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Liu X, Xue H, Wirdefeldt K, Song H, Smedby K, Fang F, Liu Q. Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential and risk of neurodegenerative diseases. J Intern Med 2024. [PMID: 39073225 DOI: 10.1111/joim.20001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known regarding the association between clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) and risk of neurodegenerative diseases. OBJECTIVE To estimate the risk of neurodegenerative diseases among individuals with CHIP. METHODS We conducted a community-based cohort study based on UK Biobank and used Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk of any neurodegenerative disease, subtypes of neurodegenerative diseases (including primary neurodegenerative diseases, vascular neurodegenerative diseases, and other neurodegenerative diseases), and specific diagnoses of neurodegenerative diseases (i.e., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS], Alzheimer's disease [AD], and Parkinson's disease [PD]) associated with CHIP. RESULTS We identified 14,440 individuals with CHIP and 450,907 individuals without CHIP. Individuals with CHIP had an increased risk of any neurodegenerative disease (HR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01-1.19). We also observed a statistically significantly increased risk for vascular neurodegenerative diseases (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.05-1.63) and ALS (HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.05-2.15). An increased risk was also noted for other neurodegenerative diseases (HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.97-1.32), although not statistically significant. Null association was noted for primary neurodegenerative diseases (HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.96-1.17), AD (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.88-1.23), and PD (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.86-1.21). The risk increase in any neurodegenerative disease was mainly observed for DNMT3A-mutant CHIP, ASXL1-mutant CHIP, or SRSF2-mutant CHIP. CONCLUSION Individuals with CHIP were at an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases, primarily vascular neurodegenerative diseases and ALS, but potentially also other neurodegenerative diseases. These findings suggest potential shared mechanisms between CHIP and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyuan Liu
- Center for Intelligent Medicine Research, Greater Bay Area Institute of Precision Medicine (Guangzhou), State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Center for Evolutionary Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiwen Xue
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China
| | - Karin Wirdefeldt
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Huan Song
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Karin Smedby
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fang Fang
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Qianwei Liu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Hematology Diseases of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China
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Clayton EL, Huggon L, Cousin MA, Mizielinska S. Synaptopathy: presynaptic convergence in frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain 2024; 147:2289-2307. [PMID: 38451707 PMCID: PMC11224618 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae074] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are common forms of neurodegenerative disease that share overlapping genetics and pathologies. Crucially, no significantly disease-modifying treatments are available for either disease. Identifying the earliest changes that initiate neuronal dysfunction is important for designing effective intervention therapeutics. The genes mutated in genetic forms of frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have diverse cellular functions, and multiple disease mechanisms have been proposed for both. Identification of a convergent disease mechanism in frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis would focus research for a targetable pathway, which could potentially effectively treat all forms of frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (both familial and sporadic). Synaptopathies are diseases resulting from physiological dysfunction of synapses, and define the earliest stages in multiple neuronal diseases, with synapse loss a key feature in dementia. At the presynapse, the process of synaptic vesicle recruitment, fusion and recycling is necessary for activity-dependent neurotransmitter release. The unique distal location of the presynaptic terminal means the tight spatio-temporal control of presynaptic homeostasis is dependent on efficient local protein translation and degradation. Recently, numerous publications have shown that mutations associated with frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis present with synaptopathy characterized by presynaptic dysfunction. This review will describe the complex local signalling and membrane trafficking events that occur at the presynapse to facilitate neurotransmission and will summarize recent publications linking frontotemporal dementia/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis genetic mutations to presynaptic function. This evidence indicates that presynaptic synaptopathy is an early and convergent event in frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and illustrates the need for further research in this area, to identify potential therapeutic targets with the ability to impact this convergent pathomechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Clayton
- UK Dementia Research Institute at King’s College London, London SE5 9RT, UK
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London SE5 9RT, UK
| | - Laura Huggon
- UK Dementia Research Institute at King’s College London, London SE5 9RT, UK
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London SE5 9RT, UK
| | - Michael A Cousin
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
- Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Sarah Mizielinska
- UK Dementia Research Institute at King’s College London, London SE5 9RT, UK
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London SE5 9RT, UK
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Zhu Y, Li M, Wang H, Yang F, Du R, Pang X, Bai J, Huang X. Mendelian Randomization Identifies Genetically Supported Drug Targets for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:3809-3818. [PMID: 38019415 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03817-7] [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: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Currently, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) have no effective treatments. Drug repurposing offers a rapid method to meet therapeutic need for ALS and FTD. To identify therapeutic targets associated with ALS and FTD, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and colocalization were performed. Genetic instruments were based on transcriptomic and proteomic data for 422 actionable proteins targeted by approved drugs or clinical drug candidates. The publicly available ALS GWAS summary data (including a total of 20,806 ALS cases and 59,804 controls) and FTD GWAS summary data (including a total of 2154 patients with FTD and 4308 controls) were used. Using cis-expression quantitative trait loci and cis-protein quantitative trait loci genetic instruments, we identified several drug targets for repurposing (ALS: MARK3, false-discovery rate (FDR) = 0.043; LTBR, FDR = 0.068) (FTD: HLA-DRB1, FDR = 0.083; ADH5, FDR = 0.056). Our MR study analyzed the actionable druggable proteins and provided potential therapeutic targets for ALS and FTD. Future studies should further elucidate the underlying mechanism of corresponding drug targets in the pathogenesis of ALS and FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahui Zhu
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Mao Li
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hongfen Wang
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Yang
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - RongRong Du
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- College of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinyuan Pang
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- College of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiongming Bai
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- College of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xusheng Huang
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China.
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
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Ketabforoush A, Faghihi F, Azedi F, Ariaei A, Habibi MA, Khalili M, Ashtiani BH, Joghataei MT, Arnold WD. Sodium Phenylbutyrate and Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid: A Story of Hope Turned to Disappointment in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Treatment. Clin Drug Investig 2024; 44:495-512. [PMID: 38909349 DOI: 10.1007/s40261-024-01371-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
The absence of a definitive cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) emphasizes the crucial need to explore new and improved treatment approaches for this fatal, progressive, and disabling neurodegenerative disorder. As at the end of 2023, five treatments - riluzole, edaravone, dextromethorphan hydrobromide + quinidine sulfate (DHQ), tofersen, and sodium phenylbutyrate-tauroursodeoxycholic acid (PB-TUDCA) - were FDA approved for the treatment of patients with ALS. Among them PB-TUDCA has been shown to impact DNA processing impairments, mitochondria dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, and pathologic folded protein agglomeration defects, which have been associated with ALS pathophysiology. The Phase 2 CENTAUR trial demonstrated significant impact of PB-TUDCA on the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) risk of death, hospitalization, and the need for tracheostomy or permanent assisted ventilation in patients with ALS based on post hoc analyses. More recently, contrasting with the CENTAUR trial results, results from the Phase 3 PHOENIX trial (NCT05021536) showed no change in ALSFRS-R total score at 48 weeks. Consequently, the sponsor company initiated the process with the US FDA and Health Canada to voluntarily withdraw the marketing authorizations for PB-TUDCA. In the present article, we review ALS pathophysiology, with a focus on PB-TUDCA's proposed mechanisms of action and recent clinical trial results and discuss the implications of conflicting trial data for ALS and other neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arsh Ketabforoush
- NextGen Precision Health, University of Missouri, 1030 Hitt St., Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Faezeh Faghihi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Azedi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Armin Ariaei
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohamad Amin Habibi
- Clinical Research Development Center, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Maryam Khalili
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahram Haghi Ashtiani
- Department of Neurology, Firouzgar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taghi Joghataei
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - W David Arnold
- NextGen Precision Health, University of Missouri, 1030 Hitt St., Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
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Adler GL, Le K, Fu Y, Kim WS. Human Endogenous Retroviruses in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:745. [PMID: 38927681 PMCID: PMC11202925 DOI: 10.3390/genes15060745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are DNA transposable elements that have integrated into the human genome via an ancestral germline infection. The potential importance of HERVs is underscored by the fact that they comprise approximately 8% of the human genome. HERVs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, a group of CNS diseases characterized by a progressive loss of structure and function of neurons, resulting in cell death and multiple physiological dysfunctions. Much evidence indicates that HERVs are initiators or drivers of neurodegenerative processes in multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and clinical trials have been designed to target HERVs. In recent years, the role of HERVs has been explored in other major neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, with some interesting discoveries. This review summarizes and evaluates the past and current research on HERVs in neurodegenerative diseases. It discusses the potential role of HERVs in disease manifestation and neurodegeneration. It critically reviews antiretroviral strategies used in the therapeutic intervention of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle L. Adler
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Kelvin Le
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - YuHong Fu
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Woojin Scott Kim
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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Rezaee Semnani M, Mirzaasgari Z, Ariaei A, Haghi Ashtiani B. Evaluation of carotid Intima-Media Thickness (IMT) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease using ultrasonography. J Clin Neurosci 2024; 124:67-72. [PMID: 38657488 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2024.04.019] [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: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with multi-mechanisms as; inflammation, oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, protein aggregation, etc. This study aimed to evaluate the carotid Intima-Media Thickness (IMT) in ALS and healthy groups, as a possible indicator of these mechanisms. METHODS 42 patients with ALS along with 53 normal age and body mass index (BMI) matched participants were recruited from the Firoozgar hospital. Carotid IMT values of the participants were measured using B-mode ultrasonography. Using Pearson correlation and logistic regression adjusting with age, BMI, and gender, the IMT values were assessed. RESULTS The mean right and left carotid IMT values of the ALS patients (0.66 ± 0.09) were significantly higher than normal participants (0.45 ± 0.10) (p < 0.001). In addition, the IMT values were highly correlated with the age (r = 0.632; p < 0.001) and the age of ALS onset (r = 0.595; p < 0.001), in contrast to the BMI. Moreover, the higher value of IMT was associated with an increasing risk of ALS with an odd ratio (OR) of 1.483 (95 % Confidence interval [1.026-2.144]). Eventually, evaluating IMT by classifying ALS patients based on the ALS Health State Scale (ALSHSS) from early to late stage revealed a non-linear increase in the OR (1.372, 1.898, 2.172, and 3.403). CONCLUSION The increased value of the carotid IMT independent of BMI in ALS could be assessed through ultrasonography as a convenient tool to evaluate the disease severity or possible systemic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Rezaee Semnani
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Zahra Mirzaasgari
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Armin Ariaei
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahram Haghi Ashtiani
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
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Xiong B, Yang C, Yang X, Luo S, Li S, Chen C, He K, Nie L, Li P, Li S, Huang H, Liu J, Zhang Z, Xie Y, Zou L, Yang X. Arctigenin derivative A-1 ameliorates motor dysfunction and pathological manifestations in SOD1 G93A transgenic mice via the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α and AMPK/SIRT1/IL-1β/NF-κB pathways. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14692. [PMID: 38872258 PMCID: PMC11176200 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14692] [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: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive death of upper and lower motor neurons, leading to generalized muscle atrophy, paralysis, and even death. Mitochondrial damage and neuroinflammation play key roles in the pathogenesis of ALS. In the present study, the efficacy of A-1, a derivative of arctigenin with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) activation for ALS, was investigated. METHODS A-1 at 33.3 mg/kg was administrated in SOD1G93A transgenic mice orally from the 13th week for a 6-week treatment period. Motor ability was assessed before terminal anesthesia. Muscle atrophy and fibrosis, motor neurons, astrocytes, and microglia in the spinal cord were evaluated by H&E, Masson, Sirius Red, Nissl, and immunohistochemistry staining. Protein expression was detected with proteomics analysis, Western blotting, and ELISA. Mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured using an assay kit. RESULTS A-1 administration in SOD1G93A mice enhanced mobility, decreased skeletal muscle atrophy and fibrosis, mitigated loss of spinal motor neurons, and reduced glial activation. Additionally, A-1 treatment improved mitochondrial function, evidenced by elevated ATP levels and increased expression of key mitochondrial-related proteins. The A-1 treatment group showed decreased levels of IL-1β, pIκBα/IκBα, and pNF-κB/NF-κB. CONCLUSIONS A-1 treatment reduced motor neuron loss, improved gastrocnemius atrophy, and delayed ALS progression through the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway, which promotes mitochondrial biogenesis. Furthermore, the AMPK/SIRT1/IL-1β/NF-κB pathway exerted neuroprotective effects by reducing neuroinflammation. These findings suggest A-1 as a promising therapeutic approach for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bocheng Xiong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Chao Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Xiao Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Song Luo
- Department of NeurologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical UniversityBengbuChina
- Department of NeurologyShenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), ShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Shangming Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Chongyang Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Kaiwu He
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Lulin Nie
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Peimao Li
- Medical LaboratoryShenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational DiseasesShenzhenChina
| | - Shupeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of OncogenomicsSchool of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate SchoolShenzhenChina
| | - Haiyan Huang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Zaijun Zhang
- Institute of New Drug Research, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of ChinaJinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yongmei Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapySichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Liangyu Zou
- Department of NeurologyShenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), ShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Xifei Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020‐2024)Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
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Lin CY, Vanoverbeke V, Trent D, Willey K, Lee YS. The Spatiotemporal Expression of SOCS3 in the Brainstem and Spinal Cord of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mice. Brain Sci 2024; 14:564. [PMID: 38928564 PMCID: PMC11201580 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14060564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons from the brain and spinal cord. The excessive neuroinflammation is thought to be a common determinant of ALS. Suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) is pathologically upregulated after injury/diseases to negatively regulate a broad range of cytokines/chemokines that mediate inflammation; however, the role that SOCS3 plays in ALS pathogenesis has not been explored. Here, we found that SOCS3 protein levels were significantly increased in the brainstem of the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1)-G93A ALS mice, which is negatively related to a progressive decline in motor function from the pre-symptomatic to the early symptomatic stage. Moreover, SOCS3 levels in both cervical and lumbar spinal cords of ALS mice were also significantly upregulated at the pre-symptomatic stage and became exacerbated at the early symptomatic stage. Concomitantly, astrocytes and microglia/macrophages were progressively increased and reactivated over time. In contrast, neurons were simultaneously lost in the brainstem and spinal cord examined over the course of disease progression. Collectively, SOCS3 was first found to be upregulated during ALS progression to directly relate to both increased astrogliosis and increased neuronal loss, indicating that SOCS3 could be explored to be as a potential therapeutic target of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Yi Lin
- Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, LRI, NB3-90, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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Dashtmian AR, Darvishi FB, Arnold WD. Chronological and Biological Aging in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and the Potential of Senolytic Therapies. Cells 2024; 13:928. [PMID: 38891059 PMCID: PMC11171952 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110928] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a group of sporadic and genetic neurodegenerative disorders that result in losses of upper and lower motor neurons. Treatment of ALS is limited, and survival is 2-5 years after disease onset. While ALS can occur in younger individuals, the risk significantly increases with advancing age. Notably, both sporadic and genetic forms of ALS share pathophysiological features overlapping hallmarks of aging including genome instability/DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, proteostasis, and cellular senescence. This review explores chronological and biological aging in the context of ALS onset and progression. Age-related muscle weakness and motor unit loss mirror aspects of ALS pathology and coincide with peak ALS incidence, suggesting a potential link between aging and disease development. Hallmarks of biological aging, including DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cellular senescence, are implicated in both aging and ALS, offering insights into shared mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, senescence-associated secretory phenotype and senolytic treatments emerge as promising avenues for ALS intervention, with the potential to mitigate neuroinflammation and modify disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Roshani Dashtmian
- NextGen Precision Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (A.R.D.); (F.B.D.)
- NextGen Precision Health, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Fereshteh B. Darvishi
- NextGen Precision Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (A.R.D.); (F.B.D.)
- NextGen Precision Health, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - William David Arnold
- NextGen Precision Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (A.R.D.); (F.B.D.)
- NextGen Precision Health, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Dabrowska S, Turano E, Scambi I, Virla F, Nodari A, Pezzini F, Galiè M, Bonetti B, Mariotti R. A Cellular Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis to Study the Therapeutic Effects of Extracellular Vesicles from Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Microglial Activation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5707. [PMID: 38891895 PMCID: PMC11171908 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115707] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons (MNs) in the brain and spinal cord, leading to progressive paralysis and death. Increasing evidence indicates that neuroinflammation plays an important role in ALS's pathogenesis and disease progression. Neuroinflammatory responses, primarily driven by activated microglia and astrocytes, and followed by infiltrating peripheral immune cells, contribute to exacerbate/accelerate MN death. In particular, the role of the microglia in ALS remains unclear, partly due to the lack of experimental models that can fully recapitulate the complexity of ALS's pathology. In this study, we developed and characterized a microglial cell line, SIM-A9-expressing human mutant protein Cu+/Zn+ superoxide dismutase_1 (SIM-A9hSOD1(G93A)), as a suitable model in vitro mimicking the microglia activity in ALS. The expression of hSOD1(G93A) in SIM-A9 cells induced a change in their metabolic activity, causing polarization into a pro-inflammatory phenotype and enhancing reactive oxygen species production, which is known to activate cell death processes and apoptosis. Afterward, we used our microglial model as an experimental set-up to investigate the therapeutic action of extracellular vesicles isolated from adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ASC-EVs). ASC-EVs represent a promising therapeutic treatment for ALS due to their neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties. Here, we demonstrated that treatment with ASC-EVs is able to modulate activated ALS microglia, reducing their metabolic activity and polarizing their phenotype toward an anti-inflammatory one through a mechanism of reduction of reactive oxygen species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Dabrowska
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy; (S.D.); (E.T.); (I.S.); (F.V.); (A.N.); (M.G.)
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego Street 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ermanna Turano
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy; (S.D.); (E.T.); (I.S.); (F.V.); (A.N.); (M.G.)
| | - Ilaria Scambi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy; (S.D.); (E.T.); (I.S.); (F.V.); (A.N.); (M.G.)
| | - Federica Virla
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy; (S.D.); (E.T.); (I.S.); (F.V.); (A.N.); (M.G.)
| | - Alice Nodari
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy; (S.D.); (E.T.); (I.S.); (F.V.); (A.N.); (M.G.)
| | - Francesco Pezzini
- Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology (Child Neurology and Psychiatry), University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Mirco Galiè
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy; (S.D.); (E.T.); (I.S.); (F.V.); (A.N.); (M.G.)
| | - Bruno Bonetti
- Neurology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, 37126 Verona, Italy;
| | - Raffaella Mariotti
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy; (S.D.); (E.T.); (I.S.); (F.V.); (A.N.); (M.G.)
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11
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Shojaei M, Zhou Q, Palumbo G, Schaefer R, Kaskinoro J, Vehmaan-Kreula P, Bartenstein P, Brendel M, Edbauer D, Lindner S. Development and Preclinical Evaluation of a Copper-64-Labeled Antibody Targeting Glycine-Alanine Dipeptides for PET Imaging of C9orf72-Associated Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Frontotemporal Dementia. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:1404-1414. [PMID: 38751620 PMCID: PMC11091963 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Aggregating poly(glycine-alanine) (poly-GA) is derived from the unconventional translation of the pathogenic intronic hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene, which is the most common genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Poly-GA accumulates predominantly in neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions unique to C9orf72 ALS/FTD patients. Poly-GA is, therefore, a promising target for PET/CT imaging of FTD/ALS to monitor disease progression and therapeutic interventions. A novel 64Cu-labeled anti-GA antibody (mAb1A12) targeting the poly-GA protein was developed and evaluated in a transgenic mouse model. It was obtained with high radiochemical purity (RCP), radiochemical yield (RCY), and specific activity, and showed high stability in vitro and ex vivo and specifically bound to poly-GA. The affinity of NODAGA-mAb1A12 for poly-GA was not affected by this modification. [64Cu]Cu-NODAGA-mAb1A12 was injected into transgenic mice expressing GFP-(GA)175 in excitatory neurons driven by Camk2a-Cre and in control littermates. PET/CT imaging was performed at 2, 20, and 40 h post-injection (p.i.) and revealed a higher accumulation in the cortex in transgenic mice than in wild-type mice, as reflected by higher standardized uptake value ratios (SUVR) using the cerebellum as the reference region. The organs were isolated for biodistribution and ex vivo autoradiography. Autoradiography revealed a higher cortex-to-cerebellum ratio in the transgenic mice than in the controls. Results from autoradiography were validated by immunohistochemistry and poly-GA immunoassays. Moreover, we confirmed antibody uptake in the CNS in a pharmacokinetic study of the perfused tissues. In summary, [64Cu]Cu-NODAGA-mAb1A12 demonstrated favorable in vitro characteristics and an increased relative binding in poly-GA transgenic mice compared to wild-type mice in vivo. Our results with this first-in-class radiotracer suggested that targeting poly-GA is a promising approach for PET/CT imaging in FTD/ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monireh Shojaei
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Qihui Zhou
- German
Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Giovanna Palumbo
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Rebecca Schaefer
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Peter Bartenstein
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Munich
Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Brendel
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- German
Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
- Munich
Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Dieter Edbauer
- German
Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
- Munich
Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Simon Lindner
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
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12
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Zhdanov DD, Gladilina YA, Blinova VG, Abramova AA, Shishparenok AN, Eliseeva DD. Induction of FoxP3 Pre-mRNA Alternative Splicing to Enhance the Suppressive Activity of Regulatory T Cells from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1022. [PMID: 38790984 PMCID: PMC11117958 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) is a key transcription factor responsible for the development, maturation, and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs). The FoxP3 pre-mRNA is subject to alternative splicing, resulting in the translation of multiple splice variants. We have shown that Tregs from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have reduced expression of full-length (FL) FoxP3, while other truncated splice variants are expressed predominantly. A correlation was observed between the reduced number of Tregs in the peripheral blood of ALS patients, reduced total FoxP3 mRNA, and reduced mRNA of its FL splice variant. Induction of FL FoxP3 was achieved using splice-switching oligonucleotides capable of base pairing with FoxP3 pre-mRNA and selectively modulating the inclusion of exons 2 and 7 in the mature mRNA. Selective expression of FL FoxP3 resulted in the induction of CD127low, CD152, and Helios-positive cells, while the cell markers CD4 and CD25 were not altered. Such Tregs had an increased proliferative activity and a higher frequency of cell divisions per day. The increased suppressive activity of Tregs with the induced FL FoxP3 splice variant was associated with the increased synthesis of the pro-apoptotic granzymes A and B, and perforin, IL-10, and IL-35, which are responsible for contact-independent suppression, and with the increased ability to suppress telomerase in target cells. The upregulation of Treg suppressive and proliferative activity using splice-switching oligonucleotides to induce the predominant expression of the FoxP3 FL variant is a promising approach for regenerative cell therapy in Treg-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry D. Zhdanov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya St. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia A. Gladilina
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Varvara G. Blinova
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Anna A. Abramova
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse, 80, 125367 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Anastasia N. Shishparenok
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Daria D. Eliseeva
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse, 80, 125367 Moscow, Russia;
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Eisen A, Pioro EP, Goutman SA, Kiernan MC. Nanoplastics and Neurodegeneration in ALS. Brain Sci 2024; 14:471. [PMID: 38790450 PMCID: PMC11119293 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14050471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Plastic production, which exceeds one million tons per year, is of global concern. The constituent low-density polymers enable spread over large distances and micro/nano particles (MNPLs) induce organ toxicity via digestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Particles have been documented in all human tissues including breast milk. MNPLs, especially weathered particles, can breach the blood-brain barrier, inducing neurotoxicity. This has been documented in non-human species, and in human-induced pluripotent stem cell lines. Within the brain, MNPLs initiate an inflammatory response with pro-inflammatory cytokine production, oxidative stress with generation of reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Glutamate and GABA neurotransmitter dysfunction also ensues with alteration of excitatory/inhibitory balance in favor of reduced inhibition and resultant neuro-excitation. Inflammation and cortical hyperexcitability are key abnormalities involved in the pathogenic cascade of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and are intricately related to the mislocalization and aggregation of TDP-43, a hallmark of ALS. Water and many foods contain MNPLs and in humans, ingestion is the main form of exposure. Digestion of plastics within the gut can alter their properties, rendering them more toxic, and they cause gut microbiome dysbiosis and a dysfunctional gut-brain axis. This is recognized as a trigger and/or aggravating factor for ALS. ALS is associated with a long (years or decades) preclinical period and neonates and infants are exposed to MNPLs through breast milk, milk substitutes, and toys. This endangers a time of intense neurogenesis and establishment of neuronal circuitry, setting the stage for development of neurodegeneration in later life. MNPL neurotoxicity should be considered as a yet unrecognized risk factor for ALS and related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Eisen
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6S 1Z3, Canada;
| | - Erik P. Pioro
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6S 1Z3, Canada;
| | - Stephen A. Goutman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
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14
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Nolano M, Provitera V, Caporaso G, Fasolino I, Borreca I, Stancanelli A, Iuzzolino VV, Senerchia G, Vitale F, Tozza S, Ruggiero L, Iodice R, Ferrari S, Santoro L, Manganelli F, Dubbioso R. Skin innervation across amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinical stages: new prognostic biomarkers. Brain 2024; 147:1740-1750. [PMID: 38123494 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad426] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Over recent decades, peripheral sensory abnormalities, including the evidence of cutaneous denervation, have been reported among the non-motor manifestations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, a correlation between cutaneous innervation and clinical features has not been found. The aims of this study were to assess sensory involvement by applying a morpho-functional approach to a large population of ALS patients stratified according to King's stages and correlate these findings with the severity and prognosis of the disease. We recruited 149 ALS patients and 41 healthy controls. Patients undertook clinical questionnaires for small fibre neuropathy symptoms (Small Fiber Neuropathy Symptoms Inventory Questionnaire) and underwent nerve conductions studies (NCS) and 3-mm punch skin biopsies from leg, thigh and fingertip. We assessed intraepidermal nerve fibre (IENF) and Meissner corpuscle (MC) density by applying an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Moreover, a subset of 65 ALS patients underwent a longitudinal study with repeat biopsies from the thigh at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Serum NfL levels were measured in 40 patients. Sensory symptoms and sensory NCS abnormalities were present in 32.2% and 24% of patients, respectively, and increased across clinical stages. Analogously, we observed a progressive reduction in amplitude of the sensory and motor ulnar nerve potential from stage 1 to stage 4. Skin biopsy showed a significant loss of IENFs and MCs in ALS compared with healthy controls (all P < 0.001). Across the clinical stages, we found a progressive reduction in MCs (P = 0.004) and an increase in IENFs (all P < 0.027). The increase in IENFs was confirmed by the longitudinal study. Interestingly, the MC density inversely correlated with NfL level (r = -0.424, P = 0.012), and survival analysis revealed that low MC density, higher NfL levels and increasing IENF density over time were associated with a poorer prognosis (all P < 0.024). To summarize, in patients with ALS, peripheral sensory involvement worsens in parallel with motor disability. Furthermore, the correlation between skin innervation and disease activity may suggest the use of skin innervation as a putative prognostic biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Nolano
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Skin Biopsy Lab, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Telese Terme, Benevento 82037, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Provitera
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Skin Biopsy Lab, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Telese Terme, Benevento 82037, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Caporaso
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Skin Biopsy Lab, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Telese Terme, Benevento 82037, Italy
| | - Ines Fasolino
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials-National Research Council (IPCB-CNR), Naples 80125, Italy
| | - Ilaria Borreca
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Skin Biopsy Lab, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Telese Terme, Benevento 82037, Italy
| | - Annamaria Stancanelli
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Skin Biopsy Lab, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Telese Terme, Benevento 82037, Italy
| | - Valentina V Iuzzolino
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Gianmaria Senerchia
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Floriana Vitale
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Stefano Tozza
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Lucia Ruggiero
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Rosa Iodice
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Sergio Ferrari
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Lucio Santoro
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Raffaele Dubbioso
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
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15
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Hu Y, Chen W, Wei C, Jiang S, Li S, Wang X, Xu R. Pathological mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1036-1044. [PMID: 37862206 PMCID: PMC10749610 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.382985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis refers to a neurodegenerative disease involving the motor system, the cause of which remains unexplained despite several years of research. Thus, the journey to understanding or treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is still a long one. According to current research, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is likely not due to a single factor but rather to a combination of mechanisms mediated by complex interactions between molecular and genetic pathways. The progression of the disease involves multiple cellular processes and the interaction between different complex mechanisms makes it difficult to identify the causative factors of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Here, we review the most common amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated pathogenic genes and the pathways involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, as well as summarize currently proposed potential mechanisms responsible for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease and their evidence for involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In addition, we discuss current emerging strategies for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Studying the emergence of these new therapies may help to further our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushu Hu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Wenzhi Chen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Caihui Wei
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Shishi Jiang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Shu Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Xinxin Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Renshi Xu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College; The Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
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16
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Hamad AA, Amer BE, Hawas Y, Mabrouk MA, Meshref M. Masitinib as a neuroprotective agent: a scoping review of preclinical and clinical evidence. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:1861-1873. [PMID: 38105307 PMCID: PMC11021265 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-07259-w] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Masitinib, originally developed as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor for cancer treatment, has shown potential neuroprotective effects in various neurological disorders by modulating key pathways implicated in neurodegeneration. This scoping review aimed to summarize the current evidence of masitinib's neuroprotective activities from preclinical to clinical studies. METHODS This scoping review was conducted following the guidelines described by Arksey and O'Malley and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The inclusion criteria covered all original studies reporting on the neuroprotective effects of masitinib, including clinical studies, animal studies, and in vitro studies. RESULTS A total of 16 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. These comprised five randomized controlled trials (RCTs), one post-hoc analysis study, one case report, and nine animal studies. The RCTs focused on Alzheimer's disease (two studies), multiple sclerosis (two studies), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (one study). Across all included studies, masitinib consistently demonstrated neuroprotective properties. However, the majority of RCTs reported concerns regarding the safety profile of masitinib. Preclinical studies revealed the neuroprotective mechanisms of masitinib, which include inhibition of certain kinases interfering with cell proliferation and survival, reduction of neuroinflammation, and exhibition of antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION The current evidence suggests a promising therapeutic benefit of masitinib in neurodegenerative diseases. However, further research is necessary to validate and expand upon these findings, particularly regarding the precise mechanisms through which masitinib exerts its therapeutic effects. Future studies should also focus on addressing the safety concerns associated with masitinib use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yousef Hawas
- Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Manar Alaa Mabrouk
- Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt
- Medical Research Group of Egypt, Negida Academy, Arlington, MA, USA
| | - Mostafa Meshref
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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17
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Lopes CS, Pronto-Laborinho AC, Conceição VA, Freitas T, Matias GL, Gromicho M, Santos NC, de Carvalho M, Carvalho FA. Erythrocytes' surface properties and stiffness predict survival and functional decline in ALS patients. Biofactors 2024; 50:558-571. [PMID: 38149762 DOI: 10.1002/biof.2030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Erythrocytes play a fundamental role in oxygen delivery to tissues and binding to inflammatory mediators. Evidences suggest that dysregulated erythrocyte function could contribute to the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative diseases. We aimed to evaluate changes in morphological, biomechanical, and biophysical properties of erythrocytes from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, as new areas of study in this disease. Blood samples were collected from ALS patients, comparing with healthy volunteers. Erythrocytes were assessed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and zeta potential analysis. The patients' motor and respiratory functions were evaluated using the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) and percentage of forced vital capacity (%FVC). Patient survival was also assessed. Erythrocyte surface roughness was significantly smoother in ALS patients, and this parameter was a predictor of faster decline in ALSFRS-R scores. ALS patients exhibited higher erythrocyte stiffness, as indicated by reduced AFM tip penetration depth, which predicted a faster ALSFRS-R score and respiratory subscore decay. A lower negative charge on the erythrocyte membrane was predictor of a faster ALSFRS-R and FVC decline. Additionally, a larger erythrocyte surface area was an independent predictor of lower survival. These changes in morphological and biophysical membrane properties of ALS patients' erythrocytes, lead to increased cell stiffness and morphological variations. We speculate that these changes might precipitate motoneurons dysfunction and accelerate disease progression. Further studies should explore the molecular alterations related to these observations. Our findings may contribute to dissect the complex interplay between respiratory function, tissue hypoxia, progression rate, and survival in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina S Lopes
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Vasco A Conceição
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Teresa Freitas
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo L Matias
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Gromicho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno C Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte (CHULN), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Filomena A Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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18
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Alrouji M, Alhumaydhi FA, Furkan M, Venkatesan K, Sharaf SE, Shahwan M, Khan RH, Shamsi A. Evaluation of the Binding Mechanism of Dietary Phytochemical, Ellagic Acid, with Human Transferrin: Spectroscopic, Calorimetric, and Computational Approaches Targeting Neurodegenerative Diseases. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:16089-16096. [PMID: 38617645 PMCID: PMC11007773 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Human transferrin (Htf) is vital in maintaining iron within the brain cells; any disruption results in the development of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and other related pathologies, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD). Ellagic acid (EA), a naturally occurring phenolic antioxidant, possesses neuroprotective potential and is present in a broad variety of fruits and vegetables. The current work explores the binding mechanism of dietary polyphenol, EA, with Htf by a combination of experimental and computational approaches. Molecular docking studies unveiled the binding of EA to Htf with good affinity. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulation further provided atomistic details of the binding process, demonstrating a stable Htf-EA complex formation without causing substantial alterations to the protein's conformation. Furthermore, fluorescence binding measurements indicated that EA forms a high-affinity interaction with Htf. Isothermal titration calorimetric measurements advocated the spontaneous nature of binding and also revealed the binding process to be exothermic. In conclusion, the study deciphered the binding mechanism of EA with Htf. The results demonstrated that EA binds with Htf with an excellent affinity spontaneously, thereby laying the groundwork for potential applications of EA in the realm of therapeutics for NDs in the context of iron homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Alrouji
- Department
of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, Shaqra 11961, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad A. Alhumaydhi
- Department
of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Furkan
- Department
of Biochemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Kumar Venkatesan
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sharaf E. Sharaf
- Pharmaceutical
Sciences Department, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moyad Shahwan
- Centre
of
Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman 346 United Arab
Emirates
| | - Rizwan Hasan Khan
- Interdisciplinary
Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Anas Shamsi
- Centre
of
Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman 346 United Arab
Emirates
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19
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De Jesus-Morales K, De Jesús-Rojas W, Ramos-Benitez MJ. Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Dynamics From Pre-diagnosis to End-Stage Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): A Case Study on Association With Progression and Clinical Events. Cureus 2024; 16:e58109. [PMID: 38738022 PMCID: PMC11088800 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons, resulting in muscle weakness and paralysis. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has emerged as a potential marker for monitoring disease severity and progression in ALS, yet longitudinal analyses of NLR are limited. Our study conducts an in-depth examination of NLR dynamics from before diagnosis through the disease's progression to its end stage. We analyze the case of a 56-year-old Puerto Rican male with ALS, tracking his NLR over 13 years - six years before and seven years after his diagnosis - alongside assessments of clinical symptoms and lung function. Our findings indicate that NLR values were initially normal but significantly increased with the onset of symptoms. NLR remained elevated above the normal range, with a notable exception during a period of edaravone therapy when levels normalized. The study demonstrates a clear elevation in NLR associated with ALS progression and critical clinical events, such as symptom onset, diagnosis, and the initiation of respiratory support. This research is, to our knowledge, the first to provide a detailed characterization of NLR changes from the pre-diagnostic phase to end-stage ALS, showing its correlation with clinical deterioration, decreased pulmonary function, and key clinical events. Our results contribute to the body of evidence on NLR's role in ALS while enhancing our understanding of ALS's natural progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin De Jesus-Morales
- Department of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Sports Medicine, University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PRI
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20
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He D, Yang X, Liu L, Shen D, Liu Q, Liu M, Zhang X, Cui L. Dysregulated N 6-methyladenosine modification in peripheral immune cells contributes to the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Med 2024; 18:285-302. [PMID: 38491210 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-023-1035-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurogenerative disorder with uncertain origins. Emerging evidence implicates N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in ALS pathogenesis. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were utilized for m6A profiling in peripheral immune cells and serum proteome analysis, respectively, in patients with ALS (n = 16) and controls (n = 6). The single-cell transcriptomic dataset (GSE174332) of primary motor cortex was further analyzed to illuminate the biological implications of differentially methylated genes and cell communication changes. Analysis of peripheral immune cells revealed extensive RNA hypermethylation, highlighting candidate genes with differential m6A modification and expression, including C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1). In RAW264.7 macrophages, disrupted CX3CR1 signaling affected chemotaxis, potentially influencing immune cell migration in ALS. Serum proteome analysis demonstrated the role of dysregulated immune cell migration in ALS. Cell type-specific expression variations of these genes in the central nervous system (CNS), particularly microglia, were observed. Intercellular communication between neurons and glial cells was selectively altered in ALS CNS. This integrated approach underscores m6A dysregulation in immune cells as a potential ALS contributor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di He
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xunzhe Yang
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Liyang Liu
- Medical Doctor Program, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
- McKusick-Zhang Center for Genetic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Dongchao Shen
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Mingsheng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- McKusick-Zhang Center for Genetic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
- Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Liying Cui
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
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21
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Binda S, Tremblay A, Iqbal UH, Kassem O, Le Barz M, Thomas V, Bronner S, Perrot T, Ismail N, Parker J. Psychobiotics and the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: Where Do We Go from Here? Microorganisms 2024; 12:634. [PMID: 38674579 PMCID: PMC11052108 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The bidirectional relationship between the gut microbiota and the nervous system is known as the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA). The MGBA controls the complex interactions between the brain, the enteric nervous system, the gut-associated immune system, and the enteric neuroendocrine systems, regulating key physiological functions such as the immune response, sleep, emotions and mood, food intake, and intestinal functions. Psychobiotics are considered tools with the potential to modulate the MGBA through preventive, adjunctive, or curative approaches, but their specific mechanisms of action on many aspects of health are yet to be characterized. This narrative review and perspectives article highlights the key paradigms needing attention as the scope of potential probiotics applications in human health increases, with a growing body of evidence supporting their systemic beneficial effects. However, there are many limitations to overcome before establishing the extent to which we can incorporate probiotics in the management of neuropsychiatric disorders. Although this article uses the term probiotics in a general manner, it remains important to study probiotics at the strain level in most cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Binda
- Lallemand Health Solutions, 19 Rue des Briquetiers, BP 59, 31702 Blagnac, France; (M.L.B.); (V.T.)
- Rosell Institute for Microbiome and Probiotics, Lallemand Health Solutions, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada; (A.T.); (U.H.I.); (O.K.); (S.B.)
| | - Annie Tremblay
- Rosell Institute for Microbiome and Probiotics, Lallemand Health Solutions, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada; (A.T.); (U.H.I.); (O.K.); (S.B.)
| | - Umar Haris Iqbal
- Rosell Institute for Microbiome and Probiotics, Lallemand Health Solutions, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada; (A.T.); (U.H.I.); (O.K.); (S.B.)
| | - Ola Kassem
- Rosell Institute for Microbiome and Probiotics, Lallemand Health Solutions, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada; (A.T.); (U.H.I.); (O.K.); (S.B.)
| | - Mélanie Le Barz
- Lallemand Health Solutions, 19 Rue des Briquetiers, BP 59, 31702 Blagnac, France; (M.L.B.); (V.T.)
| | - Vincent Thomas
- Lallemand Health Solutions, 19 Rue des Briquetiers, BP 59, 31702 Blagnac, France; (M.L.B.); (V.T.)
| | - Stéphane Bronner
- Rosell Institute for Microbiome and Probiotics, Lallemand Health Solutions, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada; (A.T.); (U.H.I.); (O.K.); (S.B.)
| | - Tara Perrot
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada;
| | - Nafissa Ismail
- Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada;
| | - J.Alex Parker
- Département de Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada;
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22
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Duan QQ, Wang H, Su WM, Gu XJ, Shen XF, Jiang Z, Ren YL, Cao B, Li GB, Wang Y, Chen YP. TBK1, a prioritized drug repurposing target for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: evidence from druggable genome Mendelian randomization and pharmacological verification in vitro. BMC Med 2024; 22:96. [PMID: 38443977 PMCID: PMC10916235 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03314-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a lack of effective therapeutic strategies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); therefore, drug repurposing might provide a rapid approach to meet the urgent need for treatment. METHODS To identify therapeutic targets associated with ALS, we conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and colocalization analysis using cis-eQTL of druggable gene and ALS GWAS data collections to determine annotated druggable gene targets that exhibited significant associations with ALS. By subsequent repurposing drug discovery coupled with inclusion criteria selection, we identified several drug candidates corresponding to their druggable gene targets that have been genetically validated. The pharmacological assays were then conducted to further assess the efficacy of genetics-supported repurposed drugs for potential ALS therapy in various cellular models. RESULTS Through MR analysis, we identified potential ALS druggable genes in the blood, including TBK1 [OR 1.30, 95%CI (1.19, 1.42)], TNFSF12 [OR 1.36, 95%CI (1.19, 1.56)], GPX3 [OR 1.28, 95%CI (1.15, 1.43)], TNFSF13 [OR 0.45, 95%CI (0.32, 0.64)], and CD68 [OR 0.38, 95%CI (0.24, 0.58)]. Additionally, we identified potential ALS druggable genes in the brain, including RESP18 [OR 1.11, 95%CI (1.07, 1.16)], GPX3 [OR 0.57, 95%CI (0.48, 0.68)], GDF9 [OR 0.77, 95%CI (0.67, 0.88)], and PTPRN [OR 0.17, 95%CI (0.08, 0.34)]. Among them, TBK1, TNFSF12, RESP18, and GPX3 were confirmed in further colocalization analysis. We identified five drugs with repurposing opportunities targeting TBK1, TNFSF12, and GPX3, namely fostamatinib (R788), amlexanox (AMX), BIIB-023, RG-7212, and glutathione as potential repurposing drugs. R788 and AMX were prioritized due to their genetic supports, safety profiles, and cost-effectiveness evaluation. Further pharmacological analysis revealed that R788 and AMX mitigated neuroinflammation in ALS cell models characterized by overly active cGAS/STING signaling that was induced by MSA-2 or ALS-related toxic proteins (TDP-43 and SOD1), through the inhibition of TBK1 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS Our MR analyses provided genetic evidence supporting TBK1, TNFSF12, RESP18, and GPX3 as druggable genes for ALS treatment. Among the drug candidates targeting the above genes with repurposing opportunities, FDA-approved drug-R788 and AMX served as effective TBK1 inhibitors. The subsequent pharmacological studies validated the potential of R788 and AMX for treating specific ALS subtypes through the inhibition of TBK1 phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Qing Duan
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu,, 610041, China
- Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, West China College of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Wei-Ming Su
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu,, 610041, China
- Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Gu
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Shen
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Zheng Jiang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu,, 610041, China
- Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yan-Ling Ren
- Department of Pathophysiology, West China College of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Bei Cao
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu,, 610041, China
- Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Guo-Bo Li
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System of Ministry of Education, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, West China College of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Yong-Ping Chen
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu,, 610041, China.
- Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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23
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Yu W, Wang H, Li M, Yang F, Bai J, Song H, Huang X. Prognostic value of geriatric nutritional risk index in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Clin Neurosci 2024; 122:19-24. [PMID: 38432041 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2024.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a prognostic indicator for several diseases, meanwhile, nutrition and inflammation play important roles in the disease progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the association between the GNRI and ALS remains unknown. METHODS 443 patients diagnosed with ALS were divided into two groups based on the GNRI levels. Associations between GNRI and survival time were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared by the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess their prognostic values for survival time. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation coefficients between GNRI and other clinical variables. RESULTS No significant differences were found in diagnostic delay between the two groups. The onset age and disease progression rate (DPR) were significantly lower in high GNRI group while forced vital capacity (FVC), revised version of the ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R), serum albumin and body mass index (BMI) were significantly lower in low GNRI group. Lower GNRI levels were linked with shorter ALS patients' survival time by Kaplan-Meier curves. The univariate and multivariate analysis identified the onset age, gender, onset site, diagnostic delay, DRP and GNRI as predictors of survival time in patients with ALS. CONCLUSION Nutritional status was closely corelated with ALS progression. The GNRI may be used as a potential prognostic indictor for ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiu Yu
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China; Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Hongfen Wang
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Mao Li
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Fei Yang
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Jiongming Bai
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; College of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Han Song
- Department of Health Service, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
| | - Xusheng Huang
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China; Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
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24
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Liu WS, Zhang YR, Ge YJ, Wang HF, Cheng W, Yu JT. Inflammation and Brain Structure in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders: a Mendelian Randomization Study. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:1593-1604. [PMID: 37736795 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03648-6] [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: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Previous in vitro and post-mortem studies have reported the role of inflammation in neurodegenerative disorders. However, the association between inflammation and brain structure in vivo and the transcriptome-driven functional basis with relevance to neurodegenerative disorders remains elusive. The aim of the present study is to identify the association among inflammation, brain structure, and neurodegenerative disorders at genetic and transcriptomic levels. Genetic variants associated with inflammatory cytokines were selected from the latest and largest genome-wide association studies of European ancestry. Neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and brain structure imaging measures were selected as the outcomes. Two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses were conducted to identify the causal associations. Single-nucleus transcriptome data of the occipitotemporal cortex was further analyzed to identify the differential expressed genes in AD, which were tested for biological processes and protein interaction network. MR analysis indicated that genetically predicted TREM2 and sTREM2 were significantly associated with AD (TREM2: z-score = -9.088, p-value = 1.02 × 10-19; sTREM2: z-score = -7.495, p-value = 6.61 × 10-14). The present study found no evidence to support the causal associations between other inflammatory cytokines and the risks of AD, PD, ALS, or DLB. Genetically predicted TREM2 was significantly associated with the cortical thickness of inferior temporal (z-score = -4.238, p-value = 2.26 × 10-5) and pole temporal (z-score = -4.549, p-value = 5.40 × 10-6). In the occipitotemporal cortex samples, microglia were the main source of TREM2 gene and showed increasing expression of genes associated with inflammation and immunity. The present study has leveraged genetic and transcriptomic data to identify the association among TREM2, temporal lobe, and AD and the underlying cellular and molecular basis, thus providing a new perspective on the role of TREM2 in AD and insights into the complex associations among inflammation, brain structure, and neurodegenerative disorders, particularly AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Shi Liu
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Ru Zhang
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Jun Ge
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hui-Fu Wang
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Fudan ISTBI-ZJNU Algorithm Centre for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Jin-Tai Yu
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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25
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He D, Liu Y, Dong S, Shen D, Yang X, Hao M, Yin X, He X, Li Y, Wang Y, Liu M, Wang J, Chen X, Cui L. The prognostic value of systematic genetic screening in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. J Neurol 2024; 271:1385-1396. [PMID: 37980296 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12079-1] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with complex genetic architecture. Emerging evidence has indicated comorbidity between ALS and autoimmune conditions, suggesting a potential shared genetic basis. The objective of this study is to assess the prognostic value of systematic screening for rare deleterious mutations in genes associated with ALS and aberrant inflammatory responses. METHODS A discovery cohort of 494 patients and a validation cohort of 69 patients were analyzed in this study, with population-matched healthy subjects (n = 4961) served as controls. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to identify rare deleterious variants in 50 ALS genes and 1177 genes associated with abnormal inflammatory responses. Genotype-phenotype correlation was assessed, and an integrative prognostic model incorporating genetic and clinical factors was constructed. RESULTS In the discovery cohort, 8.1% of patients carried confirmed ALS variants, and an additional 15.2% of patients carried novel ALS variants. Gene burden analysis revealed 303 immune-implicated genes with enriched rare variants, and 13.4% of patients harbored rare deleterious variants in these genes. Patients with ALS variants exhibited a more rapid disease progression (HR 2.87 [95% CI 2.03-4.07], p < 0.0001), while no significant effect was observed for immune-implicated variants. The nomogram model incorporating genetic and clinical information demonstrated improved accuracy in predicting disease outcomes (C-index, 0.749). CONCLUSION Our findings enhance the comprehension of the genetic basis of ALS within the Chinese population. It also appears that rare deleterious mutations occurring in immune-implicated genes exert minimal influence on the clinical trajectories of ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di He
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Yining Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Siqi Dong
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital and Institute of Neurology, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongchao Shen
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Xunzhe Yang
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianhong Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyi He
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingsheng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Jiucun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Research Unit of Dissecting the Population Genetics and Developing New Technologies for Treatment and Prevention of Skin Phenotypes and Dermatological Diseases (2019RU058), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiangjun Chen
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital and Institute of Neurology, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Research Unit of Dissecting the Population Genetics and Developing New Technologies for Treatment and Prevention of Skin Phenotypes and Dermatological Diseases (2019RU058), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Liying Cui
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Dongcheng District, Beijing, China.
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Wang A, Zhang H, Li X, Zhao Y. Annexin A1 in the nervous and ocular systems. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:591-597. [PMID: 37721289 PMCID: PMC10581565 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.380882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of Annexin A1, an important member of the Annexin superfamily, has become evident in results of experiments with multiple human systems and animal models. The anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving effects of Annexin A1 are characteristic of pathologies involving the nervous system. In this review, we initially describe the expression sites of Annexin A1, then outline the mechanisms by which Annexin A1 maintains the neurological homeostasis through either formyl peptide receptor 2 or other molecular approaches; and, finally, we discuss the neuroregenerative potential qualities of Annexin A1. The eye and the nervous system are anatomically and functionally connected, but the association between visual system pathogenesis, especially in the retina, and Annexin A1 alterations has not been well summarized. Therefore, we explain the beneficial effects of Annexin A1 for ocular diseases, especially for retinal diseases and glaucoma on the basis of published findings, and we explore present and future delivery strategies for Annexin A1 to the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aijia Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xing Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yin Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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27
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Peggion C, Calì T, Brini M. Mitochondria Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation in Neurodegeneration: Who Comes First? Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:240. [PMID: 38397838 PMCID: PMC10885966 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13020240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) encompass an assorted array of disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, each characterised by distinct clinical manifestations and underlying pathological mechanisms. While some cases have a genetic basis, many NDs occur sporadically. Despite their differences, these diseases commonly feature chronic neuroinflammation as a hallmark. Consensus has recently been reached on the possibility that mitochondria dysfunction and protein aggregation can mutually contribute to the activation of neuroinflammatory response and thus to the onset and progression of these disorders. In the present review, we discuss the contribution of mitochondria dysfunction and neuroinflammation to the aetiology and progression of NDs, highlighting the possibility that new potential therapeutic targets can be identified to tackle neurodegenerative processes and alleviate the progression of these pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Peggion
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy;
| | - Tito Calì
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy;
| | - Marisa Brini
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
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Fukatsu S, Sashi H, Shirai R, Takagi N, Oizumi H, Yamamoto M, Ohbuchi K, Miyamoto Y, Yamauchi J. Rab11a Controls Cell Shape via C9orf72 Protein: Possible Relationships to Frontotemporal Dementia/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (FTDALS) Type 1. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2024; 31:100-116. [PMID: 38390945 PMCID: PMC10885063 DOI: 10.3390/pathophysiology31010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Abnormal nucleotide insertions of C9orf72, which forms a complex with Smith-Magenis syndrome chromosomal region candidate gene 8 (SMCR8) protein and WD repeat-containing protein 41 (WDR41) protein, are associated with an autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative frontotemporal dementia and/or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis type 1 (FTDALS1). The differentially expressed in normal and neoplastic cells (DENN) domain-containing C9orf72 and its complex with SMCR8 and WDR41 function as a guanine-nucleotide exchange factor for Rab GTP/GDP-binding proteins (Rab GEF, also called Rab activator). Among Rab proteins serving as major effectors, there exists Rab11a. However, it remains to be established which Rab protein is related to promoting or sustaining neuronal morphogenesis or homeostasis. In this study, we describe that the knockdown of Rab11a decreases the expression levels of neuronal differentiation marker proteins, as well as the elongation of neurite-like processes, using N1E-115 cells, a well-utilized neuronal differentiation model. Similar results were obtained in primary cortical neurons. In contrast, the knockdown of Rab11b, a Rab11a homolog, did not significantly affect their cell morphological changes. It is of note that treatment with hesperetin, a citrus flavonoid (also known as Vitamin P), recovered the neuronal morphological phenotypes induced by Rab11a knockdown. Also, the knockdown of Rab11a or Rab11b led to a decrease in glial marker expression levels and in morphological changes in FBD-102b cells, which serve as the oligodendroglial differentiation model. Rab11a is specifically involved in the regulation of neuronal morphological differentiation. The knockdown effect mimicking the loss of function of C9orf72 is reversed by treatment with hesperetin. These findings may reveal a clue for identifying one of the potential molecular and cellular phenotypes underlying FTDALS1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoya Fukatsu
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Hinami Sashi
- Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Remina Shirai
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Norio Takagi
- Laboratory of Applied Biochemistry, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Oizumi
- Tsumura Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Inashiki 200-1192, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yamamoto
- Tsumura Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Inashiki 200-1192, Japan
| | - Katsuya Ohbuchi
- Tsumura Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Inashiki 200-1192, Japan
| | - Yuki Miyamoto
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
| | - Junji Yamauchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
- Diabetic Neuropathy Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
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29
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Fukatsu S, Okawa M, Okabe M, Cho M, Isogai M, Yokoi T, Shirai R, Oizumi H, Yamamoto M, Ohbuchi K, Miyamoto Y, Yamauchi J. Modulating Golgi Stress Signaling Ameliorates Cell Morphological Phenotypes Induced by CHMP2B with Frontotemporal Dementia-Associated p.Asp148Tyr. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:1398-1412. [PMID: 38392208 PMCID: PMC10888485 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46020090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Some charged multivesicular body protein 2B (CHMP2B) mutations are associated with autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative frontotemporal dementia and/or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis type 7 (FTDALS7). The main aim of this study is to clarify the relationship between the expression of mutated CHMP2B protein displaying FTD symptoms and defective neuronal differentiation. First, we illustrate that the expression of CHMP2B with the Asp148Tyr (D148Y) mutation, which preferentially displays FTD phenotypes, blunts neurite process elongation in rat primary cortical neurons. Similar results were observed in the N1E-115 cell line, a model that undergoes neurite elongation. Second, these effects were also accompanied by changes in neuronal differentiation marker protein expression. Third, wild-type CHMP2B protein was indeed localized in the endosomal sorting complexes required to transport (ESCRT)-like structures throughout the cytoplasm. In contrast, CHMP2B with the D148Y mutation exhibited aggregation-like structures and accumulated in the Golgi body. Fourth, among currently known Golgi stress regulators, the expression levels of Hsp47, which has protective effects on the Golgi body, were decreased in cells expressing CHMP2B with the D148Y mutation. Fifth, Arf4, another Golgi stress-signaling molecule, was increased in mutant-expressing cells. Finally, when transfecting Hsp47 or knocking down Arf4 with small interfering (si)RNA, cellular phenotypes in mutant-expressing cells were recovered. These results suggest that CHMP2B with the D148Y mutation, acting through Golgi stress signaling, is negatively involved in the regulation of neuronal cell morphological differentiation, providing evidence that a molecule controlling Golgi stress may be one of the potential FTD therapeutic targets at the molecular and cellular levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoya Fukatsu
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Maho Okawa
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Miyu Okabe
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Mizuka Cho
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Mikinori Isogai
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Takanori Yokoi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Remina Shirai
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Oizumi
- Tsumura Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Inashiki 200-1192, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yamamoto
- Tsumura Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Inashiki 200-1192, Japan
| | - Katsuya Ohbuchi
- Tsumura Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Inashiki 200-1192, Japan
| | - Yuki Miyamoto
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
| | - Junji Yamauchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
- Diabetic Neuropathy Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
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Zheng H, Liu Q, Zhou S, Luo H, Zhang W. Role and therapeutic targets of P2X7 receptors in neurodegenerative diseases. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1345625. [PMID: 38370420 PMCID: PMC10869479 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1345625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), a non-selective cation channel modulated by adenosine triphosphate (ATP), localizes to microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neurons in the central nervous system, with the most incredible abundance in microglia. P2X7R partake in various signaling pathways, engaging in the immune response, the release of neurotransmitters, oxidative stress, cell division, and programmed cell death. When neurodegenerative diseases result in neuronal apoptosis and necrosis, ATP activates the P2X7R. This activation induces the release of biologically active molecules such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, proteases, reactive oxygen species, and excitotoxic glutamate/ATP. Subsequently, this leads to neuroinflammation, which exacerbates neuronal involvement. The P2X7R is essential in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. This implies that it has potential as a drug target and could be treated using P2X7R antagonists that are able to cross the blood-brain barrier. This review will comprehensively and objectively discuss recent research breakthroughs on P2X7R genes, their structural features, functional properties, signaling pathways, and their roles in neurodegenerative diseases and possible therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyong Zheng
- Second Clinical Medical School, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Second Clinical Medical School, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Siwei Zhou
- Second Clinical Medical School, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hongliang Luo
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wenjun Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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31
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Kläppe U, Sennfält S, Lovik A, Finn A, Bofaisal U, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Piehl F, Kmezic I, Press R, Samuelsson K, Månberg A, Fang F, Ingre C. Neurodegenerative biomarkers outperform neuroinflammatory biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:150-161. [PMID: 37789557 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2263874] [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: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the diagnostic and prognostic performance, and longitudinal trajectories, of potential biomarkers of neuroaxonal degeneration and neuroinflammation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS This case-control study included 192 incident ALS patients, 42 ALS mimics, 114 neurological controls, and 117 healthy controls from Stockholm, Sweden. Forty-four ALS patients provided repeated measurements. We assessed biomarkers of (1)neuroaxonal degeneration: neurofilament light (NfL) and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy (pNfH) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and NfL in serum, and (2)neuroinflammation: chitotriosidase-1 (CHIT1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in CSF. To evaluate diagnostic performance, we calculated the area under the curve (AUC). To estimate prognostic performance, we applied quantile regression and Cox regression. We used linear regression models with robust standard errors to assess temporal changes over time. RESULTS Neurofilaments performed better at differentiating ALS patients from mimics (AUC: pNfH 0.92, CSF NfL 0.86, serum NfL 0.91) than neuroinflammatory biomarkers (AUC: CHIT1 0.71, MCP-1 0.56). Combining biomarkers did not improve diagnostic performance. Similarly, neurofilaments performed better than neuroinflammatory biomarkers at predicting functional decline and survival. The stratified analysis revealed differences according to the site of onset: in bulbar patients, neurofilaments and CHIT1 performed worse at predicting survival and correlations were lower between biomarkers. Finally, in bulbar patients, neurofilaments and CHIT1 increased longitudinally but were stable in spinal patients. CONCLUSIONS Biomarkers of neuroaxonal degeneration displayed better diagnostic and prognostic value compared with neuroinflammatory biomarkers. However, in contrast to spinal patients, in bulbar patients neurofilaments and CHIT1 performed worse at predicting survival and seemed to increase over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulf Kläppe
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefan Sennfält
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anikó Lovik
- Unit of Integrative Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Methodology and Statistics Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anja Finn
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Bofaisal
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA, and
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Piehl
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ivan Kmezic
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rayomand Press
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristin Samuelsson
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Månberg
- Division of Affinity Proteomics, Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fang Fang
- Unit of Integrative Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Caroline Ingre
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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32
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He D, Xu Y, Liu M, Cui L. The Inflammatory Puzzle: Piecing together the Links between Neuroinflammation and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Aging Dis 2024; 15:96-114. [PMID: 37307819 PMCID: PMC10796096 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0519] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that has a complex genetic basis. Through advancements in genetic screening, researchers have identified more than 40 mutant genes associated with ALS, some of which impact immune function. Neuroinflammation, with abnormal activation of immune cells and excessive production of inflammatory cytokines in the central nervous system, significantly contributes to the pathophysiology of ALS. In this review, we examine recent evidence on the involvement of ALS-associated mutant genes in immune dysregulation, with a specific focus on the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway and N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-mediated immune regulation in the context of neurodegeneration. We also discuss the perturbation of immune cell homeostasis in both the central nervous system and peripheral tissues in ALS. Furthermore, we explore the advancements made in the emerging genetic and cell-based therapies for ALS. This review underscores the complex relationship between ALS and neuroinflammation, highlighting the potential to identify modifiable factors for therapeutic intervention. A deeper understanding of the connection between neuroinflammation and the risk of ALS is crucial for advancing effective treatments for this debilitating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di He
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Mingsheng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Liying Cui
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
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33
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Irwin KE, Sheth U, Wong PC, Gendron TF. Fluid biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a review. Mol Neurodegener 2024; 19:9. [PMID: 38267984 PMCID: PMC10809579 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00685-6] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons. Presently, three FDA-approved drugs are available to help slow functional decline for patients with ALS, but no cure yet exists. With an average life expectancy of only two to five years after diagnosis, there is a clear need for biomarkers to improve the care of patients with ALS and to expedite ALS treatment development. Here, we provide a review of the efforts made towards identifying diagnostic, prognostic, susceptibility/risk, and response fluid biomarkers with the intent to facilitate a more rapid and accurate ALS diagnosis, to better predict prognosis, to improve clinical trial design, and to inform interpretation of clinical trial results. Over the course of 20 + years, several promising fluid biomarker candidates for ALS have emerged. These will be discussed, as will the exciting new strategies being explored for ALS biomarker discovery and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Irwin
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Udit Sheth
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Philip C Wong
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Tania F Gendron
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
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Wei R, Wei P, Yuan H, Yi X, Aschner M, Jiang YM, Li SJ. Inflammation in Metal-Induced Neurological Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024:10.1007/s12011-023-04041-z. [PMID: 38206494 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-04041-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Essential metals play critical roles in maintaining human health as they participate in various physiological activities. Nonetheless, both excessive accumulation and deficiency of these metals may result in neurotoxicity secondary to neuroinflammation and the activation of microglia and astrocytes. Activation of these cells can promote the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It is well known that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in metal-induced neurotoxicity as well as the development of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Initially seen as a defense mechanism, persistent inflammatory responses are now considered harmful. Astrocytes and microglia are key regulators of neuroinflammation in the central nervous system, and their excessive activation may induce sustained neuroinflammation. Therefore, in this review, we aim to emphasize the important role and molecular mechanisms underlying metal-induced neurotoxicity. Our objective is to raise the awareness on metal-induced neuroinflammation in neurological disorders. However, it is not only just neuroinflammation that different metals could induce; they can also cause harm to the nervous system through oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy, to name a few. The primary pathophysiological mechanism by which these metals induce neurological disorders remains to be determined. In addition, given the various pathways through which individuals are exposed to metals, it is necessary to also consider the effects of co-exposure to multiple metals on neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruokun Wei
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Peiqi Wei
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Haiyan Yuan
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiang Yi
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Michael Aschner
- The Department of Molecular Pharmacology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Yue-Ming Jiang
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China.
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
| | - Shao-Jun Li
- Toxicology Department, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, China.
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environment and Health Research, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuang-yong Rd., Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
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35
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Aspden JW, Murphy MA, Kashlan RD, Xiong Y, Poznansky MC, Sîrbulescu RF. Intruders or protectors - the multifaceted role of B cells in CNS disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 17:1329823. [PMID: 38269112 PMCID: PMC10806081 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1329823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
B lymphocytes are immune cells studied predominantly in the context of peripheral humoral immune responses against pathogens. Evidence has been accumulating in recent years on the diversity of immunomodulatory functions that B cells undertake, with particular relevance for pathologies of the central nervous system (CNS). This review summarizes current knowledge on B cell populations, localization, infiltration mechanisms, and function in the CNS and associated tissues. Acute and chronic neurodegenerative pathologies are examined in order to explore the complex, and sometimes conflicting, effects that B cells can have in each context, with implications for disease progression and treatment outcomes. Additional factors such as aging modulate the proportions and function of B cell subpopulations over time and are also discussed in the context of neuroinflammatory response and disease susceptibility. A better understanding of the multifactorial role of B cell populations in the CNS may ultimately lead to innovative therapeutic strategies for a variety of neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W. Aspden
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Matthew A. Murphy
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rommi D. Kashlan
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yueyue Xiong
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mark C. Poznansky
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ruxandra F. Sîrbulescu
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Geraci J, Bhargava R, Qorri B, Leonchyk P, Cook D, Cook M, Sie F, Pani L. Machine learning hypothesis-generation for patient stratification and target discovery in rare disease: our experience with Open Science in ALS. Front Comput Neurosci 2024; 17:1199736. [PMID: 38260713 PMCID: PMC10801647 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2023.1199736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Advances in machine learning (ML) methodologies, combined with multidisciplinary collaborations across biological and physical sciences, has the potential to propel drug discovery and development. Open Science fosters this collaboration by releasing datasets and methods into the public space; however, further education and widespread acceptance and adoption of Open Science approaches are necessary to tackle the plethora of known disease states. Motivation In addition to providing much needed insights into potential therapeutic protein targets, we also aim to demonstrate that small patient datasets have the potential to provide insights that usually require many samples (>5,000). There are many such datasets available and novel advancements in ML can provide valuable insights from these patient datasets. Problem statement Using a public dataset made available by patient advocacy group AnswerALS and a multidisciplinary Open Science approach with a systems biology augmented ML technology, we aim to validate previously reported drug targets in ALS and provide novel insights about ALS subpopulations and potential drug targets using a unique combination of ML methods and graph theory. Methodology We use NetraAI to generate hypotheses about specific patient subpopulations, which were then refined and validated through a combination of ML techniques, systems biology methods, and expert input. Results We extracted 8 target classes, each comprising of several genes that shed light into ALS pathophysiology and represent new avenues for treatment. These target classes are broadly categorized as inflammation, epigenetic, heat shock, neuromuscular junction, autophagy, apoptosis, axonal transport, and excitotoxicity. These findings are not mutually exclusive, and instead represent a systematic view of ALS pathophysiology. Based on these findings, we suggest that simultaneous targeting of ALS has the potential to mitigate ALS progression, with the plausibility of maintaining and sustaining an improved quality of life (QoL) for ALS patients. Even further, we identified subpopulations based on disease onset. Conclusion In the spirit of Open Science, this work aims to bridge the knowledge gap in ALS pathophysiology to aid in diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic strategies and pave the way for the development of personalized treatments tailored to the individual's needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Geraci
- NetraMark Corp, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
- Centre for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
- Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination, School of Physical Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Ravi Bhargava
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Science, Queens University, Kingston, ON, Canada
- Science and Research, Roche Integrated Informatics, F. Hoffmann La-Roche, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Douglas Cook
- NetraMark Corp, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Moses Cook
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Fanny Sie
- Science and Research, Roche Integrated Informatics, F. Hoffmann La-Roche, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Luca Pani
- NetraMark Corp, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Zhao S, Chen R, Gao Y, Lu Y, Bai X, Zhang J. Fundamental roles of the Optineurin gene in the molecular pathology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1319706. [PMID: 38178841 PMCID: PMC10764443 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1319706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons (MNs) in the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by multiple factors, including mutations in any one of several specific genes. Optineurin (OPTN) mutation is an essential cause of some familial and sporadic ALS. Besides, as a multifunctional protein, OPTN is highly expressed and conserved in the central nervous system. OPTN exerts its functions by interacting with various proteins, often acting as an adaptor to provide a link between two or more core proteins related to autophagy and inflammation, etc. OPTN mutation mainly results in its function deficiency, which alters these interactions, leading to functional impairment in many processes. Meanwhile, OPTN immunopositive inclusions are also confirmed in the cases of ALS due to C9ORF72, FUS, TARDBP, and SOD1 mutations. Therefore, OPTN gene may play fundamental roles in the molecular pathology of ALS in addition to OPTN mutation. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the ALS pathology of OPTN defect, such as mitophagy disorder, neuroinflammation, neuronal axonal degeneration, vesicular transport dysfunction, etc., which will provide a reference for research on the pathogenesis and treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumin Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Medical Research Center, Chifeng Municipal Hospital, Chifeng, China
- Chifeng Clinical Medical College of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Chifeng, China
| | - Ranran Chen
- Department of Neurology, Medical Research Center, Chifeng Municipal Hospital, Chifeng, China
- Chifeng Clinical Medical College of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Chifeng, China
| | - Ying Gao
- Department of Neurology, Medical Research Center, Chifeng Municipal Hospital, Chifeng, China
- Chifeng Clinical Medical College of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Chifeng, China
| | - Yanchao Lu
- Department of Neurology, Medical Research Center, Chifeng Municipal Hospital, Chifeng, China
- Chifeng Clinical Medical College of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Chifeng, China
| | - Xue Bai
- Department of Neurology, Medical Research Center, Chifeng Municipal Hospital, Chifeng, China
- Chifeng Clinical Medical College of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Chifeng, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Medical Research Center, Chifeng Municipal Hospital, Chifeng, China
- Chifeng Clinical Medical College of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Chifeng, China
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Shahwan M, Anwar S, Yadav DK, Khan MS, Shamsi A. Experimental and Computational Insights into the Molecular Interactions between Human Transferrin and Apigenin: Implications of Natural Compounds in Targeting Neuroinflammation. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:46967-46976. [PMID: 38107922 PMCID: PMC10719914 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation plays a vital role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis and other neurodegenerative disorders (NDs). Presently, only symptomatic treatments are available and no disease-modifying drugs are available for AD and other NDs. Thus, targeting AD-associated neuroinflammation with anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants has recently been given much focus. Now, flavonoids are being increasingly investigated as therapeutic agents to treat inflammation; apigenin has a neuroprotective effect. Iron dyshomeostasis plays a key role in sustaining the neuroinflammatory phenotype, highlighting the importance of maintaining iron balance, in which human transferrin (HTF) plays a vital role in this aspect. Herein, we explored the binding and dynamics of the HTF-apigenin complex using multifaceted computational and experimental approaches. Molecular docking revealed that apigenin occupies the iron-binding pocket of HTF, forming hydrogen bonds with critical residues Arg475 and Thr686. Molecular dynamics simulations deciphered a dynamic view of the HTF-apigenin complex's behavior (300 ns) and suggested that the complex maintained a relatively stable conformation. The results of spectroscopic observations delineated significant binding of apigenin with HTF and stable HTF-apigenin complex formation. The observed binding mechanism and conformational stability could pave the way for developing novel therapeutic strategies to target neuroinflammation by apigenin in the context of iron homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moyad Shahwan
- Center
for Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman 346, United Arab
Emirates
| | - Saleha Anwar
- Centre
for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Yadav
- College
of Pharmacy, Gachon University of Medicine
and Science, Incheon 21565, Republic
of Korea
| | - Mohd Shahnawaz Khan
- Department
of Biochemistry, College of Science, King
Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anas Shamsi
- Center
for Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman 346, United Arab
Emirates
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Wang J, Yang M, Tian Y, Feng R, Xu K, Teng M, Wang J, Wang Q, Xu P. Causal associations between common musculoskeletal disorders and dementia: a Mendelian randomization study. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1253791. [PMID: 38125810 PMCID: PMC10731015 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1253791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Dementia and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are major public health problems. We aimed to investigate the genetic causality of common MSDs and dementia. Methods Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was used in this study. MR analysis based on gene-wide association study (GWAS) data on osteoarthritis (OA), dementia with Lewy bodies, and other MSDs and dementia types were obtained from the Genetics of Osteoarthritis consortium, IEU-open GWAS project, GWAS catalog, and FinnGen consortium. Rigorously selected single-nucleotide polymorphisms were regarded as instrumental variables for further MR analysis. Inverse-variance weighted, MR-Egger regression, weight median, simple mode, and weight mode methods were used to obtain the MR estimates. Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger and MR-Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier analysis, and the leave-one-out test were applied for sensitivity testing. Results The inverse-variance weighted method showed that hip OA was genetically associated with a lower risk of dementia, unspecified dementia, dementia in Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia. Kneehip OA was inversely associated with unspecified dementia and vascular dementia. Rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis were inversely associated with frontotemporal dementia, and rheumatoid arthritis was inversely associated with unspecified dementia. Simultaneously, ankylosing spondylitis was an independent risk factor for dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and dementia in Alzheimer's disease. Sensitivity tests showed that heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy did not exist in these associations. The leave-one-out test showed that these associations were stable. Conclusion We found that some MSDs were associated with the risk of dementia and provide evidence for the early detection of dementia in patients with MSDs and for the impact of inflammation on the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Wang
- Department of Joint Surgery, HongHui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mingyi Yang
- Department of Joint Surgery, HongHui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ye Tian
- Healthy Food Evaluation Research Center, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruoyang Feng
- Department of Joint Surgery, HongHui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Joint Surgery, HongHui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Menghao Teng
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Junxiang Wang
- Department of Joint Surgery, HongHui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qi Wang
- School of Health Policy and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Department of Joint Surgery, HongHui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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Ansari U, Wen J, Taguinod I, Nadora D, Nadora D, Lui F. Exploring dietary approaches in the prevention and management of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A literature review. AIMS Neurosci 2023; 10:376-387. [PMID: 38188002 PMCID: PMC10767066 DOI: 10.3934/neuroscience.2023028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and complex neurodegenerative disease of upper and lower motor neurons of the central nervous system. The pathogenesis of this multifaceted disease is unknown. However, diet has emerged as a modifiable risk factor that has neuroprotective effects towards other neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and dementia. Thus, this review aims to explore how diet can potentially influence ALS onset and/or progression. In this review, five popular diets (Mediterranean, Vegan, Carnivore, Paleolithic and Ketogenic) and their distinct macromolecule composition, nutritional profile, biochemical pathways and their potential therapeutic effects for ALS are thoroughly examined. However, the composition of these diets varies, and the data is controversial, with conflicting studies on the effectiveness of nutrient intake of several of these diets. Although these five diets show that a higher intake of foods containing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds have a positive correlation towards reducing the oxidative stress of ALS, further research is needed to directly compare the effects of these diets and the mechanisms leading to ALS and its progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ubaid Ansari
- California Northstate University College of Medicine, USA
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41
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Seki S, Kitaoka Y, Kawata S, Nishiura A, Uchihashi T, Hiraoka SI, Yokota Y, Isomura ET, Kogo M, Tanaka S. Characteristics of Sensory Neuron Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Potential for ALS Therapy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2967. [PMID: 38001967 PMCID: PMC10669304 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11112967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons, resulting in muscle weakness, paralysis, and, ultimately, death. Presently, no effective treatment for ALS has been established. Although motor neuron dysfunction is a hallmark of ALS, emerging evidence suggests that sensory neurons are also involved in the disease. In clinical research, 30% of patients with ALS had sensory symptoms and abnormal sensory nerve conduction studies in the lower extremities. Peroneal nerve biopsies show histological abnormalities in 90% of the patients. Preclinical research has reported several genetic abnormalities in the sensory neurons of animal models of ALS, as well as in motor neurons. Furthermore, the aggregation of misfolded proteins like TAR DNA-binding protein 43 has been reported in sensory neurons. This review aims to provide a comprehensive description of ALS-related sensory neuron dysfunction, focusing on its clinical changes and underlying mechanisms. Sensory neuron abnormalities in ALS are not limited to somatosensory issues; proprioceptive sensory neurons, such as MesV and DRG neurons, have been reported to form networks with motor neurons and may be involved in motor control. Despite receiving limited attention, sensory neuron abnormalities in ALS hold potential for new therapies targeting proprioceptive sensory neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soju Seki
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
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42
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Cheng W, Huang J, Fu XQ, Tian WY, Zeng PM, Li Y, Luo ZG. Intrathecal delivery of AAV-NDNF ameliorates disease progression of ALS mice. Mol Ther 2023; 31:3277-3289. [PMID: 37766430 PMCID: PMC10638056 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.09.018] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a uniformly lethal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive deterioration of motor neurons and neuromuscular denervation. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated delivery of trophic factors is being considered as a potential disease-modifying therapeutic avenue. Here we show a marked effect of AAV-mediated over-expression of neuron-derived neurotrophic factor (NDNF) on SOD1G93A ALS model mice. First, we adopt AAV-PHP.eB capsid to enable widespread expression of target proteins in the brain and spinal cord when delivered intrathecally. Then we tested the effects of AAV-NDNF on SOD1G93A mice at different stages of disease. Interestingly, AAV-NDNF markedly improved motor performance and alleviated weight loss when delivered at early post-symptomatic stage. Injection in the middle post-symptomatic stages still improved the locomotion ability, although it did not alleviate the loss of body weight. Injection in the late stage also extended the life span of SOD1G93A mice. Furthermore, NDNF expression promoted the survival of spinal motoneurons, reduced abnormal protein aggregation, and preserved the innervated neuromuscular functions. We further analyzed the signaling pathways of NDNF expression and found that it activates cell survival and growth-associated mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway and downregulates apoptosis-related pathways. Thus, intrathecally AAV-NDNF delivery has provided a potential strategy for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Cheng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xiu-Qing Fu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Wei-Ya Tian
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Peng-Ming Zeng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yang Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhen-Ge Luo
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
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Blaudin de Thé FX, Baudier C, Andrade Pereira R, Lefebvre C, Moingeon P. Transforming drug discovery with a high-throughput AI-powered platform: A 5-year experience with Patrimony. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103772. [PMID: 37717933 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103772] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput computational platforms are being established to accelerate drug discovery. Servier launched the Patrimony platform to harness computational sciences and artificial intelligence (AI) to integrate massive multimodal data from internal and external sources. Patrimony has enabled researchers to prioritize therapeutic targets based on a deep understanding of the pathophysiology of immuno-inflammatory diseases. Herein, we share our experience regarding main challenges and critical success factors faced when industrializing the platform and broadening its applications to neurological diseases. We emphasize the importance of integrating such platforms in an end-to-end drug discovery process and engaging human experts early on to ensure a transforming impact.
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Theme 03 - In Vitro Experimental Models. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2023; 24:115-127. [PMID: 37966318 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2260193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
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45
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Trofimov A, Pavlov D, Goswami A, Gorlova A, Chaprov K, Umriukhin A, Kalueff A, Deykin A, Lesch KP, Anthony DC, Strekalova T. Lipopolysaccharide triggers exacerbated microglial activation, excessive cytokine release and behavioural disturbances in mice with truncated Fused-in-Sarcoma Protein (FUS). Brain Behav Immun Health 2023; 33:100686. [PMID: 37767237 PMCID: PMC10520340 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
CNS inflammation, including microglial activation, in response to peripheral infections are known to contribute to the pathology of both familial and sporadic neurodegenerative disease. The relationship between Fused-in-Sarcoma Protein (FUS)-mediated disease in the transgenic FUS[1-359] animals and the systemic inflammatory response have not been explored. Here, we investigated microglial activation, inflammatory gene expression and the behavioural responses to lipopolysaccharide-induced (LPS; 0.1 mg/kg) systemic inflammation in the FUS[1-359] transgenic mice. The pathology of these mice recapitulates the key features of mutant FUS-associated familial frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, pre-symptomatic 8-week-old mutant or wild type controls were challenged with LPS or with saline and sucrose intake, novel cage exploration, marble burying and swimming behaviours were analyzed. The level of pro-inflammatory gene expression was also determined, and microglial activation was evaluated. In chronic experiments, to discover whether the LPS challenge would affect the onset of ALS-like paralysis, animals were evaluated for clinical signs from 5 to 7 weeks post-injection. Compared to controls, acutely challenged FUS[1-359]-tg mice exhibited decreased sucrose intake and increased floating behaviours. The FUS[1-359]-tg mice exhibited an increase in immunoreactivity for Iba1-positive cells in the prefrontal cortex and ventral horn of the spinal cord, which was accompanied by increased expression of interleukin-1β, tumour necrosis factor, cyclooxygenase-(COX)-1 and COX-2. However, the single LPS challenge did not alter the time to development of paralysis in the FUS[1-359]-tg mice. Thus, while the acute inflammatory response was enhanced in the FUS mutant animals, it did not have a lasting impact on disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Trofimov
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University and Neuroplast BV, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Dmitrii Pavlov
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anand Goswami
- Institute for Neuropathology, University Clinic RWTH Aachen, Germany
| | - Anna Gorlova
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Normal Physiology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Russia
| | - Kirill Chaprov
- Division of Pathophysiology (Biomedicine), School of Biosciences, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Aleksei Umriukhin
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Normal Physiology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Russia
| | - Allan Kalueff
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexey Deykin
- Joint Center for Genetic Technologies and Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Belgorod State National Research University, Belgorod, Russia
| | - Klaus-Peter Lesch
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University and Neuroplast BV, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Tatyana Strekalova
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University and Neuroplast BV, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, University of Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
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Rogers ML, Schultz DW, Karnaros V, Shepheard SR. Urinary biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: candidates, opportunities and considerations. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad287. [PMID: 37946793 PMCID: PMC10631861 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a relentless neurodegenerative disease that is mostly fatal within 3-5 years and is diagnosed on evidence of progressive upper and lower motor neuron degeneration. Around 15% of those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis also have frontotemporal degeneration, and gene mutations account for ∼10%. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a variable heterogeneous disease, and it is becoming increasingly clear that numerous different disease processes culminate in the final degeneration of motor neurons. There is a profound need to clearly articulate and measure pathological process that occurs. Such information is needed to tailor treatments to individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis according to an individual's pathological fingerprint. For new candidate therapies, there is also a need for methods to select patients according to expected treatment outcomes and measure the success, or not, of treatments. Biomarkers are essential tools to fulfil these needs, and urine is a rich source for candidate biofluid biomarkers. This review will describe promising candidate urinary biomarkers of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other possible urinary candidates in future areas of investigation as well as the limitations of urinary biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary-Louise Rogers
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide 5042, South Australia, Australia
| | - David W Schultz
- Neurology Department and MND Clinic, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide 5042, South Australia, Australia
| | - Vassilios Karnaros
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide 5042, South Australia, Australia
| | - Stephanie R Shepheard
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide 5042, South Australia, Australia
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Tang J, Kang Y, Zhou Y, Chen Q, Lan J, Liu X, Peng Y. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium inhibits microglial activation to ameliorate neuroinflammation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice and cell models. Brain Res Bull 2023; 202:110760. [PMID: 37704056 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110760] [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: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease for which few effective therapeutic strategies are available. Increasing evidence indicates that neuroinflammation plays a significant role in ALS pathogenesis. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapy has been proposed for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS. In this study, we first demonstrated that systemic administration of conditioned medium derived from umbilical cord MSCs (UCMSC-CM) extends the lifespan of transgenic SOD1-G93A mice, a well-characterized model of familial ALS. Moreover, UCMSC-CM inhibits microglial activation and astrogliosis and alleviates the inflammatory milieu by reducing the release of proinflammatory cytokines and the expression of iNOS in the spinal cord. Using BV-2 cells overexpressing the SOD1-G93A mutant as an ALS cellular model, we uncovered that UCMSC-CM also suppresses the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response, including reduced expression of proinflammatory cytokines and iNOS. Importantly, by culturing astrocytes alone in microglia-conditioned medium (MCM) or together with microglia in a transwell coculture system, we found that UCMSC-CM modulates the secretome of microglia exposed to inflammatory stimuli, thereby preventing the conversion of astrocytes to the A1 neurotoxic phenotype. This study revealed the anti-inflammatory properties of UCMSC-CM and its regulatory effect on glial activation in the treatment of neuroinflammation in ALS, providing strong evidence for the clinical application of UCMSC-CM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingshu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yuying Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yujun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Qiuyu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jiaqi Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xuebin Liu
- Department of Cell Transplantation, General Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Beijing 100039, China; Beijing Zhongguang Tianyi Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Beijing 100026, China.
| | - Ying Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
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Li L, Guo L, Gao R, Yao M, Qu X, Sun G, Fu Q, Hu C, Han G. Ferroptosis: a new regulatory mechanism in neuropathic pain. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1206851. [PMID: 37810619 PMCID: PMC10556472 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1206851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP) is pain caused by damage to the somatosensory system. It is a common progressive neurodegenerative disease that usually presents with clinical features such as spontaneous pain, touch-evoked pain, nociceptive hyperalgesia, and sensory abnormalities. Due to the complexity of the mechanism, NP often persists. In addition to the traditionally recognized mechanisms of peripheral nerve damage and central sensitization, excessive iron accumulation, oxidative stress, neuronal inflammation, and lipid peroxidation damage are distinctive features of NP in pathophysiology. However, the mechanisms linking these pathological features to NP are not fully understood. The complexity of the pathogenesis of NP greatly limits the development of therapeutic approaches for NP. Ferroptosis is a novel form of cell death discovered in recent years, in which cell death is usually accompanied by massive iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Ferroptosis-inducing factors can affect glutathione peroxidase directly or indirectly through different pathways, leading to decreased antioxidant capacity and accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, ultimately leading to oxidative cell death. It has been shown that ferroptosis is closely related to the pathophysiological process of many neurological disorders such as NP. Possible mechanisms involved are changes in intracellular iron ion levels, alteration of glutamate excitability, and the onset of oxidative stress. However, the functional changes and specific molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis during this process still need to be further explored. How to intervene in the development of NP by regulating cellular ferroptosis has become a hot issue in etiological research and treatment. In this review, we systematically summarize the recent progress of ferroptosis research in NP, to provide a reference for further understanding of its pathogenesis and propose new targets for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lingling Guo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Rui Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Mengwen Yao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xinyu Qu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Guangwei Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qi Fu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Cuntao Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Guang Han
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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49
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Stevens-Jones O, Malmeström C, Constantinescu C, Dalla K, Nellgård B, Zelano J, Constantinescu R, Axelsson M. Presence of neural surface and onconeural autoantibodies in cerebrospinal fluid and serum in neurological diseases presents a potential risk for misdiagnosis. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:2602-2610. [PMID: 37312655 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15926] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Autoantibodies have been found to contribute to pathology and are used in the diagnosis of some neurological diseases. We examined the prevalence of autoantibodies in patients with various neurological diseases and whether patients who had autoantibodies differed in age, sex, or disability from those who did not. METHODS We examined the prevalence of neural surface and onconeural autoantibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum from patients with multiple sclerosis (n = 64), Parkinson disease plus atypical parkinsonism (n = 150), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (n = 43), or autoimmune encephalitis (positive control; n = 7) and a healthy control group (n = 37). A total of 12 onconeural autoantibodies and six neural surface autoantibodies were tested in all participants. RESULTS Autoantibodies were present in all cohorts. The prevalence of autoantibodies was high (>80%) in the autoimmune encephalitis cohort but low (<20%) in all other cohorts. When comparing patients within cohorts who were positive for autoantibodies to patients who were not, there was no difference in age, sex, and disability. This was apart from the multiple sclerosis and Parkinson disease plus atypical parkinsonism cohorts, where those with positivity for autoantibodies in the CSF were significantly older. CONCLUSIONS The presence of the autoantibodies examined does not appear to have a substantial clinical impact within the diseases examined in this study. The presence of autoantibodies in all cohorts presents a risk for misdiagnosis when the method is used incorrectly on patients with atypical clinical presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Stevens-Jones
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Clas Malmeström
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Clara Constantinescu
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Keti Dalla
- Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Bengt Nellgård
- Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Johan Zelano
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Radu Constantinescu
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Markus Axelsson
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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50
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Tomiyama ALMR, Cartarozzi LP, de Oliveira Coser L, Chiarotto GB, Oliveira ALR. Neuroprotection by upregulation of the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) in SOD1 G93A mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1211486. [PMID: 37711512 PMCID: PMC10498468 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1211486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that progressively affects motoneurons, causing muscle atrophy and evolving to death. Astrocytes inhibit the expression of MHC-I by neurons, contributing to a degenerative outcome. The present study verified the influence of interferon β (IFN β) treatment, a proinflammatory cytokine that upregulates MHC-I expression, in SOD1G93A transgenic mice. For that, 17 days old presymptomatic female mice were subjected to subcutaneous application of IFN β (250, 1,000, and 10,000 IU) every other day for 20 days. Rotarod motor test, clinical score, and body weight assessment were conducted every third day throughout the treatment period. No significant intergroup variations were observed in such parameters during the pre-symptomatic phase. All mice were then euthanized, and the spinal cords collected for comparative analysis of motoneuron survival, reactive gliosis, synapse coverage, microglia morphology classification, cytokine analysis by flow cytometry, and RT-qPCR quantification of gene transcripts. Additionally, mice underwent Rotarod motor assessment, weight monitoring, and neurological scoring. The results show that IFN β treatment led to an increase in the expression of MHC-I, which, even at the lowest dose (250 IU), resulted in a significant increase in neuronal survival in the ALS presymptomatic period which lasted until the onset of the disease. The treatment also influenced synaptic preservation by decreasing excitatory inputs and upregulating the expression of AMPA receptors by astrocytes. Microglial reactivity quantified by the integrated density of pixels did not decrease with treatment but showed a less activated morphology, coupled with polarization to an M1 profile. Disease progression upregulated gene transcripts for pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and IFN β treatment significantly decreased mRNA expression for IL4. Overall, the present results demonstrate that a low dosage of IFN β shows therapeutic potential by increasing MHC-I expression, resulting in neuroprotection and immunomodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Alexandre L. R. Oliveira
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology—University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
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