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Chang P, Pérez-González M, Constable J, Bush D, Cleverley K, Tybulewicz VLJ, Fisher EMC, Walker MC. Neuronal oscillations in cognition: Down syndrome as a model of mouse to human translation. Neuroscientist 2024:10738584241271414. [PMID: 39316548 DOI: 10.1177/10738584241271414] [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: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS), a prevalent cognitive disorder resulting from trisomy of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21), poses a significant global health concern. Affecting approximately 1 in 800 live births worldwide, DS is the leading genetic cause of intellectual disability and a major predisposing factor for early-onset Alzheimer's dementia. The estimated global population of individuals with DS is 6 million, with increasing prevalence due to advances in DS health care. Global efforts are dedicated to unraveling the mechanisms behind the varied clinical outcomes in DS. Recent studies on DS mouse models reveal disrupted neuronal circuits, providing insights into DS pathologies. Yet, translating these findings to humans faces challenges due to limited systematic electrophysiological analyses directly comparing human and mouse. Additionally, disparities in experimental procedures between the two species pose hurdles to successful translation. This review provides a concise overview of neuronal oscillations in human and rodent cognition. Focusing on recent DS mouse model studies, we highlight disruptions in associated brain function. We discuss various electrophysiological paradigms and suggest avenues for exploring molecular dysfunctions contributing to DS-related cognitive impairments. Deciphering neuronal oscillation intricacies holds promise for targeted therapies to alleviate cognitive disabilities in DS individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pishan Chang
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Jessica Constable
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Daniel Bush
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology, and Pharmacology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Karen Cleverley
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Victor L J Tybulewicz
- Immune Cell Biology and Down Syndrome Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Matthew C Walker
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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Chapman LR, Ramnarine IVP, Zemke D, Majid A, Bell SM. Gene Expression Studies in Down Syndrome: What Do They Tell Us about Disease Phenotypes? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2968. [PMID: 38474215 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052968] [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: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome is a well-studied aneuploidy condition in humans, which is associated with various disease phenotypes including cardiovascular, neurological, haematological and immunological disease processes. This review paper aims to discuss the research conducted on gene expression studies during fetal development. A descriptive review was conducted, encompassing all papers published on the PubMed database between September 1960 and September 2022. We found that in amniotic fluid, certain genes such as COL6A1 and DSCR1 were found to be affected, resulting in phenotypical craniofacial changes. Additionally, other genes such as GSTT1, CLIC6, ITGB2, C21orf67, C21orf86 and RUNX1 were also identified to be affected in the amniotic fluid. In the placenta, dysregulation of genes like MEST, SNF1LK and LOX was observed, which in turn affected nervous system development. In the brain, dysregulation of genes DYRK1A, DNMT3L, DNMT3B, TBX1, olig2 and AQP4 has been shown to contribute to intellectual disability. In the cardiac tissues, dysregulated expression of genes GART, ETS2 and ERG was found to cause abnormalities. Furthermore, dysregulation of XIST, RUNX1, SON, ERG and STAT1 was observed, contributing to myeloproliferative disorders. Understanding the differential expression of genes provides insights into the genetic consequences of DS. A better understanding of these processes could potentially pave the way for the development of genetic and pharmacological therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura R Chapman
- Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Clarkson St, Sheffield S10 2TH, UK
- Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2GF, UK
| | - Isabela V P Ramnarine
- Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2GF, UK
| | - Dan Zemke
- Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2GF, UK
| | - Arshad Majid
- Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2GF, UK
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2GJ, UK
| | - Simon M Bell
- Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2GF, UK
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2GJ, UK
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3
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Narayan P, Richter F, Morton S. Genetics and etiology of congenital heart disease. Curr Top Dev Biol 2024; 156:297-331. [PMID: 38556426 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2024.01.009] [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] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common severe birth anomaly, affecting almost 1% of infants. Most CHD is genetic, but only 40% of patients have an identifiable genetic risk factor for CHD. Chromosomal variation contributes significantly to CHD but is not readily amenable to biological follow-up due to the number of affected genes and lack of evolutionary synteny. The first CHD genes were implicated in extended families with syndromic CHD based on the segregation of risk alleles in affected family members. These have been complemented by more CHD gene discoveries in large-scale cohort studies. However, fewer than half of the 440 estimated human CHD risk genes have been identified, and the molecular mechanisms underlying CHD genetics remains incompletely understood. Therefore, model organisms and cell-based models are essential tools for improving our understanding of cardiac development and CHD genetic risk. Recent advances in genome editing, cell-specific genetic manipulation of model organisms, and differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells have recently enabled the characterization of developmental stages. In this chapter, we will summarize the latest studies in CHD genetics and the strengths of various study methodologies. We identify opportunities for future work that will continue to further CHD knowledge and ultimately enable better diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Felix Richter
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sarah Morton
- Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
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Lana-Elola E, Aoidi R, Llorian M, Gibbins D, Buechsenschuetz C, Bussi C, Flynn H, Gilmore T, Watson-Scales S, Haugsten Hansen M, Hayward D, Song OR, Brault V, Herault Y, Deau E, Meijer L, Snijders AP, Gutierrez MG, Fisher EMC, Tybulewicz VLJ. Increased dosage of DYRK1A leads to congenital heart defects in a mouse model of Down syndrome. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadd6883. [PMID: 38266108 PMCID: PMC7615651 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.add6883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is caused by trisomy of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21). DS is a gene dosage disorder that results in multiple phenotypes including congenital heart defects. This clinically important cardiac pathology is the result of a third copy of one or more of the approximately 230 genes on Hsa21, but the identity of the causative dosage-sensitive genes and hence mechanisms underlying this cardiac pathology remain unclear. Here, we show that hearts from human fetuses with DS and embryonic hearts from the Dp1Tyb mouse model of DS show reduced expression of mitochondrial respiration genes and cell proliferation genes. Using systematic genetic mapping, we determined that three copies of the dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (Dyrk1a) gene, encoding a serine/threonine protein kinase, are associated with congenital heart disease pathology. In embryos from Dp1Tyb mice, reducing Dyrk1a gene copy number from three to two reversed defects in cellular proliferation and mitochondrial respiration in cardiomyocytes and rescued heart septation defects. Increased dosage of DYRK1A protein resulted in impairment of mitochondrial function and congenital heart disease pathology in mice with DS, suggesting that DYRK1A may be a useful therapeutic target for treating this common human condition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Véronique Brault
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UMR7104, INSERM U1258, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, IGBMC, BP 10142, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch CEDEX, France
| | - Yann Herault
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UMR7104, INSERM U1258, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, IGBMC, BP 10142, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch CEDEX, France
| | - Emmanuel Deau
- Perha Pharmaceuticals, Presqu'île de Perharidy, 29680 Roscoff, France
| | - Laurent Meijer
- Perha Pharmaceuticals, Presqu'île de Perharidy, 29680 Roscoff, France
| | | | | | - Elizabeth M C Fisher
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
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Chi C, Knight WE, Riching AS, Zhang Z, Tatavosian R, Zhuang Y, Moldovan R, Rachubinski AL, Gao D, Xu H, Espinosa JM, Song K. Interferon hyperactivity impairs cardiogenesis in Down syndrome via downregulation of canonical Wnt signaling. iScience 2023; 26:107012. [PMID: 37360690 PMCID: PMC10285545 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are frequent in children with Down syndrome (DS), caused by trisomy of chromosome 21. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, using a human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based model and the Dp(16)1Yey/+ (Dp16) mouse model of DS, we identified downregulation of canonical Wnt signaling downstream of increased dosage of interferon (IFN) receptors (IFNRs) genes on chromosome 21 as a causative factor of cardiogenic dysregulation in DS. We differentiated human iPSCs derived from individuals with DS and CHDs, and healthy euploid controls into cardiac cells. We observed that T21 upregulates IFN signaling, downregulates the canonical WNT pathway, and impairs cardiac differentiation. Furthermore, genetic and pharmacological normalization of IFN signaling restored canonical WNT signaling and rescued defects in cardiogenesis in DS in vitro and in vivo. Our findings provide insights into mechanisms underlying abnormal cardiogenesis in DS, ultimately aiding the development of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congwu Chi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Walter E. Knight
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Consortium for Fibrosis Research & Translation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Andrew S. Riching
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Consortium for Fibrosis Research & Translation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Roubina Tatavosian
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Yonghua Zhuang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Radu Moldovan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Angela L. Rachubinski
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Dexiang Gao
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Hongyan Xu
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University; Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Joaquin M. Espinosa
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kunhua Song
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Consortium for Fibrosis Research & Translation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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6
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Waugh KA, Minter R, Baxter J, Chi C, Galbraith MD, Tuttle KD, Eduthan NP, Kinning KT, Andrysik Z, Araya P, Dougherty H, Dunn LN, Ludwig M, Schade KA, Tracy D, Smith KP, Granrath RE, Busquet N, Khanal S, Anderson RD, Cox LL, Estrada BE, Rachubinski AL, Lyford HR, Britton EC, Fantauzzo KA, Orlicky DJ, Matsuda JL, Song K, Cox TC, Sullivan KD, Espinosa JM. Triplication of the interferon receptor locus contributes to hallmarks of Down syndrome in a mouse model. Nat Genet 2023; 55:1034-1047. [PMID: 37277650 PMCID: PMC10260402 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01399-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS), the genetic condition caused by trisomy 21, is characterized by variable cognitive impairment, immune dysregulation, dysmorphogenesis and increased prevalence of diverse co-occurring conditions. The mechanisms by which trisomy 21 causes these effects remain largely unknown. We demonstrate that triplication of the interferon receptor (IFNR) gene cluster on chromosome 21 is necessary for multiple phenotypes in a mouse model of DS. Whole-blood transcriptome analysis demonstrated that IFNR overexpression associates with chronic interferon hyperactivity and inflammation in people with DS. To define the contribution of this locus to DS phenotypes, we used genome editing to correct its copy number in a mouse model of DS, which normalized antiviral responses, prevented heart malformations, ameliorated developmental delays, improved cognition and attenuated craniofacial anomalies. Triplication of the Ifnr locus modulates hallmarks of DS in mice, suggesting that trisomy 21 elicits an interferonopathy potentially amenable to therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Waugh
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ross Minter
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jessica Baxter
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Congwu Chi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- The Consortium for Fibrosis Research & Translation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Matthew D Galbraith
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kathryn D Tuttle
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Neetha P Eduthan
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kohl T Kinning
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Zdenek Andrysik
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Paula Araya
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Hannah Dougherty
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Lauren N Dunn
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Michael Ludwig
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kyndal A Schade
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Dayna Tracy
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Keith P Smith
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ross E Granrath
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Nicolas Busquet
- Animal Behavior Core, NeuroTechnology Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Santosh Khanal
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ryan D Anderson
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Liza L Cox
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Belinda Enriquez Estrada
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Angela L Rachubinski
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Hannah R Lyford
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Eleanor C Britton
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Katherine A Fantauzzo
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - David J Orlicky
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jennifer L Matsuda
- Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Kunhua Song
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- The Consortium for Fibrosis Research & Translation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Timothy C Cox
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Kelly D Sullivan
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Joaquin M Espinosa
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Genetics and Molecular Basis of Congenital Heart Defects in Down Syndrome: Role of Extracellular Matrix Regulation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032918. [PMID: 36769235 PMCID: PMC9918028 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS), a complex disorder that is caused by the trisomy of chromosome 21 (Hsa21), is a major cause of congenital heart defects (CHD). Interestingly, only about 50% of individuals with Hsa21 trisomy manifest CHD. Here we review the genetic basis of CHD in DS, focusing on genes that regulate extracellular matrix (ECM) organization. The overexpression of Hsa21 genes likely underlies the molecular mechanisms that contribute to CHD, even though the genes responsible for CHD could only be located in a critical region of Hsa21. A role in causing CHD has been attributed not only to protein-coding Hsa21 genes, but also to genes on other chromosomes, as well as miRNAs and lncRNAs. It is likely that the contribution of more than one gene is required, and that the overexpression of Hsa21 genes acts in combination with other genetic events, such as specific mutations or polymorphisms, amplifying their effect. Moreover, a key function in determining alterations in cardiac morphogenesis might be played by ECM. A large number of genes encoding ECM proteins are overexpressed in trisomic human fetal hearts, and many of them appear to be under the control of a Hsa21 gene, the RUNX1 transcription factor.
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Mollo N, Aurilia M, Scognamiglio R, Zerillo L, Cicatiello R, Bonfiglio F, Pagano P, Paladino S, Conti A, Nitsch L, Izzo A. Overexpression of the Hsa21 Transcription Factor RUNX1 Modulates the Extracellular Matrix in Trisomy 21 Cells. Front Genet 2022; 13:824922. [PMID: 35356434 PMCID: PMC8960062 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.824922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder frequently characterized by other developmental defects, such as congenital heart disease. Analysis of gene expression profiles of hearts from trisomic fetuses have shown upregulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) genes. The aim of this work was to identify genes on chromosome 21 potentially responsible for the upregulation of ECM genes and to pinpoint any functional consequences of this upregulation. By gene set enrichment analysis of public data sets, we identified the transcription factor RUNX1, which maps to chromosome 21, as a possible candidate for regulation of ECM genes. We assessed that approximately 80% of ECM genes overexpressed in trisomic hearts have consensus sequences for RUNX1 in their promoters. We found that in human fetal fibroblasts with chromosome 21 trisomy there is increased expression of both RUNX1 and several ECM genes, whether located on chromosome 21 or not. SiRNA silencing of RUNX1 reduced the expression of 11 of the 14 ECM genes analyzed. In addition, collagen IV, an ECM protein secreted in high concentrations in the culture media of trisomic fibroblasts, was modulated by RUNX1 silencing. Attenuated expression of RUNX1 increased the migratory capacity of trisomic fibroblasts, which are characterized by a reduced migratory capacity compared to euploid controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Mollo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Miriam Aurilia
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Scognamiglio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Zerillo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Cicatiello
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Bonfiglio
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies, Naples, Italy
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasqualina Pagano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Paladino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Conti
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucio Nitsch
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology “G. Salvatore”, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Izzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Antonella Izzo,
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9
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Zhou Y, Bai K, Wang Y, Meng Z, Zhou S, Jiang S, Wang H, Wang J, Yang M, Wang Q, Sun K, Chen S. Identification of Rare Variants in Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction Congenital Heart Disease by Whole-Exome Sequencing. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 8:811156. [PMID: 35141295 PMCID: PMC8818757 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.811156] [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: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pulmonary atresia (PA) is a kind of congenital heart disease characterized by right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. It is divided into PA with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) whose favorable form is pulmonary valvular stenosis (PS), and PA with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD) whose favorable form is tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Due to limitations in genetics etiology, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was utilized to identify new variants associated with the diseases. Methods The data from PS-PA/IVS (n = 74), TOF-PA/VSD (n = 100), and 100 controls were obtained. The common sites between PS and PA/IVS, PA/VSD and TOF, were compared. The novel rare damage variants, and candidate genes were identified by gene-based burden analysis. Finally, the enrichment analysis of differential genes was conducted between case and control groups. Results Seventeen rare damage variants located in seven genes were predicted to be associated with the PS through burden analysis. Enrichment analysis identified that the Wnt and cadherin signaling pathways were relevant to PS-PA/IVS. Conclusion This study put forth seven candidate genes (APC, PPP1R12A, PCK2, SOS2, TNR, MED13, and TIAM1), resulting in PS-PA/IVS. The Wnt and cadherin signaling pathways were identified to be related to PS-PA/IVS by enrichment analysis. This study provides new evidence for exploring the genetic mechanism of PS-PA/IVS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhou
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Bai
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhuo Meng
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuang Zhou
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiwei Jiang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hualin Wang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingjie Wang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Qingjie Wang
| | - Kun Sun
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Kun Sun
| | - Sun Chen
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Sun Chen
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10
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Venegas-Zamora L, Bravo-Acuña F, Sigcho F, Gomez W, Bustamante-Salazar J, Pedrozo Z, Parra V. New Molecular and Organelle Alterations Linked to Down Syndrome Heart Disease. Front Genet 2022; 12:792231. [PMID: 35126461 PMCID: PMC8808411 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.792231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder caused by a trisomy of the human chromosome 21 (Hsa21). Overexpression of Hsa21 genes that encode proteins and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) can disrupt several cellular functions and biological processes, especially in the heart. Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are present in 45–50% of individuals with DS. Here, we describe the genetic background of this condition (Hsa21 and non-Hsa21 genes), including the role of ncRNAs, and the relevance of these new players in the study of the pathophysiology of DS heart diseases. Additionally, we discuss several distinct pathways in cardiomyocytes which help maintain a functional heart, but that might trigger hypertrophy and oxidative stress when altered. Moreover, we highlight the importance of investigating how mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction could eventually contribute to understanding impaired heart function and development in subjects with the Hsa21 trisomy. Altogether, this review focuses on the newest insights about the gene expression, molecular pathways, and organelle alterations involved in the cardiac phenotype of DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslye Venegas-Zamora
- Advanced Center of Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas y Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Bravo-Acuña
- Advanced Center of Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas y Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Sigcho
- Advanced Center of Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas y Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Wileidy Gomez
- Advanced Center of Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas y Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratory of Neuroprotection and Autophagy, Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Science, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
| | - José Bustamante-Salazar
- Advanced Center of Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas y Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Zully Pedrozo
- Advanced Center of Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas y Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Programa de Fisiología y Biofísica, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Red para El Estudio de Enfermedades Cardiopulmonares de Alta Letalidad (REECPAL), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- *Correspondence: Zully Pedrozo, ; Valentina Parra,
| | - Valentina Parra
- Advanced Center of Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas y Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Red para El Estudio de Enfermedades Cardiopulmonares de Alta Letalidad (REECPAL), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- *Correspondence: Zully Pedrozo, ; Valentina Parra,
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11
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Lana-Elola E, Cater H, Watson-Scales S, Greenaway S, Müller-Winkler J, Gibbins D, Nemes M, Slender A, Hough T, Keskivali-Bond P, Scudamore CL, Herbert E, Banks GT, Mobbs H, Canonica T, Tosh J, Noy S, Llorian M, Nolan PM, Griffin JL, Good M, Simon M, Mallon AM, Wells S, Fisher EMC, Tybulewicz VLJ. Comprehensive phenotypic analysis of the Dp1Tyb mouse strain reveals a broad range of Down syndrome-related phenotypes. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm049157. [PMID: 34477842 PMCID: PMC8543064 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS), trisomy 21, results in many complex phenotypes including cognitive deficits, heart defects and craniofacial alterations. Phenotypes arise from an extra copy of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21) genes. However, these dosage-sensitive causative genes remain unknown. Animal models enable identification of genes and pathological mechanisms. The Dp1Tyb mouse model of DS has an extra copy of 63% of Hsa21-orthologous mouse genes. In order to establish whether this model recapitulates DS phenotypes, we comprehensively phenotyped Dp1Tyb mice using 28 tests of different physiological systems and found that 468 out of 1800 parameters were significantly altered. We show that Dp1Tyb mice have wide-ranging DS-like phenotypes, including aberrant erythropoiesis and megakaryopoiesis, reduced bone density, craniofacial changes, altered cardiac function, a pre-diabetic state, and deficits in memory, locomotion, hearing and sleep. Thus, Dp1Tyb mice are an excellent model for investigating complex DS phenotype-genotype relationships for this common disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Heather Cater
- MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0RD, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Amy Slender
- The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Tertius Hough
- MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0RD, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Helene Mobbs
- Department of Biochemistry and Cambridge Systems Biology Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Tara Canonica
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Justin Tosh
- The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Suzanna Noy
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | | | | | - Julian L. Griffin
- Department of Biochemistry and Cambridge Systems Biology Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
- Imperial College Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London W12 7TA, UK
| | - Mark Good
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Michelle Simon
- MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0RD, UK
| | | | - Sara Wells
- MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0RD, UK
| | | | - Victor L. J. Tybulewicz
- The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
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12
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Maltas J, Reed H, Porter A, Malliri A. Mechanisms and consequences of dysregulation of the Tiam family of Rac activators in disease. Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48:2703-2719. [PMID: 33200195 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The Tiam family proteins - Tiam1 and Tiam2/STEF - are Rac1-specific Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors (GEFs) with important functions in epithelial, neuronal, immune and other cell types. Tiam GEFs regulate cellular migration, proliferation and survival, mainly through activating and directing Rac1 signalling. Dysregulation of the Tiam GEFs is significantly associated with human diseases including cancer, immunological and neurological disorders. Uncovering the mechanisms and consequences of dysregulation is therefore imperative to improving the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Here we compare and contrast the subcellular localisation and function of Tiam1 and Tiam2/STEF, and review the evidence for their dysregulation in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Maltas
- Cell Signalling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, U.K
| | - Hannah Reed
- Cell Signalling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, U.K
| | - Andrew Porter
- Cell Signalling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, U.K
| | - Angeliki Malliri
- Cell Signalling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, U.K
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13
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Susceptibility to Heart Defects in Down Syndrome Is Associated with Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in HAS 21 Interferon Receptor Cluster and VEGFA Genes. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11121428. [PMID: 33260695 PMCID: PMC7761327 DOI: 10.3390/genes11121428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are present in about 40-60% of newborns with Down syndrome (DS). Patients with DS can also develop acquired cardiac disorders. Mouse models suggest that a critical 3.7 Mb region located on human chromosome 21 (HSA21) could explain the association with CHDs. This region includes a cluster of genes (IFNAR1, IFNAR2, IFNGR2, IL10RB) encoding for interferon receptors (IFN-Rs). Other genes located on different chromosomes, such as the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), have been shown to be involved in cardiac defects. So, we investigated the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IFNAR2, IFNGR2, IL10RB and VEGFA genes, and the presence of CHDs or acquired cardiac defects in patients with DS. METHODS Individuals (n = 102) with DS, and age- and gender-matched controls (n = 96), were genotyped for four SNPs (rs2229207, rs2834213, rs2834167 and rs3025039) using KASPar assays. RESULTS We found that the IFNGR2 rs2834213 G homozygous genotype and IL10RB rs2834167G-positive genotypes were more common in patients with DSand significantly associated with heart disorders, while VEGFA rs3025039T-positive genotypes (T/*) were less prevalent in patients with CHDs. CONCLUSIONS We identified some candidate risk SNPs for CHDs and acquired heart defects in DS. Our data suggest that a complex architecture of risk alleles with interplay effects may contribute to the high variability of DS phenotypes.
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14
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Muñiz Moreno MDM, Brault V, Birling MC, Pavlovic G, Herault Y. Modeling Down syndrome in animals from the early stage to the 4.0 models and next. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2019; 251:91-143. [PMID: 32057313 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The genotype-phenotype relationship and the physiopathology of Down Syndrome (DS) have been explored in the last 20 years with more and more relevant mouse models. From the early age of transgenesis to the new CRISPR/CAS9-derived chromosomal engineering and the transchromosomic technologies, mouse models have been key to identify homologous genes or entire regions homologous to the human chromosome 21 that are necessary or sufficient to induce DS features, to investigate the complexity of the genetic interactions that are involved in DS and to explore therapeutic strategies. In this review we report the new developments made, how genomic data and new genetic tools have deeply changed our way of making models, extended our panel of animal models, and increased our understanding of the neurobiology of the disease. But even if we have made an incredible progress which promises to make DS a curable condition, we are facing new research challenges to nurture our knowledge of DS pathophysiology as a neurodevelopmental disorder with many comorbidities during ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Del Mar Muñiz Moreno
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Véronique Brault
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
| | - Marie-Christine Birling
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, PHENOMIN Institut Clinique de la Souris, Illkirch, France
| | - Guillaume Pavlovic
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, PHENOMIN Institut Clinique de la Souris, Illkirch, France
| | - Yann Herault
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France; Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, PHENOMIN Institut Clinique de la Souris, Illkirch, France.
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15
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Herault Y, Delabar JM, Fisher EMC, Tybulewicz VLJ, Yu E, Brault V. Rodent models in Down syndrome research: impact and future opportunities. Dis Model Mech 2018; 10:1165-1186. [PMID: 28993310 PMCID: PMC5665454 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.029728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome is caused by trisomy of chromosome 21. To date, a multiplicity of mouse models with Down-syndrome-related features has been developed to understand this complex human chromosomal disorder. These mouse models have been important for determining genotype-phenotype relationships and identification of dosage-sensitive genes involved in the pathophysiology of the condition, and in exploring the impact of the additional chromosome on the whole genome. Mouse models of Down syndrome have also been used to test therapeutic strategies. Here, we provide an overview of research in the last 15 years dedicated to the development and application of rodent models for Down syndrome. We also speculate on possible and probable future directions of research in this fast-moving field. As our understanding of the syndrome improves and genome engineering technologies evolve, it is necessary to coordinate efforts to make all Down syndrome models available to the community, to test therapeutics in models that replicate the whole trisomy and design new animal models to promote further discovery of potential therapeutic targets. Summary: Mouse models have boosted therapeutic options for Down syndrome, and improved models are being developed to better understand the pathophysiology of this genetic condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Herault
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch, France .,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, Illkirch, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964, Illkirch, France.,Université de Strasbourg, 67404 Illkirch, France.,T21 Research Society, Brain and Spine Institute (ICM), 75013 Paris
| | - Jean M Delabar
- T21 Research Society, Brain and Spine Institute (ICM), 75013 Paris.,Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, UMR8251, CNRS, 75205 Paris, France.,INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et la Moelle épinière, ICM, 75013 Paris, France.,Brain and Spine Institute (ICM) CNRS UMR7225, INSERM UMRS 975, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Elizabeth M C Fisher
- T21 Research Society, Brain and Spine Institute (ICM), 75013 Paris.,Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.,LonDownS Consortium, London, W1T 7NF UK
| | - Victor L J Tybulewicz
- T21 Research Society, Brain and Spine Institute (ICM), 75013 Paris.,LonDownS Consortium, London, W1T 7NF UK.,The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.,Department of Medicine, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Eugene Yu
- T21 Research Society, Brain and Spine Institute (ICM), 75013 Paris.,The Children's Guild Foundation Down Syndrome Research Program, Department of Cancer Genetics and Genetics Program, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Roswell Park Division of Graduate School, Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Program, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Veronique Brault
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, Illkirch, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964, Illkirch, France.,Université de Strasbourg, 67404 Illkirch, France
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16
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Overexpression of Chromosome 21 miRNAs May Affect Mitochondrial Function in the Hearts of Down Syndrome Fetuses. Int J Genomics 2017; 2017:8737649. [PMID: 29057256 PMCID: PMC5605795 DOI: 10.1155/2017/8737649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Dosage-dependent upregulation of most of chromosome 21 (Hsa21) genes has been demonstrated in heart tissues of fetuses with Down syndrome (DS). Also miRNAs might play important roles in the cardiac phenotype as they are highly expressed in the heart and regulate cardiac development. Five Hsa21 miRNAs have been well studied in the past: miR-99a-5p, miR-125b-2-5p, let-7c-5p, miR-155-5p, and miR-802-5p but few information is available about their expression in trisomic tissues. In this study, we evaluated the expression of these miRNAs in heart tissues from DS fetuses, showing that miR-99a-5p, miR-155-5p, and let-7c-5p were overexpressed in trisomic hearts. To investigate their role, predicted targets were obtained from different databases and cross-validated using the gene expression profiling dataset we previously generated for fetal hearts. Eighty-five targets of let-7c-5p, 33 of miR-155-5p, and 10 of miR-99a-5p were expressed in fetal heart and downregulated in trisomic hearts. As nuclear encoded mitochondrial genes were found downregulated in trisomic hearts and mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of DS phenotypes, we put special attention to let-7c-5p and miR-155-5p targets downregulated in DS fetal hearts and involved in mitochondrial function. The let-7c-5p predicted target SLC25A4/ANT1 was identified as a possible candidate for both mitochondrial and cardiac anomalies.
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17
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Genotype-phenotype correlation for congenital heart disease in Down syndrome through analysis of partial trisomy 21 cases. Genomics 2017. [PMID: 28648597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2017.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Among Down syndrome (DS) children, 40-50% have congenital heart disease (CHD). Although trisomy 21 is not sufficient to cause CHD, three copies of at least part of chromosome 21 (Hsa21) increases the risk for CHD. In order to establish a genotype-phenotype correlation for CHD in DS, we built an integrated Hsa21 map of all described partial trisomy 21 (PT21) cases with sufficient indications regarding presence or absence of CHD (n=107), focusing on DS PT21 cases. We suggest a DS CHD candidate region on 21q22.2 (0.96Mb), being shared by most PT21 cases with CHD and containing three known protein-coding genes (DSCAM, BACE2, PLAC4) and four known non-coding RNAs (DSCAM-AS1, DSCAM-IT1, LINC00323, MIR3197). The characterization of a DS CHD candidate region provides a useful approach to identify specific genes contributing to the pathology and to orient further investigations and possibly more effective therapy in relation to the multifactorial pathogenesis of CHD.
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18
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Kirk IK, Weinhold N, Belling K, Skakkebæk NE, Jensen TS, Leffers H, Juul A, Brunak S. Chromosome-wise Protein Interaction Patterns and Their Impact on Functional Implications of Large-Scale Genomic Aberrations. Cell Syst 2017; 4:357-364.e3. [PMID: 28215527 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2016] [Revised: 10/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Gene copy-number changes influence phenotypes through gene-dosage alteration and subsequent changes of protein complex stoichiometry. Human trisomies where gene copy numbers are increased uniformly over entire chromosomes provide generic cases for studying these relationships. In most trisomies, gene and protein level alterations have fatal consequences. We used genome-wide protein-protein interaction data to identify chromosome-specific patterns of protein interactions. We found that some chromosomes encode proteins that interact infrequently with each other, chromosome 21 in particular. We combined the protein interaction data with transcriptome data from human brain tissue to investigate how this pattern of global interactions may affect cellular function. We identified highly connected proteins that also had coordinated gene expression. These proteins were associated with important neurological functions affecting the characteristic phenotypes for Down syndrome and have previously been validated in mouse knockout experiments. Our approach is general and applicable to other gene-dosage changes, such as arm-level amplifications in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isa Kristina Kirk
- Department of Systems Biology, Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nils Weinhold
- Department of Systems Biology, Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark; Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kirstine Belling
- Department of Systems Biology, Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels Erik Skakkebæk
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Skøt Jensen
- Department of Systems Biology, Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Henrik Leffers
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Brunak
- Department of Systems Biology, Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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19
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Abstract
Down syndrome (also known as trisomy 21) is the model human phenotype for all genomic gain dosage imbalances, including microduplications. The functional genomic exploration of the post-sequencing years of chromosome 21, and the generation of numerous cellular and mouse models, have provided an unprecedented opportunity to decipher the molecular consequences of genome dosage imbalance. Studies of Down syndrome could provide knowledge far beyond the well-known characteristics of intellectual disability and dysmorphic features, as several other important features, including congenital heart defects, early ageing, Alzheimer disease and childhood leukaemia, are also part of the Down syndrome phenotypic spectrum. The elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that cause or modify the risk for different Down syndrome phenotypes could lead to the introduction of previously unimaginable therapeutic options.
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20
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Do C, Xing Z, Yu YE, Tycko B. Trans-acting epigenetic effects of chromosomal aneuploidies: lessons from Down syndrome and mouse models. Epigenomics 2016; 9:189-207. [PMID: 27911079 PMCID: PMC5549717 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2016-0138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
An important line of postgenomic research seeks to understand how genetic factors can influence epigenetic patterning. Here we review epigenetic effects of chromosomal aneuploidies, focusing on findings in Down syndrome (DS, trisomy 21). Recent work in human DS and mouse models has shown that the extra chromosome 21 acts in trans to produce epigenetic changes, including differential CpG methylation (DS-DM), in specific sets of downstream target genes, mostly on other chromosomes. Mechanistic hypotheses emerging from these data include roles of chromosome 21-linked methylation pathway genes (DNMT3L and others) and transcription factor genes (RUNX1, OLIG2, GABPA, ERG and ETS2) in shaping the patterns of DS-DM. The findings may have broader implications for trans-acting epigenetic effects of chromosomal and subchromosomal aneuploidies in other human developmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, and in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Do
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Zhuo Xing
- The Children's Guild Foundation Down Syndrome Research Program, Genetics Program & Department of Cancer Genetics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Y Eugene Yu
- The Children's Guild Foundation Down Syndrome Research Program, Genetics Program & Department of Cancer Genetics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Benjamin Tycko
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.,Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's disease & the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.,Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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21
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Xing Z, Li Y, Pao A, Bennett AS, Tycko B, Mobley WC, Yu YE. Mouse-based genetic modeling and analysis of Down syndrome. Br Med Bull 2016; 120:111-122. [PMID: 27789459 PMCID: PMC5146682 DOI: 10.1093/bmb/ldw040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Down syndrome (DS), caused by human trisomy 21 (Ts21), can be considered as a prototypical model for understanding the effects of chromosomal aneuploidies in other diseases. Human chromosome 21 (Hsa21) is syntenically conserved with three regions in the mouse genome. SOURCES OF DATA A review of recent advances in genetic modeling and analysis of DS. Using Cre/loxP-mediated chromosome engineering, a substantial number of new mouse models of DS have recently been generated, which facilitates better understanding of disease mechanisms in DS. AREAS OF AGREEMENT Based on evolutionary conservation, Ts21 can be modeled by engineered triplication of Hsa21 syntenic regions in mice. The validity of the models is supported by the exhibition of DS-related phenotypes. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY Although substantial progress has been made, it remains a challenge to unravel the relative importance of specific candidate genes and molecular mechanisms underlying the various clinical phenotypes. GROWING POINTS Further understanding of mechanisms based on data from mouse models, in parallel with human studies, may lead to novel therapies for clinical manifestations of Ts21 and insights to the roles of aneuploidies in other developmental disorders and cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Xing
- The Children's Guild Foundation Down Syndrome Research Program, Genetics Program and Department of Cancer Genetics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Yichen Li
- The Children's Guild Foundation Down Syndrome Research Program, Genetics Program and Department of Cancer Genetics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Annie Pao
- The Children's Guild Foundation Down Syndrome Research Program, Genetics Program and Department of Cancer Genetics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Abigail S Bennett
- The Children's Guild Foundation Down Syndrome Research Program, Genetics Program and Department of Cancer Genetics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Benjamin Tycko
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain and Institute for Cancer Genetics, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - William C Mobley
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Y Eugene Yu
- The Children's Guild Foundation Down Syndrome Research Program, Genetics Program and Department of Cancer Genetics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA .,Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, Roswell Park Division of Graduate School, Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Program, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
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22
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Sokol M, Jessen KM, Pedersen FS. Utility of next-generation RNA-sequencing in identifying chimeric transcription involving human endogenous retroviruses. APMIS 2016; 124:127-39. [PMID: 26818267 DOI: 10.1111/apm.12477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have shown that human endogenous retroviruses and endogenous retrovirus-like repeats (here collectively HERVs) impose direct regulation on human genes through enhancer and promoter motifs present in their long terminal repeats (LTRs). Although chimeric transcription in which novel gene isoforms containing retroviral and human sequence are transcribed from viral promoters are commonly associated with disease, regulation by HERVs is beneficial in other settings; for example, in human testis chimeric isoforms of TP63 induced by an ERV9 LTR protect the male germ line upon DNA damage by inducing apoptosis, whereas in the human globin locus the γ- and β-globin switch during normal hematopoiesis is mediated by complex interactions of an ERV9 LTR and surrounding human sequence. The advent of deep sequencing or next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized the way researchers solve important scientific questions and develop novel hypotheses in relation to human genome regulation. We recently applied next-generation paired-end RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) together with chromatin immunoprecipitation with sequencing (ChIP-seq) to examine ERV9 chimeric transcription in human reference cell lines from Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE). This led to the discovery of advanced regulation mechanisms by ERV9s and other HERVs across numerous human loci including transcription of large gene-unannotated genomic regions, as well as cooperative regulation by multiple HERVs and non-LTR repeats such as Alu elements. In this article, well-established examples of human gene regulation by HERVs are reviewed followed by a description of paired-end RNA-seq, and its application in identifying chimeric transcription genome-widely. Based on integrative analyses of RNA-seq and ChIP-seq, data we then present novel examples of regulation by ERV9s of tumor suppressor genes CADM2 and SEMA3A, as well as transcription of an unannotated region. Taken together, this article highlights the high suitability of contemporary sequencing methods in future analyses of human biology in relation to evolutionary acquired retroviruses in the human genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Sokol
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Finn Skou Pedersen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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23
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Penetrance of Congenital Heart Disease in a Mouse Model of Down Syndrome Depends on a Trisomic Potentiator of a Disomic Modifier. Genetics 2016; 203:763-70. [PMID: 27029737 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.116.188045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is a significant risk factor for congenital heart disease (CHD), increasing the incidence 50 times over the general population. However, half of people with DS have a normal heart and thus trisomy 21 is not sufficient to cause CHD by itself. Ts65Dn mice are trisomic for orthologs of >100 Hsa21 genes, and their heart defect frequency is significantly higher than their euploid littermates. Introduction of a null allele of Creld1 into Ts65Dn increases the penetrance of heart defects significantly. However, this increase was not seen when the Creld1 null allele was introduced into Ts1Cje, a mouse that is trisomic for about two thirds of the Hsa21 orthologs that are triplicated in Ts65Dn. Among the 23 genes present in three copies in Ts65Dn but not Ts1Cje, we identified Jam2 as necessary for the increased penetrance of Creld1-mediated septal defects in Ts65Dn. Thus, overexpression of the trisomic gene, Jam2, is a necessary potentiator of the disomic genetic modifier, Creld1 No direct physical interaction between Jam2 and Creld1 was identified by several methods. Regions of Hsa21 containing genes that are risk factors of CHD have been identified, but Jam2 (and its environs) has not been linked to heart formation previously. The complexity of this interaction may be more representative of the clinical situation in people than consideration of simple single-gene models.
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24
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Lana-Elola E, Watson-Scales S, Slender A, Gibbins D, Martineau A, Douglas C, Mohun T, Fisher EM, Tybulewicz VL. Genetic dissection of Down syndrome-associated congenital heart defects using a new mouse mapping panel. eLife 2016; 5:11614. [PMID: 26765563 PMCID: PMC4764572 DOI: 10.7554/elife.11614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS), caused by trisomy of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21), is the most common cause of congenital heart defects (CHD), yet the genetic and mechanistic causes of these defects remain unknown. To identify dosage-sensitive genes that cause DS phenotypes, including CHD, we used chromosome engineering to generate a mapping panel of 7 mouse strains with partial trisomies of regions of mouse chromosome 16 orthologous to Hsa21. Using high-resolution episcopic microscopy and three-dimensional modeling we show that these strains accurately model DS CHD. Systematic analysis of the 7 strains identified a minimal critical region sufficient to cause CHD when present in 3 copies, and showed that it contained at least two dosage-sensitive loci. Furthermore, two of these new strains model a specific subtype of atrio-ventricular septal defects with exclusive ventricular shunting and demonstrate that, contrary to current hypotheses, these CHD are not due to failure in formation of the dorsal mesenchymal protrusion. Down syndrome is a condition caused by having an extra copy of one of the 46 chromosomes found inside human cells. Specifically, instead of two copies, people with Down syndrome are born with three copies of chromosome 21. This results in many different effects, including learning and memory problems, heart defects and Alzheimer’s disease. Each of these different effects is caused by having a third copy of one or more of the approximately 230 genes found on chromosome 21. However, it is not known which of these genes cause any of these effects, and how an extra copy of the genes results in such changes. Now, Lana-Elola et al. have investigated which genes on chromosome 21 cause the heart defects seen in Down syndrome, and how those heart defects come about. This involved engineering a new strain of mouse that has an extra copy of 148 mouse genes that are very similar to 148 genes found on chromosome 21 in humans. Like people with Down syndrome, this mouse strain developed heart defects when it was an embryo. Using a series of six further mouse strains, Lana-Elola et al. then narrowed down the potential genes that, when in three copies, are needed to cause the heart defects, to a list of just 39 genes. Further experiments then showed that at least two genes within these 39 genes were required in three copies to cause the heart defects. The next step will be to identify the specific genes that actually cause the heart defects, and then work out how a third copy of these genes causes the developmental problems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amy Slender
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Elizabeth Mc Fisher
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Victor Lj Tybulewicz
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.,Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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25
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Choong XY, Tosh JL, Pulford LJ, Fisher EMC. Dissecting Alzheimer disease in Down syndrome using mouse models. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:268. [PMID: 26528151 PMCID: PMC4602094 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is a common genetic condition caused by the presence of three copies of chromosome 21 (trisomy 21). This greatly increases the risk of Alzheimer disease (AD), but although virtually all people with DS have AD neuropathology by 40 years of age, not all develop dementia. To dissect the genetic contribution of trisomy 21 to DS phenotypes including those relevant to AD, a range of DS mouse models has been generated which are trisomic for chromosome segments syntenic to human chromosome 21. Here, we consider key characteristics of human AD in DS (AD-DS), and our current state of knowledge on related phenotypes in AD and DS mouse models. We go on to review important features needed in future models of AD-DS, to understand this type of dementia and so highlight pathogenic mechanisms relevant to all populations at risk of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Yu Choong
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London London, UK ; The LonDownS Consortium London, UK
| | - Justin L Tosh
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London London, UK ; The LonDownS Consortium London, UK
| | - Laura J Pulford
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London London, UK ; The LonDownS Consortium London, UK
| | - Elizabeth M C Fisher
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London London, UK ; The LonDownS Consortium London, UK
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26
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Genome-Wide Association Study of Down Syndrome-Associated Atrioventricular Septal Defects. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2015; 5:1961-71. [PMID: 26194203 PMCID: PMC4592978 DOI: 10.1534/g3.115.019943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to identify the contribution of common genetic variants to Down syndrome−associated atrioventricular septal defect, a severe heart abnormality. Compared with the euploid population, infants with Down syndrome, or trisomy 21, have a 2000-fold increased risk of presenting with atrioventricular septal defects. The cause of this increased risk remains elusive. Here we present data from the largest heart study conducted to date on a trisomic background by using a carefully characterized collection of individuals from extreme ends of the phenotypic spectrum. We performed a genome-wide association study using logistic regression analysis on 452 individuals with Down syndrome, consisting of 210 cases with complete atrioventricular septal defects and 242 controls with structurally normal hearts. No individual variant achieved genome-wide significance. We identified four disomic regions (1p36.3, 5p15.31, 8q22.3, and 17q22) and two trisomic regions on chromosome 21 (around PDXK and KCNJ6 genes) that merit further investigation in large replication studies. Our data show that a few common genetic variants of large effect size (odds ratio >2.0) do not account for the elevated risk of Down syndrome−associated atrioventricular septal defects. Instead, multiple variants of low-to-moderate effect sizes may contribute to this elevated risk, highlighting the complex genetic architecture of atrioventricular septal defects even in the highly susceptible Down syndrome population.
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27
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Liu B, Filippi S, Roy A, Roberts I. Stem and progenitor cell dysfunction in human trisomies. EMBO Rep 2014; 16:44-62. [PMID: 25520324 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201439583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Trisomy 21, the commonest constitutional aneuploidy in humans, causes profound perturbation of stem and progenitor cell growth, which is both cell context dependent and developmental stage specific and mediated by complex genetic mechanisms beyond increased Hsa21 gene dosage. While proliferation of fetal hematopoietic and testicular stem/progenitors is increased and may underlie increased susceptibility to childhood leukemia and testicular cancer, fetal stem/progenitor proliferation in other tissues is markedly impaired leading to the characteristic craniofacial, neurocognitive and cardiac features in individuals with Down syndrome. After birth, trisomy 21-mediated premature aging of stem/progenitor cells may contribute to the progressive multi-system deterioration, including development of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Liu
- Department of Paediatrics and Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford, UK
| | - Sarah Filippi
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anindita Roy
- Centre for Haematology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Irene Roberts
- Department of Paediatrics and Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford, UK
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