS for the study of these transgenic mouse and rodent models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's (AD), Huntington's (HD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). MRS studies can provide a wealth of information on various facets of in vivo neurochemistry, including neuronal health, gliosis, osmoregulation, energy metabolism, neuronal-glial cycling, and molecular synthesis rates. These data provide information on the etiology, natural history and therapy of these diseases. Mouse models enable longitudinal studies with useful time frames for evaluation of neuroprotection and therapeutic interventions using many of the potential MRS markers. In addition, the ability to manipulate the genome in these models allows better mechanistic understanding of the roles of the observable neurochemicals, such as N-acetylaspartate, in the brain. The argument is made that use of MRS, combined with correlative histology and other MRI techniques, will enable objective markers with which potential therapies can be followed in a quantitative fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Kyung Choi
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
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28
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Fox JH, Kama JA, Lieberman G, Chopra R, Dorsey K, Chopra V, Volitakis I, Cherny RA, Bush AI, Hersch S. Mechanisms of copper ion mediated Huntington's disease progression. PLoS One 2007; 2:e334. [PMID: 17396163 PMCID: PMC1828629 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2006] [Accepted: 03/06/2007] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by a dominant polyglutamine expansion within the N-terminus of huntingtin protein and results in oxidative stress, energetic insufficiency and striatal degeneration. Copper and iron are increased in the striata of HD patients, but the role of these metals in HD pathogenesis is unknown. We found, using inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectroscopy, that elevations of copper and iron found in human HD brain are reiterated in the brains of affected HD transgenic mice. Increased brain copper correlated with decreased levels of the copper export protein, amyloid precursor protein. We hypothesized that increased amounts of copper bound to low affinity sites could contribute to pro-oxidant activities and neurodegeneration. We focused on two proteins: huntingtin, because of its centrality to HD, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), because of its documented sensitivity to copper, necessity for normoxic brain energy metabolism and evidence for altered lactate metabolism in HD brain. The first 171 amino acids of wild-type huntingtin, and its glutamine expanded mutant form, interacted with copper, but not iron. N171 reduced Cu2+in vitro in a 1∶1 copper∶protein stoichiometry indicating that this fragment is very redox active. Further, copper promoted and metal chelation inhibited aggregation of cell-free huntingtin. We found decreased LDH activity, but not protein, and increased lactate levels in HD transgenic mouse brain. The LDH inhibitor oxamate resulted in neurodegeneration when delivered intra-striatially to healthy mice, indicating that LDH inhibition is relevant to neurodegeneration in HD. Our findings support a role of pro-oxidant copper-protein interactions in HD progression and offer a novel target for pharmacotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan H. Fox
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jibrin A. Kama
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gregory Lieberman
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Raman Chopra
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kate Dorsey
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Vanita Chopra
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Irene Volitakis
- Oxidation Disorders Laboratory, Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, and Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robert A. Cherny
- Oxidation Disorders Laboratory, Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, and Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ashley I. Bush
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, and Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Oxidation Disorders Laboratory, Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, and Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Steven Hersch
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Tkac I, Dubinsky JM, Keene CD, Gruetter R, Low WC. Neurochemical changes in Huntington R6/2 mouse striatum detected by in vivo 1H NMR spectroscopy. J Neurochem 2007; 100:1397-406. [PMID: 17217418 PMCID: PMC2859960 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.04323.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The neurochemical profile of the striatum of R6/2 Huntington's disease mice was examined at different stages of pathogenesis using in vivo(1)H NMR spectroscopy at 9.4 T. Between 8 and 12 weeks, R6/2 mice exhibited distinct changes in a set of 17 quantifiable metabolites compared with littermate controls. Concentrations of creatine, glycerophosphorylcholine, glutamine and glutathione increased and N-acetylaspartate decreased at 8 weeks. By 12 weeks, concentrations of phosphocreatine, taurine, ascorbate, glutamate, and myo-inositol increased and phophorylethanolamine decreased. These metabolic changes probably reflected multiple processes, including compensatory processes to maintain homeostasis, active at different stages in the development of HD. The observed changes in concentrations suggested impairment of neurotransmission, neuronal integrity and energy demand, and increased membrane breakdown, gliosis, and osmotic and oxidative stress. Comparisons between metabolite concentrations from individual animals clearly distinguished HD transgenics from non-diseased littermates and identified possible markers of disease progression. Metabolic changes in R6/2 striata were distinctly different from those observed previously in the quinolinic acid and 3NP models of HD. Longitudinal monitoring of changes in these metabolites may provide quantifiable measures of disease progression and treatment effects in both mouse models of HD and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Tkac
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Janet M. Dubinsky
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - C. Dirk Keene
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Rolf Gruetter
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Walter C. Low
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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30
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Weydt P, Pineda VV, Torrence AE, Libby RT, Satterfield TF, Lazarowski ER, Gilbert ML, Morton GJ, Bammler TK, Strand AD, Cui L, Beyer RP, Easley CN, Smith AC, Krainc D, Luquet S, Sweet IR, Schwartz MW, La Spada AR. Thermoregulatory and metabolic defects in Huntington's disease transgenic mice implicate PGC-1alpha in Huntington's disease neurodegeneration. Cell Metab 2006; 4:349-62. [PMID: 17055784 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2006.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 444] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2006] [Revised: 09/20/2006] [Accepted: 10/09/2006] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal, dominantly inherited disorder caused by polyglutamine repeat expansion in the huntingtin (htt) gene. Here, we observe that HD mice develop hypothermia associated with impaired activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT). Although sympathetic stimulation of PPARgamma coactivator 1alpha (PGC-1alpha) was intact in BAT of HD mice, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1) induction was blunted. In cultured cells, expression of mutant htt suppressed UCP-1 promoter activity; this was reversed by PGC-1alpha expression. HD mice showed reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure, with dysfunctional BAT mitochondria. PGC-1alpha is a known regulator of mitochondrial function; here, we document reduced expression of PGC-1alpha target genes in HD patient and mouse striatum. Mitochondria of HD mouse brain show reduced oxygen consumption rates. Finally, HD striatal neurons expressing exogenous PGC-1alpha were resistant to 3-nitropropionic acid treatment. Altered PGC-1alpha function may thus link transcription dysregulation and mitochondrial dysfunction in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Weydt
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
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31
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Dydak U, Mueller S, Sándor PS, Meier D, Boesiger P, Jung HH. Cerebral metabolic alterations in McLeod syndrome. Eur Neurol 2006; 56:17-23. [PMID: 16914926 DOI: 10.1159/000095136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2006] [Accepted: 05/05/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The X-linked McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome is a multisystem disorder with central nervous system manifestations resembling Huntington's disease. We examined 5 McLeod patients and 5 asymptomatic heterozygous females with fast multiple spin-echo spectroscopic imaging. Three patients with pronounced psychiatric or cognitive manifestations had pathological N-acetyl aspartate/(creatine + choline) ratios in frontal, temporal, and insular areas, with an individual pattern. Two patients with a severe choreatic movement disorder had unilateral thalamic alterations. One patient with moderate movement disorder and personality disorder had bilateral occipital alterations. One female heterozygote had unilateral insular metabolic alterations, possibly indicating subclinical cerebral involvement. Although the prominent psychiatric and cognitive manifestations in McLeod patients suggest significant and widespread cortical abnormalities, previous neuroradiological and histopathological data had not revealed definite extrastriatal pathology. Our findings demonstrating metabolic abnormalities in different brain regions of McLeod patients might either reflect neuronal dysfunction due to impaired basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuits or subtle structural alterations in the particular cerebral areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Dydak
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Switzerland
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32
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Belli A, Sen J, Petzold A, Russo S, Kitchen N, Smith M, Tavazzi B, Vagnozzi R, Signoretti S, Amorini AM, Bellia F, Lazzarino G. Extracellular N-acetylaspartate depletion in traumatic brain injury. J Neurochem 2006; 96:861-9. [PMID: 16371008 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2005.03602.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
N-Acetylaspartate (NAA) is almost exclusively localized in neurons in the adult brain and is present in high concentration in the CNS. It can be measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and is seen as a marker of neuronal damage and death. NMR spectroscopy and animal models have shown NAA depletion to occur in various types of chronic and acute brain injury. We investigated 19 patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Microdialysis was utilized to recover NAA, lactate, pyruvate, glycerol and glutamate, at 12-h intervals. These markers were correlated with survival and a 6-month Glasgow Outcome Score. Eleven patients died and eight survived. A linear mixed model analysis showed a significant effect of outcome and of the interaction between time of injury and outcome on NAA levels (p = 0.009 and p = 0.004, respectively). Overall, extracellular NAA was 34% lower in non-survivors. A significant non-recoverable fall was observed in this group from day 4 onwards, with a concomitant rise in lactate-pyruvate ratio and glycerol. These results suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction is a significant contributor to poor outcome following TBI and propose extracellular NAA as a potential marker for monitoring interventions aimed at preserving mitochondrial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Belli
- Victor Horsley Department of Neurosurgery, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
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Kasparová S, Sumbalová Z, Bystrický P, Kucharská J, Liptaj T, Mlynárik V, Gvozdjáková A. Effect of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E on brain energy metabolism in the animal model of Huntington's disease. Neurochem Int 2005; 48:93-9. [PMID: 16290265 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2005.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2005] [Accepted: 09/15/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The neuropathological and clinical symptoms of Huntington's disease (HD) can be simulated in animal model with systemic administration of 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP). Energy defects in HD could be ameliorated by administration of coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)), creatine, or nicotinamid. We studied the activity of creatine kinase (CK) and the function of mitochondrial respiratory chain in the brain of aged rats administered with 3-NP with and without previous application of antioxidants CoQ(10)+vitamin E. We used dynamic and steady-state methods of in vivo phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P MRS) for determination of the pseudo-first order rate constant (k(for)) of the forward CK reaction, the phosphocreatine (PCr) to adenosinetriphosphate (ATP) ratio, intracellular pH(i) and Mg(i)(2+) content in the brain. The respiratory chain function of isolated mitochondria was assessed polarographically; the concentration of CoQ(10) and alpha-tocopherol by HPLC. We found significant elevation of k(for) in brains of 3-NP rats, reflecting increased rate of CK reaction in cytosol. The function of respiratory chain in the presence of succinate was severely diminished. The activity of cytochromeoxidase and mitochondrial concentration of CoQ(10) was unaltered; tissue content of CoQ(10) was decreased in 3-NP rats. Antioxidants CoQ(10)+vitamin E prevented increase of k(for) and the decrease of CoQ(10) content in brain tissue, but were ineffective to prevent the decline of respiratory chain function. We suppose that increased activity of CK system could be compensatory to decreased mitochondrial ATP production, and CoQ(10)+vitamin E could prevent the increase of k(for) after 3-NP treatment likely by activity of CoQ(10) outside the mitochondria. Results of our experiments contributed to elucidation of mechanism of beneficial effect of CoQ(10) administration in HD and showed that the rate constant of CK is a sensitive indicator of brain energy disorder reflecting therapeutic effect of drugs that could be used as a new in vivo biomarker of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svatava Kasparová
- Central Laboratory of NMR Spectroscopy, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Radlinského 9, SK-812 37 Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Chang SL, Cloak CC, Malellari L, Chang L. The effects of repeated endotoxin exposure on rat brain metabolites as measured by ex vivo 1HMRS. J Neuroimmunol 2005; 166:39-46. [PMID: 15996758 PMCID: PMC4899044 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2005.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2005] [Revised: 04/15/2005] [Accepted: 04/29/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Abnormalities in brain chemistry induced by acute or chronic treatment with LPS were studied in the rat model. Ex vivo brain metabolites were measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, whereas serum corticosterone levels were determined using radioimmunoassay. We observed increased lactate levels in all measured brain regions and decreased choline in the hypothalamus after chronic LPS treatment. Acute LPS treatment led to an elevation of corticosterone, whereas chronic LPS treatment led to attenuation of the HPA response. These findings suggest that chronic inflammation induced by LPS could lead to cell loss/dysfunction, and hence, desensitization of the HPA axis, particularly in the hypothalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulie L Chang
- Department of Biology, Seton Hall University, 400 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ 07079, USA.
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DiProspero NA, Chen EY, Charles V, Plomann M, Kordower JH, Tagle DA. Early changes in Huntington's disease patient brains involve alterations in cytoskeletal and synaptic elements. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 33:517-33. [PMID: 15906159 DOI: 10.1007/s11068-004-0514-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2004] [Revised: 11/08/2004] [Accepted: 11/15/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by a polyglutamine repeat expansion in the N-terminus of the huntingtin protein. Huntingtin is normally present in the cytoplasm where it may interact with structural and synaptic elements. The mechanism of HD pathogenesis remains unknown but studies indicate a toxic gain-of-function possibly through aberrant protein interactions. To investigate whether early degenerative changes in HD involve alterations of cytoskeletal and vesicular components, we examined early cellular changes in the frontal cortex of HD presymptomatic (PS), early pathological grade (grade 1) and late-stage (grade 3 and 4) patients as compared to age-matched controls. Morphologic analysis using silver impregnation revealed a progressive decrease in neuronal fiber density and organization in pyramidal cell layers beginning in presymptomatic HD cases. Immunocytochemical analyses for the cytoskeletal markers alpha -tubulin, microtubule-associated protein 2, and phosphorylated neurofilament demonstrated a concomitant loss of staining in early grade cases. Immunoblotting for synaptic proteins revealed a reduction in complexin 2, which was marked in some grade 1 HD cases and significantly reduced in all late stage cases. Interestingly, we demonstrate that two synaptic proteins, dynamin and PACSIN 1, which were unchanged by immunoblotting, showed a striking loss by immunocytochemistry beginning in early stage HD tissue suggesting abnormal distribution of these proteins. We propose that mutant huntingtin affects proteins involved in synaptic function and cytoskeletal integrity before symptoms develop which may influence early disease onset and/or progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A DiProspero
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Wang Y, Su DM, Wang RH, Liu Y, Wang H. Antinociceptive effects of choline against acute and inflammatory pain. Neuroscience 2005; 132:49-56. [PMID: 15780465 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2004.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/21/2004] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We used the hot plate test and the formalin test to evaluate the antinociception of choline after i.c.v. or i.v. administration. The analgesic mechanism of choline was also studied. The response latency of mice was significantly prolonged in the hot plate test after choline (90-120 mug/animals) i.c.v. administration in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with methyllycaconitine citrate (MLA), alpha-bungarotoxin, or atropine blocked the antinociception of choline in the hot plate test. In contrast, mecamylamine and naloxone had no effect. No antinociceptive action of choline was found in the hot plate test, but it did have an effect in the late phase of the formalin test after i.v. administration. The effect of choline on anti-inflammatory pain was blocked by MLA, but not by mecamylamine, naloxone and atropine, which is indicative of the involvement of alpha7 receptors in peripheral sites. When choline (2 mg/kg) was coadministered with aspirin (9.4 mg/kg), the licking/biting times in the late phase significantly decreased, although no effects were shown when these doses of drugs were used alone. Similarly, coadministration of choline (2 mg/kg) with morphine (0.165 mg/kg) significantly increased the antinociception of morphine in the late phase, but had no effect in the early phase. These results demonstrate that activation of alpha7 nicotinic receptors by choline elicits antinociceptive effects both in an acute thermal pain model and in an inflammatory pain model. Choline holds promise for development as a non-addictive analgesic drug and in reducing the regular dose of aspirin or morphine in inflammatory pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Wang
- Thadweik Academy of Medicine, Beijing 100850, PR China
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Tavazzi B, Signoretti S, Lazzarino G, Amorini AM, Delfini R, Cimatti M, Marmarou A, Vagnozzi R. Cerebral oxidative stress and depression of energy metabolism correlate with severity of diffuse brain injury in rats. Neurosurgery 2005; 56:582-9; discussion 582-9. [PMID: 15730584 DOI: 10.1227/01.neu.0000156715.04900.e6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2004] [Accepted: 01/11/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The combined effect of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and secondary insult on biochemical changes of cerebral tissue is not well known. For this purpose, we studied the time-course changes of parameters reflecting ROS-mediated oxidative stress and modifications of cell energy metabolism determined in rats subjected to cerebral insult of increasing severity. METHODS Rats were divided into four groups: 1) sham-operated, 2) subjected to 10 minutes of hypoxia and hypotension (HH), 3) subjected to severe diffuse TBI, and 4) subjected to severe diffuse TBI + HH. Rats were killed at different times after injury, and analyses of malondialdehyde, ascorbate, high-energy phosphates, nicotinic coenzymes, oxypurines, nucleosides, and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) were made by high-performance liquid chromatography on whole-brain tissue extracts. RESULTS Data indicated a close relationship between degree of oxidative stress and severity of brain insult, as evidenced by the highest malondialdehyde values and lowest ascorbate levels in rats subjected to TBI + HH. Similarly, modifications of parameters related to cell energy metabolism were modulated by increasing severity of brain injury, as demonstrated by the lowest values of energy charge potential, nicotinic coenzymes, and NAA and the highest levels of oxypurines and nucleosides recorded in TBI + HH rats. Both the intensity of oxidative stress-mediated cerebral damage and perturbation of energy metabolism were minimally affected in rats subjected to HH only. CONCLUSION These results showed that the severity of brain insult can be graded by measuring biochemical modifications, specifically, reactive oxygen species-mediated damage, energy metabolism depression, and NAA, thereby validating the rodent model of closed-head diffuse TBI coupled with HH and proposing NAA as a marker with diagnostic relevance to monitor the metabolic state of postinjured brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Tavazzi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Bender A, Auer DP, Merl T, Reilmann R, Saemann P, Yassouridis A, Bender J, Weindl A, Dose M, Gasser T, Klopstock T. Creatine supplementation lowers brain glutamate levels in Huntington?s disease. J Neurol 2005; 252:36-41. [PMID: 15672208 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-005-0595-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2004] [Revised: 06/10/2004] [Accepted: 06/23/2004] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is evidence from in vitro and animal experiments that oral creatine (Cr) supplementation might prevent or slow down neurodegeneration in Huntington's disease (HD). However, this neuroprotective effect could not be replicated in clinical trials, possibly owing to treatment periods being too short to impact on clinical endpoints. We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) as a surrogate marker to evaluate the effect of Cr supplementation on brain metabolite levels in HD.Twenty patients (age 46+/-7.3 years, mean duration of symptoms 4.0+/-2.1 years, number of CAG repeats 44.5+/-2.7) were included. The primary endpoint was metabolic alteration as measured by (1)H-MRS in the parieto-occipital cortex before (t1) and after 8-10 weeks (t2) of Cr administration. Secondary measures comprised the motor section of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale and the Mini Mental State Examination. (1)H-MRS showed a 15.6% decrease of unresolved glutamate (Glu)+glutamine (Gln; Glu+Gln=Glx; p<0.001) and a 7.8% decrease of Glu (p<0.027) after Cr treatment. N-acetylaspartate trended to fall (p=0.073) whereas total Cr, choline-containing compounds, glucose, and lactate remained unchanged. There was no effect on clinical rating scales. This cortical Glx and Glu decrease may be explained by Cr enhancing the energy-dependent conversion of Glu to Gln via the Glu-Gln cycle, a pathway known to be impaired in HD. Since Glu-mediated excitotoxicity is presumably pivotal in HD pathogenesis, these results indicate a therapeutic potential of Cr in HD. Thus, longterm clinical trials are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Bender
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Grosshadern, University of Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
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Klapstein GJ, Levine MS. Age-dependent biphasic changes in ischemic sensitivity in the striatum of Huntington's disease R6/2 transgenic mice. J Neurophysiol 2004; 93:758-65. [PMID: 15371492 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00483.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We used the oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD) model of ischemia in corticostriatal brain slices to test the hypothesis that metabolic deficiencies in R6/2 transgenic Huntington's disease (HD) mice will impair their recovery from an ischemic challenge. Corticostriatal extracellular field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) were evoked in transgenic and wild-type (WT) mice in three age groups: 3-4 wk, before the overt behavioral phenotype develops; 5-9 wk, as overt behavioral symptoms begin; and 10-15 wk when symptoms were most severe. OGD for 8 min completely and reversibly inhibited fEPSPs. Although responses of 3-4 wk WTs showed a tolerance to ischemia and recovered rapidly, ischemic sensitivity developed progressively; at 5-9 and 10-15 wk, responses recovered more slowly from OGD. In contrast, although 3-4 wk R6/2 transgenic fEPSPs showed significantly more ischemic sensitivity than their WT counterparts, the R6/2 fEPSPs maintained a relative tolerance to ischemia at 5-9 and 10-15 wk. As a result, a "crossover" point occurred, roughly coinciding with the development of the overt behavioral phenotype (5-9 wk), after which time R6/2 fEPSPs were significantly more resistant to ischemia than WT responses. The increased ischemic sensitivity in 3-4 wk R6/2 responses was not due to excessive glutamate release during OGD as it persisted in the presence of the glutamate receptor antagonist kynurenic acid (1 mM). Although the mechanism for development of ischemic resistance in R6/2 transgenics remains unknown, it correlates with metabolic and biochemical changes described in this model and in HD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria J Klapstein
- Mental Retardation Research Center, The David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Schapiro M, Cecil KM, Doescher J, Kiefer AM, Jones BV. MR imaging and spectroscopy in juvenile Huntington disease. Pediatr Radiol 2004; 34:640-3. [PMID: 15042332 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-004-1159-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2003] [Revised: 12/29/2003] [Accepted: 02/02/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Juvenile Huntington disease manifests differently from adult Huntington disease and has more variability in presentation. We describe a child with cognitive decline and adventitial movements in whom Huntington disease was confirmed with genetic testing. MR imaging showed abnormal T2 prolongation in the putamina and progressive caudate atrophy, and MR spectroscopy revealed elevated myoinositol and diminished N-acetyl aspartate, creatine, and phosphocreatine. Imaging findings of caudate atrophy and abnormal T2 prolongation in the putamina with MR spectroscopy findings consistent with dense gliosis can be helpful indicators of juvenile Huntington disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Schapiro
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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Lee WT, Chang C. Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy in assessing 3-nitropropionic acid-induced brain lesions: an animal model of Huntington’s disease. Prog Neurobiol 2004; 72:87-110. [PMID: 15063527 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2004.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2003] [Accepted: 02/03/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease, in which there is progressive motor and cognitive deterioration, and for which the pathogenesis of neuronal death remains controversial. Mitochondrial toxins like 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) and malonate, functioning as the inhibitors of the complex II of mitochondrial respiratory chain, have been found to effectively induce specific behavioral changes and selective striatal lesions in rats and non-human primates mimicking those in HD. Furthermore, several kinds of transgenic mouse models of HD have been recently developed, and used in the development and assessment of novel treatments for HD. In the past, most studies evaluating the animal models for HD were based on histological changes or in vitro neuronal cultures. With the emergence of advanced magnetic resonance technologies, non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy provide more detail of cerebral alterations, including the changes of cerebral structure, function and metabolites. These studies support the hypothesis that mitochondrial dysfunction with increased excitation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors can replicate the neurobehavioral changes, selective brain injury and neurochemical alterations in HD. The present review focuses on our work as well as that of others regarding 3-NP-induced neurotoxicity and other animal models of HD. Using both conventional and advanced MRI and spectroscopy, we summarize the pathogenesis and possible therapeutic strategies in chemical and transgenic models of HD. The results show magnetic resonance techniques to be powerful techniques in the evaluation of pathogenesis and therapeutic intervention for both chemical and transgenic models of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang-Tso Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
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Selemon LD, Rajkowska G, Goldman-Rakic PS. Evidence for progression in frontal cortical pathology in late-stage Huntington's disease. J Comp Neurol 2003; 468:190-204. [PMID: 14648679 DOI: 10.1002/cne.10938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Atrophy of the cerebral cortex in Huntington's disease is regionally heterogeneous and progressive, involving the entire cerebral mantle in terminal stages. Here, two areas (9 and 46) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were analyzed in 11 late-stage (grades 3 or 4) Huntington's diseased patients and 8 normal control subjects. We used a 3-dimensional cell counting method to assess laminar cell density, number, and width. Reductions in overall cortical thickness in areas 9 (26%) and 46 (23%) were comparable. Area 9 exhibited loss of projection neurons in layers III (16%), V (31%), and VI (37%); these same layers were also reduced in width (25%, 34%, and 46%, respectively). In area 46, reductions in cortical width in layers II (18%) and VI (35%) were not accompanied by neuronal loss. Glial density was increased in deeper layers, reaching significance in layer VI (68%) of area 9 and in layer V (75%) of area 46; glial number was not altered. Thus, area 46 exhibited marked cortical thinning without apparent neuronal degeneration, whereas in area 9 neuronal loss was pronounced, consistent with an advanced phase of cortical pathology. Prominent involvement of corticothalamic neurons is discussed in the context of striatal loop circuitry and a possible pathologic cascade of cortical degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn D Selemon
- Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA.
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Feigin A, Zgaljardic D. Recent advances in Huntington's disease: implications for experimental therapeutics. Curr Opin Neurol 2002; 15:483-9. [PMID: 12151847 DOI: 10.1097/00019052-200208000-00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW In this article we have set out to critically review recent advances in the basic and clinical understanding of Huntington's disease, with specific emphasis on those findings that are most relevant to the planning, design, and conduct of future clinical trials for this devastating disorder. RECENT FINDINGS The exact mechanisms underlying neuronal death in Huntington's disease remain unknown. Over the past 10 years, the leading models of neurodegeneration in the disease have involved mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent excitotoxic injury, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Recent studies have lent support to these models, but additional theories involving abnormalities of protein metabolism and transcriptional dysregulation have emerged as well. As progress is made toward clarifying the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to Huntington's disease, and new therapies are proposed, investigators have begun to develop improved outcome measures for potential use in future clinical trials aimed at slowing the progression of the disorder. SUMMARY Recent advances in the understanding of the molecular biology and pathophysiology of Huntington's disease have suggested new therapeutic strategies aimed at slowing progression or forestalling onset of this neurodegenerative disease. In preparation for future clinical trials, clinical studies have begun to provide more quantitative measures of disease onset and progression. This progress in both the basic science and clinical realms raises real hope for effective therapies in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Feigin
- Movement Disorders Center and Center for Neurosciences, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Research Institute, 444 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA.
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Mascalchi M, Cosottini M, Lolli F, Salvi F, Tessa C, Macucci M, Tosetti M, Plasmati R, Ferlini A, Tassinari CA, Villari N. Proton MR spectroscopy of the cerebellum and pons in patients with degenerative ataxia. Radiology 2002; 223:371-8. [PMID: 11997539 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2232010722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate whether proton magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy is a useful complement to MR imaging in patients with degenerative ataxia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Brain MR imaging and single-voxel proton MR spectroscopy of the right cerebellar hemisphere and pons were performed in 30 patients with sporadic (n = 16) or inherited (n = 14) degenerative ataxia and in 20 healthy control subjects. Several indexes of brainstem and cerebellar atrophy were measured on MR images, as well as the N-acetylaspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr), choline/Cr (Cho/Cr), and myo-inositol/Cr (mI/Cr) ratios in the MR spectra. Differences between patients and subjects were evaluated with the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests, whereas correlation of clinical, MR imaging, and spectroscopic data was assessed with nonparametric Spearman rank correlation. RESULTS Measurements of brainstem and cerebellar atrophy obtained from MR images revealed patients had olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) (n = 11), spinal atrophy (SA) (n = 8), or corticocerebellar atrophy (CCA) (n = 4). Seven patients did not fulfill the criteria for any group and were considered undefined. In patients with OPCA, the pontine and cerebellar NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios were significantly decreased when compared with those of the control subjects. Pontine and cerebellar NAA/Cr ratios were also significantly reduced in patients with SA and CCA. Five patients with undefined ataxia had a substantial decrease of pontine or cerebellar NAA/Cr ratio when compared with that of the control subjects. In patients with OPCA, the pontine NAA/Cr ratio (but not the atrophy measurements) showed a correlation (P =.04) with disability. CONCLUSION MR spectroscopy is a useful complement to MR imaging in patients with degenerative ataxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Mascalchi
- Section of Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 85, 50134 Florence, Italy
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Signoretti S, Marmarou A, Tavazzi B, Lazzarino G, Beaumont A, Vagnozzi R. N-Acetylaspartate reduction as a measure of injury severity and mitochondrial dysfunction following diffuse traumatic brain injury. J Neurotrauma 2001; 18:977-91. [PMID: 11686498 DOI: 10.1089/08977150152693683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
N-Acetylaspartate (NAA) is considered a neuron-specific metabolite and its reduction a marker of neuronal loss. The objective of this study was to evaluate the time course of NAA changes in varying grades of traumatic brain injury (TBI), in concert with the disturbance of energy metabolites (ATP). Since NAA is synthesized by the mitochondria, it was hypothesized that changes in NAA would follow ATP. The impact acceleration model was used to produce three grades of TBI. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following four groups: sham control (n = 12); moderate TBI (n = 36); severe TBI (n = 36); and severe TBI coupled with hypoxia-hypotension (n = 16). Animals were sacrificed at different time points ranging from 1 min to 120 h postinjury, and the brain was processed for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of NAA and ATP. After moderate TBI, NAA reduced gradually by 35% at 6 h and 46% at 15 h, accompanied by a 57% and 45% reduction in ATP. A spontaneous recovery of NAA to 86% of baseline at 120 h was paralleled by a restoration in ATP. In severe TBI, NAA fell suddenly and did not recover, showing critical reduction (60%) at 48 h. ATP was reduced by 70% and also did not recover. Maximum NAA and ATP decrease occurred with secondary insult (80% and 90%, respectively, at 48 h). These data show that, at 48 h post diffuse TBI, reduction of NAA is graded according to the severity of insult. NAA recovers if the degree of injury is moderate and not accompanied by secondary insult. The highly similar time course and correlation between NAA and ATP supports the notion that NAA reduction is related to energetic impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Signoretti
- Division of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0508, USA
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46
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Keene CD, Rodrigues CM, Eich T, Linehan-Stieers C, Abt A, Kren BT, Steer CJ, Low WC. A bile acid protects against motor and cognitive deficits and reduces striatal degeneration in the 3-nitropropionic acid model of Huntington's disease. Exp Neurol 2001; 171:351-60. [PMID: 11573988 DOI: 10.1006/exnr.2001.7755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
There is currently no effective treatment for Huntington's disease (HD), a progressive, fatal, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and cognitive deterioration. It is well established that HD is associated with perturbation of mitochondrial energy metabolism. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), a naturally occurring bile acid, can stabilize the mitochondrial membrane, inhibit the mitochondrial permeability transition, decrease free radical formation, and derail apoptotic pathways. Here we report that TUDCA significantly reduced 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP)-mediated striatal neuronal cell death in cell culture. In addition, rats treated with TUDCA exhibited an 80% reduction in apoptosis and in lesion volumes associated with 3-NP administration. Moreover, rats which received a combination of TUDCA + 3-NP exhibited sensorimotor and cognitive task performance that was indistinguishable from that of controls, and this effect persisted at least 6 months. Bile acids have traditionally been used as therapeutic agents for certain liver diseases. This is the first demonstration, however, that a bile acid can be delivered to the brain and function as a neuroprotectant and thus may offer potential therapeutic benefit in the treatment of certain neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- C D Keene
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
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47
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Boesch SM, Schocke M, Bürk K, Hollosi P, Fornai F, Aichner FT, Poewe W, Felber S. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging reveals differences in spinocerebellar ataxia types 2 and 6. J Magn Reson Imaging 2001; 13:553-9. [PMID: 11276099 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.1078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate cerebellar metabolism in patients with autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia type 1 (ADCA-I) carrying two distinct mutations of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). Non-invasive image-guided proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging (1H-MRSI) was performed in 4 patients with SCA2, and 3 patients carrying the SCA6 mutation. For MRSI, we employed a spin-echo sequence (TR = 1500 msec, TE = 135 msec, slice thickness = 15 mm, FOV = 240 mm) and a stimulated-echo sequence (TR = 1500 msec, TE = 20 msec, slice thickness = 15 mm, FOV = 240 mm). Measures included the peak integral ratios of neuronal and glial markers [N-acetylaspartate (NA) to creatine (Cr), choline-containing compounds (CHO) to Cr, and lactate (LAC) to Cr]. We found NA:Cr ratios were significantly lower in patients with SCA2 (40.4% lower) compared to patients carrying the SCA6 mutation. CHO:Cr ratios differed between the two mutations using short echo time (30.8% lower in SCA2), but not when applying long echo time 1H-MRSI. Measurements using long echo time revealed LAC peaks in all SCA2 patients. 1H-MRSI revealed metabolic differences between SCA2 and SCA6 patients. NA:Cr ratios were significantly lower in patients with the SCA2 mutation compared to the SCA6 mutation, and LAC signals were obtained in the cerebella of SCA2 patients. In addition, CHO:Cr ratios showed different behavior using short and long TE, indicating differences in relaxation times of choline compounds in SCA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Boesch
- Department of Neurology, University of Innsbruck, Austria.
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Albers DS, Beal MF. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in aging and neurodegenerative disease. JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION. SUPPLEMENTUM 2001; 59:133-54. [PMID: 10961426 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-7091-6781-6_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease (AD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is aging. Two processes that have been implicated in aging are free radical-induced oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. A progressive impairment of mitochondrial function and/or increased oxidative damage has been suggested to play critical roles in the pathogenesis of these neurodegenerative diseases. For example, decreased complex I activity, increased oxidative damage and altered activities of antioxidant defense enzymes have been demonstrated in PD. In AD, decrements in complex IV activity and increased oxidative damage have been reported. Reductions in complex II activity, increased cortical lactate levels and oxidative damage have been described in HD. Some familial ALS cases are associated with mutations in the gene for Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) while increased oxidative damage is observed in sporadic ALS. Studies in PSP have demonstrated regionally specific reductions in brain and muscle mitochondrial function, hypofrontality and increased oxidative damage. Altogether, the age-dependent onset and progressive course of these neurodegenerative diseases may ultimately highlight an association between aging, mitochondrial impairment and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- D S Albers
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Sinson G, Bagley LJ, Cecil KM, Torchia M, McGowan JC, Lenkinski RE, McIntosh TK, Grossman RI. Magnetization transfer imaging and proton MR spectroscopy in the evaluation of axonal injury: correlation with clinical outcome after traumatic brain injury. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2001; 22:143-51. [PMID: 11158900 PMCID: PMC7975548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current imaging does not permit quantification of neural injury after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and therefore limits both the development of new treatments and the appropriate counseling of patients concerning prognosis. We evaluated the utility of magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and proton MR spectroscopy in identifying patients with neuronal injury after TBI. METHODS Thirty patients with TBI (21-77 years old; mean age, 42 years; admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GOS) scores 3-15; mean score, 11) were studied on a 1.5-T system with magnetization transfer imaging and MR spectroscopy of the splenium. Magnetization transfer imaging was also performed in the brain stem in all patients, and other areas of the brain were sampled in one patient. The splenium of the corpus callosum and brain stem were studied because these are often affected by diffuse axonal injury. Scans were obtained 2 to 1129 days after injury (median, 41 days). MTR was considered abnormal if it was more than 2 SD below normal. Proton MR spectroscopy was used to calculate the N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) ratio. GOS was determined at least 3 months after injury. RESULTS In 10 patients with a GOS of 1 to 4, the mean NAA/Cr was 1.24 +/- 0.28; two of these patients had abnormal MTR in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM). In 20 patients with a GOS of 5, the mean NAA/Cr was 1.53 +/- 0.37 (P < .05); four of these patients had abnormal MTR in NAWM. MTR abnormalities in NAWM were identified in six patients, but these changes did not correlate with GOS or MR spectroscopy changes. CONCLUSION MTR and MR spectroscopy can quantify damage after TBI, and NAA levels may be a sensitive indicator of the neuronal damage that results in a worse clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Sinson
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104, USA
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Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant inherited neurodegenerative disorder with relentless course and prototypical clinical symptoms. In 1993 HD was associated with an expanded CAG triplet repeat stretch on chromosome 4 in the coding region of its target protein, huntington. The length of the resulting polyglutamine++ extensions correlates with lower age of onset and a higher density of ubiquitin-positive neuronal intranuclear inclusions. Recently it has been proposed that mutant huntington induces progressive neuronal cell death by an apoptotic mechanism. There is strong evidence that disturbances in cellular energy homeostasis and oxidative damage contribute to neurodegeneration. This review will summarize and discuss the current concepts that point towards an involvement of free radical-induced oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity and mitochondrial respiratory chain defects in pathogenesis of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Grünewald
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York 10021, USA
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