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Ruan ZR, Yu Z, Xing C, Chen EH. Inter-organ steroid hormone signaling promotes myoblast fusion via direct transcriptional regulation of a single key effector gene. Curr Biol 2024; 34:1438-1452.e6. [PMID: 38513654 PMCID: PMC11003854 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Steroid hormones regulate tissue development and physiology by modulating the transcription of a broad spectrum of genes. In insects, the principal steroid hormones, ecdysteroids, trigger the expression of thousands of genes through a cascade of transcription factors (TFs) to coordinate developmental transitions such as larval molting and metamorphosis. However, whether ecdysteroid signaling can bypass transcriptional hierarchies to exert its function in individual developmental processes is unclear. Here, we report that a single non-TF effector gene mediates the transcriptional output of ecdysteroid signaling in Drosophila myoblast fusion, a critical step in muscle development and differentiation. Specifically, we show that the 20-hydroxyecdysone (commonly referred to as "ecdysone") secreted from an extraembryonic tissue, amnioserosa, acts on embryonic muscle cells to directly activate the expression of antisocial (ants), which encodes an essential scaffold protein enriched at the fusogenic synapse. Not only is ants transcription directly regulated by the heterodimeric ecdysone receptor complex composed of ecdysone receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle (USP) via ecdysone-response elements but also more strikingly, expression of ants alone is sufficient to rescue the myoblast fusion defect in ecdysone signaling-deficient mutants. We further show that EcR/USP and a muscle-specific TF Twist synergistically activate ants expression in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our study provides the first example of a steroid hormone directly activating the expression of a single key non-TF effector gene to regulate a developmental process via inter-organ signaling and provides a new paradigm for understanding steroid hormone signaling in other developmental and physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Rong Ruan
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ze Yu
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Chao Xing
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Elizabeth H Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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2
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Rizk J, Sahu R, Duteil D. An overview on androgen-mediated actions in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Steroids 2023; 199:109306. [PMID: 37634653 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2023.109306] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Androgens are a class of steroid hormones primarily associated with male sexual development and physiology, but exert pleiotropic effects in either sex. They have a crucial role in various physiological processes, including the regulation of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue homeostasis. The effects of androgens are mainly mediated through the androgen receptor (AR), a ligand-activated nuclear receptor expressed in both tissues. In skeletal muscle, androgens via AR exert a multitude of effects, ranging from increased muscle mass and strength, to the regulation of muscle fiber type composition, contraction and metabolic functions. In adipose tissue, androgens influence several processes including proliferation, fat distribution, and metabolism but they display depot-specific and organism-specific effects which differ in certain context. This review further explores the potential mechanisms underlying androgen-AR signaling in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Understanding the roles of androgens and their receptor in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue is essential for elucidating their contributions to physiological processes, disease conditions, and potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Rizk
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Inserm, IGBMC UMR 7104- UMR-S 1258, F-67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Rajesh Sahu
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Inserm, IGBMC UMR 7104- UMR-S 1258, F-67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Delphine Duteil
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Inserm, IGBMC UMR 7104- UMR-S 1258, F-67400 Illkirch, France.
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3
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Tezze C, Sandri M, Tessari P. Anabolic Resistance in the Pathogenesis of Sarcopenia in the Elderly: Role of Nutrition and Exercise in Young and Old People. Nutrients 2023; 15:4073. [PMID: 37764858 PMCID: PMC10535169 DOI: 10.3390/nu15184073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of sarcopenia in the elderly is associated with many potential factors and/or processes that impair the renovation and maintenance of skeletal muscle mass and strength as ageing progresses. Among them, a defect by skeletal muscle to respond to anabolic stimuli is to be considered. Common anabolic stimuli/signals in skeletal muscle are hormones (insulin, growth hormones, IGF-1, androgens, and β-agonists such epinephrine), substrates (amino acids such as protein precursors on top, but also glucose and fat, as source of energy), metabolites (such as β-agonists and HMB), various biochemical/intracellular mediators), physical exercise, neurogenic and immune-modulating factors, etc. Each of them may exhibit a reduced effect upon skeletal muscle in ageing. In this article, we overview the role of anabolic signals on muscle metabolism, as well as currently available evidence of resistance, at the skeletal muscle level, to anabolic factors, from both in vitro and in vivo studies. Some indications on how to augment the effects of anabolic signals on skeletal muscle are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Tezze
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, via Ugo Bassi 58/b, 35121 Padova, Italy;
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, via Orus 2, 35129 Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Sandri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, via Ugo Bassi 58/b, 35121 Padova, Italy;
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, via Orus 2, 35129 Padova, Italy
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Paolo Tessari
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
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4
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Wilton-Clark H, Al-aghbari A, Yang J, Yokota T. Advancing Epidemiology and Genetic Approaches for the Treatment of Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy: Focus on Prevalence in the Indigenous Population of Western Canada. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1634. [PMID: 37628685 PMCID: PMC10454234 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), also known as Kennedy's disease, is a debilitating neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive muscular weakness and neuronal degeneration, affecting 1-2 individuals per 100,000 globally. While SBMA is relatively rare, recent studies have shown a significantly higher prevalence of the disease among the indigenous population of Western Canada compared to the general population. The disease is caused by a pathogenic expansion of polyglutamine residues in the androgen receptor protein, which acts as a key transcriptional regulator for numerous genes. SBMA has no cure, and current treatments are primarily supportive and focused on symptom management. Recently, a form of precision medicine known as antisense therapy has gained traction as a promising therapeutic option for numerous neuromuscular diseases. Antisense therapy uses small synthetic oligonucleotides to confer therapeutic benefit by acting on pathogenic mRNA molecules, serving to either degrade pathogenic mRNA transcripts or helping to modulate splicing. Recent studies have explored the suitability of antisense therapy for the treatment of SBMA, primarily focused on gene therapy and antisense-mediated mRNA knockdown approaches. Advancements in understanding the pathogenesis of SBMA and the development of targeted therapies offer hope for improved quality of life for individuals affected by this debilitating condition. Continued research is essential to optimize these genetic approaches, ensuring their safety and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Wilton-Clark
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
| | - Ammar Al-aghbari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
| | - Jessica Yang
- Department of Immunology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada;
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
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5
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Galbiati M, Meroni M, Boido M, Cescon M, Rusmini P, Crippa V, Cristofani R, Piccolella M, Ferrari V, Tedesco B, Casarotto E, Chierichetti M, Cozzi M, Mina F, Cicardi ME, Pedretti S, Mitro N, Caretto A, Risè P, Sala A, Lieberman AP, Bonaldo P, Pennuto M, Vercelli A, Poletti A. Bicalutamide and Trehalose Ameliorate Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy Pathology in Mice. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:524-545. [PMID: 36717478 PMCID: PMC10121997 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01343-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is characterized by motor neuron (MN) degeneration that leads to slowly progressive muscle weakness. It is considered a neuromuscular disease since muscle has a primary role in disease onset and progression. SBMA is caused by a CAG triplet repeat expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. The translated poly-glutamine (polyQ) tract confers a toxic gain of function to the mutant AR altering its folding, causing its aggregation into intracellular inclusions, and impairing the autophagic flux. In an in vitro SBMA neuronal model, we previously showed that the antiandrogen bicalutamide and trehalose, a natural disaccharide stimulating autophagy, block ARpolyQ activation, reduce its nuclear translocation and toxicity and facilitate the autophagic degradation of cytoplasmic AR aggregates. Here, in a knock-in SBMA mouse model (KI AR113Q), we show that bicalutamide and trehalose ameliorated SBMA pathology. Bicalutamide reversed the formation of the AR insoluble forms in KI AR113Q muscle, preventing autophagic flux blockage. We demonstrated that apoptosis is activated in KI AR113Q muscle, and that both compounds prevented its activation. We detected a decrease of mtDNA and an increase of OXPHOS enzymes, already at early symptomatic stages; these alterations were reverted by trehalose. Overall, bicalutamide and/or trehalose led to a partial recovery of muscle morphology and function, and improved SBMA mouse motor behavior, inducing an extension of their survival. Thus, bicalutamide and trehalose, by counteracting ARpolyQ toxicity in skeletal muscle, are valuable candidates for future clinical trials in SBMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariarita Galbiati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2027, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Marco Meroni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2027, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Boido
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Matilde Cescon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Paola Rusmini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2027, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2027, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cristofani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2027, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Piccolella
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2027, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Ferrari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2027, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Tedesco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2027, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Casarotto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2027, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Chierichetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2027, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Cozzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2027, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Mina
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2027, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Cicardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2027, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Weinberg ALS Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Silvia Pedretti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2027, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nico Mitro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2027, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Caretto
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Patrizia Risè
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Sala
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrew P Lieberman
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Paolo Bonaldo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Pennuto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vercelli
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2027, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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6
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Marchioretti C, Zuccaro E, Pandey UB, Rosati J, Basso M, Pennuto M. Skeletal Muscle Pathogenesis in Polyglutamine Diseases. Cells 2022; 11:2105. [PMID: 35805189 PMCID: PMC9265456 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine diseases are characterized by selective dysfunction and degeneration of specific types of neurons in the central nervous system. In addition, nonneuronal cells can also be affected as a consequence of primary degeneration or due to neuronal dysfunction. Skeletal muscle is a primary site of toxicity of polyglutamine-expanded androgen receptor, but it is also affected in other polyglutamine diseases, more likely due to neuronal dysfunction and death. Nonetheless, pathological processes occurring in skeletal muscle atrophy impact the entire body metabolism, thus actively contributing to the inexorable progression towards the late and final stages of disease. Skeletal muscle atrophy is well recapitulated in animal models of polyglutamine disease. In this review, we discuss the impact and relevance of skeletal muscle in patients affected by polyglutamine diseases and we review evidence obtained in animal models and patient-derived cells modeling skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Marchioretti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DBS), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (E.Z.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Zuccaro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DBS), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (E.Z.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy
| | - Udai Bhan Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15100, USA;
| | - Jessica Rosati
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, 71100 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Manuela Basso
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38100 Trento, Italy;
| | - Maria Pennuto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DBS), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (E.Z.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy
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7
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Gogia N, Ni L, Olmos V, Haidery F, Luttik K, Lim J. Exploring the Role of Posttranslational Modifications in Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:931301. [PMID: 35726299 PMCID: PMC9206542 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.931301] [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] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA) is an X-linked adult-onset progressive neuromuscular disease that affects the spinal and bulbar motor neurons and skeletal muscles. SBMA is caused by expansion of polymorphic CAG trinucleotide repeats in the Androgen Receptor (AR) gene, resulting in expanded glutamine tract in the AR protein. Polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion renders the mutant AR protein toxic, resulting in the formation of mutant protein aggregates and cell death. This classifies SBMA as one of the nine known polyQ diseases. Like other polyQ disorders, the expansion of the polyQ tract in the AR protein is the main genetic cause of the disease; however, multiple other mechanisms besides the polyQ tract expansion also contribute to the SBMA disease pathophysiology. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs), including phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation, ubiquitination, and SUMOylation are a category of mechanisms by which the functionality of AR has been found to be significantly modulated and can alter the neurotoxicity of SBMA. This review summarizes the different PTMs and their effects in regulating the AR function and discusses their pathogenic or protective roles in context of SBMA. This review also includes the therapeutic approaches that target the PTMs of AR in an effort to reduce the mutant AR-mediated toxicity in SBMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Gogia
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Luhan Ni
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Victor Olmos
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Fatema Haidery
- Yale College, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Kimberly Luttik
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Janghoo Lim
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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8
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Lim WF, Forouhan M, Roberts TC, Dabney J, Ellerington R, Speciale AA, Manzano R, Lieto M, Sangha G, Banerjee S, Conceição M, Cravo L, Biscans A, Roux L, Pourshafie N, Grunseich C, Duguez S, Khvorova A, Pennuto M, Cortes CJ, La Spada AR, Fischbeck KH, Wood MJA, Rinaldi C. Gene therapy with AR isoform 2 rescues spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy phenotype by modulating AR transcriptional activity. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/34/eabi6896. [PMID: 34417184 PMCID: PMC8378820 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abi6896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an X-linked, adult-onset neuromuscular condition caused by an abnormal polyglutamine (polyQ) tract expansion in androgen receptor (AR) protein. SBMA is a disease with high unmet clinical need. Recent studies have shown that mutant AR-altered transcriptional activity is key to disease pathogenesis. Restoring the transcriptional dysregulation without affecting other AR critical functions holds great promise for the treatment of SBMA and other AR-related conditions; however, how this targeted approach can be achieved and translated into a clinical application remains to be understood. Here, we characterized the role of AR isoform 2, a naturally occurring variant encoding a truncated AR lacking the polyQ-harboring domain, as a regulatory switch of AR genomic functions in androgen-responsive tissues. Delivery of this isoform using a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector type 9 resulted in amelioration of the disease phenotype in SBMA mice by restoring polyQ AR-dysregulated transcriptional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wooi F Lim
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mitra Forouhan
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Jesse Dabney
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Raquel Manzano
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Maria Lieto
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Gavinda Sangha
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Subhashis Banerjee
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Lara Cravo
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Annabelle Biscans
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Loïc Roux
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Naemeh Pourshafie
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christopher Grunseich
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Stephanie Duguez
- Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, UK
| | - Anastasia Khvorova
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Maria Pennuto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Constanza J Cortes
- Department of Neurology, Duke Center for Neurodegeneration and Neurotherapeutics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Albert R La Spada
- Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Neurology, and Biological Chemistry and the UCI Institute for Neurotherapeutics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kenneth H Fischbeck
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Carlo Rinaldi
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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9
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Malacarne C, Galbiati M, Giagnorio E, Cavalcante P, Salerno F, Andreetta F, Cagnoli C, Taiana M, Nizzardo M, Corti S, Pensato V, Venerando A, Gellera C, Fenu S, Pareyson D, Masson R, Maggi L, Dalla Bella E, Lauria G, Mantegazza R, Bernasconi P, Poletti A, Bonanno S, Marcuzzo S. Dysregulation of Muscle-Specific MicroRNAs as Common Pathogenic Feature Associated with Muscle Atrophy in ALS, SMA and SBMA: Evidence from Animal Models and Human Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115673. [PMID: 34073630 PMCID: PMC8198536 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by upper and/or lower MN loss. MNDs include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). Despite variability in onset, progression, and genetics, they share a common skeletal muscle involvement, suggesting that it could be a primary site for MND pathogenesis. Due to the key role of muscle-specific microRNAs (myomiRs) in skeletal muscle development, by real-time PCR we investigated the expression of miR-206, miR-133a, miR-133b, and miR-1, and their target genes, in G93A-SOD1 ALS, Δ7SMA, and KI-SBMA mouse muscle during disease progression. Further, we analyzed their expression in serum of SOD1-mutated ALS, SMA, and SBMA patients, to demonstrate myomiR role as noninvasive biomarkers. Our data showed a dysregulation of myomiRs and their targets, in ALS, SMA, and SBMA mice, revealing a common pathogenic feature associated with muscle impairment. A similar myomiR signature was observed in patients’ sera. In particular, an up-regulation of miR-206 was identified in both mouse muscle and serum of human patients. Our overall findings highlight the role of myomiRs as promising biomarkers in ALS, SMA, and SBMA. Further investigations are needed to explore the potential of myomiRs as therapeutic targets for MND treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Malacarne
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti, 9, 20133 Milano, Italy;
| | - Eleonora Giagnorio
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Paola Cavalcante
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Franco Salerno
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Francesca Andreetta
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Cinza Cagnoli
- Molecular Neuroanatomy and Pathogenesis Unit, Neurology VII—Clinical and Experimental Epileptology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Michela Taiana
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.T.); (S.C.)
| | - Monica Nizzardo
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Stefania Corti
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.T.); (S.C.)
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Viviana Pensato
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.P.); (A.V.); (C.G.)
| | - Anna Venerando
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.P.); (A.V.); (C.G.)
| | - Cinzia Gellera
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.P.); (A.V.); (C.G.)
| | - Silvia Fenu
- Unit of Rare Neurodegenerative and Neurometabolic Diseases, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.F.); (D.P.)
| | - Davide Pareyson
- Unit of Rare Neurodegenerative and Neurometabolic Diseases, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.F.); (D.P.)
| | - Riccardo Masson
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Maggi
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Eleonora Dalla Bella
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (E.D.B.); (G.L.)
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (E.D.B.); (G.L.)
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, Via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Renato Mantegazza
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Pia Bernasconi
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti, 9, 20133 Milano, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (S.M.); Tel.: +39-02-5031-8215 (A.P.); Tel.: +39-02-2394-4511 (ext. 4651) (S.M.); Fax: +39-02-70633874 (S.M.)
| | - Silvia Bonanno
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Stefania Marcuzzo
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (S.M.); Tel.: +39-02-5031-8215 (A.P.); Tel.: +39-02-2394-4511 (ext. 4651) (S.M.); Fax: +39-02-70633874 (S.M.)
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10
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Manzano R, Toivonen JM, Moreno-Martínez L, de la Torre M, Moreno-García L, López-Royo T, Molina N, Zaragoza P, Calvo AC, Osta R. What skeletal muscle has to say in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Implications for therapy. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 178:1279-1297. [PMID: 32986860 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult onset disorder characterized by progressive neuromuscular junction (NMJ) dismantling and degeneration of motor neurons leading to atrophy and paralysis of voluntary muscles responsible for motion and breathing. Except for a minority of patients harbouring genetic mutations, the origin of most ALS cases remains elusive. Peripheral tissues, and particularly skeletal muscle, have lately demonstrated an active contribution to disease pathology attracting a growing interest for these tissues as therapeutic targets in ALS. In this sense, molecular mechanisms essential for cell and tissue homeostasis have been shown to be deregulated in the disease. These include muscle metabolism and mitochondrial activity, RNA processing, tissue-resident stem cell function responsible for muscle regeneration, and proteostasis that regulates muscle mass in adulthood. This review aims to compile scientific evidence that demonstrates the role of skeletal muscle in ALS pathology and serves as reference for development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting this tissue to delay disease onset and progression. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Neurochemistry in Japan. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.6/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Manzano
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics, University of Zaragoza, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Agroalimentary Institute of Aragon (IA2), Institute of Health Research of Aragon (IIS), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Janne Markus Toivonen
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics, University of Zaragoza, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Agroalimentary Institute of Aragon (IA2), Institute of Health Research of Aragon (IIS), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Laura Moreno-Martínez
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics, University of Zaragoza, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Agroalimentary Institute of Aragon (IA2), Institute of Health Research of Aragon (IIS), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Miriam de la Torre
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics, University of Zaragoza, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Agroalimentary Institute of Aragon (IA2), Institute of Health Research of Aragon (IIS), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Leticia Moreno-García
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics, University of Zaragoza, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Agroalimentary Institute of Aragon (IA2), Institute of Health Research of Aragon (IIS), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Tresa López-Royo
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics, University of Zaragoza, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Agroalimentary Institute of Aragon (IA2), Institute of Health Research of Aragon (IIS), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Nora Molina
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics, University of Zaragoza, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Agroalimentary Institute of Aragon (IA2), Institute of Health Research of Aragon (IIS), Zaragoza, Spain.,Geriatrics Service, Hospital Nuestra Señora de Gracia, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Pilar Zaragoza
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics, University of Zaragoza, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Agroalimentary Institute of Aragon (IA2), Institute of Health Research of Aragon (IIS), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ana Cristina Calvo
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics, University of Zaragoza, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Agroalimentary Institute of Aragon (IA2), Institute of Health Research of Aragon (IIS), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rosario Osta
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics, University of Zaragoza, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Agroalimentary Institute of Aragon (IA2), Institute of Health Research of Aragon (IIS), Zaragoza, Spain
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11
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Tasca G, Udd B, Sabatelli M. Response to: SOD1 mutations in adult-onset distal spinal muscular atrophy. Eur J Neurol 2020; 27:e74. [PMID: 32618054 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G Tasca
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - B Udd
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland.,Neuromuscular Research Center, Tampere University and University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - M Sabatelli
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia.,Centro Clinico NEMO, Roma, Italia.,Istituto di Neurologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
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12
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Nath SR, Lieberman ML, Yu Z, Marchioretti C, Jones ST, Danby ECE, Van Pelt KM, Sorarù G, Robins DM, Bates GP, Pennuto M, Lieberman AP. MEF2 impairment underlies skeletal muscle atrophy in polyglutamine disease. Acta Neuropathol 2020; 140:63-80. [PMID: 32306066 PMCID: PMC7166004 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-020-02156-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) tract expansion leads to proteotoxic misfolding and drives a family of nine diseases. We study spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), a progressive degenerative disorder of the neuromuscular system caused by the polyQ androgen receptor (AR). Using a knock-in mouse model of SBMA, AR113Q mice, we show that E3 ubiquitin ligases which are a hallmark of the canonical muscle atrophy machinery are not induced in AR113Q muscle. Similarly, we find no evidence to suggest dysfunction of signaling pathways that trigger muscle hypertrophy or impairment of the muscle stem cell niche. Instead, we find that skeletal muscle atrophy is characterized by diminished function of the transcriptional regulator Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2 (MEF2), a regulator of myofiber homeostasis. Decreased expression of MEF2 target genes is age- and glutamine tract length-dependent, occurs due to polyQ AR proteotoxicity, and is associated with sequestration of MEF2 into intranuclear inclusions in muscle. Skeletal muscle from R6/2 mice, a model of Huntington disease which develops progressive atrophy, also sequesters MEF2 into inclusions and displays age-dependent loss of MEF2 target genes. Similarly, SBMA patient muscle shows loss of MEF2 target gene expression, and restoring MEF2 activity in AR113Q muscle rescues fiber size and MEF2-regulated gene expression. This work establishes MEF2 impairment as a novel mechanism of skeletal muscle atrophy downstream of toxic polyglutamine proteins and as a therapeutic target for muscle atrophy in these disorders.
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13
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Gray AL, Annan L, Dick JRT, La Spada AR, Hanna MG, Greensmith L, Malik B. Deterioration of muscle force and contractile characteristics are early pathological events in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy mice. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm042424. [PMID: 32152060 PMCID: PMC7272358 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.042424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), also known as Kennedy's Disease, is a late-onset X-linked progressive neuromuscular disease, which predominantly affects males. The pathological hallmarks of the disease are selective loss of spinal and bulbar motor neurons, accompanied by weakness, atrophy and fasciculations of bulbar and limb muscles. SBMA is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the gene that encodes the androgen receptor (AR) protein. Disease manifestation is androgen dependent and results principally from a toxic gain of AR function. There are currently no effective treatments for this debilitating disease. It is important to understand the course of the disease in order to target therapeutics to key pathological stages. This is especially relevant in disorders such as SBMA, for which disease can be identified before symptom onset, through family history and genetic testing. To fully characterise the role of muscle in SBMA, we undertook a longitudinal physiological and histological characterisation of disease progression in the AR100 mouse model of SBMA. Our results show that the disease first manifests in skeletal muscle, before any motor neuron degeneration, which only occurs in late-stage disease. These findings reveal that alterations in muscle function, including reduced muscle force and changes in contractile characteristics, are early pathological events in SBMA mice and suggest that muscle-targeted therapeutics may be effective in SBMA.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Gray
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Leonette Annan
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - James R T Dick
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Albert R La Spada
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Duke Center for Neurodegeneration and Neurotherapeutics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Michael G Hanna
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- UCL MRC International Centre for Genomic Medicine in Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Linda Greensmith
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Bilal Malik
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
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14
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Attems J. The first year. Acta Neuropathol 2020; 139:1-2. [PMID: 31832772 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-019-02113-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Attems
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK.
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15
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Cristofani R, Rusmini P, Galbiati M, Cicardi ME, Ferrari V, Tedesco B, Casarotto E, Chierichetti M, Messi E, Piccolella M, Carra S, Crippa V, Poletti A. The Regulation of the Small Heat Shock Protein B8 in Misfolding Protein Diseases Causing Motoneuronal and Muscle Cell Death. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:796. [PMID: 31427919 PMCID: PMC6688727 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Misfolding protein diseases are a wide class of disorders in which the aberrantly folded protein aggregates accumulate in affected cells. In the brain and in the skeletal muscle, misfolded protein accumulation induces a variety of cell dysfunctions that frequently lead to cell death. In motoneuron diseases (MNDs), misfolded proteins accumulate primarily in motoneurons, glial cells and/or skeletal muscle cells, altering motor function. The deleterious effects of misfolded proteins can be counteracted by the activity of the protein quality control (PQC) system, composed of chaperone proteins and degradative systems. Here, we focus on a PQC system component: heat shock protein family B (small) member 8 (HSPB8), a chaperone induced by harmful stressful events, including proteotoxicity. In motoneuron and muscle cells, misfolded proteins activate HSPB8 transcription and enhance HSPB8 levels, which contributes to prevent aggregate formation and their harmful effects. HSPB8 acts not only as a chaperone, but also facilitates the autophagy process, to enable the efficient clearance of the misfolded proteins. HSPB8 acts as a dimer bound to the HSP70 co-chaperone BAG3, a scaffold protein that is also capable of binding to HSP70 (associated with the E3-ligase CHIP) and dynein. When this complex is formed, it is transported by dynein to the microtubule organization center (MTOC), where aggresomes are formed. Here, misfolded proteins are engulfed into nascent autophagosomes to be degraded via the chaperone-assisted selective autophagy (CASA). When CASA is insufficient or impaired, HSP70 and CHIP associate with an alternative co-chaperone, BAG1, which routes misfolded proteins to the proteasome for degradation. The finely tuned equilibrium between proteasome and CASA activity is thought to be crucial for maintaining the functional cell homeostasis during proteotoxic stresses, which in turn is essential for cell survival. This fine equilibrium seems to be altered in MNDs, like Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), contributing to the onset and the progression of disease. Here, we will review how misfolded proteins may affect the PQC system and how the proper activity of this system can be restored by boosting or regulating HSPB8 activity, with the aim to ameliorate disease progression in these two fatal MNDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Cristofani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza Sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Rusmini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza Sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza Sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Cicardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza Sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Ferrari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza Sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Tedesco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza Sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Casarotto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza Sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Chierichetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza Sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elio Messi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza Sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Piccolella
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza Sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Carra
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Metaboliche e Neuroscienze, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza Sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza Sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Centro Interuniversitario Sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Roma Tor Vergata, Milan, Italy
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16
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Lombardi V, Querin G, Ziff OJ, Zampedri L, Martinelli I, Heller C, Foiani M, Bertolin C, Lu CH, Malik B, Allen K, Rinaldi C, Zetterberg H, Heslegrave A, Greensmith L, Hanna M, Soraru G, Malaspina A, Fratta P. Muscle and not neuronal biomarkers correlate with severity in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. Neurology 2019; 92:e1205-e1211. [PMID: 30787165 PMCID: PMC6511101 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000007097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether blood biomarkers of neuronal damage (neurofilament light chain [NfL]), muscle damage (creatine kinase [CK]), and muscle mass (creatinine) are altered in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) and can be used as biomarkers for disease severity. METHODS In this multicenter longitudinal prospective study, plasma and serum were collected from 2 cohorts of patients with SBMA in London, United Kingdom (n = 50), and Padova, Italy (n = 43), along with disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS]) and healthy controls, and levels of plasma and serum NfL, CK, and creatinine were measured. Disease severity was assessed by the SBMA Functional Rating Scale and the Adult Myopathy Assessment Tool at baseline and 12 and 24 months. RESULTS Blood NfL concentrations were increased in ALS samples, but were unchanged in both SBMA cohorts, were stable after 12 and 24 months, and were not correlated with clinical severity. Normal NfL levels were also found in a well-established mouse model of SBMA. Conversely, CK concentrations were significantly raised in SBMA compared with ALS samples, and were not correlated to the clinical measures. Creatinine concentrations were significantly reduced in SBMA, and strongly and significantly correlated with disease severity. CONCLUSIONS While muscle damage and muscle mass biomarkers are abnormal in SBMA, axonal damage markers are unchanged, highlighting the relevant primary role of skeletal muscle in disease pathogenesis. Creatinine, but not CK, correlated with disease severity, confirming its role as a valuable biomarker in SBMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Lombardi
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Giorgia Querin
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Oliver J Ziff
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Luca Zampedri
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Ilaria Martinelli
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Carolin Heller
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Martha Foiani
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Cinzia Bertolin
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Ching-Hua Lu
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Bilal Malik
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Kezia Allen
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Carlo Rinaldi
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Amanda Heslegrave
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Linda Greensmith
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Michael Hanna
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Gianni Soraru
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Andrea Malaspina
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.
| | - Pietro Fratta
- From the Institute of Neurology (V.L., O.J.Z., L.Z., C.H., M.F., C.-H.L., B.M., H.Z., A.H., L.G., M.H., P.F.), University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London; Blizard Institute (V.L., A.M.), Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Department of Neurosciences (G.Q., I.M., C.B., G.S.), University of Padova, Italy; Department of Neurology (C.-H.L.), China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Basildon Hospital (K.A.), UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (C.R.), University of Oxford; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (H.Z., A.H.), London, UK; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital; and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry (H.Z.), Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.
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17
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Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a group of hereditary neurodegenerative disorders caused by expansion of unstable polyQ repeats in their associated disease proteins. To date, the pathogenesis of each disease remains poorly understood, and there are no effective treatments. Growing evidence has indicated that, in addition to neurodegeneration, polyQ-expanded proteins can cause a wide array of abnormalities in peripheral tissues. Indeed, polyQ-expanded proteins are ubiquitously expressed throughout the body and can affect the function of both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral tissues. The peripheral effects of polyQ disease proteins include muscle wasting and reduced muscle strength in patients or animal models of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), Huntington's disease (HD), dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA), and spinocerebellar ataxia type 17 (SCA17). Since skeletal muscle pathology can reflect disease progression and is more accessible for treatment than neurodegeneration in the CNS, understanding how polyQ disease proteins affect skeletal muscle will help elucidate disease mechanisms and the development of new therapeutics. In this review, we focus on important findings in terms of skeletal muscle pathology in polyQ diseases and also discuss the potential mechanisms underlying the major peripheral effects of polyQ disease proteins, as well as their therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Huang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Suiqiang Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Jiang Li
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shihua Li
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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18
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Cicardi ME, Cristofani R, Crippa V, Ferrari V, Tedesco B, Casarotto E, Chierichetti M, Galbiati M, Piccolella M, Messi E, Carra S, Pennuto M, Rusmini P, Poletti A. Autophagic and Proteasomal Mediated Removal of Mutant Androgen Receptor in Muscle Models of Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:569. [PMID: 31481932 PMCID: PMC6710630 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an X-linked motoneuron disease (MND) caused by a mutant androgen receptor (AR) containing an elongated polyglutamine (polyQ) tract. ARpolyQ toxicity is triggered by androgenic AR ligands, which induce aberrant conformations (misfolding) of the ARpolyQ protein that aggregates. Misfolded proteins perturb the protein quality control (PQC) system leading to cell dysfunction and death. Spinal cord motoneurons, dorsal root ganglia neurons and skeletal muscle cells are affected by ARpolyQ toxicity. Here, we found that, in stabilized skeletal myoblasts (s-myoblasts), ARpolyQ formed testosterone-inducible aggregates resistant to NP-40 solubilization; these aggregates did not affect s-myoblasts survival or viability. Both wild type AR and ARpolyQ were processed via proteasome, but ARpolyQ triggered (and it was also cleared via) autophagy. ARpolyQ reduced two pro-autophagic proteins expression (BAG3 and VCP), leading to decreased autophagic response in ARpolyQ s-myoblasts. Overexpression of two components of the chaperone assisted selective autophagy (CASA) complex (BAG3 and HSPB8), enhanced ARpolyQ clearance, while the treatment with the mTOR independent autophagy activator trehalose induced complete ARpolyQ degradation. Thus, trehalose has beneficial effects in SBMA skeletal muscle models even when autophagy is impaired, possibly by stimulating CASA to assist the removal of ARpolyQ misfolded species/aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Cicardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cristofani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Ferrari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Tedesco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Casarotto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Chierichetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Piccolella
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elio Messi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Carra
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Metaboliche e Neuroscienze, Centro Interdipartimentale di Neuroscienze e Neurotecnologie (CfNN), Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Pennuto
- Department of Neurosciences, Neuromuscular Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Paola Rusmini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Centro InterUniversitario sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Angelo Poletti
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19
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Manzano R, Sorarú G, Grunseich C, Fratta P, Zuccaro E, Pennuto M, Rinaldi C. Beyond motor neurons: expanding the clinical spectrum in Kennedy's disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2018; 89:808-812. [PMID: 29353237 PMCID: PMC6204939 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2017-316961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Kennedy's disease, or spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), is an X-linked neuromuscular condition clinically characterised by weakness, atrophy and fasciculations of the limb and bulbar muscles, as a result of lower motor neuron degeneration. The disease is caused by an abnormally expanded triplet repeat expansions in the ubiquitously expressed androgen receptor gene, through mechanisms which are not entirely elucidated. Over the years studies from both humans and animal models have highlighted the involvement of cell populations other than motor neurons in SBMA, widening the disease phenotype. The most compelling aspect of these findings is their potential for therapeutic impact: muscle, for example, which is primarily affected in the disease, has been recently shown to represent a valid alternative target for therapy to motor neurons. In this review, we discuss the emerging study of the extra-motor neuron involvement in SBMA, which, besides increasingly pointing towards a multidisciplinary approach for affected patients, deepens our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms and holds potential for providing new therapeutic targets for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Manzano
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Gianni Sorarú
- Department of Neurosciences, Neuromuscular Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Christopher Grunseich
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Pietro Fratta
- Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Emanuela Zuccaro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Pennuto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Carlo Rinaldi
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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20
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Nath SR, Yu Z, Gipson TA, Marsh GB, Yoshidome E, Robins DM, Todi SV, Housman DE, Lieberman AP. Androgen receptor polyglutamine expansion drives age-dependent quality control defects and muscle dysfunction. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:3630-3641. [PMID: 29809168 DOI: 10.1172/jci99042] [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: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle has emerged as a critical, disease-relevant target tissue in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, a degenerative disorder of the neuromuscular system caused by a CAG/polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. Here, we used RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) to identify pathways that are disrupted in diseased muscle using AR113Q knockin mice. This analysis unexpectedly identified substantially diminished expression of numerous ubiquitin/proteasome pathway genes in AR113Q muscle, encoding approximately 30% of proteasome subunits and 20% of E2 ubiquitin conjugases. These changes were age, hormone, and glutamine length dependent and arose due to a toxic gain of function conferred by the mutation. Moreover, altered gene expression was associated with decreased levels of the proteasome transcription factor NRF1 and its activator DDI2 and resulted in diminished proteasome activity. Ubiquitinated ADRM1 was detected in AR113Q muscle, indicating the occurrence of stalled proteasomes in mutant mice. Finally, diminished expression of Drosophila orthologues of NRF1 or ADRM1 promoted the accumulation of polyQ AR protein and increased toxicity. Collectively, these data indicate that AR113Q muscle develops progressive proteasome dysfunction that leads to the impairment of quality control and the accumulation of polyQ AR protein, key features that contribute to the age-dependent onset and progression of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir R Nath
- Department of Pathology.,Medical Scientist Training Program, and.,Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Theresa A Gipson
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gregory B Marsh
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Diane M Robins
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Sokol V Todi
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - David E Housman
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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21
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Rusmini P, Cristofani R, Galbiati M, Cicardi ME, Meroni M, Ferrari V, Vezzoli G, Tedesco B, Messi E, Piccolella M, Carra S, Crippa V, Poletti A. The Role of the Heat Shock Protein B8 (HSPB8) in Motoneuron Diseases. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:176. [PMID: 28680390 PMCID: PMC5478700 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) are two motoneuron diseases (MNDs) characterized by aberrant protein behavior in affected cells. In familial ALS (fALS) and in SBMA specific gene mutations lead to the production of neurotoxic proteins or peptides prone to misfold, which then accumulate in form of aggregates. Notably, some of these proteins accumulate into aggregates also in sporadic ALS (sALS) even if not mutated. To prevent proteotoxic stresses detrimental to cells, misfolded and/or aggregated proteins must be rapidly removed by the protein quality control (PQC) system. The small heat shock protein B8 (HSPB8) is a chaperone induced by harmful events, like proteasome inhibition. HSPB8 is expressed both in motoneuron and muscle cells, which are both targets of misfolded protein toxicity in MNDs. In ALS mice models, in presence of the mutant proteins, HSPB8 is upregulated both in spinal cord and muscle. HSPB8 interacts with the HSP70 co-chaperone BAG3 and enhances the degradation of misfolded proteins linked to sALS, or causative of fALS and of SBMA. HSPB8 acts by facilitating autophagy, thereby preventing misfolded protein accumulation in affected cells. BAG3 and BAG1 compete for HSP70-bound clients and target them for disposal to the autophagy or proteasome, respectively. Enhancing the selective targeting of misfolded proteins by HSPB8-BAG3-HSP70 to autophagy may also decrease their delivery to the proteasome by the BAG1-HSP70 complex, thereby limiting possible proteasome overwhelming. Thus, approaches aimed at potentiating HSPB8-BAG3 may contribute to the maintenance of proteostasis and may delay MNDs progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Rusmini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cristofani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilano, Italy
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilano, Italy
| | - Maria E Cicardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilano, Italy
| | - Marco Meroni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilano, Italy
| | - Veronica Ferrari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilano, Italy
| | - Giulia Vezzoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilano, Italy
| | - Barbara Tedesco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilano, Italy
| | - Elio Messi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilano, Italy
| | - Margherita Piccolella
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilano, Italy
| | - Serena Carra
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Metaboliche e Neuroscienze, Università di Modena e Reggio EmiliaModena, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilano, Italy.,C. Mondino National Neurological InstitutePavia, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilano, Italy.,Centro Interuniversitario sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Roma Tor VergataMilano, Italy
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22
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Borgia D, Malena A, Spinazzi M, Desbats MA, Salviati L, Russell AP, Miotto G, Tosatto L, Pegoraro E, Sorarù G, Pennuto M, Vergani L. Increased mitophagy in the skeletal muscle of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy patients. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:1087-1103. [PMID: 28087734 PMCID: PMC5409076 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a neuromuscular disorder caused by polyglutamine expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) and characterized by the loss of lower motor neurons. Here we investigated pathological processes occurring in muscle biopsy specimens derived from SBMA patients and, as controls, age-matched healthy subjects and patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and neurogenic atrophy. We detected atrophic fibers in the muscle of SBMA, ALS and neurogenic atrophy patients. In addition, SBMA muscle was characterized by the presence of a large number of hypertrophic fibers, with oxidative fibers having a larger size compared with glycolytic fibers. Polyglutamine-expanded AR expression was decreased in whole muscle, yet enriched in the nucleus, and localized to mitochondria. Ultrastructural analysis revealed myofibrillar disorganization and streaming in zones lacking mitochondria and degenerating mitochondria. Using molecular (mtDNA copy number), biochemical (citrate synthase and respiratory chain enzymes) and morphological (dark blue area in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-stained muscle cross-sections) analyses, we found a depletion of the mitochondria associated with enhanced mitophagy. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed an increase of phosphatidylethanolamines and phosphatidylserines in mitochondria isolated from SBMA muscles, as well as a 50% depletion of cardiolipin associated with decreased expression of the cardiolipin synthase gene. These observations suggest a causative link between nuclear polyglutamine-expanded AR accumulation, depletion of mitochondrial mass, increased mitophagy and altered mitochondrial membrane composition in SBMA muscle patients. Given the central role of mitochondria in cell bioenergetics, therapeutic approaches toward improving the mitochondrial network are worth considering to support SBMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doriana Borgia
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Adriana Malena
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Spinazzi
- VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, KU Leuven Center for Human Genetics, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maria Andrea Desbats
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy, and IRP Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Leonardo Salviati
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Woman and Child Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy, and IRP Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Aaron P Russell
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
| | - Giovanni Miotto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Proteomic Center of Padova University, VIMM and Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Laura Tosatto
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Elena Pegoraro
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Pennuto
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Lodovica Vergani
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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23
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Querin G, Sorarù G, Pradat PF. Kennedy disease (X-linked recessive bulbospinal neuronopathy): A comprehensive review from pathophysiology to therapy. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2017; 173:326-337. [PMID: 28473226 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2017.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Kennedy's disease, also known as spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), is a rare, adult-onset, X-linked recessive neuromuscular disease caused by expansion of a CAG repeat sequence in exon 1 of the androgen receptor gene (AR) encoding a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract. The polyQ-expanded AR accumulates in nuclei, and initiates degeneration and loss of motor neurons and dorsal root ganglia. While the disease has long been considered a pure lower motor neuron disease, recently, the presence of major hyper-creatine-kinase (CK)-emia and myopathic alterations on muscle biopsy has suggested the presence of a primary myopathy underlying a wide range of clinical manifestations. The disease, which affects male adults, is characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy localized proximally in the limbs, and bulbar involvement. Sensory disturbances are associated with the motor phenotype, but may be subclinical. The most frequent systemic symptom is gynecomastia related to androgen insensitivity, but other abnormalities, such as heart rhythm and urinary disturbances, have also been reported. The course of the disease is slowly progressive with normal life expectancy. The diagnosis of SBMA is based on genetic testing, with 38 CAG repeats taken as pathogenic. Despite several therapeutic attempts made in mouse models, no effective disease-modifying therapy is yet available, although symptomatic therapy is beneficial for the management of the weakness, fatigue and bulbar symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Querin
- Laboratoire d'imagerie biomédicale, Sorbonne universités, UPMC University Paris 06, CNRS, Inserm, 75013 Paris, France; Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - G Sorarù
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - P-F Pradat
- Laboratoire d'imagerie biomédicale, Sorbonne universités, UPMC University Paris 06, CNRS, Inserm, 75013 Paris, France; Département des maladies du système nerveux, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtriere, centre référent-SLA, AP-HP, 47-83, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France.
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24
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Milioto C, Malena A, Maino E, Polanco MJ, Marchioretti C, Borgia D, Pereira MG, Blaauw B, Lieberman AP, Venturini R, Plebani M, Sambataro F, Vergani L, Pegoraro E, Sorarù G, Pennuto M. Beta-agonist stimulation ameliorates the phenotype of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy mice and patient-derived myotubes. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41046. [PMID: 28117338 PMCID: PMC5259768 DOI: 10.1038/srep41046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a neuromuscular disease characterized by the loss of lower motor neurons. SBMA is caused by expansions of a polyglutamine tract in the gene coding for androgen receptor (AR). Expression of polyglutamine-expanded AR causes damage to motor neurons and skeletal muscle cells. Here we investigated the effect of β-agonist stimulation in SBMA myotube cells derived from mice and patients, and in knock-in mice. We show that treatment of myotubes expressing polyglutamine-expanded AR with the β-agonist clenbuterol increases their size. Clenbuterol activated the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and decreased the accumulation of polyglutamine-expanded AR. Treatment of SBMA knock-in mice with clenbuterol, which was started at disease onset, ameliorated motor function and extended survival. Clenbuterol improved muscle pathology, attenuated the glycolytic-to-oxidative metabolic alterations occurring in SBMA muscles and induced hypertrophy of both glycolytic and oxidative fibers. These results indicate that β-agonist stimulation is a novel therapeutic strategy for SBMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Milioto
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, University of Genova, 16100 Genova, Italy
| | - Adriana Malena
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - Eleonora Maino
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Maria J Polanco
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Caterina Marchioretti
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Doriana Borgia
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - Marcelo Gomes Pereira
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - Bert Blaauw
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrew P Lieberman
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Roberta Venturini
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - Mario Plebani
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - Fabio Sambataro
- Department of Experimental &Clinical Medical Sciences (DISM), University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Lodovica Vergani
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - Elena Pegoraro
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Pennuto
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
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25
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Giorgetti E, Lieberman AP. Polyglutamine androgen receptor-mediated neuromuscular disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:3991-9. [PMID: 27188284 PMCID: PMC5045769 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2275-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Revised: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
An expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) tract at the amino-terminus of the androgen receptor (AR) confers toxic properties responsible for neuronal and non-neuronal degeneration in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), one of nine polyQ expansion diseases. Both lower motor neurons and peripheral tissues, including skeletal muscle, are affected, supporting the notion that SBMA is not a pure motor neuron disease but a degenerative disorder of the neuromuscular system. Here, we review experimental evidence demonstrating both nerve and muscle degeneration in SBMA model systems and patients. We propose that polyQ AR toxicity targets these components in a time-dependent fashion, with muscle pathology predominating early and motor neuron loss becoming more significant at late stages. This model of pathogenesis has important therapeutic implications, suggesting that symptoms arising from degeneration of nerve or muscle predominate at different points and that directed interventions targeting these components will be variably effective depending upon disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Giorgetti
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, 3510 MSRB1, 1150 West Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Andrew P Lieberman
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, 3510 MSRB1, 1150 West Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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26
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Glycolytic-to-oxidative fiber-type switch and mTOR signaling activation are early-onset features of SBMA muscle modified by high-fat diet. Acta Neuropathol 2016; 132:127-44. [PMID: 26971100 PMCID: PMC4911374 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-016-1550-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Revised: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a neuromuscular disease caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine tract in the androgen receptor (AR). The mechanism by which expansion of polyglutamine in AR causes muscle atrophy is unknown. Here, we investigated pathological pathways underlying muscle atrophy in SBMA knock-in mice and patients. We show that glycolytic muscles were more severely affected than oxidative muscles in SBMA knock-in mice. Muscle atrophy was associated with early-onset, progressive glycolytic-to-oxidative fiber-type switch. Whole genome microarray and untargeted lipidomic analyses revealed enhanced lipid metabolism and impaired glycolysis selectively in muscle. These metabolic changes occurred before denervation and were associated with a concurrent enhancement of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, which induced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1 alpha (PGC1α) expression. At later stages of disease, we detected mitochondrial membrane depolarization, enhanced transcription factor EB (TFEB) expression and autophagy, and mTOR-induced protein synthesis. Several of these abnormalities were detected in the muscle of SBMA patients. Feeding knock-in mice a high-fat diet (HFD) restored mTOR activation, decreased the expression of PGC1α, TFEB, and genes involved in oxidative metabolism, reduced mitochondrial abnormalities, ameliorated muscle pathology, and extended survival. These findings show early-onset and intrinsic metabolic alterations in SBMA muscle and link lipid/glucose metabolism to pathogenesis. Moreover, our results highlight an HFD regime as a promising approach to support SBMA patients.
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27
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Jokela M, Huovinen S, Raheem O, Lindfors M, Palmio J, Penttilä S, Udd B. Distinct Muscle Biopsy Findings in Genetically Defined Adult-Onset Motor Neuron Disorders. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151376. [PMID: 26999347 PMCID: PMC4801364 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to characterize and compare muscle histopathological findings in 3 different genetic motor neuron disorders. We retrospectively re-assessed muscle biopsy findings in 23 patients with autosomal dominant lower motor neuron disease caused by p.G66V mutation in CHCHD10 (SMAJ), 10 X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) and 11 autosomal dominant c9orf72-mutated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (c9ALS) patients. Distinct large fiber type grouping consisting of non-atrophic type IIA muscle fibers were 100% specific for the late-onset spinal muscular atrophies (SMAJ and SBMA) and were never observed in c9ALS. Common, but less specific findings included small groups of highly atrophic rounded type IIA fibers in SMAJ/SBMA, whereas in c9ALS, small group atrophies consisting of small-caliber angular fibers involving both fiber types were more characteristic. We also show that in the 2 slowly progressive motor neuron disorders (SMAJ and SBMA) the initial neurogenic features are often confused with considerable secondary “myopathic” changes at later disease stages, such as rimmed vacuoles, myofibrillar aggregates and numerous fibers reactive for fetal myosin heavy chain (dMyHC) antibodies. Based on our findings, muscle biopsy may be valuable in the diagnostic work-up of suspected motor neuron disorders in order to avoid a false ALS diagnosis in patients without clear findings of upper motor neuron lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manu Jokela
- Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
- * E-mail:
| | - Sanna Huovinen
- Department of Pathology, Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Olayinka Raheem
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Mikaela Lindfors
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Johanna Palmio
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Sini Penttilä
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Bjarne Udd
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
- Department of Neurology, Vasa Central Hospital, Vasa, Finland
- Folkhälsan Genetic Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
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28
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YU YONGHUI, CHU WANLI, CHAI JIAKE, LI XIAO, LIU LINGYING, MA LI. Critical role of miRNAs in mediating skeletal muscle atrophy (Review). Mol Med Rep 2015; 13:1470-4. [DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.4748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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29
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Pennuto M, Basso M. In Vitro and In Vivo Modeling of Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy. J Mol Neurosci 2015; 58:365-73. [PMID: 26614347 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-015-0677-4] [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: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an X-linked neuromuscular disease characterized by late-onset, progressive degeneration of lower motor neurons and skeletal muscle atrophy. SBMA is caused by expansions of a CAG trinucleotide repeat in the gene encoding the androgen receptor (AR). One striking feature of SBMA is sex specificity: SBMA fully manifests only in males, whereas females show subclinical or mild disease manifestations even when homozygous for the mutation. Since the identification of the mutation responsible for SBMA in 1991, several cell and animal models have been developed to recapitulate the main features of disease in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we describe the most widely used cellular and animal models of SBMA, highlighting advantages and disadvantages in the use of these models to gain mechanistic and therapeutic insights into SBMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pennuto
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute Lab of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123, Trento, Italy.
| | - Manuela Basso
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Neurobiology, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123, Trento, Italy.
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30
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Jokela ME, Udd B. Diagnostic Clinical, Electrodiagnostic and Muscle Pathology Features of Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy. J Mol Neurosci 2015; 58:330-4. [PMID: 26572533 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-015-0684-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Kennedy's disease or spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a multi-system disorder affecting adult males, which is characterized by weakness of limbs and faciobulbar muscles primarily due to loss of lower motor neurons. Besides the obvious motor neuronopathy, additional findings in a substantial proportion of SBMA patients include sensory neuropathy and signs of androgen deficiency, such as poor sexual functioning and reduced fertility with gynaecomastia. The presence of elevated glucose, liver pathology or dyslipidaemia is less consistent features. We review the striking clinical, electrodiagnostic and muscle pathology features characteristic of Kennedy's disease, which has some peculiar and diagnostically useful features not observed in many other neuromuscular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manu E Jokela
- Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Turku University Hospital, and University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20520, Turku, Finland.
| | - Bjarne Udd
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Tampere University and Hospital, Tampere, Finland
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31
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The Role of the Protein Quality Control System in SBMA. J Mol Neurosci 2015; 58:348-64. [PMID: 26572535 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-015-0675-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) or Kennedy's disease is an X-linked disease associated with the expansion of the CAG triplet repeat present in exon 1 of the androgen receptor (AR) gene. This results in the production of a mutant AR containing an elongated polyglutamine tract (polyQ) in its N-terminus. Interestingly, the ARpolyQ becomes toxic only after its activation by the natural androgenic ligands, possibly because of aberrant androgen-induced conformational changes of the ARpolyQ, which generate misfolded species. These misfolded ARpolyQ species must be cleared from motoneurons and muscle cells, and this process is mediated by the protein quality control (PQC) system. Experimental evidence suggested that failure of the PQC pathways occurs in disease, leading to ARpolyQ accumulation and toxicity in the target cells. In this review, we summarized the overall impact of mutant and misfolded ARpolyQ on the PQC system and described how molecular chaperones and the degradative pathways (ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), the autophagy-lysosome pathway (ALP), and the unfolded protein response (UPR), which activates the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD)) are differentially affected in SBMA. We also extensively and critically reviewed several molecular and pharmacological approaches proposed to restore a global intracellular activity of the PQC system. Collectively, these data suggest that the fine and delicate equilibrium existing among the different players of the PQC system could be restored in a therapeutic perspective by the synergic/additive activities of compounds designed to tackle sequential or alternative steps of the intracellular defense mechanisms triggered against proteotoxic misfolded species.
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32
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Cao M, Donà M, Valentino ML, Valentino L, Semplicini C, Maresca A, Cassina M, Torraco A, Galletta E, Manfioli V, Sorarù G, Carelli V, Stramare R, Bertini E, Carrozzo R, Salviati L, Pegoraro E. Clinical and molecular study in a long-surviving patient with MLASA syndrome due to novel PUS1 mutations. Neurogenetics 2015; 17:65-70. [PMID: 26556812 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-015-0465-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Myopathy-lactic acidosis-sideroblastic anemia (MLASA) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disease. We studied a 43-year-old female presenting since childhood with mild cognitive impairment and sideroblastic anemia. She later developed hepatopathy, cardiomyopathy, and insulin-dependent diabetes. Muscle weakness appeared in adolescence and, at age 43, she was unable to walk. Two novel different mutations in the PUS1 gene were identified: c.487delA (p.I163Lfs*4) and c.884 G>A (p.R295Q). Quantitative analysis of DNA from skeletal muscle biopsies showed a significant increase in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in the patient compared to controls. Clinical and molecular findings of this patient widen the genotype-phenotype spectrum in MLASA syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Donà
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - M Lucia Valentino
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lucia Valentino
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Maresca
- IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Cassina
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandra Torraco
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Children's Research Hospital "Bambino Gesù", IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Eva Galletta
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Gianni Sorarù
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Valerio Carelli
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Stramare
- Section of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Children's Research Hospital "Bambino Gesù", IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosalba Carrozzo
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Children's Research Hospital "Bambino Gesù", IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Leonardo Salviati
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Elena Pegoraro
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padua, Italy. .,Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, via Giustiniani, 5, 35128, Padua, Italy.
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Aberrant Autophagic Response in The Muscle of A Knock-in Mouse Model of Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy. Sci Rep 2015; 5:15174. [PMID: 26490709 PMCID: PMC4614888 DOI: 10.1038/srep15174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is characterized by loss of motoneurons and sensory neurons, accompanied by atrophy of muscle cells. SBMA is due to an androgen receptor containing a polyglutamine tract (ARpolyQ) that misfolds and aggregates, thereby perturbing the protein quality control (PQC) system. Using SBMA AR113Q mice we analyzed proteotoxic stress-induced alterations of HSPB8-mediated PQC machinery promoting clearance of misfolded proteins by autophagy. In muscle of symptomatic AR113Q male mice, we found expression upregulation of Pax-7, myogenin, E2-ubiquitin ligase UBE2Q1 and acetylcholine receptor (AchR), but not of MyoD, and of two E3-ligases (MuRF-1 and Cullin3). TGFβ1 and PGC-1α were also robustly upregulated. We also found a dramatic perturbation of the autophagic response, with upregulation of most autophagic markers (Beclin-1, ATG10, p62/SQSTM1, LC3) and of the HSPB8-mediated PQC response. Both HSPB8 and its co-chaperone BAG3 were robustly upregulated together with other specific HSPB8 interactors (HSPB2 and HSPB3). Notably, the BAG3:BAG1 ratio increased in muscle suggesting preferential misfolded proteins routing to autophagy rather than to proteasome. Thus, mutant ARpolyQ induces a potent autophagic response in muscle cells. Alteration in HSPB8-based PQC machinery may represent muscle-specific biomarkers useful to assess SBMA progression in mice and patients in response to pharmacological treatments.
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Todd TW, Kokubu H, Miranda HC, Cortes CJ, La Spada AR, Lim J. Nemo-like kinase is a novel regulator of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. eLife 2015; 4:e08493. [PMID: 26308581 PMCID: PMC4577982 DOI: 10.7554/elife.08493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a progressive neuromuscular disease caused by polyglutamine expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) protein. Despite extensive research, the exact pathogenic mechanisms underlying SBMA remain elusive. In this study, we present evidence that Nemo-like kinase (NLK) promotes disease pathogenesis across multiple SBMA model systems. Most remarkably, loss of one copy of Nlk rescues SBMA phenotypes in mice, including extending lifespan. We also investigated the molecular mechanisms by which NLK exerts its effects in SBMA. Specifically, we have found that NLK can phosphorylate the mutant polyglutamine-expanded AR, enhance its aggregation, and promote AR-dependent gene transcription by regulating AR-cofactor interactions. Furthermore, NLK modulates the toxicity of a mutant AR fragment via a mechanism that is independent of AR-mediated gene transcription. Our findings uncover a crucial role for NLK in controlling SBMA toxicity and reveal a novel avenue for therapy development in SBMA. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.08493.001 Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an inherited disease that eventually leads to degeneration in motor neurons and weakness in muscles. It is caused by a specific genetic mutation in the gene that encodes the androgen receptor protein, which leads to the production of a mutant protein that is larger than normal. Similar mutations in other genes can lead to the development of other so-called ‘polyglutamine’ diseases such as Huntington's disease and spinocerebellar ataxia. However, the precise details of how these mutations lead to disease symptoms are not known, and there are currently no effective ways of treating these conditions. Previous research has shown that an enzyme called Nemo-like kinase (or NLK for short) regulates the normal androgen receptor in cancer cells. NLK has kinase activity, that is, it adds phosphate molecules to other proteins to regulate their activity. Todd et al. used human cells, fruit flies, and mice as model systems to investigate whether NLK is involved in the development of SBMA. The experiments show that NLK promotes the development of features associated with SBMA in all three models. The kinase activity of NLK is required for these features to develop. Todd et al. also found that NLK can bind to and add phosphate molecules to the mutant version of the androgen receptor protein. This causes the mutant androgen receptor proteins to accumulate and increases the ability of the mutant proteins to activate particular genes. Todd et al.'s findings suggest that NLK promotes the development of SBMA by interacting with the mutant androgen receptor. Previous studies have shown that NLK is able to modulate the development of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, which suggests that NLK may also play an important role in other polyglutamine diseases. The next challenge will be to fully understand the role of NLK in these diseases, which may aid future efforts to develop new treatments. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.08493.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany W Todd
- Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| | - Hiroshi Kokubu
- Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| | - Helen C Miranda
- Departments of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Neurosciences, and Pediatrics, Division of Biological Sciences, Institute for Genomic Medicine, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States
| | - Constanza J Cortes
- Departments of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Neurosciences, and Pediatrics, Division of Biological Sciences, Institute for Genomic Medicine, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States
| | - Albert R La Spada
- Departments of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Neurosciences, and Pediatrics, Division of Biological Sciences, Institute for Genomic Medicine, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States
| | - Janghoo Lim
- Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
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Pennuto M, Greensmith L, Pradat PF, Sorarù G. 210th ENMC International Workshop: Research and clinical management of patients with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, 27-29 March, 2015, Naarden, The Netherlands. Neuromuscul Disord 2015. [PMID: 26206601 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2015.06.462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pennuto
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute Lab of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Italy.
| | - Linda Greensmith
- The Graham Watts Laboratories for Research into Motor Neuron Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Pierre-François Pradat
- Département des Maladies du Système Nerveux, AP-HP, Groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France; UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale (LIB), Sorbonne Universités, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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Galbiati M, Crippa V, Rusmini P, Cristofani R, Cicardi ME, Giorgetti E, Onesto E, Messi E, Poletti A. ALS-related misfolded protein management in motor neurons and muscle cells. Neurochem Int 2014; 79:70-8. [PMID: 25451799 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2014.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Revised: 10/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of adult-onset motor neuron disease. It is now considered a multi-factorial and multi-systemic disorder in which alterations of the crosstalk between neuronal and non-neuronal cell types might influence the course of the disease. In this review, we will provide evidence that dysfunctions of affected muscle cells are not only a marginal consequence of denervation associated to motor neurons loss, but a direct consequence of cell muscle toxicity of mutant SOD1. In muscle, the misfolded state of mutant SOD1 protein, unlike in motor neurons, does not appear to have direct effects on protein aggregation and mitochondrial functionality. Muscle cells are, in fact, more capable than motor neurons to handle misfolded proteins, suggesting that mutant SOD1 toxicity in muscle is not mediated by classical mechanisms of intracellular misfolded proteins accumulation. Several recent works indicate that a higher activation of molecular chaperones and degradative systems is present in muscle cells, which for this reason are possibly able to better manage misfolded mutant SOD1. However, several alterations in gene expression and regenerative potential of skeletal muscles have also been reported as a consequence of the expression of mutant SOD1 in muscle. Whether these changes in muscle cells are causative of ALS or a consequence of motor neuron alterations is not yet clear, but their elucidation is very important, since the understanding of the mechanisms involved in mutant SOD1 toxicity in muscle may facilitate the design of treatments directed toward this specific tissue to treat ALS or at least to delay disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariarita Galbiati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Centre of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy; InterUniversity Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIMN), Università degli Studi di Firenze, Roma "Tor Vergata", Genova and Milano, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Centre of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy; InterUniversity Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIMN), Università degli Studi di Firenze, Roma "Tor Vergata", Genova and Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Rusmini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Centre of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy; InterUniversity Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIMN), Università degli Studi di Firenze, Roma "Tor Vergata", Genova and Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cristofani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Centre of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy; InterUniversity Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIMN), Università degli Studi di Firenze, Roma "Tor Vergata", Genova and Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Cicardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Centre of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Elisa Giorgetti
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Elisa Onesto
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elio Messi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Centre of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Centre of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy; InterUniversity Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIMN), Università degli Studi di Firenze, Roma "Tor Vergata", Genova and Milano, Italy.
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37
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Boyer JG, Ferrier A, Kothary R. More than a bystander: the contributions of intrinsic skeletal muscle defects in motor neuron diseases. Front Physiol 2013; 4:356. [PMID: 24391590 PMCID: PMC3866803 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2013.00356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and spinal-bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) are devastating diseases characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons. Although the molecular causes underlying these diseases differ, recent findings have highlighted the contribution of intrinsic skeletal muscle defects in motor neuron diseases. The use of cell culture and animal models has led to the important finding that muscle defects occur prior to and independently of motor neuron degeneration in motor neuron diseases. In SMA for instance, the muscle specific requirements of the SMA disease-causing gene have been demonstrated by a series of genetic rescue experiments in SMA models. Conditional ALS mouse models expressing a muscle specific mutant SOD1 gene develop atrophy and muscle degeneration in the absence of motor neuron pathology. Treating SBMA mice by over-expressing IGF-1 in a skeletal muscle-specific manner attenuates disease severity and improves motor neuron pathology. In the present review, we provide an in depth description of muscle intrinsic defects, and discuss how they impact muscle function in these diseases. Furthermore, we discuss muscle-specific therapeutic strategies used to treat animal models of SMA, ALS, and SBMA. The study of intrinsic skeletal muscle defects is crucial for the understanding of the pathophysiology of these diseases and will open new therapeutic options for the treatment of motor neuron diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin G Boyer
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Regenerative Medicine Program Ottawa ON, Canada ; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew Ferrier
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Regenerative Medicine Program Ottawa ON, Canada ; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Rashmi Kothary
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Regenerative Medicine Program Ottawa ON, Canada ; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa Ottawa, ON, Canada ; Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa Ottawa, ON, Canada
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