1
|
Bruno R, Riccardi G, Iacobone F, Chiarotti F, Pirisinu L, Vanni I, Marcon S, D'Agostino C, Giovannelli M, Parchi P, Agrimi U, Nonno R, Di Bari MA. Strain-Dependent Morphology of Reactive Astrocytes in Human- and Animal-Vole-Adapted Prions. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050757. [PMID: 37238627 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Reactive astrogliosis is one of the pathological hallmarks of prion diseases. Recent studies highlighted the influence of several factors on the astrocyte phenotype in prion diseases, including the brain region involved, the genotype backgrounds of the host, and the prion strain. Elucidating the influence of prion strains on the astrocyte phenotype may provide crucial insights for developing therapeutic strategies. Here, we investigated the relationship between prion strains and astrocyte phenotype in six human- and animal-vole-adapted strains characterized by distinctive neuropathological features. In particular, we compared astrocyte morphology and astrocyte-associated PrPSc deposition among strains in the same brain region, the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MDTN). Astrogliosis was detected to some extent in the MDTN of all analyzed voles. However, we observed variability in the morphological appearance of astrocytes depending on the strain. Astrocytes displayed variability in thickness and length of cellular processes and cellular body size, suggesting strain-specific phenotypes of reactive astrocytes. Remarkably, four out of six strains displayed astrocyte-associated PrPSc deposition, which correlated with the size of astrocytes. Overall, these data show that the heterogeneous reactivity of astrocytes in prion diseases depends at least in part on the infecting prion strains and their specific interaction with astrocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosalia Bruno
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Geraldina Riccardi
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Floriana Iacobone
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Chiarotti
- Reference Center for the Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Italian National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Pirisinu
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Vanni
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Marcon
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia D'Agostino
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Giovannelli
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Piero Parchi
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Umberto Agrimi
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Romolo Nonno
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Angelo Di Bari
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Smethurst P, Franklin H, Clarke BE, Sidle K, Patani R. The role of astrocytes in prion-like mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Brain 2022; 145:17-26. [PMID: 35265969 PMCID: PMC8967097 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab366] [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: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that neurodegenerative diseases are not merely neuronal in nature but comprise multicellular involvement, with astrocytes emerging as key players. The pathomechanisms of several neurodegenerative diseases involve the deposition of misfolded protein aggregates in neurons that have characteristic prion-like behaviours such as template-directed seeding, intercellular propagation, distinct conformational strains and protein-mediated toxicity. The role of astrocytes in dealing with these pathological prion-like protein aggregates and whether their responses either protect from or conspire with the disease process is currently unclear. Here we review the existing literature implicating astrocytes in multiple neurodegenerative proteinopathies with a focus on prion-like behaviour in this context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Smethurst
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Hannah Franklin
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Benjamin E Clarke
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Katie Sidle
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- Correspondence may also be addressed to: Katie Sidle E-mail:
| | - Rickie Patani
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Correspondence to: Rickie Patani The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Garcés M, Guijarro IM, Ritchie DL, Badiola JJ, Monzón M. Novel Morphological Glial Alterations in the Spectrum of Prion Disease Types: A Focus on Common Findings. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10050596. [PMID: 34068251 PMCID: PMC8153175 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10050596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Human prion diseases are a group of rare fatal neurodegenerative diseases with sporadic, genetic, and acquired forms. They are neuropathologically characterized by pathological prion protein accumulation, neuronal death, and vacuolation. Classical immunological response has long been known not to play a major in prion diseases; however, gliosis is known to be a common feature although variable in extent and poorly described. In this investigation, astrogliosis and activated microglia in two brain regions were assessed and compared with non-neurologically affected patients in a representative sample across the spectrum of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) forms and subtypes in order to analyze the influence of prion strain on pathological processes. In this report, we choose to focus on features common to all CJD types rather than the diversity among them. Novel pathological changes in both glial cell types were found to be shared by all CJD types. Microglial activation correlated to astrogliosis. Spongiosis, but not pathological prion protein deposition, correlated to both astrogliosis and microgliosis. At the ultrastructural level, astrocytic glial filaments correlated with pathological changes associated with prion disease. These observations confirm that neuroglia play a prominent role in the neurodegenerative process of prion diseases, regardless of the causative prion type.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Garcés
- Research Centre for Encephalopathies and Transmissible Emerging Diseases, Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS), University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.G.); (I.M.G.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Isabel M. Guijarro
- Research Centre for Encephalopathies and Transmissible Emerging Diseases, Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS), University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.G.); (I.M.G.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Diane L. Ritchie
- National CJD Research & Surveillance Unit, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK;
| | - Juan J. Badiola
- Research Centre for Encephalopathies and Transmissible Emerging Diseases, Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS), University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.G.); (I.M.G.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Marta Monzón
- Research Centre for Encephalopathies and Transmissible Emerging Diseases, Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS), University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.G.); (I.M.G.); (J.J.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-976-762944
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Reflections on Cerebellar Neuropathology in Classical Scrapie. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11050649. [PMID: 33924986 PMCID: PMC8146067 DOI: 10.3390/biom11050649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review, the most important neuropathological changes found in the cerebella of sheep affected by classical natural scrapie are discussed. This disease is the oldest known of a group of unconventional “infections” caused by toxic prions of different origins. Scrapie is currently considered a “transmissible spongiform encephalopathy” (due to its neuropathological characteristics and its transmission), which is the paradigm of prion pathologies as well as many encephalopathies (prion-like) that present aberrant deposits of insoluble protein with neurotoxic effects due to errors in their catabolization (“misfolding protein diseases”). The study of this disease is, therefore, of great relevance. Our work data from the authors’ previous publications as well as other research in the field. The four most important types of neuropathological changes are neuron abnormalities and loss, neurogliosis, tissue vacuolization (spongiosis) and pathological or abnormal prion protein (PrP) deposits/deposition. These findings were analyzed and compared to other neuropathologies. Various aspects related to the presentation and progression of the disease, the involution of different neuronal types, the neuroglial responses and the appearance of abnormal PrP deposits are discussed. The most important points of controversy in scrapie neuropathology are presented.
Collapse
|
5
|
Neuroimmune Response Mediated by Cytokines in Natural Scrapie after Chronic Dexamethasone Treatment. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020204. [PMID: 33540568 PMCID: PMC7912810 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The actual role of prion protein-induced glial activation and subsequent cytokine secretion during prion diseases is still incompletely understood. The overall aim of this study is to assess the effect of an anti-inflammatory treatment with dexamethasone on different cytokines released by neuroglial cells that are potentially related to neuroinflammation in natural scrapie. This study emphasizes the complex interactions existent among several pleiotropic neuromodulator peptides and provides a global approach to clarify neuroinflammatory processes in prion diseases. Additionally, an impairment of communication between microglial and astroglial populations mediated by cytokines, mainly IL-1, is suggested. The main novelty of this study is that it is the first one assessing in situ neuroinflammatory activity in relation to chronic anti-inflammatory therapy, gaining relevance because it is based on a natural model. The cytokine profile data would suggest the activation of some neurotoxicity-associated route. Consequently, targeting such a pathway might be a new approach to modify the damaging effects of neuroinflammation.
Collapse
|
6
|
Otero A, Betancor M, Eraña H, Fernández Borges N, Lucas JJ, Badiola JJ, Castilla J, Bolea R. Prion-Associated Neurodegeneration Causes Both Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Proteasome Impairment in a Murine Model of Spontaneous Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22010465. [PMID: 33466523 PMCID: PMC7796520 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are a group of neurodegenerative disorders that can be spontaneous, familial or acquired by infection. The conversion of the prion protein PrPC to its abnormal and misfolded isoform PrPSc is the main event in the pathogenesis of prion diseases of all origins. In spontaneous prion diseases, the mechanisms that trigger the formation of PrPSc in the central nervous system remain unknown. Several reports have demonstrated that the accumulation of PrPSc can induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and proteasome impairment from the early stages of the prion disease. Both mechanisms lead to an increment of PrP aggregates in the secretory pathway, which could explain the pathogenesis of spontaneous prion diseases. Here, we investigate the role of ER stress and proteasome impairment during prion disorders in a murine model of spontaneous prion disease (TgVole) co-expressing the UbG76V-GFP reporter, which allows measuring the proteasome activity in vivo. Spontaneously prion-affected mice showed a significantly higher accumulation of the PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), the ER chaperone binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP/Grp78), the ER protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and the UbG76V-GFP reporter than age-matched controls in certain brain areas. The upregulation of PERK, BiP, PDI and ubiquitin was detected from the preclinical stage of the disease, indicating that ER stress and proteasome impairment begin at early stages of the spontaneous disease. Strong correlations were found between the deposition of these markers and neuropathological markers of prion disease in both preclinical and clinical mice. Our results suggest that both ER stress and proteasome impairment occur during the pathogenesis of spontaneous prion diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Otero
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Universidad de Zaragoza IA2 IIS Aragón, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.O.); (M.B.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Marina Betancor
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Universidad de Zaragoza IA2 IIS Aragón, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.O.); (M.B.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Hasier Eraña
- ATLAS Molecular Pharma S.L., Parque tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Spain;
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE) Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 48160 Derio, Spain; (N.F.B.); (J.C.)
| | - Natalia Fernández Borges
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE) Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 48160 Derio, Spain; (N.F.B.); (J.C.)
| | - José J. Lucas
- Centro de Biología Molecular ‘Severo Ochoa’ (CBMSO) CSIC/UAM, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan José Badiola
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Universidad de Zaragoza IA2 IIS Aragón, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.O.); (M.B.); (J.J.B.)
| | - Joaquín Castilla
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE) Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 48160 Derio, Spain; (N.F.B.); (J.C.)
- IKERBasque Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Rosa Bolea
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Universidad de Zaragoza IA2 IIS Aragón, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.O.); (M.B.); (J.J.B.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Assessment of Glial Activation Response in the Progress of Natural Scrapie after Chronic Dexamethasone Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093231. [PMID: 32370224 PMCID: PMC7247567 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation has been correlated with the progress of neurodegeneration in many neuropathologies. Although glial cells have traditionally been considered to be protective, the concept of them as neurotoxic cells has recently emerged. Thus, a major unsolved question is the exact role of astroglia and microglia in neurodegenerative disorders. On the other hand, it is well known that glucocorticoids are the first choice to regulate inflammation and, consequently, neuroglial inflammatory activity. The objective of this study was to determine how chronic dexamethasone treatment influences the host immune response and to characterize the beneficial or detrimental role of glial cells. To date, this has not been examined using a natural neurodegenerative model of scrapie. With this aim, immunohistochemical expression of glial markers, prion protein accumulation, histopathological lesions and clinical evolution were compared with those in a control group. The results demonstrated how the complex interaction between glial populations failed to compensate for brain damage in natural conditions, emphasizing the need for using natural models. Additionally, the data showed that modulation of neuroinflammation by anti-inflammatory drugs might become a research focus as a potential therapeutic target for prion diseases, similar to that considered previously for other neurodegenerative disorders classified as prion-like diseases.
Collapse
|
8
|
Experimental Study Using Multiple Strains of Prion Disease in Cattle Reveals an Inverse Relationship between Incubation Time and Misfolded Prion Accumulation, Neuroinflammation, and Autophagy. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2020; 190:1461-1473. [PMID: 32259521 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2020.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Proteinopathies result from aberrant folding and accumulation of specific proteins. Currently, there is a lack of knowledge about the factors that influence disease progression, making this a key challenge for the development of therapies for proteinopathies. Because of the similarities between transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) and other protein misfolding diseases, TSEs can be used to understand other proteinopathies. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a TSE that occurs in cattle and can be subdivided into three strains: classic BSE and atypical BSEs (H and L types) that have shorter incubation periods. The NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3 inflammasome is a critical component of the innate immune system that leads to release of IL-1β. Macroautophagy is an intracellular mechanism that plays an essential role in protein clearance. In this study, the retina was used as a model to investigate the relationship between disease incubation period, prion protein accumulation, neuroinflammation, and changes in macroautophagy. We demonstrate that atypical BSEs present with increased prion protein accumulation, neuroinflammation, and decreased autophagy. This work suggests a relationship between disease time course, neuroinflammation, and the autophagic stress response, and may help identify novel therapeutic biomarkers that can delay or prevent the progression of proteinopathies.
Collapse
|
9
|
Neuroglial patterns are shared by cerebella from prion and prion-like disorder affected patients. Mech Ageing Dev 2019; 184:111176. [PMID: 31689427 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2019.111176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, are considered prion-like disorders because they are all proteinopathies in which aberrant proteins spread throughout the brain during disease progression. The overall aim of this study is to determine how glial cells are commonly involved in the neurodegeneration progress observed in all these pathologies. The suggestion that they are cell types in which prion and prion-like disorders have common behaviour is the hypothesis on which this study is based. Morphological and distribution differences in astroglial and microglial cells in the cerebellum from prion and prion-like disease-affected patients were assessed here by histopathological and immunochemical tools. To our knowledge, this is the first study to focus on the comparative assessment of glial profiles in these human brains. Activated microglial population was demonstrated in both, prion and prion-like disorders, although in higher extent in the first. In astroglial activation, specific patterns of alterations suggesting both degenerative and potentially neuroprotective or restorative stem cell response, were shown to be alternatively shared by cerebella from all disorders studied. Neuro-protective strategies for these disabling disorders are particularly desirable.
Collapse
|
10
|
Bradford BM, Wijaya CAW, Mabbott NA. Discrimination of Prion Strain Targeting in the Central Nervous System via Reactive Astrocyte Heterogeneity in CD44 Expression. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:411. [PMID: 31551718 PMCID: PMC6746926 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are fatal, progressive, neurodegenerative, protein-misfolding disorders. Prion diseases may arise spontaneously, be inherited genetically or be acquired by infection and affect a variety of mammalian species including humans. Prion infections in the central nervous system (CNS) cause extensive neuropathology, including abnormal accumulations of misfolded host prion protein, vacuolar change resulting in sponge-like (spongiform) appearance of CNS tissue, neurodegeneration and reactive glial responses. Many different prion agent strains exist and these can differ based on disease duration, clinical signs and the targeting and distribution of the neuropathology in distinct brain areas. Reactive astrocytes are a prominent feature in the prion disease affected CNS as revealed by distinct morphological changes and upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The CD44 antigen is a transmembrane glycoprotein involved in cell-cell interactions, cell adhesion and migration. Here we show that CD44 is also highly expressed in a subset of reactive astrocytes in regions of the CNS targeted by prions. Astrocyte heterogeneity revealed by differential CD44 upregulation occurs coincident with the earliest neuropathological changes during the pre-clinical phase of disease, and is not affected by the route of infection. The expression and distribution of CD44 was compared in brains from a large collection of 15 distinct prion agent strains transmitted to mice of different prion protein (Prnp) genotype backgrounds. Our data show that the pattern of CD44 upregulation observed in the hippocampus in each prion agent strain and host Prnp genotype combination was unique. Many mouse-adapted prion strains and hosts have previously been characterized based on the pattern of the distribution of the spongiform pathology or the misfolded PrP deposition within the brain. Our data show that CD44 expression also provides a reliable discriminatory marker of prion infection with a greater dynamic range than misfolded prion protein deposition, aiding strain identification. Together, our data reveal CD44 as a novel marker to detect reactive astrocyte heterogeneity during CNS prion disease and for enhanced identification of distinct prion agent strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barry M Bradford
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Christianus A W Wijaya
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Neil A Mabbott
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Michael AV, Greenlee JJ, Harm TA, Moore SJ, Zhang M, Lind MS, Greenlee MHW, Smith JD. In Situ Temporospatial Characterization of the Glial Response to Prion Infection. Vet Pathol 2019; 57:90-107. [PMID: 31331254 DOI: 10.1177/0300985819861708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) display marked activation of astrocytes and microglia that precedes neuronal loss. Investigation of clinical parallels between TSEs and other neurodegenerative protein misfolding diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, has revealed similar patterns of neuroinflammatory responses to the accumulation of self-propagating amyloids. The contribution of glial activation to the progression of protein misfolding diseases is incompletely understood, with evidence for mediation of both protective and deleterious effects. Glial populations are heterogeneously distributed throughout the brain and capable of dynamic transitions along a spectrum of functional activation states between pro- and antiinflammatory polarization extremes. Using a murine model of Rocky Mountain Laboratory scrapie, the neuroinflammatory response to prion infection was characterized by evaluating glial activation across 15 brain regions over time and correlating it to traditional markers of prion neuropathology, including vacuolation and PrPSc deposition. Quantitative immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate glial expression of iNOS and Arg1, markers of classical and alternative glial activation, respectively. The results indicate progressive upregulation of iNOS in microglia and a mixed astrocytic profile featuring iNOS expression in white matter tracts and detection of Arg1-positive populations throughout the brain. These data establish a temporospatial lesion profile for this prion infection model and demonstrate evidence of multiple glial activation states.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alyona V Michael
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Justin J Greenlee
- US Department of Agriculture, Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Tyler A Harm
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - S Jo Moore
- US Department of Agriculture, Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Statistics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Melissa S Lind
- US Department of Agriculture, Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA, USA.,BluePearl Pet Hospital, Des Moines, IA, USA
| | - M Heather West Greenlee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Jodi D Smith
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Monzón M, Hernández RS, Garcés M, Sarasa R, Badiola JJ. Glial alterations in human prion diseases: A correlative study of astroglia, reactive microglia, protein deposition, and neuropathological lesions. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e0320. [PMID: 29642165 PMCID: PMC5908569 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000010320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroinflammation has recently been proposed to be a major component of neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this study was to determine how the interaction between microglia and astroglia, which are the primary immune cell populations in the brain, and pathological prion protein (PrPsc) could influence the development and propagation of this neurodegenerative disease. Because a relevant role for glial response in prion disease has been clearly demonstrated in our previous studies using the natural animal model, a similar approach has been taken here using the natural human model. METHODS A morphological approach has been developed to analyze cerebellar samples from patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in comparison with healthy control cases. Histopathological lesions were assessed, and PrPsc, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and reactive microglia were immunolabelled by specific antibodies. Furthermore, co-location studies using confocal microscopy were performed to determine the possible relationships between both types of glial cells in all samples. RESULTS The results presented in this study support the involvement of both types of glial cells in CJD. Evidence of increased astrocyte and microglia reactivity can be observed in all CJD cases, and a close relationship between the types of glia is demonstrated by co-location studies. CONCLUSION Proteinopathies such as Alzheimer, Parkinson, and Huntington diseases, where aberrant proteins spread throughout the brain during disease progression, may share a molecular basis and mechanisms of propagation. Therefore, studies elucidating the interaction between gliosis and prion propagation may be relevant to these other neurodegenerative diseases and may provide new targets for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
|
13
|
Otero A, Bolea R, Hedman C, Fernández-Borges N, Marín B, López-Pérez Ó, Barrio T, Eraña H, Sánchez-Martín MA, Monzón M, Badiola JJ, Castilla J. An Amino Acid Substitution Found in Animals with Low Susceptibility to Prion Diseases Confers a Protective Dominant-Negative Effect in Prion-Infected Transgenic Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:6182-6192. [PMID: 29264770 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0832-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
While prion diseases have been described in numerous species, some, including those of the Canidae family, appear to show resistance or reduced susceptibility. A better understanding of the factors underlying prion susceptibility is crucial for the development of effective treatment and control measures. We recently demonstrated resistance to prion infection in mice overexpressing a mutated prion protein (PrP) carrying a specific amino acid substitution characteristic of canids. Here, we show that coexpression of this mutated PrP and wild-type mouse PrP in transgenic mice inoculated with different mouse-adapted prion strains (22 L, ME7, RML, and 301C) significantly increases survival times (by 45 to 113%). These data indicate that this amino acid substitution confers a dominant-negative effect on PrP, attenuating the conversion of PrPC to PrPSc and delaying disease onset without altering the neuropathological properties of the prion strains. Taken together, these findings have important implications for the development of new treatment approaches for prion diseases based on dominant-negative proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Otero
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rosa Bolea
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Carlos Hedman
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Belén Marín
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Óscar López-Pérez
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Laboratorio de Genética Bioquímica (LAGENBIO), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Tomás Barrio
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Hasier Eraña
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Manuel A Sánchez-Martín
- Servicio de Transgénesis, Nucleus, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,IBSAL, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Marta Monzón
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Juan José Badiola
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Joaquín Castilla
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain. .,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ragagnin A, Ezpeleta J, Guillemain A, Boudet-Devaud F, Haeberlé AM, Demais V, Vidal C, Demuth S, Béringue V, Kellermann O, Schneider B, Grant NJ, Bailly Y. Cerebellar compartmentation of prion pathogenesis. Brain Pathol 2017; 28:240-263. [PMID: 28268246 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In prion diseases, the brain lesion profile is influenced by the prion "strain" properties, the invasion route to the brain, and still unknown host cell-specific parameters. To gain insight into those endogenous factors, we analyzed the histopathological alterations induced by distinct prion strains in the mouse cerebellum. We show that 22L and ME7 scrapie prion proteins (PrP22L , PrPME7 ), but not bovine spongiform encephalopathy PrP6PB1 , accumulate in a reproducible parasagittal banding pattern in the cerebellar cortex of infected mice. Such banding pattern of PrP22L aggregation did not depend on the neuroinvasion route, but coincided with the parasagittal compartmentation of the cerebellum mostly defined by the expression of zebrins, such as aldolase C and the excitatory amino acid transporter 4, in Purkinje cells. We provide evidence that Purkinje cells display a differential, subtype-specific vulnerability to 22L prions with zebrin-expressing Purkinje cells being more resistant to prion toxicity, while in stripes where PrP22L accumulated most zebrin-deficient Purkinje cells are lost and spongiosis accentuated. In addition, in PrP22L stripes, enhanced reactive astrocyte processes associated with microglia activation support interdependent events between the topographic pattern of Purkinje cell death, reactive gliosis and PrP22L accumulation. Finally, we find that in preclinically-ill mice prion infection promotes at the membrane of astrocytes enveloping Purkinje cell excitatory synapses, upregulation of tumor necrosis factor-α receptor type 1 (TNFR1), a key mediator of the neuroinflammation process. These overall data show that Purkinje cell sensitivity to prion insult is locally restricted by the parasagittal compartmentation of the cerebellum, and that perisynaptic astrocytes may contribute to prion pathogenesis through prion-induced TNFR1 upregulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Ragagnin
- Cytologie et Cytopathologie Neuronales, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires & Intégratives, CNRS UPR 3212, Strasbourg, France
| | - Juliette Ezpeleta
- INSERM UMR-S1124, Cellules Souches, Signalisation et Prions, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Aurélie Guillemain
- Cytologie et Cytopathologie Neuronales, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires & Intégratives, CNRS UPR 3212, Strasbourg, France
| | - François Boudet-Devaud
- INSERM UMR-S1124, Cellules Souches, Signalisation et Prions, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Anne-Marie Haeberlé
- Cytologie et Cytopathologie Neuronales, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires & Intégratives, CNRS UPR 3212, Strasbourg, France
| | - Valérie Demais
- Plateforme Imagerie In Vitro, CNRS UPS-3156, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Stanislas Demuth
- Cytologie et Cytopathologie Neuronales, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires & Intégratives, CNRS UPR 3212, Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Odile Kellermann
- INSERM UMR-S1124, Cellules Souches, Signalisation et Prions, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Benoit Schneider
- INSERM UMR-S1124, Cellules Souches, Signalisation et Prions, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Nancy J Grant
- Cytologie et Cytopathologie Neuronales, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires & Intégratives, CNRS UPR 3212, Strasbourg, France
| | - Yannick Bailly
- Cytologie et Cytopathologie Neuronales, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires & Intégratives, CNRS UPR 3212, Strasbourg, France
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Monzón M. Approaches to therapy against prion diseases focused on the individual defence system. AIMS MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.3934/molsci.2017.3.241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
|
16
|
Hedman C, Bolea R, Marín B, Cobrière F, Filali H, Vazquez F, Pitarch JL, Vargas A, Acín C, Moreno B, Pumarola M, Andreoletti O, Badiola JJ. Transmission of sheep-bovine spongiform encephalopathy to pigs. Vet Res 2016; 47:14. [PMID: 26742788 PMCID: PMC4705642 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-015-0295-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental transmission of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) agent has been successfully reported in pigs inoculated via three simultaneous distinct routes (intracerebral, intraperitoneal and intravenous). Sheep derived BSE (Sh-BSE) is transmitted more efficiently than the original cattle-BSE isolate in a transgenic mouse model expressing porcine prion protein. However, the neuropathology and distribution of Sh-BSE in pigs as natural hosts, and susceptibility to this agent, is unknown. In the present study, seven pigs were intracerebrally inoculated with Sh-BSE prions. One pig was euthanized for analysis in the preclinical disease stage. The remaining six pigs developed neurological signs and histopathology revealed severe spongiform changes accompanied by astrogliosis and microgliosis throughout the central nervous system. Intracellular and neuropil-associated pathological prion protein (PrPSc) deposition was consistently observed in different brain sections and corroborated by Western blot. PrPSc was detected by immunohistochemistry and enzyme immunoassay in the following tissues in at least one animal: lymphoid tissues, peripheral nerves, gastrointestinal tract, skeletal muscle, adrenal gland and pancreas. PrPSc deposition was revealed by immunohistochemistry alone in the retina, optic nerve and kidney. These results demonstrate the efficient transmission of Sh-BSE in pigs and show for the first time that in this species propagation of bovine PrPSc in a wide range of peripheral tissues is possible. These results provide important insight into the distribution and detection of prions in non-ruminant animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Hedman
- Veterinary Faculty, Centro de Investigación en Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes (CIEETE), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Rosa Bolea
- Veterinary Faculty, Centro de Investigación en Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes (CIEETE), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Belén Marín
- Veterinary Faculty, Centro de Investigación en Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes (CIEETE), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Fabien Cobrière
- UMR INRA ENVT 1225, Interactions Hôtes Agents Pathogènes, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 31076, Toulouse, France.
| | - Hicham Filali
- Veterinary Faculty, Centro de Investigación en Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes (CIEETE), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Francisco Vazquez
- Veterinary Hospital, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - José Luis Pitarch
- Veterinary Faculty, Centro de Investigación en Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes (CIEETE), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Antonia Vargas
- Veterinary Faculty, Centro de Investigación en Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes (CIEETE), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Cristina Acín
- Veterinary Faculty, Centro de Investigación en Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes (CIEETE), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Bernardino Moreno
- Veterinary Faculty, Centro de Investigación en Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes (CIEETE), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Martí Pumarola
- Veterinary Faculty, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Olivier Andreoletti
- UMR INRA ENVT 1225, Interactions Hôtes Agents Pathogènes, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 31076, Toulouse, France.
| | - Juan José Badiola
- Veterinary Faculty, Centro de Investigación en Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes (CIEETE), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wolf H, Hossinger A, Fehlinger A, Büttner S, Sim V, McKenzie D, Vorberg IM. Deposition pattern and subcellular distribution of disease-associated prion protein in cerebellar organotypic slice cultures infected with scrapie. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:410. [PMID: 26581229 PMCID: PMC4631830 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Organotypic cerebellar slices represent a suitable model for characterizing and manipulating prion replication in complex cell environments. Organotypic slices recapitulate prion pathology and are amenable to drug testing in the absence of a blood-brain-barrier. So far, the cellular and subcellular distribution of disease-specific prion protein in organotypic slices is unclear. Here we report the simultaneous detection of disease-specific prion protein and central nervous system markers in wild-type mouse cerebellar slices infected with mouse-adapted prion strain 22L. The disease-specific prion protein distribution profile in slices closely resembles that in vivo, demonstrating granular spot like deposition predominately in the molecular and Purkinje cell layers. Double immunostaining identified abnormal prion protein in the neuropil and associated with neurons, astrocytes and microglia, but absence in Purkinje cells. The established protocol for the simultaneous immunohistochemical detection of disease-specific prion protein and cellular markers enables detailed analysis of prion replication and drug efficacy in an ex vivo model of the central nervous system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Wolf
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | - Sven Büttner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Bonn, Germany
| | - Valerie Sim
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Debbie McKenzie
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Ina M Vorberg
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Bonn, Germany ; Department of Neurology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Efficient uptake and dissemination of scrapie prion protein by astrocytes and fibroblasts from adult hamster brain. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0115351. [PMID: 25635871 PMCID: PMC4311963 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion infections target neurons and lead to neuronal loss. However, the role of non-neuronal cells in the initiation and spread of infection throughout the brain remains unclear despite the fact these cells can also propagate prion infectivity. To evaluate how different brain cells process scrapie prion protein (PrPres) during acute infection, we exposed neuron-enriched and non-neuronal cell cultures from adult hamster brain to fluorescently-labeled purified PrPres and followed the cultures by live cell confocal imaging over time. Non-neuronal cells present in both types of cultures, specifically astrocytes and fibroblasts, internalized PrPres more efficiently than neurons. PrPres was trafficked to late endosomal/lysosomal compartments and rapidly transported throughout the cell bodies and processes of all cell types, including contacts between astrocytes and neurons. These observations suggest that astrocytes and meningeal fibroblasts play an as yet unappreciated role in prion infections via efficient uptake and dissemination of PrPres.
Collapse
|
19
|
Motoyoshi-Yamashiro A, Takano K, Kawabe K, Izawa T, Nakajima H, Moriyama M, Nakamura Y. Amphotericin B induces glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the rat brain. J Vet Med Sci 2014; 76:1353-8. [PMID: 25283947 PMCID: PMC4221168 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.14-0160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphotericin B (AmB) is a
polyene antifungal drug and is reported to be one of a few reagents having therapeutic
effects on prion diseases, that is, a delay in the appearance of clinical signs and
prolongation of the survival time in an animal model. In prion diseases, glial cells have
been suggested to play important roles; however, the therapeutic mechanism of AmB on prion
diseases remains elusive. We have previously reported that AmB changed the expression of
neurotrophic factors in microglia and astrocytes (Motoyoshi et al., 2008,
Neurochem. Int. 52, 1290–1296; Motoyoshi-Yamashiro et
al., 2013, ibid. 63, 93–100). These results suggested that
neurotrophic factors derived from glial cells might be involved in the therapeutic
mechanism of AmB. In the present study, we examined immunohistochemically the effects of
AmB on the expression of neurotrophic factors in the rat brain. We found that direct
injection of AmB into the striatum significantly enhanced the expression of glial cell
line-derived neurotrophic factor protein. Amphotericin B also increased the expressions of
CD11b and glial fibrillary acidic protein, markers of microglia and astrocytes,
respectively. Moreover, expressions of the two neurotrophic factors by AmB were
co-localized with the expression of CD11b or glial fibrillary acidic protein. These
results suggest that AmB in vivo might also activate glial cells and
induce the production of neurotrophic factors protecting neurons in prion diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Motoyoshi-Yamashiro
- Laboratory of Integrative Physiology in Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka 598-8531, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Morphological approach to assess the involvement of astrocytes in prion propagation. Cell Tissue Res 2014; 358:57-63. [PMID: 24931403 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-014-1928-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) are a group of neurodegenerative disorders affecting animals and humans and for which no effective treatment is available to date. Vacuolation, neuronal/neurite degeneration, deposition of pathological prion protein (PrPsc) and gliosis are changes typically found in brains from TSE affected individuals. However, the actual role of this last feature, microgliosis and astrocytosis, has not been precisely determined. The overall objective of this work is to assess the involvement of glial cells as components of the host protective system in prion propagation; specifically, to analyze the behavior of astroglial cells in prion progression. To achieve this aim, histopathological and immunohistochemical techniques were carried out on samples from cerebella using Scrapie as the prototype of natural TSEs as this made it possible to assess different stages of the disease; specifically, ages and genotypes from Scrapie-affected animals corresponding to different sources, by using optical, confocal and electron microscopy. The results provided in the present study demonstrate the indisputable involvement of astroglia in prion progression by showing specific changes of this glial population matching up to the evolution of the disease. Moreover, cerebellar lesions mainly associated to Purkinje cells that have not previously been reported in animal prion diseases in natural transmission are described here. The close relationship between PrPsc and GFAP hiperimmunoreactivity and Purkinje cells, alongside the evident thickening of their neurites at terminal stages demonstrated in this study, suggest that these neurons are the main target of this neurodegenerative disease.
Collapse
|
21
|
Sarasa R, Becher D, Badiola JJ, Monzón M. A comparative study of modified confirmatory techniques and additional immuno-based methods for non-conclusive autolytic bovine spongiform encephalopathy cases. BMC Vet Res 2013; 9:212. [PMID: 24138967 PMCID: PMC4015824 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-9-212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the framework of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance programme, samples with non-conclusive results using the OIE confirmatory techniques have been repeatedly found. It is therefore necessary to question the adequacy of the previously established consequences of this non-conclusive result: the danger of failing to detect potentially infected cattle or erroneous information that may affect the decision of culling or not of an entire bovine cohort. Moreover, there is a very real risk that the underreporting of cases may possibly lead to distortion of the BSE epidemiological information for a given country. In this study, samples from bovine nervous tissue presenting non-conclusive results by conventional OIE techniques (Western blot and immunohistochemistry) were analyzed. Their common characteristic was a very advanced degree of autolysis. All techniques recommended by the OIE for BSE diagnosis were applied on all these samples in order to provide a comparative study. Specifically, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, SAF detection by electron microscopy and mouse bioassay were compared. Besides, other non confirmatory techniques, confocal scanning microscopy and colloidal gold labelling of fibrils, were applied on these samples for confirming and improving the results. Results Immunocytochemistry showed immunostaining in agreement with the positive results finally provided by the other confirmatory techniques. These results corroborated the suitability of this technique which was previously developed to examine autolysed (liquified) brain samples. Transmission after inoculation of a transgenic murine model TgbovXV was successful in all inocula but not in all mice, perhaps due to the very scarce PrPsc concentration present in samples. Electron microscopy, currently fallen into disuse, was demonstrated to be, not only capable to provide a final diagnosis despite the autolytic state of samples, but also to be a sensitive diagnostic alternative for resolving cases with low concentrations of PrPsc. Conclusions Demonstration of transmission of the disease even with low concentrations of PrPsc should reinforce that vigilance is required in interpreting results so that subtle changes do not go unnoticed. To maintain a continued supervision of the techniques which are applied in the routine diagnosis would prove essential for the ultimate eradication of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marta Monzón
- Research Centre for Encephalopathies and Transmissible Emerging Diseases, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Prion replication elicits cytopathic changes in differentiated neurosphere cultures. J Virol 2013; 87:8745-55. [PMID: 23740992 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00572-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms of prion-induced cytotoxicity remain largely obscure. Currently, only a few cell culture models have exhibited the cytopathic changes associated with prion infection. In this study, we introduced a cell culture model based on differentiated neurosphere cultures isolated from the brains of neonatal prion protein (PrP)-null mice and transgenic mice expressing murine PrP (dNP0 and dNP20 cultures). Upon exposure to mouse Chandler prions, dNP20 cultures supported the de novo formation of abnormal PrP and the resulting infectivity, as assessed by bioassays. Furthermore, this culture was susceptible to various prion strains, including mouse-adapted scrapie, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, and Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome prions. Importantly, a subset of the cells in the infected culture that was mainly composed of astrocyte lineage cells consistently displayed late-occurring, progressive signs of cytotoxicity as evidenced by morphological alterations, decreased cell viability, and increased lactate dehydrogenase release. These signs of cytotoxicity were not observed in infected dNP0 cultures, suggesting the requirement of endogenous PrP expression for prion-induced cytotoxicity. Degenerated cells positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein accumulated abnormal PrP and exhibited features of apoptotic death as assessed by active caspase-3 and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase nick-end staining. Furthermore, caspase inhibition provided partial protection from prion-mediated cell death. These results suggest that differentiated neurosphere cultures can provide an in vitro bioassay for mouse prions and permit the study of the molecular basis for prion-induced cytotoxicity at the cellular level.
Collapse
|
23
|
Motoyoshi-Yamashiro A, Tamura M, Moriyama M, Takano K, Kawabe K, Nakajima H, Katoh-Semba R, Furuichi T, Nakamura Y. Activation of cultured astrocytes by amphotericin B: stimulation of NO and cytokines production and changes in neurotrophic factors production. Neurochem Int 2013; 63:93-100. [PMID: 23727061 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2013.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2012] [Revised: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 05/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Amphotericin B (AmB) is a polyene antibiotic and reported to be one of a few reagents having therapeutic effects on prion diseases, such as the delay in the appearing of the clinical signs and the prolongation of the survival time. In prion diseases, glial cells have been suggested to play important roles by proliferating and producing various factors such as nitric oxide, proinflammatory cytokines, and neurotrophic factors. However, the therapeutic mechanism of AmB on prion diseases remains elusive. We have previously reported that AmB changed the expression of neurotoxic and neurotrophic factors in microglia (Motoyoshi et al., 2008, Neurochem. Int. 52, 1290-1296). In the present study, we examined the effects of AmB on cellular functions of rat cultured astrocytes. We found that AmB could activate astrocytes to produce nitric oxide via inducible nitric oxide synthase induction. AmB also induced mRNA expression of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, and productions of their proteins in astrocytes. Moreover, AmB changed levels of neurotrophic factor mRNAs and proteins. Among three neurotrophic factors examined here, neurotrophin-3 mRNA expression and its protein production in the cells were down-regulated by AmB stimulation. On the other hand, AmB significantly enhanced the amounts of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor proteins in the cells and the medium. These results suggest that AmB might show therapeutic effects on prion diseases by controlling the expression and production of such mediators in astrocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Motoyoshi-Yamashiro
- Laboratory of Integrative Physiology in Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Filali H, Vidal E, Bolea R, Márquez M, Marco P, Vargas A, Pumarola M, Martin-Burriel I, Badiola JJ. Gene and protein patterns of potential prion-related markers in the central nervous system of clinical and preclinical infected sheep. Vet Res 2013; 44:14. [PMID: 23497022 PMCID: PMC3608070 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-44-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular pathogenic mechanisms of prion diseases are far from clear. Genomic analyses have revealed genetic biomarkers potentially involved in prion neuropathology in naturally scrapie-infected sheep, a good animal model of infectious prionopathies. However, these biomarkers must be validated in independent studies at different stages of the disease. The gene and protein expression profiles and protein distribution of six potential genetic biomarkers (i.e., CAPN6, COL1A2, COL3A1, GALA1, MT2A and MTNR1B) are presented here for both the early and terminal stages of scrapie in five different brain regions. Gene transcription changes were confirmed in the medulla oblongata, and the expression profiles were generally similar in other central nervous system regions. The changes were more substantial in clinical animals compared to preclinical animals. The expression of the CAPN6 protein increased in the spinal cord and cerebellum of the clinical and preclinical brains. The distribution of the GALA1 was identified in glial cells from the cerebellum of scrapie-infected animals, GALA1 protein expression was increased in clinical animals in the majority of regions, and the increase of MT2A was in agreement with previous reports. The downregulation of MTNR1B was especially marked in the Purkinje cells. Finally, although collagen genes were downregulated the protein immunostaining did not reveal significant changes between the scrapie-infected and control animals. In conclusion, this study of gene transcription and protein expression and distribution confirm CAPN6, GALA1, MTNR1B and MT2A as potential targets for further prion disease research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hicham Filali
- Centro de Investigación en Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|