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BenDavid E, Ramezanian S, Lu Y, Rousseau J, Schroeder A, Lavertu M, Tremblay JP. Emerging Perspectives on Prime Editor Delivery to the Brain. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:763. [PMID: 38931430 PMCID: PMC11206523 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060763] [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: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Prime editing shows potential as a precision genome editing technology, as well as the potential to advance the development of next-generation nanomedicine for addressing neurological disorders. However, turning in prime editors (PEs), which are macromolecular complexes composed of CRISPR/Cas9 nickase fused with a reverse transcriptase and a prime editing guide RNA (pegRNA), to the brain remains a considerable challenge due to physiological obstacles, including the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This review article offers an up-to-date overview and perspective on the latest technologies and strategies for the precision delivery of PEs to the brain and passage through blood barriers. Furthermore, it delves into the scientific significance and possible therapeutic applications of prime editing in conditions related to neurological diseases. It is targeted at clinicians and clinical researchers working on advancing precision nanomedicine for neuropathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli BenDavid
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada;
- Division of Human Genetics, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Laboratory of Nanopharmacology and Pharmaceutical Nanoscience, Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3525433, Israel
| | - Sina Ramezanian
- Division of Human Genetics, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Yaoyao Lu
- Division of Human Genetics, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Joël Rousseau
- Division of Human Genetics, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Avi Schroeder
- Laboratory for Targeted Drug Delivery and Personalized Medicine Technologies, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel;
| | - Marc Lavertu
- Laboratory of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada;
| | - Jacques P. Tremblay
- Division of Human Genetics, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec—Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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Eck RJ, Stair JG, Kraemer BC, Liachko NF. Simple models to understand complex disease: 10 years of progress from Caenorhabditis elegans models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Front Neurosci 2024; 17:1300705. [PMID: 38239833 PMCID: PMC10794587 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1300705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans are a powerful model system to study human disease, with numerous experimental advantages including significant genetic and cellular homology to vertebrate animals, a short lifespan, and tractable behavioral, molecular biology and imaging assays. Beginning with the identification of SOD1 as a genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), C. elegans have contributed to a deeper understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of this devastating neurodegenerative disease. More recently this work has expanded to encompass models of other types of ALS and the related disease frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-TDP), including those characterized by mutation or accumulation of the proteins TDP-43, C9orf72, FUS, HnRNPA2B1, ALS2, DCTN1, CHCHD10, ELP3, TUBA4A, CAV1, UBQLN2, ATXN3, TIA1, KIF5A, VAPB, GRN, and RAB38. In this review we summarize these models and the progress and insights from the last ten years of using C. elegans to study the neurodegenerative diseases ALS and FTLD-TDP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randall J. Eck
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jade G. Stair
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Brian C. Kraemer
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Nicole F. Liachko
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
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Shetti AU, Ramakrishnan A, Romanova L, Li W, Vo K, Volety I, Ratnayake I, Stephen T, Minshall RD, Cologna SM, Lazarov O. Reduced endothelial caveolin-1 underlies deficits in brain insulin signalling in type 2 diabetes. Brain 2023; 146:3014-3028. [PMID: 36731883 PMCID: PMC10316766 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad028] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with type 2 diabetes exhibit severe impairments in insulin signalling in the brain and are five times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. However, what leads to these impairments is not fully understood. Here, we show reduced expression of endothelial cell caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in the db/db (Leprdb) mouse model of type 2 diabetes. This reduction correlated with alterations in insulin receptor expression and signalling in brain microvessels as well as brain parenchyma. These findings were recapitulated in the brains of endothelial cell-specific Cav-1 knock-out (Tie2Cre; Cav-1fl/fl) mice. Lack of Cav-1 in endothelial cells led to reduced response to insulin as well as reduced insulin uptake. Furthermore, we observed that Cav-1 was necessary for the stabilization of insulin receptors in lipid rafts. Interactome analysis revealed that insulin receptor interacts with Cav-1 and caveolae-associated proteins, insulin-degrading enzyme and the tight junction protein Zonula Occludence-1 in brain endothelial cells. Restoration of Cav-1 in Cav-1 knock-out brain endothelial cells rescued insulin receptor expression and localization. Overall, these results suggest that Cav-1 regulates insulin signalling and uptake by brain endothelial cells by modulating IR-α and IR-β localization and function in lipid rafts. Furthermore, depletion of endothelial cell-specific Cav-1 and the resulting impairment in insulin transport leads to alteration in insulin signalling in the brain parenchyma of type 2 diabetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aashutosh U Shetti
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Abhirami Ramakrishnan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Liudmila Romanova
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Wenping Li
- Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Khanh Vo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ipsita Volety
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ishara Ratnayake
- Electron Microscopy Core, Research Resource Center, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Terilyn Stephen
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Richard D Minshall
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Stephanie M Cologna
- Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Orly Lazarov
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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Wang W, Zhang L, Xia K, Huang T, Fan D. Mendelian Randomization Analysis Reveals Statins Potentially Increase Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Risk Independent of Peripheral Cholesterol-Lowering Effects. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051359. [PMID: 37239030 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Observational studies suggest that statins may affect amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, they are limited by confounding and reverse causality biases. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the potential causal associations between statins and ALS using a mendelian randomization (MR) approach. METHODS Two-sample MR and drug-target MR were performed. Exposure sources included GWAS summary statistics of statin use, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), HMGCR-mediated LDL-C and LDL-C response to statins. RESULTS Genetic predisposition to statin medication was associated with increased ALS risk (OR = 1.085, 95% CI = 1.025-1.148, p = 0.005). After removing SNPs significantly associated with statin use from the instrumental variables (IVs), LDL-C-related higher ALS risk was absent (before removing: OR = 1.075, 95% CI = 1.013-1.141, p = 0.017; after removing: OR = 1.036, 95% CI = 0.949-1.131, p = 0.432). HMGCR-mediated LDL-C (OR = 1.033, 95% CI = 0.823-1.296, p = 0.779) and blood LDL-C response to statins (OR = 0.998, 95% CI = 0.991-1.005, p = 0.538) had no association with ALS. CONCLUSIONS Here, we show that statins may be a risky exposure that increases ALS risk independent of the lowering effect of LDL-C in peripheral circulation. This provides insights into ALS development and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Wang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing 100191, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission/Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Linjing Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing 100191, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission/Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Kailin Xia
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing 100191, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission/Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Dongsheng Fan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing 100191, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission/Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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5
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Han B, Gulsevin A, Connolly S, Wang T, Meyer B, Porta J, Tiwari A, Deng A, Chang L, Peskova Y, Mchaourab HS, Karakas E, Ohi MD, Meiler J, Kenworthy AK. Structural analysis of the P132L disease mutation in caveolin-1 reveals its role in the assembly of oligomeric complexes. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104574. [PMID: 36870682 PMCID: PMC10124911 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Caveolin-1 (CAV1) is a membrane-sculpting protein that oligomerizes to generate flask-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane known as caveolae. Mutations in CAV1 have been linked to multiple diseases in humans. Such mutations often interfere with oligomerization and the intracellular trafficking processes required for successful caveolae assembly, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these defects have not been structurally explained. Here, we investigate how a disease-associated mutation in one of the most highly conserved residues in CAV1, P132L, affects CAV1 structure and oligomerization. We show that P132 is positioned at a major site of protomer-protomer interactions within the CAV1 complex, providing a structural explanation for why the mutant protein fails to homo-oligomerize correctly. Using a combination of computational, structural, biochemical, and cell biological approaches, we find that despite its homo-oligomerization defects P132L is capable of forming mixed hetero-oligomeric complexes with WT CAV1 and that these complexes can be incorporated into caveolae. These findings provide insights into the fundamental mechanisms that control the formation of homo- and hetero-oligomers of caveolins that are essential for caveolae biogenesis, as well as how these processes are disrupted in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Han
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Alican Gulsevin
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sarah Connolly
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ting Wang
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Brigitte Meyer
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jason Porta
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ajit Tiwari
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Angie Deng
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Louise Chang
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yelena Peskova
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Hassane S Mchaourab
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Erkan Karakas
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Melanie D Ohi
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jens Meiler
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Institute for Drug Discovery, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anne K Kenworthy
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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Adey BN, Cooper-Knock J, Al Khleifat A, Fogh I, van Damme P, Corcia P, Couratier P, Hardiman O, McLaughlin R, Gotkine M, Drory V, Silani V, Ticozzi N, Veldink JH, van den Berg LH, de Carvalho M, Pinto S, Mora Pardina JS, Povedano Panades M, Andersen PM, Weber M, Başak NA, Shaw CE, Shaw PJ, Morrison KE, Landers JE, Glass JD, Vourc’h P, Dobson RJB, Breen G, Al-Chalabi A, Jones AR, Iacoangeli A. Large-scale analyses of CAV1 and CAV2 suggest their expression is higher in post-mortem ALS brain tissue and affects survival. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1112405. [PMID: 36937187 PMCID: PMC10017967 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1112405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Caveolin-1 and Caveolin-2 (CAV1 and CAV2) are proteins associated with intercellular neurotrophic signalling. There is converging evidence that CAV1 and CAV2 (CAV1/2) genes have a role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Disease-associated variants have been identified within CAV1/2 enhancers, which reduce gene expression and lead to disruption of membrane lipid rafts. Methods: Using large ALS whole-genome sequencing and post-mortem RNA sequencing datasets (5,987 and 365 tissue samples, respectively), and iPSC-derived motor neurons from 55 individuals, we investigated the role of CAV1/2 expression and enhancer variants in the ALS phenotype. Results: We report a differential expression analysis between ALS cases and controls for CAV1 and CAV2 genes across various post-mortem brain tissues and three independent datasets. CAV1 and CAV2 expression was consistently higher in ALS patients compared to controls, with significant results across the primary motor cortex, lateral motor cortex, and cerebellum. We also identify increased survival among carriers of CAV1/2 enhancer mutations compared to non-carriers within Project MinE and slower progression as measured by the ALSFRS. Carriers showed a median increase in survival of 345 days. Discussion: These results add to an increasing body of evidence linking CAV1 and CAV2 genes to ALS. We propose that carriers of CAV1/2 enhancer mutations may be conceptualised as an ALS subtype who present a less severe ALS phenotype with a longer survival duration and slower progression. Upregulation of CAV1/2 genes in ALS cases may indicate a causal pathway or a compensatory mechanism. Given prior research supporting the beneficial role of CAV1/2 expression in ALS patients, we consider a compensatory mechanism to better fit the available evidence, although further investigation into the biological pathways associated with CAV1/2 is needed to support this conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett N. Adey
- Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Johnathan Cooper-Knock
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Ahmad Al Khleifat
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Isabella Fogh
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Philip van Damme
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philippe Corcia
- UMR 1253, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
- Centre de référence sur la SLA, CHU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Philippe Couratier
- Centre de référence sur la SLA, CHRU de Limoges, Limoges, France
- UMR 1094, Université de Limoges, Inserm, Limoges, France
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Russell McLaughlin
- Complex Trait Genomics Laboratory, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marc Gotkine
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Vivian Drory
- Department of Neurology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Jan H. Veldink
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Leonard H. van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Pinto
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Mónica Povedano Panades
- Functional Unit of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (UFELA), Service of Neurology, Bellvitge University Hospital, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Markus Weber
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit/ALS Clinic, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Nazli A. Başak
- Koc University School of Medicine, Translational Medicine Research Center, NDAL, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Christopher E. Shaw
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela J. Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Karen E. Morrison
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - John E. Landers
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jonathan D. Glass
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Patrick Vourc’h
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie molécularie, CHU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Richard J. B. Dobson
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre and Dementia Unit at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at University College London Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gerome Breen
- Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ashley R. Jones
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alfredo Iacoangeli
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre and Dementia Unit at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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7
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Mead RJ, Shan N, Reiser HJ, Marshall F, Shaw PJ. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a neurodegenerative disorder poised for successful therapeutic translation. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:185-212. [PMID: 36543887 PMCID: PMC9768794 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00612-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 109.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disease caused by degeneration of motor neurons. As with all major neurodegenerative disorders, development of disease-modifying therapies has proven challenging for multiple reasons. Nevertheless, ALS is one of the few neurodegenerative diseases for which disease-modifying therapies are approved. Significant discoveries and advances have been made in ALS preclinical models, genetics, pathology, biomarkers, imaging and clinical readouts over the last 10-15 years. At the same time, novel therapeutic paradigms are being applied in areas of high unmet medical need, including neurodegenerative disorders. These developments have evolved our knowledge base, allowing identification of targeted candidate therapies for ALS with diverse mechanisms of action. In this Review, we discuss how this advanced knowledge, aligned with new approaches, can enable effective translation of therapeutic agents from preclinical studies through to clinical benefit for patients with ALS. We anticipate that this approach in ALS will also positively impact the field of drug discovery for neurodegenerative disorders more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Mead
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Keapstone Therapeutics, The Innovation Centre, Broomhall, Sheffield, UK
| | - Ning Shan
- Aclipse Therapeutics, Radnor, PA, US
| | | | - Fiona Marshall
- MSD UK Discovery Centre, Merck, Sharp and Dohme (UK) Limited, London, UK
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- Keapstone Therapeutics, The Innovation Centre, Broomhall, Sheffield, UK.
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8
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Barbo M, Ravnik-Glavač M. Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Biomarkers in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14020325. [PMID: 36833252 PMCID: PMC9956314 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is described as a fatal and rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the degeneration of upper motor neurons in the primary motor cortex and lower motor neurons of the brainstem and spinal cord. Due to ALS's slowly progressive characteristic, which is often accompanied by other neurological comorbidities, its diagnosis remains challenging. Perturbations in vesicle-mediated transport and autophagy as well as cell-autonomous disease initiation in glutamatergic neurons have been revealed in ALS. The use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) may be key in accessing pathologically relevant tissues for ALS, as EVs can cross the blood-brain barrier and be isolated from the blood. The number and content of EVs may provide indications of the disease pathogenesis, its stage, and prognosis. In this review, we collected a recent study aiming at the identification of EVs as a biomarker of ALS with respect to the size, quantity, and content of EVs in the biological fluids of patients compared to controls.
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Caveolin-1 dolines form a distinct and rapid caveolae-independent mechanoadaptation system. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:120-133. [PMID: 36543981 PMCID: PMC9859760 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-01034-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In response to different types and intensities of mechanical force, cells modulate their physical properties and adapt their plasma membrane (PM). Caveolae are PM nano-invaginations that contribute to mechanoadaptation, buffering tension changes. However, whether core caveolar proteins contribute to PM tension accommodation independently from the caveolar assembly is unknown. Here we provide experimental and computational evidence supporting that caveolin-1 confers deformability and mechanoprotection independently from caveolae, through modulation of PM curvature. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy reveals that caveolin-1 stabilizes non-caveolar invaginations-dolines-capable of responding to low-medium mechanical forces, impacting downstream mechanotransduction and conferring mechanoprotection to cells devoid of caveolae. Upon cavin-1/PTRF binding, doline size is restricted and membrane buffering is limited to relatively high forces, capable of flattening caveolae. Thus, caveolae and dolines constitute two distinct albeit complementary components of a buffering system that allows cells to adapt efficiently to a broad range of mechanical stimuli.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW ALS genetics are highly dynamic and of great interest for the ALS research community. Each year, by using ever-growing datasets and cutting-edge methodology, an array of novel ALS-associated genes and downstream pathomechanisms are discovered. The increasing plenty and complexity of insights warrants regular summary by-reviews. RECENT FINDINGS Most recent disease gene discoveries constitute the candidate and risk genes SPTLC1 , KANK1 , CAV1 , HTT , and WDR7 , as well as seven novel risk loci. Cell type and functional enrichment analyses enlighten the genetic basis of selective motor neuron vulnerability in ALS demonstrating high expression of ALS-associated genes in cortical motor neurons and highlight the pathogenic significance of cell-autonomous processes. Major pathomechanistic insights have been gained regarding known ALS genes/proteins, specifically C9orf72 , TDP43, ANXA11 , and KIF5A . The first ASO-based gene-specific therapy trials in familial forms of ALS have yielded equivocal results stressing the re-evaluation of pathomechanisms linked to SOD1 and C9orf72 mutations. SUMMARY The genetic and molecular basis of ALS is increasingly examined on single-cell resolution. In the past 2 years, the understanding of the downstream mechanisms of several ALS genes and TDP-43 proteinopathy has been considerably extended. These insights will result in novel gene specific therapy approaches for sporadic ALS and genetic subtypes.
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11
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McCluskey G, Donaghy C, Morrison KE, McConville J, Duddy W, Duguez S. The Role of Sphingomyelin and Ceramide in Motor Neuron Diseases. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12091418. [PMID: 36143200 PMCID: PMC9501626 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12091418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA), and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) are motor neuron diseases (MNDs) characterised by progressive motor neuron degeneration, weakness and muscular atrophy. Lipid dysregulation is well recognised in each of these conditions and occurs prior to neurodegeneration. Several lipid markers have been shown to predict prognosis in ALS. Sphingolipids are complex lipids enriched in the central nervous system and are integral to key cellular functions including membrane stability and signalling pathways, as well as being mediators of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. This review highlights the metabolism of sphingomyelin (SM), the most abundant sphingolipid, and of its metabolite ceramide, and its role in the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration, focusing on MNDs. We also review published lipidomic studies in MNDs. In the 13 studies of patients with ALS, 12 demonstrated upregulation of multiple SM species and 6 demonstrated upregulation of ceramides. SM species also correlated with markers of clinical progression in five of six studies. These data highlight the potential use of SM and ceramide as biomarkers in ALS. Finally, we review potential therapeutic strategies for targeting sphingolipid metabolism in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin McCluskey
- Personalised Medicine Center, School of Medicine, Ulster University, Derry BT47 6SB, UK
- Department of Neurology, Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry, BT47 6SB, UK
- Department of Neurology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK
| | - Colette Donaghy
- Department of Neurology, Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry, BT47 6SB, UK
| | - Karen E. Morrison
- Department of Neurology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK
- Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences, Queen’s University, Belfast BT9 6AG, UK
| | - John McConville
- Department of Neurology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK
- Department of Neurology, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Belfast BT16 1RH, UK
| | - William Duddy
- Personalised Medicine Center, School of Medicine, Ulster University, Derry BT47 6SB, UK
| | - Stephanie Duguez
- Personalised Medicine Center, School of Medicine, Ulster University, Derry BT47 6SB, UK
- Correspondence:
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12
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Goutman SA, Hardiman O, Al-Chalabi A, Chió A, Savelieff MG, Kiernan MC, Feldman EL. Emerging insights into the complex genetics and pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Lancet Neurol 2022; 21:465-479. [PMID: 35334234 PMCID: PMC9513754 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(21)00414-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 76.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal neurodegenerative disease. The discovery of genes associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commencing with SOD1 in 1993, started fairly gradually. Recent advances in genetic technology have led to the rapid identification of multiple new genes associated with the disease, and to a new understanding of oligogenic and polygenic disease risk. The overlap of genes associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with those of other neurodegenerative diseases is shedding light on the phenotypic spectrum of neurodegeneration, leading to a better understanding of genotype-phenotype correlations. A deepening knowledge of the genetic architecture is allowing the characterisation of the molecular steps caused by various mutations that converge on recurrent dysregulated pathways. Of crucial relevance, mutations associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are amenable to novel gene-based therapeutic options, an approach in use for other neurological illnesses. Lastly, the exposome-the summation of lifetime environmental exposures-has emerged as an influential component for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis through the gene-time-environment hypothesis. Our improved understanding of all these aspects will lead to long-awaited therapies and the identification of modifiable risks factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, and Department of Neurology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Adriano Chió
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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13
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Eitan C, Siany A, Barkan E, Olender T, van Eijk KR, Moisse M, Farhan SMK, Danino YM, Yanowski E, Marmor-Kollet H, Rivkin N, Yacovzada NS, Hung ST, Cooper-Knock J, Yu CH, Louis C, Masters SL, Kenna KP, van der Spek RAA, Sproviero W, Al Khleifat A, Iacoangeli A, Shatunov A, Jones AR, Elbaz-Alon Y, Cohen Y, Chapnik E, Rothschild D, Weissbrod O, Beck G, Ainbinder E, Ben-Dor S, Werneburg S, Schafer DP, Brown RH, Shaw PJ, Van Damme P, van den Berg LH, Phatnani H, Segal E, Ichida JK, Al-Chalabi A, Veldink JH, Hornstein E. Whole-genome sequencing reveals that variants in the Interleukin 18 Receptor Accessory Protein 3'UTR protect against ALS. Nat Neurosci 2022; 25:433-445. [PMID: 35361972 PMCID: PMC7614916 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01040-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The noncoding genome is substantially larger than the protein-coding genome but has been largely unexplored by genetic association studies. Here, we performed region-based rare variant association analysis of >25,000 variants in untranslated regions of 6,139 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) whole genomes and the whole genomes of 70,403 non-ALS controls. We identified interleukin-18 receptor accessory protein (IL18RAP) 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) variants as significantly enriched in non-ALS genomes and associated with a fivefold reduced risk of developing ALS, and this was replicated in an independent cohort. These variants in the IL18RAP 3'UTR reduce mRNA stability and the binding of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding proteins. Finally, the variants of the IL18RAP 3'UTR confer a survival advantage for motor neurons because they dampen neurotoxicity of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived microglia bearing an ALS-associated expansion in C9orf72, and this depends on NF-κB signaling. This study reveals genetic variants that protect against ALS by reducing neuroinflammation and emphasizes the importance of noncoding genetic association studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Eitan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aviad Siany
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Elad Barkan
- Department of Computer Science And Applied Math, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tsviya Olender
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Kristel R van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Matthieu Moisse
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sali M K Farhan
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yehuda M Danino
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eran Yanowski
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Hagai Marmor-Kollet
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Natalia Rivkin
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nancy Sarah Yacovzada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Computer Science And Applied Math, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shu-Ting Hung
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Johnathan Cooper-Knock
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Chien-Hsiung Yu
- Inflammation Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Cynthia Louis
- Inflammation Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Seth L Masters
- Inflammation Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Kevin P Kenna
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rick A A van der Spek
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - William Sproviero
- King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ahmad Al Khleifat
- King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alfredo Iacoangeli
- King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aleksey Shatunov
- King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ashley R Jones
- King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yael Elbaz-Alon
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yahel Cohen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Elik Chapnik
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Daphna Rothschild
- Department of Computer Science And Applied Math, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Omer Weissbrod
- Department of Computer Science And Applied Math, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Gilad Beck
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Elena Ainbinder
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shifra Ben-Dor
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sebastian Werneburg
- Department of Neurobiology, Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Dorothy P Schafer
- Department of Neurobiology, Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Robert H Brown
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Philip Van Damme
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Neurology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hemali Phatnani
- Center for Genomics of Neurodegenerative Disease, New York Genome Center, New York, USA
| | - Eran Segal
- Department of Computer Science And Applied Math, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Justin K Ichida
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom
- King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Eran Hornstein
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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14
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Khani M, Gibbons E, Bras J, Guerreiro R. Challenge accepted: uncovering the role of rare genetic variants in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2022; 17:3. [PMID: 35000612 PMCID: PMC8744312 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-021-00505-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for rare variants in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is usually deemed a high-risk - high-reward situation. The challenges associated with this endeavor are real. Still, the application of genome-wide technologies to large numbers of cases and controls or to small, well-characterized families has started to be fruitful.Rare variants associated with AD have been shown to increase risk or cause disease, but also to protect against the development of AD. All of these can potentially be targeted for the development of new drugs.Multiple independent studies have now shown associations of rare variants in NOTCH3, TREM2, SORL1, ABCA7, BIN1, CLU, NCK2, AKAP9, UNC5C, PLCG2, and ABI3 with AD and suggested that they may influence disease via multiple mechanisms. These genes have reported functions in the immune system, lipid metabolism, synaptic plasticity, and apoptosis. However, the main pathway emerging from the collective of genes harboring rare variants associated with AD is the Aβ pathway. Associations of rare variants in dozens of other genes have also been proposed, but have not yet been replicated in independent studies. Replication of this type of findings is one of the challenges associated with studying rare variants in complex diseases, such as AD. In this review, we discuss some of these primary challenges as well as possible solutions.Integrative approaches, the availability of large datasets and databases, and the development of new analytical methodologies will continue to produce new genes harboring rare variability impacting AD. In the future, more extensive and more diverse genetic studies, as well as studies of deeply characterized families, will enhance our understanding of disease pathogenesis and put us on the correct path for the development of successful drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Khani
- School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elizabeth Gibbons
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, 333 Bostwick Ave. N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-2518 USA
| | - Jose Bras
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, 333 Bostwick Ave. N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-2518 USA
- Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI USA
| | - Rita Guerreiro
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, 333 Bostwick Ave. N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-2518 USA
- Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI USA
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15
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Dhasmana S, Dhasmana A, Narula AS, Jaggi M, Yallapu MM, Chauhan SC. The panoramic view of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A fatal intricate neurological disorder. Life Sci 2022; 288:120156. [PMID: 34801512 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurological disease affecting both upper and lower motor neurons. In the United States alone, there are 16,000-20,000 established cases of ALS. The early disease diagnosis is challenging due to many overlapping pathophysiologies with other neurological diseases. The etiology of ALS is unknown; however, it is divided into two categories: familial ALS (fALS) which occurs due to gene mutations & contributes to 5-10% of ALS, and sporadic ALS (sALS) which is due to environmental factors & contributes to 90-95% of ALS. There is still no curative treatment for ALS: palliative care and symptomatic treatment are therefore essential components in the management of these patients. In this review, we provide a panoramic view of ALS, which includes epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiologies, biomarkers, diagnosis, therapeutics (natural, synthetic, gene-based, pharmacological, stem cell, extracellular vesicles, and physical therapy), controversies (in the clinical trials of ALS), the scope of nanomedicine in ALS, and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Dhasmana
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, TX 78504, USA; South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, TX 78504, USA
| | - Anupam Dhasmana
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, TX 78504, USA; South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, TX 78504, USA
| | - Acharan S Narula
- Narula Research LLC, 107 Boulder Bluff, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
| | - Meena Jaggi
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, TX 78504, USA; South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, TX 78504, USA
| | - Murali M Yallapu
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, TX 78504, USA; South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, TX 78504, USA
| | - Subhash C Chauhan
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, TX 78504, USA; South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, TX 78504, USA.
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16
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Moll T, Marshall JNG, Soni N, Zhang S, Cooper-Knock J, Shaw PJ. Membrane lipid raft homeostasis is directly linked to neurodegeneration. Essays Biochem 2021; 65:999-1011. [PMID: 34623437 PMCID: PMC8709890 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20210026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Age-associated neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are an unmet health need, with significant economic and societal implications, and an ever-increasing prevalence. Membrane lipid rafts (MLRs) are specialised plasma membrane microdomains that provide a platform for intracellular trafficking and signal transduction, particularly within neurons. Dysregulation of MLRs leads to disruption of neurotrophic signalling and excessive apoptosis which mirrors the final common pathway for neuronal death in ALS, PD and AD. Sphingomyelinase (SMase) and phospholipase (PL) enzymes process components of MLRs and therefore play central roles in MLR homeostasis and in neurotrophic signalling. We review the literature linking SMase and PL enzymes to ALS, AD and PD with particular attention to attractive therapeutic targets, where functional manipulation has been successful in preclinical studies. We propose that dysfunction of these enzymes is upstream in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and to support this we provide new evidence that ALS risk genes are enriched with genes involved in ceramide metabolism (P=0.019, OR = 2.54, Fisher exact test). Ceramide is a product of SMase action upon sphingomyelin within MLRs, and it also has a role as a second messenger in intracellular signalling pathways important for neuronal survival. Genetic risk is necessarily upstream in a late age of onset disease such as ALS. We propose that manipulation of MLR structure and function should be a focus of future translational research seeking to ameliorate neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Moll
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, U.K
| | - Jack N G Marshall
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, U.K
| | - Nikita Soni
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, U.K
| | - Sai Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
- Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
| | - Johnathan Cooper-Knock
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, U.K
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, U.K
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17
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Cooper-Knock J, Harvey C, Zhang S, Moll T, Timpanaro IS, Kenna KP, Iacoangeli A, Veldink JH. Advances in the genetic classification of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Curr Opin Neurol 2021; 34:756-764. [PMID: 34343141 PMCID: PMC7612116 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an archetypal complex disease wherein disease risk and severity are, for the majority of patients, the product of interaction between multiple genetic and environmental factors. We are in a period of unprecedented discovery with new large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) and accelerating discovery of risk genes. However, much of the observed heritability of ALS is undiscovered and we are not yet approaching elucidation of the total genetic architecture, which will be necessary for comprehensive disease subclassification. RECENT FINDINGS We summarize recent developments and discuss the future. New machine learning models will help to address nonlinear genetic interactions. Statistical power for genetic discovery may be boosted by reducing the search-space using cell-specific epigenetic profiles and expanding our scope to include genetically correlated phenotypes. Structural variation, somatic heterogeneity and consideration of environmental modifiers represent significant challenges which will require integration of multiple technologies and a multidisciplinary approach, including clinicians, geneticists and pathologists. SUMMARY The move away from fully penetrant Mendelian risk genes necessitates new experimental designs and new standards for validation. The challenges are significant, but the potential reward for successful disease subclassification is large-scale and effective personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnathan Cooper-Knock
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Calum Harvey
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sai Zhang
- Department of Genetics
- Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Tobias Moll
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Ilia Sarah Timpanaro
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kevin P Kenna
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alfredo Iacoangeli
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre and Dementia Unit, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Hu J, Lepore R, Dobson RJB, Al-Chalabi A, M. Bean D, Iacoangeli A. DGLinker: flexible knowledge-graph prediction of disease-gene associations. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:W153-W161. [PMID: 34125897 PMCID: PMC8262728 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As a result of the advent of high-throughput technologies, there has been rapid progress in our understanding of the genetics underlying biological processes. However, despite such advances, the genetic landscape of human diseases has only marginally been disclosed. Exploiting the present availability of large amounts of biological and phenotypic data, we can use our current understanding of disease genetics to train machine learning models to predict novel genetic factors associated with the disease. To this end, we developed DGLinker, a webserver for the prediction of novel candidate genes for human diseases given a set of known disease genes. DGLinker has a user-friendly interface that allows non-expert users to exploit biomedical information from a wide range of biological and phenotypic databases, and/or to upload their own data, to generate a knowledge-graph and use machine learning to predict new disease-associated genes. The webserver includes tools to explore and interpret the results and generates publication-ready figures. DGLinker is available at https://dglinker.rosalind.kcl.ac.uk. The webserver is free and open to all users without the need for registration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajing Hu
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, SE5 8AF, London, UK
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 9RT, UK
| | - Rosalba Lepore
- BSC-CNS Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Barcelona, 08034, Spain
| | - Richard J B Dobson
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, SE5 8AF, London, UK
- Health Data Research UK London, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 9RT, UK
- King′s College Hospital, Bessemer Road, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK
| | - Daniel M. Bean
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, SE5 8AF, London, UK
- Health Data Research UK London, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Alfredo Iacoangeli
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, SE5 8AF, London, UK
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 9RT, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre and Dementia Unit at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
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