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Dang X, Zhang Z, Luo XJ. Mendelian Randomization Study Using Dopaminergic Neuron-Specific eQTL Nominates Potential Causal Genes for Parkinson's Disease. Mov Disord 2022; 37:2451-2456. [PMID: 36177513 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have reported multiple risk variants for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, little is known about how these reported risk variants confer risk of PD. OBJECTIVE To nominate genes whose genetically regulated expression in dopaminergic neurons may have a causal role in PD. METHODS We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study by integrating large-scale genome-wide associations and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data from dopaminergic neurons. RESULTS MR analysis nominated 10 risk genes whose genetically regulated expression in dopaminergic neurons may have a causal role in PD. These MR significant genes include FAM200B, NDUFAF2, NUP42, SH3GL2, STX1B, CCDC189, KAT8, PRSS36, VAMP4, and ZSWIM7. CONCLUSIONS We report the first MR study of PD by using dopaminergic neuron-specific eQTL and nominate novel risk genes for PD. Further functional characterization of the nominated risk genes will provide mechanistic insights into PD pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinglun Dang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Zhijun Zhang
- Zhongda Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Neurology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Institution of Neuropsychiatry, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Mental Health and Public Health, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiong-Jian Luo
- Zhongda Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Neurology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Institution of Neuropsychiatry, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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Novel Approaches Used to Examine and Control Neurogenesis in Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179608. [PMID: 34502516 PMCID: PMC8431772 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurogenesis is a key mechanism of brain development and plasticity, which is impaired in chronic neurodegeneration, including Parkinson’s disease. The accumulation of aberrant α-synuclein is one of the features of PD. Being secreted, this protein produces a prominent neurotoxic effect, alters synaptic plasticity, deregulates intercellular communication, and supports the development of neuroinflammation, thereby providing propagation of pathological events leading to the establishment of a PD-specific phenotype. Multidirectional and ambiguous effects of α-synuclein on adult neurogenesis suggest that impaired neurogenesis should be considered as a target for the prevention of cell loss and restoration of neurological functions. Thus, stimulation of endogenous neurogenesis or cell-replacement therapy with stem cell-derived differentiated neurons raises new hopes for the development of effective and safe technologies for treating PD neurodegeneration. Given the rapid development of optogenetics, it is not surprising that this method has already been repeatedly tested in manipulating neurogenesis in vivo and in vitro via targeting stem or progenitor cells. However, niche astrocytes could also serve as promising candidates for controlling neuronal differentiation and improving the functional integration of newly formed neurons within the brain tissue. In this review, we mainly focus on current approaches to assess neurogenesis and prospects in the application of optogenetic protocols to restore the neurogenesis in Parkinson’s disease.
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Zhang XM, Anwar S, Kim Y, Brown J, Comte I, Cai H, Cai NN, Wade-Martins R, Szele FG. The A30P α-synuclein mutation decreases subventricular zone proliferation. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:2283-2294. [PMID: 31267130 PMCID: PMC6606853 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with olfactory defects in addition to dopaminergic degeneration. Dopaminergic signalling is necessary for subventricular zone (SVZ) proliferation and olfactory bulb (OB) neurogenesis. Alpha-synuclein (α-syn or Snca) modulates dopaminergic neurotransmission, and SNCA mutations cause familial PD, but how α-syn and its mutations affect adult neurogenesis is unclear. To address this, we studied a bacterial artificial chromosome transgenic mouse expressing the A30P SNCA familial PD point mutation on an Snca-/- background. We confirmed that the SNCA-A30P transgene recapitulates endogenous α-syn expression patterns and levels by immunohistochemical detection of endogenous α-syn in a wild-type mouse and transgenic SNCA-A30P α-syn protein in the forebrain. The number of SVZ stem cells (BrdU+GFAP+) was decreased in SNCA-A30P mice, whereas proliferating (phospho-histone 3+) cells were decreased in Snca-/- and even more so in SNCA-A30P mice. Similarly, SNCA-A30P mice had fewer Mash1+ transit-amplifying SVZ progenitor cells but Snca-/- mice did not. These data suggest the A30P mutation aggravates the effect of Snca loss in the SVZ. Interestingly, calbindin+ and calretinin (CalR)+ periglomerular neurons were decreased in both Snca-/-, and SNCA-A30P mice but tyrosine hydroxylase+ periglomerular OB neurons were only decreased in Snca-/- mice. Cell death decreased in the OB granule layer of Snca-/- and SNCA-A30P mice. In the same region, CalR+ numbers increased in Snca-/- and SNCA-A30P mice. Thus, α-syn loss and human A30P SNCA decrease SVZ proliferation, cell death in the OB and differentially alter interneuron numbers. Similar disruptions in human neurogenesis may contribute to the olfactory deficits, which are observed in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ming Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Le Gros Clark Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi-an Road, Changchun, China
| | - Sabina Anwar
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Le Gros Clark Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | - Yongsoo Kim
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Le Gros Clark Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | - Jennifer Brown
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Le Gros Clark Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | - Isabelle Comte
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Le Gros Clark Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | - Huan Cai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi-an Road, Changchun, China
| | - Ning-Ning Cai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Xi-an Road, Changchun, China
| | - Richard Wade-Martins
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Le Gros Clark Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | - Francis G Szele
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Le Gros Clark Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
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Larson TA. Sex Steroids, Adult Neurogenesis, and Inflammation in CNS Homeostasis, Degeneration, and Repair. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:205. [PMID: 29760681 PMCID: PMC5936772 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex steroidal hormones coordinate the development and maintenance of tissue architecture in many organs, including the central nervous systems (CNS). Within the CNS, sex steroids regulate the morphology, physiology, and behavior of a wide variety of neural cells including, but not limited to, neurons, glia, endothelial cells, and immune cells. Sex steroids spatially and temporally control distinct molecular networks, that, in turn modulate neural activity, synaptic plasticity, growth factor expression and function, nutrient exchange, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis. Over the last several decades, it has become increasingly evident that sex steroids, often in conjunction with neuroinflammation, have profound impact on the occurrence and severity of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, I review the foundational discoveries that established the regulatory role of sex steroids in the CNS and highlight recent advances toward elucidating the complex interaction between sex steroids, neuroinflammation, and CNS regeneration through adult neurogenesis. The majority of recent work has focused on neuroinflammatory responses following acute physical damage, chronic degeneration, or pharmacological insult. Few studies directly assess the role of immune cells in regulating adult neurogenesis under healthy, homeostatic conditions. As such, I also introduce tractable, non-traditional models for examining the role of neuroimmune cells in natural neuronal turnover, seasonal plasticity of neural circuits, and extreme CNS regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy A. Larson
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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