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Field SE, Curle AJ, Barker RA. Inflammation and Huntington's disease - a neglected therapeutic target? Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024:1-17. [PMID: 38758356 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2348738] [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: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Huntington's Disease (HD) is a genetic neurodegenerative disease for which there is currently no disease-modifying treatment. One of several underlying mechanisms proposed to be involved in HD pathogenesis is inflammation; there is now accumulating evidence that the immune system may play an integral role in disease pathology and progression. As such, modulation of the immune system could be a potential therapeutic target for HD. AREAS COVERED To date, the number of trials targeting immune aspects of HD has been limited. However, targeting it, may have great advantages over other therapeutic areas, given that many drugs already exist that have actions in this system coupled to the fact that inflammation can be measured both peripherally and, to some extent, centrally using CSF and PET imaging. In this review, we look at evidence that the immune system and the newly emerging area of the microbiome are altered in HD patients, and then present and discuss clinical trials that have targeted different parts of the immune system. EXPERT OPINION We then conclude by discussing how this field might develop going forward, focusing on the role of imaging and other biomarkers to monitor central immune activation and response to novel treatments in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie E Field
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, and MRC-WT Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Annabel J Curle
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, and MRC-WT Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Roger A Barker
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, and MRC-WT Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Hobbs NZ, Papoutsi M, Delva A, Kinnunen KM, Nakajima M, Van Laere K, Vandenberghe W, Herath P, Scahill RI. Neuroimaging to Facilitate Clinical Trials in Huntington's Disease: Current Opinion from the EHDN Imaging Working Group. J Huntingtons Dis 2024:JHD240016. [PMID: 38788082 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-240016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Neuroimaging is increasingly being included in clinical trials of Huntington's disease (HD) for a wide range of purposes from participant selection and safety monitoring, through to demonstration of disease modification. Selection of the appropriate modality and associated analysis tools requires careful consideration. On behalf of the EHDN Imaging Working Group, we present current opinion on the utility and future prospects for inclusion of neuroimaging in HD trials. Covering the key imaging modalities of structural-, functional- and diffusion- MRI, perfusion imaging, positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and magnetoencephalography, we address how neuroimaging can be used in HD trials to: 1) Aid patient selection, enrichment, stratification, and safety monitoring; 2) Demonstrate biodistribution, target engagement, and pharmacodynamics; 3) Provide evidence for disease modification; and 4) Understand brain re-organization following therapy. We also present the challenges of translating research methodology into clinical trial settings, including equipment requirements and cost, standardization of acquisition and analysis, patient burden and invasiveness, and interpretation of results. We conclude, that with appropriate consideration of modality, study design and analysis, imaging has huge potential to facilitate effective clinical trials in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Z Hobbs
- HD Research Centre, UCL Institute of Neurology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Marina Papoutsi
- HD Research Centre, UCL Institute of Neurology, UCL, London, UK
- IXICO plc, London, UK
| | - Aline Delva
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Koen Van Laere
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, KU Leuven, Belgium
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Vandenberghe
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
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Niso-Santano M, Fuentes JM, Galluzzi L. Immunological aspects of central neurodegeneration. Cell Discov 2024; 10:41. [PMID: 38594240 PMCID: PMC11004155 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-024-00666-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The etiology of various neurodegenerative disorders that mainly affect the central nervous system including (but not limited to) Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease has classically been attributed to neuronal defects that culminate with the loss of specific neuronal populations. However, accumulating evidence suggests that numerous immune effector cells and the products thereof (including cytokines and other soluble mediators) have a major impact on the pathogenesis and/or severity of these and other neurodegenerative syndromes. These observations not only add to our understanding of neurodegenerative conditions but also imply that (at least in some cases) therapeutic strategies targeting immune cells or their products may mediate clinically relevant neuroprotective effects. Here, we critically discuss immunological mechanisms of central neurodegeneration and propose potential strategies to correct neurodegeneration-associated immunological dysfunction with therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireia Niso-Santano
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), Cáceres, Spain.
| | - José M Fuentes
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), Cáceres, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Li Q, Wu P, Du Q, Hanif U, Hu H, Li K. cGAS-STING, an important signaling pathway in diseases and their therapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e511. [PMID: 38525112 PMCID: PMC10960729 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Since cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway was discovered in 2013, great progress has been made to elucidate the origin, function, and regulating mechanism of cGAS-STING signaling pathway in the past decade. Meanwhile, the triggering and transduction mechanisms have been continuously illuminated. cGAS-STING plays a key role in human diseases, particularly DNA-triggered inflammatory diseases, making it a potentially effective therapeutic target for inflammation-related diseases. Here, we aim to summarize the ancient origin of the cGAS-STING defense mechanism, as well as the triggers, transduction, and regulating mechanisms of the cGAS-STING. We will also focus on the important roles of cGAS-STING signal under pathological conditions, such as infections, cancers, autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases, and visceral inflammations, and review the progress in drug development targeting cGAS-STING signaling pathway. The main directions and potential obstacles in the regulating mechanism research and therapeutic drug development of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway for inflammatory diseases and cancers will be discussed. These research advancements expand our understanding of cGAS-STING, provide a theoretical basis for further exploration of the roles of cGAS-STING in diseases, and open up new strategies for targeting cGAS-STING as a promising therapeutic intervention in multiple diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qijie Li
- Sichuan province Medical and Engineering Interdisciplinary Research Center of Nursing & Materials/Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of NursingSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ping Wu
- Department of Occupational DiseasesThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College (China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital)ChengduSichuanChina
| | - Qiujing Du
- Sichuan province Medical and Engineering Interdisciplinary Research Center of Nursing & Materials/Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of NursingSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ullah Hanif
- Sichuan province Medical and Engineering Interdisciplinary Research Center of Nursing & Materials/Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of NursingSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Hongbo Hu
- Center for Immunology and HematologyState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ka Li
- Sichuan province Medical and Engineering Interdisciplinary Research Center of Nursing & Materials/Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of NursingSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
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Bilal H, McDonald SJ, Stout JC, Harding IH. Associations of inflammatory cytokines and cortisol with nonmotor features of Huntington's disease. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2024; 11:989-999. [PMID: 38356101 PMCID: PMC11021624 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.52016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease involving progressive motor abnormalities, cognitive decline, and psychiatric disturbances. Depression and cognitive difficulties are among the most impactful symptoms of HD, yet the pathogenesis of these symptoms is not fully understood. HD involves low-level chronic inflammation and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which are linked to depression and cognitive impairment in non-HD populations. However, previous research on the relationships of these pathologies with depression and cognition in HD is limited and inconsistent. METHODS Fifty-three adults with the HD gene expansion (30 premanifest and 23 manifest) completed measures of depression and cognitive functioning. Forty-eight out of 53 participants provided hair samples for quantification of cortisol, and 34 participants provided blood samples for quantification of peripheral inflammatory cytokines. We examined the associations of four cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) and cortisol levels with depression and cognitive scores. RESULTS In unadjusted models, higher levels of plasma IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α correlated with higher depression scores, and higher levels of IL-10 and TNF-α correlated with poorer cognitive performance. After controlling for age, sex, and body mass index, only the correlations of IL-10 with depression and cognitive performance remained significant. No correlations were evident with hair cortisol. INTERPRETATIONS Peripheral inflammation is associated with depression symptoms and cognitive impairment in HD. Our findings suggest that interactions between the immune and nervous systems are important in HD, and highlight the potential of chronic inflammation as a therapeutic target in early stages of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiba Bilal
- School of Psychological Sciences, and Turner Institute for Brain and Mental HealthMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Stuart J. McDonald
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityPrahranVictoriaAustralia
| | - Julie C. Stout
- School of Psychological Sciences, and Turner Institute for Brain and Mental HealthMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Ian H. Harding
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityPrahranVictoriaAustralia
- Monash Biomedical ImagingMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
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Creus-Muncunill J, Haure-Mirande JV, Mattei D, Bons J, Ramirez AV, Hamilton BW, Corwin C, Chowdhury S, Schilling B, Ellerby LM, Ehrlich ME. TYROBP/DAP12 knockout in Huntington's disease Q175 mice cell-autonomously decreases microglial expression of disease-associated genes and non-cell-autonomously mitigates astrogliosis and motor deterioration. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:66. [PMID: 38459557 PMCID: PMC10924371 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03052-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion of the CAG trinucleotide repeat in the Huntingtin gene (HTT). Immune activation is abundant in the striatum of HD patients. Detection of active microglia at presymptomatic stages suggests that microgliosis is a key early driver of neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. Recent studies showed that deletion of Tyrobp, a microglial protein, ameliorates neuronal dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease amyloidopathy and tauopathy mouse models while decreasing components of the complement subnetwork. OBJECTIVE While TYROBP/DAP12-mediated microglial activation is detrimental for some diseases such as peripheral nerve injury, it is beneficial for other diseases. We sought to determine whether the TYROBP network is implicated in HD and whether Tyrobp deletion impacts HD striatal function and transcriptomics. METHODS To test the hypothesis that Tyrobp deficiency would be beneficial in an HD model, we placed the Q175 HD mouse model on a Tyrobp-null background. We characterized these mice with a combination of behavioral testing, immunohistochemistry, transcriptomic and proteomic profiling. Further, we evaluated the gene signature in isolated Q175 striatal microglia, with and without Tyrobp. RESULTS Comprehensive analysis of publicly available human HD transcriptomic data revealed that the TYROBP network is overactivated in the HD putamen. The Q175 mice showed morphologic microglial activation, reduced levels of post-synaptic density-95 protein and motor deficits at 6 and 9 months of age, all of which were ameliorated on the Tyrobp-null background. Gene expression analysis revealed that lack of Tyrobp in the Q175 model does not prevent the decrease in the expression of striatal neuronal genes but reduces pro-inflammatory pathways that are specifically active in HD human brain, including genes identified as detrimental in neurodegenerative diseases, e.g. C1q and members of the Ccr5 signaling pathway. Integration of transcriptomic and proteomic data revealed that astrogliosis and complement system pathway were reduced after Tyrobp deletion, which was further validated by immunofluorescence analysis. CONCLUSIONS Our data provide molecular and functional support demonstrating that Tyrobp deletion prevents many of the abnormalities in the HD Q175 mouse model, suggesting that the Tyrobp pathway is a potential therapeutic candidate for Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniele Mattei
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Joanna Bons
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, USA
| | - Angie V Ramirez
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - B Wade Hamilton
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Chuhyon Corwin
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Sarah Chowdhury
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Michelle E Ehrlich
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
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Wei R, Wei P, Yuan H, Yi X, Aschner M, Jiang YM, Li SJ. Inflammation in Metal-Induced Neurological Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024:10.1007/s12011-023-04041-z. [PMID: 38206494 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-04041-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Essential metals play critical roles in maintaining human health as they participate in various physiological activities. Nonetheless, both excessive accumulation and deficiency of these metals may result in neurotoxicity secondary to neuroinflammation and the activation of microglia and astrocytes. Activation of these cells can promote the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It is well known that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in metal-induced neurotoxicity as well as the development of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Initially seen as a defense mechanism, persistent inflammatory responses are now considered harmful. Astrocytes and microglia are key regulators of neuroinflammation in the central nervous system, and their excessive activation may induce sustained neuroinflammation. Therefore, in this review, we aim to emphasize the important role and molecular mechanisms underlying metal-induced neurotoxicity. Our objective is to raise the awareness on metal-induced neuroinflammation in neurological disorders. However, it is not only just neuroinflammation that different metals could induce; they can also cause harm to the nervous system through oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy, to name a few. The primary pathophysiological mechanism by which these metals induce neurological disorders remains to be determined. In addition, given the various pathways through which individuals are exposed to metals, it is necessary to also consider the effects of co-exposure to multiple metals on neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruokun Wei
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Peiqi Wei
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Haiyan Yuan
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiang Yi
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Michael Aschner
- The Department of Molecular Pharmacology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Yue-Ming Jiang
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China.
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
| | - Shao-Jun Li
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China.
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
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Jia Q, Bai D, Zheng X, Zhu L, Ou K, Wang X, Tong H, Zhang Y, Wang J, Zeng J, Yan S, Li S, Li XJ, Yin P. Comparing HD knockin pigs and mice reveals the pathological role of IL-17. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113443. [PMID: 37979175 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113443] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Our previous work has established a knockin (KI) pig model of Huntington's disease (HD) that can replicate the typical pathological features of HD, including selective striatal neuronal loss, reactive gliosis, and axonal degeneration. However, HD KI mice exhibit milder neuropathological phenotypes and lack overt neurodegeneration. By performing RNA sequencing to compare the gene expression profiles between HD KI pigs and mice, we find that genes related to interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling are upregulated in the HD pig brains compared to the mouse brains. Delivery of IL-17 into the brain striatum of HD KI mice causes greater reactive gliosis and synaptic deficiency compared to HD KI mice that received PBS. These findings suggest that the upregulation of genes related to IL-17 signaling in HD pig brains contributes to severe glial pathology in HD and identify this as a potential therapeutic target for treating HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Jia
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Dazhang Bai
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Institute of Neurological Diseases, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Xiao Zheng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Longhong Zhu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Kaili Ou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Huichun Tong
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yiran Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jing Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Jun Zeng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Sen Yan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Shihua Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Xiao-Jiang Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Peng Yin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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Soltani Khaboushan A, Moeinafshar A, Ersi MH, Teixeira AL, Majidi Zolbin M, Kajbafzadeh AM. Circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers in Huntington's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neuroimmunol 2023; 385:578243. [PMID: 37984118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant disease caused by an abnormally high number of CAG repeats at the huntingtin-encoding gene, HTT. This genetic alteration results in the expression of a mutant form of the protein (mHTT) and the formation of intracellular aggregates, inducing an inflammatory state within the affected areas. This dysfunction of inflammatory response leads to elevated levels of related inflammatory markers in both CNS tissue samples and body fluids. This study aims to investigate peripheral/blood concentrations of inflammatory molecules in HD. METHODS A search was conducted in MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases until March 30th, 2023. Random-effect meta-analysis was used for exploring concentrations of inflammatory molecules in HD. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were used to assess heterogeneity among the included studies. The study protocol has been registered in PROSPERO with the ID number CRD42022296078. RESULTS Ten studies were included in the meta-analysis. Plasma levels of Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-10 were higher in HD compared to controls. Other biomarkers, namely, complement component C-reactive protein (CRP), C3, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-1, IL-2, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), did not show any significant differences between the two groups. In addition, the subgroup analysis results established no significant differences in levels of these biomarkers in body fluids among premanifest and manifest HD patients. CONCLUSION The results of this study provide evidence for the presence of higher plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in HD patients in comparison with healthy controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Soltani Khaboushan
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Gene, Cell and Tissue Research Institute, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran; Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aysan Moeinafshar
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Gene, Cell and Tissue Research Institute, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hamed Ersi
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Gene, Cell and Tissue Research Institute, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran; Evidence Based Medicine Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Antonio L Teixeira
- Neuropsychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Masoumeh Majidi Zolbin
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Gene, Cell and Tissue Research Institute, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdol-Mohammad Kajbafzadeh
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Gene, Cell and Tissue Research Institute, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
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10
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Uzuegbunam BC, Rummel C, Librizzi D, Culmsee C, Hooshyar Yousefi B. Radiotracers for Imaging of Inflammatory Biomarkers TSPO and COX-2 in the Brain and in the Periphery. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17419. [PMID: 38139248 PMCID: PMC10743508 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417419] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation involves the activation of innate immune cells and is believed to play an important role in the development and progression of both infectious and non-infectious diseases such as neurodegeneration, autoimmune diseases, pulmonary and cancer. Inflammation in the brain is marked by the upregulation of translocator protein (TSPO) in microglia. High TSPO levels are also found, for example, in macrophages in cases of rheumatoid arthritis and in malignant tumor cells compared to their relatively low physiological expression. The same applies for cyclooxgenase-2 (COX-2), which is constitutively expressed in the kidney, brain, thymus and gastrointestinal tract, but induced in microglia, macrophages and synoviocytes during inflammation. This puts TSPO and COX-2 in the spotlight as important targets for the diagnosis of inflammation. Imaging modalities, such as positron emission tomography and single-photon emission tomography, can be used to localize inflammatory processes and to track their progression over time. They could also enable the monitoring of the efficacy of therapy and predict its outcome. This review focuses on the current development of PET and SPECT tracers, not only for the detection of neuroinflammation, but also for emerging diagnostic measures in infectious and other non-infectious diseases such as rheumatic arthritis, cancer, cardiac inflammation and in lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christoph Rummel
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Gießen, Germany;
- Center for Mind Brain and Behavior, Universities Giessen and Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Damiano Librizzi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Philipps University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Carsten Culmsee
- Center for Mind Brain and Behavior, Universities Giessen and Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany;
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Philipps University of Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany
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11
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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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12
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Schoenberg PLA, Song AK, Mohr EM, Rogers BP, Peterson TE, Murphy BA. Increased microglia activation in late non-central nervous system cancer survivors links to chronic systemic symptomatology. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:6001-6019. [PMID: 37751068 PMCID: PMC10619383 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolonged inflammatory expression within the central nervous system (CNS) is recognized by the brain as a molecular signal of "sickness", that has knock-on effects to the blood-brain barrier, brain-spinal barrier, blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, neuro-axonal structures, neurotransmitter activity, synaptic plasticity, neuroendocrine function, and resultant systemic symptomatology. It is concurred that the inflammatory process associated with cancer and cancer treatments underline systemic symptoms present in a large portion of survivors, although this concept is largely theoretical from disparate and indirect evidence and/or clinical anecdotal reports. We conducted a proof-of-concept study to link for the first time late non-CNS cancer survivors presenting chronic systemic symptoms and the presence of centralized inflammation, or neuroinflammation, using TSPO-binding PET tracer [11 C]-PBR28 to visualize microglial activation. We compared PBR28 SUVR in 10 non-CNS cancer survivors and 10 matched healthy controls. Our data revealed (1) microglial activation was significantly higher in caudate, temporal, and occipital regions in late non-central nervous system/CNS cancer survivors compared to healthy controls; (2) increased neuroinflammation in cancer survivors was not accompanied by significant differences in plasma cytokine markers of peripheral inflammation; (3) increased neuroinflammation was not accompanied by reduced fractional anisotropy, suggesting intact white matter microstructural integrity, a marker of neurovascular fiber tract organization; and (4) the presentation of chronic systemic symptoms in cancer survivors was significantly connected with microglial activation. We present the first data empirically supporting the concept of a peripheral-to-centralized inflammatory response in non-CNS cancer survivors, specifically those previously afflicted with head and neck cancer. Following resolution of the initial peripheral inflammation from the cancer/its treatments, in some cases damage/toxification to the central nervous system occurs, ensuing chronic systemic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poppy L. A. Schoenberg
- Department of Physical Medicine and RehabilitationVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
- Osher Center for Integrative HealthVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Alexander K. Song
- Department of NeurologyVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
- Vanderbilt Brain InstituteVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Emily M. Mohr
- Osher Center for Integrative HealthVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Baxter P. Rogers
- Vanderbilt Brain InstituteVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological SciencesVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Todd E. Peterson
- Vanderbilt Brain InstituteVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological SciencesVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Barbara A. Murphy
- Division of Hematology and OncologyVanderbilt‐Ingram Cancer CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
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13
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Steinberg N, Galleguillos D, Zaidi A, Horkey M, Sipione S. Naïve Huntington's disease microglia mount a normal response to inflammatory stimuli but display a partially impaired development of innate immune tolerance that can be counteracted by ganglioside GM1. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:276. [PMID: 37996924 PMCID: PMC10668379 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02963-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic activation and dysfunction of microglia have been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of many neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington's disease (HD). HD is a genetic condition caused by a mutation that affects the folding and function of huntingtin (HTT). Signs of microglia activation have been observed in HD patients even before the onset of symptoms. It is unclear, however, whether pro-inflammatory microglia activation in HD results from cell-autonomous expression of mutant HTT, is the response of microglia to a diseased brain environment, or both. In this study, we used primary microglia isolated from HD knock-in (Q140) and wild-type (Q7) mice to investigate their response to inflammatory conditions in vitro in the absence of confounding effects arising from brain pathology. We show that naïve Q140 microglia do not undergo spontaneous pro-inflammatory activation and respond to inflammatory triggers, including stimulation of TLR4 and TLR2 and exposure to necrotic cells, with similar kinetics of pro-inflammatory gene expression as wild-type microglia. Upon termination of the inflammatory insult, the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines is tapered off in Q140 and wild-type microglia with similar kinetics. However, the ability of Q140 microglia to develop tolerance in response to repeated inflammatory stimulations is partially impaired in vitro and in vivo, potentially contributing to the establishment of chronic neuroinflammation in HD. We further show that ganglioside GM1, a glycosphingolipid with anti-inflammatory effects on wild-type microglia, not only decreases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide in activated Q140 microglia, but also dramatically dampen microglia response to re-stimulation with LPS in an experimental model of tolerance. These effects are independent from the expression of interleukin 1 receptor associated kinase 3 (Irak-3), a strong modulator of LPS signaling involved in the development of innate immune tolerance and previously shown to be upregulated by immune cell treatment with gangliosides. Altogether, our data suggest that external triggers are required for HD microglia activation, but a cell-autonomous dysfunction that affects the ability of HD microglia to acquire tolerance might contribute to the establishment of neuroinflammation in HD. Administration of GM1 might be beneficial to attenuate chronic microglia activation and neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noam Steinberg
- Department of Pharmacology, Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute and Glycomics Institute of Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Danny Galleguillos
- Department of Pharmacology, Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute and Glycomics Institute of Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Asifa Zaidi
- Department of Pharmacology, Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute and Glycomics Institute of Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Simonetta Sipione
- Department of Pharmacology, Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute and Glycomics Institute of Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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14
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Stöberl N, Donaldson J, Binda CS, McAllister B, Hall-Roberts H, Jones L, Massey TH, Allen ND. Mutant huntingtin confers cell-autonomous phenotypes on Huntington's disease iPSC-derived microglia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20477. [PMID: 37993517 PMCID: PMC10665390 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46852-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a dominantly inherited CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene (HTT). Neuroinflammation and microglia have been implicated in HD pathology, however it has been unclear if mutant HTT (mHTT) expression has an adverse cell-autonomous effect on microglial function, or if they are only activated in response to the neurodegenerative brain environment in HD. To establish a human cell model of HD microglia function, we generated isogenic controls for HD patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) with 109 CAG repeats (Q109). Q109 and isogenic Q22 iPSC, as well as non-isogenic Q60 and Q33 iPSC lines, were differentiated to iPSC-microglia. Our study supports a model of basal microglia dysfunction in HD leading to elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine production together with impaired phagocytosis and endocytosis capacity, in the absence of immune stimulation. These findings are consistent with early microglia activation observed in pre-manifest patients and indicate that mHTT gene expression affects microglia function in a cell-autonomous way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Stöberl
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Jasmine Donaldson
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Caroline S Binda
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Branduff McAllister
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Hazel Hall-Roberts
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Lesley Jones
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Thomas H Massey
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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15
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Huang Y, Liu B, Sinha SC, Amin S, Gan L. Mechanism and therapeutic potential of targeting cGAS-STING signaling in neurological disorders. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:79. [PMID: 37941028 PMCID: PMC10634099 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00672-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA sensing is a pivotal component of the innate immune system that is responsible for detecting mislocalized DNA and triggering downstream inflammatory pathways. Among the DNA sensors, cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is a primary player in detecting cytosolic DNA, including foreign DNA from pathogens and self-DNA released during cellular damage, culminating in a type I interferon (IFN-I) response through stimulator of interferon genes (STING) activation. IFN-I cytokines are essential in mediating neuroinflammation, which is widely observed in CNS injury, neurodegeneration, and aging, suggesting an upstream role for the cGAS DNA sensing pathway. In this review, we summarize the latest developments on the cGAS-STING DNA-driven immune response in various neurological diseases and conditions. Our review covers the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cGAS activation and highlights cGAS-STING signaling in various cell types of central and peripheral nervous systems, such as resident brain immune cells, neurons, and glial cells. We then discuss the role of cGAS-STING signaling in different neurodegenerative conditions, including tauopathies, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, as well as aging and senescence. Finally, we lay out the current advancements in research and development of cGAS inhibitors and assess the prospects of targeting cGAS and STING as therapeutic strategies for a wide spectrum of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yige Huang
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bangyan Liu
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Subhash C Sinha
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sadaf Amin
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Li Gan
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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16
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Palpagama T, Mills AR, Ferguson MW, Vikas Ankeal P, Turner C, Tippett L, van der Werf B, Waldvogel HJ, Faull RLM, Kwakowsky A. Microglial and Astrocytic Responses in the Human Midcingulate Cortex in Huntington's Disease. Ann Neurol 2023; 94:895-910. [PMID: 37528539 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients with Huntington's disease can present with variable difficulties of motor functioning, mood, and cognition. Neurodegeneration occurs in the anterior cingulate cortex of some patients with Huntington's disease and is linked to the presentation of mood symptomatology. Neuroinflammation, perpetrated by activated microglia and astrocytes, has been reported in Huntington's disease and may contribute to disease progression and presentation. This study sought to quantify the density of mutant huntingtin protein and neuroinflammatory glial changes in the midcingulate cortex of postmortem patients with Huntington's disease and determine if either correlates with the presentation of mood, motor, or mixed symptomatology. METHODS Free-floating immunohistochemistry quantified 1C2 immunolabeling density as an indicative marker of mutant huntingtin protein, and protein and morphological markers of astrocyte (EAAT2, Cx43, and GFAP), and microglial (Iba1 and HLA-DP/DQ/DR) activation. Relationships among the level of microglial activation, mutant huntingtin burden, and case characteristics were explored using correlative analysis. RESULTS We report alterations in activated microglia number and morphology in the midcingulate cortex of Huntington's disease cases with predominant mood symptomatology. An increased proportion of activated microglia was observed in the midcingulate of all Huntington's disease cases and positively correlated with 1C2 burden. Alterations in the astrocytic glutamate transporter EAAT2 were observed in the midcingulate cortex of patients associated with mood symptoms. INTERPRETATION This study presents pathological changes in microglia and astrocytes in the midcingulate cortex in Huntington's disease, which coincide with mood symptom presentation. These findings further the understanding of neuroinflammation in Huntington's disease, a necessary step for developing inflammation-targeted therapeutics. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:895-910.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thulani Palpagama
- Centre for Brain Research and Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Aimee Rose Mills
- Centre for Brain Research and Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Mackenzie Wendy Ferguson
- Centre for Brain Research and Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Clinton Turner
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, LabPlus, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lynette Tippett
- Centre for Brain Research and School of Psychology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Bert van der Werf
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Henry John Waldvogel
- Centre for Brain Research and Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard Lewis Maxwell Faull
- Centre for Brain Research and Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrea Kwakowsky
- Centre for Brain Research and Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Galway Neuroscience Centre, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
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17
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Yedke NG, Arthur R, Kumar P. Bacillus calmette gaurine vaccine ameliorates the neurotoxicity of quinolinic acid in rats via the modulation of antioxidant, inflammatory and apoptotic markers. J Chem Neuroanat 2023; 131:102287. [PMID: 37172828 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2023.102287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
A mutation in the Huntingtin gene causes 'Huntington's disease, which presents as a motor and behavioral impairment. Due to the limited drug therapy for this disease, scientists are constantly searching for newer and alternative drugs that may either retard or prevent the progress of the disease. This study aims to explore the neuroprotective potential of Bacillus Calmette Gaurine (BCG) vaccine against quinolinic acid-induced (QA) neurotoxicity in rats. QA (200 nmol/2 µl, i.s) was injected bilaterally into the rat striatum, after which a single dose of BCG (2 × 10^7, cfu) was given to the rats. Animals were assessed for behavioral parameters on the 14th and 21st days. On the 22nd day, animals were sacrificed, brains were harvested, and striatum was separated to evaluate biochemical, inflammatory, and apoptotic mediators. Histopathological studies were performed using Hematoxyline and Eosin staining to assess neuronal morphology. BCG treatment reversed motor abnormalities, reduced oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory markers, apoptotic mediators and striatal lesions induced by QA treatment. In conclusion, treat' 'ing rats with BCG vaccine (2 × 10^7, cfu) mitigated the quinolinic acid-induced Huntington's disease-like symptoms. Hence, BCG vaccine (2 ×10^7, cfu) could be used as an adjuvant in managing HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narhari Gangaram Yedke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda 151001, Punjab, India; Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, India
| | - Richmond Arthur
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, India
| | - Puneet Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, India.
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18
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Jiang A, Handley RR, Lehnert K, Snell RG. From Pathogenesis to Therapeutics: A Review of 150 Years of Huntington's Disease Research. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13021. [PMID: 37629202 PMCID: PMC10455900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241613021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative genetic disorder caused by an expanded polyglutamine-coding (CAG) trinucleotide repeat in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. HD behaves as a highly penetrant dominant disorder likely acting through a toxic gain of function by the mutant huntingtin protein. Widespread cellular degeneration of the medium spiny neurons of the caudate nucleus and putamen are responsible for the onset of symptomology that encompasses motor, cognitive, and behavioural abnormalities. Over the past 150 years of HD research since George Huntington published his description, a plethora of pathogenic mechanisms have been proposed with key themes including excitotoxicity, dopaminergic imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic defects, disruption of proteostasis, transcriptional dysregulation, and neuroinflammation. Despite the identification and characterisation of the causative gene and mutation and significant advances in our understanding of the cellular pathology in recent years, a disease-modifying intervention has not yet been clinically approved. This review includes an overview of Huntington's disease, from its genetic aetiology to clinical presentation and its pathogenic manifestation. An updated view of molecular mechanisms and the latest therapeutic developments will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Jiang
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, Centre for Brain Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; (R.R.H.); (K.L.); (R.G.S.)
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19
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van de Zande NA, Bulk M, Najac C, van der Weerd L, de Bresser J, Lewerenz J, Ronen I, de Bot ST. Study protocol of IMAGINE-HD: Imaging iron accumulation and neuroinflammation with 7T-MRI + CSF in Huntington's disease. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 39:103450. [PMID: 37327706 PMCID: PMC10509525 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Strong evidence suggests a significant role for iron accumulation in the brain in addition to the well-documented neurodegenerative aspects of Huntington's disease (HD). The putative mechanisms by which iron is linked to the HD pathogenesis are multiple, including oxidative stress, ferroptosis and neuroinflammation. However, no previous study in a neurodegenerative disease has linked the observed increase of brain iron accumulation as measured by MRI with well-established cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood biomarkers for iron accumulation, or with associated processes such as neuroinflammation. This study is designed to link quantitative data from iron levels and neuroinflammation metabolites obtained from 7T MRI of HD patients, with specific and well-known clinical biofluid markers for iron accumulation, neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Biofluid markers will provide quantitative measures of overall iron accumulation, neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, while MRI measurements on the other hand will provide quantitative spatial information on brain pathology, neuroinflammation and brain iron accumulation, which will be linked to clinical outcome measures. METHODS This is an observational cross-sectional study, IMAGINE-HD, in HD gene expansion carriers and healthy controls. We include premanifest HD gene expansion carriers and patients with manifest HD in an early or moderate stage. The study includes a 7T MRI scan of the brain, clinical evaluation, motor, functional, and neuropsychological assessments, and sampling of CSF and blood for the detection of iron, neurodegenerative and inflammatory markers. Quantitative Susceptibility Maps will be reconstructed using T2* weighted images to quantify brain iron levels and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy will be used to obtain information about neuroinflammation by measuring cell-specific intracellular metabolites' level and diffusion. Age and sex matched healthy subjects are included as a control group. DISCUSSION Results from this study will provide an important basis for the evaluation of brain iron levels and neuroinflammation metabolites as an imaging biomarker for disease stage in HD and their relationship with the salient pathomechanisms of the disease on the one hand, and with clinical outcome on the other.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marjolein Bulk
- C.J. Gorter MRI Center, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Chloé Najac
- C.J. Gorter MRI Center, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Louise van der Weerd
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Jeroen de Bresser
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Jan Lewerenz
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
| | - Itamar Ronen
- Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom.
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20
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Thomson SB, Stam A, Brouwers C, Fodale V, Bresciani A, Vermeulen M, Mostafavi S, Petkau TL, Hill A, Yung A, Russell-Schulz B, Kozlowski P, MacKay A, Ma D, Beg MF, Evers MM, Vallès A, Leavitt BR. AAV5-miHTT-mediated huntingtin lowering improves brain health in a Huntington's disease mouse model. Brain 2023; 146:2298-2315. [PMID: 36508327 PMCID: PMC10232253 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Huntingtin (HTT)-lowering therapies show great promise in treating Huntington's disease. We have developed a microRNA targeting human HTT that is delivered in an adeno-associated serotype 5 viral vector (AAV5-miHTT), and here use animal behaviour, MRI, non-invasive proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and striatal RNA sequencing as outcome measures in preclinical mouse studies of AAV5-miHTT. The effects of AAV5-miHTT treatment were evaluated in homozygous Q175FDN mice, a mouse model of Huntington's disease with severe neuropathological and behavioural phenotypes. Homozygous mice were used instead of the more commonly used heterozygous strain, which exhibit milder phenotypes. Three-month-old homozygous Q175FDN mice, which had developed acute phenotypes by the time of treatment, were injected bilaterally into the striatum with either formulation buffer (phosphate-buffered saline + 5% sucrose), low dose (5.2 × 109 genome copies/mouse) or high dose (1.3 × 1011 genome copies/mouse) AAV5-miHTT. Wild-type mice injected with formulation buffer served as controls. Behavioural assessments of cognition, T1-weighted structural MRI and striatal proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy were performed 3 months after injection, and shortly afterwards the animals were sacrificed to collect brain tissue for protein and RNA analysis. Motor coordination was assessed at 1-month intervals beginning at 2 months of age until sacrifice. Dose-dependent changes in AAV5 vector DNA level, miHTT expression and mutant HTT were observed in striatum and cortex of AAV5-miHTT-treated Huntington's disease model mice. This pattern of microRNA expression and mutant HTT lowering rescued weight loss in homozygous Q175FDN mice but did not affect motor or cognitive phenotypes. MRI volumetric analysis detected atrophy in four brain regions in homozygous Q175FDN mice, and treatment with high dose AAV5-miHTT rescued this effect in the hippocampus. Like previous magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies in Huntington's disease patients, decreased total N-acetyl aspartate and increased myo-inositol levels were found in the striatum of homozygous Q175FDN mice. These neurochemical findings were partially reversed with AAV5-miHTT treatment. Striatal transcriptional analysis using RNA sequencing revealed mutant HTT-induced changes that were partially reversed by HTT lowering with AAV5-miHTT. Striatal proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis suggests a restoration of neuronal function, and striatal RNA sequencing analysis shows a reversal of transcriptional dysregulation following AAV5-miHTT in a homozygous Huntington's disease mouse model with severe pathology. The results of this study support the use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy in HTT-lowering clinical trials and strengthen the therapeutic potential of AAV5-miHTT in reversing severe striatal dysfunction in Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B Thomson
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V5Z4H4, Canada
| | - Anouk Stam
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure Biopharma B.V., 1105BP Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cynthia Brouwers
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure Biopharma B.V., 1105BP Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Valentina Fodale
- Department of Translational Biology, IRBM S.p.A., Pomezia 00071, Italy
| | - Alberto Bresciani
- Department of Translational Biology, IRBM S.p.A., Pomezia 00071, Italy
| | - Michael Vermeulen
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V5Z4H4, Canada
| | - Sara Mostafavi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V5Z4H4, Canada
| | - Terri L Petkau
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V5Z4H4, Canada
| | - Austin Hill
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V5Z4H4, Canada
| | - Andrew Yung
- UBC MRI Research Centre, Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T2B5, Canada
| | - Bretta Russell-Schulz
- UBC MRI Research Centre, Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T2B5, Canada
| | - Piotr Kozlowski
- UBC MRI Research Centre, Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T2B5, Canada
| | - Alex MacKay
- UBC MRI Research Centre, Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T2B5, Canada
| | - Da Ma
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Mirza Faisal Beg
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A0A7, Canada
| | - Melvin M Evers
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure Biopharma B.V., 1105BP Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Astrid Vallès
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure Biopharma B.V., 1105BP Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Blair R Leavitt
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V5Z4H4, Canada
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21
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Lapo Pais M, Jorge L, Martins R, Canário N, Xavier AC, Bernardes R, Abrunhosa A, Santana I, Castelo-Branco M. Textural properties of microglial activation in Alzheimer's disease as measured by (R)-[ 11C]PK11195 PET. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad148. [PMID: 37229217 PMCID: PMC10205176 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia worldwide, accounting for 60-70% of diagnosed cases. According to the current understanding of molecular pathogenesis, the main hallmarks of this disease are the abnormal accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Therefore, biomarkers reflecting these underlying biological mechanisms are recognized as valid tools for an early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Inflammatory mechanisms, such as microglial activation, are known to be involved in Alzheimer's disease onset and progression. This activated state of the microglia is associated with increased expression of the translocator protein 18 kDa. On that account, PET tracers capable of measuring this signature, such as (R)-[11C]PK11195, might be instrumental in assessing the state and evolution of Alzheimer's disease. This study aims to investigate the potential of Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix-based textural parameters as an alternative to conventional quantification using kinetic models in (R)-[11C]PK11195 PET images. To achieve this goal, kinetic and textural parameters were computed on (R)-[11C]PK11195 PET images of 19 patients with an early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and 21 healthy controls and submitted separately to classification using a linear support vector machine. The classifier built using the textural parameters showed no inferior performance compared to the classical kinetic approach, yielding a slightly larger classification accuracy (accuracy of 0.7000, sensitivity of 0.6957, specificity of 0.7059 and balanced accuracy of 0.6967). In conclusion, our results support the notion that textural parameters may be an alternative to conventional quantification using kinetic models in (R)-[11C]PK11195 PET images. The proposed quantification method makes it possible to use simpler scanning procedures, which increase patient comfort and convenience. We further speculate that textural parameters may also provide an alternative to kinetic analysis in (R)-[11C]PK11195 PET neuroimaging studies involving other neurodegenerative disorders. Finally, we recognize that the potential role of this tracer is not in diagnosis but rather in the assessment and progression of the diffuse and dynamic distribution of inflammatory cell density in this disorder as a promising therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lapo Pais
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Lília Jorge
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Martins
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nádia Canário
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra (CACC), Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Carolina Xavier
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Bernardes
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra (CACC), Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Antero Abrunhosa
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Santana
- Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra (CACC), Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Neurology, Coimbra University Hospital, 3000-076 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- Correspondence to: Dr Miguel Castelo-Branco ICNAS/CIBIT, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde da Universidade de Coimbra Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal E-mail:
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22
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Roussakis AA, Gennaro M, Gordon MF, Reilmann R, Borowsky B, Rynkowski G, Lao-Kaim NP, Papoutsou Z, Savola JM, Hayden MR, Owen DR, Kalk N, Lingford-Hughes A, Gunn RN, Searle G, Tabrizi SJ, Piccini P. A PET-CT study on neuroinflammation in Huntington's disease patients participating in a randomized trial with laquinimod. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad084. [PMID: 37020532 PMCID: PMC10069663 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia activation, an indicator of central nervous system inflammation, is believed to contribute to the pathology of Huntington's disease. Laquinimod is capable of regulating microglia. By targeting the translocator protein, 11C-PBR28 PET-CT imaging can be used to assess the state of regional gliosis in vivo and explore the effects of laquinimod treatment. This study relates to the LEGATO-HD, multi-centre, double-blinded, Phase 2 clinical trial with laquinimod (US National Registration: NCT02215616). Fifteen patients of the UK LEGATO-HD cohort (mean age: 45.2 ± 7.4 years; disease duration: 5.6 ± 3.0 years) were treated with laquinimod (0.5 mg, N = 4; 1.0 mg, N = 6) or placebo (N = 5) daily. All participants had one 11C-PBR28 PET-CT and one brain MRI scan before laquinimod (or placebo) and at the end of treatment (12 months apart). PET imaging data were quantified to produce 11C-PBR28 distribution volume ratios. These ratios were calculated for the caudate and putamen using the reference Logan plot with the corpus callosum as the reference region. Partial volume effect corrections (Müller-Gartner algorithm) were applied. Differences were sought in Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale scores and regional distribution volume ratios between baseline and follow-up and between the two treatment groups (laquinimod versus placebo). No significant change in 11C-PBR28 distribution volume ratios was found post treatment in the caudate and putamen for both those treated with laquinimod (N = 10) and those treated with placebo (N = 5). Over time, the patients treated with laquinimod did not show a significant clinical improvement. Data from the 11C-PBR28 PET-CT study indicate that laquinimod may not have affected regional translocator protein expression and clinical performance over the studied period.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Gennaro
- Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Nicholas P Lao-Kaim
- Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Zoe Papoutsou
- Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK
| | | | - Michael R Hayden
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children’s Hospital and Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - David R Owen
- Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Nicola Kalk
- Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Anne Lingford-Hughes
- Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Roger N Gunn
- Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK
- Invicro, Hammersmith Hospital,, London W12 0NN, UK
| | | | - Sarah J Tabrizi
- Huntington’s Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Paola Piccini
- Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK
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23
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Jang M, Choi JH, Jang DS, Cho IH. Micrandilactone C, a Nortriterpenoid Isolated from Roots of Schisandra chinensis, Ameliorates Huntington's Disease by Inhibiting Microglial STAT3 Pathways. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050786. [PMID: 36899922 PMCID: PMC10000367 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050786] [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: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor control system of the brain. Its pathological mechanism and therapeutic strategies have not been fully elucidated yet. The neuroprotective value of micrandilactone C (MC), a new schiartane nortriterpenoid isolated from the roots of Schisandra chinensis, is not well-known either. Here, the neuroprotective effects of MC were demonstrated in 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA)-treated animal and cell culture models of HD. MC mitigated neurological scores and lethality following 3-NPA treatment, which is associated with decreases in the formation of a lesion area, neuronal death/apoptosis, microglial migration/activation, and mRNA or protein expression of inflammatory mediators in the striatum. MC also inhibited the activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in the striatum and microglia after 3-NPA treatment. As expected, decreases in inflammation and STAT3-activation were reproduced in a conditioned medium of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV2 cells pretreated with MC. The conditioned medium blocked the reduction in NeuN expression and the enhancement of mutant huntingtin expression in STHdhQ111/Q111 cells. Taken together, MC might alleviate behavioral dysfunction, striatal degeneration, and immune response by inhibiting microglial STAT3 signaling in animal and cell culture models for HD. Thus, MC may be a potential therapeutic strategy for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhee Jang
- Department of Convergence Medical Science, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Hee Choi
- Department of Convergence Medical Science, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Sik Jang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (D.S.J.); (I.-H.C.)
| | - Ik-Hyun Cho
- Department of Convergence Medical Science, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (D.S.J.); (I.-H.C.)
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24
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Tassan Mazzocco M, Murtaj V, Martins D, Schellino R, Coliva A, Toninelli E, Vercelli A, Turkheimer F, Belloli S, Moresco RM. Exploring the neuroprotective effects of montelukast on brain inflammation and metabolism in a rat model of quinolinic acid-induced striatal neurotoxicity. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:34. [PMID: 36782185 PMCID: PMC9923670 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02714-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One intrastriatal administration of quinolinic acid (QA) in rats induces a lesion with features resembling those observed in Huntington's disease. Our aim is to evaluate the effects of the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast (MLK), which exhibited neuroprotection in different preclinical models of neurodegeneration, on QA-induced neuroinflammation and regional metabolic functions. METHODS The right and left striatum of Sprague Dawley and athymic nude rats were injected with QA and vehicle (VEH), respectively. Starting from the day before QA injection, animals were treated with 1 or 10 mg/kg of MLK or VEH for 14 days. At 14 and 30 days post-lesion, animals were monitored with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) using [18F]-VC701, a translocator protein (TSPO)-specific radiotracer. Striatal neuroinflammatory response was measured post-mortem in rats treated with 1 mg/kg of MLK by immunofluorescence. Rats treated with 10 mg/kg of MLK also underwent a [18F]-FDG PET study at baseline and 4 months after lesion. [18F]-FDG PET data were then used to assess metabolic connectivity between brain regions by applying a covariance analysis method. RESULTS MLK treatment was not able to reduce the QA-induced increase in striatal TSPO PET signal and MRI lesion volume, where we only detected a trend towards reduction in animals treated with 10 mg/kg of MLK. Post-mortem immunofluorescence analysis revealed that MLK attenuated the increase in striatal markers of astrogliosis and activated microglia in the lesioned hemisphere. We also found a significant increase in a marker of anti-inflammatory activity (MannR) and a trend towards reduction in a marker of pro-inflammatory activity (iNOS) in the lesioned striatum of MLK-compared to VEH-treated rats. [18F]-FDG uptake was significantly reduced in the striatum and ipsilesional cortical regions of VEH-treated rats at 4 months after lesion. MLK administration preserved glucose metabolism in these cortical regions, but not in the striatum. Finally, MLK was able to counteract changes in metabolic connectivity and measures of network topology induced by QA, in both lesioned and non-lesioned hemispheres. CONCLUSIONS Overall, MLK treatment produced a significant neuroprotective effect by reducing neuroinflammation assessed by immunofluorescence and preserving regional brain metabolism and metabolic connectivity from QA-induced neurotoxicity in cortical and subcortical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Tassan Mazzocco
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, Medicine and Surgery Department, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Nuclear Medicine Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Murtaj
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, Medicine and Surgery Department, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Nuclear Medicine Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Daniel Martins
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Roberta Schellino
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini" and Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Angela Coliva
- Nuclear Medicine Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Toninelli
- Nuclear Medicine Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vercelli
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini" and Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Federico Turkheimer
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sara Belloli
- Nuclear Medicine Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), CNR, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Moresco
- Nuclear Medicine Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute (IRCCS), Milan, Italy.
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), CNR, Milan, Italy.
- Technomed Foundation and Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
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25
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McDonald TS, Lerskiatiphanich T, Woodruff TM, McCombe PA, Lee JD. Potential mechanisms to modify impaired glucose metabolism in neurodegenerative disorders. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2023; 43:26-43. [PMID: 36281012 PMCID: PMC9875350 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x221135061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegeneration refers to the selective and progressive loss-of-function and atrophy of neurons, and is present in disorders such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's disease. Although each disease presents with a unique pattern of neurodegeneration, and subsequent disease phenotype, increasing evidence implicates alterations in energy usage as a shared and core feature in the onset and progression of these disorders. Indeed, disturbances in energy metabolism may contribute to the vulnerability of neurons to apoptosis. In this review we will outline these disturbances in glucose metabolism, and how fatty acids are able to compensate for this impairment in energy production in neurodegenerative disorders. We will also highlight underlying mechanisms that could contribute to these alterations in energy metabolism. A greater understanding of these metabolism-neurodegeneration processes could lead to improved treatment options for neurodegenerative disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya S McDonald
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The
University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Titaya Lerskiatiphanich
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The
University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | - Trent M Woodruff
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The
University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St.
Lucia, Australia
| | - Pamela A McCombe
- Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The
University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital,
Herston, Australia
| | - John D Lee
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The
University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
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26
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Kim J, Kim YK. Molecular Imaging of Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1411:301-326. [PMID: 36949316 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-7376-5_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurocognitive disorder. Due to the ineffectiveness of treatments targeting the amyloid cascade, molecular biomarkers for neuroinflammation are attracting attention with increasing knowledge about the role of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of AD. This chapter will explore the results of studies using molecular imaging for diagnosing AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Because it is critical to interpreting the data to understand which substances are targeted in molecular imaging, this chapter will discuss the two most significant targets, microglia and astrocytes, as well as the best-known radioligands for each. Then, neuroimaging results with PET neuroinflammation imaging will be reviewed for AD and MCI. Although a growing body of evidence has suggested that these molecular imaging biomarkers for neuroinflammation may have a role in the diagnosis of AD and MCI, the findings are inconsistent or cross-sectional, which indicates that it is difficult to apply the contents in practice due to the need for additional study. In particular, because the results of multiple interventions targeting neuroinflammation were inconclusive, molecular imaging markers for neuroinflammation can be used in combination with conventional markers to select appropriate patients for early intervention for neuroinflammation rather than as a single marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhyung Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Ku Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Republic of Korea.
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27
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Cvetanovic M, Gray M. Contribution of Glial Cells to Polyglutamine Diseases: Observations from Patients and Mouse Models. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:48-66. [PMID: 37020152 PMCID: PMC10119372 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01357-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are broadly characterized neuropathologically by the degeneration of vulnerable neuronal cell types in a specific brain region. The degeneration of specific cell types has informed on the various phenotypes/clinical presentations in someone suffering from these diseases. Prominent neurodegeneration of specific neurons is seen in polyglutamine expansion diseases including Huntington's disease (HD) and spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA). The clinical manifestations observed in these diseases could be as varied as the abnormalities in motor function observed in those who have Huntington's disease (HD) as demonstrated by a chorea with substantial degeneration of striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) or those with various forms of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) with an ataxic motor presentation primarily due to degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje cells. Due to the very significant nature of the degeneration of MSNs in HD and Purkinje cells in SCAs, much of the research has centered around understanding the cell autonomous mechanisms dysregulated in these neuronal cell types. However, an increasing number of studies have revealed that dysfunction in non-neuronal glial cell types contributes to the pathogenesis of these diseases. Here we explore these non-neuronal glial cell types with a focus on how each may contribute to the pathogenesis of HD and SCA and the tools used to evaluate glial cells in the context of these diseases. Understanding the regulation of supportive and harmful phenotypes of glia in disease could lead to development of novel glia-focused neurotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Cvetanovic
- Department of Neuroscience, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Michelle Gray
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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28
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Jia Q, Li S, Li XJ, Yin P. Neuroinflammation in Huntington's disease: From animal models to clinical therapeutics. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1088124. [PMID: 36618375 PMCID: PMC9815700 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1088124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by preferential loss of neurons in the striatum in patients, which leads to motor and cognitive impairments and death that often occurs 10-15 years after the onset of symptoms. The expansion of a glutamine repeat (>36 glutamines) in the N-terminal region of huntingtin (HTT) has been defined as the cause of HD, but the mechanism underlying neuronal death remains unclear. Multiple mechanisms, including inflammation, may jointly contribute to HD pathogenesis. Altered inflammation response is evident even before the onset of classical symptoms of HD. In this review, we summarize the current evidence on immune and inflammatory changes, from HD animal models to clinical phenomenon of patients with HD. The understanding of the impact of inflammation on HD would help develop novel strategies to treat HD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Peng Yin
- *Correspondence: Xiao-Jiang Li, ; Peng Yin,
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29
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Bains M, Kaur J, Akhtar A, Kuhad A, Sah SP. Anti-inflammatory effects of ellagic acid and vanillic acid against quinolinic acid-induced rat model of Huntington's disease by targeting IKK-NF-κB pathway. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 934:175316. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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30
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de Oliveira Furlam T, Roque IG, Machado da Silva EW, Vianna PP, Costa Valadão PA, Guatimosim C, Teixeira AL, de Miranda AS. Inflammasome activation and assembly in Huntington's disease. Mol Immunol 2022; 151:134-142. [PMID: 36126501 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2022.09.002] [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: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms. Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes capable of sensing pathogen-associated and damage-associated molecular patterns, triggering innate immune pathways. Activation of inflammasomes results in a pro-inflammatory cascade involving, among other molecules, caspases and interleukins. NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-repeat containing family, pyrin domain-containing 3) is the most studied inflammasome complex, and its activation results in caspase-1 mediated cleavage of the pro-interleukins IL-1β and IL-18 into their mature forms, also inducing a gasdermin D mediated form of pro-inflammatory cell death, i.e. pyroptosis. Accumulating evidence has implicated NLRP3 inflammasome complex in neurodegenerative diseases. The evidence in HD is still scant and mostly derived from pre-clinical studies. This review aims to present the available evidence on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in HD and to discuss whether targeting this innate immune system complex might be a promising therapeutic strategy to alleviate its symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pedro Parenti Vianna
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Cristina Guatimosim
- Department of Morphology - Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Antônio Lúcio Teixeira
- Neuropsychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Faculdade Santa Casa BH, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Aline Silva de Miranda
- Department of Morphology - Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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31
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Li C, Ren J, Zhang M, Wang H, Yi F, Wu J, Tang Y. The heterogeneity of microglial activation and its epigenetic and non-coding RNA regulations in the immunopathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:511. [PMID: 36066650 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04536-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Microglia are resident immune cells in the brain and play a central role in the development and surveillance of the nervous system. Extensive gliosis is a common pathological feature of several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia. Microglia can respond to multiple inflammatory insults and later transform into different phenotypes, such as pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotypes, thereby exerting different functions. In recent years, an increasing number of studies based on both traditional bulk sequencing and novel single-cell/nuclear sequencing and multi-omics analysis, have shown that microglial phenotypes are highly heterogeneous and dynamic, depending on the severity and stage of the disease as well as the particular inflammatory milieu. Thus, redirecting microglial activation to beneficial and neuroprotective phenotypes promises to halt the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. To this end, an increasing number of studies have focused on unraveling heterogeneous microglial phenotypes and their underlying molecular mechanisms, including those due to epigenetic and non-coding RNA modulations. In this review, we summarize the epigenetic mechanisms in the form of DNA and histone modifications, as well as the general non-coding RNA regulations that modulate microglial activation during immunopathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and discuss promising research approaches in the microglial era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyi Li
- Aging Research Center, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Aging Research Center, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Mengfei Zhang
- Aging Research Center, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Huakun Wang
- Aging Research Center, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Fang Yi
- Aging Research Center, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Junjiao Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Provincial Clinical Research Center for Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yu Tang
- Aging Research Center, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- The Biobank of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
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Behavioral- and blood-based biomarkers for Huntington's disease: Studies on the R6/1 mouse model with prospects for early diagnosis and monitoring of the disease. Brain Behav Immun Health 2022; 23:100482. [PMID: 35799674 PMCID: PMC9253406 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Objective Methods Results Conclusion Gender is one of the factors that determine the rate of progression of Huntington's disease symptoms. A set of non-invasive biomarkers that are useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of Huntington's disease progression. Hormonal profile may be a factor in the efficacy of potential therapy for Huntington's disease.
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Achenbach J, Saft C, Faissner S, Ellrichmann G. Positive effect of immunomodulatory therapies on disease progression in Huntington's disease? Data from a real-world cohort. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2022; 15:17562864221109750. [PMID: 35899100 PMCID: PMC9310279 DOI: 10.1177/17562864221109750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The role of neuroinflammation and autoimmune processes in neurodegenerative diseases is not fully understood. Activation of microglia with expression of proinflammatory cytokines supports the hypothesis that immune processes may play an important role in the pathophysiology of Huntington’s disease (HD) and thus, immunomodulating therapies might have potential neuroprotective properties. Until now, no disease-modifying therapy (DMT) is available for HD. Objective: The aim of this research was to characterize a cohort of patients suffering from both HD and autoimmune demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (classified as G35-37 in ICD-10; ADD-CNS) in comparison to HD cases without ADD-CNS. In particular, we were interested to investigate potential modulating effects on disease manifestation and progression of HD over time of prescribed immunomodulating medications (DMT). Methods: We analyzed the course of HD regarding motoric, functional, and cognitive aspects, using longitudinal data of up to 2 years from the worldwide registry study ENROLL-HD. Additional cross-sectional data in the largest cohort worldwide of HD patients was analyzed using demographic and molecular genetic parameters. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) for cross-sectional and repeated-measures ANOVA for longitudinal parameters in IBM SPSS Statistics V.27. Results: Within the ENROLL-HD database, we investigated N = 21,116 participants and identified n = 60 participants suffering from ADD-CNS. Molecular, genetic, and demographic data did not differ between groups. The subgroup of n = 32 participants with motor-manifest HD revealed better cognitive performance in five out of eight cognitive tests at baseline with less progression over time in two tests (all p < 0.05). Differentiation between DMT-treated and untreated patients revealed better cognitive and motor performance in the DMT group; those patients, however, tended to be younger. Pre-manifest HD patients simultaneously diagnosed with ADD-CNS (n = 12) showed lower functional scores and more decline over time when compared with other pre-manifest HD (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients suffering from motor-manifest HD and simultaneously from ADD-CNS have better cognitive capacities compared with other motor-manifest HD patients. Moreover, DMTs might have beneficial effects on progression of neurodegeneration including the motor phenotype. However, this effect might have been biased by younger age in DMT-treated patients. Pre-manifest HD patients showed more functional impairment as expected due to their additional ADD-CNS disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannis Achenbach
- Department of Neurology, Huntington Center North Rhine-Westphalia, Ruhr-University Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital Bochum, Gudrunstraße 56, Bochum 44791, Germany
| | - Carsten Saft
- Department of Neurology, Huntington Center North Rhine-Westphalia, Ruhr-University Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Simon Faissner
- Department of Neurology, Huntington Center North Rhine-Westphalia, Ruhr-University Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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van der Geest KSM, Sandovici M, Nienhuis PH, Slart RHJA, Heeringa P, Brouwer E, Jiemy WF. Novel PET Imaging of Inflammatory Targets and Cells for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:902155. [PMID: 35733858 PMCID: PMC9207253 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.902155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are two interrelated inflammatory diseases affecting patients above 50 years of age. Patients with GCA suffer from granulomatous inflammation of medium- to large-sized arteries. This inflammation can lead to severe ischemic complications (e.g., irreversible vision loss and stroke) and aneurysm-related complications (such as aortic dissection). On the other hand, patients suffering from PMR present with proximal stiffness and pain due to inflammation of the shoulder and pelvic girdles. PMR is observed in 40-60% of patients with GCA, while up to 21% of patients suffering from PMR are also affected by GCA. Due to the risk of ischemic complications, GCA has to be promptly treated upon clinical suspicion. The treatment of both GCA and PMR still heavily relies on glucocorticoids (GCs), although novel targeted therapies are emerging. Imaging has a central position in the diagnosis of GCA and PMR. While [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) has proven to be a valuable tool for diagnosis of GCA and PMR, it possesses major drawbacks such as unspecific uptake in cells with high glucose metabolism, high background activity in several non-target organs and a decrease of diagnostic accuracy already after a short course of GC treatment. In recent years, our understanding of the immunopathogenesis of GCA and, to some extent, PMR has advanced. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the cellular heterogeneity in the immunopathology of GCA/PMR and discuss how recent advances in specific tissue infiltrating leukocyte and stromal cell profiles may be exploited as a source of novel targets for imaging. Finally, we discuss prospective novel PET radiotracers that may be useful for the diagnosis and treatment monitoring in GCA and PMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornelis S. M. van der Geest
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Maria Sandovici
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Pieter H. Nienhuis
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Medical Imaging Center, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Riemer H. J. A. Slart
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Medical Imaging Center, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Photonic Imaging Group, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Peter Heeringa
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Brouwer
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - William F. Jiemy
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Saba J, Couselo FL, Bruno J, Carniglia L, Durand D, Lasaga M, Caruso C. Neuroinflammation in Huntington's Disease: A Starring Role for Astrocyte and Microglia. Curr Neuropharmacol 2022; 20:1116-1143. [PMID: 34852742 PMCID: PMC9886821 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666211201094608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene. HD causes motor, cognitive, and behavioral dysfunction. Since no existing treatment affects the course of this disease, new treatments are needed. Inflammation is frequently observed in HD patients before symptom onset. Neuroinflammation, characterized by the presence of reactive microglia, astrocytes and inflammatory factors within the brain, is also detected early. However, in comparison to other neurodegenerative diseases, the role of neuroinflammation in HD is much less known. Work has been dedicated to altered microglial and astrocytic functions in the context of HD, but less attention has been given to glial participation in neuroinflammation. This review describes evidence of inflammation in HD patients and animal models. It also discusses recent knowledge on neuroinflammation in HD, highlighting astrocyte and microglia involvement in the disease and considering anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta Saba
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico López Couselo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julieta Bruno
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lila Carniglia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Durand
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Lasaga
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carla Caruso
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina,Address correspondence to this author at the Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155 Piso 10, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tel: +54 11 5285 3380; E-mail:
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Kacher R, Mounier C, Caboche J, Betuing S. Altered Cholesterol Homeostasis in Huntington’s Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:797220. [PMID: 35517051 PMCID: PMC9063567 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.797220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by an expansion of the CAG repeat in the first exon of Huntingtin’s gene. The associated neurodegeneration mainly affects the striatum and the cortex at early stages and progressively spreads to other brain structures. Targeting HD at its earlier stages is under intense investigation. Numerous drugs were tested, with a rate of success of only 3.5% approved molecules used as symptomatic treatment. The restoration of cholesterol metabolism, which is central to the brain homeostasis and strongly altered in HD, could be an interesting disease-modifying strategy. Cholesterol is an essential membrane component in the central nervous system (CNS); alterations of its homeostasis have deleterious consequences on neuronal functions. The levels of several sterols, upstream of cholesterol, are markedly decreased within the striatum of HD mouse model. Transcription of cholesterol biosynthetic genes is reduced in HD cell and mouse models as well as post-mortem striatal and cortical tissues from HD patients. Since the dynamic of brain cholesterol metabolism is complex, it is essential to establish the best method to target it in HD. Cholesterol, which does not cross the blood-brain-barrier, is locally synthesized and renewed within the brain. All cell types in the CNS synthesize cholesterol during development but as they progress through adulthood, neurons down-regulate their cholesterol synthesis and turn to astrocytes for their full supply. Cellular levels of cholesterol reflect the dynamic balance between synthesis, uptake and export, all integrated into the context of the cross talk between neurons and glial cells. In this review, we describe the latest advances regarding the role of cholesterol deregulation in neuronal functions and how this could be a determinant factor in neuronal degeneration and HD progression. The pathways and major mechanisms by which cholesterol and sterols are regulated in the CNS will be described. From this overview, we discuss the main clinical strategies for manipulating cholesterol metabolism in the CNS, and how to reinstate a proper balance in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhia Kacher
- Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute (ICM), AP-HP, INSERM, CNRS, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- INSERM, U1216, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Coline Mounier
- Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Faculté des Sciences et Ingénierie, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8246, Paris, France
- U1130, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France
| | - Jocelyne Caboche
- Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Faculté des Sciences et Ingénierie, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8246, Paris, France
- U1130, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Betuing
- Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Faculté des Sciences et Ingénierie, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8246, Paris, France
- U1130, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Sandrine Betuing,
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Young AP, Denovan-Wright EM. The Dynamic Role of Microglia and the Endocannabinoid System in Neuroinflammation. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:806417. [PMID: 35185547 PMCID: PMC8854262 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.806417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, can take on a range of pro- or anti-inflammatory phenotypes to maintain homeostasis. However, the sustained activation of pro-inflammatory microglia can lead to a state of chronic neuroinflammation characterized by high concentrations of neurotoxic soluble factors throughout the brain. In healthy brains, the inflammatory processes cease and microglia transition to an anti-inflammatory phenotype, but failure to halt the pro-inflammatory processes is a characteristic of many neurological disorders. The endocannabinoid system has been identified as a promising therapeutic target for chronic neuroinflammation as there is evidence that synthetic and endogenously produced cannabinoids temper the pro-inflammatory response of microglia and may encourage a switch to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Activation of cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptors has been proposed as the mechanism of action responsible for these effects. The abundance of components of the endocannabinoid system in microglia also change dynamically in response to several brain pathologies. This can impact the ability of microglia to synthesize and degrade endocannabinoids or react to endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids. Cannabinoid receptors also participate in the formation of receptor heteromers which influences their function specifically in cells that express both receptors, such as microglia. This creates opportunities for drug-drug interactions between CB2 receptor-targeted therapies and other classes of drugs. In this article, we review the roles of pro- and anti-inflammatory microglia in the development and resolution of neuroinflammation. We also discuss the fluctuations observed in the components of the endocannabinoid in microglia and examine the potential of CB2 receptors as a therapeutic target in this context.
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Li SH, Colson TLL, Abd-Elrahman KS, Ferguson SSG. Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 Antagonism Reduces Pathology and Differentially Improves Symptoms in Male and Female Heterozygous zQ175 Huntington’s Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:801757. [PMID: 35185467 PMCID: PMC8847794 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.801757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is an inherited autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder that leads to progressive motor and cognitive impairment. There are currently no available disease modifying treatments for HD patients. We have previously shown that pharmacological blockade of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) signaling rescues motor deficits, improves cognitive impairments and mitigates HD neuropathology in male zQ175 HD mice. Mounting evidence indicates that sex may influence HD progression and we have recently reported a sex-specific pathological mGluR5 signaling in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mice. Here, we compared the outcomes of treatment with the mGluR5 negative allosteric modulator CTEP (2-chloro-4-[2-[2,5-dimethyl-1-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]imidazol-4-yl]ethynyl]pyridine) in both male and female symptomatic zQ175 mice. We found that female zQ175 mice required a longer treatment duration with CTEP than male mice to show improvement in their rotarod performance. Unlike males, chronic CTEP treatment did not improve the grip strength nor reverse the cognitive decline of female zQ175 mice. However, CTEP reduced the number of huntingtin aggregates, improved neuronal survival and decreased microglia activation in the striatum of both male and female zQ175 mice. Together, our results indicate that mGluR5 antagonism can reduce HD neuropathology in both male and female zQ175 HD mice, but sex has a clear impact on the efficacy of the treatment and must be taken into consideration for future HD drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Han Li
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tash-Lynn L. Colson
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Khaled S. Abd-Elrahman
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Stephen S. G. Ferguson
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Stephen S. G. Ferguson,
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Villegas L, Nørremølle A, Freude K, Vilhardt F. Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Oxidases Are Everywhere in Brain Disease, but Not in Huntington's Disease? Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:736734. [PMID: 34803655 PMCID: PMC8602359 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.736734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neuronal loss and tissue atrophy mainly in the striatum and cortex. In the early stages of the disease, impairment of neuronal function, synaptic dysfunction and white matter loss precedes neuronal death itself. Relative to other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, where the effects of either microglia or NADPH oxidases (NOXs) are recognized as important contributors to disease pathogenesis and progression, there is a pronounced lack of information in HD. This information void contrasts with evidence from human HD patients where blood monocytes and microglia are activated well before HD clinical symptoms (PET scans), and the clear signs of oxidative stress and inflammation in post mortem HD brain. Habitually, NOX activity and oxidative stress in the central nervous system (CNS) are equated with microglia, but research of the last two decades has carved out important roles for NOX enzyme function in neurons. Here, we will convey recent information about the function of NOX enzymes in neurons, and contemplate on putative roles of neuronal NOX in HD. We will focus on NOX-produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) as redox signaling molecules in/among neurons, and the specific roles of NOXs in important processes such as neurogenesis and lineage specification, neurite outgrowth and growth cone dynamics, and synaptic plasticity where NMDAR-dependent signaling, and long-term depression/potentiation are redox-regulated phenomena. HD animal models and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) studies have made it clear that the very same physiological processes are also affected in HD, and we will speculate on possible roles for NOX in the pathogenesis and development of disease. Finally, we also take into account the limited information on microglia in HD and relate this to any contribution of NOX enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisana Villegas
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Nørremølle
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristine Freude
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Frederik Vilhardt
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Delva A, Michiels L, Koole M, Van Laere K, Vandenberghe W. Synaptic Damage and Its Clinical Correlates in People With Early Huntington Disease: A PET Study. Neurology 2021; 98:e83-e94. [PMID: 34663644 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000012969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Synaptic damage has been proposed to play a major role in the pathophysiology of Huntington's disease (HD), but in vivo evidence in humans is lacking. We performed a PET imaging study to assess synaptic damage and its clinical correlates in early HD in vivo. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, premanifest and early manifest (Shoulson-Fahn stage 1 and 2) HD mutation carriers and age- and gender-matched healthy controls underwent clinical assessment of motor and non-motor manifestations and time-of-flight PET with 11C-UCB-J, a radioligand targeting the ubiquitous presynaptic terminal marker SV2A. We also performed 18F-FDG PET in all subjects, as regional cerebral glucose consumption is thought to largely reflect synaptic activity. Volumes of interest were delineated based on individual 3D T1 MRI. Standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR)-1 images were calculated for 11C-UCB-J with the centrum semiovale as reference region. 18F-FDG PET activity was normalized to the pons. All PET data were corrected for partial volume effects. Volume of interest- and voxel-based analyses were performed. Correlations between clinical scores and 11C-UCB-J PET data were calculated. RESULTS 18 HD mutation carriers (51.4 ± 11.6 years; 6 female; 7 premanifest, 11 early manifest) and 15 healthy controls (52.3 ± 3.5 years; 4 female) were included. In the HD group, significant loss of SV2A binding was found in putamen, caudate, pallidum, cerebellum, parietal, temporal and frontal cortex, whereas reduced 18F-FDG uptake was restricted to caudate and putamen. In the premanifest subgroup, 11C-UCB-J and 18F-FDG PET showed significant reductions in putamen and caudate only. In the total HD group, SV2A loss in the putamen correlated with motor impairment. DISCUSSION Our data reveal loss of presynaptic terminal integrity in early HD, which begins in the striatum in the premanifest phase, spreads extensively to extrastriatal regions in the early manifest phase, and correlates with motor impairment. 11C-UCB-J PET is more sensitive than 18F-FDG PET for detection of extrastriatal changes in early HD. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides class III evidence that 11C-UCB-J PET accurately identifies HD from normal controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Delva
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Belgium; .,Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Michiels
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium.,VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Belgium
| | - Michel Koole
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Koen Van Laere
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Belgium.,Division of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Vandenberghe
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
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Chen K, Lai C, Su Y, Bao WD, Yang LN, Xu PP, Zhu LQ. cGAS-STING-mediated IFN-I response in host defense and neuro-inflammatory diseases. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 20:362-371. [PMID: 34561985 PMCID: PMC9413793 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666210924110144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of foreign or misplaced nucleic acids is a danger signal that triggers innate immune responses through activating cytosolic DNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and binding to its downstream signaling effector stimulator of interferon genes (STING). Then the cGAS-STING pathway activation links nucleic acid sensing to immune responses and pathogenic entities clearance. However, overactivation of this signaling pathway leads to fatal immune disorders and contributes to the progression of many human inflammatory diseases. Therefore, optimal activation of this pathway is crucial for the elimination of invading pathogens and the maintenance of immune homeostasis. In this review, we will summarize its fundamental roles in initiating host defense against invading pathogens and discuss its pathogenic roles in multiple neuro-inflammatory diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Lab of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Chuan Lai
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Lab of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yin Su
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wen Dai Bao
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Lab of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Liu Nan Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Lab of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Ping-Ping Xu
- Endoscopy Center, Wuhan Children's Hospital , Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Ling-Qiang Zhu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Lab of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
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Gkekas I, Gioran A, Boziki MK, Grigoriadis N, Chondrogianni N, Petrakis S. Oxidative Stress and Neurodegeneration: Interconnected Processes in PolyQ Diseases. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10091450. [PMID: 34573082 PMCID: PMC8471619 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10091450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative polyglutamine (polyQ) disorders are caused by trinucleotide repeat expansions within the coding region of disease-causing genes. PolyQ-expanded proteins undergo conformational changes leading to the formation of protein inclusions which are associated with selective neuronal degeneration. Several lines of evidence indicate that these mutant proteins are associated with oxidative stress, proteasome impairment and microglia activation. These events may correlate with the induction of inflammation in the nervous system and disease progression. Here, we review the effect of polyQ-induced oxidative stress in cellular and animal models of polyQ diseases. Furthermore, we discuss the interplay between oxidative stress, neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation using as an example the well-known neuroinflammatory disease, Multiple Sclerosis. Finally, we review some of the pharmaceutical interventions which may delay the onset and progression of polyQ disorders by targeting disease-associated mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Gkekas
- Institute of Applied Biosciences/Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Anna Gioran
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece; (A.G.); (N.C.)
| | - Marina Kleopatra Boziki
- 2nd Neurological Department, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.K.B.); (N.G.)
| | - Nikolaos Grigoriadis
- 2nd Neurological Department, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.K.B.); (N.G.)
| | - Niki Chondrogianni
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece; (A.G.); (N.C.)
| | - Spyros Petrakis
- Institute of Applied Biosciences/Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2311257525
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Troike KM, Acanda de la Rocha AM, Alban TJ, Grabowski MM, Otvos B, Cioffi G, Waite KA, Barnholtz Sloan JS, Lathia JD, Guilarte TR, Azzam DJ. The Translocator Protein ( TSPO) Genetic Polymorphism A147T Is Associated with Worse Survival in Male Glioblastoma Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184525. [PMID: 34572751 PMCID: PMC8471762 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) gene is highly expressed in glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary malignant brain tumor, which remains one of the most difficult tumors to treat. TSPO is located in the outer mitochondrial membrane and binds cholesterol through its C-terminal domain. One frequent single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs6971, which changes the alanine 147 into threonine (Ala147Thr), has been found in the C-terminal domain of the TSPO region and dramatically alters the affinity with which TSPO binds drug ligands. However, the potential association between the TSPO genetic variants and GBM clinical outcomes is not known. Here, we evaluated the effects of the Ala147Thr SNP localized in this TSPO region on biological, sex-specific, overall, and progression-free GBM survival. Our findings suggest an association between the TSPO rs6971 variant and adverse outcomes in male GBM patients but not in females. These findings also suggest that the TSPO rs6971 SNP could be used as a prognostic marker of survival in GBM patients. Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor in adults, with few available therapies and a five-year survival rate of 7.2%. Hence, strategies for improving GBM prognosis are urgently needed. The translocator protein 18kDa (TSPO) plays crucial roles in essential mitochondria-based physiological processes and is a validated biomarker of neuroinflammation, which is implicated in GBM progression. The TSPO gene has a germline single nucleotide polymorphism, rs6971, which is the most common SNP in the Caucasian population. High TSPO gene expression is associated with reduced survival in GBM patients; however, the relation between the most frequent TSPO genetic variant and GBM pathogenesis is not known. The present study retrospectively analyzed the correlation of the TSPO polymorphic variant rs6971 with overall and progression-free survival in GBM patients using three independent cohorts. TSPO rs6971 polymorphism was significantly associated with shorter overall survival and progression-free survival in male GBM patients but not in females in one large cohort of 441 patients. We observed similar trends in two other independent cohorts. These observations suggest that the TSPO rs6971 polymorphism could be a significant predictor of poor prognosis in GBM, with a potential for use as a prognosis biomarker in GBM patients. These results reveal for the first time a biological sex-specific relation between rs6971 TSPO polymorphism and GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie M. Troike
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (K.M.T.); (T.J.A.); (M.M.G.); (B.O.); (J.D.L.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Arlet M. Acanda de la Rocha
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA;
| | - Tyler J. Alban
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (K.M.T.); (T.J.A.); (M.M.G.); (B.O.); (J.D.L.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Matthew M. Grabowski
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (K.M.T.); (T.J.A.); (M.M.G.); (B.O.); (J.D.L.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Balint Otvos
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (K.M.T.); (T.J.A.); (M.M.G.); (B.O.); (J.D.L.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Gino Cioffi
- National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Trans-Divisional Research Program, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (G.C.); (K.A.W.); (J.S.B.S.)
| | - Kristin A. Waite
- National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Trans-Divisional Research Program, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (G.C.); (K.A.W.); (J.S.B.S.)
| | - Jill S. Barnholtz Sloan
- National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Trans-Divisional Research Program, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (G.C.); (K.A.W.); (J.S.B.S.)
- National Cancer Institute, Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Justin D. Lathia
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (K.M.T.); (T.J.A.); (M.M.G.); (B.O.); (J.D.L.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Rose Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Tomás R. Guilarte
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA;
- Brain, Behavior & the Environment Program, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
- Correspondence: (T.R.G.); (D.J.A.)
| | - Diana J. Azzam
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA;
- Correspondence: (T.R.G.); (D.J.A.)
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Monk R, Connor B. Cell Reprogramming to Model Huntington's Disease: A Comprehensive Review. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071565. [PMID: 34206228 PMCID: PMC8306243 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive decline of motor, cognitive, and psychiatric functions. HD results from an autosomal dominant mutation that causes a trinucleotide CAG repeat expansion and the production of mutant Huntingtin protein (mHTT). This results in the initial selective and progressive loss of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the striatum before progressing to involve the whole brain. There are currently no effective treatments to prevent or delay the progression of HD as knowledge into the mechanisms driving the selective degeneration of MSNs has been hindered by a lack of access to live neurons from individuals with HD. The invention of cell reprogramming provides a revolutionary technique for the study, and potential treatment, of neurological conditions. Cell reprogramming technologies allow for the generation of live disease-affected neurons from patients with neurological conditions, becoming a primary technique for modelling these conditions in vitro. The ability to generate HD-affected neurons has widespread applications for investigating the pathogenesis of HD, the identification of new therapeutic targets, and for high-throughput drug screening. Cell reprogramming also offers a potential autologous source of cells for HD cell replacement therapy. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the use of cell reprogramming to model HD and a discussion on recent advancements in cell reprogramming technologies that will benefit the HD field.
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Franco R, Lillo A, Rivas-Santisteban R, Reyes-Resina I, Navarro G. Microglial Adenosine Receptors: From Preconditioning to Modulating the M1/M2 Balance in Activated Cells. Cells 2021; 10:1124. [PMID: 34066933 PMCID: PMC8148598 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal survival depends on the glia, that is, on the astroglial and microglial support. Neurons die and microglia are activated not only in neurodegenerative diseases but also in physiological aging. Activated microglia, once considered harmful, express two main phenotypes: the pro-inflammatory or M1, and the neuroprotective or M2. When neuroinflammation, i.e., microglial activation occurs, it is important to achieve a good M1/M2 balance, i.e., at some point M1 microglia must be skewed into M2 cells to impede chronic inflammation and to afford neuronal survival. G protein-coupled receptors in general and adenosine receptors in particular are potential targets for increasing the number of M2 cells. This article describes the mechanisms underlying microglial activation and analyzes whether these cells exposed to a first damaging event may be ready to be preconditioned to better react to exposure to more damaging events. Adenosine receptors are relevant due to their participation in preconditioning. They can also be overexpressed in activated microglial cells. The potential of adenosine receptors and complexes formed by adenosine receptors and cannabinoids as therapeutic targets to provide microglia-mediated neuroprotection is here discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Franco
- CiberNed, Network Research Center, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Spanish National Health Institute Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandro Lillo
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Rafael Rivas-Santisteban
- CiberNed, Network Research Center, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Spanish National Health Institute Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Reyes-Resina
- CiberNed, Network Research Center, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Spanish National Health Institute Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Navarro
- CiberNed, Network Research Center, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Spanish National Health Institute Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
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O'Regan GC, Farag SH, Casey CS, Wood-Kaczmar A, Pocock JM, Tabrizi SJ, Andre R. Human Huntington's disease pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia develop normally but are abnormally hyper-reactive and release elevated levels of reactive oxygen species. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:94. [PMID: 33874957 PMCID: PMC8054367 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02147-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Neuroinflammation may contribute to the pathogenesis of Huntington’s disease, given evidence of activated microglia and elevated levels of inflammatory molecules in disease gene carriers, even those many years from symptom onset. We have shown previously that monocytes from Huntington’s disease patients are hyper-reactive to stimulation in a manner dependent on their autonomous expression of the disease-causing mutant HTT protein. To date, however, whether human microglia are similarly hyper-responsive in a cell-autonomous manner has not been determined. Methods Microglial-like cells were derived from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) expressing mutant HTT containing varying polyglutamine lengths. These included lines that are otherwise isogenic, such that any observed differences can be attributed with certainty to the disease mutation itself. Analyses by quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence microscopy respectively of key genes and protein markers were undertaken to determine whether Huntington’s disease PSCs differentiated normally to a microglial fate. The resultant cultures and their supernatants were then assessed by various biochemical assays and multiplex ELISAs for viability and responses to stimulation, including the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species. Conditioned media were applied to PSC-derived striatal neurons, and vice versa, to determine the effects that the secretomes of each cell type might have on the other. Results Human PSCs generated microglia successfully irrespective of the expression of mutant HTT. These cells, however, were hyper-reactive to stimulation in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNFα. They also released elevated levels of reactive oxygen species that have neurotoxic potential. Accompanying such phenotypes, human Huntington’s disease PSC-derived microglia showed increased levels of apoptosis and were more susceptible to exogenous stress. Such stress appeared to be induced by supernatants from human PSC-derived striatal neurons expressing mutant HTT with a long polyglutamine tract. Conclusions These studies show, for the first time, that human Huntington’s disease PSC-derived microglia are hyper-reactive due to their autonomous expression of mutant HTT. This provides a cellular basis for the contribution that neuroinflammation might make to Huntington’s disease pathogenesis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-021-02147-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace C O'Regan
- Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, WC1N 3BG, London, UK
| | - Sahar H Farag
- Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, WC1N 3BG, London, UK
| | - Caroline S Casey
- Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, WC1N 3BG, London, UK
| | - Alison Wood-Kaczmar
- Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, WC1N 3BG, London, UK
| | - Jennifer M Pocock
- Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, WC1N 1PJ, London, UK
| | - Sarah J Tabrizi
- Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, WC1N 3BG, London, UK.
| | - Ralph Andre
- Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, WC1N 3BG, London, UK.
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Ghavami A, Olsen M, Kwan M, Beltran J, Shea J, Ramboz S, Duan W, Lavery D, Howland D, Park LC. Transcriptional Assessment of Striatal mRNAs as Valid Biomarkers of Disease Progression in Three Mouse Models of Huntington's Disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2021; 9:13-31. [PMID: 32007959 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-190389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that prominently affects the basal ganglia, leading to affective, cognitive, behavioral, and motor decline. The primary site of neuron loss in HD is the striatal part of the basal ganglia, with GABAergic medium size spiny neurons (MSNs) being nearly completely lost in advanced HD. OBJECTIVE Based on the hypothesis that mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein injures neurons via transcriptional dysregulation, we set out to establish a transcriptional profile of HD disease progression in the well characterized transgenic mouse model, R6/2, and two Knock-in models (KI); zQ175KI (expressing mutant mouse/human chimeric Htt protein) and HdhQ200 HET KI (carrying one allele of expanded mouse CAG repeats). METHODS In this study, we used quantitative PCR (qPCR) to evaluate striatal mRNA levels of markers of neurotransmission, neuroinflammation, and energy metabolism. RESULTS After analyzing and comparing transcripts from pre-symptomatic and symptomatic stages, markers expressed in the basal ganglia MSNs, which are typically involved in maintaining normal neurotransmission, showed a genotype-specific decrease in mRNA expression in a pattern consistent with human studies. In contrast, transcripts associated with neuroinflammation and energy metabolism were mostly unaffected in these animal models of HD. CONCLUSION Our results show that transcripts linked to neurotransmission are significantly reduced and are consistent with disease progression in both zQ175KI and R6/2 transgenic mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mei Kwan
- PsychoGenics Inc., Paramus, NJ, USA
| | | | | | | | - Wenzhen Duan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Neurobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Daniel Lavery
- CHDI Management/CHDI Foundation, Inc, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - David Howland
- CHDI Management/CHDI Foundation, Inc, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Larry C Park
- CHDI Management/CHDI Foundation, Inc, Princeton, NJ, USA
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Rocha NP, Charron O, Latham LB, Colpo GD, Zanotti-Fregonara P, Yu M, Freeman L, Furr Stimming E, Teixeira AL. Microglia Activation in Basal Ganglia Is a Late Event in Huntington Disease Pathophysiology. NEUROLOGY-NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2021; 8:8/3/e984. [PMID: 33795375 PMCID: PMC8017723 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000000984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To define the role played by microglia in different stages of Huntington disease (HD), we used the TSPO radioligand [11C]-ER176 and PET to evaluate microglial activation in relation to neurodegeneration and in relation to the clinical features seen at premanifest and manifest stages of the disease. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study in which 18 subjects (6 controls, 6 premanifest, and 6 manifest HD gene carriers) underwent a [11C]-ER176 PET scan and an MRI for anatomic localization. Segmentation of regions of interest (ROIs) was performed, and group differences in [11C]-ER176 binding (used to evaluate the extent of microglial activation) were assessed by the standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR). Microglial activation was correlated with ROIs volumes, disease burden, and the scores obtained in the clinical scales. As an exploratory aim, we evaluated the dynamic functions of microglia in vitro, by using induced microglia-like (iMG) cells from peripheral blood monocytes. RESULTS Individuals with manifest HD present higher [11C]-ER176 SUVR in both globi pallidi and putamina in comparison with controls. No differences were observed when we compared premanifest HD with controls or with manifest HD. We also found a significant correlation between increased microglial activation and cumulative disease burden, and with reduced volumes. iMG from controls, premanifest HD, and manifest HD patients showed similar phagocytic capacity. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, our data demonstrate that microglial activation is involved in HD pathophysiology and is associated with disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia P Rocha
- From the Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders (N.P.R.), Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston; Department of Neurology (O.C., L.F.), The University of Texas at Austin; School of Medicine (L.B.L.), University of Washington, Seattle; Neuropsychiatry Program (G.D.C., A.L.T.), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston; Houston Methodist Research Institute and Weill Cornell Medicine (P.Z.-F., M.Y.), TX; and HDSA Center of Excellence at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (E.F.S.).
| | - Odelin Charron
- From the Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders (N.P.R.), Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston; Department of Neurology (O.C., L.F.), The University of Texas at Austin; School of Medicine (L.B.L.), University of Washington, Seattle; Neuropsychiatry Program (G.D.C., A.L.T.), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston; Houston Methodist Research Institute and Weill Cornell Medicine (P.Z.-F., M.Y.), TX; and HDSA Center of Excellence at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (E.F.S.)
| | - Leigh B Latham
- From the Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders (N.P.R.), Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston; Department of Neurology (O.C., L.F.), The University of Texas at Austin; School of Medicine (L.B.L.), University of Washington, Seattle; Neuropsychiatry Program (G.D.C., A.L.T.), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston; Houston Methodist Research Institute and Weill Cornell Medicine (P.Z.-F., M.Y.), TX; and HDSA Center of Excellence at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (E.F.S.)
| | - Gabriela D Colpo
- From the Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders (N.P.R.), Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston; Department of Neurology (O.C., L.F.), The University of Texas at Austin; School of Medicine (L.B.L.), University of Washington, Seattle; Neuropsychiatry Program (G.D.C., A.L.T.), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston; Houston Methodist Research Institute and Weill Cornell Medicine (P.Z.-F., M.Y.), TX; and HDSA Center of Excellence at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (E.F.S.)
| | - Paolo Zanotti-Fregonara
- From the Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders (N.P.R.), Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston; Department of Neurology (O.C., L.F.), The University of Texas at Austin; School of Medicine (L.B.L.), University of Washington, Seattle; Neuropsychiatry Program (G.D.C., A.L.T.), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston; Houston Methodist Research Institute and Weill Cornell Medicine (P.Z.-F., M.Y.), TX; and HDSA Center of Excellence at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (E.F.S.)
| | - Meixiang Yu
- From the Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders (N.P.R.), Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston; Department of Neurology (O.C., L.F.), The University of Texas at Austin; School of Medicine (L.B.L.), University of Washington, Seattle; Neuropsychiatry Program (G.D.C., A.L.T.), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston; Houston Methodist Research Institute and Weill Cornell Medicine (P.Z.-F., M.Y.), TX; and HDSA Center of Excellence at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (E.F.S.)
| | - Leorah Freeman
- From the Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders (N.P.R.), Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston; Department of Neurology (O.C., L.F.), The University of Texas at Austin; School of Medicine (L.B.L.), University of Washington, Seattle; Neuropsychiatry Program (G.D.C., A.L.T.), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston; Houston Methodist Research Institute and Weill Cornell Medicine (P.Z.-F., M.Y.), TX; and HDSA Center of Excellence at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (E.F.S.)
| | - Erin Furr Stimming
- From the Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders (N.P.R.), Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston; Department of Neurology (O.C., L.F.), The University of Texas at Austin; School of Medicine (L.B.L.), University of Washington, Seattle; Neuropsychiatry Program (G.D.C., A.L.T.), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston; Houston Methodist Research Institute and Weill Cornell Medicine (P.Z.-F., M.Y.), TX; and HDSA Center of Excellence at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (E.F.S.)
| | - Antonio L Teixeira
- From the Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders (N.P.R.), Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston; Department of Neurology (O.C., L.F.), The University of Texas at Austin; School of Medicine (L.B.L.), University of Washington, Seattle; Neuropsychiatry Program (G.D.C., A.L.T.), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston; Houston Methodist Research Institute and Weill Cornell Medicine (P.Z.-F., M.Y.), TX; and HDSA Center of Excellence at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (E.F.S.)
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Ernest James Phillips T, Maguire E. Phosphoinositides: Roles in the Development of Microglial-Mediated Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:652593. [PMID: 33841102 PMCID: PMC8032904 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.652593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia are increasingly recognized as vital players in the pathology of a variety of neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s (PD) disease. While microglia have a protective role in the brain, their dysfunction can lead to neuroinflammation and contributes to disease progression. Also, a growing body of literature highlights the seven phosphoinositides, or PIPs, as key players in the regulation of microglial-mediated neuroinflammation. These small signaling lipids are phosphorylated derivates of phosphatidylinositol, are enriched in the brain, and have well-established roles in both homeostasis and disease.Disrupted PIP levels and signaling has been detected in a variety of dementias. Moreover, many known AD disease modifiers identified via genetic studies are expressed in microglia and are involved in phospholipid metabolism. One of these, the enzyme PLCγ2 that hydrolyzes the PIP species PI(4,5)P2, displays altered expression in AD and PD and is currently being investigated as a potential therapeutic target.Perhaps unsurprisingly, neurodegenerative conditions exhibiting PIP dyshomeostasis also tend to show alterations in aspects of microglial function regulated by these lipids. In particular, phosphoinositides regulate the activities of proteins and enzymes required for endocytosis, toll-like receptor signaling, purinergic signaling, chemotaxis, and migration, all of which are affected in a variety of neurodegenerative conditions. These functions are crucial to allow microglia to adequately survey the brain and respond appropriately to invading pathogens and other abnormalities, including misfolded proteins. AD and PD therapies are being developed to target many of the above pathways, and although not yet investigated, simultaneous PIP manipulation might enhance the beneficial effects observed. Currently, only limited therapeutics are available for dementia, and although these show some benefits for symptom severity and progression, they are far from curative. Given the importance of microglia and PIPs in dementia development, this review summarizes current research and asks whether we can exploit this information to design more targeted, or perhaps combined, dementia therapeutics. More work is needed to fully characterize the pathways discussed in this review, but given the strength of the current literature, insights in this area could be invaluable for the future of neurodegenerative disease research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily Maguire
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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Chang CW, Chiu CH, Lin MH, Wu HM, Yu TH, Wang PY, Kuo YY, Huang YY, Shiue CY, Huang WS, Yeh SHH. GMP-compliant fully automated radiosynthesis of [ 18F]FEPPA for PET/MRI imaging of regional brain TSPO expression. EJNMMI Res 2021; 11:26. [PMID: 33725191 PMCID: PMC7966678 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-021-00768-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Expression of translocator protein (TSPO) on the outer mitochondrial membrane of activated microglia is strongly associated with neuroinflammation. The second-generation PET ligand [18F]FEPPA specifically binds TSPO to enable in vivo visualization and quantification of neuroinflammation. We optimized a fully automated radiosynthesis method and evaluated the utility of [18F]FEPPA, the second-generation PET ligand specifically binds TSPO, in a mouse model of systemic LPS challenge to detect TSPO-associated signals of central and peripheral inflammation. In vivo dynamic PET/MR imaging was performed in LPS-induced and control mice after [18F]FEPPA administration. The relationship between the [18F]FEPPA signal and the dose of LPS was assessed. The cytokine levels (i.e., TNF-α, Il-1β, Il-6) in LPS-induced mice were measured by RT-PCR. Standard uptake value (SUV), total volume of distribution (VT) and area under the curve (AUC) were determined based on the metabolite-uncorrected plasma input function. Western blotting and immunostaining were used to measure TSPO expression in the brain. Results The fully automated [18F]FEPPA radiosynthesis produced an uncorrected radiochemical yield of 30 ± 2% within 80 min, with a radiochemical purity greater than 99% and specific activity of 148.9‒216.8 GBq/µmol. Significant differences were observed in the brain after [18F]FEPPA administration: SUV, VT and AUC were 1.61 ± 0.1, 1.25 ± 0.12 and 1.58 ± 0.09-fold higher in LPS-injected mice than controls. TNF-α, Il-1β and Il-6 mRNA levels were also elevated in the brains of LPS-injected mice. Western blotting revealed TSPO (p < 0.05) and Iba-1 (p < 0.01) were upregulated in the brain after LPS administration. In LPS-injected mice, TSPO immunoactivity colocalized with Iba-1 in the cerebrum and TSPO was significantly overexpressed in the hippocampus and cerebellum. The peripheral organs (heart, lung) of LPS-injected mice had higher [18F]FEPPA signal-to-noise ratios than control mice. Conclusions Based on the current data on ligand specificity and selectivity in central tissues using 7 T PET/MR imaging, we demonstrate that [18F]FEPPA accumulations significant increased in the specific brain regions of systemic LPS-induced neuroinflammation (5 mg/kg). Future investigations are needed to determine the sensitivity of [18F]FEPPA as a biomarker of neuroinflammation as well as the correlation between the PET signal intensity and the expression levels of TSPO. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13550-021-00768-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Wei Chang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Technology, The Institute of Radiological Sciences, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien City, Taiwan.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsinghua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chuang-Hsin Chiu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hsien Lin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, Camillian Saint Mary's Hospital Luodong, Yilan, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Ming Wu
- Department of Neurology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hsun Yu
- Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong Street, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Pao-Yeh Wang
- Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong Street, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Yeh Kuo
- Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong Street, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Yao Huang
- PET Center, Department of Nuclear Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.,Molecular Imaging Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chyng-Yann Shiue
- Molecular Imaging Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,PET Center, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Sheng Huang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Skye Hsin-Hsien Yeh
- Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong Street, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
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