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Danačíková Š, Straka B, Daněk J, Kořínek V, Otáhal J. In vitro human cell culture models in a bench-to-bedside approach to epilepsy. Epilepsia Open 2024. [PMID: 38637998 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12941] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disease, affecting nearly 1%-2% of the world's population. Current pharmacological treatment and regimen adjustments are aimed at controlling seizures; however, they are ineffective in one-third of the patients. Although neuronal hyperexcitability was previously thought to be mainly due to ion channel alterations, current research has revealed other contributing molecular pathways, including processes involved in cellular signaling, energy metabolism, protein synthesis, axon guidance, inflammation, and others. Some forms of drug-resistant epilepsy are caused by genetic defects that constitute potential targets for precision therapy. Although such approaches are increasingly important, they are still in the early stages of development. This review aims to provide a summary of practical aspects of the employment of in vitro human cell culture models in epilepsy diagnosis, treatment, and research. First, we briefly summarize the genetic testing that may result in the detection of candidate pathogenic variants in genes involved in epilepsy pathogenesis. Consequently, we review existing in vitro cell models, including induced pluripotent stem cells and differentiated neuronal cells, providing their specific properties, validity, and employment in research pipelines. We cover two methodological approaches. The first approach involves the utilization of somatic cells directly obtained from individual patients, while the second approach entails the utilization of characterized cell lines. The models are evaluated in terms of their research and clinical benefits, relevance to the in vivo conditions, legal and ethical aspects, time and cost demands, and available published data. Despite the methodological, temporal, and financial demands of the reviewed models they possess high potential to be used as robust systems in routine testing of pathogenicity of detected variants in the near future and provide a solid experimental background for personalized therapy of genetic epilepsies. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Epilepsy affects millions worldwide, but current treatments fail for many patients. Beyond traditional ion channel alterations, various genetic factors contribute to the disorder's complexity. This review explores how in vitro human cell models, either from patients or from cell lines, can aid in understanding epilepsy's genetic roots and developing personalized therapies. While these models require further investigation, they offer hope for improved diagnosis and treatment of genetic forms of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Šárka Danačíková
- Laboratory of Developmental Epileptology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Pathophysiology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Straka
- Neurogenetics Laboratory of the Department of Paediatric Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Full Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Daněk
- Laboratory of Developmental Epileptology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Kořínek
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Otáhal
- Laboratory of Developmental Epileptology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Pathophysiology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Ma M, Cheng Y, Hou X, Li Z, Wang M, Ma B, Cheng Q, Ding Z, Feng H. Serum biomarkers in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy: a proteomics-based analysis. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1383023. [PMID: 38585359 PMCID: PMC10995353 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1383023] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the serum biomarkers in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Methods A total of 9 DRE patients and 9 controls were enrolled. Serum from DRE patients was prospectively collected and analyzed for potential serum biomarkers using TMT18-labeled proteomics. After fine quality control, bioinformatics analysis was conducted to find differentially expressed proteins. Pathway enrichment analysis identified some biological features shared by differential proteins. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was further performed to discover the core proteins. Results A total of 117 serum differential proteins were found in our study, of which 44 were revised upwards and 73 downwards. The up-regulated proteins mainly include UGGT2, PDIA4, SEMG1, KIAA1191, CCT7 etc. and the down-regulated proteins mainly include ROR1, NIF3L1, ITIH4, CFP, COL11A2 etc. Pathway enrichment analysis identified that the upregulated proteins were mainly enriched in processes such as immune response, extracellular exosome, serine-type endopeptidase activity and complement and coagulation cascades, and the down-regulated proteins were enriched in signal transduction, extracellular exosome, zinc/calcium ion binding and metabolic pathways. PPI network analysis revealed that the core proteins nodes include PRDX6, CAT, PRDX2, SOD1, PARK7, GSR, TXN, ANXA1, HINT1, and S100A8 etc. Conclusion The discovery of these differential proteins enriched our understanding of serum biomarkers in patients with DRE and potentially provides guidance for future targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mian Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ying Cheng
- Suzhou Jinchang Street Bailian Community Health Service Center, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoxia Hou
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhisen Li
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Meixia Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bodun Ma
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qingzhang Cheng
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiliang Ding
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongxuan Feng
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Singh S, Hämäläinen RH. The Roles of Cystatin B in the Brain and Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy Type 1. Cells 2024; 13:170. [PMID: 38247861 PMCID: PMC10814315 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020170] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Progressive myoclonic epilepsy type 1 (EPM1) is an autosomal recessive disorder, also known as Unverricht-Lundborg disease (ULD). EPM1 patients suffer from photo-sensitive seizures, stimulus-sensitive myoclonus, nocturnal myoclonic seizures, ataxia and dysarthria. In addition, cerebral ataxia and impaired GABAergic inhibition are typically present. EPM1 is caused by mutations in the Cystatin B gene (CSTB). The CSTB protein functions as an intracellular thiol protease inhibitor and inhibits Cathepsin function. It also plays a crucial role in brain development and regulates various functions in neurons beyond maintaining cellular proteostasis. These include controlling cell proliferation and differentiation, synaptic functions and protection against oxidative stress, likely through regulation of mitochondrial function. Depending on the differentiation stage and status of neurons, the protein localizes either to the cytoplasm, nucleus, lysosomes or mitochondria. Further, CSTB can also be secreted to the extracellular matrix for interneuron rearrangement and migration. In this review, we will review the various functions of CSTB in the brain and discuss the putative pathophysiological mechanism underlying EPM1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Riikka H. Hämäläinen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland;
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Gumusgoz E, Kasiri S, Verma M, Wu J, Villarreal Acha D, Marriam U, Fyffe-Maricich S, Lin A, Chen X, Gray SJ, Minassian BA. CSTB gene replacement improves neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration and ataxia in murine type 1 progressive myoclonus epilepsy. Gene Ther 2023:10.1038/s41434-023-00433-x. [PMID: 38135787 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-023-00433-x] [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] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
EPM1 is the most common form of Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy characterized by late-childhood onset, ever-worsening and disabling myoclonus, seizures, ataxia, psychiatric disease, and shortened lifespan. EPM1 is caused by expansions of a dodecamer repeat sequence in the promoter of CSTB (cystatin B), which dramatically reduces, but does not eliminate, gene expression. The relatively late onset and consistent presence of a minimal amount of protein product makes EPM1 a favorable target for gene replacement therapy. If treated early, these children's normally developed brains could be rescued from the neurodegeneration that otherwise follows, and their cross-reactive immunological material (CRIM) positive status greatly reduces transgene related toxicity. We performed a proof-of-concept CSTB gene replacement study in Cstb knockout mice by introducing full-length human CSTB driven by the CBh promoter packaged in AAV9 and administered at postnatal days 21 and 60. Mice were sacrificed at 2 or 9 months of age, respectively. We observed significant improvements in expression levels of neuroinflammatory pathway genes and cerebellar granule cell layer apoptosis, as well as amelioration of motor impairment. The data suggest that gene replacement is a promising therapeutic modality for EPM1 and could spare affected children and families the ravages of this otherwise severe neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emrah Gumusgoz
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Sahba Kasiri
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Mayank Verma
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Jun Wu
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Daniel Villarreal Acha
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Ummay Marriam
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | | | | | - Xin Chen
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Steven J Gray
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Berge A Minassian
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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Pollari E, Tegelberg S, Björklund H, Kälviäinen R, Lehesjoki AE, Haapalinna A. In depth behavioral phenotyping unravels complex motor disturbances in Cstb-/- mouse, a model for progressive myoclonus epilepsy type 1. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1325051. [PMID: 38179183 PMCID: PMC10764494 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1325051] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Progressive myoclonus epilepsy type 1 (EPM1) is an autosomal recessively inherited childhood-adolescence onset neurodegenerative disease caused by mutations in the cystatin B (CSTB gene). The key clinical manifestation in EPM1 is progressive, stimulus-sensitive, in particular action-induced myoclonus. The cystatin B-deficient mouse model, Cstb-/-, has been described to present with myoclonic seizures and progressive ataxia. Here we describe results from in-depth behavioral phenotyping of the Cstb-/- mouse model in pure isogenic 129S2/SvHsd background covering ages from 1.5 to 6 months. We developed a method for software-assisted detection of myoclonus from video recordings of the Cstb-/- mice. Additionally, we observed that the mice were hyperactive and showed reduced startle response, problems in motor coordination and lack of inhibition. We were, however, not able to demonstrate an ataxic phenotype in them. This detailed behavioral phenotyping of the Cstb-/- mice reveals new aspects of this mouse model. The nature of the motor problems in the Cstb-/- mice seems to be more complex and more resembling the human phenotype than initially described.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saara Tegelberg
- Folkhälsan Research Center and Medicum, Medical Faculty, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Reetta Kälviäinen
- Epilepsy Center, Neuro Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anna-Elina Lehesjoki
- Folkhälsan Research Center and Medicum, Medical Faculty, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Miguel Sanz C, Martinez Navarro M, Caballero Diaz D, Sanchez-Elexpuru G, Di Donato V. Toward the use of novel alternative methods in epilepsy modeling and drug discovery. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1213969. [PMID: 37719765 PMCID: PMC10501616 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1213969] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease and, considering the amount of people affected of all ages worldwide, one of the most common neurological disorders. Over 20 novel antiseizure medications (ASMs) have been released since 1993, yet despite substantial advancements in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind epileptogenesis, over one-third of patients continue to be resistant to available therapies. This is partially explained by the fact that the majority of existing medicines only address seizure suppression rather than underlying processes. Understanding the origin of this neurological illness requires conducting human neurological and genetic studies. However, the limitation of sample sizes, ethical concerns, and the requirement for appropriate controls (many patients have already had anti-epileptic medication exposure) in human clinical trials underscore the requirement for supplemental models. So far, mammalian models of epilepsy have helped to shed light on the underlying causes of the condition, but the high costs related to breeding of the animals, low throughput, and regulatory restrictions on their research limit their usefulness in drug screening. Here, we present an overview of the state of art in epilepsy modeling describing gold standard animal models used up to date and review the possible alternatives for this research field. Our focus will be mainly on ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo larval zebrafish models contributing to the 3R in epilepsy modeling and drug screening. We provide a description of pharmacological and genetic methods currently available but also on the possibilities offered by the continued development in gene editing methodologies, especially CRISPR/Cas9-based, for high-throughput disease modeling and anti-epileptic drugs testing.
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Pipicelli F, Baumann N, Di Giaimo R, Forero-Echeverry A, Kyrousi C, Bonrath R, Maccarrone G, Jabaudon D, Cappello S. Non-cell-autonomous regulation of interneuron specification mediated by extracellular vesicles. Sci Adv 2023; 9:eadd8164. [PMID: 37205765 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add8164] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Disruption in neurogenesis and neuronal migration can influence the assembly of cortical circuits, affecting the excitatory-inhibitory balance and resulting in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Using ventral cerebral organoids and dorsoventral cerebral assembloids with mutations in the extracellular matrix gene LGALS3BP, we show that extracellular vesicles released into the extracellular environment regulate the molecular differentiation of neurons, resulting in alterations in migratory dynamics. To investigate how extracellular vesicles affect neuronal specification and migration dynamics, we collected extracellular vesicles from ventral cerebral organoids carrying a mutation in LGALS3BP, previously identified in individuals with cortical malformations and neuropsychiatric disorders. These results revealed differences in protein composition and changes in dorsoventral patterning. Proteins associated with cell fate decision, neuronal migration, and extracellular matrix composition were altered in mutant extracellular vesicles. Moreover, we show that treatment with extracellular vesicles changes the transcriptomic profile in neural progenitor cells. Our results indicate that neuronal molecular differentiation can be influenced by extracellular vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia Pipicelli
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Natalia Baumann
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rossella Di Giaimo
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU), Großhaderner Straße 9, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Andrea Forero-Echeverry
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU), Großhaderner Straße 9, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Denis Jabaudon
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Cappello
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU), Großhaderner Straße 9, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
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Gorski K, Jackson CB, Nyman TA, Rezov V, Battersby BJ, Lehesjoki AE. Progressive mitochondrial dysfunction in cerebellar synaptosomes of cystatin B-deficient mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1175851. [PMID: 37251643 PMCID: PMC10213208 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1175851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in cystatin B (CSTB) deficiency has been suggested, but its role in the onset of neurodegeneration, myoclonus, and ataxia in the CSTB-deficient mouse model (Cstb-/-) is yet unknown. CSTB is an inhibitor of lysosomal and nuclear cysteine cathepsins. In humans, partial loss-of-function mutations cause the progressive myoclonus epilepsy neurodegenerative disorder, EPM1. Here we applied proteome analysis and respirometry on cerebellar synaptosomes from early symptomatic (Cstb-/-) mice to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in the onset of CSTB-deficiency associated neural pathogenesis. Proteome analysis showed that CSTB deficiency is associated with differential expression of mitochondrial and synaptic proteins, and respirometry revealed a progressive impairment in mitochondrial function coinciding with the onset of myoclonus and neurodegeneration in (Cstb-/-) mice. This mitochondrial dysfunction was not associated with alterations in mitochondrial DNA copy number or membrane ultrastructure. Collectively, our results show that CSTB deficiency generates a defect in synaptic mitochondrial bioenergetics that coincides with the onset and progression of the clinical phenotypes, and thus is likely a contributor to the pathogenesis of EPM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarin Gorski
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Christopher B. Jackson
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuula A. Nyman
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Veronika Rezov
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Anna-Elina Lehesjoki
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Silvennoinen K, Säisänen L, Hyppönen J, Rissanen SM, Karjalainen PA, D'Ambrosio S, Jimenez‐Jimenez D, Zagaglia S, Rothwell JC, Balestrini S, Sisodiya SM, Julkunen P, Mervaala E, Kälviäinen R. Short- and long-interval intracortical inhibition in EPM1 is related to genotype. Epilepsia 2023; 64:208-217. [PMID: 36398398 PMCID: PMC10107775 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Progressive myoclonic epilepsy type 1 (EPM1) is caused by biallelic alterations in the CSTB gene, most commonly dodecamer repeat expansions. Although transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-induced long-interval intracortical inhibition (LICI) was previously reported to be normal in EPM1, short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) was reduced. We explored the association between these measures and the clinical and genetic features in a separate group of patients with EPM1. METHODS TMS combined with electromyography was performed under neuronavigation. LICI was induced with an inter-stimulus interval (ISI) of 100 ms, and SICI with ISIs of 2 and 3 ms, and their means (mSICIs) were expressed as the ratio of conditioned to unconditioned stimuli. LICI and mSICI were compared between patients and controls. Nonparametric correlation was used to study the association between inhibition and parameters of clinical severity, including the Unified Myoclonus Rating Scale (UMRS); among patients with EPM1 due to biallelic expansion repeats, also the association with the number of repeats was assessed. RESULTS The study protocol was completed in 19 patients (15 with biallelic expansion repeats and 4 compound heterozygotes), and 7 healthy, age- and sex-matched control participants. Compared to controls, patients demonstrated significantly less SICI (median mSICI ratio 1.18 vs 0.38; p < .001). Neither LICI nor SICI was associated with parameters of clinical severity. In participants with biallelic repeat expansions, the number of repeats in the more affected allele (greater repeat number [GRN]) correlated with LICI (rho = 0.872; p < .001) and SICI (rho = 0.689; p = .006). SIGNIFICANCE Our results strengthen the finding of deranged γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic inhibition in EPM1. LICI and SICI may have use as markers of GABAergic impairment in future trials of disease-modifying treatment in this condition. Whether a higher number of expansion repeats leads to greater GABAergic impairment warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katri Silvennoinen
- Kuopio Epilepsy Center, NeurocenterMember of ERN EpiCARE, Kuopio University HospitalKuopioFinland
- Department of Clinical and Experimental EpilepsyUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- Chalfont Centre for EpilepsyUK
| | - Laura Säisänen
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Kuopio Epilepsy Center, NeurocenterMember of ERN EpiCARE, Kuopio University HospitalKuopioFinland
- Department of Applied PhysicsUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopioFinland
| | - Jelena Hyppönen
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Kuopio Epilepsy Center, NeurocenterMember of ERN EpiCARE, Kuopio University HospitalKuopioFinland
| | - Saara M. Rissanen
- Department of Applied PhysicsUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopioFinland
| | | | - Sasha D'Ambrosio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental EpilepsyUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche "L. Sacco"Università degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
| | - Diego Jimenez‐Jimenez
- Department of Clinical and Experimental EpilepsyUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Sara Zagaglia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental EpilepsyUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - John C. Rothwell
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement DisordersUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Simona Balestrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental EpilepsyUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- Chalfont Centre for EpilepsyUK
- Neuroscience DepartmentMember of ERN EpiCARE, Meyer Children HospitalFlorenceItaly
| | - Sanjay M. Sisodiya
- Department of Clinical and Experimental EpilepsyUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- Chalfont Centre for EpilepsyUK
| | - Petro Julkunen
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Kuopio Epilepsy Center, NeurocenterMember of ERN EpiCARE, Kuopio University HospitalKuopioFinland
- Department of Applied PhysicsUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopioFinland
| | - Esa Mervaala
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Kuopio Epilepsy Center, NeurocenterMember of ERN EpiCARE, Kuopio University HospitalKuopioFinland
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopioFinland
| | - Reetta Kälviäinen
- Kuopio Epilepsy Center, NeurocenterMember of ERN EpiCARE, Kuopio University HospitalKuopioFinland
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopioFinland
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Lucchino V, Scaramuzzino L, Scalise S, Lo Conte M, Zannino C, Benedetto GL, Aguglia U, Ferlazzo E, Cuda G, Parrotta EI. Insights into the Genetic Profile of Two Siblings Affected by Unverricht-Lundborg Disease Using Patient-Derived hiPSCs. Cells 2022; 11:3491. [PMID: 36359887 PMCID: PMC9655992 DOI: 10.3390/cells11213491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Unverricht-Lundborg disease (ULD), also known as progressive myoclonic epilepsy 1 (EPM1), is a rare autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a complex symptomatology that includes action- and stimulus-sensitive myoclonus and tonic-clonic seizures. The main cause of the onset and development of ULD is a repeat expansion of a dodecamer sequence localized in the promoter region of the gene encoding cystatin B (CSTB), an inhibitor of lysosomal proteases. Although this is the predominant mutation found in most patients, the physio-pathological mechanisms underlying the disease complexity remain largely unknown. In this work, we used patient-specific iPSCs and their neuronal derivatives to gain insight into the molecular and genetic machinery responsible for the disease in two Italian siblings affected by different phenotypes of ULD. Specifically, fragment length analysis on amplified CSTB promoters found homozygous status for dodecamer expansion in both patients and showed that the number of dodecamer repeats is the same in both. Furthermore, the luciferase reporter assay showed that the CSTB promoter activity was similarly reduced in both lines compared to the control. This information allowed us to draw important conclusions: (1) the phenotypic differences of the patients do not seem to be strictly dependent on the genetic mutation around the CSTB gene, and (2) that some other molecular mechanisms, not yet clearly identified, might be taken into account. In line with the inhibitory role of cystatin B on cathepsins, molecular investigations performed on iPSCs-derived neurons showed an increased expression of lysosomal cathepsins (B, D, and L) and a reduced expression of CSTB protein. Intriguingly, the increase in cathepsin expression does not appear to be correlated with the residual amount of CSTB, suggesting that other mechanisms, in addition to the regulation of cathepsins, could be involved in the pathological complexity of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Lucchino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Luana Scaramuzzino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Stefania Scalise
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Michela Lo Conte
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Clara Zannino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giorgia Lucia Benedetto
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Umberto Aguglia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Edoardo Ferlazzo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cuda
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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11
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Žerovnik E. Human stefin B: from its structure, folding, and aggregation to its function in health and disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1009976. [PMID: 36340691 PMCID: PMC9634419 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1009976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the gene for human stefin B (cystatin B) cause progressive myoclonic epilepsy type 1 (EPM1), a neurodegenerative disorder. The most common change is dodecamer repeats in the promoter region of the gene, though missense and frameshift mutations also appear. Human stefin B primarily acts as a cysteine cathepsin inhibitor, and it also exhibits alternative functions. It plays a protective role against oxidative stress, likely via reducing mitochondrial damage and thus generating fewer mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Accordingly, lack of stefin B results in increased inflammation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, producing more ROS. The protein is cytosolic but also has an important role in the nucleus, where it prevents cleavage of the N terminal part of histone 3 by inhibiting cathepsins L and B and thus regulates transcription and cell cycle. Furthermore, it has been shown that stefin B is oligomeric in cells and that it has a specific role in the physiology of the synapse and in vesicular transport. On the basis of my research team's data on the structure, folding, and aggregation of stefin B, we have proposed that it might regulate proteostasis, possessing a chaperone-like function. In this review, I synthesize these observations and derive some conclusions on possible sources of EPM1 pathology. The interaction partners of stefin B and other gene mutations leading to EPM1-like pathology are discussed and common pathways are pinpointed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Žerovnik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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12
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Koopaie M, Ghafourian M, Manifar S, Younespour S, Davoudi M, Kolahdooz S, Shirkhoda M. Evaluation of CSTB and DMBT1 expression in saliva of gastric cancer patients and controls. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:473. [PMID: 35488257 PMCID: PMC9055774 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09570-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer and the third cause of cancer deaths globally, with late diagnosis, low survival rate, and poor prognosis. This case-control study aimed to evaluate the expression of cystatin B (CSTB) and deleted in malignant brain tumor 1 (DMBT1) in the saliva of GC patients with healthy individuals to construct diagnostic algorithms using statistical analysis and machine learning methods. Methods Demographic data, clinical characteristics, and food intake habits of the case and control group were gathered through a standard checklist. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were taken from 31 healthy individuals and 31 GC patients. Through ELISA test and statistical analysis, the expression of salivary CSTB and DMBT1 proteins was evaluated. To construct diagnostic algorithms, we used the machine learning method. Results The mean salivary expression of CSTB in GC patients was significantly lower (115.55 ± 7.06, p = 0.001), and the mean salivary expression of DMBT1 in GC patients was significantly higher (171.88 ± 39.67, p = 0.002) than the control. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that GC was significantly correlated with high levels of DMBT1 after controlling the effects of age of participants (R2 = 0.20, p < 0.001). Considering salivary CSTB greater than 119.06 ng/mL as an optimal cut-off value, the sensitivity and specificity of CSTB in the diagnosis of GC were 83.87 and 70.97%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was calculated as 0.728. The optimal cut-off value of DMBT1 for differentiating GC patients from controls was greater than 146.33 ng/mL (sensitivity = 80.65% and specificity = 64.52%). The area under the ROC curve was up to 0.741. As a result of the machine learning method, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for the diagnostic ability of CSTB, DMBT1, demographic data, clinical characteristics, and food intake habits was 0.95. The machine learning model’s sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 100, 70.8, and 80.5%, respectively. Conclusion Salivary levels of DMBT1 and CSTB may be accurate in diagnosing GCs. Machine learning analyses using salivary biomarkers, demographic, clinical, and nutrition habits data simultaneously could provide affordability models with acceptable accuracy for differentiation of GC by a cost-effective and non-invasive method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Koopaie
- Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marjan Ghafourian
- Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soheila Manifar
- Department of Oral Medicine, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, North Kargar St, P.O.Box:14395-433, Tehran, 14399-55991, Iran.
| | - Shima Younespour
- Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mansour Davoudi
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering and IT, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sajad Kolahdooz
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Shirkhoda
- Department of General Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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13
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Citores L, Valletta M, Singh VP, Pedone PV, Iglesias R, Ferreras JM, Chambery A, Russo R. Deciphering Molecular Determinants Underlying Penicillium digitatum's Response to Biological and Chemical Antifungal Agents by Tandem Mass Tag (TMT)-Based High-Resolution LC-MS/MS. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:680. [PMID: 35054864 PMCID: PMC8775614 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020680] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Penicillium digitatum is a widespread pathogen responsible for the postharvest decay of citrus, one of the most economically important crops worldwide. Currently, chemical fungicides are still the main strategy to control the green mould disease caused by the fungus. However, the increasing selection and proliferation of fungicide-resistant strains require more efforts to explore new alternatives acting via new or unexplored mechanisms for postharvest disease management. To date, several non-chemical compounds have been investigated for the control of fungal pathogens. In this scenario, understanding the molecular determinants underlying P. digitatum's response to biological and chemical antifungals may help in the development of safer and more effective non-chemical control methods. In this work, a proteomic approach based on isobaric labelling and a nanoLC tandem mass spectrometry approach was used to investigate molecular changes associated with P. digitatum's response to treatments with α-sarcin and beetin 27 (BE27), two proteins endowed with antifungal activity. The outcomes of treatments with these biological agents were then compared with those triggered by the commonly used chemical fungicide thiabendazole (TBZ). Our results showed that differentially expressed proteins mainly include cell wall-degrading enzymes, proteins involved in stress response, antioxidant and detoxification mechanisms and metabolic processes such as thiamine biosynthesis. Interestingly, specific modulations in response to protein toxins treatments were observed for a subset of proteins. Deciphering the inhibitory mechanisms of biofungicides and chemical compounds, together with understanding their effects on the fungal physiology, will provide a new direction for improving the efficacy of novel antifungal formulations and developing new control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Citores
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E-47011 Valladolid, Spain; (L.C.); (R.I.); (J.M.F.)
| | - Mariangela Valletta
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (M.V.); (V.P.S.); (P.V.P.)
| | - Vikram Pratap Singh
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (M.V.); (V.P.S.); (P.V.P.)
| | - Paolo Vincenzo Pedone
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (M.V.); (V.P.S.); (P.V.P.)
| | - Rosario Iglesias
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E-47011 Valladolid, Spain; (L.C.); (R.I.); (J.M.F.)
| | - José Miguel Ferreras
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, E-47011 Valladolid, Spain; (L.C.); (R.I.); (J.M.F.)
| | - Angela Chambery
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (M.V.); (V.P.S.); (P.V.P.)
| | - Rosita Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (M.V.); (V.P.S.); (P.V.P.)
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14
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Erbescu A, Papuc SM, Budisteanu M, Arghir A, Neagu M. Re-emerging concepts of immune dysregulation in autism spectrum disorders. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1006612. [PMID: 36339838 PMCID: PMC9626859 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1006612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by communication and social interaction deficits, and by restricted interests and stereotyped, repetitive behavior patterns. ASD has a strong genetic component and a complex architecture characterized by the interplay of rare and common genetic variants. Recently, increasing evidence suggest a significant contribution of immune system dysregulation in ASD. The present paper reviews the latest updates regarding the altered immune landscape of this complex disorder highlighting areas with potential for biomarkers discovery as well as personalization of therapeutic approaches. Cross-talk between the central nervous system and immune system has long been envisaged and recent evidence brings insights into the pathways connecting the brain to the immune system. Disturbance of cytokine levels plays an important role in the establishment of a neuroinflammatory milieu in ASD. Several other immune molecules involved in antigen presentation and inflammatory cellular phenotypes are also at play in ASD. Maternal immune activation, the presence of brain-reactive antibodies and autoimmunity are other potential prenatal and postnatal contributors to ASD pathophysiology. The molecular players involved in oxidative-stress response and mitochondrial system function, are discussed as contributors to the pro-inflammatory pattern. The gastrointestinal inflammation pathways proposed to play a role in ASD are also discussed. Moreover, the body of evidence regarding some of the genetic factors linked to the immune system dysregulation is reviewed and discussed. Last, but not least, the epigenetic traits and their interactions with the immune system are reviewed as an expanding field in ASD research. Understanding the immune-mediated pathways that influence brain development and function, metabolism, and intestinal homeostasis, may lead to the identification of robust diagnostic or predictive biomarkers for ASD individuals. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches could be developed, ultimately aiming to improve their quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Erbescu
- Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania.,Faculty of Biology, Doctoral School, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Magdalena Budisteanu
- Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania.,Prof. Dr. Alex. Obregia Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry, Bucharest, Romania.,Faculty of Medicine, Titu Maiorescu University, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Aurora Arghir
- Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Monica Neagu
- Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania.,Faculty of Biology, Doctoral School, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania.,Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
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15
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Pagni S, Mills JD, Frankish A, Mudge JM, Sisodiya SM. Non-coding regulatory elements: Potential roles in disease and the case of epilepsy. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2021; 48:e12775. [PMID: 34820881 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Non-coding DNA (ncDNA) refers to the portion of the genome that does not code for proteins and accounts for the greatest physical proportion of the human genome. ncDNA includes sequences that are transcribed into RNA molecules, such as ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and un-transcribed sequences that have regulatory functions, including gene promoters and enhancers. Variation in non-coding regions of the genome have an established role in human disease, with growing evidence from many areas, including several cancers, Parkinson's disease and autism. Here, we review the features and functions of the regulatory elements that are present in the non-coding genome and the role that these regions have in human disease. We then review the existing research in epilepsy and emphasise the potential value of further exploring non-coding regulatory elements in epilepsy. In addition, we outline the most widely used techniques for recognising regulatory elements throughout the genome, current methodologies for investigating variation and the main challenges associated with research in the field of non-coding DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Pagni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, UK
| | - James D Mills
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, UK.,Amsterdam UMC, Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Adam Frankish
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jonathan M Mudge
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sanjay M Sisodiya
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, UK
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16
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Jahić Mujkić A, Tušek Žnidarič M, Berbić S, Žerovnik E. Synergy of the Inhibitory Action of Polyphenols Plus Vitamin C on Amyloid Fibril Formation: Case Study of Human Stefin B. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:1471. [PMID: 34573102 PMCID: PMC8464686 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10091471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to study how polyphenols and vitamin C (vitC) together affect protein aggregation to amyloid fibrils, we performed similar in vitro studies as before using stefin B as a model and a potentially amyloid-forming protein (it aggregates upon overexpression, under stressful conditions and some progressive myoclonus epilepsy of tape 1-EPM1-missense mutations). In addition to the chosen polyphenol, this time, we added a proven antioxidant concentration of 0.5 mM vitC into the fibrillation mixture and varied concentrations of resveratrol, quercetin, and curcumin. Synergy with vitC was observed with curcumin and quercetin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma Jahić Mujkić
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tuzla, Univerzitetska 1, 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (A.J.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Magda Tušek Žnidarič
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Selma Berbić
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tuzla, Univerzitetska 1, 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (A.J.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Eva Žerovnik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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17
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Xu TT, Zeng XW, Wang XH, Yang LX, Luo G, Yu T. Cystatin-B Negatively Regulates the Malignant Characteristics of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Possibly Via the Epithelium Proliferation/Differentiation Program. Front Oncol 2021; 11:707066. [PMID: 34504787 PMCID: PMC8421684 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.707066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Disturbance in the proteolytic process is one of the malignant signs of tumors. Proteolysis is highly orchestrated by cysteine cathepsin and its inhibitors. Cystatin-B (CSTB) is a general cysteine cathepsin inhibitor that prevents cysteine cathepsin from leaking from lysosomes and causing inappropriate proteolysis. Our study found that CSTB was downregulated in both oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissues and cells compared with normal controls. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that CSTB was mainly distributed in the epithelial structure of OSCC tissues, and its expression intensity was related to the grade classification. A correlation analysis between CSTB and clinical prognosis was performed using gene expression data and clinical information acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Patients with lower expression levels of CSTB had shorter disease-free survival times and poorer clinicopathological features (e.g., lymph node metastases, perineural invasion, low degree of differentiation, and advanced tumor stage). OSCC cell models overexpressing CSTB were constructed to assess the effects of CSTB on malignant biological behaviors and upregulation of CSTB inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed based on the TCGA data to explore potential mechanisms, and CSTB appeared to correlate with squamous epithelial proliferation-differentiation processes, such as epidermal cell differentiation and keratinization. Moreover, in WGCNA, the gene module most associated with CSTB expression (i.e., the brown module) was also the one most associated with grade classification. Upregulation of CSTB promoted the expression levels of markers (LOR, IVL, KRT5/14, and KRT1/10), reflecting a tendency for differentiation and keratinization in vitro. Gene expression profile data of the overexpressed CSTB cell line were obtained by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology. By comparing the GSEA enrichment results of RNA-seq data (from the OSCC models overexpressing CSTB) and existing public database data, three gene sets (i.e., apical junction, G2/M checkpoint, etc.) and six pathways (e.g., NOTCH signaling pathway, glycosaminoglycan degradation, mismatch repair, etc.) were enriched in the data from both sources. Overall, our study shows that CSTB is downregulated in OSCC and might regulate the malignant characteristics of OSCC via the epithelial proliferation/differentiation program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Tian Xu
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Zeng
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Hong Wang
- Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lu-Xi Yang
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gang Luo
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Yu
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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18
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Jalink P, Caiazzo M. Brain Organoids: Filling the Need for a Human Model of Neurological Disorder. Biology (Basel) 2021; 10:740. [PMID: 34439972 PMCID: PMC8389592 DOI: 10.3390/biology10080740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Neurological disorders are among the leading causes of death worldwide, accounting for almost all onsets of dementia in the elderly, and are known to negatively affect motor ability, mental and cognitive performance, as well as overall wellbeing and happiness. Currently, most neurological disorders go untreated due to a lack of viable treatment options. The reason for this lack of options is s poor understanding of the disorders, primarily due to research models that do not translate well into the human in vivo system. Current models for researching neurological disorders, neurodevelopment, and drug interactions in the central nervous system include in vitro monolayer cell cultures, and in vivo animal models. These models have shortcomings when it comes to translating research about disorder pathology, development, and treatment to humans. Brain organoids are three-dimensional (3D) cultures of stem cell-derived neural cells that mimic the development of the in vivo human brain with high degrees of accuracy. Researchers have started developing these miniature brains to model neurodevelopment, and neuropathology. Brain organoids have been used to model a wide range of neurological disorders, including the complex and poorly understood neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we discuss the brain organoid technology, placing special focus on the different brain organoid models that have been developed, discussing their strengths, weaknesses, and uses in neurological disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Jalink
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, CG 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Massimiliano Caiazzo
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, CG 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands;
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
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19
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Brémond Martin C, Simon Chane C, Clouchoux C, Histace A. Recent Trends and Perspectives in Cerebral Organoids Imaging and Analysis. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:629067. [PMID: 34276279 PMCID: PMC8283195 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.629067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Since their first generation in 2013, the use of cerebral organoids has spread exponentially. Today, the amount of generated data is becoming challenging to analyze manually. This review aims to overview the current image acquisition methods and to subsequently identify the needs in image analysis tools for cerebral organoids. Methods: To address this question, we went through all recent articles published on the subject and annotated the protocols, acquisition methods, and algorithms used. Results: Over the investigated period of time, confocal microscopy and bright-field microscopy were the most used acquisition techniques. Cell counting, the most common task, is performed in 20% of the articles and area; around 12% of articles calculate morphological parameters. Image analysis on cerebral organoids is performed in majority using ImageJ software (around 52%) and Matlab language (4%). Treatments remain mostly semi-automatic. We highlight the limitations encountered in image analysis in the cerebral organoid field and suggest possible solutions and implementations to develop. Conclusions: In addition to providing an overview of cerebral organoids cultures and imaging, this work highlights the need to improve the existing image analysis methods for such images and the need for specific analysis tools. These solutions could specifically help to monitor the growth of future standardized cerebral organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Brémond Martin
- ETIS Laboratory UMR 8051, CY Cergy Paris Université, ENSEA, CNRS, Cergy, France
- WITSEE, Paris, France
| | - Camille Simon Chane
- ETIS Laboratory UMR 8051, CY Cergy Paris Université, ENSEA, CNRS, Cergy, France
| | | | - Aymeric Histace
- ETIS Laboratory UMR 8051, CY Cergy Paris Université, ENSEA, CNRS, Cergy, France
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20
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Daura E, Tegelberg S, Yoshihara M, Jackson C, Simonetti F, Aksentjeff K, Ezer S, Hakala P, Katayama S, Kere J, Lehesjoki AE, Joensuu T. Cystatin B-deficiency triggers ectopic histone H3 tail cleavage during neurogenesis. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 156:105418. [PMID: 34102276 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystatin B (CSTB) acts as an inhibitor of cysteine proteases of the cathepsin family and loss-of-function mutations result in human brain diseases with a genotype-phenotype correlation. In the most severe case, CSTB-deficiency disrupts brain development, and yet the molecular basis of this mechanism is missing. Here, we establish CSTB as a regulator of chromatin structure during neural stem cell renewal and differentiation. Murine neural precursor cells (NPCs) undergo transient proteolytic cleavage of the N-terminal histone H3 tail by cathepsins B and L upon induction of differentiation into neurons and glia. In contrast, CSTB-deficiency triggers premature H3 tail cleavage in undifferentiated self-renewing NPCs and sustained H3 tail proteolysis in differentiating neural cells. This leads to significant transcriptional changes in NPCs, particularly of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes. In turn, these transcriptional alterations impair the enhanced mitochondrial respiration that is induced upon neural stem cell differentiation. Collectively, our findings reveal the basis of epigenetic regulation in the molecular pathogenesis of CSTB deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduard Daura
- Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Saara Tegelberg
- Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Masahito Yoshihara
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christopher Jackson
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Francesca Simonetti
- Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katri Aksentjeff
- Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sini Ezer
- Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paula Hakala
- Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Shintaro Katayama
- Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Juha Kere
- Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Stockholm, Sweden; Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna-Elina Lehesjoki
- Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Tarja Joensuu
- Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
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21
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Perrone-Capano C, Volpicelli F, Penna E, Chun JT, Crispino M. Presynaptic protein synthesis and brain plasticity: From physiology to neuropathology. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 202:102051. [PMID: 33845165 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
To form and maintain extremely intricate and functional neural circuitry, mammalian neurons are typically endowed with highly arborized dendrites and a long axon. The synapses that link neurons to neurons or to other cells are numerous and often too remote for the cell body to make and deliver new proteins to the right place in time. Moreover, synapses undergo continuous activity-dependent changes in their number and strength, establishing the basis of neural plasticity. The innate dilemma is then how a highly complex neuron provides new proteins for its cytoplasmic periphery and individual synapses to support synaptic plasticity. Here, we review a growing body of evidence that local protein synthesis in discrete sites of the axon and presynaptic terminals plays crucial roles in synaptic plasticity, and that deregulation of this local translation system is implicated in various pathologies of the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Perrone-Capano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati Traverso", CNR, Naples, Italy.
| | | | - Eduardo Penna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Jong Tai Chun
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy.
| | - Marianna Crispino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
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22
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Di Giaimo R, Penna E, Pizzella A, Cirillo R, Perrone-Capano C, Crispino M. Cross Talk at the Cytoskeleton-Plasma Membrane Interface: Impact on Neuronal Morphology and Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239133. [PMID: 33266269 PMCID: PMC7730950 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cytoskeleton and its associated proteins present at the plasma membrane not only determine the cell shape but also modulate important aspects of cell physiology such as intracellular transport including secretory and endocytic pathways. Continuous remodeling of the cell structure and intense communication with extracellular environment heavily depend on interactions between cytoskeletal elements and plasma membrane. This review focuses on the plasma membrane-cytoskeleton interface in neurons, with a special emphasis on the axon and nerve endings. We discuss the interaction between the cytoskeleton and membrane mainly in two emerging topics of neurobiology: (i) production and release of extracellular vesicles and (ii) local synthesis of new proteins at the synapses upon signaling cues. Both of these events contribute to synaptic plasticity. Our review provides new insights into the physiological and pathological significance of the cytoskeleton-membrane interface in the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Di Giaimo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (A.P.); (R.C.)
- Correspondence: (R.D.G.); (M.C.)
| | - Eduardo Penna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (A.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Amelia Pizzella
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (A.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Raffaella Cirillo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (A.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Carla Perrone-Capano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati Traverso”, National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Marianna Crispino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (A.P.); (R.C.)
- Correspondence: (R.D.G.); (M.C.)
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23
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Penna E, Pizzella A, Cimmino F, Trinchese G, Cavaliere G, Catapano A, Allocca I, Chun JT, Campanozzi A, Messina G, Precenzano F, Lanzara V, Messina A, Monda V, Monda M, Perrone-Capano C, Mollica MP, Crispino M. Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Effect of High-Fat Diet on Synaptic Plasticity and Mitochondrial Functions. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10110805. [PMID: 33142719 PMCID: PMC7694125 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10110805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) include diverse neuropathologies characterized by abnormal brain development leading to impaired cognition, communication and social skills. A common feature of NDDs is defective synaptic plasticity, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are only partially known. Several studies have indicated that people’s lifestyles such as diet pattern and physical exercise have significant influence on synaptic plasticity of the brain. Indeed, it has been reported that a high-fat diet (HFD, with 30–50% fat content), which leads to systemic low-grade inflammation, has also a detrimental effect on synaptic efficiency. Interestingly, metabolic alterations associated with obesity in pregnant woman may represent a risk factor for NDDs in the offspring. In this review, we have discussed the potential molecular mechanisms linking the HFD-induced metabolic dysfunctions to altered synaptic plasticity underlying NDDs, with a special emphasis on the roles played by synaptic protein synthesis and mitochondrial functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Penna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (A.P.); (F.C.); (G.T.); (G.C.); (A.C.); (I.A.); (M.C.)
| | - Amelia Pizzella
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (A.P.); (F.C.); (G.T.); (G.C.); (A.C.); (I.A.); (M.C.)
| | - Fabiano Cimmino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (A.P.); (F.C.); (G.T.); (G.C.); (A.C.); (I.A.); (M.C.)
| | - Giovanna Trinchese
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (A.P.); (F.C.); (G.T.); (G.C.); (A.C.); (I.A.); (M.C.)
| | - Gina Cavaliere
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (A.P.); (F.C.); (G.T.); (G.C.); (A.C.); (I.A.); (M.C.)
| | - Angela Catapano
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (A.P.); (F.C.); (G.T.); (G.C.); (A.C.); (I.A.); (M.C.)
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Ivana Allocca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (A.P.); (F.C.); (G.T.); (G.C.); (A.C.); (I.A.); (M.C.)
| | - Jong Tai Chun
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy;
| | - Angelo Campanozzi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Francesco Precenzano
- Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (F.P.); (V.L.)
| | - Valentina Lanzara
- Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (F.P.); (V.L.)
| | - Antonietta Messina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetics and Sports Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Monda
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
| | - Marcellino Monda
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetics and Sports Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Carla Perrone-Capano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati Traverso”, CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Pina Mollica
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (A.P.); (F.C.); (G.T.); (G.C.); (A.C.); (I.A.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-679990; Fax: +39-081-679233
| | - Marianna Crispino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (E.P.); (A.P.); (F.C.); (G.T.); (G.C.); (A.C.); (I.A.); (M.C.)
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24
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Abstract
Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent and
unprovoked seizures due to neuronal hyperactivity. A large proportion
of epilepsy cases begin during childhood. Causes of epilepsy include
stroke, infections, brain injury, genetic factors, or other factors
that alter brain structure and development, but in up to 50% of cases
the cause is unknown. Approximately 35% of patients have refractory
seizures that do not respond to medication. Animal models and in vitro
cultures have contributed to our understanding of epilepsy, but there
is a clear need for better models to explore the human brain in normal
and pathological conditions. Human pluripotent stem cell (PSC)
technologies opened the door for new models for analyzing brain
development and disease, especially conditions with a genetic
component. Initially, PSCs were differentiated into 2-dimensional
cultures of a homogenous population of neural cells, such as
glutamatergic excitatory or γ-aminobutyric acidergic inhibitory
neurons, as well as glial cells. Nevertheless, these cultures lacked
the structure and complexity of a human brain. In the last decade, PSC
technology has advanced to the next level through the development of
3-dimensional culture, called organoids. These organoids recapitulate
features of the human brain that are missing in animal models,
enabling a deeper study of the human brain. In this review, we will
summarize the current status of organoid research and its application
to epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanesa Nieto-Estévez
- Department of Biology and Brain Health Consortium, 414492The University of Texas at San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jenny Hsieh
- Department of Biology and Brain Health Consortium, 414492The University of Texas at San Antonio, TX, USA
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25
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Di Matteo F, Pipicelli F, Kyrousi C, Tovecci I, Penna E, Crispino M, Chambery A, Russo R, Ayo-Martin AC, Giordano M, Hoffmann A, Ciusani E, Canafoglia L, Götz M, Di Giaimo R, Cappello S. Cystatin B is essential for proliferation and interneuron migration in individuals with EPM1 epilepsy. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e11419. [PMID: 32378798 PMCID: PMC7278547 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201911419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME) of Unverricht–Lundborg type (EPM1) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder with the highest incidence of PME worldwide. Mutations in the gene encoding cystatin B (CSTB) are the primary genetic cause of EPM1. Here, we investigate the role of CSTB during neurogenesis in vivo in the developing mouse brain and in vitro in human cerebral organoids (hCOs) derived from EPM1 patients. We find that CSTB (but not one of its pathological variants) is secreted into the mouse cerebral spinal fluid and the conditioned media from hCOs. In embryonic mouse brain, we find that functional CSTB influences progenitors’ proliferation and modulates neuronal distribution by attracting interneurons to the site of secretion via cell‐non‐autonomous mechanisms. Similarly, in patient‐derived hCOs, low levels of functional CSTB result in an alteration of progenitor's proliferation, premature differentiation, and changes in interneurons migration. Secretion and extracellular matrix organization are the biological processes particularly affected as suggested by a proteomic analysis in patients’ hCOs. Overall, our study sheds new light on the cellular mechanisms underlying the development of EPM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Di Matteo
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
| | - Fabrizia Pipicelli
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
| | | | - Isabella Tovecci
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,Department of Biology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Eduardo Penna
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Angela Chambery
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosita Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Ane Cristina Ayo-Martin
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Emilio Ciusani
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Magdalena Götz
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU), Planegg/Martinsried, Germany.,Helmholtz Center Munich, Biomedical Center (BMC), Institute of Stem Cell Research, Planegg/Martinsried, Germany.,SyNergy Excellence Cluster, Munich, Germany
| | - Rossella Di Giaimo
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,Department of Biology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
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