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Lautz JD, Brown EA, Williams VanSchoiack AA, Smith SEP. Synaptic activity induces input-specific rearrangements in a targeted synaptic protein interaction network. J Neurochem 2018; 146:540-559. [PMID: 29804286 PMCID: PMC6150823 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cells utilize dynamic, network-level rearrangements in highly interconnected protein interaction networks to transmit and integrate information from distinct signaling inputs. Despite the importance of protein interaction network dynamics, the organizational logic underlying information flow through these networks is not well understood. Previously, we developed the quantitative multiplex co-immunoprecipitation platform, which allows for the simultaneous and quantitative measurement of the amount of co-association between large numbers of proteins in shared complexes. Here, we adapt quantitative multiplex co-immunoprecipitation to define the activity-dependent dynamics of an 18-member protein interaction network in order to better understand the underlying principles governing glutamatergic signal transduction. We first establish that immunoprecipitation detected by flow cytometry can detect activity-dependent changes in two known protein-protein interactions (Homer1-mGluR5 and PSD-95-SynGAP). We next demonstrate that neuronal stimulation elicits a coordinated change in our targeted protein interaction network, characterized by the initial dissociation of Homer1 and SynGAP-containing complexes followed by increased associations among glutamate receptors and PSD-95. Finally, we show that stimulation of distinct glutamate receptor types results in different modular sets of protein interaction network rearrangements, and that cells activate both modules in order to integrate complex inputs. This analysis demonstrates that cells respond to distinct types of glutamatergic input by modulating different combinations of protein co-associations among a targeted network of proteins. Our data support a model of synaptic plasticity in which synaptic stimulation elicits dissociation of pre-existing multiprotein complexes, opening binding slots in scaffold proteins and allowing for the recruitment of additional glutamatergic receptors. Open Science: This manuscript was awarded with the Open Materials Badge. For more information see: https://cos.io/our-services/open-science-badges/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Lautz
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Emily A Brown
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Stephen E P Smith
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Evers MM, Miniarikova J, Juhas S, Vallès A, Bohuslavova B, Juhasova J, Skalnikova HK, Vodicka P, Valekova I, Brouwers C, Blits B, Lubelski J, Kovarova H, Ellederova Z, van Deventer SJ, Petry H, Motlik J, Konstantinova P. AAV5-miHTT Gene Therapy Demonstrates Broad Distribution and Strong Human Mutant Huntingtin Lowering in a Huntington's Disease Minipig Model. Mol Ther 2018; 26:2163-2177. [PMID: 30007561 PMCID: PMC6127509 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene. Previously, we showed strong huntingtin reduction and prevention of neuronal dysfunction in HD rodents using an engineered microRNA targeting human huntingtin, delivered via adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 5 vector with a transgene encoding an engineered miRNA against HTT mRNA (AAV5-miHTT). One of the challenges of rodents as a model of neurodegenerative diseases is their relatively small brain, making successful translation to the HD patient difficult. This is particularly relevant for gene therapy approaches, where distribution achieved upon local administration into the parenchyma is likely dependent on brain size and structure. Here, we aimed to demonstrate the translation of huntingtin-lowering gene therapy to a large-animal brain. We investigated the feasibility, efficacy, and tolerability of one-time intracranial administration of AAV5-miHTT in the transgenic HD (tgHD) minipig model. We detected widespread dose-dependent distribution of AAV5-miHTT throughout the tgHD minipig brain that correlated with the engineered microRNA expression. Both human mutant huntingtin mRNA and protein were significantly reduced in all brain regions transduced by AAV5-miHTT. The combination of widespread vector distribution and extensive huntingtin lowering observed with AAV5-miHTT supports the translation of a huntingtin-lowering gene therapy for HD from preclinical studies into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin M Evers
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Jana Miniarikova
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stefan Juhas
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Astrid Vallès
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jana Juhasova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | | | - Petr Vodicka
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Ivona Valekova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Cynthia Brouwers
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bas Blits
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jacek Lubelski
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hana Kovarova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Zdenka Ellederova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Sander J van Deventer
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Harald Petry
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Motlik
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlina Konstantinova
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Corey-Bloom J, Haque AS, Park S, Nathan AS, Baker RW, Thomas EA. Salivary levels of total huntingtin are elevated in Huntington's disease patients. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7371. [PMID: 29743609 PMCID: PMC5943337 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25095-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with Huntington's disease (HD), an autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disease, show substantial variability in age-of-onset, symptom severity and course of illness, warranting the need for biomarkers to anticipate and monitor these features. The HD gene encodes the disease protein huntingtin (Htt), a potentially useful biomarker for this disease. In the current study, we determined whether total Htt protein (normal plus mutant; "tHtt") could be reliably measured in human saliva, a body fluid that is much more accessible compared to cerebral spinal fluid or even blood, and whether salivary levels of tHtt were clinically meaningful. We collected 146 saliva samples from manifest HD patients, early-premanifest individuals, late-premanifest patients, gene-negative family members and normal controls. We found that tHtt protein could be reliably and stably detected in human saliva and that tHtt levels were significantly increased in saliva from HD individuals compared to normal controls. Salivary tHtt showed no gender effects, nor were levels correlated with total protein levels in saliva. Salivary tHtt was significantly positively correlated with age, but not age-of-onset or CAG-repeat length. Importantly, salivary tHtt was significantly correlated with several clinical measures, indicating relevance to disease symptom onset and/or severity. Measurements of salivary tHtt offer significant promise as a relevant, non-invasive disease biomarker for HD, and its use could be implemented into clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jody Corey-Bloom
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ameera S Haque
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Sungmee Park
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ajay S Nathan
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Robert W Baker
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Kieburtz K, Reilmann R, Olanow CW. Huntington's disease: Current and future therapeutic prospects. Mov Disord 2018; 33:1033-1041. [DOI: 10.1002/mds.27363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
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Miniarikova J, Evers MM, Konstantinova P. Translation of MicroRNA-Based Huntingtin-Lowering Therapies from Preclinical Studies to the Clinic. Mol Ther 2018; 26:947-962. [PMID: 29503201 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The single mutation underlying the fatal neuropathology of Huntington's disease (HD) is a CAG triplet expansion in exon 1 of the huntingtin (HTT) gene, which gives rise to a toxic mutant HTT protein. There have been a number of not yet successful therapeutic advances in the treatment of HD. The current excitement in the HD field is due to the recent development of therapies targeting the culprit of HD either at the DNA or RNA level to reduce the overall mutant HTT protein. In this review, we briefly describe short-term and long-term HTT-lowering strategies targeting HTT transcripts. One of the most advanced HTT-lowering strategies is a microRNA (miRNA)-based gene therapy delivered by a single administration of an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector to the HD patient. We outline the outcome measures for the miRNA-based HTT-lowering therapy in the context of preclinical evaluation in HD animal and cell models. We highlight the strengths and ongoing queries of the HTT-lowering gene therapy as an HD intervention with a potential disease-modifying effect. This review provides a perspective on the fast-developing HTT-lowering therapies for HD and their translation to the clinic based on existing knowledge in preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Miniarikova
- Department of Research and Development, uniQure, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Melvin M Evers
- Department of Research and Development, uniQure, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative condition where new markers of disease progression are needed. So far no disease-modifying interventions have been found, and few interventions have been proven to alleviate symptoms. This may be partially explained by the lack of reliable indicators of disease severity, progression, and phenotype.Biofluid biomarkers may bring advantages in addition to clinical measures, such as reliability, reproducibility, price, accuracy, and direct quantification of pathobiological processes at the molecular level; and in addition to empowering clinical trials, they have the potential to generate useful hypotheses for new drug development.In this chapter we review biofluid biomarker reports in HD, emphasizing those we feel are likely to be closest to clinical applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe B Rodrigues
- Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Lauren M Byrne
- Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Edward J Wild
- Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.
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57
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Metallomics Applied to the Study of Neurodegenerative and Mental Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1055:21-37. [PMID: 29884960 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-90143-5_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Biochemical imbalances, provoked by aging or a secondary illness, might directly affect the brain, causing severe problems, such as loss of memory or alteration of behavior patterns. Brain disorders are usually classified as injuries (such as stroke, hematomas, and concussions), tumors, and neurodegenerative (such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases) and mental (such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) diseases. As the pathophysiology of these illnesses is not completely established and multiple factors are involved, metallomics, a bioanalytical strategy that allows the detection of metal ions and metalloproteins in diverse biological matrices, is of extreme relevance in identifying which elements are affected by a disease and/or treatment. Thus, determining which element ions suffer disturbances in their homeostasis during the disease progress is relevant to understand the biochemical changes and propose new drug targets. In addition, it is well known that oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of pathological neurodegenerative and mental diseases, which may be caused by metal ion dyshomeostasis, so it is also important to understand endogenous antioxidant metalloprotein and metalloenzyme mechanisms in this regard. In this context, recent applications of metallomics in the study of neurodegenerative and mental disorders are discussed in this chapter, as well as future trends in this research area.
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58
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Reynolds RH, Petersen MH, Willert CW, Heinrich M, Nymann N, Dall M, Treebak JT, Björkqvist M, Silahtaroglu A, Hasholt L, Nørremølle A. Perturbations in the p53/miR-34a/SIRT1 pathway in the R6/2 Huntington's disease model. Mol Cell Neurosci 2017; 88:118-129. [PMID: 29289683 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2017.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The three factors, p53, the microRNA-34 family and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), interact in a positive feedback loop involved in cell cycle progression, cellular senescence and apoptosis. Each factor in this triad has roles in metabolic regulation, maintenance of mitochondrial function, and regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Thus, this regulatory network holds potential importance for the pathophysiology of Huntington's disease (HD), an inherited neurodegenerative disorder in which both mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired neurotrophic signalling are observed. We investigated expression of the three members of this regulatory triad in the R6/2 HD mouse model. Compared to wild-type littermates, we found decreased levels of miR-34a-5p, increased SIRT1 mRNA and protein levels, and increased levels of p53 protein in brain tissue from R6/2 mice. The upregulation of SIRT1 did not appear to lead to an increased activity of the enzyme, as based on measures of p53 acetylation. In other words, the observed changes did not reflect the known interactions between these factors, indicating a general perturbation of the p53, miR-34a and SIRT1 pathway in HD. This is the first study investigating the entire triad during disease progression in an HD model. Given the importance of these three factors alone and within the triad, our results indicate that outside factors are regulating - or dysregulating - this pathway in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Hvidberg Petersen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Cecilie Wennemoes Willert
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Marie Heinrich
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Nynne Nymann
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Morten Dall
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Section of Integrative Physiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Jonas T Treebak
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Section of Integrative Physiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Maria Björkqvist
- Brain Disease Biomarker Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Centre, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Asli Silahtaroglu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Lis Hasholt
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Anne Nørremølle
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
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59
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Paulson HL, Shakkottai VG, Clark HB, Orr HT. Polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias - from genes to potential treatments. Nat Rev Neurosci 2017; 18:613-626. [PMID: 28855740 PMCID: PMC6420820 DOI: 10.1038/nrn.2017.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The dominantly inherited spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a large and diverse group of neurodegenerative diseases. The most prevalent SCAs (SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6 and SCA7) are caused by expansion of a glutamine-encoding CAG repeat in the affected gene. These SCAs represent a substantial portion of the polyglutamine neurodegenerative disorders and provide insight into this class of diseases as a whole. Recent years have seen considerable progress in deciphering the clinical, pathological, physiological and molecular aspects of the polyglutamine SCAs, with these advances establishing a solid base from which to pursue potential therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry L Paulson
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
| | - Vikram G Shakkottai
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
| | - H Brent Clark
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, USA
| | - Harry T Orr
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, USA
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60
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McCusker EA, Loy CT. Huntington Disease: The Complexities of Making and Disclosing a Clinical Diagnosis After Premanifest Genetic Testing. TREMOR AND OTHER HYPERKINETIC MOVEMENTS (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 7:467. [PMID: 28975045 PMCID: PMC5623754 DOI: 10.7916/d8pk0tdd] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The management of patients and families affected by Huntington disease (HD) is complicated by several factors, both practical and ethical. It can be difficult to determine the onset of clinically manifest HD (mHD). In addition, it can be challenging to decide when to disclose the diagnosis to the affected individual. Firstly, the features of HD, an incurable, inherited, neurocognitive disorder that often manifests in young adulthood, influence how the person presents and accepts a diagnosis. Secondly, a positive genetic test for HD may result in a genetic diagnosis, sometimes years before the development of clinical features and the diagnosis of mHD. Thirdly, observational studies of unaffected gene expansion carriers documented HD manifestations up to 10 years before the typical presentation for diagnosis. These developments may permit earlier genetic diagnosis and information regarding the patient’s likely status with respect to the development of clinical disease. Making the genetic diagnosis of HD and providing information regarding disease status, earlier rather than later, respects the person’s right to know and preserves honesty in the doctor/patient relationship. Conversely, delaying the diagnosis respects the right not to know, avoids potential discrimination, and permits the person to live a “normal” life for longer, in the context of a disease without cure. This discussion has implications for other inherited and neurocognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A McCusker
- Huntington Disease Service, Neurology Department, Westmead Hopsital, Sydney, Australia.,University of Sydney Medical School, Sydney, Australia
| | - Clement T Loy
- Sydney School of Public Healththe University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
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61
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Schoch KM, Miller TM. Antisense Oligonucleotides: Translation from Mouse Models to Human Neurodegenerative Diseases. Neuron 2017. [PMID: 28641106 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Multiple neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by single-protein dysfunction and aggregation. Treatment strategies for these diseases have often targeted downstream pathways to ameliorate consequences of protein dysfunction; however, targeting the source of that dysfunction, the affected protein itself, seems most judicious to achieve a highly effective therapeutic outcome. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are small sequences of DNA able to target RNA transcripts, resulting in reduced or modified protein expression. ASOs are ideal candidates for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, given numerous advancements made to their chemical modifications and delivery methods. Successes achieved in both animal models and human clinical trials have proven ASOs both safe and effective. With proper considerations in mind regarding the human applicability of ASOs, we anticipate ongoing in vivo research and clinical trial development of ASOs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen M Schoch
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Timothy M Miller
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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Fodale V, Boggio R, Daldin M, Cariulo C, Spiezia MC, Byrne LM, Leavitt BR, Wild EJ, Macdonald D, Weiss A, Bresciani A. Validation of Ultrasensitive Mutant Huntingtin Detection in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid by Single Molecule Counting Immunoassay. J Huntingtons Dis 2017; 6:349-361. [PMID: 29125493 PMCID: PMC5757651 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-170269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The measurement of disease-relevant biomarkers has become a major component of clinical trial design, but in the absence of rigorous clinical and analytical validation of detection methodology, interpretation of results may be misleading. In Huntington's disease (HD), measurement of the concentration of mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients may serve as both a disease progression biomarker and a pharmacodynamic readout for HTT-lowering therapeutic approaches. We recently published the quantification of mHTT levels in HD patient CSF by a novel ultrasensitive immunoassay-based technology and here analytically validate it for use. OBJECTIVE This work aims to analytically and clinically validate our ultrasensitive assay for mHTT measurement in human HD CSF, for application as a pharmacodynamic biomarker of CNS mHTT lowering in clinical trials. METHODS The single molecule counting (SMC) assay is an ultrasensitive bead-based immunoassay where upon specific recognition, dye-labeled antibodies are excited by a confocal laser and emit fluorescent light as a readout. The detection of mHTT by this technology was clinically validated following established Food and Drug Administration and European Medicine Agency guidelines. RESULTS The SMC assay was demonstrated to be accurate, precise, specific, and reproducible. While no matrix influence was detected, a list of interfering substances was compiled as a guideline for proper collection and storage of patient CSF samples. In addition, a set of recommendations on result interpretation is provided. CONCLUSIONS This SMC assay is a robust and ultrasensitive method for the relative quantification of mHTT in human CSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Fodale
- IRBM Science Park, Pomezia, Rome, Italy
- IRBM Promidis, Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Lauren M. Byrne
- University College London (UCL) Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Blair R. Leavitt
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Edward J. Wild
- University College London (UCL) Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
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Scahill RI, Andre R, Tabrizi SJ, Aylward EH. Structural imaging in premanifest and manifest Huntington disease. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2017; 144:247-261. [PMID: 28947121 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801893-4.00020-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) neuropathology has a devastating effect on brain structure and consequently brain function; neuroimaging provides a means to assess these effects in gene carriers. In this chapter we first outline the unique utility of structural imaging in understanding HD and discuss some of the acquisition and analysis techniques currently available. We review the existing literature to summarize what we know so far about structural brain changes across the spectrum of disease from premanifest through to manifest disease. We then consider how these neuroimaging findings relate to patient function and nonimaging biomarkers, and can be used to predict disease onset. Finally we review the utility of imaging measures for assessment of treatment efficacy in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael I Scahill
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ralph Andre
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah J Tabrizi
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Elizabeth H Aylward
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Gustincich S, Zucchelli S, Mallamaci A. The Yin and Yang of nucleic acid-based therapy in the brain. Prog Neurobiol 2016; 155:194-211. [PMID: 27887908 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The post-genomic era has unveiled the existence of a large repertory of non-coding RNAs and repetitive elements that play a fundamental role in cellular homeostasis and dysfunction. These may represent unprecedented opportunities to modify gene expression at the right time in the correct space in vivo, providing an almost unlimited reservoir of new potential pharmacological agents. Hijacking their mode of actions, the druggable genome can be extended to regulatory RNAs and DNA elements in a scalable fashion. Here, we discuss the state-of-the-art of nucleic acid-based drugs to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Beneficial effects can be obtained by inhibiting (Yin) and increasing (Yang) gene expression, depending on the disease and the drug target. Together with the description of the current use of inhibitory RNAs (small inhibitory RNAs and antisense oligonucleotides) in animal models and clinical trials, we discuss the molecular basis and applications of new classes of activatory RNAs at transcriptional (RNAa) and translational (SINEUP) levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Gustincich
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genova, Italy; Area of Neuroscience, SISSA, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Silvia Zucchelli
- Area of Neuroscience, SISSA, Trieste, Italy; Department of Health Sciences, Universita' del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
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65
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Smith SEP, Neier SC, Reed BK, Davis TR, Sinnwell JP, Eckel-Passow JE, Sciallis GF, Wieland CN, Torgerson RR, Gil D, Neuhauser C, Schrum AG. Multiplex matrix network analysis of protein complexes in the human TCR signalosome. Sci Signal 2016; 9:rs7. [PMID: 27485017 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aad7279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Multiprotein complexes transduce cellular signals through extensive interaction networks, but the ability to analyze these networks in cells from small clinical biopsies is limited. To address this, we applied an adaptable multiplex matrix system to physiologically relevant signaling protein complexes isolated from a cell line or from human patient samples. Focusing on the proximal T cell receptor (TCR) signalosome, we assessed 210 pairs of PiSCES (proteins in shared complexes detected by exposed surface epitopes). Upon stimulation of Jurkat cells with superantigen-loaded antigen-presenting cells, this system produced high-dimensional data that enabled visualization of network activity. A comprehensive analysis platform generated PiSCES biosignatures by applying unsupervised hierarchical clustering, principal component analysis, an adaptive nonparametric with empirical cutoff analysis, and weighted correlation network analysis. We generated PiSCES biosignatures from 4-mm skin punch biopsies from control patients or patients with the autoimmune skin disease alopecia areata. This analysis distinguished disease patients from the controls, detected enhanced basal TCR signaling in the autoimmune patients, and identified a potential signaling network signature that may be indicative of disease. Thus, generation of PiSCES biosignatures represents an approach that can provide information about the activity of protein signaling networks in samples including low-abundance primary cells from clinical biopsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen E P Smith
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Steven C Neier
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Brendan K Reed
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Tessa R Davis
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Jason P Sinnwell
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Jeanette E Eckel-Passow
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | | | | | | | - Diana Gil
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Claudia Neuhauser
- University of Minnesota Informatics Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Adam G Schrum
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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Raymond LA. Striatal synaptic dysfunction and altered calcium regulation in Huntington disease. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 483:1051-1062. [PMID: 27423394 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.07.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Synaptic dysfunction and altered calcium homeostasis in the brain is common to many neurodegenerative disorders. Among these, Huntington disease (HD), which is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, can serve as a model for investigating these mechanisms. HD generally manifests in middle age as a disorder of movement, mood and cognition. An expanded polymorphic CAG repeat in the HTT gene results in progressive neurodegeneration that impacts striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs) earliest and most severely. Striatal SPNs receive massive glutamatergic input from cortex and thalamus, and these excitatory synapses are a focus for early changes that can trigger aberrant downstream signaling to disrupt synaptic plasticity and lead to later degeneration. Mitochondrial dysfunction and altered intracellular calcium-induced calcium release and sequestration mechanisms add to the impairments in circuit function that may underlie prodromal cognitive and subtle motor deficits. These mechanisms and implications for developing disease-modifying therapy will be reviewed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn A Raymond
- Department of Psychiatry and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 4834-2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z3.
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67
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Keiser MS, Kordasiewicz HB, McBride JL. Gene suppression strategies for dominantly inherited neurodegenerative diseases: lessons from Huntington's disease and spinocerebellar ataxia. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:R53-64. [PMID: 26503961 PMCID: PMC4802374 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-targeting approaches are emerging as viable therapeutics that offer an alternative method to modulate traditionally 'undrugable' targets. In the case of dominantly inherited neurodegenerative diseases, gene suppression strategies can target the underlying cause of these intractable disorders. Polyglutamine diseases are caused by CAG expansions in discrete genes, making them ideal candidates for gene suppression therapies. Here, we discuss the current state of gene suppression approaches for Huntington's disease and the spinocerebellar ataxias, including the use of antisense oligonucleotides, short-interfering RNAs, as well as viral vector-mediated delivery of short hairpin RNAs and artificial microRNAs. We focus on lessons learned from preclinical studies investigating gene suppression therapies for these disorders, particularly in rodent models of disease and in non-human primates. In animal models, recent advances in gene suppression technologies have not only prevented disease progression in a number of cases, but have also reversed existing disease, providing evidence that reducing the expression of disease-causing genes may be of benefit in symptomatic patients. Both allele- and non-allele-specific approaches to gene suppression have made great strides over the past decade, showing efficacy and safety in both small and large animal models. Advances in delivery techniques allow for broad and durable suppression of target genes, have been validated in non-human primates and in some cases, are currently being evaluated in human patients. Finally, we discuss the challenges of developing and delivering gene suppression constructs into the CNS and recent advances of potential therapeutics into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan S Keiser
- Raymond G. Perlman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Jodi L McBride
- Department of Neurology, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA and Deparment of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, USA
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Byrne LM, Wild EJ. Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers for Huntington’s Disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2016; 5:1-13. [DOI: 10.3233/jhd-160196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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69
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Hydrophobically Modified siRNAs Silence Huntingtin mRNA in Primary Neurons and Mouse Brain. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2015; 4:e266. [PMID: 26623938 PMCID: PMC5014532 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2015.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Applications of RNA interference for neuroscience research have been limited by a lack of simple and efficient methods to deliver oligonucleotides to primary neurons in culture and to the brain. Here, we show that primary neurons rapidly internalize hydrophobically modified siRNAs (hsiRNAs) added directly to the culture medium without lipid formulation. We identify functional hsiRNAs targeting the mRNA of huntingtin, the mutation of which is responsible for Huntington's disease, and show that direct uptake in neurons induces potent and specific silencing in vitro. Moreover, a single injection of unformulated hsiRNA into mouse brain silences Htt mRNA with minimal neuronal toxicity. Thus, hsiRNAs embody a class of therapeutic oligonucleotides that enable simple and straightforward functional studies of genes involved in neuronal biology and neurodegenerative disorders in a native biological context.
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