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Thomas A, Garg D, Srivastava AK, Kumar A, Pandit AK, Vibha D, Vivekanandhan S, Shukla G, Prasad K. Clinical factors and vascular endothelial growth factor as determinants of disease progression in Indian patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:46-52. [PMID: 37710422 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2256362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder. Prognostication remains sub-optimally defined. We aimed to assess clinical determinants of disease progression rates in Indian patients with ALS and to assess the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in disease progression. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, consecutive patients with clinically definite/probable ALS according to the revised El Escorial criteria and controls were included. Patients were classified into fast or slow progressors based on disease progression rate (DPR). Serum and CSF VEGF level was assessed for patients and controls. RESULTS Of 142 patients recruited, 93 (65.5%) were male. Mean age at enrollment was 49.37 ± 12.65 years. Mean duration of symptoms was 20.53 ± 20.88 months. Mean DPR was 1.14 ± 0.94. Based on DPR, 81 (57%) patients were slow progressors and 61 (43%) were fast progressors. Univariate analysis demonstrated a statistically significant association of DPR with age at onset, symptom duration, time to spread, wasting of small muscles of the hand, frontal release signs, and neurophysiologic bulbar abnormalities. On multivariate analysis, age at onset and symptom duration had a significant association with disease progression. The CSF VEGF levels of ALS patients (46.18 ± 27.8) were significantly elevated compared to controls (25.95 ± 25.64 pg/ml) (p = 0.001), but not serum VEGF. CONCLUSION Age at symptom onset and duration of disease had a significant impact on disease progression in Indian patients with ALS. CSF VEGF levels were significantly elevated in ALS compared to controls, indicating the role of CSF VEGF as a potential biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneesha Thomas
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medicine Sciences, New Delhi, India and
| | - Divyani Garg
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medicine Sciences, New Delhi, India and
| | | | - Amit Kumar
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medicine Sciences, New Delhi, India and
| | - Awadh Kishor Pandit
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medicine Sciences, New Delhi, India and
| | - Deepti Vibha
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medicine Sciences, New Delhi, India and
| | - Subbiah Vivekanandhan
- Department of Neurochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Garima Shukla
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medicine Sciences, New Delhi, India and
| | - Kameshwar Prasad
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medicine Sciences, New Delhi, India and
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2
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Limone F, Couto A, Wang JY, Zhang Y, McCourt B, Huang C, Minkin A, Jani M, McNeer S, Keaney J, Gillet G, Gonzalez RL, Goodman WA, Kadiu I, Eggan K, Burberry A. Myeloid and lymphoid expression of C9orf72 regulates IL-17A signaling in mice. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadg7895. [PMID: 38295187 PMCID: PMC11247723 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adg7895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
A mutation in C9ORF72 is the most common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Patients with ALS or FTD often develop autoimmunity and inflammation that precedes or coincides with the onset of neurological symptoms, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we knocked out murine C9orf72 in seven hematopoietic progenitor compartments by conditional mutagenesis and found that myeloid lineage C9orf72 prevents splenomegaly, loss of tolerance, and premature mortality. Furthermore, we demonstrated that C9orf72 plays a role in lymphoid cells to prevent interleukin-17A (IL-17A) production and neutrophilia. Mass cytometry identified early and sustained elevation of the costimulatory molecule CD80 expressed on C9orf72-deficient mouse macrophages, monocytes, and microglia. Enrichment of CD80 was similarly observed in human spinal cord microglia from patients with C9ORF72-mediated ALS compared with non-ALS controls. Single-cell RNA sequencing of murine spinal cord, brain cortex, and spleen demonstrated coordinated induction of gene modules related to antigen processing and presentation and antiviral immunity in C9orf72-deficient endothelial cells, microglia, and macrophages. Mechanistically, C9ORF72 repressed the trafficking of CD80 to the cell surface in response to Toll-like receptor agonists, interferon-γ, and IL-17A. Deletion of Il17a in C9orf72-deficient mice prevented CD80 enrichment in the spinal cord, reduced neutrophilia, and reduced gut T helper type 17 cells. Last, systemic delivery of an IL-17A neutralizing antibody augmented motor performance and suppressed neuroinflammation in C9orf72-deficient mice. Altogether, we show that C9orf72 orchestrates myeloid costimulatory potency and provide support for IL-17A as a therapeutic target for neuroinflammation associated with ALS or FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Limone
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Leiden University Medical Center, LUMC, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Couto
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Jin-Yuan Wang
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Yingying Zhang
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Blake McCourt
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Cerianne Huang
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Adina Minkin
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Marghi Jani
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Sarah McNeer
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - James Keaney
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine-l’Alleud, 1420, Belgium
| | - Gaëlle Gillet
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine-l’Alleud, 1420, Belgium
| | - Rodrigo Lopez Gonzalez
- Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44196, USA
| | - Wendy A. Goodman
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Irena Kadiu
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine-l’Alleud, 1420, Belgium
| | - Kevin Eggan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Aaron Burberry
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
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3
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López-Blanch R, Salvador-Palmer R, Oriol-Caballo M, Moreno-Murciano P, Dellinger RW, Estrela JM, Obrador E. Nicotinamide riboside, pterostilbene and ibudilast protect motor neurons and extend survival in ALS mice. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00301. [PMID: 38241160 PMCID: PMC10903100 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2023.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are major contributors to the pathophysiology of ALS. Nicotinamide riboside (a NAD+ precursor) and pterostilbene (a natural antioxidant) were efficacious in a human pilot study of ALS patients and in ALS SOD1G93A transgenic mice. Ibudilast targets different phosphodiesterases and the macrophage migration inhibitory factor, reduces neuroinflammation, and in early-phase studies improved survival and slowed progression in ALS patients. Using two ALS murine models (SOD1G93A, FUSR521C) the effects of nicotinamide riboside, pterostilbene, and ibudilast on disease onset, progression and survival were studied. In both models ibudilast enhanced the effects of nicotinamide riboside and pterostilbene on survival and neuromotor functions. The triple combination reduced microgliosis and astrogliosis, and the levels of different proinflammatory cytokines in the CSF. TNFα, IFNγ and IL1β increased H2O2 and NO generation by motor neurons, astrocytes, microglia and endothelial cells isolated from ALS mice. Nicotinamide riboside and pterostilbene decreased H2O2 and NO generation in all these cells. Ibudilast specifically decreased TNFα levels and H2O2 generation by microglia and endothelial cells. Unexpectedly, pathophysiological concentrations of H2O2 or NO caused minimal motor neuron cytotoxicity. H2O2-induced cytotoxicity was increased by NO via a trace metal-dependent formation of potent oxidants (i.e. OH and -OONO radicals). In conclusion, our results show that the combination of nicotinamide riboside, pterostilbene and ibudilast improve neuromotor functions and survival in ALS murine models. Studies on the underlying mechanisms show that motor neuron protection involves the decrease of oxidative and nitrosative stress, the combination of which is highly damaging to motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael López-Blanch
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine & Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; Scientia BioTech, 46002 Valencia, Spain
| | - Rosario Salvador-Palmer
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine & Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - María Oriol-Caballo
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine & Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; Scientia BioTech, 46002 Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | - José M Estrela
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine & Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; Scientia BioTech, 46002 Valencia, Spain; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
| | - Elena Obrador
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine & Odontology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; Scientia BioTech, 46002 Valencia, Spain.
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Fröhlich A, Pfaff AL, Bubb VJ, Quinn JP, Koks S. Transcriptomic profiling of cerebrospinal fluid identifies ALS pathway enrichment and RNA biomarkers in MND individuals. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2023; 248:2325-2331. [PMID: 38001563 PMCID: PMC10903246 DOI: 10.1177/15353702231209427] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder and the most common form of motor neurone disease (MND) which is characterized by the damage and death of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord of affected individuals. Due to the heterogeneity of the disease, a better understanding of the interaction between genetics and biochemistry with the identification of biomarkers is crucial for therapy development. In this study, we used cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) RNA-sequencing data from the New York Genome Center (NYGC) ALS Consortium and analyzed differential gene expression between 47 MND individuals and 29 healthy controls. Pathway analysis showed that the affected genes are enriched in many pathways associated with ALS, including nucleocytoplasmic transport, autophagy, and apoptosis. Moreover, we assessed differential expression on both gene- and transcript-based levels and demonstrate that the expression of previously identified potential biomarkers, including CAPG, CCL3, and MAP2, was significantly higher in MND individuals. Ultimately, this study highlights the transcriptomic composition of CSF which enables insights into changes in the brain in ALS and therefore increases the confidence in the use of CSF for biomarker development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Fröhlich
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Abigail L Pfaff
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Vivien J Bubb
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
| | - John P Quinn
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
| | - Sulev Koks
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
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5
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Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a devastating motor neuron disease involving complex genetic and environmental factors, is associated with neuroinflammation. Preclinical and clinical studies support immune system involvement in ALS pathogenesis, thereby spurring investigations into potential pathogenic mechanisms, immune response biomarkers, and ALS therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania F Gendron
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
- Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
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Yin Z, Chen J, Xia M, Zhang X, Li Y, Chen Z, Bao Q, Zhong W, Yao J, Wu K, Zhao L, Liang F. Assessing causal relationship between circulating cytokines and age-related neurodegenerative diseases: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12325. [PMID: 37516812 PMCID: PMC10387057 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39520-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have reported that circulating cytokines (CCs) are linked to age-related neurodegenerative diseases (ANDDs); however, there is a lack of systematic investigation for the causal association. A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian Randomisation (MR) method was utilized to evaluate the causal effect. We applied genetic variants correlated with concentrations of CCs from a genome-wide association study meta-analysis (n = 8293) as instrumental variables. Summary data of three major ANDDs [Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)] were identified from the IEU OpenGWAS platform (n = 627, 266). Inverse-variance weighted method is the main approach to analyse causal effect, and MR results are verified by several sensitivity and pleiotropy analyses. In directional MR, it suggested that several CCs were nominally correlated with the risk of ANDDs, with a causal odds ratio (OR) of Interleukin (IL)-5 of 0.909 for AD; OR of IL-2 of 1.169 for PD; and OR of Beta nerve growth factor of 1.142 for ALS). In reverse MR, there were some suggestively causal effects of ANDDs on CCs (AD on increased Basic fibroblast growth factor and IL-12 and decreased Stem cell growth factor beta; PD on decreased Monokine induced by interferon-gamma; ALS on decreased Basic fibroblast growth factor and IL-17). The findings were stable across sensitivity and pleiotropy analyses. However, after Bonferroni correction, there is no statistically significant association between CCs and ANDDs. Through the genetic epidemiological approach, our study assessed the role and presented possible causal associations between CCs and ANDDs. Further studies are warranted to verify the causal associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Yin
- School of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 37 Shierqiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
- Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiao Chen
- School of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 37 Shierqiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
- Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Manze Xia
- School of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 37 Shierqiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
- Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- School of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 37 Shierqiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
- Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaqin Li
- School of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 37 Shierqiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhenghong Chen
- School of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 37 Shierqiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
- Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiongnan Bao
- School of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 37 Shierqiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
- Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Wanqi Zhong
- School of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 37 Shierqiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
- Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Jin Yao
- School of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 37 Shierqiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
- Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Kexin Wu
- School of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 37 Shierqiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China
- Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Zhao
- School of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 37 Shierqiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China.
- Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China.
| | - Fanrong Liang
- School of Acu-Mox and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 37 Shierqiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan, China.
- Acupuncture Clinical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China.
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7
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Picher-Martel V, Boutej H, Vézina A, Cordeau P, Kaneb H, Julien JP, Genge A, Dupré N, Kriz J. Distinct Plasma Immune Profile in ALS Implicates sTNFR-II in pAMPK/Leptin Homeostasis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065065. [PMID: 36982140 PMCID: PMC10049559 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a clinically highly heterogeneous disease with a survival rate ranging from months to decades. Evidence suggests that a systemic deregulation of immune response may play a role and affect disease progression. Here, we measured 62 different immune/metabolic mediators in plasma of sporadic ALS (sALS) patients. We show that, at the protein level, the majority of immune mediators including a metabolic sensor, leptin, were significantly decreased in the plasma of sALS patients and in two animal models of the disease. Next, we found that a subset of patients with rapidly progressing ALS develop a distinct plasma assess immune–metabolic molecular signature characterized by a differential increase in soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II (sTNF-RII) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 16 (CCL16) and further decrease in the levels of leptin, mostly dysregulated in male patients. Consistent with in vivo findings, exposure of human adipocytes to sALS plasma and/or sTNF-RII alone, induced a significant deregulation in leptin production/homeostasis and was associated with a robust increase in AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation. Conversely, treatment with an AMPK inhibitor restored leptin production in human adipocytes. Together, this study provides evidence of a distinct plasma immune profile in sALS which affects adipocyte function and leptin signaling. Furthermore, our results suggest that targeting the sTNF-RII/AMPK/leptin pathway in adipocytes may help restore assess immune–metabolic homeostasis in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Picher-Martel
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
- CHU de Québec, Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Hejer Boutej
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Alexandre Vézina
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Pierre Cordeau
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Hannah Kaneb
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Julien
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Angela Genge
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Nicolas Dupré
- CHU de Québec, Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Jasna Kriz
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-418-663-5000 (ext. 6732)
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8
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Barbo M, Ravnik-Glavač M. Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Biomarkers in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14020325. [PMID: 36833252 PMCID: PMC9956314 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is described as a fatal and rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the degeneration of upper motor neurons in the primary motor cortex and lower motor neurons of the brainstem and spinal cord. Due to ALS's slowly progressive characteristic, which is often accompanied by other neurological comorbidities, its diagnosis remains challenging. Perturbations in vesicle-mediated transport and autophagy as well as cell-autonomous disease initiation in glutamatergic neurons have been revealed in ALS. The use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) may be key in accessing pathologically relevant tissues for ALS, as EVs can cross the blood-brain barrier and be isolated from the blood. The number and content of EVs may provide indications of the disease pathogenesis, its stage, and prognosis. In this review, we collected a recent study aiming at the identification of EVs as a biomarker of ALS with respect to the size, quantity, and content of EVs in the biological fluids of patients compared to controls.
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9
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Abstract
The scientific landscape surrounding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has shifted immensely with a number of well-defined ALS disease-causing genes, each with related phenotypical and cellular motor neuron processes that have come to light. Yet in spite of decades of research and clinical investigation, there is still no etiology for sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and treatment options even for those with well-defined familial syndromes are still limited. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of the genetic basis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, highlighting factors that contribute to its heritability and phenotypic manifestations, and an overview of past, present, and upcoming therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Younger
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Neuroscience, CUNY School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine and Neurology, White Plains Hospital, White Plains, NY, United States.
| | - Robert H Brown
- Department of Neurology, UMass Chan Medical School, Donna M. and Robert J. Manning Chair in Neurosciences and Director in Neurotherapeutics, Worcester, MA, United States
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10
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Beghi E, Pupillo E, Bianchi E, Bonetto V, Luotti S, Pasetto L, Bendotti C, Tortarolo M, Sironi F, Camporeale L, Sherman AV, Paganoni S, Scognamiglio A, De Marchi F, Bongioanni P, Del Carratore R, Caponnetto C, Diamanti L, Martinelli D, Calvo A, Filosto M, Padovani A, Piccinelli SC, Ricci C, Dalla Giacoma S, De Angelis N, Inghilleri M, Spataro R, La Bella V, Logroscino G, Lunetta C, Tarlarini C, Mandrioli J, Martinelli I, Simonini C, Zucchi E, Monsurrò MR, Ricciardi D, Trojsi F, Riva N, Filippi M, Simone IL, Sorarù G, Spera C, Florio L, Messina S, Russo M, Siciliano G, Conte A, Saddi MV, Carboni N, Mazzini L. Effect of RNS60 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a phase II multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:69-86. [PMID: 36148821 PMCID: PMC10092300 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with limited treatment options. RNS60 is an immunomodulatory and neuroprotective investigational product that has shown efficacy in animal models of ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. Its administration has been safe and well tolerated in ALS subjects in previous early phase trials. METHODS This was a phase II, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. Participants diagnosed with definite, probable or probable laboratory-supported ALS were assigned to receive RNS60 or placebo administered for 24 weeks intravenously (375 ml) once a week and via nebulization (4 ml/day) on non-infusion days, followed by an additional 24 weeks off-treatment. The primary objective was to measure the effects of RNS60 treatment on selected biomarkers of inflammation and neurodegeneration in peripheral blood. Secondary objectives were to measure the effect of RNS60 on functional impairment (ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised), a measure of self-sufficiency, respiratory function (forced vital capacity, FVC), quality of life (ALS Assessment Questionnaire-40, ALSAQ-40) and survival. Tolerability and safety were assessed. RESULTS Seventy-four participants were assigned to RNS60 and 73 to placebo. Assessed biomarkers did not differ between arms. The mean rate of decline in FVC and the eating and drinking domain of ALSAQ-40 was slower in the RNS60 arm (FVC, difference 0.41 per week, standard error 0.16, p = 0.0101; ALSAQ-40, difference -0.19 per week, standard error 0.10, p = 0.0319). Adverse events were similar in the two arms. In a post hoc analysis, neurofilament light chain increased over time in bulbar onset placebo participants whilst remaining stable in those treated with RNS60. CONCLUSIONS The positive effects of RNS60 on selected measures of respiratory and bulbar function warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore Beghi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Elisa Bianchi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Valentina Bonetto
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Luotti
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Pasetto
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Tortarolo
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Sironi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Camporeale
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Alexander V Sherman
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sabrina Paganoni
- Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS at Mass General Hospital, Department of Neurology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Department of PM&R, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ada Scognamiglio
- ALS Expert Center 'Maggiore della Carità' Hospital and University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- ALS Expert Center 'Maggiore della Carità' Hospital and University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Paolo Bongioanni
- Spinal Cord Injuries Section, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrea Calvo
- Centro Regionale Esperto per la Sclerosi Laterale Amiotrofica, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze 'Rita Levi Montalcini', Università degli Studi di Torino, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Filosto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Gussago Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Gussago Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Ricci
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Stefania Dalla Giacoma
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Nicoletta De Angelis
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Inghilleri
- Università di Roma 'Sapienza' UOSD Malattie Neurodegenerative, Centro Malattie Rare Neuromuscolari Policlinico Universitario Umberto I, Roma, Italy
| | - Rossella Spataro
- ALS Clinical Research Center, AOUP 'P Giaccone' - University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo La Bella
- ALS Clinical Research Center, AOUP 'P Giaccone' - University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- Center for neurodegenerative diseases and the Aging Brain, Department of Clinical Research in Neurology of the University of Bari at 'Pia Fondazione Card G. Panico 'Hospital Tricase, Tricase, Italy.,Department of Basic Medicine Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University Aldo Moro Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Martinelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy.,Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Simonini
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Zucchi
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy.,Neuroscience PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Monsurrò
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Dario Ricciardi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Trojsi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Nilo Riva
- Neurology Unit, Neurorehabilitation Unit, and Neurophysiology Unit, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Filippi
- Neurology Unit, Neurorehabilitation Unit, and Neurophysiology Unit, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Isabella Laura Simone
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Motor Neuton Disease Center, Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Florio
- Neurology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Sonia Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Massimo Russo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of clinical and experimental medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Amelia Conte
- Centro Clinico NEMO-Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Carboni
- Neurology Department, San Francesco Hospital, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- ALS Expert Center 'Maggiore della Carità' Hospital and University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
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11
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Jiang Z, Wang Z, Wei X, Yu XF. Inflammatory checkpoints in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: From biomarkers to therapeutic targets. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1059994. [PMID: 36618399 PMCID: PMC9815501 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1059994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive motor neuron damage. Due to the complexity of the ALS, so far the etiology and underlying pathogenesis of sporadic ALS are not completely understood. Recently, many studies have emphasized the role of inflammatory networks, which are comprised of various inflammatory molecules and proteins in the pathogenesis of ALS. Inflammatory molecules and proteins may be used as independent predictors of patient survival and might be used in patient stratification and in evaluating the therapeutic response in clinical trials. This review article describes the latest advances in various inflammatory markers in ALS and its animal models. In particular, this review discusses the role of inflammatory molecule markers in the pathogenesis of the disease and their relationship with clinical parameters. We also highlight the advantages and disadvantages of applying inflammatory markers in clinical manifestations, animal studies, and drug clinical trials. Further, we summarize the potential application of some inflammatory biomarkers as new therapeutic targets and therapeutic strategies, which would perhaps expand the therapeutic interventions for ALS.
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12
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Moreno-Martinez L, Santiago L, de la Torre M, Calvo AC, Pardo J, Osta R. Hemizygous Granzyme A Mice Expressing the hSOD1G93A Transgene Show Slightly Extended Lifespan. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13554. [PMID: 36362341 PMCID: PMC9655466 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Granzyme A (gzmA), a serine protease involved in the modulation of the inflammatory immune response, is found at an elevated level in the serum from ALS patients. However, the influence of gzmA on the progression of ALS remains unclear. The aim of our work was to assess whether the absence of gzmA in an ALS murine model could help slow down the progression of the disease. Homozygous and hemizygous gzmA-deficient mice expressing the hSOD1G93A transgene were generated, and survival of these mice was monitored. Subsequently, gene and protein expression of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers was measured in the spinal cord and quadriceps of these mice. We observed the longest lifespan in gzmA+/- mice. GzmA gene and protein expression was downregulated in the spinal cord and serum from gmzA+/- mice, confirming that the increased survival of hemizygous mice is correlated with lower levels of gzmA. In addition, mRNA and protein levels of glutathione reductase (GSR), involved in oxidative stress, were found downregulated in the spinal cord and quadriceps of gmzA+/- mice, together with lower IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA levels in hemyzigous mice. In summary, our findings indicate for the first time that reduced levels, but not the absence, of gzmA could slightly ameliorate the disease progression in this animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Moreno-Martinez
- LAGENBIO, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- AgriFood Institute of Aragon-IA2 (UNIZAR-CITA), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Llipsy Santiago
- Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miriam de la Torre
- LAGENBIO, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- AgriFood Institute of Aragon-IA2 (UNIZAR-CITA), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ana Cristina Calvo
- LAGENBIO, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- AgriFood Institute of Aragon-IA2 (UNIZAR-CITA), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Julián Pardo
- Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rosario Osta
- LAGENBIO, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- AgriFood Institute of Aragon-IA2 (UNIZAR-CITA), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
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13
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Dreger M, Steinbach R, Otto M, Turner MR, Grosskreutz J. Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of disease activity and progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2022; 93:422-435. [PMID: 35105727 PMCID: PMC8921583 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2021-327503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a relentlessly progressive neurodegenerative disease, and only modest disease-modifying strategies have been established to date. Numerous clinical trials have been conducted in the past years, but have been severely hampered by the wide-ranging heterogeneity of both the biological origins and clinical characteristics of the disease. Thus, reliable biomarkers of disease activity are urgently needed to stratify patients into homogenous groups with aligned disease trajectories to allow a more effective design of clinical trial. In this review, the most promising candidate biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with ALS will be summarised. Correlations between biomarker levels and clinical outcome parameters are discussed, while highlighting potential pitfalls and intercorrelations of these clinical parameters. Several CSF molecules have shown potential as biomarkers of progression and prognosis, but large, international, multicentric and longitudinal studies are crucial for validation. A more standardised choice of clinical endpoints in these studies, as well as the application of individualised models of clinical progression, would allow the quantification of disease trajectories, thereby allowing a more accurate analysis of the clinical implications of candidate biomarkers. Additionally, a comparative analysis of several biomarkers and ideally the application of a multivariate analysis including comprehensive genotypic, phenotypic and clinical characteristics collectively contributing to biomarker levels in the CSF, could promote their verification. Thus, reliable prognostic markers and markers of disease activity may improve clinical trial design and patient management in the direction of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Dreger
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Thüringen, Germany
| | - Robert Steinbach
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Thüringen, Germany
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, University of Halle (Saale), Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Martin R Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Julian Grosskreutz
- Precision Neurology, Department of Neurology, University of Luebeck Human Medicine, Luebeck, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
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14
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Chavda V, Patel C, Modh D, Ertas YN, Sonak SS, Munshi NK, Anand K, Soni A, Pandey S. Therapeutic Approaches to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis from the Lab to the Clinic. Curr Drug Metab 2022; 23:200-222. [PMID: 35272595 DOI: 10.2174/1389200223666220310113110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a terminal neuro-degenerative disorder that is clinically recognized as a gradual degeneration of the upper and lower motor neurons, with an average duration of 3 to 5 years from initiation of symptoms to death. The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis and progression of the disease are multifactorial. Therefore, to find effective treatments, it is necessary to understand this heterogeneity underlying the progression of ALS. Recent developments in gene therapy have opened a new avenue to treat this condition, especially for the characterized genetic types. Gene therapy methods have been studied in a variety of pre-clinical settings and clinical trials, and they may be a promising path for developing an effective and safe ALS cure. A growing body of evidence demonstrates abnormalities in energy metabolism at the cellular and whole-body level in animal models and in people living with ALS. The use and incorporation of high-throughput "omics" methods has radically transformed our thought about ALS, strengthening our understanding of the disease's dynamic molecular architecture, differentiating distinct patient subtypes, and creating a reasonable basis for the identification of biomarkers and novel individualised treatments. Future clinical and laboratory trials would also focus on the diverse relationships between metabolism and ALS to address the issue of whether targeting deficient metabolism in ALS is an effective way to change disease progression. In this review, we focus on the detailed pathogenesis of ALS and highlight principal genes, i.e., SOD1, TDP-43, C9orf72, and FUS, targeted therapeutic approaches of ALS. An attempt is made to provide up-to-date information on clinical outcomes, including various biomarkers which are thought to be important players in early ALS detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Chavda
- Department of Pharmaceutic, L M College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad - 380009 (India)
| | - Chirag Patel
- Department of Pharmacology, L M College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad - 380009 (India)
| | - Dharti Modh
- Department of pharmaceutical chemistry, Poona college of pharmacy, Bharti vidhyapith, Pune - 411030 (India)
| | - Yavuz Nuri Ertas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering at Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
- ERNAM - Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Shreya S Sonak
- Department of pharmaceutical chemistry, Poona college of pharmacy, Bharti vidhyapith, Pune - 411030 (India)
| | - Nafisa K Munshi
- Department of pharmaceutical chemistry, Poona college of pharmacy, Bharti vidhyapith, Pune - 411030 (India)
| | - Krishna Anand
- Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences and National Health Laboratory Service, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Arun Soni
- Department of Pharmacology, SSR College of Pharmacy, Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli - 396230(India)
| | - Sonal Pandey
- Research and Development, Meril Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd, Vapi - 396191 (India)
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15
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Sun Q, Huo Y, Bai J, Wang H, Wang H, Yang F, Cui F, Song H, Huang X. Inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. NEURODEGENER DIS 2022; 21:87-92. [DOI: 10.1159/000522078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives
In the present study, inflammatory factors, including interleukin (IL) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the peripheral blood of patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) were evaluated, and the issue of whether these variables were associated with the progression and severity of the disease examined.
Methods
Data on inflammatory factors, including IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α, were retrospectively collected from 248 sALS patients admitted to the Chinese PLA General Hospital between March 2018 and March 2021. The relationships between the variables and clinical features, including gender, age at onset, site of onset, time from onset to hospital admission, ALS functional rating scale score, and diagnostic category were analyzed.
Results
IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α levels were elevated in 43.75%, 7.04%, 16.42%, 25.35%, 1.41%, and 50.72% of ALS patients, respectively, compared with the normal value range. IL-2 and IL-6 levels were inversely associated with the ALS functional rating scale score (r = − 0.280, P = 0.004 and r = − 0.198, P = 0.048 ).
Conclusion
Elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines support the hypothesis of an inflammatory response in ALS, and IL-2 and IL-6 may be used as an inflammation-related biomarker for disease severity.
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16
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Liu E, Karpf L, Bohl D. Neuroinflammation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia and the Interest of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Study Immune Cells Interactions With Neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 14:767041. [PMID: 34970118 PMCID: PMC8712677 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.767041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a shared hallmark between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). For long, studies were conducted on tissues of post-mortem patients and neuroinflammation was thought to be only bystander result of the disease with the immune system reacting to dying neurons. In the last two decades, thanks to improving technologies, the identification of causal genes and the development of new tools and models, the involvement of inflammation has emerged as a potential driver of the diseases and evolved as a new area of intense research. In this review, we present the current knowledge about neuroinflammation in ALS, ALS-FTD, and FTD patients and animal models and we discuss reasons of failures linked to therapeutic trials with immunomodulator drugs. Then we present the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology and its interest as a new tool to have a better immunopathological comprehension of both diseases in a human context. The iPSC technology giving the unique opportunity to study cells across differentiation and maturation times, brings the hope to shed light on the different mechanisms linking neurodegeneration and activation of the immune system. Protocols available to differentiate iPSC into different immune cell types are presented. Finally, we discuss the interest in studying monocultures of iPS-derived immune cells, co-cultures with neurons and 3D cultures with different cell types, as more integrated cellular approaches. The hope is that the future work with human iPS-derived cells helps not only to identify disease-specific defects in the different cell types but also to decipher the synergistic effects between neurons and immune cells. These new cellular tools could help to find new therapeutic approaches for all patients with ALS, ALS-FTD, and FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Liu
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, INSERM, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Léa Karpf
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, INSERM, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Delphine Bohl
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, INSERM, CNRS, AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
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17
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Shepheard SR, Karnaros V, Benyamin B, Schultz DW, Dubowsky M, Wuu J, Tim C, Malaspina A, Benatar M, Rogers ML. Urinary neopterin: a novel biomarker of disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2021; 29:990-999. [PMID: 34967083 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To evaluate urinary neopterin, a marker of pro-inflammatory state, as a potential biomarker of disease prognosis and progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); and to compare its utility to urinary neurotrophin receptor p75 extracellular domain (p75ECD ). METHODS Observational study including 21 healthy controls and 46 people with ALS, 29 of whom were sampled longitudinally. Neopterin and p75ECD were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassays. Baseline and longitudinal changes in clinical measures, neopterin and urinary p75ECD were examined, and prognostic utility explored by survival analysis. RESULTS At baseline, urinary neopterin was higher in ALS compared to controls (181.7 ± 78.9 μmol/mol creatinine vs 120.4 ± 60.8 μmol/mol creatinine, p= 0.002, Welch's t-test) and correlated with ALSFRS-R (r= -0.36, p= 0.01). Combining previously published urinary p75ECD results from 22 ALS patients with a further 24 ALS patients, baseline urinary p75ECD was also higher compared to healthy controls (6.0 ± 2.7 vs 3.2 ± 1.0 ng/mg creatinine p<0.0001) and correlated with ALSFRS-R (r= -0.36, p= 0.01). Urinary neopterin and p75ECD correlated with each other at baseline (r= 0.38, p= 0.009). In longitudinal analysis, urinary neopterin increased on average (±SE) by 6.8 ± 1.1 μmol/mol creatinine per month (p<0.0001) and p75ECD by 0.19 ± 0.02 ng/mg creatinine per month (p<0.0001) from diagnosis in 29 ALS patients. CONCLUSION Urinary neopterin holds promise as marker of disease progression in ALS and is worthy of future evaluation for its potential to predict response to anti-inflammatory therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie R Shepheard
- Flinders Health & Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Vassilios Karnaros
- Flinders Health & Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Beben Benyamin
- Australian Centre for Precision Health & Allied Health and Human Performance Unit, University of South, Australia
| | - David W Schultz
- Neurology Department and MND Clinic, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Megan Dubowsky
- Flinders Health & Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Joanne Wuu
- Dept. of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Chataway Tim
- Flinders Health & Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Andrea Malaspina
- Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Neuromuscular Department, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
| | - Michael Benatar
- Dept. of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Mary-Louise Rogers
- Flinders Health & Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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18
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Cudkowicz ME, Lindborg SR, Goyal NA, Miller RG, Burford MJ, Berry JD, Nicholson KA, Mozaffar T, Katz JS, Jenkins LJ, Baloh RH, Lewis RA, Staff N, Owegi MA, Berry DA, Gothelf Y, Levy YS, Aricha R, Kern RZ, Windebank AJ, Brown RH. A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study of Mesenchymal stem cells induced to secrete high levels of neurotrophic factors in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Muscle Nerve 2021; 65:291-302. [PMID: 34890069 PMCID: PMC9305113 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction/Aims Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative illness with great unmet patient need. We aimed to evaluate whether mesenchymal stem cells induced to secrete high levels of neurotrophic factors (MSC‐NTF), a novel autologous cell‐therapy capable of targeting multiple pathways, could safely slow ALS disease progression. Methods This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study enrolled ALS participants meeting revised El Escorial criteria, revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS‐R) ≥25 (screening) and ≥3 ALSFRS‐R points decline prior to randomization. Participants received three treatments of MSC‐NTF or placebo intrathecally. The primary endpoint evaluated efficacy of MSC‐NTF through a responder analysis and safety. A change in disease progression post‐treatment of ≥1.25 points/mo defines a clinical response. A pre‐specified analysis leveraged baseline ALSFRS‐R of 35 as a subgroup threshold. Results Overall, MSC‐NTF treatment was well tolerated; there were no safety concerns. Thirty‐three percent of MSC‐NTF and 28% of placebo participants met clinical response criteria at 28 wk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.33, P = .45); thus, the primary endpoint was not met. A pre‐specified analysis of participants with baseline ALSFRS‐R ≥ 35 (n = 58) showed a clinical response rate at 28 wk of 35% MSC‐NTF and 16% placebo (OR = 2.6, P = .29). Significant improvements in cerebrospinal biomarkers of neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and neurotrophic factor support were observed with MSC‐NTF, with placebo unchanged. Discussion The study did not reach statistical significance on the primary endpoint. However, a pre‐specified subgroup suggests that MSC‐NTF participants with less severe disease may have retained more function compared to placebo. Given the unmet patient need, the results of this trial warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merit E Cudkowicz
- Healey Center, Mass General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stacy R Lindborg
- Research and Development, Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics, New York, New York
| | - Namita A Goyal
- UCI Health ALS & Neuromuscular Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Robert G Miller
- Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California
| | - Matthew J Burford
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - James D Berry
- Healey Center, Mass General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Tahseen Mozaffar
- UCI Health ALS & Neuromuscular Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Jonathan S Katz
- Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California
| | - Liberty J Jenkins
- Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California
| | - Robert H Baloh
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Richard A Lewis
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - NathanP Staff
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Margaret A Owegi
- Neurology Department, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Yael Gothelf
- Research and Development, Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics, Israel
| | | | - Revital Aricha
- Research and Development, Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics, New York, New York
| | - Ralph Z Kern
- Research and Development, Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics, New York, New York
| | - Anthony J Windebank
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Robert H Brown
- Neurology Department, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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19
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Tennakoon A, Katharesan V, Musgrave IF, Koblar SA, Faull RLM, Curtis MA, Johnson IP. Normal aging, motor neurone disease, and Alzheimer's disease are characterized by cortical changes in inflammatory cytokines. J Neurosci Res 2021; 100:653-669. [PMID: 34882833 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The role of increased brain inflammation in the development of neurodegenerative diseases is unclear. Here, we have compared cytokine changes in normal aging, motor neurone disease (MND), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). After an initial analysis, six candidate cytokines, interleukin (IL)- 4, 5, 6, 10, macrophage inhibitory protein (MIP)-1α, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2, showing greatest changes were assayed in postmortem frozen human superior frontal gyri (n = 12) of AD patients, aging and young adult controls along with the precentral gyrus (n = 12) of MND patients. Healthy aging was associated with decreased anti-inflammatory IL-10 and FGF-2 levels. AD prefrontal cortex was associated with increased levels of IL-4, IL-5, and FGF-2, with the largest increase seen for FGF-2. Notwithstanding differences in the specific frontal lobe gyrus sampled, MND patients' primary motor cortex (precentral gyrus) was associated with increased levels of IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and FGF-2 compared to the aging prefrontal cortex (superior frontal gyrus). Immunocytochemistry showed that FGF-2 is expressed in neurons, astrocytes, and microglia in normal aging prefrontal cortex, AD prefrontal cortex, and MND motor cortex. We report that healthy aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases have different cortical inflammatory signatures that are characterized by increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines and call into question the view that increased inflammation underlies the development of age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuradha Tennakoon
- School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Viythia Katharesan
- School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | | | - Simon Andrea Koblar
- Department of Medical Specialties, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Richard Lewis Maxwell Faull
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and the Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Maurice Anthony Curtis
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and the Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ian Paul Johnson
- Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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20
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HERV-K Modulates the Immune Response in ALS Patients. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081784. [PMID: 34442863 PMCID: PMC8399181 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-K env-su glycoprotein has been documented in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where HERV-K env-su 19–37 antibody levels significantly correlated with clinical measures of disease severity. Herein, we investigated further the humoral and cell-mediated immune response against specific antigenic peptides derived from HERV-K in ALS. HERV-K env glycoprotein expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) membrane and cytokines and chemokines after stimulation with HERV-K env 19–37 and HERV-K env 109–126 were quantified in patients and healthy controls (HCs). HERV-K env glycoprotein was more expressed in B cells and NK cells of ALS patients compared to HCs, whereas HERV-K env transcripts were similar in ALS and HCs. In ALS patients, specific stimulation with HERV-K env 109–126 peptide showed a higher expression of IL-6 by CD19/B cells. Both peptides, however, were able to induce a great production of IFN-γ by stimulation CD19/B cells, and yielded a higher expression of MIP-1α and a lower expression of MCP-1. HERV-K env 19–37 peptide induced a great production of TNF-α in CD8/T cells. In conclusion, we observed the ability of HERV-K to modulate the immune system, generating mediators mainly involved in proinflammatory response.
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21
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De Marchi F, Munitic I, Amedei A, Berry JD, Feldman EL, Aronica E, Nardo G, Van Weehaeghe D, Niccolai E, Prtenjaca N, Sakowski SA, Bendotti C, Mazzini L. Interplay between immunity and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Clinical impact. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:958-978. [PMID: 34153344 PMCID: PMC8428677 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating and rapidly fatal neurodegenerative disease. Despite decades of research and many new insights into disease biology over the 150 years since the disease was first described, causative pathogenic mechanisms in ALS remain poorly understood, especially in sporadic cases. Our understanding of the role of the immune system in ALS pathophysiology, however, is rapidly expanding. The aim of this manuscript is to summarize the recent advances regarding the immune system involvement in ALS, with particular attention to clinical translation. We focus on the potential pathophysiologic mechanism of the immune system in ALS, discussing local and systemic factors (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and microbiota) that influence ALS onset and progression in animal models and people. We also explore the potential of Positron Emission Tomography to detect neuroinflammation in vivo, and discuss ongoing clinical trials of therapies targeting the immune system. With validation in human patients, new evidence in this emerging field will serve to identify novel therapeutic targets and provide realistic hope for personalized treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola De Marchi
- Department of Neurology and ALS Centre, University of Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore Della Carità Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, Novara, 28100, Italy
| | - Ivana Munitic
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, R. Matejcic 2, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - James D Berry
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro) Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Giovanni Nardo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milanm, 20156, Italy
| | - Donatienne Van Weehaeghe
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Imaging and Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elena Niccolai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Nikolina Prtenjaca
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, R. Matejcic 2, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Stacey A Sakowski
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milanm, 20156, Italy
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- Department of Neurology and ALS Centre, University of Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore Della Carità Hospital, Corso Mazzini 18, Novara, 28100, Italy.
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22
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Ivanova MV, Voronkova AS, Sukhorukov VS, Zakharova MN. Variability of the Expression Patterns of Neuroinflammatory Genes in Mononuclear Cells of Peripheral Blood in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. NEUROCHEM J+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1819712421020070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract—Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with steadily progressing death of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The disease is incurable and results in the patient’s death within 3–5 years on average. The mechanisms of initiation, progression, and spread of the pathological process remain unclear. It seems that inflammatory reactions may be important for disease progression but this is not certain. We performed multiplex analysis of the expression of neuroinflammatory genes in mononuclear cells of peripheral blood from patients with different rates of ALS progression (n = 22) and compared these data with those observed in healthy volunteers. We found that the expression of 14 genes, specifically BAX, CLN3, PLEKHM1, AKT1, LAMP1, RAC2, VAV1, MPG, TFG, BRD2, CSK, MSN, GBA, and VIM, differed between the groups of patients and healthy volunteers (p < 0.05; q < 0.05). Genes associated with autophagia, apoptosis, adaptive immunity, and growth factor cascades prevail among these genes. We did not find any substantial differences in gene expression between patients with rapid and slow ALS progression. We revealed a subgroup of patients who exhibited significantly different expression of 208 or 262 genes compared to other ALS patients or healthy volunteers, respectively (p < 0.05; q < 0.05). Our data show the importance of not only central but also peripheral inflammatory reactions in the development of the pathological process associated with ALS.
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23
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Niccolai E, Di Pilato V, Nannini G, Baldi S, Russo E, Zucchi E, Martinelli I, Menicatti M, Bartolucci G, Mandrioli J, Amedei A. The Gut Microbiota-Immunity Axis in ALS: A Role in Deciphering Disease Heterogeneity? Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9070753. [PMID: 34209688 PMCID: PMC8301418 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder with an unknown etiology and no effective treatment, and is characterized by large phenotypic heterogeneity, including variable sites, ages of symptom onset and rates of disease progression. Increasing data support the role of the microbiota-immunity axis in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we compared the inflammatory and microbiota profile of ALS patients with different clinical characteristics, with healthy family caregivers. Measuring a panel of 30 inflammatory cytokines in serum and fecal samples, we observed a distinct cytokine profile both at the systemic and intestinal level in patients compared to controls and even in patients with different clinical phenotypes and progression rates. The 16S targeted metagenome analysis revealed slight differences in patients compared to controls as well as in patients with slow progression, marked by the reduction of butyrate-producing bacteria and a decrease of the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in ALS. Finally, the short chain fatty acid analysis did not show a different distribution among the groups. If confirmed in a larger number of patients, the inflammatory cytokine profile and the microbial composition could be appropriate biomarker candidates for deciphering ALS heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Niccolai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.N.); (G.N.); (S.B.); (E.R.)
| | - Vincenzo Di Pilato
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Giulia Nannini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.N.); (G.N.); (S.B.); (E.R.)
| | - Simone Baldi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.N.); (G.N.); (S.B.); (E.R.)
| | - Edda Russo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.N.); (G.N.); (S.B.); (E.R.)
| | - Elisabetta Zucchi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Ilaria Martinelli
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Marta Menicatti
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (M.M.); (G.B.)
| | - Gianluca Bartolucci
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (M.M.); (G.B.)
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, 41125 Modena, Italy;
- Correspondence: (J.M.); (A.A.); Tel.: +39-0593961700 (J.M.); +39-0552758330 (A.A.)
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.N.); (G.N.); (S.B.); (E.R.)
- Correspondence: (J.M.); (A.A.); Tel.: +39-0593961700 (J.M.); +39-0552758330 (A.A.)
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24
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Non-neuronal cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - from pathogenesis to biomarkers. Nat Rev Neurol 2021; 17:333-348. [PMID: 33927394 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-021-00487-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The prevailing motor neuron-centric view of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis could be an important factor in the failure to identify disease-modifying therapy for this neurodegenerative disorder. Non-neuronal cells have crucial homeostatic functions within the CNS and evidence of involvement of these cells in the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative disorders, including ALS, is accumulating. Microglia and astrocytes, in crosstalk with peripheral immune cells, can exert both neuroprotective and adverse effects, resulting in a highly nuanced range of neuronal and non-neuronal cell interactions. This Review provides an overview of the diverse roles of non-neuronal cells in relation to the pathogenesis of ALS and the emerging potential of non-neuronal cell biomarkers to advance therapeutic development.
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25
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Pinilla G, Kumar A, Floaters MK, Pardo CA, Rothstein J, Ilieva H. Increased synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines in C9ORF72 patients. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2021; 22:517-527. [PMID: 33929933 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2021.1912100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
C9ORF72 hexanucleotide expansion is the most common genetic cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) disease spectrum. Even though three major mechanisms of disease pathogenesis have been proposed, we lack detailed understanding of the factors that influence disease onset and progression. We sought to characterize cerebrospinal fluid and sera of C9ORF72 patients via a multiplex assay of 41 chemokines and cytokines in comparison to neurological controls and sporadic ALS patients. We found an increase in synthesis of pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines in disease samples and particularly in C9ORF72 patients in comparison to controls. We provide evidence that a CSF pro-inflammatory signature is a feature of C9ORF72-mediated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Pinilla
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Icesi University, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
| | - Anupama Kumar
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mary Kay Floaters
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carlos A Pardo
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey Rothstein
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hristelina Ilieva
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,ALS Weinberg Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA, and
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26
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Melnick M, Gonzales P, LaRocca TJ, Song Y, Wuu J, Benatar M, Oskarsson B, Petrucelli L, Dowell RD, Link CD, Prudencio M. Application of a bioinformatic pipeline to RNA-seq data identifies novel viruslike sequence in human blood. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 11:6259144. [PMID: 33914880 PMCID: PMC8661426 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Numerous reports have suggested that infectious agents could play a role in neurodegenerative diseases, but specific etiological agents have not been convincingly demonstrated. To search for candidate agents in an unbiased fashion, we have developed a bioinformatic pipeline that identifies microbial sequences in mammalian RNA-seq data, including sequences with no significant nucleotide similarity hits in GenBank. Effectiveness of the pipeline was tested using publicly available RNA-seq data and in a reconstruction experiment using synthetic data. We then applied this pipeline to a novel RNA-seq dataset generated from a cohort of 120 samples from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and controls, and identified sequences corresponding to known bacteria and viruses, as well as novel virus-like sequences. The presence of these novel virus-like sequences, which were identified in subsets of both patients and controls, were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. We believe this pipeline will be a useful tool for the identification of potential etiological agents in the many RNA-seq datasets currently being generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Melnick
- Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
| | - Patrick Gonzales
- Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
| | - Thomas J LaRocca
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Center for Healthy Aging, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523, USA
| | - Yuping Song
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, USA
| | - Joanne Wuu
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, 33136, USA
| | - Michael Benatar
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, 33136, USA
| | - Björn Oskarsson
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville FL, 32224, USA
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, USA.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, USA
| | - Robin D Dowell
- BioFrontiers Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
| | - Christopher D Link
- Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA.,Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
| | - Mercedes Prudencio
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, USA.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, USA
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27
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Combination of serum and CSF neurofilament-light and neuroinflammatory biomarkers to evaluate ALS. Sci Rep 2021; 11:703. [PMID: 33436881 PMCID: PMC7803734 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80370-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
This monocentric prospective study of patient suffering from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) aims to evaluate the prognosis and diagnostic potential of both Neurofilament-Light (Nf-L) and neuroinflammatory biomarkers in serum and CSF. Candidate markers levels were measured using multiplex method in serum of 60 ALS patients, 94 healthy controls of 43 patients suffering from Inflammatory Peripheral Neuropathies (IPN). A comparative CSF analysis was performed for 20 ALS and 17 IPN patients. Among the altered biomarkers, CSF Nf-L level remains the best marker of ALS severity, while serum levels correlate strongly with disease progression. The combination of Nf-L and ICAM-1 concentrations in the CSF and IFN-γ concentration in the serum differentiate ALS patients from IPN patients with improved sensibility and specificity relative to individual biomarkers. A cutoff value of 0.49 for the fitted values of these 3 biomarkers discriminate ALS from IPN patients with a specificity of 100% (78.20–100%) and a sensibility of 85.71% (57.19–98.22%) with an AUC of 0.99 ± 0.01. The measure of Nf-L and neuroinflammatory biomarkers in CSF and serum can be useful biomarkers panel in the differential diagnosis of ALS.
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28
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Morello G, Salomone S, D’Agata V, Conforti FL, Cavallaro S. From Multi-Omics Approaches to Precision Medicine in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:577755. [PMID: 33192262 PMCID: PMC7661549 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.577755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating and fatal neurodegenerative disorder, caused by the degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons for which there is no truly effective cure. The lack of successful treatments can be well explained by the complex and heterogeneous nature of ALS, with patients displaying widely distinct clinical features and progression patterns, and distinct molecular mechanisms underlying the phenotypic heterogeneity. Thus, stratifying ALS patients into consistent and clinically relevant subgroups can be of great value for the development of new precision diagnostics and targeted therapeutics for ALS patients. In the last years, the use and integration of high-throughput "omics" approaches have dramatically changed our thinking about ALS, improving our understanding of the complex molecular architecture of ALS, distinguishing distinct patient subtypes and providing a rational foundation for the discovery of biomarkers and new individualized treatments. In this review, we discuss the most significant contributions of omics technologies in unraveling the biological heterogeneity of ALS, highlighting how these approaches are revealing diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic targets for future personalized interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Morello
- Institute for Research and Biomedical Innovation (IRIB), Italian National Research Council (CNR), Catania, Italy
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Velia D’Agata
- Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Sebastiano Cavallaro
- Institute for Research and Biomedical Innovation (IRIB), Italian National Research Council (CNR), Catania, Italy
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29
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Elevated acute phase proteins reflect peripheral inflammation and disease severity in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15295. [PMID: 32943739 PMCID: PMC7499429 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72247-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multifactorial, multisystem pro-inflammatory neuromuscular disorder compromising muscle function resulting in death. Neuroinflammation is known to accelerate disease progression and accentuate disease severity, but peripheral inflammatory processes are not well documented. Acute phase proteins (APPs), plasma proteins synthesized in the liver, are increased in response to inflammation. The objective of this study was to provide evidence for peripheral inflammation by examining levels of APPs, and their contribution to disease burden and progression rates. Levels of APPs, including soluble CD14 (sCD14), lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), and C-reactive protein (CRP), were elevated in sera, and correlated positively with increased disease burden and faster progression. sCD14 was also elevated in patients' CSF and urine. After a 3 year follow-up, 72% of the patients with sCD14 levels above the receiver operating characteristics cutoff were deceased whereas only 28% below the cutoff were deceased. Furthermore, disease onset sites were associated with disease progression rates and APP levels. These APPs were not elevated in sera of patients with Alzheimer's Disease, frontotemporal dementia, or Parkinson's Disease. These collective APPs accurately reflect disease burden, progression rates, and survival times, reinforcing the concept of ALS as a disorder with extensive systemic pro-inflammatory responses.
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30
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Khosla R, Rain M, Chawathey S, Modgil S, Tyagi R, Thakur K, Pannu V, Sharma SK, Anand A. Identifying putative cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a north Indian population. Muscle Nerve 2020; 62:528-533. [PMID: 32696574 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Evidence-based information about cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of biomarkers in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is limited. METHODS Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), optineurin (OPTN), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), angiogenin (ANG), and TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunoassay in the CSF of 54 patients with sporadic ALS and 32 controls in a case-control study design. RESULTS CSF levels of VEGF (P = .014) and ANG (P = .009) were decreased, whereas VEGFR2 was higher (P = .002) in patients with ALS than in controls. TDP-43 positively correlated with MCP-1 (P = .003), VEGF (P < .001), and VEGFR2 (P < .001) in patients with ALS. DISCUSSION Our findings suggest possible utility of VEGF, VEGFR2, and ANG as biomarkers for use in ALS treatment trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manjari Rain
- Neuroscience Research Lab, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| | | | - Shweta Modgil
- Neuroscience Research Lab, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| | - Rahul Tyagi
- Neuroscience Research Lab, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| | - Keshav Thakur
- Neuroscience Research Lab, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| | - Viraaj Pannu
- Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
| | | | - Akshay Anand
- Neuroscience Research Lab, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
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31
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Béland LC, Markovinovic A, Jakovac H, De Marchi F, Bilic E, Mazzini L, Kriz J, Munitic I. Immunity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: blurred lines between excessive inflammation and inefficient immune responses. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa124. [PMID: 33134918 PMCID: PMC7585698 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite wide genetic, environmental and clinical heterogeneity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a rapidly fatal neurodegenerative disease targeting motoneurons, neuroinflammation is a common finding. It is marked by local glial activation, T cell infiltration and systemic immune system activation. The immune system has a prominent role in the pathogenesis of various chronic diseases, hence some of them, including some types of cancer, are successfully targeted by immunotherapeutic approaches. However, various anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive therapies in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have failed. This prompted increased scrutiny over the immune-mediated processes underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Perhaps the biggest conundrum is that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis pathogenesis exhibits features of three otherwise distinct immune dysfunctions-excessive inflammation, autoimmunity and inefficient immune responses. Epidemiological and genome-wide association studies show only minimal overlap between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and autoimmune diseases, so excessive inflammation is usually thought to be secondary to protein aggregation, mitochondrial damage or other stresses. In contrast, several recently characterized amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-linked mutations, including those in TBK1, OPTN, CYLD and C9orf72, could lead to inefficient immune responses and/or damage pile-up, suggesting that an innate immunodeficiency may also be a trigger and/or modifier of this disease. In such cases, non-selective immunosuppression would further restrict neuroprotective immune responses. Here we discuss multiple layers of immune-mediated neuroprotection and neurotoxicity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Particular focus is placed on individual patient mutations that directly or indirectly affect the immune system, and the mechanisms by which these mutations influence disease progression. The topic of immunity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is timely and relevant, because it is one of the few common and potentially malleable denominators in this heterogenous disease. Importantly, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis progression has recently been intricately linked to patient T cell and monocyte profiles, as well as polymorphisms in cytokine and chemokine receptors. For this reason, precise patient stratification based on immunophenotyping will be crucial for efficient therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Markovinovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
- ENCALS Center Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Hrvoje Jakovac
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- Department of Neurology, ALS Centre, University of Piemonte Orientale, “Maggiore della Carità” Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Ervina Bilic
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- ENCALS Center Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- Department of Neurology, ALS Centre, University of Piemonte Orientale, “Maggiore della Carità” Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Jasna Kriz
- CERVO Research Centre, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Ivana Munitic
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
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Moreno-Martinez L, de la Torre M, Muñoz MJ, Zaragoza P, Aguilera J, Calvo AC, Osta R. Neuroprotective Fragment C of Tetanus Toxin Modulates IL-6 in an ALS Mouse Model. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12050330. [PMID: 32429516 PMCID: PMC7290364 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12050330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation plays a significant role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathology, leading to the development of therapies targeting inflammation in recent years. Our group has studied the tetanus toxin C-terminal fragment (TTC) as a therapeutic molecule, showing neuroprotective properties in the SOD1G93A mouse model. However, it is unknown whether TTC could have some effect on inflammation. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of TTC on the regulation of inflammatory mediators to elucidate its potential role in modulating inflammation occurring in ALS. After TTC treatment in SOD1G93A mice, levels of eotaxin-1, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1 alpha (α) and galectin-1 were analyzed by immunoassays in plasma samples, whilst protein expression of caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-6 and NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) was measured in the spinal cord, extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle and soleus (SOL) muscle. The results showed reduced levels of IL-6 in spinal cord, EDL and SOL in treated SOD1G93A mice. In addition, TTC showed a different role in the modulation of NLRP3 and caspase-1 depending on the tissue analyzed. In conclusion, our results suggest that TTC could have a potential anti-inflammatory effect by reducing IL-6 levels in tissues drastically affected by the disease. However, further research is needed to study more in depth the anti-inflammatory effect of TTC in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Moreno-Martinez
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biochemistry (LAGENBIO), Faculty of Veterinary, Institute for Health Research Aragon (IIS Aragón), AgriFood Institute of Aragon (IA2), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (L.M.-M.); (M.d.l.T.); (M.J.M.); (P.Z.)
| | - Miriam de la Torre
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biochemistry (LAGENBIO), Faculty of Veterinary, Institute for Health Research Aragon (IIS Aragón), AgriFood Institute of Aragon (IA2), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (L.M.-M.); (M.d.l.T.); (M.J.M.); (P.Z.)
| | - María J. Muñoz
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biochemistry (LAGENBIO), Faculty of Veterinary, Institute for Health Research Aragon (IIS Aragón), AgriFood Institute of Aragon (IA2), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (L.M.-M.); (M.d.l.T.); (M.J.M.); (P.Z.)
| | - Pilar Zaragoza
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biochemistry (LAGENBIO), Faculty of Veterinary, Institute for Health Research Aragon (IIS Aragón), AgriFood Institute of Aragon (IA2), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (L.M.-M.); (M.d.l.T.); (M.J.M.); (P.Z.)
| | - José Aguilera
- Institut de Neurociències and Departament de Bioquímica i de Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 08193 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Ana C. Calvo
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biochemistry (LAGENBIO), Faculty of Veterinary, Institute for Health Research Aragon (IIS Aragón), AgriFood Institute of Aragon (IA2), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (L.M.-M.); (M.d.l.T.); (M.J.M.); (P.Z.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.C.); (R.O.); Tel.: +34-976761622 (A.C.C.); +34-976761621 (R.O.)
| | - Rosario Osta
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biochemistry (LAGENBIO), Faculty of Veterinary, Institute for Health Research Aragon (IIS Aragón), AgriFood Institute of Aragon (IA2), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (L.M.-M.); (M.d.l.T.); (M.J.M.); (P.Z.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.C.); (R.O.); Tel.: +34-976761622 (A.C.C.); +34-976761621 (R.O.)
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Jin M, Günther R, Akgün K, Hermann A, Ziemssen T. Peripheral proinflammatory Th1/Th17 immune cell shift is linked to disease severity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5941. [PMID: 32246039 PMCID: PMC7125229 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62756-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but only limited data are available on systematic peripheral and central immune cell profiles in ALS. We studied detailed immune profiles of 73 ALS patients and 48 healthy controls (controls) in peripheral blood by fluorescence-activated cell sorting as well as cytokine expression profiles in serum. In a subgroup of 16 ALS patients and 10 controls we additionally studied cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. In peripheral blood, T cell subtypes presented a shift towards pro-inflammatory Th 1 and Th 17 cells whereas anti-inflammatory Th2 and T regulatory cells were decreased. Important players in innate immunity including distinct monocyte (Mo) and natural killer (NK) cell subtypes were changed in ALS patients compared to controls. Pro-inflammatory serum cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were increased and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was decreased. Correlation analysis revealed moderate negative correlations between Th1 and Th17 to the ALS functional rating scale revised (ALSFRS-R) and to forced vital capacity. In CSF samples, no relevant alteration of the immune profile was found. In conclusion, the immune profile in ALS was shifted towards a Th1/Th17 cell-mediated pro-inflammatory immune response and correlated to disease severity and progression. Large prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Jin
- Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Clinical Neuroscience, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rene Günther
- Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. .,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany.
| | - Katja Akgün
- Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Clinical Neuroscience, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Hermann
- Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany.,Translational Neurodegeneration Section "Albrecht-Kossel", Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Rostock/Greifswald, Rostock, Germany
| | - Tjalf Ziemssen
- Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Clinical Neuroscience, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
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Berry JD, Cudkowicz ME, Windebank AJ, Staff NP, Owegi M, Nicholson K, McKenna-Yasek D, Levy YS, Abramov N, Kaspi H, Mehra M, Aricha R, Gothelf Y, Brown RH. NurOwn, phase 2, randomized, clinical trial in patients with ALS: Safety, clinical, and biomarker results. Neurology 2019; 93:e2294-e2305. [PMID: 31740545 PMCID: PMC6937497 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000008620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To determine the safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-neurotrophic factor (NTF) cells (NurOwn®, autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs, induced to secrete NTFs) delivered by combined intrathecal and intramuscular administration to participants with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a phase 2 randomized controlled trial. Methods The study enrolled 48 participants randomized 3:1 (treatment: placebo). After a 3-month pretransplant period, participants received 1 dose of MSC-NTF cells (n = 36) or placebo (n = 12) and were followed for 6 months. CSF was collected before and 2 weeks after transplantation. Results The study met its primary safety endpoint. The rate of disease progression (Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale [ALSFRS-R] slope change) in the overall study population was similar in treated and placebo participants. In a prespecified rapid progressor subgroup (n = 21), rate of disease progression was improved at early time points (p < 0.05). To address heterogeneity, a responder analysis showed that a higher proportion of treated participants experienced ≥1.5 points/month ALSFRS-R slope improvement compared to placebo at all time points, and was significant in rapid progressors at 4 and 12 weeks (p = 0.004 and 0.046, respectively). CSF neurotrophic factors increased and CSF inflammatory biomarkers decreased in treated participants (p < 0.05) post-transplantation. CSF monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels correlated with ALSFRS-R slope improvement up to 24 weeks (p < 0.05). Conclusion A single-dose transplantation of MSC-NTF cells is safe and demonstrated early promising signs of efficacy. This establishes a clear path forward for a multidose randomized clinical trial of intrathecal autologous MSC-NTF cell transplantation in ALS. Classification of evidence This phase II study provides Class I evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D Berry
- From Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Harvard Medical School (J.D.B., M.E.C., K.N.), Boston; Mayo Clinic (A.J.W., N.P.S.), Rochester, MN; University of Massachusetts (M.O., D.M.-Y., R.H.B.), Worcester; Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (Y.S.L., N.A., H.K., R.A., Y.G.), Petach Tikva, Israel; and Tigermed USA (M.M.), Somerset, NJ
| | - Merit E Cudkowicz
- From Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Harvard Medical School (J.D.B., M.E.C., K.N.), Boston; Mayo Clinic (A.J.W., N.P.S.), Rochester, MN; University of Massachusetts (M.O., D.M.-Y., R.H.B.), Worcester; Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (Y.S.L., N.A., H.K., R.A., Y.G.), Petach Tikva, Israel; and Tigermed USA (M.M.), Somerset, NJ
| | - Anthony J Windebank
- From Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Harvard Medical School (J.D.B., M.E.C., K.N.), Boston; Mayo Clinic (A.J.W., N.P.S.), Rochester, MN; University of Massachusetts (M.O., D.M.-Y., R.H.B.), Worcester; Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (Y.S.L., N.A., H.K., R.A., Y.G.), Petach Tikva, Israel; and Tigermed USA (M.M.), Somerset, NJ
| | - Nathan P Staff
- From Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Harvard Medical School (J.D.B., M.E.C., K.N.), Boston; Mayo Clinic (A.J.W., N.P.S.), Rochester, MN; University of Massachusetts (M.O., D.M.-Y., R.H.B.), Worcester; Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (Y.S.L., N.A., H.K., R.A., Y.G.), Petach Tikva, Israel; and Tigermed USA (M.M.), Somerset, NJ
| | - Margaret Owegi
- From Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Harvard Medical School (J.D.B., M.E.C., K.N.), Boston; Mayo Clinic (A.J.W., N.P.S.), Rochester, MN; University of Massachusetts (M.O., D.M.-Y., R.H.B.), Worcester; Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (Y.S.L., N.A., H.K., R.A., Y.G.), Petach Tikva, Israel; and Tigermed USA (M.M.), Somerset, NJ
| | - Katherine Nicholson
- From Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Harvard Medical School (J.D.B., M.E.C., K.N.), Boston; Mayo Clinic (A.J.W., N.P.S.), Rochester, MN; University of Massachusetts (M.O., D.M.-Y., R.H.B.), Worcester; Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (Y.S.L., N.A., H.K., R.A., Y.G.), Petach Tikva, Israel; and Tigermed USA (M.M.), Somerset, NJ
| | - Diane McKenna-Yasek
- From Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Harvard Medical School (J.D.B., M.E.C., K.N.), Boston; Mayo Clinic (A.J.W., N.P.S.), Rochester, MN; University of Massachusetts (M.O., D.M.-Y., R.H.B.), Worcester; Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (Y.S.L., N.A., H.K., R.A., Y.G.), Petach Tikva, Israel; and Tigermed USA (M.M.), Somerset, NJ
| | - Yossef S Levy
- From Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Harvard Medical School (J.D.B., M.E.C., K.N.), Boston; Mayo Clinic (A.J.W., N.P.S.), Rochester, MN; University of Massachusetts (M.O., D.M.-Y., R.H.B.), Worcester; Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (Y.S.L., N.A., H.K., R.A., Y.G.), Petach Tikva, Israel; and Tigermed USA (M.M.), Somerset, NJ
| | - Natalie Abramov
- From Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Harvard Medical School (J.D.B., M.E.C., K.N.), Boston; Mayo Clinic (A.J.W., N.P.S.), Rochester, MN; University of Massachusetts (M.O., D.M.-Y., R.H.B.), Worcester; Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (Y.S.L., N.A., H.K., R.A., Y.G.), Petach Tikva, Israel; and Tigermed USA (M.M.), Somerset, NJ
| | - Haggai Kaspi
- From Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Harvard Medical School (J.D.B., M.E.C., K.N.), Boston; Mayo Clinic (A.J.W., N.P.S.), Rochester, MN; University of Massachusetts (M.O., D.M.-Y., R.H.B.), Worcester; Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (Y.S.L., N.A., H.K., R.A., Y.G.), Petach Tikva, Israel; and Tigermed USA (M.M.), Somerset, NJ
| | - Munish Mehra
- From Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Harvard Medical School (J.D.B., M.E.C., K.N.), Boston; Mayo Clinic (A.J.W., N.P.S.), Rochester, MN; University of Massachusetts (M.O., D.M.-Y., R.H.B.), Worcester; Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (Y.S.L., N.A., H.K., R.A., Y.G.), Petach Tikva, Israel; and Tigermed USA (M.M.), Somerset, NJ
| | - Revital Aricha
- From Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Harvard Medical School (J.D.B., M.E.C., K.N.), Boston; Mayo Clinic (A.J.W., N.P.S.), Rochester, MN; University of Massachusetts (M.O., D.M.-Y., R.H.B.), Worcester; Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (Y.S.L., N.A., H.K., R.A., Y.G.), Petach Tikva, Israel; and Tigermed USA (M.M.), Somerset, NJ
| | - Yael Gothelf
- From Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Harvard Medical School (J.D.B., M.E.C., K.N.), Boston; Mayo Clinic (A.J.W., N.P.S.), Rochester, MN; University of Massachusetts (M.O., D.M.-Y., R.H.B.), Worcester; Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (Y.S.L., N.A., H.K., R.A., Y.G.), Petach Tikva, Israel; and Tigermed USA (M.M.), Somerset, NJ
| | - Robert H Brown
- From Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Clinical Research Institute and Harvard Medical School (J.D.B., M.E.C., K.N.), Boston; Mayo Clinic (A.J.W., N.P.S.), Rochester, MN; University of Massachusetts (M.O., D.M.-Y., R.H.B.), Worcester; Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (Y.S.L., N.A., H.K., R.A., Y.G.), Petach Tikva, Israel; and Tigermed USA (M.M.), Somerset, NJ.
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Moreno-Martinez L, Calvo AC, Muñoz MJ, Osta R. Are Circulating Cytokines Reliable Biomarkers for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis? Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112759. [PMID: 31195629 PMCID: PMC6600567 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that has no effective treatment. The lack of any specific biomarker that can help in the diagnosis or prognosis of ALS has made the identification of biomarkers an urgent challenge. Multiple panels have shown alterations in levels of numerous cytokines in ALS, supporting the contribution of neuroinflammation to the progressive motor neuron loss. However, none of them is fully sensitive and specific enough to become a universal biomarker for ALS. This review gathers the numerous circulating cytokines that have been found dysregulated in both ALS animal models and patients. Particularly, it highlights the opposing results found in the literature to date, and points out another potential application of inflammatory cytokines as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Moreno-Martinez
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biochemistry (LAGENBIO), Faculty of Veterinary-IIS Aragón, IA2-CITA, CIBERNED, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Ana Cristina Calvo
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biochemistry (LAGENBIO), Faculty of Veterinary-IIS Aragón, IA2-CITA, CIBERNED, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - María Jesús Muñoz
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biochemistry (LAGENBIO), Faculty of Veterinary-IIS Aragón, IA2-CITA, CIBERNED, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Rosario Osta
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biochemistry (LAGENBIO), Faculty of Veterinary-IIS Aragón, IA2-CITA, CIBERNED, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain.
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Iberl S, Meyer AL, Müller G, Peters S, Johannesen S, Kobor I, Beier F, Brümmendorf TH, Hart C, Schelker R, Herr W, Bogdahn U, Grassinger J. Effects of continuous high-dose G-CSF administration on hematopoietic stem cell mobilization and telomere length in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - a pilot study. Cytokine 2019; 120:192-201. [PMID: 31100684 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease of complex and still poorly understood etiology. Loss of upper and lower motoneurons results in death within few years after diagnosis. Recent studies have proposed neuroprotective and disease-slowing effects of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment in ALS mouse models as well as humans. In this study, six ALS patients were monitored up to 3.5 years during continuous high-dose G-CSF administration. Repetitive analyses were performed including blood count parameters, CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) and colony forming cell (CFC) counts, serum cytokine levels and leukocyte telomere length. We demonstrate that continuous G-CSF therapy was well tolerated and safe resulting in only mild adverse events during the observation period. However, no mobilization of CD34+ HSPC was detected as compared to baseline values. CFC mobilization was equally low and even a decrease of myeloid precursors was observed in some patients. Assessment of telomere length within ALS patients' leukocytes revealed that G-CSF did not significantly shorten telomeres, while those of ALS patients were shorter compared to age-matched healthy controls, irrespective of G-CSF treatment. During G-CSF stimulation, TNF-alpha, CRP, IL-16, sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, Tie-2 and VEGF were significantly increased in serum whereas MCP-1 levels decreased. In conclusion, our data show that continuous G-CSF treatment fails to increase circulating CD34+ HSPC in ALS patients. Cytokine profiles revealed G-CSF-mediated immunomodulatory and proteolytic effects. Interestingly, despite intense G-CSF stimulation, telomere length was not significantly shortened.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Iberl
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Anne-Louise Meyer
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gunnar Müller
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Peters
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Siw Johannesen
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ines Kobor
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Beier
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tim H Brümmendorf
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christina Hart
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Roland Schelker
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Herr
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Bogdahn
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jochen Grassinger
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Department of Oncology and Hematology, St. Elisabeth Hospital, Straubing, Germany
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Moreno-Martínez L, de la Torre M, Toivonen JM, Zaragoza P, García-Redondo A, Calvo AC, Osta R. Circulating Cytokines Could Not Be Good Prognostic Biomarkers in a Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2019; 10:801. [PMID: 31031774 PMCID: PMC6473074 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There is growing evidence of the role of inflammation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) during the last decade. Although the origin of ALS remains unknown, multiple potential inflammatory biomarkers have been described in ALS patients and murine models of this disease to explain the progressive motor neuron loss and muscle atrophy. However, the results remain controversial. To shed light on this issue, we aimed to identify novel biomarkers of inflammation that can influence disease progression and survival in serial blood samples from transgenic SOD1G93A mice, a model of ALS. Methods: A cytokine array assay was performed to analyze protein expression of 97 cytokines in plasma samples from wildtype controls and transgenic SOD1G93A mice at asymptomatic stage. Subsequently, serial plasma samples were obtained from SOD1G93A mice at early symptomatic, symptomatic and terminal stages to monitor cytokine levels during disease progression through immunoassays. Comparisons of means of quantifiable cytokines between short-and long-lived mice were analyzed by unrelated t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test. Relationships between cytokines levels and survival time were assessed using Pearson's correlation analysis and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: A total of 16 cytokines (6Ckine, ALK-1, CD30 L, eotaxin-1, galectin-1, GITR, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17B R, MIP-1α, MIP-3β, RANKL, TROY, and VEGF-D) were found dysregulated in transgenic SOD1G93A mice at asymptomatic stage compared with age-matched controls. Immunoassays of serial samples revealed positive expression of ALK-1, GITR and IL-17B R at P60 and P90 in mice with shorter survival. In addition, eotaxin-1 and galectin-1 levels were significantly increased at terminal stage in SOD1G93A mice that showed shorter survival time. Finally, levels of eotaxin-1, galectin-1, IL-2, IL-6, MIP-1α, and TROY at P90 or endpoint negatively correlated with the longevity of transgenic mice. Conclusions: We demonstrated in the SOD1G93A model of ALS that increased levels of several cytokines were associated with a shorter lifespan. However, their role as prognostic biomarkers is unclear as their expression was very variable depending on both the disease stage and the subject. Nevertheless, cytokines may be potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Moreno-Martínez
- LAGENBIO, Faculty of Veterinary-IIS, IA2-CITA, CIBERNED, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Miriam de la Torre
- LAGENBIO, Faculty of Veterinary-IIS, IA2-CITA, CIBERNED, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Janne M Toivonen
- LAGENBIO, Faculty of Veterinary-IIS, IA2-CITA, CIBERNED, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Pilar Zaragoza
- LAGENBIO, Faculty of Veterinary-IIS, IA2-CITA, CIBERNED, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Ana Cristina Calvo
- LAGENBIO, Faculty of Veterinary-IIS, IA2-CITA, CIBERNED, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rosario Osta
- LAGENBIO, Faculty of Veterinary-IIS, IA2-CITA, CIBERNED, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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38
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Verber NS, Shepheard SR, Sassani M, McDonough HE, Moore SA, Alix JJP, Wilkinson ID, Jenkins TM, Shaw PJ. Biomarkers in Motor Neuron Disease: A State of the Art Review. Front Neurol 2019; 10:291. [PMID: 31001186 PMCID: PMC6456669 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron disease can be viewed as an umbrella term describing a heterogeneous group of conditions, all of which are relentlessly progressive and ultimately fatal. The average life expectancy is 2 years, but with a broad range of months to decades. Biomarker research deepens disease understanding through exploration of pathophysiological mechanisms which, in turn, highlights targets for novel therapies. It also allows differentiation of the disease population into sub-groups, which serves two general purposes: (a) provides clinicians with information to better guide their patients in terms of disease progression, and (b) guides clinical trial design so that an intervention may be shown to be effective if population variation is controlled for. Biomarkers also have the potential to provide monitoring during clinical trials to ensure target engagement. This review highlights biomarkers that have emerged from the fields of systemic measurements including biochemistry (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine analysis); imaging and electrophysiology, and gives examples of how a combinatorial approach may yield the best results. We emphasize the importance of systematic sample collection and analysis, and the need to correlate biomarker findings with detailed phenotype and genotype data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick S Verber
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie R Shepheard
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Matilde Sassani
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Harry E McDonough
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie A Moore
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - James J P Alix
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Iain D Wilkinson
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Tom M Jenkins
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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39
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Increased FUS levels in astrocytes leads to astrocyte and microglia activation and neuronal death. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4572. [PMID: 30872738 PMCID: PMC6418113 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41040-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations of Fused in sarcoma (FUS), a ribonucleoprotein involved in RNA metabolism, have been found associated with both familial and sporadic cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Notably, besides mutations in the coding sequence, also mutations into the 3′ untranslated region, leading to increased levels of the wild-type protein, have been associated with neuronal death and ALS pathology, in ALS models and patients. The mechanistic link between altered FUS levels and ALS-related neurodegeneration is far to be elucidated, as well as the consequences of elevated FUS levels in the modulation of the inflammatory response sustained by glial cells, a well-recognized player in ALS progression. Here, we studied the effect of wild-type FUS overexpression on the responsiveness of mouse and human neural progenitor-derived astrocytes to a pro-inflammatory stimulus (IL1β) used to mimic an inflammatory environment. We found that astrocytes with increased FUS levels were more sensitive to IL1β, as shown by their enhanced expression of inflammatory genes, compared with control astrocytes. Moreover, astrocytes overexpressing FUS promoted neuronal cell death and pro-inflammatory microglia activation. We conclude that overexpression of wild-type FUS intrinsically affects astrocyte reactivity and drives their properties toward pro-inflammatory and neurotoxic functions, suggesting that a non-cell autonomous mechanism can support neurodegeneration in FUS-mutated animals and patients.
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40
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Pozzi S, Thammisetty SS, Codron P, Rahimian R, Plourde KV, Soucy G, Bareil C, Phaneuf D, Kriz J, Gravel C, Julien JP. Virus-mediated delivery of antibody targeting TAR DNA-binding protein-43 mitigates associated neuropathology. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:1581-1595. [PMID: 30667370 DOI: 10.1172/jci123931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The cytoplasmic aggregation of TAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43) is a hallmark of degenerating neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and subsets of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In order to reduce TDP-43 pathology, we generated single-chain (scFv) antibodies against the RNA recognition motif 1 (RRM1) of TDP-43, which is involved in abnormal protein self-aggregation and interaction with p65 NF-κB. Virus-mediated delivery into the nervous system of a scFv antibody, named VH7Vk9, reduced microgliosis in a mouse model of acute neuroinflammation and mitigated cognitive impairment, motor defects, TDP-43 proteinopathy, and neuroinflammation in transgenic mice expressing ALS-linked TDP-43 mutations. These results suggest that antibodies targeting the RRM1 domain of TDP-43 might provide new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of ALS and FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pozzi
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Philippe Codron
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Québec, Québec, Canada.,MITOVASC Institute, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) 6015, INSERM U1083, University of Angers, Angers, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jasna Kriz
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Québec, Québec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Claude Gravel
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Québec, Québec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Julien
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Québec, Québec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
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41
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Johannesen S, Budeus B, Peters S, Iberl S, Meyer AL, Kammermaier T, Wirkert E, Bruun TH, Samara VC, Schulte-Mattler W, Herr W, Schneider A, Grassinger J, Bogdahn U. Biomarker Supervised G-CSF (Filgrastim) Response in ALS Patients. Front Neurol 2018; 9:971. [PMID: 30534107 PMCID: PMC6275232 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate safety, tolerability and feasibility of long-term treatment with Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), a well-known hematopoietic stem cell factor, guided by assessment of mobilized bone marrow derived stem cells and cytokines in the serum of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treated on a named patient basis. Methods: 36 ALS patients were treated with subcutaneous injections of G-CSF on a named patient basis and in an outpatient setting. Drug was dosed by individual application schemes (mean 464 Mio IU/month, range 90-2160 Mio IU/month) over a median of 13.7 months (range from 2.7 to 73.8 months). Safety, tolerability, survival and change in ALSFRS-R were observed. Hematopoietic stem cells were monitored by flow cytometry analysis of circulating CD34+ and CD34+CD38− cells, and peripheral cytokines were assessed by electrochemoluminescence throughout the intervention period. Analysis of immunological and hematological markers was conducted. Results: Long term and individually adapted treatment with G-CSF was well tolerated and safe. G-CSF led to a significant mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells into the peripheral blood. Higher mobilization capacity was associated with prolonged survival. Initial levels of serum cytokines, such as MDC, TNF-beta, IL-7, IL-16, and Tie-2 were significantly associated with survival. Continued application of G-CSF led to persistent alterations in serum cytokines and ongoing measurements revealed the multifaceted effects of G-CSF. Conclusions: G-CSF treatment is feasible and safe for ALS patients. It may exert its beneficial effects through neuroprotective and -regenerative activities, mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells and regulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines as well as angiogenic factors. These cytokines may serve as prognostic markers when measured at the time of diagnosis. Hematopoietic stem cell numbers and cytokine levels are altered by ongoing G-CSF application and may potentially serve as treatment biomarkers for early monitoring of G-CSF treatment efficacy in ALS in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siw Johannesen
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Sebastian Peters
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Iberl
- Department of Hematology, Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Anne-Louise Meyer
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tina Kammermaier
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Eva Wirkert
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tim-Henrik Bruun
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Verena C Samara
- Stanford Neuroscience Health Center, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | | | - Wolfgang Herr
- Department of Hematology, Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Jochen Grassinger
- Department of Hematology, Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Bogdahn
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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42
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Motor neuron degeneration, severe myopathy and TDP-43 increase in a transgenic pig model of SOD1-linked familiar ALS. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 124:263-275. [PMID: 30471417 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neural disorder gradually leading to paralysis of the whole body. Alterations in superoxide dismutase SOD1 gene have been linked with several variants of familial ALS. Here, we investigated a transgenic (Tg) cloned swine model expressing the human pathological hSOD1G93A allele. As in patients, these Tg pigs transmitted the disease to the progeny with an autosomal dominant trait and showed ALS onset from about 27 months of age. Post mortem analysis revealed motor neuron (MN) degeneration, gliosis and hSOD1 protein aggregates in brainstem and spinal cord. Severe skeletal muscle pathology including necrosis and inflammation was observed at the end stage, as well. Remarkably, as in human patients, these Tg pigs showed a quite long presymptomatic phase in which gradually increasing amounts of TDP-43 were detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Thus, this transgenic swine model opens the unique opportunity to investigate ALS biomarkers even before disease onset other than testing novel drugs and possible medical devices.
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43
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Longitudinal assessment of clinical and inflammatory markers in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 2018; 394:69-74. [PMID: 30219498 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2018.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate potential associations between clinical features and inflammatory markers in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS A consecutive series of 68 patients (39 males and 29 females) with sporadic ALS were subjected to a comprehensive clinical assessment and blood draw. A subset of these patients underwent a new assessment within 6-12 months after the baseline visit. In addition, a group of 62 subjects composed by age and sex-matched healthy subjects (38 males and 24 females) was enrolled in this study. Peripheral blood was drawn and plasma levels of chemokines and cytokines were measured by cytometric bead array and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Our sample was composed by patients with ALS with an average age of 58 (±12.3) years old and 3 (±2.7) years of disease length at the baseline visit. Patients with ALS presented increased plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in comparison with controls. After multivariate analysis, higher levels of IL-6 and lower levels of IL-2 were significantly associated with increased likelihood of ALS diagnosis. When evaluating the subset of patients assessed longitudinally, we did not find any significant difference in the levels of inflammatory markers between the two time points. Older age at ALS onset was the only factor associated with a faster rate of disease progression. CONCLUSIONS IL-6 levels could discriminate between ALS and controls and may be regarded as a potential biomarker of ALS diagnosis. An increase in IL-2 levels was associated with a protective effect on the odds of ALS diagnosis. Older age at ALS onset predicted a fast rate of disease progression.
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44
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Tennakoon A, Katharesan V, Johnson IP. Brainstem cytokine changes in healthy ageing and Motor Neurone Disease. J Neurol Sci 2017; 381:192-199. [PMID: 28991679 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2017.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is linked to healthy ageing, but its role in the development of age-related neurodegenerative diseases is unclear. In this pilot study we used a multiplex assay approach to compare 27 cytokines in 6 young adult and 6 ageing control brainstems with those in 6 MND brainstems. We report that healthy ageing is associated with significantly increased brainstem levels of IL-1β, IP-10 and MIP-1β which co-localise immunocytochemically to astrocytes. MND brainstem is also characterised by a general increase in both pro- and anti-cytokine levels, but fails to show the expected age-related increase in MIP-1β and IP-10. This pilot study is the first to show that MND is associated with a failure of specific features of the normal age-related neuroinflammatory process. We suggest that our pilot data indicates that neuroinflammation during healthy ageing may not always be detrimental to motoneuronal survival and that age-related neurodegenerative diseases, such as MND, may instead result from defective neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuradha Tennakoon
- Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, The University of Adelaide, SA5005, Australia
| | - Viythia Katharesan
- Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, The University of Adelaide, SA5005, Australia
| | - Ian P Johnson
- Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, The University of Adelaide, SA5005, Australia.
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45
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Guo J, Yang X, Gao L, Zang D. Evaluating the levels of CSF and serum factors in ALS. Brain Behav 2017; 7:e00637. [PMID: 28293476 PMCID: PMC5346523 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to identify CSF and serum factors as biomarkers that may aid in distinguishing ALS patients from control subjects and predicting ALS progression as well as prognosis. METHODS Serum and CSF samples from 105 patients with ALS and 56 control subjects were analyzed for 13 factors using ELISA. The revised ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS-r) was used to evaluate the overall functional status of ALS patients, and we also followed up with ALS patients either by phone or with clinic visits for five years after enrollment in this study. Finally, we examined the correlations between factor levels and various clinical parameters and evaluated the predictive value for prognosis through a multivariate statistic model. RESULTS A total of eight factors were obviously elevated in CSF, and twelve markers were increased in serum. In the correlation analyses, there were trends toward higher bFGF, VEGF, MIP-1α levels in ALS with a longer disease duration and slower disease progression in both CSF and serum. Higher MCP-1 levels were associated with worse disease severity and faster progression, and the IFN-γ levels were positively associated with disease progression in either CSF or serum. Finally, a better prognosis was observed with higher levels bFGF in CSF and VEGF in CSF and serum; conversely, patients with higher levels of IFN-γ in the CSF had shorter overall survival. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that a factor profile of ALS patients is distinct from control subjects and may be useful in clinical practice and therapeutic trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Guo
- Department of Neurology Tianjin First Center Hospital Tianjin Medical University Tianjin China
| | - Xuan Yang
- Department of Neurology Tianjin First Center Hospital Tianjin Medical University Tianjin China
| | - Lina Gao
- Department of Neurology Tianjin First Center Hospital Tianjin Medical University Tianjin China
| | - Dawei Zang
- Department of Neurology Tianjin First Center Hospital Tianjin Medical University Tianjin China
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