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Chan SC, Tung CW, Lin CW, Tung YS, Wu PM, Cheng PH, Chen CM, Yang SH. miR-196a provides antioxidative neuroprotection via USP15/Nrf2 regulation in Huntington's disease. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 209:292-300. [PMID: 37907121 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.10.407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of mutant Huntingtin protein (mHTT) and oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage. Based on previous reports, microRNA-196a (miR-196a) has emerged as a potential therapeutic target due to its neuroprotective effects in various neurodegenerative diseases. However, whether miR-196a functions through antioxidative effects is still unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that HD models, both in vitro and in vivo, exhibit elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased neuronal death, and miR-196a mitigates ROS levels and reduces cell death in HD cells. Moreover, we elucidated that miR-196a facilitates the translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2 (Nrf2) into the nucleus, enhancing the transcription of antioxidant genes, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). We further identified ubiquitin-specific peptidase 15 (USP15), a direct target of miR-196a related to the Nrf2 pathway, and USP15 exacerbates mHTT aggregate formation while partially counteracting miR-196a-induced reductions in mHTT levels. Taken together, these findings shed light on the multifaceted role of miR-196a in HD, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic avenue for ameliorating oxidative stress and neurodegeneration in this debilitating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siew Chin Chan
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wei Tung
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Lin
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Shiuan Tung
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Po-Min Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Hsun Cheng
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Mu Chen
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Hsun Yang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan.
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Yang HI, Huang PY, Chan SC, Tung CW, Cheng PH, Chen CM, Yang SH. miR-196a enhances polymerization of neuronal microfilaments through suppressing IMP3 and upregulating IGF2 in Huntington's disease. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 30:286-299. [PMID: 36320323 PMCID: PMC9593307 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is one of the inheritable neurodegenerative diseases, and these diseases share several similar pathological characteristics, such as abnormal neuronal morphology. miR-196a is a potential target to provide neuroprotective functions, and has been reported to enhance polymerization of neuronal microtubules in HD. While microtubules and microfilaments are two important components of the neuronal cytoskeleton, whether miR-196a improves neuronal microfilaments is still unknown. Here, we identify insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IMP3), and show that miR-196a directly suppresses IMP3 to increase neurite outgrowth in neurons. In addition, IMP3 disturbs neurite outgrowth in vitro and in vivo, and worsens the microfilament polymerization. Moreover, insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF2) is identified as the downstream target of IMP3, and miR-196a downregulates IMP3 to upregulate IGF2, which increases microfilamental filopodia numbers and activates Cdc42 to increase neurite outgrowth. Besides, miR-196a increases neurite outgrowth through IGF2 in different HD models. Finally, higher expression of IMP3 and lower expression IGF2 are observed in HD transgenic mice and patients, and increase the formation of aggregates in the HD cell model. Taken together, miR-196a enhances polymerization of neuronal microfilaments through suppressing IMP3 and upregulating IGF2 in HD, supporting the neuroprotective functions of miR-196a through neuronal cytoskeleton in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-In Yang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Pin-Yu Huang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Siew Chin Chan
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wei Tung
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Hsun Cheng
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Mu Chen
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Hsun Yang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan,Corresponding author Shang-Hsun Yang, Ph.D., Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
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Martinez B, Peplow PV. Altered microRNA expression in animal models of Huntington's disease and potential therapeutic strategies. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:2159-2169. [PMID: 33818488 PMCID: PMC8354140 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.310673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A review of recent animal models of Huntington's disease showed many microRNAs had altered expression levels in the striatum and cerebral cortex, and which were mostly downregulated. Among the altered microRNAs were miR-9/9*, miR-29b, miR-124a, miR-132, miR-128, miR-139, miR-122, miR-138, miR-23b, miR-135b, miR-181 (all downregulated) and miR-448 (upregulated), and similar changes had been previously found in Huntington's disease patients. In the animal cell studies, the altered microRNAs included miR-9, miR-9*, miR-135b, miR-222 (all downregulated) and miR-214 (upregulated). In the animal models, overexpression of miR-155 and miR-196a caused a decrease in mutant huntingtin mRNA and protein level, lowered the mutant huntingtin aggregates in striatum and cortex, and improved performance in behavioral tests. Improved performance in behavioral tests also occurred with overexpression of miR-132 and miR-124. In the animal cell models, overexpression of miR-22 increased the viability of rat primary cortical and striatal neurons infected with mutant huntingtin and decreased huntingtin -enriched foci of ≥ 2 µm. Also, overexpression of miR-22 enhanced the survival of rat primary striatal neurons treated with 3-nitropropionic acid. Exogenous expression of miR-214, miR-146a, miR-150, and miR-125b decreased endogenous expression of huntingtin mRNA and protein in HdhQ111/HdhQ111 cells. Further studies with animal models of Huntington's disease are warranted to validate these findings and identify specific microRNAs whose overexpression inhibits the production of mutant huntingtin protein and other harmful processes and may provide a more effective means of treating Huntington's disease in patients and slowing its progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Martinez
- Physical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
- Department of Medicine, St. Georges University School of Medicine, Grenada
| | - Philip V. Peplow
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Correspondence to: Philip V. Peplow, .
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Tung CW, Huang PY, Chan SC, Cheng PH, Yang SH. The regulatory roles of microRNAs toward pathogenesis and treatments in Huntington's disease. J Biomed Sci 2021; 28:59. [PMID: 34412645 PMCID: PMC8375176 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-021-00755-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is one of neurodegenerative diseases, and is defined as a monogenetic disease due to the mutation of Huntingtin gene. This disease affects several cellular functions in neurons, and further influences motor and cognitive ability, leading to the suffering of devastating symptoms in HD patients. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a non-coding RNA, and is responsible for gene regulation at post-transcriptional levels in cells. Since one miRNA targets to several downstream genes, it may regulate different pathways simultaneously. As a result, it raises a potential therapy for different diseases using miRNAs, especially for inherited diseases. In this review, we will not only introduce the update information of HD and miRNA, but also discuss the development of potential miRNA-based therapy in HD. With the understanding toward the progression of miRNA studies in HD, we anticipate it may provide an insight to treat this devastating disease, even applying to other genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Wei Tung
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Pin-Yu Huang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Siew Chin Chan
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Hsun Cheng
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Hsun Yang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan. .,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan.
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Rodrigues FB, Byrne LM, Lowe AJ, Tortelli R, Heins M, Flik G, Johnson EB, De Vita E, Scahill RI, Giorgini F, Wild EJ. Kynurenine pathway metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid and blood as potential biomarkers in Huntington's disease. J Neurochem 2021; 158:539-553. [PMID: 33797782 PMCID: PMC8375100 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Converging lines of evidence from several models, and post-mortem human brain tissue studies, support the involvement of the kynurenine pathway (KP) in Huntington's disease (HD) pathogenesis. Quantifying KP metabolites in HD biofluids is desirable, both to study pathobiology and as a potential source of biomarkers to quantify pathway dysfunction and evaluate the biochemical impact of therapeutic interventions targeting its components. In a prospective single-site controlled cohort study with standardised collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, phenotypic and imaging data, we used high-performance liquid-chromatography to measure the levels of KP metabolites-tryptophan, kynurenine, kynurenic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine, anthranilic acid and quinolinic acid-in CSF and plasma of 80 participants (20 healthy controls, 20 premanifest HD and 40 manifest HD). We investigated short-term stability, intergroup differences, associations with clinical and imaging measures and derived sample-size calculation for future studies. Overall, KP metabolites in CSF and plasma were stable over 6 weeks, displayed no significant group differences and were not associated with clinical or imaging measures. We conclude that the studied metabolites are readily and reliably quantifiable in both biofluids in controls and HD gene expansion carriers. However, we found little evidence to support a substantial derangement of the KP in HD, at least to the extent that it is reflected by the levels of the metabolites in patient-derived biofluids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe B. Rodrigues
- UCL Huntington's Disease CentreUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Lauren M. Byrne
- UCL Huntington's Disease CentreUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Alexander J. Lowe
- UCL Huntington's Disease CentreUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Rosanna Tortelli
- UCL Huntington's Disease CentreUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Gunnar Flik
- Charles River LaboratoriesGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Eileanoir B. Johnson
- UCL Huntington's Disease CentreUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Enrico De Vita
- Lysholm Department of NeuroradiologyNational Hospital for Neurology & NeurosurgeryLondonUK
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringSchool of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging SciencesKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Rachael I. Scahill
- UCL Huntington's Disease CentreUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Flaviano Giorgini
- Department of Genetics and Genome BiologyUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
| | - Edward J. Wild
- UCL Huntington's Disease CentreUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
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Chansel‐Debordeaux L, Bezard E. Local transgene expression and whole-body transgenesis to model brain diseases in nonhuman primate. Animal Model Exp Med 2019; 2:9-17. [PMID: 31016282 PMCID: PMC6431118 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal model is an essential tool in the life sciences research, notably in understanding the pathogenesis of the diseases and for further therapeutic intervention success. Rodents have been the most frequently used animals to model human disease since the establishment of gene manipulation technique. However, they remain inadequate to fully mimic the pathophysiology of human brain disease, partially due to huge differences between rodents and humans in terms of anatomy, brain function, and social behaviors. Nonhuman primates are more suitable in translational perspective. Thus, genetically modified animals have been generated to investigate neurologic and psychiatric disorders. The classical transgenesis technique is not efficient in that model; so, viral vector-mediated transgene delivery and the new genome-editing technologies have been promoted. In this review, we summarize some of the technical progress in the generation of an ad hoc animal model of brain diseases by gene delivery and real transgenic nonhuman primate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Chansel‐Debordeaux
- Institut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesUniversity of BordeauxUMR 5293BordeauxFrance
- CNRSInstitut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesUMR 5293BordeauxFrance
- CHU BordeauxService de Biologie de la reproduction‐CECOSBordeauxFrance
| | - Erwan Bezard
- Institut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesUniversity of BordeauxUMR 5293BordeauxFrance
- CNRSInstitut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesUMR 5293BordeauxFrance
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Yusuf IO, Chen HM, Cheng PH, Chang CY, Tsai SJ, Chuang JI, Wu CC, Huang BM, Sun HS, Yang SH. Fibroblast growth factor 9 activates anti-oxidative functions of Nrf2 through ERK signalling in striatal cell models of Huntington's disease. Free Radic Biol Med 2019; 130:256-266. [PMID: 30391672 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2018.10.455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a heritable neurodegenerative disorder, and has been characterized as an increase of oxidative stress in brain regions. In our previous results, we showed fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) provides neuroprotective functions to suppress cell death in HD striatal cells dominantly through ERK signalling. However, whether the working mechanism of FGF9 is related to anti-oxidative stress in HD is still unknown. In this study, STHdhQ7/Q7 (Q7) and STHdhQ111/Q111 (Q111) striatal knock-in cell lines were used to examine the neuroprotective effects of FGF9 against oxidative stress in HD. Results show that FGF9 alleviates oxidative stress induced by starvation in Q7 and Q111 cells. The treatment of FGF9 not only induces upregulation and activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (Nrf2), a critical transcription factor for anti-oxidative stress, but also further upregulates its downstream targets, such as superoxide dismutase 2, gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase and glutathione reductase. Furthermore, blockage of the Nrf2 pathway abolishes the anti-oxidative functions of FGF9, and inhibition of ERK signalling reduces the activation of the FGF9-Nrf2 pathway, resulting in higher level of oxidative stress in HD cells. These results support the neuroprotective effects of FGF9 against oxidative stress through the ERK-Nrf2 pathway, and imply one of potential strategies for therapy of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Issa Olakunle Yusuf
- Taiwan International Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, National Cheng Kung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan; Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Mei Chen
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Hsun Cheng
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yi Chang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Shaw-Jenq Tsai
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Jih-Ing Chuang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ching Wu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan; Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Bu-Miin Huang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan; Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - H Sunny Sun
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan; Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Hsun Yang
- Taiwan International Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, National Cheng Kung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
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8
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He K, Qi F, Guo C, Zhan S, Xu H, Liu J, Yang X. Movement deficits and neuronal loss in basal ganglia in TRPC1 deficient mice. Oncotarget 2018; 7:69337-69346. [PMID: 27738307 PMCID: PMC5342481 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Transient receptor potential cation (TRPC) channel proteins are abundantly expressed in brain. However, the functions of these TRPC proteins such as TRPC1 are largely unclear. In this study, we reported that TRPC1 deficiency caused movement disorder as measured by swimming test, modified open field test and sunflower seeds eating test. Immunofluorescent staining showed significant loss of both NeuN-positive cells and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) -positive cells in the caudate putamen (CPu), the external globus pallidus (GPe), and the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) in 5-month-old TRPC1 knockout mice (TRPC1-/-) compared to the wild type (WT) mice. TUNEL staining further revealed that TUNEL-positive cells were significantly increased in the CPu, GPe, and SNr of TRPC1-/- mice. Taken together, these data suggests that TRPC1 is involved in the control of motor function by inhibiting the apoptosis of neuronal cells of basal ganglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiwu He
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fei Qi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chunni Guo
- Department of Neurology, ShanghaiFirst People's HospitalAffiliated toShanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuqin Zhan
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Xu
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xifei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
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9
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Her LS, Mao SH, Chang CY, Cheng PH, Chang YF, Yang HI, Chen CM, Yang SH. miR-196a Enhances Neuronal Morphology through Suppressing RANBP10 to Provide Neuroprotection in Huntington's Disease. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:2452-2462. [PMID: 28744327 PMCID: PMC5525749 DOI: 10.7150/thno.18813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in several neurobiological processes, including the development and progression of diseases. Previously, we identified that one specific miRNA, miR-196a, provides neuroprotective effects on Huntington's disease (HD), although the detailed mechanism is still unclear. Based on our bioinformatic analyses, we hypothesize miR-196a might offer neuroprotective functions through improving cytoskeletons of brain cells. Here, we show that miR-196a could enhance neuronal morphology, further ameliorating intracellular transport, synaptic plasticity, neuronal activity, and learning and memory abilities. Additionally, we found that miR-196a could suppress the expression of RAN binding protein 10 (RANBP10) through binding to its 3' untranslated region, and higher expression of RANBP10 exacerbates neuronal morphology and intracellular transport. Furthermore, miR-196a enhances neuronal morphology through suppressing RANBP10 and increasing the ability of β-tubulin polymerization. Most importantly, we observed higher expression of RANBP10 in the brains of HD transgenic mice, and higher expression of RANBP10 might exacerbate the pathological aggregates in HD. Taken together, we provide evidence that enhancement of neuronal morphology through RANBP10 is one of the neuroprotective mechanisms for miR-196a. Since miR-196a has also been reported in other neuronal diseases, this study might offer insights with regard to the therapeutic use of miR-196a in other neuronal diseases.
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10
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Lentiviral transgenesis in mice via a simple method of viral concentration. Theriogenology 2016; 86:1427-1435. [PMID: 27264740 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.04.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic animals are important in vivo models for biological research. However, low transgenic rates are commonly reported in the literature. Lentiviral transgenesis is a promising method that has greater efficiency with regard to generating transgenic animals, although the transgenic rate of this approach is highly dependent on different transgenes and concentrated lentiviruses. In this study, we modified a method to concentrate lentiviruses using a table centrifuge, commonly available in most laboratories, and carried out analysis of the transgenic efficiency in mice. Based on 26 individual constructs and 627 live pups, we found that the overall transgenic rate was more than 30%, which is higher than obtained with pronuclear microinjection. In addition, we did not find any significant differences in transgenic efficiency when the size of inserts was less than 5000 bp. These results not only show that our modified method can successfully generate transgenic mice but also suggest that this approach could be generally applied to different constructs when the size of inserts is less than 5000 bp. It is anticipated that the results of this study can help encourage the wider laboratory use of lentiviral transgenesis in mice.
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11
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O'Tuathaigh CMP, Desbonnet L, Moran PM, Kirby BP, Waddington JL. Molecular genetic models related to schizophrenia and psychotic illness: heuristics and challenges. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2016; 7:87-119. [PMID: 21298380 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2010_111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a heritable disorder that may involve several common genes of small effect and/or rare copy number variation, with phenotypic heterogeneity across patients. Furthermore, any boundaries vis-à-vis other psychotic disorders are far from clear. Consequently, identification of informative animal models for this disorder, which typically relate to pharmacological and putative pathophysiological processes of uncertain validity, faces considerable challenges. In juxtaposition, the majority of mutant models for schizophrenia relate to the functional roles of a diverse set of genes associated with risk for the disorder or with such putative pathophysiological processes. This chapter seeks to outline the evidence from phenotypic studies in mutant models related to schizophrenia. These have commonly assessed the degree to which mutation of a schizophrenia-related gene is associated with the expression of several aspects of the schizophrenia phenotype or more circumscribed, schizophrenia-related endophenotypes; typically, they place specific emphasis on positive and negative symptoms and cognitive deficits, and extend to structural and other pathological features. We first consider the primary technological approaches to the generation of such mutants, to include their relative merits and demerits, and then highlight the diverse phenotypic approaches that have been developed for their assessment. The chapter then considers the application of mutant phenotypes to study pathobiological and pharmacological mechanisms thought to be relevant for schizophrenia, particularly in terms of dopaminergic and glutamatergic dysfunction, and to an increasing range of candidate susceptibility genes and copy number variants. Finally, we discuss several pertinent issues and challenges within the field which relate to both phenotypic evaluation and a growing appreciation of the functional genomics of schizophrenia and the involvement of gene × environment interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colm M P O'Tuathaigh
- Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland,
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12
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Schramke S, Schuldenzucker V, Schubert R, Frank F, Wirsig M, Ott S, Motlik J, Fels M, Kemper N, Hölzner E, Reilmann R. Behavioral phenotyping of minipigs transgenic for the Huntington gene. J Neurosci Methods 2015; 265:34-45. [PMID: 26688470 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While several novel therapeutic approaches for HD are in development, resources to conduct clinical trials are limited. Large animal models have been proposed to improve assessment of safety, tolerability and especially to increase translational reliability of efficacy signals obtained in preclinical studies. They may thus help to select candidates for translation to human studies. We here introduce a battery of novel tests designed to assess the motor, cognitive and behavioral phenotype of a transgenic (tg) HD minipig model. NEW METHODS A group of tgHD and wildtype (wt) Libechov minipigs (n=36) was available for assessment with (1) a gait test using the GAITRite(®) automated acquisition system, (2) a hurdle-test, (3) a tongue coordination test, (4) a color discrimination test, (5) a startbox back and forth test and (6) a dominance test. Performance of all tests and definition of measures obtained is presented. RESULTS Minipigs were able to learn performance of all tests. All tests were safe, well tolerated and feasible. Exploratory between group comparisons showed no differences between groups of tgHD and wt minipigs assessed, but low variability within and between groups. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S) So far there are no established or validated assessments to test minipigs in the domains described. CONCLUSIONS The data shows that the tests presented are safe, well tolerated and all measures defined can be assessed. Prospective longitudinal application of these tests is warranted to determine their test-retest reliability, sensitivity and validity in assessing motor, cognitive and behavioral features of tg and wt minipigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Schramke
- George-Huntington-Institute, Technology Park Muenster, Johann-Krane Weg 27 48149, Muenster, Germany; Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15 30173, Hannover, Germany
| | - Verena Schuldenzucker
- George-Huntington-Institute, Technology Park Muenster, Johann-Krane Weg 27 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Robin Schubert
- George-Huntington-Institute, Technology Park Muenster, Johann-Krane Weg 27 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Frauke Frank
- George-Huntington-Institute, Technology Park Muenster, Johann-Krane Weg 27 48149, Muenster, Germany; Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., AS CR, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Maike Wirsig
- George-Huntington-Institute, Technology Park Muenster, Johann-Krane Weg 27 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Stefanie Ott
- George-Huntington-Institute, Technology Park Muenster, Johann-Krane Weg 27 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Jan Motlik
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., AS CR, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Fels
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15 30173, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nicole Kemper
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15 30173, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eva Hölzner
- George-Huntington-Institute, Technology Park Muenster, Johann-Krane Weg 27 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Ralf Reilmann
- George-Huntington-Institute, Technology Park Muenster, Johann-Krane Weg 27 48149, Muenster, Germany; Department of Radiology, Universitaetsklinikum Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1 48149, Muenster, Germany; Dept of Neurology Muenster, Germany; Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler Str. 3 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
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13
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The Potential Regulatory Mechanisms of miR-196a in Huntington's Disease through Bioinformatic Analyses. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137637. [PMID: 26376480 PMCID: PMC4574104 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
High throughput screening is a powerful tool to identify the potential candidate molecules involved during disease progression. However, analysis of complicated data is one of the most challenging steps on the way to obtaining useful results from this approach. Previously, we showed that a specific miRNA, miR-196a, could ameliorate the pathological phenotypes of Huntington’s disease (HD) in different models, and performed high throughput screening by using the striatum of transgenic mice. In this study, we further tried to identify the potential regulatory mechanisms using different bioinformatic tools, including Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID), Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB), TargetScan and MetaCore. The results showed that miR-196a dominantly altered “ABC transporters”, “RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway”, immune system”, “adaptive immune system”,“tissue remodeling and wound repair” and “cytoskeleton remodeling”. In addition, miR-196a also changed the expression of several well-defined pathways of HD, such as apoptosis and cell adhesion. Since these analyses showed the regulatory pathways are highly related to the modification of the cytoskeleton, we further confirmed that miR-196a could enhance the neurite outgrowth in neuroblastoma cells, suggesting miR-196a might provide beneficial functions through the alteration of cytoskeleton structures. Since impairment of the cytoskeleton has been reported in several neuronal diseases, this study will provide not only the potential working mechanisms of miR-196a but also insights for therapeutic strategies for use with different neuronal diseases.
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14
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Her LS, Lin JY, Fu MH, Chang YF, Li CL, Tang TY, Jhang YL, Chang CY, Shih MC, Cheng PH, Yang SH. The Differential Profiling of Ubiquitin-Proteasome and Autophagy Systems in Different Tissues before the Onset of Huntington's Disease Models. Brain Pathol 2014; 25:481-90. [PMID: 25178567 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetic and neurodegenerative disease, leading to motor and cognitive dysfunction in HD patients. At cellular level, this disease is caused by the accumulation of mutant huntingtin (HTT) in different cells, and finally results in the dysfunction of different cells. To clean these mutant proteins, ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy system are two critical pathways in the brain; however, little is known in other peripheral tissues. As mutant HTT affects different tissues progressively and might influence the UPS and autophagy pathways at early stages, we attempted to examine two clearance systems in HD models before the onset. Here, in vitro results showed that the accumulation of UPS signals with time was observed obviously in neuroblastoma and kidney cells, not in other cells. In HD transgenic mice, we observed the impairment of UPS, but not autophagy, over time in the cortex and striatum. In heart and muscle tissues, disturbance of autophagy was observed, whereas dysfunction of UPS was displayed in liver and lung. These results suggest that two protein clearance pathways are disturbed differentially in different tissues before the onset of HD, and enhancement of protein clearance at early stages might provide a potential stratagem to alleviate the progression of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu-Shiun Her
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jian-Yu Lin
- Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Hui Fu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Fan Chang
- Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ling Li
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Yu Tang
- Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ling Jhang
- Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yi Chang
- Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Chi Shih
- Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Hsun Cheng
- Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Hsun Yang
- Department of Physiology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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15
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Chan AWS. Progress and prospects for genetic modification of nonhuman primate models in biomedical research. ILAR J 2014; 54:211-23. [PMID: 24174443 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilt035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The growing interest of modeling human diseases using genetically modified (transgenic) nonhuman primates (NHPs) is a direct result of NHPs (rhesus macaque, etc.) close relation to humans. NHPs share similar developmental paths with humans in their anatomy, physiology, genetics, and neural functions; and in their cognition, emotion, and social behavior. The NHP model within biomedical research has played an important role in the development of vaccines, assisted reproductive technologies, and new therapies for many diseases. Biomedical research has not been the primary role of NHPs. They have mainly been used for safety evaluation and pharmacokinetics studies, rather than determining therapeutic efficacy. The development of the first transgenic rhesus macaque (2001) revolutionized the role of NHP models in biomedicine. Development of the transgenic NHP model of Huntington's disease (2008), with distinctive clinical features, further suggested the uniqueness of the model system; and the potential role of the NHP model for human genetic disorders. Modeling human genetic diseases using NHPs will continue to thrive because of the latest advances in molecular, genetic, and embryo technologies. NHPs rising role in biomedical research, specifically pre-clinical studies, is foreseeable. The path toward the development of transgenic NHPs and the prospect of transgenic NHPs in their new role in future biomedicine needs to be reviewed. This article will focus on the advancement of transgenic NHPs in the past decade, including transgenic technologies and disease modeling. It will outline new technologies that may have significant impact in future NHP modeling and will conclude with a discussion of the future prospects of the transgenic NHP model.
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16
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Cheng PH, Li CL, Chang YF, Tsai SJ, Lai YY, Chan AWS, Chen CM, Yang SH. miR-196a ameliorates phenotypes of Huntington disease in cell, transgenic mouse, and induced pluripotent stem cell models. Am J Hum Genet 2013; 93:306-12. [PMID: 23810380 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2013.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2013] [Revised: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dysregulation of various genes. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be involved in this dysregulation, suggesting that manipulation of appropriate miRNA regulation may have a therapeutic benefit. Here, we report the beneficial effects of miR-196a (miR196a) on HD in cell, transgenic mouse models, and human induced pluripotent stem cells derived from one individual with HD (HD-iPSCs). In the in vitro results, a reduction of mutant HTT and pathological aggregates, accompanying the overexpression of miR-196a, was observed in HD models of human embryonic kidney cells and mouse neuroblastoma cells. In the in vivo model, HD transgenic mice overexpressing miR-196a revealed the suppression of mutant HTT in the brain and also showed improvements in neuropathological progression, such as decreases of nuclear, intranuclear, and neuropil aggregates and late-stage behavioral phenotypes. Most importantly, miR-196a also decreased HTT expression and pathological aggregates when HD-iPSCs were differentiated into the neuronal stage. Mechanisms of miR-196a in HD might be through the alteration of ubiquitin-proteasome systems, gliosis, cAMP response element-binding protein pathway, and several neuronal regulatory pathways in vivo. Taken together, these results show that manipulating miR-196a provides beneficial effects in HD, suggesting the potential therapeutical role of miR-196a in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Hsun Cheng
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
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17
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Ullmann JFP, Watson C, Janke AL, Kurniawan ND, Paxinos G, Reutens DC. An MRI atlas of the mouse basal ganglia. Brain Struct Funct 2013; 219:1343-53. [PMID: 23689500 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-013-0572-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The basal ganglia are a group of subpallial nuclei that play an important role in motor, emotional, and cognitive functions. Morphological changes and disrupted afferent/efferent connections in the basal ganglia have been associated with a variety of neurological disorders including psychiatric and movement disorders. While high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging has been used to characterize changes in brain structure in mouse models of these disorders, no systematic method for segmentation of the C57BL/6 J mouse basal ganglia exists. In this study we have used high-resolution MR images of ex vivo C57BL/6 J mouse brain to create a detailed protocol for segmenting the basal ganglia. We created a three-dimensional minimum deformation atlas, which includes the segmentation of 35 striatal, pallidal, and basal ganglia-related structures. In addition, we provide mean volumes, mean T2 contrast intensities and mean FA and ADC values for each structure. This MR atlas is available for download, and enables researchers to perform automated segmentation in genetic models of basal ganglia disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy F P Ullmann
- Center for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia,
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18
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Putkhao K, Kocerha J, Cho IK, Yang J, Parnpai R, Chan AWS. Pathogenic cellular phenotypes are germline transmissible in a transgenic primate model of Huntington's disease. Stem Cells Dev 2013. [PMID: 23190281 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2012.0469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
A transgenic primate model for Huntington's Disease (HD) first reported by our group that (HD monkeys) carry the mutant Huntingtin (HTT) gene with expanded polyglutamine (CAG) repeats and, develop chorea, dystonia, and other involuntary motor deficiencies similar to HD [ 1 ]. More recently, we have found that longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging of the HD monkey brain revealed significant atrophy in regions associated with cognitive deficits symptomatic in HD patients, providing the first animal model which replicates clinical phenotypes of diagnosed humans. Here we report germline transmission of the pathogenic mutant HTT in HD monkey by the production of embryos and subsequent derivation of HD monkey embryonic stem cells (rHD-ESCs) using HD monkey sperm. rHD-ESCs inherit mutant HTT and green fluorescent protein (GFP) genes through the gametes of HD monkey. rHD-ESCs express mutant HTT and form intranuclear inclusion, a classical cellular feature of HD. Notably, mosaicism of the pathogenic polyQ region in the sperm as well as derived ESCs were also observed, consistent with intraindividual and intergenerational reports of mosaic CAG repeats [ 2 , 3 ]and CAG expansion in HD patients [ 4-7 ]. The confirmation of transgene inheritability and development of pathogenic HD phenotype in derived rHD-ESCs reported in this study is a milestone in the pursuit of a transgenic primate model with inherited mutant HTT for development of novel disease biomarkers and therapeutics.
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Prather RS, Lorson M, Ross JW, Whyte JJ, Walters E. Genetically engineered pig models for human diseases. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2013; 1:203-19. [PMID: 25387017 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-031412-103715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Although pigs are used widely as models of human disease, their utility as models has been enhanced by genetic engineering. Initially, transgenes were added randomly to the genome, but with the application of homologous recombination, zinc finger nucleases, and transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) technologies, now most any genetic change that can be envisioned can be completed. To date these genetic modifications have resulted in animals that have the potential to provide new insights into human diseases for which a good animal model did not exist previously. These new animal models should provide the preclinical data for treatments that are developed for diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, cystic fibrosis, retinitis pigmentosa, spinal muscular atrophy, diabetes, and organ failure. These new models will help to uncover aspects and treatments of these diseases that were otherwise unattainable. The focus of this review is to describe genetically engineered pigs that have resulted in models of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randall S Prather
- Division of Animal Science, National Swine Resource and Research Center, and
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20
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Ghiglieri V, Bagetta V, Calabresi P, Picconi B. Functional interactions within striatal microcircuit in animal models of Huntington's disease. Neuroscience 2012; 211:165-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.06.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2011] [Revised: 06/25/2011] [Accepted: 06/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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21
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Cheng PH, Li CL, Her LS, Chang YF, Chan AWS, Chen CM, Yang SH. Significantly differential diffusion of neuropathological aggregates in the brain of transgenic mice carrying N-terminal mutant huntingtin fused with green fluorescent protein. Brain Struct Funct 2012; 218:283-94. [PMID: 22422149 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-012-0401-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2011] [Accepted: 02/21/2012] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetically neurodegenerative disease, affecting the central nervous system and leading to mental and motor dysfunctions. To date, there is no cure for HD; as a result, HD patients gradually suffer devastating symptoms, such as chorea, weight loss, depression and mood swings, until death. According to previous studies, the exon 1 region of the huntingtin (HTT) gene with expanded CAG trinucleotide repeats plays a critical role in causing HD. In vitro studies using exon 1 of HTT fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene have facilitated discovering several mechanisms of HD. However, whether this chimera construct exerts similar functions in vivo is still not clear. Here, we report the generation of transgenic mice carrying GFP fused with mutant HTT exon 1 containing 84 CAG trinucleotide repeats, and the evaluation of phenotypes via molecular, neuropathological and behavioral analyses. Results show that these transgenic mice not only displayed neuropathological characteristics, observed either by green fluorescent signals or by immunohistochemical staining, but also progressively developed pathological and behavioral symptoms of HD. Most interestingly, these transgenic mice showed significantly differential expression levels of nuclear aggregates between cortex and striatum regions, highly mimicking selective expression of mutant HTT in HD patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing different nuclear diffusion profiling in mouse models with transgenic mice carrying the exon 1 region of mutant HTT. Our model will be beneficial for tracing the expression of mutant HTT and accelerating the understanding of selective pathological progression in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Hsun Cheng
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
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