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D'Egidio F, Castelli V, d'Angelo M, Ammannito F, Quintiliani M, Cimini A. Brain incoming call from glia during neuroinflammation: Roles of extracellular vesicles. Neurobiol Dis 2024:106663. [PMID: 39251030 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The functionality of the central nervous system (CNS) relies on the connection, integration, and the exchange of information among neural cells. The crosstalk among glial cells and neurons is pivotal for a series of neural functions, such as development of the nervous system, electric conduction, synaptic transmission, neural circuit establishment, and brain homeostasis. Glial cells are crucial players in the maintenance of brain functionality in physiological and disease conditions. Neuroinflammation is a common pathological process in various brain disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases, and infections. Glial cells, including astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes, are the main mediators of neuroinflammation, as they can sense and respond to brain insults by releasing pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory factors. Recent evidence indicates that extracellular vesicles (EVs) are pivotal players in the intercellular communication that underlies physiological and pathological processes. In particular, glia-derived EVs play relevant roles in modulating neuroinflammation, either by promoting or inhibiting the activation of glial cells and neurons, or by facilitating the clearance or propagation of pathogenic proteins. The involvement of EVs in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), Huntington's Disease (HD), and Multiple Sclerosis (MS)- which share hallmarks such as neuroinflammation and oxidative stress to DNA damage, alterations in neurotrophin levels, mitochondrial impairment, and altered protein dynamics- will be dissected, showing how EVs act as pivotal cell-cell mediators of toxic stimuli, thereby propagating degeneration and cell death signaling. Thus, this review focuses on the EVs secreted by microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and in neuroinflammatory conditions, emphasizing on their effects on neurons and on central nervous system functions, considering both their beneficial and detrimental effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco D'Egidio
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy 67100, Via Vetoio - Coppito1, Building "Renato Ricamo"
| | - Vanessa Castelli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy 67100, Via Vetoio - Coppito1, Building "Renato Ricamo"
| | - Michele d'Angelo
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy 67100, Via Vetoio - Coppito1, Building "Renato Ricamo".
| | - Fabrizio Ammannito
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy 67100, Via Vetoio - Coppito1, Building "Renato Ricamo"
| | - Massimiliano Quintiliani
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy 67100, Via Vetoio - Coppito1, Building "Renato Ricamo"
| | - Annamaria Cimini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy 67100, Via Vetoio - Coppito1, Building "Renato Ricamo"
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2
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Radulescu CI, Ferrari Bardile C, Garcia-Miralles M, Sidik H, Yusof NABM, Pouladi MA. Environmental Deprivation Effects on Myelin Ultrastructure in Huntington Disease and Wildtype Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:4278-4288. [PMID: 38079108 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03799-6] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Environmental deprivation can have deleterious effects on adaptive myelination and oligodendroglia function. Early stage Huntington disease (HD) is characterised by white-matter myelin abnormalities in both humans and animal models. However, whether deprived environments exacerbate myelin-related pathological features of HD is not clearly understood. Here, we investigated the impact of deprivation and social isolation on ultrastructural features of myelin in the corpus callosum of the YAC128 mouse model of HD and wildtype (WT) mice using transmission electron microscopy. HD pathology on its own leads to increased representation of altered myelin features, such as thinner sheaths and compromised morphology. Interestingly, deprivation mirrors these effects in WT mice but does not greatly exacerbate the already aberrant myelin in HD mice, indicating a disease-related floor effect in the latter animals. These novel findings indicate that environmental deprivation causes abnormalities in myelin ultrastructure in the otherwise healthy corpus callosum of wild-type mice but has distinct effects on HD mice, where compromised myelin integrity is manifest from early stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola I Radulescu
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
- UK Dementia Research Institute (DRI), Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Costanza Ferrari Bardile
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Marta Garcia-Miralles
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Harwin Sidik
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Nur Amirah Binte Mohammad Yusof
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Mahmoud A Pouladi
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Singapore, 138648, Singapore.
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
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3
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Risby-Jones G, Lee JD, Woodruff TM, Fung JN. Sex differences in Huntington's disease from a neuroinflammation perspective. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1384480. [PMID: 38915800 PMCID: PMC11194371 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1384480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative condition characterized by motor, cognitive and psychiatric abnormalities. Immune dysregulation, prominently featuring increased immune activity, plays a significant role in HD pathogenesis. In addition to the central nervous system (CNS), systemic innate immune activation and inflammation are observed in HD patients, exacerbating the effects of the Huntingtin (HTT) gene mutation. Recent attention to sex differences in HD symptom severity underscores the need to consider gender as a biological variable in neurodegenerative disease research. Understanding sex-specific immune responses holds promise for elucidating HD pathophysiology and informing targeted treatment strategies to mitigate cognitive and functional decline. This perspective will highlight the importance of investigating gender influence in HD, particularly focusing on sex-specific immune responses predisposing individuals to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Risby-Jones
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - John D. Lee
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Trent M. Woodruff
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Jenny N. Fung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
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4
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Ferrari Bardile C, Radulescu CI, Pouladi MA. Oligodendrocyte pathology in Huntington's disease: from mechanisms to therapeutics. Trends Mol Med 2023; 29:802-816. [PMID: 37591764 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes (OLGs), highly specialized glial cells that wrap axons with myelin sheaths, are critical for brain development and function. There is new recognition of the role of OLGs in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), including Huntington's disease (HD), a prototypic NDD caused by a polyglutamine tract expansion in huntingtin (HTT), which results in gain- and loss-of-function effects. Clinically, HD is characterized by a constellation of motor, cognitive, and psychiatric disturbances. White matter (WM) structures, representing myelin-rich regions of the brain, are profoundly affected in HD, and recent findings reveal oligodendroglia dysfunction as an early pathological event. Here, we focus on mechanisms that underlie oligodendroglial deficits and dysmyelination in the progression of the disease, highlighting the pathogenic contributions of mutant HTT (mHTT). We also discuss potential therapeutic implications involving these molecular pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costanza Ferrari Bardile
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Carola I Radulescu
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Mahmoud A Pouladi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada.
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5
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Jiang A, Handley RR, Lehnert K, Snell RG. From Pathogenesis to Therapeutics: A Review of 150 Years of Huntington's Disease Research. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13021. [PMID: 37629202 PMCID: PMC10455900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241613021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative genetic disorder caused by an expanded polyglutamine-coding (CAG) trinucleotide repeat in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. HD behaves as a highly penetrant dominant disorder likely acting through a toxic gain of function by the mutant huntingtin protein. Widespread cellular degeneration of the medium spiny neurons of the caudate nucleus and putamen are responsible for the onset of symptomology that encompasses motor, cognitive, and behavioural abnormalities. Over the past 150 years of HD research since George Huntington published his description, a plethora of pathogenic mechanisms have been proposed with key themes including excitotoxicity, dopaminergic imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic defects, disruption of proteostasis, transcriptional dysregulation, and neuroinflammation. Despite the identification and characterisation of the causative gene and mutation and significant advances in our understanding of the cellular pathology in recent years, a disease-modifying intervention has not yet been clinically approved. This review includes an overview of Huntington's disease, from its genetic aetiology to clinical presentation and its pathogenic manifestation. An updated view of molecular mechanisms and the latest therapeutic developments will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Jiang
- Applied Translational Genetics Group, Centre for Brain Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; (R.R.H.); (K.L.); (R.G.S.)
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Xiong Y, Fu Y, Li Z, Zheng Y, Cui M, Zhang C, Huang XY, Jian Y, Chen BH. Laquinimod Inhibits Microglial Activation, Astrogliosis, BBB Damage, and Infarction and Improves Neurological Damage after Ischemic Stroke. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023. [PMID: 37161270 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Glial activation is involved in neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage, which plays a key role in ischemic stroke-induced neuronal damage; therefore, regulating glial activation is an important way to inhibit ischemic brain injury. Effects of laquinimod (LAQ) include inhibiting axonal damage and neuroinflammation in multiple neuronal injury diseases. However, whether laquinimod can exert neuroprotective effects after ischemic stroke remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of LAQ on glial activation, BBB damage, and neuronal damage in an ischemic stroke model. Adult ICR mice were used to create a photothrombotic stroke (PT) model. LAQ was administered orally at 30 min after ischemic injury. Neurobehavioral tests, Evans Blue, immunofluorescence, TUNEL, Nissl staining, and western blot were performed to evaluate the neurofunctional outcome. Quantification of immunofluorescence was evaluated by unbiased stereology. LAQ post-treatment significantly reduced infarction and improved forepaw function at 5 days after PT. Interestingly, LAQ treatment significantly promoted anti-inflammatory microglial activation. Moreover, LAQ treatment reduced astrocyte activation, glial scar formation, and BBB breakdown in ischemic brains. Therefore, this study demonstrated that LAQ post-treatment restricted microglial polarization, astrogliosis, and glial scar and improved BBB damage and behavioral function. LAQ may serve as a novel target to develop new therapeutic agents for ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Xiong
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Yanqiong Fu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Neuroscience, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Zhuoli Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Neuroscience, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Yu Zheng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Neuroscience, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Maiyin Cui
- Department of Rehabilitation and Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310052, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Chan Zhang
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Xin Yi Huang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Neuroscience, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Yong Jian
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325001, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Bai Hui Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Neuroscience, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, P. R. China
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Jia Q, Li S, Li XJ, Yin P. Neuroinflammation in Huntington's disease: From animal models to clinical therapeutics. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1088124. [PMID: 36618375 PMCID: PMC9815700 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1088124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by preferential loss of neurons in the striatum in patients, which leads to motor and cognitive impairments and death that often occurs 10-15 years after the onset of symptoms. The expansion of a glutamine repeat (>36 glutamines) in the N-terminal region of huntingtin (HTT) has been defined as the cause of HD, but the mechanism underlying neuronal death remains unclear. Multiple mechanisms, including inflammation, may jointly contribute to HD pathogenesis. Altered inflammation response is evident even before the onset of classical symptoms of HD. In this review, we summarize the current evidence on immune and inflammatory changes, from HD animal models to clinical phenomenon of patients with HD. The understanding of the impact of inflammation on HD would help develop novel strategies to treat HD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Peng Yin
- *Correspondence: Xiao-Jiang Li, ; Peng Yin,
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8
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Ferguson MW, Kennedy CJ, Palpagama TH, Waldvogel HJ, Faull RLM, Kwakowsky A. Current and Possible Future Therapeutic Options for Huntington’s Disease. J Cent Nerv Syst Dis 2022; 14:11795735221092517. [PMID: 35615642 PMCID: PMC9125092 DOI: 10.1177/11795735221092517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by an excessive number of CAG trinucleotide repeats within the huntingtin gene ( HTT). HD patients can present with a variety of symptoms including chorea, behavioural and psychiatric abnormalities and cognitive decline. Each patient has a unique combination of symptoms, and although these can be managed using a range of medications and non-drug treatments there is currently no cure for the disease. Current therapies prescribed for HD can be categorized by the symptom they treat. These categories include chorea medication, antipsychotic medication, antidepressants, mood stabilizing medication as well as non-drug therapies. Fortunately, there are also many new HD therapeutics currently undergoing clinical trials that target the disease at its origin; lowering the levels of mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT). Currently, much attention is being directed to antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies, which bind to pre-RNA or mRNA and can alter protein expression via RNA degradation, blocking translation or splice modulation. Other potential therapies in clinical development include RNA interference (RNAi) therapies, RNA targeting small molecule therapies, stem cell therapies, antibody therapies, non-RNA targeting small molecule therapies and neuroinflammation targeted therapies. Potential therapies in pre-clinical development include Zinc-Finger Protein (ZFP) therapies, transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) therapies and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated system (Cas) therapies. This comprehensive review aims to discuss the efficacy of current HD treatments and explore the clinical trial progress of emerging potential HD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie W. Ferguson
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Connor J. Kennedy
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Thulani H. Palpagama
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Henry J. Waldvogel
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard L. M. Faull
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrea Kwakowsky
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Galway Neuroscience Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
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C57BL/6 Background Attenuates mHTT Toxicity in the Striatum of YAC128 Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312664. [PMID: 34884469 PMCID: PMC8657915 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse models are frequently used to study Huntington’s disease (HD). The onset and severity of neuronal and behavioral pathologies vary greatly between HD mouse models, which results from different huntingtin expression levels and different CAG repeat length. HD pathology appears to depend also on the strain background of mouse models. Thus, behavioral deficits of HD mice are more severe in the FVB than in the C57BL/6 background. Alterations in medium spiny neuron (MSN) morphology and function have been well documented in young YAC128 mice in the FVB background. Here, we tested the relevance of strain background for mutant huntingtin (mHTT) toxicity on the cellular level by investigating HD pathologies in YAC128 mice in the C57BL/6 background (YAC128/BL6). Morphology, spine density, synapse function and membrane properties were not or only subtly altered in MSNs of 12-month-old YAC128/BL6 mice. Despite the mild cellular phenotype, YAC128/BL6 mice showed deficits in motor performance. More pronounced alterations in MSN function were found in the HdhQ150 mouse model in the C57BL/6 background (HdhQ150/BL6). Consistent with the differences in HD pathology, the number of inclusion bodies was considerably lower in YAC128/BL6 mice than HdhQ150/BL6 mice. This study highlights the relevance of strain background for mHTT toxicity in HD mouse models.
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Gabery S, Kwa JE, Cheong RY, Baldo B, Ferrari Bardile C, Tan B, McLean C, Georgiou-Karistianis N, Poudel GR, Halliday G, Pouladi MA, Petersén Å. Early white matter pathology in the fornix of the limbic system in Huntington disease. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 142:791-806. [PMID: 34448021 PMCID: PMC8500909 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02362-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded CAG repeat in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. The typical motor symptoms have been associated with basal ganglia pathology. However, psychiatric and cognitive symptoms often precede the motor component and may be due to changes in the limbic system. Recent work has indicated pathology in the hypothalamus in HD but other parts of the limbic system have not been extensively studied. Emerging evidence suggests that changes in HD also include white matter pathology. Here we investigated if the main white matter tract of the limbic system, the fornix, is affected in HD. We demonstrate that the fornix is 34% smaller already in prodromal HD and 41% smaller in manifest HD compared to controls using volumetric analyses of MRI of the IMAGE-HD study. In post-mortem fornix tissue from HD cases, we confirm the smaller fornix volume in HD which is accompanied by signs of myelin breakdown and reduced levels of the transcription factor myelin regulating factor but detect no loss of oligodendrocytes. Further analyses using RNA-sequencing demonstrate downregulation of oligodendrocyte identity markers in the fornix of HD cases. Analysis of differentially expressed genes based on transcription-factor/target-gene interactions also revealed enrichment for binding sites of SUZ12 and EZH2, components of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2, as well as RE1 Regulation Transcription Factor. Taken together, our data show that there is early white matter pathology of the fornix in the limbic system in HD likely due to a combination of reduction in oligodendrocyte genes and myelin break down.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Gabery
- Translational Neuroendocrine Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC D11, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jing Eugene Kwa
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Rachel Y Cheong
- Translational Neuroendocrine Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC D11, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Barbara Baldo
- Translational Neuroendocrine Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC D11, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Evotec SE, HD Research and Translational Sciences, 22419, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Costanza Ferrari Bardile
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
- Department of Medical Genetics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Brendan Tan
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3180, Australia
| | - Catriona McLean
- Department of Pathology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Govinda R Poudel
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3180, Australia
| | - Glenda Halliday
- The Brain and Mind Centre and Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mahmoud A Pouladi
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138648, Singapore
- Department of Medical Genetics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Åsa Petersén
- Translational Neuroendocrine Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC D11, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
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Kim A, Lalonde K, Truesdell A, Gomes Welter P, Brocardo PS, Rosenstock TR, Gil-Mohapel J. New Avenues for the Treatment of Huntington's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168363. [PMID: 34445070 PMCID: PMC8394361 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG expansion in the HD gene. The disease is characterized by neurodegeneration, particularly in the striatum and cortex. The first symptoms usually appear in mid-life and include cognitive deficits and motor disturbances that progress over time. Despite being a genetic disorder with a known cause, several mechanisms are thought to contribute to neurodegeneration in HD, and numerous pre-clinical and clinical studies have been conducted and are currently underway to test the efficacy of therapeutic approaches targeting some of these mechanisms with varying degrees of success. Although current clinical trials may lead to the identification or refinement of treatments that are likely to improve the quality of life of those living with HD, major efforts continue to be invested at the pre-clinical level, with numerous studies testing novel approaches that show promise as disease-modifying strategies. This review offers a detailed overview of the currently approved treatment options for HD and the clinical trials for this neurodegenerative disorder that are underway and concludes by discussing potential disease-modifying treatments that have shown promise in pre-clinical studies, including increasing neurotropic support, modulating autophagy, epigenetic and genetic manipulations, and the use of nanocarriers and stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Kim
- Island Medical Program and Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; (A.K.); (K.L.)
| | - Kathryn Lalonde
- Island Medical Program and Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; (A.K.); (K.L.)
| | - Aaron Truesdell
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada;
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Priscilla Gomes Welter
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil; (P.G.W.); (P.S.B.)
| | - Patricia S. Brocardo
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil; (P.G.W.); (P.S.B.)
| | - Tatiana R. Rosenstock
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Science, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
- Department of Pharmacology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Joana Gil-Mohapel
- Island Medical Program and Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; (A.K.); (K.L.)
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-250-472-4597; Fax: +1-250-472-5505
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12
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Ferrari Bardile C, Sidik H, Quek R, Yusof NABM, Garcia-Miralles M, Pouladi MA. Abnormal Spinal Cord Myelination due to Oligodendrocyte Dysfunction in a Model of Huntington's Disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2021; 10:377-384. [PMID: 34366364 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-210495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relative contribution of grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) degeneration to the progressive brain atrophy in Huntington's disease (HD) has been well studied. The pathology of the spinal cord in HD is comparatively less well documented. OBJECTIVE We aim to characterize spinal cord WM abnormalities in a mouse model of HD and evaluate whether selective removal of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) from oligodendroglia rescues these deficits. METHODS Histological assessments were used to determine the area of GM and WM in the spinal cord of 12-month-old BACHD mice, while electron microscopy was used to analyze myelin fibers in the cervical area of the spinal cord. To investigate the impact of inactivation of mHTT in oligodendroglia on these measures, we used the previously described BACHDxNG2Cre mouse line where mHTT is specifically reduced in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. RESULTS We show that spinal GM and WM areas are significantly atrophied in HD mice compared to wild-type controls. We further demonstrate that specific reduction of mHTT in oligodendroglial cells rescues the atrophy of spinal cord WM, but not GM, observed in HD mice. Inactivation of mHTT in oligodendroglia had no effect on the density of oligodendroglial cells but enhanced the expression of myelin-related proteins in the spinal cord. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that the myelination abnormalities observed in brain WM structures in HD extend to the spinal cord and suggest that specific expression of mHTT in oligodendrocytes contributes to such abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costanza Ferrari Bardile
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A *STAR), Singapore.,Departments of Medicine and Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Harwin Sidik
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A *STAR), Singapore
| | - Reynard Quek
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A *STAR), Singapore
| | | | - Marta Garcia-Miralles
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A *STAR), Singapore
| | - Mahmoud A Pouladi
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A *STAR), Singapore.,Departments of Medicine and Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Colombo E, Pascente R, Triolo D, Bassani C, De Angelis A, Ruffini F, Ottoboni L, Comi G, Martino G, Farina C. Laquinimod Modulates Human Astrocyte Function and Dampens Astrocyte-Induced Neurotoxicity during Inflammation. Molecules 2020; 25:E5403. [PMID: 33218208 PMCID: PMC7699283 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes greatly participate to inflammatory and neurotoxic reactions occurring in neurodegenerative diseases and are valuable pharmacological targets to support neuroprotection. Here we used human astrocytes generated from reprogrammed fibroblasts as a cellular model to study the effect of the compound Laquinimod and its active metabolite de-Laquinimod on astrocyte functions and the astrocyte-neuron interaction. We show that human iAstrocytes expressed the receptor for the inflammatory mediator IL1 and responded to it via nuclear translocation of NFκB, an event that did not occur if cells were treated with Laquinimod, indicating a direct anti-inflammatory activity of the drug on the human astrocyte. Similarly, while exposure to IL1 downregulated glial glutamate transporters GLAST and GLT1, treatment with Laquinimod supported maintenance of physiological levels of these proteins despite the inflammatory milieu. Laquinimod also induced nuclear translocation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), suggesting that drug action was mediated by activation of the AHR pathway. However, the drug was effective despite AHR inhibition via CH223191, indicating that AHR signaling in the astrocyte is dispensable for drug responses. Finally, in vitro experiments with rat spinal neurons showed that laquinimod did not exert neuroprotection directly on the neuron but dampened astrocyte-induced neurodegeneration. Our findings indicate that fibroblast-derived human astrocytes represent a suitable model to study astrocyte-neuron crosstalk and demonstrate indirect, partial neuroprotective efficacy for laquinimod.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Colombo
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy; (E.C.); (R.P.); (D.T.); (C.B.); (A.D.A.); (F.R.); (L.O.); (G.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Rosaria Pascente
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy; (E.C.); (R.P.); (D.T.); (C.B.); (A.D.A.); (F.R.); (L.O.); (G.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Daniela Triolo
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy; (E.C.); (R.P.); (D.T.); (C.B.); (A.D.A.); (F.R.); (L.O.); (G.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Claudia Bassani
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy; (E.C.); (R.P.); (D.T.); (C.B.); (A.D.A.); (F.R.); (L.O.); (G.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Anthea De Angelis
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy; (E.C.); (R.P.); (D.T.); (C.B.); (A.D.A.); (F.R.); (L.O.); (G.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Francesca Ruffini
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy; (E.C.); (R.P.); (D.T.); (C.B.); (A.D.A.); (F.R.); (L.O.); (G.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Linda Ottoboni
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy; (E.C.); (R.P.); (D.T.); (C.B.); (A.D.A.); (F.R.); (L.O.); (G.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Giancarlo Comi
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy; (E.C.); (R.P.); (D.T.); (C.B.); (A.D.A.); (F.R.); (L.O.); (G.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Gianvito Martino
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy; (E.C.); (R.P.); (D.T.); (C.B.); (A.D.A.); (F.R.); (L.O.); (G.C.); (G.M.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Cinthia Farina
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSpe), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy; (E.C.); (R.P.); (D.T.); (C.B.); (A.D.A.); (F.R.); (L.O.); (G.C.); (G.M.)
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Engel S, Jolivel V, Kraus SHP, Zayoud M, Rosenfeld K, Tumani H, Furlan R, Kurschus FC, Waisman A, Luessi F. Laquinimod dampens IL-1β signaling and Th17-polarizing capacity of monocytes in patients with MS. NEUROLOGY-NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2020; 8:8/1/e908. [PMID: 33203651 PMCID: PMC7676421 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000000908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of laquinimod treatment on monocytes and to investigate the underlying immunomodulatory mechanisms in MS. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, we performed in vivo and in vitro analyses of cluster of differentiation (CD14+) monocytes isolated from healthy donors (n = 15), untreated (n = 13), and laquinimod-treated patients with MS (n = 14). Their frequency and the expression of surface activation markers were assessed by flow cytometry and the viability by calcein staining. Cytokine concentrations in the supernatants of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated monocytes were determined by flow cytometry. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression level of genes involved in cytokine expression was measured by quantitative PCR. The LPS-mediated nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cell (NF-κB) activation was determined by the quantification of the phosphorylation level of the p65 subunit. Laquinimod-treated monocytes were cocultured with CD4+ T cells, and the resulting cytokine production was analyzed by flow cytometry after intracellular cytokine staining. The interleukin (IL)-17A concentration of the supernatant was assessed by ELISA. RESULTS Laquinimod did not alter the frequency or viability of circulating monocytes, but led to an upregulation of CD86 expression. LPS-stimulated monocytes of laquinimod-treated patients with MS secreted less IL-1β following a downregulation of IL-1β gene expression. Phosphorylation levels of the NF-κB p65 subunit were reduced after laquinimod treatment, indicating a laquinimod-associated inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. T cells primed with laquinimod-treated monocytes differentiated significantly less into IL-17A-producing T helper (Th)-17 cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that inhibited NF-κB signaling and downregulation of IL-1β expression in monocytes contributes to the immunomodulatory effects of laquinimod and that the impairment of Th17 polarization might mediate its disease-modifying activity in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinah Engel
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Valérie Jolivel
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan H-P Kraus
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Morad Zayoud
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karolina Rosenfeld
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hayrettin Tumani
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roberto Furlan
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian C Kurschus
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ari Waisman
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix Luessi
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Jamwal S, Elsworth JD, Rahi V, Kumar P. Gene therapy and immunotherapy as promising strategies to combat Huntington's disease-associated neurodegeneration: emphasis on recent updates and future perspectives. Expert Rev Neurother 2020; 20:1123-1141. [PMID: 32720531 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2020.1801424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Modulation of gene expression using gene therapy as well as modulation of immune activation using immunotherapy has attracted considerable attention as rapidly emerging potential therapeutic intervention for the treatment of HD. Several preclinical and clinical trials for gene-based therapy and immunotherapy/antibody-based have been conducted. AREAS COVERED This review focused on the potential use of gene therapy and immuno-based therapies to treat HD, including the current status, the rationale for these approaches as well as preclinical and clinical data supporting it. Growing knowledge of HD pathogenesis has resulted in the discovery of new therapeutic targets, some of which are now in clinical trials. Focus has been allocated to RNA and DNA-based gene therapies for the reduction of mutant huntingtin (mHTT), using Immuno/antibody-based therapies. EXPERT OPINION While safety and efficacy of gene therapy and immunotherapy has been well demonstrated for HD, therefore much focus has now been shifted to disease-modifying therapies. This review defines the current status and future directions of gene therapy and immunotherapies. The review summarizes by what means HD genetic root cause modification and functional restoration of mHtt protein could be achieved by using targeted multimodality gene therapy and immunotherapy to target intracellular and extracellular mHtt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Jamwal
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven, CT, USA
| | - John D Elsworth
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Vikrant Rahi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University , Bathinda, India
| | - Puneet Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab , Bathinda, India
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The longevity-associated variant of BPIFB4 improves a CXCR4-mediated striatum-microglia crosstalk preventing disease progression in a mouse model of Huntington's disease. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:546. [PMID: 32683420 PMCID: PMC7368858 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-02754-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The longevity-associated variant (LAV) of the bactericidal/permeability-increasing fold-containing family B member 4 (BPIFB4) has been found significantly enriched in long-living individuals. Neuroinflammation is a key player in Huntington's disease (HD), a neurodegenerative disorder caused by neural death due to expanded CAG repeats encoding a long polyglutamine tract in the huntingtin protein (Htt). Herein, we showed that striatal-derived cell lines with expanded Htt (STHdh Q111/111) expressed and secreted lower levels of BPIFB4, when compared with Htt expressing cells (STHdh Q7/7), which correlated with a defective stress response to proteasome inhibition. Overexpression of LAV-BPIFB4 in STHdh Q111/111 cells was able to rescue both the BPIFB4 secretory profile and the proliferative/survival response. According to a well-established immunomodulatory role of LAV-BPIFB4, conditioned media from LAV-BPIFB4-overexpressing STHdh Q111/111 cells were able to educate Immortalized Human Microglia-SV40 microglial cells. While STHdh Q111/111 dying cells were ineffective to induce a CD163 + IL-10high pro-resolving microglia compared to normal STHdh Q7/7, LAV-BPIFB4 transduction promptly restored the central immune control through a mechanism involving the stromal cell-derived factor-1. In line with the in vitro results, adeno-associated viral-mediated administration of LAV-BPIFB4 exerted a CXCR4-dependent neuroprotective action in vivo in the R6/2 HD mouse model by preventing important hallmarks of the disease including motor dysfunction, body weight loss, and mutant huntingtin protein aggregation. In this view, LAV-BPIFB4, due to its pleiotropic ability in both immune compartment and cellular homeostasis, may represent a candidate for developing new treatment for HD.
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Wilton DK, Stevens B. The contribution of glial cells to Huntington's disease pathogenesis. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 143:104963. [PMID: 32593752 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial cells play critical roles in the normal development and function of neural circuits, but in many neurodegenerative diseases, they become dysregulated and may contribute to the development of brain pathology. In Huntington's disease (HD), glial cells both lose normal functions and gain neuropathic phenotypes. In addition, cell-autonomous dysfunction elicited by mutant huntingtin (mHTT) expression in specific glial cell types is sufficient to induce both pathology and Huntington's disease-related impairments in motor and cognitive performance, suggesting that these cells may drive the development of certain aspects of Huntington's disease pathogenesis. In support of this imaging studies in pre-symptomatic HD patients and work on mouse models have suggested that glial cell dysfunction occurs at a very early stage of the disease, prior to the onset of motor and cognitive deficits. Furthermore, selectively ablating mHTT from specific glial cells or correcting for HD-induced changes in their transcriptional profile rescues some HD-related phenotypes, demonstrating the potential of targeting these cells for therapeutic intervention. Here we review emerging research focused on understanding the involvement of different glial cell types in specific aspects of HD pathogenesis. This work is providing new insight into how HD impacts biological functions of glial cells in the healthy brain as well as how HD induced dysfunction in these cells might change the way they integrate into biological circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel K Wilton
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Beth Stevens
- Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Stanley Center, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Jiang T, Zhang W, Wang Z. Laquinimod Protects Against TNF-α-Induced Attachment of Monocytes to Human Aortic Endothelial Cells (HAECs) by Increasing the Expression of KLF2. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2020; 14:1683-1691. [PMID: 32440094 PMCID: PMC7222522 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s243666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Introduction As a worldwide health issue, the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis present an important goal. Increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α-associated chronic inflammatory response cause endothelial cells to lose their ability to regulate vascular function. Lipid-laden immune cells are recruited to the endothelium where they adhere to the endothelial wall and invade the intimal space, thereby leading to the development of atherosclerotic lesions, fatty plaques, and thickening of the arterial wall. In the present study, for the first time, we investigated the effects of laquinimod, an immunomodulatory agent used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, on human aortic endothelial in a TNF-α-induced atherosclerotic microenvironment. At present, the mechanism of action of laquinimod is not well defined. Methods The effects of laquinimod on the gene expression of IL-6, MCP-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, and KLF2 were measured by real-time PCR. ELISA assay was used to determine protein secretion and expression. Phosphorylation of ERK5 and the protein level of KLF2 were measured by Western blot analysis. The attachment of monocytes to endothelial cells was assayed by calcein-AM staining and fluorescent microscopy. Results Our findings demonstrate that laquinimod reduced the expression of key inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including IL-6, MCP-1, and HMGB1. We further demonstrate that laquinimod significantly reduced the attachment of monocytes to endothelial cells, which is mediated through reduced expression of the cellular adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and E-selectin. Here, we found that laquinimod could significantly increase the expression of KLF2 through activation of ERK5 signaling. The results of our KLF2 knockdown experiment confirm that the effects of laquinimod observed in vitro are dependent on KLF2 expression. Conclusion Together, these findings suggest a potential antiatherosclerotic capacity of laquinimod. Further research will elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiechao Jiang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Third Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China.,Jilin Provincial Precision Medicine Key Laboratory for Cardiovascular Genetic Diagnosis, The Third Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China.,Jilin Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Endothelial Function and Genetic Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Disease, The Third Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenhao Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Third Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongyu Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Third Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China.,Jilin Provincial Precision Medicine Key Laboratory for Cardiovascular Genetic Diagnosis, The Third Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China.,Jilin Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Endothelial Function and Genetic Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Disease, The Third Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China
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19
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Yin P, Liu Q, Pan Y, Yang W, Yang S, Wei W, Chen X, Hong Y, Bai D, Li XJ, Li S. Phosphorylation of myelin regulatory factor by PRKG2 mediates demyelination in Huntington's disease. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e49783. [PMID: 32270922 PMCID: PMC9336218 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201949783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Demyelination is a common pathological feature of a large number of neurodegenerative diseases including multiple sclerosis and Huntington's disease (HD). Laquinimod (LAQ) has been found to have therapeutic effects on multiple sclerosis and HD. However, the mechanism underlying LAQ's therapeutic effects remains unknown. Using HD mice that selectively express mutant huntingtin in oligodendrocytes and show demyelination, we found that LAQ reduces the Ser259 phosphorylation on myelin regulatory factor (MYRF), an oligodendrocyte-specific transcription factor promoting the expression of myelin-associated genes. The reduced MYRF phosphorylation inhibits MYRF's binding to mutant huntingtin and increases the expression of myelin-associated genes. We also found that PRKG2, a cGMP-activated protein kinase subunit II, promotes the Ser259-MYRF phosphorylation and that knocking down PRKG2 increased myelin-associated protein's expression in HD mice. Our findings suggest that PRKG2-regulated phosphorylation of MYRF is involved in demyelination and can serve as a potential therapeutic target for reducing demyelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Yin
- Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Qiong Liu
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongcheng Pan
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weili Yang
- Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Su Yang
- Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjie Wei
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xingxing Chen
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Brain and Cognition Research Institute, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Hong
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dazhang Bai
- Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Jiang Li
- Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shihua Li
- Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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20
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Fatoba O, Ohtake Y, Itokazu T, Yamashita T. Immunotherapies in Huntington's disease and α-Synucleinopathies. Front Immunol 2020; 11:337. [PMID: 32161599 PMCID: PMC7052383 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Modulation of immune activation using immunotherapy has attracted considerable attention for many years as a potential therapeutic intervention for several inflammation-associated neurodegenerative diseases. However, the efficacy of single-target immunotherapy intervention has shown limited or no efficacy in alleviating disease burden and restoring functional capacity. Marked immune system activation and neuroinflammation are important features and prodromal signs in polyQ repeat disorders and α-synucleinopathies. This review describes the current status and future directions of immunotherapies in proteinopathy-induced neurodegeneration with emphasis on preclinical and clinical efficacies of several anti-inflammatory compounds and antibody-based therapies for the treatment of Huntington's disease and α-synucleinopathies. The review concludes with how disease modification and functional restoration could be achieved by using targeted multimodality therapy to target multiple factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwaseun Fatoba
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,WPI -Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yosuke Ohtake
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Department of Neuro-Medical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Takahide Itokazu
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Department of Neuro-Medical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Toshihide Yamashita
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,WPI -Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Department of Neuro-Medical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
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21
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Kumar A, Kumar V, Singh K, Kumar S, Kim YS, Lee YM, Kim JJ. Therapeutic Advances for Huntington's Disease. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10010043. [PMID: 31940909 PMCID: PMC7016861 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10010043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive neurological disease that is inherited in an autosomal fashion. The cause of disease pathology is an expansion of cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeats within the huntingtin gene (HTT) on chromosome 4 (4p16.3), which codes the huntingtin protein (mHTT). The common symptoms of HD include motor and cognitive impairment of psychiatric functions. Patients exhibit a representative phenotype of involuntary movement (chorea) of limbs, impaired cognition, and severe psychiatric disturbances (mood swings, depression, and personality changes). A variety of symptomatic treatments (which target glutamate and dopamine pathways, caspases, inhibition of aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, transcriptional dysregulation, and fetal neural transplants, etc.) are available and some are in the pipeline. Advancement in novel therapeutic approaches include targeting the mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein and the HTT gene. New gene editing techniques will reduce the CAG repeats. More appropriate and readily tractable treatment goals, coupled with advances in analytical tools will help to assess the clinical outcomes of HD treatments. This will not only improve the quality of life and life span of HD patients, but it will also provide a beneficial role in other inherited and neurological disorders. In this review, we aim to discuss current therapeutic research approaches and their possible uses for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Kumar
- Department of Genetics, Sanjay Gandhi Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, UP, India;
| | - Vijay Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541, Korea; (Y.-S.K.); (Y.-M.L.)
- Correspondence: (V.K.); (J.-J.K.)
| | - Kritanjali Singh
- Central Research Station, Subharti Medical College, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut 250002, India;
| | - Sukesh Kumar
- PG Department of Botany, Nalanda College, Bihar Sharif, Magadh University, Bihar 824234, India;
| | - You-Sam Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541, Korea; (Y.-S.K.); (Y.-M.L.)
| | - Yun-Mi Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541, Korea; (Y.-S.K.); (Y.-M.L.)
| | - Jong-Joo Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541, Korea; (Y.-S.K.); (Y.-M.L.)
- Correspondence: (V.K.); (J.-J.K.)
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22
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Laquinimod ameliorates secondary brain inflammation. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 134:104675. [PMID: 31731041 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that a degenerative processes within the brain can trigger the formation of new, focal inflammatory lesions in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Here, we used a novel pre-clinical MS animal model to test whether the amelioration of degenerative brain events reduces the secondary recruitment of peripheral immune cells and, in consequence, inflammatory lesion development. Neural degeneration was induced by a 3 weeks cuprizone intoxication period. To mitigate the cuprizone-induced pathology, animals were treated with Laquinimod (25 mg/kg) during the cuprizone-intoxication period. At the beginning of week 6, encephalitogenic T cell development in peripheral lymphoid organs was induced by the immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 peptide (i.e., Cup/EAE). Demyelination, axonal injury and reactive gliosis were determined by immunohistochemistry. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging was performed to analyze glia activation in vivo. Vehicle-treated cuprizone mice displayed extensive callosal demyelination, glia activation and enhanced TSPO-ligand binding. This cuprizone-induced pathology was profoundly ameliorated in mice treated with Laquinimod. In vehicle-treated Cup/EAE mice, the cuprizone-induced pathology triggered massive peripheral immune cell recruitment into the forebrain, evidenced by multifocal perivascular inflammation, glia activation and neuro-axonal injury. While anti myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 peptide immune responses were comparable in vehicle- and Laquinimod-treated Cup/EAE mice, the cuprizone-triggered immune cell recruitment was ameliorated by the Laquinimod treatment. This study clearly illustrates that amelioration of a primary brain-intrinsic degenerative process secondary halts peripheral immune cell recruitment and, in consequence, inflammatory lesion development. These findings have important consequences for the interpretation of the results of clinical studies.
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23
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Nyamoya S, Steinle J, Chrzanowski U, Kaye J, Schmitz C, Beyer C, Kipp M. Laquinimod Supports Remyelination in Non-Supportive Environments. Cells 2019; 8:cells8111363. [PMID: 31683658 PMCID: PMC6912710 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory demyelination, which is a characteristic of multiple sclerosis lesions, leads to acute functional deficits and, in the long term, to progressive axonal degeneration. While remyelination is believed to protect axons, the endogenous-regenerative processes are often incomplete or even completely fail in many multiple sclerosis patients. Although it is currently unknown why remyelination fails, recurrent demyelination of previously demyelinated white matter areas is one contributing factor. In this study, we investigated whether laquinimod, which has demonstrated protective effects in active multiple sclerosis patients, protects against recurrent demyelination. To address this, male mice were intoxicated with cuprizone for up to eight weeks and treated with either a vehicle solution or laquinimod at the beginning of week 5, where remyelination was ongoing. The brains were harvested and analyzed by immunohistochemistry. At the time-point of laquinimod treatment initiation, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells proliferated and maturated despite ongoing demyelination activity. In the following weeks, myelination recovered in the laquinimod- but not vehicle-treated mice, despite continued cuprizone intoxication. Myelin recovery was paralleled by less severe microgliosis and acute axonal injury. In this study, we were able to demonstrate that laquinimod, which has previously been shown to protect against cuprizone-induced oligodendrocyte degeneration, exerts protective effects during oligodendrocyte progenitor differentiation as well. By this mechanism, laquinimod allows remyelination in non-supportive environments. These results should encourage further clinical studies in progressive multiple sclerosis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Nyamoya
- Institute of Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
- Institute of Neuroanatomy and JARA-BRAIN, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Julia Steinle
- Institute of Neuroanatomy and JARA-BRAIN, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Uta Chrzanowski
- Department of Anatomy II, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany.
| | - Joel Kaye
- AyalaPharma, VP Research & Nonclinical Development, Rehovot 7670104, Israel.
| | - Christoph Schmitz
- Department of Anatomy II, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany.
| | - Cordian Beyer
- Institute of Neuroanatomy and JARA-BRAIN, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Markus Kipp
- Institute of Neuroanatomy and JARA-BRAIN, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
- Centre for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
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24
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Palpagama TH, Waldvogel HJ, Faull RLM, Kwakowsky A. The Role of Microglia and Astrocytes in Huntington's Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:258. [PMID: 31708741 PMCID: PMC6824292 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease. HD patients present with movement disorders, behavioral and psychiatric symptoms and cognitive decline. This review summarizes the contribution of microglia and astrocytes to HD pathophysiology. Neuroinflammation in the HD brain is characterized by a reactive morphology in these glial cells. Microglia and astrocytes are critical in regulating neuronal activity and maintaining an optimal milieu for neuronal function. Previous studies provide evidence that activated microglia and reactive astrocytes contribute to HD pathology through transcriptional activation of pro-inflammatory genes to perpetuate a chronic inflammatory state. Reactive astrocytes also display functional changes in glutamate and ion homeostasis and energy metabolism. Astrocytic and microglial changes may further contribute to the neuronal death observed with the progression of HD. Importantly, the degree to which these neuroinflammatory changes are detrimental to neurons and contribute to the progression of HD pathology is not well understood. Furthermore, recent observations provide compelling evidence that activated microglia and astrocytes exert a variety of beneficial functions that are essential for limiting tissue damage and preserving neuronal function in the HD brain. Therefore, a better understanding of the neuroinflammatory environment in the brain in HD may lead to the development of targeted and innovative therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thulani H Palpagama
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Henry J Waldvogel
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard L M Faull
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrea Kwakowsky
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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25
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Intrinsic mutant HTT-mediated defects in oligodendroglia cause myelination deficits and behavioral abnormalities in Huntington disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:9622-9627. [PMID: 31015293 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1818042116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
White matter abnormalities are a nearly universal pathological feature of neurodegenerative disorders including Huntington disease (HD). A long-held assumption is that this white matter pathology is simply a secondary outcome of the progressive neuronal loss that manifests with advancing disease. Using a mouse model of HD, here we show that white matter and myelination abnormalities are an early disease feature appearing before the manifestation of any behavioral abnormalities or neuronal loss. We further show that selective inactivation of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) in the NG2+ oligodendrocyte progenitor cell population prevented myelin abnormalities and certain behavioral deficits in HD mice. Strikingly, the improvements in behavioral outcomes were seen despite the continued expression of mHTT in nonoligodendroglial cells including neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. Using RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analyses, we implicate a pathogenic mechanism that involves enhancement of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) activity by mHTT in the intrinsic oligodendroglial dysfunction and myelination deficits observed in HD. Our findings challenge the long-held dogma regarding the etiology of white matter pathology in HD and highlight the contribution of epigenetic mechanisms to the observed intrinsic oligodendroglial dysfunction. Our results further suggest that ameliorating white matter pathology and oligodendroglial dysfunction may be beneficial for HD.
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26
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Teo RTY, Ferrari Bardile C, Tay YL, Yusof NABM, Kreidy CA, Tan LJ, Pouladi MA. Impaired Remyelination in a Mouse Model of Huntington Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:6873-6882. [PMID: 30937636 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-1579-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
White matter (WM) abnormalities are a well-established feature of Huntington disease (HD), although their nature is not fully understood. Here, we asked whether remyelination as a measure of WM plasticity is impaired in a model of HD. Using the cuprizone assay, we examined demyelination and remyelination responses in YAC128 HD mice. Treatment with 0.2% cuprizone (CPZ) for 6 weeks resulted in significant reduction in mature (GSTπ-positive) oligodendrocyte counts and FluoroMyelin staining in the corpus callosum, leading to similar demyelination states in YAC128 and wild-type (WT) mice. Six weeks following cessation of CPZ, we observed robust remyelination in WT mice as indicated by an increase in mature oligodendrocyte counts and FluoroMyelin staining. In contrast, YAC128 mice exhibited an impaired remyelination response. The increase in mature oligodendrocyte counts in YAC128 HD mice following CPZ cessation was lower than that of WT. Furthermore, there was no increase in FluoroMyelin staining compared to the demyelinated state in YAC128 mice. We confirmed these findings using electron microscopy where the CPZ-induced reduction in myelinated axons was reversed following CPZ cessation in WT but not YAC128 mice. Our findings demonstrate that remyelination is impaired in YAC128 mice and suggest that WM plasticity may be compromised in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Tang Yi Teo
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Costanza Ferrari Bardile
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Yi Lin Tay
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Nur Amirah Binte Mohammad Yusof
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Charbel A Kreidy
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Liang Juin Tan
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Mahmoud A Pouladi
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, Singapore, 138648, Singapore.
- Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
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