1
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Au WH, Miller-Fleming L, Sanchez-Martinez A, Lee JA, Twyning MJ, Prag HA, Raik L, Allen SP, Shaw PJ, Ferraiuolo L, Mortiboys H, Whitworth AJ. Activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway suppresses mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and motor phenotypes in C9orf72 ALS/FTD models. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202402853. [PMID: 38906677 PMCID: PMC11192839 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202402853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common feature of C9orf72 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD); however, it remains unclear whether this is a cause or consequence of the pathogenic process. Analysing multiple aspects of mitochondrial biology across several Drosophila models of C9orf72-ALS/FTD, we found morphology, oxidative stress, and mitophagy are commonly affected, which correlated with progressive loss of locomotor performance. Notably, only genetic manipulations that reversed the oxidative stress levels were also able to rescue C9orf72 locomotor deficits, supporting a causative link between mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and behavioural phenotypes. Targeting the key antioxidant Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, we found that genetic reduction of Keap1 or pharmacological inhibition by dimethyl fumarate significantly rescued the C9orf72-related oxidative stress and motor deficits. Finally, mitochondrial ROS levels were also elevated in C9orf72 patient-derived iNeurons and were effectively suppressed by dimethyl fumarate treatment. These results indicate that mitochondrial oxidative stress is an important mechanistic contributor to C9orf72 pathogenesis, affecting multiple aspects of mitochondrial function and turnover. Targeting the Keap1/Nrf2 signalling pathway to combat oxidative stress represents a therapeutic strategy for C9orf72-related ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing Hei Au
- https://ror.org/013meh722 MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- https://ror.org/013meh722 John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Leonor Miller-Fleming
- https://ror.org/013meh722 MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alvaro Sanchez-Martinez
- https://ror.org/013meh722 MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - James Ak Lee
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Madeleine J Twyning
- https://ror.org/013meh722 MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hiran A Prag
- https://ror.org/013meh722 MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- https://ror.org/013meh722 Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Laura Raik
- https://ror.org/013meh722 MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Scott P Allen
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Laura Ferraiuolo
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Heather Mortiboys
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Alexander J Whitworth
- https://ror.org/013meh722 MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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2
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Scaber J, Thomas-Wright I, Clark AJ, Xu Y, Vahsen BF, Carcolé M, Dafinca R, Farrimond L, Isaacs AM, Bennett DL, Talbot K. Cellular and axonal transport phenotypes due to the C9ORF72 HRE in iPSC motor and sensory neurons. Stem Cell Reports 2024; 19:957-972. [PMID: 38876108 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2024.05.008] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons (MNs) from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) have multiple cellular phenotypes, but which of these accurately reflect the biology underlying the cell-specific vulnerability of ALS is uncertain. We therefore compared phenotypes due to the C9ORF72 HRE in MNs with sensory neurons (SNs), which are relatively spared in ALS. The iPSC models were able to partially reproduce the differential gene expression seen between adult SNs and MNs. We demonstrated that the typical hallmarks of C9ORF72-ALS, including RNA foci and dipeptide formation, as well as specific axonal transport defects, occurred equally in MNs and SNs, suggesting that these in vitro phenotypes are not sufficient to explain the cell-type selectivity of ALS in isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Scaber
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK.
| | - Iona Thomas-Wright
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK
| | - Alex J Clark
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK; Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University, E1 2AT London, UK
| | - Yinyan Xu
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), CAMS Oxford Institute (COI), Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 7FZ Oxford, UK
| | - Björn F Vahsen
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK
| | - Mireia Carcolé
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL and Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, WCIN 3BG London, UK
| | - Ruxandra Dafinca
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK
| | - Lucy Farrimond
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK
| | - Adrian M Isaacs
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL and Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, WCIN 3BG London, UK
| | - David L Bennett
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK.
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3
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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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4
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Lee J, Pye N, Ellis L, Vos KD, Mortiboys H. Evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in ALS and methods for measuring in model systems. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 176:269-325. [PMID: 38802177 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction is a hallmark of multiple amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) models with a majority of ALS patients exhibiting hypermetabolism. The central sites of metabolism in the cell are mitochondria, capable of utilising a multitude of cellular substrates in an array of ATP-generating reactions. With reactive oxygen species (ROS) production occurring during some of these reactions, mitochondria can contribute considerably to oxidative stress. Mitochondria are also very dynamic organelles, interacting with other organelles, undergoing fusion/fission in response to changing metabolic states and being turned over by the cell regularly. Disruptions to many of these mitochondrial functions and processes have been reported in ALS models, largely indicating compromised mitochondrial function, increased ROS production by mitochondria, disrupted interactions with the endoplasmic reticulum and reduced turnover. This chapter summarises methods routinely used to assess mitochondria in ALS models and the alterations that have been reported in these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Lee
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Pye
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Ellis
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Kurt De Vos
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Heather Mortiboys
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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5
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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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6
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Yan X, Yang P, Li Y, Liu T, Zha Y, Wang T, Zhang J, Feng Z, Li M. New insights from bidirectional Mendelian randomization: causal relationships between telomere length and mitochondrial DNA copy number in aging biomarkers. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:7387-7404. [PMID: 38663933 PMCID: PMC11087129 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205765] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and telomere length (TL) are dynamic factors that have been linked to the aging process in organisms. However, the causal relationship between these variables remains uncertain. In this research, instrumental variables (IVs) related to mtDNA copy number and TL were obtained from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Through bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, we examined the potential causal relationship between these factors. The forward analysis, with mtDNA copy number as the exposure and TL as the outcome, did not reveal a significant effect (B=-0.004, P>0.05). On the contrary, upon conducting a reverse analysis, it was found that there exists a positive causal relationship (B=0.054, P<0.05). Sensitivity analyses further confirmed the reliability of these results. The outcomes of this study indicate a one-way positive causal relationship, indicating that telomere shortening in the aging process may lead to a decrease in mtDNA copy number, providing new perspectives on their biological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Yan
- Zhongshan City People’s Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan, China
| | - Peixuan Yang
- Zhongshan City People’s Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan, China
| | - Yani Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan City People’s Hospital, Zhongshan 528403, Guangdong, China
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan City People’s Hospital, Zhongshan 528403, Guangdong, China
| | - Yawen Zha
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan City People’s Hospital, Zhongshan 528403, Guangdong, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan City People’s Hospital, Zhongshan 528403, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan City People’s Hospital, Zhongshan 528403, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhijun Feng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Jiangmen Central Hospital, Jiangmen 529000, Guangdong, China
| | - Minying Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan City People’s Hospital, Zhongshan 528403, Guangdong, China
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7
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Jagaraj CJ, Shadfar S, Kashani SA, Saravanabavan S, Farzana F, Atkin JD. Molecular hallmarks of ageing in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:111. [PMID: 38430277 PMCID: PMC10908642 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05164-9] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, severely debilitating and rapidly progressing disorder affecting motor neurons in the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord. Unfortunately, there are few effective treatments, thus there remains a critical need to find novel interventions that can mitigate against its effects. Whilst the aetiology of ALS remains unclear, ageing is the major risk factor. Ageing is a slowly progressive process marked by functional decline of an organism over its lifespan. However, it remains unclear how ageing promotes the risk of ALS. At the molecular and cellular level there are specific hallmarks characteristic of normal ageing. These hallmarks are highly inter-related and overlap significantly with each other. Moreover, whilst ageing is a normal process, there are striking similarities at the molecular level between these factors and neurodegeneration in ALS. Nine ageing hallmarks were originally proposed: genomic instability, loss of telomeres, senescence, epigenetic modifications, dysregulated nutrient sensing, loss of proteostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, stem cell exhaustion, and altered inter-cellular communication. However, these were recently (2023) expanded to include dysregulation of autophagy, inflammation and dysbiosis. Hence, given the latest updates to these hallmarks, and their close association to disease processes in ALS, a new examination of their relationship to pathophysiology is warranted. In this review, we describe possible mechanisms by which normal ageing impacts on neurodegenerative mechanisms implicated in ALS, and new therapeutic interventions that may arise from this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Jones Jagaraj
- MND Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Sina Shadfar
- MND Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Sara Assar Kashani
- MND Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Sayanthooran Saravanabavan
- MND Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Fabiha Farzana
- MND Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Julie D Atkin
- MND Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia.
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8
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Harvey C, Weinreich M, Lee JA, Shaw AC, Ferraiuolo L, Mortiboys H, Zhang S, Hop PJ, Zwamborn RA, van Eijk K, Julian TH, Moll T, Iacoangeli A, Al Khleifat A, Quinn JP, Pfaff AL, Kõks S, Poulton J, Battle SL, Arking DE, Snyder MP, Veldink JH, Kenna KP, Shaw PJ, Cooper-Knock J. Rare and common genetic determinants of mitochondrial function determine severity but not risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24975. [PMID: 38317984 PMCID: PMC10839612 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease involving selective vulnerability of energy-intensive motor neurons (MNs). It has been unclear whether mitochondrial function is an upstream driver or a downstream modifier of neurotoxicity. We separated upstream genetic determinants of mitochondrial function, including genetic variation within the mitochondrial genome or autosomes; from downstream changeable factors including mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtCN). Across three cohorts including 6,437 ALS patients, we discovered that a set of mitochondrial haplotypes, chosen because they are linked to measurements of mitochondrial function, are a determinant of ALS survival following disease onset, but do not modify ALS risk. One particular haplotype appeared to be neuroprotective and was significantly over-represented in two cohorts of long-surviving ALS patients. Causal inference for mitochondrial function was achievable using mitochondrial haplotypes, but not autosomal SNPs in traditional Mendelian randomization (MR). Furthermore, rare loss-of-function genetic variants within, and reduced MN expression of, ACADM and DNA2 lead to ∼50 % shorter ALS survival; both proteins are implicated in mitochondrial function. Both mtCN and cellular vulnerability are linked to DNA2 function in ALS patient-derived neurons. Finally, MtCN responds dynamically to the onset of ALS independently of mitochondrial haplotype, and is correlated with disease severity. We conclude that, based on the genetic measures we have employed, mitochondrial function is a therapeutic target for amelioration of disease severity but not prevention of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calum Harvey
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Marcel Weinreich
- Clinical Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center and University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany
| | - James A.K. Lee
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Allan C. Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Laura Ferraiuolo
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Heather Mortiboys
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sai Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Paul J. Hop
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ramona A.J. Zwamborn
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kristel van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas H. Julian
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Tobias Moll
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Alfredo Iacoangeli
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Ahmad Al Khleifat
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - John P. Quinn
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology, Liverpool, UK
| | - Abigail L. Pfaff
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
| | - Sulev Kõks
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
| | - Joanna Poulton
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Stephanie L. Battle
- McKusick-Nathans Institute, Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dan E. Arking
- McKusick-Nathans Institute, Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael P. Snyder
- Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Project MinE ALS Sequencing Consortium
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Clinical Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center and University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, London, UK
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology, Liverpool, UK
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- McKusick-Nathans Institute, Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jan H. Veldink
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kevin P. Kenna
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Pamela J. Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Johnathan Cooper-Knock
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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9
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Harley P, Kerins C, Gatt A, Neves G, Riccio F, Machado CB, Cheesbrough A, R'Bibo L, Burrone J, Lieberam I. Aberrant axon initial segment plasticity and intrinsic excitability of ALS hiPSC motor neurons. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113509. [PMID: 38019651 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113509] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated neuronal excitability is a hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We sought to investigate how functional changes to the axon initial segment (AIS), the site of action potential generation, could impact neuronal excitability in ALS human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) motor neurons. We find that early TDP-43 and C9orf72 hiPSC motor neurons show an increase in the length of the AIS and impaired activity-dependent AIS plasticity that is linked to abnormal homeostatic regulation of neuronal activity and intrinsic hyperexcitability. In turn, these hyperactive neurons drive increased spontaneous myofiber contractions of in vitro hiPSC motor units. In contrast, late hiPSC and postmortem ALS motor neurons show AIS shortening, and hiPSC motor neurons progress to hypoexcitability. At a molecular level, aberrant expression of the AIS master scaffolding protein ankyrin-G and AIS-specific voltage-gated sodium channels mirror these dynamic changes in AIS function and excitability. Our results point toward the AIS as an important site of dysfunction in ALS motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Harley
- Centre for Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Kings College London, London SE1 9RT, UK; Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK; UCL Queen Square Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Caoimhe Kerins
- Centre for Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Kings College London, London SE1 9RT, UK; Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK; Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Ariana Gatt
- Queen Square Brain Bank, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | - Guilherme Neves
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Federica Riccio
- Centre for Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Kings College London, London SE1 9RT, UK; Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Carolina Barcellos Machado
- Centre for Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Kings College London, London SE1 9RT, UK; Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Aimee Cheesbrough
- Centre for Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Kings College London, London SE1 9RT, UK; Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Lea R'Bibo
- Centre for Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Kings College London, London SE1 9RT, UK; Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Juan Burrone
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.
| | - Ivo Lieberam
- Centre for Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Kings College London, London SE1 9RT, UK; Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.
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10
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Fu RH. Pectolinarigenin Improves Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Mouse NSC-34 Motor Neuron Cell Lines Induced by C9-ALS-Associated Proline-Arginine Dipeptide Repeat Proteins by Enhancing Mitochondrial Fusion Mediated via the SIRT3/OPA1 Axis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:2008. [PMID: 38001861 PMCID: PMC10669908 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12112008] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is considered a fatal progressive degeneration of motor neurons (MN) caused by oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. There are currently no treatments available. The most common inherited form of ALS is the C9orf72 mutation (C9-ALS). The proline-arginine dipeptide repeat protein (PR-DPR) produced by C9-ALS has been confirmed to be a functionally acquired pathogenic factor that can cause increased ROS, mitochondrial defects, and apoptosis in motor neurons. Pectolinarigenin (PLG) from the traditional medicinal herb Linaria vulgaris has antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. I established a mouse NSC-34 motor neuron cell line model expressing PR-DPR and confirmed the neuroprotective effect of PLG. The results showed that ROS production and apoptosis caused by PR-DPR could be improved by PLG treatment. In terms of mechanism research, PR-DPR inhibited the activity of the mitochondrial fusion proteins OPA1 and mitofusin 2. Conversely, the expression of fission protein fission 1 and dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) increased. However, PLG treatment reversed these effects. Furthermore, I found that PLG increased the expression and deacetylation of OPA1. Deacetylation of OPA1 enhances mitochondrial fusion and resistance to apoptosis. Finally, transfection with Sirt3 small interfering RNA abolished the neuroprotective effects of PLG. In summary, the mechanism by which PLG alleviates PR-DPR toxicity is mainly achieved by activating the SIRT3/OPA1 axis to regulate the balance of mitochondrial dynamics. Taken together, the potential of PLG in preclinical studies for C9-ALS drug development deserves further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru-Huei Fu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; ; Tel.: +886-422052121-12486
- Ph.D. Program for Aging, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Translational Medicine Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
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11
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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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12
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Genin EC, Abou-Ali M, Paquis-Flucklinger V. Mitochondria, a Key Target in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Pathogenesis. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1981. [PMID: 38002924 PMCID: PMC10671245 DOI: 10.3390/genes14111981] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs in numerous neurodegenerative diseases, particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where it contributes to motor neuron (MN) death. Of all the factors involved in ALS, mitochondria have been considered as a major player, as secondary mitochondrial dysfunction has been found in various models and patients. Abnormal mitochondrial morphology, defects in mitochondrial dynamics, altered activities of respiratory chain enzymes and increased production of reactive oxygen species have been described. Moreover, the identification of CHCHD10 variants in ALS patients was the first genetic evidence that a mitochondrial defect may be a primary cause of MN damage and directly links mitochondrial dysfunction to the pathogenesis of ALS. In this review, we focus on the role of mitochondria in ALS and highlight the pathogenic variants of ALS genes associated with impaired mitochondrial functions. The multiple pathways demonstrated in ALS pathogenesis suggest that all converge to a common endpoint leading to MN loss. This may explain the disappointing results obtained with treatments targeting a single pathological process. Fighting against mitochondrial dysfunction appears to be a promising avenue for developing combined therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle C. Genin
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, Nice (IRCAN), Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm U1081, CNRS UMR7284, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Nice, 06200 Nice, France; (M.A.-A.); (V.P.-F.)
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13
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Dan L, Zhang Z. Alzheimer's disease: an axonal injury disease? Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1264448. [PMID: 37927337 PMCID: PMC10620718 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1264448] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the primary cause of dementia and is anticipated to impose a substantial economic burden in the future. Over a significant period, the widely accepted amyloid cascade hypothesis has guided research efforts, and the recent FDA approval of an anti- amyloid-beta (Aβ) protofibrils antibody, believed to decelerate AD progression, has further solidified its significance. However, the excessive emphasis placed on the amyloid cascade hypothesis has overshadowed the physiological nature of Aβ and tau proteins within axons. Axons, specialized neuronal structures, sustain damage during the early stages of AD, exerting a pivotal influence on disease progression. In this review, we present a comprehensive summary of the relationship between axonal damage and AD pathology, amalgamating the physiological roles of Aβ and tau proteins, along with the impact of AD risk genes such as APOE and TREM2. Furthermore, we underscore the exceptional significance of axonal damage in the context of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhaohui Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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14
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Ragupathy H, Vukku M, Barodia SK. Cell-Type-Specific Mitochondrial Quality Control in the Brain: A Plausible Mechanism of Neurodegeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14421. [PMID: 37833867 PMCID: PMC10572699 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration is an age-dependent progressive phenomenon with no defined cause. Aging is the main risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. During aging, activated microglia undergo phenotypic alterations that can lead to neuroinflammation, which is a well-accepted event in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Several common mechanisms are shared by genetically or pathologically distinct neurodegenerative diseases, such as excitotoxicity, mitochondrial deficits and oxidative stress, protein misfolding and translational dysfunction, autophagy and microglia activation. Progressive loss of the neuronal population due to increased oxidative stress leads to neurodegenerative diseases, mostly due to the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria. Mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive neuroinflammatory responses are both sufficient to induce pathology in age-dependent neurodegeneration. Therefore, mitochondrial quality control is a key determinant for the health and survival of neuronal cells in the brain. Research has been primarily focused to demonstrate the significance of neuronal mitochondrial health, despite the important contributions of non-neuronal cells that constitute a significant portion of the brain volume. Moreover, mitochondrial morphology and function are distinctly diverse in different tissues; however, little is known about their molecular diversity among cell types. Mitochondrial dynamics and quality in different cell types markedly decide the fate of overall brain health; therefore, it is not justifiable to overlook non-neuronal cells and their significant and active contribution in facilitating overall neuronal health. In this review article, we aim to discuss the mitochondrial quality control of different cell types in the brain and how important and remarkable the diversity and highly synchronized connecting property of non-neuronal cells are in keeping the neurons healthy to control neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manasvi Vukku
- Centre for Brain Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
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15
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Ludolph A, Dupuis L, Kasarskis E, Steyn F, Ngo S, McDermott C. Nutritional and metabolic factors in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:511-524. [PMID: 37500993 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00845-8] [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: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex neurodegenerative disease that is classically thought to impact the motor system. Over the past 20 years, research has started to consider the contribution of non-motor symptoms and features of the disease, and how they might affect ALS prognosis. Of the non-motor features of the disease, nutritional status (for example, malnutrition) and metabolic balance (for example, weight loss and hypermetabolism) have been consistently shown to contribute to more rapid disease progression and/or earlier death. Several complex cellular changes observed in ALS, including mitochondrial dysfunction, are also starting to be shown to contribute to bioenergetic failure. The resulting energy depletion in high energy demanding neurons makes them sensitive to apoptosis. Given that nutritional and metabolic stressors at the whole-body and cellular level can impact the capacity to maintain optimal function, these factors present avenues through which we can identify novel targets for treatment in ALS. Several clinical trials are now underway evaluating the effectiveness of modifying energy balance in ALS, making this article timely in reviewing the evidence base for metabolic and nutritional interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Site Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Luc Dupuis
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Mécanismes Centraux et Périphériques de la Neurodégénérescence, UMR-S1118, Centre de Recherches en Biomédecine, Strasbourg, France
| | - Edward Kasarskis
- Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Frederik Steyn
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Shyuan Ngo
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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16
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Mann JR, McKenna ED, Mawrie D, Papakis V, Alessandrini F, Anderson EN, Mayers R, Ball HE, Kaspi E, Lubinski K, Baron DM, Tellez L, Landers JE, Pandey UB, Kiskinis E. Loss of function of the ALS-associated NEK1 kinase disrupts microtubule homeostasis and nuclear import. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi5548. [PMID: 37585529 PMCID: PMC10431718 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi5548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Loss-of-function variants in NIMA-related kinase 1 (NEK1) constitute a major genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), accounting for 2 to 3% of all cases. However, how NEK1 mutations cause motor neuron (MN) dysfunction is unknown. Using mass spectrometry analyses for NEK1 interactors and NEK1-dependent expression changes, we find functional enrichment for proteins involved in the microtubule cytoskeleton and nucleocytoplasmic transport. We show that α-tubulin and importin-β1, two key proteins involved in these processes, are phosphorylated by NEK1 in vitro. NEK1 is essential for motor control and survival in Drosophila models in vivo, while using several induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-MN models, including NEK1 knockdown, kinase inhibition, and a patient mutation, we find evidence for disruptions in microtubule homeostasis and nuclear import. Notably, stabilizing microtubules with two distinct classes of drugs restored NEK1-dependent deficits in both pathways. The capacity of NEK1 to modulate these processes that are critically involved in ALS pathophysiology renders this kinase a formidable therapeutic candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R. Mann
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Elizabeth D. McKenna
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Darilang Mawrie
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Vasileios Papakis
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Francesco Alessandrini
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Eric N. Anderson
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Ryan Mayers
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Hannah E. Ball
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Evan Kaspi
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Katherine Lubinski
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Desiree M. Baron
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Liana Tellez
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - John E. Landers
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Udai B. Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Evangelos Kiskinis
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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17
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Giménez-Bejarano A, Alegre-Cortés E, Yakhine-Diop SMS, Gómez-Suaga P, Fuentes JM. Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Repeat Expansion Diseases. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1593. [PMID: 37627588 PMCID: PMC10451345 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12081593] [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: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Repeat expansion diseases are a group of neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders characterized by expansions of several successive repeated DNA sequences. Currently, more than 50 repeat expansion diseases have been described. These disorders involve diverse pathogenic mechanisms, including loss-of-function mechanisms, toxicity associated with repeat RNA, or repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) products, resulting in impairments of cellular processes and damaged organelles. Mitochondria, double membrane organelles, play a crucial role in cell energy production, metabolic processes, calcium regulation, redox balance, and apoptosis regulation. Its dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of repeat expansion diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the signaling pathways or proteins involved in mitochondrial functioning described in these disorders. The focus of this review will be on the analysis of published data related to three representative repeat expansion diseases: Huntington's disease, C9orf72-frontotemporal dementia/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and myotonic dystrophy type 1. We will discuss the common effects observed in all three repeat expansion disorders and their differences. Additionally, we will address the current gaps in knowledge and propose possible new lines of research. Importantly, this group of disorders exhibit alterations in mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis, with specific proteins involved in these processes having been identified. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of mitochondrial alterations in these disorders can potentially lead to the development of neuroprotective strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Giménez-Bejarano
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (A.G.-B.); (E.A.-C.); (S.M.S.Y.-D.); (P.G.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativa, Instituto de Salus Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Eva Alegre-Cortés
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (A.G.-B.); (E.A.-C.); (S.M.S.Y.-D.); (P.G.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativa, Instituto de Salus Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Sokhna M. S. Yakhine-Diop
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (A.G.-B.); (E.A.-C.); (S.M.S.Y.-D.); (P.G.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativa, Instituto de Salus Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Patricia Gómez-Suaga
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (A.G.-B.); (E.A.-C.); (S.M.S.Y.-D.); (P.G.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativa, Instituto de Salus Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - José M. Fuentes
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (A.G.-B.); (E.A.-C.); (S.M.S.Y.-D.); (P.G.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativa, Instituto de Salus Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
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18
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Brockmann SJ, Buck E, Casoli T, Meirelles JL, Ruf WP, Fabbietti P, Holzmann K, Weishaupt JH, Ludolph AC, Conti F, Danzer KM. Mitochondrial genome study in blood of maternally inherited ALS cases. Hum Genomics 2023; 17:70. [PMID: 37507754 PMCID: PMC10375681 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-023-00516-1] [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: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND ALS is a heterogeneous disease in which different factors such as mitochondrial phenotypes act in combination with a genetic predisposition. This study addresses the question of whether homoplasmic (total mitochondrial genome of a sample is affected) and/or heteroplasmic mutations (wildtype and mutant mitochondrial DNA molecules coexist) might play a role in familial ALS. Blood was drawn from familial ALS patients with a possible maternal pattern of inheritance according to their pedigrees, which was compared to blood of ALS patients without maternal association as well as age-matched controls. In two cohorts, we analyzed the mitochondrial genome from whole blood or isolated white blood cells and platelets using a resequencing microarray (Affymetrix MitoChip v2.0) that is able to detect homoplasmic and heteroplasmic mitochondrial DNA mutations and allows the assessment of low-level heteroplasmy. RESULTS We identified an increase in homoplasmic ND5 mutations, a subunit of respiratory chain complex I, in whole blood of ALS patients that allowed maternal inheritance. This effect was more pronounced in patients with bulbar onset. Heteroplasmic mutations were significantly increased in different mitochondrial genes in platelets of patients with possible maternal inheritance. No increase of low-level heteroplasmy was found in maternal ALS patients. CONCLUSION Our results indicate a contribution of homoplasmic ND5 mutations to maternally associated ALS with bulbar onset. Therefore, it might be conceivable that specific maternally transmitted rather than randomly acquired mitochondrial DNA mutations might contribute to the disease process. This stands in contrast with observations from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases showing an age-dependent accumulation of unspecific mutations in mitochondrial DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Brockmann
- Department of Neurology, University Clinic, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Eva Buck
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
| | - Tiziana Casoli
- Center for Neurobiology of Aging, Scientific Technological Area, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy
| | - João L Meirelles
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
| | - Wolfgang P Ruf
- Department of Neurology, University Clinic, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Paolo Fabbietti
- Unit of Geriatric Pharmacoepidemiology, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Jochen H Weishaupt
- Department of Neurology, University Clinic, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Division for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Neurology Department, University Medicine Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Albert C Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, University Clinic, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
| | - Fiorenzo Conti
- Center for Neurobiology of Aging, Scientific Technological Area, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy
- Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Karin M Danzer
- Department of Neurology, University Clinic, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany.
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19
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Patani R, Hardingham GE, Liddelow SA. Functional roles of reactive astrocytes in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:395-409. [PMID: 37308616 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00822-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite advances in uncovering the mechanisms that underlie neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disease, therapies that prevent neuronal loss remain elusive. Targeting of disease-defining markers in conditions such as Alzheimer disease (amyloid-β and tau) or Parkinson disease (α-synuclein) has been met with limited success, suggesting that these proteins do not act in isolation but form part of a pathological network. This network could involve phenotypic alteration of multiple cell types in the CNS, including astrocytes, which have a major neurosupportive, homeostatic role in the healthy CNS but adopt reactive states under acute or chronic adverse conditions. Transcriptomic studies in human patients and disease models have revealed the co-existence of many putative reactive sub-states of astrocytes. Inter-disease and even intra-disease heterogeneity of reactive astrocytic sub-states are well established, but the extent to which specific sub-states are shared across different diseases is unclear. In this Review, we highlight how single-cell and single-nuclei RNA sequencing and other 'omics' technologies can enable the functional characterization of defined reactive astrocyte states in various pathological scenarios. We provide an integrated perspective, advocating cross-modal validation of key findings to define functionally important sub-states of astrocytes and their triggers as tractable therapeutic targets with cross-disease relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rickie Patani
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, Human Stem Cells and Neurodegeneration Laboratory, London, UK
| | - Giles E Hardingham
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Shane A Liddelow
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Parekh Center for Interdisciplinary Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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20
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Maksimovic K, Youssef M, You J, Sung HK, Park J. Evidence of Metabolic Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Patients and Animal Models. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050863. [PMID: 37238732 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventual death. Research from the past few decades has appreciated that ALS is not only a disease of the motor neurons but also a disease that involves systemic metabolic dysfunction. This review will examine the foundational research of understanding metabolic dysfunction in ALS and provide an overview of past and current studies in ALS patients and animal models, spanning from full systems to various metabolic organs. While ALS-affected muscle tissue exhibits elevated energy demand and a fuel preference switch from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation, adipose tissue in ALS undergoes increased lipolysis. Dysfunctions in the liver and pancreas contribute to impaired glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion. The central nervous system (CNS) displays abnormal glucose regulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased oxidative stress. Importantly, the hypothalamus, a brain region that controls whole-body metabolism, undergoes atrophy associated with pathological aggregates of TDP-43. This review will also cover past and present treatment options that target metabolic dysfunction in ALS and provide insights into the future of metabolism research in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Maksimovic
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Mohieldin Youssef
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Justin You
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Hoon-Ki Sung
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jeehye Park
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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21
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Chen M, Yan R, Luo J, Ning J, Zhou R, Ding L. The Role of PGC-1α-Mediated Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Neurons. Neurochem Res 2023:10.1007/s11064-023-03934-8. [PMID: 37097395 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-03934-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Neurons are highly dependent on mitochondrial ATP production and Ca2+ buffering. Neurons have unique compartmentalized anatomy and energy requirements, and each compartment requires continuously renewed mitochondria to maintain neuronal survival and activity. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) is a key factor in the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis. It is widely accepted that mitochondria are synthesized in the cell body and transported via axons to the distal end. However, axonal mitochondrial biogenesis is necessary to maintain axonal bioenergy supply and mitochondrial density due to limitations in mitochondrial axonal transport rate and mitochondrial protein lifespan. In addition, impaired mitochondrial biogenesis leading to inadequate energy supply and neuronal damage has been observed in neurological disorders. In this review, we focus on the sites where mitochondrial biogenesis occurs in neurons and the mechanisms by which it maintains axonal mitochondrial density. Finally, we summarize several neurological disorders in which mitochondrial biogenesis is affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjie Chen
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China
| | - Ruyu Yan
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China
| | - Jiansheng Luo
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China
| | - Jiaqi Ning
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China
| | - Ruiling Zhou
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China
| | - Lingling Ding
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China.
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22
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Banerjee P, Mehta AR, Nirujogi RS, Cooper J, James OG, Nanda J, Longden J, Burr K, McDade K, Salzinger A, Paza E, Newton J, Story D, Pal S, Smith C, Alessi DR, Selvaraj BT, Priller J, Chandran S. Cell-autonomous immune dysfunction driven by disrupted autophagy in C9orf72-ALS iPSC-derived microglia contributes to neurodegeneration. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eabq0651. [PMID: 37083530 PMCID: PMC10121169 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq0651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Although microglial activation is widely found in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the underlying mechanism(s) are poorly understood. Here, using human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia-like cells (hiPSC-MG) harboring the most common ALS/FTD mutation (C9orf72, mC9-MG), gene-corrected isogenic controls (isoC9-MG), and C9orf72 knockout hiPSC-MG (C9KO-MG), we show that reduced C9ORF72 protein is associated with impaired phagocytosis and an exaggerated immune response upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Analysis of the C9ORF72 interactome revealed that C9ORF72 interacts with regulators of autophagy and functional studies showed impaired initiation of autophagy in mC9-MG and C9KO-MG. Coculture studies with motor neurons (MNs) demonstrated that the autophagy deficit in mC9-MG drives increased vulnerability of mC9-MNs to excitotoxic stimulus. Pharmacological activation of autophagy ameliorated both cell-autonomous functional deficits in hiPSC-MG and MN death in MG-MN coculture. Together, these findings reveal an important role for C9ORF72 in regulating immune homeostasis and identify dysregulation in myeloid cells as a contributor to neurodegeneration in ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poulomi Banerjee
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Arpan R. Mehta
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Raja S. Nirujogi
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - James Cooper
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Owen G. James
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Jyoti Nanda
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - James Longden
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Karen Burr
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Karina McDade
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Edinburgh Brain Bank, Academic Department of Neuropathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Pathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrea Salzinger
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Evdokia Paza
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Judith Newton
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - David Story
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Suvankar Pal
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Colin Smith
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Edinburgh Brain Bank, Academic Department of Neuropathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Pathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Dario R. Alessi
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Bhuvaneish T. Selvaraj
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Josef Priller
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
- Neuropsychiatry, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin and DZNE, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh bioQuarter, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
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23
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Jagtap YA, Kumar P, Kinger S, Dubey AR, Choudhary A, Gutti RK, Singh S, Jha HC, Poluri KM, Mishra A. Disturb mitochondrial associated proteostasis: Neurodegeneration and imperfect ageing. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1146564. [PMID: 36968195 PMCID: PMC10036443 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1146564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The disturbance in mitochondrial functions and homeostasis are the major features of neuron degenerative conditions, like Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease, along with protein misfolding. The aberrantly folded proteins are known to link with impaired mitochondrial pathways, further contributing to disease pathogenesis. Despite their central significance, the implications of mitochondrial homeostasis disruption on other organelles and cellular processes remain insufficiently explored. Here, we have reviewed the dysfunction in mitochondrial physiology, under neuron degenerating conditions. The disease misfolded proteins impact quality control mechanisms of mitochondria, such as fission, fusion, mitophagy, and proteasomal clearance, to the detriment of neuron. The adversely affected mitochondrial functional roles, like oxidative phosphorylation, calcium homeostasis, and biomolecule synthesis as well as its axes and contacts with endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes are also discussed. Mitochondria sense and respond to multiple cytotoxic stress to make cell adapt and survive, though chronic dysfunction leads to cell death. Mitochondria and their proteins can be candidates for biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Investigation of internetworking between mitochondria and neurodegeneration proteins can enhance our holistic understanding of such conditions and help in designing more targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuvraj Anandrao Jagtap
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Prashant Kumar
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Sumit Kinger
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Ankur Rakesh Dubey
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Akash Choudhary
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Ravi Kumar Gutti
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Sarika Singh
- Division of Neuroscience and Ageing Biology, Division of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Hem Chandra Jha
- Infection Bioengineering Group, Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Simrol, India
| | - Krishna Mohan Poluri
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
- *Correspondence: Amit Mishra,
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24
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Suzuki N, Nishiyama A, Warita H, Aoki M. Genetics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: seeking therapeutic targets in the era of gene therapy. J Hum Genet 2023; 68:131-152. [PMID: 35691950 PMCID: PMC9968660 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-022-01055-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an intractable disease that causes respiratory failure leading to mortality. The main locus of ALS is motor neurons. The success of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a motor neuron disease, has triggered a paradigm shift in developing ALS therapies. The causative genes of ALS and disease-modifying genes, including those of sporadic ALS, have been identified one after another. Thus, the freedom of target choice for gene therapy has expanded by ASO strategy, leading to new avenues for therapeutic development. Tofersen for superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) was a pioneer in developing ASO for ALS. Improving protocols and devising early interventions for the disease are vital. In this review, we updated the knowledge of causative genes in ALS. We summarized the genetic mutations identified in familial ALS and their clinical features, focusing on SOD1, fused in sarcoma (FUS), and transacting response DNA-binding protein. The frequency of the C9ORF72 mutation is low in Japan, unlike in Europe and the United States, while SOD1 and FUS are more common, indicating that the target mutations for gene therapy vary by ethnicity. A genome-wide association study has revealed disease-modifying genes, which could be the novel target of gene therapy. The current status and prospects of gene therapy development were discussed, including ethical issues. Furthermore, we discussed the potential of axonal pathology as new therapeutic targets of ALS from the perspective of early intervention, including intra-axonal transcription factors, neuromuscular junction disconnection, dysregulated local translation, abnormal protein degradation, mitochondrial pathology, impaired axonal transport, aberrant cytoskeleton, and axon branching. We simultaneously discuss important pathological states of cell bodies: persistent stress granules, disrupted nucleocytoplasmic transport, and cryptic splicing. The development of gene therapy based on the elucidation of disease-modifying genes and early intervention in molecular pathology is expected to become an important therapeutic strategy in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Suzuki
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Ayumi Nishiyama
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Warita
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masashi Aoki
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan.
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25
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TDP-43 Proteinopathy Specific Biomarker Development. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040597. [PMID: 36831264 PMCID: PMC9954136 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
TDP-43 is the primary or secondary pathological hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, half of frontotemporal dementia cases, and limbic age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy, which clinically resembles Alzheimer's dementia. In such diseases, a biomarker that can detect TDP-43 proteinopathy in life would help to stratify patients according to their definite diagnosis of pathology, rather than in clinical subgroups of uncertain pathology. For therapies developed to target pathological proteins that cause the disease a biomarker to detect and track the underlying pathology would greatly enhance such undertakings. This article reviews the latest developments and outlooks of deriving TDP-43-specific biomarkers from the pathophysiological processes involved in the development of TDP-43 proteinopathy and studies using biosamples from clinical entities associated with TDP-43 pathology to investigate biomarker candidates.
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26
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Steinruecke M, Lonergan RM, Selvaraj BT, Chandran S, Diaz-Castro B, Stavrou M. Blood-CNS barrier dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Proposed mechanisms and clinical implications. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2023; 43:642-654. [PMID: 36704819 PMCID: PMC10108188 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x231153281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
There is strong evidence for blood-brain and blood-spinal cord barrier dysfunction at the early stages of many neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Since impairment of the blood-central nervous system barrier (BCNSB) occurs during the pre-symptomatic stages of ALS, the mechanisms underlying this pathology are likely also involved in the ALS disease process. In this review, we explore how drivers of ALS disease, particularly mitochondrial dysfunction, astrocyte pathology and neuroinflammation, may contribute to BCNSB impairment. Mitochondria are highly abundant in BCNSB tissue and mitochondrial dysfunction in ALS contributes to motor neuron death. Likewise, astrocytes adopt key physical, transport and metabolic functions at the barrier, many of which are impaired in ALS. Astrocytes also show raised expression of inflammatory markers in ALS and ablating ALS-causing transgenes in astrocytes slows disease progression. In addition, key drivers of neuroinflammation, including TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) pathology, matrix metalloproteinase activation and systemic inflammation, affect BCNSB integrity in ALS. Finally, we discuss the translational implications of BCNSB dysfunction in ALS, including the development of biomarkers for disease onset and progression, approaches aimed at restoring BCNSB integrity and in vitro modelling of the neurogliovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Steinruecke
- Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Bhuvaneish T Selvaraj
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Blanca Diaz-Castro
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Maria Stavrou
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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27
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Seeing Neurodegeneration in a New Light Using Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Biosensors and iPSCs. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021766. [PMID: 36675282 PMCID: PMC9861453 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021766] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases present a progressive loss of neuronal structure and function, leading to cell death and irrecoverable brain atrophy. Most have disease-modifying therapies, in part because the mechanisms of neurodegeneration are yet to be defined, preventing the development of targeted therapies. To overcome this, there is a need for tools that enable a quantitative assessment of how cellular mechanisms and diverse environmental conditions contribute to disease. One such tool is genetically encodable fluorescent biosensors (GEFBs), engineered constructs encoding proteins with novel functions capable of sensing spatiotemporal changes in specific pathways, enzyme functions, or metabolite levels. GEFB technology therefore presents a plethora of unique sensing capabilities that, when coupled with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), present a powerful tool for exploring disease mechanisms and identifying novel therapeutics. In this review, we discuss different GEFBs relevant to neurodegenerative disease and how they can be used with iPSCs to illuminate unresolved questions about causes and risks for neurodegenerative disease.
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28
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Vignaroli F, Mele A, Tondo G, De Giorgis V, Manfredi M, Comi C, Mazzini L, De Marchi F. The Need for Biomarkers in the ALS-FTD Spectrum: A Clinical Point of View on the Role of Proteomics. Proteomes 2023; 11:proteomes11010001. [PMID: 36648959 PMCID: PMC9844364 DOI: 10.3390/proteomes11010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are severely debilitating and progressive neurodegenerative disorders. A distinctive pathological feature of several neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS and FTD, is the deposition of aberrant protein inclusions in neuronal cells, which leads to cellular dysfunction and neuronal damage and loss. Despite this, to date, the biological process behind developing these protein inclusions must be better clarified, making the development of disease-modifying treatment impossible until this is done. Proteomics is a powerful tool to characterize the expression, structure, functions, interactions, and modifications of proteins of tissue and biological fluid, including plasma, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid. This protein-profiling characterization aims to identify disease-specific protein alteration or specific pathology-based mechanisms which may be used as markers of these conditions. Our narrative review aims to highlight the need for biomarkers and the potential use of proteomics in clinical practice for ALS-FTD spectrum disorders, considering the emerging rationale in proteomics for new drug development. Certainly, new data will emerge in the near future in this regard and support clinicians in the development of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angelica Mele
- Neurology Unit, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Giacomo Tondo
- Department of Neurology, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Piemonte Orientale, 13100 Vercelli, Italy
| | - Veronica De Giorgis
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Center for Translational Research and Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases (CAAD), University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Marcello Manfredi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Center for Translational Research and Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases (CAAD), University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Cristoforo Comi
- Department of Neurology, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Piemonte Orientale, 13100 Vercelli, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- Neurology Unit, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- Neurology Unit, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0321-3733962
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29
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Zhou RP, Liang HY, Hu WR, Ding J, Li SF, Chen Y, Zhao YJ, Lu C, Chen FH, Hu W. Modulators of ASIC1a and its potential as a therapeutic target for age-related diseases. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 83:101785. [PMID: 36371015 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101785] [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: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Age-related diseases have become more common with the advancing age of the worldwide population. Such diseases involve multiple organs, with tissue degeneration and cellular apoptosis. To date, there is a general lack of effective drugs for treatment of most age-related diseases and there is therefore an urgent need to identify novel drug targets for improved treatment. Acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) is a degenerin/epithelial sodium channel family member, which is activated in an acidic environment to regulate pathophysiological processes such as acidosis, inflammation, hypoxia, and ischemia. A large body of evidence suggests that ASIC1a plays an important role in the development of age-related diseases (e.g., stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease.). Herein we present: 1) a review of ASIC1a channel properties, distribution, and physiological function; 2) a summary of the pharmacological properties of ASIC1a; 3) and a consideration of ASIC1a as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of age-related disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren-Peng Zhou
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Hong-Yu Liang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Wei-Rong Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jie Ding
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Shu-Fang Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Ying-Jie Zhao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Chao Lu
- First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui University of Science & Technology, Huainan 232001, China
| | - Fei-Hu Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China.
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30
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Singh J, Patten SA. Modeling neuromuscular diseases in zebrafish. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1054573. [PMID: 36583079 PMCID: PMC9794147 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1054573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular diseases are a diverse group of conditions that affect the motor system and present some overlapping as well as distinct clinical manifestations. Although individually rare, the combined prevalence of NMDs is similar to Parkinson's. Over the past decade, new genetic mutations have been discovered through whole exome/genome sequencing, but the pathogenesis of most NMDs remains largely unexplored. Little information on the molecular mechanism governing the progression and development of NMDs accounts for the continual failure of therapies in clinical trials. Different aspects of the diseases are typically investigated using different models from cells to animals. Zebrafish emerges as an excellent model for studying genetics and pathogenesis and for developing therapeutic interventions for most NMDs. In this review, we describe the generation of different zebrafish genetic models mimicking NMDs and how they are used for drug discovery and therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaskaran Singh
- INRS – Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC, Canada
| | - Shunmoogum A. Patten
- INRS – Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC, Canada,Departement de Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada,Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines – Fondation Courtois (CERMO-FC), Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montréal, QC, Canada,*Correspondence: Shunmoogum A. Patten,
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31
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Luo HM, Xu J, Huang DX, Chen YQ, Liu YZ, Li YJ, Chen H. Mitochondrial dysfunction of induced pluripotent stem cells-based neurodegenerative disease modeling and therapeutic strategy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1030390. [DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1030390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are disorders in which neurons are lost owing to various factors, resulting in a series of dysfunctions. Their rising prevalence and irreversibility have brought physical pain to patients and economic pressure to both individuals and society. However, the pathogenesis of NDDs has not yet been fully elucidated, hampering the use of precise medication. Induced pluripotent stem cell (IPSC) modeling provides a new method for drug discovery, and exploring the early pathological mechanisms including mitochondrial dysfunction, which is not only an early but a prominent pathological feature of NDDs. In this review, we summarize the iPSC modeling approach of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, as well as outline typical mitochondrial dysfunction and recapitulate corresponding therapeutic strategies.
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32
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PolyGA targets the ER stress-adaptive response by impairing GRP75 function at the MAM in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 144:939-966. [PMID: 36121477 PMCID: PMC9547809 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02494-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
ER stress signaling is linked to the pathophysiological and clinical disease manifestations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, we have investigated ER stress-induced adaptive mechanisms in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD, focusing on uncovering early endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms and the crosstalk between pathological and adaptive responses in disease onset and progression. We provide evidence for the early onset of ER stress-mediated adaptive response in C9ORF72 patient-derived motoneurons (MNs), reflected by the elevated increase in GRP75 expression. These transiently increased GRP75 levels enhance ER-mitochondrial association, boosting mitochondrial function and sustaining cellular bioenergetics during the initial stage of disease, thereby counteracting early mitochondrial deficits. In C9orf72 rodent neurons, an abrupt reduction in GRP75 expression coincided with the onset of UPR, mitochondrial dysfunction and the emergence of PolyGA aggregates, which co-localize with GRP75. Similarly, the overexpression of PolyGA in WT cortical neurons or C9ORF72 patient-derived MNs led to the sequestration of GRP75 within PolyGA inclusions, resulting in mitochondrial calcium (Ca2+) uptake impairments. Corroborating these findings, we found that PolyGA aggregate-bearing human post-mortem C9ORF72 hippocampal dentate gyrus neurons not only display reduced expression of GRP75 but also exhibit GRP75 sequestration within inclusions. Sustaining high GRP75 expression in spinal C9orf72 rodent MNs specifically prevented ER stress, normalized mitochondrial function, abrogated PolyGA accumulation in spinal MNs, and ameliorated ALS-associated behavioral phenotype. Taken together, our results are in line with the notion that neurons in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD are particularly susceptible to ER-mitochondrial dysfunction and that GRP75 serves as a critical endogenous neuroprotective factor. This neuroprotective pathway, is eventually targeted by PolyGA, leading to GRP75 sequestration, and its subsequent loss of function at the MAM, compromising mitochondrial function and promoting disease onset.
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33
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Wang T, Tian X, Kim HB, Jang Y, Huang Z, Na CH, Wang J. Intracellular energy controls dynamics of stress-induced ribonucleoprotein granules. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5584. [PMID: 36151083 PMCID: PMC9508253 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33079-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Energy metabolism and membraneless organelles have been implicated in human diseases including neurodegeneration. How energy deficiency regulates ribonucleoprotein particles such as stress granules (SGs) is still unclear. Here we identified a unique type of granules induced by energy deficiency under physiological conditions and uncovered the mechanisms by which the dynamics of diverse stress-induced granules are regulated. Severe energy deficiency induced the rapid formation of energy deficiency-induced stress granules (eSGs) independently of eIF2α phosphorylation, whereas moderate energy deficiency delayed the clearance of conventional SGs. The formation of eSGs or the clearance of SGs was regulated by the mTOR-4EBP1-eIF4E pathway or eIF4A1, involving assembly of the eIF4F complex or RNA condensation, respectively. In neurons or brain organoids derived from patients carrying the C9orf72 repeat expansion associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the eSG formation was enhanced, and the clearance of conventional SGs was impaired. These results reveal a critical role for intracellular energy in the regulation of diverse granules and suggest that disruptions in energy-controlled granule dynamics may contribute to the pathogenesis of relevant diseases. Stress granules are associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Here, Wang et al. found intracellular energy deficiencies trigger a unique type of granules and disrupt granule disassembly through 4EBP1/eIF4A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Xibin Tian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Han Byeol Kim
- Department of Neurology, Institute for Cell Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Yura Jang
- Department of Neurology, Institute for Cell Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Zhiyuan Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Chan Hyun Na
- Department of Neurology, Institute for Cell Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jiou Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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Braems E, Bercier V, Van Schoor E, Heeren K, Beckers J, Fumagalli L, Dedeene L, Moisse M, Geudens I, Hersmus N, Mehta AR, Selvaraj BT, Chandran S, Ho R, Thal DR, Van Damme P, Swinnen B, Van Den Bosch L. HNRNPK alleviates RNA toxicity by counteracting DNA damage in C9orf72 ALS. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 144:465-488. [PMID: 35895140 PMCID: PMC9381635 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02471-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A 'GGGGCC' repeat expansion in the first intron of the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The exact mechanism resulting in these neurodegenerative diseases remains elusive, but C9 repeat RNA toxicity has been implicated as a gain-of-function mechanism. Our aim was to use a zebrafish model for C9orf72 RNA toxicity to identify modifiers of the ALS-linked phenotype. We discovered that the RNA-binding protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (HNRNPK) reverses the toxicity of both sense and antisense repeat RNA, which is dependent on its subcellular localization and RNA recognition, and not on C9orf72 repeat RNA binding. We observed HNRNPK cytoplasmic mislocalization in C9orf72 ALS patient fibroblasts, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons and post-mortem motor cortex and spinal cord, in line with a disrupted HNRNPK function in C9orf72 ALS. In C9orf72 ALS/FTD patient tissue, we discovered an increased nuclear translocation, but reduced expression of ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2 (RRM2), a downstream target of HNRNPK involved in the DNA damage response. Last but not least, we showed that increasing the expression of HNRNPK or RRM2 was sufficient to mitigate DNA damage in our C9orf72 RNA toxicity zebrafish model. Overall, our study strengthens the relevance of RNA toxicity as a pathogenic mechanism in C9orf72 ALS and demonstrates its link with an aberrant DNA damage response, opening novel therapeutic avenues for C9orf72 ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Braems
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valérie Bercier
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Evelien Van Schoor
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Laboratory of Neuropathology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kara Heeren
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jimmy Beckers
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Fumagalli
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieselot Dedeene
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Laboratory of Neuropathology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiomarker Research and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthieu Moisse
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ilse Geudens
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicole Hersmus
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arpan R Mehta
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Bhuvaneish T Selvaraj
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ritchie Ho
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dietmar R Thal
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Laboratory of Neuropathology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Swinnen
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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Wong C, Dakin RS, Williamson J, Newton J, Steven M, Colville S, Stavrou M, Gregory JM, Elliott E, Mehta AR, Chataway J, Swingler RJ, Parker RA, Weir CJ, Stallard N, Parmar MKB, Macleod MR, Pal S, Chandran S. Motor Neuron Disease Systematic Multi-Arm Adaptive Randomised Trial (MND-SMART): a multi-arm, multi-stage, adaptive, platform, phase III randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of repurposed drugs in motor neuron disease. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e064173. [PMID: 35798516 PMCID: PMC9263927 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Motor neuron disease (MND) is a rapidly fatal neurodegenerative disease. Despite decades of research and clinical trials there remains no cure and only one globally approved drug, riluzole, which prolongs survival by 2-3 months. Recent improved mechanistic understanding of MND heralds a new translational era with many potential targets being identified that are ripe for clinical trials. Motor Neuron Disease Systematic Multi-Arm Adaptive Randomised Trial (MND-SMART) aims to evaluate the efficacy of drugs efficiently and definitively in a multi-arm, multi-stage, adaptive trial. The first two drugs selected for evaluation in MND-SMART are trazodone and memantine. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Initially, up to 531 participants (177/arm) will be randomised 1:1:1 to oral liquid trazodone, memantine and placebo. The coprimary outcome measures are the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale Revised (ALSFRS-R) and survival. Comparisons will be conducted in four stages. The decision to continue randomising to arms after each stage will be made by the Trial Steering Committee who receive recommendations from the Independent Data Monitoring Committee. The primary analysis of ALSFRS-R will be conducted when 150 participants/arm, excluding long survivors, have completed 18 months of treatment; if positive the survival effect will be inferentially analysed when 113 deaths have been observed in the placebo group. The trial design ensures that other promising drugs can be added for evaluation in planned trial adaptations. Using this novel trial design reduces time, cost and number of participants required to definitively (phase III) evaluate drugs and reduces exposure of participants to potentially ineffective treatments. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION MND-SMART was approved by the West of Scotland Research Ethics Committee on 2 October 2019. (REC reference: 19/WS/0123) Results of the study will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and a summary provided to participants. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS European Clinical Trials Registry (2019-000099-41); NCT04302870.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charis Wong
- Centre of Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rachel S Dakin
- Centre of Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jill Williamson
- Centre of Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Judith Newton
- Centre of Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michelle Steven
- Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Shuna Colville
- Centre of Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Maria Stavrou
- Centre of Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jenna M Gregory
- Centre of Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Elizabeth Elliott
- Centre of Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Arpan R Mehta
- Centre of Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jeremy Chataway
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research, University College London Hospitals, Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Robert J Swingler
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, Northwick Park Hospital, London, UK
| | - Richard Anthony Parker
- Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Christopher J Weir
- Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Nigel Stallard
- Statistics and Epidemiology, Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Mahesh K B Parmar
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Malcolm R Macleod
- Centre of Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Suvankar Pal
- Centre of Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- Centre of Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Olesen MA, Villavicencio-Tejo F, Quintanilla RA. The use of fibroblasts as a valuable strategy for studying mitochondrial impairment in neurological disorders. Transl Neurodegener 2022; 11:36. [PMID: 35787292 PMCID: PMC9251940 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-022-00308-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders (NDs) are characterized by progressive neuronal dysfunction leading to synaptic failure, cognitive impairment, and motor injury. Among these diseases, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have raised a significant research interest. These disorders present common neuropathological signs, including neuronal dysfunction, protein accumulation, oxidative damage, and mitochondrial abnormalities. In this context, mitochondrial impairment is characterized by a deficiency in ATP production, excessive production of reactive oxygen species, calcium dysregulation, mitochondrial transport failure, and mitochondrial dynamics deficiencies. These defects in mitochondrial health could compromise the synaptic process, leading to early cognitive dysfunction observed in these NDs. Interestingly, skin fibroblasts from AD, PD, HD, and ALS patients have been suggested as a useful strategy to investigate and detect early mitochondrial abnormalities in these NDs. In this context, fibroblasts are considered a viable model for studying neurodegenerative changes due to their metabolic and biochemical relationships with neurons. Also, studies of our group and others have shown impairment of mitochondrial bioenergetics in fibroblasts from patients diagnosed with sporadic and genetic forms of AD, PD, HD, and ALS. Interestingly, these mitochondrial abnormalities have been observed in the brain tissues of patients suffering from the same pathologies. Therefore, fibroblasts represent a novel strategy to study the genesis and progression of mitochondrial dysfunction in AD, PD, HD, and ALS. This review discusses recent evidence that proposes fibroblasts as a potential target to study mitochondrial bioenergetics impairment in neurological disorders and consequently to search for new biomarkers of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margrethe A Olesen
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisca Villavicencio-Tejo
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo A Quintanilla
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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37
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Coleman MP. Axon Biology in ALS: Mechanisms of Axon Degeneration and Prospects for Therapy. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:1133-1144. [PMID: 36207571 PMCID: PMC9587191 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01297-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This review addresses the longstanding debate over whether amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a 'dying back' or 'dying forward' disorder in the light of new gene identifications and the increased understanding of mechanisms of action for previously identified ALS genes. While the topological pattern of pathology in animal models, and more anecdotally in patients is indeed 'dying back', this review discusses how this fits with the fact that many of the major initiating events are thought to occur within the soma. It also discusses how widely varying ALS risk factors, including some impacting axons directly, may combine to drive a common pathway involving TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) denervation. The emerging association between sterile alpha and TIR motif-containing 1 (SARM1), a protein so far mostly associated with axon degeneration, and sporadic ALS is another major theme. The strengths and limitations of the current evidence supporting an association are considered, along with ways in which SARM1 could become activated in ALS. The final section addresses SARM1-based therapies along with the prospects for targeting other axonal steps in ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Coleman
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK.
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38
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Sommer D, Rajkumar S, Seidel M, Aly A, Ludolph A, Ho R, Boeckers TM, Catanese A. Aging-Dependent Altered Transcriptional Programs Underlie Activity Impairments in Human C9orf72-Mutant Motor Neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:894230. [PMID: 35774867 PMCID: PMC9237792 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.894230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease characterized by dysfunction and loss of upper and lower motor neurons (MN). Despite several studies identifying drastic alterations affecting synaptic composition and functionality in different experimental models, the specific contribution of impaired activity to the neurodegenerative processes observed in ALS-related MN remains controversial. In particular, contrasting lines of evidence have shown both hyper- as well as hypoexcitability as driving pathomechanisms characterizing this specific neuronal population. In this study, we combined high definition multielectrode array (HD-MEA) techniques with transcriptomic analysis to longitudinally monitor and untangle the activity-dependent alterations arising in human C9orf72-mutant MN. We found a time-dependent reduction of neuronal activity in ALSC9orf72 cultures occurring as synaptic contacts undergo maturation and matched by a significant loss of mutant MN upon aging. Notably, ALS-related neurons displayed reduced network synchronicity most pronounced at later stages of culture, suggesting synaptic imbalance. In concordance with the HD-MEA data, transcriptomic analysis revealed an early up-regulation of synaptic terms in ALSC9orf72 MN, whose expression was decreased in aged cultures. In addition, treatment of older mutant cells with Apamin, a K+ channel blocker previously shown to be neuroprotective in ALS, rescued the time-dependent loss of firing properties observed in ALSC9orf72 MN as well as the expression of maturity-related synaptic genes. All in all, this study broadens the understanding of how impaired synaptic activity contributes to MN degeneration in ALS by correlating electrophysiological alterations to aging-dependent transcriptional programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sommer
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University School of Medicine, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sandeep Rajkumar
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University School of Medicine, Ulm, Germany
| | - Mira Seidel
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University School of Medicine, Ulm, Germany
| | - Amr Aly
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University School of Medicine, Ulm, Germany
| | - Albert Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University School of Medicine, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
| | - Ritchie Ho
- Center for Neural Science and Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Tobias M. Boeckers
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University School of Medicine, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
| | - Alberto Catanese
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University School of Medicine, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
- *Correspondence: Alberto Catanese,
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Babetto E, Beirowski B. Of axons that struggle to make ends meet: Linking axonal bioenergetic failure to programmed axon degeneration. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOENERGETICS 2022; 1863:148545. [PMID: 35339437 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2022.148545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Axons are the long, fragile, and energy-hungry projections of neurons that are challenging to sustain. Together with their associated glia, they form the bulk of the neuronal network. Pathological axon degeneration (pAxD) is a driver of irreversible neurological disability in a host of neurodegenerative conditions. Halting pAxD is therefore an attractive therapeutic strategy. Here we review recent work demonstrating that pAxD is regulated by an auto-destruction program that revolves around axonal bioenergetics. We then focus on the emerging concept that axonal and glial energy metabolism are intertwined. We anticipate that these discoveries will encourage the pursuit of new treatment strategies for neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Babetto
- Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
| | - Bogdan Beirowski
- Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
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40
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Beirowski B. Emerging evidence for compromised axonal bioenergetics and axoglial metabolic coupling as drivers of neurodegeneration. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 170:105751. [PMID: 35569720 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105751] [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: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Impaired bioenergetic capacity of the nervous system is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases (NDD). Since neuronal synapses are believed to be the major energy consumers in the nervous system, synaptic derangements resulting from energy deficits have been suggested to play a central role for the development of many of these disorders. However, long axons constitute the largest compartment of the neuronal network, require large amounts of energy, are metabolically and structurally highly vulnerable, and undergo early injurious stresses in many NDD. These stresses likely impose additional energy demands for continuous adaptations and repair processes, and may eventually overwhelm axonal maintenance mechanisms. Indeed, pathological axon degeneration (pAxD) is now recognized as an etiological focus in a wide array of NDD associated with bioenergetic abnormalities. In this paper I first discuss the recognition that a simple experimental model for pAxD is regulated by an auto-destruction program that exhausts distressed axons energetically. Provision of the energy substrate pyruvate robustly counteracts this axonal breakdown. Importantly, energy decline in axons is not only a consequence but also an initiator of this program. This opens the intriguing possibility that axon dysfunction and pAxD can be suppressed by preemptively energizing distressed axons. Second, I focus on the emerging concept that axons communicate energetically with their flanking glia. This axoglial metabolic coupling can help offset the axonal energy decline that activates the pAxD program but also jeopardize axon integrity as a result of perturbed glial metabolism. Third, I present compelling evidence that abnormal axonal energetics and compromised axoglial metabolic coupling accompany the activation of the pAxD auto-destruction pathway in models of glaucoma, a widespread neurodegenerative condition with pathogenic overlap to other common NDD. In conclusion, I propose a novel conceptual framework suggesting that therapeutic interventions focused on bioenergetic support of the nervous system should also address axons and their metabolic interactions with glia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Beirowski
- Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences (CBLS), University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
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Hagemann C, Moreno Gonzalez C, Guetta L, Tyzack G, Chiappini C, Legati A, Patani R, Serio A. Axonal Length Determines Distinct Homeostatic Phenotypes in Human iPSC Derived Motor Neurons on a Bioengineered Platform. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2101817. [PMID: 35118820 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202101817] [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: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell-based experimental platforms for neuroscience can effectively model key mechanistic aspects of human development and disease. However, conventional culture systems often overlook the engineering constraints that cells face in vivo. This is particularly relevant for neurons covering long range connections such as spinal motor neurons (MNs). Their axons extend up to 1m in length and require a complex interplay of mechanisms to maintain cellular homeostasis. However, shorter axons in conventional cultures may not faithfully capture important aspects of their longer counterparts. Here this issue is directly addressed by establishing a bioengineered platform to assemble arrays of human axons ranging from micrometers to centimeters, which allows systematic investigation of the effects of length on human axonas for the first time. This approach reveales a link between length and metabolism in human MNs in vitro, where axons above a "threshold" size induce specific molecular adaptations in cytoskeleton composition, functional properties, local translation, and mitochondrial homeostasis. The findings specifically demonstrate the existence of a length-dependent mechanism that switches homeostatic processes within human MNs. The findings have critical implications for in vitro modeling of several neurodegenerative disorders and reinforce the importance of modeling cell shape and biophysical constraints with fidelity and precision in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathleen Hagemann
- Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Carmen Moreno Gonzalez
- Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Ludovica Guetta
- Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Giulia Tyzack
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Ciro Chiappini
- Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Andrea Legati
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Rickie Patani
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Andrea Serio
- Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
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42
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Gong F, Zhu W, Liao W, Wang M, Zheng X, Wang C, Liu T, Pan W. Mechanism of the Curative Effect of Wen-Shen-Jian-Pi Prescription in the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:873224. [PMID: 35462696 PMCID: PMC9024327 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.873224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To study the mechanism of the effect of Wen-Shen-Jian-Pi (WSJP) prescription on an ALS model comprising mice knocked out for an encoding RNA editing, mice (AR2). Methods Twenty-four transgenic AR2 mice were randomly divided into a vehicle group, a low dose WSJP group (15 mg), a medium-dose WSJP group (30 mg), and a high-dose WSJP group (45 mg) (all n = 6 per group). In the treatment groups, the WSJP prescription was given once a day while the vehicle group was fed the same volume of water. The weekly changes in body weight, rotarod test, and grip strength were used to detect the changes in the AR2 and changes of the number of normal mitochondria, abnormal mitochondria, and autophagosomes in injured spinal cord cells were used to evaluate the pathogenetic effects of WSJP treatment. Results The WSJP-treated AR2 mice gained weight more quickly from 8 weeks, and showed active behavior and displayed significantly better constant rotarod scores and grip strengths during the experiment compared with those of the vehicle AR2 mice. The number of normal mitochondria in the WSJP-treated AR2 mice had significantly more normal mitochondria than the vehicle group, while the numbers of abnormal mitochondria and autophagosomes were greatly decreased compared with those in the vehicle group. Conclusion The WSJP prescription could delay the decline in motor function of ALS model mice by reducing the degeneration of neurons. The potential of WSJP to treat ALS should be assessed in a clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Gong
- Department of Neurology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Gongli Hospital Affiliated to Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weilong Liao
- Neurology Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai Pudong TCM Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingzhe Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuanlu Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenghui Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Te Liu
- Shanghai Geriatric Institute of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Te Liu,
| | - Weidong Pan
- Department of Neurology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Weidong Pan,
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Zhang S, Cooper-Knock J, Weimer AK, Shi M, Moll T, Marshall JNG, Harvey C, Nezhad HG, Franklin J, Souza CDS, Ning K, Wang C, Li J, Dilliott AA, Farhan S, Elhaik E, Pasniceanu I, Livesey MR, Eitan C, Hornstein E, Kenna KP, Veldink JH, Ferraiuolo L, Shaw PJ, Snyder MP. Genome-wide identification of the genetic basis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neuron 2022; 110:992-1008.e11. [PMID: 35045337 PMCID: PMC9017397 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex disease that leads to motor neuron death. Despite heritability estimates of 52%, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have discovered relatively few loci. We developed a machine learning approach called RefMap, which integrates functional genomics with GWAS summary statistics for gene discovery. With transcriptomic and epigenetic profiling of motor neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), RefMap identified 690 ALS-associated genes that represent a 5-fold increase in recovered heritability. Extensive conservation, transcriptome, network, and rare variant analyses demonstrated the functional significance of candidate genes in healthy and diseased motor neurons and brain tissues. Genetic convergence between common and rare variation highlighted KANK1 as a new ALS gene. Reproducing KANK1 patient mutations in human neurons led to neurotoxicity and demonstrated that TDP-43 mislocalization, a hallmark pathology of ALS, is downstream of axonal dysfunction. RefMap can be readily applied to other complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Johnathan Cooper-Knock
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Annika K Weimer
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Minyi Shi
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Tobias Moll
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Jack N G Marshall
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Calum Harvey
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Helia Ghahremani Nezhad
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - John Franklin
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Cleide Dos Santos Souza
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Ke Ning
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Cheng Wang
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, the Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, and the Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jingjing Li
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, the Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, and the Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Allison A Dilliott
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, the Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Sali Farhan
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, the Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Eran Elhaik
- Department of Biology, Lunds Universitet, Lund 223 62, Sweden
| | - Iris Pasniceanu
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Matthew R Livesey
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Chen Eitan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Eran Hornstein
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Kevin P Kenna
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, the Netherlands
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, the Netherlands
| | - Laura Ferraiuolo
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Michael P Snyder
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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44
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Mechanistic Insights of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: An Update on a Lasting Relationship. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12030233. [PMID: 35323676 PMCID: PMC8951432 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12030233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of the upper and lower motor neurons. Despite the increasing effort in understanding the etiopathology of ALS, it still remains an obscure disease, and no therapies are currently available to halt its progression. Following the discovery of the first gene associated with familial forms of ALS, Cu–Zn superoxide dismutase, it appeared evident that mitochondria were key elements in the onset of the pathology. However, as more and more ALS-related genes were discovered, the attention shifted from mitochondria impairment to other biological functions such as protein aggregation and RNA metabolism. In recent years, mitochondria have again earned central, mechanistic roles in the pathology, due to accumulating evidence of their derangement in ALS animal models and patients, often resulting in the dysregulation of the energetic metabolism. In this review, we first provide an update of the last lustrum on the molecular mechanisms by which the most well-known ALS-related proteins affect mitochondrial functions and cellular bioenergetics. Next, we focus on evidence gathered from human specimens and advance the concept of a cellular-specific mitochondrial “metabolic threshold”, which may appear pivotal in ALS pathogenesis.
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45
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Nakajima Y, Yamazaki Y, Gao X, Hashimoto M, Nio M, Wada M, Fujishima F, Sasano H. Association between mitochondrial and nuclear DNA damages and cellular senescence in the patients with biliary atresia undergoing Kasai portoenterostomy and liver transplantation. Med Mol Morphol 2022; 55:131-145. [PMID: 35238992 DOI: 10.1007/s00795-022-00314-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Biliary atresia (BA) is a cholestatic disease with extrahepatic bile duct obstruction that requires early surgical intervention and occasionally liver transplantation (LT). Accumulation of toxic bile acids induces oxidative stress that results in cell damage, such as cell senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction and others. However, details of their reciprocal association and clinical significance are unexplored. Therefore, we used immuno-localization of markers for cell senescence (p16 and p21), nuclear double-strand DNA damage (γH2AX), autophagy (p62), and mtDNA damage (mtDNA copy number) in patients with BA who underwent Kasai portoenterostomy (KP) and LT. We studied liver biopsy specimens from 54 patients with BA, 14 who underwent LT and 11 from the livers of neonates and infants obtained at autopsy. In hepatocytes, p21 expression was significantly increased in KP. In cholangiocytes, p16 expression was significantly increased in LT, and p21 expression was significantly increased in KP. p62 expression was significantly increased in the KP hepatocytes and LT cholangiocytes. Furthermore, mtDNA copy number significantly decreased in KP and LT compared with the control. Cell senescence and mitochondrial DNA damage progression were dependent on the BA clinical stages and could possibly serve as the markers of indication of LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudai Nakajima
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yuto Yamazaki
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan.
| | - Xin Gao
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Hashimoto
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masaki Nio
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
- Tohoku Kousai Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Motoshi Wada
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Hironobu Sasano
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
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46
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Garrett LR, Niccoli T. Frontotemporal Dementia and Glucose Metabolism. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:812222. [PMID: 35281504 PMCID: PMC8906510 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.812222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), hallmarked by antero-temporal degeneration in the human brain, is the second most common early onset dementia. FTD is a diverse disease with three main clinical presentations, four different identified proteinopathies and many disease-associated genes. The exact pathophysiology of FTD remains to be elucidated. One common characteristic all forms of FTD share is the dysregulation of glucose metabolism in patients’ brains. The brain consumes around 20% of the body’s energy supply and predominantly utilizes glucose as a fuel. Glucose metabolism dysregulation could therefore be extremely detrimental for neuronal health. Research into the association between glucose metabolism and dementias has recently gained interest in Alzheimer’s disease. FTD also presents with glucose metabolism dysregulation, however, this remains largely an unexplored area. A better understanding of the link between FTD and glucose metabolism may yield further insight into FTD pathophysiology and aid the development of novel therapeutics. Here we review our current understanding of FTD and glucose metabolism in the brain and discuss the evidence of impaired glucose metabolism in FTD. Lastly, we review research potentially suggesting a causal relationship between FTD proteinopathies and impaired glucose metabolism in FTD.
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47
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CNS Redox Homeostasis and Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11020405. [PMID: 35204286 PMCID: PMC8869494 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11020405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A single paragraph of about 200 words maximum. Neurodegenerative diseases (ND), such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, pose a global challenge in the aging population due to the lack of treatments for their cure. Despite various disease-specific clinical symptoms, ND have some fundamental common pathological mechanisms involving oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. The present review focuses on the major causes of central nervous system (CNS) redox homeostasis imbalance comprising mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Mitochondrial disturbances, leading to reduced mitochondrial function and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, are thought to be a major contributor to the pathogenesis of ND. ER dysfunction has been implicated in ND in which protein misfolding evidently causes ER stress. The consequences of ER stress ranges from an increase in ROS production to altered calcium efflux and proinflammatory signaling in glial cells. Both pathological pathways have links to ferroptotic cell death, which has been implicated to play an important role in ND. Pharmacological targeting of these pathological pathways may help alleviate or slow down neurodegeneration.
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48
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Trigo D, Avelar C, Fernandes M, Sá J, da Cruz E Silva O. Mitochondria, energy, and metabolism in neuronal health and disease. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:1095-1110. [PMID: 35088449 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria are associated with various cellular activities critical to homeostasis, particularly in the nervous system. The plastic architecture of the mitochondrial network and its dynamic structure play crucial roles in ensuring that varying energetic demands are rapidly met to maintain neuronal and axonal energy homeostasis. Recent evidence associates ageing and neurodegeneration with anomalous neuronal metabolism, as age-dependent alterations of neuronal metabolism are now believed to occur prior to neurodegeneration. The brain has a high energy demand, which makes it particularly sensitive to mitochondrial dysfunction. Distinct cellular events causing oxidative stress or disruption of metabolism and mitochondrial homeostasis can trigger a neuropathology. This review explores the bioenergetic hypothesis for the neurodegenerative pathomechanisms, discussing factors leading to age-related brain hypometabolism and its contribution to cognitive decline. Recent research on the mitochondrial network in healthy nervous system cells, its response to stress and how it is affected by pathology, as well as current contributions to novel therapeutic approaches will be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Trigo
- Neuroscience and Signalling Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.,Medical Sciences Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Catarina Avelar
- Medical Sciences Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Miguel Fernandes
- Medical Sciences Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Juliana Sá
- Medical Sciences Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Odete da Cruz E Silva
- Neuroscience and Signalling Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.,Medical Sciences Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Giacomelli E, Vahsen BF, Calder EL, Xu Y, Scaber J, Gray E, Dafinca R, Talbot K, Studer L. Human stem cell models of neurodegeneration: From basic science of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis to clinical translation. Cell Stem Cell 2022; 29:11-35. [PMID: 34995492 PMCID: PMC8785905 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive cell loss leading to disruption of the structure and function of the central nervous system. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was among the first of these disorders modeled in patient-specific iPSCs, and recent findings have translated into some of the earliest iPSC-inspired clinical trials. Focusing on ALS as an example, we evaluate the status of modeling neurodegenerative diseases using iPSCs, including methods for deriving and using disease-relevant neuronal and glial lineages. We further highlight the remaining challenges in exploiting the full potential of iPSC technology for understanding and potentially treating neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Giacomelli
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Björn F Vahsen
- Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Elizabeth L Calder
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yinyan Xu
- Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), CAMS Oxford Institute (COI), Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Jakub Scaber
- Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Elizabeth Gray
- Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Ruxandra Dafinca
- Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
| | - Lorenz Studer
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA.
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Assessment of Mitochondrial Trafficking as a Surrogate for Fast Axonal Transport in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Spinal Motor Neurons. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2431:311-322. [PMID: 35412284 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1990-2_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Axonal transport is essential for the development, function, and survival of the nervous system. In an energy-demanding process, motor proteins act in concert with microtubules to deliver cargoes, such as organelles, from one end of the axon to the other. Perturbations in axonal transport are a prominent phenotype of many neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Here, we describe a simple method to fluorescently label mitochondrial cargo, a surrogate for fast axonal transport, in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons. This method enables the sparse labeling of axons to track directionality of movement and can be adapted to assess not only the cell autonomous effects of a genetic mutation on axonal transport but also the cell non-autonomous effects, through the use of conditioned medium and/or co-culture systems.
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