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Nogueira-Machado JA, Rocha-Silva F, Gomes NA. The Role of mTOR in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Biomedicines 2025; 13:952. [PMID: 40299664 PMCID: PMC12025168 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines13040952] [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: 01/22/2025] [Revised: 04/07/2025] [Accepted: 04/09/2025] [Indexed: 05/01/2025] Open
Abstract
Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, progressive, and incurable disease characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis. Recent studies have explored a possible link between ALS pathophysiology and mTOR signaling. Recent reports have linked the accumulation of protein aggregates, dysfunctional mitochondria, and homeostasis to the development of ALS. mTOR plays a pivotal role in controlling autophagy and affecting energy metabolism, in addition to supporting neuronal growth, plasticity, and the balance between apoptosis and autophagy, all of which are important for homeostasis. Aim: This mini-review approaches the regulatory roles of mTOR signaling pathways, their interaction with other metabolic pathways, and their potential to modulate ALS progression. Significance: It discusses how these metabolic signaling pathways affect the neuromuscular junction, producing symptoms of muscle weakness and atrophy similar to those seen in patients with ALS. The discussion includes the concepts of neurocentric and peripheral and the possible connection between mTOR and neuromuscular dysfunction in ALS. Conclusions: It highlights the therapeutic potential of mTOR signaling and interconnections with other metabolic routes, making it a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Augusto Nogueira-Machado
- Stricto Sensu Postgraduate Program in Medicine/Biomedicine, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte College, Belo Horizonte 30110-005, Brazil
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Nogueira-Machado JA, das Chagas Lima E Silva F, Rocha-Silva F, Gomes N. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): An Overview of Genetic and Metabolic Signaling Mechanisms. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2025; 24:83-90. [PMID: 39171600 DOI: 10.2174/0118715273315891240801065231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, progressive, and incurable disease. Sporadic (sALS) accounts for ninety percent of ALS cases, while familial ALS (fALS) accounts for around ten percent. Reports have identified over 30 different forms of familial ALS. Multiple types of fALS exhibit comparable symptoms with mutations in different genes and possibly with different predominant metabolic signals. Clinical diagnosis takes into account patient history but not genetic mutations, misfolded proteins, or metabolic signaling. As research on genetics and metabolic pathways advances, it is expected that the intricate complexity of ALS will compound further. Clinicians discuss whether a gene's presence is a cause of the disease or just an association or consequence. They believe that a mutant gene alone is insufficient to diagnose ALS. ALS, often perceived as a single disease, appears to be a complex collection of diseases with similar symptoms. This review highlights gene mutations, metabolic pathways, and muscle-neuron interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fabiana Rocha-Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Medicina/Biomedicina, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Nathalia Gomes
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Gandhi G, Kodiappan R, Abdullah S, Teoh HK, Tai L, Cheong SK, Yeo WWY. Revealing the potential role of hsa-miR-663a in modulating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway via miRNA microarray in spinal muscular atrophy patient fibroblast-derived iPSCs. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2024; 83:822-832. [PMID: 38894621 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlae065] [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] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder due to deletion or mutation of survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. Although survival motor neuron 2 (SMN2) gene is still present in SMA patients, the production of full-length survival motor neuron (SMN) protein is insufficient owing to missing or mutated SMN1. No current disease-modifying therapies can cure SMA. The aim of this study was to explore microRNA (miRNA)-based therapies that may serve as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in delaying SMA progression or as treatment. The study screened for potentially dysregulated miRNAs in SMA fibroblast-derived iPSCs using miRNA microarray. Results from the miRNA microarray were validated using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Bioinformatics analysis using various databases was performed to predict the potential putative gene targeted by hsa-miR-663a. The findings showed differential expression of hsa-miR-663a in SMA patients in relation to a healthy control. Bioinformatics analysis identified GNG7, IGF2, and TNN genes that were targeted by hsa-miR-663a to be involved in the PI3K-AKT pathway, which may be associated with disease progression in SMA. Thus, this study suggests the potential role of hsa-miR-663a as therapeutic target for the treatment of SMA patients in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayatri Gandhi
- Perdana University Graduate School of Medicine, Perdana University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Radha Kodiappan
- Department of Research and Training, MAHSA Specialist Hospital, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Syahril Abdullah
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
- Genetics & Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
- Malaysia Genome and Vaccine Institute, National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hoon Koon Teoh
- Centre for Stem Cell Research, M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Lihui Tai
- Centre for Stem Cell Research, M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Selangor, Malaysia
- Cytopeutics Sdn. Bhd, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Soon Keng Cheong
- Centre for Stem Cell Research, M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wendy Wai Yeng Yeo
- Perdana University Graduate School of Medicine, Perdana University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
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Suda K, Pignatelli J, Genis L, Fernandez AM, de Sevilla EF, de la Cruz IF, Pozo-Rodrigalvarez A, de Ceballos ML, Díaz-Pacheco S, Herrero-Labrador R, Aleman IT. A role for astrocytic insulin-like growth factor I receptors in the response to ischemic insult. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2024; 44:970-984. [PMID: 38017004 PMCID: PMC11318401 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x231217669] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Increased neurotrophic support, including insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), is an important aspect of the adaptive response to ischemic insult. However, recent findings indicate that the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) in neurons plays a detrimental role in the response to stroke. Thus, we investigated the role of astrocytic IGF-IR on ischemic insults using tamoxifen-regulated Cre deletion of IGF-IR in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytes, a major cellular component in the response to injury. Ablation of IGF-IR in astrocytes (GFAP-IGF-IR KO mice) resulted in larger ischemic lesions, greater blood-brain-barrier disruption and more deteriorated sensorimotor coordination. RNAseq detected increases in inflammatory, cell adhesion and angiogenic pathways, while the expression of various classical biomarkers of response to ischemic lesion were significantly increased at the lesion site compared to control littermates. While serum IGF-I levels after injury were decreased in both control and GFAP-IR KO mice, brain IGF-I mRNA expression show larger increases in the latter. Further, greater damage was also accompanied by altered glial reactivity as reflected by changes in the morphology of GFAP astrocytes, and relative abundance of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba 1) microglia. These results suggest a protective role for astrocytic IGF-IR in the response to ischemic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Suda
- Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Jaime Pignatelli
- Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Genis
- Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana M Fernandez
- Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Maria L de Ceballos
- Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Díaz-Pacheco
- Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Herrero-Labrador
- Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Torres Aleman
- CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain
- Ikerbasque Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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5
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Virla F, Turano E, Scambi I, Schiaffino L, Boido M, Mariotti R. Administration of adipose-derived stem cells extracellular vesicles in a murine model of spinal muscular atrophy: effects of a new potential therapeutic strategy. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:94. [PMID: 38561840 PMCID: PMC10986013 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03693-5] [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: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal-recessive neuromuscular disease affecting children. It is caused by the mutation or deletion of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene resulting in lower motor neuron (MN) degeneration followed by motor impairment, progressive skeletal muscle paralysis and respiratory failure. In addition to the already existing therapies, a possible combinatorial strategy could be represented by the use of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) that can be obtained easily and in large amounts from adipose tissue. Their efficacy seems to be correlated to their paracrine activity and the production of soluble factors released through extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are important mediators of intercellular communication with a diameter between 30 and 100 nm. Their use in other neurodegenerative disorders showed a neuroprotective effect thanks to the release of their content, especially proteins, miRNAs and mRNAs. METHODS In this study, we evaluated the effect of EVs isolated from ASCs (ASC-EVs) in the SMNΔ7 mice, a severe SMA model. With this purpose, we performed two administrations of ASC-EVs (0.5 µg) in SMA pups via intracerebroventricular injections at post-natal day 3 (P3) and P6. We then assessed the treatment efficacy by behavioural test from P2 to P10 and histological analyses at P10. RESULTS The results showed positive effects of ASC-EVs on the disease progression, with improved motor performance and a significant delay in spinal MN degeneration of treated animals. ASC-EVs could also reduce the apoptotic activation (cleaved Caspase-3) and modulate the neuroinflammation with an observed decreased glial activation in lumbar spinal cord, while at peripheral level ASC-EVs could only partially limit the muscular atrophy and fiber denervation. CONCLUSIONS Our results could encourage the use of ASC-EVs as a therapeutic combinatorial treatment for SMA, bypassing the controversial use of stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Virla
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ermanna Turano
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ilaria Scambi
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Schiaffino
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marina Boido
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Raffaella Mariotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
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Zegarra-Valdivia JA, Pignatelli J, Nuñez A, Torres Aleman I. The Role of Insulin-like Growth Factor I in Mechanisms of Resilience and Vulnerability to Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16440. [PMID: 38003628 PMCID: PMC10671249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216440] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of intense research, disease-modifying therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are still very much needed. Apart from the extensively analyzed tau and amyloid pathological cascades, two promising avenues of research that may eventually identify new druggable targets for AD are based on a better understanding of the mechanisms of resilience and vulnerability to this condition. We argue that insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) activity in the brain provides a common substrate for the mechanisms of resilience and vulnerability to AD. We postulate that preserved brain IGF-I activity contributes to resilience to AD pathology as this growth factor intervenes in all the major pathological cascades considered to be involved in AD, including metabolic impairment, altered proteostasis, and inflammation, to name the three that are considered to be the most important ones. Conversely, disturbed IGF-I activity is found in many AD risk factors, such as old age, type 2 diabetes, imbalanced diet, sedentary life, sociality, stroke, stress, and low education, whereas the Apolipoprotein (Apo) E4 genotype and traumatic brain injury may also be influenced by brain IGF-I activity. Accordingly, IGF-I activity should be taken into consideration when analyzing these processes, while its preservation will predictably help prevent the progress of AD pathology. Thus, we need to define IGF-I activity in all these conditions and develop a means to preserve it. However, defining brain IGF-I activity cannot be solely based on humoral or tissue levels of this neurotrophic factor, and new functionally based assessments need to be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A. Zegarra-Valdivia
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, 48940 Leioa, Spain;
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- School of Medicine, Universidad Señor de Sipán, Chiclayo 14000, Peru
| | - Jaime Pignatelli
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Cajal Institute (CSIC), 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Angel Nuñez
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Ignacio Torres Aleman
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, 48940 Leioa, Spain;
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
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El Khoury M, Biondi O, Bruneteau G, Sapaly D, Bendris S, Bezier C, Clerc Z, Akar EA, Weill L, Eid AA, Charbonnier F. NADPH oxidase 4 inhibition is a complementary therapeutic strategy for spinal muscular atrophy. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1242828. [PMID: 37780204 PMCID: PMC10536974 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1242828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by motor neuron (MN) degeneration and severe muscular atrophy and caused by Survival of Motor Neuron (SMN) depletion. Therapies aimed at increasing SMN in patients have proven their efficiency in alleviating SMA symptoms but not for all patients. Thus, combinational therapies are warranted. Here, we investigated the involvement of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) in SMA-induced spinal MN death and if the modulation of Nox4 activity could be beneficial for SMA patients. Methods We analysed in the spinal cord of severe type SMA-like mice before and at the disease onset, the level of oxidative stress and Nox4 expression. Then, we tested the effect of Nox4 inhibition by GKT137831/Setanaxib, a drug presently in clinical development, by intrathecal injection on MN survival and motor behaviour. Finally, we tested if GKT137831/Setanaxib could act synergistically with FDA-validated SMN-upregulating treatment (nusinersen). Results We show that NOX4 is overexpressed in SMA and its inhibition by GKT137831/Setanaxib protected spinal MN from SMA-induced degeneration. These improvements were associated with a significant increase in lifespan and motor behaviour of the mice. At the molecular level, GKT137831 activated the pro-survival AKT/CREB signaling pathway, leading to an increase in SMN expression in SMA MNs. Most importantly, we found that the per os administration of GKT137831 acted synergistically with a FDA-validated SMN-upregulating treatment. Conclusion The pharmacological inhibition of NOX4 by GKT137831/Setanaxib is neuroprotector and could represent a complementary therapeutic strategy to fight against SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirella El Khoury
- Faculty of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University Paris Cité & Inserm UMR_S1124, Paris, France
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Olivier Biondi
- Faculty of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University Paris Cité & Inserm UMR_S1124, Paris, France
| | - Gaelle Bruneteau
- Centre de Recherche en Myologie, UMRS974, Association Institut de Myologie, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France
- Département de Neurologie, Centre référent SLA, APHP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Delphine Sapaly
- Faculty of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University Paris Cité & Inserm UMR_S1124, Paris, France
| | - Sabrina Bendris
- Faculty of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University Paris Cité & Inserm UMR_S1124, Paris, France
| | - Cynthia Bezier
- Faculty of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University Paris Cité & Inserm UMR_S1124, Paris, France
| | - Zoé Clerc
- Faculty of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University Paris Cité & Inserm UMR_S1124, Paris, France
| | - Elias Abi Akar
- Faculty of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University Paris Cité & Inserm UMR_S1124, Paris, France
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Laure Weill
- Faculty of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University Paris Cité & Inserm UMR_S1124, Paris, France
| | - Assaad A. Eid
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Frédéric Charbonnier
- Faculty of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University Paris Cité & Inserm UMR_S1124, Paris, France
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8
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Ma L, Zhao W, Huang S, Xu F, Wang Y, Deng D, Zhang T, Shu S, Chen X. IGF/IGF-1R signal pathway in pain: a promising therapeutic target. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:3472-3482. [PMID: 37497005 PMCID: PMC10367553 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.84353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain, one of the most important problems in the field of medicine and public health, has great research significance. Opioids are still the main drugs to relieve pain now. However, its application is limited due to its obvious side effects. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new drugs to relieve pain. Multiple studies have found that IGF/IGF-1R pathway plays an important role in the occurrence and development of pain. The regulation of IGF/IGF-1R pathway has obvious effect on pain. This review summarized and discussed the therapeutic potential of IGF/IGF-1R signal pathway for pain. It also summarized that IGF/IGF-1R regulates pain by acting on neuronal excitability, neuroinflammation, glial cells, apoptosis, etc. However, its mechanisms of occurrence and development in pain still need further study in the future. In conclusion, although more deep researches are needed, these studies indicate that IGF/IGF-1R signal pathway is a promising therapeutic target for pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulin Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Wenjing Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Shiqian Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Yafeng Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Daling Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Tianhao Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Shaofang Shu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Xiangdong Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, China
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9
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Lumpkin CJ, Harris AW, Connell AJ, Kirk RW, Whiting JA, Saieva L, Pellizzoni L, Burghes AHM, Butchbach MER. Evaluation of the orally bioavailable 4-phenylbutyrate-tethered trichostatin A analogue AR42 in models of spinal muscular atrophy. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10374. [PMID: 37365234 PMCID: PMC10293174 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37496-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a leading genetic cause for infant death in the world and results from the selective loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord. SMA is a consequence of low levels of SMN protein and small molecules that can increase SMN expression are of considerable interest as potential therapeutics. Previous studies have shown that both 4-phenylbutyrate (4PBA) and trichostatin A (TSA) increase SMN expression in dermal fibroblasts derived from SMA patients. AR42 is a 4PBA-tethered TSA derivative that is a very potent histone deacetylase inhibitor. SMA patient fibroblasts were treated with either AR42, AR19 (a related analogue), 4PBA, TSA or vehicle for 5 days and then immunostained for SMN localization. AR42 as well as 4PBA and TSA increased the number of SMN-positive nuclear gems in a dose-dependent manner while AR19 did not show marked changes in gem numbers. While gem number was increased in AR42-treated SMA fibroblasts, there were no significant changes in FL-SMN mRNA or SMN protein. The neuroprotective effect of this compound was then assessed in SMNΔ7 SMA (SMN2+/+;SMNΔ7+/+;mSmn-/-) mice. Oral administration of AR42 prior to disease onset increased the average lifespan of SMNΔ7 SMA mice by ~ 27% (20.1 ± 1.6 days for AR42-treated mice vs. 15.8 ± 0.4 days for vehicle-treated mice). AR42 treatment also improved motor function in these mice. AR42 treatment inhibited histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity in treated spinal cord although it did not affect SMN protein expression in these mice. AKT and GSK3β phosphorylation were both significantly increased in SMNΔ7 SMA mouse spinal cords. In conclusion, presymptomatic administration of the HDAC inhibitor AR42 ameliorates the disease phenotype in SMNΔ7 SMA mice in a SMN-independent manner possibly by increasing AKT neuroprotective signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey J Lumpkin
- Division of Neurology, Nemours Children's Hospital Delaware, 4462 E400 DuPont Experimental Station, 200 Powder Mill Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Ashlee W Harris
- Division of Neurology, Nemours Children's Hospital Delaware, 4462 E400 DuPont Experimental Station, 200 Powder Mill Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA
| | - Andrew J Connell
- Division of Neurology, Nemours Children's Hospital Delaware, 4462 E400 DuPont Experimental Station, 200 Powder Mill Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA
| | - Ryan W Kirk
- Division of Neurology, Nemours Children's Hospital Delaware, 4462 E400 DuPont Experimental Station, 200 Powder Mill Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA
| | - Joshua A Whiting
- Division of Neurology, Nemours Children's Hospital Delaware, 4462 E400 DuPont Experimental Station, 200 Powder Mill Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA
| | - Luciano Saieva
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Livio Pellizzoni
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arthur H M Burghes
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Matthew E R Butchbach
- Division of Neurology, Nemours Children's Hospital Delaware, 4462 E400 DuPont Experimental Station, 200 Powder Mill Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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10
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Sansa A, Miralles MP, Beltran M, Celma-Nos F, Calderó J, Garcera A, Soler RM. ERK MAPK signaling pathway inhibition as a potential target to prevent autophagy alterations in Spinal Muscular Atrophy motoneurons. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:113. [PMID: 37019880 PMCID: PMC10076363 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01409-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a severe genetic neuromuscular disorder that occurs in childhood and is caused by misexpression of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. SMN reduction induces spinal cord motoneuron (MN) degeneration, which leads to progressive muscular atrophy and weakness. The link between SMN deficiency and the molecular mechanisms altered in SMA cells remains unclear. Autophagy, deregulation of intracellular survival pathways and ERK hyperphosphorylation may contribute to SMN-reduced MNs collapse, offering a useful strategy to develop new therapies to prevent neurodegeneration in SMA. Using SMA MN in vitro models, the effect of pharmacological inhibition of PI3K/Akt and ERK MAPK pathways on SMN and autophagy markers modulation was studied by western blot analysis and RT-qPCR. Experiments involved primary cultures of mouse SMA spinal cord MNs and differentiated SMA human MNs derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt and the ERK MAPK pathways reduced SMN protein and mRNA levels. Importantly, mTOR phosphorylation, p62, and LC3-II autophagy markers protein level were decreased after ERK MAPK pharmacological inhibition. Furthermore, the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA prevented ERK hyperphosphorylation in SMA cells. Our results propose a link between intracellular calcium, signaling pathways, and autophagy in SMA MNs, suggesting that ERK hyperphosphorylation may contribute to autophagy deregulation in SMN-reduced MNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Sansa
- Neuronal Signaling Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Universitat de Lleida-IRBLleida, Rovira Roure, 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Maria P Miralles
- Neuronal Signaling Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Universitat de Lleida-IRBLleida, Rovira Roure, 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Maria Beltran
- Neuronal Signaling Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Universitat de Lleida-IRBLleida, Rovira Roure, 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Ferran Celma-Nos
- Neuronal Signaling Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Universitat de Lleida-IRBLleida, Rovira Roure, 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Jordi Calderó
- Patologia Neuromuscular Experimental, Experimental Medicine Department, Universitat de Lleida-IRBLleida, Rovira Roure, 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Ana Garcera
- Neuronal Signaling Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Universitat de Lleida-IRBLleida, Rovira Roure, 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Rosa M Soler
- Neuronal Signaling Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Universitat de Lleida-IRBLleida, Rovira Roure, 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain.
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杨 东. Recent research on the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. ZHONGGUO DANG DAI ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PEDIATRICS 2022; 24:204-209. [PMID: 35209987 PMCID: PMC8884051 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2110041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive muscular weakness and atrophy. SMA, as an inherited disease, is the leading cause of death in infants and young children. Rapid progress has been made in the research field of SMA in recent years, and some related treatment drugs have been successfully approved for marketing. This article reviews the recent research advances in the treatment of SMA.
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Sansa A, de la Fuente S, Comella JX, Garcera A, Soler RM. Intracellular pathways involved in cell survival are deregulated in mouse and human spinal muscular atrophy motoneurons. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 155:105366. [PMID: 33845129 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a severe neuromuscular disorder caused by loss of the Survival Motor Neuron 1 gene (SMN1). Due to this depletion of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, the disease is characterized by the degeneration of spinal cord motoneurons (MNs), progressive muscular atrophy, and weakness. Nevertheless, the ultimate cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to cell loss in SMN-reduced MNs are only partially known. We have investigated the activation of apoptotic and neuronal survival pathways in several models of SMA cells. Even though the antiapoptotic proteins FAIM-L and XIAP were increased in SMA MNs, the apoptosis executioner cleaved-caspase-3 was also elevated in these cells, suggesting the activation of the apoptosis process. Analysis of the survival pathway PI3K/Akt showed that Akt phosphorylation was reduced in SMA MNs and pharmacological inhibition of PI3K diminished SMN and Gemin2 at transcriptional level in control MNs. In contrast, ERK phosphorylation was increased in cultured mouse and human SMA MNs. Our observations suggest that apoptosis is activated in SMA MNs and that Akt phosphorylation reduction may control cell degeneration, thereby regulating the transcription of Smn and other genes related to SMN function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Sansa
- Neuronal Signaling Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Universitat de Lleida-IRBLleida, Rovira Roure, 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Sandra de la Fuente
- Neuronal Signaling Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Universitat de Lleida-IRBLleida, Rovira Roure, 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Joan X Comella
- CIBERNED & Cell Signaling and Apoptosis Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Garcera
- Neuronal Signaling Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Universitat de Lleida-IRBLleida, Rovira Roure, 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Rosa M Soler
- Neuronal Signaling Unit, Experimental Medicine Department, Universitat de Lleida-IRBLleida, Rovira Roure, 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain..
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13
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Spinal muscular atrophy: Broad disease spectrum and sex-specific phenotypes. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1867:166063. [PMID: 33412266 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.166063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is one of the major genetic disorders associated with infant mortality. More than 90% of cases of SMA result from deletions of or mutations in the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. SMN2, a nearly identical copy of SMN1, does not compensate for the loss of SMN1 due to predominant skipping of exon 7. The spectrum of SMA is broad, ranging from prenatal death to infant mortality to survival into adulthood. All tissues, including brain, spinal cord, bone, skeletal muscle, heart, lung, liver, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, kidney, spleen, ovary and testis, are directly and/or indirectly affected in SMA. Accumulating evidence on impaired mitochondrial biogenesis and defects in X chromosome-linked modifying factors, coupled with the sexual dimorphic nature of many tissues, point to sex-specific vulnerabilities in SMA. Here we review the role of sex in the pathogenesis of SMA.
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Singh RN, Ottesen EW, Singh NN. The First Orally Deliverable Small Molecule for the Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Neurosci Insights 2020; 15:2633105520973985. [PMID: 33283185 PMCID: PMC7691903 DOI: 10.1177/2633105520973985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is 1 of the leading causes of infant mortality. SMA
is mostly caused by low levels of Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein due to
deletion of or mutation in the SMN1 gene. Its nearly identical
copy, SMN2, fails to compensate for the loss of
SMN1 due to predominant skipping of exon 7. Correction of
SMN2 exon 7 splicing by an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO),
nusinersen (Spinraza™), that targets the intronic splicing silencer N1 (ISS-N1)
became the first approved therapy for SMA. Restoration of SMN levels using gene
therapy was the next. Very recently, an orally deliverable small molecule,
risdiplam (Evrysdi™), became the third approved therapy for SMA. Here we discuss
how these therapies are positioned to meet the needs of the broad phenotypic
spectrum of SMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravindra N Singh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Eric W Ottesen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Natalia N Singh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
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15
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AAV9-DOK7 gene therapy reduces disease severity in Smn 2B/- SMA model mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 530:107-114. [PMID: 32828271 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease caused by deletions or mutations in the survival motor neuron (SMN1) gene. An important hallmark of disease progression is the pathology of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Affected NMJs in the SMA context exhibit delayed maturation, impaired synaptic transmission, and loss of contact between motor neurons and skeletal muscle. Protection and maintenance of NMJs remains a focal point of therapeutic strategies to treat SMA, and the recent implication of the NMJ-organizer Agrin in SMA pathology suggests additional NMJ organizing molecules may contribute. DOK7 is an NMJ organizer that functions downstream of Agrin. The potential of DOK7 as a putative therapeutic target was demonstrated by adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy delivery of DOK7 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Emery Dreyefuss Muscular Dystrophy (EDMD). To assess the potential of DOK7 as a disease modifier of SMA, we administered AAV-DOK7 to an intermediate mouse model of SMA. AAV9-DOK7 treatment conferred improvements in NMJ architecture and reduced muscle fiber atrophy. Additionally, these improvements resulted in a subtle reduction in phenotypic severity, evidenced by improved grip strength and an extension in survival. These findings reveal DOK7 is a novel modifier of SMA.
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Fellows AD, Rhymes ER, Gibbs KL, Greensmith L, Schiavo G. IGF1R regulates retrograde axonal transport of signalling endosomes in motor neurons. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e49129. [PMID: 32030864 PMCID: PMC7054680 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201949129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Signalling endosomes are essential for trafficking of activated ligand-receptor complexes and their distal signalling, ultimately leading to neuronal survival. Although deficits in signalling endosome transport have been linked to neurodegeneration, our understanding of the mechanisms controlling this process remains incomplete. Here, we describe a new modulator of signalling endosome trafficking, the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R). We show that IGF1R inhibition increases the velocity of signalling endosomes in motor neuron axons, both in vitro and in vivo. This effect is specific, since IGF1R inhibition does not alter the axonal transport of mitochondria or lysosomes. Our results suggest that this change in trafficking is linked to the dynein adaptor bicaudal D1 (BICD1), as IGF1R inhibition results in an increase in the de novo synthesis of BICD1 in the axon of motor neurons. Finally, we found that IGF1R inhibition can improve the deficits in signalling endosome transport observed in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Taken together, these findings suggest that IGF1R inhibition may be a new therapeutic target for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander D Fellows
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Elena R Rhymes
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Katherine L Gibbs
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Linda Greensmith
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Giampietro Schiavo
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK.,Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine, University College London Campus, London, UK
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Wadman RI, van der Pol WL, Bosboom WMJ, Asselman F, van den Berg LH, Iannaccone ST, Vrancken AFJE, Cochrane Neuromuscular Group. Drug treatment for spinal muscular atrophy types II and III. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 1:CD006282. [PMID: 32006461 PMCID: PMC6995983 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd006282.pub5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by a homozygous deletion of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene on chromosome 5, or a heterozygous deletion in combination with a (point) mutation in the second SMN1 allele. This results in degeneration of anterior horn cells, which leads to progressive muscle weakness. Children with SMA type II do not develop the ability to walk without support and have a shortened life expectancy, whereas children with SMA type III develop the ability to walk and have a normal life expectancy. This is an update of a review first published in 2009 and previously updated in 2011. OBJECTIVES To evaluate if drug treatment is able to slow or arrest the disease progression of SMA types II and III, and to assess if such therapy can be given safely. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and ISI Web of Science conference proceedings in October 2018. In October 2018, we also searched two trials registries to identify unpublished trials. SELECTION CRITERIA We sought all randomised or quasi-randomised trials that examined the efficacy of drug treatment for SMA types II and III. Participants had to fulfil the clinical criteria and have a homozygous deletion or hemizygous deletion in combination with a point mutation in the second allele of the SMN1 gene (5q11.2-13.2) confirmed by genetic analysis. The primary outcome measure was change in disability score within one year after the onset of treatment. Secondary outcome measures within one year after the onset of treatment were change in muscle strength, ability to stand or walk, change in quality of life, time from the start of treatment until death or full-time ventilation and adverse events attributable to treatment during the trial period. Treatment strategies involving SMN1-replacement with viral vectors are out of the scope of this review, but a summary is given in Appendix 1. Drug treatment for SMA type I is the topic of a separate Cochrane Review. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We followed standard Cochrane methodology. MAIN RESULTS The review authors found 10 randomised, placebo-controlled trials of treatments for SMA types II and III for inclusion in this review, with 717 participants. We added four of the trials at this update. The trials investigated creatine (55 participants), gabapentin (84 participants), hydroxyurea (57 participants), nusinersen (126 participants), olesoxime (165 participants), phenylbutyrate (107 participants), somatotropin (20 participants), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (nine participants), valproic acid (33 participants), and combination therapy with valproic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) (61 participants). Treatment duration was from three to 24 months. None of the studies investigated the same treatment and none was completely free of bias. All studies had adequate blinding, sequence generation and reporting of primary outcomes. Based on moderate-certainty evidence, intrathecal nusinersen improved motor function (disability) in children with SMA type II, with a 3.7-point improvement in the nusinersen group on the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE; range of possible scores 0 to 66), compared to a 1.9-point decline on the HFMSE in the sham procedure group (P < 0.01; n = 126). On all motor function scales used, higher scores indicate better function. Based on moderate-certainty evidence from two studies, the following interventions had no clinically important effect on motor function scores in SMA types II or III (or both) in comparison to placebo: creatine (median change 1 higher, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1 to 2; on the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), scale 0 to 264; n = 40); and combination therapy with valproic acid and carnitine (mean difference (MD) 0.64, 95% CI -1.1 to 2.38; on the Modified Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale (MHFMS), scale 0 to 40; n = 61). Based on low-certainty evidence from other single studies, the following interventions had no clinically important effect on motor function scores in SMA types II or III (or both) in comparison to placebo: gabapentin (median change 0 in the gabapentin group and -2 in the placebo group on the SMA Functional Rating Scale (SMAFRS), scale 0 to 50; n = 66); hydroxyurea (MD -1.88, 95% CI -3.89 to 0.13 on the GMFM, scale 0 to 264; n = 57), phenylbutyrate (MD -0.13, 95% CI -0.84 to 0.58 on the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale (HFMS) scale 0 to 40; n = 90) and monotherapy of valproic acid (MD 0.06, 95% CI -1.32 to 1.44 on SMAFRS, scale 0 to 50; n = 31). Very low-certainty evidence suggested that the following interventions had little or no effect on motor function: olesoxime (MD 2, 95% -0.25 to 4.25 on the Motor Function Measure (MFM) D1 + D2, scale 0 to 75; n = 160) and somatotropin (median change at 3 months 0.25 higher, 95% CI -1 to 2.5 on the HFMSE, scale 0 to 66; n = 19). One small TRH trial did not report effects on motor function and the certainty of evidence for other outcomes from this trial were low or very low. Results of nine completed trials investigating 4-aminopyridine, acetyl-L-carnitine, CK-2127107, hydroxyurea, pyridostigmine, riluzole, RO6885247/RG7800, salbutamol and valproic acid were awaited and not available for analysis at the time of writing. Various trials and studies investigating treatment strategies other than nusinersen (e.g. SMN2-augmentation by small molecules), are currently ongoing. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Nusinersen improves motor function in SMA type II, based on moderate-certainty evidence. Creatine, gabapentin, hydroxyurea, phenylbutyrate, valproic acid and the combination of valproic acid and ALC probably have no clinically important effect on motor function in SMA types II or III (or both) based on low-certainty evidence, and olesoxime and somatropin may also have little to no clinically important effect but evidence was of very low-certainty. One trial of TRH did not measure motor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renske I Wadman
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf MagnusDepartment of NeurologyHeidelberglaan 100UtrechtNetherlands3584 CX
| | - W Ludo van der Pol
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf MagnusDepartment of NeurologyHeidelberglaan 100UtrechtNetherlands3584 CX
| | - Wendy MJ Bosboom
- Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis locatie WestDepartment of NeurologyAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Fay‐Lynn Asselman
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf MagnusDepartment of NeurologyHeidelberglaan 100UtrechtNetherlands3584 CX
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf MagnusDepartment of NeurologyHeidelberglaan 100UtrechtNetherlands3584 CX
| | - Susan T Iannaccone
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDepartment of Pediatrics5323 Harry Hines BoulevardDallasTexasUSA75390
| | - Alexander FJE Vrancken
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf MagnusDepartment of NeurologyHeidelberglaan 100UtrechtNetherlands3584 CX
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Rehorst WA, Thelen MP, Nolte H, Türk C, Cirak S, Peterson JM, Wong GW, Wirth B, Krüger M, Winter D, Kye MJ. Muscle regulates mTOR dependent axonal local translation in motor neurons via CTRP3 secretion: implications for a neuromuscular disorder, spinal muscular atrophy. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:154. [PMID: 31615574 PMCID: PMC6794869 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0806-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder, which causes dysfunction/loss of lower motor neurons and muscle weakness as well as atrophy. While SMA is primarily considered as a motor neuron disease, recent data suggests that survival motor neuron (SMN) deficiency in muscle causes intrinsic defects. We systematically profiled secreted proteins from control and SMN deficient muscle cells with two combined metabolic labeling methods and mass spectrometry. From the screening, we found lower levels of C1q/TNF-related protein 3 (CTRP3) in the SMA muscle secretome and confirmed that CTRP3 levels are indeed reduced in muscle tissues and serum of an SMA mouse model. We identified that CTRP3 regulates neuronal protein synthesis including SMN via mTOR pathway. Furthermore, CTRP3 enhances axonal outgrowth and protein synthesis rate, which are well-known impaired processes in SMA motor neurons. Our data revealed a new molecular mechanism by which muscles regulate the physiology of motor neurons via secreted molecules. Dysregulation of this mechanism contributes to the pathophysiology of SMA.
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Ng SY, Mikhail A, Ljubicic V. Mechanisms of exercise-induced survival motor neuron expression in the skeletal muscle of spinal muscular atrophy-like mice. J Physiol 2019; 597:4757-4778. [PMID: 31361024 PMCID: PMC6767691 DOI: 10.1113/jp278454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Key points Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a health‐ and life‐limiting neuromuscular disorder caused by a deficiency in survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. While historically considered a motor neuron disease, current understanding of SMA emphasizes its systemic nature, which requires addressing affected peripheral tissues such as skeletal muscle in particular. Chronic physical activity is beneficial for SMA patients, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms of exercise biology are largely undefined in SMA. After a single bout of exercise, canonical responses such as skeletal muscle AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC‐1α) activation were preserved in SMA‐like Smn2B/− animals. Furthermore, molecules involved in SMN transcription were also altered following physical activity. Collectively, these changes were coincident with an increase in full‐length SMN transcription and corrective SMN pre‐mRNA splicing. This study advances understanding of the exercise biology of SMA and highlights the AMPK–p38–PGC‐1α axis as a potential regulator of SMN expression in muscle.
Abstract Chronic physical activity is safe and effective in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients, but the underlying cellular events that drive physiological adaptations are undefined. We examined the effects of a single bout of exercise on molecular mechanisms associated with adaptive remodelling in the skeletal muscle of Smn2B/− SMA‐like mice. Skeletal muscles were collected from healthy Smn2B/+ mice and Smn2B/− littermates at pre‐ (postnatal day (P) 9), early‐ (P13) and late‐ (P21) symptomatic stages to characterize SMA disease progression. Muscles were also collected from Smn2B/− animals exercised to fatigue on a motorized treadmill. Intracellular signalling and gene expression were examined using western blotting, confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, real‐time quantitative PCR and endpoint PCR assays. Basal skeletal muscle AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38) expression and activity were not affected by SMA‐like conditions. Canonical exercise responses such as AMPK, p38 and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α) activation were observed following a bout of exercise in Smn2B/− animals. Furthermore, molecules involved in survival motor neuron (SMN) transcription, including protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK)/ETS‐like gene 1 (ELK1), were altered following physical activity. Acute exercise was also able to mitigate aberrant proteolytic signalling in the skeletal muscle of Smn2B/− mice. Collectively, these changes were coincident with an exercise‐evoked increase in full‐length SMN mRNA expression. This study advances our understanding of the exercise biology of SMA and highlights the AMPK–p38–PGC‐1α axis as a potential regulator of SMN expression alongside AKT and ERK/ELK1 signalling. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a health‐ and life‐limiting neuromuscular disorder caused by a deficiency in survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. While historically considered a motor neuron disease, current understanding of SMA emphasizes its systemic nature, which requires addressing affected peripheral tissues such as skeletal muscle in particular. Chronic physical activity is beneficial for SMA patients, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms of exercise biology are largely undefined in SMA. After a single bout of exercise, canonical responses such as skeletal muscle AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC‐1α) activation were preserved in SMA‐like Smn2B/− animals. Furthermore, molecules involved in SMN transcription were also altered following physical activity. Collectively, these changes were coincident with an increase in full‐length SMN transcription and corrective SMN pre‐mRNA splicing. This study advances understanding of the exercise biology of SMA and highlights the AMPK–p38–PGC‐1α axis as a potential regulator of SMN expression in muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Y Ng
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Mikhail
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vladimir Ljubicic
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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20
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Ng SY, Manta A, Ljubicic V. Exercise biology of neuromuscular disorders. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2018; 43:1194-1206. [DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2018-0229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) are chronic conditions that affect the neuromuscular system. Many NMDs currently have no cure; however, as more effective therapies become available for NMD patients, these individuals will exhibit improved health and/or prolonged lifespans. As a result, persons with NMDs will likely desire to engage in a more diverse variety of activities of daily living, including increased physical activity or exercise. Therefore, there is a need to increase our knowledge of the effects of acute exercise and chronic training on the neuromuscular system in NMD contexts. Here, we discuss the disease mechanisms and exercise biology of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), which are among the most prevalent NMDs in children and adults. Evidence from clinical and preclinical studies are reviewed, with emphasis on the functional outcomes of exercise, as well as on the putative cellular mechanisms that drive exercise-induced remodelling of the neuromuscular system. Continued investigation of the molecular mechanisms of exercise adaptation in DMD, SMA, and DM1 will assist in enhancing our understanding of the biology of these most prevalent NMDs. This information may also be useful for guiding the development of novel therapeutic targets for future pursuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Y. Ng
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Alexander Manta
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Vladimir Ljubicic
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
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Wu CY, Gagnon DA, Sardin JS, Barot U, Telenson A, Arratia PE, Kalb RG. Enhancing GABAergic Transmission Improves Locomotion in a Caenorhabditis elegans Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. eNeuro 2018; 5:ENEURO.0289-18.2018. [PMID: 30627660 PMCID: PMC6325564 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0289-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disease characterized by degeneration of spinal motor neurons resulting in variable degrees of muscular wasting and weakness. It is caused by a loss-of-function mutation in the survival motor neuron (SMN1) gene. Caenorhabditis elegans mutants lacking SMN recapitulate several aspects of the disease including impaired movement and shorted life span. We examined whether genes previously implicated in life span extension conferred benefits to C. elegans lacking SMN. We find that reducing daf-2/insulin receptor signaling activity promotes survival and improves locomotor behavior in this C. elegans model of SMA. The locomotor dysfunction in C. elegans lacking SMN correlated with structural and functional abnormalities in GABAergic neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Moreover, we demonstrated that reduction in daf-2 signaling reversed these abnormalities. Remarkably, enhancing GABAergic neurotransmission alone was able to correct the locomotor dysfunction. Our work indicated that an imbalance of excitatory/inhibitory activity within motor circuits and underlies motor system dysfunction in this SMA model. Interventions aimed at restoring the balance of excitatory/inhibitory activity in motor circuits could be of benefit to individuals with SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yen Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - David A Gagnon
- Department of Physics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057
- Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Juliette S Sardin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Urva Barot
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Alex Telenson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Paulo E Arratia
- Department of Physics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057
| | - Robert G Kalb
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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22
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Schellino R, Boido M, Borsello T, Vercelli A. Pharmacological c-Jun NH 2-Terminal Kinase (JNK) Pathway Inhibition Reduces Severity of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Disease in Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:308. [PMID: 30233310 PMCID: PMC6131195 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder that occurs in early childhood. The disease is caused by the deletion/mutation of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene resulting in progressive skeletal muscle atrophy and paralysis, due to the degeneration of spinal motor neurons (MNs). Currently, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying MN death are only partly known, although recently it has been shown that the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK)-signaling pathway might be involved in the SMA pathogenesis. After confirming the activation of JNK in our SMA mouse model (SMN2+/+; SMNΔ7+/+; Smn−/−), we tested a specific JNK-inhibitor peptide (D-JNKI1) on these mice, by chronic administration from postnatal day 1 to 10, and histologically analyzed the spinal cord and quadriceps muscle at age P12. We observed that D-JNKI1 administration delayed MN death and decreased inflammation in spinal cord. Moreover, the inhibition of JNK pathway improved the trophism of SMA muscular fibers and the size of the neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), leading to an ameliorated innervation of the muscles that resulted in improved motor performances and hind-limb muscular tone. Finally, D-JNKI1 treatment slightly, but significantly increased lifespan in SMA mice. Thus, our results identify JNK as a promising target to reduce MN cell death and progressive skeletal muscle atrophy, providing insight into the role of JNK-pathway for developing alternative pharmacological strategies for the treatment of SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Schellino
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Marina Boido
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), Turin, Italy
| | - Tiziana Borsello
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vercelli
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), Turin, Italy
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23
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Maretina MA, Zheleznyakova GY, Lanko KM, Egorova AA, Baranov VS, Kiselev AV. Molecular Factors Involved in Spinal Muscular Atrophy Pathways as Possible Disease-modifying Candidates. Curr Genomics 2018; 19:339-355. [PMID: 30065610 PMCID: PMC6030859 DOI: 10.2174/1389202919666180101154916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene. Being a monogenic disease, it is characterized by high clinical heterogeneity. Variations in penetrance and severity of symptoms, as well as clinical discrepancies between affected family members can result from modifier genes influence on disease manifestation. SMN2 gene copy number is known to be the main phenotype modifier and there is growing evidence of additional factors contributing to SMA severity. Potential modifiers of spinal muscular atrophy can be found among the wide variety of different factors, such as multiple proteins interacting with SMN or promoting motor neuron survival, epigenetic modifications, transcriptional or splicing factors influencing SMN2 expression. Study of these factors enables to reveal mechanisms underlying SMA pathology and can have pronounced clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna A. Maretina
- D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Mendeleevskaya line, 3, Saint Petersburg199034, Russia
- Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya emb. 7/9, 199034Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Galina Y. Zheleznyakova
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristina M. Lanko
- Saint Petersburg State Institute of Technology, Moskovsky prospect, 26, Saint Petersburg190013, Russia
| | - Anna A. Egorova
- D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Mendeleevskaya line, 3, Saint Petersburg199034, Russia
| | - Vladislav S. Baranov
- D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Mendeleevskaya line, 3, Saint Petersburg199034, Russia
- Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya emb. 7/9, 199034Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anton V. Kiselev
- D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Mendeleevskaya line, 3, Saint Petersburg199034, Russia
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24
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Xie Y, Perry BD, Espinoza D, Zhang P, Price SR. Glucocorticoid-induced CREB activation and myostatin expression in C2C12 myotubes involves phosphodiesterase-3/4 signaling. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 503:1409-1414. [PMID: 30025893 PMCID: PMC6173943 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.07.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Muscle atrophy in metabolic conditions like chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes are associated with glucocorticoid production, dysfunctional insulin/Akt/FoxO3 signaling and increased myostatin expression. We recently found that CREB, a transcription factor proposed to regulate myostatin expression, is highly phosphorylated in some wasting conditions. Based on a novel Akt-PDE3/4 signaling paradigm, we hypothesized that reduced Akt signaling contributes to CREB activation and myostatin expression. C2C12 myotubes were incubated with dexamethasone (Dex), an atrophy-inducing synthetic glucocorticoid. Akt/CREB signaling and myostatin expression were evaluated by immunoblot and qPCR analyses. Inhibitors of Akt, phosphodiesterase (PDE)-3/4, and protein kinase A (PKA) signaling were used to test our hypothesis. Incubating myotubes with Dex for 3-24 h inhibited Akt phosphorylation and enhanced CREB phosphorylation as well as myostatin mRNA and protein. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling with LY294002 similarly increased CREB phosphorylation. Isobutyl-methylxanthine (IBMX, a pan PDE inhibitor), milrinone (PDE3 inhibitor) and rolipram (PDE4 inhibitor) augmented CREB phosphorylation and myostatin expression. Inhibition of protein kinase A by PKI reverted Dex- or IBMX-induced CREB phosphorylation and myostatin expression. Our study provides evidence supporting a newly identified mechanism by which a glucocorticoid-related reduction in Akt signaling contributes to myostatin expression via CREB activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Xie
- Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Nephrology, Xiangya Hospital and Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China; Department of Nephrology, Beijing Hospital, Beijing 100730, PR China
| | - Ben D Perry
- Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Research Service Line, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA; School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Daniel Espinoza
- Research Service Line, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Research Service Line, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
| | - S Russ Price
- Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Research Service Line, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.
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25
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Bora G, Subaşı-Yıldız Ş, Yeşbek-Kaymaz A, Bulut N, Alemdaroğlu İ, Tunca-Yılmaz Ö, Topaloğlu H, Karaduman AA, Erdem-Yurter H. Effects of Arm Cycling Exercise in Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type II Patients: A Pilot Study. J Child Neurol 2018; 33:209-215. [PMID: 29327642 DOI: 10.1177/0883073817750500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Exercise studies in neuromuscular diseases like spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a devastating disease caused by survival of motor neuron 1 ( SMN1) gene mutations, are drawing attention due to its beneficial effects. In this study, we presented a constructed arm cycling exercise protocol and evaluated the benefits on SMA patients. Five SMA type II patients performed 12 weeks of supervised arm cycling exercise. The physical functions were evaluated together with the SMN2 copy numbers, SMN protein levels, insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF1) and binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) levels. The active cycling distance and duration of patients significantly improved. Significant changes could not have detected either SMN or IGF1 and IGFBP3 levels in response to exercise. The findings demonstrated that the patients tolerated the exercise protocol and gained a benefit from arm cycling but benefits could not be associated with SMN2 copy number, SMN protein level, IGF1, or IGFBP3 levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamze Bora
- 1 Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Şulenur Subaşı-Yıldız
- 2 Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Yeşbek-Kaymaz
- 1 Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Numan Bulut
- 2 Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - İpek Alemdaroğlu
- 2 Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Öznur Tunca-Yılmaz
- 2 Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Haluk Topaloğlu
- 3 Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Neurology Unit, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Aynur Ayşe Karaduman
- 2 Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hayat Erdem-Yurter
- 1 Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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26
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Bianchi VE, Locatelli V, Rizzi L. Neurotrophic and Neuroregenerative Effects of GH/IGF1. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18112441. [PMID: 29149058 PMCID: PMC5713408 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18112441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Human neurodegenerative diseases increase progressively with age and present a high social and economic burden. Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are both growth factors exerting trophic effects on neuronal regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). GH and IGF-1 stimulate protein synthesis in neurons, glia, oligodendrocytes, and Schwann cells, and favor neuronal survival, inhibiting apoptosis. This study aims to evaluate the effect of GH and IGF-1 on neurons, and their possible therapeutic clinical applications on neuron regeneration in human subjects. Methods. In the literature, we searched the clinical trials and followed up studies in humans, which have evaluated the effect of GH/IGF-1 on CNS and PNS. The following keywords have been used: “GH/IGF-1” associated with “neuroregeneration”, “amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”, “Alzheimer disease”, “Parkinson’s disease”, “brain”, and “neuron”. Results. Of the retrieved articles, we found nine articles about the effect of GH in healthy patients who suffered from traumatic brain injury (TBI), and six studies (four using IGF-1 and two GH therapy) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The administration of GH in patients after TBI showed a significantly positive recovery of brain and mental function. Treatment with GH and IGF-1 therapy in ALS produced contradictory results. Conclusions. Although strong findings have shown the positive effects of GH/IGF-1 administration on neuroregeneration in animal models, a very limited number of clinical studies have been conducted in humans. GH/IGF-1 therapy had different effects in patients with TBI, evidencing a high recovery of neurons and clinical outcome, while in ALS patients, the results are contradictory. More complex clinical protocols are necessary to evaluate the effect of GH/IGF-1 efficacy in neurodegenerative diseases. It seems evident that GH and IGF-1 therapy favors the optimal recovery of neurons when a consistent residual activity is still present. Furthermore, the effect of GH/IGF-1 could be mediated by, or be overlapped with that of other hormones, such as estradiol and testosterone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Emanuele Bianchi
- Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Center Stella Maris, Strada Rovereta, 42-47891 Falciano, San Marino.
| | - Vittorio Locatelli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca via Cadore, 48-20900 Monza Brianza, Italy.
| | - Laura Rizzi
- Molecular Biology, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, 48-20900 Monza Brianza, Italy.
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27
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George C, Gontier G, Lacube P, François JC, Holzenberger M, Aïd S. The Alzheimer's disease transcriptome mimics the neuroprotective signature of IGF-1 receptor-deficient neurons. Brain 2017; 140:2012-2027. [PMID: 28595357 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awx132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Seminal studies using post-mortem brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease evidenced aberrant insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) signalling. Addressing causality, work in animal models recently demonstrated that long-term suppression of IGF1R signalling alleviates Alzheimer's disease progression and promotes neuroprotection. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. Here, we showed that genetically ablating IGF1R in neurons of the ageing brain efficiently protects from neuroinflammation, anxiety and memory impairments induced by intracerebroventricular injection of amyloid-β oligomers. In our mutant mice, the suppression of IGF1R signalling also invariably led to small neuronal soma size, indicative of profound changes in cellular homeodynamics. To gain insight into transcriptional signatures leading to Alzheimer's disease-relevant neuronal defence, we performed genome-wide microarray analysis on laser-dissected hippocampal CA1 after neuronal IGF1R knockout, in the presence or absence of APP/PS1 transgenes. Functional analysis comparing neurons in early-stage Alzheimer's disease with IGF1R knockout neurons revealed strongly convergent transcriptomic signatures, notably involving neurite growth, cytoskeleton organization, cellular stress response and neurotransmission. Moreover, in Alzheimer's disease neurons, a high proportion of genes responding to Alzheimer's disease showed a reversed differential expression when IGF1R was deleted. One of the genes consistently highlighted in genome-wide comparison was the neurofilament medium polypeptide Nefm. We found that NEFM accumulated in hippocampus in the presence of amyloid pathology, and decreased to control levels under IGF1R deletion, suggesting that reorganized cytoskeleton likely plays a role in neuroprotection. These findings demonstrated that significant resistance of the brain to amyloid-β can be achieved lifelong by suppressing neuronal IGF1R and identified IGF-dependent molecular pathways that coordinate an intrinsic program for neuroprotection against proteotoxicity. Our data also indicate that neuronal defences against Alzheimer's disease rely on an endogenous gene expression profile similar to the neuroprotective response activated by genetic disruption of IGF1R signalling. This study highlights neuronal IGF1R signalling as a relevant target for developing Alzheimer's disease prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline George
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC - Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Géraldine Gontier
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC - Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Philippe Lacube
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC - Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Christophe François
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC - Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Martin Holzenberger
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC - Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Saba Aïd
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC - Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 75012 Paris, France
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28
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Copy number variability in Parkinson's disease: assembling the puzzle through a systems biology approach. Hum Genet 2016; 136:13-37. [PMID: 27896429 PMCID: PMC5214768 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-016-1749-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD), the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder of aging, was long believed to be a non-genetic sporadic origin syndrome. The proof that several genetic loci are responsible for rare Mendelian forms has represented a revolutionary breakthrough, enabling to reveal molecular mechanisms underlying this debilitating still incurable condition. While single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and small indels constitute the most commonly investigated DNA variations accounting for only a limited number of PD cases, larger genomic molecular rearrangements have emerged as significant PD-causing mutations, including submicroscopic Copy Number Variations (CNVs). CNVs constitute a prevalent source of genomic variations and substantially participate in each individual’s genomic makeup and phenotypic outcome. However, the majority of genetic studies have focused their attention on single candidate-gene mutations or on common variants reaching a significant statistical level of acceptance. This gene-centric approach is insufficient to uncover the genetic background of polygenic multifactorial disorders like PD, and potentially masks rare individual CNVs that all together might contribute to disease development or progression. In this review, we will discuss literature and bioinformatic data describing the involvement of CNVs on PD pathobiology. We will analyze the most frequent copy number changes in familiar PD genes and provide a “systems biology” overview of rare individual rearrangements that could functionally act on commonly deregulated molecular pathways. Assessing the global genome-wide burden of CNVs in PD patients may reveal new disease-related molecular mechanisms, and open the window to a new possible genetic scenario in the unsolved PD puzzle.
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29
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Wise TL. Changes in insulin-like growth factor signaling alter phenotypes in Fragile X Mice. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2016; 16:241-249. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. L. Wise
- Department of Human Genetics; New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities; Staten Island NY USA
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30
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Abstract
The last two years of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) research has yielded a vast literature highlighting the central role IGFs factors play in processes such as development, growth, aging and neurological function. It also provides our latest understanding of how IGF system perturbation is linked to diseases including growth deficiency, cancer, and neurological and cardiovascular diseases. A snapshot of the highlights is presented in this review, focussing on the topics of IGFs and growth, comparative and structural biology to understand insulin-like peptide function, IGFs and cancer, and IGFs and neurological function. New revelations in the IGF field include the unexpected discovery that the gut microbiome has a remarkable influence on the GH/IGF axis to influence growth, that the insulin of cone snails provides novel insight into the mechanism of receptor binding, and that macrophages in the tumour microenvironment can provide IGF-I to promote drug resistance. These advances and many others provide the exciting basis for future development of disease treatments and for biomarkers of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briony E Forbes
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park 5042, South Australia, Australia.
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31
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Tseng YT, Chen CS, Jong YJ, Chang FR, Lo YC. Loganin possesses neuroprotective properties, restores SMN protein and activates protein synthesis positive regulator Akt/mTOR in experimental models of spinal muscular atrophy. Pharmacol Res 2016; 111:58-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Revised: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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32
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Chardon JW, Jasmin BJ, Kothary R, Parks RJ. Report on the 3rd Ottawa International Conference on Neuromuscular Biology, Disease and Therapy - September 24-26, 2015, Ottawa, Canada. J Neuromuscul Dis 2016; 3:431-442. [PMID: 27854234 PMCID: PMC5123627 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-169001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jodi Warman Chardon
- Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa.,Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa.,Department of Pediatrics (Genetics), Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.,Neurosciences and Clinical Epidemiology Programs, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
| | - Bernard J Jasmin
- Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa
| | - Rashmi Kothary
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.,Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa.,Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa
| | - Robin J Parks
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.,Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa.,Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa
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33
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Hernandez-Garzón E, Fernandez AM, Perez-Alvarez A, Genis L, Bascuñana P, Fernandez de la Rosa R, Delgado M, Angel Pozo M, Moreno E, McCormick PJ, Santi A, Trueba-Saiz A, Garcia-Caceres C, Tschöp MH, Araque A, Martin ED, Torres Aleman I. The insulin-like growth factor I receptor regulates glucose transport by astrocytes. Glia 2016; 64:1962-71. [PMID: 27462832 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Previous findings indicate that reducing brain insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) activity promotes ample neuroprotection. We now examined a possible action of IGF-IR on brain glucose transport to explain its wide protective activity, as energy availability is crucial for healthy tissue function. Using (18) FGlucose PET we found that shRNA interference of IGF-IR in mouse somatosensory cortex significantly increased glucose uptake upon sensory stimulation. In vivo microscopy using astrocyte specific staining showed that after IGF-IR shRNA injection in somatosensory cortex, astrocytes displayed greater increases in glucose uptake as compared to astrocytes in the scramble-injected side. Further, mice with the IGF-IR knock down in astrocytes showed increased glucose uptake in somatosensory cortex upon sensory stimulation. Analysis of underlying mechanisms indicated that IGF-IR interacts with glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), the main facilitative glucose transporter in astrocytes, through a mechanism involving interactions with the scaffolding protein GIPC and the multicargo transporter LRP1 to retain GLUT1 inside the cell. These findings identify IGF-IR as a key modulator of brain glucose metabolism through its inhibitory action on astrocytic GLUT1 activity. GLIA 2016;64:1962-1971.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alberto Perez-Alvarez
- Cajal Institute, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.,Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laura Genis
- Cajal Institute, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.,Ciberned, Spain
| | - Pablo Bascuñana
- Pluridisciplinary Institute, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Mercedes Delgado
- Pluridisciplinary Institute, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Estefania Moreno
- Ciberned, Spain.,Dept Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Peter J McCormick
- Ciberned, Spain.,Dept Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Santi
- Cajal Institute, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.,Ciberned, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Eduardo D Martin
- Science and Technology Park, Institute for Research in Neurological Disabilities, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
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34
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Differential neuronal vulnerability identifies IGF-2 as a protective factor in ALS. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25960. [PMID: 27180807 PMCID: PMC4867585 DOI: 10.1038/srep25960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The fatal disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the loss of somatic motor neurons leading to muscle wasting and paralysis. However, motor neurons in the oculomotor nucleus, controlling eye movement, are for unknown reasons spared. We found that insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) was maintained in oculomotor neurons in ALS and thus could play a role in oculomotor resistance in this disease. We also showed that IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), which mediates survival pathways upon IGF binding, was highly expressed in oculomotor neurons and on extraocular muscle endplate. The addition of IGF-2 induced Akt phosphorylation, glycogen synthase kinase-3β phosphorylation and β-catenin levels while protecting ALS patient motor neurons. IGF-2 also rescued motor neurons derived from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients from degeneration. Finally, AAV9::IGF-2 delivery to muscles of SOD1G93A ALS mice extended life-span by 10%, while preserving motor neurons and inducing motor axon regeneration. Thus, our studies demonstrate that oculomotor-specific expression can be utilized to identify candidates that protect vulnerable motor neurons from degeneration.
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Butchbach MER, Lumpkin CJ, Harris AW, Saieva L, Edwards JD, Workman E, Simard LR, Pellizzoni L, Burghes AHM. Protective effects of butyrate-based compounds on a mouse model for spinal muscular atrophy. Exp Neurol 2016; 279:13-26. [PMID: 26892876 PMCID: PMC4834225 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a childhood-onset degenerative disease resulting from the selective loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord. SMA is caused by the loss of SMN1 (survival motor neuron 1) but retention of SMN2. The number of copies of SMN2 modifies disease severity in SMA patients as well as in mouse models, making SMN2 a target for therapeutics development. Sodium butyrate (BA) and its analog (4PBA) have been shown to increase SMN2 expression in SMA cultured cells. In this study, we examined the effects of BA, 4PBA as well as two BA prodrugs-glyceryl tributyrate (BA3G) and VX563-on the phenotype of SMNΔ7 SMA mice. Treatment with 4PBA, BA3G and VX563 but not BA beginning at PND04 significantly improved the lifespan and delayed disease end stage, with administration of VX563 also improving the growth rate of these mice. 4PBA and VX563 improved the motor phenotype of SMNΔ7 SMA mice and prevented spinal motor neuron loss. Interestingly, neither 4PBA nor VX563 had an effect on SMN expression in the spinal cords of treated SMNΔ7 SMA mice; however, they inhibited histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and restored the normal phosphorylation states of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase 3β, both of which are altered by SMN deficiency in vivo. These observations show that BA-based compounds with favorable pharmacokinetics ameliorate SMA pathology possibly by modulating HDAC and Akt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E R Butchbach
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Center for Applied Clinical Genomics, Nemours Biomedical Research, Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA; Center for Pediatric Research, Nemours Biomedical Research, Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
| | - Casey J Lumpkin
- Center for Applied Clinical Genomics, Nemours Biomedical Research, Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Ashlee W Harris
- Center for Applied Clinical Genomics, Nemours Biomedical Research, Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - Luciano Saieva
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan D Edwards
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Eileen Workman
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Louise R Simard
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba Faculty of Health Sciences, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Livio Pellizzoni
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arthur H M Burghes
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Ahmad S, Bhatia K, Kannan A, Gangwani L. Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration in Spinal Muscular Atrophy. J Exp Neurosci 2016; 10:39-49. [PMID: 27042141 PMCID: PMC4807884 DOI: 10.4137/jen.s33122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive motor neuron disease with a high incidence and is the most common genetic cause of infant mortality. SMA is primarily characterized by degeneration of the spinal motor neurons that leads to skeletal muscle atrophy followed by symmetric limb paralysis, respiratory failure, and death. In humans, mutation of the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene shifts the load of expression of SMN protein to the SMN2 gene that produces low levels of full-length SMN protein because of alternative splicing, which are sufficient for embryonic development and survival but result in SMA. The molecular mechanisms of the (a) regulation of SMN gene expression and (b) degeneration of motor neurons caused by low levels of SMN are unclear. However, some progress has been made in recent years that have provided new insights into understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of SMA pathogenesis. In this review, we have briefly summarized recent advances toward understanding of the molecular mechanisms of regulation of SMN levels and signaling mechanisms that mediate neurodegeneration in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saif Ahmad
- Center of Emphasis in Neurosciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, USA.; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Kanchan Bhatia
- Center of Emphasis in Neurosciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, USA.; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Annapoorna Kannan
- Center of Emphasis in Neurosciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, USA.; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Laxman Gangwani
- Center of Emphasis in Neurosciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, USA.; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, USA
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Nieto-Estévez V, Defterali Ç, Vicario-Abejón C. IGF-I: A Key Growth Factor that Regulates Neurogenesis and Synaptogenesis from Embryonic to Adult Stages of the Brain. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:52. [PMID: 26941597 PMCID: PMC4763060 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The generation of neurons in the adult mammalian brain requires the activation of quiescent neural stem cells (NSCs). This activation and the sequential steps of neuron formation from NSCs are regulated by a number of stimuli, which include growth factors. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) exert pleiotropic effects, regulating multiple cellular processes depending on their concentration, cell type, and the developmental stage of the animal. Although IGF-I expression is relatively high in the embryonic brain its levels drop sharply in the adult brain except in neurogenic regions, i.e., the hippocampus (HP) and the subventricular zone-olfactory bulb (SVZ-OB). By contrast, the expression of IGF-IR remains relatively high in the brain irrespective of the age of the animal. Evidence indicates that IGF-I influences NSC proliferation and differentiation into neurons and glia as well as neuronal maturation including synapse formation. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that IGF-I not only promote adult neurogenesis by regulating NSC number and differentiation but also by influencing neuronal positioning and migration as described during SVZ-OB neurogenesis. In this article we will revise and discuss the actions reported for IGF-I signaling in a variety of in vitro and in vivo models, focusing on the maintenance and proliferation of NSCs/progenitors, neurogenesis, and neuron integration in synaptic circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanesa Nieto-Estévez
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto CajalMadrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED)Madrid, Spain
| | - Çağla Defterali
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto CajalMadrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED)Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Vicario-Abejón
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto CajalMadrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED)Madrid, Spain
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Blocking IGF Signaling in Adult Neurons Alleviates Alzheimer's Disease Pathology through Amyloid-β Clearance. J Neurosci 2015; 35:11500-13. [PMID: 26290229 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0343-15.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a frequent and irreversible age-related neurodegeneration without efficient treatment. Experimental AD in mice responds positively to decreased insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) signaling, a pathway also implicated in aging. Here we aimed to protect the aging brain from devastating amyloid pathology by making specifically adult neurons resistant to IGF signaling. To achieve that, we knocked out neuronal IGF-1R during adulthood in APP/PS1 mice. We found that mutants exhibited improved spatial memory and reduced anxiety. Mutant brains displayed fewer amyloid plaques, less amyloid-β (Aβ), and diminished neuroinflammation. Surprisingly, adult neurons undergoing IGF-1R knock-out reduced their apical soma and developed leaner dendrites, indicative of remarkable structural plasticity entailing condensed forebrain neuroarchitecture. Neurons lacking IGF-1R in AD showed less accumulation of Aβ-containing autophagic vacuoles. At the same time, plasma Aβ levels were increased. Our data indicate that neuronal IGF-1R ablation, via preserved autophagic compartment and enhanced systemic elimination, offers lifelong protection from AD pathology by clearing toxic Aβ. Neuronal IGF-1R, and possibly other cell size-controlling pathways are promising targets for AD treatment. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We found compelling evidence in vivo that Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression is significantly delayed when insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling is blocked in adult neurons. To show that, we built a novel mouse model, combining inducible neuron-specific IGF-1R knock-out with AD transgenics. Analysis of the experimental AD phenotype revealed less abundant amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, fewer plaques, and diminished neuroinflammation in mutants with inactivated IGF signaling, together with clearly preserved behavioral and memory performances. We present for the first time evidence that IGF signaling has profound effects on neuronal proteostasis and maintenance of cell morphology in vivo. Our results indicate in a model highly pertinent to translational research that neuronal IGF resistance may represent a pathophysiologically relevant mechanism of the brain for preventing Aβ accumulation.
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