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Májovská J, Nestrašil I, Ahmed A, Bondy MT, Klempíř J, Jahnová H, Schneider SA, Horáková D, Krásenský J, Ješina P, Vaneckova M, Nascene DR, Whitley CB, Jarnes JR, Magner M, Dušek P. Quantitative brain morphometry identifies cerebellar, cortical, and subcortical gray and white matter atrophy in late-onset Tay-Sachs disease. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024; 47:327-339. [PMID: 38112342 PMCID: PMC10947897 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Cerebellar atrophy is a characteristic sign of late-onset Tay-Sachs disease (LOTS). Other structural neuroimaging abnormalities are inconsistently reported. Our study aimed to perform a detailed whole-brain analysis and quantitatively characterize morphometric changes in LOTS patients. Fourteen patients (8 M/6F) with LOTS from three centers were included in this retrospective study. For morphometric brain analyses, we used deformation-based morphometry, voxel-based morphometry, surface-based morphometry, and spatially unbiased cerebellar atlas template. The quantitative whole-brain morphometric analysis confirmed the finding of profound pontocerebellar atrophy with most affected cerebellar lobules V and VI in LOTS patients. Additionally, the atrophy of structures mainly involved in motor control, including bilateral ventral and lateral thalamic nuclei, primary motor and sensory cortex, supplementary motor area, and white matter regions containing corticospinal tract, was present. The atrophy of the right amygdala, hippocampus, and regions of occipital, parietal and temporal white matter was also observed in LOTS patients in contrast with controls (p < 0.05, FWE corrected). Patients with dysarthria and those initially presenting with ataxia had more severe cerebellar atrophy. Our results show predominant impairment of cerebellar regions responsible for speech and hand motor function in LOTS patients. Widespread morphological changes of motor cortical and subcortical regions and tracts in white matter indicate abnormalities in central motor circuits likely coresponsible for impaired speech and motor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitka Májovská
- Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Igor Nestrašil
- Division of Clinical Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Alia Ahmed
- Advanced Therapies Program, Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Monica T Bondy
- Division of Clinical Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jiří Klempíř
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Jahnová
- Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Dana Horáková
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Krásenský
- Department of Radiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Ješina
- Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Manuela Vaneckova
- Department of Radiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - David R Nascene
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Chester B Whitley
- Advanced Therapies Program, Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Gene Therapy and Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jeanine R Jarnes
- Advanced Therapies Program, Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Martin Magner
- Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Dušek
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Radiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic
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The GM2 gangliosidoses: Unlocking the mysteries of pathogenesis and treatment. Neurosci Lett 2021; 764:136195. [PMID: 34450229 PMCID: PMC8572160 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Moro CA, Hanna-Rose W. Animal Model Contributions to Congenital Metabolic Disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1236:225-244. [PMID: 32304075 PMCID: PMC8404832 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-2389-2_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Genetic model systems allow researchers to probe and decipher aspects of human disease, and animal models of disease are frequently specifically engineered and have been identified serendipitously as well. Animal models are useful for probing the etiology and pathophysiology of disease and are critical for effective discovery and development of novel therapeutics for rare diseases. Here we review the impact of animal model organism research in three examples of congenital metabolic disorders to highlight distinct advantages of model system research. First, we discuss phenylketonuria research where a wide variety of research fields and models came together to make impressive progress and where a nearly ideal mouse model has been central to therapeutic advancements. Second, we review advancements in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome research to illustrate the role of models that do not perfectly recapitulate human disease as well as the need for multiple models of the same disease to fully investigate human disease aspects. Finally, we highlight research on the GM2 gangliosidoses Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff disease to illustrate the important role of both engineered traditional laboratory animal models and serendipitously identified atypical models in congenital metabolic disorder research. We close with perspectives for the future for animal model research in congenital metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna A Moro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Wendy Hanna-Rose
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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Kato A, Nakagome I, Nakagawa S, Kinami K, Adachi I, Jenkinson SF, Désiré J, Blériot Y, Nash RJ, Fleet GWJ, Hirono S. In silico analyses of essential interactions of iminosugars with the Hex A active site and evaluation of their pharmacological chaperone effects for Tay-Sachs disease. Org Biomol Chem 2018; 15:9297-9304. [PMID: 28959811 DOI: 10.1039/c7ob02281f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The affinity of a series of iminosugar-based inhibitors exhibiting various ring sizes toward Hex A and their essential interactions with the enzyme active site were investigated. All the Hex A-inhibiting iminosugars tested formed hydrogen bonds with Arg178, Asp322, Tyr421 and Glu462 and had the favorable cation-π interaction with Trp460. Among them, DMDP amide (6) proved to be the most potent competitive inhibitor with a Ki value of 0.041 μM. We analyzed the dynamic properties of both DMDP amide (6) and DNJNAc (1) in aqueous solution using molecular dynamics (MD) calculations; the distance of the interaction between Asp322 and 3-OH and Glu323 and 6-OH was important for stable interactions with Hex A, reducing fluctuations in the plasticity of the active site. DMDP amide (6) dose-dependently increased intracellular Hex A activity in the G269S mutant cells and restored Hex A activity up to approximately 43% of the wild type level; this effect clearly exceeded the border line treatment for Tay-Sachs disease, which is regarded as 10-15% of the wild type level. This is a significantly greater effect than that of pyrimethamine, which is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials. DMDP amide (6), therefore, represents a new promising pharmacological chaperone candidate for the treatment of Tay-Sachs disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Kato
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
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Seyrantepe V, Demir SA, Timur ZK, Von Gerichten J, Marsching C, Erdemli E, Oztas E, Takahashi K, Yamaguchi K, Ates N, Dönmez Demir B, Dalkara T, Erich K, Hopf C, Sandhoff R, Miyagi T. Murine Sialidase Neu3 facilitates GM2 degradation and bypass in mouse model of Tay-Sachs disease. Exp Neurol 2017; 299:26-41. [PMID: 28974375 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Tay-Sachs disease is a severe lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in Hexa, the gene that encodes for the α subunit of lysosomal β-hexosaminidase A (HEXA), which converts GM2 to GM3 ganglioside. Unexpectedly, Hexa-/- mice have a normal lifespan and show no obvious neurological impairment until at least one year of age. These mice catabolize stored GM2 ganglioside using sialidase(s) to remove sialic acid and form the glycolipid GA2, which is further processed by β-hexosaminidase B. Therefore, the presence of the sialidase (s) allows the consequences of the Hexa defect to be bypassed. To determine if the sialidase NEU3 contributes to GM2 ganglioside degradation, we generated a mouse model with combined deficiencies of HEXA and NEU3. The Hexa-/-Neu3-/- mice were healthy at birth, but died at 1.5 to 4.5months of age. Thin-layer chromatography and mass spectrometric analysis of the brains of Hexa-/-Neu3-/- mice revealed the abnormal accumulation of GM2 ganglioside. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated cytoplasmic vacuolation in the neurons. Electron microscopic examination of the brain, kidneys and testes revealed pleomorphic inclusions of many small vesicles and complex lamellar structures. The Hexa-/-Neu3-/- mice exhibited progressive neurodegeneration with neuronal loss, Purkinje cell depletion, and astrogliosis. Slow movement, ataxia, and tremors were the prominent neurological abnormalities observed in these mice. Furthermore, radiographs revealed abnormalities in the skeletal bones of the Hexa-/-Neu3-/- mice. Thus, the Hexa-/-Neu3-/- mice mimic the neuropathological and clinical abnormalities of the classical early-onset Tay-Sachs patients, and provide a suitable model for the future pre-clinical testing of potential treatments for this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volkan Seyrantepe
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, 35430 Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Secil Akyildiz Demir
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, 35430 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Zehra Kevser Timur
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, 35430 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Johanna Von Gerichten
- Lipid Pathobiochemistry Group (G131) German Cancer Research Center, INF 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Marsching
- Lipid Pathobiochemistry Group (G131) German Cancer Research Center, INF 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Center for Applied Research in Applied Biomedical Mass Spectrometry (ABIMAS), Mannheim, Germany; Institute of Medical Technology (IMT) of Heidelberg University and Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Paul-Wittsach-Str.10, 68163 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Esra Erdemli
- Departments of Histology and Embryology, Ankara University, Medical School, 06100, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Emin Oztas
- Departments of Histology and Embryology, GATA Medical School, 06100 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Kohta Takahashi
- Cell Recognition Study, Tohoku Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Nurselin Ates
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, 35430 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Buket Dönmez Demir
- Institutes of Neurological Science and Psychiatry, University of Hacettepe, 06100 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Turgay Dalkara
- Institutes of Neurological Science and Psychiatry, University of Hacettepe, 06100 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Katrin Erich
- Center for Applied Research in Applied Biomedical Mass Spectrometry (ABIMAS), Mannheim, Germany; Institute of Medical Technology (IMT) of Heidelberg University and Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Paul-Wittsach-Str.10, 68163 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Carsten Hopf
- Center for Applied Research in Applied Biomedical Mass Spectrometry (ABIMAS), Mannheim, Germany; Institute of Medical Technology (IMT) of Heidelberg University and Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Paul-Wittsach-Str.10, 68163 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Roger Sandhoff
- Lipid Pathobiochemistry Group (G131) German Cancer Research Center, INF 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Taeko Miyagi
- Miyagi Cancer Center Research Institute, Natori, Japan
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Pan X, Wang Y, Lübke T, Hinek A, Pshezhetsky AV. Mice, double deficient in lysosomal serine carboxypeptidases Scpep1 and Cathepsin A develop the hyperproliferative vesicular corneal dystrophy and hypertrophic skin thickenings. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172854. [PMID: 28234994 PMCID: PMC5325571 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Vasoactive and mitogenic peptide, endothelin-1 (ET-1) plays an important role in physiology of the ocular tissues by regulating the growth of corneal epithelial cells and maintaining the hemodynamics of intraocular fluids. We have previously established that ET-1 can be degraded in vivo by two lysosomal/secreted serine carboxypeptidases, Cathepsin A (CathA) and Serine Carboxypeptidase 1 (Scpep1) and that gene-targeted CathAS190A/Scpep1-/- mice, deficient in CathA and Scpep1 have a prolonged half-life of circulating ET-1 associated with systemic hypertension. In the current work we report that starting from 6 months of age, ~43% of CathAS190A/Scpep1-/- mice developed corneal clouding that eventually caused vision impairment. Histological evaluation of these mice demonstrated a selective fibrotic thickening and vacuolization of the corneas, resembling human hyperproliferative vesicular corneal stromal dystrophy and coexisting with a peculiar thickening of the skin epidermis. Moreover, we found that cultured corneal epithelial cells, skin fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells derived from CathA/Scpep1-deficient mice, demonstrated a significantly higher proliferative response to treatment with exogenous ET-1, as compared with cells from wild type mice. We also detected increased activation level of ERK1/2 and AKT kinases involved in cell proliferation in the ET-1-treated cultured cells from CathA/Scpep1 deficient mice. Together, results from our experimental model suggest that; in normal tissues the tandem of serine carboxypeptidases, Scpep1 and CathA likely constitutes an important part of the physiological mechanism responsible for the balanced elimination of heightened levels of ET-1 that otherwise would accumulate in tissues and consequently contribute to development of the hyper-proliferative corneal dystrophy and abnormal skin thickening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefang Pan
- Department of Medical Genetics, CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yanting Wang
- Cardiovascular Research Program, the Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Torben Lübke
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry I, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Aleksander Hinek
- Cardiovascular Research Program, the Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexey V. Pshezhetsky
- Department of Medical Genetics, CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Long-term correction of Sandhoff disease following intravenous delivery of rAAV9 to mouse neonates. Mol Ther 2014; 23:414-22. [PMID: 25515709 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2014.240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
G(M2) gangliosidoses are severe neurodegenerative disorders resulting from a deficiency in β-hexosaminidase A activity and lacking effective therapies. Using a Sandhoff disease (SD) mouse model (Hexb(-/-)) of the G(M2) gangliosidoses, we tested the potential of systemically delivered adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9) expressing Hexb cDNA to correct the neurological phenotype. Neonatal or adult SD and normal mice were intravenously injected with AAV9-HexB or -LacZ and monitored for serum β-hexosaminidase activity, motor function, and survival. Brain G(M2) ganglioside, β-hexosaminidase activity, and inflammation were assessed at experimental week 43, or an earlier humane end point. SD mice injected with AAV9-LacZ died by 17 weeks of age, whereas all neonatal AAV9-HexB-treated SD mice survived until 43 weeks (P < 0.0001) with only three exhibiting neurological dysfunction. SD mice treated as adults with AAV9-HexB died between 17 and 35 weeks. Neonatal SD-HexB-treated mice had a significant increase in brain β-hexosaminidase activity, and a reduction in G(M2) ganglioside storage and neuroinflammation compared to adult SD-HexB- and SD-LacZ-treated groups. However, at 43 weeks, 8 of 10 neonatal-HexB injected control and SD mice exhibited liver or lung tumors. This study demonstrates the potential for long-term correction of SD and other G(M2) gangliosidoses through early rAAV9 based systemic gene therapy.
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Zigdon H, Meshcheriakova A, Futerman AH. From sheep to mice to cells: Tools for the study of the sphingolipidoses. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2014; 1841:1189-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2014.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2014] [Revised: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Abo-ouf H, Hooper AWM, White EJ, Janse van Rensburg HJ, Trigatti BL, Igdoura SA. Deletion of tumor necrosis factor-α ameliorates neurodegeneration in Sandhoff disease mice. Hum Mol Genet 2013; 22:3960-75. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddt250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Suleiman A Igdoura
- Department of Biology,
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Sanders DN, Zeng R, Wenger DA, Johnson GS, Johnson GC, Decker JE, Katz ML, Platt SR, O'Brien DP. GM2 gangliosidosis associated with a HEXA missense mutation in Japanese Chin dogs: a potential model for Tay Sachs disease. Mol Genet Metab 2013; 108:70-5. [PMID: 23266199 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2012.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Accepted: 11/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
GM2 gangliosidosis is a fatal lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency of β-hexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.52). There are two major isoforms of the enzyme: hexosaminidase A composed of an α and a β subunit (encoded by HEXA and HEXB genes, respectively); and, hexosaminidase B composed of two β subunits. Hexosaminidase A requires an activator protein encoded by GM2A to catabolize GM2 ganglioside, but even in the absence of the activator protein, it can hydrolyze the synthetic substrates commonly used to assess enzyme activity. GM2 gangliosidosis has been reported in Japanese Chin dogs, and we identified the disease in two related Japanese Chin dogs based on clinical signs, histopathology and elevated brain GM2 gangliosides. As in previous reports, we found normal or elevated hexosaminidase activity when measured with the synthetic substrates. This suggested that the canine disease is analogous to human AB variant of G(M2) gangliosidosis, which results from mutations in GM2A. However, only common neutral single nucleotide polymorphisms were found upon sequence analysis of the canine ortholog of GM2A from the affected Japanese Chins. When the same DNA samples were used to sequence HEXA, we identified a homozygous HEXA:c967G>A transition which predicts a p.E323K substitution. The glutamyl moiety at 323 is known to make an essential contribution to the active site of hexosaminidase A, and none of the 128 normal Japanese Chins and 92 normal dogs of other breeds that we tested was homozygous for HEXA:c967A. Thus it appears that the HEXA:c967G>A transition is responsible for the GM2 gangliosidosis in Japanese Chins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas N Sanders
- Mason Eye Institute, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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11
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Gene transfer corrects acute GM2 gangliosidosis--potential therapeutic contribution of perivascular enzyme flow. Mol Ther 2012; 20:1489-500. [PMID: 22453766 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2012.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The GM2 gangliosidoses are fatal lysosomal storage diseases principally affecting the brain. Absence of β-hexosaminidase A and B activities in the Sandhoff mouse causes neurological dysfunction and recapitulates the acute Tay-Sachs (TSD) and Sandhoff diseases (SD) in infants. Intracranial coinjection of recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV), serotype 2/1, expressing human β-hexosaminidase α (HEXA) and β (HEXB) subunits into 1-month-old Sandhoff mice gave unprecedented survival to 2 years and prevented disease throughout the brain and spinal cord. Classical manifestations of disease, including spasticity-as opposed to tremor-ataxia-were resolved by localized gene transfer to the striatum or cerebellum, respectively. Abundant biosynthesis of β-hexosaminidase isozymes and their global distribution via axonal, perivascular, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces, as well as diffusion, account for the sustained phenotypic rescue-long-term protein expression by transduced brain parenchyma, choroid plexus epithelium, and dorsal root ganglia neurons supplies the corrective enzyme. Prolonged survival permitted expression of cryptic disease in organs not accessed by intracranial vector delivery. We contend that infusion of rAAV into CSF space and intraparenchymal administration by convection-enhanced delivery at a few strategic sites will optimally treat neurodegeneration in many diseases affecting the nervous system.
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Lalonde R, Strazielle C. Brain regions and genes affecting limb-clasping responses. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 67:252-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2011.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2011] [Revised: 02/14/2011] [Accepted: 02/20/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Igaz LM, Kwong LK, Lee EB, Chen-Plotkin A, Swanson E, Unger T, Malunda J, Xu Y, Winton MJ, Trojanowski JQ, Lee VMY. Dysregulation of the ALS-associated gene TDP-43 leads to neuronal death and degeneration in mice. J Clin Invest 2011; 121:726-38. [PMID: 21206091 DOI: 10.1172/jci44867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 317] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2010] [Accepted: 11/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) are characterized by cytoplasmic protein aggregates in the brain and spinal cord that include TAR-DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43). TDP-43 is normally localized in the nucleus with roles in the regulation of gene expression, and pathological cytoplasmic aggregates are associated with depletion of nuclear protein. Here, we generated transgenic mice expressing human TDP-43 with a defective nuclear localization signal in the forebrain (hTDP-43-ΔNLS), and compared them with mice expressing WT hTDP-43 (hTDP-43-WT) to determine the effects of mislocalized cytoplasmic TDP-43 on neuronal viability. Expression of either hTDP-43-ΔNLS or hTDP-43-WT led to neuron loss in selectively vulnerable forebrain regions, corticospinal tract degeneration, and motor spasticity recapitulating key aspects of FTLD and primary lateral sclerosis. Only rare cytoplasmic phosphorylated and ubiquitinated TDP-43 inclusions were seen in hTDP-43-ΔNLS mice, suggesting that cytoplasmic inclusions were not required to induce neuronal death. Instead, neurodegeneration in hTDP-43 and hTDP-43-ΔNLS-expressing neurons was accompanied by a dramatic downregulation of the endogenous mouse TDP-43. Moreover, mice expressing hTDP-43-ΔNLS exhibited profound changes in gene expression in cortical neurons. Our data suggest that perturbation of endogenous nuclear TDP-43 results in loss of normal TDP-43 function(s) and gene regulatory pathways, culminating in degeneration of selectively vulnerable affected neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel M Igaz
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Institute on Aging, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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Lange N, Hamann M, Shashidharan P, Richter A. Behavioural and pharmacological examinations in a transgenic mouse model of early-onset torsion dystonia. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2010; 97:647-55. [PMID: 21078339 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2010.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2010] [Revised: 10/31/2010] [Accepted: 11/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Early-onset torsion dystonia is an autosomal dominant movement disorder associated with the DYT1 gene (TOR1A) defect which results in a deletion of a glutamic acid residue in the protein torsinA. The pathophysiology of dystonia is poorly understood. Well characterized animal models can help to give insights into the underlying mechanisms and thereby to develop new therapeutics. In the present study, we further characterized transgenic DYT1 mice, which were initially described to exhibit "dystonia-like" postures. In the present study, several behavioural tests in untreated animals did not show strong differences between transgenic and control mice, but nearly all transgenic mice showed "dystonia-like" postures. However, these movements, also observed in control mice, have to be regarded as a clasping reflex. Since dystonia is thought to be related to dopaminergic dysfunctions, pharmacological investigations have been performed to clarify if dopaminergic substances alter motor behaviour in transgenic mice. Chronic treatment with L-DOPA (combined with carbidopa) enhanced the hindlimb claspings only in transgenic mice, while acute applications of drugs, which exert more selective effects on the dopaminergic system, caused similar reactions in transgenic mice and control mice. Therefore, these data do not provide clear evidence for dysfunctions of the dopaminergic system in this mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Lange
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Koserstr. 20, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
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Mice doubly-deficient in lysosomal hexosaminidase A and neuraminidase 4 show epileptic crises and rapid neuronal loss. PLoS Genet 2010; 6:e1001118. [PMID: 20862357 PMCID: PMC2940724 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1001118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2010] [Accepted: 08/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tay-Sachs disease is a severe lysosomal disorder caused by mutations in the HexA gene coding for the α-subunit of lysosomal β-hexosaminidase A, which converts GM2 to GM3 ganglioside. Hexa−/− mice, depleted of β-hexosaminidase A, remain asymptomatic to 1 year of age, because they catabolise GM2 ganglioside via a lysosomal sialidase into glycolipid GA2, which is further processed by β-hexosaminidase B to lactosyl-ceramide, thereby bypassing the β-hexosaminidase A defect. Since this bypass is not effective in humans, infantile Tay-Sachs disease is fatal in the first years of life. Previously, we identified a novel ganglioside metabolizing sialidase, Neu4, abundantly expressed in mouse brain neurons. Now we demonstrate that mice with targeted disruption of both Neu4 and Hexa genes (Neu4−/−;Hexa−/−) show epileptic seizures with 40% penetrance correlating with polyspike discharges on the cortical electrodes of the electroencephalogram. Single knockout Hexa−/− or Neu4−/− siblings do not show such symptoms. Further, double-knockout but not single-knockout mice have multiple degenerating neurons in the cortex and hippocampus and multiple layers of cortical neurons accumulating GM2 ganglioside. Together, our data suggest that the Neu4 block exacerbates the disease in Hexa−/− mice, indicating that Neu4 is a modifier gene in the mouse model of Tay-Sachs disease, reducing the disease severity through the metabolic bypass. However, while disease severity in the double mutant is increased, it is not profound suggesting that Neu4 is not the only sialidase contributing to the metabolic bypass in Hexa−/− mice. Tay-Sachs disease is the second most common lysosomal storage disorder, especially frequent in Ashkenazi Jews and French Canadians. The disorder is caused by mutations in the gene coding for lysosomal β-hexosaminidase A (HexA), resulting in accumulation of GM2 ganglioside in neurons followed by progressive neurologic degeneration, fatal in early childhood. However mice, depleted of HexA, remain asymptomatic to at least 1 year of age, owing to the ability of these mice to catabolise stored GM2 ganglioside via a lysosomal neuraminidase into glycolipid GA2 further processed by β-hexosaminidase B, thereby completely bypassing the HexA defect. Our current study provides an explanation why the disease is severe in humans but not in mice. We showed that mice depleted of both HexA and ganglioside neuraminidase 4 (Neu4) show epileptic seizures similar to that often observed in Tay-Sachs patients. Single HexA or Neu4 knockout mice do not show such symptoms. Further, double-knockout but not single-knockout mice have multiple degenerating cortical and hippocampal neurons and multiple layers of cortical neurons accumulating GM2 ganglioside. Our data suggest that the Neu4 depletion exacerbates the disease in HexA knockout mice, supporting the view that Neu4 is one of the modifier genes in the mouse model of Tay-Sachs disease.
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Isolation, sequence identification and tissue expression profiles of 3 novel porcine genes: ASPA, NAGA, and HEXA. J Appl Genet 2008; 49:257-61. [PMID: 18670062 DOI: 10.1007/bf03195622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The complete coding sequences of 3 porcine genes - ASPA, NAGA, and HEXA - were amplified by the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) based on the conserved sequence information of the mouse or other mammals and referenced pig ESTs. These 3 novel porcine genes were then deposited in the NCBI database and assigned GeneIDs: 100142661, 100142664 and 100142667. The phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the porcine ASPA, NAGA, and HEXA all have closer genetic relationships with the ASPA, NAGA, and HEXA of cattle. Tissue expression profile analysis was also carried out and results revealed that swine ASPA, NAGA, and HEXA genes were differentially expressed in various organs, including skeletal muscle, the heart, liver, fat, kidney, lung, and small and large intestines. Our experiment is the first one to establish the foundation for further research on these 3 swine genes.
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Zeng BJ, Torres PA, Viner TC, Wang ZH, Raghavan SS, Alroy J, Pastores GM, Kolodny EH. Spontaneous appearance of Tay-Sachs disease in an animal model. Mol Genet Metab 2008; 95:59-65. [PMID: 18693054 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2008.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2008] [Revised: 06/13/2008] [Accepted: 06/13/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder due to an autosomal recessively inherited deficiency of beta-hexosaminidase A (Hex A). Deficiency of Hex A in TSD is caused by a defect of the alpha-subunit resulting from mutations of the HEXA gene. To date, there is no effective treatment for TSD. Animal models of genetic diseases, similar to those known to exist in humans, are valuable and essential research tools for the study of potentially effective therapies. However, there is no ideal animal model of TSD available for use in therapeutic trials. In the present study, we report an animal model (American flamingo; Phoenicopterus ruber) of TSD with Hex A deficiency occurring spontaneously in nature, with accumulation of G(M2)-ganglioside, deficiency of Hex A enzymatic activity, and a homozygous P469L mutation in exon 12 of the hexa gene. In addition, we have isolated the full-length cDNA sequence of the flamingo, which consists of 1581 nucleotides encoding a protein of 527 amino acids. Its coding sequence indicates approximately 71% identity at the nucleotide level and about 72.5% identity at the amino acid level with the encoding region of the human HEXA gene. This animal model, with many of the same features as TSD in humans, could represent a valuable resource for investigating therapy of TSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Zeng
- Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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Seyrantepe V, Canuel M, Carpentier S, Landry K, Durand S, Liang F, Zeng J, Caqueret A, Gravel RA, Marchesini S, Zwingmann C, Michaud J, Morales CR, Levade T, Pshezhetsky AV. Mice deficient in Neu4 sialidase exhibit abnormal ganglioside catabolism and lysosomal storage. Hum Mol Genet 2008; 17:1556-68. [PMID: 18270209 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddn043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sialidase Neu4, ubiquitously expressed in human tissues, is located in the lysosomal and mitochondrial lumen and has broad substrate specificity against sialylated glycoconjugates. To investigate whether Neu4 is involved in ganglioside catabolism, we transfected beta-hexosaminidase-deficient neuroglia cells from a Tay-Sachs patient with a Neu4-expressing plasmid and demonstrated the correction of storage due to the clearance of accumulated GM2 ganglioside. To further clarify the biological role of Neu4, we have generated a stable loss-of-function phenotype in cultured HeLa cells and in mice with targeted disruption of the Neu4 gene. The silenced HeLa cells showed reduced activity against gangliosides and had large heterogeneous lysosomes containing lamellar structures. Neu4(-/-) mice were viable, fertile and lacked gross morphological abnormalities, but showed a marked vacuolization and lysosomal storage in lung and spleen cells. Lysosomal storage bodies were also present in cultured macrophages preloaded with gangliosides. Thin-layer chromatography showed increased relative level of GD1a ganglioside and a markedly decreased level of GM1 ganglioside in brain of Neu4(-/-) mice suggesting that Neu4 may be important for desialylation of brain gangliosides and consistent with the in situ hybridization data. Increased levels of cholesterol, ceramide and polyunsaturated fatty acids were also detected in the lungs and spleen of Neu4(-/-) mice by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy. Together, our data suggest that Neu4 is a functional component of the ganglioside-metabolizing system, contributing to the postnatal development of the brain and other vital organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volkan Seyrantepe
- Department of Medical Genetics, CHU Sainte-Justine, CHUM, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Sphingolipids and membrane biology as determined from genetic models. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2007; 85:1-16. [PMID: 18035569 DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2007.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2007] [Revised: 10/05/2007] [Accepted: 10/07/2007] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The importance of sphingolipids in membrane biology was appreciated early in the twentieth century when several human inborn errors of metabolism were linked to defects in sphingolipid degradation. The past two decades have seen an explosion of information linking sphingolipids with cellular processes. Studies have unraveled mechanistic details of the sphingolipid metabolic pathways, and these findings are being exploited in the development of novel therapies, some now in clinical trials. Pioneering work in yeast has laid the foundation for identifying genes encoding the enzymes of the pathways. The advent of the era of genomics and bioinformatics has led to the identification of homologous genes in other species and the subsequent creation of animal knock-out lines for these genes. Discoveries from these efforts have re-kindled interest in the role of sphingolipids in membrane biology. This review highlights some of the recent advances in understanding sphingolipids' roles in membrane biology as determined from genetic models.
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Fogel BL, Perlman S. Clinical features and molecular genetics of autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias. Lancet Neurol 2007; 6:245-57. [PMID: 17303531 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(07)70054-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Among the hereditary ataxias, autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxias comprise a diverse group of neurodegenerative disorders. Clinical phenotypes vary from predominantly cerebellar syndromes to sensorimotor neuropathy, ophthalmological disturbances, involuntary movements, seizures, cognitive dysfunction, skeletal anomalies, and cutaneous disorders, among others. Molecular pathogenesis also ranges from disorders of mitochondrial or cellular metabolism to impairments of DNA repair or RNA processing functions. Diagnosis can be improved by a systematic approach to the categorisation of these disorders, which is used to direct further, more specific, biochemical and genetic investigations. In this Review, we discuss the clinical characteristics and molecular genetics of the more common autosomal recessive ataxias and provide a framework for assessment and differential diagnosis of patients with these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent L Fogel
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California at Los Angeles, 90095, USA
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Yamashita T, Allende ML, Kalkofen DN, Werth N, Sandhoff K, Proia RL. Conditional LoxP-flanked glucosylceramide synthase allele controlling glycosphingolipid synthesis. Genesis 2006; 43:175-80. [PMID: 16283624 DOI: 10.1002/gene.20167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Glycosphingolipids are organizational building blocks of plasma membranes that participate in key cellular functions, such as signaling and cell-to-cell interactions. Glucosylceramide synthase--encoded by the Ugcg gene--controls the first committed step in the major pathway of glycosphingolipid synthesis. Global disruption of the Ugcg gene in mice is lethal during gastrulation. We have now established a Ugcg allele flanked by loxP sites (floxed). When cre recombinase was expressed in the nervous system under control of the nestin promoter, the floxed gene underwent recombination, resulting in a substantial reduction of Ugcg expression and of glycosphingolipid ganglio-series levels. The mice deficient in Ugcg expression in the nervous system show a striking loss of Purkinje cells and abnormal neurologic behavior. The floxed Ugcg allele will facilitate analysis of the function of glycosphingolipids in development, physiology, and in diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Yamashita
- Genetics of Development and Disease Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Colombaioni L, Garcia-Gil M. Sphingolipid metabolites in neural signalling and function. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 46:328-55. [PMID: 15571774 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2004.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Sphingolipid metabolites, such as ceramide, sphingosine, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and complex sphingolipids (gangliosides), are recognized as molecules capable of regulating a variety of cellular processes. The role of sphingolipid metabolites has been studied mainly in non-neuronal tissues. These studies have underscored their importance as signals transducers, involved in control of proliferation, survival, differentiation and apoptosis. In this review, we will focus on studies performed over the last years in the nervous system, discussing the recent developments and the current perspectives in sphingolipid metabolism and functions.
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