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Ke YD, van Hummel A, Au C, Chan G, Lee WS, van der Hoven J, Przybyla M, Deng Y, Sabale M, Morey N, Bertz J, Feiten A, Ippati S, Stevens CH, Yang S, Gladbach A, Haass NK, Kril JJ, Blair IP, Delerue F, Ittner LM. Targeting 14-3-3θ-mediated TDP-43 pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia mice. Neuron 2024; 112:1249-1264.e8. [PMID: 38366598 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.01.022] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are characterized by cytoplasmic deposition of the nuclear TAR-binding protein 43 (TDP-43). Although cytoplasmic re-localization of TDP-43 is a key event in the pathogenesis of ALS/FTD, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we identified a non-canonical interaction between 14-3-3θ and TDP-43, which regulates nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling. Neuronal 14-3-3θ levels were increased in sporadic ALS and FTD with TDP-43 pathology. Pathogenic TDP-43 showed increased interaction with 14-3-3θ, resulting in cytoplasmic accumulation, insolubility, phosphorylation, and fragmentation of TDP-43, resembling pathological changes in disease. Harnessing this increased affinity of 14-3-3θ for pathogenic TDP-43, we devised a gene therapy vector targeting TDP-43 pathology, which mitigated functional deficits and neurodegeneration in different ALS/FTD mouse models expressing mutant or non-mutant TDP-43, including when already symptomatic at the time of treatment. Our study identified 14-3-3θ as a mediator of cytoplasmic TDP-43 localization with implications for ALS/FTD pathogenesis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazi D Ke
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Annika van Hummel
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Carol Au
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Gabriella Chan
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Wei Siang Lee
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Julia van der Hoven
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Magdalena Przybyla
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Yuanyuan Deng
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Miheer Sabale
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Nicolle Morey
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Josefine Bertz
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Astrid Feiten
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Stefania Ippati
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Claire H Stevens
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Shu Yang
- Centre for MND Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Amadeus Gladbach
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Nikolas K Haass
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Jillian J Kril
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Ian P Blair
- Centre for MND Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Fabien Delerue
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
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Wong CYJ, Baldelli A, Tietz O, van der Hoven J, Suman J, Ong HX, Traini D. An overview of in vitro and in vivo techniques for characterization of intranasal protein and peptide formulations for brain targeting. Int J Pharm 2024; 654:123922. [PMID: 38401871 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.123922] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
The surge in neurological disorders necessitates innovative strategies for delivering active pharmaceutical ingredients to the brain. The non-invasive intranasal route has emerged as a promising approach to optimize drug delivery to the central nervous system by circumventing the blood-brain barrier. While the intranasal approach offers numerous advantages, the lack of a standardized protocol for drug testing poses challenges to both in vitro and in vivo studies, limiting the accurate interpretation of nasal drug delivery and pharmacokinetic data. This review explores the in vitro experimental assays employed by the pharmaceutical industry to test intranasal formulation. The focus lies on understanding the diverse techniques used to characterize the intranasal delivery of drugs targeting the brain. Parameters such as drug release, droplet size measurement, plume geometry, deposition in the nasal cavity, aerodynamic performance and mucoadhesiveness are scrutinized for their role in evaluating the performance of nasal drug products. The review further discusses the methodology for in vivo characterization in detail, which is essential in evaluating and refining drug efficacy through the nose-to-brain pathway. Animal models are indispensable for pre-clinical drug testing, offering valuable insights into absorption efficacy and potential variables affecting formulation safety. The insights presented aim to guide future research in intranasal drug delivery for neurological disorders, ensuring more accurate predictions of therapeutic efficacy in clinical contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Yuen Jerry Wong
- Respiratory Technology, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2037, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Alberto Baldelli
- Faculty of Food and Land Systems, The University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Ole Tietz
- Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Julia van der Hoven
- Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Julie Suman
- Next Breath, an Aptar Pharma Company, Baltimore, MD 21227, USA
| | - Hui Xin Ong
- Respiratory Technology, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2037, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Daniela Traini
- Respiratory Technology, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2037, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
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van Hummel A, Sabale M, Przybyla M, van der Hoven J, Chan G, Feiten AF, Chung RS, Ittner LM, Ke YD. TDP-43 pathology and functional deficits in wild-type and ALS/FTD mutant cyclin F mouse models. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2023; 49:e12902. [PMID: 36951214 PMCID: PMC10946706 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12902] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterised by a progressive loss of upper and lower motor neurons leading to muscle weakness and eventually death. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) presents clinically with significant behavioural decline. Approximately 10% of cases have a known family history, and disease-linked mutations in multiple genes have been identified in FTD and ALS. More recently, ALS and FTD-linked variants have been identified in the CCNF gene, which accounts for an estimated 0.6% to over 3% of familial ALS cases. METHODS In this study, we developed the first mouse models expressing either wild-type (WT) human CCNF or its mutant pathogenic variant S621G to recapitulate key clinical and neuropathological features of ALS and FTD linked to CCNF disease variants. We expressed human CCNF WT or CCNFS621G throughout the murine brain by intracranial delivery of adeno-associated virus (AAV) to achieve widespread delivery via somatic brain transgenesis. RESULTS These mice developed behavioural abnormalities, similar to the clinical symptoms of FTD patients, as early as 3 months of age, including hyperactivity and disinhibition, which progressively deteriorated to include memory deficits by 8 months of age. Brains of mutant CCNF_S621G mice displayed an accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins with elevated levels of phosphorylated TDP-43 present in both CCNF_WT and mutant CCNF_S621G mice. We also investigated the effects of CCNF expression on interaction targets of CCNF and found elevated levels of insoluble splicing factor proline and glutamine-rich (SFPQ). Furthermore, cytoplasmic TDP-43 inclusions were found in both CCNF_WT and mutant CCNF_S621G mice, recapitulating the key hallmark of FTD/ALS pathology. CONCLUSIONS In summary, CCNF expression in mice reproduces clinical presentations of ALS, including functional deficits and TDP-43 neuropathology with altered CCNF-mediated pathways contributing to the pathology observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika van Hummel
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Miheer Sabale
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Magdalena Przybyla
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Julia van der Hoven
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Gabriella Chan
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Astrid F. Feiten
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Division of Metabolic Biochemistry, Faculty of MedicineLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MünchenMunich81377Germany
| | - Roger S. Chung
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Lars M. Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Yazi D. Ke
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Morey N, Przybyla M, van der Hoven J, Ke YD, Delerue F, van Eersel J, Ittner LM. Treatment of epilepsy using a targeted p38γ kinase gene therapy. Sci Adv 2022; 8:eadd2577. [PMID: 36459557 PMCID: PMC10936047 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add2577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Hyperphosphorylated microtubule-associated protein tau has been implicated in dementia, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders. In contrast, site-specific phosphorylation of tau at threonine 205 (T205) by the kinase p38γ was shown to disengage tau from toxic pathways, serving a neuroprotective function in Alzheimer's disease. Using a viral-mediated gene delivery approach in different mouse models of epilepsy, we show that p38γ activity-enhancing treatment reduces seizure susceptibility, restores neuronal firing patterns, reduces behavioral deficits, and ameliorates epilepsy-induced deaths. Furthermore, we show that p38γ-mediated phosphorylation of tau at T205 is essential for this protection in epilepsy, as a lack of this critical interaction reinstates pathological features and accelerates epilepsy in vivo. Hence, our work provides a scope to harness p38γ as a future therapy applicable to acute neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolle Morey
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Magdalena Przybyla
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Julia van der Hoven
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Yazi D. Ke
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Fabien Delerue
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
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Deng Y, Bi M, Delerue F, Forrest SL, Chan G, van der Hoven J, van Hummel A, Feiten AF, Lee S, Martinez-Valbuena I, Karl T, Kovacs GG, Morahan G, Ke YD, Ittner LM. Loss of LAMP5 interneurons drives neuronal network dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 144:637-650. [PMID: 35780436 PMCID: PMC9467963 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02457-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), where amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau deposits in the brain, hyperexcitation of neuronal networks is an underlying disease mechanism, but its cause remains unclear. Here, we used the Collaborative Cross (CC) forward genetics mouse platform to identify modifier genes of neuronal hyperexcitation. We found LAMP5 as a novel regulator of hyperexcitation in mice, critical for the survival of distinct interneuron populations. Interestingly, synaptic LAMP5 was lost in AD brains and LAMP5 interneurons degenerated in different AD mouse models. Genetic reduction of LAMP5 augmented functional deficits and neuronal network hypersynchronicity in both Aβ- and tau-driven AD mouse models. To this end, our work defines the first specific function of LAMP5 interneurons in neuronal network hyperexcitation in AD and dementia with tau pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Deng
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Mian Bi
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Fabien Delerue
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Shelley L Forrest
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Gabriella Chan
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Julia van der Hoven
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Annika van Hummel
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Astrid F Feiten
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Seojin Lee
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Ivan Martinez-Valbuena
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Tim Karl
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, 2560, Australia
| | - Gabor G Kovacs
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
- Laboratory Medicine Program and Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada
| | - Grant Morahan
- Centre for Diabetes Research, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Yazi D Ke
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
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6
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Przybyla M, van Eersel J, van Hummel A, van der Hoven J, Sabale M, Harasta A, Müller J, Gajwani M, Prikas E, Mueller T, Stevens CH, Power J, Housley GD, Karl T, Kassiou M, Ke YD, Ittner A, Ittner LM. Onset of hippocampal network aberration and memory deficits in P301S tau mice are associated with an early gene signature. Brain 2021; 143:1889-1904. [PMID: 32375177 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa133] [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: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperphosphorylation and deposition of tau in the brain characterizes frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Disease-associated mutations in the tau-encoding MAPT gene have enabled the generation of transgenic mouse models that recapitulate aspects of human neurodegenerative diseases, including tau hyperphosphorylation and neurofibrillary tangle formation. Here, we characterized the effects of transgenic P301S mutant human tau expression on neuronal network function in the murine hippocampus. Onset of progressive spatial learning deficits in P301S tau transgenic TAU58/2 mice were paralleled by long-term potentiation deficits and neuronal network aberrations during electrophysiological and EEG recordings. Gene-expression profiling just prior to onset of apparent deficits in TAU58/2 mice revealed a signature of immediate early genes that is consistent with neuronal network hypersynchronicity. We found that the increased immediate early gene activity was confined to neurons harbouring tau pathology, providing a cellular link between aberrant tau and network dysfunction. Taken together, our data suggest that tau pathology drives neuronal network dysfunction through hyperexcitation of individual, pathology-harbouring neurons, thereby contributing to memory deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Przybyla
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Janet van Eersel
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Annika van Hummel
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Julia van der Hoven
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Miheer Sabale
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Anne Harasta
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Julius Müller
- Genome Informatics at Molecular Health GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mehul Gajwani
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Emmanuel Prikas
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas Mueller
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Claire H Stevens
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong and the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - John Power
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gary D Housley
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Karl
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Kassiou
- School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yazi D Ke
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Arne Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109, NSW, Australia
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7
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Feiten AF, van Hummel A, van der Hoven J, Przybyla M, Deng Y, Delerue F, Ke YD, Ittner LM. Onset of motor deficits, but not their severity, is augmented by TREM2 reduction in P301S tau transgenic mice. Alzheimers Dement 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/alz.040610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Astrid F. Feiten
- Macquarie University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Sydney Australia
| | - Annika van Hummel
- Macquarie University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Sydney Australia
| | - Julia van der Hoven
- Macquarie University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Sydney Australia
| | - Magdalena Przybyla
- Macquarie University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Sydney Australia
| | - Yuanyuan Deng
- Macquarie University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Sydney Australia
| | - Fabien Delerue
- Macquarie University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Sydney Australia
| | - Yazi D. Ke
- Macquarie University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Sydney Australia
| | - Lars M. Ittner
- Macquarie University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Sydney Australia
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8
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van der Hoven J, van Hummel A, Przybyla M, Asih PR, Gajwani M, Feiten AF, Ke YD, Ittner A, van Eersel J, Ittner LM. Contribution of endogenous antibodies to learning deficits and astrocytosis in human P301S mutant tau transgenic mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13845. [PMID: 32796905 PMCID: PMC7428012 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70845-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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies have been explored extensively as a potential therapeutic for Alzheimer’s disease, where amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides and the tau protein deposit in patient brains. While the major focus of antibody-based therapy development was on Aβ, arguably with limited success in clinical trials, targeting tau has become an emerging strategy, possibly extending therapies to dementias with isolated tau pathology. Interestingly, low titres of autoantibodies to pathological tau have been described in humans and transgenic mouse models, but their pathophysiological relevance remained elusive. Here, we used two independent approaches to deplete the B-cell lineage and hence antibody formation in human P301S mutant tau transgenic mice, TAU58/2. TAU58/2 mice were either crossed with the B-cell-deficient Ighm knockout line (muMT−/−) or treated with anti-CD20 antibodies that target B-cell precursors. In both models, B-cell depletion significantly reduced astrocytosis in TAU58/2 mice. Only when B-cells were absent throughout life, in TAU58/2.muMT−/− mice, were spatial learning deficits moderately aggravated while motor performance improved as compared to B-cell-competent TAU58/2 mice. This was associated with changes in brain region-specific tau solubility. No other relevant behavioural or neuropathological changes were observed in TAU58/2 mice in the absence of B-cells/antibodies. Taken together, our data suggests that the presence of antibodies throughout life contributes to astrocytosis in TAU58/2 mice and limits learning deficits, while other deficits and neuropathological changes appear to be independent of the presence of B-cells/antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia van der Hoven
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Annika van Hummel
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Magdalena Przybyla
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Prita R Asih
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Mehul Gajwani
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Astrid F Feiten
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Yazi D Ke
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Arne Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Janet van Eersel
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia. .,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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Chan G, van Hummel A, van der Hoven J, Ittner LM, Ke YD. Neurodegeneration and Motor Deficits in the Absence of Astrogliosis upon Transgenic Mutant TDP-43 Expression in Mature Mice. Am J Pathol 2020; 190:1713-1722. [PMID: 32371051 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2020.04.009] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rapidly progressing and fatal disease characterized by muscular atrophy due to loss of upper and lower motor neurons. Pathogenic mutations in the TARDBP gene encoding TAR DNA binding protein-43 (TDP-43) have been identified in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We have previously reported transgenic mice with neuronal expression of human TDP-43 carrying the pathogenic A315T mutation (iTDP-43A315T mice) using a tetracycline-controlled inducible promotor system. Constitutive expression of transgenic TDP-43A315T in the absence of doxycycline resulted in pronounced early-onset and progressive neurodegeneration, and motor and memory deficits. Here, delayed transgene expression of TDP-43A315T by oral doxycycline treatment of iTDP-43A315T mice from birth till weaning was analyzed. After doxycycline withdrawal, transgenic TDP-43A315T expression gradually increased and resulted in cytoplasmic TDP-43, widespread ubiquitination, and cortical and hippocampal atrophy. In addition, these mice developed motor and gait deficits with underlying muscle atrophy, similar to that observed in the constitutive iTDP-43A315T mice. Surprisingly, in contrast to the constitutive iTDP-43A315T mice, these mice did not develop astrogliosis. In summary, delayed activation coupled with gradual increase in TDP-43A315T expression in the central nervous system of mature mice resulted in progressive functional deficits with neuron and muscle loss, but in the absence of a glial response. This suggests that astrocytosis does not contribute to functional deficits and neuronal loss upon TDP-43A315T expression in mature mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Chan
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Annika van Hummel
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Julia van der Hoven
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yazi D Ke
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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10
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Brettle M, Stefen H, Djordjevic A, Fok SYY, Chan JW, van Hummel A, van der Hoven J, Przybyla M, Volkerling A, Ke YD, Delerue F, Ittner LM, Fath T. Developmental Expression of Mutant PFN1 in Motor Neurons Impacts Neuronal Growth and Motor Performance of Young and Adult Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:231. [PMID: 31611772 PMCID: PMC6776973 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease with limited treatment and no cure. Mutations in profilin 1 were identified as a cause of familial ALS (fALS) in 2012. We investigated the functional impact of mutant profilin 1 expression in spinal cords during mouse development. We developed a novel mouse model with the expression of profilin 1 C71G under the control of the Hb9 promoter, targeting expression to α-motor neurons in the spinal cord during development. Embryos of transgenic mice showed evidence of a significant reduction of brachial nerve diameter and a loss of Mendelian inheritance. Despite the lack of transgene expression, adult mice presented with significant motor deficits. Transgenic mice had a significant reduction in the number of motor neurons in the spinal cord. Further analysis of these motor neurons in aged transgenic mice revealed reduced levels of TDP-43 and ChAT expression. Although profilin 1 C71G was only expressed during development, adult mice presented with some ALS-associated pathology and motor symptoms. This study highlights the effect of profilin 1 during neurodevelopment and the impact that this may have in later ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merryn Brettle
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Biomedical Imaging Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Holly Stefen
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Aleksandra Djordjevic
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Sandra Y Y Fok
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Biomedical Imaging Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Josephine W Chan
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Annika van Hummel
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Julia van der Hoven
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Magdalena Przybyla
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexander Volkerling
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Yazi D Ke
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Fabien Delerue
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas Fath
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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11
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Stefanoska K, Bertz J, Volkerling AM, van der Hoven J, Ittner LM, Ittner A. Neuronal MAP kinase p38α inhibits c-Jun N-terminal kinase to modulate anxiety-related behaviour. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14296. [PMID: 30250211 PMCID: PMC6155170 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32592-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Modulation of behavioural responses by neuronal signalling pathways remains incompletely understood. Signalling via mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades regulates multiple neuronal functions. Here, we show that neuronal p38α, a MAP kinase of the p38 kinase family, has a critical and specific role in modulating anxiety-related behaviour in mice. Neuron-specific p38α-knockout mice show increased levels of anxiety in behaviour tests, yet no other behavioural, cognitive or motor deficits. Using CRISPR-mediated deletion of p38α in cells, we show that p38α inhibits c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity, a function that is specific to p38α over other p38 kinases. Consistently, brains of neuron-specific p38α-knockout mice show increased JNK activity. Inhibiting JNK using a specific blood-brain barrier-permeable inhibitor reduces JNK activity in brains of p38α-knockout mice to physiological levels and reverts anxiety behaviour. Thus, our results suggest that neuronal p38α negatively regulates JNK activity that is required for specific modulation of anxiety-related behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristie Stefanoska
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Josefine Bertz
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Alexander M Volkerling
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Julia van der Hoven
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.,Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Arne Ittner
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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12
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van Hummel A, Chan G, van der Hoven J, Morsch M, Ippati S, Suh L, Bi M, Asih PR, Lee WS, Butler TA, Przybyla M, Halliday GM, Piguet O, Kiernan MC, Chung RS, Ittner LM, Ke YD. Selective Spatiotemporal Vulnerability of Central Nervous System Neurons to Pathologic TAR DNA-Binding Protein 43 in Aged Transgenic Mice. The American Journal of Pathology 2018; 188:1447-1456. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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13
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Ittner A, Chua SW, Bertz J, Volkerling A, van der Hoven J, Gladbach A, Przybyla M, Bi M, van Hummel A, Stevens CH, Ippati S, Suh LS, Macmillan A, Sutherland G, Kril JJ, Silva APG, Mackay JP, Poljak A, Delerue F, Ke YD, Ittner LM. Site-specific phosphorylation of tau inhibits amyloid-β toxicity in Alzheimer's mice. Science 2017; 354:904-908. [PMID: 27856911 DOI: 10.1126/science.aah6205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) toxicity in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is considered to be mediated by phosphorylated tau protein. In contrast, we found that, at least in early disease, site-specific phosphorylation of tau inhibited Aβ toxicity. This specific tau phosphorylation was mediated by the neuronal p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase p38γ and interfered with postsynaptic excitotoxic signaling complexes engaged by Aβ. Accordingly, depletion of p38γ exacerbated neuronal circuit aberrations, cognitive deficits, and premature lethality in a mouse model of AD, whereas increasing the activity of p38γ abolished these deficits. Furthermore, mimicking site-specific tau phosphorylation alleviated Aβ-induced neuronal death and offered protection from excitotoxicity. Our work provides insights into postsynaptic processes in AD pathogenesis and challenges a purely pathogenic role of tau phosphorylation in neuronal toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Ittner
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
| | - Sook Wern Chua
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Josefine Bertz
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Alexander Volkerling
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Julia van der Hoven
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Amadeus Gladbach
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Magdalena Przybyla
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Mian Bi
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Annika van Hummel
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.,Motor Neuron Disease Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Claire H Stevens
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Stefania Ippati
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Lisa S Suh
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.,Discipline of Pathology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Alexander Macmillan
- Biomedical Imaging Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Greg Sutherland
- Discipline of Pathology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Jillian J Kril
- Discipline of Pathology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Ana P G Silva
- School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Joel P Mackay
- School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Anne Poljak
- Biomedical Mass Spectrometry Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Fabien Delerue
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.,Transgenic Animal Unit, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Yazi D Ke
- Motor Neuron Disease Unit, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia. .,Transgenic Animal Unit, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales 2031, Australia
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14
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van Hummel A, Bi M, Ippati S, van der Hoven J, Volkerling A, Lee WS, Tan DCS, Bongers A, Ittner A, Ke YD, Ittner LM. No Overt Deficits in Aged Tau-Deficient C57Bl/6.Mapttm1(EGFP)Kit GFP Knockin Mice. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163236. [PMID: 27736877 PMCID: PMC5063411 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Several mouse lines with knockout of the tau-encoding MAPT gene have been reported in the past; they received recent attention due to reports that tau reduction prevented Aβ-induced deficits in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. However, the effects of long-term depletion of tau in vivo remained controversial. Here, we used the tau-deficient GFP knockin line Mapttm1(EGFP)kit on a pure C57Bl/6 background and subjected a large cohort of males and females to a range of motor, memory and behavior tests and imaging analysis, at the advanced age of over 16 months. Neither heterozygous nor homozygous Mapttm1(EGFP)kit mice presented with deficits or abnormalities compared to wild-type littermates. Differences to reports using other tau knockout models may be due to different genetic backgrounds, respective gene targeting strategies or other confounding factors, such as nutrition. To this end, we report no functional or morphological deficits upon tau reduction or depletion in aged mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika van Hummel
- Dementia Research Unit, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mian Bi
- Dementia Research Unit, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stefania Ippati
- Dementia Research Unit, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Julia van der Hoven
- Dementia Research Unit, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexander Volkerling
- Dementia Research Unit, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Wei S. Lee
- Dementia Research Unit, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel C. S. Tan
- Dementia Research Unit, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andre Bongers
- Biological Resources Imaging Laboratory, Mark Wainright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Arne Ittner
- Dementia Research Unit, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yazi D. Ke
- Motor Neuron Disease Unit, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lars M. Ittner
- Dementia Research Unit, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- * E-mail:
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15
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Przybyla M, Stevens CH, van der Hoven J, Harasta A, Bi M, Ittner A, van Hummel A, Hodges JR, Piguet O, Karl T, Kassiou M, Housley GD, Ke YD, Ittner LM, van Eersel J. Disinhibition-like behavior in a P301S mutant tau transgenic mouse model of frontotemporal dementia. Neurosci Lett 2016; 631:24-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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16
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Ke YD, van Hummel A, Stevens CH, Gladbach A, Ippati S, Bi M, Lee WS, Krüger S, van der Hoven J, Volkerling A, Bongers A, Halliday G, Haass NK, Kiernan M, Delerue F, Ittner LM. Short-term suppression of A315T mutant human TDP-43 expression improves functional deficits in a novel inducible transgenic mouse model of FTLD-TDP and ALS. Acta Neuropathol 2015; 130:661-78. [PMID: 26437864 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-015-1486-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Revised: 09/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) undergoes relocalization to the cytoplasm with formation of cytoplasmic deposits in neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Pathogenic mutations in the TDP-43-encoding TARDBP gene in familial ALS as well as non-mutant human TDP-43 have been utilized to model FTD/ALS in cell culture and animals, including mice. Here, we report novel A315T mutant TDP-43 transgenic mice, iTDP-43(A315T), with controlled neuronal over-expression. Constitutive expression of human TDP-43(A315T) resulted in pronounced early-onset and progressive neurodegeneration, which was associated with compromised motor performance, spatial memory and disinhibition. Muscle atrophy resulted in reduced grip strength. Cortical degeneration presented with pronounced astrocyte activation. Using differential protein extraction from iTDP-43(A315T) brains, we found cytoplasmic localization, fragmentation, phosphorylation and ubiquitination and insolubility of TDP-43. Surprisingly, suppression of human TDP-43(A315T) expression in mice with overt neurodegeneration for only 1 week was sufficient to significantly improve motor and behavioral deficits, and reduce astrogliosis. Our data suggest that functional deficits in iTDP-43(A315T) mice are at least in part a direct and transient effect of the presence of TDP-43(A315T). Furthermore, it illustrates the compensatory capacity of compromised neurons once transgenic TDP-43 is removed, with implications for future treatments.
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