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Vadla GP, Singh K, Lorson CL, Lorson MA. The contribution and therapeutic implications of IGHMBP2 mutations on IGHMBP2 biochemical activity and ABT1 association. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167091. [PMID: 38403020 PMCID: PMC10999323 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167091] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Mutations within immunoglobulin mu DNA binding protein (IGHMBP2), an RNA-DNA helicase, result in SMA with respiratory distress type I (SMARD1) and Charcot Marie Tooth type 2S (CMT2S). The underlying biochemical mechanism of IGHMBP2 is unknown as well as the functional significance of IGHMBP2 mutations in disease severity. Here we report the biochemical mechanisms of IGHMBP2 disease-causing mutations D565N and H924Y, and their potential impact on therapeutic strategies. The IGHMBP2-D565N mutation has been identified in SMARD1 patients, while the IGHMBP2-H924Y mutation has been identified in CMT2S patients. For the first time, we demonstrate a correlation between the altered IGHMBP2 biochemical activity associated with the D565N and H924Y mutations and disease severity and pathology in patients and our Ighmbp2 mouse models. We show that IGHMBP2 mutations that alter the association with activator of basal transcription (ABT1) impact the ATPase and helicase activities of IGHMBP2 and the association with the 47S pre-rRNA 5' external transcribed spacer. We demonstrate that the D565N mutation impairs IGHMBP2 ATPase and helicase activities consistent with disease pathology. The H924Y mutation alters IGHMBP2 activity to a lesser extent while maintaining association with ABT1. In the context of the compound heterozygous patient, we demonstrate that the total biochemical activity associated with IGHMBP2-D565N and IGHMBP2-H924Y proteins is improved over IGHMBP2-D565N alone. Importantly, we demonstrate that the efficacy of therapeutic applications may vary based on the underlying IGHMBP2 mutations and the relative biochemical activity of the mutant IGHMBP2 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gangadhar P Vadla
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Kamal Singh
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Monique A Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
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Kannan S, Gillespie SW, Picking WL, Picking WD, Lorson CL, Singh K. Inhibitors against DNA Polymerase I Family of Enzymes: Novel Targets and Opportunities. Biology (Basel) 2024; 13:204. [PMID: 38666816 PMCID: PMC11048162 DOI: 10.3390/biology13040204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
DNA polymerases replicate cellular genomes and/or participate in the maintenance of genome integrity. DNA polymerases sharing high sequence homology with E. coli DNA polymerase I (pol I) have been grouped in Family A. Pol I participates in Okazaki fragment maturation and in bacterial genome repair. Since its discovery in 1956, pol I has been extensively studied, primarily to gain deeper insights into the mechanism of DNA replication. As research on DNA polymerases advances, many novel functions of this group of polymerases are being uncovered. For example, human DNA polymerase θ (a Family A DNA pol) has been shown to synthesize DNA using RNA as a template, a function typically attributed to retroviral reverse transcriptase. Increased interest in drug discovery against pol θ has emerged due to its roles in cancer. Likewise, Pol I family enzymes also appear attractive as drug-development targets against microbial infections. Development of antimalarial compounds targeting apicoplast apPOL, an ortholog of Pol I, further extends the targeting of this family of enzymes. Here, we summarize reported drug-development efforts against Family A polymerases and future perspective regarding these enzymes as antibiotic targets. Recently developed techniques, such as artificial intelligence, can be used to facilitate the development of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saathvik Kannan
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (S.K.); (S.W.G.); (W.L.P.); (W.D.P.); (C.L.L.)
| | - Samuel W. Gillespie
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (S.K.); (S.W.G.); (W.L.P.); (W.D.P.); (C.L.L.)
| | - Wendy L. Picking
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (S.K.); (S.W.G.); (W.L.P.); (W.D.P.); (C.L.L.)
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - William D. Picking
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (S.K.); (S.W.G.); (W.L.P.); (W.D.P.); (C.L.L.)
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Christian L. Lorson
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (S.K.); (S.W.G.); (W.L.P.); (W.D.P.); (C.L.L.)
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Kamal Singh
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (S.K.); (S.W.G.); (W.L.P.); (W.D.P.); (C.L.L.)
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Gillespie SW, Reddy AS, Burris DM, Naqvi SH, Byrareddy SN, Lorson CL, Singh K. Islatravir: evaluation of clinical development for HIV and HBV. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:85-93. [PMID: 38235744 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2305130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Islatravir (ISL) is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitor (NRTTI) that inhibits HIV RT through multiple mechanisms. Contrary to all approved NtRTIs, islatravir retains a 3'OH group. In vitro and clinical data show that ISL is an ultrapotent investigational drug with high tolerability. AREAS COVERED The historical development of islatravir and its mechanisms of HIV and HBV inhibition and resistance are covered. Additionally, the outcomes of Phase I and Phase II clinical trials are discussed. EXPERT OPINION Current first-line antiretroviral therapy, preexposure, and postexposure prophylactic interventions are highly effective in maintaining low or undetectable viral load. Despite these measures, an unusually high rate of new infections every year warrants developing novel antivirals that can suppress drug-resistant HIV and improve compliance. ISL, an NRTTI once deemed a long-acting drug, was placed on a clinical hold. The outcome of ongoing clinical trials with a reduced ISL dose will decide its future clinical application. Additionally, MK-8527, which inhibits HIV via same mechanism as that of ISL may supersede ISL. Data on ISL inhibition of HBV are scarce, and preclinical data show dramatically lower ISL efficacy against HBV than currently preferred nucleos(t)ide drugs, indicating that ISL may not be a potent anti-HBV drug.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Athreya S Reddy
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Dana M Burris
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - S Hasan Naqvi
- Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Siddappa N Byrareddy
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Kamal Singh
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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Jean Wilson E, Sirpu Natesh N, Ghadermazi P, Pothuraju R, Prajapati DR, Pandey S, Kaifi JT, Dodam JR, Bryan JN, Lorson CL, Watrelot AA, Foster JM, Mansell TJ, Joshua Chan SH, Batra SK, Subbiah J, Rachagani S. Red Cabbage Juice-Mediated Gut Microbiota Modulation Improves Intestinal Epithelial Homeostasis and Ameliorates Colitis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:539. [PMID: 38203712 PMCID: PMC10778654 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010539] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and can potentially prevent IBD through microbial-derived metabolites, making it a promising therapeutic avenue. Recent evidence suggests that despite an unclear underlying mechanism, red cabbage juice (RCJ) alleviates Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Thus, the study aims to unravel the molecular mechanism by which RCJ modulates the gut microbiota to alleviate DSS-induced colitis in mice. Using C57BL/6J mice, we evaluated RCJ's protective role in DSS-induced colitis through two cycles of 3% DSS. Mice were daily gavaged with PBS or RCJ until the endpoint, and gut microbiota composition was analyzed via shotgun metagenomics. RCJ treatment significantly improved body weight (p ≤ 0.001), survival in mice (p < 0.001) and reduced disease activity index (DAI) scores. Further, RCJ improved colonic barrier integrity by enhancing the expression of protective colonic mucins (p < 0.001) and tight junction proteins (p ≤ 0.01) in RCJ + DSS-treated mice compared to the DSS group. Shotgun metagenomic analysis revealed an enrichment of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria (p < 0.05), leading to increased Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPAR-γ) activation (p ≤ 0.001). This, in turn, resulted in repression of the nuclear factor κB (NFκB) signaling pathway, causing decreased production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Our study demonstrates colitis remission in a DSS-induced mouse model, showcasing RCJ as a potential modulator for gut microbiota and metabolites, with promising implications for IBD prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Jean Wilson
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA;
| | - Nagabhishek Sirpu Natesh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA; (N.S.N.); (J.R.D.); (J.N.B.)
- Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Parsa Ghadermazi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (P.G.)
| | - Ramesh Pothuraju
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Dipakkumar R. Prajapati
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA;
| | - Sanjit Pandey
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA;
| | - Jussuf T. Kaifi
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
| | - John R. Dodam
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA; (N.S.N.); (J.R.D.); (J.N.B.)
| | - Jeffrey N. Bryan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA; (N.S.N.); (J.R.D.); (J.N.B.)
| | - Christian L. Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
| | - Aude A. Watrelot
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA;
| | - Jason M. Foster
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Thomas J. Mansell
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA;
| | - Siu Hung Joshua Chan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (P.G.)
| | - Surinder K. Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Jeyamkondan Subbiah
- Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA;
| | - Satyanarayana Rachagani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA; (N.S.N.); (J.R.D.); (J.N.B.)
- Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Jean Wilson E, Sirpu Natesh N, Ghadermazi P, Pothuraju R, Shanmugam M, Prajapati DR, Pandey S, Kaifi JT, Dodam JR, Bryan J, Lorson CL, Watrelot AA, Foster JM, Mansel TJ, Joshua Chan SH, Batra SK, Subbiah J, Rachagani S. Red cabbage juice-mediated gut microbiota modulation improves intestinal epithelial homeostasis and ameliorates colitis. bioRxiv 2023:2023.08.23.554560. [PMID: 37662255 PMCID: PMC10473712 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.23.554560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and has therapeutic benefits. Thus, targeting the gut microbiota is a promising therapeutic approach for IBD treatment. We recently found that red cabbage juice (RCJ) ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The current study investigated the modulation of gut microbiota in response to treatment with RCJ to ameliorate the DSS colitis. The initial results demonstrated that mice treated with DSS + RCJ showed increased body weight and decreased diarrhea and blood in feces compared to the DSS alone group. RCJ ameliorated colitis by regulating the intestinal barrier function by reducing the number of apoptotic cells, improving colonic protective mucin, and increasing tight junction protein in RCJ + DSS groups compared to the DSS group. Short-gun metagenomic analysis revealed significant enrichment of short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs)-producing bacteria (Butyrivibrio, Ruminococcaceae, Acetatifactor muris, Rosburia Sp. CAG:303 , Dorea Sp. 5-2) increased PPAR-© activation, leading to repression of the nuclear factor κB (NFκB) signaling pathway, thus decreasing the production of crucial inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the RCJ + DSS groups compared to the DSS group. Pathway abundance analysis showed an increased abundance of the SCFA pathway, reduced histidine degradation ( Bacteroides sartorii, and Bacteroides caecimuris ), and LCFA production in the RCJ+DSS treated group, suggesting the promotion of good colonic health. Furthermore, increased T-reg (FOXP3+) cells in the colon were due to SCFAs produced by the gut microbiota, which was corroborated by an increase in IL-10, a vital anti-inflammatory cytokine. Thus, our study provides the first evidence that RCJ ameliorates colonic inflammation by modulating the gut microbiota.
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Arpke RW, Moritz TC, Hahn KL, Stark DA, Villalón E, Lorson CL, Cornelison DDW. Normal muscle fiber type distribution is recapitulated in aged ephrin-A3 -/- mice that previously lacked most slow myofibers. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 324:C718-C727. [PMID: 36717102 PMCID: PMC10027087 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00519.2022] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Individual limb muscles have characteristic representation and spatial distribution of muscle fiber types (one slow and up to three fast isoforms) appropriate to their unique anatomical location and function. This distribution can be altered by physiological stimuli such as training (i.e., for increased endurance or force) or pathological conditions such as aging. Our group previously showed that ephrin-A3 is expressed only on slow myofibers, and that adult mice lacking ephrin-A3 have dramatically reduced numbers of slow myofibers due to postnatal innervation of previously slow myofibers by fast motor neurons. In this study, fiber type composition of hindlimb muscles of aged and denervated/reinnervated C57BL/6 and ephrin-A3-/- mice was analyzed to determine whether the loss of slow myofibers persists across the lifespan. Surprisingly, fiber-type composition of ephrin-A3-/- mouse muscles at two years of age was nearly indistinguishable from age-matched C57BL/6 mice. After challenge with nerve crush, the percentage of IIa and I/IIa hybrid myofibers increased significantly in aged ephrin-A3-/- mice. While EphA8, the receptor for ephrin-A3, is present at all neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) on fast fibers in 3-6 mo old C57BL/6 and ephrin-A3-/- mice, this exclusive localization is lost with aging, with EphA8 expression now found on a subset of NMJs on some slow muscle fibers. This return to appropriate fiber-type distribution given time and under use reinforces the role of activity in determining fiber-type representation and suggests that, rather than being a passive baseline, the developmentally and evolutionarily selected fiber type pattern may instead be actively reinforced by daily living.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W. Arpke
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States
| | - Timothy C. Moritz
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States
| | - Kevin L. Hahn
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States
| | - Danny A. Stark
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States
| | - Eric Villalón
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States
| | - Christian L. Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States
| | - DDW Cornelison
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States
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Vadla GP, Ricardez Hernandez SM, Mao J, Garro-Kacher MO, Lorson ZC, Rice RP, Hansen SA, Lorson CL, Singh K, Lorson MA. ABT1 modifies SMARD1 pathology via interactions with IGHMBP2 and stimulation of ATPase and helicase activity. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e164608. [PMID: 36480289 PMCID: PMC9977310 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.164608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
SMA with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2S (CMT2S) are results of mutations in immunoglobulin mu DNA binding protein 2 (IGHMBP2). IGHMBP2 is a UPF1-like helicase with proposed roles in several cellular processes, including translation. This study examines activator of basal transcription 1 (ABT1), a modifier of SMARD1-nmd disease pathology. Microscale thermophoresis and dynamic light scattering demonstrate that IGHMBP2 and ABT1 proteins directly interact with high affinity. The association of ABT1 with IGHMBP2 significantly increases the ATPase and helicase activity as well as the processivity of IGHMBP2. The IGHMBP2/ABT1 complex interacts with the 47S pre-rRNA 5' external transcribed spacer and U3 small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), suggesting that the IGHMBP2/ABT1 complex is important for pre-rRNA processing. Intracerebroventricular injection of scAAV9-Abt1 decreases FVB-Ighmbp2nmd/nmd disease pathology, significantly increases lifespan, and substantially decreases neuromuscular junction denervation. To our knowledge, ABT1 is the first disease-modifying gene identified for SMARD1. We provide a mechanism proposing that ABT1 decreases disease pathology in FVB-Ighmbp2nmd/nmd mutants by optimizing IGHMBP2 biochemical activity (ATPase and helicase activity). Our studies provide insight into SMARD1 pathogenesis, suggesting that ABT1 modifies IGHMBP2 activity as a means to regulate pre-rRNA processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gangadhar P. Vadla
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, and
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Sara M. Ricardez Hernandez
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, and
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Jiude Mao
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, and
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Mona O. Garro-Kacher
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, and
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Zachary C. Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, and
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Ronin P. Rice
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, and
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Sarah A. Hansen
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Christian L. Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, and
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Kamal Singh
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, and
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Monique A. Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, and
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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Byareddy SN, Sharma K, Sachdev S, Reddy AS, Acharya A, Klaustermeier KM, Lorson CL, Singh K. Potential therapeutic targets for Mpox: the evidence to date. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:419-431. [PMID: 37368464 PMCID: PMC10722886 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2230361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The global Mpox (MPX) disease outbreak caused by the Mpox virus (MPXV) in 2022 alarmed the World Health Organization (WHO) and health regulation agencies of individual countries leading to the declaration of MPX as a Public Health Emergency. Owing to the genetic similarities between smallpox-causing poxvirus and MPXV, vaccine JYNNEOS, and anti-smallpox drugs Brincidofovir and Tecovirimat were granted emergency use authorization by the United States Food and Drug Administration. The WHO also included cidofovir, NIOCH-14, and other vaccines as treatment options. AREAS COVERED This article covers the historical development of EUA-granted antivirals, resistance to these antivirals, and the projected impact of signature mutations on the potency of antivirals against currently circulating MPXV. Since a high prevalence of MPXV infections in individuals coinfected with HIV and MPXV, the treatment results among these individuals have been included. EXPERT OPINION All EUA-granted drugs have been approved for smallpox treatment. These antivirals show good potency against Mpox. However, conserved resistance mutation positions in MPXV and related poxviruses, and the signature mutations in the 2022 MPXV can potentially compromise the efficacy of the EUA-granted treatments. Therefore, MPXV-specific medications are required not only for the current but also for possible future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddappa N Byareddy
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | | | - Shrikesh Sachdev
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Athreya S. Reddy
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Arpan Acharya
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | | | - Christian L Lorson
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Kamal Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, DPSRU, New Delhi-110017
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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9
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Kannan SR, Sachdev S, Reddy AS, Kandasamy SL, Byrareddy SN, Lorson CL, Singh K. Mutations in the monkeypox virus replication complex: Potential contributing factors to the 2022 outbreak. J Autoimmun 2022; 133:102928. [PMID: 36252459 PMCID: PMC9562781 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2022.102928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Attributes contributing to the current monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak remain unknown. It has been established that mutations in viral proteins may alter phenotype and pathogenicity. To assess if mutations in the MPXV DNA replication complex (RC) contribute to the outbreak, we conducted a temporal analysis of available MPXV sequences to identify mutations, generated a DNA replication complex (RC) using structures of related viral and eukaryotic proteins, and structure prediction method AlphaFold. Ten mutations within the RC were identified and mapped onto the RC to infer role of mutations. Two mutations in F8L (RC catalytic subunit), and two in G9R (a processivity factor) were ∼100% prevalent in the 2022 sequences. F8L mutation L108F emerged in 2022, whereas W411L emerged in 2018, and persisted in 2022. L108 is topologically located to enhance DNA binding affinity of F8L. Therefore, mutation L108F can change the fidelity, sensitivity to nucleoside inhibitors, and processivity of F8L. Surface exposed W411L likely affects the binding of regulatory factor(s). G9R mutations S30L and D88 N in G9R emerged in 2022, and may impact the interaction of G9R with E4R (uracil DNA glycosylase). The remaining six mutations that appeared in 2001, reverted to the first (1965 Rotterdam) isolate. Two nucleoside inhibitors brincidofovir and cidofovir have been approved for MPXV treatment. Cidofovir resistance in vaccinia virus is achieved by A314T and A684V mutations. Both A314 and A684 are conserved in MPXV. Therefore, resistance to these drugs in MPXV may arise through similar mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shrikesh Sachdev
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Athreya S. Reddy
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | | | - Siddappa N. Byrareddy
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA,Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA,Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christian L. Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Kamal Singh
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA,Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden,Corresponding author. 471g, Bond Life Sciences Center, 1201 E Rollins Street, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
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10
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Spratt AN, Kannan SR, Sharma K, Sachdev S, Kandasamy SL, Sönnerborg A, Lorson CL, Singh K. Continued Complexity of Mutations in Omicron Sublineages. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102593. [PMID: 36289855 PMCID: PMC9599772 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The latest SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC), Omicron (B.1.1.529), has diversified into more than 300 sublineages. With an expanding number of newly emerging sublineages, the mutation profile is also becoming complicated. There exist mutually exclusive and revertant mutations in different sublineages. Omicron sublineages share some common mutations with previous VOCs (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta), indicating an evolutionary relationship between these VOCs. A diverse mutation profile at the spike–antibody interface, flexibility of the regions harboring mutations, mutation types, and coexisting mutations suggest that SARS-CoV-2’s evolution is far from over.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin N. Spratt
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Saathvik R. Kannan
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Kalicharan Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi 110017, India
| | - Shrikesh Sachdev
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Shree L. Kandasamy
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Anders Sönnerborg
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institute, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christian L. Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Kamal Singh
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi 110017, India
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institute, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence: or
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11
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Kannan SR, Spratt AN, Sharma K, Goyal R, Sönnerborg A, Apparsundaram S, Lorson CL, Byrareddy SN, Singh K. Complex Mutation Pattern of Omicron BA.2: Evading Antibodies without Losing Receptor Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105534. [PMID: 35628343 PMCID: PMC9141577 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BA.2, a sublineage of Omicron BA.1, is now prominent in many parts of the world. Early reports have indicated that BA.2 is more infectious than BA.1. To gain insight into BA.2 mutation profile and the resulting impact of mutations on interactions with receptor and/or monoclonal antibodies, we analyzed available sequences, structures of Spike/receptor and Spike/antibody complexes, and conducted molecular dynamics simulations. The results showed that BA.2 had 50 high-prevalent mutations, compared to 48 in BA.1. Additionally, 17 BA.1 mutations were not present in BA.2. Instead, BA.2 had 19 unique mutations and a signature Delta variant mutation (G142D). The BA.2 had 28 signature mutations in Spike, compared to 30 in BA.1. This was due to two revertant mutations, S446G and S496G, in the receptor-binding domain (RBD), making BA.2 somewhat similar to Wuhan-Hu-1 (WT), which had G446 and G496. The molecular dynamics simulations showed that the RBD consisting of G446/G496 was more stable than S446/S496 containing RBD. Thus, our analyses suggested that BA.2 evolved with novel mutations (i) to maintain receptor binding similar to WT, (ii) evade the antibody binding greater than BA.1, and (iii) acquire mutation of the Delta variant that may be associated with the high infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saathvik R. Kannan
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (S.R.K.); (A.N.S.); (C.L.L.)
| | - Austin N. Spratt
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (S.R.K.); (A.N.S.); (C.L.L.)
| | - Kalicharan Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi 110017, India; (K.S.); (R.G.); (S.A.)
| | - Ramesh Goyal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi 110017, India; (K.S.); (R.G.); (S.A.)
| | - Anders Sönnerborg
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 14186 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Subbu Apparsundaram
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi 110017, India; (K.S.); (R.G.); (S.A.)
| | - Christian L. Lorson
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (S.R.K.); (A.N.S.); (C.L.L.)
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Siddappa N. Byrareddy
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Correspondence: (S.N.B.); or (K.S.)
| | - Kamal Singh
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (S.R.K.); (A.N.S.); (C.L.L.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi 110017, India; (K.S.); (R.G.); (S.A.)
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 14186 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Correspondence: (S.N.B.); or (K.S.)
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12
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Smith CE, Lorson MA, Ricardez Hernandez SM, Al Rawi Z, Mao J, Marquez J, Villalón E, Keilholz AN, Smith CL, Garro-Kacher MO, Morcos T, Davis DJ, Bryda EC, Nichols NL, Lorson CL. The Ighmbp2D564N mouse model is the first SMARD1 model to demonstrate respiratory defects. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:1293-1307. [PMID: 34726235 PMCID: PMC9029233 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type I (SMARD1) is a neurodegenerative disease defined by respiratory distress, muscle atrophy and sensory and autonomic nervous system defects. SMARD1 is a result of mutations within the IGHMBP2 gene. We have generated six Ighmbp2 mouse models based on patient-derived mutations that result in SMARD1 and/or Charcot-Marie Tooth Type 2 (CMT2S). Here we describe the characterization of one of these models, Ighmbp2D564N (human D565N). The Ighmbp2D564N/D564N mouse model mimics important aspects of the SMARD1 disease phenotype, including motor neuron degeneration and muscle atrophy. Ighmbp2D564N/D564N is the first SMARD1 mouse model to demonstrate respiratory defects based on quantified plethysmography analyses. SMARD1 disease phenotypes, including the respiratory defects, are significantly diminished by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of ssAAV9-IGHMBP2 and the extent of phenotypic restoration is dose-dependent. Collectively, this model provides important biological insight into SMARD1 disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caley E Smith
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Monique A Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Sara M Ricardez Hernandez
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Zayd Al Rawi
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jiude Mao
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jose Marquez
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Eric Villalón
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Amy N Keilholz
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Catherine L Smith
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Mona O Garro-Kacher
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Toni Morcos
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Daniel J Davis
- Animal Modeling Core, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Bryda
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Animal Modeling Core, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Nicole L Nichols
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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13
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Tang Z, Hegde S, Zhao J, Zhu S, Johnson KA, Lorson CL, Wang J. CRISPR-mediated Enzyme Fragment Complementation Assay for Quantification of the Stability of Splice Isoforms. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200012. [PMID: 35235240 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Small-molecule splicing modulators exemplified by an FDA-approved drug, risdiplam, are a new pharmacological modality for regulating the expression and stability of splice isoforms. We report a CRISPR-mediated enzyme fragment complementation (EFC) assay to quantify the splice isoform stability. The EFC assay harnessed a 42 amino acid split of a β-galactosidase (designate α-tag), which could be fused at the termini of the target genes using CRISPR/cas9. The α-tagged splice isoform would be quantified by measuring the enzymatic activity upon complementation with the rest of β-galactosidase. This EFC assay retained all the sequences of introns and exons of the target gene in the native genomic environment that recapitulates the cell biology of the diseases of interest. For a proof-of-concept, we developed a CRISPR-mediated EFC assay targeting the exon 7 of the survival of motor neuron 2 (SMN2) gene. The EFC assay compatible with 384-well plates robustly quantified the splicing modulation activity of small molecules. In this study, we also discovered that a coumarin derivative, compound 4, potently modulate SMN2 splicing at as low as 1.1 nM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Tang
- University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, UNITED STATES
| | - Shalakha Hegde
- University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, UNITED STATES
| | - Junxing Zhao
- University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, UNITED STATES
| | - Shoutian Zhu
- PhenoTarget BioSciences, Inc., Biology, UNITED STATES
| | | | | | - Jingxin Wang
- University of Kansas, Medicinal Chemistry, 2034 Becker Dr, 1050, 66047, Lawrence, UNITED STATES
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14
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Mikaeloff F, Svensson Akusjärvi S, Ikomey GM, Krishnan S, Sperk M, Gupta S, Magdaleno GDV, Escós A, Lyonga E, Okomo MC, Tagne CT, Babu H, Lorson CL, Végvári Á, Banerjea AC, Kele J, Hanna LE, Singh K, de Magalhães JP, Benfeitas R, Neogi U. Trans cohort metabolic reprogramming towards glutaminolysis in long-term successfully treated HIV-infection. Commun Biol 2022; 5:27. [PMID: 35017663 PMCID: PMC8752762 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02985-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite successful combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), persistent low-grade immune activation together with inflammation and toxic antiretroviral drugs can lead to long-lasting metabolic flexibility and adaptation in people living with HIV (PLWH). Our study investigated alterations in the plasma metabolic profiles by comparing PLWH on long-term cART(>5 years) and matched HIV-negative controls (HC) in two cohorts from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), Cameroon, and India, respectively, to understand the system-level dysregulation in HIV-infection. Using untargeted and targeted LC-MS/MS-based metabolic profiling and applying advanced system biology methods, an altered amino acid metabolism, more specifically to glutaminolysis in PLWH than HC were reported. A significantly lower level of neurosteroids was observed in both cohorts and could potentiate neurological impairments in PLWH. Further, modulation of cellular glutaminolysis promoted increased cell death and latency reversal in pre-monocytic HIV-1 latent cell model U1, which may be essential for the clearance of the inducible reservoir in HIV-integrated cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Mikaeloff
- The Systems Virology Lab, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, ANA Futura, Campus Flemingsberg, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sara Svensson Akusjärvi
- The Systems Virology Lab, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, ANA Futura, Campus Flemingsberg, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - George Mondinde Ikomey
- Center for the Study and Control of Communicable Diseases (CSCCD), Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, P.O. Box. 8445, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Department of Microbiology, Haematology, Parasitology and Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Shuba Krishnan
- The Systems Virology Lab, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, ANA Futura, Campus Flemingsberg, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maike Sperk
- The Systems Virology Lab, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, ANA Futura, Campus Flemingsberg, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Soham Gupta
- The Systems Virology Lab, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, ANA Futura, Campus Flemingsberg, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gustavo Daniel Vega Magdaleno
- Integrative Genomics of Ageing Group, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Alejandra Escós
- The Systems Virology Lab, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, ANA Futura, Campus Flemingsberg, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emilia Lyonga
- Center for the Study and Control of Communicable Diseases (CSCCD), Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, P.O. Box. 8445, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Department of Microbiology, Haematology, Parasitology and Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Marie Claire Okomo
- Center for the Study and Control of Communicable Diseases (CSCCD), Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, P.O. Box. 8445, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Department of Microbiology, Haematology, Parasitology and Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Claude Tayou Tagne
- Department of Microbiology, Haematology, Parasitology and Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Hemalatha Babu
- Department of HIV/AIDS, National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, ICMR, Chennai, 600031, India
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Ákos Végvári
- Division of Chemistry I, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Akhil C Banerjea
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Julianna Kele
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Neurovascular Biology and Health, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Luke Elizabeth Hanna
- Department of HIV/AIDS, National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, ICMR, Chennai, 600031, India
| | - Kamal Singh
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - João Pedro de Magalhães
- Integrative Genomics of Ageing Group, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Rui Benfeitas
- National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden (NBIS), Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, S-10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ujjwal Neogi
- The Systems Virology Lab, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, ANA Futura, Campus Flemingsberg, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Manipal Institute of Virology (MIV), Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
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15
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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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16
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Comley LH, Kline RA, Thomson AK, Woschitz V, Landeros EV, Osman EY, Lorson CL, Murray LM. OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:3107-3119. [PMID: 35551393 PMCID: PMC9476628 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a childhood motor neuron disease caused by anomalies in the SMN1 gene. Although therapeutics have been approved for the treatment of SMA, there is a therapeutic time window, after which efficacy is reduced. Hallmarks of motor unit pathology in SMA include loss of motor-neurons and neuromuscular junction (NMJs). Following an increase in Smn levels, it is unclear how much damage can be repaired and the degree to which normal connections are re-established. Here, we perform a detailed analysis of motor unit pathology before and after restoration of Smn levels. Using a Smn-inducible mouse model of SMA, we show that genetic restoration of Smn results in a dramatic reduction in NMJ pathology, with restoration of innervation patterns, preservation of axon and endplate number and normalized expression of P53-associated transcripts. Notably, presynaptic swelling and elevated Pmaip levels remained. We analysed the effect of either early or delayed treated of an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) targeting SMN2 on a range of differentially vulnerable muscles. Following ASO administration, the majority of endplates appeared fully occupied. However, there was an underlying loss of axons and endplates, which was more prevalent following a delay in treatment. There was an increase in average motor unit size following both early and delayed treatment. Together this work demonstrates the remarkably regenerative capacity of the motor neuron following Smn restoration, but highlights that recovery is incomplete. This work suggests that there is an opportunity to enhance neuromuscular junction recovery following administration of Smn-enhancing therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura H Comley
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Rachel A Kline
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Alison K Thomson
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Victoria Woschitz
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Eric Villalón Landeros
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205-2185, USA
| | - Erkan Y Osman
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Lyndsay M Murray
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at: College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Old Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK. Tel: +44 131 651 5985;
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17
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Shababi M, Smith CE, Ricardez Hernandez SM, Marquez J, Al Rawi Z, Villalón E, Farris KD, Garro-Kacher MO, Lorson CL. Defining the optimal dose and therapeutic window in SMA with respiratory distress type I model mice, FVB/NJ- Ighmpb2 nmd-2J. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 23:23-32. [PMID: 34553000 PMCID: PMC8426477 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1) is an autosomal recessive disorder that develops in infancy and arises from mutation of the immunoglobulin helicase μ-binding protein 2 (IGHMBP2) gene. Whereas IGHMBP2 is ubiquitously expressed, loss or reduction of function leads to alpha motor neuron loss and skeletal muscle atrophy. We previously developed a gene therapy strategy for SMARD1 using a single-stranded AAV9-IGHMBP2 vector and compared two different delivery methods in a validated SMARD1 mouse model. An important question in the field relates to the temporal requirements for this or any potential treatment. To examine the therapeutic window, we utilized our recently developed SMARD1 model, FVB/NJ-Ighmpb2 nmd-2J , to deliver AAV9-IGHMBP2 at four different time points starting at post-natal day 2 (P2) through P8. At each time point, significant improvements were observed in survival, weight gain, and motor function. Similarly, treatment improved important hallmarks of disease, including motor unit pathology. Whereas improvements were more pronounced in the early-treatment groups, even the later-treatment groups displayed significant phenotypic improvements. This work suggests that an effective gene therapy strategy could provide benefits to pre-symptomatic and early-symptomatic individuals, thereby expanding the potential therapeutic window for SMARD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monir Shababi
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Caley E. Smith
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | | | - Jose Marquez
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Zayd Al Rawi
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Eric Villalón
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - K. David Farris
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Mona O. Garro-Kacher
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Christian L. Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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18
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Acharya A, Pandey K, Thurman M, Klug E, Trivedi J, Sharma K, Lorson CL, Singh K, Byrareddy SN. Discovery and Evaluation of Entry Inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 and Its Emerging Variants. J Virol 2021; 95:e0143721. [PMID: 34550770 PMCID: PMC8610590 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01437-21] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite unprecedented research and developmental efforts, SARS-CoV-2-specific antivirals are still unavailable for the treatment of COVID-19. In most instances, SARS-CoV-2 infection initiates with the binding of Spike glycoprotein to the host cell ACE2 receptor. Utilizing the crystal structure of the ACE2/Spike receptor-binding domain (S-RBD) complex (PDB file 6M0J) in a computer-aided drug design approach, we identified and validated five potential inhibitors of S-RBD and ACE-2 interaction. Two of the five compounds, MU-UNMC-1 and MU-UNMC-2, blocked the entry of pseudovirus particles expressing SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein. In live SARS-CoV-2 infection assays, both compounds showed antiviral activity with IC50 values in the micromolar range (MU-UNMC-1: IC50 = 0.67 μM and MU-UNMC-2: IC50 = 1.72 μM) in human bronchial epithelial cells. Furthermore, MU-UNMC-1 and MU-UNMC-2 effectively blocked the replication of rapidly transmitting variants of concern: South African variant B.1.351 (IC50 = 9.27 and 3.00 μM) and Scotland variant B.1.222 (IC50 = 2.64 and 1.39 μM), respectively. Following these assays, we conducted "induced-fit (flexible) docking" to understand the binding mode of MU-UNMC-1/MU-UNMC-2 at the S-RBD/ACE2 interface. Our data showed that mutation N501Y (present in B.1.351 variant) alters the binding mode of MU-UNMC-2 such that it is partially exposed to the solvent and has reduced polar contacts. Finally, MU-UNMC-2 displayed high synergy with remdesivir, the only approved drug for treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients. IMPORTANCE The ongoing coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). More than 207 million people have been infected globally, and 4.3 million have died due to this viral outbreak. While a few vaccines have been deployed, a SARS-CoV-2-specific antiviral for the treatment of COVID-19 is yet to be approved. As the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein with ACE2 is critical for cellular entry, using a combination of a computer-aided drug design (CADD) approach and cell-based in vitro assays, we report the identification of five potential SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors. Out of the five, two compounds (MU-UNMC-1 and MU-UNMC-2) have antiviral activity against ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants from South Africa and Scotland. Furthermore, MU-UNMC-2 acts synergistically with remdesivir (RDV), suggesting that RDV and MU-UNMC-2 can be developed as a combination therapy to treat COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpan Acharya
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Kabita Pandey
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Michellie Thurman
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Elizabeth Klug
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Jay Trivedi
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Kalicharan Sharma
- Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi, India
| | - Christian L. Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Kamal Singh
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Siddappa N. Byrareddy
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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19
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Saccon E, Bandera A, Sciumè M, Mikaeloff F, Lashari AA, Aliberti S, Sachs MC, Billi F, Blasi F, Gabriel EE, Costantino G, De Roberto P, Krishnan S, Gori A, Peyvandi F, Scudeller L, Canetta C, Lorson CL, Valenti L, Singh K, Baldini L, Fracchiolla NS, Neogi U. Distinct Metabolic Profile Associated with a Fatal Outcome in COVID-19 Patients during the Early Epidemic in Italy. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0054921. [PMID: 34468185 PMCID: PMC8565516 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00549-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In one year of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many studies have described the different metabolic changes occurring in COVID-19 patients, linking these alterations to the disease severity. However, a complete metabolic signature of the most severe cases, especially those with a fatal outcome, is still missing. Our study retrospectively analyzes the metabolome profiles of 75 COVID-19 patients with moderate and severe symptoms admitted to Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico (Lombardy Region, Italy) following SARS-CoV-2 infection between March and April 2020. Italy was the first Western country to experience COVID-19, and the Lombardy Region was the epicenter of the Italian COVID-19 pandemic. This cohort shows a higher mortality rate compared to others; therefore, it represents a unique opportunity to investigate the underlying metabolic profiles of the first COVID-19 patients in Italy and to identify the potential biomarkers related to the disease prognosis and fatal outcome. IMPORTANCE Understanding the metabolic alterations occurring during an infection is a key element for identifying potential indicators of the disease prognosis, which are fundamental for developing efficient diagnostic tools and offering the best therapeutic treatment to the patient. Here, exploiting high-throughput metabolomics data, we identified the first metabolic profile associated with a fatal outcome, not correlated with preexisting clinical conditions or the oxygen demand at the moment of diagnosis. Overall, our results contribute to a better understanding of COVID-19-related metabolic disruption and may represent a useful starting point for the identification of independent prognostic factors to be employed in therapeutic practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Saccon
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alessandra Bandera
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Centre for Multidisciplinary Research in Health Science (MACH), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariarita Sciumè
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Flora Mikaeloff
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Abid A. Lashari
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefano Aliberti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Internal Medicine Department, Respiratory Unit and Cystic Fibrosis Adult Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Michael C. Sachs
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Filippo Billi
- Acute Medical Unit, Department of Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Blasi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Internal Medicine Department, Respiratory Unit and Cystic Fibrosis Adult Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Erin E. Gabriel
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Giorgio Costantino
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Pasquale De Roberto
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Shuba Krishnan
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrea Gori
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Centre for Multidisciplinary Research in Health Science (MACH), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Flora Peyvandi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigia Scudeller
- Clinical Trials Team, Scientific Direction, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Ciro Canetta
- Acute Medical Unit, Department of Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Christian L. Lorson
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Luca Valenti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Precision Medicine Unit, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Kamal Singh
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Luca Baldini
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - on behalf of the COVID-19 Network Working Group,
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Centre for Multidisciplinary Research in Health Science (MACH), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Internal Medicine Department, Respiratory Unit and Cystic Fibrosis Adult Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Acute Medical Unit, Department of Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Clinical Trials Team, Scientific Direction, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Precision Medicine Unit, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ujjwal Neogi
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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20
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Boftsi M, Whittle FB, Wang J, Shepherd P, Burger LR, Kaifer KA, Lorson CL, Joshi T, Pintel DJ, Majumder K. The adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) genome and rep 68/78 proteins interact with cellular sites of DNA damage. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 31:985-998. [PMID: 34652429 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear DNA viruses simultaneously access cellular factors that aid their life cycle while evading inhibitory factors by localizing to distinct nuclear sites. Adeno-Associated Viruses (AAVs), which are Dependoviruses in the family Parvovirinae, are non-enveloped icosahedral viruses, that have been developed as recombinant AAV vectors (rAAV) to express transgenes. AAV2 expression and replication occur in nuclear viral replication centers (VRCs), which relies on cellular replication machinery as well as coinfection by helper viruses such as adenoviruses or herpesviruses, or exogenous DNA damage to host cells. AAV2 infection induces a complex cellular DNA damage response (DDR), either in response to viral DNA or viral proteins expressed in the host nucleus during infection, where VRCs colocalize with DDR proteins. We have previously developed a modified iteration of a viral chromosome conformation capture (V3C-seq) assay to show that the autonomous parvovirus Minute Virus of Mice (MVM) localizes to cellular sites of DNA damage to establish and amplify its replication. Similar V3C-seq assays to map AAV2 show that the AAV2 genome colocalized with cellular sites of DNA damage under both non-replicating and replicating conditions. The AAV2 non-structural protein Rep 68/78, also localized to cellular DDR sites during both non-replicating and replicating infections, and also when ectopically expressed. Ectopically expressed Rep could be efficiently re-localized to DDR sites induced by micro-irradiation. Recombinant AAV2 gene therapy vector genomes derived from AAV2 localized to sites of cellular DNA damage to a lesser degree, suggesting that the Inverted Terminal Repeat (ITR) origins of replication were insufficient for targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Boftsi
- Pathobiology Area Graduate Program.,Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center
| | | | - Juexin Wang
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center.,Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
| | | | | | - Kevin A Kaifer
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine
| | - Trupti Joshi
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center.,Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.,MU Informatics Institute.,Department of Health Management and Informatics
| | - David J Pintel
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center.,Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri-Columbia, School of Medicine, Columbia, MO USA 65211
| | - Kinjal Majumder
- Institute for Molecular Virology.,McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research.,University of Wisconsin-Carbone Cancer Center
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21
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McCormack NM, Villalón E, Viollet C, Soltis AR, Dalgard CL, Lorson CL, Burnett BG. Survival motor neuron deficiency slows myoblast fusion through reduced myomaker and myomixer expression. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2021; 12:1098-1116. [PMID: 34115448 PMCID: PMC8350220 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy is an inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by insufficient levels of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Recently approved treatments aimed at increasing SMN protein levels have dramatically improved patient survival and have altered the disease landscape. While restoring SMN levels slows motor neuron loss, many patients continue to have smaller muscles and do not achieve normal motor milestones. While timing of treatment is important, it remains unclear why SMN restoration is insufficient to fully restore muscle size and function. We and others have shown that SMN-deficient muscle precursor cells fail to efficiently fuse into myotubes. However, the role of SMN in myoblast fusion is not known. METHODS In this study, we show that SMN-deficient myoblasts readily fuse with wild-type myoblasts, demonstrating fusion competency. Conditioned media from wild type differentiating myoblasts do not rescue the fusion deficit of SMN-deficient cells, suggesting that compromised fusion may primarily be a result of altered membrane dynamics at the cell surface. Transcriptome profiling of skeletal muscle from SMN-deficient mice revealed altered expression of cell surface fusion molecules. Finally, using cell and mouse models, we investigate if myoblast fusion can be rescued in SMN-deficient myoblast and improve the muscle pathology in SMA mice. RESULTS We found reduced expression of the muscle fusion proteins myomaker (P = 0.0060) and myomixer (P = 0.0051) in the muscle of SMA mice. Suppressing SMN expression in C2C12 myoblast cells reduces expression of myomaker (35% reduction; P < 0.0001) and myomixer, also known as myomerger and minion, (30% reduction; P < 0.0001) and restoring SMN levels only partially restores myomaker and myomixer expression. Ectopic expression of myomixer improves myofibre number (55% increase; P = 0.0006) and motor function (35% decrease in righting time; P = 0.0089) in SMA model mice and enhances motor function (82% decrease in righting time; P < 0.0001) and extends survival (28% increase; P < 0.01) when administered in combination with an antisense oligonucleotide that increases SMN protein levels. CONCLUSIONS Here, we identified reduced expression of muscle fusion proteins as a key factor in the fusion deficits of SMN-deficient myoblasts. This discovery provides a novel target to improve SMA muscle pathology and motor function, which in combination with SMN increasing therapy could enhance clinical outcomes for SMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki M McCormack
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Eric Villalón
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Coralie Viollet
- Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Heath Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anthony R Soltis
- Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Heath Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Clifton L Dalgard
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Heath Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.,The American Genome Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Barrington G Burnett
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
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22
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Spratt AN, Kannan SR, Woods LT, Weisman GA, Quinn TP, Lorson CL, Sönnerborg A, Byrareddy SN, Singh K. Evolution, correlation, structural impact and dynamics of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:3799-3809. [PMID: 34188776 PMCID: PMC8225291 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections remain unmanageable in some parts of the world. As with other RNA viruses, mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 gene have been continuously evolving. Recently, four variants have been identified, B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1 and CAL.20C. These variants appear to be more infectious and transmissible than the original Wuhan-Hu-1 virus. Using a combination of bioinformatics and structural analyses, we show that the new SARS-CoV-2 variants emerged in the background of an already known Spike protein mutation D614G together with another mutation P323L in the RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the CAL.20C and B.1.351 shared one common ancestor, whereas the B.1.1.7 and P.1 shared a different ancestor. Structural comparisons did not show any significant difference between the wild-type and mutant ACE2/Spike complexes. Structural analysis indicated that the N501Y mutation may increase hydrophobic interactions at the ACE2/Spike interface. However, reported greater binding affinity of N501Y Spike with ACE2 does not seem to be entirely due to increased hydrophobic interactions, given that Spike mutation R417T in P.1 or K417N in B.1.351 results in the loss of a salt-bridge interaction between ACE2 and S-RBD. The calculated change in free energy did not provide a clear trend of S protein stability of mutations in the variants. As expected, we show that the CAL.20C generally migrated from the west coast to the east coast of the USA. Taken together, the analyses suggest that the evolution of variants and their infectivity is complex and may depend upon many factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin N Spratt
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Saathvik R Kannan
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Lucas T Woods
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Gary A Weisman
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Thomas P Quinn
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Anders Sönnerborg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge 14186, Stockholm, Sweden.,Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge 14186, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Siddappa N Byrareddy
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge 14186, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Kamal Singh
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge 14186, Stockholm, Sweden.,Sanctum Therapeutics Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA 94087, USA
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23
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Spratt AN, Gallazzi F, Quinn TP, Lorson CL, Sönnerborg A, Singh K. Coronavirus helicases: attractive and unique targets of antiviral drug-development and therapeutic patents. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2021; 31:339-350. [PMID: 33593200 PMCID: PMC8074651 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2021.1884224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Coronaviruses encode a helicase that is essential for viral replication and represents an excellent antiviral target. However, only a few coronavirus helicase inhibitors have been patented. These patents include drug-like compound SSYA10-001, aryl diketo acids (ADK), and dihydroxychromones. Additionally, adamantane-derived bananins, natural flavonoids, one acrylamide derivative [(E)-3-(furan-2-yl)-N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)acrylamide], a purine derivative (7-ethyl-8-mercapto-3-methyl-3,7-dihydro-1 H-purine-2,6-dione), and a few bismuth complexes. The IC50 of patented inhibitors ranges between 0.82 μM and 8.95 μM, depending upon the assays used. Considering the urgency of clinical interventions against Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19), it is important to consider developing antiviral portfolios consisting of small molecules. Areas covered: This review examines coronavirus helicases as antiviral targets, and the potential of previously patented and experimental compounds to inhibit the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) helicase. Expert opinion: Small molecule coronavirus helicase inhibitors represent attractive pharmacological modalities for the treatment of coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Rightfully so, the current emphasis is focused upon the development of vaccines. However, vaccines may not work for everyone and broad-based adoption of vaccinations is an increasingly challenging societal endeavor. Therefore, it is important to develop additional pharmacological antivirals against the highly conserved coronavirus helicases to broadly protect against this and subsequent coronavirus epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin N Spratt
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Fabio Gallazzi
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Thomas P Quinn
- cDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,dDepartment of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Anders Sönnerborg
- eDivision of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.,fDepartment of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Kamal Singh
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.,gSanctum Therapeutics Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA, USA
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24
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Acharya A, Pandey K, Thurman M, Klug E, Trivedi J, Lorson CL, Singh K, Byrareddy SN. Discovery and in-vitro evaluation of potent SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors. bioRxiv 2021. [PMID: 33821265 DOI: 10.1101/2021.04.02.438204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection initiates with the attachment of spike protein to the ACE2 receptor. While vaccines have been developed, no SARS-CoV-2 specific small molecule inhibitors have been approved. Herein, utilizing the crystal structure of the ACE2/Spike receptor binding domain (S-RBD) complex in computer-aided drug design (CADD) approach, we docked ∼8 million compounds within the pockets residing at S-RBD/ACE2 interface. Five best hits depending on the docking score, were selected and tested for their in vitro efficacy to block SARS-CoV-2 replication. Of these, two compounds (MU-UNMC-1 and MU-UNMC-2) blocked SARS-CoV-2 replication at sub-micromolar IC 50 in human bronchial epithelial cells (UNCN1T) and Vero cells. Furthermore, MU-UNMC-2 was highly potent in blocking the virus entry by using pseudoviral particles expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike. Finally, we found that MU-UNMC-2 is highly synergistic with remdesivir (RDV), suggesting that minimal amounts are needed when used in combination with RDV, and has the potential to develop as a potential entry inhibitor for COVID-19.
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25
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Spratt AN, Kannan SR, Woods LT, Weisman GA, Quinn TP, Lorson CL, Sönnerborg A, Byrareddy SN, Singh K. Factors Associated with Emerging and Re-emerging of SARS-CoV-2 Variants. bioRxiv 2021:2021.03.24.436850. [PMID: 33791700 PMCID: PMC8010727 DOI: 10.1101/2021.03.24.436850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Global spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has triggered unprecedented scientific efforts, as well as containment and treatment measures. Despite these efforts, SARS-CoV-2 infections remain unmanageable in some parts of the world. Due to inherent mutability of RNA viruses, it is not surprising that the SARS-CoV-2 genome has been continuously evolving since its emergence. Recently, four functionally distinct variants, B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1 and CAL.20C, have been identified, and they appear to more infectious and transmissible than the original (Wuhan-Hu-1) virus. Here we provide evidence based upon a combination of bioinformatics and structural approaches that can explain the higher infectivity of the new variants. Our results show that the greater infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 than SARS-CoV can be attributed to a combination of several factors, including alternate receptors. Additionally, we show that new SARS-CoV-2 variants emerged in the background of D614G in Spike protein and P323L in RNA polymerase. The correlation analyses showed that all mutations in specific variants did not evolve simultaneously. Instead, some mutations evolved most likely to compensate for the viral fitness.
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26
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Rietz A, Hodgetts KJ, Lusic H, Quist KM, Osman EY, Lorson CL, Androphy EJ. Short-duration splice promoting compound enables a tunable mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 4:4/1/e202000889. [PMID: 33234679 PMCID: PMC7723287 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe drug treatment paradigms that allow investigation of cellular and molecular pathogenesis at different stages of spinal muscular atrophy in a mouse model. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a motor neuron disease and the leading genetic cause of infant mortality. SMA results from insufficient survival motor neuron (SMN) protein due to alternative splicing. Antisense oligonucleotides, gene therapy and splicing modifiers recently received FDA approval. Although severe SMA transgenic mouse models have been beneficial for testing therapeutic efficacy, models mimicking milder cases that manifest post-infancy have proven challenging to develop. We established a titratable model of mild and moderate SMA using the splicing compound NVS-SM2. Administration for 30 d prevented development of the SMA phenotype in severe SMA mice, which typically show rapid weakness and succumb by postnatal day 11. Furthermore, administration at day eight resulted in phenotypic recovery. Remarkably, acute dosing limited to the first 3 d of life significantly enhanced survival in two severe SMA mice models, easing the burden on neonates and demonstrating the compound as suitable for evaluation of follow-on therapies without potential drug–drug interactions. This pharmacologically tunable SMA model represents a useful tool to investigate cellular and molecular pathogenesis at different stages of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Rietz
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kevin J Hodgetts
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Hrvoje Lusic
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kevin M Quist
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Erkan Y Osman
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Bond Life Sciences Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Bond Life Sciences Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Elliot J Androphy
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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27
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Osman EY, Van Alstyne M, Yen PF, Lotti F, Feng Z, Ling KK, Ko CP, Pellizzoni L, Lorson CL. Minor snRNA gene delivery improves the loss of proprioceptive synapses on SMA motor neurons. JCI Insight 2020; 5:130574. [PMID: 32516136 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.130574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder caused by reduced expression of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. SMN has key functions in multiple RNA pathways, including the biogenesis of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins that are essential components of both major (U2-dependent) and minor (U12-dependent) spliceosomes. Here we investigated the specific contribution of U12 splicing dysfunction to SMA pathology through selective restoration of this RNA pathway in mouse models of varying phenotypic severity. We show that virus-mediated delivery of minor snRNA genes specifically improves select U12 splicing defects induced by SMN deficiency in cultured mammalian cells, as well as in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia of SMA mice without increasing SMN expression. This approach resulted in a moderate amelioration of several parameters of the disease phenotype in SMA mice, including survival, weight gain, and motor function. Importantly, minor snRNA gene delivery improved aberrant splicing of the U12 intron-containing gene Stasimon and rescued the severe loss of proprioceptive sensory synapses on SMA motor neurons, which are early signatures of motor circuit dysfunction in mouse models. Taken together, these findings establish the direct contribution of U12 splicing dysfunction to synaptic deafferentation and motor circuit pathology in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkan Y Osman
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Meaghan Van Alstyne
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Pei-Fen Yen
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Francesco Lotti
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Zhihua Feng
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Karen Ky Ling
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Chien-Ping Ko
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Livio Pellizzoni
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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28
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Villalón E, Kline RA, Smith CE, Lorson ZC, Osman EY, O'Day S, Murray LM, Lorson CL. AAV9-Stathmin1 gene delivery improves disease phenotype in an intermediate mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:3742-3754. [PMID: 31363739 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating infantile genetic disorder caused by the loss of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein that leads to premature death due to loss of motor neurons and muscle atrophy. The approval of an antisense oligonucleotide therapy for SMA was an important milestone in SMA research; however, effective next-generation therapeutics will likely require combinatorial SMN-dependent therapeutics and SMN-independent disease modifiers. A recent cross-disease transcriptomic analysis identified Stathmin-1 (STMN1), a tubulin-depolymerizing protein, as a potential disease modifier across different motor neuron diseases, including SMA. Here, we investigated whether viral-based delivery of STMN1 decreased disease severity in a well-characterized SMA mouse model. Intracerebroventricular delivery of scAAV9-STMN1 in SMA mice at P2 significantly increased survival and weight gain compared to untreated SMA mice without elevating Smn levels. scAAV9-STMN1 improved important hallmarks of disease, including motor function, NMJ pathology and motor neuron cell preservation. Furthermore, scAAV9-STMN1 treatment restored microtubule networks and tubulin expression without affecting tubulin stability. Our results show that scAAV9-STMN1 treatment improves SMA pathology possibly by increasing microtubule turnover leading to restored levels of stable microtubules. Overall, these data demonstrate that STMN1 can significantly reduce the SMA phenotype independent of restoring SMN protein and highlight the importance of developing SMN-independent therapeutics for the treatment of SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Villalón
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - R A Kline
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - C E Smith
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Z C Lorson
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - E Y Osman
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - S O'Day
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - L M Murray
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - C L Lorson
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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29
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Shababi M, Smith CE, Kacher M, Alrawi Z, Villalon E, Davis D, Bryda EC, Lorson CL. Development of a novel severe mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1: FVB-nmd. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 520:341-346. [PMID: 31604525 PMCID: PMC6936219 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.10.032] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Respiratory Distress type 1 (SMARD1) is an autosomal recessive disease that develops early during infancy. The gene responsible for disease development is immunoglobulin helicase μ-binding protein 2 (IGHMBP2). IGHMBP2 is a ubiquitously expressed gene but its mutation results in the loss of alpha-motor neurons and subsequent muscle atrophy initially of distal muscles. The current SMARD1 mouse model arose from a spontaneous mutation originally referred to as neuromuscular degeneration (nmd). The nmd mice have the C57BL/6 genetic background and contain an A to G mutation in intron 4 of the endogenous Ighmbp2 gene. This mutation causes aberrant splicing, resulting in only 20-25% of full-length functional protein. Several congenital conditions including hydrocephalus are common in the C57BL/6 background, consistent with our previous observations when developing a gene therapy approach for SMARD1. Additionally, a modifier allele exists on chromosome 13 in nmd mice that can partially suppress the phenotype, resulting in some animals that have extended life spans (up to 200 days). To eliminate the intrinsic complications of the C57BL/6 background and the variation in survival due to the genetic modifier effect, we created a new SMARD1 mouse model that contains the same intron 4 mutation in Ighmbp2 as nmd mice but is now on a FVB congenic background. FVB-nmd are consistently more severe than the original nmd mice with respect to survival, weigh and motor function. The relatively short life span (18-21 days) of FVB-nmd mice allows us to monitor therapeutic efficacy for a variety of novel therapeutics in a timely manner without the complication of the small percentage of longer-lived animals that were observed in our colony of nmd mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monir Shababi
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA,Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Caley E. Smith
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Mona Kacher
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA,Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Zayd Alrawi
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Eric Villalon
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA,Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Daniel Davis
- Animal Modeling Core, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Elizabeth C. Bryda
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA,Animal Modeling Core, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Christian L. Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA,Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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30
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Kaifer KA, Villalón E, O'Brien BS, Sison SL, Smith CE, Simon ME, Marquez J, O'Day S, Hopkins AE, Neff R, Rindt H, Ebert AD, Lorson CL. AAV9-mediated delivery of miR-23a reduces disease severity in Smn2B/-SMA model mice. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:3199-3210. [PMID: 31211843 PMCID: PMC6859438 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [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: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disease caused by deletions or mutations in survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1). The molecular mechanisms underlying motor neuron degeneration in SMA remain elusive, as global cellular dysfunction obscures the identification and characterization of disease-relevant pathways and potential therapeutic targets. Recent reports have implicated microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation as a potential contributor to the pathological mechanism in SMA. To characterize miRNAs that are differentially regulated in SMA, we profiled miRNA levels in SMA induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons. From this array, miR-23a downregulation was identified selectively in SMA motor neurons, consistent with previous reports where miR-23a functioned in neuroprotective and muscle atrophy-antagonizing roles. Reintroduction of miR-23a expression in SMA patient iPSC-derived motor neurons protected against degeneration, suggesting a potential miR-23a-specific disease-modifying effect. To assess this activity in vivo, miR-23a was expressed using a self-complementary adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (scAAV9) viral vector in the Smn2B/- SMA mouse model. scAAV9-miR-23a significantly reduced the pathology in SMA mice, including increased motor neuron size, reduced neuromuscular junction pathology, increased muscle fiber area, and extended survival. These experiments demonstrate that miR-23a is a novel protective modifier of SMA, warranting further characterization of miRNA dysfunction in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Kaifer
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Eric Villalón
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Benjamin S O'Brien
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Samantha L Sison
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Caley E Smith
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Madeline E Simon
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jose Marquez
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Siri O'Day
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Abigail E Hopkins
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Rachel Neff
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Hansjörg Rindt
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Allison D Ebert
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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31
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Osman EY, Bolding MR, Villalón E, Kaifer KA, Lorson ZC, Tisdale S, Hao Y, Conant GC, Pires JC, Pellizzoni L, Lorson CL. Functional characterization of SMN evolution in mouse models of SMA. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9472. [PMID: 31263170 PMCID: PMC6603021 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45822-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a monogenic neurodegenerative disorder and the leading genetic cause of infantile mortality. While several functions have been ascribed to the SMN (survival motor neuron) protein, their specific contribution to the disease has yet to be fully elucidated. We hypothesized that some, but not all, SMN homologues would rescue the SMA phenotype in mouse models, thereby identifying disease-relevant domains. Using AAV9 to deliver Smn homologs to SMA mice, we identified a conservation threshold that marks the boundary at which homologs can rescue the SMA phenotype. Smn from Danio rerio and Xenopus laevis significantly prevent disease, whereas Smn from Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Schizosaccharomyces pombe was significantly less efficacious. This phenotypic rescue correlated with correction of RNA processing defects induced by SMN deficiency and neuromuscular junction pathology. Based upon the sequence conservation in the rescuing homologs, a minimal SMN construct was designed consisting of exons 2, 3, and 6, which showed a partial rescue of the SMA phenotype. While a significant extension in survival was observed, the absence of a complete rescue suggests that while the core conserved region is essential, additional sequences contribute to the overall ability of the SMN protein to rescue disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkan Y Osman
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Madeline R Bolding
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Eric Villalón
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Kevin A Kaifer
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Zachary C Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Sarah Tisdale
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Yue Hao
- Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Gavin C Conant
- Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.,Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.,Division of Biological Sciences, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - J Chris Pires
- Department of Biological Sciences, Program in Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Livio Pellizzoni
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA. .,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
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32
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Villalón E, Lee NN, Marquez J, Lorson CL. Muscle fiber-type selective propensity to pathology in the nmd mouse model of SMARD1. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 516:313-319. [PMID: 31256932 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.06.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1) is an autosomal recessive disease that causes distal limb muscle atrophy, due to motor neuron degeneration. Similar to other motor neuron diseases, SMARD1 shows differential vulnerability to denervation in various muscle groups, which is recapitulated in the nmd mouse, a model of SMARD1. In multiple neurodegenerative disease models, transcriptomic analysis has identified differentially expressed genes between vulnerable motor neuron populations, but the mechanism leading to susceptibility is largely unknown. To investigate if denervation vulnerability is linked to intrinsic muscle properties, we analyzed muscle fiber-type composition in muscles from motor units that show different degrees of denervation in nmd mice: gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior (TA), and extensor digitorum longus (EDL). Our results revealed that denervation vulnerability correlated with atrophy and loss of MyHC-IIb and MyHC-IIx muscle fiber types. Interestingly, increased vulnerability also correlated with an increased abundance of MyHC-I and MyHC-IIa muscle fibers. These results indicated that MyHC-IIx muscle fibers are the most vulnerable to denervation, followed by MyHC-IIb muscle fibers. Moreover, our data indicate that type MyHC-IIa and MyHC-IIb muscle fibers show resistance to denervation and compensate for the loss of MyHC-IIx and MyHC-IIb muscle fibers in the most vulnerable muscles. Taken together these results provide a basis for the selective vulnerability to denervation of specific muscles in nmd mice and identifies new targets for potential therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Villalón
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Naomi N Lee
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Jose Marquez
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
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Villalón E, Shababi M, Kline R, Lorson ZC, Florea KM, Lorson CL. Selective vulnerability in neuronal populations in nmd/SMARD1 mice. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:679-690. [PMID: 29272405 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1) is an autosomal recessive motor neuron disease causing distal limb muscle atrophy that progresses proximally and is accompanied by diaphragmatic paralysis. Neuromuscular junction (NMJ) alterations have been reported in muscles of SMARD1 model mice, known as nmd mice, with varying degrees of severity, suggesting that different muscles are specifically and selectively resistant or susceptible to denervation. To evaluate the extent of NMJ pathology in a broad range of muscles, a panel of axial and appendicular muscles were isolated and immunostained from nmd mice. These analyses revealed that selective distal appendage muscles were highly vulnerable to denervation. Susceptibility to pathology was not limited to NMJ alterations, but included defects in myelination within those neurons innervating susceptible muscles. Interestingly, end plate fragmentation was present within all muscles independent of the extent of NMJ alterations, suggesting that end plate fragmentation is an early hallmark of SMARD1 pathogenesis. Expressing the full-length IGHMBP2 cDNA using an adeno-associated virus (AAV9) significantly decreased all aspects of muscle and nerve disease pathology. These results shed new light onto the pathogenesis of SMARD1 by identifying specific motor units that are resistant and susceptible to neurodegeneration in an important model of SMARD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Villalón
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Monir Shababi
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Rachel Kline
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Zachary C Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Kyra M Florea
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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34
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Shababi M, Villalón E, Kaifer KA, DeMarco V, Lorson CL. A Direct Comparison of IV and ICV Delivery Methods for Gene Replacement Therapy in a Mouse Model of SMARD1. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2018; 10:348-360. [PMID: 30202772 PMCID: PMC6127875 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1) is an infantile autosomal recessive disease caused by the loss of the ubiquitously expressed IGHMBP2 gene. SMARD1 causes degeneration of alpha-motor neurons, resulting in distal muscle weakness, diaphragm paralysis, and respiratory malfunction. We have reported that delivery of a low dose of AAV9-IGHMBP2 to the CNS results in a significant rescue of the SMARD1 mouse model (nmd). To examine how a delivery route can impact efficacy, a direct comparison of intravenous (IV) and intracerebroventricular (ICV) delivery of AAV9-IGHMBP2 was performed. Using a low-dose, both IV and ICV delivery routes led to a significant extension in survival and increased body weight. Conversely, only ICV-treated animals demonstrated improvements in the hindlimb muscle, neuromuscular junction, and motor function. The hindlimb phenotype of IV-treated mice resembled the untreated nmd mice. We investigated whether the increased survival of IV-treated nmd mice was the result of a positive impact on the cardiac function. Our results revealed that cardiac function and pathology were similarly improved in IV- and ICV-treated mice. We concluded that while IV delivery of a low dose does not improve the hindlimb phenotype and motor function, partial restoration of cardiac performance is sufficient to significantly extend survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monir Shababi
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Eric Villalón
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Kevin A Kaifer
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Vince DeMarco
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Research Service, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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35
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Osman EY, Washington CW, Simon ME, Megiddo D, Greif H, Lorson CL. Analysis of Azithromycin Monohydrate as a Single or a Combinatorial Therapy in a Mouse Model of Severe Spinal Muscular Atrophy. J Neuromuscul Dis 2018; 4:237-249. [PMID: 28598854 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-170230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the loss of α-motor neurons. A variety of molecular pathways are being investigated to elevate SMN protein expression in SMA models and in the clinic. One of these approaches involves stabilizing the SMNΔ7 protein by inducing translational read-through. Previous studies have demonstrated that functionality and stability are partially restored to the otherwise unstable SMNΔ7 by the addition of non-specific C-terminal peptide sequences, or by inducing a similar molecular event through the use of read-through inducing compounds such as aminoglycosides. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine the efficacy of the macrolide Azithromycin (AZM), an FDA approved read-through-inducing compound, in the well-established severe mouse model of SMA. METHODS Initially, dosing regimen following ICV administrations of AZM at different post-natal days and concentrations was determined by their impact on SMN levels in disease-relevant tissues. Selected dose was then tested for phenotypic parameters changes as compared to the appropriate controls and in conjugation to another therapy. RESULTS AZM increases SMN protein in disease relevant tissues, however, this did not translate into similar improvements in the SMA phenotype in a severe mouse model of SMA. Co-administration of AZM and a previously developed antisense oligonucleotide that increases SMN2 splicing, resulted in an improvement in the SMA phenotype beyond either AZM or ASO alone, including a highly significant extension in survival with improvement in body weight and movement. CONCLUSIONS It is important to explore various approaches for SMA therapeutics, hence compounds that specifically induce SMNΔ7 read-through, without having prohibitive toxicity, may provide an alternative platform for a combinatorial treatment. Here we established that AZM activity at a low dose can increase SMN protein in disease-relevant animal model and can impact disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkan Y Osman
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Charles W Washington
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Madeline E Simon
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | | | | | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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36
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Gray KM, Kaifer KA, Baillat D, Wen Y, Bonacci TR, Ebert AD, Raimer AC, Spring AM, Have ST, Glascock JJ, Gupta K, Van Duyne GD, Emanuele MJ, Lamond AI, Wagner EJ, Lorson CL, Matera AG. Self-oligomerization regulates stability of survival motor neuron protein isoforms by sequestering an SCF Slmb degron. Mol Biol Cell 2018; 29:96-110. [PMID: 29167380 PMCID: PMC5909936 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e17-11-0627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by homozygous mutations in human SMN1 Expression of a duplicate gene (SMN2) primarily results in skipping of exon 7 and production of an unstable protein isoform, SMNΔ7. Although SMN2 exon skipping is the principal contributor to SMA severity, mechanisms governing stability of survival motor neuron (SMN) isoforms are poorly understood. We used a Drosophila model system and label-free proteomics to identify the SCFSlmb ubiquitin E3 ligase complex as a novel SMN binding partner. SCFSlmb interacts with a phosphor degron embedded within the human and fruitfly SMN YG-box oligomerization domains. Substitution of a conserved serine (S270A) interferes with SCFSlmb binding and stabilizes SMNΔ7. SMA-causing missense mutations that block multimerization of full-length SMN are also stabilized in the degron mutant background. Overexpression of SMNΔ7S270A, but not wild-type (WT) SMNΔ7, provides a protective effect in SMA model mice and human motor neuron cell culture systems. Our findings support a model wherein the degron is exposed when SMN is monomeric and sequestered when SMN forms higher-order multimers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey M Gray
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
- Integrative Program in Biological and Genome Sciences, Department of Biology and Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Kevin A Kaifer
- Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutics Program, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
| | - David Baillat
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550
| | - Ying Wen
- Integrative Program in Biological and Genome Sciences, Department of Biology and Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Thomas R Bonacci
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Allison D Ebert
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226
| | - Amanda C Raimer
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
- Integrative Program in Biological and Genome Sciences, Department of Biology and Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Ashlyn M Spring
- Integrative Program in Biological and Genome Sciences, Department of Biology and Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Sara Ten Have
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD15EH, UK
| | - Jacqueline J Glascock
- Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutics Program, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
| | - Kushol Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Gregory D Van Duyne
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Michael J Emanuele
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Angus I Lamond
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD15EH, UK
| | - Eric J Wagner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutics Program, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
| | - A Gregory Matera
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
- Integrative Program in Biological and Genome Sciences, Department of Biology and Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
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Sison SL, Patitucci TN, Seminary ER, Villalon E, Lorson CL, Ebert AD. Astrocyte-produced miR-146a as a mediator of motor neuron loss in spinal muscular atrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2018. [PMID: 28637335 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the leading genetic cause of infant mortality, is caused by the loss of the survival motor neuron-1 (SMN1) gene, which leads to motor neuron loss, muscle atrophy, respiratory distress, and death. Motor neurons exhibit the most profound loss, but the mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis are not fully understood. Recent evidence suggests that motor neuron extrinsic influences, such as those arising from astrocytes, contribute to motor neuron malfunction and loss. Here we investigated both loss-of-function and toxic gain-of-function astrocyte mechanisms that could play a role in SMA pathology. We had previously found that glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is reduced in SMA astrocytes. However, reduced GDNF expression does not play a major role in SMA pathology as viral-mediated GDNF re-expression did not improve astrocyte function or motor neuron loss. In contrast, we found that SMA astrocytes increased microRNA (miR) production and secretion compared to control astrocytes, suggesting potential toxic gain-of-function properties. Specifically, we found that miR-146a was significantly upregulated in SMA induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived astrocytes and SMNΔ7 mouse spinal cord. Moreover, increased miR-146a was sufficient to induce motor neuron loss in vitro, whereas miR-146a inhibition prevented SMA astrocyte-induced motor neuron loss. Together, these data indicate that altered astrocyte production of miR-146a may be a contributing factor in astrocyte-mediated SMA pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Sison
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 53226 WI, USA
| | - Teresa N Patitucci
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 53226 WI, USA
| | - Emily R Seminary
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 53226 WI, USA
| | - Eric Villalon
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, 65211 MO, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, 65211 MO, USA
| | - Allison D Ebert
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 53226 WI, USA
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38
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Choi S, Calder AN, Miller EH, Anderson KP, Fiejtek DK, Rietz A, Li H, Cherry JJ, Quist KM, Xing X, Glicksman MA, Cuny GD, Lorson CL, Androphy EA, Hodgetts KJ. Optimization of a series of heterocycles as survival motor neuron gene transcription enhancers. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2017; 27:5144-5148. [PMID: 29103974 PMCID: PMC5701662 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2017.10.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 09/02/2017] [Revised: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disorder that results from mutations in the SMN1 gene, leading to survival motor neuron (SMN) protein deficiency. One therapeutic strategy for SMA is to identify compounds that enhance the expression of the SMN2 gene, which normally only is a minor contributor to functional SMN protein production, but which is unaffected in SMA. A recent high-throughput screening campaign identified a 3,4-dihydro-4-phenyl-2(1H)-quinolinone derivative (2) that increases the expression of SMN2 by 2-fold with an EC50 = 8.3 µM. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) study revealed that the array of tolerated substituents, on either the benzo portion of the quinolinone or the 4-phenyl, was very narrow. However, the lactam ring of the quinolinone was more amenable to modifications. For example, the quinazolinone (9a) and the benzoxazepin-2(3H)-one (19) demonstrated improved potency and efficacy for increase in SMN2 expression as compared to 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungwoon Choi
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alyssa N Calder
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Eliza H Miller
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kierstyn P Anderson
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Dawid K Fiejtek
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anne Rietz
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Hongxia Li
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jonathan J Cherry
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kevin M Quist
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Xuechao Xing
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Marcie A Glicksman
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Gregory D Cuny
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Elliot A Androphy
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kevin J Hodgetts
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder caused by a polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion in exon 1 of the Huntingtin (HTT) gene. We have previously demonstrated that spliceosome-mediated trans-splicing is a viable molecular strategy to specifically reduce and repair mutant HTT (mtHTT). Here, the targeted tethering efficacy of the pre-mRNA trans-splicing modules (PTM) in HTT was optimized. Various PTMs that targeted the 3′ end of HTT intron 1 or the intron 1 branch point were shown trans-splice into an HTT mini-gene, as well as the endogenous HTT pre-mRNA. PTMs that specifically target the endogenous intron 1 branch point increased the trans-splicing efficacy from 1–5 to 10–15%. Furthermore, lentiviral expression of PTMs in a human HD patient iPSC-derived neural culture significantly reversed two previously established polyQ-length dependent phenotypes. These results suggest that pre-mRNA repair of mtHTT could hold therapeutic benefit and it demonstrates an alternative platform to correct the mRNA product produced by the mtHTT allele in the context of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hansjörg Rindt
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Colton M Tom
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Virginia B Mattis
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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40
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Rietz A, Li H, Quist KM, Cherry JJ, Lorson CL, Burnett BG, Kern NL, Calder AN, Fritsche M, Lusic H, Boaler PJ, Choi S, Xing X, Glicksman MA, Cuny GD, Androphy EJ, Hodgetts KJ. Discovery of a Small Molecule Probe That Post-Translationally Stabilizes the Survival Motor Neuron Protein for the Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. J Med Chem 2017; 60:4594-4610. [PMID: 28481536 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the leading genetic cause of infant death. We previously developed a high-throughput assay that employs an SMN2-luciferase reporter allowing identification of compounds that act transcriptionally, enhance exon recognition, or stabilize the SMN protein. We describe optimization and characterization of an analog suitable for in vivo testing. Initially, we identified analog 4m that had good in vitro properties but low plasma and brain exposure in a mouse PK experiment due to short plasma stability; this was overcome by reversing the amide bond and changing the heterocycle. Thiazole 27 showed excellent in vitro properties and a promising mouse PK profile, making it suitable for in vivo testing. This series post-translationally stabilizes the SMN protein, unrelated to global proteasome or autophagy inhibition, revealing a novel therapeutic mechanism that should complement other modalities for treatment of SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Rietz
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Hongxia Li
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Kevin M Quist
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Jonathan J Cherry
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri 65201, United States
| | - Barrington G Burnett
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences , Bethesda, Maryland 20814, United States
| | - Nicholas L Kern
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Alyssa N Calder
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Melanie Fritsche
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Hrvoje Lusic
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Patrick J Boaler
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Sungwoon Choi
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Xuechao Xing
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Marcie A Glicksman
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Gregory D Cuny
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Elliot J Androphy
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Kevin J Hodgetts
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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41
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Khairallah MT, Astroski J, Custer SK, Androphy EJ, Franklin CL, Lorson CL. SMN deficiency negatively impacts red pulp macrophages and spleen development in mouse models of spinal muscular atrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:932-941. [PMID: 28062667 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is the leading genetic cause of infantile death. It is caused by a severe deficiency of the ubiquitously expressed Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein. SMA is characterized by α-lower motor neuron loss and muscle atrophy, however, there is a growing list of tissues impacted by a SMN deficiency beyond motor neurons. The non-neuronal defects are observed in the most severe Type I SMA patients and most of the widely used SMA mouse models, however, as effective therapeutics are developed, it is unclear whether additional symptoms will be uncovered in longer lived patients. Recently, the immune system and inflammation has been identified as a contributor to neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS. To determine whether the immune system is comprised in SMA, we analyzed the spleen and immunological components in SMA mice. In this report, we identify: a significant reduction in spleen size in multiple SMA mouse models and a pathological reduction in red pulp and extramedullary hematopoiesis. Additionally, red pulp macrophages, a discrete subset of yolk sac-derived macrophages, were found to be altered in SMA spleens even in pre-symptomatic post-natal day 2 animals. These cells, which are involved in iron metabolism and the phagocytosis of erythrocytes and blood-borne pathogens are significantly reduced prior to the development of the neurodegenerative hallmarks of SMA, implying a differential role of SMN in myeloid cell ontogeny. Collectively, these results demonstrate that SMN deficiency impacts spleen development and suggests a potential role for immunological development in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Therese Khairallah
- Molecular Pathogeneses and Therapeutics Program.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Jacob Astroski
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sarah K Custer
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Elliot J Androphy
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Christian L Lorson
- Molecular Pathogeneses and Therapeutics Program.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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42
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Kline RA, Kaifer KA, Osman EY, Carella F, Tiberi A, Ross J, Pennetta G, Lorson CL, Murray LM. Comparison of independent screens on differentially vulnerable motor neurons reveals alpha-synuclein as a common modifier in motor neuron diseases. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006680. [PMID: 28362802 PMCID: PMC5391970 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The term “motor neuron disease” encompasses a spectrum of disorders in which motor neurons are the primary pathological target. However, in both patients and animal models of these diseases, not all motor neurons are equally vulnerable, in that while some motor neurons are lost very early in disease, others remain comparatively intact, even at late stages. This creates a valuable system to investigate the factors that regulate motor neuron vulnerability. In this study, we aim to use this experimental paradigm to identify potential transcriptional modifiers. We have compared the transcriptome of motor neurons from healthy wild-type mice, which are differentially vulnerable in the childhood motor neuron disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), and have identified 910 transcriptional changes. We have compared this data set with published microarray data sets on other differentially vulnerable motor neurons. These neurons were differentially vulnerable in the adult onset motor neuron disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), but the screen was performed on the equivalent population of neurons from neurologically normal human, rat and mouse. This cross species comparison has generated a refined list of differentially expressed genes, including CELF5, Col5a2, PGEMN1, SNCA, Stmn1 and HOXa5, alongside a further enrichment for synaptic and axonal transcripts. As an in vivo validation, we demonstrate that the manipulation of a significant number of these transcripts can modify the neurodegenerative phenotype observed in a Drosophila line carrying an ALS causing mutation. Finally, we demonstrate that vector-mediated expression of alpha-synuclein (SNCA), a transcript decreased in selectively vulnerable motor neurons in all four screens, can extend life span, increase weight and decrease neuromuscular junction pathology in a mouse model of SMA. In summary, we have combined multiple data sets to identify transcripts, which are strong candidates for being phenotypic modifiers, and demonstrated SNCA is a modifier of pathology in motor neuron disease. The term “motor neuron disease” refers to a group of disorders, causing progressive paralysis of affected patients due to the degeneration of motor neurons cells which control voluntary movements. Importantly, not all motor neurons appear to be affected in the same way, with those that control the face being affected less that those that control the abdomen. The reason why some motor neurons are more vulnerable is unknown; however, understanding this may provide new targets for therapeutics to slow motor neuron degeneration either as stand-alone therapeutics or in combination with SMN-inducing compounds. In this study, we analysed gene expression in different groups of motor neurons and compared this to previously published expression data to identify commonalities. One of the common transcripts was alpha-synuclein (SNCA), which was consistently expressed at lower levels in vulnerable motor neurons. Importantly, when SNCA levels were increased in a mouse model of motor neuron disease, the disease phenotype was significantly reduced, including an extension in survival and reduction in motor neuron pathology. Collectively, these results demonstrate that this approach can identify disease modifiers that can reduce disease severity in models of motor neuron disease and potentially identify new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A. Kline
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Euan McDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin A. Kaifer
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Erkan Y. Osman
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Francesco Carella
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Euan McDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ariana Tiberi
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jolill Ross
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Giuseppa Pennetta
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Euan McDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Christian L. Lorson
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Lyndsay M. Murray
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Euan McDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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43
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Kaifer KA, Villalón E, Osman EY, Glascock JJ, Arnold LL, Cornelison DDW, Lorson CL. Plastin-3 extends survival and reduces severity in mouse models of spinal muscular atrophy. JCI Insight 2017; 2:e89970. [PMID: 28289706 PMCID: PMC5333955 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.89970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a leading genetic cause of infantile death and is caused by the loss of survival motor neuron-1 (SMN1). Importantly, a nearly identical gene is present called SMN2; however, the majority of SMN2-derived transcripts are alternatively spliced and encode a truncated, dysfunctional protein. Recently, several compounds designed to increase SMN protein have entered clinical trials, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), traditional small molecules, and gene therapy. Expanding beyond SMN-centric therapeutics is important, as it is likely that the breadth of the patient spectrum and the inherent complexity of the disease will be difficult to address with a single therapeutic strategy. Several SMN-independent pathways that could impinge upon the SMA phenotype have been examined with varied success. To identify disease-modifying pathways that could serve as stand-alone therapeutic targets or could be used in combination with an SMN-inducing compound, we investigated adeno-associated virus-mediated (AAV-mediated) gene therapy using plastin-3 (PLS3). Here, we report that AAV9-PLS3 extends survival in an intermediate model of SMA mice as well as in a pharmacologically induced model of SMA using a splice-switching ASO that increases SMN production. PLS3 coadministration improves the phenotype beyond the ASO, demonstrating the potential utility of combinatorial therapeutics in SMA that target SMN-independent and SMN-dependent pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Kaifer
- Molecular Pathogeneses and Therapeutics Program.,Bond Life Sciences Center
| | - Eric Villalón
- Bond Life Sciences Center.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine
| | - Erkan Y Osman
- Bond Life Sciences Center.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine
| | | | - Laura L Arnold
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - D D W Cornelison
- Bond Life Sciences Center.,Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Molecular Pathogeneses and Therapeutics Program.,Bond Life Sciences Center.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine
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44
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Seng CO, Magee C, Young PJ, Lorson CL, Allen JP. Retraction notice: the SMN structure reveals its crucial role in snRNP assembly. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:5516. [PMID: 28031290 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chenda O Seng
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Craig Magee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Philip J Young
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Bond Life Sciences Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Bond Life Sciences Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - James P Allen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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45
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Osman EY, Washington CW, Kaifer KA, Mazzasette C, Patitucci TN, Florea KM, Simon ME, Ko CP, Ebert AD, Lorson CL. Optimization of Morpholino Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeting the Intronic Repressor Element1 in Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Mol Ther 2016; 24:1592-601. [PMID: 27401142 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2016.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of Survival Motor Neuron-1 (SMN1) causes Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a devastating neurodegenerative disease. SMN2 is a nearly identical copy gene; however SMN2 cannot prevent disease development in the absence of SMN1 since the majority of SMN2-derived transcripts are alternatively spliced, encoding a truncated, unstable protein lacking exon 7. Nevertheless, SMN2 retains the ability to produce low levels of functional protein. Previously we have described a splice-switching Morpholino antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) sequence that targets a potent intronic repressor, Element1 (E1), located upstream of SMN2 exon 7. In this study, we have assessed a novel panel of Morpholino ASOs with the goal of optimizing E1 ASO activity. Screening for efficacy in the SMNΔ7 mouse model, a single ASO variant was more active in vivo compared with the original E1(MO)-ASO. Sequence variant eleven (E1(MOv11)) consistently showed greater efficacy by increasing the lifespan of severe Spinal Muscular Atrophy mice after a single intracerebroventricular injection in the central nervous system, exhibited a strong dose-response across an order of magnitude, and demonstrated excellent target engagement by partially reversing the pathogenic SMN2 splicing event. We conclude that Morpholino modified ASOs are effective in modifying SMN2 splicing and have the potential for future Spinal Muscular Atrophy clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkan Y Osman
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Charles W Washington
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Kevin A Kaifer
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Chiara Mazzasette
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Teresa N Patitucci
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kyra M Florea
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Madeline E Simon
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Chien-Ping Ko
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Allison D Ebert
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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46
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Van Gronigen Caesar G, Dale JM, Osman EY, Garcia ML, Lorson CL, Schulz LC. Placental development in a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2015; 470:82-87. [PMID: 26748185 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.12.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disorder, leading to fatal loss of motor neurons. It is caused by loss of function of the SMN gene, which is expressed throughout the body, and there is increasing evidence of dysfunction in non-neuronal tissues. Birthweight is one of most powerful prognostic factors for infants born with SMA, and intrauterine growth restriction is common. In the SMNΔ7 mouse model of SMA, pups with the disease lived 25% longer when their mothers were fed a higher fat, "breeder" diet. The placenta is responsible for transport of nutrients from mother to fetus, and is a major determinant of fetal growth. Thus, the present study tested the hypothesis that placental development is impaired in SMNΔ7 conceptuses. Detailed morphological characterization revealed no defects in SMNΔ7 placental development, and expression of key transcription factors regulating mouse placental development was unaffected. The intrauterine growth restriction observed in SMA infants likely does not result from impaired placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerialisa Van Gronigen Caesar
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Dale
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Erkan Y Osman
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Michael L Garcia
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Laura C Schulz
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
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47
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Rindt H, Feng Z, Mazzasette C, Glascock JJ, Valdivia D, Pyles N, Crawford TO, Swoboda KJ, Patitucci TN, Ebert AD, Sumner CJ, Ko CP, Lorson CL. Astrocytes influence the severity of spinal muscular atrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:4094-102. [PMID: 25911676 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemically low levels of survival motor neuron-1 (SMN1) protein cause spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). α-Motor neurons of the spinal cord are considered particularly vulnerable in this genetic disorder and their dysfunction and loss cause progressive muscle weakness, paralysis and eventually premature death of afflicted individuals. Historically, SMA was therefore considered a motor neuron-autonomous disease. However, depletion of SMN in motor neurons of normal mice elicited only a very mild phenotype. Conversely, restoration of SMN to motor neurons in an SMA mouse model had only modest effects on the SMA phenotype and survival. Collectively, these results suggested that additional cell types contribute to the pathogenesis of SMA, and understanding the non-autonomous requirements is crucial for developing effective therapies. Astrocytes are critical for regulating synapse formation and function as well as metabolic support for neurons. We hypothesized that astrocyte functions are disrupted in SMA, exacerbating disease progression. Using viral-based restoration of SMN specifically to astrocytes, survival in severe and intermediate SMA mice was observed. In addition, neuromuscular circuitry was improved. Astrogliosis was prominent in end-stage SMA mice and in post-mortem patient spinal cords. Increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines was partially normalized in treated mice, suggesting that astrocytes contribute to the pathogenesis of SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hansjörg Rindt
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology and Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Bond Life Sciences Center, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Zhihua Feng
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Chiara Mazzasette
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jacqueline J Glascock
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology and Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Bond Life Sciences Center, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - David Valdivia
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Noah Pyles
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Thomas O Crawford
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kathryn J Swoboda
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA and
| | - Teresa N Patitucci
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Allison D Ebert
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Charlotte J Sumner
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Chien-Ping Ko
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology and Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Bond Life Sciences Center, Columbia, MO 65211, USA,
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48
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Abstract
The spliceosome plays a fundamental role in RNA metabolism by facilitating pre-RNA splicing. To understand how this essential complex is formed, we have used protein crystallography to determine the first complete structures of the key assembler protein, SMN, and the truncated isoform, SMNΔ7, which is found in patients with the disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Comparison of the structures of SMN and SMNΔ7 shows many similar features, including the presence of two Tudor domains, but significant differences are observed in the C-terminal domain, including 12 additional amino acid residues encoded by exon 7 in SMN compared with SMNΔ7. Mapping of missense point mutations found in some SMA patients reveals clustering around three spatial locations, with the largest cluster found in the C-terminal domain. We propose a structural model of SMN binding with the Gemin2 protein and a heptameric Sm ring, revealing a critical assembly role of the residues 260-294, with the differences at the C-terminus of SMNΔ7 compared with SMN likely leading to loss of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) assembly. The SMN complex is proposed to form a dimer driven by formation of a glycine zipper involving α helix formed by amino acid residues 263-294. These results explain how structural changes of SMN give rise to loss of SMN-mediated snRNP assembly and support the hypothesis that this loss results in atrophy of neurons in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenda O Seng
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA and
| | - Craig Magee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA and
| | - Philip J Young
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Bond Life Sciences Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Bond Life Sciences Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - James P Allen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA and
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49
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Osman EY, Miller MR, Robbins KL, Lombardi AM, Atkinson AK, Brehm AJ, Lorson CL. Morpholino antisense oligonucleotides targeting intronic repressor Element1 improve phenotype in SMA mouse models. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:4832-45. [PMID: 24781211 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of Survival Motor Neuron-1 (SMN1). In all SMA patients, a nearly identical copy gene called SMN2 is present, which produces low levels of functional protein owing to an alternative splicing event. To prevent exon-skipping, we have targeted an intronic repressor, Element1 (E1), located upstream of SMN2 exon 7 using Morpholino-based antisense oligonucleotides (E1(MO)-ASOs). A single intracerebroventricular injection in the relatively severe mouse model of SMA (SMNΔ7 mouse model) elicited a robust induction of SMN protein, and mean life span was extended from an average survival of 13 to 54 days following a single dose, consistent with large weight gains and a correction of the neuronal pathology. Additionally, E1(MO)-ASO treatment in an intermediate SMA mouse (SMN(RT) mouse model) significantly extended life span by ∼700% and weight gain was comparable with the unaffected animals. While a number of experimental therapeutics have targeted the ISS-N1 element of SMN2 pre-mRNA, the development of E1 ASOs provides a new molecular target for SMA therapeutics that dramatically extends survival in two important pre-clinical models of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkan Y Osman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Madeline R Miller
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA, Genetics Area Program, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center Room 403, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA and
| | - Kate L Robbins
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Abby M Lombardi
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Arleigh K Atkinson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Amanda J Brehm
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA, Genetics Area Program, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center Room 403, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA and
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50
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Robbins KL, Glascock JJ, Osman EY, Miller MR, Lorson CL. Defining the therapeutic window in a severe animal model of spinal muscular atrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:4559-68. [PMID: 24722206 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of a single gene, Survival Motor Neuron-1 (SMN1). Administration of a self-complementary Adeno-Associated Virus vector expressing full-length SMN cDNA (scAAV-SMN) has proven an effective means to rescue the SMA phenotype in SMA mice, either by intravenous (IV) or intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration at very early time points. We have recently shown that ICV delivery of scAAV9-SMN is more effective than a similar dose of vector administered via an IV injection, thereby providing an important mechanism to examine a timeline for rescuing the disease and determining the therapeutic window in a severe model of SMA. In this report, we utilized a relatively severe mouse model of SMA, SMNΔ7. Animals were injected with scAAV9-SMN vector via ICV injection on a single day, from P2 through P8. At each delivery point from P2 through P8, scAAV9-SMN decreased disease severity. A near complete rescue was obtained following P2 injection while a P8 injection produced a ∼ 40% extension in survival. Analysis of the underlying neuromuscular junction (NMJ) pathology revealed that late-stage delivery of the vector failed to provide protection from NMJ defects despite robust SMN expression in the central nervous system. While our study demonstrates that a maximal benefit is obtained when treatment is delivered during pre-symptomatic stages, significant therapeutic benefit can still be achieved after the onset of disease symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate L Robbins
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center
| | - Jacqueline J Glascock
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine and
| | - Erkan Y Osman
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine and
| | - Madeline R Miller
- Genetics Area Program, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine and
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