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Brennecke N, Cali I, Mok TH, Speedy H, Hosszu LLP, Stehmann C, Cracco L, Puoti G, Prior TW, Cohen ML, Collins SJ, Mead S, Appleby BS. Characterization of Prion Disease Associated with a Two-Octapeptide Repeat Insertion. Viruses 2021; 13:1794. [PMID: 34578375 PMCID: PMC8473248 DOI: 10.3390/v13091794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic prion disease accounts for 10-15% of prion disease. While insertion of four or more octapeptide repeats are clearly pathogenic, smaller repeat insertions have an unclear pathogenicity. The goal of this case series was to provide an insight into the characteristics of the 2-octapeptide repeat genetic variant and to provide insight into the risk for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in asymptomatic carriers. 2-octapeptide repeat insertion prion disease cases were collected from the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center (US), the National Prion Clinic (UK), and the National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Registry (Australia). Three largescale population genetic databases were queried for the 2-octapeptide repeat insertion allele. Eight cases of 2-octapeptide repeat insertion were identified. The cases were indistinguishable from the sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob cases of the same molecular subtype. Western blot characterization of the prion protein in the absence of enzymatic digestion with proteinase K revealed that 2-octapeptide repeat insertion and sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease have distinct prion protein profiles. Interrogation of large-scale population datasets suggested the variant is of very low penetrance. The 2-octapeptide repeat insertion is at most a low-risk genetic variant. Predictive genetic testing for asymptomatic blood relatives is not likely to be justified given the low risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Brennecke
- Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University & University Hospitals Cleveland Medical, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (N.B.); (M.L.C.)
| | - Ignazio Cali
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center (NPDPSC), Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Tze How Mok
- MRC Prion Unit at University College London, Institute of Prion Diseases, London W1W 7FF, UK; (T.H.M.); (H.S.); (L.L.P.H.); (S.M.)
| | - Helen Speedy
- MRC Prion Unit at University College London, Institute of Prion Diseases, London W1W 7FF, UK; (T.H.M.); (H.S.); (L.L.P.H.); (S.M.)
| | | | - Laszlo L. P. Hosszu
- MRC Prion Unit at University College London, Institute of Prion Diseases, London W1W 7FF, UK; (T.H.M.); (H.S.); (L.L.P.H.); (S.M.)
| | - Christiane Stehmann
- Australian National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Registry, The Florey Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; (C.S.); (S.J.C.)
| | - Laura Cracco
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
| | - Gianfranco Puoti
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
- Prion Disease Diagnosis and Surveillance Center (PDDSC), University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Thomas W. Prior
- Center for Human Genetics Laboratory, Case Western Reserve University & University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
| | - Mark L. Cohen
- Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University & University Hospitals Cleveland Medical, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (N.B.); (M.L.C.)
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center (NPDPSC), Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Steven J. Collins
- Australian National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Registry, The Florey Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; (C.S.); (S.J.C.)
| | - Simon Mead
- MRC Prion Unit at University College London, Institute of Prion Diseases, London W1W 7FF, UK; (T.H.M.); (H.S.); (L.L.P.H.); (S.M.)
| | - Brian S. Appleby
- Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University & University Hospitals Cleveland Medical, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (N.B.); (M.L.C.)
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center (NPDPSC), Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University & University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Dexter E, Kong Q. Neuroprotective effect and potential of cellular prion protein and its cleavage products for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders part I. a literature review. Expert Rev Neurother 2021; 21:969-982. [PMID: 34470561 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2021.1965881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The cellular prion protein (PrPC) is well known for its pathogenic roles in prion diseases, several other neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's disease), and multiple types of cancer, but the beneficial aspects of PrPC and its cleavage products received much less attention. AREAS COVERED Here the authors will systematically review the literatures on the negative as well as protective aspects of PrPC and its derivatives (especially PrP N-terminal N1 peptide and shed PrP). The authors will dissect the current findings on N1 and shed PrP, including evidence for their neuroprotective effects, the categories of PrPC cleavage, and numerous cleavage enzymes involved. The authors will also discuss the protective effects and therapeutic potentials of PrPC-rich exosomes. The cited articles were obtained from extensive PubMed searches of recent literature, including peer-reviewed original articles and review articles. EXPERT OPINION PrP and its N-terminal fragments have strong neuroprotective activities that should be explored for therapeutics and prophylactics development against prion disease, Alzheimer's disease and a few other neurodegenerative diseases. The strategies to develop PrP-based therapeutics and prophylactics for these neurodegenerative diseases will be discussed in a companion article (Part II).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Dexter
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
| | - Qingzhong Kong
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA.,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
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Abstract
Prion diseases are neurodegenerative disorders caused by conformational conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into scrapie prion protein (PrPSc). As the main component of prion, PrPSc acts as an infectious template that recruits and converts normal cellular PrPC into its pathogenic, misfolded isoform. Intriguingly, the phenomenon of prionoid, or prion-like, spread has also been observed in many other disease-associated proteins, such as amyloid β (Aβ), tau and α-synuclein. This Cell Science at a Glance and the accompanying poster highlight recently described physiological roles of prion protein and the advanced understanding of pathogenesis of prion disease they have afforded. Importantly, prion protein may also be involved in the pathogenesis of other neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Therapeutic studies of prion disease have also exploited novel strategies to combat these devastating diseases. Future studies on prion protein and prion disease will deepen our understanding of the pathogenesis of a broad spectrum of neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caihong Zhu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, CH-8091, Switzerland
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54
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Carta M, Aguzzi A. Molecular foundations of prion strain diversity. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 72:22-31. [PMID: 34416480 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite being caused by a single protein, prion diseases are strikingly heterogenous. Individual prion variants, known as strains, possess distinct biochemical properties, form aggregates with characteristic morphologies and preferentially seed certain brain regions, causing markedly different disease phenotypes. Strain diversity is determined by protein structure, post-translational modifications and the presence of extracellular matrix components, with single amino acid substitutions or altered protein glycosylation exerting dramatic effects. Here, we review recent advances in the study of prion strains and discuss how a deeper knowledge of the molecular origins of strain heterogeneity is providing a foundation for the development of anti-prion therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfredi Carta
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Abstract
Introduction: Prion diseases are a class of rare and fatal neurodegenerative diseases for which no cure is currently available. They are characterized by conformational conversion of cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the disease-associated 'scrapie' isoform (PrPSc). Under an etiological point of view, prion diseases can be divided into acquired, genetic, and idiopathic form, the latter of which are the most frequent.Areas covered: Therapeutic approaches targeting prion diseases are based on the use of chemical and nature-based compounds, targeting either PrPC or PrPSc or other putative player in pathogenic mechanism. Other proposed anti-prion treatments include passive and active immunization strategies, peptides, aptamers, and PrPC-directed RNA interference techniques. The treatment efficacy has been mainly assessed in cell lines or animal models of the disease testing their ability to reduce prion accumulation.Expert opinion: The assessed strategies focussing on the identification of an efficient anti-prion therapy faced various issues, which go from permeation of the blood brain barrier to immunological tolerance of the host. Indeed, the use of combinatory approaches, which could boost a synergistic anti-prion effect and lower the potential side effects of single treatments and may represent an extreme powerful and feasible way to tackle prion disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Zattoni
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
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56
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Diaz-Lucena D, Kruse N, Thüne K, Schmitz M, Villar-Piqué A, da Cunha JEG, Hermann P, López-Pérez Ó, Andrés-Benito P, Ladogana A, Calero M, Vidal E, Riggert J, Pineau H, Sim V, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Del Río JA, Marín-Moreno A, Espinosa JC, Torres JM, Sánchez-Valle R, Mollenhauer B, Ferrer I, Zerr I, Llorens F. TREM2 expression in the brain and biological fluids in prion diseases. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 141:841-859. [PMID: 33881612 PMCID: PMC8113222 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02296-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is an innate immune cell surface receptor that regulates microglial function and is involved in the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative diseases. Its soluble form (sTREM2) results from shedding of the TREM2 ectodomain. The role of TREM2 in prion diseases, a group of rapidly progressive dementias remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we analysed the expression of TREM2 and its main sheddase ADAM10 in the brain of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) patients and evaluated the role of CSF and plasma sTREM2 as a potential diagnostic marker of prion disease. Our data indicate that, compared to controls, TREM2 is increased in sCJD patient brains at the mRNA and protein levels in a regional and subtype dependent fashion, and expressed in a subpopulation of microglia. In contrast, ADAM10 is increased at the protein, but not the mRNA level, with a restricted neuronal expression. Elevated CSF sTREM2 is found in sCJD, genetic CJD with mutations E200K and V210I in the prion protein gene (PRNP), and iatrogenic CJD, as compared to healthy controls (HC) (AUC = 0.78–0.90) and neurological controls (AUC = 0.73–0.85), while CSF sTREM2 is unchanged in fatal familial insomnia. sTREM2 in the CSF of cases with Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis was not significantly altered in our series. CSF sTREM2 concentrations in sCJD are PRNP codon 129 and subtype-related, correlate with CSF 14-3-3 positivity, total-tau and YKL-40, and increase with disease progression. In plasma, sTREM2 is increased in sCJD compared with HC (AUC = 0.80), displaying positive correlations with plasma total-tau, neurofilament light, and YKL-40. We conclude that comparative study of TREM2 in brain and biological fluids of prion diseases reveals TREM2 to be altered in human prion diseases with a potential value in target engagement, patient stratification, and disease monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Diaz-Lucena
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Niels Kruse
- University Medical Center Göttingen, Institute of Neuropathology, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katrin Thüne
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gern August University, Robert Koch Strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Schmitz
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gern August University, Robert Koch Strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anna Villar-Piqué
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | | | - Peter Hermann
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gern August University, Robert Koch Strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Óscar López-Pérez
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Pol Andrés-Benito
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Anna Ladogana
- Department of Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Miguel Calero
- Alzheimer Disease Research Unit, CIEN Foundation, Chronic Disease Programme, Queen Sofia Foundation Alzheimer Center, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Enric Vidal
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal, Campus Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Institut de Recerca I Tecnologia Agroalimentàries, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Joachim Riggert
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, University Medical School, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hailey Pineau
- Department of Medicine-Division of Neurology, Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Valerie Sim
- Department of Medicine-Division of Neurology, Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, London, UK
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Jose Antonio Del Río
- Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology, Scientific Park of Barcelona, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
- University of Barcelona, Institute of Neuroscience, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Raquel Sánchez-Valle
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Institut D'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Brit Mollenhauer
- Paracelsus-Elena Klinik, Kassel, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Isidre Ferrer
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Hospitalet de Llobregat, University of Barcelona, Feixa Llarga S/N, 08907, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Inga Zerr
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gern August University, Robert Koch Strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Franc Llorens
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gern August University, Robert Koch Strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
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Schmitt-Ulms G, Mehrabian M, Williams D, Ehsani S. The IDIP framework for assessing protein function and its application to the prion protein. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:1907-1932. [PMID: 33960099 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The quest to determine the function of a protein can represent a profound challenge. Although this task is the mandate of countless research groups, a general framework for how it can be approached is conspicuously lacking. Moreover, even expectations for when the function of a protein can be considered to be 'known' are not well defined. In this review, we begin by introducing concepts pertinent to the challenge of protein function assignments. We then propose a framework for inferring a protein's function from four data categories: 'inheritance', 'distribution', 'interactions' and 'phenotypes' (IDIP). We document that the functions of proteins emerge at the intersection of inferences drawn from these data categories and emphasise the benefit of considering them in an evolutionary context. We then apply this approach to the cellular prion protein (PrPC ), well known for its central role in prion diseases, whose function continues to be considered elusive by many investigators. We document that available data converge on the conclusion that the function of the prion protein is to control a critical post-translational modification of the neural cell adhesion molecule in the context of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and related plasticity programmes. Finally, we argue that this proposed function of PrPC has already passed the test of time and is concordant with the IDIP framework in a way that other functions considered for this protein fail to achieve. We anticipate that the IDIP framework and the concepts analysed herein will aid the investigation of other proteins whose primary functional assignments have thus far been intractable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerold Schmitt-Ulms
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | | | - Declan Williams
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Sepehr Ehsani
- Theoretical and Philosophical Biology, Department of Philosophy, University College London, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K.,Ronin Institute for Independent Scholarship, Montclair, NJ, 07043, U.S.A
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58
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Martin D, Reine F, Herzog L, Igel-Egalon A, Aron N, Michel C, Moudjou M, Fichet G, Quadrio I, Perret-Liaudet A, Andréoletti O, Rezaei H, Béringue V. Prion potentiation after life-long dormancy in mice devoid of PrP. Brain Commun 2021; 3:fcab092. [PMID: 33997785 PMCID: PMC8111064 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcab092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions are neurotropic pathogens composed of misfolded assemblies of the host-encoded prion protein PrPC which replicate by recruitment and conversion of further PrPC by an autocatalytic seeding polymerization process. While it has long been shown that mouse-adapted prions cannot replicate and are rapidly cleared in transgenic PrP0/0 mice invalidated for PrPC, these experiments have not been done with other prions, including from natural resources, and more sensitive methods to detect prion biological activity. Using transgenic mice expressing human PrP to bioassay prion infectivity and RT-QuIC cell-free assay to measure prion seeding activity, we report that prions responsible for the most prevalent form of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in human (MM1-sCJD) can persist indefinitely in the brain of intra-cerebrally inoculated PrP0/0 mice. While low levels of seeding activity were measured by RT-QuIC in the brain of the challenged PrP0/0 mice, the bio-indicator humanized mice succumbed at a high attack rate, suggesting relatively high levels of persistent infectivity. Remarkably, these humanized mice succumbed with delayed kinetics as compared to MM1-sCJD prions directly inoculated at low doses, including the limiting one. Yet, the disease that did occur in the humanized mice on primary and subsequent back-passage from PrP0/0 mice shared the neuropathological and molecular characteristics of MM1-sCJD prions, suggesting no apparent strain evolution during lifelong dormancy in PrP0/0 brain. Thus, MM1-sCJD prions can persist for the entire life in PrP0/0 brain with potential disease potentiation on retrotransmission to susceptible hosts. These findings highlight the capacity of prions to persist and rejuvenate in non-replicative environments, interrogate on the type of prion assemblies at work and alert on the risk of indefinite prion persistence with PrP-lowering therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davy Martin
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UVSQ, VIM, 78 350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Fabienne Reine
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UVSQ, VIM, 78 350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Laetitia Herzog
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UVSQ, VIM, 78 350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | | | - Naima Aron
- INRAE, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, IHAP, 31 000 Toulouse, France
| | - Christel Michel
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UVSQ, VIM, 78 350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Mohammed Moudjou
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UVSQ, VIM, 78 350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Guillaume Fichet
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UVSQ, VIM, 78 350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Isabelle Quadrio
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Hôpitaux de Lyon, 69 000 Lyon, France.,University of Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM U1028, BioRan, 69 000 Lyon, France
| | - Armand Perret-Liaudet
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Hôpitaux de Lyon, 69 000 Lyon, France.,University of Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM U1028, BioRan, 69 000 Lyon, France
| | - Olivier Andréoletti
- INRAE, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, IHAP, 31 000 Toulouse, France
| | - Human Rezaei
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UVSQ, VIM, 78 350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Vincent Béringue
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UVSQ, VIM, 78 350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
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59
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Darling AL, Shorter J. Combating deleterious phase transitions in neurodegenerative disease. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1868:118984. [PMID: 33549703 PMCID: PMC7965345 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.118984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Protein aggregation is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the mechanism that induces pathogenic aggregation is not well understood. Recently, it has emerged that several of the pathological proteins found in an aggregated or mislocalized state in neurodegenerative diseases are also able to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) under physiological conditions. Although these phase transitions are likely important for various physiological functions, neurodegenerative disease-related mutations and conditions can alter the LLPS behavior of these proteins, which can elicit toxicity. Therefore, therapeutics that antagonize aberrant LLPS may be able to mitigate toxicity and aggregation that is ubiquitous in neurodegenerative disease. Here, we discuss the mechanisms by which aberrant protein phase transitions may contribute to neurodegenerative disease. We also outline potential therapeutic strategies to counter deleterious phases. State without borders: Membrane-less organelles and liquid-liquid phase transitions edited by Vladimir N Uversky.
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Affiliation(s)
- April L Darling
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - James Shorter
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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60
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Abu-Rumeileh S, Parchi P. Cerebrospinal Fluid and Blood Neurofilament Light Chain Protein in Prion Disease and Other Rapidly Progressive Dementias: Current State of the Art. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:648743. [PMID: 33776643 PMCID: PMC7994519 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.648743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapidly progressive dementia (RPD) is an umbrella term referring to several conditions causing a rapid neurological deterioration associated with cognitive decline and short disease duration. They comprise Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD), the archetypal RPD, rapidly progressive variants of the most common neurodegenerative dementias (NDs), and potentially treatable conditions such as infectious or autoimmune encephalitis and cerebrovascular disease. Given the significant clinical and, sometimes, neuroradiological overlap between these different disorders, biofluid markers also contribute significantly to the differential diagnosis. Among them, the neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) has attracted growing attention in recent years as a biofluid marker of neurodegeneration due to its sensitivity to axonal damage and the reliability of its measurement in both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood. Here, we summarize current knowledge regarding biological and clinical implications of NfL evaluation in biofluids across RPDs, emphasizing CJD, and other prion diseases. In the latter, NfL demonstrated a good diagnostic and prognostic accuracy and a potential value as a marker of proximity to clinical onset in pre-symptomatic PRNP mutation carriers. Similarly, in Alzheimer’s disease and other NDs, higher NfL concentrations seem to predict a faster disease progression. While increasing evidence indicates a potential clinical value of NfL in monitoring cerebrovascular disease, the association between NfL and prediction of outcome and/or disease activity in autoimmune encephalitis and infectious diseases has only been investigated in few cohorts and deserves confirmatory studies. In the era of precision medicine and evolving therapeutic options, CSF and blood NfL might aid the diagnostic and prognostic assessment of RPDs and the stratification and management of patients according to disease progression in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Piero Parchi
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto delle Sciente Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Experimental Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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61
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Murakami T, Shoji Y, Nishi T, Chang SC, Jachimowicz RD, Hoshimoto S, Ono S, Shiloh Y, Takeuchi H, Kitagawa Y, Hoon DSB, Bustos MA. Regulation of MRE11A by UBQLN4 leads to cisplatin resistance in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:1069-1087. [PMID: 33605536 PMCID: PMC8024730 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to standard cisplatin‐based chemotherapies leads to worse survival outcomes for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the aberrant mechanisms driving resistance in ESCC tumors. We hypothesized that ubiquilin‐4 (UBQLN4), a protein that targets ubiquitinated proteins to the proteasome, regulates the expression of Meiotic Recombination 11 Homolog A (MRE11A), a critical component of the MRN complex and DNA damage repair pathways. Initially, immunohistochemistry analysis was conducted in specimens from patients with ESCC (n = 120). In endoscopic core ESCC biopsies taken from 61 patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) (5‐fluorouracil and cisplatin), low MRE11A and high UBQLN4 protein levels were associated with reduced pathological response to NAC (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Multivariable analysis of surgically resected ESCC tissues from 59 patients revealed low MRE11A and high UBLQN4 expression as independent factors that can predict shorter overall survival [P = 0.01, hazard ratio (HR) = 5.11, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.45–18.03; P = 0.02, HR = 3.74, 95% CI, 1.19–11.76, respectively]. Suppression of MRE11A expression was associated with cisplatin resistance in ESCC cell lines. Additionally, MRE11A was found to be ubiquitinated after cisplatin treatment. We observed an amplification of UBQLN4 gene copy numbers and an increase in UBQLN4 protein levels in ESCC tissues. Binding of UBQLN4 to ubiquitinated‐MRE11A increased MRE11A degradation, thereby regulating MRE11A protein levels following DNA damage and promoting cisplatin resistance. In summary, MRE11A and UBQLN4 protein levels can serve as predictors for NAC response and as prognostic markers in ESCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Murakami
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Shoji
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Nishi
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Japan
| | - Shu-Ching Chang
- Medical Data Research Center Providence Health and Services at Providence Saint Joseph's Health, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ron D Jachimowicz
- Clinic I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Germany.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Response in Ageing-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Sojun Hoshimoto
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Japan
| | - Shigeshi Ono
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Japan
| | - Yosef Shiloh
- David and Inez Myers Laboratory for Cancer Genetics, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Hiroya Takeuchi
- Department of Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Yuko Kitagawa
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Japan
| | - Dave S B Hoon
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Matias A Bustos
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA
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Vallabh SM, Minikel EV. Implications of new genetic risk factors in prion disease. Nat Rev Neurol 2020; 17:5-6. [PMID: 33173159 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-020-00433-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sonia M Vallabh
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,McCance Center for Brain Health and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Prion Alliance, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Eric Vallabh Minikel
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,McCance Center for Brain Health and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Prion Alliance, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Abu-Rumeileh S, Baiardi S, Ladogana A, Zenesini C, Bartoletti-Stella A, Poleggi A, Mammana A, Polischi B, Pocchiari M, Capellari S, Parchi P. Comparison between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for the early diagnosis and association with survival in prion disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2020; 91:1181-1188. [PMID: 32928934 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-323826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the diagnostic accuracy and the prognostic value of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests across prion disease subtypes. METHODS We used a single-molecule immunoassay to measure tau and neurofilament light chain (NfL) protein levels in the plasma and assessed CSF total(t)-tau, NfL and protein 14-3-3 levels in patients with prion disease (n=336), non-prion rapidly progressive dementias (n=106) and non-neurodegenerative controls (n=37). We then evaluated each plasma and CSF marker for diagnosis and their association with survival, taking into account the disease subtype, which is a strong independent prognostic factor in prion disease. RESULTS Plasma tau and NfL concentrations were higher in patients with prion disease than in non-neurodegenerative controls and non-prion rapidly progressive dementias. Plasma tau showed higher diagnostic value than plasma NfL, but a lower accuracy than the CSF proteins t-tau and 14-3-3. In the whole prion cohort, both plasma (tau and NfL) and CSF (t-tau, 14-3-3 and NfL) markers were significantly associated with survival and showed similar prognostic values. However, the intrasubtype analysis revealed that only CSF t-tau in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) MM(V)1, plasma tau and CSF t-tau in sCJD VV2, and plasma NfL in slowly progressive prion diseases were significantly associated with survival after accounting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS Plasma markers have lower diagnostic accuracy than CSF biomarkers. Plasma tau and NfL and CSF t-tau are significantly associated with survival in prion disease in a subtype-specific manner and can be used to improve clinical trial stratification and clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Abu-Rumeileh
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simone Baiardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Ladogana
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Corrado Zenesini
- IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Anna Poleggi
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Angela Mammana
- IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Barbara Polischi
- IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Sabina Capellari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Piero Parchi
- IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy .,Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica Diagnostica e Sperimentale, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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64
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Reidenbach AG, Mesleh MF, Casalena D, Vallabh SM, Dahlin JL, Leed AJ, Chan AI, Usanov DL, Yehl JB, Lemke CT, Campbell AJ, Shah RN, Shrestha OK, Sacher JR, Rangel VL, Moroco JA, Sathappa M, Nonato MC, Nguyen KT, Wright SK, Liu DR, Wagner FF, Kaushik VK, Auld DS, Schreiber SL, Minikel EV. Multimodal small-molecule screening for human prion protein binders. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:13516-13531. [PMID: 32723867 PMCID: PMC7521658 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion disease is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by misfolding and aggregation of the prion protein (PrP), and there are currently no therapeutic options. PrP ligands could theoretically antagonize prion formation by protecting the native protein from misfolding or by targeting it for degradation, but no validated small-molecule binders have been discovered to date. We deployed a variety of screening methods in an effort to discover binders of PrP, including 19F-observed and saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF), DNA-encoded library selection, and in silico screening. A single benzimidazole compound was confirmed in concentration-response, but affinity was very weak (Kd > 1 mm), and it could not be advanced further. The exceptionally low hit rate observed here suggests that PrP is a difficult target for small-molecule binders. Whereas orthogonal binder discovery methods could yield high-affinity compounds, non-small-molecule modalities may offer independent paths forward against prion disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Reidenbach
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael F Mesleh
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dominick Casalena
- Facilitated Access to Screening Technologies (FAST) Lab, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sonia M Vallabh
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Prion Alliance, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jayme L Dahlin
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alison J Leed
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alix I Chan
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dmitry L Usanov
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jenna B Yehl
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christopher T Lemke
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Arthur J Campbell
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rishi N Shah
- Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Om K Shrestha
- Facilitated Access to Screening Technologies (FAST) Lab, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joshua R Sacher
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Victor L Rangel
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jamie A Moroco
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Murugappan Sathappa
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maria Cristina Nonato
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kong T Nguyen
- Artificial Intelligence Molecular Screen (AIMS) Awards Program, Atomwise, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - S Kirk Wright
- Facilitated Access to Screening Technologies (FAST) Lab, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA; Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Florence F Wagner
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Virendar K Kaushik
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Douglas S Auld
- Facilitated Access to Screening Technologies (FAST) Lab, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stuart L Schreiber
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eric Vallabh Minikel
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Prion Alliance, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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