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Pérot JB, Brouillet E, Flament J. The contribution of preclinical magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy to Huntington's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1306312. [PMID: 38414634 PMCID: PMC10896846 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1306312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease is an inherited disorder characterized by psychiatric, cognitive, and motor symptoms due to degeneration of medium spiny neurons in the striatum. A prodromal phase precedes the onset, lasting decades. Current biomarkers include clinical score and striatal atrophy using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). These markers lack sensitivity for subtle cellular changes during the prodromal phase. MRI and MR spectroscopy offer different contrasts for assessing metabolic, microstructural, functional, or vascular alterations in the disease. They have been used in patients and mouse models. Mouse models can be of great interest to study a specific mechanism of the degenerative process, allow better understanding of the pathogenesis from the prodromal to the symptomatic phase, and to evaluate therapeutic efficacy. Mouse models can be divided into three different constructions: transgenic mice expressing exon-1 of human huntingtin (HTT), mice with an artificial chromosome expressing full-length human HTT, and knock-in mouse models with CAG expansion inserted in the murine htt gene. Several studies have used MRI/S to characterized these models. However, the multiplicity of modalities and mouse models available complicates the understanding of this rich corpus. The present review aims at giving an overview of results obtained using MRI/S for each mouse model of HD, to provide a useful resource for the conception of neuroimaging studies using mouse models of HD. Finally, despite difficulties in translating preclinical protocols to clinical applications, many biomarkers identified in preclinical models have already been evaluated in patients. This review also aims to cover this aspect to demonstrate the importance of MRI/S for studying HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Baptiste Pérot
- Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Molecular Imaging Research Center, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris-Saclay, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- Institut du Cerveau – Paris Brain Institute – ICM, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Brouillet
- Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Molecular Imaging Research Center, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris-Saclay, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Julien Flament
- Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Molecular Imaging Research Center, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris-Saclay, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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Nittari G, Roy P, Martinelli I, Bellitto V, Tomassoni D, Traini E, Tayebati SK, Amenta F. Rodent Models of Huntington's Disease: An Overview. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3331. [PMID: 38137552 PMCID: PMC10741199 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant inherited neurological disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the IT15 gene. This neurodegenerative disorder is caused by a polyglutamine repeat expansion mutation in the widely expressed huntingtin (HTT) protein. HD is characterized by the degeneration of basal ganglia neurons and progressive cell death in intrinsic neurons of the striatum, accompanied by dementia and involuntary abnormal choreiform movements. Animal models have been extensively studied and have proven to be extremely valuable for therapeutic target evaluations. They reveal the hallmark of the age-dependent formation of aggregates or inclusions consisting of misfolded proteins. Animal models of HD have provided a therapeutic strategy to treat HD by suppressing mutant HTT (mHTT). Transgenic animal models have significantly increased our understanding of the molecular processes and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the HD behavioral phenotype. Since effective therapies to cure or interrupt the course of the disease are not yet available, clinical research will have to make use of reliable animal models. This paper reviews the main studies of rodents as HD animal models, highlighting the neurological and behavioral differences between them. The choice of an animal model depends on the specific aspect of the disease to be investigated. Toxin-based models can still be useful, but most experimental hypotheses depend on success in a genetic model, whose choice is determined by the experimental question. There are many animal models showing similar HD symptoms or pathologies. They include chemical-induced HDs and genetic HDs, where cell-free and cell culture, lower organisms (such as yeast, Drosophila, C. elegans, zebrafish), rodents (mice, rats), and non-human primates are involved. These models provide accessible systems to study molecular pathogenesis and test potential treatments. For developing more effective pharmacological treatments, better animal models must be available and used to evaluate the efficacy of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Nittari
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (G.N.); (P.R.); (I.M.); (V.B.); (E.T.); (S.K.T.)
| | - Proshanta Roy
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (G.N.); (P.R.); (I.M.); (V.B.); (E.T.); (S.K.T.)
| | - Ilenia Martinelli
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (G.N.); (P.R.); (I.M.); (V.B.); (E.T.); (S.K.T.)
| | - Vincenzo Bellitto
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (G.N.); (P.R.); (I.M.); (V.B.); (E.T.); (S.K.T.)
| | - Daniele Tomassoni
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, Italy;
| | - Enea Traini
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (G.N.); (P.R.); (I.M.); (V.B.); (E.T.); (S.K.T.)
| | - Seyed Khosrow Tayebati
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (G.N.); (P.R.); (I.M.); (V.B.); (E.T.); (S.K.T.)
| | - Francesco Amenta
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna Delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (G.N.); (P.R.); (I.M.); (V.B.); (E.T.); (S.K.T.)
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Kim J, Li W, Wang J, Baranov SV, Heath BE, Jia J, Suofu Y, Baranova OV, Wang X, Larkin TM, Lariviere WR, Carlisle DL, Friedlander RM. Biosynthesis of neuroprotective melatonin is dysregulated in Huntington's disease. J Pineal Res 2023; 75:e12909. [PMID: 37721126 PMCID: PMC10592086 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder associated with uncontrolled body movements, cognitive decline, and reduced circulating melatonin levels. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant and exogenous melatonin treatment is neuroprotective in experimental HD models. In neurons, melatonin is exclusively synthesized in the mitochondrial matrix. Thus, we investigated the integrity of melatonin biosynthesis pathways in pineal and extrapineal brain areas in human HD brain samples, in the R6/2 mouse model of HD and in full-length mutant huntingtin knock-in cells. Aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) is the rate-limiting step enzyme in the melatonin biosynthetic pathway. We found that AANAT expression is significantly decreased in the pineal gland and the striatum of HD patients compared to normal controls. In the R6/2 mouse forebrain, AANAT protein expression was decreased in synaptosomal, but not nonsynaptosomal, mitochondria and was associated with decreased synaptosomal melatonin levels compared to wild type mice. We also demonstrate sequestration of AANAT in mutant-huntingtin protein aggregates likely resulting in decreased AANAT bioavailability. Paradoxically, AANAT mRNA expression is increased in tissues where AANAT protein expression is decreased, suggesting a potential feedback loop that is, ultimately unsuccessful. In conclusion, we demonstrate that pineal, extrapineal, and synaptosomal melatonin levels are compromised in the brains of HD patients and R6/2 mice due, at least in part, to protein aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinho Kim
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sergei V Baranov
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brianna E Heath
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jiaoying Jia
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yalikun Suofu
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Oxana V Baranova
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Xiaomin Wang
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Timothy M Larkin
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - William R Lariviere
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Diane L Carlisle
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert M Friedlander
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Jiang A, Handley RR, Lehnert K, Snell RG. From Pathogenesis to Therapeutics: A Review of 150 Years of Huntington's Disease Research. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13021. [PMID: 37629202 PMCID: PMC10455900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241613021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative genetic disorder caused by an expanded polyglutamine-coding (CAG) trinucleotide repeat in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. HD behaves as a highly penetrant dominant disorder likely acting through a toxic gain of function by the mutant huntingtin protein. Widespread cellular degeneration of the medium spiny neurons of the caudate nucleus and putamen are responsible for the onset of symptomology that encompasses motor, cognitive, and behavioural abnormalities. Over the past 150 years of HD research since George Huntington published his description, a plethora of pathogenic mechanisms have been proposed with key themes including excitotoxicity, dopaminergic imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic defects, disruption of proteostasis, transcriptional dysregulation, and neuroinflammation. Despite the identification and characterisation of the causative gene and mutation and significant advances in our understanding of the cellular pathology in recent years, a disease-modifying intervention has not yet been clinically approved. This review includes an overview of Huntington's disease, from its genetic aetiology to clinical presentation and its pathogenic manifestation. An updated view of molecular mechanisms and the latest therapeutic developments will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Jiang
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, Centre for Brain Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; (R.R.H.); (K.L.); (R.G.S.)
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Gasser J, Gillet G, Valadas JS, Rouvière L, Kotian A, Fan W, Keaney J, Kadiu I. Innate immune activation and aberrant function in the R6/2 mouse model and Huntington's disease iPSC-derived microglia. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1191324. [PMID: 37415834 PMCID: PMC10319581 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1191324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by CAG repeats in exon 1 of the HTT gene. A hallmark of HD along with other psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases is alteration in the neuronal circuitry and synaptic loss. Microglia and peripheral innate immune activation have been reported in pre-symptomatic HD patients; however, what "activation" signifies for microglial and immune function in HD and how it impacts synaptic health remains unclear. In this study we sought to fill these gaps by capturing immune phenotypes and functional activation states of microglia and peripheral immunity in the R6/2 model of HD at pre-symptomatic, symptomatic and end stages of disease. These included characterizations of microglial phenotypes at single cell resolution, morphology, aberrant functions such as surveillance and phagocytosis and their impact on synaptic loss in vitro and ex vivo in R6/2 mouse brain tissue slices. To further understand how relevant the observed aberrant microglial behaviors are to human disease, transcriptomic analysis was performed using HD patient nuclear sequencing data and functional assessments were conducted using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived microglia. Our results show temporal changes in brain infiltration of peripheral lymphoid and myeloid cells, increases in microglial activation markers and phagocytic functions at the pre-symptomatic stages of disease. Increases in microglial surveillance and synaptic uptake parallel significant reduction of spine density in R6/2 mice. These findings were mirrored by an upregulation of gene signatures in the endocytic and migratory pathways in disease-associated microglial subsets in human HD brains, as well as increased phagocytic and migratory functions of iPSC-derived HD microglia. These results collectively suggest that targeting key and specific microglial functions related to synaptic surveillance and pruning may be therapeutically beneficial in attenuating cognitive decline and psychiatric aspects of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Gasser
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, Neuroscience Research, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium
| | - Gaelle Gillet
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, Neuroscience Research, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium
| | - Jorge S. Valadas
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, Neuroscience Research, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium
| | - Laura Rouvière
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, Neuroscience Research, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium
| | - Apoorva Kotian
- Development Science, UCB Biopharma SRL, Slough, United Kingdom
| | - Wenqiang Fan
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, Neuroscience Research, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium
| | - James Keaney
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, Neuroscience Research, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium
| | - Irena Kadiu
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, Neuroscience Research, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium
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Beneficial behavioral effects of chronic cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) infusion in the N171-82Q transgenic model of Huntington's disease. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2953. [PMID: 36807563 PMCID: PMC9941578 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28798-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive inherited neurological disease characterized by the degeneration of basal ganglia and the accumulation of mutant huntingtin (mHtt) aggregates in specific brain areas. Currently, there is no treatment for halting the progression of HD. Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) is a novel endoplasmic reticulum located protein with neurotrophic factor properties that protects and restores dopamine neurons in rodent and non-human primate models of Parkinson's disease. Our recent study showed that CDNF improves motor coordination and protects NeuN positive cells in a Quinolinic acid toxin rat model of HD. Here we have investigated the effect of chronic intrastriatal CDNF administration on behavior and mHtt aggregates in the N171-82Q mouse model of HD. Data showed that CDNF did not significantly decrease the number of mHtt aggregates in most brain regions studied. Notably, CDNF significantly delayed the onset of symptoms and improved motor coordination in N171-82Q mice. Furthermore, CDNF increased BDNF mRNA level in hippocampus in vivo in the N171-82Q model and BDNF protein level in cultured striatal neurons. Collectively our results indicate that CDNF might be a potential drug candidate for the treatment of HD.
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Simmons DA, Belichenko NP, Longo FM. Pharmacological Co-Activation of TrkB and TrkC Receptor Signaling Ameliorates Striatal Neuropathology and Motor Deficits in Mouse Models of Huntington's Disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2023; 12:215-239. [PMID: 37638447 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-230589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loss of neurotrophic support in the striatum, particularly reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, contributes importantly to Huntington's disease (HD) pathogenesis. Another neurotrophin (NT), NT-3, is reduced in the cortex of HD patients; however, its role in HD is unknown. BDNF and NT-3 bind with high affinity to the tropomyosin receptor-kinases (Trk) B and TrkC, respectively. Targeting TrkB/TrkC may be an effective HD therapeutic strategy, as multiple links exist between their signaling pathways and HD degenerative mechanisms. We developed a small molecule ligand, LM22B-10, that activates TrkB and TrkC to promote cell survival. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine if upregulating TrkB/TrkC signaling with LM22B-10 would alleviate the HD phenotype in R6/2 and Q140 mice. METHODS LM22B-10 was delivered by concomitant intranasal-intraperitoneal routes to R6/2 and Q140 mice and then motor performance and striatal pathology were evaluated. RESULTS NT-3 levels, TrkB/TrkC phosphorylation, and AKT signaling were reduced in the R6/2 striatum; LM22B-10 counteracted these deficits. LM22B-10 also reduced intranuclear huntingtin aggregates, dendritic spine loss, microglial activation, and degeneration of dopamine- and cyclic AMP-regulated phosphoprotein with a molecular weight of 32 kDa (DARPP-32) and parvalbumin-containing neurons in the R6/2 and/or Q140 striatum. Moreover, both HD mouse models showed improved motor performance after LM22B-10 treatment. CONCLUSIONS These results reveal an NT-3/TrkC signaling deficiency in the striatum of R6/2 mice, support the idea that targeting TrkB/TrkC alleviates HD-related neurodegeneration and motor dysfunction, and suggest a novel, disease-modifying, multi-target strategy for treating HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle A Simmons
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nadia P Belichenko
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Frank M Longo
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Jia Q, Li S, Li XJ, Yin P. Neuroinflammation in Huntington's disease: From animal models to clinical therapeutics. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1088124. [PMID: 36618375 PMCID: PMC9815700 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1088124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by preferential loss of neurons in the striatum in patients, which leads to motor and cognitive impairments and death that often occurs 10-15 years after the onset of symptoms. The expansion of a glutamine repeat (>36 glutamines) in the N-terminal region of huntingtin (HTT) has been defined as the cause of HD, but the mechanism underlying neuronal death remains unclear. Multiple mechanisms, including inflammation, may jointly contribute to HD pathogenesis. Altered inflammation response is evident even before the onset of classical symptoms of HD. In this review, we summarize the current evidence on immune and inflammatory changes, from HD animal models to clinical phenomenon of patients with HD. The understanding of the impact of inflammation on HD would help develop novel strategies to treat HD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Peng Yin
- *Correspondence: Xiao-Jiang Li, ; Peng Yin,
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Voelkl K, Schulz-Trieglaff EK, Klein R, Dudanova I. Distinct histological alterations of cortical interneuron types in mouse models of Huntington’s disease. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1022251. [PMID: 36225731 PMCID: PMC9549412 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1022251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a debilitating hereditary motor disorder caused by an expansion of the CAG triplet repeat in the Huntingtin gene. HD causes neurodegeneration particularly in the basal ganglia and neocortex. In the cortex, glutamatergic pyramidal neurons are known to be severely affected by the disease, but the involvement of GABAergic interneurons remains unclear. Here, we use a combination of immunostaining and genetic tracing to investigate histological changes in three major cortical interneuron types — parvalbumin (PV), somatostatin (SST), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) interneurons — in the R6/2 and zQ175DN mouse models of HD. In R6/2 mice, we find a selective reduction in SST and VIP, but not PV-positive cells. However, genetic labeling reveals unchanged cell numbers for all the interneuron types, pointing to molecular marker loss in the absence of cell death. We also observe a reduction in cell body size for all three interneuron populations. Furthermore, we demonstrate progressive accumulation of mutant Huntingtin (mHTT) inclusion bodies in interneurons, which occurs faster in SST and VIP compared to PV cells. In contrast to the R6/2 model, heterozygous zQ175DN knock-in HD mice do not show any significant histological changes in cortical cell types at the age of 12 months, apart from the presence of mHTT inclusions, which are abundant in pyramidal neurons and rare in interneurons. Taken together, our findings point to differential molecular changes in cortical interneuron types of HD mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Voelkl
- Department of Molecules–Signaling–Development, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
- Molecular Neurodegeneration Group, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
| | | | - Rüdiger Klein
- Department of Molecules–Signaling–Development, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Irina Dudanova
- Department of Molecules–Signaling–Development, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
- Molecular Neurodegeneration Group, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
- Center for Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- *Correspondence: Irina Dudanova,
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Temporal Characterization of Behavioral and Hippocampal Dysfunction in the YAC128 Mouse Model of Huntington’s Disease. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061433. [PMID: 35740454 PMCID: PMC9219853 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a genetic neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor, psychiatric, and cognitive symptoms. Emerging evidence suggests that emotional and cognitive deficits seen in HD may be related to hippocampal dysfunction. We used the YAC128 HD mouse model to perform a temporal characterization of the behavioral and hippocampal dysfunctions. Early and late symptomatic YAC128 mice exhibited depressive-like behavior, as demonstrated by increased immobility times in the Tail Suspension Test. In addition, YAC128 mice exhibited cognitive deficits in the Swimming T-maze Test during the late symptomatic stage. Except for a reduction in basal mitochondrial respiration, no significant deficits in the mitochondrial respiratory rates were observed in the hippocampus of late symptomatic YAC128 mice. In agreement, YAC128 animals did not present robust alterations in mitochondrial ultrastructural morphology. However, light and electron microscopy analysis revealed the presence of dark neurons characterized by the intense staining of granule cell bodies and shrunken nuclei and cytoplasm in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of late symptomatic YAC128 mice. Furthermore, structural alterations in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus were detected in the hippocampal DG of YAC128 mice by electron microscopy. These results clearly show a degenerative process in the hippocampal DG in late symptomatic YAC128 animals.
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Saba J, Couselo FL, Bruno J, Carniglia L, Durand D, Lasaga M, Caruso C. Neuroinflammation in Huntington's Disease: A Starring Role for Astrocyte and Microglia. Curr Neuropharmacol 2022; 20:1116-1143. [PMID: 34852742 PMCID: PMC9886821 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666211201094608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene. HD causes motor, cognitive, and behavioral dysfunction. Since no existing treatment affects the course of this disease, new treatments are needed. Inflammation is frequently observed in HD patients before symptom onset. Neuroinflammation, characterized by the presence of reactive microglia, astrocytes and inflammatory factors within the brain, is also detected early. However, in comparison to other neurodegenerative diseases, the role of neuroinflammation in HD is much less known. Work has been dedicated to altered microglial and astrocytic functions in the context of HD, but less attention has been given to glial participation in neuroinflammation. This review describes evidence of inflammation in HD patients and animal models. It also discusses recent knowledge on neuroinflammation in HD, highlighting astrocyte and microglia involvement in the disease and considering anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta Saba
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico López Couselo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julieta Bruno
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lila Carniglia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Durand
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Lasaga
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carla Caruso
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina,Address correspondence to this author at the Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155 Piso 10, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tel: +54 11 5285 3380; E-mail:
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Rebec GV, Koceja DM, Bunner KD. Measuring Movement in Health and Disease. Brain Res Bull 2022; 181:167-174. [PMID: 35122899 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.01.021] [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: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Evaluating and quantifying the many aspects of movement -- from open-field locomotion and stepping patterns in rodent models to stride trajectory and postural sway in human patients -- are key to understanding brain function. Various experimental approaches have been used in applying these lines of research to investigate the brain mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease. Although valuable, data on movement are often limited by the shortcomings inherent in the data collection process itself. Steve Fowler and his research group have been instrumental in pioneering a technology that both minimizes these pitfalls in studies of rodent behavior and has applications to research on human patients. At the center of this technology is the force-plate actometer, developed by the Fowler group to assess multiple aspects of movement in rodent models. Our review highlights how use of the actometer and related behavioral measurements provides valuable insight into Huntington's disease (HD), an autosomal dominant condition of progressively deteriorating behavioral control. HD typically emerges in mid-life and has been replicated in multiple genetically engineered mouse models. The actometer also can be a valuable addition to cutting-edge neuronal and synaptic technologies that are now increasingly applied to studies of behaving animals. In short, the impact of the Fowler contribution to the neuroscience of movement is both meaningful and ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- George V Rebec
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States; Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States.
| | - David M Koceja
- Department of Kinesiology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States; Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Kendra D Bunner
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
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13
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Floreani L, Ansaloni F, Mangoni D, Agostoni E, Sanges R, Persichetti F, Gustincich S. Analysis of LINE1 Retrotransposons in Huntington’s Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 15:743797. [PMID: 35095420 PMCID: PMC8795916 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.743797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic elements that made up about half the human genome. Among them, the autonomous non-LTR retrotransposon long interspersed nuclear element-1 (L1) is the only currently active TE in mammals and covers about 17% of the mammalian genome. L1s exert their function as structural elements in the genome, as transcribed RNAs to influence chromatin structure and as retrotransposed elements to shape genomic variation in somatic cells. L1s activity has been shown altered in several diseases of the nervous system. Huntington disease (HD) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion of a CAG repeat in the HTT gene which leads to a gradual loss of neurons most prominently in the striatum and, to a lesser extent, in cortical brain regions. The length of the expanded CAG tract is related to age at disease onset, with longer repeats leading to earlier onset. Here we carried out bioinformatic analysis of public RNA-seq data of a panel of HD mouse models showing that a decrease of L1 RNA expression recapitulates two hallmarks of the disease: it correlates to CAG repeat length and it occurs in the striatum, the site of neurodegeneration. Results were then experimentally validated in HttQ111 knock-in mice. The expression of L1-encoded proteins was independent from L1 RNA levels and differentially regulated in time and tissues. The pattern of expression L1 RNAs in human HD post-mortem brains showed similarity to mouse models of the disease. This work suggests the need for further study of L1s in HD and adds support to the current hypothesis that dysregulation of TEs may be involved in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Floreani
- Area of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Federico Ansaloni
- Area of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia—IIT, Genova, Italy
| | - Damiano Mangoni
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia—IIT, Genova, Italy
| | - Elena Agostoni
- Area of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Remo Sanges
- Area of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia—IIT, Genova, Italy
- *Correspondence: Remo Sanges,
| | - Francesca Persichetti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale “ A. Avogadro,”Novara, Italy
- Francesca Persichetti,
| | - Stefano Gustincich
- Area of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia—IIT, Genova, Italy
- Stefano Gustincich,
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14
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Klonarakis M, De Vos M, Woo E, Ralph L, Thacker JS, Gil-Mohapel J. The three sisters of fate: Genetics, pathophysiology and outcomes of animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 135:104541. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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15
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Hyeon SJ, Park J, Yoo J, Kim SH, Hwang YJ, Kim SC, Liu T, Shim HS, Kim Y, Cho Y, Woo J, Kim KS, Myers RH, Ryu HL, Kowall NW, Song EJ, Hwang EM, Seo H, Lee J, Ryu H. Dysfunction of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) triggers neuropathological processes via altered p53 activity in Huntington's disease. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 204:102110. [PMID: 34166773 PMCID: PMC8364511 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with neuronal damage in Huntington's disease (HD), but the precise mechanism of mitochondria-dependent pathogenesis is not understood yet. Herein, we found that colocalization of XIAP and p53 was prominent in the cytosolic compartments of normal subjects but reduced in HD patients and HD transgenic animal models. Overexpression of mutant Huntingtin (mHTT) reduced XIAP levels and elevated mitochondrial localization of p53 in striatal cells in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, XIAP interacted directly with the C-terminal domain of p53 and decreased its stability via autophagy. Overexpression of XIAP prevented mitochondrially targeted-p53 (Mito-p53)-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress and striatal cell death, whereas, knockdown of XIAP exacerbated Mito-p53-induced neuronal damage in vitro. In vivo transduction of AAV-shRNA XIAP in the dorsal striatum induced rapid onset of disease and reduced the lifespan of HD transgenic (N171-82Q) mice compared to WT littermate mice. XIAP dysfunction led to ultrastructural changes of the mitochondrial cristae and nucleus morphology in striatal cells. Knockdown of XIAP exacerbated neuropathology and motor dysfunctions in N171-82Q mice. In contrast, XIAP overexpression improved neuropathology and motor behaviors in both AAV-mHTT-transduced mice and N171-82Q mice. Our data provides a molecular and pathological mechanism that deregulation of XIAP triggers mitochondria dysfunction and other neuropathological processes via the neurotoxic effect of p53 in HD. Together, the XIAP-p53 pathway is a novel pathological marker and can be a therapeutic target for improving the symptoms in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Jae Hyeon
- Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea; Department of Molecular & Life Sciences, Center for Bionano Intelligence Education and Research, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, South Korea
| | - Jinyoung Park
- Molecular Recognition Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Junsang Yoo
- Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Su-Hyun Kim
- Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Yu Jin Hwang
- Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Seung-Chan Kim
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Tian Liu
- USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute and Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33613, USA
| | - Hyun Soo Shim
- Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Yunha Kim
- Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Yakdol Cho
- KIST Research Animal Resource Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Jiwan Woo
- KIST Research Animal Resource Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Key-Sun Kim
- Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea; KIST Research Animal Resource Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Richard H Myers
- Boston University Genome Science Institute and Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Hannah L Ryu
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Neil W Kowall
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
| | - Eun Joo Song
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, South Korea
| | - Eun Mi Hwang
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Hyemyung Seo
- Department of Molecular & Life Sciences, Center for Bionano Intelligence Education and Research, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, South Korea.
| | - Junghee Lee
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA.
| | - Hoon Ryu
- Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea; Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
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16
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Yamin HG, Menkes-Caspi N, Stern EA, Cohen D. Age-Dependent Degradation of Locomotion Encoding in Huntington's Disease R6/2 Model Mice. J Huntingtons Dis 2021; 10:391-404. [PMID: 34420979 PMCID: PMC8609681 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-210492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited fatal neurodegenerative disease, leading to neocortical and striatal atrophy. The commonly studied R6/2 HD transgenic mouse model displays progressive motor and cognitive deficits in parallel to major pathological changes in corticostriatal circuitry. OBJECTIVE To study how disease progression influences striatal encoding of movement. METHODS We chronically recorded neuronal activity in the dorsal striatum of R6/2 transgenic (Tg) mice and their age-matched nontransgenic littermate controls (WTs) during novel environment exposure, a paradigm which engages locomotion to explore the novel environment. RESULTS Exploratory locomotion degraded with age in Tg mice as compared to WTs. We encountered fewer putative medium spiny neurons (MSNs)-striatal projection neurons, and more inhibitory interneurons-putative fast spiking interneurons (FSIs) in Tg mice as compared to WTs. MSNs from Tg mice fired less spikes in bursts without changing their firing rate, while FSIs from these mice had a lower firing rate and more of them were task-responsive as compared to WTs. Additionally, MSNs from Tg mice displayed a reduced ability to encode locomotion across age groups, likely associated with their low prevalence in Tg mice, whereas the encoding of locomotion by FSIs from Tg mice was substantially reduced solely in old Tg mice as compared to WTs. CONCLUSION Our findings reveal an age-dependent decay in striatal information processing in transgenic mice. We propose that the ability of FSIs to compensate for the loss of MSNs by processes of recruitment and enhanced task-responsiveness diminishes with disease progression, possibly manifested in the displayed age-dependent degradation of exploratory locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagar G Yamin
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Noa Menkes-Caspi
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Edward A Stern
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.,MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Dana Cohen
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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Kim A, Lalonde K, Truesdell A, Gomes Welter P, Brocardo PS, Rosenstock TR, Gil-Mohapel J. New Avenues for the Treatment of Huntington's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168363. [PMID: 34445070 PMCID: PMC8394361 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG expansion in the HD gene. The disease is characterized by neurodegeneration, particularly in the striatum and cortex. The first symptoms usually appear in mid-life and include cognitive deficits and motor disturbances that progress over time. Despite being a genetic disorder with a known cause, several mechanisms are thought to contribute to neurodegeneration in HD, and numerous pre-clinical and clinical studies have been conducted and are currently underway to test the efficacy of therapeutic approaches targeting some of these mechanisms with varying degrees of success. Although current clinical trials may lead to the identification or refinement of treatments that are likely to improve the quality of life of those living with HD, major efforts continue to be invested at the pre-clinical level, with numerous studies testing novel approaches that show promise as disease-modifying strategies. This review offers a detailed overview of the currently approved treatment options for HD and the clinical trials for this neurodegenerative disorder that are underway and concludes by discussing potential disease-modifying treatments that have shown promise in pre-clinical studies, including increasing neurotropic support, modulating autophagy, epigenetic and genetic manipulations, and the use of nanocarriers and stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Kim
- Island Medical Program and Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; (A.K.); (K.L.)
| | - Kathryn Lalonde
- Island Medical Program and Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; (A.K.); (K.L.)
| | - Aaron Truesdell
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada;
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Priscilla Gomes Welter
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil; (P.G.W.); (P.S.B.)
| | - Patricia S. Brocardo
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil; (P.G.W.); (P.S.B.)
| | - Tatiana R. Rosenstock
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Science, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
- Department of Pharmacology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Joana Gil-Mohapel
- Island Medical Program and Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; (A.K.); (K.L.)
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-250-472-4597; Fax: +1-250-472-5505
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18
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Tsuboi K, Kimura H, Nakatsuji Y, Kassai M, Deai Y, Isobe Y. Discovery of N-(6-(5-fluoro-2-(piperidin-1-yl)phenyl)pyridazin-3-yl)-1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methanesulfonamide as a brain-permeable and metabolically stable kynurenine monooxygenase inhibitor. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 44:128115. [PMID: 34015507 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.128115] [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: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Kynurenine monooxygenase (KMO) is expected to be a good drug target to treat Huntington's disease (HD). This study presents the structure-activity relationship of pyridazine derivatives to find novel KMO inhibitors. The most promising compound 14 resolved the problematic issues of lead compound 1, i.e., metabolic instability and reactive metabolite-derived side-effects. Compound 14 exhibited high brain permeability and a long-lasting pharmacokinetics profile in monkeys, and neuroprotective kynurenic acid was increased by a single administration of 14 in R6/2 mouse brain. These results demonstrated 14 may be a potential drug candidate to treat HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsunori Tsuboi
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Co., Ltd., 3-1-98, Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
| | - Hidenori Kimura
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Co., Ltd., 3-1-98, Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
| | - Yoshie Nakatsuji
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Co., Ltd., 3-1-98, Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
| | - Momoe Kassai
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Co., Ltd., 3-1-98, Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
| | - Yoko Deai
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Co., Ltd., 3-1-98, Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Isobe
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Co., Ltd., 3-1-98, Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan.
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Wear D, Vegh C, Sandhu JK, Sikorska M, Cohen J, Pandey S. Ubisol-Q 10, a Nanomicellar and Water-Dispersible Formulation of Coenzyme-Q 10 as a Potential Treatment for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10050764. [PMID: 34064983 PMCID: PMC8150875 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10050764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The world continues a desperate search for therapies that could bring hope and relief to millions suffering from progressive neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s (PD). With oxidative stress thought to be a core stressor, interests have long been focused on applying redox therapies including coenzyme-Q10. Therapeutic use has failed to show efficacy in human clinical trials due to poor bioavailability of this lipophilic compound. A nanomicellar, water-dispersible formulation of coenzyme-Q10, Ubisol-Q10, has been developed by combining coenzyme-Q10 with an amphiphilic, self-emulsifying molecule of polyoxyethanyl α-tocopheryl sebacate (derivatized vitamin E). This discovery made possible, for the first time, a proper assessment of the true therapeutic value of coenzyme-Q10. Micromolar concentrations of Ubisol-Q10 show unprecedented neuroprotection against neurotoxin exposure in in vitro and in vivo models of neurodegeneration and was extremely effective when delivered either prior to, at the time of, and most significantly, post-neurotoxin exposure. These findings indicate a possible way forward for clinical development due to effective doses well within Federal Drug Administration guidelines. Ubisol-Q10 is a potent mobilizer of astroglia, antioxidant, senescence preventer, autophagy activator, anti-inflammatory, and mitochondrial stabilizer. Here we summarize the work with oil-soluble coenzyme-Q10, its limitations, and focus mainly on efficacy of water-soluble coenzyme-Q10 in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darcy Wear
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada; (D.W.); (C.V.)
| | - Caleb Vegh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada; (D.W.); (C.V.)
| | - Jagdeep K. Sandhu
- Human Health Therapeutics Centre (HHT), National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Correspondence: (J.K.S.); (S.P.); Tel.: +1-519-253-3000 (ext. 3701) (S.P.)
| | - Marianna Sikorska
- Researcher Emeritus, Human Health Therapeutics Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada;
| | - Jerome Cohen
- Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada;
| | - Siyaram Pandey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada; (D.W.); (C.V.)
- Correspondence: (J.K.S.); (S.P.); Tel.: +1-519-253-3000 (ext. 3701) (S.P.)
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20
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Deng Y, Wang H, Joni M, Sekhri R, Reiner A. Progression of basal ganglia pathology in heterozygous Q175 knock-in Huntington's disease mice. J Comp Neurol 2021; 529:1327-1371. [PMID: 32869871 PMCID: PMC8049038 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
We used behavioral testing and morphological methods to detail the progression of basal ganglia neuron type-specific pathology and the deficits stemming from them in male heterozygous Q175 mice, compared to age-matched WT males. A rotarod deficit was not present in Q175 mice until 18 months, but increased open field turn rate (reflecting hyperkinesia) and open field anxiety were evident at 6 months. No loss of striatal neurons was seen out to 18 months, but ENK+ and DARPP32+ striatal perikarya were fewer by 6 months, due to diminished expression, with further decline by 18 months. No reduction in SP+ striatal perikarya or striatal interneurons was seen in Q175 mice at 18 months, but cholinergic interneurons showed dendrite attenuation by 6 months. Despite reduced ENK expression in indirect pathway striatal perikarya, ENK-immunostained terminals in globus pallidus externus (GPe) were more abundant at 6 months and remained so out to 18 months. Similarly, SP-immunostained terminals from striatal direct pathway neurons were more abundant in globus pallidus internus and substantia nigra at 6 months and remained so at 18 months. FoxP2+ arkypallidal GPe neurons and subthalamic nucleus neurons were lost by 18 months but not prototypical PARV+ GPe neurons or dopaminergic nigral neurons. Our results show that striatal projection neuron abnormalities and behavioral abnormalities reflecting them develop between 2 and 6 months of age in Q175 male heterozygotes, indicating early effects of the HD mutation. The striatal pathologies resemble those in human HD, but are less severe at 18 months than even in premanifest HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunping Deng
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyThe University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Hongbing Wang
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyThe University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Marion Joni
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyThe University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Radhika Sekhri
- Department of PathologyThe University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Anton Reiner
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyThe University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
- Department of OphthalmologyThe University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
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21
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Inhibition of GSK-3 ameliorates the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 154:105336. [PMID: 33753290 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In Huntington's disease (HD), the mutant huntingtin (mHtt) accumulates as toxic aggregates in the striatum tissue, with deleterious effects on motor-coordination and cognitive functions. Reducing the levels of mHtt is therefore a promising therapeutic strategy. We have previously reported that GSK-3 is a negative regulator of the autophagy/lysosome pathway, which is responsible for intracellular degradation, and is critically important for maintaining neuronal vitality. Thus, we hypothesized that inhibition of GSK-3 may trigger mHtt clearance thereby reducing mHtt cytotoxicity and improving HD symptoms. Here, we demonstrate that depletion or suppression of autophagy results in a massive accumulation of mHtt aggregates. Accordingly, mHtt aggregates were localized in lysosomes, but, mostly mislocalized from lysosomes in the absence of functional autophagy. Overexpression of GSK-3, particularly the α isozyme, increased the number of mHtt aggregates, while silencing GSK-3α/β, or treatment with a selective GSK-3 inhibitor, L807mts, previously described by us, reduced the amounts of mHtt aggregates. This effect was mediated by increased autophagic and lysosomal activity. Treating R6/2 mouse model of HD with L807mts, reduced striatal mHtt aggregates and elevated autophagic and lysosomal markers. The L807mts treatment also reduced hyperglycemia and improved motor-coordination functions in these mice. In addition, L807mts restored the expression levels of Sirt1, a critical neuroprotective factor in the HD striatum, along with its targets BDNF, DRPP-32, and active Akt, all provide neurotrophic/pro-survival support and typically decline in the HD brain. Our results provide strong evidence for a role for GSK-3 in the regulation of mHtt dynamics, and demonstrate the benefits of GSK-3 inhibition in reducing mHtt toxicity, providing neuroprotective support, and improving HD symptoms.
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22
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Jauhari A, Baranov SV, Suofu Y, Kim J, Singh T, Yablonska S, Li F, Wang X, Oberly P, Minnigh MB, Poloyac SM, Carlisle DL, Friedlander RM. Melatonin inhibits cytosolic mitochondrial DNA-induced neuroinflammatory signaling in accelerated aging and neurodegeneration. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:3124-3136. [PMID: 32182222 DOI: 10.1172/jci135026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is a pathologic feature of neurodegeneration and aging; however, the mechanism regulating this process is not understood. Melatonin, an endogenous free radical scavenger synthesized by neuronal mitochondria, decreases with aging and neurodegeneration. We proposed that insufficient melatonin levels impair mitochondrial homeostasis, resulting in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) release and activation of cytosolic DNA-mediated inflammatory response in neurons. We found increased mitochondrial oxidative stress and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, with higher mtDNA release in brain and primary cerebro-cortical neurons of melatonin-deficient aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) knockout mice. Cytosolic mtDNA activated the cGAS/STING/IRF3 pathway, stimulating inflammatory cytokine generation. We found that Huntington's disease mice had increased mtDNA release, cGAS activation, and inflammation, all inhibited by exogenous melatonin. Thus, we demonstrated that cytosolic mtDNA activated the inflammatory response in aging and neurodegeneration, a process modulated by melatonin. Furthermore, our data suggest that AANAT knockout mice are a model of accelerated aging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jinho Kim
- Department of Neurological Surgery and
| | | | | | - Fang Li
- Department of Neurological Surgery and
| | | | - Patrick Oberly
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - M Beth Minnigh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Samuel M Poloyac
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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23
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Kimura H, Suda H, Kassai M, Endo M, Deai Y, Yahata M, Miyajima M, Isobe Y. N-(6-phenylpyridazin-3-yl)benzenesulfonamides as highly potent, brain-permeable, and orally active kynurenine monooxygenase inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 33:127753. [PMID: 33359168 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is one of the serious neurodegenerative diseases and no disease modifiers are available to date. The correction of unbalanced kynurenine pathway metabolites may be useful to treat disease progression and kynurenine monooxygenase (KMO) is considered an ideal drug target. A couple of KMO inhibitors have been reported, but their brain permeability was very poor. We found pyridazinylsulfonamide as a novel lead compound, and it was optimized to the brain-permeable and highly potent KMO inhibitor 12, which was equipotent with CHDI-340246 and superior to CHDI-340246 in terms of brain penetration. Compound 12 was effective in R6/2 mice (HD model mice), i.e. neuroprotective kynurenic acid was increased, whereas neurotoxic 3-hydroxykynurenine was suppressed. In addition, impaired cognitive function was improved. Therefore, the brain-permeable KMO inhibitor was considered to be a disease modifier for HD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidenori Kimura
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Co., Ltd., 3-1-98, Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Suda
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Co., Ltd., 3-1-98, Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
| | - Momoe Kassai
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Co., Ltd., 3-1-98, Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
| | - Mika Endo
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Co., Ltd., 3-1-98, Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
| | - Yoko Deai
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Co., Ltd., 3-1-98, Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yahata
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Co., Ltd., 3-1-98, Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
| | - Mari Miyajima
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Co., Ltd., 3-1-98, Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Isobe
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Co., Ltd., 3-1-98, Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan.
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24
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Etxeberria-Rekalde E, Alzola-Aldamizetxebarria S, Flunkert S, Hable I, Daurer M, Neddens J, Hutter-Paier B. Quantification of Huntington's Disease Related Markers in the R6/2 Mouse Model. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 13:617229. [PMID: 33505246 PMCID: PMC7831778 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.617229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is caused by an expansion of CAG triplets in the huntingtin gene, leading to severe neuropathological changes that result in a devasting and lethal phenotype. Neurodegeneration in HD begins in the striatum and spreads to other brain regions such as cortex and hippocampus, causing motor and cognitive dysfunctions. To understand the signaling pathways involved in HD, animal models that mimic the human pathology are used. The R6/2 mouse as model of HD was already shown to present major neuropathological changes in the caudate putamen and other brain regions, but recently established biomarkers in HD patients were yet not analyzed in these mice. We therefore performed an in-depth analysis of R6/2 mice to establish new and highly translational readouts focusing on Ctip2 as biological marker for motor system-related neurons and translocator protein (TSPO) as a promising readout for early neuroinflammation. Our results validate already shown pathologies like mutant huntingtin aggregates, ubiquitination, and brain atrophy, but also provide evidence for decreased tyrosine hydroxylase and Ctip2 levels as indicators of a disturbed motor system, while vesicular acetyl choline transporter levels as marker for the cholinergic system barely change. Additionally, increased astrocytosis and activated microglia were observed by GFAP, Iba1 and TSPO labeling, illustrating, that TSPO is a more sensitive marker for early neuroinflammation compared to GFAP and Iba1. Our results thus demonstrate a high sensitivity and translational value of Ctip2 and TSPO as new marker for the preclinical evaluation of new compounds in the R6/2 mouse model of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Isabella Hable
- QPS Austria GmbH, Grambach, Austria.,Department of Health Studies, FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Graz, Austria
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25
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Kumar MJV, Shah D, Giridharan M, Yadav N, Manjithaya R, Clement JP. Spatiotemporal analysis of soluble aggregates and autophagy markers in the R6/2 mouse model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:96. [PMID: 33420088 PMCID: PMC7794371 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78850-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of cellular proteostasis is vital for post-mitotic cells like neurons to sustain normal physiological function and homeostasis, defects in which are established hallmarks of several age-related conditions like AD, PD, HD, and ALS. The Spatio-temporal accumulation of aggregated proteins in the form of inclusion bodies/plaques is one of the major characteristics of many neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease (HD). Toxic accumulation of HUNTINGTIN (HTT) aggregates in neurons bring about the aberrant phenotypes of HD, including severe motor dysfunction, dementia, and cognitive impairment at the organismal level, in an age-dependent manner. In several cellular and animal models, aggrephagy induction has been shown to clear aggregate-prone proteins like HTT and ameliorate disease pathology by conferring neuroprotection. In this study, we used the mouse model of HD, R6/2, to understand the pathogenicity of mHTT aggregates, primarily focusing on autophagy dysfunction. We report that basal autophagy is not altered in R6/2 mice, whilst being functional at a steady-state level in neurons. Moreover, we tested the efficacy of a known autophagy modulator, Nilotinib (Tasigna™), presently in clinical trials for PD, and HD, in curbing mHTT aggregate growth and their potential clearance, which was ineffective in both inducing autophagy and rescuing the pathological phenotypes in R6/2 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Vijay Kumar
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India
| | - Devanshi Shah
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India
| | - Mridhula Giridharan
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India
| | - Niraj Yadav
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India
| | - Ravi Manjithaya
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India.
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India.
| | - James P Clement
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India.
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26
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Heikkinen T, Bragge T, Bhattarai N, Parkkari T, Puoliväli J, Kontkanen O, Sweeney P, Park LC, Munoz-Sanjuan I. Rapid and robust patterns of spontaneous locomotor deficits in mouse models of Huntington's disease. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243052. [PMID: 33370315 PMCID: PMC7769440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe disruption of cognitive and motor functions, including changes in posture and gait. A number of HD mouse models have been engineered that display behavioral and neuropathological features of the disease, but gait alterations in these models are poorly characterized. Sensitive high-throughput tests of fine motor function and gait in mice might be informative in evaluating disease-modifying interventions. Here, we describe a hypothesis-free workflow that determines progressively changing locomotor patterns across 79 parameters in the R6/2 and Q175 mouse models of HD. R6/2 mice (120 CAG repeats) showed motor disturbances as early as at 4 weeks of age. Similar disturbances were observed in homozygous and heterozygous Q175 KI mice at 3 and 6 months of age, respectively. Interestingly, only the R6/2 mice developed forelimb ataxia. The principal components of the behavioral phenotypes produced two phenotypic scores of progressive postural instability based on kinematic parameters and trajectory waveform data, which were shared by both HD models. This approach adds to the available HD mouse model research toolbox and has a potential to facilitate the development of therapeutics for HD and other debilitating movement disorders with high unmet medical need.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Timo Bragge
- Charles River Discovery Services, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Niina Bhattarai
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | - Larry C Park
- Naason Science Inc., Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea.,CHDI Management/CHDI Foundation, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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27
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Gatto RG, Weissmann C. Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Preclinical and Human Studies of Huntington's Disease: What Have we Learned so Far? Curr Med Imaging 2020; 15:521-542. [PMID: 32008561 DOI: 10.2174/1573405614666181115113400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's Disease is an irreversible neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive deterioration of specific brain nerve cells. The current evaluation of cellular and physiological events in patients with HD relies on the development of transgenic animal models. To explore such events in vivo, diffusion tensor imaging has been developed to examine the early macro and microstructural changes in brain tissue. However, the gap in diffusion tensor imaging findings between animal models and clinical studies and the lack of microstructural confirmation by histological methods has questioned the validity of this method. OBJECTIVE This review explores white and grey matter ultrastructural changes associated to diffusion tensor imaging, as well as similarities and differences between preclinical and clinical Huntington's Disease studies. METHODS A comprehensive review of the literature using online-resources was performed (Pub- Med search). RESULTS Similar changes in fractional anisotropy as well as axial, radial and mean diffusivities were observed in white matter tracts across clinical and animal studies. However, comparative diffusion alterations in different grey matter structures were inconsistent between clinical and animal studies. CONCLUSION Diffusion tensor imaging can be related to specific structural anomalies in specific cellular populations. However, some differences between animal and clinical studies could derive from the contrasting neuroanatomy or connectivity across species. Such differences should be considered before generalizing preclinical results into the clinical practice. Moreover, current limitations of this technique to accurately represent complex multicellular events at the single micro scale are real. Future work applying complex diffusion models should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Gabriel Gatto
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, United States
| | - Carina Weissmann
- Insituto de Fisiología Biologia Molecular y Neurociencias-IFIBYNE-CONICET, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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28
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Rolfes S, Munro DAD, Lyras EM, Matute E, Ouk K, Harms C, Böttcher C, Priller J. Lentiviral delivery of human erythropoietin attenuates hippocampal atrophy and improves cognition in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 144:105024. [PMID: 32702387 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105024] [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: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder caused by a trinucleotide (CAG) repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene (HTT). The R6/2 transgenic mouse model of HD expresses exon 1 of the human HTT gene with approximately 150 CAG repeats. R6/2 mice develop progressive behavioural abnormalities, impaired neurogenesis, and atrophy of several brain regions. In recent years, erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to confer neuroprotection and enhance neurogenesis, rendering it a promising molecule to attenuate HD symptoms. In this study, the therapeutic potential of EPO was evaluated in female R6/2 transgenic mice. A single bilateral injection of a lentivirus encoding human EPO (LV-hEPO) was performed into the lateral ventricles of R6/2 mice at disease onset (8 weeks of age). Control groups were either untreated or injected with a lentivirus encoding green fluorescent protein (LV-GFP). Thirty days after virus administration, hEPO mRNA and protein were present in injected R6/2 brains. Compared to control R6/2 mice, LV-hEPO-treated R6/2 mice exhibited reduced hippocampal atrophy, increased neuroblast branching towards the dentate granular cell layer, and improved spatial cognition. Our results suggest that LV-hEPO administration may be a promising strategy to reduce cognitive impairment in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Rolfes
- Department of Neuropsychiatry and Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - David A D Munro
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Ekaterini-Maria Lyras
- Department of Neuropsychiatry and Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Eduardo Matute
- Department of Neuropsychiatry and Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Koliane Ouk
- Department of Neuropsychiatry and Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; DZNE Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Harms
- Department of Experimental Neurology and Center for Stroke Research, Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Chotima Böttcher
- Department of Neuropsychiatry and Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Josef Priller
- Department of Neuropsychiatry and Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK; DZNE Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
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29
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A novel specific PERK activator reduces toxicity and extends survival in Huntington's disease models. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6875. [PMID: 32327686 PMCID: PMC7181660 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63899-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the pathways of the unfolded protein response, initiated by PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), is key to neuronal homeostasis in neurodegenerative diseases. PERK pathway activation is usually accomplished by inhibiting eIF2α-P dephosphorylation, after its phosphorylation by PERK. Less tried is an approach involving direct PERK activation without compromising long-term recovery of eIF2α function by dephosphorylation. Here we show major improvement in cellular (STHdhQ111/111) and mouse (R6/2) Huntington's disease (HD) models using a potent small molecule PERK activator that we developed, MK-28. MK-28 showed PERK selectivity in vitro on a 391-kinase panel and rescued cells (but not PERK-/- cells) from ER stress-induced apoptosis. Cells were also rescued by the commercial PERK activator CCT020312 but MK-28 was significantly more potent. Computational docking suggested MK-28 interaction with the PERK activation loop. MK-28 exhibited remarkable pharmacokinetic properties and high BBB penetration in mice. Transient subcutaneous delivery of MK-28 significantly improved motor and executive functions and delayed death onset in R6/2 mice, showing no toxicity. Therefore, PERK activation can treat a most aggressive HD model, suggesting a possible approach for HD therapy and worth exploring for other neurodegenerative disorders.
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30
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Donzis EJ, Estrada-Sánchez AM, Indersmitten T, Oikonomou K, Tran CH, Wang C, Latifi S, Golshani P, Cepeda C, Levine MS. Cortical Network Dynamics Is Altered in Mouse Models of Huntington's Disease. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:2372-2388. [PMID: 31761935 PMCID: PMC7174987 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by involuntary movements, cognitive deficits, and psychiatric disturbances. Although evidence indicates that projections from motor cortical areas play a key role in the development of dysfunctional striatal activity and motor phenotype, little is known about the changes in cortical microcircuits and their role in the development of the HD phenotype. Here we used two-photon laser-scanning microscopy to evaluate network dynamics of motor cortical neurons in layers II/III in behaving transgenic R6/2 and knock-in Q175+/- mice. Symptomatic R6/2 mice displayed increased motion manifested by a significantly greater number of motion epochs, whereas symptomatic Q175 mice displayed decreased motion. In both models, calcium transients in symptomatic mice displayed reduced amplitude, suggesting decreased bursting activity. Changes in frequency were genotype- and time-dependent; for R6/2 mice, the frequency was reduced during both motion and nonmotion, whereas in symptomatic Q175 mice, the reduction only occurred during nonmotion. In presymptomatic Q175 mice, frequency was increased during both behavioral states. Interneuronal correlation coefficients were generally decreased in both models, suggesting disrupted interneuronal communication in HD cerebral cortex. These results indicate similar and contrasting effects of the HD mutation on cortical ensemble activity depending on mouse model and disease stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elissa J Donzis
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior
| | - Ana María Estrada-Sánchez
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior
| | - Tim Indersmitten
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior
| | - Katerina Oikonomou
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior
| | - Conny H Tran
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior
| | - Catherine Wang
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior
| | - Shahrzad Latifi
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Peyman Golshani
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Neurology, West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
| | - Carlos Cepeda
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior
| | - Michael S Levine
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior
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31
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Savage JC, St-Pierre MK, Carrier M, El Hajj H, Novak SW, Sanchez MG, Cicchetti F, Tremblay MÈ. Microglial physiological properties and interactions with synapses are altered at presymptomatic stages in a mouse model of Huntington's disease pathology. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:98. [PMID: 32241286 PMCID: PMC7118932 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01782-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease (HD) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder that affects cognitive and motor abilities by primarily targeting the striatum and cerebral cortex. HD is caused by a mutation elongating the CAG repeats within the Huntingtin gene, resulting in HTT protein misfolding. Although the genetic cause of HD has been established, the specific susceptibility of neurons within various brain structures has remained elusive. Microglia, which are the brain's resident macrophages, have emerged as important players in neurodegeneration. Nevertheless, few studies have examined their implication in HD. METHODS To provide novel insights, we investigated the maturation and dysfunction of striatal microglia using the R6/2 mouse model of HD. This transgenic model, which presents with 120+/-5 CAG repeats, displays progressive motor deficits beginning at 6 weeks of age, with full incapacitation by 13 weeks. We studied microglial morphology, phagocytic capacity, and synaptic contacts in the striatum of R6/2 versus wild-type (WT) littermates at 3, 10, and 13 weeks of age, using a combination of light and transmission electron microscopy. We also reconstructed dendrites and determined synaptic density within the striatum of R6/2 and WT littermates, at nanoscale resolution using focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS At 3 weeks of age, prior to any known motor deficits, microglia in R6/2 animals displayed a more mature morphological phenotype than WT animals. Microglia from R6/2 mice across all ages also demonstrated increased phagocytosis, as revealed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, microglial processes from 10-week-old R6/2 mice made fewer contacts with synaptic structures than microglial processes in 3-week-old R6/2 mice and age-matched WT littermates. Synaptic density was not affected by genotype at 3 weeks of age but increased with maturation in WT mice. The location of synapses was lastly modified in R6/2 mice compared with WT controls, from targeting dendritic spines to dendritic trunks at both 3 and 10 weeks of age. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that microglia may play an intimate role in synaptic alteration and loss during HD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie C Savage
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, T2-50, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.
| | - Marie-Kim St-Pierre
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, T2-50, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Micaël Carrier
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, T2-50, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Hassan El Hajj
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, T2-50, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Sammy Weiser Novak
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, T2-50, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
- Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Core, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Maria Gabriela Sanchez
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, T2-50, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Francesca Cicchetti
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, T2-50, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
- Département de psychiatrie et neurosciences, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, T2-50, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.
- Département de médecine moléculaire, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
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32
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So KH, Choi JH, Islam J, Kc E, Moon HC, Won SY, Kim HK, Kim S, Hyun SH, Park YS. An Optimization of AAV-82Q-Delivered Rat Model of Huntington's Disease. J Korean Neurosurg Soc 2020; 63:579-589. [PMID: 32131152 PMCID: PMC7477157 DOI: 10.3340/jkns.2019.0182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective No optimum genetic rat Huntington model both neuropathological using an adeno-associated virus (AAV-2) vector vector has been reported to date. We investigated whether direct infection of an AAV2 encoding a fragment of mutant huntingtin (AV2-82Q) into the rat striatum was useful for optimizing the Huntington rat model.
Methods We prepared ten unilateral models by injecting AAV2-82Q into the right striatum, as well as ten bilateral models. In each group, five rats were assigned to either the 2×1012 genome copies (GC)/mL of AAV2-82Q (×1, low dose) or 2×1013 GC/mL of AAV2-82Q (×10, high dose) injection model. Ten unilateral and ten bilateral models injected with AAV-empty were also prepared as control groups. We performed cylinder and stepping tests 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after injection, tested EM48 positive mutant huntingtin aggregates.
Results The high dose of unilateral and bilateral AAV2-82Q model showed a greater decrease in performance on the stepping and cylinder tests. We also observed more prominent EM48-positive mutant huntingtin aggregates in the medium spiny neurons of the high dose of AAV2-82Q injected group.
Conclusion Based on the results from the present study, high dose of AAV2-82Q is the optimum titer for establishing a Huntington rat model. Delivery of high dose of human AAV2-82Q resulted in the manifestation of Huntington behaviors and optimum expression of the huntingtin protein in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung-Ha So
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.,Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Jai Ho Choi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jaisan Islam
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Elina Kc
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Hyeong Cheol Moon
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.,Department of Neurosurgery, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Korea
| | - So Yoon Won
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Hyong Kyu Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Soochong Kim
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Sang-Hwan Hyun
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.,Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Young Seok Park
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.,Department of Medical Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.,Department of Neurosurgery, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Korea
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Yu-Taeger L, Stricker-Shaver J, Arnold K, Bambynek-Dziuk P, Novati A, Singer E, Lourhmati A, Fabian C, Magg J, Riess O, Schwab M, Stolzing A, Danielyan L, Nguyen HHP. Intranasal Administration of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorates the Abnormal Dopamine Transmission System and Inflammatory Reaction in the R6/2 Mouse Model of Huntington Disease. Cells 2019; 8:E595. [PMID: 31208073 PMCID: PMC6628278 DOI: 10.3390/cells8060595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrastriatal administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has shown beneficial effects in rodent models of Huntington disease (HD). However, the invasive nature of surgical procedure and its potential to trigger the host immune response may limit its clinical use. Hence, we sought to evaluate the non-invasive intranasal administration (INA) of MSC delivery as an effective alternative route in HD. GFP-expressing MSCs derived from bone marrow were intranasally administered to 4-week-old R6/2 HD transgenic mice. MSCs were detected in the olfactory bulb, midbrain and striatum five days post-delivery. Compared to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-treated littermates, MSC-treated R6/2 mice showed an increased survival rate and attenuated circadian activity disruption assessed by locomotor activity. MSCs increased the protein expression of DARPP-32 and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and downregulated gene expression of inflammatory modulators in the brain 7.5 weeks after INA. While vehicle treated R6/2 mice displayed decreased Iba1 expression and altered microglial morphology in comparison to the wild type littermates, MSCs restored both, Iba1 level and the thickness of microglial processes in the striatum of R6/2 mice. Our results demonstrate significantly ameliorated phenotypes of R6/2 mice after MSCs administration via INA, suggesting this method as an effective delivering route of cells to the brain for HD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libo Yu-Taeger
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
- Centre for Rare Diseases (ZSE), University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Janice Stricker-Shaver
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
- Centre for Rare Diseases (ZSE), University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Katrin Arnold
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioinformatics (IZBI), University of Leipzig, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Patrycja Bambynek-Dziuk
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
- Centre for Rare Diseases (ZSE), University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Arianna Novati
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
- Centre for Rare Diseases (ZSE), University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Elisabeth Singer
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
- Centre for Rare Diseases (ZSE), University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Ali Lourhmati
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Claire Fabian
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioinformatics (IZBI), University of Leipzig, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Janine Magg
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
- Centre for Rare Diseases (ZSE), University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
- Centre for Rare Diseases (ZSE), University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Matthias Schwab
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, D-70376 Stuttgart, Germany.
- Departments of Biochemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, Yerevan State Medical University, 0025 Yerevan, Armenia.
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Yerevan State Medical University, 0025 Yerevan, Armenia.
| | - Alexandra Stolzing
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioinformatics (IZBI), University of Leipzig, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany.
- Centre for Biological Engineering, School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK.
| | - Lusine Danielyan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
- Departments of Biochemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, Yerevan State Medical University, 0025 Yerevan, Armenia.
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Yerevan State Medical University, 0025 Yerevan, Armenia.
| | - Hoa Huu Phuc Nguyen
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
- Centre for Rare Diseases (ZSE), University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
- Departments of Biochemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, Yerevan State Medical University, 0025 Yerevan, Armenia.
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr University of Bochum, D-44801 Bochum, Germany.
- Departments of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Yerevan State Medical University, 0025 Yerevan, Armenia.
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Ochaba J, Fote G, Kachemov M, Thein S, Yeung SY, Lau AL, Hernandez S, Lim RG, Casale M, Neel MJ, Monuki ES, Reidling J, Housman DE, Thompson LM, Steffan JS. IKKβ slows Huntington's disease progression in R6/1 mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:10952-10961. [PMID: 31088970 PMCID: PMC6561205 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1814246116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is an important contributor to neuronal pathology and death in neurodegenerative diseases and neuronal injury. Therapeutic interventions blocking the activity of the inflammatory kinase IKKβ, a key regulator of neuroinflammatory pathways, is protective in several animal models of neurodegenerative disease and neuronal injury. In Huntington's disease (HD), however, significant questions exist as to the impact of blocking or diminishing the activity of IKKβ on HD pathology given its potential role in Huntingtin (HTT) degradation. In cell culture, IKKβ phosphorylates HTT serine (S) 13 and activates HTT degradation, a process that becomes impaired with polyQ expansion. To investigate the in vivo relationship of IKKβ to HTT S13 phosphorylation and HD progression, we crossed conditional tamoxifen-inducible IKKβ knockout mice with R6/1 HD mice. Behavioral assays in these mice showed a significant worsening of HD pathological phenotypes. The increased behavioral pathology correlated with reduced levels of endogenous mouse full-length phospho-S13 HTT, supporting the importance of IKKβ in the phosphorylation of HTT S13 in vivo. Notably, many striatal autophagy genes were up-regulated in HD vs. control mice; however, IKKβ knockout partially reduced this up-regulation in HD, increased striatal neurodegeneration, and enhanced an activated microglial response. We propose that IKKβ is protective in striatal neurons early in HD progression via phosphorylation of HTT S13. As IKKβ is also required for up-regulation of some autophagy genes and HTT is a scaffold for selective autophagy, IKKβ may influence autophagy through multiple mechanisms to maintain healthy striatal function, thereby reducing neuronal degeneration to slow HD onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Ochaba
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Gianna Fote
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Marketta Kachemov
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Soe Thein
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Sylvia Y Yeung
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Alice L Lau
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Sarah Hernandez
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Ryan G Lim
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Malcolm Casale
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Michael J Neel
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Edwin S Monuki
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Jack Reidling
- Institute of Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - David E Housman
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139;
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Leslie M Thompson
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Institute of Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Joan S Steffan
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697;
- Institute of Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
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35
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Rangel-Barajas C, Rebec GV. Overview of Huntington's Disease Models: Neuropathological, Molecular, and Behavioral Differences. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 83:e47. [PMID: 30040221 DOI: 10.1002/cpns.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic mouse models of Huntington's disease (HD), a neurodegenerative condition caused by a single gene mutation, have been transformative in their ability to reveal the molecular processes and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the HD behavioral phenotype. Three model categories have been generated depending on the genetic context in which the mutation is expressed: truncated, full-length, and knock-in. No single model, however, broadly replicates the behavioral symptoms and massive neuronal loss that occur in human patients. The disparity between model and patient requires careful consideration of what each model has to offer when testing potential treatments. Although the translation of animal data to the clinic has been limited, each model can make unique contributions toward an improved understanding of the neurobehavioral underpinnings of HD. Thus, conclusions based on data obtained from more than one model are likely to have the most success in the search for new treatment targets. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Rangel-Barajas
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - George V Rebec
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
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36
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Franco NH, Olsson IAS. “How Sick Must Your Mouse Be?” — An Analysis of the Use of Animal Models in Huntington's Disease Research. Altern Lab Anim 2019; 40:271-83. [DOI: 10.1177/026119291204000506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nuno H. Franco
- IBMC — Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (Laboratory Animal Science Group), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - I. Anna S. Olsson
- IBMC — Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (Laboratory Animal Science Group), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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37
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Essa MM, Moghadas M, Ba-Omar T, Walid Qoronfleh M, Guillemin GJ, Manivasagam T, Justin-Thenmozhi A, Ray B, Bhat A, Chidambaram SB, Fernandes AJ, Song BJ, Akbar M. Protective Effects of Antioxidants in Huntington’s Disease: an Extensive Review. Neurotox Res 2019; 35:739-774. [DOI: 10.1007/s12640-018-9989-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2018] [Revised: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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38
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He Y, Suofu Y, Yablonska S, Wang X, Larkin TM, Kim J, Carlisle DL, Friedlander RM. Increased Serotonin Transporter Expression in Huntington's Disease Patients Is Not Consistently Replicated in Murine Models. J Huntingtons Dis 2019; 8:449-457. [PMID: 31594239 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-180318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) target the serotonin transporter (SERT) and are commonly prescribed for depression in Huntington's disease (HD) patients. However, SERT expression in HD has not been carefully evaluated in patients or mouse models. OBJECTIVE In this study, we investigated SERT levels in HD patients and HD mouse models. METHODS We obtained HD patient brain striatal samples and matched controls, as well as brain tissue from CAG140 and R6/2 mice. SERT mRNA and protein levels were analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblotting. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS We found that SERT protein, but not mRNA is markedly increased in grade 4 HD patient striatal tissue. These findings suggest posttranscriptional or translational SERT dysregulation as a possible etiologic factor modulating psychopathology in HD. Interestingly, SERT expression is variable in mouse models of the disease. Increased SERT levels are demonstrated in the brain of CAG140 mice, a full-length knock-in mouse model of the disease, but not in the striatum of the R6/2 fragment murine model of the disease. Based on this parameter, the CAG140 huntingtin knock-in mouse model is more suitable than the R6/2 model for the study of serotonergic pathway pathology in Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqing He
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yalikun Suofu
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Svitlana Yablonska
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Timothy M Larkin
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jinho Kim
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Diane L Carlisle
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Robert M Friedlander
- Neuroapoptosis Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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39
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Giampà C, Alvino A, Magatti M, Silini AR, Cardinale A, Paldino E, Fusco FR, Parolini O. Conditioned medium from amniotic cells protects striatal degeneration and ameliorates motor deficits in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington's disease. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 23:1581-1592. [PMID: 30585395 PMCID: PMC6349233 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation significantly impacts the progression of Huntington's disease (HD) and the mutant HTT protein determines a pro‐inflammatory activation of microglia. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) from the amniotic membrane (hAMSC), and their conditioned medium (CM‐hAMSC), have been shown to possess protective effects in vitro and in vivo in animal models of immune‐based disorders and of traumatic brain injury, which have been shown to be mediated by their immunomodulatory properties. In this study, in the R6/2 mouse model for HD we demonstrate that mice treated with CM‐hAMSC display less severe signs of neurological dysfunction than saline‐treated ones. CM‐hAMSC treatment significantly delayed the development of the hind paw clasping response during tail suspension, reduced deficits in rotarod performance, and decreased locomotor activity in an open field test. The effects of CM‐hAMSC on neurological function were reflected in a significant amelioration in brain pathology, including reduction in striatal atrophy and the formation of striatal neuronal intranuclear inclusions. In addition, while no significant increase was found in the expression of BDNF levels after CM‐hAMSC treatment, a significant decrease of microglia activation and inducible nitric oxide synthase levels were observed. These results support the concept that CM‐hAMSC could act by modulating inflammatory cells, and more specifically microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Giampà
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Alvino
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Magatti
- Centro di Ricerca E. Menni, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy
| | | | | | - Emanuela Paldino
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca R Fusco
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ornella Parolini
- Istituto di Anatomia Umana e Biologia Cellulare, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Centro di Ricerca E. Menni, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy
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40
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Normalizing glucocorticoid levels attenuates metabolic and neuropathological symptoms in the R6/2 mouse model of huntington's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 121:214-229. [PMID: 30292559 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal genetic neurological disorder caused by a mutation in the human Huntingtin (HTT) gene. This mutation confers a toxic gain of function of the encoded mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein, leading to widespread neuropathology including the formation of mHTT-positive inclusion bodies, gene dysregulation, reduced levels of adult dentate gyrus neurogenesis and neuron loss throughout many regions of the brain. Additionally, because HTT is ubiquitously expressed, several peripheral tissues are also affected. HD patients suffer from progressive motor, cognitive, psychiatric, and metabolic symptoms, including weight loss and skeletal muscle wasting. HD patients also show neuroendocrine changes including a robust, significant elevation in circulating levels of the glucocorticoid, cortisol. Previously, we confirmed that the R6/2 mouse model of HD exhibits elevated corticosterone (the rodent homolog of cortisol) levels and demonstrated that experimentally elevated corticosterone exacerbates R6/2 HD symptomology, resulting in severe and rapid weight loss and a shorter latency to death. Given that efficacious therapeutics are lacking for HD, here we investigated whether normalizing glucocorticoid levels could serve as a viable therapeutic approach for this disease. We tested the hypothesis that normalizing glucocorticoids to wild-type levels would ameliorate HD symptomology. Wild-type (WT) and transgenic R6/2 mice were allocated to three treatment groups: 1) adrenalectomy with normalized, WT-level corticosterone replacement (10 μg/ml), 2) adrenalectomy with high HD-level corticosterone replacement (35 μg/ml), or 3) sham surgery with no corticosterone replacement. Normalizing corticosterone to WT levels led to an improvement in metabolic rate in male R6/2 mice, as indicated by indirect calorimetry, including a reduction in oxygen consumption and normalization of respiratory exchange ratio values (p < .05 for both). Normalizing corticosterone also ameliorated brain atrophy in female R6/2 mice and skeletal muscle wasting in both male and female R6/2 mice (p < .05 for all). Female R6/2 mice given WT-level corticosterone replacement also showed a reduction in HD neuropathological markers, including a reduction in mHTT inclusion burden in the striatum, cortex, and hippocampus (p < .05 for all). This data illustrates that ameliorating glucocorticoid dysregulation leads to a significant improvement in HD symptomology in the R6/2 mouse model and suggests that cortisol-reducing therapeutics may be of value in improving HD patient quality of life.
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41
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Simmons DA, James ML, Belichenko NP, Semaan S, Condon C, Kuan J, Shuhendler AJ, Miao Z, Chin FT, Longo FM. TSPO-PET imaging using [18F]PBR06 is a potential translatable biomarker for treatment response in Huntington's disease: preclinical evidence with the p75NTR ligand LM11A-31. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 27:2893-2912. [PMID: 29860333 PMCID: PMC6077813 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder that has no cure. HD therapeutic development would benefit from a non-invasive translatable biomarker to track disease progression and treatment response. A potential biomarker is using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with a translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) radiotracer to detect microglial activation, a key contributor to HD pathogenesis. The ability of TSPO-PET to identify microglial activation in HD mouse models, essential for a translatable biomarker, or therapeutic efficacy in HD patients or mice is unknown. Thus, this study assessed the feasibility of utilizing PET imaging with the TSPO tracer, [18F]PBR06, to detect activated microglia in two HD mouse models and to monitor response to treatment with LM11A-31, a p75NTR ligand known to reduce neuroinflammation in HD mice. [18F]PBR06-PET detected microglial activation in striatum, cortex and hippocampus of vehicle-treated R6/2 mice at a late disease stage and, notably, also in early and mid-stage symptomatic BACHD mice. After oral administration of LM11A-31 to R6/2 and BACHD mice, [18F]PBR06-PET discerned the reductive effects of LM11A-31 on neuroinflammation in both HD mouse models. [18F]PBR06-PET signal had a spatial distribution similar to ex vivo brain autoradiography and correlated with microglial activation markers: increased IBA-1 and TSPO immunostaining/blotting and striatal levels of cytokines IL-6 and TNFα. These results suggest that [18F]PBR06-PET is a useful surrogate marker of therapeutic efficacy in HD mice with high potential as a translatable biomarker for preclinical and clinical HD trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle A Simmons
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michelle L James
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nadia P Belichenko
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Semaan
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Christina Condon
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jason Kuan
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Adam J Shuhendler
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Zheng Miao
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Frederick T Chin
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Frank M Longo
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Lieberman AP, Shakkottai VG, Albin RL. Polyglutamine Repeats in Neurodegenerative Diseases. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2018; 14:1-27. [PMID: 30089230 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-012418-012857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Among the age-dependent protein aggregation disorders, nine neurodegenerative diseases are caused by expansions of CAG repeats encoding polyglutamine (polyQ) tracts. We review the clinical, pathological, and biological features of these inherited disorders. We discuss insights into pathogenesis gleaned from studies of model systems and patients, highlighting work that informs efforts to develop effective therapies. An important conclusion from these analyses is that expanded CAG/polyQ domains are the primary drivers of neurodegeneration, with the biology of carrier proteins influencing disease-specific manifestations. Additionally, it has become apparent that CAG/polyQ repeat expansions produce neurodegeneration via multiple downstream mechanisms, involving both gain- and loss-of-function effects. This conclusion indicates that the likelihood of developing effective therapies targeting single nodes is reduced. The evaluation of treatments for premanifest disease will likely require new investigational approaches. We highlight the opportunities and challenges underlying ongoing work and provide recommendations related to the development of symptomatic and disease-modifying therapies and biomarkers that could inform future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Lieberman
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA;
| | - Vikram G Shakkottai
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA; , .,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Roger L Albin
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA; , .,Neurology Service and the Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, USA
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43
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Yoon Y, Park H, Kim S, Nguyen PT, Hyeon SJ, Chung S, Im H, Lee J, Lee SB, Ryu H. Genetic Ablation of EWS RNA Binding Protein 1 (EWSR1) Leads to Neuroanatomical Changes and Motor Dysfunction in Mice. Exp Neurobiol 2018; 27:103-111. [PMID: 29731676 PMCID: PMC5934541 DOI: 10.5607/en.2018.27.2.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A recent study reveals that missense mutations of EWSR1 are associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but the function of wild-type (WT) EWSR1 in the central nervous system (CNS) is not known yet. Herein, we investigated the neuroanatomical and motor function changes in Ewsr1 knock out (KO) mice. First, we quantified neuronal nucleus size in the motor cortex, dorsal striatum and hippocampus of three different groups: WT, heterozygous Ewsr1 KO (+/−), and homozygous Ewsr1 KO (−/−) mice. The neuronal nucleus size was significantly smaller in the motor cortex and striatum of homozygous Ewsr1 KO (−/−) mice than that of WT. In addition, in the hippocampus, the neuronal nucleus size was significantly smaller in both heterozygous Ewsr1 KO (+/−) and homozygous Ewsr1 KO (−/−) mice. We then assessed motor function of Ewsr1 KO (−/−) and WT mice by a tail suspension test. Both forelimb and hindlimb movements were significantly increased in Ewsr1 KO (−/−) mice. Lastly, we performed immunohistochemistry to examine the expression of TH, DARPP-32, and phosphorylated (p)-DARPP-32 (Thr75) in the striatum and substantia nigra, which are associated with dopaminergic signaling. The immunoreactivity of TH and DARPP-32 was decreased in Ewsr1 KO (−/−) mice. Together, our results suggest that EWSR1 plays a significant role in neuronal morphology, dopaminergic signaling pathways, and motor function in the CNS of mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeojun Yoon
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Hasang Park
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Sangyeon Kim
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Phuong T Nguyen
- Center for Neuromedicine and Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Seung Jae Hyeon
- Center for Neuromedicine and Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Sooyoung Chung
- Center for Neuromedicine and Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Hyeonjoo Im
- Center for Neuromedicine and Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Junghee Lee
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA.,Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Sean Bong Lee
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Hoon Ryu
- Center for Neuromedicine and Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea.,VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA.,Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Activation of NPY-Y2 receptors ameliorates disease pathology in the R6/2 mouse and PC12 cell models of Huntington's disease. Exp Neurol 2018; 302:112-128. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Genetic Rodent Models of Huntington Disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1049:29-57. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-71779-1_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
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Puigdellívol M, Saavedra A, Pérez-Navarro E. Cognitive dysfunction in Huntington's disease: mechanisms and therapeutic strategies beyond BDNF. Brain Pathol 2018; 26:752-771. [PMID: 27529673 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main focuses in Huntington's disease (HD) research, as well as in most neurodegenerative diseases, is the development of new therapeutic strategies, as currently there is no treatment to delay or prevent the progression of the disease. Neuronal dysfunction and neuronal death in HD are caused by a combination of interrelated pathogenic processes that lead to motor, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms. Understanding how mutant huntingtin impacts on a plethora of cellular functions could help to identify new molecular targets. Although HD has been classically classified as a neurodegenerative disease affecting voluntary movement, lately cognitive dysfunction is receiving increased attention as it is very invalidating for patients. Thus, an ambitious goal in HD research is to find altered molecular mechanisms that contribute to cognitive decline. In this review, we have focused on those findings related to corticostriatal and hippocampal cognitive dysfunction in HD, as well as on the underlying molecular mechanisms, which constitute potential therapeutic targets. These include alterations in synaptic plasticity, transcriptional machinery and neurotrophic and neurotransmitter signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Puigdellívol
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Ana Saavedra
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Esther Pérez-Navarro
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Abstract
The identification of the mutation causing Huntington's disease (HD) has led to the generation of a large number of mouse models. These models are used to further enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the disease, as well as investigating and identifying therapeutic targets for this disorder. Here we review the transgenic, knock-in mice commonly used to model HD, as well those that have been generated to study specific disease mechanisms. We then provide a brief overview of the importance of standardizing the use of HD mice and describe brief protocols used for genotyping the mouse models used within the Bates Laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela P Farshim
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Huntington's Disease Centre and Dementia Research Institute, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Gillian P Bates
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Huntington's Disease Centre and Dementia Research Institute, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
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48
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Progress in developing transgenic monkey model for Huntington's disease. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2017; 125:401-417. [PMID: 29127484 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-017-1803-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that has no cure. Although treatments can often be given to relieve symptoms, the neuropathology associated with HD cannot be stopped or reversed. HD is characterized by degeneration of the striatum and associated pathways that leads to impairment in motor and cognitive functions as well as psychiatric disturbances. Although cell and rodent models for HD exist, longitudinal study in a transgenic HD nonhuman primate (i.e., rhesus macaque; HD monkeys) shows high similarity in its progression with human patients. Progressive brain atrophy and changes in white matter integrity examined by magnetic resonance imaging are coherent with the decline in cognitive behaviors related to corticostriatal functions and neuropathology. HD monkeys also express higher anxiety and irritability/aggression similar to human HD patients that other model systems have not yet replicated. While a comparative model approach is critical for advancing our understanding of HD pathogenesis, HD monkeys could provide a unique platform for preclinical studies and long-term assessment of translatable outcome measures. This review summarizes the progress in the development of the transgenic HD monkey model and the opportunities for advancing HD preclinical research.
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Of rodents and men: understanding the emergence of motor and cognitive symptoms in Huntington disease. Behav Pharmacol 2017; 27:403-14. [PMID: 26886208 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Arguably, one of the most important milestones in Huntington disease research since the discovery of the gene responsible has been the generation of different genetic animal models. Although clinical reports have shown evidence of progressive cognitive impairments in gene carriers before motor symptoms are diagnosed, such symptoms have been much less obvious in animal models. In this review, we summarize the three main classes of animal models for Huntington disease and describe some relevant translational assays for behavioural deficits evaluation. Finally, we argue that a good knowledge of the emergence of motor and cognitive symptoms in mice and rat models is indispensable for the selection of endpoint measures in early preclinical drug screening studies.
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Lee J, Hwang YJ, Kim Y, Lee MY, Hyeon SJ, Lee S, Kim DH, Jang SJ, Im H, Min SJ, Choo H, Pae AN, Kim DJ, Cho KS, Kowall NW, Ryu H. Remodeling of heterochromatin structure slows neuropathological progression and prolongs survival in an animal model of Huntington's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2017; 134:729-748. [PMID: 28593442 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-017-1732-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant inherited neurological disorder caused by expanded CAG repeats in exon 1 of the Huntingtin (HTT) gene. Altered histone modifications and epigenetic mechanisms are closely associated with HD suggesting that transcriptional repression may play a pathogenic role. Epigenetic compounds have significant therapeutic effects in cellular and animal models of HD, but they have not been successful in clinical trials. Herein, we report that dSETDB1/ESET, a histone methyltransferase (HMT), is a mediator of mutant HTT-induced degeneration in a fly HD model. We found that nogalamycin, an anthracycline antibiotic and a chromatin remodeling drug, reduces trimethylated histone H3K9 (H3K9me3) levels and pericentromeric heterochromatin condensation by reducing the expression of Setdb1/Eset. H3K9me3-specific ChIP-on-ChIP analysis identified that the H3K9me3-enriched epigenome signatures of multiple neuronal pathways including Egr1, Fos, Ezh1, and Arc are deregulated in HD transgenic (R6/2) mice. Nogalamycin modulated the expression of the H3K9me3-landscaped epigenome in medium spiny neurons and reduced mutant HTT nuclear inclusion formation. Moreover, nogalamycin slowed neuropathological progression, preserved motor function, and extended the life span of R6/2 mice. Together, our results indicate that modulation of SETDB1/ESET and H3K9me3-dependent heterochromatin plasticity is responsible for the neuroprotective effects of nogalamycin in HD and that small compounds targeting dysfunctional histone modification and epigenetic modification by SETDB1/ESET may be a rational therapeutic strategy in HD.
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