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Huang J, Yu Y, Pang D, Li C, Wei Q, Cheng Y, Cui Y, Ou R, Shang H. Lnc-HIBADH-4 Regulates Autophagy-Lysosome Pathway in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis by Targeting Cathepsin D. Mol Neurobiol 2023:10.1007/s12035-023-03835-5. [PMID: 38135852 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03835-5] [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: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most prevalent and lethal class of severe motor neuron diseases (MND) with no efficacious treatment. The pathogenic mechanisms underlying ALS remain unclear. Nearly 90% of patients exhibit sporadic onset (sALS). Therefore, elucidating the pathophysiology of ALS is imperative. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is a large class of non-coding RNAs that regulate transcription, translation, and post-translational processes. LncRNAs contribute to the pathogenesis of diverse neurodegenerative disorders and hold promise as targets for interference in the realm of neurodegeneration. However, the mechanisms of which lncRNAs are involved in ALS have not been thoroughly investigated. We identified and validated a downregulated lncRNA, lnc-HIBADH-4, in ALS which correlated with disease severity and overall survival. Lnc-HIBADH-4 acted as a "molecular sponge" regulating lysosomal function through the lnc-HIBADH-4/miR-326/CTSD pathway, thereby impacting autophagy-lysosome dynamics and the levels of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Therefore, this study discovered and revealed the role of lnc-HIBADH-4 in the pathogenesis of ALS. With further research, lnc-HIBADH-4 is expected to provide a new biomarker in the diagnosis and treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxuan Huang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yujiao Yu
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Dejiang Pang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Chunyu Li
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianqian Wei
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yangfan Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yiyuan Cui
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Ruwei Ou
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Huifang Shang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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Rizzuti M, Sali L, Melzi V, Scarcella S, Costamagna G, Ottoboni L, Quetti L, Brambilla L, Papadimitriou D, Verde F, Ratti A, Ticozzi N, Comi GP, Corti S, Gagliardi D. Genomic and transcriptomic advances in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 92:102126. [PMID: 37972860 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102126] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder and the most common motor neuron disease. ALS shows substantial clinical and molecular heterogeneity. In vitro and in vivo models coupled with multiomic techniques have provided important contributions to unraveling the pathomechanisms underlying ALS. To date, despite promising results and accumulating knowledge, an effective treatment is still lacking. Here, we provide an overview of the literature on the use of genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics and microRNAs to deeply investigate the molecular mechanisms developing and sustaining ALS. We report the most relevant genes implicated in ALS pathogenesis, discussing the use of different high-throughput sequencing techniques and the role of epigenomic modifications. Furthermore, we present transcriptomic studies discussing the most recent advances, from microarrays to bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing. Finally, we discuss the use of microRNAs as potential biomarkers and promising tools for molecular intervention. The integration of data from multiple omic approaches may provide new insights into pathogenic pathways in ALS by shedding light on diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, helping to stratify patients into clinically relevant subgroups, revealing novel therapeutic targets and supporting the development of new effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda Rizzuti
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Sali
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Melzi
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Scarcella
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Costamagna
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Linda Ottoboni
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Quetti
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Brambilla
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Federico Verde
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonia Ratti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pietro Comi
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Delia Gagliardi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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Stoka V, Vasiljeva O, Nakanishi H, Turk V. The Role of Cysteine Protease Cathepsins B, H, C, and X/Z in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15613. [PMID: 37958596 PMCID: PMC10650516 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Papain-like cysteine proteases are composed of 11 human cysteine cathepsins, originally located in the lysosomes. They exhibit broad specificity and act as endopeptidases and/or exopeptidases. Among them, only cathepsins B, H, C, and X/Z exhibit exopeptidase activity. Recently, cysteine cathepsins have been found to be present outside the lysosomes and often participate in various pathological processes. Hence, they have been considered key signalling molecules. Their potentially hazardous proteolytic activities are tightly regulated. This review aims to discuss recent advances in understanding the structural aspects of these four cathepsins, mechanisms of their zymogen activation, regulation of their activities, and functional aspects of these enzymes in neurodegeneration and cancer. Neurodegenerative effects have been evaluated, particularly in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Cysteine cathepsins also participate in tumour progression and metastasis through the overexpression and secretion of proteases, which trigger extracellular matrix degradation. To our knowledge, this is the first review to provide an in-depth analysis regarding the roles of cysteine cathepsins B, H, C, and X in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Further advances in understanding the functions of cysteine cathepsins in these conditions will result in the development of novel, targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Stoka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Olga Vasiljeva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- CytomX Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Hiroshi Nakanishi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yasuda Women’s University, Hiroshima 731-0153, Japan;
| | - Vito Turk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Lapp HS, Freigang M, Hagenacker T, Weiler M, Wurster CD, Günther R. Biomarkers in 5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy-a narrative review. J Neurol 2023; 270:4157-4178. [PMID: 37289324 PMCID: PMC10421827 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11787-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic disease caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, resulting in a loss of functional SMN protein and consecutive degeneration of motor neurons in the ventral horn. The disease is clinically characterized by proximal paralysis and secondary skeletal muscle atrophy. New disease-modifying drugs driving SMN gene expression have been developed in the past decade and have revolutionized SMA treatment. The rise of treatment options led to a concomitant need of biomarkers for therapeutic guidance and an improved disease monitoring. Intensive efforts have been undertaken to develop suitable markers, and numerous candidate biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive values have been identified. The most promising markers include appliance-based measures such as electrophysiological and imaging-based indices as well as molecular markers including SMN-related proteins and markers of neurodegeneration and skeletal muscle integrity. However, none of the proposed biomarkers have been validated for the clinical routine yet. In this narrative review, we discuss the most promising candidate biomarkers for SMA and expand the discussion by addressing the largely unfolded potential of muscle integrity markers, especially in the context of upcoming muscle-targeting therapies. While the discussed candidate biomarkers hold potential as either diagnostic (e.g., SMN-related biomarkers), prognostic (e.g., markers of neurodegeneration, imaging-based markers), predictive (e.g., electrophysiological markers) or response markers (e.g., muscle integrity markers), no single measure seems to be suitable to cover all biomarker categories. Hence, a combination of different biomarkers and clinical assessments appears to be the most expedient solution at the time.
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Affiliation(s)
- H S Lapp
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - M Freigang
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - T Hagenacker
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Science (C-TNBS), University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - M Weiler
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C D Wurster
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - René Günther
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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5
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Hook G, Reinheckel T, Ni J, Wu Z, Kindy M, Peters C, Hook V. Cathepsin B Gene Knockout Improves Behavioral Deficits and Reduces Pathology in Models of Neurologic Disorders. Pharmacol Rev 2022; 74:600-629. [PMID: 35710131 PMCID: PMC9553114 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cathepsin B (CTSB) is a powerful lysosomal protease. This review evaluated CTSB gene knockout (KO) outcomes for amelioration of brain dysfunctions in neurologic diseases and aging animal models. Deletion of the CTSB gene resulted in significant improvements in behavioral deficits, neuropathology, and/or biomarkers in traumatic brain injury, ischemia, inflammatory pain, opiate tolerance, epilepsy, aging, transgenic Alzheimer's disease (AD), and periodontitis AD models as shown in 12 studies. One study found beneficial effects for double CTSB and cathepsin S KO mice in a multiple sclerosis model. Transgenic AD models using amyloid precursor protein (APP) mimicking common sporadic AD in three studies showed that CTSB KO improved memory, neuropathology, and biomarkers; two studies used APP representing rare familial AD and found no CTSB KO effect, and two studies used highly engineered APP constructs and reported slight increases in a biomarker. In clinical studies, all reports found that CTSB enzyme was upregulated in diverse neurologic disorders, including AD in which elevated CTSB was positively correlated with cognitive dysfunction. In a wide range of neurologic animal models, CTSB was also upregulated and not downregulated. Further, human genetic mutation data provided precedence for CTSB upregulation causing disease. Thus, the consilience of data is that CTSB gene KO results in improved brain dysfunction and reduced pathology through blockade of CTSB enzyme upregulation that causes human neurologic disease phenotypes. The overall findings provide strong support for CTSB as a rational drug target and for CTSB inhibitors as therapeutic candidates for a wide range of neurologic disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This review provides a comprehensive compilation of the extensive data on the effects of deleting the cathepsin B (CTSB) gene in neurological and aging mouse models of brain disorders. Mice lacking the CTSB gene display improved neurobehavioral deficits, reduced neuropathology, and amelioration of neuronal cell death and inflammatory biomarkers. The significance of the compelling CTSB evidence is that the data consilience validates CTSB as a drug target for discovery of CTSB inhibitors as potential therapeutics for treating numerous neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Hook
- American Life Science Pharmaceuticals, La Jolla, California (G.H.); Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany (T.R); Center for Biological Signaling Studies BIOSS, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China (J.N.); Department of Aging Science and Pharmacology, OBT Research Center, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan (Z.W); Taneja College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida (M.K.); James A Haley VAMC, Research Service, Tampa, Florida (M.K.); Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Biology, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (C.P.); Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, La Jolla, CA (V.H.); and Department of Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, CA (V.H.)
| | - Thomas Reinheckel
- American Life Science Pharmaceuticals, La Jolla, California (G.H.); Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany (T.R); Center for Biological Signaling Studies BIOSS, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China (J.N.); Department of Aging Science and Pharmacology, OBT Research Center, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan (Z.W); Taneja College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida (M.K.); James A Haley VAMC, Research Service, Tampa, Florida (M.K.); Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Biology, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (C.P.); Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, La Jolla, CA (V.H.); and Department of Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, CA (V.H.)
| | - Junjun Ni
- American Life Science Pharmaceuticals, La Jolla, California (G.H.); Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany (T.R); Center for Biological Signaling Studies BIOSS, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China (J.N.); Department of Aging Science and Pharmacology, OBT Research Center, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan (Z.W); Taneja College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida (M.K.); James A Haley VAMC, Research Service, Tampa, Florida (M.K.); Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Biology, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (C.P.); Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, La Jolla, CA (V.H.); and Department of Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, CA (V.H.)
| | - Zhou Wu
- American Life Science Pharmaceuticals, La Jolla, California (G.H.); Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany (T.R); Center for Biological Signaling Studies BIOSS, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China (J.N.); Department of Aging Science and Pharmacology, OBT Research Center, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan (Z.W); Taneja College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida (M.K.); James A Haley VAMC, Research Service, Tampa, Florida (M.K.); Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Biology, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (C.P.); Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, La Jolla, CA (V.H.); and Department of Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, CA (V.H.)
| | - Mark Kindy
- American Life Science Pharmaceuticals, La Jolla, California (G.H.); Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany (T.R); Center for Biological Signaling Studies BIOSS, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China (J.N.); Department of Aging Science and Pharmacology, OBT Research Center, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan (Z.W); Taneja College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida (M.K.); James A Haley VAMC, Research Service, Tampa, Florida (M.K.); Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Biology, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (C.P.); Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, La Jolla, CA (V.H.); and Department of Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, CA (V.H.)
| | - Christoph Peters
- American Life Science Pharmaceuticals, La Jolla, California (G.H.); Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany (T.R); Center for Biological Signaling Studies BIOSS, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China (J.N.); Department of Aging Science and Pharmacology, OBT Research Center, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan (Z.W); Taneja College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida (M.K.); James A Haley VAMC, Research Service, Tampa, Florida (M.K.); Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Biology, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (C.P.); Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, La Jolla, CA (V.H.); and Department of Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, CA (V.H.)
| | - Vivian Hook
- American Life Science Pharmaceuticals, La Jolla, California (G.H.); Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany (T.R); Center for Biological Signaling Studies BIOSS, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (T.R.); Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China (J.N.); Department of Aging Science and Pharmacology, OBT Research Center, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan (Z.W); Taneja College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida (M.K.); James A Haley VAMC, Research Service, Tampa, Florida (M.K.); Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Biology, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (C.P.); Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, La Jolla, CA (V.H.); and Department of Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, CA (V.H.)
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Schorling DC, Kölbel H, Hentschel A, Pechmann A, Meyer N, Wirth B, Rombo R, Sickmann A, Kirschner J, Schara-Schmidt U, Lochmüller H, Roos A. Cathepsin D as biomarker in CSF of nusinersen-treated patients with spinal muscular atrophy. Eur J Neurol 2022; 29:2084-2096. [PMID: 35318785 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The therapeutic landscape of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has changed dramatically during the last 4 years but treatment responses differ remarkably between individuals and therapeutic decision-making remains challenging - underlining the persistent need for validated biomarkers. METHODS We applied untargeted proteomic analyses to determine biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of SMA patients under treatment with nusinersen. Identified candidate proteins were validated in CSF samples of SMA patients by Western blot and ELISA. Further, levels of peripheral neurofilament H and L were determined. RESULTS Untargeted proteomic analysis of CSF samples of 3 SMA type 1 patients revealed the lysosomal protease Cathepsin D as a candidate biomarker. Subsequent validation analysis in a larger cohort of 31 pediatric SMA patients (type 1=12, type 2=9, type 3=6, presymptomatically treated=4; age 0-16 years) revealed a significant decline of Cathepsin D levels in SMA patients ≥2 months at the start of treatment. While evident in all older age categories, this decline was only significant in the group of patients that showed a positive motor-response. Moreover, downregulation of Cathepsin D was evident in muscle biopsies of SMA patients. CONCLUSIONS We identified a decline of Cathepsin D levels in CSF samples of SMA patients under nusinersen treatment that was more pronounced in the group of 'treatment responders' than in 'non-responders'. We believe that our results indicate a suitability of Cathepsin D levels as possible biomarker in SMA also in older patients - in combination with analysis of pNF-L in adolescents or alone in adult patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Schorling
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Heike Kölbel
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders in children and adolescents, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Hentschel
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS - e.V., 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Astrid Pechmann
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nancy Meyer
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders in children and adolescents, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Brunhilde Wirth
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute of Genetics, and Center for Rare Disorders, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Roman Rombo
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute of Genetics, and Center for Rare Disorders, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Albert Sickmann
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS - e.V., 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Janbernd Kirschner
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Neuropediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Ulrike Schara-Schmidt
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders in children and adolescents, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital and Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG-CRG), Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Andreas Roos
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders in children and adolescents, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS - e.V., 44227, Dortmund, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Heimer Institute for Muscle Research, University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44789, Bochum, Germany
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7
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Xie N, Yang G, Zhang W, Xu H, Sun Q. Clinical Reasoning:A 50-Year-Old Man With Progressive Limb Weakness and Slurred Speech. Neurology 2022; 98:592-596. [PMID: 35145004 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000200008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nina Xie
- Department of Geriatric Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Guang Yang
- Department of General Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Weiru Zhang
- Department of General Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Hongwei Xu
- Department of Geriatric Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Qiying Sun
- Department of Geriatric Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
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8
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Kos J, Mitrović A, Perišić Nanut M, Pišlar A. Lysosomal peptidases – Intriguing roles in cancer progression and neurodegeneration. FEBS Open Bio 2022; 12:708-738. [PMID: 35067006 PMCID: PMC8972049 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysosomal peptidases are hydrolytic enzymes capable of digesting waste proteins that are targeted to lysosomes via endocytosis and autophagy. Besides intracellular protein catabolism, they play more specific roles in several other cellular processes and pathologies, either within lysosomes, upon secretion into the cell cytoplasm or extracellular space, or bound to the plasma membrane. In cancer, lysosomal peptidases are generally associated with disease progression, as they participate in crucial processes leading to changes in cell morphology, signaling, migration, and invasion, and finally metastasis. However, they can also enhance the mechanisms resulting in cancer regression, such as apoptosis of tumor cells or antitumor immune responses. Lysosomal peptidases have also been identified as hallmarks of aging and neurodegeneration, playing roles in oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, abnormal intercellular communication, dysregulated trafficking, and the deposition of protein aggregates in neuronal cells. Furthermore, deficiencies in lysosomal peptidases may result in other pathological states, such as lysosomal storage disease. The aim of this review was to highlight the role of lysosomal peptidases in particular pathological processes of cancer and neurodegeneration and to address the potential of lysosomal peptidases in diagnosing and treating patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janko Kos
- University of Ljubljana Faculty of Pharmacy Aškerčeva 7 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan Institute Department of Biotechnology Jamova 39 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Ana Mitrović
- Jožef Stefan Institute Department of Biotechnology Jamova 39 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Milica Perišić Nanut
- Jožef Stefan Institute Department of Biotechnology Jamova 39 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Anja Pišlar
- University of Ljubljana Faculty of Pharmacy Aškerčeva 7 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
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9
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Hu N, Shen D, Yang X, Cui L, Liu M. The frequency of ALSFRS-R reversals and plateaus in patients with limb-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a cohort study. Acta Neurol Belg 2022; 122:1567-1573. [PMID: 35034333 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-021-01849-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a relentlessly progressive neurodegenerative disorder, ALS patients might show reversals or plateaus of ALS Functional rating scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) scores during follow-up, which might cast the doubt on the diagnosis. The study aims to determine the frequency of reversals and plateaus of ALSFRS-R score in patients with limb-onset ALS. METHODS One hundred and fifty four patients with limb-onset ALS were prospectively recruited. ALSFRS-R scores were followed up every 3 months for at least 1 year. The changes between two follow-up points in ALSFRS-R score were compared. RESULTS Totally 95 (61.7%) participants showed 85 times plateau and 69 times reversal in ALSFRS score during the 12-month follow-up when compared the ALSFRS-R score between two adjacent follow-up points. Reversal and plateau in ALSFRS-R score were detected in 31.8% patients between initial and 3 months, 18.8% between 3 and 6 months, 22.7% between 6 and 9 months, 22.7% between 9 and 12 months, respectively. When comparing with the ALSFRS-R score in the baseline, reversal and plateau in ALSFRS-R score were detected in 31.8% patients at 3 months, 14.9% at 6 months, 6.5% at 9 months, 5.8% at 12 months, respectively. CONCLUSION Plateaus and reversals in ALSFRS-R score were common in limb-onset ALS patients during follow-up. A relatively stable or reversal in the ALS-FRS-R score does not exclude the diagnosis of ALS. Limitations of ALSFRS-R score as an outcome parameter in clinical trial should be further evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Hu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Dongchao Shen
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xunzhe Yang
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Liying Cui
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Mingsheng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China.
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10
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Hashimoto M, Goto A, Endo Y, Sugimoto M, Ueda J, Yamashita H. Effects of CREG1 on Age-Associated Metabolic Phenotypes and Renal Senescence in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031276. [PMID: 33525404 PMCID: PMC7866020 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes 1 (CREG1) is a secreted glycoprotein that accelerates p16-dependent cellular senescence in vitro. We recently reported the ability of CREG1 to stimulate brown adipogenesis using adipocyte P2-CREG1-transgenic (Tg) mice; however, little is known about the effect of CREG1 on aging-associated phenotypes. In this study, we investigated the effects of CREG1 on age-related obesity and renal dysfunction in Tg mice. Increased brown fat formation was detected in aged Tg mice, in which age-associated metabolic phenotypes such as body weight gain and increases in blood glucose were improved compared with those in wild-type (WT) mice. Blood CREG1 levels increased significantly in WT mice with age, whereas the age-related increase was suppressed, and its levels were reduced, in the livers and kidneys of Tg mice relative to those in WT mice at 25 months. Intriguingly, the mRNA levels of Ink4a, Arf, and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP)-related genes and p38MAPK activity were significantly lowered in the aged kidneys of Tg mice, in which the morphological abnormalities of glomeruli as well as filtering function seen in WT kidneys were alleviated. These results suggest the involvement of CREG1 in kidney aging and its potential as a target for improving age-related renal dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michihiro Hashimoto
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Hokkaido, Japan;
- Correspondence: (M.H.); (H.Y.)
| | - Ayumi Goto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life and Health Sciences, Chubu University, Kasugai 487-8501, Aichi, Japan; (A.G.); (Y.E.)
| | - Yuki Endo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life and Health Sciences, Chubu University, Kasugai 487-8501, Aichi, Japan; (A.G.); (Y.E.)
| | - Masataka Sugimoto
- Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu 474-8511, Aichi, Japan;
| | - Jun Ueda
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Hokkaido, Japan;
| | - Hitoshi Yamashita
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life and Health Sciences, Chubu University, Kasugai 487-8501, Aichi, Japan; (A.G.); (Y.E.)
- Correspondence: (M.H.); (H.Y.)
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11
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Tefera TW, Steyn FJ, Ngo ST, Borges K. CNS glucose metabolism in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: a therapeutic target? Cell Biosci 2021; 11:14. [PMID: 33431046 PMCID: PMC7798275 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-020-00511-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily characterized by selective degeneration of both the upper motor neurons in the brain and lower motor neurons in the brain stem and the spinal cord. The exact mechanism for the selective death of neurons is unknown. A growing body of evidence demonstrates abnormalities in energy metabolism at the cellular and whole-body level in animal models and in people living with ALS. Many patients with ALS exhibit metabolic changes such as hypermetabolism and body weight loss. Despite these whole-body metabolic changes being observed in patients with ALS, the origin of metabolic dysregulation remains to be fully elucidated. A number of pre-clinical studies indicate that underlying bioenergetic impairments at the cellular level may contribute to metabolic dysfunctions in ALS. In particular, defects in CNS glucose transport and metabolism appear to lead to reduced mitochondrial energy generation and increased oxidative stress, which seem to contribute to disease progression in ALS. Here, we review the current knowledge and understanding regarding dysfunctions in CNS glucose metabolism in ALS focusing on metabolic impairments in glucose transport, glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. We also summarize disturbances found in glycogen metabolism and neuroglial metabolic interactions. Finally, we discuss options for future investigations into how metabolic impairments can be modified to slow disease progression in ALS. These investigations are imperative for understanding the underlying causes of metabolic dysfunction and subsequent neurodegeneration, and to also reveal new therapeutic strategies in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tesfaye Wolde Tefera
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Frederik J Steyn
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Center for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Shyuan T Ngo
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Center for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Karin Borges
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
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12
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Dash BP, Naumann M, Sterneckert J, Hermann A. Genome Wide Analysis Points towards Subtype-Specific Diseases in Different Genetic Forms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6938. [PMID: 32967368 PMCID: PMC7555318 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a lethally progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disease marked by apparent death of motor neurons present in the spinal cord, brain stem and motor cortex. While more and more gene mutants being established for genetic ALS, the vast majority suffer from sporadic ALS (>90%). It has been challenging, thus, to model sporadic ALS which is one reason why the underlying pathophysiology remains elusive and has stalled the development of therapeutic strategies of this progressive motor neuron disease. To further unravel these pathological signaling pathways, human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSCs)-derived motor neurons (MNs) from FUS- and SOD1 ALS patients and healthy controls were systematically compared to independent published datasets. Here through this study we created a gene profile of ALS by analyzing the DEGs, the Kyoto encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, the interactome and the transcription factor profiles (TF) that would identify altered molecular/functional signatures and their interactions at both transcriptional (mRNAs) and translational levels (hub proteins and TFs). Our findings suggest that FUS and SOD1 may develop from dysregulation in several unique pathways and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection was among the topmost predominant cellular pathways connected to FUS and not to SOD1. In contrast, SOD1 is mainly characterized by alterations in the metabolic pathways and alterations in the neuroactive-ligand-receptor interactions. This suggests that different genetic ALS forms are singular diseases rather than part of a common spectrum. This is important for patient stratification clearly pointing towards the need for individualized medicine approaches in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banaja P. Dash
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany; (B.P.D.); (M.N.)
| | - Marcel Naumann
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany; (B.P.D.); (M.N.)
| | - Jared Sterneckert
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Andreas Hermann
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany; (B.P.D.); (M.N.)
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Rostock/Greifswald, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
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13
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Romano R, Bucci C. Role of EGFR in the Nervous System. Cells 2020; 9:E1887. [PMID: 32806510 PMCID: PMC7464966 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is the first discovered member of the receptor tyrosine kinase superfamily and plays a fundamental role during embryogenesis and in adult tissues, being involved in growth, differentiation, maintenance and repair of various tissues and organs. The role of EGFR in the regulation of tissue development and homeostasis has been thoroughly investigated and it has also been demonstrated that EGFR is a driver of tumorigenesis. In the nervous system, other growth factors, and thus other receptors, are important for growth, differentiation and repair of the tissue, namely neurotrophins and neurotrophins receptors. For this reason, for a long time, the role of EGFR in the nervous system has been underestimated and poorly investigated. However, EGFR is expressed both in the central and peripheral nervous systems and it has been demonstrated to have specific important neurotrophic functions, in particular in the central nervous system. This review discusses the role of EGFR in regulating differentiation and functions of neurons and neuroglia. Furthermore, its involvement in regeneration after injury and in the onset of neurodegenerative diseases is examined.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cecilia Bucci
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
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14
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Hook V, Yoon M, Mosier C, Ito G, Podvin S, Head BP, Rissman R, O'Donoghue AJ, Hook G. Cathepsin B in neurodegeneration of Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, and related brain disorders. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2020; 1868:140428. [PMID: 32305689 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2020.140428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Investigations of Alzheimer's disease (AD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and related brain disorders have provided extensive evidence for involvement of cathepsin B, a lysosomal cysteine protease, in mediating the behavioral deficits and neuropathology of these neurodegenerative diseases. This review integrates findings of cathepsin B regulation in clinical biomarker studies, animal model genetic and inhibitor evaluations, structural studies, and lysosomal cell biological mechanisms in AD, TBI, and related brain disorders. The results together indicate the role of cathepsin B in the behavioral deficits and neuropathology of these disorders. Lysosomal leakage occurs in AD and TBI, and related neurodegeneration, which leads to the hypothesis that cathepsin B is redistributed from the lysosome to the cytosol where it initiates cell death and inflammation processes associated with neurodegeneration. These results together implicate cathepsin B as a major contributor to these neuropathological changes and behavioral deficits. These findings support the investigation of cathepsin B as a potential drug target for therapeutic discovery and treatment of AD, TBI, and TBI-related brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Hook
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America; Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America.
| | - Michael Yoon
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Charles Mosier
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Gen Ito
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Sonia Podvin
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Brian P Head
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA, United States of America; Department of Anesthesia, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Robert Rissman
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America; VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Anthony J O'Donoghue
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Gregory Hook
- American Life Sciences Pharmaceuticals, Inc., La Jolla, CA, United States of America
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15
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Amamoto R, Zuccaro E, Curry NC, Khurana S, Chen HH, Cepko CL, Arlotta P. FIN-Seq: transcriptional profiling of specific cell types from frozen archived tissue of the human central nervous system. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:e4. [PMID: 31728515 PMCID: PMC7145626 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Thousands of frozen, archived tissue samples from the human central nervous system (CNS) are currently available in brain banks. As recent developments in RNA sequencing technologies are beginning to elucidate the cellular diversity present within the human CNS, it is becoming clear that an understanding of this diversity would greatly benefit from deeper transcriptional analyses. Single cell and single nucleus RNA profiling provide one avenue to decipher this heterogeneity. An alternative, complementary approach is to profile isolated, pre-defined cell types and use methods that can be applied to many archived human tissue samples that have been stored long-term. Here, we developed FIN-Seq (Frozen Immunolabeled Nuclei Sequencing), a method that accomplishes these goals. FIN-Seq uses immunohistochemical isolation of nuclei of specific cell types from frozen human tissue, followed by bulk RNA-Sequencing. We applied this method to frozen postmortem samples of human cerebral cortex and retina and were able to identify transcripts, including low abundance transcripts, in specific cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoji Amamoto
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Department of Genetics and Ophthalmology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Emanuela Zuccaro
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Nathan C Curry
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Sonia Khurana
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Hsu-Hsin Chen
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Constance L Cepko
- Department of Genetics and Ophthalmology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Paola Arlotta
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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16
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Abstract
Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles with roles in processes involved in degrading and recycling cellular waste, cellular signalling and energy metabolism. Defects in genes encoding lysosomal proteins cause lysosomal storage disorders, in which enzyme replacement therapy has proved successful. Growing evidence also implicates roles for lysosomal dysfunction in more common diseases including inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and metabolic disorders. With a focus on lysosomal dysfunction in autoimmune disorders and neurodegenerative diseases - including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease - this Review critically analyses progress and opportunities for therapeutically targeting lysosomal proteins and processes, particularly with small molecules and peptide drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasa Reddy Bonam
- CNRS-University of Strasbourg, Biotechnology and Cell Signalling, Illkirch, France
- Laboratory of Excellence Medalis, Team Neuroimmunology and Peptide Therapy, Institut de Science et d'Ingénierie Supramoléculaire (ISIS), Strasbourg, France
| | - Fengjuan Wang
- CNRS-University of Strasbourg, Biotechnology and Cell Signalling, Illkirch, France
- Laboratory of Excellence Medalis, Team Neuroimmunology and Peptide Therapy, Institut de Science et d'Ingénierie Supramoléculaire (ISIS), Strasbourg, France
| | - Sylviane Muller
- CNRS-University of Strasbourg, Biotechnology and Cell Signalling, Illkirch, France.
- Laboratory of Excellence Medalis, Team Neuroimmunology and Peptide Therapy, Institut de Science et d'Ingénierie Supramoléculaire (ISIS), Strasbourg, France.
- University of Strasbourg Institute for Advanced Study, Strasbourg, France.
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire OMICARE, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France.
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17
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Zhu S, Wuolikainen A, Wu J, Öhman A, Wingsle G, Moritz T, Andersen PM, Forsgren L, Trupp M. Targeted Multiple Reaction Monitoring Analysis of CSF Identifies UCHL1 and GPNMB as Candidate Biomarkers for ALS. J Mol Neurosci 2019; 69:643-657. [PMID: 31721001 PMCID: PMC6858390 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-019-01411-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The neurodegenerative diseases amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) share some common molecular deficits including disruption of protein homeostasis leading to disease-specific protein aggregation. While insoluble protein aggregates are the defining pathological confirmation of diagnosis, patient stratification based on early molecular etiologies may identify distinct subgroups within a clinical diagnosis that would respond differently in therapeutic development programs. We are developing targeted multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry methods to rigorously quantify CSF proteins from known disease genes involved in lysosomal, ubiquitin-proteasomal, and autophagy pathways. Analysis of CSF from 21 PD, 21 ALS, and 25 control patients, rigorously matched for gender, age, and age of sample, revealed significant changes in peptide levels between PD, ALS, and control. In patients with PD, levels of two peptides for chromogranin B (CHGB, secretogranin 1) were significantly reduced. In CSF of patients with ALS, levels of two peptides from ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase like protein 1 (UCHL1) and one peptide each for glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB) and cathepsin D (CTSD) were all increased. Analysis of patients with ALS separated into two groups based on length of survival after CSF sampling revealed that the increases in GPNMB and UCHL1 were specific for short-lived ALS patients. While analysis of additional cohorts is required to validate these candidate biomarkers, this study suggests methods for stratification of ALS patients for clinical trials and identifies targets for drug efficacy measurements during therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaochun Zhu
- Department of Clinical Science, Neurosciences, Umeå University, Building 10, NUS, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Junfang Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anders Öhman
- Department of Clinical Science, Neurosciences, Umeå University, Building 10, NUS, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Wingsle
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Thomas Moritz
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Peter M Andersen
- Department of Clinical Science, Neurosciences, Umeå University, Building 10, NUS, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lars Forsgren
- Department of Clinical Science, Neurosciences, Umeå University, Building 10, NUS, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Miles Trupp
- Department of Clinical Science, Neurosciences, Umeå University, Building 10, NUS, Umeå, Sweden.
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18
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Vijayakumar UG, Milla V, Cynthia Stafford MY, Bjourson AJ, Duddy W, Duguez SMR. A Systematic Review of Suggested Molecular Strata, Biomarkers and Their Tissue Sources in ALS. Front Neurol 2019; 10:400. [PMID: 31139131 PMCID: PMC6527847 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease, is an incurable neurodegenerative condition, characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons. It affects 1–1.8/100,000 individuals worldwide, and the number of cases is projected to increase as the population ages. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify both therapeutic targets and disease-specific biomarkers–biomarkers that would be useful to diagnose and stratify patients into different sub-groups for therapeutic strategies, as well as biomarkers to follow the efficacy of any treatment tested during clinical trials. There is a lack of knowledge about pathogenesis and many hypotheses. Numerous “omics” studies have been conducted on ALS in the past decade to identify a disease-signature in tissues and circulating biomarkers. The first goal of the present review was to group the molecular pathways that have been implicated in monogenic forms of ALS, to enable the description of patient strata corresponding to each pathway grouping. This strategy allowed us to suggest 14 strata, each potentially targetable by different pharmacological strategies. The second goal of this review was to identify diagnostic/prognostic biomarker candidates consistently observed across the literature. For this purpose, we explore previous biomarker-relevant “omics” studies of ALS and summarize their findings, focusing on potential circulating biomarker candidates. We systematically review 118 papers on biomarkers published during the last decade. Several candidate markers were consistently shared across the results of different studies in either cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or blood (leukocyte or serum/plasma). Although these candidates still need to be validated in a systematic manner, we suggest the use of combinations of biomarkers that would likely reflect the “health status” of different tissues, including motor neuron health (e.g., pNFH and NF-L, cystatin C, Transthyretin), inflammation status (e.g., MCP-1, miR451), muscle health (miR-338-3p, miR-206) and metabolism (homocysteine, glutamate, cholesterol). In light of these studies and because ALS is increasingly perceived as a multi-system disease, the identification of a panel of biomarkers that accurately reflect features of pathology is a priority, not only for diagnostic purposes but also for prognostic or predictive applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udaya Geetha Vijayakumar
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, United Kingdom
| | - Vanessa Milla
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, United Kingdom
| | - Mei Yu Cynthia Stafford
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony J Bjourson
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, United Kingdom
| | - William Duddy
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Marie-Rose Duguez
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, United Kingdom
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ALS-Linked SOD1 Mutants Enhance Neurite Outgrowth and Branching in Adult Motor Neurons. iScience 2018; 11:294-304. [PMID: 30639851 PMCID: PMC6327879 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.12.026] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor neuron cell death. However, not all motor neurons are equally susceptible. Most of what we know about the surviving motor neurons comes from gene expression profiling; less is known about their functional traits. We found that resistant motor neurons cultured from SOD1 ALS mouse models have enhanced axonal outgrowth and dendritic branching. They also have an increase in the number and size of actin-based structures like growth cones and filopodia. These phenotypes occur in cells cultured from presymptomatic mice and mutant SOD1 models that do not develop ALS but not in embryonic motor neurons. Enhanced outgrowth and upregulation of filopodia can be induced in wild-type adult cells by expressing mutant SOD1. These results demonstrate that mutant SOD1 can enhance the regenerative capability of ALS-resistant motor neurons. Capitalizing on this mechanism could lead to new therapeutic strategies. Motor neurons from end-stage SOD1 ALS mice have enhanced neurite outgrowth/branching Increased outgrowth occurs only in adult neurons and is independent of ALS symptoms SOD1G93A adult motor neurons have larger growth cones and more axonal filopodia Acute SOD1G93A expression upregulates outgrowth in wild-type adult motor neurons
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20
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Barham C, Fil D, Byrum SD, Rahmatallah Y, Glazko G, Kiaei M. RNA-Seq Analysis of Spinal Cord Tissues from hPFN1 G118V Transgenic Mouse Model of ALS at Pre-symptomatic and End-Stages of Disease. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13737. [PMID: 30213953 PMCID: PMC6137178 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31132-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to the loss of motor neurons. The molecular mechanisms of motor neuron degeneration are largely unknown and there are currently no effective therapies to treat this disease. In this work, we report whole transcriptome profiling of spinal cords of mutant transgenic hPFN1G118V mice and their wildtype transgenic hPFN1WT controls at a pre-symptomatic stage and at the end-stage of disease. Analyses revealed that end-stage hPFN1G118V mice had 890 differentially expressed genes (747 up-regulated, 143 down-regulated) when compared to pre-symptomatic hPFN1G118V mice, and they had 836 differentially expressed genes (742 up-regulated, 94 down-regulated) when compared to age-matched hPFN1WT controls. Pre-symptomatic hPFN1G118V mice were not significantly different from age-matched hPFN1WT controls. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified inflammatory pathways significantly activated in end-stage hPFN1G118V samples, suggesting an excess of glial activation at end-stage disease, possibly due to an increase in glial composition within the spinal cord during disease progression. In conclusion, our RNA-Seq data identified molecules and pathways involved in the mechanisms of neurodegeneration that could potentially serve as therapeutic targets for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Barham
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Daniel Fil
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Stephanie D Byrum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Yasir Rahmatallah
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Galina Glazko
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Mahmoud Kiaei
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA. .,Department of Geriatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA. .,Department of Neurology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
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21
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CSF cystatin C and diffusion tensor imaging parameters as biomarkers of upper motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2018; 172:162-168. [PMID: 30016754 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The establishment of biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) will be useful for early diagnosis and may provide evidence about pathogenesis. To elucidate whether high-field magnetic resonance (MR) findings and multimodal analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of cystatin C could be indicators of upper motor neuron (UMN) involvement in ALS. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with ALS (n = 20), multiple sclerosis (n = 15), immune mediated chronic polyneuropathy (n = 17), and acute polyneuropathy (n = 12) were included in this retrospective study. Clinical indices including UMN signs were assessed, and 3.0-Tesla diffusion tensor imaging and MR spectroscopy were performed in patients with ALS. CSF levels of cystatin C were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS MR findings indicated that decreased anisotropy, increased diffusion, and increased myo-inositol/creatine ratio were also significantly correlated with UMN involvement in patients with ALS. The CSF cystatin C levels were significantly lower in patients with ALS than in the other three groups. The reduction of CSF cystatin C levels was significantly correlated with clinical UMN involvement (r = -0.505, p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS Reduced cystatin C in CSF can reflect UMN involvement as shown in high-field MR of ALS, potentially providing a new biomarker for UMN degeneration in ALS.
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22
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Habib R, Noureen N, Nadeem N. Decoding Common Features of Neurodegenerative Disorders: From Differentially Expressed Genes to Pathways. Curr Genomics 2018; 19:300-312. [PMID: 29755292 PMCID: PMC5930451 DOI: 10.2174/1389202918666171005100549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurodegeneration is a progressive/irreversible loss of neurons, building blocks of our nervous system. Their degeneration gradually collapses the entire structural and functional system manifesting in myriads of clinical disorders categorized as Neurodegenerative Disorders (NDs) such as Alzheimer's Disease, (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). NDs are characterized by a puzzling interplay of molecular and cellular defects affecting subset of neuronal populations in specific affected brain areas. OBJECTIVE In present study, comparative in silico analysis was performed by utilizing gene expression datasets of AD, PD, FTD and ALS to identify potential common features to gain insights into complex molecular pathophysiology of the selected NDs. METHODS Gene expression data of four disorders were subjected to the identification of Differential Gene Expression (DEG) and their mapping on biological processes, KEGG pathways and molecular functions. Detailed comparative analysis was performed to highlight the common grounds of these dis-orders at various stages. RESULTS Astoundingly, 106 DEGs were found to be common across all disorders. Alongwith in total 100 GO terms and 7 KEGG pathways were found to be significantly enriched across all disorders. EGFR, CDC42 and CREBBP have been identified as the significantly interacting nodes in gene-gene in-teraction and in Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network as well. Furthermore, interaction of common DEGs targets with miRNA's has been scrutinized. CONCLUSION The complex molecular underpinnings of these disorders are currently elusive. Despite heterogeneous clinical and pathological expressions, common features have been recognized in many NDs which provide evidence of their convergence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nighat Noureen
- Address correspondence to this author at the Biosciences Department, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan; Tel: + (051) 9247000-6104; E-mail:
| | - Neha Nadeem
- Biosciences Department, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
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23
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hnRNP R and its main interactor, the noncoding RNA 7SK, coregulate the axonal transcriptome of motoneurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E2859-E2868. [PMID: 29507242 PMCID: PMC5866599 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1721670115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurons are highly polarized cells. RNA-binding proteins contribute to this polarization by generating diverse subcellular transcriptomes. The RNA-binding protein hnRNP R is essential for axon growth in motoneurons. This study reports the RNA interactome for hnRNP R. The main interacting RNA of hnRNP R was the noncoding RNA 7SK. Depletion of 7SK from primary motoneurons disturbed axon growth. This effect was dependent on the interaction of 7SK with hnRNP R. Both hnRNP R and 7SK localize to axons. Loss of 7SK led to a similar depletion of axonal transcripts as loss of hnRNP R. Our data suggest that 7SK, in addition to its role in transcriptional regulation, acts in concert with hnRNP R to sort specific transcripts into axons. Disturbed RNA processing and subcellular transport contribute to the pathomechanisms of motoneuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy. RNA-binding proteins are involved in these processes, but the mechanisms by which they regulate the subcellular diversity of transcriptomes, particularly in axons, are not understood. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein R (hnRNP R) interacts with several proteins involved in motoneuron diseases. It is located in axons of developing motoneurons, and its depletion causes defects in axon growth. Here, we used individual nucleotide-resolution cross-linking and immunoprecipitation (iCLIP) to determine the RNA interactome of hnRNP R in motoneurons. We identified ∼3,500 RNA targets, predominantly with functions in synaptic transmission and axon guidance. Among the RNA targets identified by iCLIP, the noncoding RNA 7SK was the top interactor of hnRNP R. We detected 7SK in the nucleus and also in the cytosol of motoneurons. In axons, 7SK localized in close proximity to hnRNP R, and depletion of hnRNP R reduced axonal 7SK. Furthermore, suppression of 7SK led to defective axon growth that was accompanied by axonal transcriptome alterations similar to those caused by hnRNP R depletion. Using a series of 7SK-deletion mutants, we show that the function of 7SK in axon elongation depends on its interaction with hnRNP R but not with the PTEF-B complex involved in transcriptional regulation. These results propose a role for 7SK as an essential interactor of hnRNP R to regulate its function in axon maintenance.
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24
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Spiller KJ, Restrepo CR, Khan T, Dominique MA, Fang TC, Canter RG, Roberts CJ, Miller KR, Ransohoff RM, Trojanowski JQ, Lee VMY. Microglia-mediated recovery from ALS-relevant motor neuron degeneration in a mouse model of TDP-43 proteinopathy. Nat Neurosci 2018; 21:329-340. [PMID: 29463850 PMCID: PMC5857237 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-018-0083-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Though motor neurons (MNs) selectively degenerate in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), other cell types are likely involved in this disease. We recently generated rNLS8 mice in which human TDP-43 (hTDP-43) pathology could be reversibly induced in neurons and expected microglia would contribute to neurodegeneration. However, only subtle microglial changes were detected during disease in the spinal cord, despite progressive MN loss, but microglia still reacted to inflammatory triggers in these mice. Notably, after the hTDP-43 expression was suppressed, microglia dramatically proliferated and changed their morphology and gene expression profiles. These abundant, reactive microglia selectively cleared neuronal hTDP-43. Finally, when microgliosis was blocked during the early recovery phase using PLX3397, a CSF1R/c-kit inhibitor, rNLS8 mice failed to regain full motor function, revealing an important neuroprotective role for microglia. Therefore, reactive microglia exert neuroprotective functions in this ALS model and definition of the underlying mechanism could point towards novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista J Spiller
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CNDR), Institute on Aging, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Clark R Restrepo
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CNDR), Institute on Aging, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tahiyana Khan
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CNDR), Institute on Aging, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Myrna A Dominique
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CNDR), Institute on Aging, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kelly R Miller
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CNDR), Institute on Aging, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - John Q Trojanowski
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CNDR), Institute on Aging, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Virginia M-Y Lee
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CNDR), Institute on Aging, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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25
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Bonaventura G, Iemmolo R, D'Amico AG, La Cognata V, Costanzo E, Zappia M, D'Agata V, Conforti FL, Aronica E, Cavallaro S. PACAP and PAC1R are differentially expressed in motor cortex of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and support survival of iPSC-derived motor neurons. J Cell Physiol 2017; 233:3343-3351. [PMID: 28926110 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and disabling neurodegenerative disease characterized by upper and lower motor neurons depletion. In our previous work, comprehensive genomic profiling of 41 motor cortex samples enabled to discriminate controls from sporadic ALS patients, and segregated these latter into two distinct subgroups (SALS1 and SALS2), each associated with different deregulated genes. In the present study, we focused our attention on two of them, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) and its type 1 receptor (PAC1R), and validated the results of the transcriptome experiments by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. To assess the functional role of PACAP and PAC1R in ALS, we developed an in vitro model of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived motor neurons and examined the trophic effects of exogenous PACAP following neurodegenerative stimuli. Treatment with 100 nm PACAP was able to effectively rescue iPSC-derived motor neurons from apoptosis, as shown by cell viability assay and protein dosage of the apoptotic marker (BAX). All together, these data suggest that perturbations in the PACAP-PAC1R pathway may be involved in ALS pathology and represent a potential drug target to enhance motor neuron viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Bonaventura
- Institute of Neurological Sciences, Italian National Research Council, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosario Iemmolo
- Institute of Neurological Sciences, Italian National Research Council, Catania, Italy
| | - Agata G D'Amico
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Department of Human Science and Promotion of Quality of Life, San Raffaele Open University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina La Cognata
- Institute of Neurological Sciences, Italian National Research Council, Catania, Italy.,Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Erminio Costanzo
- Neurology Department, Cannizzaro Hospital of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Mario Zappia
- Department "G. F. Ingrassia", Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Velia D'Agata
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Francesca L Conforti
- Institute of Neurological Sciences, Italian National Research Council, Mangone (CS), Italy
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro) Pathology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastiano Cavallaro
- Institute of Neurological Sciences, Italian National Research Council, Catania, Italy
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26
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Xi J, Yang X, Zhao Q, Zheng J, An R, Tian S, Huang H, Hu F, Ning P, Xu Y. Absence of association of the Ala58Val (rs17571) CTSD gene variant with Parkinson's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a Han Chinese population. Neurosci Lett 2017; 662:181-184. [PMID: 28917980 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are neurodegenerative diseases that may share genetic risk factors. The exon variant Aal58Val (rs17571) in CTSD was recently associated with AD, leading us to examine whether it also affects risk of ALS and PD. The rs17571 variant was genotyped using the ligase detection reaction in 569 Han Chinese patients with PD, 301 patients with ALS, and healthy controls age- and gender-matched to each patient group. The frequencies of genotypes and alleles were similar between each disease group and its respective control group. Similar results were obtained when patients were stratified by gender, age at disease onset or type of symptoms at disease onset. These results suggest that the CTSD rs17571 variant may not be associated with risk of ALS or PD in Han Chinese.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xi
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, PR China
| | - Xinglong Yang
- Department of Geriatric Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunan Province, 650032, PR China.
| | - Quanzhen Zhao
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, PR China
| | - Jinhua Zheng
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, PR China
| | - Ran An
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, PR China
| | - Sijia Tian
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, PR China
| | - Hongyan Huang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, PR China
| | - Fayunn Hu
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, PR China
| | - Pingping Ning
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, PR China
| | - Yanming Xu
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, PR China.
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27
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Neuroinflammation and ALS: Transcriptomic Insights into Molecular Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets. Mediators Inflamm 2017; 2017:7070469. [PMID: 29081603 PMCID: PMC5610842 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7070469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting the motor nervous system. Despite the mechanism underlying motor neuron death is not yet clarified, multiple pathogenic processes have been proposed to account for ALS. Among these, inflammatory/immune responses have recently gained particular interest, although there are conflicting reports on the role of these processes in ALS pathogenesis and treatment. This apparent discrepancy may be due to the absence of an effective stratification of ALS patients into subgroups with markedly different clinical, biological, and molecular features. Our research group recently described genome-wide characterization of motor cortex samples from sporadic ALS (SALS) patients, revealing the existence of molecular and functional heterogeneity in SALS. Here, we reexamine data coming from our previous work, focusing on transcriptomic changes of inflammatory-related genes, in order to investigate their potential contribution in ALS. A total of 1573 inflammatory genes were identified as differentially expressed between SALS patients and controls, characterizing distinct topological pathways and networks, suggestive of specific inflammatory molecular signatures for different patient subgroups. Besides providing promising insights into the intricate relationship between inflammation and ALS, this paper represents a starting point for the rationale design and development of novel and more effective diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
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28
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Andrés-Benito P, Moreno J, Aso E, Povedano M, Ferrer I. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, gene deregulation in the anterior horn of the spinal cord and frontal cortex area 8: implications in frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Aging (Albany NY) 2017; 9:823-851. [PMID: 28283675 PMCID: PMC5391234 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptome arrays identifies 747 genes differentially expressed in the anterior horn of the spinal cord and 2,300 genes differentially expressed in frontal cortex area 8 in a single group of typical sALS cases without frontotemporal dementia compared with age-matched controls. Main up-regulated clusters in the anterior horn are related to inflammation and apoptosis; down-regulated clusters are linked to axoneme structures and protein synthesis. In contrast, up-regulated gene clusters in frontal cortex area 8 involve neurotransmission, synaptic proteins and vesicle trafficking, whereas main down-regulated genes cluster into oligodendrocyte function and myelin-related proteins. RT-qPCR validates the expression of 58 of 66 assessed genes from different clusters. The present results: a. reveal regional differences in de-regulated gene expression between the anterior horn of the spinal cord and frontal cortex area 8 in the same individuals suffering from sALS; b. validate and extend our knowledge about the complexity of the inflammatory response in the anterior horn of the spinal cord; and c. identify for the first time extensive gene up-regulation of neurotransmission and synaptic-related genes, together with significant down-regulation of oligodendrocyte- and myelin-related genes, as important contributors to the pathogenesis of frontal cortex alterations in the sALS/frontotemporal lobar degeneration spectrum complex at stages with no apparent cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pol Andrés-Benito
- Institute of Neuropathology, Pathologic Anatomy Service, Bellvitge University Hospital, IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Jesús Moreno
- Institute of Neuropathology, Pathologic Anatomy Service, Bellvitge University Hospital, IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Ester Aso
- Institute of Neuropathology, Pathologic Anatomy Service, Bellvitge University Hospital, IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Mónica Povedano
- Service of Neurology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Isidro Ferrer
- Institute of Neuropathology, Pathologic Anatomy Service, Bellvitge University Hospital, IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Network Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Institute Carlos III, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
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29
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Selection and Prioritization of Candidate Drug Targets for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Through a Meta-Analysis Approach. J Mol Neurosci 2017; 61:563-580. [PMID: 28236105 PMCID: PMC5359376 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-017-0898-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and incurable neurodegenerative disease. Although several compounds have shown promising results in preclinical studies, their translation into clinical trials has failed. This clinical failure is likely due to the inadequacy of the animal models that do not sufficiently reflect the human disease. Therefore, it is important to optimize drug target selection by identifying those that overlap in human and mouse pathology. We have recently characterized the transcriptional profiles of motor cortex samples from sporadic ALS (SALS) patients and differentiated these into two subgroups based on differentially expressed genes, which encode 70 potential therapeutic targets. To prioritize drug target selection, we investigated their degree of conservation in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) G93A transgenic mice, the most widely used ALS animal model. Interspecies comparison of our human expression data with those of eight different SOD1G93A datasets present in public repositories revealed the presence of commonly deregulated targets and related biological processes. Moreover, deregulated expression of the majority of our candidate targets occurred at the onset of the disease, offering the possibility to use them for an early and more effective diagnosis and therapy. In addition to highlighting the existence of common key drivers in human and mouse pathology, our study represents the basis for a rational preclinical drug development.
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30
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Riva N, Clarelli F, Domi T, Cerri F, Gallia F, Trimarco A, Brambilla P, Lunetta C, Lazzerini A, Lauria G, Taveggia C, Iannaccone S, Nobile-Orazio E, Comi G, D’Antonio M, Martinelli-Boneschi F, Quattrini A. Unraveling gene expression profiles in peripheral motor nerve from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: insights into pathogenesis. Sci Rep 2016; 6:39297. [PMID: 27982123 PMCID: PMC5159906 DOI: 10.1038/srep39297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study is to investigate the molecular pathways underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis within the peripheral nervous system. We analyzed gene expression changes in human motor nerve diagnostic biopsies obtained from eight ALS patients and seven patients affected by motor neuropathy as controls. An integrated transcriptomics and system biology approach was employed. We identified alterations in the expression of 815 genes, with 529 up-regulated and 286 down-regulated in ALS patients. Up-regulated genes clustered around biological process involving RNA processing and protein metabolisms. We observed a significant enrichment of up-regulated small nucleolar RNA transcripts (p = 2.68*10-11) and genes related to endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response and chaperone activity. We found a significant down-regulation in ALS of genes related to the glutamate metabolism. Interestingly, a network analysis highlighted HDAC2, belonging to the histone deacetylase family, as the most interacting node. While so far gene expression studies in human ALS have been performed in postmortem tissues, here specimens were obtained from biopsy at an early phase of the disease, making these results new in the field of ALS research and therefore appealing for gene discovery studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilo Riva
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Clarelli
- Laboratory of Genetics of Complex Neurological Disorders, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Teuta Domi
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Cerri
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Gallia
- 2Neurology, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Milano University, Milan, Italy
| | - Amelia Trimarco
- Axo-glia interactions Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Brambilla
- Laboratory of Genetics of Complex Neurological Disorders, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Christian Lunetta
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Niguarda Ca Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Lazzerini
- Hand Surgery and Microsurgery Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Clinical Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- 3rd Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation “Carlo Besta” Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Carla Taveggia
- Axo-glia interactions Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sandro Iannaccone
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giancarlo Comi
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Universita` Vita e Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio D’Antonio
- Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Martinelli-Boneschi
- Laboratory of Genetics of Complex Neurological Disorders, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Quattrini
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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Stoka V, Turk V, Turk B. Lysosomal cathepsins and their regulation in aging and neurodegeneration. Ageing Res Rev 2016; 32:22-37. [PMID: 27125852 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2016.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 223] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Lysosomes and lysosomal hydrolases, including the cathepsins, have been shown to change their properties with aging brain a long time ago, although their function was not really understood. The first biochemical and clinical studies were followed by a major expansion in the last 20 years with the development of animal disease models and new approaches leading to a major advancement of understanding of the role of physiological and degenerative processes in the brain at the molecular level. This includes the understanding of the major role of autophagy and the cathepsins in a number of diseases, including its critical role in the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Similarly, cathepsins and some other lysosomal proteases were shown to have important roles in processing and/or degradation of several important neuronal proteins, thereby having either neuroprotective or harmful roles. In this review, we discuss lysosomal cathepsins and their regulation with the focus on cysteine cathepsins and their endogenous inhibitors, as well as their role in several neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Stoka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, J. Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Sl-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; J. Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova 39, Sl-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Vito Turk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, J. Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Sl-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; J. Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova 39, Sl-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Boris Turk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, J. Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Sl-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Centre of Excellence for Integrated Approaches in Chemistry and Biology of Proteins, Jamova 39, Sl-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, Sl-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Gómez-Sintes R, Ledesma MD, Boya P. Lysosomal cell death mechanisms in aging. Ageing Res Rev 2016; 32:150-168. [PMID: 26947122 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2016.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Lysosomes are degradative organelles essential for cell homeostasis that regulate a variety of processes, from calcium signaling and nutrient responses to autophagic degradation of intracellular components. Lysosomal cell death is mediated by the lethal effects of cathepsins, which are released into the cytoplasm following lysosomal damage. This process of lysosomal membrane permeabilization and cathepsin release is observed in several physiopathological conditions and plays a role in tissue remodeling, the immune response to intracellular pathogens and neurodegenerative diseases. Many evidences indicate that aging strongly influences lysosomal activity by altering the physical and chemical properties of these organelles, rendering them more sensitive to stress. In this review we focus on how aging alters lysosomal function and increases cell sensitivity to lysosomal membrane permeabilization and lysosomal cell death, both in physiological conditions and age-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Gómez-Sintes
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas, CIB-CSIC, C/Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Dolores Ledesma
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Centro Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, C/Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Boya
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas, CIB-CSIC, C/Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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Zarei S, Carr K, Reiley L, Diaz K, Guerra O, Altamirano PF, Pagani W, Lodin D, Orozco G, Chinea A. A comprehensive review of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Surg Neurol Int 2015; 6:171. [PMID: 26629397 PMCID: PMC4653353 DOI: 10.4103/2152-7806.169561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 388] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a late-onset fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons with an incidence of about 1/100,000. Most ALS cases are sporadic, but 5–10% of the cases are familial ALS. Both sporadic and familial ALS (FALS) are associated with degeneration of cortical and spinal motor neurons. The etiology of ALS remains unknown. However, mutations of superoxide dismutase 1 have been known as the most common cause of FALS. In this study, we provide a comprehensive review of ALS. We cover all aspects of the disease including epidemiology, comorbidities, environmental risk factor, molecular mechanism, genetic factors, symptoms, diagnostic, treatment, and even the available supplement and management of ALS. This will provide the reader with an advantage of receiving a broad range of information about the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Zarei
- Department of Medicine, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, USA
| | - Karen Carr
- Department of Medicine, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, USA
| | - Luz Reiley
- Department of Medicine, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, USA
| | - Kelvin Diaz
- Department of Medicine, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, USA
| | - Orleiquis Guerra
- Department of Medicine, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, USA
| | | | - Wilfredo Pagani
- Department of Medicine, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, USA
| | - Daud Lodin
- Department of Medicine, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, USA
| | - Gloria Orozco
- Department of Medicine, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, USA
| | - Angel Chinea
- Neurologist, Caribbean Neurological Center, Caguas, USA
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Biasiotto G, Di Lorenzo D, Archetti S, Zanella I. Iron and Neurodegeneration: Is Ferritinophagy the Link? Mol Neurobiol 2015; 53:5542-74. [PMID: 26468157 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9473-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that the lysosome-autophagy pathway plays a critical role in iron release from ferritin, the main iron storage cellular protein, hence in the distribution of iron to the cells. The recent identification of nuclear receptor co-activator 4 as the receptor for ferritin delivery to selective autophagy sheds further light on the understanding of the mechanisms underlying this pathway. The emerging view is that iron release from ferritin through the lysosomes is a general mechanism in normal and tumour cells of different tissue origins, but it has not yet been investigated in brain cells. Defects in the lysosome-autophagy pathway are often involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, and brain iron homeostasis disruption is a hallmark of many of these diseases. However, in most cases, it has not been established whether iron dysregulation is directly involved in the pathogenesis of the diseases or if it is a secondary effect derived from other pathogenic mechanisms. The recent evidence of the crucial involvement of autophagy in cellular iron handling offers new perspectives about the role of iron in neurodegeneration, suggesting that autophagy dysregulation could cause iron dyshomeostasis. In this review, we recapitulate our current knowledge on the routes through which iron is released from ferritin, focusing on the most recent advances. We summarise the current evidence concerning lysosome-autophagy pathway dysfunctions and those of iron metabolism and discuss their potential interconnections in several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; and frontotemporal lobar dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Biasiotto
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Diagnostics, Civic Hospital of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Diego Di Lorenzo
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Diagnostics, Civic Hospital of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvana Archetti
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Diagnostics, Civic Hospital of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Isabella Zanella
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Diagnostics, Civic Hospital of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
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Hook G, Jacobsen JS, Grabstein K, Kindy M, Hook V. Cathepsin B is a New Drug Target for Traumatic Brain Injury Therapeutics: Evidence for E64d as a Promising Lead Drug Candidate. Front Neurol 2015; 6:178. [PMID: 26388830 PMCID: PMC4557097 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2015.00178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
There is currently no therapeutic drug treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI) despite decades of experimental clinical trials. This may be because the mechanistic pathways for improving TBI outcomes have yet to be identified and exploited. As such, there remains a need to seek out new molecular targets and their drug candidates to find new treatments for TBI. This review presents supporting evidence for cathepsin B, a cysteine protease, as a potentially important drug target for TBI. Cathepsin B expression is greatly up-regulated in TBI animal models, as well as in trauma patients. Importantly, knockout of the cathepsin B gene in TBI mice results in substantial improvements of TBI-caused deficits in behavior, pathology, and biomarkers, as well as improvements in related injury models. During the process of TBI-induced injury, cathepsin B likely escapes the lysosome, its normal subcellular location, into the cytoplasm or extracellular matrix (ECM) where the unleashed proteolytic power causes destruction via necrotic, apoptotic, autophagic, and activated glia-induced cell death, together with ECM breakdown and inflammation. Significantly, chemical inhibitors of cathepsin B are effective for improving deficits in TBI and related injuries including ischemia, cerebral bleeding, cerebral aneurysm, edema, pain, infection, rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. The inhibitor E64d is unique among cathepsin B inhibitors in being the only compound to have demonstrated oral efficacy in a TBI model and prior safe use in man and as such it is an excellent tool compound for preclinical testing and clinical compound development. These data support the conclusion that drug development of cathepsin B inhibitors for TBI treatment should be accelerated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Hook
- American Life Science Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , San Diego, CA , USA
| | | | - Kenneth Grabstein
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington , Seattle, WA , USA
| | - Mark Kindy
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston, SC , USA ; Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center , Charleston, SC , USA
| | - Vivian Hook
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego , La Jolla, CA , USA ; Department of Neurosciences, Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego , La Jolla, CA , USA
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Alves CJ, Dariolli R, Jorge FM, Monteiro MR, Maximino JR, Martins RS, Strauss BE, Krieger JE, Callegaro D, Chadi G. Gene expression profiling for human iPS-derived motor neurons from sporadic ALS patients reveals a strong association between mitochondrial functions and neurodegeneration. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:289. [PMID: 26300727 PMCID: PMC4523944 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to widespread motor neuron death, general palsy and respiratory failure. The most prevalent sporadic ALS form is not genetically inherited. Attempts to translate therapeutic strategies have failed because the described mechanisms of disease are based on animal models carrying specific gene mutations and thus do not address sporadic ALS. In order to achieve a better approach to study the human disease, human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-differentiated motor neurons were obtained from motor nerve fibroblasts of sporadic ALS and non-ALS subjects using the STEMCCA Cre-Excisable Constitutive Polycistronic Lentivirus system and submitted to microarray analyses using a whole human genome platform. DAVID analyses of differentially expressed genes identified molecular function and biological process-related genes through Gene Ontology. REVIGO highlighted the related functions mRNA and DNA binding, GTP binding, transcription (co)-repressor activity, lipoprotein receptor binding, synapse organization, intracellular transport, mitotic cell cycle and cell death. KEGG showed pathways associated with Parkinson's disease and oxidative phosphorylation, highlighting iron homeostasis, neurotrophic functions, endosomal trafficking and ERK signaling. The analysis of most dysregulated genes and those representative of the majority of categorized genes indicates a strong association between mitochondrial function and cellular processes possibly related to motor neuron degeneration. In conclusion, iPSC-derived motor neurons from motor nerve fibroblasts of sporadic ALS patients may recapitulate key mechanisms of neurodegeneration and may offer an opportunity for translational investigation of sporadic ALS. Large gene profiling of differentiated motor neurons from sporadic ALS patients highlights mitochondrial participation in the establishment of autonomous mechanisms associated with sporadic ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrystian J Alves
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, University of São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Dariolli
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Cardiology/LIM13, Heart Institute, University of São Paulo School of Medicine São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Frederico M Jorge
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, University of São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Matheus R Monteiro
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, University of São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jessica R Maximino
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, University of São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roberto S Martins
- Department of Neurosurgery, Surgical Center of Functional Neurosurgery, Clinics Hospital of University of São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bryan E Strauss
- Viral Vector Laboratory, Center for Translational Investigation in Oncology/LIM24, Cancer Institute of São Paulo, University of São Paulo School of Medicine São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José E Krieger
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Cardiology/LIM13, Heart Institute, University of São Paulo School of Medicine São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dagoberto Callegaro
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, University of São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gerson Chadi
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, University of São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
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Aronica E, Baas F, Iyer A, ten Asbroek AL, Morello G, Cavallaro S. Molecular classification of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by unsupervised clustering of gene expression in motor cortex. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 74:359-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Revised: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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Intricate effects of primary motor neuronopathy on contractile proteins and metabolic muscle enzymes as revealed by label-free mass spectrometry. Biosci Rep 2014; 34:BSR20140029. [PMID: 24895011 PMCID: PMC4076836 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20140029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
While the long-term physiological adaptation of the neuromuscular system to changed functional demands is usually reflected by unilateral skeletal muscle transitions, the progressive degeneration of distinct motor neuron populations is often associated with more complex changes in the abundance and/or isoform expression pattern of contractile proteins and metabolic enzymes. In order to evaluate these intricate effects of primary motor neuronopathy on the skeletal muscle proteome, label-free MS was employed to study global alterations in the WR (wobbler) mouse model of progressive neurodegeneration. In motor neuron disease, fibre-type specification and the metabolic weighting of bioenergetic pathways appear to be strongly influenced by both a differing degree of a subtype-specific vulnerability of neuromuscular synapses and compensatory mechanisms of fibre-type shifting. Proteomic profiling confirmed this pathobiochemical complexity of disease-induced changes and showed distinct alterations in 72 protein species, including a variety of fibre-type-specific isoforms of contractile proteins, metabolic enzymes, metabolite transporters and ion-regulatory proteins, as well as changes in molecular chaperones and various structural proteins. Increases in slow myosin light chains and the troponin complex and a decrease in fast MBP (myosin-binding protein) probably reflect the initial preferential loss of the fast type of neuromuscular synapses in motor neuron disease. The systematic biochemical analysis of muscle from the wobbler mouse model of motor neuron disease suggests that the loss of neuromuscular synapses causes complex changes in the protein profile of contractile tissues, affecting especially the contractile apparatus and energy metabolism.
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Maximino JR, de Oliveira GP, Alves CJ, Chadi G. Deregulated expression of cytoskeleton related genes in the spinal cord and sciatic nerve of presymptomatic SOD1(G93A) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis mouse model. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:148. [PMID: 24904291 PMCID: PMC4033281 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Early molecular events related to cytoskeleton are poorly described in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), especially in the Schwann cell (SC), which offers strong trophic support to motor neurons. Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) tool identified cytoskeleton-related genes by employing the Cellular Component Ontology (CCO) in a large gene profiling of lumbar spinal cord and sciatic nerve of presymptomatic SOD1(G93A) mice. One and five CCO terms related to cytoskeleton were described from the spinal cord deregulated genes of 40 days (actin cytoskeleton) and 80 days (microtubule cytoskeleton, cytoskeleton part, actin cytoskeleton, neurofilament cytoskeleton, and cytoskeleton) old transgene mice, respectively. Also, four terms were depicted from the deregulated genes of sciatic nerve of 60 days old transgenes (actin cytoskeleton, cytoskeleton part, microtubule cytoskeleton and cytoskeleton). Kif1b was the unique deregulated gene in more than one studied region or presymptomatic age. The expression of Kif1b [quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)] elevated in the lumbar spinal cord (40 days old) and decreased in the sciatic nerve (60 days old) of presymptomatic ALS mice, results that were in line to microarray findings. Upregulation (24.8 fold) of Kif1b was seen in laser microdissected enriched immunolabeled motor neurons from the spinal cord of 40 days old presymptomatic SOD1(G93A) mice. Furthermore, Kif1b was dowregulated in the sciatic nerve Schwann cells of presymptomatic ALS mice (60 days old) that were enriched by means of cell microdissection (6.35 fold), cell sorting (3.53 fold), and primary culture (2.70 fold) technologies. The gene regulation of cytoskeleton molecules is an important occurrence in motor neurons and Schwann cells in presymptomatic stages of ALS and may be relevant in the dying back mechanisms of neuronal death. Furthermore, a differential regulation of Kif1b in the spinal cord and sciatic nerve cells emerged as key event in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Maximino
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Research Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela P de Oliveira
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Research Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Chrystian J Alves
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Research Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gerson Chadi
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Research Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine São Paulo, Brazil
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40
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Brites D, Vaz AR. Microglia centered pathogenesis in ALS: insights in cell interconnectivity. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:117. [PMID: 24904276 PMCID: PMC4033073 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common and most aggressive form of adult motor neuron (MN) degeneration. The cause of the disease is still unknown, but some protein mutations have been linked to the pathological process. Loss of upper and lower MNs results in progressive muscle paralysis and ultimately death due to respiratory failure. Although initially thought to derive from the selective loss of MNs, the pathogenic concept of non-cell-autonomous disease has come to the forefront for the contribution of glial cells in ALS, in particular microglia. Recent studies suggest that microglia may have a protective effect on MN in an early stage. Conversely, activated microglia contribute and enhance MN death by secreting neurotoxic factors, and impaired microglial function at the end-stage may instead accelerate disease progression. However, the nature of microglial–neuronal interactions that lead to MN degeneration remains elusive. We review the contribution of the neurodegenerative network in ALS pathology, with a special focus on each glial cell type from data obtained in the transgenic SOD1G93A rodents, the most widely used model. We further discuss the diverse roles of neuroinflammation and microglia phenotypes in the modulation of ALS pathology. We provide information on the processes associated with dysfunctional cell–cell communication and summarize findings on pathological cross-talk between neurons and astroglia, and neurons and microglia, as well as on the spread of pathogenic factors. We also highlight the relevance of neurovascular disruption and exosome trafficking to ALS pathology. The harmful and beneficial influences of NG2 cells, oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells will be discussed as well. Insights into the complex intercellular perturbations underlying ALS, including target identification, will enhance our efforts to develop effective therapeutic approaches for preventing or reversing symptomatic progression of this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Brites
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal ; Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana R Vaz
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal ; Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal
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ATF3 expression improves motor function in the ALS mouse model by promoting motor neuron survival and retaining muscle innervation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:1622-7. [PMID: 24474789 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1314826111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive loss of motor neurons and atrophy of distal axon terminals in muscle, resulting in loss of motor function. Motor end plates denervated by axonal retraction of dying motor neurons are partially reinnervated by remaining viable motor neurons; however, this axonal sprouting is insufficient to compensate for motor neuron loss. Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) promotes neuronal survival and axonal growth. Here, we reveal that forced expression of ATF3 in motor neurons of transgenic SOD1(G93A) ALS mice delays neuromuscular junction denervation by inducing axonal sprouting and enhancing motor neuron viability. Maintenance of neuromuscular junction innervation during the course of the disease in ATF3/SOD1(G93A) mice is associated with a substantial delay in muscle atrophy and improved motor performance. Although disease onset and mortality are delayed, disease duration is not affected. This study shows that adaptive axonal growth-promoting mechanisms can substantially improve motor function in ALS and importantly, that augmenting viability of the motor neuron soma and maintaining functional neuromuscular junction connections are both essential elements in therapy for motor neuron disease in the SOD1(G93A) mice. Accordingly, effective protection of optimal motor neuron function requires restitution of multiple dysregulated cellular pathways.
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42
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Heath PR, Kirby J, Shaw PJ. Investigating cell death mechanisms in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using transcriptomics. Front Cell Neurosci 2013; 7:259. [PMID: 24381542 PMCID: PMC3865770 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2013.00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease characterized by degeneration and loss of upper and lower motor neurons from the motor cortex, brainstem and spinal cord although evidence is suggesting that there is further involvement of other cell types in the surrounding tissue. Transcriptomic analysis by gene expression profiling using microarray technology has enabled the determination of patterns of cell death in the degenerating tissues. This work has examined gene expression at the level of the tissue and individual cell types in both sporadic and familial forms of the disease. In addition, further studies have examined the differential vulnerability of neuronal cells in different regions of the central nervous system. Model systems have also provided further information to help unravel the mechanisms that lead to death of the motor neurons in disease and also provided novel insights. In this review we shall describe the methods that have been used in these investigations and describe how they have contributed to our knowledge of the cell death mechanisms in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Heath
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield Sheffield, UK
| | - Janine Kirby
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield Sheffield, UK
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield Sheffield, UK
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43
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de Oliveira GP, Alves CJ, Chadi G. Early gene expression changes in spinal cord from SOD1(G93A) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis animal model. Front Cell Neurosci 2013; 7:216. [PMID: 24302897 PMCID: PMC3831149 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2013.00216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset and fast progression neurodegenerative disease that leads to the loss of motor neurons. Mechanisms of selective motor neuron loss in ALS are unknown. The early events occurring in the spinal cord that may contribute to motor neuron death are not described, neither astrocytes participation in the pre-symptomatic phases of the disease. In order to identify ALS early events, we performed a microarray analysis employing a whole mouse genome platform to evaluate the gene expression pattern of lumbar spinal cords of transgenic SOD1G93A mice and their littermate controls at pre-symptomatic ages of 40 and 80 days. Differentially expressed genes were identified by means of the Bioconductor packages Agi4×44Preprocess and limma. FunNet web based tool was used for analysis of over-represented pathways. Furthermore, immunolabeled astrocytes from 40 and 80 days old mice were submitted to laser microdissection and RNA was extracted for evaluation of a selected gene by qPCR. Statistical analysis has pointed to 492 differentially expressed genes (155 up and 337 down regulated) in 40 days and 1105 (433 up and 672 down) in 80 days old ALS mice. KEGG analysis demonstrated the over-represented pathways tight junction, antigen processing and presentation, oxidative phosphorylation, endocytosis, chemokine signaling pathway, ubiquitin mediated proteolysis and glutamatergic synapse at both pre-symptomatic ages. Ube2i gene expression was evaluated in astrocytes from both transgenic ages, being up regulated in 40 and 80 days astrocytes enriched samples. Our data points to important early molecular events occurring in pre-symptomatic phases of ALS in mouse model. Early SUMOylation process linked to astrocytes might account to non-autonomous cell toxicity in ALS. Further studies on the signaling pathways presented here may provide new insights to better understand the events triggering motor neuron death in this devastating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela P de Oliveira
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration Center, University of São Paulo School of Medicine São Paulo, Brazil
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Le Pichon CE, Dominguez SL, Solanoy H, Ngu H, Lewin-Koh N, Chen M, Eastham-Anderson J, Watts R, Scearce-Levie K. EGFR inhibitor erlotinib delays disease progression but does not extend survival in the SOD1 mouse model of ALS. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62342. [PMID: 23638043 PMCID: PMC3637182 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive paralysis due to motor neuron death. Several lines of published evidence suggested that inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling might protect neurons from degeneration. To test this hypothesis in vivo, we treated the SOD1 transgenic mouse model of ALS with erlotinib, an EGFR inhibitor clinically approved for oncology indications. Although erlotinib failed to extend ALS mouse survival it did provide a modest but significant delay in the onset of multiple behavioral measures of disease progression. However, given the lack of protection of motor neuron synapses and the lack of survival extension, the small benefits observed after erlotinib treatment appear purely symptomatic, with no modification of disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E. Le Pichon
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Sara L. Dominguez
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Hilda Solanoy
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Hai Ngu
- Department of Pathology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Nicholas Lewin-Koh
- Department of Nonclinical Biostatistics, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Mark Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey Eastham-Anderson
- Department of Pathology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Ryan Watts
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Kimberly Scearce-Levie
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California, United States of America
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Wilson ME, Boumaza I, Bowser R. Measurement of cystatin C functional activity in the cerebrospinal fluid of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and control subjects. Fluids Barriers CNS 2013; 10:15. [PMID: 23497730 PMCID: PMC3610126 DOI: 10.1186/2045-8118-10-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cystatin C is a constitutively expressed and abundant cysteine protease inhibitor within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Recent studies have reported a significant reduction in cystatin C concentration in the CSF of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and several other neurodegenerative diseases, relative to healthy controls. Cystatin C can exhibit both neuroprotective and neurotoxic properties, suggesting that altered CSF cystatin C concentrations could potentially impact the pathogenesis or progression of these disorders. However, it is unclear if alterations in cystatin C concentration result in physiologically relevant differences in its functional activity within the CSF. Measurements of the cysteine protease inhibitory activity of cystatin C within the CSF have not been reported, and the relationship between CSF cystatin C concentration and activity levels in different disease contexts has not been investigated. Methods We used a papain inhibition assay to evaluate the total cystatin C activity in CSF samples from 23 ALS patients, 23 healthy controls, and 23 neurological disease controls. Cystatin C concentrations in these samples were previously measured by ELISA. Correlations between cystatin C concentration and activity were assessed with nonparametric statistics. Activity ratios were compared among diagnostic groups using both one-way ANOVA and repeated measures statistics. Results Total cystatin C activity was found to be directly proportional to its protein concentration in all subjects, and cystatin C activity was not altered in ALS patients. In addition, our data suggest that cystatin C is the predominant cysteine protease inhibitor in human CSF. Conclusions Our data demonstrate the successful measurement of the functional activity of cystatin C in the CSF, and show that total cystatin C activity can be inferred from its total protein concentration. Our results also suggest that cystatin C is the major cysteine protease inhibitor in human CSF and altered CSF cystatin C concentration may play a role in the pathobiology of ALS and other neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan E Wilson
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Hanrieder J, Ekegren T, Andersson M, Bergquist J. MALDI imaging of post-mortem human spinal cord in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurochem 2013; 124:695-707. [PMID: 22994484 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2012] [Revised: 07/02/2012] [Accepted: 08/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating, rapidly progressing disease of the central nervous system that is characterized by motor neuron degeneration in the brainstem and the spinal cord. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry is an emerging powerful technique that allows for spatially resolved, comprehensive, and specific characterization of molecular species in situ. In this study, we report for the first time the MALDI imaging-based spatial protein profiling and relative quantification of post-mortem human spinal cord samples obtained from ALS patients and controls. In normal spinal cord, protein distribution patterns were well in line with histological features. For example, thymosin beta 4, ubiquitin, histone proteins, acyl-CoA-binding protein, and macrophage inhibitory factor were predominantly localized to the gray matter. Furthermore, unsupervised statistics revealed a significant reduction of two protein species in ALS gray matter. One of these proteins (m/z 8451) corresponds to an endogenous truncated form of ubiquitin (Ubc 1-76), with both C-terminal glycine residues removed (Ubc-T/Ubc 1-74). This region-specific ubiquitin processing suggests a disease-related change in protease activity. These results highlight the importance of MALDI mass spectrometry as a versatile approach to elucidate molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Hanrieder
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Analytical Chemistry, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Figueroa-Romero C, Hur J, Bender DE, Delaney CE, Cataldo MD, Smith AL, Yung R, Ruden DM, Callaghan BC, Feldman EL. Identification of epigenetically altered genes in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. PLoS One 2012; 7:e52672. [PMID: 23300739 PMCID: PMC3530456 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2012] [Accepted: 11/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a terminal disease involving the progressive degeneration of motor neurons within the motor cortex, brainstem and spinal cord. Most cases are sporadic (sALS) with unknown causes suggesting that the etiology of sALS may not be limited to the genotype of patients, but may be influenced by exposure to environmental factors. Alterations in epigenetic modifications are likely to play a role in disease onset and progression in ALS, as aberrant epigenetic patterns may be acquired throughout life. The aim of this study was to identify epigenetic marks associated with sALS. We hypothesize that epigenetic modifications may alter the expression of pathogenesis-related genes leading to the onset and progression of sALS. Using ELISA assays, we observed alterations in global methylation (5 mC) and hydroxymethylation (5 HmC) in postmortem sALS spinal cord but not in whole blood. Loci-specific differentially methylated and expressed genes in sALS spinal cord were identified by genome-wide 5mC and expression profiling using high-throughput microarrays. Concordant direction, hyper- or hypo-5mC with parallel changes in gene expression (under- or over-expression), was observed in 112 genes highly associated with biological functions related to immune and inflammation response. Furthermore, literature-based analysis identified potential associations among the epigenes. Integration of methylomics and transcriptomics data successfully revealed methylation changes in sALS spinal cord. This study represents an initial identification of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in sALS which may improve our understanding of sALS pathogenesis for the identification of biomarkers and new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Figueroa-Romero
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Junguk Hur
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Diane E. Bender
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Colin E. Delaney
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Michael D. Cataldo
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Andrea L. Smith
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Raymond Yung
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Douglas M. Ruden
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Brian C. Callaghan
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Eva L. Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- National Center for Integrative Biomedical Informatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Cozzolino M, Pesaresi MG, Gerbino V, Grosskreutz J, Carrì MT. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: new insights into underlying molecular mechanisms and opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Antioxid Redox Signal 2012; 17:1277-330. [PMID: 22413952 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2011.4328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed a renewed interest in the pathogenic mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a late-onset progressive degeneration of motor neurons. The discovery of new genes associated with the familial form of the disease, along with a deeper insight into pathways already described for this disease, has led scientists to reconsider previous postulates. While protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage, defective axonal transport, and excitotoxicity have not been dismissed, they need to be re-examined as contributors to the onset or progression of ALS in the light of the current knowledge that the mutations of proteins involved in RNA processing, apparently unrelated to the previous "old partners," are causative of the same phenotype. Thus, newly envisaged models and tools may offer unforeseen clues on the etiology of this disease and hopefully provide the key to treatment.
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Yin F, Ye F, Tan L, Liu K, Xuan Z, Zhang J, Wang W, Zhang Y, Jiang X, Zhang DY. Alterations of signaling pathways in muscle tissues of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve 2012; 46:861-70. [PMID: 22996383 DOI: 10.1002/mus.23411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, manifests as progressive weakening of muscles. The diagnosis and prognosis of ALS are often unclear, so useful biomarkers are needed. METHODS Total proteins were extracted from muscle samples from 36 ALS, 17 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and 36 normal individuals. The expression levels of 134 proteins and phosphoproteins were assessed using protein pathway array analysis. RESULTS Seventeen proteins were differentially expressed between ALS and normal muscle, and 9 proteins were differentially expressed between ALS and SMA muscle. The low-level expression of Akt and Factor XIIIB correlates with unfavorable survival, and the risk score calculated based on these proteins predicts the survival of each individual patient. CONCLUSIONS Some proteins could be selected as clinically useful biomarkers. Specifically, Akt and Factor XIIIB were found to be promising biomarkers for estimating prognosis in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yin
- Department of Neurology, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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Henriques A, Gonzalez De Aguilar JL. Can transcriptomics cut the gordian knot of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis? Curr Genomics 2012; 12:506-15. [PMID: 22547957 PMCID: PMC3219845 DOI: 10.2174/138920211797904043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2011] [Revised: 07/27/2011] [Accepted: 09/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset degenerative disease characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons, progressive muscle atrophy, paralysis and death, which occurs within 2-5 years of diagnosis. Most cases appear sporadically but some are familial, usually inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. It is postulated that the disease results from the combination of multiple pathogenic mechanisms, which affect not only motor neurons but also non-neuronal neighboring cells. Together with the understanding of this intriguing cell biology, important challenges in the field concern the design of effective curative treatments and the discovery of molecular biomarkers for early diagnosis and accurate monitoring of disease progression. During the last decade, transcriptomics has represented a promising approach to address these questions. In this review, we revisit the major findings of the numerous studies that analyzed global gene expression in tissues and cells from biopsy or post-mortem specimens of ALS patients and related animal models. These studies corroborated the implication of previously described disease pathways, and investigated the role of new genes in the pathological process. In addition, they also identified gene expression changes that could be used as candidate biomarkers for the diagnosis and follow-up of ALS. The limitations of these transcriptomics approaches will be also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Henriques
- INSERM, U692, Laboratoire de Signalisations Moléculaires et Neurodégénérescence, Strasbourg, France
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