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Schulz A, Patel N, Brudvig JJ, Stehr F, Weimer JM, Augustine EF. The parent and family impact of CLN3 disease: an observational survey-based study. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2024; 19:125. [PMID: 38500130 PMCID: PMC10949783 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-024-03119-8] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CLN3 disease (also known as CLN3 Batten disease or Juvenile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis) is a rare pediatric neurodegenerative disorder caused by biallelic mutations in CLN3. While extensive efforts have been undertaken to understand CLN3 disease etiology, pathology, and clinical progression, little is known about the impact of CLN3 disease on parents and caregivers. Here, we investigated CLN3 disease progression, clinical care, and family experiences using semi-structured interviews with 39 parents of individuals with CLN3 disease. Analysis included response categorization by independent observers and quantitative methods. RESULTS Parents reported patterns of disease progression that aligned with previous reports. Insomnia and thought- and mood-related concerns were reported frequently. "Decline in visual acuity" was the first sign/symptom noticed by n = 28 parents (70%). A minority of parents reported "behavioral issues" (n = 5, 12.5%), "communication issues" (n = 3, 7.5%), "cognitive decline" (n = 1, 2.5%), or "seizures" (n = 1, 2.5%) as the first sign/symptom. The mean time from the first signs or symptoms to a diagnosis of CLN3 disease was 2.8 years (SD = 4.1). Misdiagnosis was common, being reported by n = 24 participants (55.8%). Diagnostic tests and treatments were closely aligned with observed symptoms. Desires for improved or stabilized vision (top therapeutic treatment concern for n = 14, 32.6%), cognition (n = 8, 18.6%), and mobility (n = 3, 7%) dominated parental concerns and wishes for therapeutic correction. Family impacts were common, with n = 34 (81%) of respondents reporting a financial impact on the family and n = 20 (46.5%) reporting marital strain related to the disease. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, responses demonstrated clear patterns of disease progression, a strong desire for therapies to treat symptoms related to vision and cognition, and a powerful family impact driven by the unrelenting nature of disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Schulz
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nita Patel
- Amicus Therapeutics, Princeton, NJ, USA.
| | - Jon J Brudvig
- Amicus Therapeutics, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Pediatrics & Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | | | - Jill M Weimer
- Amicus Therapeutics, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Pediatrics & Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
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2
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Ha Thi HT, Than VT. Recent applications of RNA therapeutic in clinics. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 203:115-150. [PMID: 38359994 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapy has been extensively researched for several decades and has garnered significant attention in recent years owing to its potential in treating a broad spectrum of diseases. It falls under the domain of gene therapy, leveraging RNA molecules as a therapeutic approach in medicine. RNA can be targeted using small-molecule drugs, or RNA molecules themselves can serve as drugs by interacting with proteins or other RNA molecules. While several RNA drugs have been granted clinical approval, numerous RNA-based therapeutics are presently undergoing clinical investigation or testing for various conditions, including genetic disorders, viral infections, and diverse forms of cancer. These therapies offer several advantages, such as high specificity, enabling precise targeting of disease-related genes or proteins, cost-effectiveness, and a relatively straightforward manufacturing process. Nevertheless, successful translation of RNA therapies into widespread clinical use necessitates addressing challenges related to delivery, stability, and potential off-target effects. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the general concepts of various classes of RNA-based therapeutics, the mechanistic basis of their function, as well as recent applications of RNA therapeutic in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huyen Trang Ha Thi
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Van Thai Than
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, International School, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam; Center for Biomedicine and Community Health, International School, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
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3
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Dangat Y, Freindorf M, Kraka E. Mechanistic Insights into S-Depalmitolyse Activity of Cln5 Protein Linked to Neurodegeneration and Batten Disease: A QM/MM Study. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:145-158. [PMID: 38055807 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c06397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Ceroid lipofuscinosis neuronal protein 5 (Cln5) is encoded by the CLN5 gene. The genetic variants of this gene are associated with the CLN5 form of Batten disease. Recently, the first crystal structure of Cln5 was reported. Cln5 shows cysteine palmitoyl thioesterase S-depalmitoylation activity, which was explored via fluorescent emission spectroscopy utilizing the fluorescent probe DDP-5. In this work, the mechanism of the reaction between Cln5 and DDP-5 was studied computationally by applying a QM/MM methodology at the ωB97X-D/6-31G(d,p):AMBER level. The results of our study clearly demonstrate the critical role of the catalytic triad Cys280-His166-Glu183 in S-depalmitoylation activity. This is evidenced through a comparison of the pathways catalyzed by the Cys280-His166-Glu183 triad and those with only Cys280 involved. The computed reaction barriers are in agreement with the catalytic efficiency. The calculated Gibb's free-energy profile suggests that S-depalmitoylation is a rate-limiting step compared to the preceding S-palmitoylation, with barriers of 26.1 and 25.3 kcal/mol, respectively. The energetics were complemented by monitoring the fluctuations in the electron density distribution through NBO charges and bond strength alterations via local mode stretching force constants during the catalytic pathways. This comprehensive protocol led to a more holistic picture of the reaction mechanism at the atomic level. It forms the foundation for future studies on the effects of gene mutations on both the S-palmitoylation and S-depalmitoylation steps, providing valuable data for the further development of enzyme replacement therapy, which is currently the only FDA-approved therapy for childhood neurodegenerative diseases, including Batten disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuvraj Dangat
- Department of Chemistry, Southern Methodist University, 3215 Daniel Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75275-0314, United States
| | - Marek Freindorf
- Department of Chemistry, Southern Methodist University, 3215 Daniel Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75275-0314, United States
| | - Elfi Kraka
- Department of Chemistry, Southern Methodist University, 3215 Daniel Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75275-0314, United States
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4
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Leppert HG, Anderson JT, Timm KJ, Davoli C, Pratt MA, Booth CD, White KA, Rechtzigel MJ, Meyerink BL, Johnson TB, Brudvig JJ, Weimer JM. Sortilin inhibition treats multiple neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorders. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.22.559064. [PMID: 37790379 PMCID: PMC10543011 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.22.559064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are a genetically and clinically diverse group of diseases characterized by lysosomal dysfunction. Batten disease is a family of severe LSDs primarily impacting the central nervous system. Here we show that AF38469, a small molecule inhibitor of sortilin, improves lysosomal and glial pathology across multiple LSD models. Live-cell imaging and comparative transcriptomics demonstrates that the transcription factor EB (TFEB), an upstream regulator of lysosomal biogenesis, is activated upon treatment with AF38469. Utilizing CLN2 and CLN3 Batten disease mouse models, we performed a short-term efficacy study and show that treatment with AF38469 prevents the accumulation of lysosomal storage material and the development of neuroinflammation, key disease associated pathologies. Tremor phenotypes, an early behavioral phenotype in the CLN2 disease model, were also completely rescued. These findings reveal sortilin inhibition as a novel and highly efficacious therapeutic modality for the treatment of multiple forms of Batten disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah G. Leppert
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD
| | | | - Kaylie J. Timm
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD
| | - Cristina Davoli
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD
| | - Melissa A. Pratt
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD
| | - Clarissa D. Booth
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD
| | | | | | | | - Tyler B. Johnson
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD
| | - Jon J. Brudvig
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD
- Department of Pediatrics, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Jill M. Weimer
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD
- Department of Pediatrics, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
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5
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Zhang L, Li Z, Zhang L, Qin Y, Yu D. Dissecting the multifaced function of transcription factor EB (TFEB) in human diseases: From molecular mechanism to pharmacological modulation. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 215:115698. [PMID: 37482200 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor EB (TFEB) is a transcription factor of the MiT/TFE family that translocations from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in response to various stimuli, including lysosomal stress and nutrient starvation. By activating genes involved in lysosomal function, autophagy, and lipid metabolism, TFEB plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of TFEB has been implicated in various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and inflammatory diseases. Therefore, modulating TFEB activity with agonists or inhibitors may have therapeutic potential. In this review, we reviewed the recently discovered regulatory mechanisms of TFEB and their impact on human diseases. Additionally, we also summarize the existing TFEB inhibitors and agonists (targeted and non-targeted) and discuss unresolved issues and future research directions in the field. In summary, this review sheds light on the crucial role of TFEB, which may pave the way for its translation from basic research to practical applications, bringing us closer to realizing the full potential of TFEB in various fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Zhijia Li
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China.
| | - Yuan Qin
- The Center of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China; Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China.
| | - Dongke Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China.
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6
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Panjeshahi S, Karimzadeh P, Movafagh A, Ahmadabadi F, Rahimian E, Alijanpour S, Miryounesi M. Clinical and genetic characterization of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) in 29 Iranian patients: identification of 11 novel mutations. Hum Genet 2023; 142:1001-1016. [PMID: 37074398 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02556-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are neurodegenerative lysosomal storage diseases which are considered among the most frequent causes of dementia in childhood worldwide This study aimed to identify the gene variants, molecular etiologies, and clinical features in 23 unrelated Iranian families with NCL. In total, 29 patients with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), diagnosed based on clinical manifestations, MRI neuroimaging, and electroencephalography (EEG), were recruited for this study. Through whole-exome sequencing (WES), functional prediction, Sanger sequencing, and segregation analysis, we found that 12 patients (41.3%) with mutations in the CLN6 gene, 7 patients (24%) with the TPP1 (CLN2) gene variants, and 4 patients (13.7%) with mutations in the MFSD8 (CLN7) gene. Also, mutations in each of the CLN3 and CLN5 genes were detected in 2 cases and mutations of each PPT1 (CLN1) and CLN8 gene were observed in only 1 separate patient. We identified 18 different mutations, 11 (61%) of which are novel, never have been reported before, and the others have been previously described. The gene variants identified in this study expand the number of published clinical cases and the variant frequency spectrum of the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) genes; moreover, the identification of these variants supplies foundational clues for future NCL diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samareh Panjeshahi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parvaneh Karimzadeh
- Pediatric Neurology Research Center, Pediatric Neurology Department, Mofid Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Movafagh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzad Ahmadabadi
- Pediatric Neurology Research Center, Pediatric Neurology Department, Mofid Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Sahar Alijanpour
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Miryounesi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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7
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Zhu A, Chiba S, Shimizu Y, Kunitake K, Okuno Y, Aoki Y, Yokota T. Ensemble-Learning and Feature Selection Techniques for Enhanced Antisense Oligonucleotide Efficacy Prediction in Exon Skipping. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1808. [PMID: 37513994 PMCID: PMC10384346 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071808] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-mediated exon skipping has become a valuable tool for investigating gene function and developing gene therapy. Machine-learning-based computational methods, such as eSkip-Finder, have been developed to predict the efficacy of ASOs via exon skipping. However, these methods are computationally demanding, and the accuracy of predictions remains suboptimal. In this study, we propose a new approach to reduce the computational burden and improve the prediction performance by using feature selection within machine-learning algorithms and ensemble-learning techniques. We evaluated our approach using a dataset of experimentally validated exon-skipping events, dividing it into training and testing sets. Our results demonstrate that using a three-way-voting approach with random forest, gradient boosting, and XGBoost can significantly reduce the computation time to under ten seconds while improving prediction performance, as measured by R2 for both 2'-O-methyl nucleotides (2OMe) and phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs). Additionally, the feature importance ranking derived from our approach is in good agreement with previously published results. Our findings suggest that our approach has the potential to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of predicting ASO efficacy via exon skipping. It could also facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies. This study could contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve ASO design and optimize gene therapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Zhu
- Phillips Academy, Andover, MA 01810, USA
- Department of Medical Generics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Shuntaro Chiba
- HPC- and AI-Driven Drug Development Platform Division, RIKEN Center for Computational Science, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Yuki Shimizu
- Department of Biomedical Data Intelligence, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Kunitake
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan
| | - Yasushi Okuno
- HPC- and AI-Driven Drug Development Platform Division, RIKEN Center for Computational Science, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
- Department of Biomedical Data Intelligence, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Aoki
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Generics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
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8
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Wang H, Zhu Y, Liu H, Liang T, Wei Y. Advances in Drug Discovery Targeting Lysosomal Membrane Proteins. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040601. [PMID: 37111358 PMCID: PMC10145713 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lysosomes are essential organelles of eukaryotic cells and are responsible for various cellular functions, including endocytic degradation, extracellular secretion, and signal transduction. There are dozens of proteins localized to the lysosomal membrane that control the transport of ions and substances across the membrane and are integral to lysosomal function. Mutations or aberrant expression of these proteins trigger a variety of disorders, making them attractive targets for drug development for lysosomal disorder-related diseases. However, breakthroughs in R&D still await a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms and processes of how abnormalities in these membrane proteins induce related diseases. In this article, we summarize the current progress, challenges, and prospects for developing therapeutics targeting lysosomal membrane proteins for the treatment of lysosomal-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongna Wang
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510095, China
- Key Laboratory for Cell Homeostasis, Cancer Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou 510095, China
| | - Yidong Zhu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510095, China
- Key Laboratory for Cell Homeostasis, Cancer Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou 510095, China
| | - Huiyan Liu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510095, China
- Key Laboratory for Cell Homeostasis, Cancer Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou 510095, China
| | - Tianxiang Liang
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510095, China
- Key Laboratory for Cell Homeostasis, Cancer Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou 510095, China
| | - Yongjie Wei
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510095, China
- Key Laboratory for Cell Homeostasis, Cancer Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou 510095, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, Guangzhou 510095, China
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9
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Sakti DH, Cornish EE, Fraser CL, Nash BM, Sandercoe TM, Jones MM, Rowe NA, Jamieson RV, Johnson AM, Grigg JR. Early recognition of CLN3 disease facilitated by visual electrophysiology and multimodal imaging. Doc Ophthalmol 2023:10.1007/s10633-023-09930-1. [PMID: 36964447 DOI: 10.1007/s10633-023-09930-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis is a group of neurodegenerative disorders with varying visual dysfunction. CLN3 is a subtype which commonly presents with visual decline. Visual symptomatology can be indistinct making early diagnosis difficult. This study reports ocular biomarkers of CLN3 patients to assist clinicians in early diagnosis, disease monitoring, and future therapy. METHODS Retrospective review of 5 confirmed CLN3 patients in our eye clinic. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), electroretinogram (ERG), ultra-widefield (UWF) fundus photography and fundus autofluorescence (FAF), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) studies were undertaken. RESULTS Five unrelated children, 4 females and 1 male, with median age of 6.2 years (4.6-11.7) at first assessment were investigated at the clinic from 2016 to 2021. Four homozygous and one heterozygous pathogenic CLN3 variants were found. Best corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) ranged from 0.18 to 0.88 logMAR at first presentation. Electronegative ERGs were identified in all patients. Bull's eye maculopathies found in all patients. Hyper-autofluorescence ring surrounding hypo-autofluorescence fovea on FAF was found. Foveal ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruptions were found in all patients with additional inner and outer retinal microcystic changes in one patient. Neurological problems noted included autism, anxiety, motor dyspraxia, behavioural issue, and psychomotor regression. CONCLUSIONS CLN3 patients presented at median age 6.2 years with visual decline. Early onset maculopathy with an electronegative ERG and variable cognitive and motor decline should prompt further investigations including neuropaediatric evaluation and genetic assessment for CLN3 disease. The structural parameters such as EZ and FAF will facilitate ocular monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhimas H Sakti
- Save Sight Institute, Speciality of Clinical Ophthalmology and Eye Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney Eye Hospital Campus, 8 Macquarie St, Sydney, NSW, 2001, Australia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Elisa E Cornish
- Save Sight Institute, Speciality of Clinical Ophthalmology and Eye Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney Eye Hospital Campus, 8 Macquarie St, Sydney, NSW, 2001, Australia
- Eye Genetics Research Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Save Sight Institute, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Clare L Fraser
- Save Sight Institute, Speciality of Clinical Ophthalmology and Eye Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney Eye Hospital Campus, 8 Macquarie St, Sydney, NSW, 2001, Australia
| | - Benjamin M Nash
- Eye Genetics Research Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Save Sight Institute, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Genome Diagnostics, Sydney Children's Hospital Network (Westmead), Sydney, Australia
| | - Trent M Sandercoe
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sydney Children's Hospital Network (Westmead), Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael M Jones
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sydney Children's Hospital Network (Westmead), Sydney, Australia
| | - Neil A Rowe
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sydney Children's Hospital Network (Westmead), Sydney, Australia
| | - Robyn V Jamieson
- Save Sight Institute, Speciality of Clinical Ophthalmology and Eye Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney Eye Hospital Campus, 8 Macquarie St, Sydney, NSW, 2001, Australia
- Eye Genetics Research Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Save Sight Institute, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexandra M Johnson
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - John R Grigg
- Save Sight Institute, Speciality of Clinical Ophthalmology and Eye Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney Eye Hospital Campus, 8 Macquarie St, Sydney, NSW, 2001, Australia.
- Eye Genetics Research Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Save Sight Institute, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sydney Children's Hospital Network (Westmead), Sydney, Australia.
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10
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Brudvig JJ, Swier VJ, Johnson TB, Cain JC, Pratt M, Rechtzigel M, Leppert H, Dang Do AN, Porter FD, Weimer JM. Glycerophosphoinositol is Elevated in Blood Samples From CLN3Δex7-8 pigs, Cln3Δex7-8 Mice, and CLN3-Affected Individuals. Biomark Insights 2022; 17:11772719221107765. [PMID: 36212622 PMCID: PMC9535353 DOI: 10.1177/11772719221107765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: CLN3 Batten disease is a rare pediatric neurodegenerative lysosomal disorder
caused by biallelic disease-associated variants in CLN3.
Despite decades of intense research, specific biofluid biomarkers of disease
status have not been reported, hindering clinical development of therapies.
Thus, we sought to determine whether individuals with CLN3 Batten disease
have elevated levels of specific metabolites in blood. Methods: We performed an exhaustive metabolomic screen using serum samples from a
novel minipig model of CLN3 Batten disease and validated findings in
CLN3 pig serum and CSF and Cln3 mouse
serum. We further validate biomarker candidates with a retrospective
analysis of plasma and CSF samples collected from participants in a natural
history study. Plasma samples were evaluated from 22 phenotyped individuals
with CLN3 disease, 15 heterozygous carriers, and 6 non-affected non-carriers
(NANC). Results: CLN3 pig serum samples from 4 ages exhibited large elevations in 4
glycerophosphodiester species: glycerophosphoinositol (GPI),
glycerophosphoethanolamine (GPE), glycerophosphocholine (GPC), and
glycerophosphoserine (GPS). GPI and GPE exhibited the largest elevations,
with similar elevations found in CLN3 pig CSF and
Cln3 mouse serum. In plasma samples from individuals
with CLN3 disease, glycerophosphoethanolamine and glycerophosphoinositol
were significantly elevated with glycerophosphoinositol exhibiting the
clearest separation (mean 0.1338 vs 0.04401 nmol/mL for non-affected
non-carriers). Glycerophosphoinositol demonstrated excellent sensitivity and
specificity as a biomarker, with a receiver operating characteristic area
under the curve of 0.9848 (P = .0003). Conclusions: GPE and GPI could have utility as biomarkers of CLN3 disease status. GPI, in
particular, shows consistent elevations across a diverse cohort of
individuals with CLN3. This raises the potential to use these biomarkers as
a blood-based diagnostic test or as an efficacy measure for
disease-modifying therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon J Brudvig
- Pediatrics & Rare Diseases, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
- Pediatrics, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Vermillion, SD, USA
- Discovery Science, Amicus Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vicki J Swier
- Pediatrics & Rare Diseases, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Tyler B Johnson
- Pediatrics & Rare Diseases, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
- Discovery Science, Amicus Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jacob C Cain
- Pediatrics & Rare Diseases, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
- Discovery Science, Amicus Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Melissa Pratt
- Pediatrics & Rare Diseases, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Mitch Rechtzigel
- Pediatrics & Rare Diseases, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Hannah Leppert
- Pediatrics & Rare Diseases, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - An N Dang Do
- Division of Translational Medicine, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Forbes D Porter
- Division of Translational Medicine, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jill M Weimer
- Pediatrics & Rare Diseases, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
- Pediatrics, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Vermillion, SD, USA
- Discovery Science, Amicus Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Rus CM, Weissensteiner T, Pereira C, Susnea I, Danquah BD, Morales Torres G, Rocha ME, Cozma C, Saravanakumar D, Mannepalli S, Kandaswamy KK, Di Bucchianico S, Zimmermann R, Rolfs A, Bauer P, Beetz C. Clinical and genetic characterization of a cohort of 97 CLN6 patients tested at a single center. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2022; 17:179. [PMID: 35505348 PMCID: PMC9066917 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-022-02288-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ceroid lipofuscinoses neuronal 6 (CLN6) disease belongs to the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), complex and genetically heterogeneous disorders with wide geographical and phenotypic variation. The first clinical signs usually appear between 18 months and 8 years, but examples of later-onset have also been reported. Common manifestations include ataxia, seizures, vision impairment, and developmental regression. Because these are shared by other neurological diseases, identification of CLN6 genetic variants is imperative for early diagnosis. Results We present one of the largest cohorts to date of genetically diagnosed CLN6 patients screened at a single center. In total 97 subjects, originating from 20 countries were screened between 2010 and 2020. They comprised 86 late-infantile, eight juvenile, and three adult-onset cases (two patients with Kufs disease type A, and one with teenage progressive myoclonic epilepsy). The male to female ratio was 1.06: 1.00. The age at referral was between six months and 33 years. The time from disease onset to referral ranged from less than 1 month to 8.3 years. The clinical phenotype consisted of a combination of symptoms, as reported before. We characterized a total of 45 distinct variants defining 45 distinct genotypes. Twenty-four were novel variants, some with distinct geographic associations. Remarkably, c.257A > G (p.H86R) was present in five out of 23 unrelated Egyptian individuals but in no patients from other countries. The most common genotype was homozygosity for the c.794_796del in-frame deletion. It was present in about one-third of CLN6 patients (28 unrelated cases, and 2 familial cases), all with late-infantile onset. Variants with a high likelihood of causing loss of CLN6 function were found in 21% of cases and made up 33% of all distinct variants. Forty-four percent of variants were classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic. Conclusions Our study significantly expands the number of published clinical cases and the mutational spectrum of disease-associated CLN6 variants, especially for the Middle Eastern and North African regions. We confirm previous observations regarding the most prevalent symptoms and recommend including CLN6 in the genetic diagnosis of patients presenting with early-onset abnormalities of the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corina-Marcela Rus
- Centogene GmbH, Am Strande 7, 18057, Rostock, Germany. .,Institute of Chemistry, University of Rostock, Dr.-Lorenz-Weg 2, 18059, Rostock, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Claudia Cozma
- Centogene GmbH, Am Strande 7, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Ralf Zimmermann
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Rostock, Dr.-Lorenz-Weg 2, 18059, Rostock, Germany.,Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Arndt Rolfs
- Centogene GmbH, Am Strande 7, 18057, Rostock, Germany.,Arcensus GmbH, Goethestrasse 20, 18055, Rostock, Germany
| | - Peter Bauer
- Centogene GmbH, Am Strande 7, 18057, Rostock, Germany.,Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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Brudvig JJ, Weimer JM. CLN7 gene therapy: hope for an ultra-rare condition. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:157820. [PMID: 35229731 PMCID: PMC8884894 DOI: 10.1172/jci157820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CLN7 Batten disease, also known as variant late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 7 (vLINCL7), is an ultra-rare form of Batten disease that presents early in life with severe neurological symptoms, including visual deficits, motor problems, and frequent seizures. There is high unmet need for disease-modifying therapies, as no existing treatment can halt progression or prevent premature death. In this issue of the JCI, Chen et al. present an AAV gene therapy for CLN7 that shows marked benefit in a mouse model of CLN7 Batten disease, paving the way for a phase I trial. The candidate gene therapy shows benefit for histopathology, behavioral abnormalities, and survival in mice and offers an acceptable safety profile in both mice and rats. Questions remain regarding dose, scaling, and timing of administration for patients, but this work is a substantial step forward for a very challenging disease.
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Zogg H, Singh R, Ro S. Current Advances in RNA Therapeutics for Human Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052736. [PMID: 35269876 PMCID: PMC8911101 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Following the discovery of nucleic acids by Friedrich Miescher in 1868, DNA and RNA were recognized as the genetic code containing the necessary information for proper cell functioning. In the years following these discoveries, vast knowledge of the seemingly endless roles of RNA have become better understood. Additionally, many new types of RNAs were discovered that seemed to have no coding properties (non-coding RNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs). The discovery of these new RNAs created a new avenue for treating various human diseases. However, RNA is relatively unstable and is degraded fairly rapidly once administered; this has led to the development of novel delivery mechanisms, such as nanoparticles to increase stability as well as to prevent off-target effects of these molecules. Current advances in RNA-based therapies have substantial promise in treating and preventing many human diseases and disorders through fixing the pathology instead of merely treating the symptomology similarly to traditional therapeutics. Although many RNA therapeutics have made it to clinical trials, only a few have been FDA approved thus far. Additionally, the results of clinical trials for RNA therapeutics have been ambivalent to date, with some studies demonstrating potent efficacy, whereas others have limited effectiveness and/or toxicity. Momentum is building in the clinic for RNA therapeutics; future clinical care of human diseases will likely comprise promising RNA therapeutics. This review focuses on the current advances of RNA therapeutics and addresses current challenges with their development.
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