1
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Monov D, Molodozhnikova N. Biochemical parameters as a tool to assess the nutritional status of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Neurol 2024; 14:1258224. [PMID: 38313408 PMCID: PMC10836144 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1258224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The research aimed to analyze blood biochemical parameters in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and to determine whether they can be used to assess their nutritional status. Methods The study included 45 patients diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): 28 (62.2%) were men and 17 (37.8%) were women. The mean age of the study participants was 50.69 ± 7.24 years. The control group consisted of 30 practically healthy individuals. Results Compared with practically healthy individuals, patients with ALS had significantly lower blood parameters, including total lymphocyte count (1.49 ± 0.11 vs. 2.86 ± 0.25, p < 0.05), total protein (60.55 ± 2.38 vs. 77.80 ± 4.41, p < 0.05), albumin (33.70 ± 2.03 vs. 46.49 ± 3.22, p < 0.05), urea (3.09 ± 0.36 vs. 5.37 ± 0.50, p < 0.05), creatinine (51.28 ± 4.42 vs. 70.91 ± 5.13, p < 0.05), and transferrin (1.84 ± 0.12 vs. 2.32 ± 0.10, p < 0.05). These parameters correspond to first-degree malnutrition. There were direct correlations between anthropometric and biochemical parameters in the ALS group. BMI correlated with the blood levels of total protein (r = 0.22, p < 0.05), albumin (r = 0.27, p < 0.05), urea (r = 0.33, p < 0.05), creatinine (r = 0.30, p < 0.05), transferrin (r = 0.18, p < 0.05), and total lymphocyte count (r = 0.20, p < 0.05). PNI correlated with the blood levels of total protein (r = 0.53, p < 0.05), albumin (r = 0.87, p < 0.05), total cholesterol (r = 0.34, p < 0.05), transferrin (r = 0.40, p < 0.05), total lymphocyte count (r = 0.79, p < 0.05), urea (r = 0, 37, p < 0.05), and creatinine (r = 0.32, p < 0.05). Conclusion The study presents compelling evidence supporting the utilization of biochemical parameters, including total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, transferrin, and total lymphocyte count, for potentially evaluating the nutritional status of individuals diagnosed with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitar Monov
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Natalia Molodozhnikova
- Department of Biology and General Genetics, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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2
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Lauria G, Curcio R, Tucci P. A Machine Learning Approach for Highlighting microRNAs as Biomarkers Linked to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Diagnosis and Progression. Biomolecules 2023; 14:47. [PMID: 38254647 PMCID: PMC10813207 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The early diagnosis of ALS can be challenging, as it usually depends on clinical examination and the exclusion of other possible causes. In this regard, the analysis of miRNA expression profiles in biofluids makes miRNAs promising non-invasive clinical biomarkers. Due to the increasing amount of scientific literature that often provides controversial results, this work aims to deepen the understanding of the current state of the art on this topic using a machine-learning-based approach. A systematic literature search was conducted to analyze a set of 308 scientific articles using the MySLR digital platform and the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) algorithm. Two relevant topics were identified, and the articles clustered in each of them were analyzed and discussed in terms of biomolecular mechanisms, as well as in translational and clinical settings. Several miRNAs detected in the tissues and biofluids of ALS patients, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), have been linked to ALS diagnosis and progression. Some of them may represent promising non-invasive clinical biomarkers. In this context, future scientific priorities and goals have been proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosita Curcio
- Correspondence: (R.C.); (P.T.); Tel.: +39-0984493046 (R.C.); +39-0984493185 (P.T.)
| | - Paola Tucci
- Correspondence: (R.C.); (P.T.); Tel.: +39-0984493046 (R.C.); +39-0984493185 (P.T.)
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3
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Nguyen TPN, Kumar M, Fedele E, Bonanno G, Bonifacino T. MicroRNA Alteration, Application as Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Approaches in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094718. [PMID: 35563107 PMCID: PMC9104163 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are essential post-transcriptional gene regulators involved in various neuronal and non-neuronal cell functions and play a key role in pathological conditions. Numerous studies have demonstrated that miRNAs are dysregulated in major neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Huntington’s disease. Hence, in the present work, we constructed a comprehensive overview of individual microRNA alterations in various models of the above neurodegenerative diseases. We also provided evidence of miRNAs as promising biomarkers for prognostic and diagnostic approaches. In addition, we summarized data from the literature about miRNA-based therapeutic applications via inhibiting or promoting miRNA expression. We finally identified the overlapping miRNA signature across the diseases, including miR-128, miR-140-5p, miR-206, miR-326, and miR-155, associated with multiple etiological cellular mechanisms. However, it remains to be established whether and to what extent miRNA-based therapies could be safely exploited in the future as effective symptomatic or disease-modifying approaches in the different human neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. P. Nhung Nguyen
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.P.N.N.); (M.K.); (G.B.); (T.B.)
| | - Mandeep Kumar
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.P.N.N.); (M.K.); (G.B.); (T.B.)
| | - Ernesto Fedele
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.P.N.N.); (M.K.); (G.B.); (T.B.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Giambattista Bonanno
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.P.N.N.); (M.K.); (G.B.); (T.B.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bonifacino
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.P.N.N.); (M.K.); (G.B.); (T.B.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Genoa, Italy
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4
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Rizzuti M, Melzi V, Gagliardi D, Resnati D, Meneri M, Dioni L, Masrori P, Hersmus N, Poesen K, Locatelli M, Biella F, Silipigni R, Bollati V, Bresolin N, Comi GP, Van Damme P, Nizzardo M, Corti S. Insights into the identification of a molecular signature for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis exploiting integrated microRNA profiling of iPSC-derived motor neurons and exosomes. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:189. [PMID: 35286466 PMCID: PMC8921154 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04217-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons (MNs). Most cases are sporadic, whereas 10% are familial. The pathological mechanisms underlying the disease are partially understood, but it is increasingly being recognized that alterations in RNA metabolism and deregulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression occur in ALS. In this study, we performed miRNA expression profile analysis of iPSC-derived MNs and related exosomes from familial patients and healthy subjects. We identified dysregulation of miR-34a, miR-335 and miR-625-3p expression in both MNs and exosomes. These miRNAs regulate genes and pathways which correlate with disease pathogenesis, suggesting that studying miRNAs deregulation can contribute to deeply investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease. We also assayed the expression profile of these miRNAs in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of familial (fALS) and sporadic patients (sALS) and we identified a significant dysregulation of miR-34a-3p and miR-625-3p levels in ALS compared to controls. Taken together, all these findings suggest that miRNA analysis simultaneously performed in different human biological samples could represent a promising molecular tool to understand the etiopathogenesis of ALS and to develop new potential miRNA-based strategies in this new propitious therapeutic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda Rizzuti
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neurology Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Melzi
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neurology Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Delia Gagliardi
- Department of Physiopathology and Transplants, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Resnati
- Department of Physiopathology and Transplants, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Megi Meneri
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neurology Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Dioni
- EPIGET LAB, Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, IRCCS Ca' Granda Foundation Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Pegah Masrori
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Center for Brain and Disease, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Neurology Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicole Hersmus
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Center for Brain and Disease, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Koen Poesen
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiomarker Research, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Martina Locatelli
- Department of Physiopathology and Transplants, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Biella
- Department of Physiopathology and Transplants, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosamaria Silipigni
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Ca' Granda Foundation Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Bollati
- EPIGET LAB, Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, IRCCS Ca' Granda Foundation Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Nereo Bresolin
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neurology Unit, Milan, Italy.,Department of Physiopathology and Transplants, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pietro Comi
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neurology Unit, Milan, Italy.,Department of Physiopathology and Transplants, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.,Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Center for Brain and Disease, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Neurology Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Monica Nizzardo
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neurology Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neurology Unit, Milan, Italy. .,Department of Physiopathology and Transplants, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.
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5
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The Biogenesis of miRNAs and Their Role in the Development of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030572. [PMID: 35159383 PMCID: PMC8833997 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects upper and lower motor neurons. As there is no effective treatment for ALS, it is particularly important to screen key gene therapy targets. The identifications of microRNAs (miRNAs) have completely changed the traditional view of gene regulation. miRNAs are small noncoding single-stranded RNA molecules involved in the regulation of post-transcriptional gene expression. Recent advances also indicate that miRNAs are biomarkers in many diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we summarize recent advances regarding the mechanisms underlying the role of miRNAs in ALS pathogenesis and its application to gene therapy for ALS. The potential of miRNAs to target diverse pathways opens a new avenue for ALS therapy.
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6
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Lo TW, Figueroa-Romero C, Hur J, Pacut C, Stoll E, Spring C, Lewis R, Nair A, Goutman SA, Sakowski SA, Nagrath S, Feldman EL. Extracellular Vesicles in Serum and Central Nervous System Tissues Contain microRNA Signatures in Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:739016. [PMID: 34776863 PMCID: PMC8586523 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.739016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a terminalneurodegenerative disease. Clinical and molecular observations suggest that ALS pathology originates at a single site and spreads in an organized and prion-like manner, possibly driven by extracellular vesicles. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) transfer cargo molecules associated with ALS pathogenesis, such as misfolded and aggregated proteins and dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs). However, it is poorly understood whether altered levels of circulating extracellular vesicles or their cargo components reflect pathological signatures of the disease. In this study, we used immuno-affinity-based microfluidic technology, electron microscopy, and NanoString miRNA profiling to isolate and characterize extracellular vesicles and their miRNA cargo from frontal cortex, spinal cord, and serum of sporadic ALS (n = 15) and healthy control (n = 16) participants. We found larger extracellular vesicles in ALS spinal cord versus controls and smaller sized vesicles in ALS serum. However, there were no changes in the number of extracellular vesicles between cases and controls across any tissues. Characterization of extracellular vesicle-derived miRNA cargo in ALS compared to controls identified significantly altered miRNA levels in all tissues; miRNAs were reduced in ALS frontal cortex and spinal cord and increased in serum. Two miRNAs were dysregulated in all three tissues: miR-342-3p was increased in ALS, and miR-1254 was reduced in ALS. Additional miRNAs overlapping across two tissues included miR-587, miR-298, miR-4443, and miR-450a-2-3p. Predicted targets and pathways associated with the dysregulated miRNAs across the ALS tissues were associated with common biological pathways altered in neurodegeneration, including axon guidance and long-term potentiation. A predicted target of one identified miRNA (N-deacetylase and N-sulfotransferase 4; NDST4) was likewise dysregulated in an in vitro model of ALS, verifying potential biological relevance. Together, these findings demonstrate that circulating extracellular vesicle miRNA cargo mirror those of the central nervous system disease state in ALS, and thereby offer insight into possible pathogenic factors and diagnostic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-wen Lo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | | | - Junguk Hur
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, United States
| | - Crystal Pacut
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Evan Stoll
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Calvin Spring
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Rose Lewis
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Athul Nair
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Stephen A. Goutman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Stacey A. Sakowski
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Sunitha Nagrath
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Binterface Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Eva L. Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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7
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Hussen BM, Hidayat HJ, Salihi A, Sabir DK, Taheri M, Ghafouri-Fard S. MicroRNA: A signature for cancer progression. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 138:111528. [PMID: 33770669 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally control expression of genes by targeting mRNAs. miRNA alterations partake in the establishment and progression of different types of human cancer. Consequently, expression profiling of miRNA in human cancers has correlations with cancer detection, staging, progression, and response to therapies. Particularly, amplification, deletion, abnormal pattern of epigenetic factors and the transcriptional factors that mediate regulation of primary miRNA frequently change the landscape of miRNA expression in cancer. Indeed, changes in the quantity and quality of miRNAs are associated with the initiation of cancer, its progression and metastasis. Additionally, miRNA profiling has been used to categorize genes that can affect oncogenic pathways in cancer. Here, we discuss several circulating miRNA signatures, their expression profiles in different types of cancer and their impacts on cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashdar Mahmud Hussen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Hazha Jamal Hidayat
- Department of Biology, College of Education, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Abbas Salihi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq; Department of Medical Analysis, Faculty of Science, Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Dana K Sabir
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Charmo University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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