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Cazzin C, Ring CJA. Recent advances in the manipulation of murine gene expression and its utility for the study of human neurological disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2009; 1802:796-807. [PMID: 20004244 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2009.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2009] [Revised: 11/24/2009] [Accepted: 11/25/2009] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic mouse models have vastly contributed to our knowledge of the genetic and molecular pathways underlying the pathogenesis of neurological disorders that affect millions of people worldwide. Not only have they allowed the generation of disease models mimicking the human pathological state but they have also permitted the exploration of the pathological role of specific genes through the generation of knock-out and knock-in models. Classical constitutive transgenic mice have several limitations however, due to behavioral adaptation process occurring and conditional mouse models are time-consuming and often lack extensive spatial or temporal control of gene manipulation. These limitations could be overcome by means of innovative methods that are now available such as RNAi, viral vectors and large cloning DNA vectors. These tools have been extensively used for the generation of mouse models and are characterized by the superior control of transgene expression that has been proven invaluable in the assessment of novel treatments for neurological diseases and to further investigate the molecular processes underlying the etiopathology of neurological disorders. Furthermore, in association with classical transgenic mouse models, they have allowed the validation of innovative therapeutic strategies for the treatment of human neurological disorders. This review describes how these tools have overcome the limitations of classical transgenic mouse models and how they have been of value for the study of human neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cazzin
- Biology Department A&S DPU, Neuroscience CEDD, GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research Center, Verona, Italy.
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52
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Lim ST, Airavaara M, Harvey BK. Viral vectors for neurotrophic factor delivery: a gene therapy approach for neurodegenerative diseases of the CNS. Pharmacol Res 2009; 61:14-26. [PMID: 19840853 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2009.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2009] [Revised: 10/11/2009] [Accepted: 10/11/2009] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The clinical manifestation of most diseases of the central nervous system results from neuronal dysfunction or loss. Diseases such as stroke, epilepsy and neurodegeneration (e.g. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease) share common cellular and molecular mechanisms (e.g. oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction) that contribute to the loss of neuronal function. Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) are secreted proteins that regulate multiple aspects of neuronal development including neuronal maintenance, survival, axonal growth and synaptic plasticity. These properties of NTFs make them likely candidates for preventing neurodegeneration and promoting neuroregeneration. One approach to delivering NTFs to diseased cells is through viral vector-mediated gene delivery. Viral vectors are now routinely used as tools for studying gene function as well as developing gene-based therapies for a variety of diseases. Currently, many clinical trials using viral vectors in the nervous system are underway or completed, and seven of these trials involve NTFs for neurodegeneration. In this review, we discuss viral vector-mediated gene transfer of NTFs to treat neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung T Lim
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, United States
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53
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Sturrock A, Leavitt BR. Murine models of Huntington disease. FUTURE NEUROLOGY 2009. [DOI: 10.2217/fnl.09.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Huntington disease is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder associated with inexorable progression. To date, no therapy has proved effective in modifying the disease course or improving survival. We present here an evaluation of our most valuable asset in the development of a cure – the mouse model. In particular, we will reflect on the relative strengths and weaknesses of current models in reprising Huntington disease pathology, evaluate their role in the development of novel therapeutic agents through preclinical trials and consider their future impact on Huntington disease research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Sturrock
- Department of Medical Genetics, UBC, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 2B5
| | - Blair R Leavitt
- Department of Medical Genetics, UBC, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 2B5
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54
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Harris W, Sachana M, Flaskos J, Hargreaves AJ. Neuroprotection from diazinon-induced toxicity in differentiating murine N2a neuroblastoma cells. Neurotoxicology 2009; 30:958-64. [PMID: 19596371 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2009.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2009] [Revised: 05/28/2009] [Accepted: 05/28/2009] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In previous work, the outgrowth of axon-like processes by differentiating mouse N2a neuroblastoma cells was shown to be inhibited by exposure to 10 microM diazinon. In the present work, N2a cells were induced to differentiate for 24 h in the presence and absence of 10 microM diazinon and 20% (v/v) conditioned medium derived from differentiating rat C6 glioma cells. Cells were then stained or lysed for morphological and biochemical analyses, respectively. The data showed that co-treatment with conditioned medium prevented the neurite inhibitory effect of diazinon. Furthermore, a significant recovery was also observed in the reduced levels of neurofilament heavy chain (NFH), heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) and growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) observed as a result of diazinon treatment in the absence of conditioned medium, as seen by densitometric analysis of Western blots of cell lysates probed with monoclonal antibodies N52, BRM-22 and GAP-7B10. By contrast, no significant change was noted in the reactivity of cell lysates with antibodies against alpha- and beta-tubulin under any condition tested. After pre-incubation with a polyclonal anti-glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) antibody, conditioned medium derived from rat C6 glioma cells lost its ability to protect N2a cells against the neurite inhibitory effects of diazinon. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that C6 conditioned medium protects N2a cells from the neurite inhibitory effects of diazinon by blocking molecular events leading to axon damage and that GDNF is implicated in these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne Harris
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
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55
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Boudreau RL, McBride JL, Martins I, Shen S, Xing Y, Carter BJ, Davidson BL. Nonallele-specific silencing of mutant and wild-type huntingtin demonstrates therapeutic efficacy in Huntington's disease mice. Mol Ther 2009; 17:1053-63. [PMID: 19240687 PMCID: PMC2835182 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2009.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2009] [Accepted: 01/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by mutant huntingtin (htt) protein, and there are currently no effective treatments. Recently, we and others demonstrated that silencing mutant htt via RNA interference (RNAi) provides therapeutic benefit in HD mice. We have since found that silencing wild-type htt in adult mouse striatum is tolerated for at least 4 months. However, given the role of htt in various cellular processes, it remains unknown whether nonallele-specific silencing of both wild-type and mutant htt is a viable therapeutic strategy for HD. Here, we tested whether cosilencing wild-type and mutant htt provides therapeutic benefit and is tolerable in HD mice. After treatment, HD mice showed significant reductions in wild-type and mutant htt, and demonstrated improved motor coordination and survival. We performed transcriptional profiling to evaluate the effects of reducing wild-type htt in adult mouse striatum. We identified gene expression changes that are concordant with previously described roles for htt in various cellular processes. Also, several abnormally expressed transcripts associated with early-stage HD were differentially expressed in our studies, but intriguingly, those involved in neuronal function changed in opposing directions. Together, these encouraging and surprising findings support further testing of nonallele-specific RNAi therapeutics for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan L Boudreau
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52240, USA
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56
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Ferrante RJ. Mouse models of Huntington's disease and methodological considerations for therapeutic trials. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2009; 1792:506-20. [PMID: 19362590 PMCID: PMC2693467 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2009.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2009] [Revised: 04/02/2009] [Accepted: 04/02/2009] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant, progressive, and fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded polyglutamine cytosine-adenine-guanine repeat in the gene coding for the protein huntingtin. Despite great progress, a direct causative pathway from the HD gene mutation to neuronal dysfunction and death has not yet been established. One important advance in understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of this disease has been the development of multiple murine models that replicate many of the clinical, neuropathological, and molecular events in HD patients. These models have played an important role in providing accurate and experimentally accessible systems to study multiple aspects of disease pathogenesis and to test potential therapeutic treatment strategies. Understanding how disease processes interrelate has become important in identifying a pharmacotherapy in HD and in the design of clinical trials. A review of the current state of HD mouse models and their successes in elucidating disease pathogenesis are discussed. There is no clinically proven treatment for HD that can halt or ameliorate the inexorable disease progression. As such, a guide to assessing studies in mouse models and salient issues related to translation from mice to humans are included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Ferrante
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Bedford Veterans Administration Medical Center, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730, USA.
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57
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Douaud G, Behrens TE, Poupon C, Cointepas Y, Jbabdi S, Gaura V, Golestani N, Krystkowiak P, Verny C, Damier P, Bachoud-Lévi AC, Hantraye P, Remy P. In vivo evidence for the selective subcortical degeneration in Huntington's disease. Neuroimage 2009; 46:958-66. [PMID: 19332141 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.03.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2009] [Revised: 03/04/2009] [Accepted: 03/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Huntington's disease is largely considered to be a subcortical disease, there is no clear consensus on whether all deep grey matter loss is a direct downstream consequence of the massive degeneration of the medium-size spiny neurons in the striatum. Our aim was to characterise in vivo such preferential degeneration by analysing various distinct diffusion imaging measures including mean diffusivity, anisotropy, fibre orientation (using the information of the principal diffusion direction) and white matter tractography. All results converged to demonstrate the selective degeneration of connections in subcortical grey and white matter, degeneration which was likely to originate with the death of the striatal medium-size spiny neurons. Indeed, we found a significant increase of MD and FA in all the subcortical grey matter structures involved in the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical loops. The atypical striatal and pallidal increase of FA was concurrent to a decrease of the dispersion of the fibre orientation, unambiguously characterising a preferential loss of connections along specific radiating directions from these structures while some others are comparatively spared. Analysis of striatal and pallidal white matter tracts revealed that striato-pallidal projections were the most affected. The ability of DTI to uncover the impact of such neurodegenerative disease on some specific neuronal/axonal populations is a further step towards the future definition of a surrogate marker of this disease. Beyond Huntington's disease, we prove here that diffusion imaging technique, associated to adequate methodological analyses, can provide insight into any neurodegenerative disorder for which some neuronal populations or connections are selectively targeted over others.
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58
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Astrocyte-secreted GDNF and glutathione antioxidant system protect neurons against 6OHDA cytotoxicity. Neurobiol Dis 2009; 33:405-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2008.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2008] [Revised: 11/19/2008] [Accepted: 11/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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59
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Novel Neuromodulation Approaches for Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Conditions. Neuromodulation 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-374248-3.00085-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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60
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Ramaswamy S, McBride JL, Han I, Berry-Kravis EM, Zhou L, Herzog CD, Gasmi M, Bartus RT, Kordower JH. Intrastriatal CERE-120 (AAV-Neurturin) protects striatal and cortical neurons and delays motor deficits in a transgenic mouse model of Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2008; 34:40-50. [PMID: 19150499 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2008.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2008] [Revised: 12/05/2008] [Accepted: 12/09/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the GDNF family of ligands, including neurturin (NTN), have been implicated as potential therapeutic agents for Huntington's disease (HD). The present study examined the ability of CERE-120 (AAV2-NTN) to provide structural and functional protection in the N171-82Q transgenic HD mouse model. AAV2-NTN therapy attenuated rotorod deficits in this mutant relative to control treated transgenics (p<0.01). AAV2-NTN treatment significantly reduced the number of transgenic mice that exhibited clasping behavior and partially restored their stride lengths (both p<0.05). Stereological counts of NeuN-ir neurons revealed a significant neuroprotection in the striatum of AAV2-NTN treated relative to control treated transgenics (p<0.001). Most fascinating, stereological counts of NeuN-labeled cells in layers V-VI of prefrontal cortex revealed that intrastriatal AAV2-NTN administration prevented the loss of frontal cortical NeuN-ir neurons seen in transgenic mice (p<0.01). These data indicate that gene delivery of NTN may be a viable strategy for the treatment of this incurable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Ramaswamy
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, 1735 West Harrison Street, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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61
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Behrstock S, Ebert AD, Klein S, Schmitt M, Moore JM, Svendsen CN. Lesion-induced increase in survival and migration of human neural progenitor cells releasing GDNF. Cell Transplant 2008; 17:753-62. [PMID: 19044202 DOI: 10.3727/096368908786516819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of human neural progenitor cells (hNPC) has been proposed to provide neuronal replacement or astrocytes delivering growth factors for brain disorders such as Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. Success in such studies likely requires migration from the site of transplantation and integration into host tissue in the face of ongoing damage. In the current study, hNPC modified to release glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (hNPCGDNF) were transplanted into either intact or lesioned animals. GDNF release itself had no effect on the survival, migration, or differentiation of the cells. The most robust migration and survival was found using a direct lesion of striatum (Huntington's model) with indirect lesions of the dopamine system (Parkinson's model) or intact animals showing successively less migration and survival. No lesion affected differentiation patterns. We conclude that the type of brain injury dictates migration and integration of hNPC, which has important consequences when considering transplantation of these cells as a therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soshana Behrstock
- The Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, WI 53705-2280, USA
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62
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An essential role for Frizzled5 in neuronal survival in the parafascicular nucleus of the thalamus. J Neurosci 2008; 28:5641-53. [PMID: 18509025 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1056-08.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Frizzled5 (Fz5), a putative Wnt receptor, is expressed in the retina, hypothalamus, and the parafascicular nucleus (PFN) of the thalamus. By constructing Fz5 alleles in which beta-galactosidase replaces Fz5 or in which Cre-mediated recombination replaces Fz5 with alkaline phosphatase, we observe that Fz5 is required continuously and in a cell autonomous manner for the survival of adult PFN neurons, but is not required for proliferation, migration, or axonal growth and targeting of developing PFN neurons. A motor phenotype associated with loss of Fz5 establishes a role for the PFN in sensorimotor coordination. Transcripts coding for Wnt9b, the likely Fz5 ligand in vivo, and beta-catenin, a mediator of canonical Wnt signaling, are both downregulated in the Fz5(-/-) PFN, implying a positive feedback mechanism in which Wnt signaling is required to maintain the expression of Wnt signaling components. These data suggest that defects in Wnt-Frizzled signaling could be the cause of neuronal loss in degenerative CNS diseases.
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63
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Duan W, Peng Q, Masuda N, Ford E, Tryggestad E, Ladenheim B, Zhao M, Cadet JL, Wong J, Ross CA. Sertraline slows disease progression and increases neurogenesis in N171-82Q mouse model of Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2008; 30:312-322. [PMID: 18403212 PMCID: PMC3683653 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2008.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2007] [Revised: 01/09/2008] [Accepted: 01/31/2008] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited progressive neurodegenerative disorder resulting from CAG repeat expansion in the gene that encodes for the protein huntingtin. To identify neuroprotective compound (s) that can slow down disease progression and can be administered long term with few side effects in Huntington's disease, we investigated the effect of sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) which has been shown to upregulate BDNF levels in rodent brains. We report here that in HD mice sertraline increased BDNF levels, preserved chaperone protein HSP70 and Bcl-2 levels in brains, attenuated the progression of brain atrophy and behavioral abnormalities and thereby increased survival. Sertraline also enhanced neurogenesis, which appeared to be responsible for mediating the beneficial effects of sertraline in HD mice. Additionally, the effective levels of sertraline are comparable to the safe levels achievable in humans. The findings suggest that sertraline is a potential candidate for treatment of HD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhen Duan
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, CMSC 8-121, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
| | - Qi Peng
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, CMSC 8-121, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Naoki Masuda
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, CMSC 8-121, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Eric Ford
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Erik Tryggestad
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Bruce Ladenheim
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 5500 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Ming Zhao
- Oncology Analytical Pharmacology Core, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 5500 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - John Wong
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Christopher A Ross
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, CMSC 8-121, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
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64
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Boucherie C, Caumont AS, Maloteaux JM, Hermans E. In vitro evidence for impaired neuroprotective capacities of adult mesenchymal stem cells derived from a rat model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (hSOD1(G93A)). Exp Neurol 2008; 212:557-61. [PMID: 18539273 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2008.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2007] [Revised: 04/01/2008] [Accepted: 04/24/2008] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Protection of neurons by stem cells is an attractive challenge in the development of efficient therapies of neurodegenerative diseases. When giving preference to autologous grafts, the bone marrow constitutes a valuable source of adult stem cells. Therefore, we herein studied the acquisition of neuroprotective functions by cultured mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exposed to growth factors known to promote the differentiation of neural stem cells into astrocytes. In these conditions, MSCs showed increased transcription and expression of the high-affinity glutamate transporter GLT-1 and functional studies revealed increased aspartate uptake activity. In addition, differentiation was shown to endow the cells with the capacity to respond to riluzole which triggers a robust up-regulation of the GDNF production. In parallel, MSCs derived from the bone marrow of a transgenic rat model of familial ALS (hSOD1(G93A)) were also characterised. Unexpectedly, cells from this rat strain submitted to the differentiation protocol showed modest capacity to take up aspartate and did not respond to the riluzole treatments. These data highlight the neuroprotective potential attributable to MSCs, supporting their use as valuable tools for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. However, the cells from the transgenic animal model of ALS appeared deficient in their capacity to gain the neuroprotective properties, raising questions regarding the suitability of autologous stem cell grafts in future therapies against familial forms of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Boucherie
- Laboratoire de Pharmacologie Expérimentale, Université catholique de Louvain, 54.10, Av. Hippocrate 54, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
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65
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Abstract
Huntington disease (HD), caused by polyglutamate expansions in the huntingtin protein, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease resulting in cognitive and motor impairments and death. Neuronal dysfunction and degeneration contribute to progressive physiological, motor, cognitive, and emotional disturbances characteristic of HD. A major impetus for research into the treatment of HD has centered on cell therapy strategies to protect vulnerable neuronal cell populations or to replace dysfunctional or dying cells. The work underlying 3 approaches to HD cell therapy includes the potential for self-repair through the manipulation of endogenous stem cells and/or neurogenesis, the use of fetal or stem cell transplantation as a cell replacement strategy, and the administration of neurotrophic factors to protect susceptible neuronal populations. These approaches have shown some promising results in animal models of HD. Although striatal transplantation of fetal-derived cells has undergone clinical assessment since the 1990s, many cell therapy strategies have yet to be applied in the clinic environment. A more thorough understanding of the pathophysiologies underlying HD as well as the response of both endogenous and exogenous cells to the degenerating brain will inform their merit as potential therapeutic agents and enhance the framework by which the success of such strategies are determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire D Clelland
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 2PY, United Kingdom
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66
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Visanji NP, Orsi A, Johnston TH, Howson PA, Dixon K, Callizot N, Brotchie JM, Rees DD. PYM50028, a novel, orally active, nonpeptide neurotrophic factor inducer, prevents and reverses neuronal damage induced by MPP+ in mesencephalic neurons and by MPTP in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. FASEB J 2008; 22:2488-97. [PMID: 18364399 DOI: 10.1096/fj.07-095398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Many experimental data support the enhancement of neurotrophic factors as a means to modify neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. However, the translation of this to the clinic has proven problematic. This is likely due to the complex nature of the surgical gene delivery and cell-based approaches adopted to deliver proteinaceous neurotrophic factors to targets within the central nervous system. We investigated the ability of a novel, orally active, nonpeptide neurotrophic factor inducer, PYM50028 (Cogane), to restore dopaminergic function after 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) -induced damage to mesencephalic neurons in vitro and in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) -lesioned mice. In rat mesencephalic neurons, administration of PYM50028, either before or after MPP(+), significantly prevented and reversed both MPP(+)-induced neuronal atrophy and cell loss. These effects were potent and of a magnitude equivalent to those achieved by a combination of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). Oral administration of PYM50028 (10 mg/kg/day for 60 days) to MPTP-lesioned mice, commencing after a striatal impairment was evident, resulted in a significant elevation of striatal GDNF (297%) and BDNF (511%), and attenuated the loss of striatal dopaminergic transporter levels and dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. PYM50028 did not inhibit monoamine oxidase B in vitro, nor did it alter brain levels of MPP(+) in vivo. PYM50028 has neuroprotective and neurorestorative potential and is in clinical development for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi P Visanji
- Toronto Western Research Institute, MCL 11-419, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada
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67
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Kells AP, Henry RA, Connor B. AAV-BDNF mediated attenuation of quinolinic acid-induced neuropathology and motor function impairment. Gene Ther 2008; 15:966-77. [PMID: 18323792 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2008.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance and plasticity of striatal neurons is dependent on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is depleted in the Huntington's disease striatum due to reduced expression and disrupted corticostriatal transportation. In this study we demonstrate that overexpression of BDNF in the striatum attenuates motor impairment and reduces the extent of striatal damage following quinolinic acid lesioning. Transfer of the BDNF gene to striatal neurons using serotype 1/2 adeno-associated viral vectors enhanced BDNF protein levels in the striatum, but induced weight loss and seizure activity following long-term high-level expression. Lower concentration BDNF expression supported striatal neurons against excitotoxic insult, as demonstrated by enhanced krox-24 immunopositive neuron survival, reduction of striatal atrophy and maintenance of the patch/matrix organization. Additionally, BDNF expression attenuated motor impairment in the forelimb use cylinder test, sensorimotor neglect in the corridor food selection task and reversed apomorphine-induced rotational behaviour. Direct correlations were shown for the first time between BDNF-mediated attenuation of behavioural impairment and the integrity of the globus pallidus, seemingly independent from the severity of striatal lesioning. These results demonstrate that BDNF holds considerable therapeutic potential for alleviating both neuropathological and motor function deficits in the Huntington's disease brain, and the critical role of pallidal neurons in facilitating motor performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Kells
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Neural Repair and Neurogenesis Laboratory, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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68
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Wang B, Zou X, Zhang H, Duan D, Ju L, Jiang X, Sun X, Zhao C, Zhao H, Guo J, Xu C, Gao E, Xu Q. Establishment of an immortalized GABAergic neuronal progenitor cell line from embryonic ventral mesencephalon in the rat. Brain Res 2008; 1210:63-75. [PMID: 18407253 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2008.02.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2007] [Revised: 02/15/2008] [Accepted: 02/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Effective cell replacement therapies for neurological disease require neuron-restricted precursors as grafted cells. The problem of obtaining sufficient grafts for transplantation can be resolved by creating an appropriate immortalized cell line. In the present study, a thermally controlled immortalized GABAergic neuronal progenitor cell line (RMNE6) was established from E13 rat ventral mesencephalon cells immortalized using the temperature-sensitive mutant of SV40 large T antigen (ts-TAg). RMNE6 cells proliferated rapidly and expressed a neuron-like phenotype at the permissive temperature (33 degrees C), but eventually stopped growing at the non-permissive temperature (39 degrees C). Expression of the neuronal markers PSA-NCAM, beta-tubulin III and MAP2 by RMNE6 cells was confirmed by RT-PCR or immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, these cells exhibited functional GABAergic neuron properties, as evidenced by the expression of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) as well as the synthesis and release of the neurotransmitter GABA in a calcium-dependent manner. Moreover, RMNE6 cells spontaneously expressed and secreted several neurotrophic factors, such as NGF, BDNF, NT-3, NT-4/5, and GDNF. The cells survived well and kept expression of SV40 Tag, GAD65/67 and GABA in the striatum, at least 28 days after being transplanted in the rat brain. Tumorigenesis assays confirmed the safety of the immortalized cell line in vivo. Taken together, the results support the use of RMNE6 cells as an ideal cell model for transplantation research aimed at the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Wang
- Beijing Institute for Neuroscience, Capital Medical University, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative diseases of Ministry of Education of China, Beijing 100069, China
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69
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Martin B, Golden E, Keselman A, Stone M, Mattson MP, Egan JM, Maudsley S. Therapeutic perspectives for the treatment of Huntington's disease: treating the whole body. Histol Histopathol 2008; 23:237-50. [PMID: 17999380 PMCID: PMC2657556 DOI: 10.14670/hh-23.237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a tremendously debilitating disorder that strikes relatively young individuals and progresses rapidly over the next ten to fifteen years inducing a loss of cognitive and motor skills and eventually death occurs. The primary locus of the disorder is a polyglutamine expansion of the protein product of the huntingtin (htt) gene. The htt protein appears to be a scaffolding protein that orchestrates the complex assembly of multiple intracellular proteins involved in multiple processes, including vesicular movement and cell metabolism. The htt protein is ubiquitously expressed in human tissues but the predominance of the interest in the pathology lies in its effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Most of the current therapeutics for HD thus have been targeted at preventing neuronal damage in the CNS, however, a considerable body of evidence has been accumulating to suggest that the maintenance of a healthy nervous system is tightly linked with peripheral physiological health. Therefore treatment of both the peripheral and central pathophysiologies of HD could form the basis of a more effective HD therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwen Martin
- National Institute on Aging, NIH, Gerontology Research Center, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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70
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Zuchner T, Brundin P. Mutant huntingtin can paradoxically protect neurons from death. Cell Death Differ 2007; 15:435-42. [PMID: 17975550 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cdd.4402261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the gene huntingtin and characterized by motor, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms. Huntingtin contains a CAG repeat in exon 1. An expansion of this CAG repeat above 35 results in misfolding of Huntingtin, giving rise to protein aggregates and neuronal cell death. There are several transgenic HD mouse models that reproduce most of the features of the human disorder, for example protein inclusions, some neurodegeneration as well as motor and cognitive symptoms. At the same time, a subgroup of the HD transgenic mouse models exhibit dramatically reduced susceptibility to excitotoxicity. The mechanism behind this is unknown. Here, we review the literature regarding this phenomenon, attempt to explain what protein domains are crucial for this phenomenon and point toward a putative mechanism. We suggest, that the C-terminal domain of exon 1 Huntingtin, namely the proline rich domain, is responsible for mediating a neuroprotective effect against excitotoxicity. Furthermore, we point out the possible importance of this mechanism for future therapies in neurological disorders that have been suggested to be associated with excitotoxicity, for example Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Zuchner
- Neuronal Survival Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, BMC A10, Lund 22184, Sweden.
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71
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Heavner SB, Rubin AD, Fung K, Old M, Hogikyan ND, Feldman EL. Dysfunction of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the potential of gene therapy. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2007; 116:441-8. [PMID: 17672247 DOI: 10.1177/000348940711600609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve causes vocal fold paresis or paralysis resulting in poor voice quality, and possibly swallowing dysfunction and/or airway compromise. Injury can occur as part of a neurodegenerative disease process or can be due to direct nerve trauma or tumor invasion. Management depends upon symptoms, the cause and severity of injury, and the prognosis for recovery of nerve function. Surgical treatment techniques can improve symptoms, but do not restore physiologic motion. Gene therapy may be a useful adjunct to enhance nerve regeneration in the setting of neurodegenerative disease or trauma. Remote injection of viral vectors into the recurrent laryngeal nerve is the least invasive way to deliver neurotrophic factors to the nerve's cell bodies within the nucleus ambiguus, and in turn to promote nerve regeneration and enhance both nuclear and nerve survival. The purpose of this review is to discuss the potential role for gene therapy in treatment of the unsolved problem of vocal fold paralysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Brett Heavner
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-2200, USA
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72
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Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurological disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the IT15 gene. Progressive cell death in the striatum and cortex, and accompanying declines in cognitive, motor, and psychiatric functions, are characteristic of the disease. Animal models of HD have provided insight into disease pathology and the outcomes of therapeutic strategies. Earlier studies of HD most often used toxin-induced models to study mitochondrial impairment and excitotoxicity-induced cell death, which are both mechanisms of degeneration seen in the HD brain. These models, based on 3-nitropropionic acid and quinolinic acid, respectively, are still often used in HD studies. The discovery in 1993 of the huntingtin mutation led to the creation of newer models that incorporate a similar genetic defect. These models, which include transgenic and knock-in rodents, are more representative of the HD progression and pathology. An even more recent model that uses a viral vector to encode the gene mutation in specific areas of the brain may be useful in nonhuman primates, as it is difficult to produce genetic models in these species. This article examines the aforementioned models and describes their use in HD research, including aspects of the creation, delivery, pathology, and tested therapies for each model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Ramaswamy
- Department of Neuroscience, Rush University Medical Center, 1735 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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