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Virla F, Turano E, Scambi I, Schiaffino L, Boido M, Mariotti R. Administration of adipose-derived stem cells extracellular vesicles in a murine model of spinal muscular atrophy: effects of a new potential therapeutic strategy. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:94. [PMID: 38561840 PMCID: PMC10986013 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03693-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal-recessive neuromuscular disease affecting children. It is caused by the mutation or deletion of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene resulting in lower motor neuron (MN) degeneration followed by motor impairment, progressive skeletal muscle paralysis and respiratory failure. In addition to the already existing therapies, a possible combinatorial strategy could be represented by the use of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) that can be obtained easily and in large amounts from adipose tissue. Their efficacy seems to be correlated to their paracrine activity and the production of soluble factors released through extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are important mediators of intercellular communication with a diameter between 30 and 100 nm. Their use in other neurodegenerative disorders showed a neuroprotective effect thanks to the release of their content, especially proteins, miRNAs and mRNAs. METHODS In this study, we evaluated the effect of EVs isolated from ASCs (ASC-EVs) in the SMNΔ7 mice, a severe SMA model. With this purpose, we performed two administrations of ASC-EVs (0.5 µg) in SMA pups via intracerebroventricular injections at post-natal day 3 (P3) and P6. We then assessed the treatment efficacy by behavioural test from P2 to P10 and histological analyses at P10. RESULTS The results showed positive effects of ASC-EVs on the disease progression, with improved motor performance and a significant delay in spinal MN degeneration of treated animals. ASC-EVs could also reduce the apoptotic activation (cleaved Caspase-3) and modulate the neuroinflammation with an observed decreased glial activation in lumbar spinal cord, while at peripheral level ASC-EVs could only partially limit the muscular atrophy and fiber denervation. CONCLUSIONS Our results could encourage the use of ASC-EVs as a therapeutic combinatorial treatment for SMA, bypassing the controversial use of stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Virla
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ermanna Turano
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ilaria Scambi
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Schiaffino
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marina Boido
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Raffaella Mariotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
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2
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Kim H, Seo I, Kang M, Park JM, Seok HY, Kim S, Park JS. Whole-Body Muscle Magnetic Resonance Imaging in 81 Patients with Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy: A Prospective Study. Ann Neurol 2024; 95:596-606. [PMID: 38054838 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is characterized by slow, progressive bulbar and limb muscle weakness; however, the pattern of progression of muscle fat infiltration remains unclear. We assessed the progression of muscle involvement in 81 patients with SBMA using whole-body muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), alongside clinical and laboratory findings. METHODS This prospective study included patients with genetically confirmed SBMA who underwent whole-body muscle MRI. We analyzed muscle fat infiltration and the pattern of involved muscles using cluster analysis, visualizing the sequential progression of fat infiltration. Muscle clusters demonstrated correlation with clinical scales and laboratory findings. Additionally, linear regression analysis was performed to identify the MRI section most strongly associated with 6-minute walk test (6MWT). RESULTS We included 81 patients with SBMA (age = 54.3 years). After categorizing the patients into 6 clusters based on the pattern of muscle fat infiltration, we observed that muscle involvement began in the posterior calf and progressed to the posterior thigh, pelvis, trunk, anterior thigh, medial thigh, anterior calf, and upper extremity muscles. These muscle clusters correlated significantly with disease duration (τ = 0.47, p < 0.001), 6MWT (τ = -0.49, p < 0.001), and serum creatinine level (τ = -0.46, p < 0.001). The whole-body MRI indicated the thigh as the section most significantly correlated with 6MWT. INTERPRETATION We used whole-body muscle MRI to determine the sequential progression of the fat infiltration in SBMA. Our findings may enable the identification of objective and reliable imaging outcome measures in the study of the natural history or future clinical trials of SBMA. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:596-606.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunjin Kim
- Department of Neurology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Incheol Seo
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Minsung Kang
- Department of Neurology, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Mo Park
- Department of Neurology, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Dongguk University Gyeongju Hospital, Gyeongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hung Youl Seok
- Department of Neurology, Dongsan Hospital, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohyeon Kim
- Department of Neurology, Dongsan Hospital, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Sung Park
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Korea Brain Research Institute Dementia Research Group, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Brain Science & Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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3
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de Fuenmayor-Fernández de la Hoz CP, Lupo V, Bermejo-Guerrero L, Martín-Jiménez P, Hernández-Laín A, Olivé M, Gallardo E, Esteban-Pérez J, Espinós C, Domínguez-González C. Distal hereditary motor neuronopathy as a new phenotype associated with variants in BAG3. J Neurol 2024; 271:986-994. [PMID: 37907725 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12039-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe a new phenotype associated with a novel variant in BAG3: autosomal dominant adult-onset distal hereditary motor neuronopathy. METHODS This study enrolled eight affected individuals from a single family and included a comprehensive evaluation of the clinical phenotype, neurophysiologic testing, muscle MRI, muscle biopsy and western blot of BAG3 protein in skeletal muscle. Genetic workup included whole exome sequencing and segregation analysis of the detected variant in BAG3. RESULTS Seven patients developed slowly progressive and symmetric distal weakness and atrophy of lower limb muscles, along with absent Achilles reflexes. The mean age of onset was 46 years. The neurophysiological examination was consistent with the diagnosis of distal motor neuronopathy. One 57-year-old female patient was minimally symptomatic. The pattern of inheritance was autosomal dominant, with one caveat: one female patient who was an obligate carrier of the variant died at the age of 73 years without exhibiting any muscle weakness. The muscle biopsies revealed neurogenic changes. A novel heterozygous truncating variant c.1513_1514insGGAC (p.Val505GlyfsTer6) in the gene BAG3 was identified in all affected family members. CONCLUSIONS We report an autosomal dominant adult-onset distal hereditary motor neuronopathy with incomplete penetrance in women as a new phenotype related to a truncating variant in the BAG3 gene. Our findings expand the phenotypic spectrum of BAG3-related disorders, which previously included dilated cardiomyopathy, myofibrillar myopathy and adult-onset Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 neuropathy. Variants in BAG3 should be considered in the differential diagnosis of distal hereditary motor neuronopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vincenzo Lupo
- Unit of Rare Neurodegenerative Disorders, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain
| | - Laura Bermejo-Guerrero
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Servicio de Neurología, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Avenida de Córdoba Sin Número, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Martín-Jiménez
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Servicio de Neurología, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Avenida de Córdoba Sin Número, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aurelio Hernández-Laín
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Montse Olivé
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuromuscular Diseases, Institut de Recerca Hospital de la, Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduard Gallardo
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuromuscular Diseases, Institut de Recerca Hospital de la, Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Esteban-Pérez
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Servicio de Neurología, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Avenida de Córdoba Sin Número, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Espinós
- Unit of Rare Neurodegenerative Disorders, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Veterinary and Experimental Sciences, Universidad Católica de Valencia, 46001, Valencia, Spain
| | - Cristina Domínguez-González
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Servicio de Neurología, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Avenida de Córdoba Sin Número, 28041, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Mitochondrial and Neuromuscular Disorders Group, Hospital 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
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Urzi A, Lahmann I, Nguyen LVN, Rost BR, García-Pérez A, Lelievre N, Merritt-Garza ME, Phan HC, Bassell GJ, Rossoll W, Diecke S, Kunz S, Schmitz D, Gouti M. Efficient generation of a self-organizing neuromuscular junction model from human pluripotent stem cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8043. [PMID: 38114482 PMCID: PMC10730704 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43781-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The complex neuromuscular network that controls body movements is the target of severe diseases that result in paralysis and death. Here, we report the development of a robust and efficient self-organizing neuromuscular junction (soNMJ) model from human pluripotent stem cells that can be maintained long-term in simple adherent conditions. The timely application of specific patterning signals instructs the simultaneous development and differentiation of position-specific brachial spinal neurons, skeletal muscles, and terminal Schwann cells. High-content imaging reveals self-organized bundles of aligned muscle fibers surrounded by innervating motor neurons that form functional neuromuscular junctions. Optogenetic activation and pharmacological interventions show that the spinal neurons actively instruct the synchronous skeletal muscle contraction. The generation of a soNMJ model from spinal muscular atrophy patient-specific iPSCs reveals that the number of NMJs and muscle contraction is severely affected, resembling the patient's pathology. In the future, the soNMJ model could be used for high-throughput studies in disease modeling and drug development. Thus, this model will allow us to address unmet needs in the neuromuscular disease field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Urzi
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ines Lahmann
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lan Vi N Nguyen
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Benjamin R Rost
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Angélica García-Pérez
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Noemie Lelievre
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Megan E Merritt-Garza
- Department of Cell Biology, Laboratory for Translational Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Han C Phan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Gary J Bassell
- Department of Cell Biology, Laboratory for Translational Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Wilfried Rossoll
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Sebastian Diecke
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Technology Platform Pluripotent Stem Cells, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Severine Kunz
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Technology Platform Electron Microscopy, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dietmar Schmitz
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mina Gouti
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany.
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5
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Windhorst U, Dibaj P. Plastic Spinal Motor Circuits in Health and Disease. J Integr Neurosci 2023; 22:167. [PMID: 38176936 DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2206167] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
In the past, the spinal cord was considered a hard-wired network responsible for spinal reflexes and a conduit for long-range connections. This view has changed dramatically over the past few decades. It is now recognized as a plastic structure that has the potential to adapt to changing environments. While such changes occur under physiological conditions, the most dramatic alterations take place in response to pathological events. Many of the changes that occur following such pathological events are maladaptive, but some appear to help adapt to the new conditions. Although a number of studies have been devoted to elucidating the underlying mechanisms, in humans and animal models, the etiology and pathophysiology of various diseases impacting the spinal cord are still not well understood. In this review, we summarize current understanding and outstanding challenges for a number of diseases, including spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), amyotrophic laterals sclerosis (ALS), and spinal cord injury (SCI), with occasional relations to stroke. In particular, we focus on changes resulting from SCI (and stroke), and various influencing factors such as cause, site and extent of the afflicted damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Windhorst
- Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
- Departments of Clinical Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Arbetslivsinstitutet associated with the University of Umeå, 907 36 Umeå, Sweden
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Gävle, 801 76 Gävle, Sweden
| | - Payam Dibaj
- Center for Rare Diseases Göttingen (ZSEG), Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg August University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Ökumenisches Hainich Klinikum, 99974 Mühlhausen, Germany
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6
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Benlefki S, Younes R, Challuau D, Bernard-Marissal N, Hilaire C, Scamps F, Bowerman M, Kothary R, Schneider BL, Raoul C. Differential effect of Fas activation on spinal muscular atrophy motoneuron death and induction of axonal growth. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand) 2023; 69:1-8. [PMID: 37953591 DOI: 10.14715/cmb/2023.69.10.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are the most common motoneuron diseases affecting adults and infants, respectively. ALS and SMA are both characterized by the selective degeneration of motoneurons. Although different in their genetic etiology, growing evidence indicates that they share molecular and cellular pathogenic signatures that constitute potential common therapeutic targets. We previously described a motoneuron-specific death pathway elicited by the Fas death receptor, whereby vulnerable ALS motoneurons show an exacerbated sensitivity to Fas activation. However, the mechanisms that drive the loss of SMA motoneurons remains poorly understood. Here, we describe an in vitro model of SMA-associated degeneration using primary motoneurons derived from Smn2B/- SMA mice and show that Fas activation selectively triggers death of the proximal motoneurons. Fas-induced death of SMA motoneurons has the molecular signature of the motoneuron-selective Fas death pathway that requires activation of p38 kinase, caspase-8, -9 and -3 as well as upregulation of collapsin response mediator protein 4 (CRMP4). In addition, Rho-associated Kinase (ROCK) is required for Fas recruitment. Remarkably, we found that exogenous activation of Fas also promotes axonal elongation in both wildtype and SMA motoneurons. Axon outgrowth of motoneurons promoted by Fas requires the activity of ERK, ROCK and caspases. This work defines a dual role of Fas signaling in motoneurons that can elicit distinct responses from cell death to axonal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Melissa Bowerman
- School of Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom.
| | - Rashmi Kothary
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Bernard L Schneider
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Cedric Raoul
- INM, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France.
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7
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Brown SJ, Šoltić D, Synowsky SA, Shirran SL, Chilcott E, Shorrock HK, Gillingwater TH, Yáñez-Muñoz RJ, Schneider B, Bowerman M, Fuller HR. AAV9-mediated SMN gene therapy rescues cardiac desmin but not lamin A/C and elastin dysregulation in Smn2B/- spinal muscular atrophy mice. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:2950-2965. [PMID: 37498175 PMCID: PMC10549791 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Structural, functional and molecular cardiac defects have been reported in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients and mouse models. Previous quantitative proteomics analyses demonstrated widespread molecular defects in the severe Taiwanese SMA mouse model. Whether such changes are conserved across different mouse models, including less severe forms of the disease, has yet to be established. Here, using the same high-resolution proteomics approach in the less-severe Smn2B/- SMA mouse model, 277 proteins were found to be differentially abundant at a symptomatic timepoint (post-natal day (P) 18), 50 of which were similarly dysregulated in severe Taiwanese SMA mice. Bioinformatics analysis linked many of the differentially abundant proteins to cardiovascular development and function, with intermediate filaments highlighted as an enriched cellular compartment in both datasets. Lamin A/C was increased in the cardiac tissue, whereas another intermediate filament protein, desmin, was reduced. The extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, elastin, was also robustly decreased in the heart of Smn2B/- mice. AAV9-SMN1-mediated gene therapy rectified low levels of survival motor neuron protein and restored desmin levels in heart tissues of Smn2B/- mice. In contrast, AAV9-SMN1 therapy failed to correct lamin A/C or elastin levels. Intermediate filament proteins and the ECM have key roles in cardiac function and their dysregulation may explain cardiac impairment in SMA, especially since mutations in genes encoding these proteins cause other diseases with cardiac aberration. Cardiac pathology may need to be considered in the long-term care of SMA patients, as it is unclear whether currently available treatments can fully rescue peripheral pathology in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon J Brown
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK
- Wolfson Centre for Inherited Neuromuscular Disease, TORCH Building, RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry SY10 7AG, UK
| | - Darija Šoltić
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK
- Wolfson Centre for Inherited Neuromuscular Disease, TORCH Building, RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry SY10 7AG, UK
| | - Silvia A Synowsky
- BSRC Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Sally L Shirran
- BSRC Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Ellie Chilcott
- AGCTlab.org, Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy, Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Hannah K Shorrock
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Thomas H Gillingwater
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Rafael J Yáñez-Muñoz
- AGCTlab.org, Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy, Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Bernard Schneider
- Bertarelli Platform for Gene Therapy, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Melissa Bowerman
- Wolfson Centre for Inherited Neuromuscular Disease, TORCH Building, RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry SY10 7AG, UK
- School of Medicine, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Heidi R Fuller
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK
- Wolfson Centre for Inherited Neuromuscular Disease, TORCH Building, RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry SY10 7AG, UK
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8
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Cottam NC, Bamfo T, Harrington MA, Charvet CJ, Hekmatyar K, Tulin N, Sun J. Cerebellar structural, astrocytic, and neuronal abnormalities in the SMNΔ7 mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy. Brain Pathol 2023; 33:e13162. [PMID: 37218083 PMCID: PMC10467044 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinalmuscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disease that affects as many as 1 in 6000 individuals at birth, making it the leading genetic cause of infant mortality. A growing number of studies indicate that SMA is a multi-system disease. The cerebellum has received little attention even though it plays an important role in motor function and widespread pathology has been reported in the cerebella of SMA patients. In this study, we assessed SMA pathology in the cerebellum using structural and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, immunohistochemistry, and electrophysiology with the SMNΔ7 mouse model. We found a significant disproportionate loss in cerebellar volume, decrease in afferent cerebellar tracts, selective lobule-specific degeneration of Purkinje cells, abnormal lobule foliation and astrocyte integrity, and a decrease in spontaneous firing of cerebellar output neurons in the SMA mice compared to controls. Our data suggest that defects in cerebellar structure and function due to decreased survival motor neuron (SMN) levels impair the functional cerebellar output affecting motor control, and that cerebellar pathology should be addressed to achieve comprehensive treatment and therapy for SMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C. Cottam
- Department of Biological SciencesDelaware State UniversityDoverDelawareUSA
| | - Tiffany Bamfo
- Department of Biological SciencesDelaware State UniversityDoverDelawareUSA
| | | | - Christine J. Charvet
- Delaware Center for Neuroscience ResearchDelaware State UniversityDoverDelawareUSA
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and PharmacologyAuburn UniversityAuburnAlabamaUSA
- Department of PsychologyDelaware State UniversityDoverDEUnited States
| | - Khan Hekmatyar
- Center for Biomedical and Brain ImagingUniversity of DelawareNewarkDelawareUSA
- Bioimaging Research Center for Biomedical and Brain ImagingUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | - Nikita Tulin
- Department of NeuroscienceTemple UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Jianli Sun
- Department of Biological SciencesDelaware State UniversityDoverDelawareUSA
- Delaware Center for Neuroscience ResearchDelaware State UniversityDoverDelawareUSA
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9
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Kárteszi J, Ziegler A, Tihanyi M, Elmont B, Zhang Y, Patócs B, Molnár MJ, Méhes G, Wells K, Jakus R, Bessenyei B, Ranatunga W, Morava É. Compound heterozygous variants in MAPK8IP3 were detected in severe congenital hypotonia mimicking lethal spinal muscular atrophy. Am J Med Genet A 2023; 191:2428-2432. [PMID: 37462082 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase 8-interacting protein 3 gene (MAPK8IP3) encodes the c-Jun-amino-terminal kinase-interacting protein 3 (JIP3) and is involved in retrograde axonal transport. Heterozygous de novo pathogenic variants in MAPK8IP3 result in a neurodevelopmental disorder with or without brain abnormalities and possible axonal peripheral neuropathy. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on an individual presenting with severe congenital muscle hypotonia of neuronal origin mimicking lethal spinal muscular atrophy. Compound heterozygous rare variants (a splice and a missense) were detected in MAPK8IP3, inherited from the healthy parents. Western blot analysis in a muscle biopsy sample showed a more than 60% decrease in JIP3 expression. Here, we suggest a novel autosomal recessive phenotype of a lower motor neuron disease caused by JIP3 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Kárteszi
- Genetic Counselling, Hospital of Zala County, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary
| | - Alban Ziegler
- Department of Genetics, University Hospital of Angers, and Mitovasc UMR INSERM 1083 - CNRS 6015, University of Angers, Angers, France
| | - Mariann Tihanyi
- Genetic Counselling, Hospital of Zala County, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary
| | - Beatrix Elmont
- Pediatric Ward, Hospital of Zala County, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary
| | - Yuebo Zhang
- Department of Clinical Genomics and Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Barbara Patócs
- Department of Child Neurology, Bethesda Child Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mária Judit Molnár
- Department of Genomic Medicine and Rare Diseases, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Méhes
- Department of Pathology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | | | - Rita Jakus
- Department of Child Neurology, Bethesda Child Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Beáta Bessenyei
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Wasantha Ranatunga
- Department of Clinical Genomics and Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Éva Morava
- Department of Clinical Genomics and Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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10
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Gupta J, Gupta R, Tambi A, Bhandari A, Sharma JN. Ventral Root Atrophy in Spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A New Biomarker? Neurol India 2023; 71:568-569. [PMID: 37322766 DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.378700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Juhi Gupta
- Department of Pediatrics, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Rishabh Gupta
- Department of Pediatrics, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Ayush Tambi
- Department of Pediatrics, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Anu Bhandari
- Department of Pediatrics, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
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11
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Hennlein L, Ghanawi H, Gerstner F, Palominos García E, Yildirim E, Saal-Bauernschubert L, Moradi M, Deng C, Klein T, Appenzeller S, Sauer M, Briese M, Simon C, Sendtner M, Jablonka S. Plastin 3 rescues cell surface translocation and activation of TrkB in spinal muscular atrophy. J Cell Biol 2023; 222:e202204113. [PMID: 36607273 PMCID: PMC9827530 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202204113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastin 3 (PLS3) is an F-actin-bundling protein that has gained attention as a modifier of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) pathology. SMA is a lethal pediatric neuromuscular disease caused by loss of or mutations in the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. Pathophysiological hallmarks are cellular maturation defects of motoneurons prior to degeneration. Despite the observed beneficial modifying effect of PLS3, the mechanism of how it supports F-actin-mediated cellular processes in motoneurons is not yet well understood. Our data reveal disturbed F-actin-dependent translocation of the Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) to the cell surface of Smn-deficient motor axon terminals, resulting in reduced TrkB activation by its ligand brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Improved actin dynamics by overexpression of hPLS3 restores membrane recruitment and activation of TrkB and enhances spontaneous calcium transients by increasing Cav2.1/2 "cluster-like" formations in SMA axon terminals. Thus, our study provides a novel role for PLS3 in supporting correct alignment of transmembrane proteins, a key mechanism for (moto)-neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Hennlein
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hanaa Ghanawi
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Florian Gerstner
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Ezgi Yildirim
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Mehri Moradi
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Chunchu Deng
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Teresa Klein
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Biocenter, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Silke Appenzeller
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken; Core Unit Bioinformatics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Sauer
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Biocenter, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Briese
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Simon
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Sendtner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sibylle Jablonka
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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12
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Wu SH, Lu IC, Yang SM, Hsieh CF, Chai CY, Tai MH, Huang SH. Spinal Irisin Gene Delivery Attenuates Burn Injury-Induced Muscle Atrophy by Promoting Axonal Myelination and Innervation of Neuromuscular Junctions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415899. [PMID: 36555538 PMCID: PMC9784798 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415899] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscle loss and weakness after a burn injury are typically the consequences of neuronal dysregulation and metabolic change. Hypermetabolism has been noted to cause muscle atrophy. However, the mechanism underlying the development of burn-induced motor neuropathy and its contribution to muscle atrophy warrant elucidation. Current therapeutic interventions for burn-induced motor neuropathy demonstrate moderate efficacy and have side effects, which limit their usage. We previously used a third-degree burn injury rodent model and found that irisin-an exercise-induced myokine-exerts a protective effect against burn injury-induced sensory and motor neuropathy by attenuating neuronal damage in the spinal cord. In the current study, spinal irisin gene delivery was noted to attenuate burn injury-induced sciatic nerve demyelination and reduction of neuromuscular junction innervation. Spinal overexpression of irisin leads to myelination rehabilitation and muscular innervation through the modulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor expression along the sciatic nerve to the muscle tissues and thereby modulates the Akt/mTOR pathway and metabolic derangement and prevents muscle atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Hua Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung 801, Taiwan
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - I-Cheng Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ming Yang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sun University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Fang Hsieh
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung 801, Taiwan
| | - Chee-Yin Chai
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sun University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hong Tai
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sun University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (M.-H.T.); (S.-H.H.)
| | - Shu-Hung Huang
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Regeneration Medicine and Cell Therapy Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (M.-H.T.); (S.-H.H.)
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13
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Carlini MJ, Triplett MK, Pellizzoni L. Neuromuscular denervation and deafferentation but not motor neuron death are disease features in the Smn2B/- mouse model of SMA. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267990. [PMID: 35913953 PMCID: PMC9342749 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of motor neurons and skeletal muscle atrophy which is caused by ubiquitous deficiency in the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Several cellular defects contribute to sensory-motor circuit pathology in SMA mice, but the underlying mechanisms have often been studied in one mouse model without validation in other available models. Here, we used Smn2B/- mice to investigate specific behavioral, morphological, and functional aspects of SMA pathology that we previously characterized in the SMNΔ7 model. Smn2B/- SMA mice on a pure FVB/N background display deficits in body weight gain and muscle strength with onset in the second postnatal week and median survival of 19 days. Morphological analysis revealed severe loss of proprioceptive synapses on the soma of motor neurons and prominent denervation of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in axial but not distal muscles. In contrast, no evidence of cell death emerged from analysis of several distinct pools of lumbar motor neurons known to be lost in the disease. Moreover, SMA motor neurons from Smn2B/- mice showed robust nuclear accumulation of p53 but lack of phosphorylation of serine 18 at its amino-terminal, which selectively marks degenerating motor neurons in the SMNΔ7 mouse model. These results indicate that NMJ denervation and deafferentation, but not motor neuron death, are conserved features of SMA pathology in Smn2B/- mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J. Carlini
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Marina K. Triplett
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Livio Pellizzoni
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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14
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Khayrullina G, Alipio‐Gloria ZA, Deguise M, Gagnon S, Chehade L, Stinson M, Belous N, Bergman EM, Lischka FW, Rotty J, Dalgard CL, Kothary R, Johnson KA, Burnett BG. Survival motor neuron protein deficiency alters microglia reactivity. Glia 2022; 70:1337-1358. [PMID: 35373853 PMCID: PMC9081169 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Survival motor neuron (SMN) protein deficiency results in loss of alpha motor neurons and subsequent muscle atrophy in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Reactive microglia have been reported in SMA mice and depleting microglia rescues the number of proprioceptive synapses, suggesting a role in SMA pathology. Here, we explore the contribution of lymphocytes on microglia reactivity in SMA mice and investigate how SMN deficiency alters the reactive profile of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived microglia. We show that microglia adopt a reactive morphology in spinal cords of SMA mice. Ablating lymphocytes did not alter the reactive morphology of SMA microglia and did not improve the survival or motor function of SMA mice, indicating limited impact of peripheral immune cells on the SMA phenotype. We found iPSC-derived SMA microglia adopted an amoeboid morphology and displayed a reactive transcriptome profile, increased cell migration, and enhanced phagocytic activity. Importantly, cell morphology and electrophysiological properties of motor neurons were altered when they were incubated with conditioned media from SMA microglia. Together, these data reveal that SMN-deficient microglia adopt a reactive profile and exhibit an exaggerated inflammatory response with potential impact on SMA neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guzal Khayrullina
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and GeneticsUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hebert School of MedicineBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | | | - Marc‐Olivier Deguise
- Regenerative Medicine ProgramOttawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
- Centre for Neuromuscular DiseaseUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
- Department of PediatricsChildren's Hospital of Eastern OntarioOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Sabrina Gagnon
- Regenerative Medicine ProgramOttawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Lucia Chehade
- Regenerative Medicine ProgramOttawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
- Centre for Neuromuscular DiseaseUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Matthew Stinson
- Department of BiochemistryUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hebert School of MedicineBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Natalya Belous
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and GeneticsUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hebert School of MedicineBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Elizabeth M. Bergman
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and GeneticsUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hebert School of MedicineBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Fritz W. Lischka
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and GeneticsUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hebert School of MedicineBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Jeremy Rotty
- Department of BiochemistryUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hebert School of MedicineBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Clifton L. Dalgard
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and GeneticsUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hebert School of MedicineBethesdaMarylandUSA
- The American Genome CenterUniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Rashmi Kothary
- Regenerative Medicine ProgramOttawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
- Centre for Neuromuscular DiseaseUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
- Department of MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | | | - Barrington G. Burnett
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and GeneticsUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hebert School of MedicineBethesdaMarylandUSA
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15
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Dai M, Xu Y, Sun Y, Xiao B, Ying X, Liu Y, Jiang W, Zhang J, Liu X, Ji X. Revealing diverse alternative splicing variants of the highly homologous SMN1 and SMN2 genes by targeted long-read sequencing. Mol Genet Genomics 2022; 297:1039-1048. [PMID: 35612622 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-022-01874-6] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The survival of motor neuron (SMN) genes, SMN1 and SMN2, are two highly homologous genes related to spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Different patterns of alternative splicing have been observed in the SMN genes. In this study, the long-read sequencing technique for distinguishing SMN1 and SMN2 without any assembly were developed and applied to reveal multiple alternative splicing patterns and to comprehensively identify transcript variants of the SMN genes. In total, 36 types of transcript variants were identified, with an equal number of variants generated from both SMN1 and SMN2. Of these, 18 were novel SMN transcripts that have never been reported. The structures of SMN transcripts were revealed to be much more complicated and diverse than previously discovered. These novel transcripts were derived from diverse splicing events, including skipping of one or more exons, intron retention, and exon shortening or addition. SMN1 mainly produces FL-SMN1, SMN1Δ7, SMN1Δ5 and SMN1Δ3. The distribution of SMN2 transcripts was significantly different from those of SMN1, with the majority transcripts to be SMN2Δ7, followed by FL-SMN2, SMN2Δ3,5 and SMN2Δ5,7. Targeted long-read sequencing approach could accurately distinguish sequences of SMN1 from those of SMN2. Our study comprehensively addressed naturally occurring SMN1 and SMN2 transcript variants and splicing patterns in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The novel transcripts identified in our study expanded knowledge of the diversity of transcript variants generated from the SMN genes and showed a much more comprehensive profile of the SMN splicing spectrum. Results in our study will provide valuable information for the study of low expression level of SMN proteins and SMA pathogenesis based on transcript levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyao Dai
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology/Genetics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Molecular Genetics Group, Shanghai Institute for Paediatric Research, Shanghai, China
- National Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Key Scientific Infrastructure for Translational Medicine (Shanghai), Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Centre for Metabolic Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Clinical Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology/Genetics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Molecular Genetics Group, Shanghai Institute for Paediatric Research, Shanghai, China
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology/Genetics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Molecular Genetics Group, Shanghai Institute for Paediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Xiao
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology/Genetics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Molecular Genetics Group, Shanghai Institute for Paediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomin Ying
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology/Genetics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Molecular Genetics Group, Shanghai Institute for Paediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology/Genetics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Molecular Genetics Group, Shanghai Institute for Paediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenting Jiang
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology/Genetics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Molecular Genetics Group, Shanghai Institute for Paediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingmin Zhang
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology/Genetics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Molecular Genetics Group, Shanghai Institute for Paediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoqing Liu
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology/Genetics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Molecular Genetics Group, Shanghai Institute for Paediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Xing Ji
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology/Genetics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
- Molecular Genetics Group, Shanghai Institute for Paediatric Research, Shanghai, China.
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16
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Johns AE, Maragakis NJ. Exploring Motor Neuron Diseases Using iPSC Platforms. Stem Cells 2022; 40:2-13. [PMID: 35511862 PMCID: PMC9199844 DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxab006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The degeneration of motor neurons is a pathological hallmark of motor neuron diseases (MNDs), but emerging evidence suggests that neuronal vulnerability extends well beyond this cell subtype. The ability to assess motor function in the clinic is limited to physical examination, electrophysiological measures, and tissue-based or neuroimaging techniques which lack the resolution to accurately assess neuronal dysfunction as the disease progresses. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are all MNDs with devastating clinical outcomes that contribute significantly to disease burden as patients are no longer able to carry out normal activities of daily living. The critical need to accurately assess the cause and progression of motor neuron dysfunction, especially in the early stages of those diseases, has motivated the use of human iPSC-derived motor neurons (hiPSC-MN) to study the neurobiological mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis and to generate platforms for therapeutic discovery and testing. As our understanding of MNDs has grown, so too has our need to develop more complex in vitro models which include hiPSC-MN co-cultured with relevant non-neuronal cells in 2D as well as in 3D organoid and spheroid systems. These more complex hiPSC-derived culture systems have led to the implementation of new technologies, including microfluidics, multielectrode array, and machine learning which offer novel insights into the functional correlates of these emerging model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra E Johns
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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17
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Dumas SA, Villalón E, Bergman EM, Wilson KJ, Marugan JJ, Lorson CL, Burnett BG. OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:2989-3000. [PMID: 35419606 PMCID: PMC9433732 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by reduced expression of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Current disease-modifying therapies increase SMN levels and dramatically improve survival and motor function of SMA patients. Nevertheless, current treatments are not cures and autopsy data suggest that SMN induction is variable. Our group and others have shown that combinatorial approaches that target different modalities can improve outcomes in rodent models of SMA. Here we explore if slowing SMN protein degradation and correcting SMN splicing defects could synergistically increase SMN production and improve the SMA phenotype in model mice. We show that co-administering ML372, which inhibits SMN ubiquitination, with an SMN-modifying antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) increases SMN production in SMA cells and model mice. In addition, we observed improved spinal cord, neuromuscular junction and muscle pathology when ML372 and the ASO were administered in combination. Importantly, the combinatorial approach resulted in increased motor function and extended survival of SMA mice. Our results demonstrate that a combination of treatment modalities synergistically increases SMN levels and improves pathophysiology of SMA model mice over individual treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elizabeth M Bergman
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Herbert School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Kenneth J Wilson
- NIH Chemical Genomics Center, Discovery Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20892-2152, USA
| | - Juan J Marugan
- NIH Chemical Genomics Center, Discovery Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20892-2152, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Barrington G. Burnett. Tel: +1 301-295-3506; ; Christian L. Lorson. Tel: +1 573-884-2219;
| | - Barrington G Burnett
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Barrington G. Burnett. Tel: +1 301-295-3506; ; Christian L. Lorson. Tel: +1 573-884-2219;
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18
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Zhang Y, Chen X, Wang Q, Du C, Lu W, Yuan H, Zhang Z, Li D, Ling X, Ren X, Zhao Y, Su Q, Xing Z, Qin Y, Yang X, Shen Y, Wu H, Qi Y. Hyper-SUMOylation of SMN induced by SENP2 deficiency decreases its stability and leads to spinal muscular atrophy-like pathology. J Mol Med (Berl) 2021; 99:1797-1813. [PMID: 34628513 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-021-02130-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a degenerative motor neuron disease and a leading cause of infant mortality, is caused by loss of functional survival motor neuron (SMN) protein due to SMN1 gene mutation. Here, using mouse and cell models for behavioral and histological studies, we found that SENP2 (SUMO/sentrin-specific protease 2)-deficient mice developed a notable SMA-like pathology phenotype with significantly decreased muscle fibers and motor neurons. At the molecular level, SENP2 deficiency in mice did not affect transcription but decreased SMN protein levels by promoting the SUMOylation of SMN. SMN was modified by SUMO2 with the E3 PIAS2α and deconjugated by SENP2. SUMOylation of SMN accelerated its degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation pathway with the ubiquitin E1 UBA1 (ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme 1) and E3 ITCH. SUMOylation of SMN increased its acetylation to inhibit the formation of Cajal bodies (CBs). These results showed that SENP2 deficiency induced hyper-SUMOylation of the SMN protein, which further affected the stability and functions of the SMN protein, eventually leading to the SMA-like phenotype. Thus, we uncovered the important roles for hyper-SUMOylation of SMN induced by SENP2 deficiency in motor neurons and provided a novel targeted therapeutic strategy for SMA. KEY MESSAGES: SENP2 deficiency enhanced the hyper-SUMOylation of SMN and promoted the degradation of SMN by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. SUMOylation increased the acetylation of SMN to inhibit CB formation. SENP2 deficiency caused hyper-SUMOylation of SMN protein, which further affected the stability and functions of SMN protein and eventually led to the occurrence of SMA-like pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qiqi Wang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China
| | - Congcong Du
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenbin Lu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhenzhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China
| | - Danqing Li
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xing Ling
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiang Ren
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qi Su
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhengcao Xing
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuanyuan Qin
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xinyi Yang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yajie Shen
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hongmei Wu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Yitao Qi
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi, China.
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Ravel-Chapuis A, Haghandish A, Daneshvar N, Jasmin BJ, Côté J. A novel CARM1-HuR axis involved in muscle differentiation and plasticity misregulated in spinal muscular atrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 31:1453-1470. [PMID: 34791230 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is characterized by the loss of alpha motor neurons in the spinal cord and a progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. SMA is caused by loss-of-function mutations and/or deletions in the survival of motor neuron (SMN) gene. The role of SMN in motor neurons has been extensively studied, but its function and the consequences of its loss in muscle has also emerged as a key aspect of SMA pathology. In this study, we explore the molecular mechanisms involved in muscle defects in SMA. First, we show in C2C12 myoblasts, that arginine methylation by CARM1 controls myogenic differentiation. More specifically, the methylation of HuR on K217 regulates HuR levels and subcellular localization during myogenic differentiation, and the formation of myotubes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SMN and HuR interact in C2C12 myoblasts. Interestingly, the SMA-causing E134K point mutation within the SMN Tudor domain, and CARM1 depletion, modulate the SMN-HuR interaction. In addition, using the Smn2B/- mouse model, we report that CARM1 levels are markedly increased in SMA muscles and that HuR fails to properly respond to muscle denervation, thereby affecting the regulation of its mRNA targets. Altogether, our results show a novel CARM1-HuR axis in the regulation of muscle differentiation and plasticity as well as in the aberrant regulation of this axis caused by the absence of SMN in SMA muscle. With the recent developments of therapeutics targeting motor neurons, this study further indicates the need for more global therapeutic approaches for SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aymeric Ravel-Chapuis
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Eric Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Amir Haghandish
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Eric Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Nasibeh Daneshvar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Eric Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Bernard J Jasmin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Eric Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Jocelyn Côté
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Eric Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
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20
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Töpf A, Pyle A, Griffin H, Matalonga L, Schon K, Sickmann A, Schara-Schmidt U, Hentschel A, Chinnery PF, Kölbel H, Roos A, Horvath R. Exome reanalysis and proteomic profiling identified TRIP4 as a novel cause of cerebellar hypoplasia and spinal muscular atrophy (PCH1). Eur J Hum Genet 2021; 29:1348-1353. [PMID: 34075209 PMCID: PMC8440675 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-021-00851-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
TRIP4 is one of the subunits of the transcriptional coregulator ASC-1, a ribonucleoprotein complex that participates in transcriptional coactivation and RNA processing events. Recessive variants in the TRIP4 gene have been associated with spinal muscular atrophy with bone fractures as well as a severe form of congenital muscular dystrophy. Here we present the diagnostic journey of a patient with cerebellar hypoplasia and spinal muscular atrophy (PCH1) and congenital bone fractures. Initial exome sequencing analysis revealed no candidate variants. Reanalysis of the exome data by inclusion in the Solve-RD project resulted in the identification of a homozygous stop-gain variant in the TRIP4 gene, previously reported as disease-causing. This highlights the importance of analysis reiteration and improved and updated bioinformatic pipelines. Proteomic profile of the patient's fibroblasts showed altered RNA-processing and impaired exosome activity supporting the pathogenicity of the detected variant. In addition, we identified a novel genetic form of PCH1, further strengthening the link of this characteristic phenotype with altered RNA metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Töpf
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Angela Pyle
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Helen Griffin
- Primary Immunodeficiency Group, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Leslie Matalonga
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Katherine Schon
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Albert Sickmann
- Department of Bioanalytics, Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-e.V., Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, College of Physical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
- Medizinische Proteom-Center (MPC), Medizinische Fakultät, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ulrike Schara-Schmidt
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, Children's Hospital University of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Hentschel
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS - e.V., Dortmund, Germany
| | - Patrick F Chinnery
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Heike Kölbel
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, Children's Hospital University of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Roos
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, Children's Hospital University of Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Rita Horvath
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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21
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Blatnik AJ, McGovern VL, Burghes AHM. What Genetics Has Told Us and How It Can Inform Future Experiments for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8494. [PMID: 34445199 PMCID: PMC8395208 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor neuron loss and subsequent atrophy of skeletal muscle. SMA is caused by deficiency of the essential survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, canonically responsible for the assembly of the spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). Therapeutics aimed at increasing SMN protein levels are efficacious in treating SMA. However, it remains unknown how deficiency of SMN results in motor neuron loss, resulting in many reported cellular functions of SMN and pathways affected in SMA. Herein is a perspective detailing what genetics and biochemistry have told us about SMA and SMN, from identifying the SMA determinant region of the genome, to the development of therapeutics. Furthermore, we will discuss how genetics and biochemistry have been used to understand SMN function and how we can determine which of these are critical to SMA moving forward.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Arthur H. M. Burghes
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Rightmire Hall, Room 168, 1060 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (A.J.B.III); (V.L.M.)
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22
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Butchbach MER. Genomic Variability in the Survival Motor Neuron Genes ( SMN1 and SMN2): Implications for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Phenotype and Therapeutics Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157896. [PMID: 34360669 PMCID: PMC8348669 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a leading genetic cause of infant death worldwide that is characterized by loss of spinal motor neurons leading to muscle weakness and atrophy. SMA results from the loss of survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene but retention of its paralog SMN2. The copy numbers of SMN1 and SMN2 are variable within the human population with SMN2 copy number inversely correlating with SMA severity. Current therapeutic options for SMA focus on increasing SMN2 expression and alternative splicing so as to increase the amount of SMN protein. Recent work has demonstrated that not all SMN2, or SMN1, genes are equivalent and there is a high degree of genomic heterogeneity with respect to the SMN genes. Because SMA is now an actionable disease with SMN2 being the primary target, it is imperative to have a comprehensive understanding of this genomic heterogeneity with respect to hybrid SMN1–SMN2 genes generated by gene conversion events as well as partial deletions of the SMN genes. This review will describe this genetic heterogeneity in SMA and its impact on disease phenotype as well as therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E. R. Butchbach
- Center for Applied Clinical Genomics, Nemours Children’s Health Delaware, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA;
- Center for Pediatric Research, Nemours Children’s Health Delaware, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Finkel RS, Chiriboga CA, Vajsar J, Day JW, Montes J, De Vivo DC, Bishop KM, Foster R, Liu Y, Ramirez-Schrempp D, Schneider E, Bennett CF, Wong J, Farwell W. Treatment of infantile-onset spinal muscular atrophy with nusinersen: final report of a phase 2, open-label, multicentre, dose-escalation study. Lancet Child Adolesc Health 2021; 5:491-500. [PMID: 34089650 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(21)00100-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nusinersen showed a favourable benefit-risk profile in participants with infantile-onset spinal muscular atrophy at the interim analysis of a phase 2 clinical study. We present the study's final analysis, assessing the efficacy and safety of nusinersen over 3 years. METHODS This phase 2, open-label, multicentre, dose-escalation study was done in three university hospital sites in the USA and one in Canada. Infants aged between 3 weeks and 6 months with two or three SMN2 gene copies and infantile-onset spinal muscular atrophy were eligible for inclusion. Eligible participants received multiple intrathecal loading doses of 6 mg equivalent nusinersen (cohort 1) or 12 mg dose equivalent (cohort 2), followed by maintenance doses of 12 mg equivalent nusinersen. The protocol amendment on Jan 25, 2016, changed the primary efficacy endpoint from safety and tolerability to reaching motor milestones, assessed using the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination section 2 (HINE-2) at the last study visit, in all participants who successfully completed the loading dose period and day 92 assessment. The statistical analysis plan was amended on Feb 10, 2016, to include additional analyses of the subgroup of participants with two SMN2 copies. Adverse events were assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of study treatment. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01839656). FINDINGS Between May 3, 2013, and July 9, 2014, 20 symptomatic participants with infantile-onset spinal muscular atrophy (12 boys and 8 girls; median age at diagnosis 78 days [range 0-154]) were enrolled. Median time on study was 36·2 months (IQR 20·6-41·3). The primary endpoint of an incremental improvement in HINE-2 developmental motor milestones was reached by 12 (63%) of 19 evaluable participants. In the 13 participants with two SMN2 copies treated with 12 mg nusinersen, the HINE-2 motor milestone total score increased steadily from a baseline mean of 1·46 (SD 0·52) to 11·86 (6·18) at day 1135, representing a clinically significant change of 10·43 (6·05). At study closure (Aug 21, 2017), 15 (75%) of 20 participants were alive. 101 serious adverse events were reported in 16 (80%) of 20 participants; all five deaths (one in cohort 1 and four in cohort 2) were likely to be related to spinal muscular atrophy disease progression. INTERPRETATION Our findings are consistent with other trials of nusinersen and show improved survival and attainment of motor milestones over 3 years in patients with infantile-onset spinal muscular atrophy, with a favourable safety profile. FUNDING Biogen and Ionis Pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard S Finkel
- Nemours Children's Hospital, Orlando, FL, USA; St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | | | - Jiri Vajsar
- Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - John W Day
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Kathie M Bishop
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA, USA; Locana, San Diego, CA, USA
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Timmerberg JF, Krosschell KJ, Dunaway Young S, Uher D, Yun C, Montes J. Essential competencies for physical therapist managing individuals with spinal muscular atrophy: A delphi study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249279. [PMID: 33886555 PMCID: PMC8062020 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE With the availability and development of disease-modifying therapies for individuals with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), new emerging phenotypes must be characterized, and potential new treatment paradigms tested. There is an urgent demand to develop an educational program that provides physical therapists (PTs) worldwide the necessary knowledge and training to contribute to best-practice care and clinical research. A competency based education framework is one that would focus on outcomes not process and where progression of learners would occur only after competencies are demonstrated. The first step toward such a framework is defining outcomes. The purpose of this Delphi study was to develop consensus on those competencies deemed essential within the SMA PT community. METHODS Purposive selection and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit expert SMA PTs. Three web-based survey rounds were used to achieve consensus, defined as agreement among >80% of respondents. The first round gathered demographic information on participants as well as information on clarity and redundancy on a list of competencies; the second round, collected the same information on the revised list and whether or not participants agreed if the identified domains captured the essence of a SMA PT as well as the definitions for each; and the third asked participants to rank their agreement with each competency. RESULTS Consensus revealed 35 competencies, organized under 6 domains, which were deemed essential for a PT working with persons with SMA. DISCUSSION In order to develop a curriculum to meet the physical therapy needs of persons with SMA, it is imperative to establish defined outcomes and to achieve consensus on those outcomes within the SMA community. CONCLUSIONS This study identified essential competencies that will help to provide guidance in development of a formal education program to meet these defined outcomes. This can foster best-practice care and clinical decision-making for all PTs involved in the care of persons with SMA in a clinical and research setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Fitzpatrick Timmerberg
- Department of Rehabilitation, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kristin J. Krosschell
- Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences and Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Sally Dunaway Young
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
| | - David Uher
- Department of Rehabilitation, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, New York, United States of America
| | - Chris Yun
- Lexa Enterprises, South Kingstown, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Jacqueline Montes
- Department of Rehabilitation, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, New York, United States of America
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25
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Barceló MA, Povedano M, Vázquez-Costa JF, Franquet Á, Solans M, Saez M. Estimation of the prevalence and incidence of motor neuron diseases in two Spanish regions: Catalonia and Valencia. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6207. [PMID: 33737526 PMCID: PMC7973725 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85395-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the degree of upper and lower motor neuron degeneration, motor neuron diseases (MND) can be categorized into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) or progressive muscular atrophy (PMA). Although several studies have addressed the prevalence and incidence of ALS, there is a high heterogeneity in their results. Besides this, neither concept has been previously studied in PLS or PMA. Thus, the objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and incidence of MND, (distinguishing ALS, PLS and PMA), in the Spanish regions of Catalonia and Valencia in the period 2011-2019. Two population-based Spanish cohorts were used, one from Catalonia and the other from Valencia. Given that the samples that comprised both cohorts were not random, i.e., leading to a selection bias, we used a two-part model in which both the individual and contextual observed and unobserved confounding variables are controlled for, along with the spatial and temporal dependence. The prevalence of MND was estimated to be between 3.990 and 6.334 per 100,000 inhabitants (ALS between 3.248 and 5.120; PMA between 0.065 and 0.634; and PLS between 0.046 and 1.896), and the incidence between 1.682 and 2.165 per 100,000 person-years for MND (ALS between 1.351 and 1.754; PMA between 0.225 and 0.628; and PLS between 0.409-0.544). Results were similar in the two regions and did not differ from those previously reported for ALS, suggesting that the proposed method is robust and that neither region presents differential risk or protective factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Barceló
- Research Group On Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Carrer de la Universitat de Girona 10, Campus de Montilivi, 17003, Girona, Spain.
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
- Unidad Funcional de Motoneurona (UFMN), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Mònica Povedano
- Unidad Funcional de Motoneurona (UFMN), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan F Vázquez-Costa
- Unidad Funcional de Motoneurona (UFMN), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
- Medicine Department, Facultad de Medicina, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Álvaro Franquet
- Research Group On Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Carrer de la Universitat de Girona 10, Campus de Montilivi, 17003, Girona, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Fundació Salut Empordà, Figueres, Spain
| | - Marta Solans
- Research Group On Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Carrer de la Universitat de Girona 10, Campus de Montilivi, 17003, Girona, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marc Saez
- Research Group On Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Carrer de la Universitat de Girona 10, Campus de Montilivi, 17003, Girona, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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26
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Ghanbarian H, Aghamiri S, Eftekhary M, Wagner N, Wagner KD. Small Activating RNAs: Towards the Development of New Therapeutic Agents and Clinical Treatments. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030591. [PMID: 33800164 PMCID: PMC8001863 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Small double-strand RNA (dsRNA) molecules can activate endogenous genes via an RNA-based promoter targeting mechanism. RNA activation (RNAa) is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism present in diverse eukaryotic organisms ranging from nematodes to humans. Small activating RNAs (saRNAs) involved in RNAa have been successfully used to activate gene expression in cultured cells, and thereby this emergent technique might allow us to develop various biotechnological applications, without the need to synthesize hazardous construct systems harboring exogenous DNA sequences. Accordingly, this thematic issue aims to provide insights into how RNAa cellular machinery can be harnessed to activate gene expression leading to a more effective clinical treatment of various diseases.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Brain/cytology
- Brain/growth & development
- Brain/metabolism
- Genetic Therapy/methods
- Humans
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- MicroRNAs/metabolism
- Muscle Development/genetics
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/genetics
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/metabolism
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/pathology
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/therapy
- Myocardium/cytology
- Myocardium/metabolism
- Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology
- Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Neoplasms/metabolism
- Neoplasms/pathology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism
- Neurogenesis/genetics
- Neurons/cytology
- Neurons/metabolism
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- RNA, Double-Stranded/genetics
- RNA, Double-Stranded/metabolism
- RNA, Double-Stranded/therapeutic use
- RNA, Small Untranslated/genetics
- RNA, Small Untranslated/metabolism
- RNA, Small Untranslated/therapeutic use
- Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein/genetics
- Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Ghanbarian
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19857-17443, Iran;
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19839-63113, Iran;
| | - Shahin Aghamiri
- Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19839-63113, Iran;
| | - Mohamad Eftekhary
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19839-63113, Iran;
| | - Nicole Wagner
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, INSERM, iBV, 06107 Nice, France
- Correspondence: (N.W.); (K.-D.W.); Tel.: +33-493-3776-65 (K.-D.W.)
| | - Kay-Dietrich Wagner
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, INSERM, iBV, 06107 Nice, France
- Correspondence: (N.W.); (K.-D.W.); Tel.: +33-493-3776-65 (K.-D.W.)
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Jayant SS, Gupta R, Agrawal K, Das L, Dutta P, Bhansali A. Triple A (Allgrove) syndrome due to AAAS gene mutation with a rare association of amyotrophy. Hormones (Athens) 2021; 20:197-205. [PMID: 32700293 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-020-00217-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Triple A (Allgrove) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cardinal features of primary adrenal insufficiency (AI) due to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) resistance, achalasia, and alacrima. It is frequently associated with neurological manifestations such as autonomic dysfunction, cognitive dysfunction, cranial nerve, or motor involvement. Amyotrophy/motor neuron disease is a rare association. CASE PRESENTATION We herein report a 19-year-old boy diagnosed with triple A syndrome (TAS), with the classic triad of ACTH-resistant adrenal insufficiency, achalasia, and alacrima. Additionally, he had distal spinal muscle amyotrophy. Alacrima was the earliest feature evident in early childhood, followed by achalasia at 12 years of age. He was diagnosed with AI at the age of 19 years, with involvement of the mineralocorticoid axis. Further evaluation showed a neurogenic pattern on electromyography, consistent with a diagnosis of motor neuron disease. A nerve conduction study revealed no significant neuropathy. Genetic analysis confirmed a pathogenic homozygous mutation in the AAAS gene c.43C>A, p.Gln15Lys. He improved with glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid supplements for AI, and nifedipine for achalasia and artificial tears. He is planned for esophagomyotomy. CONCLUSION In any young patient with AI not due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Allgrove syndrome should be ruled out. Though mineralocorticoid sparing pattern is classical, it can rarely be involved, as seen in the index case. Various components of the syndrome, as well as amyotrophy and other neurologic features, may present in a metachronous fashion. Hence, a high index of clinical suspicion can aid in early diagnosis and management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rahul Gupta
- Department of Endocrinology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, 160012, India
| | | | - Liza Das
- Department of Endocrinology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, 160012, India
| | - Pinaki Dutta
- Department of Endocrinology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
- PGIMER, 108, Nehru Extension Block, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
| | - Anil Bhansali
- Department of Endocrinology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, 160012, India
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Basaia S, Agosta F, Cividini C, Trojsi F, Riva N, Spinelli EG, Moglia C, Femiano C, Castelnovo V, Canu E, Falzone Y, Monsurrò MR, Falini A, Chiò A, Tedeschi G, Filippi M. Structural and functional brain connectome in motor neuron diseases: A multicenter MRI study. Neurology 2020; 95:e2552-e2564. [PMID: 32913015 PMCID: PMC7682834 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000010731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate structural and functional neural organization in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), and progressive muscular atrophy (PMA). METHODS A total of 173 patients with sporadic ALS, 38 patients with PLS, 28 patients with PMA, and 79 healthy controls were recruited from 3 Italian centers. Participants underwent clinical, neuropsychological, and brain MRI evaluations. Using graph analysis and connectomics, global and lobar topologic network properties and regional structural and functional brain connectivity were assessed. The association between structural and functional network organization and clinical and cognitive data was investigated. RESULTS Compared with healthy controls, patients with ALS and patients with PLS showed altered structural global network properties, as well as local topologic alterations and decreased structural connectivity in sensorimotor, basal ganglia, frontal, and parietal areas. Patients with PMA showed preserved global structure. Patient groups did not show significant alterations of functional network topologic properties relative to controls. Increased local functional connectivity was observed in patients with ALS in the precentral, middle, and superior frontal areas, and in patients with PLS in the sensorimotor, basal ganglia, and temporal networks. In patients with ALS and patients with PLS, structural connectivity alterations correlated with motor impairment, whereas functional connectivity disruption was closely related to executive dysfunction and behavioral disturbances. CONCLUSIONS This multicenter study showed widespread motor and extramotor network degeneration in ALS and PLS, suggesting that graph analysis and connectomics might represent a powerful approach to detect upper motor neuron degeneration, extramotor brain changes, and network reorganization associated with the disease. Network-based advanced MRI provides an objective in vivo assessment of motor neuron diseases, delivering potential prognostic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Basaia
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, (S.B., F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., E.C., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R.), Neurology Unit (Y.F., M.F.), Neurophysiology Unit (M.F.), and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (A.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., Y.F., A.F., M.F.), Milan; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (F.T., C.F., M.R.M., G.T.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples; and ALS Center (C.M., A.C.), "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Agosta
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, (S.B., F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., E.C., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R.), Neurology Unit (Y.F., M.F.), Neurophysiology Unit (M.F.), and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (A.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., Y.F., A.F., M.F.), Milan; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (F.T., C.F., M.R.M., G.T.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples; and ALS Center (C.M., A.C.), "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Camilla Cividini
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, (S.B., F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., E.C., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R.), Neurology Unit (Y.F., M.F.), Neurophysiology Unit (M.F.), and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (A.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., Y.F., A.F., M.F.), Milan; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (F.T., C.F., M.R.M., G.T.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples; and ALS Center (C.M., A.C.), "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Trojsi
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, (S.B., F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., E.C., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R.), Neurology Unit (Y.F., M.F.), Neurophysiology Unit (M.F.), and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (A.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., Y.F., A.F., M.F.), Milan; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (F.T., C.F., M.R.M., G.T.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples; and ALS Center (C.M., A.C.), "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Nilo Riva
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, (S.B., F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., E.C., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R.), Neurology Unit (Y.F., M.F.), Neurophysiology Unit (M.F.), and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (A.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., Y.F., A.F., M.F.), Milan; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (F.T., C.F., M.R.M., G.T.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples; and ALS Center (C.M., A.C.), "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Edoardo G Spinelli
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, (S.B., F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., E.C., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R.), Neurology Unit (Y.F., M.F.), Neurophysiology Unit (M.F.), and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (A.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., Y.F., A.F., M.F.), Milan; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (F.T., C.F., M.R.M., G.T.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples; and ALS Center (C.M., A.C.), "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, (S.B., F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., E.C., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R.), Neurology Unit (Y.F., M.F.), Neurophysiology Unit (M.F.), and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (A.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., Y.F., A.F., M.F.), Milan; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (F.T., C.F., M.R.M., G.T.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples; and ALS Center (C.M., A.C.), "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Cinzia Femiano
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, (S.B., F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., E.C., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R.), Neurology Unit (Y.F., M.F.), Neurophysiology Unit (M.F.), and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (A.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., Y.F., A.F., M.F.), Milan; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (F.T., C.F., M.R.M., G.T.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples; and ALS Center (C.M., A.C.), "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Veronica Castelnovo
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, (S.B., F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., E.C., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R.), Neurology Unit (Y.F., M.F.), Neurophysiology Unit (M.F.), and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (A.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., Y.F., A.F., M.F.), Milan; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (F.T., C.F., M.R.M., G.T.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples; and ALS Center (C.M., A.C.), "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Elisa Canu
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, (S.B., F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., E.C., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R.), Neurology Unit (Y.F., M.F.), Neurophysiology Unit (M.F.), and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (A.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., Y.F., A.F., M.F.), Milan; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (F.T., C.F., M.R.M., G.T.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples; and ALS Center (C.M., A.C.), "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Yuri Falzone
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, (S.B., F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., E.C., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R.), Neurology Unit (Y.F., M.F.), Neurophysiology Unit (M.F.), and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (A.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., Y.F., A.F., M.F.), Milan; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (F.T., C.F., M.R.M., G.T.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples; and ALS Center (C.M., A.C.), "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Monsurrò
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, (S.B., F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., E.C., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R.), Neurology Unit (Y.F., M.F.), Neurophysiology Unit (M.F.), and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (A.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., Y.F., A.F., M.F.), Milan; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (F.T., C.F., M.R.M., G.T.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples; and ALS Center (C.M., A.C.), "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Falini
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, (S.B., F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., E.C., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R.), Neurology Unit (Y.F., M.F.), Neurophysiology Unit (M.F.), and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (A.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., Y.F., A.F., M.F.), Milan; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (F.T., C.F., M.R.M., G.T.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples; and ALS Center (C.M., A.C.), "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Adriano Chiò
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, (S.B., F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., E.C., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R.), Neurology Unit (Y.F., M.F.), Neurophysiology Unit (M.F.), and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (A.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., Y.F., A.F., M.F.), Milan; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (F.T., C.F., M.R.M., G.T.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples; and ALS Center (C.M., A.C.), "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Gioacchino Tedeschi
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, (S.B., F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., E.C., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R.), Neurology Unit (Y.F., M.F.), Neurophysiology Unit (M.F.), and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (A.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., Y.F., A.F., M.F.), Milan; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (F.T., C.F., M.R.M., G.T.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples; and ALS Center (C.M., A.C.), "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy
| | - Massimo Filippi
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, (S.B., F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., E.C., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R.), Neurology Unit (Y.F., M.F.), Neurophysiology Unit (M.F.), and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (A.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (F.A., C.C., E.G.S., V.C., Y.F., A.F., M.F.), Milan; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (F.T., C.F., M.R.M., G.T.), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples; and ALS Center (C.M., A.C.), "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy.
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Mironovich O, Dadali E, Malmberg S, Markova T, Ryzhkova O, Poliakov A. Identification of a Novel de Novo Variant in the SYT2 Gene Causing a Rare Type of Distal Hereditary Motor Neuropathy. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11111238. [PMID: 33105646 PMCID: PMC7690400 DOI: 10.3390/genes11111238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: To report the first de novo missense mutation in the SYT2 gene causing distal hereditary motor neuropathy. Methods: Genetic testing was carried out, including clinical exome sequencing for the proband and Sanger sequencing for the proband and his parents. We described the clinical and electrophysiological features found in the patient. Results: We reported a proband with a new de novo missense mutation, c.917C>T (p.Ser306Leu), in the C2B domain of SYT2. The clinical presentation was similar to that of phenotypes described in previous studies. A notable feature in our study was normal electrophysiological testing results of the patient. Conclusions: In this study we reinforced the association between SYT2 mutations and distal hereditary motor neuropathy. We also described the clinical presentation of the patient carrying this pathogenic variant and provided unusual results of electrophysiological testing. The results showed that a diagnosis of SYT2-associated neuropathy should be based on the similarity of clinical manifestations, rather than the results of electrophysiological testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Mironovich
- Federal State Budgetary Institution “Research Centre For Medical Genetics”, Moscow 115478, Russia; (E.D.); (T.M.); (O.R.); (A.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-909-687-3104
| | - Elena Dadali
- Federal State Budgetary Institution “Research Centre For Medical Genetics”, Moscow 115478, Russia; (E.D.); (T.M.); (O.R.); (A.P.)
| | - Sergey Malmberg
- Federal State Budget Healthcare Institution “Central Children Clinical Hospital” at FMBA of Russia, Moscow 115409, Russia;
| | - Tatyana Markova
- Federal State Budgetary Institution “Research Centre For Medical Genetics”, Moscow 115478, Russia; (E.D.); (T.M.); (O.R.); (A.P.)
| | - Oxana Ryzhkova
- Federal State Budgetary Institution “Research Centre For Medical Genetics”, Moscow 115478, Russia; (E.D.); (T.M.); (O.R.); (A.P.)
| | - Aleksander Poliakov
- Federal State Budgetary Institution “Research Centre For Medical Genetics”, Moscow 115478, Russia; (E.D.); (T.M.); (O.R.); (A.P.)
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Lauria F, Bernabò P, Tebaldi T, Groen EJN, Perenthaler E, Maniscalco F, Rossi A, Donzel D, Clamer M, Marchioretto M, Omersa N, Orri J, Dalla Serra M, Anderluh G, Quattrone A, Inga A, Gillingwater TH, Viero G. SMN-primed ribosomes modulate the translation of transcripts related to spinal muscular atrophy. Nat Cell Biol 2020; 22:1239-1251. [PMID: 32958857 PMCID: PMC7610479 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-020-00577-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The contribution of ribosome heterogeneity and ribosome-associated proteins to the molecular control of proteomes in health and disease remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that survival motor neuron (SMN) protein-the loss of which causes the neuromuscular disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)-binds to ribosomes and that this interaction is tissue-dependent. SMN-primed ribosomes are preferentially positioned within the first five codons of a set of mRNAs that are enriched for translational enhancer sequences in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) and rare codons at the beginning of their coding sequence. These SMN-specific mRNAs are associated with neurogenesis, lipid metabolism, ubiquitination, chromatin regulation and translation. Loss of SMN induces ribosome depletion, especially at the beginning of the coding sequence of SMN-specific mRNAs, leading to impairment of proteins that are involved in motor neuron function and stability, including acetylcholinesterase. Thus, SMN plays a crucial role in the regulation of ribosome fluxes along mRNAs encoding proteins that are relevant to SMA pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Lauria
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR Unit at Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Paola Bernabò
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR Unit at Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Toma Tebaldi
- Department CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ewout Joan Nicolaas Groen
- Edinburgh Medical School, Biomedical Sciences & Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Elena Perenthaler
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR Unit at Trento, Trento, Italy
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Federica Maniscalco
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR Unit at Trento, Trento, Italy
- Department CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | | | - Deborah Donzel
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR Unit at Trento, Trento, Italy
| | | | | | - Neža Omersa
- National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Julia Orri
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR Unit at Trento, Trento, Italy
- La Fundació Jesuïtes Educació, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Alberto Inga
- Department CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Thomas Henry Gillingwater
- Edinburgh Medical School, Biomedical Sciences & Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Viollet LM, Swoboda KJ, Mao R, Best H, Ha Y, Toutain A, Guyant-Marechal L, Laroche-Raynaud C, Ghorab K, Barthez MA, Pedespan JM, Hernandorena X, Lia AS, Deleuze JF, Masson C, Nelson I, Nectoux J, Si Y. A novel pathogenic variant in DYNC1H1 causes various upper and lower motor neuron anomalies. Eur J Med Genet 2020; 63:104063. [PMID: 32947049 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2020.104063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To perform genotype-phenotype, clinical and molecular analysis in a large 3-generation family with autosomal dominant congenital spinal muscular atrophy. METHODS Using a combined genetic approach including whole genome scanning, next generation sequencing-based multigene panel, whole genome sequencing, and targeted variant Sanger sequencing, we studied the proband and multiple affected individuals of this family who presented bilateral proximal lower limb muscle weakness and atrophy. RESULTS We identified a novel heterozygous variant, c.1826T > C; p.Ile609Thr, in the DYNC1H1 gene localized within the common haplotype in the 14q32.3 chromosomal region which cosegregated with disease in this large family. Within the family, affected individuals were found to have a wide array of clinical variability. Although some individuals presented the typical lower motor neuron phenotype with areflexia and denervation, others presented with muscle weakness and atrophy, hyperreflexia, and absence of denervation suggesting a predominant upper motor neuron disease. In addition, some affected individuals presented with an intermediate phenotype characterized by hyperreflexia and denervation, expressing a combination of lower and upper motor neuron defects. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates the wide clinical variability associated with a single disease causing variant in DYNC1H1 gene and this variant demonstrated a high penetrance within this large family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis M Viollet
- Pediatric Motor Disorders Research Program and Department of Medical Genetics/Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Kathryn J Swoboda
- Pediatric Motor Disorders Research Program, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Rong Mao
- ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, ARUP Laboratories and Departments of Pathology and Medical Genetics/Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Hunter Best
- ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, ARUP Laboratories and Departments of Pathology and Medical Genetics/Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Youna Ha
- ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Anne-Sophie Lia
- Biochimie et Genetique Moleculaire, Hopital Dupuytren, Limoges, France.
| | | | - Cecile Masson
- Institut Imagine, Hopital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France.
| | | | - Juliette Nectoux
- Biochimie et Genetique Moleculaire, Hopital Cochin, Paris, France.
| | - Yue Si
- ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, ARUP Laboratories and Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Clinical Genomics Program, GeneDx, MD, USA.
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Nichterwitz S, Nijssen J, Storvall H, Schweingruber C, Comley LH, Allodi I, Lee MVD, Deng Q, Sandberg R, Hedlund E. LCM-seq reveals unique transcriptional adaptation mechanisms of resistant neurons and identifies protective pathways in spinal muscular atrophy. Genome Res 2020; 30:1083-1096. [PMID: 32820007 PMCID: PMC7462070 DOI: 10.1101/gr.265017.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Somatic motor neurons are selectively vulnerable in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which is caused by a deficiency of the ubiquitously expressed survival of motor neuron protein. However, some motor neuron groups, including oculomotor and trochlear (ocular), which innervate eye muscles, are for unknown reasons spared. To reveal mechanisms of vulnerability and resistance in SMA, we investigate the transcriptional dynamics in discrete neuronal populations using laser capture microdissection coupled with RNA sequencing (LCM-seq). Using gene correlation network analysis, we reveal a TRP53-mediated stress response that is intrinsic to all somatic motor neurons independent of their vulnerability, but absent in relatively resistant red nucleus and visceral motor neurons. However, the temporal and spatial expression analysis across neuron types shows that the majority of SMA-induced modulations are cell type-specific. Using Gene Ontology and protein network analyses, we show that ocular motor neurons present unique disease-adaptation mechanisms that could explain their resilience. Specifically, ocular motor neurons up-regulate (1) Syt1, Syt5, and Cplx2, which modulate neurotransmitter release; (2) the neuronal survival factors Gdf15, Chl1, and Lif; (3) Aldh4, that protects cells from oxidative stress; and (4) the caspase inhibitor Pak4. Finally, we show that GDF15 can rescue vulnerable human spinal motor neurons from degeneration. This confirms that adaptation mechanisms identified in resilient neurons can be used to reduce susceptibility of vulnerable neurons. In conclusion, this in-depth longitudinal transcriptomics analysis in SMA reveals novel cell type-specific changes that, alone and combined, present compelling targets, including Gdf15, for future gene therapy studies aimed toward preserving vulnerable motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jik Nijssen
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helena Storvall
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Laura Helen Comley
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ilary Allodi
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mirjam van der Lee
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Qiaolin Deng
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rickard Sandberg
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Hedlund
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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Lin YL, Lin YW, Nhieu J, Zhang X, Wei LN. Sonic Hedgehog-Gli1 Signaling and Cellular Retinoic Acid Binding Protein 1 Gene Regulation in Motor Neuron Differentiation and Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114125. [PMID: 32527063 PMCID: PMC7312406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 1 (CRABP1) is highly expressed in motor neurons. Degenerated motor neuron-like MN1 cells are engineered by introducing SODG93A or AR-65Q to model degenerated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spinal bulbar muscular atrophy neurons. Retinoic acid (RA)/sonic hedgehog (Shh)-induced embryonic stem cells differentiation into motor neurons are employed to study up-regulation of Crabp1 by Shh. In SODG93A or AR-65Q MN1 neurons, CRABP1 level is reduced, revealing a correlation of motor neuron degeneration with Crabp1 down-regulation. Up-regulation of Crabp1 by Shh is mediated by glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1) that binds the Gli target sequence in Crabp1′s neuron-specific regulatory region upstream of minimal promoter. Gli1 binding triggers chromatin juxtaposition with minimal promoter, activating transcription. Motor neuron differentiation and Crabp1 up-regulation are both inhibited by blunting Shh with Gli inhibitor GANT61. Expression data mining of ALS and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) motor neurons shows reduced CRABP1, coincided with reduction in Shh-Gli1 signaling components. This study reports motor neuron degeneration correlated with down-regulation in Crabp1 and Shh-Gli signaling. Shh-Gli up-regulation of Crabp1 involves specific chromatin remodeling. The physiological and pathological implication of this regulatory pathway in motor neuron degeneration is supported by gene expression data of ALS and SMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Li-Na Wei
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-612-6259402
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Farias J, Holt CE, Sotelo JR, Sotelo-Silveira JR. Axon microdissection and transcriptome profiling reveals the in vivo RNA content of fully differentiated myelinated motor axons. RNA 2020; 26:595-612. [PMID: 32051223 PMCID: PMC7161357 DOI: 10.1261/rna.073700.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Axonal protein synthesis has been shown to play a role in developmental and regenerative growth, as well as in the maintenance of the axoplasm in a steady state. Recent studies have begun to identify the mRNAs localized in axons, which could be translated locally under different conditions. Despite that by now hundreds or thousands of mRNAs have been shown to be localized into the axonal compartment of cultured neurons in vitro, knowledge of which mRNAs are localized in mature myelinated axons is quite limited. With the purpose of characterizing the transcriptome of mature myelinated motor axons of peripheral nervous systems, we modified the axon microdissection method devised by Koenig, enabling the isolation of the axoplasm RNA to perform RNA-seq analysis. The transcriptome analysis indicates that the number of RNAs detected in mature axons is lower in comparison with in vitro data, depleted of glial markers, and enriched in neuronal markers. The mature myelinated axons are enriched for mRNAs related to cytoskeleton, translation, and oxidative phosphorylation. Moreover, it was possible to define core genes present in axons when comparing our data with transcriptomic data of axons grown in different conditions. This work provides evidence that axon microdissection is a valuable method to obtain genome-wide data from mature and myelinated axons of the peripheral nervous system, and could be especially useful for the study of axonal involvement in neurodegenerative pathologies of motor neurons such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophies (SMA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquina Farias
- Departamento de Genómica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay
- Departamento de Proteínas y Ácidos Nucléicos, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay
| | - Christine E Holt
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, United Kingdom
| | - José R Sotelo
- Departamento de Proteínas y Ácidos Nucléicos, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay
| | - José R Sotelo-Silveira
- Departamento de Genómica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay
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Chivet M, Marchioretti C, Pirazzini M, Piol D, Scaramuzzino C, Polanco MJ, Romanello V, Zuccaro E, Parodi S, D’Antonio M, Rinaldi C, Sambataro F, Pegoraro E, Soraru G, Pandey UB, Sandri M, Basso M, Pennuto M. Polyglutamine-Expanded Androgen Receptor Alteration of Skeletal Muscle Homeostasis and Myonuclear Aggregation Are Affected by Sex, Age and Muscle Metabolism. Cells 2020; 9:cells9020325. [PMID: 32019272 PMCID: PMC7072234 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) expansions in the androgen receptor (AR) gene cause spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), a neuromuscular disease characterized by lower motor neuron (MN) loss and skeletal muscle atrophy, with an unknown mechanism. We generated new mouse models of SBMA for constitutive and inducible expression of mutant AR and performed biochemical, histological and functional analyses of phenotype. We show that polyQ-expanded AR causes motor dysfunction, premature death, IIb-to-IIa/IIx fiber-type change, glycolytic-to-oxidative fiber-type switching, upregulation of atrogenes and autophagy genes and mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle, together with signs of muscle denervation at late stage of disease. PolyQ expansions in the AR resulted in nuclear enrichment. Within the nucleus, mutant AR formed 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-resistant aggregates and inclusion bodies in myofibers, but not spinal cord and brainstem, in a process exacerbated by age and sex. Finally, we found that two-week induction of expression of polyQ-expanded AR in adult mice was sufficient to cause premature death, body weight loss and muscle atrophy, but not aggregation, metabolic alterations, motor coordination and fiber-type switch, indicating that expression of the disease protein in the adulthood is sufficient to recapitulate several, but not all SBMA manifestations in mice. These results imply that chronic expression of polyQ-expanded AR, i.e. during development and prepuberty, is key to induce the full SBMA muscle pathology observed in patients. Our data support a model whereby chronic expression of polyQ-expanded AR triggers muscle atrophy through toxic (neomorphic) gain of function mechanisms distinct from normal (hypermorphic) gain of function mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Chivet
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (M.C.); (D.P.); (M.J.P.)
| | - Caterina Marchioretti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DBS), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (M.P.); (V.R.); (E.Z.); (M.S.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Pirazzini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DBS), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (M.P.); (V.R.); (E.Z.); (M.S.)
- Myology Center (Cir-Myo), University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy; (E.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Diana Piol
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (M.C.); (D.P.); (M.J.P.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DBS), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (M.P.); (V.R.); (E.Z.); (M.S.)
| | - Chiara Scaramuzzino
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy; (C.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Maria Josè Polanco
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (M.C.); (D.P.); (M.J.P.)
| | - Vanina Romanello
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DBS), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (M.P.); (V.R.); (E.Z.); (M.S.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy
- Myology Center (Cir-Myo), University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy; (E.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Emanuela Zuccaro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DBS), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (M.P.); (V.R.); (E.Z.); (M.S.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy
| | - Sara Parodi
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy; (C.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Maurizio D’Antonio
- Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Carlo Rinaldi
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, OX1 3QX Oxford, UK;
| | - Fabio Sambataro
- Department of Neuroscience (DNS), University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
- Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - Elena Pegoraro
- Myology Center (Cir-Myo), University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy; (E.P.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience (DNS), University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
- Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - Gianni Soraru
- Myology Center (Cir-Myo), University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy; (E.P.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience (DNS), University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
- Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - Udai Bhan Pandey
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA;
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Marco Sandri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DBS), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (M.P.); (V.R.); (E.Z.); (M.S.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy
- Myology Center (Cir-Myo), University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy; (E.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Manuela Basso
- Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy;
| | - Maria Pennuto
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (M.C.); (D.P.); (M.J.P.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DBS), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (M.P.); (V.R.); (E.Z.); (M.S.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy
- Myology Center (Cir-Myo), University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy; (E.P.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy; (C.S.); (S.P.)
- Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), 35100 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39 049 8276069
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Šoltić D, Shorrock HK, Allardyce H, Wilson EL, Holt I, Synowsky SA, Shirran SL, Parson SH, Gillingwater TH, Fuller HR. Lamin A/C dysregulation contributes to cardiac pathology in a mouse model of severe spinal muscular atrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:3515-3527. [PMID: 31397869 PMCID: PMC6927462 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac pathology is emerging as a prominent systemic feature of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), but little is known about the underlying molecular pathways. Using quantitative proteomics analysis, we demonstrate widespread molecular defects in heart tissue from the Taiwanese mouse model of severe SMA. We identify increased levels of lamin A/C as a robust molecular phenotype in the heart of SMA mice and show that lamin A/C dysregulation is also apparent in SMA patient fibroblast cells and other tissues from SMA mice. Lamin A/C expression was regulated in vitro by knockdown of the E1 ubiquitination factor ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme 1, a key downstream mediator of SMN-dependent disease pathways, converging on β-catenin signaling. Increased levels of lamin A are known to increase the rigidity of nuclei, inevitably disrupting contractile activity in cardiomyocytes. The increased lamin A/C levels in the hearts of SMA mice therefore provide a likely mechanism explaining morphological and functional cardiac defects, leading to blood pooling. Therapeutic strategies directed at lamin A/C may therefore offer a new approach to target cardiac pathology in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darija Šoltić
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK
- Wolfson Centre for Inherited Neuromuscular Disease, RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry SY10 7AG, UK
| | - Hannah K Shorrock
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Hazel Allardyce
- Institute of Education for Medical and Dental Science, College of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Emma L Wilson
- Chester Medical School, University of Chester, Chester CH1 4BJ, UK
| | - Ian Holt
- Wolfson Centre for Inherited Neuromuscular Disease, RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry SY10 7AG, UK
| | - Silvia A Synowsky
- BSRC Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Sally L Shirran
- BSRC Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Simon H Parson
- Institute of Education for Medical and Dental Science, College of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Thomas H Gillingwater
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Heidi R Fuller
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK
- Wolfson Centre for Inherited Neuromuscular Disease, RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry SY10 7AG, UK
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37
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Ramos DM, d’Ydewalle C, Gabbeta V, Dakka A, Klein SK, Norris DA, Matson J, Taylor SJ, Zaworski PG, Prior TW, Snyder PJ, Valdivia D, Hatem CL, Waters I, Gupte N, Swoboda KJ, Rigo F, Bennett CF, Naryshkin N, Paushkin S, Crawford TO, Sumner CJ. Age-dependent SMN expression in disease-relevant tissue and implications for SMA treatment. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:4817-4831. [PMID: 31589162 PMCID: PMC6819103 DOI: 10.1172/jci124120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by deficient expression of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. New SMN-enhancing therapeutics are associated with variable clinical benefits. Limited knowledge of baseline and drug-induced SMN levels in disease-relevant tissues hinders efforts to optimize these treatments.METHODSSMN mRNA and protein levels were quantified in human tissues isolated during expedited autopsies.RESULTSSMN protein expression varied broadly among prenatal control spinal cord samples, but was restricted at relatively low levels in controls and SMA patients after 3 months of life. A 2.3-fold perinatal decrease in median SMN protein levels was not paralleled by comparable changes in SMN mRNA. In tissues isolated from nusinersen-treated SMA patients, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) concentration and full-length (exon 7 including) SMN2 (SMN2-FL) mRNA level increases were highest in lumbar and thoracic spinal cord. An increased number of cells showed SMN immunolabeling in spinal cord of treated patients, but was not associated with an increase in whole-tissue SMN protein levels.CONCLUSIONSA normally occurring perinatal decrease in whole-tissue SMN protein levels supports efforts to initiate SMN-inducing therapies as soon after birth as possible. Limited ASO distribution to rostral spinal and brain regions in some patients likely limits clinical response of motor units in these regions for those patients. These results have important implications for optimizing treatment of SMA patients and warrant further investigations to enhance bioavailability of intrathecally administered ASOs.FUNDINGSMA Foundation, SMART, NIH (R01-NS096770, R01-NS062869), Ionis Pharmaceuticals, and PTC Therapeutics. Biogen provided support for absolute real-time RT-PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Constantin d’Ydewalle
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Amal Dakka
- PTC Therapeutics, South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
| | | | | | - John Matson
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, California, USA
| | | | | | - Thomas W. Prior
- Center for Human Genetics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Pamela J. Snyder
- Department of Pathology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - David Valdivia
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christine L. Hatem
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ian Waters
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, and
| | - Nikhil Gupte
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kathryn J. Swoboda
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Frank Rigo
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Thomas O. Crawford
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Charlotte J. Sumner
- Department of Neuroscience and
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Ando S, Funato M, Ohuchi K, Inagaki S, Sato A, Seki J, Kawase C, Saito T, Nishio H, Nakamura S, Shimazawa M, Kaneko H, Hara H. The Protective Effects of Levetiracetam on a Human iPSCs-Derived Spinal Muscular Atrophy Model. Neurochem Res 2019; 44:1773-1779. [PMID: 31102025 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-019-02814-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited disease characterized by progressive motor neuron death and subsequent muscle weakness and is caused by deletion or mutation of survival motor neuron (SMN) 1 gene. Protecting spinal motor neuron is an effective clinical strategy for SMA. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential effect of an anti-epileptic drug levetiracetam on SMA. In the present study, we used differentiated spinal motor neurons (MNs) from SMA patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (SMA-iPSCs) to investigate the effect of levetiracetam. Levetiracetam promoted neurite elongation in SMA-iPSCs-MNs. TUNEL-positive spinal motor neurons were significantly reduced by levetiracetam in SMA-iPSCs-MNs. In addition, the expression level of cleaved-caspase 3 was decreased by levetiracetam in SMA-iPSCs-MNs. Furthermore, levetiracetam improved impaired mitochondrial function in SMA-iPSCs-MNs. On the other hand, levetiracetam did not affect the expression level of SMN protein in SMA-iPSCs-MNs. These findings indicate that levetiracetam has a neuroprotective effect for SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiori Ando
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Michinori Funato
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Kazuki Ohuchi
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Satoshi Inagaki
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Arisu Sato
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Junko Seki
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Chizuru Kawase
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Toshio Saito
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization, Toneyama National Hospital, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hisahide Nishio
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Nakamura
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan
| | - Masamitsu Shimazawa
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan
| | - Hideo Kaneko
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hideaki Hara
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan.
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Kondo N, Tohnai G, Sahashi K, Iida M, Kataoka M, Nakatsuji H, Tsutsumi Y, Hashizume A, Adachi H, Koike H, Shinjo K, Kondo Y, Sobue G, Katsuno M. DNA methylation inhibitor attenuates polyglutamine-induced neurodegeneration by regulating Hes5. EMBO Mol Med 2019; 11:e8547. [PMID: 30940675 PMCID: PMC6505579 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201708547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a polyglutamine-mediated neuromuscular disease caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. While transcriptional dysregulation is known to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of SBMA, the underlying molecular pathomechanisms remain unclear. DNA methylation is a fundamental epigenetic modification that silences the transcription of various genes that have a CpG-rich promoter. Here, we showed that DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) is highly expressed in the spinal motor neurons of an SBMA mouse model and in patients with SBMA. Both genetic Dnmt1 depletion and treatment with RG108, a DNA methylation inhibitor, ameliorated the viability of SBMA model cells. Furthermore, a continuous intracerebroventricular injection of RG108 mitigated the phenotype of SBMA mice. DNA methylation array analysis identified hairy and enhancer of split 5 (Hes5) as having a CpG island with hyper-methylation in the promoter region, and the Hes5 expression was strongly silenced in SBMA. Moreover, Hes5 over-expression rescued the SBMA cells possibly by inducing Smad2 phosphorylation. Our findings suggest DNA hyper-methylation underlies the neurodegeneration in SBMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naohide Kondo
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Genki Tohnai
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kentaro Sahashi
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Madoka Iida
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Mayumi Kataoka
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hideaki Nakatsuji
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yutaka Tsutsumi
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hashizume
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Adachi
- Department of Neurology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health School of Medicine, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Haruki Koike
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Keiko Shinjo
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kondo
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Gen Sobue
- Research Division of Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahisa Katsuno
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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Gulino R, Vicario N, Giunta MAS, Spoto G, Calabrese G, Vecchio M, Gulisano M, Leanza G, Parenti R. Neuromuscular Plasticity in a Mouse Neurotoxic Model of Spinal Motoneuronal Loss. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061500. [PMID: 30917493 PMCID: PMC6471664 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the relevant research efforts, the causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are still unknown and no effective cure is available. Many authors suggest that ALS is a multi-system disease caused by a network failure instead of a cell-autonomous pathology restricted to motoneurons. Although motoneuronal loss is the critical hallmark of ALS given their specific vulnerability, other cell populations, including muscle and glial cells, are involved in disease onset and progression, but unraveling their specific role and crosstalk requires further investigation. In particular, little is known about the plastic changes of the degenerating motor system. These spontaneous compensatory processes are unable to halt the disease progression, but their elucidation and possible use as a therapeutic target represents an important aim of ALS research. Genetic animal models of disease represent useful tools to validate proven hypotheses or to test potential therapies, and the conception of novel hypotheses about ALS causes or the study of pathogenic mechanisms may be advantaged by the use of relatively simple in vivo models recapitulating specific aspects of the disease, thus avoiding the inclusion of too many confounding factors in an experimental setting. Here, we used a neurotoxic model of spinal motoneuron depletion induced by injection of cholera toxin-B saporin in the gastrocnemius muscle to investigate the possible occurrence of compensatory changes in both the muscle and spinal cord. The results showed that, following the lesion, the skeletal muscle became atrophic and displayed electromyographic activity similar to that observed in ALS patients. Moreover, the changes in muscle fiber morphology were different from that observed in ALS models, thus suggesting that some muscular effects of disease may be primary effects instead of being simply caused by denervation. Notably, we found plastic changes in the surviving motoneurons that can produce a functional restoration probably similar to the compensatory changes occurring in disease. These changes could be at least partially driven by glutamatergic signaling, and astrocytes contacting the surviving motoneurons may support this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Gulino
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy.
| | - Nunzio Vicario
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy.
| | - Maria A S Giunta
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy.
| | - Graziana Spoto
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Calabrese
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy.
| | - Michele Vecchio
- Rehabilitation Unit, "AOU Policlinico Vittorio Emanuele" and Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy.
| | - Massimo Gulisano
- Laboratory of Synthetic and Systems Biology, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95125, Italy.
| | - Giampiero Leanza
- Laboratory of Neurogenesis and Repair, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95125, Italy.
| | - Rosalba Parenti
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy.
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Abstract
Targeting RNA drastically expands our target space to therapeutically modulate numerous cellular processes implicated in human diseases. Of particular interest, drugging pre-mRNA splicing appears a very viable strategy; to control levels of splicing product by promoting the inclusion or exclusion of exons. After describing the concept of "splicing modulation", this chapter will cover the outstanding progress achieved in this field, by highlighting the breakthrough accomplished recently for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy using two therapeutic modalities: splice switching oligonucleotides and small molecules. This review discusses the vital but feasible requirement for such drugs to deliver selectivity, and critical safety aspects are highlighted. Transformational medicines such as those developed to treat SMA are likely just the beginning of this story.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasane Ratni
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Lutz Mueller
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Ebeling
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Poirier A, Weetall M, Heinig K, Bucheli F, Schoenlein K, Alsenz J, Bassett S, Ullah M, Senn C, Ratni H, Naryshkin N, Paushkin S, Mueller L. Risdiplam distributes and increases SMN protein in both the central nervous system and peripheral organs. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2018; 6:e00447. [PMID: 30519476 PMCID: PMC6262736 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare, inherited neuromuscular disease caused by deletion and/or mutation of the Survival of Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. A second gene, SMN2, produces low levels of functional SMN protein that are insufficient to fully compensate for the lack of SMN1. Risdiplam (RG7916; RO7034067) is an orally administered, small-molecule SMN2 pre-mRNA splicing modifier that distributes into the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral tissues. To further explore risdiplam distribution, we assessed in vitro characteristics and in vivo drug levels and effect of risdiplam on SMN protein expression in different tissues in animal models. Total drug levels were similar in plasma, muscle, and brain of mice (n = 90), rats (n = 148), and monkeys (n = 24). As expected mechanistically based on its high passive permeability and not being a human multidrug resistance protein 1 substrate, risdiplam CSF levels reflected free compound concentration in plasma in monkeys. Tissue distribution remained unchanged when monkeys received risdiplam once daily for 39 weeks. A parallel dose-dependent increase in SMN protein levels was seen in CNS and peripheral tissues in two SMA mouse models dosed with risdiplam. These in vitro and in vivo preclinical data strongly suggest that functional SMN protein increases seen in patients' blood following risdiplam treatment should reflect similar increases in functional SMN protein in the CNS, muscle, and other peripheral tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnès Poirier
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | | | - Katja Heinig
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | - Franz Bucheli
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | - Kerstin Schoenlein
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | - Jochem Alsenz
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | - Simon Bassett
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | - Mohammed Ullah
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | - Claudia Senn
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | - Hasane Ratni
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
| | | | | | - Lutz Mueller
- Roche Pharma Research and Early DevelopmentRoche Innovation CenterBaselSwitzerland
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Custer SK, Foster JN, Astroski JW, Androphy EJ. Abnormal Golgi morphology and decreased COPI function in cells with low levels of SMN. Brain Res 2018; 1706:135-146. [PMID: 30408476 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.11.005] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We report here the finding of abnormal Golgi apparatus morphology in motor neuron like cells depleted of SMN as well as Golgi apparatus morphology in SMA patient fibroblasts. Rescue experiments demonstrate that this abnormality is dependent on SMN, but can also be rescued by expression of the COPI coatomer subunit alpha-COP. A motor neuron-like cell line containing an inducible alpha-COP shRNA was created to generate a parallel system to study knockdown of SMN or alpha-COP. Multiple assays of COPI-dependent intracellular trafficking in cells depleted of SMN demonstrate that alpha-COP function is suboptimal, including failed sequestration of plasma membrane proteins, altered binding of mRNA, and defective targeting and transport of Golgi-resident proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Custer
- Walther Hall, R3 C636, 980 West Walnut Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States.
| | - J N Foster
- Walther Hall, R3 C636, 980 West Walnut Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States.
| | - J W Astroski
- Walther Hall, R3 C636, 980 West Walnut Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States.
| | - E J Androphy
- Walther Hall, R3 C636, 980 West Walnut Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States.
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Chaytow H, Huang YT, Gillingwater TH, Faller KME. The role of survival motor neuron protein (SMN) in protein homeostasis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:3877-3894. [PMID: 29872871 PMCID: PMC6182345 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2849-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [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: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ever since loss of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein was identified as the direct cause of the childhood inherited neurodegenerative disorder spinal muscular atrophy, significant efforts have been made to reveal the molecular functions of this ubiquitously expressed protein. Resulting research demonstrated that SMN plays important roles in multiple fundamental cellular homeostatic pathways, including a well-characterised role in the assembly of the spliceosome and biogenesis of ribonucleoproteins. More recent studies have shown that SMN is also involved in other housekeeping processes, including mRNA trafficking and local translation, cytoskeletal dynamics, endocytosis and autophagy. Moreover, SMN has been shown to influence mitochondria and bioenergetic pathways as well as regulate function of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. In this review, we summarise these diverse functions of SMN, confirming its key role in maintenance of the homeostatic environment of the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Chaytow
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yu-Ting Huang
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Thomas H Gillingwater
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Kiterie M E Faller
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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45
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Gait MJ, Arzumanov AA, McClorey G, Godfrey C, Betts C, Hammond S, Wood MJ. Cell-Penetrating Peptide Conjugates of Steric Blocking Oligonucleotides as Therapeutics for Neuromuscular Diseases from a Historical Perspective to Current Prospects of Treatment. Nucleic Acid Ther 2018; 29:1-12. [PMID: 30307373 PMCID: PMC6386087 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2018.0747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The review starts with a historical perspective of the achievements of the Gait group in synthesis of oligonucleotides (ONs) and their peptide conjugates toward the award of the 2017 Oligonucleotide Therapeutic Society Lifetime Achievement Award. This acts as a prelude to the rewarding collaborative studies in the Gait and Wood research groups aimed toward the enhanced delivery of charge neutral ON drugs and the development of a series of Arg-rich cell-penetrating peptides called Pip (peptide nucleic acid/phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotide [PNA/PMO] internalization peptides) as conjugates of such ONs. In this review we concentrate on these developments toward the treatment of the neuromuscular diseases Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy toward a platform technology for the enhancement of cellular and in vivo delivery suitable for widespread use as neuromuscular and neurodegenerative ON drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Gait
- Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Address correspondence to: Michael J. Gait, PhD, Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Andrey A. Arzumanov
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Graham McClorey
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Godfrey
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Corinne Betts
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Suzan Hammond
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J.A. Wood
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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de la Fuente S, Sansa A, Periyakaruppiah A, Garcera A, Soler RM. Calpain Inhibition Increases SMN Protein in Spinal Cord Motoneurons and Ameliorates the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Phenotype in Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:4414-4427. [PMID: 30327977 PMCID: PMC6505520 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1379-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a leading genetic cause of infant death, is caused by the loss of survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. SMA is characterized by the degeneration and loss of spinal cord motoneurons (MNs), muscular atrophy, and weakness. SMN2 is the centromeric duplication of the SMN gene, whose numbers of copies determine the intracellular levels of SMN protein and define the disease onset and severity. It has been demonstrated that elevating SMN levels can be an important strategy in treating SMA and can be achieved by several mechanisms, including promotion of protein stability. SMN protein is a direct target of the calcium-dependent protease calpain and induces its proteolytic cleavage in muscle cells. In this study, we examined the involvement of calpain in SMN regulation on MNs. In vitro experiments showed that calpain activation induces SMN cleavage in CD1 and SMA mouse spinal cord MNs. Additionally, calpain 1 knockdown or inhibition increased SMN level and prevent neurite degeneration in these cells. We examined the effects of calpain inhibition on the phenotype of two severe SMA mouse models. Treatment with the calpain inhibitor, calpeptin, significantly improved the lifespan and motor function of these mice. Our observations show that calpain regulates SMN level in MNs and calpeptin administration improves SMA phenotype demonstrating the potential utility of calpain inhibitors in SMA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra de la Fuente
- Unitat de Senyalització Neuronal, Department Medicina Experimental, Universitat de Lleida-IRBLleida, Rovira Roure 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Alba Sansa
- Unitat de Senyalització Neuronal, Department Medicina Experimental, Universitat de Lleida-IRBLleida, Rovira Roure 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Ambika Periyakaruppiah
- Unitat de Senyalització Neuronal, Department Medicina Experimental, Universitat de Lleida-IRBLleida, Rovira Roure 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Ana Garcera
- Unitat de Senyalització Neuronal, Department Medicina Experimental, Universitat de Lleida-IRBLleida, Rovira Roure 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Rosa M Soler
- Unitat de Senyalització Neuronal, Department Medicina Experimental, Universitat de Lleida-IRBLleida, Rovira Roure 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain.
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Iyer CC, Corlett KM, Massoni-Laporte A, Duque SI, Madabusi N, Tisdale S, McGovern VL, Le TT, Zaworski PG, Arnold WD, Pellizzoni L, Burghes AHM. Mild SMN missense alleles are only functional in the presence of SMN2 in mammals. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 27:3404-3416. [PMID: 29982416 PMCID: PMC6140769 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by reduced levels of full-length SMN (FL-SMN). In SMA patients with one or two copies of the Survival Motor Neuron 2 (SMN2) gene there are a number of SMN missense mutations that result in milder-than-predicted SMA phenotypes. These mild SMN missense mutation alleles are often assumed to have partial function. However, it is important to consider the contribution of FL-SMN as these missense alleles never occur in the absence of SMN2. We propose that these patients contain a partially functional oligomeric SMN complex consisting of FL-SMN from SMN2 and mutant SMN protein produced from the missense allele. Here we show that mild SMN missense mutations SMND44V, SMNT74I or SMNQ282A alone do not rescue mice lacking wild-type FL-SMN. Thus, missense mutations are not functional in the absence of FL-SMN. In contrast, when the same mild SMN missense mutations are expressed in a mouse containing two SMN2 copies, functional SMN complexes are formed with the small amount of wild-type FL-SMN produced by SMN2 and the SMA phenotype is completely rescued. This contrasts with SMN missense alleles when studied in C. elegans, Drosophila and zebrafish. Here we demonstrate that the heteromeric SMN complex formed with FL-SMN is functional and sufficient to rescue small nuclear ribonucleoprotein assembly, motor neuron function and rescue the SMA mice. We conclude that mild SMN missense alleles are not partially functional but rather they are completely non-functional in the absence of wild-type SMN in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chitra C Iyer
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kaitlyn M Corlett
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Aurélie Massoni-Laporte
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sandra I Duque
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Narasimhan Madabusi
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sarah Tisdale
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vicki L McGovern
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Thanh T Le
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - W David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Livio Pellizzoni
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arthur H M Burghes
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
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Nucleic Acid-Targeted Small Molecules have Therapeutic Potential in the Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Small-molecule drugs that can selectively bind RNA and modulate pre-mRNA splicing have potential as a treatment strategy for human disease, including spinal muscular atrophy. Am J Med Genet A 2018; 176:1698-9. [PMID: 30136439 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.40520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Fasano A, Geroin C, Berardelli A, Bloem BR, Espay AJ, Hallett M, Lang AE, Tinazzi M. Diagnostic criteria for camptocormia in Parkinson's disease: A consensus-based proposal. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2018; 53:53-57. [PMID: 29759930 PMCID: PMC7293065 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Camptocormia is defined as an involuntary, marked flexion of the thoracolumbar spine appearing during standing or walking and resolving in the supine position or when leaning against a wall. However, there is no established agreement on the minimum degree of forward flexion needed to diagnose camptocormia. Likewise, the current definition does not categorize camptocormia on the basis of the bending fulcrum. METHODS We performed a survey among movement disorders experts to identify camptocormia using images of patients with variable degrees and types of forward trunk flexion by fulcrum (upper and lower fulcra). We tested the subsequently generated diagnostic criteria in a sample of 131 consecutive patients referred for evaluation of postural abnormalities. RESULTS Experts reached full consensus on lower camptocormia (L1-Sacrum, hip flexion) with a bending angle ≥30° and upper camptocormia (C7 to T12-L1) with a bending angle ≥45°. This definition detected camptocormia in 9/131 consecutive PD patients (2 upper/7 lower) but excluded camptocormia in 71 patients considered to have camptocormia by the referring neurologist. CONCLUSIONS Camptocormia can be defined as "an involuntary flexion of the spine appearing during standing or walking and resolving in the supine position of at least 30° at the lumbar fulcrum (L1-Sacrum, hip flexion, i.e. lower camptocormia) and/or at least 45° at the thoracic fulcrum (C7 to T12-L1, i.e. upper camptocormia)". Strict criteria for camptocormia are met by 7% of patients with abnormal posture. The ascertainment of upper and lower camptocormia subtypes could improve the validity of epidemiological studies and assist future therapeutic trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Fasano
- Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Christian Geroin
- Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Center (CRRNC), Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
| | - Alfredo Berardelli
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza, University of Rome and IRCCS Neuromed Institute Pozzilli (IS), Italy.
| | - Bastiaan R Bloem
- Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Neurology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Alberto J Espay
- Gardner Family Center for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Mark Hallett
- Human Motor Control Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Anthony E Lang
- Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Michele Tinazzi
- Neurology Unit, Movement Disorders Division, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
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50
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Madaro L, Passafaro M, Sala D, Etxaniz U, Lugarini F, Proietti D, Alfonsi MV, Nicoletti C, Gatto S, De Bardi M, Rojas-García R, Giordani L, Marinelli S, Pagliarini V, Sette C, Sacco A, Puri PL. Denervation-activated STAT3-IL-6 signalling in fibro-adipogenic progenitors promotes myofibres atrophy and fibrosis. Nat Cell Biol 2018; 20:917-927. [PMID: 30050118 PMCID: PMC6145844 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-018-0151-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) are typically activated in response to muscle injury, and establish functional interactions with inflammatory and muscle stem cells (MuSCs) to promote muscle repair. We found that denervation causes progressive accumulation of FAPs, without concomitant infiltration of macrophages and MuSC-mediated regeneration. Denervation-activated FAPs exhibited persistent STAT3 activation and secreted elevated levels of IL-6, which promoted muscle atrophy and fibrosis. FAPs with aberrant activation of STAT3-IL-6 signalling were also found in mouse models of spinal cord injury, spinal muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and in muscles of ALS patients. Inactivation of STAT3-IL-6 signalling in FAPs effectively countered muscle atrophy and fibrosis in mouse models of acute denervation and ALS (SODG93A mice). Activation of pathogenic FAPs following loss of integrity of neuromuscular junctions further illustrates the functional versatility of FAPs in response to homeostatic perturbations and suggests their potential contribution to the pathogenesis of neuromuscular diseases.
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MESH Headings
- Adipogenesis/drug effects
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/metabolism
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/pathology
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/prevention & control
- Animals
- Cardiotoxins
- Cell Line
- Coculture Techniques
- Denervation/methods
- Disease Models, Animal
- Fibrosis
- Humans
- Interleukin-6/antagonists & inhibitors
- Interleukin-6/genetics
- Interleukin-6/metabolism
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Muscular Atrophy/genetics
- Muscular Atrophy/metabolism
- Muscular Atrophy/pathology
- Muscular Atrophy/prevention & control
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/genetics
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/metabolism
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/pathology
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/prevention & control
- Mutation
- Myoblasts, Skeletal/drug effects
- Myoblasts, Skeletal/metabolism
- Myoblasts, Skeletal/pathology
- Neuromuscular Agents/pharmacology
- Quadriceps Muscle/drug effects
- Quadriceps Muscle/innervation
- Quadriceps Muscle/metabolism
- Quadriceps Muscle/pathology
- STAT3 Transcription Factor/antagonists & inhibitors
- STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics
- STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- Sciatic Nerve/surgery
- Signal Transduction
- Spinal Cord Injuries/genetics
- Spinal Cord Injuries/metabolism
- Spinal Cord Injuries/pathology
- Spinal Cord Injuries/prevention & control
- Superoxide Dismutase-1/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magda Passafaro
- IRCCS, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Department of Biology, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - David Sala
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Usue Etxaniz
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Daisy Proietti
- IRCCS, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Nicoletti
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sole Gatto
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Ricardo Rojas-García
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Networked Biomedical Research into Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Giordani
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM UMRS974, CNRS FRE3617, Center for Research in Myology, Paris, France
| | - Sara Marinelli
- CNR - National Research Council, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Roma, Italy
| | - Vittoria Pagliarini
- IRCCS, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Sette
- IRCCS, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Institute Of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Sacco
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Pier Lorenzo Puri
- IRCCS, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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