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Tang Z, Hu S, Wu Z, He M. Therapeutic effects of engineered exosome-based miR-25 and miR-181a treatment in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 mice by silencing ATXN3. Mol Med 2023; 29:96. [PMID: 37438701 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-023-00695-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common autosomal dominant hereditary ataxia worldwide, which is however in a lack of effective treatment. In view of that engineered exosomes are a promising non-invasive gene therapy transporter that can overcome the traditional problem of poor drug delivery, the aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the value of exosome-based microRNA therapy in SCA3 and the therapeutic effects of intravenously administrated ATXN3 targeting microRNAs in transgenic SCA3 mouse models. METHODS The rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG) peptide-modified exosomes loaded with miR-25 or miR-181a were peripherally injected to enable targeted delivery of miRNAs to the brain of SCA3 mice. The behaviors, ATXN3 level, purkinje cell and other neuronal loss, and neuroinflammation were evaluated 4 weeks after initial treatment. RESULTS The targeted and efficient delivery of miR-25 and miR-181a by modified exosomes substantially inhibited the mutant ATXN3 expression, reduced neuron apoptosis and induced motor improvements in SCA3 mouse models without increasing the neuroinflammatory response. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirmed the therapeutic potential of engineered exosome-based miR-25 and miR-181a treatment in substantially reducing ATXN3 aggregation and cytotoxicity by relying on its targeted and efficient drug delivery performance in SCA3 mice. This treatment method shows a promising prospect for future clinical applications in SCA3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenchu Tang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410011, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410011, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shenglan Hu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410011, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ziwei Wu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410011, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Miao He
- Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410011, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410011, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Ferreira AF, Raposo M, Shaw ED, Ashraf NS, Medeiros F, Brilhante MDF, Perkins M, Vasconcelos J, Kay T, Costa MDC, Lima M. Tissue-Specific Vulnerability to Apoptosis in Machado-Joseph Disease. Cells 2023; 12:1404. [PMID: 37408238 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is a dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by an expanded CAG repeat in the ATXN3 gene encoding the ataxin-3 protein. Several cellular processes, including transcription and apoptosis, are disrupted in MJD. To gain further insights into the extent of dysregulation of mitochondrial apoptosis in MJD and to evaluate if expression alterations of specific apoptosis genes/proteins can be used as transcriptional biomarkers of disease, the expression levels of BCL2, BAX and TP53 and the BCL2/BAX ratio (an indicator of susceptibility to apoptosis) were assessed in blood and post-mortem brain samples from MJD subjects and MJD transgenic mice and controls. While patients show reduced levels of blood BCL2 transcripts, this measurement displays low accuracy to discriminate patients from matched controls. However, increased levels of blood BAX transcripts and decreased BCL2/BAX ratio are associated with earlier onset of disease, indicating a possible association with MJD pathogenesis. Post-mortem MJD brains show increased BCL2/BAX transcript ratio in the dentate cerebellar nucleus (DCN) and increased BCL2/BAX insoluble protein ratio in the DCN and pons, suggesting that in these regions, severely affected by degeneration in MJD, cells show signs of apoptosis resistance. Interestingly, a follow-up study of 18 patients further shows that blood BCL2 and TP53 transcript levels increase over time in MJD patients. Furthermore, while the similar levels of blood BCL2, BAX, and TP53 transcripts observed in preclinical subjects and controls is mimicked by pre-symptomatic MJD mice, the expression profile of these genes in patient brains is partially replicated by symptomatic MJD mice. Globally, our findings indicate that there is tissue-specific vulnerability to apoptosis in MJD subjects and that this tissue-dependent behavior is partially replicated in a MJD mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana F Ferreira
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mafalda Raposo
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Emily D Shaw
- Department of Neurology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Naila S Ashraf
- Department of Neurology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Filipa Medeiros
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Maria de Fátima Brilhante
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Centro de Estatística e Aplicações, Universidade de Lisboa (CEAUL), 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Matthew Perkins
- Department of Neurology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - João Vasconcelos
- Serviço de Neurologia, Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo (HDES), 9500-370 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Teresa Kay
- Serviço de Genética Clínica, Hospital D. Estefânia, 1169-045 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria do Carmo Costa
- Department of Neurology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Manuela Lima
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
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3
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Rufino-Ramos D, Albuquerque PR, Leandro K, Carmona V, Martins IM, Fernandes R, Henriques C, Lobo D, Faro R, Perfeito R, Mendonça LS, Pereira D, Gomes CM, Nobre RJ, Pereira de Almeida L. Extracellular vesicle-based delivery of silencing sequences for the treatment of Machado-Joseph disease/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1275-1292. [PMID: 37025062 PMCID: PMC10188911 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD)/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common autosomal dominantly inherited ataxia worldwide. It is caused by an over-repetition of the trinucleotide CAG within the ATXN3 gene, which confers toxic properties to ataxin-3 (ATXN3) species. RNA interference technology has shown promising therapeutic outcomes but still lacks a non-invasive delivery method to the brain. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) emerged as promising delivery vehicles due to their capacity to deliver small nucleic acids, such as microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs were found to be enriched into EVs due to specific signal motifs designated as ExoMotifs. In this study, we aimed at investigating whether ExoMotifs would promote the packaging of artificial miRNAs into EVs to be used as non-invasive therapeutic delivery vehicles to treat MJD/SCA3. We found that miRNA-based silencing sequences, associated with ExoMotif GGAG and ribonucleoprotein A2B1 (hnRNPA2B1), retained the capacity to silence mutant ATXN3 (mutATXN3) and were 3-fold enriched into EVs. Bioengineered EVs containing the neuronal targeting peptide RVG on the surface significantly decreased mutATXN3 mRNA in primary cerebellar neurons from MJD YAC 84.2 and in a novel dual-luciferase MJD mouse model upon daily intranasal administration. Altogether, these findings indicate that bioengineered EVs carrying miRNA-based silencing sequences are a promising delivery vehicle for brain therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Rufino-Ramos
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Patrícia R Albuquerque
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Kevin Leandro
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vitor Carmona
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês M Martins
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rita Fernandes
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carina Henriques
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Diana Lobo
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rosário Faro
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rita Perfeito
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Liliana S Mendonça
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Dina Pereira
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Célia M Gomes
- CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Jorge Nobre
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Luo R, Yang K, Xiao W. Plant deubiquitinases: from structure and activity to biological functions. Plant Cell Rep 2023; 42:469-486. [PMID: 36567335 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-022-02962-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This article attempts to provide comprehensive review of plant deubiquitinases, paying special attention to recent advances in their biochemical activities and biological functions. Proteins in eukaryotes are subjected to post-translational modifications, in which ubiquitination is regarded as a reversible process. Cellular deubiquitinases (DUBs) are a key component of the ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome system responsible for cellular protein homeostasis. DUBs recycle Ub by hydrolyzing poly-Ub chains on target proteins, and maintain a balance of the cellular Ub pool. In addition, some DUBs prefer to cleave poly-Ub chains not linked through the conventional K48 residue, which often alter the substrate activity instead of its stability. In plants, all seven known DUB subfamilies have been identified, namely Ub-binding protease/Ub-specific protease (UBP/USP), Ub C-terminal hydrolase (UCH), Machado-Joseph domain-containing protease (MJD), ovarian-tumor domain-containing protease (OTU), zinc finger with UFM1-specific peptidase domain protease (ZUFSP), motif interacting with Ub-containing novel DUB family (MINDY), and JAB1/MPN/MOV34 protease (JAMM). This review focuses on recent advances in the structure, activity, and biological functions of plant DUBs, particularly in the model plant Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runbang Luo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of DNA Damage Responses and College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048, China
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Kun Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of DNA Damage Responses and College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048, China
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Wei Xiao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of DNA Damage Responses and College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048, China.
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada.
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Melo ARV, Raposo M, Ventura M, Martins S, Pavão S, Alonso I, Bettencourt C, Lima M. Genetic Variation in ATXN3 (Ataxin-3) 3'UTR: Insights into the Downstream Regulatory Elements of the Causative Gene of Machado-Joseph Disease/Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3. Cerebellum 2023; 22:37-45. [PMID: 35034258 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-021-01358-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Untranslated regions are involved in the regulation of transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes. Characterization of these regions remains poorly explored for ATXN3, the causative gene of Machado-Joseph disease (MJD). Although a few genetic modifiers have been identified for MJD age at onset (AO), they only explain a small fraction of the AO variance. Our aim was to analyse variation at the 3'UTR of ATXN3 in MJD patients, analyse its impact on AO and attempt to build haplotypes that might discriminate between normal and expanded alleles.After assessing ATXN3 3'UTR variants in molecularly confirmed MJD patients, an in silico analysis was conducted to predict their functional impact (e.g. their effect on miRNA-binding sites). Alleles in cis with the expanded (CAG)n were inferred from family data, and haplotypes were built. The effect of the alternative alleles on the AO and on SARA and NESSCA ataxia scales was tested.Nine variants, all previously described, were found. For eight variants, in silico analyses predicted (a) deleterious effects (rs10151135; rs55966267); (b) changes on miRNA-binding sites (rs11628764; rs55966267; rs709930) and (c) alterations of RNA-binding protein (RBP)-binding sites (rs1055996; rs910369; rs709930; rs10151135; rs3092822; rs7158733). Patients harbouring the alternative allele at rs10151135 had significantly higher SARA Axial subscores (p = 0.023), comparatively with those homozygous for the reference allele. Ten different haplotypes were obtained, one of which was exclusively found in cis with the expanded and four with the normal allele. These findings, which are relevant for the design of allele-specific therapies, warrant further investigation in independent MJD cohorts.
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6
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Lima M, Raposo M, Ferreira A, Melo ARV, Pavão S, Medeiros F, Teves L, Gonzalez C, Lemos J, Pires P, Lopes P, Valverde D, Gonzalez J, Kay T, Vasconcelos J. The Homogeneous Azorean Machado-Joseph Disease Cohort: Characterization and Contributions to Advances in Research. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020247. [PMID: 36830784 PMCID: PMC9953730 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020247] [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: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD)/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common autosomal dominant ataxia worldwide. MJD is characterized by late-onset progressive cerebellar ataxia associated with variable clinical findings, including pyramidal signs and a dystonic-rigid extrapyramidal syndrome. In the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores, the worldwide population cluster for this disorder (prevalence of 39 in 100,000 inhabitants), a cohort of MJD mutation carriers belonging to extensively studied pedigrees has been followed since the late 1990s. Studies of the homogeneous Azorean MJD cohort have been contributing crucial information to the natural history of this disease as well as allowing the identification of novel molecular biomarkers. Moreover, as interventional studies for this globally rare and yet untreatable disease are emerging, this cohort should be even more important for the recruitment of trial participants. In this paper, we profile the Azorean cohort of MJD carriers, constituted at baseline by 20 pre-ataxic carriers and 52 patients, which currently integrates the European spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease Initiative (ESMI), a large European longitudinal MJD cohort. Moreover, we summarize the main studies based on this cohort and highlight the contributions made to advances in MJD research. Knowledge of the profile of the Azorean MJD cohort is not only important in the context of emergent interventional trials but is also pertinent for the implementation of adequate interventional measures, constituting relevant information for Lay Associations and providing data to guide healthcare decision makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Lima
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Mafalda Raposo
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Ferreira
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Rosa Vieira Melo
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Pavão
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Filipa Medeiros
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Luís Teves
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carlos Gonzalez
- Serviço de Psicologia Clínica, Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, 9500-370 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - João Lemos
- Unidade de Psicologia Clínica, Hospital do Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira, 9700-049 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
| | - Paula Pires
- Serviço de Neurologia, Hospital do Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira, 9700-049 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
| | - Pedro Lopes
- Serviço de Neurologia, Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, 9500-370 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - David Valverde
- Serviço de Patologia Clínica, Unidade de Saúde da Ilha das Flores, 9500-370 Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal
| | - José Gonzalez
- Augenarztpraxis Petrescu Wuppertal, Department of Ophthalmology, 42389 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Teresa Kay
- Serviço de Genética Médica, Hospital D. Estefânia, 1169-045 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João Vasconcelos
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Hospital Internacional dos Açores (HIA), 9560-421 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
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Schuster KH, DiFranco DM, Putka AF, Mato JP, Jarrah SI, Stec NR, Sundararajan VO, McLoughlin HS. Disease-associated oligodendrocyte signatures are spatiotemporally dysregulated in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1118429. [PMID: 36875652 PMCID: PMC9975394 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1118429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the ATXN3 gene. Though the ATXN3 protein is expressed ubiquitously throughout the CNS, regional pathology in SCA3 patients is observed within select neuronal populations and more recently within oligodendrocyte-rich white matter tracts. We have previously recapitulated these white matter abnormalities in an overexpression mouse model of SCA3 and demonstrated that oligodendrocyte maturation impairments are one of the earliest and most progressive changes in SCA3 pathogenesis. Disease-associated oligodendrocyte signatures have recently emerged as significant contributors to several other neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease, but their role in regional vulnerability and disease progression remains unexplored. Here, we are the first to comparatively assess myelination in human tissue in a region-dependent manner. Translating these findings to SCA3 mouse models of disease, we confirmed endogenous expression of mutant Atxn3 leads to regional transcriptional dysregulation of oligodendrocyte maturation markers in Knock-In models of SCA3. We then investigated the spatiotemporal progression of mature oligodendrocyte transcriptional dysregulation in an overexpression SCA3 mouse model and how it relates to the onset of motor impairment. We further determined that regional reduction in mature oligodendrocyte cell counts in SCA3 mice over time parallels the onset and progression of brain atrophy in SCA3 patients. This work emphasizes the prospective contributions of disease-associated oligodendrocyte signatures to regional vulnerability and could inform timepoints and target regions imperative for biomarker assessment and therapeutic intervention in several neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen H Schuster
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Danielle M DiFranco
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Alexandra F Putka
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Juan P Mato
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Sabrina I Jarrah
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Nicholas R Stec
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | | | - Hayley S McLoughlin
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Couto D, Sousa L, Sequeiros J, Lima M, Mendes Á. Short Communication: Restrictions in care following the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted Machado-Joseph disease patients: a study in the Azores Islands, Portugal. J Community Genet 2022; 13:1-3. [PMID: 35873602 PMCID: PMC9294769 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-022-00602-2] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This qualitative study describes how the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic impacted on Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) patients and their care, in the island of São Miguel (the Azores, Portugal). In-person semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 participants, including patients, family members, healthcare professionals, and care providers. Main findings highlighted the key role played by the local association in psychosocial and healthcare for MJD patients and families, and the adverse effects on their care following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, hindered access to the day-care centre increased isolation and had a negative impact on mental health and disease progression. For persons with a progressive and severe neurological disease, there is no "back to normal." Future restrictive measures ensuing need to be accompanied by a careful definition of daily care routines for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Couto
- Department of Education and Psychology, CINTESIS@RISE, Univ. Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Liliana Sousa
- Department of Education and Psychology, CINTESIS@RISE, Univ. Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Jorge Sequeiros
- UnIGENe, IBMC – Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, i3S – Instituto de Investigação E Inovação Em Saúde, Univ. Porto, Porto, Portugal
- CGPP – Centre for Predictive and Preventive Genetics, IBMC, i3S, Univ. Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS – School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Univ. Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuela Lima
- UnIGENe, IBMC – Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, i3S – Instituto de Investigação E Inovação Em Saúde, Univ. Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, Azores, Portugal
| | - Álvaro Mendes
- UnIGENe, IBMC – Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, i3S – Instituto de Investigação E Inovação Em Saúde, Univ. Porto, Porto, Portugal
- CGPP – Centre for Predictive and Preventive Genetics, IBMC, i3S, Univ. Porto, Porto, Portugal
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9
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Sowa AS, Haas E, Hübener-Schmid J, Lorentz A. Ataxin-3, The Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 Neurodegenerative Disorder Protein, Affects Mast Cell Functions. Front Immunol 2022; 13:870966. [PMID: 35558088 PMCID: PMC9086395 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.870966] [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: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also known as Machado-Joseph Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of neuronal matter due to the expansion of the CAG repeat in the ATXN3/MJD1 gene and subsequent ataxin-3 protein. Although the underlying pathogenic protein expansion has been known for more than 20 years, the complexity of its effects is still under exploration. The ataxin-3 protein in its expanded form is known to aggregate and disrupt cellular processes in neuronal tissue but the role of the protein on populations of immune cells is unknown. Recently, mast cells have emerged as potential key players in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Here, we examined the mast cell-related effects of ataxin-3 expansion in the brain tissues of 304Q ataxin-3 knock-in mice and SCA3 patients. We also established cultures of mast cells from the 304Q knock-in mice and examined the effects of 304Q ataxin-3 knock-in on the immune responses of these cells and on markers involved in mast cell growth, development and function. Specifically, our results point to a role for expanded ataxin-3 in suppression of mast cell marker CD117/c-Kit, pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and NF-κB inhibitor IκBα along with an increased expression of the granulocyte-attracting chemokine CXCL1. These results are the beginning of a more holistic understanding of ataxin-3 and could point to the development of novel therapeutic targets which act on inflammation to mitigate symptoms of SCA3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Sowa
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Eva Haas
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Axel Lorentz
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
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10
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Hauser S, Helm J, Kraft M, Korneck M, Hübener-Schmid J, Schöls L. Allele-specific targeting of mutant ataxin-3 by antisense oligonucleotides in SCA3-iPSC-derived neurons. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2022; 27:99-108. [PMID: 34938609 PMCID: PMC8649108 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is caused by an expanded polyglutamine stretch in ataxin-3. While wild-type ataxin-3 has important functions, e.g., as a deubiquitinase, downregulation of mutant ataxin-3 is likely to slow down the course of this fatal disease. We established a screening platform with human neurons of patients and controls derived from induced pluripotent stem cells to test antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) for their effects on ataxin-3 expression. We identified an ASO that suppressed mutant and wild-type ataxin-3 levels by >90% after a singular treatment. Next, we screened pairs of ASOs designed to selectively target the mutant or the wild-type allele by taking advantage of a SNP (c.987G > C) in ATXN3 that is present in most SCA3 patients. We found ASOmut4 to reduce levels of mutant ataxin-3 by 80% after 10 days while leaving expression of wild-type ataxin-3 largely unaffected. In a long-term study we proved this effect to last for about 4 weeks after a single treatment without signs of neurotoxicity. This study provides proof of principle that allele-specific lowering of poly(Q)-expanded ataxin-3 by selective ASOs is feasible and long lasting, with sparing of wild-type ataxin-3 expression in a human cell culture model that is genetically identical to SCA3 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Hauser
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jacob Helm
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Graduate School of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Melanie Kraft
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Milena Korneck
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Graduate School of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jeannette Hübener-Schmid
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics and Center of Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ludger Schöls
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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11
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Raposo M, Bettencourt C, Melo ARV, Ferreira AF, Alonso I, Silva P, Vasconcelos J, Kay T, Saraiva-Pereira ML, Costa MD, Vilasboas-Campos D, Bettencourt BF, Bruges-Armas J, Houlden H, Heutink P, Jardim LB, Sequeiros J, Maciel P, Lima M. Novel Machado-Joseph disease-modifying genes and pathways identified by whole-exome sequencing. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 162:105578. [PMID: 34871736 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD/SCA3) is a neurodegenerative polyglutamine disorder exhibiting a wide spectrum of phenotypes. The abnormal size of the (CAG)n at ATXN3 explains ~55% of the age at onset variance, suggesting the involvement of other factors, namely genetic modifiers, whose identification remains limited. Our aim was to find novel genetic modifiers, analyse their epistatic effects and identify disease-modifying pathways contributing to MJD variable expressivity. We performed whole-exome sequencing in a discovery sample of four age at onset concordant and four discordant first-degree relative pairs of Azorean patients, to identify candidate variants which genotypes differed for each discordant pair but were shared in each concordant pair. Variants identified by this approach were then tested in an independent multi-origin cohort of 282 MJD patients. Whole-exome sequencing identified 233 candidate variants, from which 82 variants in 53 genes were prioritized for downstream analysis. Eighteen disease-modifying pathways were identified; two of the most enriched pathways were relevant for the nervous system, namely the neuregulin signaling and the agrin interactions at neuromuscular junction. Variants at PARD3, NFKB1, CHD5, ACTG1, CFAP57, DLGAP2, ITGB1, DIDO1 and CERS4 modulate age at onset in MJD, with those identified in CFAP57, ACTG1 and DIDO1 showing consistent effects across cohorts of different geographical origins. Network analyses of the nine novel MJD modifiers highlighted several important molecular interactions, including genes/proteins previously related with MJD pathogenesis, namely between ACTG1/APOE and VCP/ITGB1. We describe novel pathways, modifiers, and their interaction partners, providing a broad molecular portrait of age at onset modulation to be further exploited as new disease-modifying targets for MJD and related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda Raposo
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
| | - Conceição Bettencourt
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease and Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
| | - Ana Rosa Vieira Melo
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Ana F Ferreira
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
| | - Isabel Alonso
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulo Silva
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - João Vasconcelos
- Departamento de Neurologia, Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Teresa Kay
- Departamento de Genética Clínica, Hospital D. Estefânia, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Luiza Saraiva-Pereira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Serviço de Genética Médica/Centro de Pesquisa Clínica e Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Marta D Costa
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências da Vida e Saúde (ICVS), Escola de Medicina, Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - Laboratório Associado, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Daniela Vilasboas-Campos
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências da Vida e Saúde (ICVS), Escola de Medicina, Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - Laboratório Associado, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Bruno Filipe Bettencourt
- Serviço Especializado de Epidemiologia e Biologia Molecular (SEEBMO), Hospital de Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira (HSEIT), Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal
| | - Jácome Bruges-Armas
- Serviço Especializado de Epidemiologia e Biologia Molecular (SEEBMO), Hospital de Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira (HSEIT), Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal; CHRC - Comprehensive Health Research Centre, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas & CEDOC - Chronic Diseases Research Center, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London and Neurogenetics Unit, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom, London.
| | - Peter Heutink
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Laura Bannach Jardim
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Serviço de Genética Médica/Centro de Pesquisa Clínica e Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Jorge Sequeiros
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Patrícia Maciel
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências da Vida e Saúde (ICVS), Escola de Medicina, Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - Laboratório Associado, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Manuela Lima
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
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12
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Li M, Chen X, Xu HL, Huang Z, Chen N, Tu Y, Gan S, Hu J. Brain structural abnormalities in the preclinical stage of Machado-Joseph disease/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 ( MJD/SCA3): evaluation by MRI morphometry, diffusion tensor imaging and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging. J Neurol 2021; 269:2989-2998. [PMID: 34783886 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10890-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) could provide the added value for detecting brain microstructural alterations in the preclinical stage of Machado-Joseph disease/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (MJD/SCA3) compared with MRI morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). METHODS Twenty preclinical MJD/SCA3 patients and 21 healthy controls were enrolled. Three b values DWI and 3D T1-weighted images were acquired at 3.0 T. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) approach was used to investigate the white matter (WM) alterations in the DTI metrics and NODDI metrics. Gray matter-based spatial statistics (GBSS) approach was used to investigate the grey matter (GM) alterations in the NODDI metrics. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) approach was performed on the 3D T1-weighted images. The relationship between the cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeat length and brain microstructural alterations of preclinical MJD/SCA3 was identified. RESULTS Compared with healthy controls, the preclinical MJD/SCA3 patients showed decreased FA and NDI as well as increased MD, AD, and RD in the WM of cerebellum and brainstem (corrected P < 0.05), and decreased NDI in the GM of cerebellar vermis (corrected P < 0.05). The CAG repeat length in preclinical MJD/SCA3 patients was negatively correlated with the reduced FA and NDI of the infratentorial WM and the reduced NDI of the cerebellum, and positively with the increased MD and RD of the infratentorial WM. CONCLUSIONS NOODI can provide novel quantitative microstructural changes in MJD/SCA3 carriers, expanding our understanding of the gray and white matter (axons and dendrites) degeneration in this frequent ataxia syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengcheng Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 20 ChaZhong Rd, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyuan Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao-Ling Xu
- Department of Neurology, 900th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ziqiang Huang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 20 ChaZhong Rd, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Naping Chen
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 20 ChaZhong Rd, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuqing Tu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 20 ChaZhong Rd, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Shirui Gan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 20 ChaZhong Rd, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, People's Republic of China. .,Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, 20 ChaZhong Rd, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jianping Hu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 20 ChaZhong Rd, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
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13
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Lee JH, Lin SY, Liu JW, Lin SZ, Harn HJ, Chiou TW. n-Butylidenephthalide Modulates Autophagy to Ameliorate Neuropathological Progress of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 through mTOR Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6339. [PMID: 34199295 PMCID: PMC8231882 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), a hereditary and lethal neurodegenerative disease, is attributed to the abnormal accumulation of undegradable polyglutamine (polyQ), which is encoded by mutated ataxin-3 gene (ATXN3). The toxic fragments processed from mutant ATXN3 can induce neuronal death, leading to the muscular incoordination of the human body. Some treatment strategies of SCA3 are preferentially focused on depleting the abnormal aggregates, which led to the discovery of small molecule n-butylidenephthalide (n-BP). n-BP-promoted autophagy protected the loss of Purkinje cell in the cerebellum that regulates the network associated with motor functions. We report that the n-BP treatment may be effective in treating SCA3 disease. n-BP treatment led to the depletion of mutant ATXN3 with the expanded polyQ chain and the toxic fragments resulting in increased metabolic activity and alleviated atrophy of SCA3 murine cerebellum. Furthermore, n-BP treated animal and HEK-293GFP-ATXN3-84Q cell models could consistently show the depletion of aggregates through mTOR inhibition. With its unique mechanism, the two autophagic inhibitors Bafilomycin A1 and wortmannin could halt the n-BP-induced elimination of aggregates. Collectively, n-BP shows promising results for the treatment of SCA3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jui-Hao Lee
- Everfront Biotech Inc., New Taipei City 22180, Taiwan; (J.-H.L.); (S.-Y.L.); (J.-W.L.)
- Department of Life Science, Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Dong-Hwa University, Hualien 97447, Taiwan
| | - Si-Yin Lin
- Everfront Biotech Inc., New Taipei City 22180, Taiwan; (J.-H.L.); (S.-Y.L.); (J.-W.L.)
- Department of Life Science, Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Dong-Hwa University, Hualien 97447, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Wei Liu
- Everfront Biotech Inc., New Taipei City 22180, Taiwan; (J.-H.L.); (S.-Y.L.); (J.-W.L.)
- Department of Life Science, Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Dong-Hwa University, Hualien 97447, Taiwan
| | - Shinn-Zong Lin
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan;
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Jyh Harn
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan;
- Department of Pathology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
| | - Tzyy-Wen Chiou
- Department of Life Science, Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Dong-Hwa University, Hualien 97447, Taiwan
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14
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Rodríguez-Labrada R, Martins AC, Magaña JJ, Vazquez-Mojena Y, Medrano-Montero J, Fernandez-Ruíz J, Cisneros B, Teive H, McFarland KN, Saraiva-Pereira ML, Cerecedo-Zapata CM, Gomez CM, Ashizawa T, Velázquez-Pérez L, Jardim LB. Founder Effects of Spinocerebellar Ataxias in the American Continents and the Caribbean. Cerebellum 2021; 19:446-458. [PMID: 32086717 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-020-01109-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) comprise a heterogeneous group of autosomal dominant disorders. The relative frequency of the different SCA subtypes varies broadly among different geographical and ethnic groups as result of genetic drifts. This review aims to provide an update regarding SCA founders in the American continents and the Caribbean as well as to discuss characteristics of these populations. Clusters of SCAs were detected in Eastern regions of Cuba for SCA2, in South Brazil for SCA3/MJD, and in Southeast regions of Mexico for SCA7. Prevalence rates were obtained and reached 154 (municipality of Báguano, Cuba), 166 (General Câmara, Brazil), and 423 (Tlaltetela, Mexico) patients/100,000 for SCA2, SCA3/MJD, and SCA7, respectively. In contrast, the scattered families with spinocerebellar ataxia type 10 (SCA10) reported all over North and South Americas have been associated to a common Native American ancestry that may have risen in East Asia and migrated to Americas 10,000 to 20,000 years ago. The comprehensive review showed that for each of these SCAs corresponded at least the development of one study group with a large production of scientific evidence often generalizable to all carriers of these conditions. Clusters of SCA populations in the American continents and the Caribbean provide unusual opportunity to gain insights into clinical and genetic characteristics of these disorders. Furthermore, the presence of large populations of patients living close to study centers can favor the development of meaningful clinical trials, which will impact on therapies and on quality of life of SCA carriers worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Carolina Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-070, Brazil
| | - Jonathan J Magaña
- Department of Genetics, Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, National Rehabilitation Institute (INR-LGII), 14389, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Yaimeé Vazquez-Mojena
- Centre for the Research and Rehabilitation of Hereditary Ataxias, 80100, Holguín, Cuba
| | | | - Juan Fernandez-Ruíz
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Bulmaro Cisneros
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Center of Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV-IPN), 07360, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Helio Teive
- Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clínicas Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, 80240-440, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Luiza Saraiva-Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-070, Brazil
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-903, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-903, Brazil
| | - César M Cerecedo-Zapata
- Department of Genetics, Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, National Rehabilitation Institute (INR-LGII), 14389, Mexico City, Mexico
- Rehabilitation and Social Inclusion Center of Veracruz (CRIS-DIF), Xalapa, 91070, Veracruz, Mexico
| | | | - Tetsuo Ashizawa
- Program of Neuroscience, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Luis Velázquez-Pérez
- Centre for the Research and Rehabilitation of Hereditary Ataxias, 80100, Holguín, Cuba.
- Cuban Academy of Sciences, 10100, La Havana, Cuba.
| | - Laura Bannach Jardim
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-070, Brazil
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-903, Brazil
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-903, Brazil
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15
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McLoughlin HS, Moore LR, Paulson HL. Pathogenesis of SCA3 and implications for other polyglutamine diseases. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 134:104635. [PMID: 31669734 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [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: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tandem repeat diseases include the neurodegenerative disorders known as polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases, caused by CAG repeat expansions in the coding regions of the respective disease genes. The nine known polyQ disease include Huntington's disease (HD), dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA), spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), and six spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCA7, and SCA17). The underlying disease mechanism in the polyQ diseases is thought principally to reflect dominant toxic properties of the disease proteins which, when harboring a polyQ expansion, differentially interact with protein partners and are prone to aggregate. Among the polyQ diseases, SCA3 is the most common SCA, and second to HD in prevalence worldwide. Here we summarize current understanding of SCA3 disease mechanisms within the broader context of the broader polyQ disease field. We emphasize properties of the disease protein, ATXN3, and new discoveries regarding three potential pathogenic mechanisms: 1) altered protein homeostasis; 2) DNA damage and dysfunctional DNA repair; and 3) nonneuronal contributions to disease. We conclude with an overview of the therapeutic implications of recent mechanistic insights.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lauren R Moore
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Henry L Paulson
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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16
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Wiatr K, Piasecki P, Marczak Ł, Wojciechowski P, Kurkowiak M, Płoski R, Rydzanicz M, Handschuh L, Jungverdorben J, Brüstle O, Figlerowicz M, Figiel M. Altered Levels of Proteins and Phosphoproteins, in the Absence of Early Causative Transcriptional Changes, Shape the Molecular Pathogenesis in the Brain of Young Presymptomatic Ki91 SCA3/ MJD Mouse. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:8168-8202. [PMID: 31201651 PMCID: PMC6834541 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-01643-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3/MJD) is a polyQ neurodegenerative disease where the presymptomatic phase of pathogenesis is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the molecular network of transcriptomic and proteomic triggers in young presymptomatic SCA3/MJD brain from Ki91 knock-in mouse. We found that transcriptional dysregulations resulting from mutant ataxin-3 are not occurring in young Ki91 mice, while old Ki91 mice and also postmitotic patient SCA3 neurons demonstrate the late transcriptomic changes. Unlike the lack of early mRNA changes, we have identified numerous early changes of total proteins and phosphoproteins in 2-month-old Ki91 mouse cortex and cerebellum. We discovered the network of processes in presymptomatic SCA3 with three main groups of disturbed processes comprising altered proteins: (I) modulation of protein levels and DNA damage (Pabpc1, Ddb1, Nedd8), (II) formation of neuronal cellular structures (Tubb3, Nefh, p-Tau), and (III) neuronal function affected by processes following perturbed cytoskeletal formation (Mt-Co3, Stx1b, p-Syn1). Phosphoproteins downregulate in the young Ki91 mouse brain and their phosphosites are associated with kinases that interact with ATXN3 such as casein kinase, Camk2, and kinases controlled by another Atxn3 interactor p21 such as Gsk3, Pka, and Cdk kinases. We conclude that the onset of SCA3 pathology occurs without altered transcript level and is characterized by changed levels of proteins responsible for termination of translation, DNA damage, spliceosome, and protein phosphorylation. This disturbs global cellular processes such as cytoskeleton and transport of vesicles and mitochondria along axons causing energy deficit and neurodegeneration also manifesting in an altered level of transcripts at later ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalina Wiatr
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznań, Poland
| | - Piotr Piasecki
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznań, Poland
| | - Łukasz Marczak
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznań, Poland
| | - Paweł Wojciechowski
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznań, Poland.,Institute of Computing Science, Poznan University of Technology, Poznań, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Kurkowiak
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznań, Poland
| | - Rafał Płoski
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Luiza Handschuh
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznań, Poland
| | - Johannes Jungverdorben
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, LIFE & BRAIN Center, University of Bonn School of Medicine & University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Oliver Brüstle
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, LIFE & BRAIN Center, University of Bonn School of Medicine & University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marek Figlerowicz
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznań, Poland
| | - Maciej Figiel
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznań, Poland.
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17
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Ramos A, Planchat M, Vieira Melo AR, Raposo M, Shamim U, Suroliya V, Srivastava AK, Faruq M, Morino H, Ohsawa R, Kawakami H, Bannach Jardim L, Saraiva-Pereira ML, Vasconcelos J, Santos C, Lima M. Mitochondrial DNA haplogroups and age at onset of Machado-Joseph disease/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: a study in patients from multiple populations. Eur J Neurol 2018; 26:506-512. [PMID: 30414314 DOI: 10.1111/ene.13860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders, including Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), an autosomal dominant late-onset polyglutamine ataxia that results from an unstable expansion of a CAG tract in the ATXN3 gene. The size of the CAG tract only partially explains age at onset (AO), highlighting the existence of disease modifiers. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups have been associated with clinical presentation in other polyglutamine disorders, constituting potential modifiers of MJD phenotype. METHODS A cross-sectional study, using 235 unrelated patients from Portugal, Brazil, India and Japan, was performed to investigate if mtDNA haplogroups contribute to AO of MJD. mtDNA haplogroups were obtained after sequencing the mtDNA hypervariable region I. Patients were classified in 15 phylogenetically related haplogroup clusters. RESULTS The AO was significantly different among populations, implying the existence of other non-CAG factors, which seem to be population specific. In the Portuguese population, patients classified as belonging to haplogroup JT presented the earliest onset (estimated onset 34.6 years of age). Haplogroups W and X seem to have a protective effect, causing a delay in onset (estimated onset 47 years of age). No significant association between haplogroup clusters and AO was detected in the other populations or when all patients were pooled. Although haplogroup JT has already been implicated in other neurodegenerative disorders, no previous reports of an association between haplogroups W and X and disease were found. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that haplogroups JT, W and X modify AO in MJD. Replication studies should be performed in European populations, where the frequency of the candidate modifiers is similar.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ramos
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Departamento Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Unitat d'Antropologia Biològica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
| | - M Planchat
- Departamento Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Unitat d'Antropologia Biològica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
| | - A R Vieira Melo
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Raposo
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - U Shamim
- CSIR - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), New Delhi, India
| | - V Suroliya
- CSIR - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), New Delhi, India.,Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - A K Srivastava
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - M Faruq
- CSIR - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), New Delhi, India
| | - H Morino
- Department of Epidemiology, Research Institute for Radiology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - R Ohsawa
- Department of Epidemiology, Research Institute for Radiology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - H Kawakami
- Department of Epidemiology, Research Institute for Radiology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - L Bannach Jardim
- Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - M L Saraiva-Pereira
- Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - J Vasconcelos
- Serviço de Neurologia, Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal
| | - C Santos
- Departamento Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Unitat d'Antropologia Biològica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
| | - M Lima
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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18
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Oliveira Miranda C, Marcelo A, Silva TP, Barata J, Vasconcelos-Ferreira A, Pereira D, Nóbrega C, Duarte S, Barros I, Alves J, Sereno J, Petrella LI, Castelhano J, Paiva VH, Rodrigues-Santos P, Alves V, Nunes-Correia I, Nobre RJ, Gomes C, Castelo-Branco M, Pereira de Almeida L. Repeated Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Treatment Sustainably Alleviates Machado-Joseph Disease. Mol Ther 2018; 26:2131-2151. [PMID: 30087083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, the most common dominant spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) worldwide, is caused by over-repetition of a CAG repeat in the ATXN3/MJD1 gene, which translates into a polyglutamine tract within the ataxin-3 protein. There is no treatment for this fatal disorder. Despite evidence of the safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in delaying SCA disease progression in exploratory clinical trials, unanticipated regression of patients to the status prior to treatment makes the investigation of causes and solutions urgent and imperative. In the present study, we compared the efficacy of a single intracranial injection with repeated systemic MSC administration in alleviating the MJD phenotype of two strongly severe genetic rodent models. We found that a single MSC transplantation only produces transient effects, whereas periodic administration promotes sustained motor behavior and neuropathology alleviation, suggesting that MSC therapies should be re-designed to get sustained beneficial results in clinical practice. Furthermore, MSC promoted neuroprotection, increased the levels of GABA and glutamate, and decreased the levels of Myo-inositol, which correlated with motor improvements, indicating that these metabolites may serve as valid neurospectroscopic biomarkers of disease and treatment. This study makes important contributions to the design of new clinical approaches for MJD and other SCAs/polyglutamine disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Oliveira Miranda
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Larga, Pólo I, 1° andar, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão - Pólo II, Rua Dom Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal; Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology - Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Science (CNC.IBILI), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Adriana Marcelo
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Larga, Pólo I, 1° andar, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology - Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Science (CNC.IBILI), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Teresa Pereira Silva
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Larga, Pólo I, 1° andar, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology - Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Science (CNC.IBILI), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Barata
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Larga, Pólo I, 1° andar, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology - Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Science (CNC.IBILI), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Vasconcelos-Ferreira
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Larga, Pólo I, 1° andar, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão - Pólo II, Rua Dom Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal; Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology - Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Science (CNC.IBILI), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Doctoral Programme of Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Dina Pereira
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Larga, Pólo I, 1° andar, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão - Pólo II, Rua Dom Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal; Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology - Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Science (CNC.IBILI), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Doctoral Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine, CNC - University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Faculdade de Medicina, Pólo I, 1° andar, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Clévio Nóbrega
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Larga, Pólo I, 1° andar, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão - Pólo II, Rua Dom Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal; Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology - Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Science (CNC.IBILI), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sónia Duarte
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Larga, Pólo I, 1° andar, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão - Pólo II, Rua Dom Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal; Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology - Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Science (CNC.IBILI), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Barros
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Larga, Pólo I, 1° andar, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology - Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Science (CNC.IBILI), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Alves
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Larga, Pólo I, 1° andar, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology - Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Science (CNC.IBILI), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Sereno
- Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology - Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Science (CNC.IBILI), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, Edifício do ICNAS, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute of Nuclear Science Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Lorena Itatí Petrella
- Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology - Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Science (CNC.IBILI), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, Edifício do ICNAS, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute of Nuclear Science Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Castelhano
- Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology - Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Science (CNC.IBILI), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, Edifício do ICNAS, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute of Nuclear Science Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vitor Hugo Paiva
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão - Pólo II, Rua Dom Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal; MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paulo Rodrigues-Santos
- Immunology Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Immunology and Oncology Laboratory, Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Portugal; Center of Investigation in Environment, Genetics and Oncobiology, Apartado 9015, 3001-301, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vera Alves
- Immunology Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Immunology and Oncology Laboratory, Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504, Portugal; Center of Investigation in Environment, Genetics and Oncobiology, Apartado 9015, 3001-301, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Nunes-Correia
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Larga, Pólo I, 1° andar, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology - Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Science (CNC.IBILI), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Jorge Nobre
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Larga, Pólo I, 1° andar, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão - Pólo II, Rua Dom Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal; Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology - Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Science (CNC.IBILI), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Célia Gomes
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology - Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Life Science (CNC.IBILI), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, Edifício do ICNAS, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute of Nuclear Science Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Larga, Pólo I, 1° andar, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
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19
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Folha Santos FA, de Carvalho LBC, Prado LFD, do Prado GF, Barsottini OG, Pedroso JL. Sleep apnea in Machado-Joseph disease: a clinical and polysomnographic evaluation. Sleep Med 2018; 48:23-26. [PMID: 29852360 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common type of autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). Sleep disorders have been described as frequent non-motor symptoms in MJD, and with marked impairment on quality of life. However, few studies have evaluated the frequency and characteristics of sleep apnea in MJD. PATIENTS/METHODS This study analyzed the prevalence of sleep apnea in 47 patients with MJD by using polysomnography. Clinical variables such as age, age at onset of symptoms, duration of symptoms (at time of evaluation), body index mass, ataxia scales severity and CAG repeat length were compared with polysomnographic findings. RESULTS Thirty four percent of MJD patients had OSAS, and 42.5% had excessive daytime somnolence. There were no differences considering ataxia severity, CAG repetition length or other clinical variable. CONCLUSIONS Patients with MJD have high frequency of obstructive sleep apnea, and this sleep disorder is not correlated with ataxia severity, CAG repetition length or other clinical variable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lucila Fernandes do Prado
- Neuro-Sono Sleep Center, Department of Neurology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gilmar Fernandes do Prado
- Neuro-Sono Sleep Center, Department of Neurology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Orlando G Barsottini
- Ataxia Unit, Department of Neurology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - José Luiz Pedroso
- Ataxia Unit, Department of Neurology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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20
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Raposo M, Ramos A, Santos C, Kazachkova N, Teixeira B, Bettencourt C, Lima M. Accumulation of Mitochondrial DNA Common Deletion Since The Preataxic Stage of Machado-Joseph Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:119-24. [PMID: 29679261 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1069-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Molecular alterations reflecting pathophysiologic changes thought to occur many years before the clinical onset of Machado-Joseph disease (MJD)/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), a late-onset polyglutamine disorder, remain unidentified. The absence of molecular biomarkers hampers clinical trials, which lack sensitive measures of disease progression, preventing the identification of events occurring prior to clinical onset. Our aim was to analyse the mtDNA content and the amount of the common deletion (m.8482_13460del4977) in a cohort of 16 preataxic MJD mutation carriers, 85 MJD patients and 101 apparently healthy age-matched controls. Relative expression levels of RPPH1, MT-ND1 and MT-ND4 genes were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. The mtDNA content was calculated as the difference between the expression levels of a mitochondrial gene (MT-ND1) and a nuclear gene (RPPH1); the amount of mtDNA common deletion was calculated as the difference between expression levels of a deleted (MT-ND4) and an undeleted (MT-ND1) mitochondrial genes. mtDNA content in MJD carriers was similar to that of healthy age-matched controls, whereas the percentage of the common deletion was significantly increased in MJD subjects, and more pronounced in the preclinical stage (p < 0.05). The BCL2/BAX ratio was decreased in preataxic carriers compared to controls, suggesting that the mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway is altered in MJD. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that accumulation of common deletion starts in the preclinical stage. Such early alterations provide support to the current understanding that any therapeutic intervention in MJD should start before the overt clinical phenotype.
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21
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Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is the most common autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia reported worldwide, but it shows marked geographic differences in prevalence. The study of ancestral origins and spreading routes of MJD mutational events has contributed to explain such differences. During human evolution, at least two independent de novo MJD expansions occurred in distinct haplotype backgrounds: TTACAC and GTGGCA (named Joseph and Machado lineages). The most ancient Joseph lineage, probably of Asian origin, has been introduced recently in Europe, where founder effects are responsible for the high MJD prevalence, as occurs in the Portuguese/Azorean island of Flores and Northeastern mainland. The Machado lineage is geographically more restricted, with most known families in Portugal (island of São Miguel and along the Tagus valley). The hypothesis of other mutational origins has been raised, namely to explain the disease among Australian aborigines; however, a comprehensive haplotype study suggested the introduction of the Joseph lineage in that community via Asia. Also, additional SNP-based haplotypes (TTAGAC, TTGGAC and GTGCCA) were observed in other MJD families, but phylogenetic analysis with more polymorphic flanking markers did not point to independent mutational events, reinforcing the hypothesis of a very low mutation rate underlying this repeat expansion locus.
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22
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Moore LR, Rajpal G, Dillingham IT, Qutob M, Blumenstein KG, Gattis D, Hung G, Kordasiewicz HB, Paulson HL, McLoughlin HS. Evaluation of Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeting ATXN3 in SCA3 Mouse Models. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2017; 7:200-10. [PMID: 28624196 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2017.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The most common dominantly inherited ataxia, spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the ATXN3 gene that encodes an abnormally long polyglutamine tract in the disease protein, ATXN3. Mice lacking ATXN3 are phenotypically normal; hence, disease gene suppression offers a compelling approach to slow the neurodegenerative cascade in SCA3. Here we tested antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that target human ATXN3 in two complementary mouse models of SCA3: yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) MJD-Q84.2 (Q84) mice expressing the full-length human ATXN3 gene and cytomegalovirus (CMV) MJD-Q135 (Q135) mice expressing a human ATXN3 cDNA. Intracerebroventricular injection of ASOs resulted in widespread delivery to the most vulnerable brain regions in SCA3. In treated Q84 mice, three of five tested ASOs reduced disease protein levels by >50% in the diencephalon, cerebellum, and cervical spinal cord. Two ASOs also significantly reduced mutant ATXN3 in the mouse forebrain and resulted in no signs of astrogliosis or microgliosis. In Q135 mice expressing a single ATXN3 isoform via a cDNA transgene, ASOs did not result in similar robust ATXN3 silencing. Our results indicate that ASOs targeting full-length human ATXN3 would likely be well tolerated and could lead to a preventative therapy for SCA3.
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23
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Raposo M, Bettencourt C, Ramos A, Kazachkova N, Vasconcelos J, Kay T, Bruges-Armas J, Lima M. Promoter Variation and Expression Levels of Inflammatory Genes IL1A, IL1B, IL6 and TNF in Blood of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 (SCA3) Patients. Neuromolecular Med 2016; 19:41-45. [PMID: 27246313 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-016-8416-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Age at onset in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3/MJD) is incompletely explained by the size of the CAG tract at the ATXN3 gene, implying the existence of genetic modifiers. A role of inflammation in SCA3 has been postulated, involving altered cytokines levels; promoter variants leading to alterations in cytokines expression could influence onset. Using blood from 86 SCA3 patients and 106 controls, this work aimed to analyse promoter variation of four cytokines (IL1A, IL1B, IL6 and TNF) and to investigate the association between variants detected and their transcript levels, evaluated by quantitative PCR. Moreover, the effect of APOE isoforms, known to modulate cytokines, was investigated. Correlations between cytokine variants and onset were tested; the cumulative modifier effects of cytokines and APOE were analysed. Patients carrying the IL6*C allele had a significant earlier onset (4 years in average) than patients carrying the G allele, in agreement with lower mRNA levels produced by IL6*C carriers. The presence of APOE*ɛ2 allele seems to anticipate onset in average 10 years in patients carrying the IL6*C allele; a larger number of patients will be needed to confirm this result. These results highlight the pertinence of conducting further research on the role of cytokines as SCA3 modulators, pointing to the presence of shared mechanisms involving IL6 and APOE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda Raposo
- Department of Biology, University of the Azores, Rua Mãe de Deus, Apartado 1422, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal.
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Conceição Bettencourt
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Amanda Ramos
- Department of Biology, University of the Azores, Rua Mãe de Deus, Apartado 1422, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nadiya Kazachkova
- Department of Biology, University of the Azores, Rua Mãe de Deus, Apartado 1422, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Vasconcelos
- Department of Neurology, Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Teresa Kay
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Hospital of D. Estefania, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jácome Bruges-Armas
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- SEEBMO, Hospital do Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
| | - Manuela Lima
- Department of Biology, University of the Azores, Rua Mãe de Deus, Apartado 1422, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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24
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Souza GN, Kersting N, Krum-Santos AC, Santos ASP, Furtado GV, Pacheco D, Gonçalves TA, Saute JA, Schuler-Faccini L, Mattos EP, Saraiva-Pereira ML, Jardim LB. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease: segregation patterns and factors influencing instability of expanded CAG transmissions. Clin Genet 2016; 90:134-40. [PMID: 26693702 DOI: 10.1111/cge.12719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2015] [Revised: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Controversies about Mendelian segregation and CAG expansion (CAGexp) instabilities during meiosis in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease (SCA3/MJD) need clarification. Additional evidence about these issues was obtained from the cohort of all SCA3/MJD individuals living in South Brazil. A survey was carried out to update information registered since 2001. Deaths were checked with the Public Information System, and data was made anonymous. Anticipation and delta-CAGexp from parent-offspring pairs, and delta-CAGexp between siblings were obtained. One hundred and fifty-nine families (94% of the entire registry) were retrieved, comprising 3725 living individuals as of 2015, 625 of these being symptomatic. Minimal prevalence was 6:100,000. Carriers of a CAGexp represented 65.6% of sibs in the genotyped offspring (p < 0.001). Median instability was larger among paternal than maternal transmissions, and instabilities correlated with anticipation (r = 0.38; p = 0.001). Age of the parent correlated to delta-CAGexp among 115 direct parent-offspring CAGexp transmissions (ρ = 0.23, p = 0.014). In 98 additional kindreds, the delta-CAGexp between 269 siblings correlated with their delta-of-age (ρ = 0.27, p < 0.0001). SCA3/MJD was associated with a segregation distortion favoring the expanded allele in our cohort. Instability of expansion during meiosis was weakly influenced by the age of the transmitting parent at the time of conception.
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Affiliation(s)
- G N Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - N Kersting
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - A C Krum-Santos
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - A S P Santos
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - G V Furtado
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Laboratório de Identificação Genética, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - D Pacheco
- Faculdade de Serviço Social, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - T A Gonçalves
- Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - J A Saute
- Laboratório de Identificação Genética, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Serviço de Genética Médica, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - L Schuler-Faccini
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Serviço de Genética Médica, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Departamento de Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Instituto de Genética Médica Populacional (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - E P Mattos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Laboratório de Identificação Genética, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - M L Saraiva-Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Laboratório de Identificação Genética, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Serviço de Genética Médica, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Instituto de Genética Médica Populacional (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - L B Jardim
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Laboratório de Identificação Genética, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Serviço de Genética Médica, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Instituto de Genética Médica Populacional (INAGEMP), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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25
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Abstract
Deubiquitylating enzymes or DUBs are a class of enzymes that selectively remove the polypeptide posttranslational modification ubiquitin from a number of substrates. Approximately 100 DUBs exist in human cells and are involved in key regulatory cellular processes, which drive many disease states, making them attractive therapeutic targets. Several aspects of DUB biology have been studied through genetic knock-out or knock-down, genomic, or proteomic studies. However, investigation of enzyme activation and regulation requires additional tools to monitor cellular and physiological dynamics. A comparison between genetic ablation and dominant-negative target validation with pharmacological inhibition often leads to striking discrepancies. Activity probes have been used to profile classes of enzymes, including DUBs, and allow functional and dynamic properties to be assigned to individual proteins. The ability to directly monitor DUB activity within a native biological system is essential for understanding the physiological and pathological role of individual DUBs. We will discuss the evolution of DUB activity probes, from in vitro assay development to their use in monitoring DUB activity in cells and in animal tissues, as well as recent progress and prospects for assessing DUB inhibition in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanine Harrigan
- MISSION Therapeutics Limited, Moneta, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Xavier Jacq
- MISSION Therapeutics Limited, Moneta, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK.
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26
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Chen S, Gan SR, Cai PP, Ni W, Zhou Q, Dong Y, Wang N, Wu ZY. Mitochondrial NADH Dehydrogenase Subunit 3 Polymorphism Associated with an Earlier Age at Onset in Male Machado-Joseph disease Patients. CNS Neurosci Ther 2015; 22:38-42. [PMID: 26336829 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Revised: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS To investigate the potential effect of six previously reported candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms on age at onset (AAO) among Chinese patients with Machado-Joseph disease (MJD). METHODS Three hundred and twenty-four unrelated molecular-confirmed MJD patients were recruited between January 2006 and December 2014. The screening of candidate polymorphisms was first performed in 173 subjects using the SNaPshot(®) Multiplex System. The mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3 (MT-ND3) polymorphism 10398A>G (rs2853826) was further verified with Sanger sequencing in additional 151 patients. RESULTS An inverse correlation was found between expanded CAG repeat length and AAO. The expanded CAG repeat length can explain 63% of AAO variance. The 10398A polymorphism was significantly associated with a 3-year earlier AAO in male patients with MJD (P = 0.001). Stepwise multiple regressions revealed that the 10398A polymorphism could account for nearly 2% of AAO variance in male patients. CONCLUSION Six candidate SNPs have been screened in Chinese patients with MJD. A remarkable earlier AAO was noted in male Chinese MJD patients with MT-ND3 gene 10398A polymorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Chen
- Department of Neurology and Research Center of Neurology in Second Affiliated Hospital and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Rui Gan
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ping-Ping Cai
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wang Ni
- Department of Neurology and Research Center of Neurology in Second Affiliated Hospital and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yi Dong
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Ying Wu
- Department of Neurology and Research Center of Neurology in Second Affiliated Hospital and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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27
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Switonski PM, Szlachcic WJ, Krzyzosiak WJ, Figiel M. A new humanized ataxin-3 knock-in mouse model combines the genetic features, pathogenesis of neurons and glia and late disease onset of SCA3/ MJD. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 73:174-88. [PMID: 25301414 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2014] [Revised: 09/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3/MJD) is a neurodegenerative disease triggered by the expansion of CAG repeats in the ATXN3 gene. Here, we report the generation of the first humanized ataxin-3 knock-in mouse model (Ki91), which provides insights into the neuronal and glial pathology of SCA3/MJD. First, mutant ataxin-3 accumulated in cell nuclei across the Ki91 brain, showing diffused immunostaining and forming intranuclear inclusions. The humanized allele revealed expansion and contraction of CAG repeats in intergenerational transmissions. CAG mutation also exhibited age-dependent tissue-specific expansion, which was most prominent in the cerebellum, pons and testes of Ki91 animals. Moreover, Ki91 mice displayed neuroinflammatory processes, showing astrogliosis in the cerebellar white matter and the substantia nigra that paralleled the transcriptional deregulation of Serpina3n, a molecular sign of neurodegeneration and brain damage. Simultaneously, the cerebellar Purkinje cells in Ki91 mice showed neurodegeneration, a pronounced decrease in Calbindin D-28k immunoreactivity and a mild decrease in cell number, thereby modeling the degeneration of the cerebellum observed in SCA3. Moreover, these molecular and cellular neuropathologies were accompanied by late behavioral deficits in motor coordination observed in rotarod and static rod tests in heterozygous Ki91 animals. In summary, we created an ataxin-3 knock-in mouse model that combines the molecular and behavioral disease phenotypes with the genetic features of SCA3. This model will be very useful for studying the pathogenesis and responses to therapy of SCA3/MJD and other polyQ disorders.
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28
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Lin XP, Feng L, Xie CG, Chen DB, Pei Z, Liang XL, Xie QY, Li XH, Pan SY. Valproic acid attenuates the suppression of acetyl histone H3 and CREB activity in an inducible cell model of Machado-Joseph disease. Int J Dev Neurosci 2014; 38:17-22. [PMID: 25068645 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2014] [Revised: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is caused by a (CAG)n trinucleotide repeat expansion that is translated into an abnormally long polyglutamine tract. This disease is considered the most common form of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). In the present study, we developed stable inducible cell lines (PC12Tet-On-Ataxin-3-Q28/84) expressing ataxin-3 with either normal or abnormal CAG repeats under doxycycline control. The expression of acetyl histone H3 and the induction of c-Fos in response to cAMP were strongly suppressed in cells expressing the protein with the expanded polyglutamine tract. Treatment with valproic acid, a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), attenuated mutant ataxin-3-induced cell toxicity and suppression of acetyl histone H3, phosphorylated cAMP-responsive element binding protein (p-CREB) as well as c-Fos expression. These results indicate that VPA can stimulate the up-regulation of gene transcription through hyperacetylation. Thus, VPA might have a therapeutic effect on MJD.
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Affiliation(s)
- X P Lin
- Department of Huiqiao Building, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - L Feng
- Department of Neurological Intensive Care Unit, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - C G Xie
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - D B Chen
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Z Pei
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - X L Liang
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Q Y Xie
- Department of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Area Command of Chinese PLA, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - X H Li
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - S Y Pan
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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29
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Isono E, Nagel MK. Deubiquitylating enzymes and their emerging role in plant biology. Front Plant Sci 2014; 5:56. [PMID: 24600466 PMCID: PMC3928566 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2014.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitylation is a reversible post-translational modification that is involved in various cellular pathways and that thereby regulates various aspects of plant biology. For a long time, functional studies of ubiquitylation have focused on the function of ubiquitylating enzymes, especially the E3 ligases, rather than deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs) or ubiquitin isopeptidases, enzymes that hydrolyze ubiquitin chains. One reason may be the smaller number of DUBs in comparison to E3 ligases, implying the broader substrate specificities of DUBs and the difficulties to identify the direct targets. However, recent studies have revealed that DUBs also actively participate in controlling cellular events and thus play pivotal roles in plant development and growth. DUBs are also essential for processing ubiquitin precursors and are important for recycling ubiquitin molecules from target proteins prior to their degradation and thereby maintaining the free ubiquitin pool in the cell. Here, we will discuss the five different DUB families (USP/UBP, UCH, JAMM, OTU, and MJD) and their known biochemical and physiological roles in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Isono
- *Correspondence: Erika Isono, Department of Plant Systems Biology, Technische Universität München, Emil-Ramann-Strasse 4, D-85354 Freising, Germany e-mail:
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30
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Evers MM, Tran HD, Zalachoras I, Pepers BA, Meijer OC, den Dunnen JT, van Ommen GJB, Aartsma-Rus A, van Roon-Mom WMC. Ataxin-3 protein modification as a treatment strategy for spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: removal of the CAG containing exon. Neurobiol Dis 2013; 58:49-56. [PMID: 23659897 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2013.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [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: 03/01/2013] [Revised: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 04/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 is caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the ataxin-3 protein, resulting in gain of toxic function of the mutant protein. The expanded glutamine stretch in the protein is the result of a CAG triplet repeat expansion in the penultimate exon of the ATXN3 gene. Several gene silencing approaches to reduce mutant ataxin-3 toxicity in this disease aim to lower ataxin-3 protein levels, but since this protein is involved in deubiquitination and proteasomal protein degradation, its long-term silencing might not be desirable. Here, we propose a novel protein modification approach to reduce mutant ataxin-3 toxicity by removing the toxic polyglutamine repeat from the ataxin-3 protein through antisense oligonucleotide-mediated exon skipping while maintaining important wild type functions of the protein. In vitro studies showed that exon skipping did not negatively impact the ubiquitin binding capacity of ataxin-3. Our in vivo studies showed no toxic properties of the novel truncated ataxin-3 protein. These results suggest that exon skipping may be a novel therapeutic approach to reduce polyglutamine-induced toxicity in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin M Evers
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
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31
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Franz A, Ackermann L, Hoppe T. Create and preserve: proteostasis in development and aging is governed by Cdc48/p97/VCP. Biochim Biophys Acta 2013; 1843:205-15. [PMID: 23583830 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2013.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2012] [Revised: 03/08/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The AAA-ATPase Cdc48 (also called p97 or VCP) acts as a key regulator in proteolytic pathways, coordinating recruitment and targeting of substrate proteins to the 26S proteasome or lysosomal degradation. However, in contrast to the well-known function in ubiquitin-dependent cellular processes, the physiological relevance of Cdc48 in organismic development and maintenance of protein homeostasis is less understood. Therefore, studies on multicellular model organisms help to decipher how Cdc48-dependent proteolysis is regulated in time and space to meet developmental requirements. Given the importance of developmental regulation and tissue maintenance, defects in Cdc48 activity have been linked to several human pathologies including protein aggregation diseases. Thus, addressing the underlying disease mechanisms not only contributes to our understanding on the organism-wide function of Cdc48 but also facilitates the design of specific medical therapies. In this review, we will portray the role of Cdc48 in the context of multicellular organisms, pointing out its importance for developmental processes, tissue surveillance, and disease prevention. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Ubiquitin-Proteasome System. Guest Editors: Thomas Sommer and Dieter H. Wolf.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Franz
- Institute for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Zülpicher Straße 47a, 50674 Cologne, Germany
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