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Elmansy MF, Reidl CT, Rahaman M, Özdinler PH, Silverman RB. Small molecules targeting different cellular pathologies for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:2260-2302. [PMID: 37243319 PMCID: PMC10592673 DOI: 10.1002/med.21974] [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: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease in which the motor neuron circuitry displays progressive degeneration, affecting mostly the motor neurons in the brain and in the spinal cord. There are no effective cures, albeit three drugs, riluzole, edaravone, and AMX0035 (a combination of sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol), have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, with limited improvement in patients. There is an urgent need to build better and more effective treatment strategies for ALS. Since the disease is very heterogenous, numerous approaches have been explored, such as targeting genetic mutations, decreasing oxidative stress and excitotoxicity, enhancing mitochondrial function and protein degradation mechanisms, and inhibiting neuroinflammation. In addition, various chemical libraries or previously identified drugs have been screened for potential repurposing in the treatment of ALS. Here, we review previous drug discovery efforts targeting a variety of cellular pathologies that occur from genetic mutations that cause ALS, such as mutations in SOD1, C9orf72, FUS, and TARDP-43 genes. These mutations result in protein aggregation, which causes neuronal degeneration. Compounds used to target cellular pathologies that stem from these mutations are discussed and comparisons among different preclinical models are presented. Because the drug discovery landscape for ALS and other motor neuron diseases is changing rapidly, we also offer recommendations for a novel, more effective, direction in ALS drug discovery that could accelerate translation of effective compounds from animals to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed F. Elmansy
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Department of Organometallic and Organometalloid Chemistry, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Cory T. Reidl
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Mizzanoor Rahaman
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - P. Hande Özdinler
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Richard B. Silverman
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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2
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Gautam M, Genç B, Helmold B, Ahrens A, Kuka J, Makrecka-Kuka M, Günay A, Koçak N, Aguilar-Wickings IR, Keefe D, Zheng G, Swaminathan S, Redmon M, Zariwala HA, Özdinler PH. SBT-272 improves TDP-43 pathology in ALS upper motor neurons by modulating mitochondrial integrity, motility, and function. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 178:106022. [PMID: 36716828 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial defects are one of the common underlying causes of neuronal vulnerability in neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and TDP-43 pathology is the most commonly observed proteinopathy. Disrupted inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) reported in the upper motor neurons (UMNs) of ALS patients with TDP-43 pathology is recapitulated in the UMNs of well-characterized hTDP-43 mouse model of ALS. The construct validity, such as shared and common cellular pathology in mice and human, offers a unique opportunity to test treatment strategies that may translate to patients. SBT-272 is a well-tolerated brain-penetrant small molecule that stabilizes cardiolipin, a phospholipid found in IMM, thereby restoring mitochondrial structure and respiratory function. We investigated whether SBT-272 can improve IMM structure and health in UMNs diseased with TDP-43 pathology in our well-characterized UMN reporter line for ALS. We found that SBT-272 significantly improved mitochondrial structural integrity and restored mitochondrial motility and function. This led to improved health of diseased UMNs in vitro. In comparison to edaravone and AMX0035, SBT-272 appeared more effective in restoring health of diseased UMNs. Chronic treatment of SBT-272 for sixty days starting at an early symptomatic stage of the disease in vivo led to a significant reduction in astrogliosis, microgliosis, and TDP-43 pathology in the ALS motor cortex. Our results underscore the therapeutic potential of SBT-272, especially within the context of TDP-43 pathology and mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukesh Gautam
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Barış Genç
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Benjamin Helmold
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Angela Ahrens
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Janis Kuka
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS), Aizkraukles Street 21, LV-2006 Riga, Latvia
| | - Marina Makrecka-Kuka
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS), Aizkraukles Street 21, LV-2006 Riga, Latvia
| | - Aksu Günay
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Nuran Koçak
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Izaak R Aguilar-Wickings
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Dennis Keefe
- Stealth BioTherapeutics, 140 Kendrick St Building C, Needham, MA 02494, USA
| | - Guozhu Zheng
- Stealth BioTherapeutics, 140 Kendrick St Building C, Needham, MA 02494, USA
| | - Suchitra Swaminathan
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 420 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Research Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 675 N St Clair Fl 21 Ste 100, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Martin Redmon
- Stealth BioTherapeutics, 140 Kendrick St Building C, Needham, MA 02494, USA
| | - Hatim A Zariwala
- Stealth BioTherapeutics, 140 Kendrick St Building C, Needham, MA 02494, USA
| | - P Hande Özdinler
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Research Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 675 N St Clair Fl 21 Ste 100, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Dr, Evanston, IL 60208, USA..
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Genç B, Jara JH, Sanchez SS, Lagrimas AKB, Gözütok Ö, Koçak N, Zhu Y, Hande Özdinler P. Upper motor neurons are a target for gene therapy and UCHL1 is necessary and sufficient to improve cellular integrity of diseased upper motor neurons. Gene Ther 2022; 29:178-192. [PMID: 34853443 PMCID: PMC9018479 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-021-00303-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
There are no effective cures for upper motor neuron (UMN) diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), primary lateral sclerosis, and hereditary spastic paraplegia. Here, we show UMN loss occurs independent of spinal motor neuron degeneration and that UMNs are indeed effective cellular targets for gene therapy, which offers a potential solution especially for UMN disease patients. UCHL1 (ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1) is a deubiquitinating enzyme crucial for maintaining free ubiquitin levels. Corticospinal motor neurons (CSMN, a.k.a UMNs in mice) show early, selective, and profound degeneration in Uchl1nm3419 (UCHL1-/-) mice, which lack all UCHL1 function. When UCHL1 activity is ablated only from spinal motor neurons, CSMN remained intact. However, restoring UCHL1 specifically in CSMN of UCHL1-/- mice via directed gene delivery was sufficient to improve CSMN integrity to the healthy control levels. In addition, when UCHL1 gene was delivered selectively to CSMN that are diseased due to misfolded SOD1 toxicity and TDP-43 pathology via AAV-mediated retrograde transduction, the disease causing misfolded SOD1 and mutant human TDP-43 were reduced in hSOD1G93A and prpTDP-43A315T models, respectively. Diseased CSMN retained their neuronal integrity and cytoarchitectural stability in two different mouse models that represent two distinct causes of neurodegeneration in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barış Genç
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Javier H Jara
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Santana S Sanchez
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Amiko K B Lagrimas
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Öge Gözütok
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Nuran Koçak
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Yongling Zhu
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - P Hande Özdinler
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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Genç B, Gautam M, Gözütok Ö, Dervishi I, Sanchez S, Goshu GM, Koçak N, Xie E, Silverman RB, Özdinler PH. Improving mitochondria and ER stability helps eliminate upper motor neuron degeneration that occurs due to mSOD1 toxicity and TDP-43 pathology. Clin Transl Med 2021; 11:e336. [PMID: 33634973 PMCID: PMC7898037 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Upper motor neurons (UMNs) are a key component of motor neuron circuitry. Their degeneration is a hallmark for diseases, such as hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Currently there are no preclinical assays investigating cellular responses of UMNs to compound treatment, even for diseases of the UMNs. The basis of UMN vulnerability is not fully understood, and no compound has yet been identified to improve the health of diseased UMNs: two major roadblocks for building effective treatment strategies. METHODS Novel UMN reporter models, in which UMNs that are diseased because of misfolded superoxide dismutase protein (mSOD1) toxicity and TDP-43 pathology are labeled with eGFP expression, allow direct assessment of UMN response to compound treatment. Electron microscopy reveals very precise aspects of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial damage. Administration of NU-9, a compound initially identified based on its ability to reduce mSOD1 toxicity, has profound impact on improving the health and stability of UMNs, as identified by detailed cellular and ultrastructural analyses. RESULTS Problems with mitochondria and ER are conserved in diseased UMNs among different species. NU-9 has drug-like pharmacokinetic properties. It lacks toxicity and crosses the blood brain barrier. NU-9 improves the structural integrity of mitochondria and ER, reduces levels of mSOD1, stabilizes degenerating UMN apical dendrites, improves motor behavior measured by the hanging wire test, and eliminates ongoing degeneration of UMNs that become diseased both because of mSOD1 toxicity and TDP-43 pathology, two distinct and important overarching causes of motor neuron degeneration. CONCLUSIONS Mechanism-focused and cell-based drug discovery approaches not only addressed key cellular defects responsible for UMN loss, but also identified NU-9, the first compound to improve the health of diseased UMNs, neurons that degenerate in ALS, HSP, PLS, and ALS/FTLD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barış Genç
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Mukesh Gautam
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Öge Gözütok
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Ina Dervishi
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Santana Sanchez
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Gashaw M. Goshu
- Department of ChemistryNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonIllinoisUSA
| | - Nuran Koçak
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Edward Xie
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Richard B. Silverman
- Department of ChemistryNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonIllinoisUSA
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Center for Developmental TherapeuticsNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonIllinoisUSA
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Chemistry of Life Processes InstituteNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonIL60208
| | - P. Hande Özdinler
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Center for Developmental TherapeuticsNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonIllinoisUSA
- Chemistry of Life Processes InstituteNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonIL60208
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's DiseaseNorthwestern University, Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIL60611
- Les Turner ALS CenterNorthwestern University, Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIL60611
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Özdinler PH. Help from peripheral macrophages in ALS? Nat Neurosci 2020; 23:1311-1312. [PMID: 33077945 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-020-00727-y] [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: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P Hande Özdinler
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
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6
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Özdinler PH. Expanded access: opening doors to personalized medicine for rare disease patients and patients with neurodegenerative diseases. FEBS J 2020; 288:1457-1461. [PMID: 32805742 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In neurodegenerative diseases, a select set of neuron population displays early vulnerability and undergoes progressive degeneration. The heterogeneity of the cerebral cortex and the heterogeneity of patient populations diagnosed with the same disease offer many challenges for developing effective and long-term treatment options. Currently, patients who are considered to have a 'rare' disease are left with no hopes for cure, and many of the neurodegenerative diseases progress fast without any effective solutions. However, as our understanding of disease mechanisms evolve, we begin to realize that the boundaries between diseases are not as sharp as once believed. There are many patients who develop disease due to common underlying causes and mechanisms. As we move forward with drug discovery effort, it becomes obvious that we will have to shift our focus from finding a cure for a disease, to finding solutions to the disease-causing cellular mechanisms so that patients can be treated by mechanism-based strategies. This paradigm shift will lay the foundation for personalized medicine approaches for neurodegenerative disease patients and patients diagnosed with a rare disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Hande Özdinler
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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Jara JH, Gautam M, Kocak N, Xie EF, Mao Q, Bigio EH, Özdinler PH. MCP1-CCR2 and neuroinflammation in the ALS motor cortex with TDP-43 pathology. J Neuroinflammation 2019; 16:196. [PMID: 31666087 PMCID: PMC6822373 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-019-1589-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The involvement of non-neuronal cells and the cells of innate immunity has been attributed to the initiation and progression of ALS. TDP-43 pathology is observed in a broad spectrum of ALS cases and is one of the most commonly shared pathologies. The potential involvement of the neuroimmune axis in the motor cortex of ALS patients with TDP-43 pathology needs to be revealed. This information is vital for building effective treatment strategies. METHODS We investigated the presence of astrogliosis and microgliosis in the motor cortex of ALS patients with TDP-43 pathology. prpTDP-43A315T-UeGFP mice, corticospinal motor neuron (CSMN) reporter line with TDP-43 pathology, are utilized to reveal the timing and extent of neuroimmune interactions and the involvement of non-neuronal cells to neurodegeneration. Electron microscopy and immunolabeling techniques are used to mark and monitor cells of interest. RESULTS We detected both activated astrocytes and microglia, especially rod-like microglia, in the motor cortex of patients and TDP-43 mouse model. Besides, CCR2+ TMEM119- infiltrating monocytes were detected as they penetrate the brain parenchyma. Interestingly, Betz cells, which normally do not express MCP1, were marked with high levels of MCP1 expression when diseased. CONCLUSIONS There is an early contribution of a neuroinflammatory response for upper motor neuron (UMN) degeneration with respect to TDP-43 pathology, and MCP1-CCR2 signaling is important for the recognition of diseased upper motor neurons by infiltrating monocytes. The findings are conserved among species and are observed in both ALS and ALS-FTLD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier H Jara
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA.,Les Turner ALS Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Mukesh Gautam
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA.,Les Turner ALS Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Nuran Kocak
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA.,Les Turner ALS Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Edward F Xie
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA.,Les Turner ALS Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Qinwen Mao
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA.,Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA
| | - Eileen H Bigio
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA.,Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA
| | - P Hande Özdinler
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA. .,Les Turner ALS Center, Chicago, USA. .,Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA. .,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. .,Department of Neurology, 303 E Chicago Ave., Ward 10-015, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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Gautam M, Jara JH, Kocak N, Rylaarsdam LE, Kim KD, Bigio EH, Hande Özdinler P. Mitochondria, ER, and nuclear membrane defects reveal early mechanisms for upper motor neuron vulnerability with respect to TDP-43 pathology. Acta Neuropathol 2019; 137:47-69. [PMID: 30450515 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-018-1934-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Insoluble aggregates containing TDP-43 are widely observed in the diseased brain, and defined as "TDP-43 pathology" in a spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease and ALS with frontotemporal dementia. Here we report that Betz cells of patients with TDP-43 pathology display a distinct set of intracellular defects especially at the site of nuclear membrane, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Numerous TDP-43 mouse models have been generated to discern the cellular and molecular basis of the disease, but mechanisms of neuronal vulnerability remain unknown. In an effort to define the underlying causes of corticospinal motor neuron (CSMN) degeneration, we generated and characterized a novel CSMN reporter line with TDP-43 pathology, the prp-TDP-43A315T-UeGFP mice. We find that TDP-43 pathology related intracellular problems emerge very early in the disease. The Betz cells in humans and CSMN in mice both have impaired mitochondria, and display nuclear membrane and ER defects with respect to TDP-43 pathology.
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Jara JH, Genç B, Stanford MJ, Pytel P, Roos RP, Weintraub S, Mesulam MM, Bigio EH, Miller RJ, Özdinler PH. Evidence for an early innate immune response in the motor cortex of ALS. J Neuroinflammation 2017. [PMID: 28651542 PMCID: PMC5485686 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-017-0896-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent evidence indicates the importance of innate immunity and neuroinflammation with microgliosis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathology. The MCP1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and CCR2 (CC chemokine receptor 2) signaling system has been strongly associated with the innate immune responses observed in ALS patients, but the motor cortex has not been studied in detail. Methods After revealing the presence of MCP1 and CCR2 in the motor cortex of ALS patients, to elucidate, visualize, and define the timing, location and the extent of immune response in relation to upper motor neuron vulnerability and progressive degeneration in ALS, we developed MCP1-CCR2-hSOD1G93A mice, an ALS reporter line, in which cells expressing MCP1 and CCR2 are genetically labeled by monomeric red fluorescent protein-1 and enhanced green fluorescent protein, respectively. Results In the motor cortex of MCP1-CCR2-hSOD1G93A mice, unlike in the spinal cord, there was an early increase in the numbers of MCP1+ cells, which displayed microglial morphology and selectively expressed microglia markers. Even though fewer CCR2+ cells were present throughout the motor cortex, they were mainly infiltrating monocytes. Interestingly, MCP1+ cells were found in close proximity to the apical dendrites and cell bodies of corticospinal motor neurons (CSMN), further implicating the importance of their cellular interaction to neuronal pathology. Similar findings were observed in the motor cortex of ALS patients, where MCP1+ microglia were especially in close proximity to the degenerating apical dendrites of Betz cells. Conclusions Our findings reveal that the intricate cellular interplay between immune cells and upper motor neurons observed in the motor cortex of ALS mice is indeed recapitulated in ALS patients. We generated and characterized a novel model system, to study the cellular and molecular basis of this close cellular interaction and how that relates to motor neuron vulnerability and progressive degeneration in ALS. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-017-0896-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier H Jara
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Ave. Ward 10-120, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Barış Genç
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Ave. Ward 10-120, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Macdonell J Stanford
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Ave. Ward 10-120, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Peter Pytel
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Raymond P Roos
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Sandra Weintraub
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - M Marsel Mesulam
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Eileen H Bigio
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Richard J Miller
- Molecular Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - P Hande Özdinler
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Ave. Ward 10-120, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. .,Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. .,Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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10
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Genç B, Jara JH, Lagrimas AKB, Pytel P, Roos RP, Mesulam MM, Geula C, Bigio EH, Özdinler PH. Apical dendrite degeneration, a novel cellular pathology for Betz cells in ALS. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41765. [PMID: 28165465 PMCID: PMC5292972 DOI: 10.1038/srep41765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [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: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Apical dendrites of Betz cells are important sites for the integration of cortical input, however their health has not been fully assessed in ALS patients. We investigated the primary motor cortices isolated from post-mortem normal control subjects, patients with familial ALS (fALS), sporadic ALS (sALS), ALS with frontotemporal dementia (FTD-ALS), and Alzheimer's disease (AD), and found profound apical dendrite degeneration of Betz cells in both fALS and sALS, as well as FTD-ALS patients. In contrast, Betz cells of AD patients and normal controls retain cellular integrity in the motor cortex, and CA1 pyramidal neurons show abnormalities predominantly within their soma, rather than the apical dendrite. In line with extensive vacuolation and cytoarchitectural disintegration, the numbers of synapses were also significantly reduced only in ALS patients. Our findings indicate apical dendrite degeneration as a novel cellular pathology that distinguishes ALS and further support the importance of cortical dysfunction for disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barış Genç
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Javier H Jara
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Amiko K B Lagrimas
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Peter Pytel
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Raymond P Roos
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - M Marsel Mesulam
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Changiz Geula
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Eileen H Bigio
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - P Hande Özdinler
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.,Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.,Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
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11
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Geevasinga N, Menon P, Özdinler PH, Kiernan MC, Vucic S. Pathophysiological and diagnostic implications of cortical dysfunction in ALS. Nat Rev Neurol 2016; 12:651-661. [DOI: 10.1038/nrneurol.2016.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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12
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Genç B, Jara JH, Schultz MC, Manuel M, Stanford MJ, Gautam M, Klessner JL, Sekerkova G, Heller DB, Cox GA, Heckman CJ, DiDonato CJ, Özdinler PH. Absence of UCHL 1 function leads to selective motor neuropathy. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2016; 3:331-45. [PMID: 27231703 PMCID: PMC4863746 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [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: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCHL1) for motor neuron circuitry and especially in spinal motor neuron (SMN) health, function, and connectivity. METHODS Since mutations in UCHL1 gene leads to motor dysfunction in patients, we investigated the role of UCHL1 on SMN survival, axon health, and connectivity with the muscle, by employing molecular and cellular marker expression analysis and electrophysiological recordings, in healthy wild-type and Uchl1 (nm3419) (UCHL1-/-) mice, which lack all UCHL1 function. RESULTS There is pure motor neuropathy with selective degeneration of the motor, but not sensory axons in the absence of UCHL1 function. Neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) are impaired in muscle groups that are innervated by slow-twitch or fast-twitch SMN. However, unlike corticospinal motor neurons, SMN cell bodies remain intact with no signs of elevated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. INTERPRETATION Presence of NMJ defects and progressive retrograde axonal degeneration in the absence of major SMN soma loss suggest that defining pathology as a function of neuron number is misleading and that upper and lower motor neurons utilize UCHL1 function in different cellular events. In line with findings in patients with mutations in UCHL1 gene, our results suggest a unique role of UCHL1, especially for motor neuron circuitry. SMN require UCHL1 to maintain NMJ and motor axon health, and that observed motor dysfunction in the absence of UCHL1 is not due to SMN loss, but mostly due to disintegrated circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barış Genç
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago Illinois USA
| | - Javier H Jara
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago Illinois USA
| | - Megan C Schultz
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago Illinois USA
| | - Marin Manuel
- Department of Physiology Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago Illinois USA; UMR 8119 CNRS/Paris Descartes University Paris France
| | - Macdonell J Stanford
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago Illinois USA
| | - Mukesh Gautam
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago Illinois USA
| | - Jodi L Klessner
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago Illinois USA
| | - Gabriella Sekerkova
- Department of Physiology Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago Illinois USA
| | - Daniel B Heller
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago Illinois USA
| | | | - Charles J Heckman
- Department of Medicine and Rehabilitation Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago Illinois USA; Department of Physical Therapy and Movement Sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago Illinois USA
| | - Christine J DiDonato
- Department of Pediatrics Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Chicago Illinois USA; Human Molecular Genetics Program Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center Chicago Illinois USA
| | - P Hande Özdinler
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago Illinois USA; Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center Northwestern University Chicago Illinois USA; Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center Northwestern University Chicago Illinois USA
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13
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Gautam M, Jara JH, Sekerkova G, Yasvoina MV, Martina M, Özdinler PH. Absence of alsin function leads to corticospinal motor neuron vulnerability via novel disease mechanisms. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:1074-87. [PMID: 26755825 PMCID: PMC4764190 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [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: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the ALS2 gene result in early-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paraplegia and juvenile primary lateral sclerosis, suggesting prominent upper motor neuron involvement. However, the importance of alsin function for corticospinal motor neuron (CSMN) health and stability remains unknown. To date, four separate alsin knockout (AlsinKO) mouse models have been generated, and despite hopes of mimicking human pathology, none displayed profound motor function defects. This, however, does not rule out the possibility of neuronal defects within CSMN, which is not easy to detect in these mice. Detailed cellular analysis of CSMN has been hampered due to their limited numbers and the complex and heterogeneous structure of the cerebral cortex. In an effort to visualize CSMN in vivo and to investigate precise aspects of neuronal abnormalities in the absence of alsin function, we generated AlsinKO-UeGFP mice, by crossing AlsinKO and UCHL1-eGFP mice, a CSMN reporter line. We find that CSMN display vacuolated apical dendrites with increased autophagy, shrinkage of soma size and axonal pathology even in the pons region. Immunocytochemistry coupled with electron microscopy reveal that alsin is important for maintaining cellular cytoarchitecture and integrity of cellular organelles. In its absence, CSMN displays selective defects both in mitochondria and Golgi apparatus. UCHL1-eGFP mice help understand the underlying cellular factors that lead to CSMN vulnerability in diseases, and our findings reveal unique importance of alsin function for CSMN health and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gabriella Sekerkova
- Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Marco Martina
- Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - P Hande Özdinler
- Department of Neurology and, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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14
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Genç B, Lagrimas AKB, Kuru P, Hess R, Tu MW, Menichella DM, Miller RJ, Paller AS, Özdinler PH. Visualization of Sensory Neurons and Their Projections in an Upper Motor Neuron Reporter Line. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26222784 PMCID: PMC4519325 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Visualization of peripheral nervous system axons and cell bodies is important to understand their development, target recognition, and integration into complex circuitries. Numerous studies have used protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 [a.k.a. ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1)] expression as a marker to label sensory neurons and their axons. Enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) expression, under the control of UCHL1 promoter, is stable and long lasting in the UCHL1-eGFP reporter line. In addition to the genetic labeling of corticospinal motor neurons in the motor cortex and degeneration-resistant spinal motor neurons in the spinal cord, here we report that neurons of the peripheral nervous system are also fluorescently labeled in the UCHL1-eGFP reporter line. eGFP expression is turned on at embryonic ages and lasts through adulthood, allowing detailed studies of cell bodies, axons and target innervation patterns of all sensory neurons in vivo. In addition, visualization of both the sensory and the motor neurons in the same animal offers many advantages. In this report, we used UCHL1-eGFP reporter line in two different disease paradigms: diabetes and motor neuron disease. eGFP expression in sensory axons helped determine changes in epidermal nerve fiber density in a high-fat diet induced diabetes model. Our findings corroborate previous studies, and suggest that more than five months is required for significant skin denervation. Crossing UCHL1-eGFP with hSOD1G93A mice generated hSOD1G93A-UeGFP reporter line of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and revealed sensory nervous system defects, especially towards disease end-stage. Our studies not only emphasize the complexity of the disease in ALS, but also reveal that UCHL1-eGFP reporter line would be a valuable tool to visualize and study various aspects of sensory nervous system development and degeneration in the context of numerous diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barış Genç
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Amiko Krisa Bunag Lagrimas
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Pınar Kuru
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Robert Hess
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Michael William Tu
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Daniela Maria Menichella
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Richard J. Miller
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Amy S. Paller
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
- Departments of Dermatology and Pediatrics, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
- Skin Disease Research Center, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - P. Hande Özdinler
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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15
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Jara JH, Genç B, Cox GA, Bohn MC, Roos RP, Macklis JD, Ulupınar E, Özdinler PH. Corticospinal Motor Neurons Are Susceptible to Increased ER Stress and Display Profound Degeneration in the Absence of UCHL1 Function. Cereb Cortex 2015; 25:4259-72. [PMID: 25596590 PMCID: PMC4626833 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhu318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticospinal motor neurons (CSMN) receive, integrate, and relay cerebral cortex's input toward spinal targets to initiate and modulate voluntary movement. CSMN degeneration is central for numerous motor neuron disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Previously, 5 patients with mutations in the ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCHL1) gene were reported to have neurodegeneration and motor neuron dysfunction with upper motor neuron involvement. To investigate the role of UCHL1 on CSMN health and stability, we used both in vivo and in vitro approaches, and took advantage of the Uchl1nm3419 (UCHL1−/−) mice, which lack all UCHL1 function. We report a unique role of UCHL1 in maintaining CSMN viability and cellular integrity. CSMN show early, selective, progressive, and profound cell loss in the absence of UCHL1. CSMN degeneration, evident even at pre-symptomatic stages by disintegration of the apical dendrite and spine loss, is mediated via increased ER stress. These findings bring a novel understanding to the basis of CSMN vulnerability, and suggest UCHL1−/− mice as a tool to study CSMN pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier H Jara
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences
| | - Barış Genç
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences
| | | | - Martha C Bohn
- Neurobiology Program, Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Raymond P Roos
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Macklis
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, UK
| | - Emel Ulupınar
- Department of Anatomy, Eskişehir Osmangazi University Medical School, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - P Hande Özdinler
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is one of the most complex neurodegenerative diseases, involving both cortical and spinal components of motor neuron circuitry and non-neuronal cells that support the motor neurons. There is no effective therapeutic for ALS, and compounds that have extended the lifespan of ALS mouse models have failed in clinical trials. This viewpoint discusses current information regarding the changing views about ALS and what the failures in clinical trials can teach us in the search for an effective treatment. Previous challenges and roadblocks in drug discovery for ALS are noted, and solutions to current limitations are discussed. Learning from the past and moving forward with a new mindset can translate into successful and effective treatment strategies in ALS and other related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Hande Özdinler
- Department
of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Richard B. Silverman
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry of Life
Processes Institute, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery,
and Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3113, United States
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17
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Genç B, Özdinler PH. Moving forward in clinical trials for ALS: motor neurons lead the way please. Drug Discov Today 2013; 19:441-9. [PMID: 24171950 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2013.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2013] [Revised: 09/07/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is one of the most complex motor neuron diseases. Even though scientific discoveries are accelerating with an unprecedented pace, to date more than 30 clinical trials have ended with failure and staggering frustration. There are too many compounds that increase life span in mice, but too little evidence that they will improve human condition. Increasing the chances of success for future clinical trials requires advancement of preclinical tests. Recent developments, which enable the visualization of diseased motor neurons, have the potential to bring novel insight. As we change our focus from mice to motor neurons, it is possible to foster a new vision that translates into effective and long-term treatment strategies in ALS and related motor neuron disorders (MND).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bariş Genç
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, USA
| | - P Hande Özdinler
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, USA; Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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18
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Yasvoina MV, Genç B, Jara JH, Sheets PL, Quinlan KA, Milosevic A, Shepherd GM, Heckman CJ, Özdinler PH. eGFP expression under UCHL1 promoter genetically labels corticospinal motor neurons and a subpopulation of degeneration-resistant spinal motor neurons in an ALS mouse model. J Neurosci 2013; 33:7890-904. [PMID: 23637180 PMCID: PMC3963467 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2787-12.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2012] [Revised: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 03/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding mechanisms that lead to selective motor neuron degeneration requires visualization and cellular identification of vulnerable neurons. Here we report generation and characterization of UCHL1-eGFP and hSOD1(G93A)-UeGFP mice, novel reporter lines for cortical and spinal motor neurons. Corticospinal motor neurons (CSMN) and a subset of spinal motor neurons (SMN) are genetically labeled in UCHL1-eGFP mice, which express eGFP under the UCHL1 promoter. eGFP expression is stable and continues through P800 in vivo. Retrograde labeling, molecular marker expression, electrophysiological analysis, and cortical circuit mapping confirmed CSMN identity of eGFP(+) neurons in the motor cortex. Anatomy, molecular marker expression, and electrophysiological analysis revealed that the eGFP expression is restricted to a subset of small-size SMN that are slow-twitch α and γ motor neurons. Crossbreeding of UCHL1-eGFP and hSOD1(G93A) lines generated hSOD1(G93A)-UeGFP mice, which displayed the disease phenotype observed in a hSOD1(G93A) mouse model of ALS. eGFP(+) SMN showed resistance to degeneration in hSOD1(G93A)-UeGFP mice, and their slow-twitch α and γ motor neuron identity was confirmed. In contrast, eGFP(+) neurons in the motor cortex of hSOD1(G93A)-UeGFP mice recapitulated previously reported progressive CSMN loss and apical dendrite degeneration. Our findings using these two novel reporter lines revealed accumulation of autophagosomes along the apical dendrites of vulnerable CSMN at P60, early symptomatic stage, suggesting autophagy as a potential intrinsic mechanism for CSMN apical dendrite degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barış Genç
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences
| | - Javier H. Jara
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences
| | | | | | - Ana Milosevic
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, and
| | | | - C. J. Heckman
- Department of Physiology, and
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
- Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences Center
| | - P. Hande Özdinler
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, and
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
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19
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Steele AD, Emsley JG, Özdinler PH, Lindquist S, Macklis JD. Prion protein (PrPc) positively regulates neural precursor proliferation during developmental and adult mammalian neurogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:3416-21. [PMID: 16492732 PMCID: PMC1413927 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0511290103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The misfolding of the prion protein (PrP(c)) is a central event in prion diseases, yet the normal function of PrP(c) remains unknown. PrP(c) has putative roles in many cellular processes including signaling, survival, adhesion, and differentiation. Given the abundance of PrP(c) in the developing and mature mammalian CNS, we investigated the role of PrP(c) in neural development and in adult neurogenesis, which occurs constitutively in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus and in the olfactory bulb from precursors in the subventricular zone (SVZ)/rostral migratory stream. In vivo, we find that PrP(c) is expressed immediately adjacent to the proliferative region of the SVZ but not in mitotic cells. In vivo and in vitro studies further find that PrP(c) is expressed in multipotent neural precursors and mature neurons but is not detectable in glia. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments demonstrate that PrP(c) levels correlate with differentiation of multipotent neural precursors into mature neurons in vitro and that PrP(c) levels positively influence neuronal differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. PrP(c) also increases cellular proliferation in vivo; in the SVZ, PrP(c) overexpresser (OE) mice have more proliferating cells compared with wild-type (WT) or knockout (KO) mice; in the DG, PrP(c) OE and WT mice have more proliferating cells compared with KO mice. Our results demonstrate that PrP(c) plays an important role in neurogenesis and differentiation. Because the final number of neurons produced in the DG is unchanged by PrP(c) expression, other factors must control the ultimate fate of new neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D. Steele
- *Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142; and
| | - Jason G. Emsley
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Program in Neuroscience, Massachusetts General Hospital–Harvard Medical School Center for Nervous System Repair, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - P. Hande Özdinler
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Program in Neuroscience, Massachusetts General Hospital–Harvard Medical School Center for Nervous System Repair, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Susan Lindquist
- *Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142; and
- To whom correspondence may be addressed at:
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 9 Cambridge Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142. E-mail:
| | - Jeffrey D. Macklis
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Program in Neuroscience, Massachusetts General Hospital–Harvard Medical School Center for Nervous System Repair, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
- To whom correspondence may be addressed at:
MGH-HMS Center for Nervous System Repair, Massachusetts General Hospital, Edwards 4 (EDR 410), 50 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114. E-mail:
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20
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Abstract
Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) is required for proprioceptive neuron survival. Deletion of the proapoptotic gene Bax in NT-3 knockout mice rescues these neurons and allows for examination of their axon growth in the absence of NT-3 signaling. TrkC-positive peripheral and central axons from dorsal root ganglia follow proper trajectories and arrive in close proximity to their targets but fail to innervate them. Peripherally, muscle spindles are absent and TrkC-positive axons do not enter their target muscles. Centrally, proprioceptive axons branch in ectopic regions of the spinal cord, even crossing the midline. In vitro assays reveal chemoattractant effects of NT-3 on dorsal root ganglion axons. Our results show that survival factor NT-3 acts as a short-distance axon guidance molecule for muscle sensory afferents as they approach their proper targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barış Genç
- 1Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew Orleans, LouisianaUnited States of America
| | - P. Hande Özdinler
- 1Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew Orleans, LouisianaUnited States of America
| | - April E Mendoza
- 1Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew Orleans, LouisianaUnited States of America
| | - Reha S Erzurumlu
- 1Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew Orleans, LouisianaUnited States of America
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