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Esperante IJ, Meyer M, Banzan C, Kruse MS, Lima A, Roig P, Guennoun R, Schumacher M, De Nicola AF, Gonzalez Deniselle MC. Testosterone Reduces Myelin Abnormalities in the Wobbler Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Biomolecules 2024; 14:428. [PMID: 38672445 PMCID: PMC11048492 DOI: 10.3390/biom14040428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motoneuron degenerative disease that is associated with demyelination. The Wobbler (WR) mouse exhibits motoneuron degeneration, gliosis and myelin deterioration in the cervical spinal cord. Since male WRs display low testosterone (T) levels in the nervous system, we investigated if T modified myelin-relative parameters in WRs in the absence or presence of the aromatase inhibitor, anastrozole (A). We studied myelin by using luxol-fast-blue (LFB) staining, semithin sections, electron microscopy and myelin protein expression, density of IBA1+ microglia and mRNA expression of inflammatory factors, and the glutamatergic parameters glutamine synthetase (GS) and the transporter GLT1. Controls and WR + T showed higher LFB, MBP and PLP staining, lower g-ratios and compact myelin than WRs and WR + T + A, and groups showing the rupture of myelin lamellae. WRs showed increased IBA1+ cells and mRNA for CD11b and inflammatory factors (IL-18, TLR4, TNFαR1 and P2Y12R) vs. controls or WR + T. IBA1+ cells, and CD11b were not reduced in WR + T + A, but inflammatory factors' mRNA remained low. A reduction of GS+ cells and GLT-1 immunoreactivity was observed in WRs and WR + T + A vs. controls and WR + T. Clinically, WR + T but not WR + T + A showed enhanced muscle mass, grip strength and reduced paw abnormalities. Therefore, T effects involve myelin protection, a finding of potential clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan J. Esperante
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, CONICET, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina; (I.J.E.); (M.M.); (C.B.); (A.F.D.N.)
| | - Maria Meyer
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, CONICET, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina; (I.J.E.); (M.M.); (C.B.); (A.F.D.N.)
| | - Carolina Banzan
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, CONICET, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina; (I.J.E.); (M.M.); (C.B.); (A.F.D.N.)
| | - Maria Sol Kruse
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, CONICET, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina;
| | - Analia Lima
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, CONICET, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina; (I.J.E.); (M.M.); (C.B.); (A.F.D.N.)
| | - Paulina Roig
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, CONICET, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina; (I.J.E.); (M.M.); (C.B.); (A.F.D.N.)
| | - Rachida Guennoun
- U1195 INSERM and University Paris Sud: “Neuroprotective, Neuroregenerative and Remyelinating Small Molecules”, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; (R.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Michael Schumacher
- U1195 INSERM and University Paris Sud: “Neuroprotective, Neuroregenerative and Remyelinating Small Molecules”, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; (R.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Alejandro F. De Nicola
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, CONICET, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina; (I.J.E.); (M.M.); (C.B.); (A.F.D.N.)
- Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina
| | - Maria Claudia Gonzalez Deniselle
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, CONICET, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina; (I.J.E.); (M.M.); (C.B.); (A.F.D.N.)
- Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas, UA1, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina
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Proaño B, Casani-Cubel J, Benlloch M, Rodriguez-Mateos A, Navarro-Illana E, Lajara-Romance JM, de la Rubia Ortí JE. Is Dutasteride a Therapeutic Alternative for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis? Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092084. [PMID: 36140184 PMCID: PMC9495995 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons (MNs) in the cerebral cortex, brainstem and spinal cord, with consequent weakness, atrophy and the progressive paralysis of all muscles. There is currently no medical cure, and riluzole and edaravone are the only two known approved drugs for treating this condition. However, they have limited efficacy, and hence there is a need to find new molecules. Dutasteride, a dual inhibitor of type 1 and type 2 5α-reductase (5AR) enzymes, the therapeutic purposes of which, to date, are the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenic alopecia, shows great anti-ALS properties by the molecular-topology methodology. Based on this evidence, this review aims to assess the effects of dutasteride on testosterone (T), progesterone (PROG) and 17β-estradiol (17BE) as a therapeutic alternative for the clinical improvement of ALS, based on the hormonal, metabolic and molecular pathways related to the pathogenesis of the disease. According to the evidence found, dutasteride shows great neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It also appears effective against glutamate toxicity, and it is capable of restoring altered dopamine activity (DA). These effects are achieved both directly and through steroid hormones. Therefore, dutasteride seems to be a promising molecule for the treatment of ALS, although clinical studies are required for confirmation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Proaño
- Doctoral Degree School, Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
| | - Julia Casani-Cubel
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.C.-C.); (M.B.)
| | - María Benlloch
- Department Nursing, Catholic University San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.C.-C.); (M.B.)
| | - Ana Rodriguez-Mateos
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, King’s College London, Franklin Wilkins Building, London SE1 9NH, UK
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McLeod VM, Chiam MDF, Perera ND, Lau CL, Boon WC, Turner BJ. Mapping Motor Neuron Vulnerability in the Neuraxis of Male SOD1 G93A Mice Reveals Widespread Loss of Androgen Receptor Occurring Early in Spinal Motor Neurons. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:808479. [PMID: 35273564 PMCID: PMC8902593 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.808479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex steroid hormones have been implicated as disease modifiers in the neurodegenerative disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Androgens, signalling via the androgen receptor (AR), predominate in males, and have widespread actions in the periphery and the central nervous system (CNS). AR translocates to the cell nucleus when activated upon binding androgens, whereby it regulates transcription of target genes via the classical genomic signalling pathway. We previously reported that AR protein is decreased in the lumbar spinal cord tissue of symptomatic male SOD1G93A mice. Here, we further explored the changes in AR within motor neurons (MN) of the CNS, assessing their nuclear AR content and propensity to degenerate by endstage disease in male SOD1G93A mice. We observed that almost all motor neuron populations had undergone significant loss in nuclear AR in SOD1G93A mice. Interestingly, loss of nuclear AR was evident in lumbar spinal MNs as early as the pre-symptomatic age of 60 days. Several MN populations with high AR content were identified which did not degenerate in SOD1G93A mice. These included the brainstem ambiguus and vagus nuclei, and the sexually dimorphic spinal MNs: cremaster, dorsolateral nucleus (DLN) and spinal nucleus of bulbocavernosus (SNB). In conclusion, we demonstrate that AR loss directly associates with MN vulnerability and disease progression in the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria M. McLeod
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Mathew D. F. Chiam
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Nirma D. Perera
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Chew L. Lau
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Wah Chin Boon
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Bradley J. Turner
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- *Correspondence: Bradley J. Turner,
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Chen LX, Xu HF, Wang PS, Yang XX, Wu ZY, Li HF. SOD1 Mutation Spectrum and Natural History of ALS Patients in a 15-Year Cohort in Southeastern China. Front Genet 2021; 12:746060. [PMID: 34721532 PMCID: PMC8551486 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.746060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 gene (SOD1) are the most frequent high penetrant genetic cause for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the Chinese population. A detailed natural history of SOD1-mutated ALS patients will provide key information for ongoing genetic clinical trials. Methods: We screened for SOD1 mutations using whole exome sequencing (WES) in Chinese ALS cases from 2017 to 2021. Functional studies were then performed to confirm the pathogenicity of novel variants. In addition, we enrolled previously reported SOD1 mutations in our centers from 2007 to 2017. The SOD1 mutation spectrum, age at onset (AAO), diagnostic delay, and survival duration were analyzed. Results: We found two novel SOD1 variants (p.G17H and p.E134*) that exerted both gain-of-function and loss-of-function effects in vitro. Combined with our previous SOD1-mutated patients, 32 probands with 21 SOD1 mutations were included with the four most frequently occurring mutations of p.V48A, p.H47R, p.C112Y, and p.G148D. SOD1 mutations account for 58.9% of familial ALS (FALS) cases. The mean (SD) AAO was 46 ± 11.4 years with a significant difference between patients carrying mutations in exon 1 [n = 5, 34.6 (12.4) years] and exon 2 [n = 8, 51.4 (8.2) years] (p = 0.038). The mean of the diagnostic delay of FALS patients is significantly earlier than the sporadic ALS (SALS) patients [9.5 (4.8) vs. 20.3 (9.3) years, p = 0.0026]. In addition, male patients survived longer than female patients (40 vs. 16 months, p = 0.05). Conclusion: Our results expanded the spectrum of SOD1 mutations, highlighted the mutation distribution, and summarized the natural history of SOD1-mutated patients in southeastern China. Male patients were found to have better survival, and FALS patients received an earlier diagnosis. Our findings assist in providing a detailed clinical picture, which is important for ongoing genetic clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu-Xi Chen
- Department of Neurology and Research Center of Neurology in Second Affiliated Hospital and Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hai-Feng Xu
- Department of Neurology and Research Center of Neurology in Second Affiliated Hospital and Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pei-Shan Wang
- Department of Neurology and Research Center of Neurology in Second Affiliated Hospital and Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Xia Yang
- Department of Neurology and Research Center of Neurology in Second Affiliated Hospital and Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Ying Wu
- Department of Neurology and Research Center of Neurology in Second Affiliated Hospital and Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong-Fu Li
- Department of Neurology and Research Center of Neurology in Second Affiliated Hospital and Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Sawal N, Kaur J, Kaur K, Gombar S. Dihydrotestosterone in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-The missing link? Brain Behav 2020; 10:e01645. [PMID: 33047895 PMCID: PMC7667368 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Testosterone has been postulated to be involved in ALS causation. MATERIALS AND METHODS CSF levels of free testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were measured in 13 ALS patients [7 males, 6 females] and 22 controls [12 males, 10 females]. RESULTS CSF free testosterone levels did not show any significant differences but CSF dihydrotestosterone levels were significantly decreased in all male and female ALS patients. CONCLUSIONS DHT is probably integral to survival of motor neurons. In patients predisposed to develop ALS, there is possibly a sort of "testosterone resistance" at level of blood-brain barrier [BBB] existing right from birth and is likely the result of dysfunctional transport protein involved in testosterone transfer across the BBB. In these patients, lesser amount of testosterone is able to breach the BBB and enter the central neural axis. Lesser amount of testosterone is available to 5 α reductase in the anterior pituitary to be converted to DHT and lesser amount of DHT is generated. There is inadequate negative feedback suppression of LH at the level of anterior pituitary by DHT. As a result of higher LH levels, testosterone levels rise in the peripheral testosterone fraction [the fraction outside the BBB] and this explains the various physical attributes of ALS patients like lower Ratio of the index and ring finger lengths (2D:4D ratio), increased incidence of early onset alopecia etc. This deficiency of DHT leads to motor neuron death causing ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishit Sawal
- Neurology Division, Department of Medicine, Government Medical college and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
| | - Jasbinder Kaur
- Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical college and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kamaljeet Kaur
- Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical college and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
| | - Satinder Gombar
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive care, Government Medical college and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
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