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Krause A, Anderson DG, Ferreira-Correia A, Dawson J, Baine-Savanhu F, Li PP, Margolis RL. Huntington disease-like 2: insight into neurodegeneration from an African disease. Nat Rev Neurol 2024; 20:36-49. [PMID: 38114648 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00906-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD)-like 2 (HDL2) is a rare genetic disease caused by an expanded trinucleotide repeat in the JPH3 gene (encoding junctophilin 3) that shows remarkable clinical similarity to HD. To date, HDL2 has been reported only in patients with definite or probable African ancestry. A single haplotype background is shared by patients with HDL2 from different populations, supporting a common African origin for the expansion mutation. Nevertheless, outside South Africa, reports of patients with HDL2 in Africa are scarce, probably owing to limited clinical services across the continent. Systematic comparisons of HDL2 and HD have revealed closely overlapping motor, cognitive and psychiatric features and similar patterns of cerebral and striatal atrophy. The pathogenesis of HDL2 remains unclear but it is proposed to occur through several mechanisms, including loss of protein function and RNA and/or protein toxicity. This Review summarizes our current knowledge of this African-specific HD phenocopy and highlights key areas of overlap between HDL2 and HD. Given the aforementioned similarities in clinical phenotype and pathology, an improved understanding of HDL2 could provide novel insights into HD and other neurodegenerative and/or trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Krause
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - David G Anderson
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- University of Glasgow, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Aline Ferreira-Correia
- Department of Psychology, School of Human and Community Development, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jessica Dawson
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Fiona Baine-Savanhu
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Pan P Li
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Russell L Margolis
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Abstract
Background Neuroacanthocytosis (NA) and Huntington’s disease (HD) are neurodegenerative conditions that share clinical symptoms and imaging findings, despite their distinct genetic etiologies. Usually, the presence of acanthocytes can help narrow the differential diagnosis of a familial choreiform disorder, as the diagnosis of NA syndrome is supported by the presence of acanthocytes in peripheral blood. In this study, we demonstrate four patients who present with HD and acanthocytosis. Methods We retrieved the data of 40 HD patients with fresh peripheral blood screened for erythrocytes in our hospital from 2014 to 2022. Of these 40 patients, four patients with acanthocytes were recruited for this study. Patients’ investigations included clinical and laboratory studies, HTT gene sequencing, and whole-exome sequencing. Fresh peripheral blood was screened for erythrocytes by scanning electron microscopy. Results The four adult patients were Han Chinese and unrelated. The age ranged from 45 to 61 years, with a disease duration of 4–10 years. The main neurological features at diagnosis included progressive involuntary movements, psychiatric changes, and dementia. Genetic analysis showed an expansion at the HTT gene. The mean proportion of acanthocytes was mild (6–10%) elevated in patient one and high (>20%) elevated in patients 2–4 by scanning electron microscopy examination. Conclusion Our study illustrates that HD can combine with acanthocytosis, which may expand the clinical phenotype. Even though the primary gene defect appears to be predominately directed at the brain, a peripheral defect can be seen in HD. Our study highlights the complexity and diversity of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueyi Yu
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Lu
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fen Wang
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Beijia Xie
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaosheng Meng
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Tang
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yi Tang,
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Skripkina NA, Datieva VK, Levin OS. [Case-report of neuroacanthocytosis associated with a compound mutation in the VPS13A gene]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2021; 121:104-110. [PMID: 34693697 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro2021121091104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Neuroacanthocytosis is a group of neurodegenerative diseases manifested by a combition of neurological symptoms (most often choreic hyperkinesis) and the presence of an increased number of acanthocytes (erythrocytes with horns) in the peripheral blood. This group includes chorea-acanthocytosis, MacLeod's syndrome, pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration, Huntington-like disease type 2, and some other very rare diseases. This article presents a genetically confirmed clinical case of chorea-acanthocytosis associated with a compound mutation in the VPS13A gene, discusses in detail the stages of a diagnostic search, presents an algorithm for examining patients with chorea.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Skripkina
- Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, Russia
| | - V K Datieva
- Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, Russia
| | - O S Levin
- Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, Russia
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Valdebenito S, Bessis S, Annane D, Lorin de la Grandmaison G, Cramer–Bordé E, Prideaux B, Eugenin EA, Bomsel M. COVID-19 Lung Pathogenesis in SARS-CoV-2 Autopsy Cases. Front Immunol 2021; 12:735922. [PMID: 34671353 PMCID: PMC8521087 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.735922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a major public health issue. COVID-19 is considered an airway/multi-systemic disease, and demise has been associated with an uncontrolled immune response and a cytokine storm in response to the virus. However, the lung pathology, immune response, and tissue damage associated with COVID-19 demise are poorly described and understood due to safety concerns. Using post-mortem lung tissues from uninfected and COVID-19 deadly cases as well as an unbiased combined analysis of histology, multi-viral and host markers staining, correlative microscopy, confocal, and image analysis, we identified three distinct phenotypes of COVID-19-induced lung damage. First, a COVID-19-induced hemorrhage characterized by minimal immune infiltration and large thrombus; Second, a COVID-19-induced immune infiltration with excessive immune cell infiltration but no hemorrhagic events. The third phenotype correspond to the combination of the two previous ones. We observed the loss of alveolar wall integrity, detachment of lung tissue pieces, fibroblast proliferation, and extensive fibrosis in all three phenotypes. Although lung tissues studied were from lethal COVID-19, a strong immune response was observed in all cases analyzed with significant B cell and poor T cell infiltrations, suggesting an exhausted or compromised immune cellular response in these patients. Overall, our data show that SARS-CoV-2-induced lung damage is highly heterogeneous. These individual differences need to be considered to understand the acute and long-term COVID-19 consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Valdebenito
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Simon Bessis
- Service des Maladies Infectieuses, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Raymond Poincaré, AP-HP, Garches, France
| | - Djillali Annane
- Intensive Care Unit, Raymond Poincaré Hospital (AP-HP), Paris, France
- Simone Veil School of Medicine, Université of Versailles, Versailles, France
- University Paris Saclay, Garches, France
| | - Geoffroy Lorin de la Grandmaison
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, Versailles Saint-Quentin Université, AP-HP, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Garches, France
| | | | - Brendan Prideaux
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Eliseo A. Eugenin
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Morgane Bomsel
- Laboratory of Mucosal Entry of HIV-1 and Mucosal Immunity, Department of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, Institute Cochin, CNRS UMR 8104, INSERM U1016, University of Paris, Paris, France
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Abstract
The term "neuroacanthocytosis" (NA) is used for a spectrum of neurological disorders in which there are thorny red blood cells. While NA historically referred to disorders of lipoprotein absorption, we have promoted it as an overarching term for a group of basal ganglia disorders, with specific reference to two diseases that we defined as "core" NA syndromes. "Neuroacanthocytosis" has also been used to refer to a specific, now genetically-defined disease, otherwise known as "chorea-acanthocytosis". These various usages have resulted in diagnostic confusion, and in a number of cases have quite likely prevented the pursuance of precise, molecular, diagnosis. Disease nomenclature is an ever-evolving field, especially in the current era of expanding genetics, and naming proposals are often far from ideal. We, however, suggest that the term "neuroacanthocytosis" should no longer be generally used and if so, only with appropriate understanding of its limitations. Further, we propose that chorea-acanthocytosis be renamed as "VPS13A disease" in accordance with its genetic etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth H. Walker
- James J. Peters VAMC, Bronx, Department of Neurology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City, NY, US
| | - Adrian Danek
- Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany, DE
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Ferreira-Correia A, Krause A, Anderson DG. The Neuropsychiatry of Huntington Disease-Like 2: A Comparison with Huntington's Disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2020; 9:325-334. [PMID: 33044188 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-200422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington Disease-Like 2 (HDL2) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by an abnormal CAG/CTG triplet repeat expansion on chromosome 16q24. The symptoms of progressive decline in motor, cognitive and psychiatric functioning are similar to those of Huntington's disease (HD). The psychiatric features of the HDL2 have been poorly characterized. OBJECTIVE To describe the neuropsychiatric features of HDL2 and compare them with those of HD. METHODS A blinded cross-sectional design was used to compare the behavioural component of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) in participants with HDL2 (n = 15) and HD (n = 13) with African ancestry. RESULTS HDL2 patients presented with psychiatric symptoms involving mood disturbances and behavioural changes that were not significantly different from those in the HD group. Duration of disease and motor performance correlated (p < 0.001) with the Functional Capacity score and the Independence score of the UHDRS. HD patients reported movement dysfunction as the first symptom more frequently than HDL2 Patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The psychiatric phenotype of HDL2 is similar to that of HD and linked to motor decline and disease duration. Psychiatric symptoms seem more severe for HDL2 patients in the early stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Ferreira-Correia
- Department of Psychology, School of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Amanda Krause
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - David G Anderson
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,University of the Witwatersrand Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Neurology, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Abstract
The mammalian genome mostly contains repeated sequences. Some of these repeats are in the regulatory elements of genes, and their instability, particularly the propensity to change the repeat unit number, is responsible for 36 well-known neurodegenerative human disorders. The mechanism of repeat expansion has been an unsolved question for more than 20 years. There are a few hypotheses describing models of mutation development. Every hypothesis is based on assumptions about unusual secondary structures that violate DNA metabolism processes in the cell. Some models are based on replication errors, and other models are based on mismatch repair or base excision repair errors. Additionally, it has been shown that epigenetic regulation of gene expression can influence the probability and frequency of expansion. In this review, we consider the molecular bases of repeat expansion disorders and discuss possible mechanisms of repeat expansion during cell metabolism.
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Ferreira-Correia A, Anderson DG, Cockcroft K, Krause A. The neuropsychological deficits and dissociations in Huntington Disease-Like 2: A series of case-control studies. Neuropsychologia 2020; 136:107238. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2019.107238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Suzuki F, Sato N, Ota M, Sugiyama A, Shigemoto Y, Morimoto E, Kimura Y, Wakasugi N, Takahashi Y, Futamura A, Kawamura M, Ono K, Nakamura M, Sano A, Watanabe M, Matsuda H, Abe O. Discriminating chorea-acanthocytosis from Huntington's disease with single-case voxel-based morphometry analysis. J Neurol Sci 2020; 408:116545. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2019.116545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Sveinsson O, Udd B, Svenningsson P, Gassner C, Engström C, Laffita-Mesa J, Solders G, Hertegård S, Savitcheva I, Jung HH, Tolnay M, Frey BM, Paucar M. Involuntary movements, vocalizations and cognitive decline. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2020; 79:135-7. [PMID: 31153763 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2019.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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11
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Jiang J, Tang M, Huang Z, Chen L. Junctophilins emerge as novel therapeutic targets. J Cell Physiol 2019; 234:16933-16943. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jinyong Jiang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Learning Key Laboratory for Pharmacoproteomics, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drugs Study University of South China Hengyang China
| | - Mingzhu Tang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Learning Key Laboratory for Pharmacoproteomics, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drugs Study University of South China Hengyang China
| | - Zhen Huang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Learning Key Laboratory for Pharmacoproteomics, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drugs Study University of South China Hengyang China
| | - Linxi Chen
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Learning Key Laboratory for Pharmacoproteomics, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drugs Study University of South China Hengyang China
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Walker RH, Gatto EM, Bustamante ML, Bernal-Pacheco O, Cardoso F, Castilhos RM, Chana-Cuevas P, Cornejo-Olivas M, Estrada-Bellmann I, Jardim LB, López-Castellanos R, López-Contreras R, Maia DP, Mazzetti P, Miranda M, Rodríguez-Violante M, Teive H, Tumas V. Huntington's disease-like disorders in Latin America and the Caribbean. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2018; 53:10-20. [PMID: 29853295 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Diseases with a choreic phenotype can be due to a variety of genetic etiologies. As testing for Huntington's disease (HD) becomes more available in previously resource-limited regions, it is becoming apparent that there are patients in these areas with other rare genetic conditions which cause an HD-like phenotype. Documentation of the presence of these conditions is important in order to provide appropriate diagnostic and clinical care for these populations. Information for this article was gathered in two ways; the literature was surveyed for publications reporting a variety of genetic choreic disorders, and movement disorders specialists from countries in Latin America and the Caribbean were contacted regarding their experiences with chorea of genetic etiology. Here we discuss the availability of molecular diagnostics for HD and for other choreic disorders, along with a summary of the published reports of affected subjects, and authors' personal experiences from the regions. While rare, patients affected by non-HD genetic choreas are evidently present in Latin America and the Caribbean. HD-like 2 is particularly prevalent in countries where the population has African ancestry. The incidence of other conditions is likely determined by other variations in ethnic background and settlement patterns. As genetic resources and awareness of these disorders improve, more patients are likely to be identified, and have the potential to benefit from education, support, and ultimately molecular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth H Walker
- Department of Neurology, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Emilia M Gatto
- Sanatorio Trinidad Mitre, INEBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Leonor Bustamante
- Human Genetics Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute, and Department of Psychiatry North Division, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | | | - Raphael M Castilhos
- Neurology Service, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Pedro Chana-Cuevas
- Facultad de Ciencias Medicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mario Cornejo-Olivas
- Neurogenetics Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Laura B Jardim
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ricardo López-Castellanos
- Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Debora P Maia
- The Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Pilar Mazzetti
- Neurogenetics Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima, Peru
| | - Marcelo Miranda
- Department of Neurology, Clinica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Helio Teive
- Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Vitor Tumas
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior Sciences, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Huntington's disease-like 2 (HDL2) is a rare, progressive, autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder that genetically, clinically, and pathologically closely resembles Huntington's disease. We review HDL2 pathogenic mechanisms and examine the implications of these mechanisms for Huntington's disease and related diseases. RECENT FINDINGS HDL2 is caused by a CTG/CAG repeat expansion in junctophilin-3. Available data from cell and animal models and human brain suggest that HDL2 is a complex disease in which transcripts and proteins expressed bidirectionally from the junctophilin-3 locus contribute to pathogenesis through both gain-and loss-of-function mechanisms. Recent advances indicate that the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease is equally complex, despite the emphasis on toxic gain-of-function properties of the mutant huntingtin protein. SUMMARY Studies examining in parallel the genetic, clinical, neuropathological, and mechanistic similarities between Huntington's disease and HDL2 have begun to identify points of convergence between the pathogenic pathways of the two diseases. Comparisons to other diseases that are phenotypically or genetically related to Huntington's disease and HDL2 will likely reveal additional common pathways. The ultimate goal is to identify shared therapeutic targets and eventually develop therapies that may, at least in part, be effective across multiple similar rare diseases, an essential approach given the scarcity of resources for basic and translational research.
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Anderson DG, Carmona S, Naidoo K, Coetzer TL, Carr J, Rudnicki DD, Walker RH, Margolis RL, Krause A. Absence of Acanthocytosis in Huntington's Disease-like 2: A Prospective Comparison with Huntington's Disease. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2017; 7:512. [PMID: 29226019 PMCID: PMC5721130 DOI: 10.7916/d81j9pdx] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background Huntington’s Disease-like 2 (HDL2) is classified as a neuroacanthocytosis; however, this remains unverified. We aim to determine if acanthocytes are present in HDL2 and whether acanthocytes can differentiate HDL2 from Huntington’s disease (HD). Methods We prospectively compared 13 HD and 12 HDL2 cases against 21 unaffected controls in Johannesburg. Blood smears were prepared using international standards and reviewed by at least two blinded reviewers. An acanthocytosis rate of greater than 1.2% in the dry smear or greater than 3.7% in the wet smear was designated a priori as the threshold for clinical significance based on previously established standards. Flow cytometry was performed on all but four of the cases. Red cell membrane protein analysis was performed on all participants. Results There were 12 HDL2, 13 HD, and 21 controls enrolled. None of the HD or HDL2 participants had defined acanthocytosis or other morphological abnormalities. None of the HD or HDL2 cases had evidence of an abnormal band 3. Discussion Acanthocytosis was not identified in either HDL2 or HD in our patient population. Our results, based on the first prospective study of acanthocytes in HDL2 or HD, suggest that screening for acanthocytes will not help establish the diagnosis of HD or HDL2, nor differentiate between the two disorders and raises the question if HDL2 should be placed within the neuroacanthocytosis syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Anderson
- Department of Neurology, The University of the Witwatersrand Donald Gordon Medical Center, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Division of Human Genetics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sergio Carmona
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kubendran Naidoo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Theresa L Coetzer
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jonathan Carr
- Department of Neurology, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dobrila D Rudnicki
- Office of Special Initiatives, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ruth H Walker
- Department of Neurology, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Neurology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Russell L Margolis
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amanda Krause
- Division of Human Genetics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
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15
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Darling AL, Uversky VN. Intrinsic Disorder in Proteins with Pathogenic Repeat Expansions. Molecules 2017; 22:E2027. [PMID: 29186753 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22122027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 11/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins and proteins with intrinsically disordered regions have been shown to be highly prevalent in disease. Furthermore, disease-causing expansions of the regions containing tandem amino acid repeats often push repetitive proteins towards formation of irreversible aggregates. In fact, in disease-relevant proteins, the increased repeat length often positively correlates with the increased aggregation efficiency and the increased disease severity and penetrance, being negatively correlated with the age of disease onset. The major categories of repeat extensions involved in disease include poly-glutamine and poly-alanine homorepeats, which are often times located in the intrinsically disordered regions, as well as repeats in non-coding regions of genes typically encoding proteins with ordered structures. Repeats in such non-coding regions of genes can be expressed at the mRNA level. Although they can affect the expression levels of encoded proteins, they are not translated as parts of an affected protein and have no effect on its structure. However, in some cases, the repetitive mRNAs can be translated in a non-canonical manner, generating highly repetitive peptides of different length and amino acid composition. The repeat extension-caused aggregation of a repetitive protein may represent a pivotal step for its transformation into a proteotoxic entity that can lead to pathology. The goals of this article are to systematically analyze molecular mechanisms of the proteinopathies caused by the poly-glutamine and poly-alanine homorepeat expansion, as well as by the polypeptides generated as a result of the microsatellite expansions in non-coding gene regions and to examine the related proteins. We also present results of the analysis of the prevalence and functional roles of intrinsic disorder in proteins associated with pathological repeat expansions.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington Disease-like 2 (HDL2) is a neurodegenerative disorder similar to Huntington Disease (HD) in its clinical phenotype, genetic characteristics, neuropathology and longitudinal progression. Proposed specific differences include an exclusive African ancestry, lack of eye movement abnormalities, increased Parkinsonism, and acanthocytes in HDL2. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine the similarities and differences between HD and HDL2 by establishing the clinical phenotype of HDL2 with the published cases. METHODS A literature review of all clinically described cases of HDL2 until the end of 2016 was performed and a descriptive analysis was carried out. RESULTS Sixty-nine new cases were described between 2001 and 2016. All cases had likely African ancestry, and most were found in South Africa and the USA. Many features were found to be similar to HD, including a strong negative correlation between repeat length and age of onset. Chorea was noted in 48/57 cases (84%). Dementia was reported in 74% patients, and Parkinsonism in 37%. Psychiatric features were reported in 44 out of 47 cases. Patients with chorea had lower expanded repeat lengths compared to patients without chorea. Eye movements were described in 19 cases, 8 were abnormal. Acanthocytes were detected in 4 of the 13 patients tested. Nineteen out of 20 MRIs were reported as abnormal with findings similar to HD. CONCLUSION This review clarifies some aspects of the HDL2 phenotype and highlights others which require further investigation. Features that are unique to HDL2 have been documented in a minority of subjects and require prospective validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Anderson
- The University of the Witwatersrand Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Neurology, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service & School of Pathology, The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ruth H Walker
- Department of Neurology, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Myles Connor
- NHS Borders, United Kingdom; Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, UK
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jonathan Carr
- Department of Neurology, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Russell L Margolis
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neurobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amanda Krause
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service & School of Pathology, The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Abstract
There have been significant advances in neuroacanthocytosis (NA) syndromes in the past 20 years, however, confusion still exists regarding the precise nature of these disorders and the correct nomenclature. This article seeks to clarify these issues and to summarise the recent literature in the field. The four key NA syndromes are described here-chorea-acanthocytosis, McLeod syndrome, Huntington's disease-like 2, and pantothenate kinase- associated neurodegeneration. In the first two, acanthocytosis is a frequent, although not invariable, finding; in the second two, it occurs in approximately 10% of patients. Degeneration affecting the basal ganglia is the key neuropathologic finding, thus the clinical presentations can be remarkably similar. The characteristic phenotype comprises a variety of movement disorders, including chorea, dystonia, and parkinsonism, and also psychiatric and cognitive symptoms attributable to basal ganglia dysfunction. The age of onset, inheritance patterns, and ethnic background differ in each condition, providing diagnostic clues. Other investigations, including routine blood testing and neuroimaging can be informative. Genetic diagnosis, if available, provides a definitive diagnosis, and is important for genetic counseling, and hopefully molecular therapies in the future. In this article I provide a historical perspective on each NA syndrome. The first 3 disorders, chorea-acanthocytosis, McLeod syndrome, Huntington's disease-like 2, are discussed in detail, with a comprehensive review of the literature to date for each, while pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration is presented in summary, as this disorder has recently been reviewed in this journal. Therapy for all of these diseases is, at present, purely symptomatic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth H. Walker
- Department of Neurology, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Walker RH. Genetics of Huntington Disease (HD), HD-Like Disorders, and Other Choreiform Disorders. Mov Disord 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-405195-9.00030-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Harata NC. Current Gaps in the Understanding of the Subcellular Distribution of Exogenous and Endogenous Protein TorsinA. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2014; 4:260. [PMID: 25279252 PMCID: PMC4175402 DOI: 10.7916/d8js9nr2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Background An in-frame deletion leading to the loss of a single glutamic acid residue in the protein torsinA (ΔE-torsinA) results in an inherited movement disorder, DYT1 dystonia. This autosomal dominant disease affects the function of the brain without causing neurodegeneration, by a mechanism that remains unknown. Methods We evaluated the literature regarding the subcellular localization of torsinA. Results Efforts to elucidate the pathophysiological basis of DYT1 dystonia have relied partly on examining the subcellular distribution of the wild-type and mutated proteins. A typical approach is to introduce the human torsinA gene (TOR1A) into host cells and overexpress the protein therein. In both neurons and non-neuronal cells, exogenous wild-type torsinA introduced in this manner has been found to localize mainly to the endoplasmic reticulum, whereas exogenous ΔE-torsinA is predominantly in the nuclear envelope or cytoplasmic inclusions. Although these outcomes are relatively consistent, findings for the localization of endogenous torsinA have been variable, leaving its physiological distribution a matter of debate. Discussion As patients’ cells do not overexpress torsinA proteins, it is important to understand why the reported distributions of the endogenous proteins are inconsistent. We propose that careful optimization of experimental methods will be critical in addressing the causes of the differences among the distributions of endogenous (non-overexpressed) vs. exogenously introduced (overexpressed) proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Charles Harata
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Siegl C, Hamminger P, Jank H, Ahting U, Bader B, Danek A, Gregory A, Hartig M, Hayflick S, Hermann A, Prokisch H, Sammler EM, Yapici Z, Prohaska R, Salzer U. Alterations of red cell membrane properties in neuroacanthocytosis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76715. [PMID: 24098554 PMCID: PMC3789665 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Accepted: 08/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroacanthocytosis (NA) refers to a group of heterogenous, rare genetic disorders, namely chorea acanthocytosis (ChAc), McLeod syndrome (MLS), Huntington’s disease-like 2 (HDL2) and pantothenate kinase associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), that mainly affect the basal ganglia and are associated with similar neurological symptoms. PKAN is also assigned to a group of rare neurodegenerative diseases, known as NBIA (neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation), associated with iron accumulation in the basal ganglia and progressive movement disorder. Acanthocytosis, the occurrence of misshaped erythrocytes with thorny protrusions, is frequently observed in ChAc and MLS patients but less prevalent in PKAN (about 10%) and HDL2 patients. The pathological factors that lead to the formation of the acanthocytic red blood cell shape are currently unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether NA/NBIA acanthocytes differ in their functionality from normal erythrocytes. Several flow-cytometry-based assays were applied to test the physiological responses of the plasma membrane, namely drug-induced endocytosis, phosphatidylserine exposure and calcium uptake upon treatment with lysophosphatidic acid. ChAc red cell samples clearly showed a reduced response in drug-induced endovesiculation, lysophosphatidic acid-induced phosphatidylserine exposure, and calcium uptake. Impaired responses were also observed in acanthocyte-positive NBIA (PKAN) red cells but not in patient cells without shape abnormalities. These data suggest an “acanthocytic state” of the red cell where alterations in functional and interdependent membrane properties arise together with an acanthocytic cell shape. Further elucidation of the aberrant molecular mechanisms that cause this acanthocytic state may possibly help to evaluate the pathological pathways leading to neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Siegl
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patricia Hamminger
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Herbert Jank
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Uwe Ahting
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Benedikt Bader
- Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Adrian Danek
- Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Allison Gregory
- Department of Molecular & Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Monika Hartig
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Susan Hayflick
- Department of Molecular & Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Andreas Hermann
- Division of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Dresden University of Technology and German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany
| | - Holger Prokisch
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Esther M. Sammler
- Neurology Department, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Zuhal Yapici
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Rainer Prohaska
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrich Salzer
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
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Zhang L, Wang S, Lin J. Clinical and molecular research of neuroacanthocytosis. Neural Regen Res 2013; 8:833-42. [PMID: 25206731 PMCID: PMC4146083 DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2012] [Accepted: 12/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroacanthocytosis is an autosomal recessive or dominant inherited disease characterized by widespread, non-specific nervous system symptoms, or spiculated "acanthocytic" red blood cells. The clinical manifestations typically involve chorea and dystonia, or a range of other movement disorders. Psychiatric and cognitive symptoms may also be present. The two core neuroacanthocytosis syndromes, in which acanthocytosis is atypical, are autosomal recessive chorea-acanthocytosis and X-linked McLeod syndrome. Acanthocytes are found in a smaller proportion of patients with Huntington's disease-like 2 and pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration. Because the clinical manifestations are diverse and complicated, in this review we present features of inheritance, age of onset, neuroimaging and laboratory findings, as well as the spectrum of central and peripheral neurological abnormalities and extraneuronal involvement to help distinguish the four specific syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Dalian Municipal Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116033, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Suping Wang
- Department of Neurology, Dalian Municipal Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116033, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jianwen Lin
- Department of Neurology, Dalian Municipal Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116033, Liaoning Province, China
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Prohaska R, Sibon OC, Rudnicki DD, Danek A, Hayflick SJ, Verhaag EM, Jan J V, Margolis RL, Walker RH. Brain, blood, and iron: perspectives on the roles of erythrocytes and iron in neurodegeneration. Neurobiol Dis 2012; 46:607-24. [PMID: 22426390 PMCID: PMC3352961 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2012.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2011] [Revised: 01/17/2012] [Accepted: 03/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The terms "neuroacanthocytosis" (NA) and "neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation" (NBIA) both refer to groups of genetically heterogeneous disorders, classified together due to similarities of their phenotypic or pathological findings. Even collectively, the disorders that comprise these sets are exceedingly rare and challenging to study. The NBIA disorders are defined by their appearance on brain magnetic resonance imaging, with iron deposition in the basal ganglia. Clinical features vary, but most include a movement disorder. New causative genes are being rapidly identified; however, the mechanisms by which mutations cause iron accumulation and neurodegeneration are not well understood. NA syndromes are also characterized by a progressive movement disorder, accompanied by cognitive and psychiatric features, resulting from mutations in a number of genes whose roles are also basically unknown. An overlapping feature of the two groups, NBIA and NA, is the occurrence of acanthocytes, spiky red cells with a poorly-understood membrane dysfunction. In this review we summarise recent developments in this field, specifically insights into cellular mechanisms and from animal models. Cell membrane research may shed light upon the significance of the erythrocyte abnormality, and upon possible connections between the two sets of disorders. Shared pathophysiologic mechanisms may lead to progress in the understanding of other types of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Prohaska
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ody C.M. Sibon
- Section of Radiation & Stress Cell Biology, Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dobrila D. Rudnicki
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neurobiology, Laboratory of Genetic Neurobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adrian Danek
- Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Susan J. Hayflick
- Departments of Molecular & Medical Genetics, Pediatrics and Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland OR USA
| | - Esther M. Verhaag
- Section of Radiation & Stress Cell Biology, Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Vonk Jan J
- Section of Radiation & Stress Cell Biology, Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Russell L. Margolis
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neurobiology, Laboratory of Genetic Neurobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology and Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ruth H. Walker
- Departments of Neurology, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA and Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY USA
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Schneider SA, Marshall KE, Xiao J, LeDoux MS. JPH3 repeat expansions cause a progressive akinetic-rigid syndrome with severe dementia and putaminal rim in a five-generation African-American family. Neurogenetics 2012; 13:133-40. [PMID: 22447335 PMCID: PMC3370891 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-012-0318-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2011] [Accepted: 03/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We report the clinical, neuropsychological, genetic, and radiological features of a large five-generation African-American kindred from the southern USA presenting with a progressive akinetic-rigid syndrome and severe dementia, but clinically insignificant chorea, due to mutations in junctophillin 3 (JPH3). Overt disease onset was in the mid-20s to late 30s with cognitive decline, REM sleep disturbance, or psychiatric features, followed by development of a levodopa-unresponsive akinetic-rigid motor syndrome. Dystonia and myoclonus were present in some subjects. A bedridden, nonverbal severely akinetic-rigid state developed within 10 to 15 years after onset. CTG repeat expansions ranged from 47 to 53. Imaging revealed generalized cerebral atrophy with severe striatal involvement and putaminal rim hyperintensity. Analysis of our kindred indicates that JPH3 mutations should be considered in the differential diagnosis of early-onset dementia and hypokinetic-rigid syndromes in individuals of African descent. Moreover, chorea may not be overtly manifest at presentation or during significant parts of the disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne A. Schneider
- Schilling Section of Clinical and Molecular Neurogenetics at the Department of Neurology, University of Lubeck, 23568 Lubeck, Germany
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Campus, London W6 8RF, UK
| | - Kate E. Marshall
- Departments of Neurology, and Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, 38163, USA
| | - Jianfeng Xiao
- Departments of Neurology, and Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, 38163, USA
| | - Mark S. LeDoux
- Departments of Neurology, and Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, 38163, USA
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Walker RH. Update on the Non-Huntington's Disease Choreas with Comments on the Current Nomenclature. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2012; 2:tre-02-49-211-1. [PMID: 23440598 PMCID: PMC3570038 DOI: 10.7916/d89p30cs] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2011] [Accepted: 08/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
CHOREA CAN BE CAUSED BY A MULTITUDE OF ETIOLOGIES: neurodegenerative, pharmacological, structural, metabolic, and others. In absence of other apparent causes, exclusion of Huntington's disease is often a first step in the diagnostic process. There are a number of neurodegenerative disorders whose genetic etiology has been identified in the past decade. Molecular diagnosis has enabled genetic identification of disorder subtypes which were previously grouped together, such as the neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation disorders and the neuroacanthocytosis syndromes, as well as identification of phenotypic outliers for recognized disorders. Correct molecular diagnosis is essential for genetic counseling and, hopefully, ultimately genetic therapies. In addition, there has recently been recognition of other disorders which can mimic neurodegenerative disorders, including paraneoplastic and prion disorders. This article focuses upon recent developments in the field but is not intended to provide an exhaustive review of all causes of chorea, which is available elsewhere. I also discuss the nomenclature of these disorders which has become somewhat unwieldy, but may ultimately be refined by association with the causative gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth H. Walker
- Departments of Neurology, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York, United States of America
- Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City, New York, United States of America
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Velayos-Baeza A, Holinski-Feder E, Neitzel B, Bader B, Critchley EMR, Monaco AP, Danek A, Walker RH. Chorea-acanthocytosis genotype in the original critchley kentucky neuroacanthocytosis kindred. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 68:1330-3. [PMID: 21987550 DOI: 10.1001/archneurol.2011.239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the molecular nature of the neurological disease in the seminal family reported by Critchley et al in the 1960s, characterized by a hyperkinetic movement disorder and the appearance of acanthocytosis on peripheral blood smear. The eponym Levine-Critchley syndrome, subsequently termed neuroacanthocytosis, has been applied to symptomatically similar, but genetically distinct, disorders, resulting in clinical and diagnostic confusion. DESIGN DNA analysis. SETTING Molecular biology research laboratories. PARTICIPANTS First- and second-degree relatives of the original Critchley et al proband from Kentucky. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mutations in the VPS13A gene. RESULTS A mutation was identified in the VPS13A gene, responsible for autosomal recessive chorea-acanthocytosis. Haplotype reconstruction suggested that this mutation was homozygous in the proband. CONCLUSION These findings strongly support the diagnosis of chorea-acanthocytosis as the disorder described in the original report.
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Abstract
Neuroacanthocytosis (NA) syndromes are a group of genetically defined diseases characterized by the association of red blood cell acanthocytosis and progressive degeneration of the basal ganglia. NA syndromes are exceptionally rare with an estimated prevalence of less than 1 to 5 per 1'000'000 inhabitants for each disorder. The core NA syndromes include autosomal recessive chorea-acanthocytosis and X-linked McLeod syndrome which have a Huntington´s disease-like phenotype consisting of a choreatic movement disorder, psychiatric manifestations and cognitive decline, and additional multi-system features including myopathy and axonal neuropathy. In addition, cardiomyopathy may occur in McLeod syndrome. Acanthocytes are also found in a proportion of patients with autosomal dominant Huntington's disease-like 2, autosomal recessive pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration and several inherited disorders of lipoprotein metabolism, namely abetalipoproteinemia (Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome) and hypobetalipoproteinemia leading to vitamin E malabsorption. The latter disorders are characterized by a peripheral neuropathy and sensory ataxia due to dorsal column degeneration, but movement disorders and cognitive impairment are not present. NA syndromes are caused by disease-specific genetic mutations. The mechanism by which these mutations cause neurodegeneration is not known. The association of the acanthocytic membrane abnormality with selective degeneration of the basal ganglia, however, suggests a common pathogenetic pathway. Laboratory tests include blood smears to detect acanthocytosis and determination of serum creatine kinase. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging may demonstrate striatal atrophy. Kell and Kx blood group antigens are reduced or absent in McLeod syndrome. Western blot for chorein demonstrates absence of this protein in red blood cells of chorea-acanthocytosis patients. Specific genetic testing is possible in all NA syndromes. Differential diagnoses include Huntington disease and other causes of progressive hyperkinetic movement disorders. There are no curative therapies for NA syndromes. Regular cardiologic studies and avoidance of transfusion complications are mandatory in McLeod syndrome. The hyperkinetic movement disorder may be treated as in Huntington disease. Other symptoms including psychiatric manifestations should be managed in a symptom-oriented manner. NA syndromes have a relentlessly progressive course usually over two to three decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans H Jung
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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Abstract
Chorea is a common movement disorder that can be caused by a large variety of structural, neurochemical (including pharmacologic), or metabolic disturbances to basal ganglia function, indicating the vulnerability of this brain region. The diagnosis is rarely indicated by the simple phenotypic appearance of chorea, and can be challenging, with many patients remaining undiagnosed. Clues to diagnosis may be found in the patient's family or medical history, on neurologic examination, or upon laboratory testing and neuroimaging. Increasingly, advances in genetic medicine are identifying new disorders and expanding the phenotype of recognized conditions. Although most therapies at present are supportive, correct diagnosis is essential for appropriate genetic counseling, and ultimately, for future molecular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth H Walker
- Department of Neurology, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA.
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Walterfang M, Evans A, Looi JCL, Jung HH, Danek A, Walker RH, Velakoulis D. The neuropsychiatry of neuroacanthocytosis syndromes. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2011; 35:1275-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2011.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2010] [Revised: 12/28/2010] [Accepted: 01/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by a triplet repeat expansion in the IT15 gene on chromosome 4 encoding huntingtin. Gene mutations are found in about 99% of cases, with symptoms and signs suggestive of HD. This implies the existence of other causes of this syndrome, and, in recent years, several other distinct genetic disorders have been identified that can present with a clinical picture indistinguishable from HD, termed HD-like (HDL) syndromes. So far, four genes associated with HDL syndromes have been identified, including the prion protein gene (HDL1), the junctophilin 3 gene (HDL2) and, the gene encoding the TATA box-binding protein (HDL4). In addition, a single family with a recessively inherited HD phenocopy, the exact genetic basis of which is currently unknown (HDL3), has been described. These disorders, however, account for only a small proportion of HDL cases, and the list of HDL genes and conditions is set to grow. In this article, we review the currently identified HD phenocopy disorders and discuss clinical clues to facilitate further investigations. We will concentrate on the four so-called HDL syndromes mentioned above. Other genetic choreatic syndromes such as dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy, neuroferritinopathy, pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration, and chorea-acanthocytosis are also briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne A Schneider
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
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Abstract
Dystonias can be classified as primary or secondary, as dystonia-plus syndromes, and as heredodegenerative dystonias. Their prevalence is difficult to determine. In our experience 80-90% of all dystonias are primary. About 20-30% of those have a genetic background; 10-20% are secondary, with tardive dystonia and dystonia in cerebral palsy being the most common forms. If dystonia in spastic conditions is accepted as secondary dystonia, this is the most common form of all dystonia. In primary dystonias, the dystonic movements are the only symptoms. In secondary dystonias, dystonic movements result from exogenous processes directly or indirectly affecting brain parenchyma. They may be caused by focal and diffuse brain damage, drugs, chemical agents, physical interactions with the central nervous system, and indirect central nervous system effects. Dystonia-plus syndromes describe brain parenchyma processes producing predominantly dystonia together with other movement disorders. They include dopa-responsive dystonia and myoclonus-dystonia. Heredodegenerative dystonias are dystonic movements occurring in the context of other heredodegenerative disorders. They may be caused by impaired energy metabolism, impaired systemic metabolism, storage of noxious substances, oligonucleotid repeats and other processes. Pseudodystonias mimic dystonia and include psychogenic dystonia and various orthopedic, ophthalmologic, vestibular, and traumatic conditions. Unusual manifestations, unusual age of onset, suspect family history, suspect medical history, and additional signs may indicate nonprimary dystonia. If they are suspected, etiological clarification becomes necessary. Unfortunately, potential etiologies are legion. Diagnostic algorithms can be helpful. Treatment of nonprimary dystonias, with few exceptions, does not differ from treatment of primary dystonias. The most effective treatment for focal and segmental dystonias is local botulinum toxin injections. Deep brain stimulation of the globus pallidus internus is effective for generalized dystonia. Antidystonic drugs, including anticholinergics, tetrabenazine, clozapine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor agonists, are less effective and often produce adverse effects. Dopamine is extremely effective in dopa-responsive dystonia. The Bertrand procedure can be effective in cervical dystonia. Other peripheral surgery, including myotomy, myectomy, neurotomy, rhizotomy, ramizectomy, and accessory nerve neurolysis, has largely been abandoned. Central surgery other than deep brain stimulation is obsolete. Adjuvant therapies, including orthoses, physiotherapy, ergotherapy, behavioral therapy, social support, and support groups, may be helpful. Analgesics should also be considered where appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Dressler
- Movement Disorders Section, Department of Neurology, Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.
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Abstract
The term "neuroacanthocytosis" describes a heterogeneous group of molecularly-defined disorders which result in progressive neurodegeneration, predominantly of the basal ganglia, and erythrocyte acanthocytosis. The clinical presentation of neuroacanthocytosis syndromes typically involves chorea and dystonia, but a range of other movement disorders may be seen. Psychiatric and cognitive symptoms may be prominent. There can be considerable phenotypic overlap; however, features of inheritance, age of onset, neuroimaging and laboratory findings, in addition to the spectrum of central and peripheral neurological abnormalities and extraneuronal involvement, can help to distinguish the specific syndromes. The two core neuroacanthocytosis syndromes, in which acanthocytosis is a typical, although not invariable finding, are autosomal recessive chorea-acanthocytosis and X-linked McLeod syndrome. Acanthocytes are found in a smaller proportion of patients with Huntington's disease-like 2 and pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration. Additionally, acanthocytosis has been reported in a few patients with other neurological disorders. The causative genes do not appear to be linked by a specific function or pathway, although abnormalities of membrane processing may be implicated. The connection between the erythrocyte membrane abnormality, which results in the characteristic "thorny" protrusions, the vulnerability of the basal ganglia, and the respective genetic mutations, is obscure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth H Walker
- Department of Neurology, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx and Department of Neurology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Kanjanasut N, Jagota P, Bhidayasiri R. The first case report of neuroacanthocytosis in Thailand: utilization of a peripheral blood smear technique for detecting acanthocytes. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2010; 112:541-3. [PMID: 20430518 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2010.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2009] [Revised: 01/19/2010] [Accepted: 03/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroacanthocytosis (NA) is a heterogeneous group of hereditary syndromes characterized by the association of neurological abnormalities with acanthocytosis. Among those, chorea-acanthocytosis (ChAc) is the most frequent form, manifested by predominant orofacial dyskinesias associated with marked dysarthria and dysphagia. PURPOSE To describe the first known case of ChAc in Thailand. METHODS AND RESULTS A 40-year-old man presented with "core features" of NA which led to a high level of suspicion of this syndrome. An initial dry blood smear did not reveal acanthocytes but by utilizing diluted blood combined with a wet blood smear, which is accepted as the clinical gold standard when combined with an examination, acanthocytes were detected. CONCLUSION Diagnosis of NA is possible without molecular diagnostics by relying on a high degree of clinical suspicion of characteristic clinical features and a standardized wet blood smear method of peripheral blood examination for acanthocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natlada Kanjanasut
- Chulalongkorn Comprehensive Movement Disorders Center, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Alonso ME, Ochoa A, Sosa AL, Rodríguez Y, Chávez M, Boll C, Yescas P, Macías R, Rasmussen A. Presymptomatic diagnosis in Huntington's disease: the Mexican experience. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2010; 13:717-20. [PMID: 19810823 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2009.0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant progressive, disabling neurodegenerative disorder, for which there is no effective treatment. Predictive testing (PT) for this illness began in 1986 and by 1993 it became more precise after cloning of the gene and the discovery of a CAG repeat expansion as the underlying cause. The objective of this paper is to illustrate the implementation and results of a PT program in a group of at-risk Mexican individuals with 12 years of follow-up. Our PT program conforms to the guidelines proposed by the International Huntington Association and the HD Working group of the World Federation of Neurology. Seventy-five individuals requested the testing, four of them did not fulfill the inclusion criteria, and five abandoned the program voluntarily before receiving the test results. Therefore, 66 results were delivered to 41 noncarriers and 25 mutation carriers. We did not have any catastrophic event, but 4 individuals with normal results and 11 mutation carriers were depressed. Even if this is a small sample, it is the first report of PT in a Latin-American population in which we have been faced with the same problems referred to in larger series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elisa Alonso
- Neurogenetics and Molecular Biology Department, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía-Manuel Velasco Suárez (INNN-MVS), Mexico City, Mexico.
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Saiki S, Sekine T, Ueno Y, Yoshino H, Takahashi J, Tani Y, Kambe Y, Motoi Y, Hattori N. [Adult-onset case of idiopathic neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation without mutations in the PANK2 and PLA2G6 genes]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku 2009; 49:474-8. [PMID: 19827596 DOI: 10.5692/clinicalneurol.49.474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
A 47-year-old man with a 15-year history of bipolar disorder treated with anti-depressants, lithium carbonate or neuroleptics was admitted because of marked difficulty in gait and speech. At the age 45, he was unable to walk without bilateral assists and became a wheel-chair state. There was no family history and his mother, father and younger sister were neurologically free. General physical examinations revealed no abnormalities. Neurologically, he was moderately demented (mini mental state examination: 18/30) and showed bilateral horizontal gaze nystagmus, parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia, dysarthria and moderate spastic paraparesis. No involuntary movements were noted. Wet blood smear showed acanthocytes, while blood chemistries revealed no abnormalities including levels of serum creatine kinase, hepatic enzymes and blood beta-lipoprotein. Kell antigen expressions of the red blood cells were within normal limit. Western blot analysis with anti-chorein antibody detected normal chorein expression levels of the red blood cells. Cranial MRI showed severe symmetric atrophy of the frontotemporal lobes, caudate nuclei, putamen, and brainstem. Also, MRI-gradient echo showed symmetric iron accumulation in the medial portion of the globus pallidus without surrounding high intensity areas, so called "eye-of-the-tiger sign". Genetic analyses revealed no mutations in the PANK2 and PLA2G6 genes. Therefore, he was diagnosed as idiopathic neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA). These findings suggest that NBIA is heterogeneous and other additional genes remain to be found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Saiki
- Department of Neurology, Juntendo University School of Medicine
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Ishida C, Makifuchi T, Saiki S, Hirose G, Yamada M. A neuropathological study of autosomal-dominant chorea-acanthocytosis with a mutation of VPS13A. Acta Neuropathol 2009; 117:85-94. [PMID: 18584183 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-008-0403-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2008] [Revised: 06/07/2008] [Accepted: 06/08/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
We report the first autopsy case of genetically confirmed, autosomal-dominant chorea-acanthocytosis (AD-ChAc), showing a heterozygous mutation (G-A) at nucleotide position 8,295 in exon 57 of VPS13A. The patient was a 36-year-old Japanese man and the duration of his illness was 11 years. Neuropathologically, the patient showed marked atrophy and neuronal loss, particularly small and medium-sized neurons, with astrocytic gliosis in the caudate nucleus, putamen and globus pallidus. These findings were similar to previous autopsy reports of autosomal-recessive ChAc (AR-ChAc) with mutations of VPS13A. The broad distribution of atrophic neurons and astrocytosis throughout the whole brain was unique in our AD-ChAc patient and has not been described in AR-ChAc. The neuronal density of the dorsal caudate nucleus was lower than that of the ventral side in this patient as well as in three Huntington's disease (HD) patients. The neuronal densities in both the rostral and caudal sides were lower than that in the middle region at the anterior commissure level, while in the three HD patients, the neuronal densities of the caudate nucleus were more decreased in the caudal side. This ChAc patient showed faint immunoreactivity in the caudate nucleus and globus pallidus with antibodies against the striatal neurotransmitters, methionine-enkephalin, leucine-enkephalin and substance P. The difference in patterns of neuronal vulnerability could reflect those in the mechanisms of neurodegeneration between ChAc and HD.
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Iyer S, Morgan J, Speir J, Sethi K. What looks like Huntington’s disease but isn’t? Mov Disord 2008. [DOI: 10.3109/9780203008454-76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Rudnicki DD, Pletnikova O, Vonsattel JP, Ross CA, Margolis RL. A comparison of huntington disease and huntington disease-like 2 neuropathology. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2008; 67:366-74. [PMID: 18379432 DOI: 10.1097/NEN.0b013e31816b4aee] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington disease-like 2 (HDL2) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by adult-onset, progressive motor abnormalities, psychiatric disturbances, and dementia ending in premature death. Clinically, it most closely resembles Huntington disease (HD), although a subset of affected individuals have parkinsonian features. Here, we systematically compare 5 HDL2 and 5 HD brains with the hypothesis that, reflecting the clinical presentation, the neuropathology of the 2 diseases would be similar. Gross and microscopic examination revealed prominent striatal neuron loss and astrocytic gliosis in a dorsal to ventral gradient in each disorder and cortical atrophy. Nuclear protein aggregates were as common in HDL2 as in HD, and the ultrastructural features of HDL2 and HD aggregates were similar. Electron microscopy also revealed degenerating neurons, some with evidence of autophagy, in both HDL2 and HD. Small ribonuclear foci, previously associated with potentially neurotoxic RNA transcripts in HDL2, rarely colocalized with protein aggregates in HDL2 brain, although the protein aggregates were stained by anti-TATA-box binding protein antibodies. Overall, the neuropathologic features of HDL2 and HD are very similar but not identical, suggesting that the pathogenetic mechanisms of the 2 diseases may partially overlap.
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Abstract
Huntington disease-like 2 (HDL2) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder of the nervous system, apparently indistinguishable from Huntington disease (HD). HDL2 is caused by the expansion above 40 CTG/CAG repeats, in a variably spliced exon of the junctophilin-3 gene, on chromosome 16q24.3. All patients described so far have been of African ancestry. A clinical evaluation, including the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale, and brain Magnetic resonance imaging were achieved in a 48-year-old Brazilian man of apparent European extraction, and presenting a picture very suggestive of HD. Gene mutation analysis (HD, HDL1, HDL2, dentatorubralpallidoluysian atrophy and spinocerebellar ataxia 17) was performed. After exclusion of the HD mutation and other HDL disorders, we identified an expansion of 47 CTG/CAG at the HDL2 locus. To clarify the origin of the mutation and estimate the patient's ancestry, we performed haplotype studies and used the insertion/deletion polymorphisms method. Despite the fact that this patient had an estimated likelihood of 97.4% of being of European ancestry, the haplotype containing the expanded allele has been found only in Africans. Thus, this is the first HDL2 case reported in a patient with an apparent European ancestry, although bearing an African HDL2 haplotype. This work stresses the importance of performing the diagnosis of HDL2 in HD-like patients of various ethnicities, and particularly in highly mixed populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Santos
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal.
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Bardien S, Abrahams F, Soodyall H, van der Merwe L, Greenberg J, Brink T, Carr J. A South African mixed ancestry family with Huntington disease-like 2: Clinical and genetic features. Mov Disord 2007; 22:2083-9. [PMID: 17708569 DOI: 10.1002/mds.21672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington disease-like 2 (HDL2) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion of a CTG repeat in the junctophilin-3 gene (JPH3). A limited number of HDL2 families have been reported, all of apparently Black African ancestry. We report on a South African family that presented with progressive dementia and a movement disorder affecting numerous family members. Genotyping of the JPH3 CTG repeat revealed pathogenic expansions in three affected individuals. Whereas HDL2 is thought to be clinically indistinguishable from Huntington disease (HD), 2 of the patients in this study presented with clinical symptoms that differed substantially from HD; one had myoclonus and the other had Parkinsonism. Moreover, brain magnetic resonance imaging scans of these patients showed imaging features atypical for HD. Mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome DNA analysis on a family member showed that his maternal and paternal ancestries are typical of that found among the South African mixed ancestry or colored population. A difference in the distribution of CTG repeats between Caucasian and Black individuals was detected. We conclude that the phenotype of HDL2 is broad and can differ from that of typical HD. The diagnosis therefore should be considered in a wide spectrum of neuropsychiatric and abnormal movement presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Bardien
- Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
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Abstract
Huntington's disease like-2 (HDL-2) neurodegeneration is a recently described autosomal dominant disorder with features similar to Huntington's disease (HD). Only one case report has described neuropathology from an affected patient. We describe the clinical presentation and illustrate the pathology in two additional molecularly confirmed patients, compare these with the previously published case, and contrast them with HD. We examined two patients with HDL-2. Their charts were reviewed, their brains were examined using standard neuropathology techniques, including immunoperoxidase stains, and their diagnoses were confirmed with a PCR-based assay for repeat length. The first patient presented with obsessive suspiciousness, while the second had depression and decreased visual acuity. Both patients developed increased tone and cogwheel rigidity, but neither developed choreoathetosis. Extensive degeneration affected the caudate nucleus and putamen, especially dorsally and laterally. In addition, the first patient showed lateral temporal, lateral frontal, and orbitofrontal cortical atrophy, while the second patient displayed marked degeneration in the occipital and parietal cortices. Neither patient showed significant changes in the cerebellum or brainstem. Both cases had ubiquitin-immunoreactive neuronal intranuclear inclusions (NII). The patients with of HDL-2 reviewed here were remarkable for significant frontal inhibition with parkinsonism, a lack of choreiform movements, and African ancestry. Pathologically, HDL-2 is similar to HD in its effect on the neostriatum but may differ, at least in some cases, in its degree of focal cortical involvement, including the occipital lobe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penny E Greenstein
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jean-Paul G Vonsattel
- Department of Pathology, Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Russell L Margolis
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeffrey T Joseph
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Schneider SA, Walker RH, Bhatia KP. The Huntington's disease-like syndromes: what to consider in patients with a negative Huntington's disease gene test. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 3:517-25. [PMID: 17805246 DOI: 10.1038/ncpneuro0606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2007] [Accepted: 06/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD), which is caused by a triplet-repeat expansion in the IT15 gene (also known as huntingtin or HD), accounts for about 90% of cases of chorea of genetic etiology. In recent years, several other distinct genetic disorders have been identified that can present with a clinical picture indistinguishable from that of HD. These disorders are termed Huntington's disease-like (HDL) syndromes. So far, four such conditions have been recognized, namely disorders attributable to mutations in the prion protein gene (HDL1), the junctophilin 3 gene (HDL2), and the gene encoding the TATA box-binding protein (HDL4/SCA17), and a recessively inherited HD phenocopy in a single family (HDL3), the genetic basis of which is currently poorly understood. These disorders, however, account for only a small proportion of cases with the HD phenotype but a negative genetic test for HD, and the list of HDL genes and conditions is set to grow. In this article, we review the most important HD phenocopy disorders identified to date and discuss the clinical clues that guide further investigation. We will concentrate on the four so-called HDL syndromes mentioned above, as well as other genetic disorders such as dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy, neuroferritinopathy, pantothenate-kinase-associated neurodegeneration and chorea-acanthocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne A Schneider
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders at the Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, UK
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Saiki S, Sakai K, Murata KY, Saiki M, Nakanishi M, Kitagawa Y, Kaito M, Gondo Y, Kumamoto T, Matsui M, Hattori N, Hirose G. Primary skeletal muscle involvement in chorea-acanthocytosis. Mov Disord 2007; 22:848-52. [PMID: 17345646 DOI: 10.1002/mds.21437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Chorea-acanthocytosis (ChAc) is a hereditary disease characterized by involuntary movements and amyotrophy with elevation of serum creatine kinase. Although skeletal muscle involvement in ChAc has been suggested, the mechanism remains unclear. To investigate chorein abnormalities of the skeletal muscles of ChAc patients with an apparently heterozygous VPS13A mutation compared with those of other hereditary choreic diseases, we performed histological and immunohistochemical studies of the skeletal muscles from 3 ChAc, 1 Huntington's disease (HD), 1 McLeod syndrome (MLS), and 1 normal control (NC) with 2 originally generated anti-chorein antibodies. Chorein immunoreactivities in HD, MLS, and NC were found linearly along the sarcolemma and appeared as speckles in the sarcoplasma, but those in ChAc were uneven and discontinuous along the sarcolemmas and increased in the sarcoplasma especially in type I fibers. This histological observation suggests chorein abnormalities of skeletal muscles might be associated with primary involvement of skeletal muscles in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Saiki
- Department of Neurology, Kanazawa Medical University, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, Kahoku, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Huntington's disease-like 2 (HDL2) is caused by a CAG/CTG expansion mutation on chromosome 16q24.3. The repeat falls, in the CTG orientation, within a variably spliced exon of junctophilin-3 (JPH3). The existence of a JPH3 splice variant with the CTG repeat in 3' untranslated region suggested that transcripts containing an expanded CUG repeat could play a role in the pathogenesis of HDL2, similar to the proposed pathogenic role of expanded CUG repeats in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). The goal of this study, therefore, was to test the plausibility of an RNA gain-of-function component in the pathogenesis of HDL2. METHODS The presence and composition of RNA foci in frontal cortex from HDL2, Huntington's disease, DM1, and control brains were investigated by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. An untranslatable JPH3 transcript containing either a normal or an expanded CUG repeat was engineered and expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 and HT22 cells to further test the toxic RNA hypothesis. The formation of RNA foci and the extent of cell death were quantified. RESULTS RNA foci resembling DM1 foci were detected in neurons in HDL2 cortex and other brain regions. Similar to DM1, the foci colocalize with muscleblind-like protein 1, and nuclear muscleblind-like protein 1 in HDL2 cortical neurons is decreased relative to controls. In cell experiments, expression of a JPH3 transcript with an expanded CUG repeat resulted in the formation of RNA foci that colocalized with muscleblind-like protein 1 and in cell toxicity. INTERPRETATION These results imply that RNA toxicity may contribute to the pathogenesis of HDL2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dobrila D Rudnicki
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Walker RH, Danek A, Dobson-Stone C, Guerrini R, Jung HH, Lafontaine AL, Rampoldi L, Tison F, Andermann E. Developments in neuroacanthocytosis: Expanding the spectrum of choreatic syndromes. Mov Disord 2006; 21:1794-805. [PMID: 16958034 DOI: 10.1002/mds.21108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
As with other neurodegenerative disorders, research into the group of diseases known under the umbrella term of "neuroacanthocytosis" has greatly benefited from the identification of causative genes. The distinct and unifying aspect of these disorders is the presence of thorny deformations of circulating erythrocytes. This may be due to abnormal properties of red cell membranes, which could lead to insights into mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Research approaches in this field, in addition to examining functions and protein interactions of the affected proteins with particular respect to neurons, have also drawn upon the expertise of hematologists and red cell membrane biologists. In this article, recent developments in the field are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth H Walker
- Department of Neurology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, and Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10468, USA.
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Abstract
Chorea is one of the major types of involuntary movement disorders originating from dysfunctional neuronal networks interconnecting the basal ganglia and frontal cortical motor areas. The syndrome is characterised by a continuous flow of random, brief, involuntary muscle contractions and can result from a wide variety of causes. Diagnostic work-up can be straightforward in patients with a positive family history of Huntington's disease or acute-onset hemichorea in patients with lacunar stroke, but it can be a challenging and complex task in rare autoimmune or genetic choreas. Principles of management focus on establishing an aetiological classification and, if possible, removal of the cause. Preventive strategies may be possible in Huntington's disease where genetic counselling plays a major part. In this review we summarise the current understanding of the neuroanatomy and pathophysiology of chorea, its major aetiological classes, and principles of diagnostic work-up and management.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The term neuroacanthocytosis describes a group of phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous disorders, and thus has long been a source of confusion and diagnostic imprecision. It is vital to distinguish between the lipoprotein deficiency disorders which affect gait, but do not cause movement disorders or neuropsychiatric problems, and the diseases described here, of which these are characteristic features. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding this group of diseases in order to facilitate clinical recognition, accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. RECENT FINDINGS Advances in molecular medicine have enabled us to distinguish precisely among the disorders described under the label of neuroacanthocytosis, most notably between autosomal recessive chorea-acanthocytosis and the X-linked McLeod syndrome. This has facilitated appreciation of the range of phenotypes in each of the various conditions. Acanthocytosis is also found in a smaller percentage of cases with pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) and Huntington's disease-like 2 (HDL2). An improved method of determination of acanthocytosis has been described, which if adopted as standard practice may facilitate detection of these conditions. SUMMARY Genetic testing has led to increased diagnostic accuracy of the neuroacanthocytosis syndromes, which is essential to extend recognition of these disorders, as well as to improve understanding of the disease process. Most importantly, given the absence of a cure, it is vital for appropriate genetic counselling. Treatments, as in other neurodegenerative conditions, are at present limited to symptomatic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Danek
- Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany.
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Margolis RL, Holmes SE, Rosenblatt A, Gourley L, O'Hearn E, Ross CA, Seltzer WK, Walker RH, Ashizawa T, Rasmussen A, Hayden M, Almqvist EW, Harris J, Fahn S, MacDonald ME, Mysore J, Shimohata T, Tsuji S, Potter N, Nakaso K, Adachi Y, Nakashima K, Bird T, Krause A, Greenstein P. Huntington's Disease-like 2 (HDL2) in North America and Japan. Ann Neurol 2005; 56:670-4. [PMID: 15468075 DOI: 10.1002/ana.20248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's Disease-like 2 (HDL2) is a progressive, autosomal dominant, neurodegenerative disorder with marked clinical and pathological similarities to Huntington's disease (HD). The causal mutation is a CTG/CAG expansion mutation on chromosome 16q24.3, in a variably spliced exon of junctophilin-3. The frequency of HDL2 was determined in nine independent series of patients referred for HD testing or selected for the presence of an HD-like phenotype in North America or Japan. The repeat length, ancestry, and age of onset of all North American HDL2 cases were determined. The results show that HDL2 is very rare, with a frequency of 0 to 15% among patients in the nine case series with an HD-like presentation who do not have the HD mutation. HDL2 is predominantly, and perhaps exclusively, found in individuals of African ancestry. Repeat expansions ranged from 44 to 57 triplets, with length instability in maternal transmission detected in a repeat of r2=0.29, p=0.0098). The results further support the evidence that the repeat expansion at the chromosome 16q24.3 locus is the direct cause of HDL2 and provide preliminary guidelines for the genetic testing of patients with an HD-like phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell L Margolis
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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Danek A, Jung HH, Melone MAB, Rampoldi L, Broccoli V, Walker RH. Neuroacanthocytosis: new developments in a neglected group of dementing disorders. J Neurol Sci 2005; 229-230:171-86. [PMID: 15760637 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2004.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Neurological abnormalities associated with spiculated, "acanthocytic" red cells in blood have been summarized as neuroacanthocytosis. This is a heterogeneous group of conditions that can now be clearly subdivided on the basis of genetic discoveries. The core neuroacanthocytosis syndromes are autosomal recessive chorea-acanthocytosis (ChAc) and the X-linked McLeod syndrome (MLS). Huntington's disease-like 2 (HLD2) and pantothenate kinase associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) can now also be included. All of these share dyskinesias, cognitive deterioration and progressive neurodegeneration mainly of the basal ganglia, but they are sufficiently distinct to permit a specific working diagnosis on the basis of clinical, laboratory and imaging findings. In addition, the VPS13A (formerly called CHAC), XK, JPH3 and PANK2 genes, respectively, may be examined for mutations. Unfortunately, little is yet known about the normal and abnormal physiology of the protein products of these genes, but they appear to be involved in membrane function and intracellular protein sorting. Since no cures are yet available, development and study of disease models in experimental animals (mouse, C. elegans) is a priority for current research. From a clinical point of view, the common occurrence of cardiomyopathy in MLS, the transfusion hazards due to the McLeod Kell phenotype and the possibility of improving the violent trunk spasms and orofacial dyskinesias typical for ChAc (with subsequent lip or tongue mutilations and feeding dystonia) by deep brain surgery or stimulation should be considered in patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Danek
- Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Marchioninistr. 15 D-81366 Munich, Germany.
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