1
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Bergmans S, Noel NCL, Masin L, Harding EG, Krzywańska AM, De Schutter JD, Ayana R, Hu CK, Arckens L, Ruzycki PA, MacDonald RB, Clark BS, Moons L. Age-related dysregulation of the retinal transcriptome in African turquoise killifish. bioRxiv 2024:2024.02.21.581372. [PMID: 38559206 PMCID: PMC10979842 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.21.581372] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Age-related vision loss caused by retinal neurodegenerative pathologies is becoming more prevalent in our ageing society. To understand the physiological and molecular impact of ageing on retinal homeostasis, we used the short-lived African turquoise killifish, a model known to naturally develop central nervous system (CNS) ageing hallmarks and vision loss. Bulk and single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) of three age groups (6-, 12-, and 18-week-old) identified transcriptional ageing fingerprints in the killifish retina, unveiling pathways also identified in the aged brain, including oxidative stress, gliosis, and inflammageing. These findings were comparable to observations in ageing mouse retina. Additionally, transcriptional changes in genes related to retinal diseases, such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, were observed. The cellular heterogeneity in the killifish retina was characterised, confirming the presence of all typical vertebrate retinal cell types. Data integration from age-matched samples between the bulk and scRNA-seq experiments revealed a loss of cellular specificity in gene expression upon ageing, suggesting potential disruption in transcriptional homeostasis. Differential expression analysis within the identified cell types highlighted the role of glial/immune cells as important stress regulators during ageing. Our work emphasises the value of the fast-ageing killifish in elucidating molecular signatures in age-associated retinal disease and vision decline. This study contributes to the understanding of how age-related changes in molecular pathways may impact CNS health, providing insights that may inform future therapeutic strategies for age-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Bergmans
- KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Department of Biology, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology division, Neural circuit development & regeneration research group, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicole C L Noel
- University College London, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK, EC1V 9EL
| | - Luca Masin
- KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Department of Biology, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology division, Neural circuit development & regeneration research group, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ellen G Harding
- Washington University School of Medicine, John F Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110 United States of America
| | | | - Julie D De Schutter
- KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Department of Biology, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology division, Neural circuit development & regeneration research group, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rajagopal Ayana
- KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Department of Biology, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology section, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Chi-Kuo Hu
- Stony Brook University, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, 11790 Stony Brook, United States of America
| | - Lut Arckens
- KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Department of Biology, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology section, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philip A Ruzycki
- Washington University School of Medicine, John F Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110 United States of America
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110 United States of America
| | - Ryan B MacDonald
- University College London, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK, EC1V 9EL
| | - Brian S Clark
- Washington University School of Medicine, John F Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110 United States of America
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Developmental Biology, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110 United States of America
- Washington University School of Medicine, Center of Regenerative Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110 United States of America
| | - Lieve Moons
- KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Department of Biology, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology division, Neural circuit development & regeneration research group, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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2
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Van Dyck A, Masin L, Bergmans S, Schevenels G, Beckers A, Vanhollebeke B, Moons L. A new microfluidic model to study dendritic remodeling and mitochondrial dynamics during axonal regeneration of adult zebrafish retinal neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1196504. [PMID: 37396787 PMCID: PMC10307971 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1196504] [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: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Unlike mammals, adult zebrafish are able to fully regenerate axons and functionally recover from neuronal damage in the mature central nervous system (CNS). Decades of research have tried to identify the mechanisms behind their spontaneous regenerative capacity, but the exact underlying pathways and molecular drivers remain to be fully elucidated. By studying optic nerve injury-induced axonal regrowth of adult zebrafish retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), we previously reported transient dendritic shrinkage and changes in the distribution and morphology of mitochondria in the different neuronal compartments throughout the regenerative process. These data suggest that dendrite remodeling and temporary changes in mitochondrial dynamics contribute to effective axonal and dendritic repair upon optic nerve injury. To further elucidate these interactions, we here present a novel adult zebrafish microfluidic model in which we can demonstrate compartment-specific alterations in resource allocation in real-time at single neuron level. First, we developed a pioneering method that enables to isolate and culture adult zebrafish retinal neurons in a microfluidic setup. Notably, with this protocol, we report on a long-term adult primary neuronal culture with a high number of surviving and spontaneously outgrowing mature neurons, which was thus far only very limitedly described in literature. By performing time-lapse live cell imaging and kymographic analyses in this setup, we can explore changes in dendritic remodeling and mitochondrial motility during spontaneous axonal regeneration. This innovative model system will enable to discover how redirecting intraneuronal energy resources supports successful regeneration in the adult zebrafish CNS, and might facilitate the discovery of new therapeutic targets to promote neuronal repair in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Van Dyck
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luca Masin
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven Bergmans
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Giel Schevenels
- Laboratory of Neurovascular Signaling, Department of Molecular Biology, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - An Beckers
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Benoit Vanhollebeke
- Laboratory of Neurovascular Signaling, Department of Molecular Biology, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Lieve Moons
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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3
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Andries L, Kancheva D, Masin L, Scheyltjens I, Van Hove H, De Vlaminck K, Bergmans S, Claes M, De Groef L, Moons L, Movahedi K. Immune stimulation recruits a subset of pro-regenerative macrophages to the retina that promotes axonal regrowth of injured neurons. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:85. [PMID: 37226256 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01580-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The multifaceted nature of neuroinflammation is highlighted by its ability to both aggravate and promote neuronal health. While in mammals retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are unable to regenerate following injury, acute inflammation can induce axonal regrowth. However, the nature of the cells, cellular states and signalling pathways that drive this inflammation-induced regeneration have remained elusive. Here, we investigated the functional significance of macrophages during RGC de- and regeneration, by characterizing the inflammatory cascade evoked by optic nerve crush (ONC) injury, with or without local inflammatory stimulation in the vitreous. By combining single-cell RNA sequencing and fate mapping approaches, we elucidated the response of retinal microglia and recruited monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) to RGC injury. Importantly, inflammatory stimulation recruited large numbers of MDMs to the retina, which exhibited long-term engraftment and promoted axonal regrowth. Ligand-receptor analysis highlighted a subset of recruited macrophages that exhibited expression of pro-regenerative secreted factors, which were able to promote axon regrowth via paracrine signalling. Our work reveals how inflammation may promote CNS regeneration by modulating innate immune responses, providing a rationale for macrophage-centred strategies for driving neuronal repair following injury and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Andries
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 61, Box 2464, 3000, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Daliya Kancheva
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luca Masin
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 61, Box 2464, 3000, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Scheyltjens
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hannah Van Hove
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karen De Vlaminck
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Steven Bergmans
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 61, Box 2464, 3000, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Marie Claes
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 61, Box 2464, 3000, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Lies De Groef
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 61, Box 2464, 3000, Louvain, Belgium
- Cellular Communication and Neurodegeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Lieve Moons
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Department of Biology, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 61, Box 2464, 3000, Louvain, Belgium.
| | - Kiavash Movahedi
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium.
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4
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Bergmans S, Serneels PJ, Masin L, Moons L. Tissue stretching is a confounding factor for the evaluation of neurodegeneration in the fast-ageing killifish. Biogerontology 2023; 24:403-419. [PMID: 36913007 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10026-1] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
The fast-ageing killifish has gained increasing attention as a promising gerontology model to study age-related processes and neurodegeneration. Interestingly, it is the first vertebrate model organism that shows physiological neuron loss at old age in its central nervous system (CNS), including its brain and retina. However, the fact that the killifish brain and retina are ever-growing tissues complicates studying neurodegenerative events in aged fish. Indeed, recent studies showed that the method of tissue sampling, either using sections or whole-organs, has a large effect on the observed cell densities in the fast-expanding CNS. Here, we elaborated on how these two sampling methods affect neuronal counts in the senescent retina and how this tissue grows upon ageing. Analysis of the different retinal layers in cryosections revealed age-dependent reduction in cellular density but evaluation of whole-mount retinas did not detect any neuron loss, as a result of an extremely fast retinal expansion with age. Using BrdU pulse-chase experiments, we showed that the young adult killifish retina mainly grows by cell addition. However, with increasing age, the neurogenic potency of the retina declines while the tissue keeps on growing. Further histological analyses revealed tissue stretching, including cell size increase, as the main driver of retinal growth at old age. Indeed, both cell size and inter-neuronal distance augment with ageing, thereby decreasing neuronal density. All in all, our findings urge the 'ageing science' community to consider cell quantification bias and employ tissue-wide counting methods to reliably quantify neuronal numbers in this unique gerontology model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Bergmans
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Neural Circuit Development & Regeneration Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter-Jan Serneels
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Neural Circuit Development & Regeneration Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luca Masin
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Neural Circuit Development & Regeneration Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieve Moons
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Division, Neural Circuit Development & Regeneration Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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5
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Beckers A, Masin L, Dyck A, Bergmans S, Vanhunsel S, Zhang A, Verreet T, Poulain F, Farrow K, Moons L. Optic nerve injury-induced regeneration in the adult zebrafish is accompanied by spatiotemporal changes in mitochondrial dynamics. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:219-225. [PMID: 35799546 PMCID: PMC9241429 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.344837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Axonal regeneration in the central nervous system is an energy-intensive process. In contrast to mammals, adult zebrafish can functionally recover from neuronal injury. This raises the question of how zebrafish can cope with this high energy demand. We previously showed that in adult zebrafish, subjected to an optic nerve crush, an antagonistic axon-dendrite interplay exists wherein the retraction of retinal ganglion cell dendrites is a prerequisite for effective axonal repair. We postulate a ‘dendrites for regeneration’ paradigm that might be linked to intraneuronal mitochondrial reshuffling, as ganglion cells likely have insufficient resources to maintain dendrites and restore axons simultaneously. Here, we characterized both mitochondrial distribution and mitochondrial dynamics within the different ganglion cell compartments (dendrites, somas, and axons) during the regenerative process. Optic nerve crush resulted in a reduction of mitochondria in the dendrites during dendritic retraction, whereafter enlarged mitochondria appeared in the optic nerve/tract during axonal regrowth. Upon dendritic regrowth in the retina, mitochondrial density inside the retinal dendrites returned to baseline levels. Moreover, a transient increase in mitochondrial fission and biogenesis was observed in retinal ganglion cell somas after optic nerve damage. Taken together, these findings suggest that during optic nerve injury-induced regeneration, mitochondria shift from the dendrites to the axons and back again and that temporary changes in mitochondrial dynamics support axonal and dendritic regrowth after optic nerve crush.
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6
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Elagoz AM, Styfhals R, Maccuro S, Masin L, Moons L, Seuntjens E. Optimization of Whole Mount RNA Multiplexed in situ Hybridization Chain Reaction With Immunohistochemistry, Clearing and Imaging to Visualize Octopus Embryonic Neurogenesis. Front Physiol 2022; 13:882413. [PMID: 35711315 PMCID: PMC9196907 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.882413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression analysis has been instrumental to understand the function of key factors during embryonic development of many species. Marker analysis is also used as a tool to investigate organ functioning and disease progression. As these processes happen in three dimensions, the development of technologies that enable detection of gene expression in the whole organ or embryo is essential. Here, we describe an optimized protocol of whole mount multiplexed RNA in situ hybridization chain reaction version 3.0 (HCR v3.0) in combination with immunohistochemistry (IHC), followed by fructose-glycerol clearing and light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) imaging on Octopus vulgaris embryos. We developed a code to automate probe design which can be applied for designing HCR v3.0 type probe pairs for fluorescent in situ mRNA visualization. As proof of concept, neuronal (Ov-elav) and glial (Ov-apolpp) markers were used for multiplexed HCR v3.0. Neural progenitor (Ov-ascl1) and precursor (Ov-neuroD) markers were combined with immunostaining for phosphorylated-histone H3, a marker for mitosis. After comparing several tissue clearing methods, fructose-glycerol clearing was found optimal in preserving the fluorescent signal of HCR v3.0. The expression that was observed in whole mount octopus embryos matched with the previous expression data gathered from paraffin-embedded transverse sections. Three-dimensional reconstruction revealed additional spatial organization that had not been discovered using two-dimensional methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali M Elagoz
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ruth Styfhals
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Sofia Maccuro
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luca Masin
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieve Moons
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eve Seuntjens
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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7
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Beckers A, Vanhunsel S, Van Dyck A, Bergmans S, Masin L, Moons L. Injury-induced Autophagy Delays Axonal Regeneration after Optic Nerve Damage in Adult Zebrafish. Neuroscience 2021; 470:52-69. [PMID: 34280491 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Optic neuropathies comprise a group of disorders in which the axons of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the retinal projection neurons conveying visual information to the brain, are damaged. This results in visual impairment or even blindness, which is irreversible as adult mammals lack the capacity to repair or replace injured or lost neurons. Despite intensive research, no efficient treatment to induce axonal regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) is available yet. Autophagy, the cellular recycling response, was shown repeatedly to be elevated in animal models of optic nerve injury, and both beneficial and detrimental effects have been reported. In this study, we subjected spontaneously regenerating adult zebrafish to optic nerve damage (ONC) and revealed that autophagy is enhanced after optic nerve damage in zebrafish, both in RGC axons and somas, as well as in macroglial cells of the retina, the optic nerve and the visual target areas in the brain. Interestingly, the pattern of the autophagic response in the axons followed the spatiotemporal window of axonal regrowth, which suggests that autophagy is ongoing at the growth cones. Pharmacological inhibition of the recycling pathway resulted in accelerated RGC target reinnervation, possibly linked to increased mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity, known to stimulate axonal regrowth. Taken together, these intriguing findings underline that further research is warranted to decipher if modulation of autophagy could be an effective therapeutic method to induce CNS regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Beckers
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Section, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sophie Vanhunsel
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Section, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annelies Van Dyck
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Section, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven Bergmans
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Section, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luca Masin
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Section, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieve Moons
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Section, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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8
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Bonora E, Chakrabarty S, Kellaris G, Tsutsumi M, Bianco F, Bergamini C, Ullah F, Isidori F, Liparulo I, Diquigiovanni C, Masin L, Rizzardi N, Cratere MG, Boschetti E, Papa V, Maresca A, Cenacchi G, Casadio R, Martelli P, Matera I, Ceccherini I, Fato R, Raiola G, Arrigo S, Signa S, Sementa AR, Severino M, Striano P, Fiorillo C, Goto T, Uchino S, Oyazato Y, Nakamura H, Mishra SK, Yeh YS, Kato T, Nozu K, Tanboon J, Morioka I, Nishino I, Toda T, Goto YI, Ohtake A, Kosaki K, Yamaguchi Y, Nonaka I, Iijima K, Mimaki M, Kurahashi H, Raams A, MacInnes A, Alders M, Engelen M, Linthorst G, de Koning T, den Dunnen W, Dijkstra G, van Spaendonck K, van Gent DC, Aronica EM, Picco P, Carelli V, Seri M, Katsanis N, Duijkers FAM, Taniguchi-Ikeda M, De Giorgio R. Biallelic variants in LIG3 cause a novel mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy. Brain 2021; 144:1451-1466. [PMID: 33855352 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [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: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal gut motility is a feature of several mitochondrial encephalomyopathies, and mutations in genes such as TYMP and POLG, have been linked to these rare diseases. The human genome encodes three DNA ligases, of which only one, ligase III (LIG3), has a mitochondrial splice variant and is crucial for mitochondrial health. We investigated the effect of reduced LIG3 activity and resulting mitochondrial dysfunction in seven patients from three independent families, who showed the common occurrence of gut dysmotility and neurological manifestations reminiscent of mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy. DNA from these patients was subjected to whole exome sequencing. In all patients, compound heterozygous variants in a new disease gene, LIG3, were identified. All variants were predicted to have a damaging effect on the protein. The LIG3 gene encodes the only mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) ligase and therefore plays a pivotal role in mtDNA repair and replication. In vitro assays in patient-derived cells showed a decrease in LIG3 protein levels and ligase activity. We demonstrated that the LIG3 gene defects affect mtDNA maintenance, leading to mtDNA depletion without the accumulation of multiple deletions as observed in other mitochondrial disorders. This mitochondrial dysfunction is likely to cause the phenotypes observed in these patients. The most prominent and consistent clinical signs were severe gut dysmotility and neurological abnormalities, including leukoencephalopathy, epilepsy, migraine, stroke-like episodes, and neurogenic bladder. A decrease in the number of myenteric neurons, and increased fibrosis and elastin levels were the most prominent changes in the gut. Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) deficient fibres in skeletal muscle were also observed. Disruption of lig3 in zebrafish reproduced the brain alterations and impaired gut transit in vivo. In conclusion, we identified variants in the LIG3 gene that result in a mitochondrial disease characterized by predominant gut dysmotility, encephalopathy, and neuromuscular abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Bonora
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Sanjiban Chakrabarty
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, The Netherlands
| | - Georgios Kellaris
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Makiko Tsutsumi
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Aichi, 470-1192, Japan
| | - Francesca Bianco
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Christian Bergamini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Farid Ullah
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Federica Isidori
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Irene Liparulo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Chiara Diquigiovanni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Luca Masin
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Nicola Rizzardi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Mariapia Giuditta Cratere
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy.,Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - Elisa Boschetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Valentina Papa
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40123, Italy
| | - Alessandra Maresca
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Programma di Neurogenetica, Bologna, 40139, Italy
| | - Giovanna Cenacchi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40123, Italy
| | - Rita Casadio
- Biocomputing Group, Department of Biological, Geological, Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Martelli
- Biocomputing Group, Department of Biological, Geological, Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Ivana Matera
- IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, 16128, Italy
| | | | - Romana Fato
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Raiola
- Department of Paediatrics, Pugliese-Ciaccio Hospital, Catanzaro, 88100, Italy
| | - Serena Arrigo
- IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, 16128, Italy
| | - Sara Signa
- IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, 16128, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Tsuyoshi Goto
- Laboratory of Molecular Function of Food, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Uji, 611-0011, Japan
| | - Shumpei Uchino
- Department of Pediatrics, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Oyazato
- Department of Pediatrics, Kakogawa Central City Hospital, Kakogawa, Hyogo, 675-8611, Japan
| | - Hisayoshi Nakamura
- Department of Neuromuscular Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, 187-8502, Japan
| | - Sushil K Mishra
- Glycoscience Group, National University of Ireland, Galway, H91 CF50, Ireland
| | - Yu-Sheng Yeh
- Laboratory of Molecular Function of Food, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Uji, 611-0011, Japan
| | - Takema Kato
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Aichi, 470-1192, Japan
| | - Kandai Nozu
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Jantima Tanboon
- Department of Neuromuscular Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, 187-8502, Japan
| | - Ichiro Morioka
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan
| | - Ichizo Nishino
- Department of Neuromuscular Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, 187-8502, Japan
| | - Tatsushi Toda
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yu-Ichi Goto
- Department of Mental Retardation and Birth Defect Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, 187-8502, Japan
| | - Akira Ohtake
- Department of Pediatrics & Clinical Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, 350-0495, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Kosaki
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Yamaguchi
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Physical Chemistry, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Miyagi, 981-8558, Japan
| | - Ikuya Nonaka
- Department of Neuromuscular Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, 187-8502, Japan
| | - Kazumoto Iijima
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Masakazu Mimaki
- Department of Pediatrics, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kurahashi
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Aichi, 470-1192, Japan
| | - Anja Raams
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, The Netherlands
| | - Alyson MacInnes
- Department of Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1100 DD, The Netherlands
| | - Mariel Alders
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1100 DD, The Netherlands
| | - Marc Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1100 DD, The Netherlands
| | - Gabor Linthorst
- Department of Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1100 DD, The Netherlands
| | - Tom de Koning
- Department of Metabolic Diseases, UMCG, Groningen, 9700 RB, The Netherlands
| | | | - Gerard Dijkstra
- Department of Gastroenterology, UMCG, Groningen, 9700 RB, The Netherlands
| | - Karin van Spaendonck
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1100 DD, The Netherlands
| | - Dik C van Gent
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora M Aronica
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1100 DD, The Netherlands
| | - Paolo Picco
- IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, 16128, Italy
| | - Valerio Carelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40123, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Programma di Neurogenetica, Bologna, 40139, Italy
| | - Marco Seri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Nicholas Katsanis
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Floor A M Duijkers
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1100 DD, The Netherlands
| | - Mariko Taniguchi-Ikeda
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Aichi, 470-1192, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan.,Department of Clinical Genetics, Fujita Health University Hospital, Aichi, 470-1192, Japan
| | - Roberto De Giorgio
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, St. Anna Hospital, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, 44124, Italy
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9
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Masin L, Claes M, Bergmans S, Cools L, Andries L, Davis BM, Moons L, De Groef L. A novel retinal ganglion cell quantification tool based on deep learning. Sci Rep 2021; 11:702. [PMID: 33436866 PMCID: PMC7804414 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80308-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [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: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a disease associated with the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), and remains one of the primary causes of blindness worldwide. Major research efforts are presently directed towards the understanding of disease pathogenesis and the development of new therapies, with the help of rodent models as an important preclinical research tool. The ultimate goal is reaching neuroprotection of the RGCs, which requires a tool to reliably quantify RGC survival. Hence, we demonstrate a novel deep learning pipeline that enables fully automated RGC quantification in the entire murine retina. This software, called RGCode (Retinal Ganglion Cell quantification based On DEep learning), provides a user-friendly interface that requires the input of RBPMS-immunostained flatmounts and returns the total RGC count, retinal area and density, together with output images showing the computed counts and isodensity maps. The counting model was trained on RBPMS-stained healthy and glaucomatous retinas, obtained from mice subjected to microbead-induced ocular hypertension and optic nerve crush injury paradigms. RGCode demonstrates excellent performance in RGC quantification as compared to manual counts. Furthermore, we convincingly show that RGCode has potential for wider application, by retraining the model with a minimal set of training data to count FluoroGold-traced RGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Masin
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Department of Biology, Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marie Claes
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Department of Biology, Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven Bergmans
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Department of Biology, Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lien Cools
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Department of Biology, Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lien Andries
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Department of Biology, Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Benjamin M. Davis
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Glaucoma and Retinal Neurodegenerative Disease Research Group, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK ,grid.496779.2Central Laser Facility, Science and Technologies Facilities Council, UK Research and Innovation, Didcot, Oxfordshire UK
| | - Lieve Moons
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Department of Biology, Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lies De Groef
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Department of Biology, Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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10
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Vandenabeele M, Veys L, Lemmens S, Hadoux X, Gelders G, Masin L, Serneels L, Theunis J, Saito T, Saido TC, Jayapala M, De Boever P, De Strooper B, Stalmans I, van Wijngaarden P, Moons L, De Groef L. The App NL-G-F mouse retina is a site for preclinical Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and research. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:6. [PMID: 33407903 PMCID: PMC7788955 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-01102-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we report the results of a comprehensive phenotyping of the retina of the AppNL-G-F mouse. We demonstrate that soluble Aβ accumulation is present in the retina of these mice early in life and progresses to Aβ plaque formation by midlife. This rising Aβ burden coincides with local microglia reactivity, astrogliosis, and abnormalities in retinal vein morphology. Electrophysiological recordings revealed signs of neuronal dysfunction yet no overt neurodegeneration was observed and visual performance outcomes were unaffected in the AppNL-G-F mouse. Furthermore, we show that hyperspectral imaging can be used to quantify retinal Aβ, underscoring its potential as a biomarker for AD diagnosis and monitoring. These findings suggest that the AppNL-G-F retina mimics the early, preclinical stages of AD, and, together with retinal imaging techniques, offers unique opportunities for drug discovery and fundamental research into preclinical AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjan Vandenabeele
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 61, Box 2464, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lien Veys
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 61, Box 2464, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sophie Lemmens
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Research Group Ophthalmology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Xavier Hadoux
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Géraldine Gelders
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 61, Box 2464, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luca Masin
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 61, Box 2464, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Serneels
- Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Theunis
- Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Takashi Saito
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Neurocognitive Science, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
- Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (Imec), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Takaomi C Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
| | - Murali Jayapala
- Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (Imec), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick De Boever
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center of Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Bart De Strooper
- Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ingeborg Stalmans
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Research Group Ophthalmology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter van Wijngaarden
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Lieve Moons
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 61, Box 2464, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lies De Groef
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Naamsestraat 61, Box 2464, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
- Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium.
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11
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Liparulo I, Bergamini C, Bortolus M, Calonghi N, Gasparre G, Kurelac I, Masin L, Rizzardi N, Rugolo M, Wang W, Aleo SJ, Kiwan A, Torri C, Zanna C, Fato R. Coenzyme Q biosynthesis inhibition induces HIF-1α stabilization and metabolic switch toward glycolysis. FEBS J 2020; 288:1956-1974. [PMID: 32898935 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ, ubiquinone) is a redox-active lipid endogenously synthesized by the cells. The final stage of CoQ biosynthesis is performed at the mitochondrial level by the 'complex Q', where coq2 is responsible for the prenylation of the benzoquinone ring of the molecule. We report that the competitive coq2 inhibitor 4-nitrobenzoate (4-NB) decreased the cellular CoQ content and caused severe impairment of mitochondrial function in the T67 human glioma cell line. In parallel with the reduction in CoQ biosynthesis, the cholesterol level increased, leading to significant perturbation of the plasma membrane physicochemical properties. We show that 4-NB treatment did not significantly affect the cell viability, because of an adaptive metabolic rewiring toward glycolysis. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) stabilization was detected in 4-NB-treated cells, possibly due to the contribution of both reduction in intracellular oxygen tension and ROS overproduction. Exogenous CoQ supplementation partially recovered cholesterol content, HIF-1α degradation, and ROS production, whereas only weakly improved the bioenergetic impairment induced by the CoQ depletion. Our data provide new insights on the effect of CoQ depletion and contribute to shed light on the pathogenic mechanisms of ubiquinone deficiency syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Liparulo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology-FABIT, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Christian Bergamini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology-FABIT, University of Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Natalia Calonghi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology-FABIT, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gasparre
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - DIMEC, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Ivana Kurelac
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - DIMEC, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Masin
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology-FABIT, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicola Rizzardi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology-FABIT, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Michela Rugolo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology-FABIT, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Wenping Wang
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology-FABIT, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Serena J Aleo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology-FABIT, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Alisar Kiwan
- Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician', University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristian Torri
- Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician', University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Zanna
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology-FABIT, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Romana Fato
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology-FABIT, University of Bologna, Italy
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12
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Diquigiovanni C, Bergamini C, Diaz R, Liparulo I, Bianco F, Masin L, Baldassarro VA, Rizzardi N, Tranchina A, Buscherini F, Wischmeijer A, Pippucci T, Scarano E, Cordelli DM, Fato R, Seri M, Paracchini S, Bonora E. A novel mutation in SPART gene causes a severe neurodevelopmental delay due to mitochondrial dysfunction with complex I impairments and altered pyruvate metabolism. FASEB J 2019; 33:11284-11302. [PMID: 31314595 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201802722r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations in the SPART gene cause Troyer syndrome, a recessive form of spastic paraplegia resulting in muscle weakness, short stature, and cognitive defects. SPART encodes for Spartin, a protein linked to endosomal trafficking and mitochondrial membrane potential maintenance. Here, we identified with whole exome sequencing (WES) a novel frameshift mutation in the SPART gene in 2 brothers presenting an uncharacterized developmental delay and short stature. Functional characterization in an SH-SY5Y cell model shows that this mutation is associated with increased neurite outgrowth. These cells also show a marked decrease in mitochondrial complex I (NADH dehydrogenase) activity, coupled to decreased ATP synthesis and defective mitochondrial membrane potential. The cells also presented an increase in reactive oxygen species, extracellular pyruvate, and NADH levels, consistent with impaired complex I activity. In concordance with a severe mitochondrial failure, Spartin loss also led to an altered intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis that was restored after transient expression of wild-type Spartin. Our data provide for the first time a thorough assessment of Spartin loss effects, including impaired complex I activity coupled to increased extracellular pyruvate. In summary, through a WES study we assign a diagnosis of Troyer syndrome to otherwise undiagnosed patients, and by functional characterization we show that the novel mutation in SPART leads to a profound bioenergetic imbalance.-Diquigiovanni, C., Bergamini, C., Diaz, R., Liparulo, I., Bianco, F., Masin, L., Baldassarro, V. A., Rizzardi, N., Tranchina, A., Buscherini, F., Wischmeijer, A., Pippucci, T., Scarano, E., Cordelli, D. M., Fato, R., Seri, M., Paracchini, S., Bonora, E. A novel mutation in SPART gene causes a severe neurodevelopmental delay due to mitochondrial dysfunction with complex I impairments and altered pyruvate metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Diquigiovanni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Christian Bergamini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rebeca Diaz
- School of Medicine, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Liparulo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Bianco
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Masin
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Rizzardi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonia Tranchina
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Buscherini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anita Wischmeijer
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Genetics Service, Regional Hospital of South Tyrol, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Tommaso Pippucci
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emanuela Scarano
- Rare Disease Unit, Department of Pediatrics, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Duccio Maria Cordelli
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Romana Fato
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Seri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvia Paracchini
- School of Medicine, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Bonora
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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