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Lee P, Kim J, Choi IY, Pal R, Hui D, Marcario JK, Michaelis ML, Michaelis EK. Increases in anterograde axoplasmic transport in neurons of the hyper-glutamatergic, glutamate dehydrogenase 1 (Glud1) transgenic mouse: Effects of glutamate receptors on transport. J Neurochem 2024; 168:719-727. [PMID: 38124277 PMCID: PMC11102336 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate has a role in neuronal migration and process elongation in the central nervous system (CNS). The effects of chronic glutamate hyperactivity on vesicular and protein transport within CNS neurons, that is, processes necessary for neurite growth, have not been examined previously. In this study, we measured the effects of lifelong hyperactivity of glutamate neurotransmission on axoplasmic transport in CNS neurons. We compared wild-type (wt) to transgenic (Tg) mice over-expressing the glutamate dehydrogenase gene Glud1 in CNS neurons and exhibiting increases in glutamate transmitter formation, release, and synaptic activation in brain throughout the lifespan. We found that Glud1 Tg as compared with wt mice exhibited increases in the rate of anterograde axoplasmic transport in neurons of the hippocampus measured in brain slices ex vivo, and in olfactory neurons measured in vivo. We also showed that the in vitro pharmacologic activation of glutamate synapses in wt mice led to moderate increases in axoplasmic transport, while exposure to selective inhibitors of ion channel forming glutamate receptors very significantly suppressed anterograde transport, suggesting a link between synaptic glutamate receptor activation and axoplasmic transport. Finally, axoplasmic transport in olfactory neurons of Tg mice in vivo was partially inhibited following 14-day intake of ethanol, a known suppressor of axoplasmic transport and of glutamate neurotransmission. The same was true for transport in hippocampal neurons in slices from Glud1 Tg mice exposed to ethanol for 2 h ex vivo. In conclusion, endogenous activity at glutamate synapses regulates and glutamate synaptic hyperactivity increases intraneuronal transport rates in CNS neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phil Lee
- Hoglund Biomedical Imaging Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160 USA
- Department of Radiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160 USA
| | - Jieun Kim
- Hoglund Biomedical Imaging Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160 USA
| | - In-Young Choi
- Hoglund Biomedical Imaging Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160 USA
- Department of Radiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160 USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160 USA
| | - Ranu Pal
- Higuchi Biosciences Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Dongwei Hui
- Higuchi Biosciences Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Joanne K. Marcario
- Hoglund Biomedical Imaging Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160 USA
| | - Mary L. Michaelis
- Higuchi Biosciences Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Elias K. Michaelis
- Higuchi Biosciences Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
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2
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Díaz M, Fabelo N, Martín MV, Santos G, Ferrer I. Evidence for alterations in lipid profiles and biophysical properties of lipid rafts from spinal cord in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:391-402. [PMID: 38285093 PMCID: PMC10879240 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02419-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an age-dependent neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem whose etiopathogenesis remains unclear. Recent studies have linked major neurodegenerative diseases with altered function of multimolecular lipid-protein complexes named lipid rafts. In the present study, we have isolated lipid rafts from the anterior horn of the spinal cords of controls and ALS individuals and analysed their lipid composition. We found that ALS affects levels of different fatty acids, lipid classes and related ratios and indexes. The most significant changes affected the contents of n-9/n-7 monounsaturated fatty acids and arachidonic acid, the main n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA), which were higher in ALS lipid rafts. Paralleling these findings, ALS lipid rafts lower saturates-to-unsaturates ratio compared to controls. Further, levels of cholesteryl ester (SE) and anionic-to-zwitterionic phospholipids ratio were augmented in ALS lipid rafts, while sulfatide contents were reduced. Further, regression analyses revealed augmented SE esterification to (mono)unsaturated fatty acids in ALS, but to saturates in controls. Overall, these changes indicate that lipid rafts from ALS spinal cord undergo destabilization of the lipid structure, which might impact their biophysical properties, likely leading to more fluid membranes. Indeed, estimations of membrane microviscosity confirmed less viscous membranes in ALS, as well as more mobile yet smaller lipid rafts compared to surrounding membranes. Overall, these results demonstrate that the changes in ALS lipid rafts are unrelated to oxidative stress, but to anomalies in lipid metabolism and/or lipid raft membrane biogenesis in motor neurons. KEY MESSAGES: The lipid matrix of multimolecular membrane complexes named lipid rafts are altered in human spinal cord in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Lipid rafts from ALS spinal cord contain higher levels of n-6 LCPUFA (but not n-3 LCPUFA), n-7/n-9 monounsaturates and lower saturates-to-unsaturates ratio. ALS lipid rafts display increased contents of cholesteryl esters, anomalous anionic-to-zwitterionic phospholipids and phospholipid remodelling and reduced sulphated and total sphingolipid levels, compared to control lipid rafts. Destabilization of the lipid structure of lipid raft affects their biophysical properties and leads to more fluid, less viscous membrane microdomains. The changes in ALS lipid rafts are unlikely related to increased oxidative stress, but to anomalies in lipid metabolism and/or raft membrane biogenesis in motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Díaz
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
- Instituto Universitario de Neurociencias (IUNE), University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
| | - Noemí Fabelo
- Laboratory of Membrane Physiology and Biophysics, School of Sciences, University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - M Virginia Martín
- Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias (COC-IEO), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 38180, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Guido Santos
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cellular Biology and Genetics. School of Sciences, University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Isidre Ferrer
- University of Barcelona, 08907, Hospitalet de LLobregatBarcelona, Spain
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3
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Shen Z, Zhang S, Yu W, Yue M, Hong C. Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography: Revolutionizing Clinical Diagnostics and Treatment in Central Nervous System Disease. Aging Dis 2024:AD.2024.0112. [PMID: 38300645 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2024.0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), as a new generation of non-invasive and efficient fundus imaging technology, can provide non-invasive assessment of vascular lesions in the retina and choroid. In terms of anatomy and development, the retina is referred to as an extension of the central nervous system (CNS). CNS diseases are closely related to changes in fundus structure and blood vessels, and direct visualization of fundus structure and blood vessels provides an effective "window" for CNS research. This has important practical significance for identifying the characteristic changes of various CNS diseases on OCTA in the future, and plays a key role in promoting early screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of disease progression in CNS diseases. This article reviews relevant fundus studies by comparing and summarizing the unique advantages and existing limitations of OCTA in various CNS disease patients, in order to demonstrate the clinical significance of OCTA in the diagnosis and treatment of CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeqi Shen
- Postgraduate training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weitao Yu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengmeng Yue
- Postgraduate training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chaoyang Hong
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Song J, Dikwella N, Sinske D, Roselli F, Knöll B. SRF deletion results in earlier disease onset in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e167694. [PMID: 37339001 PMCID: PMC10445689 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.167694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes in neuronal activity modulate the vulnerability of motoneurons (MNs) in neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). So far, the molecular basis of neuronal activity's impact in ALS is poorly understood. Herein, we investigated the impact of deleting the neuronal activity-stimulated transcription factor (TF) serum response factor (SRF) in MNs of SOD1G93A mice. SRF was present in vulnerable MMP9+ MNs. Ablation of SRF in MNs induced an earlier disease onset starting around 7-8 weeks after birth, as revealed by enhanced weight loss and decreased motor ability. This earlier disease onset in SRF-depleted MNs was accompanied by a mild elevation of neuroinflammation and neuromuscular synapse degeneration, whereas overall MN numbers and mortality were unaffected. In SRF-deficient mice, MNs showed impaired induction of autophagy-encoding genes, suggesting a potentially new SRF function in transcriptional regulation of autophagy. Complementary, constitutively active SRF-VP16 enhanced autophagy-encoding gene transcription and autophagy progression in cells. Furthermore, SRF-VP16 decreased ALS-associated aggregate induction. Chemogenetic modulation of neuronal activity uncovered SRF as having important TF-mediating activity-dependent effects, which might be beneficial to reduce ALS disease burden. Thus, our data identify SRF as a gene regulator connecting neuronal activity with the cellular autophagy program initiated in degenerating MNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialei Song
- Institute of Neurobiochemistry and
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Natalie Dikwella
- Institute of Neurobiochemistry and
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Francesco Roselli
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases-Ulm (DZNE-Ulm), Ulm, Germany
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5
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Vautier A, Lebreton AL, Codron P, Awada Z, Gohier P, Cassereau J. Retinal vessels as a window on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis pathophysiology: A systematic review. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2023; 179:548-562. [PMID: 36842953 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2022.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare fatal motor neuron disease. Although many potential mechanisms have been proposed, the pathophysiology of the disease remains unknown. Currently available treatments can only delay the progression of the disease and prolong life expectancy by a few months. There is still no definitive cure for ALS, and the development of new treatments is limited by a lack of understanding of the underlying biological processes that trigger and promote neurodegeneration. Several scientific results suggest a neurovascular impairment in ALS providing perspectives for the development of new biomarkers and treatments. In this article, we performed a systematic review using PRISMA guidelines including PubMed, EmBase, GoogleScholar, and Web of Science Core Collection to analyze the scientific literature published between 2000 and 2021 discussing the neurocardiovascular involvement and ophthalmologic abnormalities in ALS. In total, 122 articles were included to establish this systematic review. Indeed, microvascular pathology seems to be involved in ALS, affecting all the neurovascular unit components. Retinal changes have also been recently highlighted without significant alteration of the visual pathways. Despite the peripheral location of the retina, it is considered as an extension of the central nervous system (CNS) as it displays similarities to the brain, the inner blood-retinal barrier, and the blood-brain barrier. This suggests that the eye could be considered as a 'window' into the brain in many CNS disorders. Thus, studying ocular manifestations of brain pathologies seems very promising in understanding neurodegenerative disorders, mainly ALS. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) could therefore be a powerful approach for exploration of retinal microvascularization allowing to obtain new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vautier
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Angers, France.
| | - A L Lebreton
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Angers, France
| | - P Codron
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Center, Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Angers, France; Department of Neurobiology and Neuropathology, University Hospital, Angers, France; University of Angers, Inserm, CNRS, MITOVASC, SFR ICAT, Angers, France
| | - Z Awada
- Department of neuroscience, LHH-SIUH, New York, USA
| | - P Gohier
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Angers, France
| | - J Cassereau
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Center, Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Angers, France; University of Angers, Inserm, CNRS, MITOVASC, SFR ICAT, Angers, France.
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6
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Brandebura AN, Paumier A, Onur TS, Allen NJ. Astrocyte contribution to dysfunction, risk and progression in neurodegenerative disorders. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:23-39. [PMID: 36316501 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00641-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 120.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing appreciation that non-neuronal cells contribute to the initiation, progression and pathology of diverse neurodegenerative disorders. This Review focuses on the role of astrocytes in disorders including Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, Huntington disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The important roles astrocytes have in supporting neuronal function in the healthy brain are considered, along with studies that have demonstrated how the physiological properties of astrocytes are altered in neurodegenerative disorders and may explain their contribution to neurodegeneration. Further, the question of whether in neurodegenerative disorders with specific genetic mutations these mutations directly impact on astrocyte function, and may suggest a driving role for astrocytes in disease initiation, is discussed. A summary of how astrocyte transcriptomic and proteomic signatures are altered during the progression of neurodegenerative disorders and may relate to functional changes is provided. Given the central role of astrocytes in neurodegenerative disorders, potential strategies to target these cells for future therapeutic avenues are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley N Brandebura
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Adrien Paumier
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tarik S Onur
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nicola J Allen
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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7
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Two distinct skeletal muscle microRNA signatures revealing the complex mechanism of sporadic ALS. Acta Neurol Belg 2021; 122:1499-1509. [PMID: 34241798 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-021-01743-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle pathology is thought to have an important role in the onset and/or progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness. Since miRNAs are recognized as important regulatory factors of essential biological processes, we aimed to identify differentially expressed miRNAs in the skeletal muscle of sporadic ALS patients through the combination of molecular-omic technologies and bioinformatic tools. We analyzed the miRnome profiles of skeletal muscle biopsies acquired from ten sALS patients and five controls with Affymetrix GeneChip miRNA 4.0 Array. To find out differentially expressed miRNAs in patients, data were analyzed by The Institute for Genomic Research-Multi Experiment Viewer (MeV) and miRNAs whose expression difference were statistically significant were identified as candidates. The potential target genes of these miRNAs were predicted by miRWalk 2.0 and were functionally enriched by gene ontology (GO) analysis. The expression level of priority candidates was validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. We identified ten differentially expressed miRNAs in patients with a fold change threshold ≥ 2.0, FDR = 0. We identified ten differentially expressed miRNAs in patients with a fold change threshold ≥ 2.0, FDR = 0. Nine out of the ten miRNAs were found to be related to top three enriched ALS-related terms. Based on the qRT-PCR validation of candidate miRNAs, patients were separated into two groups: those with upregulated miR-4429 and miR-1825 expression and those with downregulated miR-638 expression. The different muscle-specific miRNA profiles in sALS patients may indicate the involvement of etiologic heterogeneity, which may allow the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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8
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Skeletal Muscle Metabolism: Origin or Prognostic Factor for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Development? Cells 2021; 10:cells10061449. [PMID: 34207859 PMCID: PMC8226541 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive and selective loss of motor neurons, amyotrophy and skeletal muscle paralysis usually leading to death due to respiratory failure. While generally considered an intrinsic motor neuron disease, data obtained in recent years, including our own, suggest that motor neuron protection is not sufficient to counter the disease. The dismantling of the neuromuscular junction is closely linked to chronic energy deficit found throughout the body. Metabolic (hypermetabolism and dyslipidemia) and mitochondrial alterations described in patients and murine models of ALS are associated with the development and progression of disease pathology and they appear long before motor neurons die. It is clear that these metabolic changes participate in the pathology of the disease. In this review, we summarize these changes seen throughout the course of the disease, and the subsequent impact of glucose–fatty acid oxidation imbalance on disease progression. We also highlight studies that show that correcting this loss of metabolic flexibility should now be considered a major goal for the treatment of ALS.
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9
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Traiffort E, Morisset-Lopez S, Moussaed M, Zahaf A. Defective Oligodendroglial Lineage and Demyelination in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073426. [PMID: 33810425 PMCID: PMC8036314 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Motor neurons and their axons reaching the skeletal muscle have long been considered as the best characterized targets of the degenerative process observed in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the involvement of glial cells was also more recently reported. Although oligodendrocytes have been underestimated for a longer time than other cells, they are presently considered as critically involved in axonal injury and also conversely constitute a target for the toxic effects of the degenerative neurons. In the present review, we highlight the recent advances regarding oligodendroglial cell involvement in the pathogenesis of ALS. First, we present the oligodendroglial cells, the process of myelination, and the tight relationship between axons and myelin. The histological abnormalities observed in ALS and animal models of the disease are described, including myelin defects and oligodendroglial accumulation of pathological protein aggregates. Then, we present data that establish the existence of dysfunctional and degenerating oligodendroglial cells, the chain of events resulting in oligodendrocyte degeneration, and the most recent molecular mechanisms supporting oligodendrocyte death and dysfunction. Finally, we review the arguments in support of the primary versus secondary involvement of oligodendrocytes in the disease and discuss the therapeutic perspectives related to oligodendrocyte implication in ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Traiffort
- Diseases and Hormones of the Nervous System U1195 INSERM, Paris Saclay University, 80 Rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France;
- Correspondence:
| | - Séverine Morisset-Lopez
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, UPR 4301 CNRS, Orléans University, INSERM, rue Charles Sadron, CEDEX 02, 45071 Orleans, France; (S.M.-L.); (M.M.)
| | - Mireille Moussaed
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, UPR 4301 CNRS, Orléans University, INSERM, rue Charles Sadron, CEDEX 02, 45071 Orleans, France; (S.M.-L.); (M.M.)
| | - Amina Zahaf
- Diseases and Hormones of the Nervous System U1195 INSERM, Paris Saclay University, 80 Rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France;
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10
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Yadav RK, Minz E, Mehan S. Understanding Abnormal c-JNK/p38MAPK Signaling in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Potential Drug Targets and Influences on Neurological Disorders. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS 2021; 20:417-429. [PMID: 33557726 DOI: 10.2174/1871527320666210126113848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
c-JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members work in a cell-specific manner to regulate neuronal signals. The abnormal activation of these cellular signals can cause glutamate excitotoxicity, disrupted protein homeostasis, defective axonal transport, and synaptic dysfunction. Various pre-clinical and clinical findings indicate that the up-regulation of c-JNK and p38MAPK signaling is associated with neurological disorders. Exceptionally, a significant amount of experimental data has recently shown that dysregulated c-JNK and p38MAPK are implicated in the damage to the central nervous system, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Furthermore, currently available information has shown that c- JNK/p38MAPK signaling inhibitors may be a promising therapeutic alternative for improving histopathological, functional, and demyelination defects related to motor neuron disabilities. Understanding the abnormal activation of c-JNK/p38MAPK signaling and the prediction of motor neuron loss may help identify important therapeutic interventions that could prevent neurocomplications. Based on the involvement of c-JNK/p38MAPK signaling in the brain, we have assumed that the downregulation of the c-JNK/p38MAPK signaling pathway could trigger neuroprotection and neurotrophic effects towards clinicopathological presentations of ALS and other brain diseases. Thus, this research-based review also outlines the inhibition of c-JNK and p38MAPK signal downregulation in the pursuit of disease-modifying therapies for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeshwar Kumar Yadav
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Elizabeth Minz
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Sidharth Mehan
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
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11
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Lee A, Arachchige BJ, Henderson R, Pow D, Reed S, Aylward J, McCombe PA. Elevated plasma levels of D-serine in some patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020; 22:206-210. [PMID: 33908331 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1832120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
D-serine is an endogenous co-agonist with glutamate for activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). D-serine exacerbates neuronal death and is elevated in the spinal cord from patients with sporadic/familial ALS. The present study was undertaken to examine whether plasma levels of D-serine of patients with ALS are different from those of healthy controls. Levels of D-serine in plasma (30 patients and 30 controls) were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Plasma levels of D-serine in ALS patients (mean 39.27 ± 28.61 ng/ml) were significantly higher (p = 0.0293) than those of healthy control subjects (mean 21.07 ± 14.03 ng/ml) as well as previously reported values for healthy controls; ∼43% of patients had plasma D-serine levels that were 2 to 4-folds higher than those of controls. There was no association of plasma D-serine levels with disability, the duration of disease or with the age of subjects. In conclusion, we show that D-serine levels are elevated in the plasma of some ALS patients. Since D-serine serves as a co-agonist/activator of NMDAR, increases in D-serine could have a direct influence on glutamatergic neurotransmission and potentially contribute to excitotoxicity in some ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aven Lee
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Robert Henderson
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia and
| | - David Pow
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sarah Reed
- Mass Spectrometry Facility, Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - James Aylward
- Wesley Medical Research, The Wesley Hospital, Auchenflower, Australia
| | - Pamela Ann McCombe
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,Wesley Medical Research, The Wesley Hospital, Auchenflower, Australia
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Marchand‐Pauvert V, Peyre I, Lackmy‐Vallee A, Querin G, Bede P, Lacomblez L, Debs R, Pradat P. Absence of hyperexcitability of spinal motoneurons in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Physiol 2019; 597:5445-5467. [DOI: 10.1113/jp278117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Iseline Peyre
- Sorbonne Université Inserm, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale LIB Paris France
| | | | - Giorgia Querin
- Sorbonne Université Inserm, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale LIB Paris France
- Neurologie, AP‐HP Hôpital Pitié‐Salpêtrière Paris France
| | - Peter Bede
- Sorbonne Université Inserm, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale LIB Paris France
- Neurologie, AP‐HP Hôpital Pitié‐Salpêtrière Paris France
- Computational Neuroimaging Group Trinity College Dublin Dublin Ireland
| | | | - Rabab Debs
- Neurologie, AP‐HP Hôpital Pitié‐Salpêtrière Paris France
| | - Pierre‐François Pradat
- Sorbonne Université Inserm, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale LIB Paris France
- Neurologie, AP‐HP Hôpital Pitié‐Salpêtrière Paris France
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13
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Valles SL, Iradi A, Aldasoro M, Vila JM, Aldasoro C, de la Torre J, Campos-Campos J, Jorda A. Function of Glia in Aging and the Brain Diseases. Int J Med Sci 2019; 16:1473-1479. [PMID: 31673239 PMCID: PMC6818212 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.37769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia cells during aging, neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation show different morphological and transcriptional profiles (related to axonal direction and cell adhesion). Furthermore, expressions of the receptors on the surface and actin formation compared to young are also different. This review delves into the role of glia during aging and the development of the diseases. The susceptibility of different regions of the brain to disease are linked to the overstimulation of signals related to the immune system during aging, as well as the damaging impact of these cascades on the functionality of different populations of microglia present in each region of the brain. Furthermore, a decrease in microglial phagocytosis has been related to many diseases and also has been detected during aging. In this paper we also describe the role of glia in different illness, such as AD, ALS, pain related disorders, cancer, developmental disorders and the problems produced by opening of the blood brain barrier. Future studies will clarify many points planted by this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya L Valles
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Iradi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - Martin Aldasoro
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - Jose M Vila
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - Constanza Aldasoro
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Juan Campos-Campos
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - Adrian Jorda
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain.,Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Valencia, Spain
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14
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Jeffrey J, D'Cunha H, Suzuki M. Blood Level of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) Does not Correlate With Disease Progression in a Rat Model of Familial ALS (SOD1 G93A Transgenic). Front Neurol 2018; 9:954. [PMID: 30487774 PMCID: PMC6246740 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by specific loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain stem. Currently, there are limited options for treating ALS and further investigation of the disease etiology and ALS disease progression need to be completed. There is an urgent need to identify biomarkers to detect and study disease progression in ALS. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is an intermediate filament protein that is expressed by a number of cells related to the central nervous system including glial cells and ependymal cells. Recent studies indicated that significant levels of GFAP protein were detected in peripheral tissues, such as skeletal muscle. In this study, we hypothesized that levels of GFAP in blood represent a biomarker of disease progression in ALS. To test this specific hypothesis, we used a rat model of familial ALS (SOD1G93A transgenic), which has been extensively used to understand the complexity of this devastating disease. Disease progression in a cohort of male and female SOD1G93A transgenic rats was monitored by motor function, and blood samples were collected when these animals reached disease end-stage. We measured GFAP protein levels by ELISA and found no correlation between GFAP concentration and disease progression in either serum and plasma samples of SOD1G93A transgenic. Further investigation would be required in order to implicate blood GFAP as a potential biomarker for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Jeffrey
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Hannah D'Cunha
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Masatoshi Suzuki
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.,The Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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15
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Cocozza G, di Castro MA, Carbonari L, Grimaldi A, Antonangeli F, Garofalo S, Porzia A, Madonna M, Mainiero F, Santoni A, Grassi F, Wulff H, D'Alessandro G, Limatola C. Ca 2+-activated K + channels modulate microglia affecting motor neuron survival in hSOD1 G93A mice. Brain Behav Immun 2018; 73:584-595. [PMID: 29981425 PMCID: PMC6129409 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies described a critical role for microglia in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where these CNS-resident immune cells participate in the establishment of an inflammatory microenvironment that contributes to motor neuron degeneration. Understanding the mechanisms leading to microglia activation in ALS could help to identify specific molecular pathways which could be targeted to reduce or delay motor neuron degeneration and muscle paralysis in patients. The intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel KCa3.1 has been reported to modulate the "pro-inflammatory" phenotype of microglia in different pathological conditions. We here investigated the effects of blocking KCa3.1 activity in the hSOD1G93AALS mouse model, which recapitulates many features of the human disease. We report that treatment of hSOD1G93A mice with a selective KCa3.1 inhibitor, 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (TRAM-34), attenuates the "pro-inflammatory" phenotype of microglia in the spinal cord, reduces motor neuron death, delays onset of muscle weakness, and increases survival. Specifically, inhibition of KCa3.1 channels slowed muscle denervation, decreased the expression of the fetal acetylcholine receptor γ subunit and reduced neuromuscular junction damage. Taken together, these results demonstrate a key role for KCa3.1 in driving a pro-inflammatory microglia phenotype in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germana Cocozza
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy; Center for Life Nanoscience - Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia@Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Laura Carbonari
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfonso Grimaldi
- Center for Life Nanoscience - Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia@Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Antonangeli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Garofalo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabrizio Mainiero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Santoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | - Francesca Grassi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy.
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16
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Ramalho TC, de Castro AA, Tavares TS, Silva MC, Silva DR, Cesar PH, Santos LA, da Cunha EFF, Nepovimova E, Kuca K. Insights into the pharmaceuticals and mechanisms of neurological orphan diseases: Current Status and future expectations. Prog Neurobiol 2018; 169:135-157. [PMID: 29981392 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2018.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Several rare or orphan diseases have been characterized that singly affect low numbers of people, but cumulatively reach ∼6%-10% of the population in Europe and in the United States. Human genetics has shown to be broadly effective when evaluating subjacent genetic defects such as orphan genetic diseases, but on the other hand, a modest progress has been achieved toward comprehending the molecular pathologies and designing new therapies. Chemical genetics, placed at the interface of chemistry and genetics, could be employed to understand the molecular mechanisms of subjacent illnesses and for the discovery of new remediation processes. This review debates current progress in chemical genetics, and how a variety of compounds and reaction mechanisms can be used to study and ultimately treat rare genetic diseases. We focus here on a study involving Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy (FAP), approaching different treatment methods and the reaction mechanisms of several compounds, trying to elucidate new routes capable of assisting in the treatment profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodorico C Ramalho
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, 37200-000, Lavras, Brazil; Center for Basic and Applied Research, Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | | | - Tássia S Tavares
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, 37200-000, Lavras, Brazil
| | - Maria C Silva
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, 37200-000, Lavras, Brazil
| | - Daniela R Silva
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, 37200-000, Lavras, Brazil
| | - Pedro H Cesar
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, 37200-000, Lavras, Brazil
| | - Lucas A Santos
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, 37200-000, Lavras, Brazil
| | - Elaine F F da Cunha
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras, 37200-000, Lavras, Brazil
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
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17
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Distinctive Roles of D-Amino Acids in the Homochiral World: Chirality of Amino Acids Modulates Mammalian Physiology and Pathology. Keio J Med 2018; 68:1-16. [PMID: 29794368 DOI: 10.2302/kjm.2018-0001-ir] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Living organisms enantioselectively employ L-amino acids as the molecular architecture of protein synthesized in the ribosome. Although L-amino acids are dominantly utilized in most biological processes, accumulating evidence points to the distinctive roles of D-amino acids in non-ribosomal physiology. Among the three domains of life, bacteria have the greatest capacity to produce a wide variety of D-amino acids. In contrast, archaea and eukaryotes are thought generally to synthesize only two kinds of D-amino acids: D-serine and D-aspartate. In mammals, D-serine is critical for neurotransmission as an endogenous coagonist of N-methyl D-aspartate receptors. Additionally, D-aspartate is associated with neurogenesis and endocrine systems. Furthermore, recognition of D-amino acids originating in bacteria is linked to systemic and mucosal innate immunity. Among the roles played by D-amino acids in human pathology, the dysfunction of neurotransmission mediated by D-serine is implicated in psychiatric and neurological disorders. Non-enzymatic conversion of L-aspartate or L-serine residues to their D-configurations is involved in age-associated protein degeneration. Moreover, the measurement of plasma or urinary D-/L-serine or D-/L-aspartate levels may have diagnostic or prognostic value in the treatment of kidney diseases. This review aims to summarize current understanding of D-amino-acid-associated biology with a major focus on mammalian physiology and pathology.
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18
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Sugiyama K, Tanaka K. Spinal cord-specific deletion of the glutamate transporter GLT1 causes motor neuron death in mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 497:689-693. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.02.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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19
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Fogarty MJ, Mu EWH, Lavidis NA, Noakes PG, Bellingham MC. Motor Areas Show Altered Dendritic Structure in an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mouse Model. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:609. [PMID: 29163013 PMCID: PMC5672020 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Motor neurons (MNs) die in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a clinically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease of unknown etiology. In human or rodent studies, MN loss is preceded by increased excitability. As increased neuronal excitability correlates with structural changes in dendritic arbors and spines, we have examined longitudinal changes in dendritic structure in vulnerable neuron populations in a mouse model of familial ALS. Methods: We used a modified Golgi-Cox staining method to determine the progressive changes in dendritic structure of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, striatal medium spiny neurons, and resistant (trochlear, IV) or susceptible (hypoglossal, XII; lumbar) MNs from brainstem and spinal cord of mice over-expressing the human SOD1G93A (SOD1) mutation, in comparison to wild-type (WT) mice, at four postnatal (P) ages of 8–15, 28–35, 65–75, and 120 days. Results: In SOD1 mice, dendritic changes occur at pre-symptomatic ages in both XII and spinal cord lumbar MNs. Spine loss without dendritic changes was present in striatal neurons from disease onset. Spine density increases were present at all ages studied in SOD1 XII MNs. Spine density increased in neonatal lumbar MNs, before decreasing to control levels by P28-35 and was decreased by P120. SOD1 XII MNs and lumbar MNs, but not trochlear MNs showed vacuolization from the same time-points. Trochlear MN dendrites were unchanged. Interpretation: Dendritic structure and spine alterations correlate with the neuro-motor phenotype in ALS and with cognitive and extra-motor symptoms seen in patients. Prominent early changes in dendritic arbors and spines occur in susceptible cranial and spinal cord MNs, but are absent in MNs resistant to loss in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Fogarty
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Erica W H Mu
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Nickolas A Lavidis
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Peter G Noakes
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.,Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark C Bellingham
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
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20
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Oxidative stress induced by cumene hydroperoxide produces synaptic depression and transient hyperexcitability in rat primary motor cortex neurons. Mol Cell Neurosci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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21
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Valbuena GN, Tortarolo M, Bendotti C, Cantoni L, Keun HC. Altered Metabolic Profiles Associate with Toxicity in SOD1 G93A Astrocyte-Neuron Co-Cultures. Sci Rep 2017; 7:50. [PMID: 28246392 PMCID: PMC5428359 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00072-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-cell autonomous processes involving astrocytes have been shown to contribute to motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1G93A) expression in astrocytes is selectively toxic to motor neurons in co-culture, even when mutant protein is expressed only in astrocytes and not in neurons. To examine metabolic changes in astrocyte-spinal neuron co-cultures, we carried out metabolomic analysis by 1H NMR spectroscopy of media from astrocyte-spinal neuron co-cultures and astrocyte-only cultures. We observed increased glucose uptake with SOD1G93A expression in all co-cultures, but while co-cultures with only SOD1G93A neurons had lower extracellular lactate, those with only SOD1G93A astrocytes exhibited the reverse. Reduced branched-chain amino acid uptake and increased accumulation of 3-methyl-2-oxovalerate were observed in co-culture with only SOD1G93A neurons while glutamate was reduced in all co-cultures expressing SOD1G93A. The shifts in these coupled processes suggest a potential block in glutamate processing that may impact motor neuron survival. We also observed metabolic alterations which may relate to oxidative stress responses. Overall, the different metabolite changes observed with the two SOD1G93A cell types highlight the role of the astrocyte-motor neuron interaction in the resulting metabolic phenotype, requiring further examination of altered met abolic pathways and their impact on motor neuron survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel N Valbuena
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Massimo Tortarolo
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Lavinia Cantoni
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, IRCCS- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", 20156, Milan, Italy.
| | - Hector C Keun
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
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22
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Tortora M, Corsini S, Nistri A. Nicotinic receptors modulate the onset of reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial dysfunction evoked by glutamate uptake block in the rat hypoglossal nucleus. Neurosci Lett 2017; 639:43-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Revised: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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23
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Fogarty MJ, Mu EWH, Noakes PG, Lavidis NA, Bellingham MC. Marked changes in dendritic structure and spine density precede significant neuronal death in vulnerable cortical pyramidal neuron populations in the SOD1(G93A) mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2016; 4:77. [PMID: 27488828 PMCID: PMC4973034 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-016-0347-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterised by the death of upper (corticospinal) and lower motor neurons (MNs) with progressive muscle weakness. This incurable disease is clinically heterogeneous and its aetiology remains unknown. Increased excitability of corticospinal MNs has been observed prior to symptoms in human and rodent studies. Increased excitability has been correlated with structural changes in neuronal dendritic arbors and spines for decades. Here, using a modified Golgi-Cox staining method, we have made the first longitudinal study examining the dendrites of pyramidal neurons from the motor cortex, medial pre-frontal cortex, somatosensory cortex and entorhinal cortex of hSOD1G93A (SOD1) mice compared to wild-type (WT) littermate controls at postnatal (P) days 8–15, 28–35, 65–75 and 120. Progressive decreases in dendritic length and spine density commencing at pre-symptomatic ages (P8-15 or P28-35) were observed in layer V pyramidal neurons within the motor cortex and medial pre-frontal cortex of SOD1 mice compared to WT mice. Spine loss without concurrent dendritic pathology was present in the pyramidal neurons of the somatosensory cortex from disease-onset (P65-75). Our results from the SOD1 model suggest that dendritic and dendritic spine changes foreshadow and underpin the neuromotor phenotypes present in ALS and may contribute to the varied cognitive, executive function and extra-motor symptoms commonly seen in ALS patients. Determining if these phenomena are compensatory or maladaptive may help explain differential susceptibility of neurons to degeneration in ALS.
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24
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Loeffler J, Picchiarelli G, Dupuis L, Gonzalez De Aguilar J. The Role of Skeletal Muscle in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Brain Pathol 2016; 26:227-36. [PMID: 26780251 PMCID: PMC8029271 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal adult-onset disease primarily characterized by upper and lower motor neuron degeneration, muscle wasting and paralysis. It is increasingly accepted that the pathological process leading to ALS is the result of multiple disease mechanisms that operate within motor neurons and other cell types both inside and outside the central nervous system. The implication of skeletal muscle has been the subject of a number of studies conducted on patients and related animal models. In this review, we describe the features of ALS muscle pathology and discuss on the contribution of muscle to the pathological process. We also give an overview of the therapeutic strategies proposed to alleviate muscle pathology or to deliver curative agents to motor neurons. ALS muscle mainly suffers from oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and bioenergetic disturbances. However, the way by which the disease affects different types of myofibers depends on their contractile and metabolic features. Although the implication of muscle in nourishing the degenerative process is still debated, there is compelling evidence suggesting that it may play a critical role. Detailed understanding of the muscle pathology in ALS could, therefore, lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean‐Philippe Loeffler
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR_S 1118StrasbourgFrance
- INSERM, U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Péripheriques de la NeurodégénérescenceStrasbourgFrance
| | - Gina Picchiarelli
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR_S 1118StrasbourgFrance
- INSERM, U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Péripheriques de la NeurodégénérescenceStrasbourgFrance
| | - Luc Dupuis
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR_S 1118StrasbourgFrance
- INSERM, U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Péripheriques de la NeurodégénérescenceStrasbourgFrance
| | - Jose‐Luis Gonzalez De Aguilar
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR_S 1118StrasbourgFrance
- INSERM, U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Péripheriques de la NeurodégénérescenceStrasbourgFrance
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25
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Van Dyke JM, Smit-Oistad IM, Macrander C, Krakora D, Meyer MG, Suzuki M. Macrophage-mediated inflammation and glial response in the skeletal muscle of a rat model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Exp Neurol 2016; 277:275-282. [PMID: 26775178 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 01/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive motor dysfunction and loss of large motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain stem. While much research has focused on mechanisms of motor neuron cell death in the spinal cord, degenerative processes in skeletal muscle and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are also observed early in disease development. Although recent studies support the potential therapeutic benefits of targeting the skeletal muscle in ALS, relatively little is known about inflammation and glial responses in skeletal muscle and near NMJs, or how these responses contribute to motor neuron survival, neuromuscular innervation, or motor dysfunction in ALS. We recently showed that human mesenchymal stem cells modified to release glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (hMSC-GDNF) extend survival and protect NMJs and motor neurons in SOD1(G93A) rats when delivered to limb muscles. In this study, we evaluate inflammatory and glial responses near NMJs in the limb muscle collected from a rat model of familial ALS (SOD1(G93A) transgenic rats) during disease progression and following hMSC-GDNF transplantation. Muscle samples were collected from pre-symptomatic, symptomatic, and end-stage animals. A significant increase in the expression of microglial inflammatory markers (CD11b and CD68) occurred in the skeletal muscle of symptomatic and end-stage SOD1(G93A) rats. Inflammation was confirmed by ELISA for inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in muscle homogenates of SOD1(G93A) rats. Next, we observed active glial responses in the muscle of SOD1(G93A) rats, specifically near intramuscular axons and NMJs. Interestingly, strong expression of activated glial markers, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and nestin, was observed in the areas adjacent to NMJs. Finally, we determined whether ex vivo trophic factor delivery influences inflammation and terminal Schwann cell (TSC) response during ALS. We found that intramuscular transplantation of hMSC-GDNF tended to exhibit less inflammation and significantly maintained TSC association with NMJs. Understanding cellular responses near NMJs is important to identify suitable cellular and molecular targets for novel treatment of ALS and other neuromuscular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M Van Dyke
- Department of Comparative Biosciences and The Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ivy M Smit-Oistad
- Department of Comparative Biosciences and The Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Corey Macrander
- Department of Comparative Biosciences and The Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Dan Krakora
- Department of Comparative Biosciences and The Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Michael G Meyer
- Department of Comparative Biosciences and The Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Masatoshi Suzuki
- Department of Comparative Biosciences and The Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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26
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King AE, Woodhouse A, Kirkcaldie MT, Vickers JC. Excitotoxicity in ALS: Overstimulation, or overreaction? Exp Neurol 2016; 275 Pt 1:162-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Revised: 08/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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27
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Motor cortex layer V pyramidal neurons exhibit dendritic regression, spine loss, and increased synaptic excitation in the presymptomatic hSOD1(G93A) mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurosci 2015; 35:643-7. [PMID: 25589758 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3483-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor cortex layer V pyramidal neurons (LVPNs) regulate voluntary control of motor output and selectively degenerate (along with lower motor neurons) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Using dye-filling and whole-cell patch clamping in brain slices, together with high-resolution spinning disk confocal z-stack mosaics, we characterized the earliest presymptomatic cortical LVPN morphologic and electrophysiological perturbations in hSOD1(G93A) (SOD1) mice to date. Apical dendritic regression occurred from postnatal day (P) 28, dendritic spine loss from P21, and increased EPSC frequency from P21 in SOD1 LVPNs. These findings demonstrate extensive early changes in motor cortex of the SOD1 mouse model, which thus recapitulates clinically relevant cortical pathophysiology more faithfully than previously thought.
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28
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Combs-Bachmann RE, Johnson JN, Vytla D, Hussey AM, Kilfoil ML, Chambers JJ. Ligand-directed delivery of fluorophores to track native calcium-permeable AMPA receptors in neuronal cultures. J Neurochem 2015; 133:320-9. [PMID: 25640258 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Subcellular trafficking of neuronal receptors is known to play a key role in synaptic development, homeostasis, and plasticity. We have developed a ligand-targeted and photo-cleavable probe for delivering a synthetic fluorophore to AMPA receptors natively expressed in neurons. After a receptor is bound to the ligand portion of the probe molecule, a proteinaceous nucleophile reacts with an electrophile on the probe, covalently bonding the two species. The ligand may then be removed by photolysis, returning the receptor to its non-liganded state while leaving intact the new covalent bond between the receptor and the fluorophore. This strategy was used to label polyamine-sensitive receptors, including calcium-permeable AMPA receptors, in live hippocampal neurons from rats. Here, we describe experiments where we examined specificity, competition, and concentration on labeling efficacy as well as quantified receptor trafficking. Pharmacological competition during the labeling step with either a competitive or non-competitive glutamate receptor antagonist prevented the majority of labeling observed without a blocker. In other experiments, labeled receptors were observed to alter their locations and we were able to track and quantify their movements. We used a small molecule, ligand-directed probe to deliver synthetic fluorophores to endogenously expressed glutamate receptors for the purpose of tracking these receptors on live, hippocampal neurons. We found that clusters of receptors appear to move at similar rates to previous studies. We also found that the polyamine toxin pharmacophore likely binds to receptors in addition to calcium-permeable AMPA receptors.
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Saba L, Viscomi MT, Caioli S, Pignataro A, Bisicchia E, Pieri M, Molinari M, Ammassari-Teule M, Zona C. Altered Functionality, Morphology, and Vesicular Glutamate Transporter Expression of Cortical Motor Neurons from a Presymptomatic Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cereb Cortex 2015; 26:1512-28. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhu317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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Patel P, Julien JP, Kriz J. Early-stage treatment with Withaferin A reduces levels of misfolded superoxide dismutase 1 and extends lifespan in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurotherapeutics 2015; 12:217-33. [PMID: 25404049 PMCID: PMC4322065 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-014-0311-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 20% of cases of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are caused by mutations in the gene encoding Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1). Recent studies have shown that Withaferin A (WA), an inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappa B activity, was efficient in reducing disease phenotype in a TAR DNA binding protein 43 transgenic mouse model of ALS. These findings led us to test WA in mice from 2 transgenic lines expressing different ALS-linked SOD1 mutations, SOD1(G93A) and SOD1(G37R). Intraperitoneal administration of WA at a dosage of 4 mg/kg of body weight was initiated from postnatal day 40 until end stage in SOD1(G93A) mice, and from 9 months until end stage in SOD1(G37R) mice. The beneficial effects of WA in the SOD1(G93A) mice model were accompanied by an alleviation of neuroinflammation, a decrease in levels of misfolded SOD1 species in the spinal cord, and a reduction in loss of motor neurons resulting in delayed disease progression and mortality. Interestingly, WA treatment triggered robust induction of heat shock protein 25 (a mouse ortholog of heat shock protein 27), which may explain the reduced level of misfolded SOD1 species in the spinal cord of SOD1(G93A) mice and the decrease of neuronal injury responses, as revealed by real-time imaging of biophotonic SOD1(G93A) mice expressing a luciferase transgene under the control of the growth-associated protein 43 promoter. These results suggest that WA may represent a potential lead compound for drug development aiming to treat ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Patel
- Research Centre of Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, and Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, 2601 Chemin de la Canardière, Québec, QC G1J 2G3 Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Julien
- Research Centre of Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, and Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, 2601 Chemin de la Canardière, Québec, QC G1J 2G3 Canada
| | - Jasna Kriz
- Research Centre of Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, and Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, 2601 Chemin de la Canardière, Québec, QC G1J 2G3 Canada
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Milanese M, Bonifacino T, Fedele E, Rebosio C, Cattaneo L, Benfenati F, Usai C, Bonanno G. Exocytosis regulates trafficking of GABA and glycine heterotransporters in spinal cord glutamatergic synapses: a mechanism for the excessive heterotransporter-induced release of glutamate in experimental amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 74:314-24. [PMID: 25497732 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Revised: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of synaptic vesicle endo-exocytosis on the trafficking of nerve terminal heterotransporters was studied by monitoring membrane expression and function of the GABA transporter-1 (GAT-1) and of type-1/2 glycine (Gly) transporters (GlyT-1/2) at spinal cord glutamatergic synaptic boutons. Experiments were performed by inducing exocytosis in wild-type (WT) mice, in amphiphysin-I knockout (Amph-I KO) mice, which show impaired endocytosis, or in mice expressing high copy number of mutant human SOD1 with a Gly93Ala substitution (SOD1(G93A)), a model of human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis showing constitutively excessive Glu exocytosis. Exposure of spinal cord synaptosomes from WT mice to a 35mM KCl pulse increased the expression of GAT-1 at glutamatergic synaptosomal membranes and enhanced the GAT-1 heterotransporter-induced [(3)H]d-aspartate ([(3)H]d-Asp) release. Similar results were obtained in the case of GlyT-1/2 heterotransporters. Preventing depolarization-induced exocytosis normalized the excessive GAT-1 and GlyT-1/2 heterotransporter-induced [(3)H]d-Asp release in WT mice. Impaired endocytosis in Amph-I KO mice increased GAT-1 membrane expression and [(3)H]GABA uptake in spinal cord synaptosomes. Also the GAT-1 heterotransporter-evoked release of [(3)H]d-Asp was augmented in Amph-I KO mice. The constitutively excessive Glu exocytosis in SOD1(G93A) mice resulted in augmented GAT-1 expression at glutamatergic synaptosomal membranes and GAT-1 or GlyT-1/2 heterotransporter-mediated [(3)H]d-Asp release. Thus, endo-exocytosis regulates the trafficking of GAT-1 and GlyT-1/2 heterotransporters sited at spinal cord glutamatergic nerve terminals. As a consequence, it can be hypothesized that the excessive GAT-1 and GlyT-1/2 heterotransporter-mediated Glu release, in the spinal cord of SOD1(G93A) mice, is due to the heterotransporter over-expression at the nerve terminal membrane, promoted by the excessive Glu exocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Milanese
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bonifacino
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Ernesto Fedele
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Claudia Rebosio
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Cattaneo
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Cesare Usai
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, 16149 Genoa, Italy
| | - Giambattista Bonanno
- Department of Pharmacy, Unit of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy.
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Cloutier F, Marrero A, O'Connell C, Morin P. MicroRNAs as potential circulating biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Mol Neurosci 2014; 56:102-12. [PMID: 25433762 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-014-0471-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a condition primarily characterized by the selective loss of upper and lower motor neurons. Motor neuron loss gives rise to muscle tissue malfunctions, including weakness, spasticity, atrophy, and ultimately paralysis, with death typically due to respiratory failure within 2 to 5 years of symptoms' onset. The mean delay in time from presentation to diagnosis remains at over 1 year. Biomarkers are urgently needed to facilitate ALS diagnosis and prognosis as well as to act as indicators of therapeutic response in clinical trials. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small molecules that can influence posttranscriptional gene expression of a variety of transcript targets. Interestingly, miRNAs can be released into the circulation by pathologically affected tissues. This review presents therapeutic and diagnostic challenges associated with ALS, highlights the potential role of miRNAs in ALS, and discusses the diagnostic potential of these molecules in identifying ALS-specific miRNAs or in distinguishing between the various genotypic and phenotypic forms of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Cloutier
- Institut de l'Atlantique en Neurosciences Atlantic Institute, Vitalité Health Network, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dr Georges-L.-Dumont/Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre, Moncton, NB, Canada,
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Chervyakov AV, Bakulin IS, Savitskaya NG, Arkhipov IV, Gavrilov AV, Zakharova MN, Piradov MA. Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve 2014; 51:125-31. [PMID: 25049055 DOI: 10.1002/mus.24345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a set of disorders associated with preferential degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons. Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) is a tool used to perform noninvasive functional brain mapping. We aimed to assess function of upper motor neurons in ALS. METHODS nTMS was performed on 30 patients with ALS (mean age 54.4 ± 12.1 years) and 24 healthy volunteers (mean age 32.7 ± 13.3 years). RESULTS The resting motor threshold (MT) was significantly higher in ALS patients compared with controls (P < 0.001). The mean map areas were smaller in patients with ALS than in healthy individuals, although some patients with short disease duration had extended maps. CONCLUSIONS Motor area maps serve as markers of upper motor neuron damage in ALS. Further research may elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of the neurodegenerative process and aid in development of diagnostic and prognostic markers.
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Theme 8 human cell biology and pathology. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2014; 15 Suppl 1:152-60. [PMID: 25382838 DOI: 10.3109/21678421.2014.960185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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SESSION 1 JOINT OPENING SESSION. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2014; 15 Suppl 1:1-56. [DOI: 10.3109/21678421.2014.960172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Goursaud S, Schäfer S, Dumont AO, Vergouts M, Gallo A, Desmet N, Deumens R, Hermans E. The anti-inflammatory peptide stearyl-norleucine-VIP delays disease onset and extends survival in a rat model of inherited amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Exp Neurol 2014; 263:91-101. [PMID: 25311268 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Revised: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has potent immune modulatory actions that may influence the course of neurodegenerative disorders associated with chronic inflammation. Here, we show the therapeutic benefits of a modified peptide agonist stearyl-norleucine-VIP (SNV) in a transgenic rat model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (mutated superoxide dismutase 1, hSOD1(G93A)). When administered by systemic every-other-day intraperitoneal injections during a period of 80 days before disease, SNV delayed the onset of motor dysfunction by no less than three weeks, while survival was extended by nearly two months. SNV-treated rats showed reduced astro- and microgliosis in the lumbar ventral spinal cord and a significant degree of motor neuron preservation. Throughout the treatment, SNV promoted the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 as well as neurotrophic factors commonly considered as beneficial in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis management (glial derived neuroptrophic factor, insulin like growth factor, brain derived neurotrophic factor). The peptide nearly totally suppressed the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and repressed the production of the pro-inflammatory mediators interleukin-1β, nitric oxide and of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B. Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-α likely accounted for the observed down-regulation of nuclear factor kappa B that modulates the transcription of genes specifically involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sod1 and the glutamate transporter slc1a2). In line with this, levels of human superoxide dismutase 1 mRNA and protein were decreased by SNV treatment, while the expression and activity of the glutamate transporter-1 was promoted. Considering the large diversity of influences of this peptide on both clinical features of the disease and associated biochemical markers, we propose that SNV or related peptides may constitute promising candidates for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Goursaud
- Group of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sabrina Schäfer
- Group of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Amélie O Dumont
- Group of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maxime Vergouts
- Group of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alessandro Gallo
- Group of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Desmet
- Group of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ronald Deumens
- Group of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel Hermans
- Group of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium.
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Blood biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: myth or reality? BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:525097. [PMID: 24991560 PMCID: PMC4060749 DOI: 10.1155/2014/525097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal condition primarily characterized by the selective loss of upper and lower motor neurons. At present, the diagnosis and monitoring of ALS is based on clinical examination, electrophysiological findings, medical history, and exclusion of confounding disorders. There is therefore an undeniable need for molecular biomarkers that could give reliable information on the onset and progression of ALS in clinical practice and therapeutic trials. From a practical point of view, blood offers a series of advantages, including easy handling and multiple testing at a low cost, that make it an ideal source of biomarkers. In this review, we revisited the findings of many studies that investigated the presence of systemic changes at the molecular and cellular level in patients with ALS. The results of these studies reflect the diversity in the pathological mechanisms contributing to disease (e.g., excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and neurodegeneration, among others) and provide relatively successful evidence of the usefulness of a wide-ranging panel of molecules as potential biomarkers. More studies, hopefully internationally coordinated, would be needed, however, to translate the application of these biomarkers into benefit for patients.
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Nonneman A, Robberecht W, Den Bosch LV. The role of oligodendroglial dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurodegener Dis Manag 2014; 4:223-39. [DOI: 10.2217/nmt.14.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY Healthy oligodendrocytes are crucial for neurons and abnormal functioning of these cells is involved in several neurodegenerative diseases. We will focus on oligodendroglial pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an adult-onset progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by selective motor neuron loss. Recent discoveries shed new light on the crucial role of oligodendrocytes in this fatal disease. We will first give an overview of the importance of good-functioning oligodendrocytes for neuronal health, in particular for motor neurons. Subsequently, we will discuss the recent data on oligodendroglial abnormalities in ALS. We conclude that oligodendrocytes should be considered as important contributors to motor neuron degeneration. As a consequence, oligodendrocytes are a promising new therapeutic target for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Nonneman
- KU Leuven – University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Research Institute for Neuroscience and Disease (LIND), B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Vesalius Research Center, Laboratory of Neurobiology, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Robberecht
- KU Leuven – University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Research Institute for Neuroscience and Disease (LIND), B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Vesalius Research Center, Laboratory of Neurobiology, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Neurology, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven – University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Research Institute for Neuroscience and Disease (LIND), B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Vesalius Research Center, Laboratory of Neurobiology, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Citraro R, Aiello R, Franco V, De Sarro G, Russo E. Targeting α-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate receptors in epilepsy. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2014; 18:319-34. [PMID: 24387310 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2014.874416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite epilepsies being between the oldest and most studied neurological diseases, new treatment remains an unmet need of scientific research due to the high percentage of refractory patients. Several studies have identified new suitable anti-seizure targets. Glutamate activation of α-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate receptors (AMPARs) have long ago been identified as suitable targets for the development of anti seizure drugs. AREAS COVERED Here, we describe: i) AMPARs' structure and their involvement and role during seizures and in epilepsy and ii) the efficacy of AMPAR antagonists in preclinical models of seizures and epilepsy. EXPERT OPINION The physiological and pathological role of AMPAR in the CNS and the development of AMPAR antagonists have recently gained attention considering their recent involvement in status epilepticus and the marketing of perampanel. The need for new anti-seizure drugs represents a major challenge in both preclinical and clinical epilepsy. The introduction into the market of perampanel for the treatment of epilepsy will shed new light on the real potential of AMPAR antagonism in clinical settings outside the limited world of clinical trials. While research will go on in this area, fundamental will be the post-marketing evaluation of perampanel efficacy and tolerability and a better definition of the role of this receptor in the epileptic brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Citraro
- University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, School of Medicine, Science of Health Department , Catanzaro , Italy
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Gerber YN, Privat A, Perrin FE. Gacyclidine improves the survival and reduces motor deficits in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Cell Neurosci 2013; 7:280. [PMID: 24409117 PMCID: PMC3873512 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2013.00280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 12/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder typified by a massive loss of motor neurons with few therapeutic options. The exact cause of neuronal degeneration is unknown but it is now admitted that ALS is a multifactorial disease with several mechanisms involved including glutamate excitotoxicity. More specifically, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-mediated cell death and impairment of the glutamate-transport has been suggested to play a key role in ALS pathophysiology. Thus, evaluating NMDAR antagonists is of high therapeutic interest. Gacyclidine, also named GK11, is a high affinity non-competitive NMDAR antagonist that may protect against motor neuron death in an ALS context. Moreover, GK11 presents a low intrinsic neurotoxicity and has already been used in two clinical trials for CNS lesions. In the present study, we investigated the influence of chronic administration of two doses of GK11 (0.1 and 1 mg/kg) on the survival and the functional motor activity of hSOD1(G93A) mice, an animal model of ALS. Treatment started at early symptomatic age (60 days) and was applied bi-weekly until the end stage of the disease. We first confirmed that functional alteration of locomotor activity was evident in the hSOD1(G93A) transgenic female mice by 60 days of age. A low dose of GK11 improved the survival of the mice by 4.3% and partially preserved body weight. Improved life span was associated with a delay in locomotor function impairment. Conversely, the high dose treatment worsened motor functions. These findings suggest that chronic administration of GK11 beginning at early symptomatic stage may be beneficial for patients with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick N. Gerber
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), INSERM U 1051Montpellier, France
- “Integrative Biology of Neurodegeneration,” IKERBASQUE Basque Foundation for Science, Neuroscience Department, University of the Basque CountryBilbao, Spain
| | - Alain Privat
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), INSERM U 1051Montpellier, France
| | - Florence E. Perrin
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), INSERM U 1051Montpellier, France
- “Integrative Biology of Neurodegeneration,” IKERBASQUE Basque Foundation for Science, Neuroscience Department, University of the Basque CountryBilbao, Spain
- “Integrative Biology of Neuroregeneration,” Faculty of Science, University of Montpellier 2Montpellier, France
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Abstract
Traumatic injury or disease of the spinal cord and brain elicits multiple cellular and biochemical reactions that together cause or are associated with neuropathology. Specifically, injury or disease elicits acute infiltration and activation of immune cells, death of neurons and glia, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the secretion of substrates that inhibit axon regeneration. In some diseases, inflammation is chronic or non-resolving. Ligands that target PPARs (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors), a group of ligand-activated transcription factors, are promising therapeutics for neurologic disease and CNS injury because their activation affects many, if not all, of these interrelated pathologic mechanisms. PPAR activation can simultaneously weaken or reprogram the immune response, stimulate metabolic and mitochondrial function, promote axon growth and induce progenitor cells to differentiate into myelinating oligodendrocytes. PPAR activation has beneficial effects in many pre-clinical models of neurodegenerative diseases and CNS injury; however, the mechanisms through which PPARs exert these effects have yet to be fully elucidated. In this review we discuss current literature supporting the role of PPAR activation as a therapeutic target for treating traumatic injury and degenerative diseases of the CNS.
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Ghavami S, Shojaei S, Yeganeh B, Ande SR, Jangamreddy JR, Mehrpour M, Christoffersson J, Chaabane W, Moghadam AR, Kashani HH, Hashemi M, Owji AA, Łos MJ. Autophagy and apoptosis dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders. Prog Neurobiol 2013; 112:24-49. [PMID: 24211851 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2013.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 722] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2012] [Revised: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy and apoptosis are basic physiologic processes contributing to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Autophagy encompasses pathways that target long-lived cytosolic proteins and damaged organelles. It involves a sequential set of events including double membrane formation, elongation, vesicle maturation and finally delivery of the targeted materials to the lysosome. Apoptotic cell death is best described through its morphology. It is characterized by cell rounding, membrane blebbing, cytoskeletal collapse, cytoplasmic condensation, and fragmentation, nuclear pyknosis, chromatin condensation/fragmentation, and formation of membrane-enveloped apoptotic bodies, that are rapidly phagocytosed by macrophages or neighboring cells. Neurodegenerative disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent, especially in the Western societies, with larger percentage of members living to an older age. They have to be seen not only as a health problem, but since they are care-intensive, they also carry a significant economic burden. Deregulation of autophagy plays a pivotal role in the etiology and/or progress of many of these diseases. Herein, we briefly review the latest findings that indicate the involvement of autophagy in neurodegenerative diseases. We provide a brief introduction to autophagy and apoptosis pathways focusing on the role of mitochondria and lysosomes. We then briefly highlight pathophysiology of common neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's diseases, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Then, we describe functions of autophagy and apoptosis in brain homeostasis, especially in the context of the aforementioned disorders. Finally, we discuss different ways that autophagy and apoptosis modulation may be employed for therapeutic intervention during the maintenance of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Manitoba Institute of Child Health, Department of Physiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; St. Boniface Research Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Shahla Shojaei
- Department of Biochemistry, Recombinant Protein Laboratory, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Behzad Yeganeh
- Manitoba Institute of Child Health, Department of Physiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Department of Physiology and Experimental Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Sudharsana R Ande
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Jaganmohan R Jangamreddy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKE), Integrative Regenerative Medicine Center (IGEN), Division of Cell Biology, Linkoping University, Linkoping, Sweden
| | - Maryam Mehrpour
- INSERM U845, Research Center "Growth & Signaling" Paris Descartes University Medical School, France
| | - Jonas Christoffersson
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKE), Integrative Regenerative Medicine Center (IGEN), Division of Cell Biology, Linkoping University, Linkoping, Sweden
| | - Wiem Chaabane
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKE), Integrative Regenerative Medicine Center (IGEN), Division of Cell Biology, Linkoping University, Linkoping, Sweden; Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Tunis University, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Hessam H Kashani
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Manitoba Institute of Child Health, Department of Physiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Mohammad Hashemi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Ali A Owji
- Department of Biochemistry, Recombinant Protein Laboratory, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Marek J Łos
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKE), Integrative Regenerative Medicine Center (IGEN), Division of Cell Biology, Linkoping University, Linkoping, Sweden.
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King AE, Southam KA, Dittmann J, Vickers JC. Excitotoxin-induced caspase-3 activation and microtubule disintegration in axons is inhibited by taxol. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2013; 1:59. [PMID: 24252213 PMCID: PMC3893530 DOI: 10.1186/2051-5960-1-59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 09/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Axon degeneration, a key pathological event in many neurodegenerative diseases and injury, can be induced by somatodendritic excitotoxin exposure. It is currently unclear, however, whether excitotoxin-induced axon degeneration is mechanistically similar to Wallerian degeneration, which occurs following axon transection, but does not involve axonal caspase activation. Results We have used mouse primary cortical neurons at 9 days in vitro, in a compartmented culture model that allows separation of the axon from the soma, to examine the pathological cascade of excitotoxin-induced axon degeneration. Excitotoxicity induced by chronic exposure to kainic acid, resulted in axonal fragmentation, which was associated with activation of caspase-3 in the axonal compartment. To examine the role of microtubules in these events, the microtubule-stabilizing agent, taxol, was added to either the axonal or somatodendritic compartment. Our results demonstrated that microtubule stabilization of axons resulted in a significant reduction in the number of fragmented axons following excitotoxin exposure. Interestingly, taxol exposure to either the somatodendritic or axonal compartment resulted in reduced caspase-3 activation in axons, suggesting that caspase activation is a downstream event of microtubule destabilization and involves signalling from the cell soma. Conclusion These data suggest that excitotoxin-induced axon degeneration shows some mechanistic differences to Wallerian degeneration, and that microtubule stabilization may assist in protecting nerve cells from excitotoxic effects.
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PACAP signaling exerts opposing effects on neuroprotection and neuroinflammation during disease progression in the SOD1(G93A) mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurobiol Dis 2013; 54:32-42. [PMID: 23466699 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2013.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2012] [Revised: 02/08/2013] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a pleiotropic peptide with autocrine neuroprotective and paracrine anti-inflammatory properties in various models of acute neuronal damage and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, we examined a possible beneficial role of endogenous PACAP in the superoxide dismutase 1, SOD1(G93A), mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a lethal neurodegenerative disease particularly affecting somatomotor neurons. In wild-type mice, somatomotor and visceromotor neurons in brain stem and spinal cord were found to express the PACAP specific receptor PAC1, but only visceromotor neurons expressed PACAP as a potential autocrine source of regulation of these receptors. In SOD1(G93A) mice, only a small subset of the surviving somatomotor neurons showed induction of PACAP mRNA, and somatomotor neuron degeneration was unchanged in PACAP-deficient SOD1(G93A) mice. Pre-ganglionic sympathetic visceromotor neurons were found to be resistant in SOD1(G93A) mice, while pre-ganglionic parasympathetic neurons degenerated during ALS disease progression in this mouse model. PACAP-deficient SOD1(G93A) mice showed even greater pre-ganglionic parasympathetic neuron loss compared to SOD1(G93A) mice, and additional degeneration of pre-ganglionic sympathetic neurons. Thus, constitutive expression of PACAP and PAC1 may confer neuroprotection to central visceromotor neurons in SOD1(G93A) mice via autocrine pathways. Regarding the progression of neuroinflammation, the switch from amoeboid to hypertrophic microglial phenotype observed in SOD1(G93A) mice was absent in PACAP-deficient SOD1(G93A) mice. Thus, endogenous PACAP may promote microglial cytodestructive functions thought to drive ALS disease progression. This hypothesis was consistent with prolongation of life expectancy and preserved tongue motor function in PACAP-deficient SOD1(G93A) mice, compared to SOD1(G93A) mice. Given the protective role of PACAP expression in visceromotor neurons and the opposing effect on microglial function in SOD1(G93A) mice, both PACAP agonism and antagonism may be promising therapeutic tools for ALS treatment, if stage of disease progression and targeting the specific auto- and paracrine signaling pathways are carefully considered.
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Blaylock RL. Immunoexcitatory mechanisms in glioma proliferation, invasion and occasional metastasis. Surg Neurol Int 2013; 4:15. [PMID: 23493580 PMCID: PMC3589840 DOI: 10.4103/2152-7806.106577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2012] [Accepted: 07/12/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence of an interaction between inflammatory cytokines and glutamate receptors among a number of neurological diseases including traumatic brain injuries, neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system (CNS) infections. A number of recent studies have now suggested a strong relation between inflammatory mechanisms and excitatory cascades and these may play a role in glioma invasiveness and proliferation. Chronic inflammation appears to be a major initiating mechanism in most human cancers, involving cell-signaling pathways, which are responsible for cell cycling, cancer cell migration, invasion, tumor aggressiveness, and angiogenesis. It is less well appreciated that glutamate receptors also play a significant role in both proliferation and especially glioma invasion. There is some evidence that sustained elevations in glutamate may play a role in initiating certain cancers and new studies demonstrate an interaction between inflammation and glutamate receptors that may enhance tumor invasion and metastasis by affecting a number of cell-signaling mechanisms. These mechanisms are discussed in this paper as well as novel treatment options for reducing immune-glutamate promotion of cancer growth and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell L Blaylock
- Theoretical Neurosciences LLC, Visiting Professor of Biology, Department of Biology, Belhaven University, Jackson, MS 39157, USA
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Acidotoxicity and acid-sensing ion channels contribute to motoneuron degeneration. Cell Death Differ 2013; 20:589-98. [PMID: 23306556 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2012.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological condition with no cure. Mitochondrial dysfunction, Ca(2+) overloading and local hypoxic/ischemic environments have been implicated in the pathophysiology of ALS and are conditions that may initiate metabolic acidosis in the affected tissue. We tested the hypothesis that acidotoxicity and acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are involved in the pathophysiology of ALS. We found that motoneurons were selectively vulnerable to acidotoxicity in vitro, and that acidotoxicity was partially reduced in asic1a-deficient motoneuron cultures. Cross-breeding of SOD1(G93A) ALS mice with asic1a-deficient mice delayed the onset and progression of motor dysfunction in SOD1 mice. Interestingly, we also noted a strong increase in ASIC2 expression in motoneurons of SOD1 mice and sporadic ALS patients during disease progression. Pharmacological pan-inhibition of ASIC channels with the lipophilic amiloride derivative, 5-(N,N-dimethyl)-amiloride hydrochloride, potently protected cultured motoneurons against acidotoxicity, and, given post-symptom onset, significantly improved lifespan, motor performance and motoneuron survival in SOD1 mice. Together, our data provide strong evidence for the involvement of acidotoxicity and ASIC channels in motoneuron degeneration, and highlight the potential of ASIC inhibitors as a new treatment approach for ALS.
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Therapeutic potential of N-acetyl-glucagon-like peptide-1 in primary motor neuron cultures derived from non-transgenic and SOD1-G93A ALS mice. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2012; 33:347-57. [PMID: 23271639 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-012-9900-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2012] [Accepted: 12/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the death of motor neurons (MN) in the motor cortex, brain stem, and spinal cord. In the present study, we established an ALS in vitro model of purified embryonic MNs, derived from non-transgenic and mutant SOD1-G93A transgenic mice, the most commonly used ALS animal model. MNs were cultured together with either non-transgenic or mutant SOD1-G93A astrocyte feeder layers. Cell viability following exposure to kainate as excitotoxic stimulus was assessed by immunocytochemistry and calcium imaging. We then examined the neuroprotective effects of N-acetyl-GLP-1(7-34) amide (N-ac-GLP-1), a long-acting, N-terminally acetylated, C-terminally truncated analog of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 has initially been studied as a treatment for type II diabetes based on its function as insulin secretagogue. We detected neuroprotective effects of N-ac-GLP-1 in our in vitro system, which could be attributed to an attenuation of intracellular calcium transients, not only due to these antiexcitotoxic capacities but also with respect to the increasing knowledge about metabolic deficits in ALS which could be positively influenced by N-ac-GLP-1, this compound represents an interesting novel candidate for further in vivo evaluation in ALS.
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Benkler C, Ben-Zur T, Barhum Y, Offen D. Altered astrocytic response to activation in SOD1G93Amice and its implications on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis pathogenesis. Glia 2012; 61:312-26. [DOI: 10.1002/glia.22428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2012] [Accepted: 09/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Henriques A, Gonzalez De Aguilar JL. Can transcriptomics cut the gordian knot of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis? Curr Genomics 2012; 12:506-15. [PMID: 22547957 PMCID: PMC3219845 DOI: 10.2174/138920211797904043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2011] [Revised: 07/27/2011] [Accepted: 09/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset degenerative disease characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons, progressive muscle atrophy, paralysis and death, which occurs within 2-5 years of diagnosis. Most cases appear sporadically but some are familial, usually inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. It is postulated that the disease results from the combination of multiple pathogenic mechanisms, which affect not only motor neurons but also non-neuronal neighboring cells. Together with the understanding of this intriguing cell biology, important challenges in the field concern the design of effective curative treatments and the discovery of molecular biomarkers for early diagnosis and accurate monitoring of disease progression. During the last decade, transcriptomics has represented a promising approach to address these questions. In this review, we revisit the major findings of the numerous studies that analyzed global gene expression in tissues and cells from biopsy or post-mortem specimens of ALS patients and related animal models. These studies corroborated the implication of previously described disease pathways, and investigated the role of new genes in the pathological process. In addition, they also identified gene expression changes that could be used as candidate biomarkers for the diagnosis and follow-up of ALS. The limitations of these transcriptomics approaches will be also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Henriques
- INSERM, U692, Laboratoire de Signalisations Moléculaires et Neurodégénérescence, Strasbourg, France
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Cabaj AM, Slawinska U. Riluzole Treatment Reduces Motoneuron Death Induced by Axotomy in Newborn Rats. J Neurotrauma 2012; 29:1506-17. [DOI: 10.1089/neu.2011.2090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Cabaj
- Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering PAS, Warsaw, Poland
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, Warsaw, Poland
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