101
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Brain injection of α-synuclein induces multiple proteinopathies, gliosis, and a neuronal injury marker. J Neurosci 2015; 34:12368-78. [PMID: 25209277 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2102-14.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracerebral injection of amyloidogenic α-synuclein (αS) has been shown to induce αS pathology in the CNS of nontransgenic mice and αS transgenic mice, albeit with varying efficiencies. In this study, using wild-type human αS transgenic mice (line M20), we demonstrate that intracerebral injection of recombinant amyloidogenic or soluble αS induces extensive αS intracellular inclusion pathology that is associated with robust gliosis. Near the injection site, a significant portion of αS inclusions are detected in neurons but also in astrocytes and microglia. Aberrant induction of expression of the intermediate filament protein peripherin, which is associated with CNS neuronal injury, was also observed predominantly near the site of injection. In addition, many pSer129 αS-induced inclusions colocalize with the low-molecular-mass neurofilament subunit (NFL) or peripherin staining. αS inclusion pathology was also induced in brain regions distal from the injection site, predominantly in neurons. Unexpectedly, we also find prominent p62-immunoreactive, αS-, NFL-, and peripherin-negative inclusions. These findings provide evidence that exogenous αS challenge induces αS pathology but also results in the following: (1) a broader disruption of proteostasis; (2) glial activation; and (3) a marker of a neuronal injury response. Such data suggest that induction of αS pathology after exogenous seeding may involve multiple interdependent mechanisms.
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102
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Recasens A, Dehay B. Alpha-synuclein spreading in Parkinson's disease. Front Neuroanat 2014; 8:159. [PMID: 25565982 PMCID: PMC4270285 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2014.00159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Formation and accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates are a central hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases. In Parkinson’s disease (PD), the aggregation-prone protein alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is the culprit. In the past few years, another piece of the puzzle has been added with data suggesting that α-syn may self-propagate, thereby contributing to the progression and extension of PD. Of particular importance, it was the seminal observation of Lewy bodies (LB), a histopathological signature of PD, in grafted fetal dopaminergic neurons in the striatum of PD patients. Consequently, these findings were a conceptual breakthrough, generating the “host to graft transmission” hypothesis, also called the “prion-like hypothesis.” Several in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that α-syn can undergo a toxic templated conformational change, spread from cell to cell and from region to region, and initiate the formation of “LB–like aggregates,” contributing to the PD pathogenesis. Here, we will review and discuss the current knowledge for such a putative mechanism on the prion-like nature of α-syn, and discuss about the proper use of the term prion-like.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Recasens
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute - Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases Barcelona, Spain
| | - Benjamin Dehay
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Université de Bordeaux, UMR 5293 Bordeaux, France ; Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 5293 Bordeaux, France
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103
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Parkinson's disease as a member of Prion-like disorders. Virus Res 2014; 207:38-46. [PMID: 25456401 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2014.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Revised: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is one of several neurodegenerative diseases associated with a misfolded, aggregated and pathological protein. In Parkinson's disease this protein is alpha-synuclein and its neuronal deposits in the form of Lewy bodies are considered a hallmark of the disease. In this review we describe the clinical and experimental data that have led to think of alpha-synuclein as a prion-like protein and we summarize data from in vitro, cellular and animal models supporting this view.
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104
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Bassols A, Costa C, Eckersall PD, Osada J, Sabrià J, Tibau J. The pig as an animal model for human pathologies: A proteomics perspective. Proteomics Clin Appl 2014; 8:715-31. [DOI: 10.1002/prca.201300099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2013] [Revised: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bassols
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular; Facultat de Veterinària; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Cerdanyola del Vallès Spain
| | - Cristina Costa
- New Therapies of Genes and Transplants Group; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL); L'Hospitalet de Llobregat; Barcelona Spain
| | - P. David Eckersall
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
| | - Jesús Osada
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad de Zaragoza; CIBEROBN; Zaragoza Spain
| | - Josefa Sabrià
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular; Facultat de Medicina; Institut de Neurociències (INc); Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Cerdanyola del Vallès Spain
| | - Joan Tibau
- IRTA - Food Technology; Animal Genetics Program; Finca Camps i Armet; Monells Spain
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105
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Lost after translation: missorting of Tau protein and consequences for Alzheimer disease. Trends Neurosci 2014; 37:721-32. [PMID: 25223701 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2014.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2014] [Revised: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated-protein that is sorted into neuronal axons in physiological conditions. In Alzheimer disease (AD) and other tauopathies, Tau sorting mechanisms fail and Tau becomes missorted into the somatodendritic compartment. In AD, aberrant amyloid-β (Aβ) production might trigger Tau missorting. The physiological axonal sorting of Tau depends on the developmental stage of the neuron, the phosphorylation state of Tau and the microtubule cytoskeleton. Disease-associated missorting of Tau is connected to increased phosphorylation and aggregation of Tau, and impaired microtubule interactions. Disease-causing mechanisms involve impaired transport, aberrant kinase activation, non-physiological interactions of Tau, and prion-like spreading. In this review we focus on the physiological and pathological (mis)sorting of Tau, the underlying mechanisms, and effects in disease.
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106
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A cell culture model for monitoring α-synuclein cell-to-cell transfer. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 77:266-75. [PMID: 25046995 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Revised: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The transfer of α-synuclein (α-syn) between cells has been proposed to be the primary mechanism of disease spreading in Parkinson's disease. Several cellular models exist that monitor the uptake of recombinant α-syn from the culture medium. Here we established a more physiologically relevant model system in which α-syn is produced and transferred between mammalian neurons. We generated cell lines expressing either α-syn tagged with fluorescent proteins or fluorescent tags alone then we co-cultured these cell lines to measure protein uptake. We used live-cell imaging to demonstrate intercellular α-syn transfer and used flow cytometry and high content analysis to quantify the transfer. We then successfully inhibited intercellular protein transfer genetically by down-regulating dynamin or pharmacologically using dynasore or heparin. In addition, we differentiated human induced pluripotent stem cells carrying a triplication of the α-syn gene into dopaminergic neurons. These cells secreted high levels of α-syn, which was taken up by neighboring neurons. Collectively, our co-culture systems provide simple but physiologically relevant tools for the identification of genetic modifiers or small molecules that inhibit α-syn cell-to-cell transfer.
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107
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Pan-Montojo F, Reichmann H. Considerations on the role of environmental toxins in idiopathic Parkinson's disease pathophysiology. Transl Neurodegener 2014; 3:10. [PMID: 24826210 PMCID: PMC4019355 DOI: 10.1186/2047-9158-3-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by a progressive dysfunction of the nervous system. Often associated with atrophy of the affected central or peripheral nervous structures, they include diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias, Genetic Brain Disorders, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease), Huntington’s Disease, Prion Diseases, and others. The prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases has increased over the last years. This has had a major impact both on patients and their families and has exponentially increased the medical bill by hundreds of billions of Euros. Therefore, understanding the role of environmental and genetic factors in the pathogenesis of PD is crucial to develop preventive strategies. While some authors believe that PD is mainly genetic and that the aging of the society is the principal cause for this increase, different studies suggest that PD may be due to an increased exposure to environmental toxins. In this article we review epidemiological, sociological and experimental studies to determine which hypothesis is more plausible. Our conclusion is that, at least in idiopathic PD (iPD), the exposure to toxic environmental substances could play an important role in its aetiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Pan-Montojo
- Neurologische Klinik, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany ; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Adolf-Butenandt-Institut Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Schillerstr. 44, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Heinz Reichmann
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, TU-Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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108
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Sacino AN, Brooks M, Thomas MA, McKinney AB, McGarvey NH, Rutherford NJ, Ceballos-Diaz C, Robertson J, Golde TE, Giasson BI. Amyloidogenic α-synuclein seeds do not invariably induce rapid, widespread pathology in mice. Acta Neuropathol 2014; 127:645-65. [PMID: 24659240 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-014-1268-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Revised: 03/06/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
In order to further evaluate the parameters whereby intracerebral administration of recombinant α-synuclein (αS) induces pathological phenotypes in mice, we conducted a series of studies where αS fibrils were injected into the brains of M83 (A53T) and M47 (E46K) αS transgenic (Tg) mice, and non-transgenic (nTg) mice. Using multiple markers to assess αS inclusion formation, we find that injected fibrillar human αS induced widespread cerebral αS inclusion formation in the M83 Tg mice, but in both nTg and M47 Tg mice, induced αS inclusion pathology is largely restricted to the site of injection. Furthermore, mouse αS fibrils injected into nTg mice brains also resulted in inclusion pathology restricted to the site of injection with no evidence for spread. We find no compelling evidence for extensive spread of αS pathology within white matter tracts, and we attribute previous reports of white matter tract spreading to cross-reactivity of the αS pSer129/81A antibody with phosphorylated neurofilament subunit L. These studies suggest that, with the exception of the M83 Tg mice which appear to be uniquely susceptible to induction of inclusion pathology by exogenous forms of αS, there are significant barriers in mice to widespread induction of αS pathology following intracerebral administration of amyloidogenic αS.
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109
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Kuzdas-Wood D, Stefanova N, Jellinger KA, Seppi K, Schlossmacher MG, Poewe W, Wenning GK. Towards translational therapies for multiple system atrophy. Prog Neurobiol 2014; 118:19-35. [PMID: 24598411 PMCID: PMC4068324 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2014.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Revised: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a fatal adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder of uncertain etiopathogenesis manifesting with autonomic failure, parkinsonism, and ataxia in any combination. The underlying neuropathology affects central autonomic, striatonigral and olivopontocerebellar pathways and it is associated with distinctive glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs, Papp-Lantos bodies) that contain aggregates of α-synuclein. Current treatment options are very limited and mainly focused on symptomatic relief, whereas disease modifying options are lacking. Despite extensive testing, no neuroprotective drug treatment has been identified up to now; however, a neurorestorative approach utilizing autologous mesenchymal stem cells has shown remarkable beneficial effects in the cerebellar variant of MSA. Here, we review the progress made over the last decade in defining pathogenic targets in MSA and summarize insights gained from candidate disease-modifying interventions that have utilized a variety of well-established preclinical MSA models. We also discuss the current limitations that our field faces and suggest solutions for possible approaches in cause-directed therapies of MSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Kuzdas-Wood
- Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstraße 35, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Nadia Stefanova
- Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstraße 35, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | | | - Klaus Seppi
- Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstraße 35, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Michael G Schlossmacher
- Divisions of Neuroscience and Neurology, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, RGH #1412, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Werner Poewe
- Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstraße 35, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Gregor K Wenning
- Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstraße 35, Innsbruck 6020, Austria.
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110
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Peggion C, Sorgato MC, Bertoli A. Prions and prion-like pathogens in neurodegenerative disorders. Pathogens 2014; 3:149-63. [PMID: 25437612 PMCID: PMC4235734 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens3010149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Revised: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions are unique elements in biology, being able to transmit biological information from one organism to another in the absence of nucleic acids. They have been identified as self-replicating proteinaceous agents responsible for the onset of rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorders—known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, or prion diseases—which affect humans and other animal species. More recently, it has been proposed that other proteins associated with common neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, can self-replicate like prions, thus sustaining the spread of neurotoxic entities throughout the nervous system. Here, we review findings that have contributed to expand the prion concept, and discuss if the involved toxic species can be considered bona fide prions, including the capacity to infect other organisms, or whether these pathogenic aggregates share with prions only the capability to self-replicate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Peggion
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, Padova 35131, Italy.
| | - Maria Catia Sorgato
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, Padova 35131, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Bertoli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, Padova 35131, Italy.
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111
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Papa M, De Luca C, Petta F, Alberghina L, Cirillo G. Astrocyte-neuron interplay in maladaptive plasticity. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 42:35-54. [PMID: 24509064 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Revised: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The complexity of neuronal networks cannot only be explained by neuronal activity so neurobiological research in the last decade has focused on different components of the central nervous system: the glia. Glial cells are fundamental elements for development and maintenance of physiological brain work. New data confirm that glia significantly influences neuronal communication through specific molecules, named "gliotransmitters", and their related receptors. This new approach to the traditional model of the way synapses work is also supported by changes occurring in pathological conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases or toxic/traumatic injury to nervous system. Experimental models have revealed that glial cells are the starting point of damage progression that subsequently involves neurons. The "bedside to bench" approach has demonstrated that clinical phenotypes are strictly related to neuronal death, however it is conceivable that the disease begins earlier, years before clinical onset. This temporal gap is necessary to determine complex changes in the neuro-glial network organization and produce a "maladaptive plasticity". We review the function of glial cells in health and disease, pointing the putative mechanisms of maladaptive plasticity, suggesting that glial cells may represent a fascinating therapeutic target to prevent irreversible neuronal cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Papa
- Laboratory of Neuronal Networks, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Second University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy; SYSBIO, Centre of Systems Biology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy.
| | - Ciro De Luca
- Laboratory of Neuronal Networks, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Second University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Petta
- Laboratory of Neuronal Networks, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Second University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Lilia Alberghina
- Laboratory of Neuroscience "R. Levi-Montalcini", Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy; SYSBIO, Centre of Systems Biology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cirillo
- Laboratory of Neuronal Networks, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Second University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
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112
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Cisbani G, Cicchetti F. Review: The fate of cell grafts for the treatment of Huntington's disease: thepost-mortemevidence. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2014; 40:71-90. [DOI: 10.1111/nan.12104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. Cisbani
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (CHUL); Québec QC Canada
| | - F. Cicchetti
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (CHUL); Québec QC Canada
- Département de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences; Université Laval; Québec QC Canada
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113
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Petit GH, Olsson TT, Brundin P. Review: The future of cell therapies and brain repair:
P
arkinson's disease leads the way. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2014; 40:60-70. [DOI: 10.1111/nan.12110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. H. Petit
- Neuronal Survival Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science Wallenberg Neuroscience Center Lund Sweden
| | - T. T. Olsson
- Van Andel Research Institute Center for Neurodegenerative Science Grand Rapids MI USA
| | - P. Brundin
- Neuronal Survival Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science Wallenberg Neuroscience Center Lund Sweden
- Van Andel Research Institute Center for Neurodegenerative Science Grand Rapids MI USA
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114
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Halliday G, McCann H, Shepherd C. Evaluation of the Braak hypothesis: how far can it explain the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease? Expert Rev Neurother 2014; 12:673-86. [DOI: 10.1586/ern.12.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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115
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Ghochikyan A, Petrushina I, Davtyan H, Hovakimyan A, Saing T, Davtyan A, Cribbs DH, Agadjanyan MG. Immunogenicity of epitope vaccines targeting different B cell antigenic determinants of human α-synuclein: feasibility study. Neurosci Lett 2013; 560:86-91. [PMID: 24361548 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2013.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Revised: 11/28/2013] [Accepted: 12/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapeutic approaches reducing α-synuclein deposits may provide therapeutic benefit for Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). Immunization with full-length human α-synuclein (hα-Syn) protein in a Parkinson's disease mouse model decreased the accumulation of the aggregated forms of this protein in neurons and reduced neurodegeneration. To enhance the immunogenicity of candidate vaccines and to avoid the risk of autoreactive anti-hα-Syn T-helper (Th) cell responses, we generated three peptide-based epitope vaccines composed of different B-cell epitopes of hα-Syn fused with a "non-self" Th epitope from tetanus toxin (P30). Immunization of mice with these epitope vaccines produced high titers of anti-hα-Syn antibodies that bound to Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites (LNs) in brain tissue from DLB cases and induced robust Th cell responses to P30, but not to hα-Syn. Further development of these first generation epitope vaccines may facilitate induction of anti-hα-Syn immunotherapy without producing potentially harmful autoreactive Th cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahit Ghochikyan
- The Institute for Molecular Medicine, Department of Immunology, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, United States.
| | - Irina Petrushina
- The Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - Hayk Davtyan
- The Institute for Molecular Medicine, Department of Immunology, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, United States; The Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - Armine Hovakimyan
- The Institute for Molecular Medicine, Department of Immunology, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, United States
| | - Tommy Saing
- The Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - Arpine Davtyan
- The Institute for Molecular Medicine, Department of Immunology, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, United States
| | - David H Cribbs
- The Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States; Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - Michael G Agadjanyan
- The Institute for Molecular Medicine, Department of Immunology, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, United States; The Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States.
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116
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You Y, Gupta VK, Li JC, Klistorner A, Graham SL. Optic neuropathies: characteristic features and mechanisms of retinal ganglion cell loss. Rev Neurosci 2013; 24:301-21. [PMID: 23612594 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2013-0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2013] [Accepted: 02/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Optic neuropathy refers to dysfunction and/or degeneration of axons of the optic nerve with subsequent optic nerve atrophy. A common feature of different optic neuropathies is retinal ganglion cell (RGC) apoptosis and axonal damage. Glaucoma and optic neuritis are the two major degenerative causes of optic nerve damage. Here, we review the anatomy and pathology of the optic nerve, and etiological categories of optic neuropathies, and discuss rodent models that can mimic these conditions. Electrophysiology can reveal signature features of RGC damage using the pattern electroretinogram (PERG), scotopic threshold response (STR) and photopic negative response (PhNR). The amplitude of the visual evoked potential (VEP) also reflects RGC axonal damage. The neurotrophin-mediated survival pathways, as well as the extrinsic and intrinsic cell apoptotic pathways, play a critical role in the pathogenesis of RGC loss. Finally, promising neuroprotective approaches based on the molecular signaling are analyzed for the treatment of optic neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyi You
- Department of Ophthalmology, Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, New South wales, Australia.
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117
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George S, Rey NL, Reichenbach N, Steiner JA, Brundin P. α-Synuclein: the long distance runner. Brain Pathol 2013; 23:350-7. [PMID: 23587141 PMCID: PMC3674536 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is characterized by α-synuclein pathology in the form of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. Braak et al described the spatial and temporal spread of α-synuclein pathology in Parkinson's disease. Recent experimental studies have demonstrated that α-synuclein can transfer from cell to cell. In this review, we highlight the involvement of α-synuclein in Parkinson's disease and in Braak's staging of Parkinson's disease pathology. We discuss whether a prion-like mechanism of α-synuclein spread might contribute to Parkinson's disease pathology. We describe recent studies investigating cell-to-cell transfer of α-synuclein and focus our review on the long-distance axonal transport of α-synuclein along neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia George
- Neuronal Survival Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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118
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Ubeda-Bañon I, Saiz-Sanchez D, de la Rosa-Prieto C, Martinez-Marcos A. α-Synuclein in the olfactory system in Parkinson's disease: role of neural connections on spreading pathology. Brain Struct Funct 2013; 219:1513-26. [PMID: 24135772 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-013-0651-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by bradykinesia, rigidity, resting tremor, and postural instability. Neuropathologically, intracellular aggregates of α-synuclein in Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites appear in particular brain areas according to a sequence of stages. Clinical diagnosis is usually established when motor symptoms are evident (corresponding to Braak stage III or later), years or even decades after onset of the disease. Research at early stages is therefore essential to understand the etiology of PD and improve treatment. Although classically considered as a motor disease, non-motor symptoms have recently gained interest. Olfactory deficits are among the earliest non-motor features of PD. Interestingly, α-synuclein deposits are present in the olfactory bulb and anterior olfactory nucleus at Braak stage I. Several lines of evidence have led to proposals that PD pathology spreads by a prion-like mechanism via the olfactory and vagal systems to the substantia nigra. In this context, current data on the temporal appearance of α-synuclein aggregates in the olfactory system of both humans and transgenic mice are of particular relevance. In addition to the proposed retrograde nigral involvement via brainstem nuclei, olfactory pathways could potentially reach the substantia nigra, and the possibility of centrifugal progression warrants investigation. This review analyzes the involvement of α-synuclein in different elements of the olfactory system, in both humans and transgenic models, from the hodological perspective of possible anterograde and/or retrograde progression of this proteinopathy within the olfactory system and beyond-to the substantia nigra and the remainder of the central and peripheral nervous systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Ubeda-Bañon
- Laboratorio de Neuroplasticidad y Neurodegeneración, Departamento de Ciencias Médicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de Moledores s/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
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Rey NL, Petit GH, Bousset L, Melki R, Brundin P. Transfer of human α-synuclein from the olfactory bulb to interconnected brain regions in mice. Acta Neuropathol 2013; 126:555-73. [PMID: 23925565 PMCID: PMC3789892 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-013-1160-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Accepted: 07/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-syn) is a protein prevalent in neural tissue and known to undergo axonal transport. Intracellular α-syn aggregates are a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Braak and collaborators have suggested that in people who are destined to eventually develop PD, α-syn aggregate pathology progresses following a stereotypic pattern, starting in the olfactory bulb (OB) and the gut. α-Synuclein aggregates are postulated to spread to interconnected brain regions over several years. Thus, propagation of the pathology via neural pathways can potentially explain how α-syn aggregates spread in PD. We have now studied if α-syn can transfer from the OB to other brain structures through neural connections, by injecting different molecular species of human α-syn (monomers, oligomers, fibrils) into the OB of wild-type mice. We found that non-fibrillar human α-syn is taken up very quickly by OB neurons. Within minutes to hours, it is also found in neurons in structures connected to the OB. Conversely, when we injected bovine serum albumin used as a control protein, we found that it does not diffuse beyond the OB, is rarely taken up by OB cells, and does not transfer to other structures. Taken together, our results show that OB cells readily take up α-syn, and that monomeric and oligomeric, but not fibrillar, forms of α-syn are rapidly transferred to interconnected structures within the timeframe we explored. Our results support the idea that α-syn can transfer along neural pathways and thereby contribute to the progression of the α-syn-related pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolwen L. Rey
- Neuronal Survival Unit, BMC B11, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Sölvegatan 19, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Geraldine H. Petit
- Neuronal Survival Unit, BMC B11, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Sölvegatan 19, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Luc Bousset
- Laboratoire d′Enzymologie et de Biochimie Structurale, UPR 3082 CNRS, Bâtiment 34, Avenue de la Terrasse, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Ronald Melki
- Laboratoire d′Enzymologie et de Biochimie Structurale, UPR 3082 CNRS, Bâtiment 34, Avenue de la Terrasse, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Patrik Brundin
- Neuronal Survival Unit, BMC B11, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Sölvegatan 19, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, 333 Bostwick Avenue N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503 USA
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Eschbach J, Danzer KM. α-Synuclein in Parkinson's disease: pathogenic function and translation into animal models. NEURODEGENER DIS 2013; 14:1-17. [PMID: 24080741 DOI: 10.1159/000354615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disease characterised by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and the formation of α-synuclein aggregates found in Lewy bodies throughout the brain. Several α-synuclein transgenic mouse models have been generated, as well as viral-mediated overexpression of wild-type and mutated α-synuclein to mimic the disease and to delineate the pathogenic pathway of α-synuclein-mediated toxicity and neurodegeneration. In this review, we will recapitulate what we have learned about the function of α-synuclein and α-synuclein-mediated toxicity through studies of transgenic animal models, inducible animal models and viral-based models.
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Perfeito R, Cunha-Oliveira T, Rego AC. Reprint of: revisiting oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease-resemblance to the effect of amphetamine drugs of abuse. Free Radic Biol Med 2013; 62:186-201. [PMID: 23743292 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2013.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2012] [Revised: 08/15/2012] [Accepted: 08/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurological disease associated with a loss of dopaminergic neurons. In most cases the disease is sporadic but genetically inherited cases also exist. One of the major pathological features of PD is the presence of aggregates that localize in neuronal cytoplasm as Lewy bodies, mainly composed of α-synuclein (α-syn) and ubiquitin. The selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons suggests that dopamine itself may contribute to the neurodegenerative process in PD. Furthermore, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress constitute key pathogenic events of this disorder. Thus, in this review we give an actual perspective to classical pathways involving these two mechanisms of neurodegeneration, including the role of dopamine in sporadic and familial PD, as well as in the case of abuse of amphetamine-type drugs. Mutations in genes related to familial PD causing autosomal dominant or recessive forms may also have crucial effects on mitochondrial morphology, function, and oxidative stress. Environmental factors, such as MPTP and rotenone, have been reported to induce selective degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathways leading to α-syn-positive inclusions, possibly by inhibiting mitochondrial complex I of the respiratory chain and subsequently increasing oxidative stress. Recently, increased risk for PD was found in amphetamine users. Amphetamine drugs have effects similar to those of other environmental factors for PD, because long-term exposure to these drugs leads to dopamine depletion. Moreover, amphetamine neurotoxicity involves α-syn aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Therefore, dopamine and related oxidative stress, as well as mitochondrial dysfunction, seem to be common links between PD and amphetamine neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Perfeito
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Teresa Cunha-Oliveira
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Cristina Rego
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.
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Olanow CW, Brundin P. Parkinson's disease and alpha synuclein: is Parkinson's disease a prion-like disorder? Mov Disord 2013; 28:31-40. [PMID: 23390095 DOI: 10.1002/mds.25373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 261] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2012] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered protein handling is thought to play a key role in the etiopathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), as the disorder is characterized neuropathologically by the accumulation of intraneuronal protein aggregates (Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites). Attention has particularly focused on the α-synuclein protein, as it is the principal component of Lewy pathology. Moreover, point mutations in the α-synuclein gene cause rare familial forms of PD. Importantly, duplication/triplication of the wild type α-synuclein gene also cause a form of PD, indicating that increased levels of the normal α-synuclein protein is sufficient to cause the disease. Further, single nucleotide polymorphisms in the α-synuclein gene are associated with an increased risk of developing sporadic PD. Recent evidence now suggests the possibility that α-synuclein is a prion-like protein and that PD is a prion-like disease. Within cells, α-synuclein normally adopts an α-helical conformation. However, under certain circumstances, the protein can undergo a profound conformational transition to a β-sheet-rich structure that polymerizes to form toxic oligomers and amyloid plaques. Recent autopsy studies of patients with advanced PD who received transplantation of fetal nigral mesencephalic cells more than a decade earlier demonstrated that typical Lewy pathology had developed within grafted neurons. This suggests that α-synuclein in an aberrantly folded, β-sheet-rich form had migrated from affected to unaffected neurons. Laboratory studies confirm that α-synuclein can transfer from affected to unaffected nerve cells, where it appears that the misfolded protein can act as a template to promote misfolding of host α-synuclein. This leads to the formation of larger aggregates, neuronal dysfunction, and neurodegeneration. Indeed, recent reports demonstrate that a single intracerebral inoculation of misfolded α-synuclein can induce Lewy-like pathology in cells that can spread from affected to unaffected regions and can induce neurodegeneration with motor disturbances in both transgenic and normal mice. Further, inoculates derived from the brains of elderly α-synuclein-overexpressing transgenic mice have now been shown to accelerate the disease process when injected into the brains of young transgenic animals. Collectively, these findings support the hypothesis that α-synuclein is a prion-like protein that can adopt a self-propagating conformation that causes neurodegeneration. We propose that this mechanism plays an important role in the development of PD and provides novel targets for candidate neuroprotective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Warren Olanow
- Department of Neurology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA.
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Sacino AN, Brooks M, McGarvey NH, McKinney AB, Thomas MA, Levites Y, Ran Y, Golde TE, Giasson BI. Induction of CNS α-synuclein pathology by fibrillar and non-amyloidogenic recombinant α-synuclein. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2013; 1:38. [PMID: 24252149 PMCID: PMC3893388 DOI: 10.1186/2051-5960-1-38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background α-Synuclein (αS) is the major component of several types of brain inclusions including Lewy bodies, a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. Aberrant aggregation of αS also is associated with cellular demise in multiple neurologic disorders collectively referred to as synucleinopathies. Recent studies demonstrate the induction of αS pathology by a single intracerebral injection of exogenous amyloidogenic αS in adult non-transgenic and transgenic mice expressing human αS. To further investigate the mechanism of pathology induction and evaluate an experimental paradigm with potential for higher throughput, we performed similar studies in neonatal mice injected with αS. Results In non-transgenic mice, we observed limited induction of neuronal αS inclusions predominantly 8 months after brain injection of aggregated, amyloidogenic human αS. More robust inclusion pathology was induced in transgenic mice expressing wild-type human αS (line M20), and inclusion pathology was observed at earlier time points. Injection of a non-amyloidogenic (Δ71-82) deletion protein of αS was also able to induce similar pathology in a subset of M20 transgenic mice. M20 transgenic mice injected with amyloidogenic or non-amyloidogenic αS demonstrated a delayed and robust induction of brain neuroinflammation that occurs in mice with or without αS pathological inclusions implicating this mechanism in aggregate formation. Conclusions The finding that a non-amyloidogenic Δ71-82 αS can induce pathology calls into question the simple interpretation that exogenous αS catalyzes aggregation and spread of intracellular αS pathology solely through a nucleation dependent conformational templating mechanism. These results indicate that several mechanisms may act synergistically or independently to promote the spread of αS pathology.
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Danzer KM, McLean PJ. Drug targets from genetics: α-synuclein. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS 2013; 10:712-23. [PMID: 21838671 DOI: 10.2174/187152711797247867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2010] [Revised: 07/22/2011] [Accepted: 07/24/2011] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
One of the critical issues in Parkinson disease (PD) research is the identity of the specific toxic, pathogenic moiety. In PD, mutations in α-synuclein (αsyn) or multiplication of the SNCA gene encoding αsyn, result in a phenotype of cellular inclusions, cell death, and brain dysfunction. While the historical point of view has been that the macroscopic aggregates containing αsyn are the toxic species, in the last several years evidence has emerged that suggests instead that smaller soluble species--likely oligomers containing misfolded αsyn--are actually the toxic moiety and that the fibrillar inclusions may even be a cellular detoxification pathway and less harmful. If soluble misfolded species of αsyn are the toxic moieties, then cellular mechanisms that degrade misfolded αsyn would be neuroprotective and a rational target for drug development. In this review we will discuss the fundamental mechanisms underlying αsyn toxicity including oligomer formation, oxidative stress, and degradation pathways and consider rational therapeutic strategies that may have the potential to prevent or halt αsyn induced pathogenesis in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin M Danzer
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, 02129, USA
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Sacino AN, Thomas MA, Ceballos-Diaz C, Cruz PE, Rosario AM, Lewis J, Giasson BI, Golde TE. Conformational templating of α-synuclein aggregates in neuronal-glial cultures. Mol Neurodegener 2013; 8:17. [PMID: 23714769 PMCID: PMC3671973 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-8-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genetic studies have established a causative role for α-synuclein (αS) in Parkinson’s disease (PD), and the presence of αS aggregates in the form of Lewy body (LB) and Lewy neurite (LN) protein inclusions are defining pathological features of PD. Recent data has established that extracellular αS aggregates can induce intracellular αS pathologies supporting the hypothesis that αS pathology can spread via a “prion-like” self-templating mechanism. Results Here we investigated the potential for conformational templating of αS intracellular aggregates by seeding using recombinant wild-type and PD-linked mutant (A53T and E46K) αS in primary mixed neuronal-glial cultures. We find that wild-type and A53T αS fibrils predominantly seed flame-like inclusions in both neurons and astrocytes of mixed primary cultures; whereas the structurally distinct E46K fibrils seed punctate, rounded inclusions. Notably, these differences in seeded inclusion formation in these cultures reflect differences in inclusion pathology seen in transgenic mice expressing the A53T or E46K αS mutants. We further show that the inclusion morphology is dictated primarily by the seed applied rather than the form of αS expressed. We also provide initial evidence that αS inclusion pathology can be passaged in primary astrocyte cultures. Conclusion These studies establish for the first time that αS aggregation in cultured cells can occur by a morphological self-templating mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda N Sacino
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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127
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The cell biology of prion-like spread of protein aggregates: mechanisms and implication in neurodegeneration. Biochem J 2013; 452:1-17. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20121898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The misfolding and aggregation of specific proteins is a common hallmark of many neurodegenerative disorders, including highly prevalent illnesses such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as rarer disorders such as Huntington's and prion diseases. Among these, only prion diseases are ‘infectious’. By seeding misfolding of the PrPC (normal conformer prion protein) into PrPSc (abnormal disease-specific conformation of prion protein), prions spread from the periphery of the body to the central nervous system and can also be transmitted between individuals of the same or different species. However, recent exciting data suggest that the transmissibility of misfolded proteins within the brain is a property that goes way beyond the rare prion diseases. Evidence indicates that non-prion aggregates [tau, α-syn (α-synuclein), Aβ (amyloid-β) and Htt (huntingtin) aggregates] can also move between cells and seed the misfolding of their normal conformers. These findings have enormous implications. On the one hand they question the therapeutical use of transplants, and on the other they indicate that it may be possible to bring these diseases to an early arrest by preventing cell-to-cell transmission. To better understand the prion-like spread of these protein aggregates it is essential to identify the underlying cellular and molecular factors. In the present review we analyse and discuss the evidence supporting prion-like spreading of amyloidogenic proteins, especially focusing on the cellular and molecular mechanisms and their significance.
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Lema Tomé CM, Tyson T, Rey NL, Grathwohl S, Britschgi M, Brundin P. Inflammation and α-synuclein's prion-like behavior in Parkinson's disease--is there a link? Mol Neurobiol 2013; 47:561-74. [PMID: 22544647 PMCID: PMC3589652 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-012-8267-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2012] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease patients exhibit progressive spreading of aggregated α-synuclein in the nervous system. This slow process follows a specific pattern in an inflamed tissue environment. Recent research suggests that prion-like mechanisms contribute to the propagation of α-synuclein pathology. Little is known about factors that might affect the prion-like behavior of misfolded α-synuclein. In this review, we suggest that neuroinflammation plays an important role. We discuss causes of inflammation in the olfactory bulb and gastrointestinal tract and how this may promote the initial misfolding and aggregation of α-synuclein, which might set in motion events that lead to Parkinson's disease neuropathology. We propose that neuroinflammation promotes the prion-like behavior of α-synuclein and that novel anti-inflammatory therapies targeting this mechanism could slow disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla M. Lema Tomé
- Neuronal Survival Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, BMC B11, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Trevor Tyson
- Neuronal Survival Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, BMC B11, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Nolwen L. Rey
- Neuronal Survival Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, BMC B11, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Stefan Grathwohl
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, DTA CNS, Grenzacherstrasse 124, Basel, 4070 Switzerland
| | - Markus Britschgi
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, pRED, Pharma Research & Early Development, DTA CNS, Grenzacherstrasse 124, Basel, 4070 Switzerland
| | - Patrik Brundin
- Neuronal Survival Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, BMC B11, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Research Institute, 333 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 USA
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Grathwohl SA, Steiner JA, Britschgi M, Brundin P. Mind the gut: secretion of α-synuclein by enteric neurons. J Neurochem 2013; 125:487-90. [PMID: 23448303 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 02/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Freundt EC, Maynard N, Clancy EK, Roy S, Bousset L, Sourigues Y, Covert M, Melki R, Kirkegaard K, Brahic M. Neuron-to-neuron transmission of α-synuclein fibrils through axonal transport. Ann Neurol 2013; 72:517-24. [PMID: 23109146 DOI: 10.1002/ana.23747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 264] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The lesions of Parkinson disease spread through the brain in a characteristic pattern that corresponds to axonal projections. Previous observations suggest that misfolded α-synuclein could behave as a prion, moving from neuron to neuron and causing endogenous α-synuclein to misfold. Here, we characterized and quantified the axonal transport of α-synuclein fibrils and showed that fibrils could be transferred from axons to second-order neurons following anterograde transport. METHODS We grew primary cortical mouse neurons in microfluidic devices to separate somata from axonal projections in fluidically isolated microenvironments. We used live-cell imaging and immunofluorescence to characterize the transport of fluorescent α-synuclein fibrils and their transfer to second-order neurons. RESULTS Fibrillar α-synuclein was internalized by primary neurons and transported in axons with kinetics consistent with slow component-b of axonal transport (fast axonal transport with saltatory movement). Fibrillar α-synuclein was readily observed in the cell bodies of second-order neurons following anterograde axonal transport. Axon-to-soma transfer appeared not to require synaptic contacts. INTERPRETATION These results support the hypothesis that the progression of Parkinson disease can be caused by neuron-to-neuron spread of α-synuclein aggregates and that the anatomical pattern of progression of lesions between axonally connected areas results from the axonal transport of such aggregates. That the transfer did not appear to be trans-synaptic gives hope that α-synuclein fibrils could be intercepted by drugs during the extracellular phase of their journey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric C Freundt
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5402, USA
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Barker RA, Barrett J, Mason SL, Björklund A. Fetal dopaminergic transplantation trials and the future of neural grafting in Parkinson's disease. Lancet Neurol 2013; 12:84-91. [PMID: 23237903 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(12)70295-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 249] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Clinical use of allografts of fetal ventral mesencephalic tissue as a treatment to replace dopaminergic neurons in patients with Parkinson's disease was first done more than 20 years ago. Since then, many patients have received transplants, with variable results. During this time, our knowledge of Parkinson's disease has changed and the nature and extent of problems associated with the disorder have been better defined. Our understanding on how best to implement this cell-replacement strategy for patients has grown, but gaining this insight has entailed critical reappraisal of data from transplant trials that have already been undertaken.
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Dunning CJR, George S, Brundin P. What's to like about the prion-like hypothesis for the spreading of aggregated α-synuclein in Parkinson disease? Prion 2013; 7:92-7. [PMID: 23360753 PMCID: PMC3609056 DOI: 10.4161/pri.23806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein is a key protein in Parkinson disease. Not only is it the major protein component of Lewy bodies, but it is implicated in several cellular processes that are disrupted in Parkinson disease. Misfolded α-synuclein has also been shown to spread from cell-to-cell and, in a prion-like fashion, trigger aggregation of α-synuclein in the recipient cell. In this mini-review we explore the evidence that misfolded α-synuclein underlies the spread of pathology in Parkinson disease and discuss why it should be considered a prion-like protein.
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You Y, Gupta VK, Graham SL, Klistorner A. Anterograde degeneration along the visual pathway after optic nerve injury. PLoS One 2012; 7:e52061. [PMID: 23300590 PMCID: PMC3530579 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2012] [Accepted: 11/08/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate anterograde degenerative changes along the visual pathway in a rat model of optic nerve axotomy. METHODS Optic nerve transection was performed in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were sacrificed at regular time intervals and tissues harvested. Immunoblotting followed by densitometric analysis was used to determine the phosphorylation profile of Akt in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) and the primary visual cortex (V1). The neuronal cell size and cell density were measured in the dLGN and the V1 using Nissl staining. The prevalence of apoptosis was characterized by terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated biotin-dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) histochemistry. Caspase-3 antibodies were also used to identify apoptotic cells. Neurons and astrocytes were detected using NeuN and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), respectively. RESULTS An early and sustained loss of Akt phosphorylation was observed after optic nerve transection in both dLGN and V1. At week one, a decrease in the neuronal cell size (50.5±4.9 vs 60.3±5.0 µm(2), P = 0.042) and an increase of TUNEL positive cells (7.9±0.6 vs 1.4±0.5 ×10(2) cells/mm(2), P<0.001) were evident in the dLGN but not in V1. A significant decline in neuronal cell number (14.5±0.1 vs 17.4±1.3 ×10(2) cells/mm(2), P = 0.048), cell size (42.5±4.3 vs 62.1±4.7 µm(2), P = 0.001) and an increase in apoptotic cells (5.6±0.5 vs 2.0±0.4 ×10(2) cells/mm(2), P<0.001) appeared in V1 initially at one month post-transection. The changes in the visual pathway continued through two months. Both neuronal cells and GFAP-positive glial cells were affected in this anterograde degeneration along the visual pathway. CONCLUSIONS Anterograde degeneration along the visual pathway takes place in target relay (LGN) and visual cortex following the optic nerve injury. Apoptosis was observed in both neural and adjacent glial cells. Reduction of Akt phosphorylation preceded cellular and apoptotic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyi You
- Department of Ophthalmology, Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vivek K. Gupta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stuart L. Graham
- Department of Ophthalmology, Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Save Sight Institute, Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alexander Klistorner
- Department of Ophthalmology, Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Save Sight Institute, Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
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134
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Sacino AN, Giasson BI. Does a prion-like mechanism play a major role in the apparent spread of α-synuclein pathology? ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2012; 4:48. [PMID: 23245350 PMCID: PMC3580457 DOI: 10.1186/alzrt151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease, the most common movement disorder, results in an insidious reduction for patients in quality of life and ability to function. A hallmark of Parkinson's disease is the brain accumulation of neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions comprised of the protein α-synuclein. The presence of α-synuclein brain aggregates is observed in several neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia with Lewy bodies and Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease. These disorders, as a group, are termed synucleinopathies. Mounting evidence indicates that α-synuclein amyloid pathology may spread during disease progression by a prion-like (self-templating alteration in protein conformation) mechanism. Clear in vitro and cell culture data demonstrate that amyloidogenic α-synuclein can readily induce the conversion of other α-synuclein molecules into this conformation. Some data from experimental mouse studies and autopsied brain analyses also are consistent with the notion that a self-promoting process of α-synuclein amyloid inclusion formation may lead to a progressive spread of disease in vivo. However, as pointed out in this review, there are alternative explanations and interpretations for these findings. Therefore, from a therapeutic perspective, it is critical to determine the relative importance and contribution of α-synuclein prionlike spread in disease before embarking on elaborate efforts to target this putative pathogenic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda N Sacino
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, 1275 Center Drive, BMS Building J-483, P.O. Box 100159, Gainesville, FL 32610-0244, USA
| | - Benoit I Giasson
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, 1275 Center Drive, BMS Building J-483, P.O. Box 100159, Gainesville, FL 32610-0244, USA
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135
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Bellenchi GC, Volpicelli F, Piscopo V, Perrone-Capano C, di Porzio U. Adult neural stem cells: an endogenous tool to repair brain injury? J Neurochem 2012; 124:159-67. [PMID: 23134340 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Revised: 10/05/2012] [Accepted: 10/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Research on stem cells has developed as one of the most promising areas of neurobiology. In the beginning of the 1990s, neurogenesis in the adult brain was indisputably accepted, eliciting great research efforts. Neural stem cells in the adult mammalian brain are located in the 'neurogenic' areas of the subventricular and subgranular zones. Nevertheless, many reports indicate that they subsist in other regions of the adult brain. Adult neural stem cells have arisen considerable interest as these studies can be useful to develop new methods to replace damaged neurons and treat severe neurological diseases such as neurodegeneration, stroke or spinal cord lesions. In particular, a promising field is aimed at stimulating or trigger a self-repair system in the diseased brain driven by its own stem cell population. Here, we will revise the latest findings on the characterization of active and quiescent adult neural stem cells in the main regions of neurogenesis and the factors necessary to maintain their active and resting states, stimulate migration and homing in diseased areas, hoping to outline the emerging knowledge for the promotion of regeneration in the brain based on endogenous stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Carlo Bellenchi
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics Adriano Buzzati Traverso, CNR, Naples, Italy
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136
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Environmental toxins trigger PD-like progression via increased alpha-synuclein release from enteric neurons in mice. Sci Rep 2012. [PMID: 23205266 PMCID: PMC3510466 DOI: 10.1038/srep00898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 282] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological studies on Parkinson's disease (PD) patients suggest that PD pathology progresses from the enteric nervous system (ENS) and the olfactory bulb into the central nervous system. We have previously shown that environmental toxins acting locally on the ENS mimic this PD-like pathology progression pattern in mice. Here, we show for the first time that the resection of the autonomic nerves stops this progression. Moreover, our results show that an environmental toxin (i.e. rotenone) promotes the release of alpha-synuclein by enteric neurons and that released enteric alpha-synuclein is up-taken by presynaptic sympathetic neurites and retrogradely transported to the soma, where it accumulates. These results strongly suggest that pesticides can initiate the progression of PD pathology and that this progression is based on the transneuronal and retrograde axonal transport of alpha-synuclein. If confirmed in patients, this study would have crucial implications in the strategies used to prevent and treat PD.
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137
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Raad M, El Tal T, Gul R, Mondello S, Zhang Z, Boustany RM, Guingab J, Wang KK, Kobeissy F. Neuroproteomics approach and neurosystems biology analysis: ROCK inhibitors as promising therapeutic targets in neurodegeneration and neurotrauma. Electrophoresis 2012; 33:3659-68. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201200470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2012] [Revised: 10/07/2012] [Accepted: 10/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Raad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics; Faculty of Medicine; American University of Beirut; Beirut; Lebanon
| | - Tala El Tal
- Faculty of Medicine; American University of Beirut; Beirut; Lebanon
| | - Rukhsana Gul
- Department of Internal Medicine; Harry S. Truman Veterans Affairs Medical Center; University of Missouri; Columbia; MO; USA
| | - Stefania Mondello
- Center of Innovative Research Banyan Biomarkers Inc.; Alachua; FL; USA
| | - Zhiqun Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Florida; Gainesville; FL; USA
| | | | - Joy Guingab
- Center of Innovative Research Banyan Biomarkers Inc.; Alachua; FL; USA
| | - Kevin K. Wang
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Florida; Gainesville; FL; USA
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138
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Surguchov A. Synucleins: are they two-edged swords? J Neurosci Res 2012; 91:161-6. [PMID: 23150342 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2012] [Revised: 08/10/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The synuclein family consists of three distinct highly homologous genes, α-synuclein, β-synuclein, and γ-synuclein, which have so far been found only in vertebrates. Proteins encoded by these genes are characterized by an acidic C-terminal region and five or six imperfect repeat motifs (KTKEGV) distributed throughout the highly conserved N-terminal region. Numerous data demonstrate that synucleins are implicated in two groups of the most devastating human disorders, i.e., neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) and cancer. Mutations in the α-synuclein gene are associated with familial forms of Parkinson's disease (PD), and accumulation of α-synuclein inclusions is a hallmark of this disorder. In breast cancer, increased expression of γ-synuclein correlates with disease progression. Conversely, some results indicate that the members of the synuclein family may have a protective effect. How might these small proteins combine such controversial properties? We present evidence that synuclein's features are basically regulated by two mechanisms, i.e., posttranslational modifications (PTMs) and the level of their expression. We also discuss a new, emerging area of investigation of synucleins, namely, their role in the cell-to-cell propagation of pathology.
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139
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Perfeito R, Cunha-Oliveira T, Rego AC. Revisiting oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease--resemblance to the effect of amphetamine drugs of abuse. Free Radic Biol Med 2012; 53:1791-806. [PMID: 22967820 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2012.08.569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2012] [Revised: 08/15/2012] [Accepted: 08/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurological disease associated with a loss of dopaminergic neurons. In most cases the disease is sporadic but genetically inherited cases also exist. One of the major pathological features of PD is the presence of aggregates that localize in neuronal cytoplasm as Lewy bodies, mainly composed of α-synuclein (α-syn) and ubiquitin. The selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons suggests that dopamine itself may contribute to the neurodegenerative process in PD. Furthermore, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress constitute key pathogenic events of this disorder. Thus, in this review we give an actual perspective to classical pathways involving these two mechanisms of neurodegeneration, including the role of dopamine in sporadic and familial PD, as well as in the case of abuse of amphetamine-type drugs. Mutations in genes related to familial PD causing autosomal dominant or recessive forms may also have crucial effects on mitochondrial morphology, function, and oxidative stress. Environmental factors, such as MPTP and rotenone, have been reported to induce selective degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathways leading to α-syn-positive inclusions, possibly by inhibiting mitochondrial complex I of the respiratory chain and subsequently increasing oxidative stress. Recently, increased risk for PD was found in amphetamine users. Amphetamine drugs have effects similar to those of other environmental factors for PD, because long-term exposure to these drugs leads to dopamine depletion. Moreover, amphetamine neurotoxicity involves α-syn aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Therefore, dopamine and related oxidative stress, as well as mitochondrial dysfunction, seem to be common links between PD and amphetamine neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Perfeito
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal
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140
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Abstract
Recently, several genes for parkinsonism have been identified. Among them, familial Parkinson's disease (PD) could be assigned for PARK disorders. PARK disorders consist of three different inherited modes such as autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant modes and susceptible genes. Some of them manifest not only typical parkinsonism, but also dystonia, pyramidal sign, and mental dysfunctions. While the monogenic forms of PARK disorders have been reviewed extensively, it is not easy to do differential diagnosis of PARK disorders due to the additional features except for typical parkinsonism. In this presentation, we focus on two different scenarios of patients with autosomal dominant parkinsonism: (1) parkinsonism with mutations in one of the PARK genes; (2) parkinsonism with mutations other than PARK genes or yet other genes where parkinsonism is a well recognized, concomitant, or even an isolated feature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobutaka Hattori
- Department of Neurology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
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141
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Witt SN. Molecular chaperones, α-synuclein, and neurodegeneration. Mol Neurobiol 2012; 47:552-60. [PMID: 22923346 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-012-8325-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2012] [Accepted: 08/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a devastating neurological condition that affects about 1 % of people older than 65 years of age. In PD, dopaminergic neurons in the mid-brain slowly accumulate cytoplasmic inclusions (Lewy bodies, LBs) of the protein alpha-synuclein (α-syn) and then gradually lose function and die off. Cell death is thought to be causally linked to the aggregation/fibrillization of α-syn. This review focuses on new findings about the structure of α-syn, about how α-syn cooperates with Hsp70 and Hsp40 chaperones to promote neurotransmitter release, and about cell-to-cell transfer of pathogenic forms of α-syn and how Hsp70 might protect against this disease process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan N Witt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA.
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142
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Doorn KJ, Lucassen PJ, Boddeke HW, Prins M, Berendse HW, Drukarch B, van Dam AM. Emerging roles of microglial activation and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Prog Neurobiol 2012; 98:222-38. [PMID: 22732265 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2012.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2012] [Accepted: 06/15/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Recent data has indicated that the traditional view of Parkinson's disease (PD) as an isolated disorder of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system alone is an oversimplification of its complex symptomatology. Aside from classical motor deficits, various non-motor symptoms including autonomic dysfunction, sensory and cognitive impairments as well as neuropsychiatric alterations and sleep disturbances are common in PD. Some of these non-motor symptoms can even antedate the motor problems. Many of them are associated with extranigral neuropathological changes, such as extensive α-synuclein pathology and also neuroinflammatory responses in specific brain regions, i.e. microglial activation, which has been implicated in several aspects of PD pathogenesis and progression. However, microglia do not represent a uniform population, but comprise a diverse group of cells with brain region-specific phenotypes that can exert beneficial or detrimental effects, depending on the local phenotype and context. Understanding how microglia can be neuroprotective in one brain region, while promoting neurotoxicity in another, will improve our understanding of the role of microglia in neurodegeneration in general, and of their role in PD pathology in particular. Since neuroinflammatory responses are in principle modifiable, such approaches could help to identify new targets or adjunctive therapies for the full spectrum of PD-related symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlijn J Doorn
- University of Amsterdam, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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143
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Feng L, Manavalan A, Mishra M, Sze SK, Hu JM, Heese K. Tianma modulates blood vessel tonicity. Open Biochem J 2012; 6:56-65. [PMID: 22787517 PMCID: PMC3391654 DOI: 10.2174/1874091x01206010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2012] [Revised: 04/10/2012] [Accepted: 04/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Tianma is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) often used for the treatment of hypertension and heart diseases. To elucidate the function of tianma at the molecular level, we investigated the effect of tianma on vascular functions and aortic protein metabolism. We found that long-term treatment with tianma (~2.5g/kg/day for three months) in one-year-old rats could enhance acetylcholine (ACh)-induced vasorelaxation in endothelium-intact thoracic aortic rings against both KCl (80 mM)- and phenylephrine (PE)-induced contraction. By using the iTRAQ (isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification) technique, we confirmed from the functional data at the proteome level that tianma treatment down-regulated the expressions of contractile proteins (e.g. Acta2) and other related structural proteins (e.g. desmin), and up-regulated the expressions of extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoproteins (e.g. Fbln5) and anti-thrombotic proteins (e.g. Anxa2) in aortic tissue. By inductive reasoning, tianma could perform its vasodilatory effect not only by inhibiting vascular smooth muscle contraction, but also by enhancing blood vessel elasticity and stabilizing the arterial structure. Thus, tianma might become a novel therapeutic herbal medicine for cardiovascular diseases by regulating the aortic proteome metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Feng
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, 637551, Singapore
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144
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Jónsson SAE, Mohanty S, Irbäck A. Distinct phases of free α-synuclein-A Monte Carlo study. Proteins 2012; 80:2169-77. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.24107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Revised: 04/16/2012] [Accepted: 04/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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145
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Jellinger KA. Interaction between pathogenic proteins in neurodegenerative disorders. J Cell Mol Med 2012; 16:1166-83. [PMID: 22176890 PMCID: PMC3823071 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2011.01507.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2011] [Accepted: 12/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The misfolding and progressive aggregation of specific proteins in selective regions of the nervous system is a seminal occurrence in many neurodegenerative disorders, and the interaction between pathological/toxic proteins to cause neurodegeneration is a hot topic of current neuroscience research. Despite clinical, genetic and experimental differences, increasing evidence indicates considerable overlap between synucleinopathies, tauopathies and other protein-misfolding diseases. Inclusions, often characteristic hallmarks of these disorders, suggest interactions of pathological proteins enganging common downstream pathways. Novel findings that have shifted our understanding in the role of pathologic proteins in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer, Parkinson, Huntington and prion diseases, have confirmed correlations/overlaps between these and other neurodegenerative disorders. Emerging evidence, in addition to synergistic effects of tau protein, amyloid-β, α-synuclein and other pathologic proteins, suggests that prion-like induction and spreading, involving secreted proteins, are major pathogenic mechanisms in various neurodegenerative diseases, depending on genetic backgrounds and environmental factors. The elucidation of the basic molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction and spreading of pathogenic proteins, suggesting a dualism or triad of neurodegeneration in protein-misfolding disorders, is a major challenge for modern neuroscience, to provide a deeper insight into their pathogenesis as a basis of effective diagnosis and treatment.
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146
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Affiliation(s)
- John Hardy
- Reta Lila Weston Laboratories and Department of Molecular Neuroscience, University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London
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147
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Surgucheva I, Sharov VS, Surguchov A. γ-Synuclein: seeding of α-synuclein aggregation and transmission between cells. Biochemistry 2012; 51:4743-54. [PMID: 22620680 DOI: 10.1021/bi300478w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Protein misfolding and aggregation is a ubiquitous phenomenon associated with a wide range of diseases. The synuclein family comprises three small naturally unfolded proteins implicated in neurodegenerative diseases and some forms of cancer. α-Synuclein is a soluble protein that forms toxic inclusions associated with Parkinson's disease and several other synucleinopathies. However, the triggers inducing its conversion into noxious species are elusive. Here we show that another member of the family, γ-synuclein, can be easily oxidized and form annular oligomers that accumulate in cells in the form of deposits. Importantly, oxidized γ-synuclein can initiate α-synuclein aggregation. Two amino acid residues in γ-synuclein, methionine and tyrosine located in neighboring positions (Met(38) and Tyr(39)), are most easily oxidized. Their oxidation plays a key role in the ability of γ-synuclein to aggregate and seed the aggregation of α-synuclein. γ-Synuclein secreted from neuronal cells into conditioned medium in the form of exosomes can be transmitted to glial cells and cause the aggregation of intracellular proteins. Our data suggest that post-translationally modified γ-synuclein possesses prion-like properties and may induce a cascade of events leading to synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Surgucheva
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 66148, USA
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148
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Soto C. Transmissible proteins: expanding the prion heresy. Cell 2012; 149:968-77. [PMID: 22632966 PMCID: PMC3367461 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2012.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2010] [Revised: 05/07/2012] [Accepted: 05/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The once-heretical concept that a misfolded protein is the infectious agent responsible for prion diseases is now widely accepted. Recent exciting research has led not only to the end of the skepticism that proteins can transmit disease but also to expanding the concept that transmissible proteins might be at the root of some of the most prevalent human illnesses. At the same time, the idea that biological information can be transmitted by propagation of protein (mis)folding raises the possibility that heritable protein agents may be operating as epigenetic factors in normal biological functions and participating in evolutionary adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Soto
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Houston Medical School, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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149
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Dunning CJ, Reyes JF, Steiner JA, Brundin P. Can Parkinson's disease pathology be propagated from one neuron to another? Prog Neurobiol 2012; 97:205-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2011.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2011] [Revised: 11/02/2011] [Accepted: 11/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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150
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Hansen C, Li JY. Beyond α-synuclein transfer: pathology propagation in Parkinson's disease. Trends Mol Med 2012; 18:248-55. [PMID: 22503115 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2012.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2011] [Revised: 02/29/2012] [Accepted: 03/05/2012] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-syn) is the most abundant protein found in Lewy bodies, a hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD), and can aggregate to form toxic oligomers and fibrillar structures. Recent studies have shown that α-syn can be transmitted between neurons and can seed the formation of toxic aggregates in recipient neurons in a prion-like manner. In addition, it is known that Lewy body pathology may spread gradually and systematically from the peripheral or enteric nervous system or olfactory bulb to specific brain regions during progression of idiopathic PD. It is therefore conceivable that α-syn species could act as seeds that drive PD progression. Here, we review recent advances from studies of α-syn cell-to-cell transfer, the current understanding of α-syn toxicity, and how these relate to progression of PD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Hansen
- Neural Plasticity and Repair Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, BMC A10 22184, Lund, Sweden
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