1
|
Hayes EK, Gagnon GA. From capture to detection: A critical review of passive sampling techniques for pathogen surveillance in water and wastewater. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 261:122024. [PMID: 38986282 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Water quality, critical for human survival and well-being, necessitates rigorous control to mitigate contamination risks, particularly from pathogens amid expanding urbanization. Consequently, the necessity to maintain the microbiological safety of water supplies demands effective surveillance strategies, reliant on the collection of representative samples and precise measurement of contaminants. This review critically examines the advancements of passive sampling techniques for monitoring pathogens in various water systems, including wastewater, freshwater, and seawater. We explore the evolution from conventional materials to innovative adsorbents for pathogen capture and the shift from culture-based to molecular detection methods, underscoring the adaptation of this field to global health challenges. The comparison highlights passive sampling's efficacy over conventional techniques like grab sampling and its potential to overcome existing sampling challenges through the use of innovative materials such as granular activated carbon, thermoplastics, and polymer membranes. By critically evaluating the literature, this work identifies standardization gaps and proposes future research directions to augment passive sampling's efficiency, specificity, and utility in environmental and public health surveillance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emalie K Hayes
- Centre for Water Resources Studies, Department of Civil & Resource Engineering, Dalhousie University, 1360 Barrington Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Graham A Gagnon
- Centre for Water Resources Studies, Department of Civil & Resource Engineering, Dalhousie University, 1360 Barrington Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Medina Escobar A, Pringsheim T, Gautreau S, Rivera-Duarte JD, Amorelli G, Cornejo-Olivas M, Rossi M. Epidemiology of Huntington's Disease in Latin America: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Mov Disord 2024. [PMID: 39044616 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Latin America has played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of Huntington's disease (HD). However, previous global reviews include limited data from Latin America. It is possible that English-based medical search engines may not capture all the relevant studies. METHODS We searched databases in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. The names of every country in Latin America in English-based search engines were used to ensure we found any study that had molecular ascertainment and provided general epidemiological information or subpopulation data. Additionally, we contacted experts across the region. RESULTS The search strategy yielded 791 citations; 24 studies met inclusion criteria, representing 12 of 36 countries. The overall pooled prevalence was 0.64 per 100,000 (prediction interval, 0.06-7.22); for cluster regions, it was 54 per 100,000 (95% CI, 34.79-84.92); for juvenile HD, it was 8.7% (prediction interval, 5.12-14.35), and 5.9% (prediction interval, 2.72-13.42) for late-onset HD. The prevalence was higher for Mexico, Peru, and Brazil. However, there were no significant differences between Central America and the Caribbean versus South America. CONCLUSION The prevalence of HD appears to be similar across Latin America. However, we infer that our findings are underestimates, in part because of limited research and underdiagnosis of HD because of limited access to molecular testing and the availability of neurologists and movement disorders specialists. Future research should focus on identifying pathways to improve access to molecular testing and education and understanding differences among different ancestral groups in Latin America. © 2024 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Medina Escobar
- Moncton Interdisciplinary Neurodegenerative Diseases Clinic, Horizon Health Network, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Tamara Pringsheim
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sylvia Gautreau
- Moncton Interdisciplinary Neurodegenerative Diseases Clinic, Horizon Health Network, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Jose D Rivera-Duarte
- Laboratorio de Hidrobiología, Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Ciudad Universitaria, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
| | - Gabriel Amorelli
- The Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mario Cornejo-Olivas
- Neurogenetics Working Group, Universidad Cientifica del Sur, Lima, Peru
- Neurogenetics Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru
| | - Malco Rossi
- Servicio de Movimientos Anormales, Departamento de Neurología, FLENI, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Alshehabi Y, Martin DDO. Protective Proteolysis in Huntington's Disease: Unraveling the Role of Post-Translational Myristoylation of Huntingtin in Autophagy. J Huntingtons Dis 2024:JHD240028. [PMID: 38995796 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-240028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by impaired motor function and cognitive decline, ultimately leading to death. HD is caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the N-terminal region of the huntingtin (HTT) protein, which is linked to decreased HTT turnover, increased HTT proteolysis, increased HTT aggregation, and subsequent neuronal death. In this review, we explore the mechanism of the protective effect of blocking HTT proteolysis at D586, which has been shown to rescue the HD phenotype in HD mouse models. Until recently, the mechanism remained unclear. Herein, we discuss how blocking HTT proteolysis at D586 promotes HTT turnover by correcting autophagy, and making HTT a better autophagy substrate, through post-translational myristoylation of HTT at G553.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasmeen Alshehabi
- NeurdyPhagy Lab, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Dale D O Martin
- NeurdyPhagy Lab, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sun Y, Men W, Kennerknecht I, Fang W, Zheng HF, Zhang W, Rao Y. Human genetics of face recognition: discovery of MCTP2 mutations in humans with face blindness (congenital prosopagnosia). Genetics 2024; 227:iyae047. [PMID: 38547502 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyae047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Face recognition is important for both visual and social cognition. While prosopagnosia or face blindness has been known for seven decades and face-specific neurons for half a century, the molecular genetic mechanism is not clear. Here we report results after 17 years of research with classic genetics and modern genomics. From a large family with 18 congenital prosopagnosia (CP) members with obvious difficulties in face recognition in daily life, we uncovered a fully cosegregating private mutation in the MCTP2 gene which encodes a calcium binding transmembrane protein expressed in the brain. After screening through cohorts of 6589, we found more CPs and their families, allowing detection of more CP associated mutations in MCTP2. Face recognition differences were detected between 14 carriers with the frameshift mutation S80fs in MCTP2 and 19 noncarrying volunteers. Six families including one with 10 members showed the S80fs-CP correlation. Functional magnetic resonance imaging found association of impaired recognition of individual faces by MCTP2 mutant CPs with reduced repetition suppression to repeated facial identities in the right fusiform face area. Our results have revealed genetic predisposition of MCTP2 mutations in CP, 76 years after the initial report of prosopagnosia and 47 years after the report of the first CP. This is the first time a gene required for a higher form of visual social cognition was found in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Sun
- Chinese Institutes for Medical Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Weiwei Men
- Center for MRI Research, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Beijing Key Lab for Medical Physics and Engineering, Institute of Heavy Ion Physics, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ingo Kennerknecht
- Institute of Human Genetics, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Wan Fang
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Hou-Feng Zheng
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Wenxia Zhang
- Chinese Institutes for Medical Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yi Rao
- Chinese Institutes for Medical Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518107, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tang Q, Khvorova A. RNAi-based drug design: considerations and future directions. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:341-364. [PMID: 38570694 PMCID: PMC11144061 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-024-00912-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
More than 25 years after its discovery, the post-transcriptional gene regulation mechanism termed RNAi is now transforming pharmaceutical development, proved by the recent FDA approval of multiple small interfering RNA (siRNA) drugs that target the liver. Synthetic siRNAs that trigger RNAi have the potential to specifically silence virtually any therapeutic target with unprecedented potency and durability. Bringing this innovative class of medicines to patients, however, has been riddled with substantial challenges, with delivery issues at the forefront. Several classes of siRNA drug are under clinical evaluation, but their utility in treating extrahepatic diseases remains limited, demanding continued innovation. In this Review, we discuss principal considerations and future directions in the design of therapeutic siRNAs, with a particular emphasis on chemistry, the application of informatics, delivery strategies and the importance of careful target selection, which together influence therapeutic success.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Tang
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Anastasia Khvorova
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Burtscher J, Strasser B, Pepe G, Burtscher M, Kopp M, Di Pardo A, Maglione V, Khamoui AV. Brain-Periphery Interactions in Huntington's Disease: Mediators and Lifestyle Interventions. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4696. [PMID: 38731912 PMCID: PMC11083237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Prominent pathological features of Huntington's disease (HD) are aggregations of mutated Huntingtin protein (mHtt) in the brain and neurodegeneration, which causes characteristic motor (such as chorea and dystonia) and non-motor symptoms. However, the numerous systemic and peripheral deficits in HD have gained increasing attention recently, since those factors likely modulate disease progression, including brain pathology. While whole-body metabolic abnormalities and organ-specific pathologies in HD have been relatively well described, the potential mediators of compromised inter-organ communication in HD have been insufficiently characterized. Therefore, we applied an exploratory literature search to identify such mediators. Unsurprisingly, dysregulation of inflammatory factors, circulating mHtt, and many other messenger molecules (hormones, lipids, RNAs) were found that suggest impaired inter-organ communication, including of the gut-brain and muscle-brain axis. Based on these findings, we aimed to assess the risks and potentials of lifestyle interventions that are thought to improve communication across these axes: dietary strategies and exercise. We conclude that appropriate lifestyle interventions have great potential to reduce symptoms and potentially modify disease progression (possibly via improving inter-organ signaling) in HD. However, impaired systemic metabolism and peripheral symptoms warrant particular care in the design of dietary and exercise programs for people with HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Burtscher
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Strasser
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rehabilitation Research, 1100 Vienna, Austria;
- Faculty of Medicine, Sigmund Freud Private University, 1020 Vienna, Austria
| | - Giuseppe Pepe
- IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Martin Burtscher
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Martin Kopp
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (M.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Alba Di Pardo
- IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (V.M.)
| | | | - Andy V. Khamoui
- Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33458, USA;
- Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chen J, Landback P, Arsala D, Guzzetta A, Xia S, Atlas J, Sosa D, Zhang YE, Cheng J, Shen B, Long M. Evolutionarily new genes in humans with disease phenotypes reveal functional enrichment patterns shaped by adaptive innovation and sexual selection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.14.567139. [PMID: 38045239 PMCID: PMC10690195 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.14.567139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
New genes (or young genes) are genetic novelties pivotal in mammalian evolution. Their phenotypic impacts and evolutionary pattern over time, however, remain elusive in humans due to the technical and ethical complexities in functional studies. By combining human gene age dating and Mendelian disease phenotyping, our research reveals a gradual increase in disease gene proportions with gene age. Logistic regression modeling indicates that this increase could be related to longer protein lengths and higher burdens of deleterious de novo germline variants (DNVs) for older genes. We also find a steady integration of new genes with biomedical phenotypes into the human genome over macroevolutionary timescales (~0.07% per million years). Despite this stable pace, we observe distinct patterns in phenotypic enrichment, pleiotropy, and selective pressures across gene ages. Notably, young genes show significant enrichment in diseases related to the male reproductive system, indicating strong sexual selection. Young genes also exhibit disease-related functions in tissues and systems potentially linked to human phenotypic innovations, such as increased brain size, musculoskeletal phenotypes, and color vision. We further reveal a logistic growth pattern of pleiotropy over evolutionary time, indicating a diminishing marginal growth of new functions for older genes due to intensifying selective constraints over time. We propose a "pleiotropy-barrier" model that delineates higher potentials of phenotypic innovation for young genes than for older genes, a process subject to natural selection. Our study demonstrates that evolutionary new genes are critical in influencing human reproductive evolution and adaptive phenotypic innovations driven by sexual and natural selection, with low pleiotropy as a selective advantage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianhai Chen
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Chicago, 1101 E 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, West China University Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Patrick Landback
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Chicago, 1101 E 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Deanna Arsala
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Chicago, 1101 E 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Alexander Guzzetta
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, 1101 E 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Shengqian Xia
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Chicago, 1101 E 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Jared Atlas
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Chicago, 1101 E 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Dylan Sosa
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Chicago, 1101 E 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Yong E. Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jingqiu Cheng
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, West China University Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Bairong Shen
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, West China University Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Manyuan Long
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Chicago, 1101 E 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Faundes V, Repetto GM, Valdivia LE. Discovery of novel genetic syndromes in Latin America: Opportunities and challenges. Genet Mol Biol 2024; 47Suppl 1:e20230318. [PMID: 38466870 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2023-0318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Latin America (LatAm) has a rich and historically significant role in delineating both novel and well-documented genetic disorders. However, the ongoing advancements in the field of human genetics pose challenges to the relatively slow adaption of LatAm in the field. Here, we describe past and present contributions of LatAm to the discovery of novel genetic disorders, often referred as novel gene-disease associations (NGDA). We also describe the current methodologies for discovery of NGDA, taking into account the latest developments in genomics. We provide an overview of opportunities and challenges for NGDA research in LatAm considering the steps currently performed to identify and validate such associations. Given the multiple and diverse needs of populations and countries in LatAm, it is imperative to foster collaborations amongst patients, indigenous people, clinicians and scientists. Such collaborative effort is essential for sustaining and enhancing the LatAm´s contributions to the field of NGDA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Faundes
- Universidad de Chile, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Laboratorio de Genética y Enfermedades Metabólicas, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gabriela M Repetto
- Universidad del Desarrollo, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Centro de Genética y Genómica, Programa de Enfermedades Raras, Santiago, Chile
| | - Leonardo E Valdivia
- Universidad Mayor, Facultad de Ciencias, Centro de Biología Integrativa, Santiago, Chile
- Universidad Mayor, Facultad de Ciencias, Escuela de Biotecnología, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Jurcau A, Simion A, Jurcau MC. Emerging antibody-based therapies for Huntington's disease: current status and perspectives for future development. Expert Rev Neurother 2024; 24:299-312. [PMID: 38324338 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2024.2314183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Being an inherited neurodegenerative disease with an identifiable genetic defect, Huntington's disease (HD) is a suitable candidate for early intervention, possibly even in the pre-symptomatic stage. Our recent advances in elucidating the pathogenesis of HD have revealed a series of novel potential therapeutic targets, among which immunotherapies are actively pursued in preclinical experiments. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on the potential of antibody-based treatments targeting various epitopes (of mutant huntingtin as well as phosphorylated tau) that are currently evaluated in vitro and in animal experiments. The references used in this review were retrieved from the PubMed database, searching for immunotherapies in HD, and clinical trial registries were reviewed for molecules already evaluated in clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION Antibody-based therapies have raised considerable interest in a series of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by deposition of aggregated of aberrantly folded proteins, HD included. Intrabodies and nanobodies can interact with mutant huntingtin inside the nervous cells. However, the conflicting results obtained with some of these intrabodies highlight the need for proper choice of epitopes and for developing animal models more closely mimicking human disease. Approval of these strategies will require a considerable financial and logistic effort on behalf of healthcare systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anamaria Jurcau
- Department of Psycho-Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
| | - Aurel Simion
- Department of Psycho-Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rahit KMTH, Avramovic V, Chong JX, Tarailo-Graovac M. GPAD: a natural language processing-based application to extract the gene-disease association discovery information from OMIM. BMC Bioinformatics 2024; 25:84. [PMID: 38413851 PMCID: PMC10898068 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-024-05693-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thousands of genes have been associated with different Mendelian conditions. One of the valuable sources to track these gene-disease associations (GDAs) is the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database. However, most of the information in OMIM is textual, and heterogeneous (e.g. summarized by different experts), which complicates automated reading and understanding of the data. Here, we used Natural Language Processing (NLP) to make a tool (Gene-Phenotype Association Discovery (GPAD)) that could syntactically process OMIM text and extract the data of interest. RESULTS GPAD applies a series of language-based techniques to the text obtained from OMIM API to extract GDA discovery-related information. GPAD can inform when a particular gene was associated with a specific phenotype, as well as the type of validation-whether through model organisms or cohort-based patient-matching approaches-for such an association. GPAD extracted data was validated with published reports and was compared with large language model. Utilizing GPAD's extracted data, we analysed trends in GDA discoveries, noting a significant increase in their rate after the introduction of exome sequencing, rising from an average of about 150-250 discoveries each year. Contrary to hopes of resolving most GDAs for Mendelian disorders by now, our data indicate a substantial decline in discovery rates over the past five years (2017-2022). This decline appears to be linked to the increasing necessity for larger cohorts to substantiate GDAs. The rising use of zebrafish and Drosophila as model organisms in providing evidential support for GDAs is also observed. CONCLUSIONS GPAD's real-time analyzing capacity offers an up-to-date view of GDA discovery and could help in planning and managing the research strategies. In future, this solution can be extended or modified to capture other information in OMIM and scientific literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K M Tahsin Hassan Rahit
- Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Vladimir Avramovic
- Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Jessica X Chong
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Brotman-Baty Institute, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Maja Tarailo-Graovac
- Departments of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zadegan SA, Kupcha L, Patino J, Rocha NP, Teixeira AL, Furr Stimming E. Obsessive-compulsive and perseverative behaviors in Huntington's disease. Behav Brain Res 2024; 458:114767. [PMID: 37984520 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive and perseverative behaviors (OCBs/PBs) are characteristic features of Huntington's Disease (HD). Although a few recent research have attempted to discriminate between OCBs and PBs, most of the available evidence on OCBs does not consistently make this distinction. In this article, we aimed to explore the current inconsistencies in assessing and reporting OCBs/PBs and map the body of existing evidence. Up to half of the patients with motor manifest HD can experience OCBs. Separate reporting of PBs in HD patients has been uncommon among the studies and was frequently reported as a part of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The structural limitation of the currently used rating scales and the overlaps in neuropathology and definition of OCBs and PBs are among the main reasons for the mixed reporting of OCBs/PBs. Perseverative thinking or behavior as a separate item is found in a few assessment tools, such as the Problem Behaviors Assessment - Short form (PBA-s). Even when the item exists, it is commonly reported as a composite score in combination with the obsessive-compulsive item. In addition to the significant psychological burden in individuals with HD, PBs are associated with somatic effects (e.g., cardiovascular symptoms) and high-risk behaviors (e.g., suicide). Recognition and monitoring of PBs in HD can aid in early detection of concerning symptoms and differentiating overlapping illnesses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shayan Abdollah Zadegan
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA; Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) Center of Excellence at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Luke Kupcha
- McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jorge Patino
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA; Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) Center of Excellence at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Natalia Pessoa Rocha
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA; Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) Center of Excellence at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Antonio L Teixeira
- Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) Center of Excellence at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Erin Furr Stimming
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA; Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) Center of Excellence at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Olechnowicz A, Blatkiewicz M, Jopek K, Isalan M, Mielcarek M, Rucinski M. Deregulated Transcriptome as a Platform for Adrenal Huntington's Disease-Related Pathology. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2176. [PMID: 38396853 PMCID: PMC10888552 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects mainly the central nervous system (CNS) by inducing progressive deterioration in both its structure and function. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the impact of HD on peripheral tissue function. Herein, we used the R6/2 mouse model of HD to investigate the influence of the disease on adrenal gland functioning. A transcriptomic analysis conducted using a well-established quantitative method, an Affymetrix array, revealed changes in gene expression in the R6/2 model compared to genetic background controls. For the first time, we identified disruptions in cholesterol and sterol metabolism, blood coagulation, and xenobiotic metabolism in HD adrenal glands. This study showed that the disrupted expression of these genes may contribute to the underlying mechanisms of Huntington's disease. Our findings may contribute to developing a better understanding of Huntington's disease progression and aid in the development of novel diagnostic or therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Olechnowicz
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
- Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznan, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Blatkiewicz
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
| | - Karol Jopek
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
| | - Mark Isalan
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Michal Mielcarek
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Marcin Rucinski
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Franklin GL, Teive HAG, Tensini FS, Camargo CHF, de Lima NDSC, de Dos Santos DDC, Meira AT, Tabrizi SJ. The Huntington's Disease Gene Discovery. Mov Disord 2024; 39:227-234. [PMID: 38179605 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The gene for Huntington's disease (HD) was discovered in 1993, after an international collaborative initiative that led researchers to remote regions of South America. It was the most remarkable milestone, since George Huntington's initial description. Through the phenomenological discussions led by Jean-Martin Charcot and Willian Osler, and finally Americo Negrette's reports, which served as the inspiration for the Venezuela Project led by Nancy Wexler, the journey toward discovering the Huntington's disease (HD) gene was marked by substantial efforts. This monumental achievement involved the analysis of more than 18,000 blood samples and gathered dozens of researchers in an integrated effort, enabling the mapping of the gene on chromosome 4 in 1983 and leading, a decade later, to the precise localization and identification of the HTT gene. The discovery of the HD mutation represented a pivotal moment in the field of genetics and neurology, significantly enhancing our understanding of the disease and creating opportunities for future treatments. The progress made and the knowledge gained during this journey catalyzed the development of many innovative molecular techniques that have advanced research in other medical conditions. In this article, the authors celebrate three decades of this memorable event, revisiting the historical aspects, providing insights into the techniques developed, and delving into the paths that ultimately led to the discovery of the HD gene. © 2024 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo L Franklin
- Internal Medicine Department, Pontifical University Catholic of Parana, Medical School, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Hélio A G Teive
- Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Internal Medicine Department, HC, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Fernando Spina Tensini
- Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Internal Medicine Department, HC, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Alex T Meira
- Internal Medicine Department, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Sarah J Tabrizi
- UCL Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Minow MAA, Marand AP, Schmitz RJ. Leveraging Single-Cell Populations to Uncover the Genetic Basis of Complex Traits. Annu Rev Genet 2023; 57:297-319. [PMID: 37562412 PMCID: PMC10775913 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-022123-110824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
The ease and throughput of single-cell genomics have steadily improved, and its current trajectory suggests that surveying single-cell populations will become routine. We discuss the merger of quantitative genetics with single-cell genomics and emphasize how this synergizes with advantages intrinsic to plants. Single-cell population genomics provides increased detection resolution when mapping variants that control molecular traits, including gene expression or chromatin accessibility. Additionally, single-cell population genomics reveals the cell types in which variants act and, when combined with organism-level phenotype measurements, unveils which cellular contexts impact higher-order traits. Emerging technologies, notably multiomics, can facilitate the measurement of both genetic changes and genomic traits in single cells, enabling single-cell genetic experiments. The implementation of single-cell genetics will advance the investigation of the genetic architecture of complex molecular traits and provide new experimental paradigms to study eukaryotic genetics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark A A Minow
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA;
| | | | - Robert J Schmitz
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Rodríguez-Urgellés E, Casas-Torremocha D, Sancho-Balsells A, Ballasch I, García-García E, Miquel-Rio L, Manasanch A, Del Castillo I, Chen W, Pupak A, Brito V, Tornero D, Rodríguez MJ, Bortolozzi A, Sanchez-Vives MV, Giralt A, Alberch J. Thalamic Foxp2 regulates output connectivity and sensory-motor impairments in a model of Huntington's Disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:367. [PMID: 37987826 PMCID: PMC10663254 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05015-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's Disease (HD) is a disorder that affects body movements. Altered glutamatergic innervation of the striatum is a major hallmark of the disease. Approximately 30% of those glutamatergic inputs come from thalamic nuclei. Foxp2 is a transcription factor involved in cell differentiation and reported low in patients with HD. However, the role of the Foxp2 in the thalamus in HD remains unexplored. METHODS We used two different mouse models of HD, the R6/1 and the HdhQ111 mice, to demonstrate a consistent thalamic Foxp2 reduction in the context of HD. We used in vivo electrophysiological recordings, microdialysis in behaving mice and rabies virus-based monosynaptic tracing to study thalamo-striatal and thalamo-cortical synaptic connectivity in R6/1 mice. Micro-structural synaptic plasticity was also evaluated in the striatum and cortex of R6/1 mice. We over-expressed Foxp2 in the thalamus of R6/1 mice or reduced Foxp2 in the thalamus of wild type mice to evaluate its role in sensory and motor skills deficiencies, as well as thalamo-striatal and thalamo-cortical connectivity in such mouse models. RESULTS Here, we demonstrate in a HD mouse model a clear and early thalamo-striatal aberrant connectivity associated with a reduction of thalamic Foxp2 levels. Recovering thalamic Foxp2 levels in the mouse rescued motor coordination and sensory skills concomitant with an amelioration of neuropathological features and with a repair of the structural and functional connectivity through a restoration of neurotransmitter release. In addition, reduction of thalamic Foxp2 levels in wild type mice induced HD-like phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we show that a novel identified thalamic Foxp2 dysregulation alters basal ganglia circuits implicated in the pathophysiology of HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ened Rodríguez-Urgellés
- Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biomedicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Anna Sancho-Balsells
- Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biomedicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Iván Ballasch
- Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biomedicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther García-García
- Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biomedicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lluis Miquel-Rio
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Arnau Manasanch
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Del Castillo
- Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biomedicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Wanqi Chen
- Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biomedicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Anika Pupak
- Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biomedicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Veronica Brito
- Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biomedicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Tornero
- Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biomedicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), University of Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel J Rodríguez
- Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biomedicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Analia Bortolozzi
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria V Sanchez-Vives
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca I Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Giralt
- Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biomedicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), University of Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jordi Alberch
- Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biomedicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), University of Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Chen J. Evolutionarily new genes in humans with disease phenotypes reveal functional enrichment patterns shaped by adaptive innovation and sexual selection. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3632644. [PMID: 38045389 PMCID: PMC10690325 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3632644/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
New genes (or young genes) are structural novelties pivotal in mammalian evolution. Their phenotypic impact on humans, however, remains elusive due to the technical and ethical complexities in functional studies. Through combining gene age dating with Mendelian disease phenotyping, our research reveals that new genes associated with disease phenotypes steadily integrate into the human genome at a rate of ~ 0.07% every million years over macroevolutionary timescales. Despite this stable pace, we observe distinct patterns in phenotypic enrichment, pleiotropy, and selective pressures between young and old genes. Notably, young genes show significant enrichment in the male reproductive system, indicating strong sexual selection. Young genes also exhibit functions in tissues and systems potentially linked to human phenotypic innovations, such as increased brain size, bipedal locomotion, and color vision. Our findings further reveal increasing levels of pleiotropy over evolutionary time, which accompanies stronger selective constraints. We propose a "pleiotropy-barrier" model that delineates different potentials for phenotypic innovation between young and older genes subject to natural selection. Our study demonstrates that evolutionary new genes are critical in influencing human reproductive evolution and adaptive phenotypic innovations driven by sexual and natural selection, with low pleiotropy as a selective advantage.
Collapse
|
17
|
Verkhratsky A, Butt A, Li B, Illes P, Zorec R, Semyanov A, Tang Y, Sofroniew MV. Astrocytes in human central nervous system diseases: a frontier for new therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:396. [PMID: 37828019 PMCID: PMC10570367 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01628-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Astroglia are a broad class of neural parenchymal cells primarily dedicated to homoeostasis and defence of the central nervous system (CNS). Astroglia contribute to the pathophysiology of all neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders in ways that can be either beneficial or detrimental to disorder outcome. Pathophysiological changes in astroglia can be primary or secondary and can result in gain or loss of functions. Astroglia respond to external, non-cell autonomous signals associated with any form of CNS pathology by undergoing complex and variable changes in their structure, molecular expression, and function. In addition, internally driven, cell autonomous changes of astroglial innate properties can lead to CNS pathologies. Astroglial pathophysiology is complex, with different pathophysiological cell states and cell phenotypes that are context-specific and vary with disorder, disorder-stage, comorbidities, age, and sex. Here, we classify astroglial pathophysiology into (i) reactive astrogliosis, (ii) astroglial atrophy with loss of function, (iii) astroglial degeneration and death, and (iv) astrocytopathies characterised by aberrant forms that drive disease. We review astroglial pathophysiology across the spectrum of human CNS diseases and disorders, including neurotrauma, stroke, neuroinfection, autoimmune attack and epilepsy, as well as neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, metabolic and neuropsychiatric disorders. Characterising cellular and molecular mechanisms of astroglial pathophysiology represents a new frontier to identify novel therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Verkhratsky
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling/School of Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
- Achucarro Centre for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, LT-01102, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Arthur Butt
- Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Baoman Li
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Peter Illes
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling/School of Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Rudolf Boehm Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Leipzig, 04109, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Robert Zorec
- Celica Biomedical, Lab Cell Engineering, Technology Park, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alexey Semyanov
- Department of Physiology, Jiaxing University College of Medicine, 314033, Jiaxing, China
| | - Yong Tang
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling/School of Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture for Senile Disease (Chengdu University of TCM), Ministry of Education/Acupuncture and Chronobiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China.
| | - Michael V Sofroniew
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Smriti, Singla M, Gupta S, Porwal O, Nasser Binjawhar D, Sayed AA, Mittal P, El-Demerdash FM, Algahtani M, Singh SK, Dua K, Gupta G, Bawa P, Altyar AE, Abdel-Daim MM. Theoretical design for covering Engeletin with functionalized nanostructure-lipid carriers as neuroprotective agents against Huntington's disease via the nasal-brain route. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1218625. [PMID: 37492081 PMCID: PMC10364480 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1218625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: To propose a theoretical formulation of engeletin-nanostructured lipid nanocarriers for improved delivery and increased bioavailability in treating Huntington's disease (HD). Methods: We conducted a literature review of the pathophysiology of HD and the limitations of currently available medications. We also reviewed the potential therapeutic benefits of engeletin, a flavanol glycoside, in treating HD through the Keap1/nrf2 pathway. We then proposed a theoretical formulation of engeletin-nanostructured lipid nanocarriers for improved delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and increased bioavailability. Results: HD is an autosomal dominant neurological illness caused by a repetition of the cytosine-adenine-guanine trinucleotide, producing a mutant protein called Huntingtin, which degenerates the brain's motor and cognitive functions. Excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, elevated concentration of ROS and RNS, neuroinflammation, and protein aggregation significantly impact HD development. Current therapeutic medications can postpone HD symptoms but have long-term adverse effects when used regularly. Herbal medications such as engeletin have drawn attention due to their minimal side effects. Engeletin has been shown to reduce mitochondrial dysfunction and suppress inflammation through the Keap1/NRF2 pathway. However, its limited solubility and permeability hinder it from reaching the target site. A theoretical formulation of engeletin-nanostructured lipid nanocarriers may allow for free transit over the BBB due to offering a similar composition to the natural lipids present in the body a lipid solubility and increase bioavailability, potentially leading to a cure or prevention of HD. Conclusion: The theoretical formulation of engeletin-nanostructured lipid nanocarriers has the potential to improve delivery and increase the bioavailability of engeletin in the treatment of HD, which may lead to a cure or prevention of this fatal illness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Smriti
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, India
| | - Madhav Singla
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, India
| | - Saurabh Gupta
- Chameli Devi Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
| | - Omji Porwal
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Dalal Nasser Binjawhar
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amany A. Sayed
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Pooja Mittal
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, India
| | - Fatma M. El-Demerdash
- Department of Environmental Studies, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mohammad Algahtani
- Department of Laboratory & Blood Bank, Security Forces Hospital, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sachin Kumar Singh
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
- Australian Research Consortium in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Kamal Dua
- Australian Research Consortium in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, India
- Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Puneet Bawa
- Center of Excellence for Speech and Multimodel Laboratory, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, India
| | - Ahmed E. Altyar
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Fahy N, Rice C, Lahiri N, Desai R, Stott J. Genetic risk for Huntington Disease and reproductive decision-making: A systematic review. Clin Genet 2023. [PMID: 37095632 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Huntington Disease (HD) is an incurable autosomal dominant single gene neurodegenerative disorder. Typical onset is between 30 and 40 years and characterised by motor difficulties, cognitive impairment, and behavioural and personality changes. The availability of reproductive testing means that affected and at-risk individuals can make reproductive decisions with genetic risk in mind. We aimed to summarise the literature on reproductive decision-making in the context of HD risk in terms of outcomes and the subjective experiences of at-risk individuals. Five databases were searched. Findings were synthesised using Framework analysis to identify common factors across results of quantitative and qualitative studies. Twenty five studies met inclusion criteria. Framework analysis identified the following key areas: 'The relationship between reproductive intentions and HD genetic risk', 'Views on assistive options', 'Complexity and challenges in reproductive decision-making', 'Actual reproductive outcomes', and 'Other factors influencing reproductive decision-making'. Quality of included studies was mixed. Reproductive decision making in the context of HD risk was found to be a complex and emotionally challenging process. Further research is required into reproductive decision-making and outcomes among those not utilising assistive options, and in developing a model of reproductive decision-making in HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neil Fahy
- ADAPT Lab, Research Department of Clinical Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Charlotte Rice
- ADAPT Lab, Research Department of Clinical Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nayana Lahiri
- St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust & St Georges, University of London, IMBE, London, UK
| | - Roopal Desai
- ADAPT Lab, Research Department of Clinical Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Joshua Stott
- ADAPT Lab, Research Department of Clinical Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Loi SM, Tsoukra P, Sun E, Chen Z, Wibawa P, Biase MD, Farrand S, Eratne D, Kelso W, Evans A, Walterfang M, Velakoulis D. Survival in Huntington's disease and other young-onset dementias. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2023; 38:e5913. [PMID: 37062919 PMCID: PMC10946957 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare survival and risk factors associated with mortality in common young-onset dementias (YOD) including Huntington's disease. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included inpatients from an Australian specialist neuropsychiatry service, over 20 years. Dementia diagnoses were based on consensus criteria and Huntington's disease (HD) was confirmed genetically. Mortality and cause of death were determined using linkage to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare National Death Index. RESULTS There were 386 individuals with YOD included. The dementia types included frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (24.5%), HD (21.2%) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) (20.5%). 63% (n = 243) individuals had died. The longest median survival was for those who had HD, 18.8 years from symptom onset and with a reduced mortality risk compared to AD and FTD (hazard ratio 0.5). Overall, people with YOD had significantly increased mortality, of 5-8 times, compared to the general population. Females with a YOD had higher standardised mortality ratio compared to males (9.3 vs. 4.9) overall. The most frequent cause of death in those with HD was reported as HD, with other causes of death in the other YOD-subtypes related to dementia and mental/behavioural disorders. DISCUSSION This is the first Australian study to investigate survival and risk factors of mortality in people with YOD. YOD has a significant risk of death compared to the general population. Our findings provide useful clinical information for people affected by YOD as well as future planning and service provision.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M. Loi
- NeuropsychiatryNorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne HealthRoyal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of PsychiatryThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | | | - Emily Sun
- NeuropsychiatryNorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne HealthRoyal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Zhibin Chen
- School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Pierre Wibawa
- NeuropsychiatryNorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne HealthRoyal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Maria di Biase
- Department of PsychiatryThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Sarah Farrand
- NeuropsychiatryNorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne HealthRoyal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Dhamidhu Eratne
- NeuropsychiatryNorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne HealthRoyal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of PsychiatryThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Wendy Kelso
- NeuropsychiatryNorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne HealthRoyal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Andrew Evans
- Department of MedicineRoyal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Mark Walterfang
- NeuropsychiatryNorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne HealthRoyal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of PsychiatryThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Dennis Velakoulis
- NeuropsychiatryNorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne HealthRoyal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of PsychiatryThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Geribaldi-Doldán N, Carrascal L, Pérez-García P, Oliva-Montero JM, Pardillo-Díaz R, Domínguez-García S, Bernal-Utrera C, Gómez-Oliva R, Martínez-Ortega S, Verástegui C, Nunez-Abades P, Castro C. Migratory Response of Cells in Neurogenic Niches to Neuronal Death: The Onset of Harmonic Repair? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076587. [PMID: 37047560 PMCID: PMC10095545 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Harmonic mechanisms orchestrate neurogenesis in the healthy brain within specific neurogenic niches, which generate neurons from neural stem cells as a homeostatic mechanism. These newly generated neurons integrate into existing neuronal circuits to participate in different brain tasks. Despite the mechanisms that protect the mammalian brain, this organ is susceptible to many different types of damage that result in the loss of neuronal tissue and therefore in alterations in the functionality of the affected regions. Nevertheless, the mammalian brain has developed mechanisms to respond to these injuries, potentiating its capacity to generate new neurons from neural stem cells and altering the homeostatic processes that occur in neurogenic niches. These alterations may lead to the generation of new neurons within the damaged brain regions. Notwithstanding, the activation of these repair mechanisms, regeneration of neuronal tissue within brain injuries does not naturally occur. In this review, we discuss how the different neurogenic niches respond to different types of brain injuries, focusing on the capacity of the progenitors generated in these niches to migrate to the injured regions and activate repair mechanisms. We conclude that the search for pharmacological drugs that stimulate the migration of newly generated neurons to brain injuries may result in the development of therapies to repair the damaged brain tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Geribaldi-Doldán
- Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología Humanas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain
| | - Livia Carrascal
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Patricia Pérez-García
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain
- Departamento de Biomedicina, Biotecnología y Salud Pública, Área de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain
| | - José M. Oliva-Montero
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain
- Departamento de Biomedicina, Biotecnología y Salud Pública, Área de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain
| | - Ricardo Pardillo-Díaz
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain
- Departamento de Biomedicina, Biotecnología y Salud Pública, Área de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain
| | - Samuel Domínguez-García
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain
- Departamento de Biomedicina, Biotecnología y Salud Pública, Área de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carlos Bernal-Utrera
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Facultad de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Podología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41009 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Ricardo Gómez-Oliva
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain
- Departamento de Biomedicina, Biotecnología y Salud Pública, Área de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain
| | - Sergio Martínez-Ortega
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain
- Departamento de Biomedicina, Biotecnología y Salud Pública, Área de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain
| | - Cristina Verástegui
- Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología Humanas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain
| | - Pedro Nunez-Abades
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Carmen Castro
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain
- Departamento de Biomedicina, Biotecnología y Salud Pública, Área de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Morena E, Romano C, Marconi M, Diamant S, Buscarinu MC, Bellucci G, Romano S, Scarabino D, Salvetti M, Ristori G. Peripheral Biomarkers in Manifest and Premanifest Huntington's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076051. [PMID: 37047023 PMCID: PMC10094222 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by clinical motor impairment (e.g., involuntary movements, poor coordination, parkinsonism), cognitive deficits, and psychiatric symptoms. An inhered expansion of the CAG triplet in the huntingtin gene causing a pathogenic gain-of-function of the mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein has been identified. In this review, we focus on known biomarkers (e.g., mHTT, neurofilament light chains) and on new biofluid biomarkers that can be quantified in plasma or peripheral blood mononuclear cells from mHTT carriers. Circulating biomarkers may fill current unmet needs in HD management: better stratification of patients amenable to etiologic treatment; the initiation of preventive treatment in premanifest HD; and the identification of peripheral pathogenic central nervous system cascades.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Morena
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela Romano
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Marconi
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Selene Diamant
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Buscarinu
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Bellucci
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Romano
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Scarabino
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Salvetti
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo (INM) Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ristori
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
- Neuroimmunology Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Pereira CADS, Medaglia NDC, Ureshino RP, Bincoletto C, Antonioli M, Fimia GM, Piacentini M, Pereira GJDS, Erustes AG, Smaili SS. NAADP-Evoked Ca2+ Signaling Leads to Mutant Huntingtin Aggregation and Autophagy Impairment in Murine Astrocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065593. [PMID: 36982672 PMCID: PMC10058390 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by mutations in the huntingtin gene (mHtt), causing an unstable repeat of the CAG trinucleotide, leading to abnormal long repeats of polyglutamine (poly-Q) in the N-terminal region of the huntingtin, which form abnormal conformations and aggregates. Alterations in Ca2+ signaling are involved in HD models and the accumulation of mutated huntingtin interferes with Ca2+ homeostasis. Lysosomes are intracellular Ca2+ storages that participate in endocytic and lysosomal degradation processes, including autophagy. Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is an intracellular second messenger that promotes Ca2+ release from the endo-lysosomal system via Two-Pore Channels (TPCs) activation. Herein, we show the impact of lysosomal Ca2+ signals on mHtt aggregation and autophagy blockade in murine astrocytes overexpressing mHtt-Q74. We observed that mHtt-Q74 overexpression causes an increase in NAADP-evoked Ca2+ signals and mHtt aggregation, which was inhibited in the presence of Ned-19, a TPC antagonist, or BAPTA-AM, a Ca2+ chelator. Additionally, TPC2 silencing revert the mHtt aggregation. Furthermore, mHtt has been shown co-localized with TPC2 which may contribute to its effects on lysosomal homeostasis. Moreover, NAADP-mediated autophagy was also blocked since its function is dependent on lysosomal functionality. Taken together, our data show that increased levels of cytosolic Ca2+ mediated by NAADP causes mHtt aggregation. Additionally, mHtt co-localizes with the lysosomes, where it possibly affects organelle functions and impairs autophagy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cássia Arruda de Souza Pereira
- Departament of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Natalia de Castro Medaglia
- Departament of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Portes Ureshino
- Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil
| | - Claudia Bincoletto
- Departament of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Manuela Antonioli
- Department of Epidemiology, Preclinical Research and Advanced Diagnostics, National Institute for Infectious Diseases IRCCS “L. Spallanzani”, 00149 Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Fimia
- Department of Epidemiology, Preclinical Research and Advanced Diagnostics, National Institute for Infectious Diseases IRCCS “L. Spallanzani”, 00149 Rome, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Piacentini
- Department of Epidemiology, Preclinical Research and Advanced Diagnostics, National Institute for Infectious Diseases IRCCS “L. Spallanzani”, 00149 Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Gustavo José da Silva Pereira
- Departament of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Adolfo Garcia Erustes
- Departament of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04044-020, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-11-5576-4449
| | - Soraya Soubhi Smaili
- Departament of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04044-020, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Plomin R. Celebrating a Century of Research in Behavioral Genetics. Behav Genet 2023; 53:75-84. [PMID: 36662387 PMCID: PMC9922236 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-023-10132-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
A century after the first twin and adoption studies of behavior in the 1920s, this review looks back on the journey and celebrates milestones in behavioral genetic research. After a whistle-stop tour of early quantitative genetic research and the parallel journey of molecular genetics, the travelogue focuses on the last fifty years. Just as quantitative genetic discoveries were beginning to slow down in the 1990s, molecular genetics made it possible to assess DNA variation directly. From a rocky start with candidate gene association research, by 2005 the technological advance of DNA microarrays enabled genome-wide association studies, which have successfully identified some of the DNA variants that contribute to the ubiquitous heritability of behavioral traits. The ability to aggregate the effects of thousands of DNA variants in polygenic scores has created a DNA revolution in the behavioral sciences by making it possible to use DNA to predict individual differences in behavior from early in life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Plomin
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Sturchio A, Duker AP, Muñoz-Sanjuan I, Espay AJ. Subtyping monogenic disorders: Huntington disease. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 193:171-184. [PMID: 36803810 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-85555-6.00003-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Huntington disease is a highly disabling neurodegenerative disease characterized by psychiatric, cognitive, and motor deficits. The causal genetic mutation in huntingtin (Htt, also known as IT15), located on chromosome 4p16.3, leads to an expansion of a triplet coding for polyglutamine. The expansion is invariably associated with the disease when >39 repeats. Htt encodes for the protein huntingtin (HTT), which carries out many essential biological functions in the cell, in particular in the nervous system. The precise mechanism of toxicity is not known. Based on a one-gene-one-disease framework, the prevailing hypothesis ascribes toxicity to the universal aggregation of HTT. However, the aggregation process into mutant huntingtin (mHTT) is associated with a reduction of the levels of wild-type HTT. A loss of wild-type HTT may plausibly be pathogenic, contributing to the disease onset and progressive neurodegeneration. Moreover, many other biological pathways are altered in Huntington disease, such as in the autophagic system, mitochondria, and essential proteins beyond HTT, potentially explaining biological and clinical differences among affected individuals. As one gene does not mean one disease, future efforts at identifying specific Huntington subtypes are important to design biologically tailored therapeutic approaches that correct the corresponding biological pathways-rather than continuing to exclusively target the common denominator of HTT aggregation for elimination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Sturchio
- James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson's disease and Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Neuro Svenningsson, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Andrew P Duker
- James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson's disease and Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | | | - Alberto J Espay
- James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson's disease and Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Estrada-Sánchez AM, Rebec GV, Galvan L. Editorial: New insight into Huntington's disease: From neuropathology to possible therapeutic targets. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1138712. [PMID: 36816128 PMCID: PMC9933495 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1138712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ana María Estrada-Sánchez
- División de Biología Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (IPICYT), San Luis Potosí, Mexico,*Correspondence: Ana María Estrada-Sánchez ✉
| | - George V. Rebec
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Laurie Galvan
- Sciences Department, Université de Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Saade-Lemus S, Videnovic A. Sleep Disorders and Circadian Disruption in Huntington's Disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2023; 12:121-131. [PMID: 37424473 PMCID: PMC10473087 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-230576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Sleep and circadian alterations are common in patients with Huntington's disease (HD). Understanding the pathophysiology of these alterations and their association with disease progression and morbidity can guide HD management. We provide a narrative review of the clinical and basic-science studies centered on sleep and circadian function on HD. Sleep/wake disturbances among HD patients share many similarities with other neurodegenerative diseases. Overall, HD patients and animal models of the disease present with sleep changes early in the clinical course of the disease, including difficulties with sleep initiation and maintenance leading to decreased sleep efficiency, and progressive deterioration of normal sleep architecture. Despite this, sleep alterations remain frequently under-reported by patients and under-recognized by health professionals. The degree of sleep and circadian alterations has not consistently shown to be CAG dose-dependent. Evidence based treatment recommendations are insufficient due to lack of well-designed intervention trials. Approaches aimed at improving circadian entrainment, such as including light therapy, and time-restricted feeding have demonstrated a potential to delay symptom progression in some basic HD investigations. Larger study cohorts, comprehensive assessment of sleep and circadian function, and reproducibility of findings are needed in future in order to better understand sleep and circadian function in HD and to develop effective treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Saade-Lemus
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aleksandar Videnovic
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Genetic substrates of bipolar disorder risk in Latino families. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:154-167. [PMID: 35948660 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01705-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Genetic studies of bipolar disorder (BP) have been conducted in the Latin American population, to date, in several countries, including Mexico, the United States, Costa Rica, Colombia, and, to a lesser extent, Brazil. These studies focused primarily on linkage-based designs utilizing families with multiplex cases of BP. Significant BP loci were identified on Chromosomes 18, 5 and 8, and fine mapping suggested several genes of interest underlying these linkage peaks. More recently, studies in these same pedigrees yielded significant linkage loci for BP endophenotypes, including measures of activity, sleep cycles, and personality traits. Building from findings in other populations, candidate gene association analyses in Latinos from Mexican and Central American ancestry confirmed the role of several genes (including CACNA1C and ANK3) in conferring BP risk. Although GWAS, methylation, and deep sequencing studies have only begun in these populations, there is evidence that CNVs and rare SNPs both play a role in BP risk of these populations. Large segments of the Latino populations in the Americas remain largely unstudied regarding BP genetics, but evidence to date has shown that this type of research can be successfully conducted in these populations and that the genetic underpinnings of BP in these cohorts share at least some characteristics with risk genes identified in European and other populations.
Collapse
|
29
|
Shang D, Huang M, Wang B, Yan X, Wu Z, Zhang X. mtDNA Maintenance and Alterations in the Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:578-598. [PMID: 35950246 PMCID: PMC10207910 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220810114644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Considerable evidence indicates that the semiautonomous organelles mitochondria play key roles in the progression of many neurodegenerative disorders. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes components of the OXPHOS complex but mutated mtDNA accumulates in cells with aging, which mirrors the increased prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases. This accumulation stems not only from the misreplication of mtDNA and the highly oxidative environment but also from defective mitophagy after fission. In this review, we focus on several pivotal mitochondrial proteins related to mtDNA maintenance (such as ATAD3A and TFAM), mtDNA alterations including mtDNA mutations, mtDNA elimination, and mtDNA release-activated inflammation to understand the crucial role played by mtDNA in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease. Our work outlines novel therapeutic strategies for targeting mtDNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dehao Shang
- Center of Implant Dentistry, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Minghao Huang
- Center of Implant Dentistry, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Biyao Wang
- The VIP Department, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Xu Yan
- The VIP Department, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhou Wu
- Department of Aging Science and Pharmacology, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- OBT Research Center, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Xinwen Zhang
- Center of Implant Dentistry, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Brandebura AN, Paumier A, Onur TS, Allen NJ. Astrocyte contribution to dysfunction, risk and progression in neurodegenerative disorders. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:23-39. [PMID: 36316501 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00641-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 105.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing appreciation that non-neuronal cells contribute to the initiation, progression and pathology of diverse neurodegenerative disorders. This Review focuses on the role of astrocytes in disorders including Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, Huntington disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The important roles astrocytes have in supporting neuronal function in the healthy brain are considered, along with studies that have demonstrated how the physiological properties of astrocytes are altered in neurodegenerative disorders and may explain their contribution to neurodegeneration. Further, the question of whether in neurodegenerative disorders with specific genetic mutations these mutations directly impact on astrocyte function, and may suggest a driving role for astrocytes in disease initiation, is discussed. A summary of how astrocyte transcriptomic and proteomic signatures are altered during the progression of neurodegenerative disorders and may relate to functional changes is provided. Given the central role of astrocytes in neurodegenerative disorders, potential strategies to target these cells for future therapeutic avenues are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley N Brandebura
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Adrien Paumier
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tarik S Onur
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nicola J Allen
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Taghian T, Gallagher J, Batcho E, Pullan C, Kuchel T, Denney T, Perumal R, Moore S, Muirhead R, Herde P, Johns D, Christou C, Taylor A, Passler T, Pulaparthi S, Hall E, Chandra S, O’Neill CA, Gray-Edwards H. Brain Alterations in Aged OVT73 Sheep Model of Huntington's Disease: An MRI Based Approach. J Huntingtons Dis 2022; 11:391-406. [PMID: 36189602 PMCID: PMC9837686 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-220526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative autosomal dominant disorder with prevalence of 1 : 20000 that has no effective treatment to date. Translatability of candidate therapeutics could be enhanced by additional testing in large animal models because of similarities in brain anatomy, size, and immunophysiology. These features enable realistic pre-clinical studies of biodistribution, efficacy, and toxicity. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS Here we non-invasively characterized alterations in brain white matter microstructure, neurochemistry, neurological status, and mutant Huntingtin protein (mHTT) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of aged OVT73 HD sheep. RESULTS Similar to HD patients, CSF mHTT differentiates HD from normal sheep. Our results are indicative of a decline in neurological status, and alterations in brain white matter diffusion and spectroscopy metric that are more severe in aged female HD sheep. Longitudinal analysis of aged female HD sheep suggests that the decline is detectable over the course of a year. In line with reports of HD human studies, white matter alterations in corpus callosum correlates with a decline in gait of HD sheep. Moreover, alterations in the occipital cortex white matter correlates with a decline in clinical rating score. In addition, the marker of energy metabolism in striatum of aged HD sheep, shows a correlation with decline of clinical rating score and eye coordination. CONCLUSION This data suggests that OVT73 HD sheep can serve as a pre-manifest large animal model of HD providing a platform for pre-clinical testing of HD therapeutics and non-invasive tracking of the efficacy of the therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toloo Taghian
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA,
Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jillian Gallagher
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Erin Batcho
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Caitlin Pullan
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Gillies Plains, SA, Australia
| | - Tim Kuchel
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Gillies Plains, SA, Australia
| | - Thomas Denney
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Raj Perumal
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Gillies Plains, SA, Australia
| | - Shamika Moore
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Gillies Plains, SA, Australia
| | - Robb Muirhead
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Gillies Plains, SA, Australia
| | - Paul Herde
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Gillies Plains, SA, Australia
| | - Daniel Johns
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Gillies Plains, SA, Australia
| | - Chris Christou
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Gillies Plains, SA, Australia
| | - Amanda Taylor
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Thomas Passler
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Sanjana Pulaparthi
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Erin Hall
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Sundeep Chandra
- Sana Biotechnology, South San Francisco, CA, USA,Bio Marin Pharmaceutical Inc., San Rafael, CA, USA
| | | | - Heather Gray-Edwards
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA,
Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA,Correspondence to: Heather L. Gray-Edwards, DVM, PhD, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Radiology and Horae Gene Therapy Center, 368 Plantation Street, ASC6-2055, Worcester, MA 01605, USA. Tel.: +1 508 856 4051; Fax: +1 508 856 1552; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Intertwining Neuropathogenic Impacts of Aberrant Circadian Rhythm and Impaired Neuroregenerative Plasticity in Huntington’s Disease: Neurotherapeutic Significance of Chemogenetics. JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jmp3040030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by abnormal progressive involuntary movements, cognitive deficits, sleep disturbances, and psychiatric symptoms. The onset and progression of the clinical symptoms have been linked to impaired adult neurogenesis in the brains of subjects with HD, due to the reduced neurogenic potential of neural stem cells (NSCs). Among various pathogenic determinants, an altered clock pathway appears to induce the dysregulation of neurogenesis in neurodegenerative disorders. Notably, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons that express the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the brain play a key role in the regulation of circadian rhythm and neuroplasticity. While an abnormal clock gene pathway has been associated with the inactivation of GABAergic VIP neurons, recent studies suggest the activation of this neuronal population in the brain positively contributes to neuroplasticity. Thus, the activation of GABAergic VIP neurons in the brain might help rectify the irregular circadian rhythm in HD. Chemogenetics refers to the incorporation of genetically engineered receptors or ion channels into a specific cell population followed by its activation using desired chemical ligands. The recent advancement of chemogenetic-based approaches represents a potential scientific tool to rectify the aberrant circadian clock pathways. Considering the facts, the defects in the circadian rhythm can be rectified by the activation of VIP-expressing GABAergic neurons using chemogenetics approaches. Thus, the chemogenetic-based rectification of an abnormal circadian rhythm may facilitate the neurogenic potentials of NSCs to restore the neuroregenerative plasticity in HD. Eventually, the increased neurogenesis in the brain can be expected to mitigate neuronal loss and functional deficits.
Collapse
|
33
|
Huntingtin and Other Neurodegeneration-Associated Proteins in the Development of Intracellular Pathologies: Potential Target Search for Therapeutic Intervention. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415533. [PMID: 36555175 PMCID: PMC9779313 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are currently incurable. Numerous experimental data accumulated over the past fifty years have brought us closer to understanding the molecular and cell mechanisms responsible for their development. However, these data are not enough for a complete understanding of the genesis of these diseases, nor to suggest treatment methods. It turns out that many cellular pathologies developing during neurodegeneration coincide from disease to disease. These observations give hope to finding a common intracellular target(s) and to offering a universal method of treatment. In this review, we attempt to analyze data on similar cellular disorders among neurodegenerative diseases in general, and polyglutamine neurodegenerative diseases in particular, focusing on the interaction of various proteins involved in the development of neurodegenerative diseases with various cellular organelles. The main purposes of this review are: (1) to outline the spectrum of common intracellular pathologies and to answer the question of whether it is possible to find potential universal target(s) for therapeutic intervention; (2) to identify specific intracellular pathologies and to speculate about a possible general approach for their treatment.
Collapse
|
34
|
Mushroom Natural Products in Neurodegenerative Disease Drug Discovery. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233938. [PMID: 36497196 PMCID: PMC9740391 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The variety of drugs available to treat neurodegenerative diseases is limited. Most of these drug's efficacy is restricted by individual genetics and disease stages and usually do not prevent neurodegeneration acting long after irreversible damage has already occurred. Thus, drugs targeting the molecular mechanisms underlying subsequent neurodegeneration have the potential to negate symptom manifestation and subsequent neurodegeneration. Neuroinflammation is a common feature of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and multiple sclerosis, and is associated with the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, which in turn leads to neurodegeneration. Inflammasome activation and oligomerisation is suggested to be a major driver of disease progression occurring in microglia. With several natural products and natural product derivatives currently in clinical trials, mushrooms have been highlighted as a rich and largely untapped source of biologically active compounds in both in vitro and in vivo neurodegenerative disease models, partially supported by successful clinical trial evaluations. Additionally, novel high-throughput methods for the screening of natural product compound libraries are being developed to help accelerate the neurodegenerative disease drug discovery process, targeting neuroinflammation. However, the breadth of research relating to mushroom natural product high-throughput screening is limited, providing an exciting opportunity for further detailed investigations.
Collapse
|
35
|
A Century of Behavioral Genetics at the University of Minnesota. Twin Res Hum Genet 2022; 25:211-225. [PMID: 36734056 DOI: 10.1017/thg.2023.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The University of Minnesota has played an important role in the resurgence and eventual mainstreaming of human behavioral genetics in psychology and psychiatry. We describe this history in the context of three major movements in behavioral genetics: (1) radical eugenics in the early 20th century, (2) resurgence of human behavioral genetics in the 1960s, largely using twin and adoption designs to obtain more precise estimates of genetic and environmental influences on individual differences in behavior; and (3) use of measured genotypes to understand behavior. University of Minnesota scientists made significant contributions especially in (2) and (3) in the domains of cognitive ability, drug abuse and mental health, and endophenotypes. These contributions are illustrated through a historical perspective of major figures and events in behavioral genetics.
Collapse
|
36
|
Hubčíková K, Rakús T, Mühlbäck A, Benetin J, Bruncvik L, Petrášová Z, Bušková J, Brunovský M. Psychosocial Impact of Huntington's Disease and Incentives to Improve Care for Affected Families in the Underserved Region of the Slovak Republic. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12121941. [PMID: 36556162 PMCID: PMC9783383 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12121941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Huntington's disease (HD) is often on the margin of standard medical practice due to its low prevalence, the lack of causal treatment, and the typically long premanifest window prior to the onset of the symptoms, which contrasts with the long-lasting burden that the disease causes in affected families. METHODS To capture these socio-psychological aspects of HD and map the experiences of affected individuals, persons at risk of HD, and caregivers, we created a questionnaire using a qualitative research approach. The questionnaire containing 16 questions was conducted online for a period of three months through patient associations in Slovakia and their infrastructures. RESULTS In total, we received 30 responses. The survey results, in particular, indicate insufficient counselling by physicians with explicitly missing information about the possibility of preimplantation genetic diagnostic. There was also a necessity to improve comprehensive social and health care in the later stages of the disease, raise awareness of the disease in the general health community, and provide more information on ongoing clinical trials. CONCLUSION The psychosocial effects, as well as the burden, can be mitigated by comprehensive genetic counselling as well as reproductive and financial guidelines and subsequent therapeutic programs to actively support patients, caregivers, children, and adolescents growing up in affected families, preferably with the help of local HD community association. LIMITATIONS We have used online data collection to reach a wider HD community, but at the same time, we are aware that the quality of the data we would obtain through face-to-face interviews would be considerably better. Therefore, future studies need to be conducted to obtain more detailed information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarína Hubčíková
- Neuropsychiatric Department, Psychiatric Hospital of Philipp Pinel in Pezinok, 90201 Pezinok, Slovakia
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, 10000 Prague, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +421917111575; Fax: +421336482121
| | - Tomáš Rakús
- Neuropsychiatric Department, Psychiatric Hospital of Philipp Pinel in Pezinok, 90201 Pezinok, Slovakia
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, 10000 Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Psychiatry, Slovac Medical University, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Alžbeta Mühlbäck
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, kbo-Isar-Amper-Klinikum, 84416 Taufkirchen (Vils), Germany
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, 12821 Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Ján Benetin
- Neuropsychiatric Department, Psychiatric Hospital of Philipp Pinel in Pezinok, 90201 Pezinok, Slovakia
| | - Lucia Bruncvik
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, 10000 Prague, Czech Republic
- Landesklinikum Hainburg, 2410 Hainburg an der Donau, Austria
| | - Zuzana Petrášová
- Neuropsychiatric Department, Psychiatric Hospital of Philipp Pinel in Pezinok, 90201 Pezinok, Slovakia
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, 10000 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Bušková
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, 10000 Prague, Czech Republic
- National Institute of Mental Health, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Brunovský
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, 10000 Prague, Czech Republic
- National Institute of Mental Health, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Palaiogeorgou AM, Papakonstantinou E, Golfinopoulou R, Sigala M, Mitsis T, Papageorgiou L, Diakou I, Pierouli K, Dragoumani K, Spandidos DA, Bacopoulou F, Chrousos GP, Eliopoulos E, Vlachakis D. Recent approaches on Huntington's disease (Review). Biomed Rep 2022; 18:5. [PMID: 36544856 PMCID: PMC9756286 DOI: 10.3892/br.2022.1587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe motor, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms. Patients of all ages can present with a dysfunction of the nervous system, which leads to the progressive loss of movement control and disabilities in speech, swallowing, communications, etc. The molecular basis of the disease is well-known, as HD is related to a mutated gene, a trinucleotide expansion, which encodes to the huntingtin protein. This protein is linked to neurogenesis and the loss of its function leads to neurodegenerative disorders. Although the genetic cause of the disorder has been known for decades, no effective treatment is yet available to prevent onset or to eliminate the progression of symptoms. Thus, the present review focused on the development of novel methods for the timely and accurate diagnosis of HD in an aim to aid the development of therapies which may reduce the severity of the symptoms and control their progression. The majority of the therapies include gene-silencing mechanisms of the mutated huntingtin gene aiming to suppress its expression, and the use of various substances as drugs with highly promising results. In the present review, the latest approaches on the diagnosis of HD are discussed along with the need for genetic counseling and an up-to-date presentation of the applied treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Marina Palaiogeorgou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Rebecca Golfinopoulou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Markezina Sigala
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Louis Papageorgiou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Pierouli
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George P. Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Eliopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece,University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece,Correspondence to: Dr Dimitrios Vlachakis, Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, 11855 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Shan Z, Ding L, Zhu C, Sun R, Hong W. Medical care of rare and undiagnosed diseases: Prospects and challenges. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 2:851-858. [PMID: 38933390 PMCID: PMC11197738 DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2022.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rare and undiagnosed diseases tend to be diverse, misdiagnosed, and difficult to diagnose. In some cases, the disease is progressive and life-threatening. Yet, to date, an estimated 95% of rare diseases have no approved therapy. Therefore, rare and undiagnosed diseases are considered the ultimate challenges for understanding human diseases. Here, we review the research progress, research frontiers, and important scientific issues related to rare and undiagnosed diseases. We mainly focus on five topics: (1) the identification and functional analysis of disease-causing genes; (2) the construction of cells, organoids, and animal models for mechanism validation; (3) subtyping and diagnosis; (4) treatment and drug screening based on causative genes and mutations; and (5) new technologies and methods for studying rare and undiagnosed diseases. In this review, we briefly update and discuss the pathogenic mechanisms and precision medicine for rare and undiagnosed diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyan Shan
- Department of Health Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Beijing 100085, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Lijun Ding
- Department of Health Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Beijing 100085, China
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, China
| | - Caiyun Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Ruijuan Sun
- Department of Health Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Wei Hong
- Department of Health Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Beijing 100085, China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Characterizing the Impact of Primer-Template Mismatches on Recombinase Polymerase Amplification. J Mol Diagn 2022; 24:1207-1216. [PMID: 36116701 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is an isothermal amplification assay that has been ubiquitously utilized in the detection of infectious agents. Like any nucleic acid amplification technology, primer-template complementarity is critical to RPA reaction success. Mismatches arising in the primer-template complex are known to impact reaction kinetics, invalidate downstream analysis, such as nucleic acid quantification, and result in false negatives if used in a diagnostic capacity. Although the impact of specific primer-template mismatches has been well characterized for techniques such as PCR, characterization remains limited for RPA. Through our study, we systematically characterize the impact of mismatches on the RPA reaction, when located in the 3'-anchor region of the primer-template complex. Our investigation identified that the nucleotides involved, as well as position of each mismatch, influence the size of the impact, with terminal cytosine-thymine and guanine-adenine mismatches being the most detrimental. The presence of some mismatch combinations, such as a penultimate cytosine-cytosine and a terminal cytosine-adenine mismatch pairing, led to complete RPA reaction inhibition. Through the successful characterization of 315 mismatch combinations, researchers can optimize their RPA assay accordingly and seek to implement RPA technology for rapid, in-field genotyping.
Collapse
|
40
|
Irfan Z, Khanam S, Karmakar V, Firdous SM, El Khier BSIA, Khan I, Rehman MU, Khan A. Pathogenesis of Huntington's Disease: An Emphasis on Molecular Pathways and Prevention by Natural Remedies. Brain Sci 2022; 12:1389. [PMID: 36291322 PMCID: PMC9599635 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12101389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease is an inherited autosomal dominant trait neuro-degenerative disorder caused by changes (mutations) of a gene called huntingtin (htt) that is located on the short arm (p) of chromosome 4, CAG expansion mutation. It is characterized by unusual movements, cognitive and psychiatric disorders. OBJECTIVE This review was undertaken to apprehend biological pathways of Huntington's disease (HD) pathogenesis and its management by nature-derived products. Natural products can be lucrative for the management of HD as it shows protection against HD in pre-clinical trials. Advanced research is still required to assess the therapeutic effectiveness of the known organic products and their isolated compounds in HD experimental models. SUMMARY Degeneration of neurons in Huntington's disease is distinguished by progressive loss of motor coordination and muscle function. This is due to the expansion of CAG trinucleotide in the first exon of the htt gene responsible for neuronal death and neuronal network degeneration in the brain. It is believed that the factors such as molecular genetics, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroglia dysfunction, protein aggregation, and altered UPS leads to HD. The defensive effect of the natural product provides therapeutic efficacy against HD. Recent reports on natural drugs have enlightened the protective role against HD via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and neurofunctional regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zainab Irfan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Brainware University, Kolkata 700125, West Bengal, India
| | - Sofia Khanam
- Department of Pharmacology, Calcutta Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology & AHS, Howrah 711316, West Bengal, India
| | - Varnita Karmakar
- Department of Pharmacology, Eminent College of Pharmaceutical Technology, Barasat 700126, West Bengal, India
| | - Sayeed Mohammed Firdous
- Department of Pharmacology, Calcutta Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology & AHS, Howrah 711316, West Bengal, India
| | | | - Ilyas Khan
- Department of Mathematics, College of Science Al-Zulfi, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muneeb U. Rehman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Andleeb Khan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Hewitt DB, Aziz H, Brown ZJ, Pawlik TM. Role of genetic testing in hepatic, pancreatic, and biliary cancers. Surg Oncol 2022; 44:101844. [PMID: 36116416 DOI: 10.1016/j.suronc.2022.101844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic, pancreatic, and biliary (HPB) cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cause a disproportionate amount of the global cancer-related mortality. Despite advances in surgical technique and improved systemic therapies, overall 5-year survival remains dismal, especially for patients with pancreatic and biliary cancer. Historically, systemic therapies for patients with HPB cancers were administered in a "one-size-fits-all" approach due to limited reliable data on efficacy for specific patient populations. However, recent advances in genetic testing techniques have greatly improved our understanding of HPB oncogenesis, shedding light on specific genetic mutations responsible for progression from physiologic cellular regulation to uninhibited cellular replication and invasive cancer. Investigations into the oncogenesis of HPB cancers have revealed multiple actionable genetic variants, as well as increased susceptibilities to currently available systemic therapies. For example, patients with PDAC and a known BRCA mutation are more likely to benefit from FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine plus cisplatin. While patients with CCA and a IDH1 mutation may benefit from ivosidenib. As a result, many national and societal guidelines now recommend some form of genetic testing in the workup of patients with HPB cancers. We herein review the role of genetic testing in these aggressive cancers including DNA sequencing techniques, clinically relevant mutations, therapeutic implications, and current clinical recommendations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Brock Hewitt
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Hassan Aziz
- Department of Surgery, Tufts University Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zachary J Brown
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Timothy M Pawlik
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Andhale R, Shrivastava D. Huntington's Disease: A Clinical Review. Cureus 2022; 14:e28484. [PMID: 36176885 PMCID: PMC9512951 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.28484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Huntington's gene on chromosome 4 has a dominantly inherited CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion, ultimately resulting in Huntington's disease (HD), a completely penetrant neurological condition. The frequency is 10-100 times higher in the population descended from Europe than in East Asia. Through various processes, including impairment of proteostasis, transcription, and cell function, as well as direct toxicity of the mutant protein, mutated huntingtin triggers neuronal malfunction and loss at the cellular level. As the disease worsens, the brain becomes affected together with the striatum's initial macroscopic alterations. Since there are presently few medications that can change the course of the disease, palliative therapy, and symptom control are the cornerstone of treatment. Studying the cellular pathology and gross structural changes to the brain which occur as the illness advances have made enormous progress in recent years. There's been a substantial increase in medical studies and possible treatment options over the past ten years. The new treatments that aim to reduce amounts of mutant huntingtin are the most optimistic. However, one strategy is antisense oligonucleotide treatment, for which clinical trials are currently being conducted. These control trials might help us get another inch ahead of managing and perhaps even eliminating this nasty disease.
Collapse
|
43
|
Rodríguez-Urgellés E, Rodríguez-Navarro I, Ballasch I, Del Toro D, Del Castillo I, Brito V, Alberch J, Giralt A. Postnatal Foxp2 regulates early psychiatric-like phenotypes and associated molecular alterations in the R6/1 transgenic mouse model of Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 173:105854. [PMID: 36029989 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's Disease (HD) is a devastating disorder characterized by a triad of motor, psychiatric and cognitive manifestations. Psychiatric and emotional symptoms appear at early stages of the disease which are consistently described by patients and caregivers among the most disabling. Here, we show for the first time that Foxp2 is strongly associated with some psychiatric-like disturbances in the R6/1 mouse model of HD. First, 4-week-old (juvenile) R6/1 mice behavioral phenotype was characterized by an increased impulsive-like behavior and less aggressive-like behavior. In this line, we identified an early striatal downregulation of Foxp2 protein starting as soon as at postnatal day 15 that could explain such deficiencies. Interestingly, the rescue of striatal Foxp2 levels from postnatal stages completely reverted the impulsivity-phenotype and partially the social impairments concomitant with a rescue of dendritic spine pathology. A mass spectrometry study indicated that the rescue of spine loss was associated with an improvement of several altered proteins related with cytoskeleton dynamics. Finally, we reproduced and mimicked the impulsivity and social deficits in wild type mice by reducing their striatal Foxp2 expression from postnatal stages. Overall, these results imply that early postnatal reduction of Foxp2 might contribute to the appearance of some of the early psychiatric symptoms in HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ened Rodríguez-Urgellés
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Irene Rodríguez-Navarro
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Iván Ballasch
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Daniel Del Toro
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Ignacio Del Castillo
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Verónica Brito
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Jordi Alberch
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain; Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Albert Giralt
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain; Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Donnelly KM, Coleman CM, Fuller ML, Reed VL, Smerina D, Tomlinson DS, Pearce MMP. Hunting for the cause: Evidence for prion-like mechanisms in Huntington’s disease. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:946822. [PMID: 36090278 PMCID: PMC9448931 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.946822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothesis that pathogenic protein aggregates associated with neurodegenerative diseases spread from cell-to-cell in the brain in a manner akin to infectious prions has gained substantial momentum due to an explosion of research in the past 10–15 years. Here, we review current evidence supporting the existence of prion-like mechanisms in Huntington’s disease (HD), an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by expansion of a CAG repeat tract in exon 1 of the huntingtin (HTT) gene. We summarize information gained from human studies and in vivo and in vitro models of HD that strongly support prion-like features of the mutant HTT (mHTT) protein, including potential involvement of molecular features of mHTT seeds, synaptic structures and connectivity, endocytic and exocytic mechanisms, tunneling nanotubes, and nonneuronal cells in mHTT propagation in the brain. We discuss mechanisms by which mHTT aggregate spreading and neurotoxicity could be causally linked and the potential benefits of targeting prion-like mechanisms in the search for new disease-modifying therapies for HD and other fatal neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kirby M. Donnelly
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Cevannah M. Coleman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Madison L. Fuller
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Victoria L. Reed
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Dayna Smerina
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - David S. Tomlinson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Margaret M. Panning Pearce
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Biology, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Margaret M. Panning Pearce,
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Olmos V, Gogia N, Luttik K, Haidery F, Lim J. The extra-cerebellar effects of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1): looking beyond the cerebellum. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:404. [PMID: 35802260 PMCID: PMC9993484 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04419-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is one of nine polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases and is characterized as an adult late-onset, progressive, dominantly inherited genetic disease. SCA1 is caused by an increase in the number of CAG repeats in the ATXN1 gene leading to an expanded polyQ tract in the ATAXIN-1 protein. ATAXIN-1 is broadly expressed throughout the brain. However, until recently, SCA1 research has primarily centered on the cerebellum, given the characteristic cerebellar Purkinje cell loss observed in patients, as well as the progressive motor deficits, including gait and limb incoordination, that SCA1 patients present with. There are, however, also other symptoms such as respiratory problems, cognitive defects and memory impairment, anxiety, and depression observed in SCA1 patients and mouse models, which indicate that there are extra-cerebellar effects of SCA1 that cannot be explained solely through changes in the cerebellar region of the brain alone. The existing gap between human and mouse model studies of extra-cerebellar regions in SCA1 makes it difficult to answer many important questions in the field. This review will cover both the cerebellar and extra-cerebellar effects of SCA1 and highlight the need for further investigations into the impact of mutant ATXN1 expression in these regions. This review will also discuss implications of extra-cerebellar effects not only for SCA1 but other neurodegenerative diseases showing diverse pathology as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor Olmos
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, 295 Congress Avenue, BCMM 154E, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Neha Gogia
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, 295 Congress Avenue, BCMM 154E, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Kimberly Luttik
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, 295 Congress Avenue, BCMM 154E, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, 295 Congress Avenue, BCMM 154E, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | | | - Janghoo Lim
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, 295 Congress Avenue, BCMM 154E, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, 295 Congress Avenue, BCMM 154E, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, 295 Congress Avenue, BCMM 154E, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
- Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale School of Medicine, 295 Congress Avenue, BCMM 154E, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, 295 Congress Avenue, BCMM 154E, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Tabrizi SJ, Schobel S, Gantman EC, Mansbach A, Borowsky B, Konstantinova P, Mestre TA, Panagoulias J, Ross CA, Zauderer M, Mullin AP, Romero K, Sivakumaran S, Turner EC, Long JD, Sampaio C. A biological classification of Huntington's disease: the Integrated Staging System. Lancet Neurol 2022; 21:632-644. [PMID: 35716693 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(22)00120-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The current research paradigm for Huntington's disease is based on participants with overt clinical phenotypes and does not address its pathophysiology nor the biomarker changes that can precede by decades the functional decline. We have generated a new research framework to standardise clinical research and enable interventional studies earlier in the disease course. The Huntington's Disease Integrated Staging System (HD-ISS) comprises a biological research definition and evidence-based staging centred on biological, clinical, and functional assessments. We used a formal consensus method that involved representatives from academia, industry, and non-profit organisations. The HD-ISS characterises individuals for research purposes from birth, starting at Stage 0 (ie, individuals with the Huntington's disease genetic mutation without any detectable pathological change) by using a genetic definition of Huntington's disease. Huntington's disease progression is then marked by measurable indicators of underlying pathophysiology (Stage 1), a detectable clinical phenotype (Stage 2), and then decline in function (Stage 3). Individuals can be precisely classified into stages based on thresholds of stage-specific landmark assessments. We also demonstrated the internal validity of this system. The adoption of the HD-ISS could facilitate the design of clinical trials targeting populations before clinical motor diagnosis and enable data standardisation across ongoing and future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Tabrizi
- UCL Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, UK.
| | - Scott Schobel
- Product Development Neuroscience, F Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | - Tiago A Mestre
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Centre, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Christopher A Ross
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Pharmacology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Klaus Romero
- Critical Path Institute, Tucson, Arizona 85718, USA
| | | | | | - Jeffrey D Long
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Cristina Sampaio
- CHDI Management/CHDI Foundation, Princeton, NJ, USA; Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Molecular Pathophysiological Mechanisms in Huntington's Disease. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061432. [PMID: 35740453 PMCID: PMC9219859 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease is an inherited neurodegenerative disease described 150 years ago by George Huntington. The genetic defect was identified in 1993 to be an expanded CAG repeat on exon 1 of the huntingtin gene located on chromosome 4. In the following almost 30 years, a considerable amount of research, using mainly animal models or in vitro experiments, has tried to unravel the complex molecular cascades through which the transcription of the mutant protein leads to neuronal loss, especially in the medium spiny neurons of the striatum, and identified excitotoxicity, transcriptional dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, impaired proteostasis, altered axonal trafficking and reduced availability of trophic factors to be crucial contributors. This review discusses the pathogenic cascades described in the literature through which mutant huntingtin leads to neuronal demise. However, due to the ubiquitous presence of huntingtin, astrocytes are also dysfunctional, and neuroinflammation may additionally contribute to Huntington’s disease pathology. The quest for therapies to delay the onset and reduce the rate of Huntington’s disease progression is ongoing, but is based on findings from basic research.
Collapse
|
48
|
Franklin GL, Teive HAG, Meira AT, Nepomuceno AMT, Tabrizi SJ. "On Chorea": 150 Years of the Beginning of Hope. Mov Disord 2022; 37:2194-2196. [PMID: 35686970 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
"On Chorea" by George Huntington was published on April 13, 1872, in The Medical and Surgical Reporter of Philadelphia. Despite being a milestone in the recognition of the disease that later would bear his name, some myths and curiosities continue to surround the history of this publication and its author. In this History, the authors pay tribute to the 150th anniversary of the publication of this iconic article. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo L Franklin
- Medical School, Internal Medicine Department, Pontifical University Catholic of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Hélio A G Teive
- Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Internal Medicine Department, HC, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Alex T Meira
- Internal Medicine Department, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | | | - Sarah J Tabrizi
- UCL Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Ferguson MW, Kennedy CJ, Palpagama TH, Waldvogel HJ, Faull RLM, Kwakowsky A. Current and Possible Future Therapeutic Options for Huntington’s Disease. J Cent Nerv Syst Dis 2022; 14:11795735221092517. [PMID: 35615642 PMCID: PMC9125092 DOI: 10.1177/11795735221092517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by an excessive number of CAG trinucleotide repeats within the huntingtin gene ( HTT). HD patients can present with a variety of symptoms including chorea, behavioural and psychiatric abnormalities and cognitive decline. Each patient has a unique combination of symptoms, and although these can be managed using a range of medications and non-drug treatments there is currently no cure for the disease. Current therapies prescribed for HD can be categorized by the symptom they treat. These categories include chorea medication, antipsychotic medication, antidepressants, mood stabilizing medication as well as non-drug therapies. Fortunately, there are also many new HD therapeutics currently undergoing clinical trials that target the disease at its origin; lowering the levels of mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT). Currently, much attention is being directed to antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies, which bind to pre-RNA or mRNA and can alter protein expression via RNA degradation, blocking translation or splice modulation. Other potential therapies in clinical development include RNA interference (RNAi) therapies, RNA targeting small molecule therapies, stem cell therapies, antibody therapies, non-RNA targeting small molecule therapies and neuroinflammation targeted therapies. Potential therapies in pre-clinical development include Zinc-Finger Protein (ZFP) therapies, transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) therapies and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated system (Cas) therapies. This comprehensive review aims to discuss the efficacy of current HD treatments and explore the clinical trial progress of emerging potential HD therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie W. Ferguson
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Connor J. Kennedy
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Thulani H. Palpagama
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Henry J. Waldvogel
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard L. M. Faull
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrea Kwakowsky
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Galway Neuroscience Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Li B, Jin B, Capra JA, Bush WS. Integration of Protein Structure and Population-Scale DNA Sequence Data for Disease Gene Discovery and Variant Interpretation. Annu Rev Biomed Data Sci 2022; 5:141-161. [PMID: 35508071 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biodatasci-122220-112147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The experimental and computational techniques for capturing information about protein structures and genetic variation within the human genome have advanced dramatically in the past 20 years, generating extensive new data resources. In this review, we discuss these advances, along with new approaches for determining the impact a genetic variant has on protein function. We focus on the potential of new methods that integrate human genetic variation into protein structures to discover relationships to disease, including the discovery of mutational hotspots in cancer-related proteins, the localization of protein-altering variants within protein regions for common complex diseases, and the assessment of variants of unknown significance for Mendelian traits. We expect that approaches that integrate these data sources will play increasingly important roles in disease gene discovery and variant interpretation. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biomedical Data Science, Volume 5 is August 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bian Li
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Bowen Jin
- Graduate Program in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - John A Capra
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA;
| | - William S Bush
- Cleveland Institute for Computational Biology, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;
| |
Collapse
|