1
|
Norris AM, Fierman KE, Campbell J, Pitale R, Shahraj M, Kopinke D. Studying intramuscular fat deposition and muscle regeneration: insights from a comparative analysis of mouse strains, injury models, and sex differences. Skelet Muscle 2024; 14:12. [PMID: 38812056 PMCID: PMC11134715 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-024-00344-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Intramuscular fat (IMAT) infiltration, pathological adipose tissue that accumulates between muscle fibers, is a shared hallmark in a diverse set of diseases including muscular dystrophies and diabetes, spinal cord and rotator cuff injuries, as well as sarcopenia. While the mouse has been an invaluable preclinical model to study skeletal muscle diseases, they are also resistant to IMAT formation. To better understand this pathological feature, an adequate pre-clinical model that recapitulates human disease is necessary. To address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive in-depth comparison between three widely used mouse strains: C57BL/6J, 129S1/SvlmJ and CD1. We evaluated the impact of strain, sex and injury type on IMAT formation, myofiber regeneration and fibrosis. We confirm and extend previous findings that a Glycerol (GLY) injury causes significantly more IMAT and fibrosis compared to Cardiotoxin (CTX). Additionally, females form more IMAT than males after a GLY injury, independent of strain. Of all strains, C57BL/6J mice, both females and males, are the most resistant to IMAT formation. In regard to injury-induced fibrosis, we found that the 129S strain formed the least amount of scar tissue. Surprisingly, C57BL/6J of both sexes demonstrated complete myofiber regeneration, while both CD1 and 129S1/SvlmJ strains still displayed smaller myofibers 21 days post injury. In addition, our data indicate that myofiber regeneration is negatively correlated with IMAT and fibrosis. Combined, our results demonstrate that careful consideration and exploration are needed to determine which injury type, mouse model/strain and sex to utilize as preclinical model especially for modeling IMAT formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra M Norris
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Myology Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kiara E Fierman
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Myology Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jillian Campbell
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Myology Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Rhea Pitale
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Myology Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Muhammad Shahraj
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Myology Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Daniel Kopinke
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Myology Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rich KA, Pino MG, Yalvac ME, Fox A, Harris H, Balch MHH, Arnold WD, Kolb SJ. Impaired motor unit recovery and maintenance in a knock-in mouse model of ALS-associated Kif5a variant. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 182:106148. [PMID: 37164288 PMCID: PMC10874102 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106148] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Kinesin family member 5A (KIF5A) is an essential, neuron-specific microtubule-associated motor protein responsible for the anterograde axonal transport of various cellular cargos. Loss of function variants in the N-terminal, microtubule-binding domain are associated with hereditary spastic paraplegia and hereditary motor neuropathy. These variants result in a loss of the ability of the mutant protein to process along microtubules. Contrastingly, gain of function splice-site variants in the C-terminal, cargo-binding domain of KIF5A are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease involving death of upper and lower motor neurons, ultimately leading to degradation of the motor unit (MU; an alpha motor neuron and all the myofibers it innervates) and death. These ALS-associated variants result in loss of autoinhibition, increased procession of the mutant protein along microtubules, and altered cargo binding. To study the molecular and cellular consequences of ALS-associated variants in vivo, we introduced the murine homolog of an ALS-associated KIF5A variant into C57BL/6 mice using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing which produced mutant Kif5a mRNA and protein in neuronal tissues of heterozygous (Kif5a+/c.3005+1G>A; HET) and homozygous (Kif5ac.3005+1G>A/c.3005+1G>A; HOM) mice. HET and HOM mice appeared normal in behavioral and electrophysiological (compound muscle action potential [CMAP] and MU number estimation [MUNE]) outcome measures at one year of age. When subjected to sciatic nerve injury, HET and HOM mice have delayed and incomplete recovery of the MUNE compared to wildtype (WT) mice suggesting an impairment in MU repair. Moreover, aged mutant Kif5a mice (aged two years) had reduced MUNE independent of injury, and exacerbation of the delayed and incomplete recovery after injury compared to aged WT mice. These data suggest that ALS-associated variants may result in an impairment of the MU to respond to biological challenges such as injury and aging, leading to a failure of MU repair and maintenance. In this report, we present the behavioral, electrophysiological and pathological characterization of mice harboring an ALS-associated Kif5a variant to understand the functional consequences of KIF5A C-terminal variants in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A Rich
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Megan G Pino
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Mehmet E Yalvac
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ashley Fox
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Hallie Harris
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Maria H H Balch
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - W David Arnold
- NextGen Precision Health, University of Missouri, MO, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Missouri, MO, USA
| | - Stephen J Kolb
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry & Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Maksimovic K, Youssef M, You J, Sung HK, Park J. Evidence of Metabolic Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Patients and Animal Models. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050863. [PMID: 37238732 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventual death. Research from the past few decades has appreciated that ALS is not only a disease of the motor neurons but also a disease that involves systemic metabolic dysfunction. This review will examine the foundational research of understanding metabolic dysfunction in ALS and provide an overview of past and current studies in ALS patients and animal models, spanning from full systems to various metabolic organs. While ALS-affected muscle tissue exhibits elevated energy demand and a fuel preference switch from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation, adipose tissue in ALS undergoes increased lipolysis. Dysfunctions in the liver and pancreas contribute to impaired glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion. The central nervous system (CNS) displays abnormal glucose regulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased oxidative stress. Importantly, the hypothalamus, a brain region that controls whole-body metabolism, undergoes atrophy associated with pathological aggregates of TDP-43. This review will also cover past and present treatment options that target metabolic dysfunction in ALS and provide insights into the future of metabolism research in ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Maksimovic
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Mohieldin Youssef
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Justin You
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Hoon-Ki Sung
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jeehye Park
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Junghans M, John F, Cihankaya H, Schliebs D, Winklhofer KF, Bader V, Matschke J, Theiss C, Matschke V. ROS scavengers decrease γH2ax spots in motor neuronal nuclei of ALS model mice in vitro. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:963169. [PMID: 36119129 PMCID: PMC9470831 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.963169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of motor neurons in cerebral cortex, brainstem and spinal cord. Numerous studies have demonstrated signs of oxidative stress in postmortem neuronal tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma and urine of ALS patients, without focusing on the specific processes within motor neurons. Thus, we aimed to investigate the relevance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification mechanisms and its consequences on the formation of toxic/lethal DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) in the ALS model of the Wobbler mouse. Methods: Live cell imaging in dissociated motor neuronal cultures was used to investigate the production of ROS using Dihydroethidium (DHE). The expression levels of ROS detoxifying molecules were investigated by qPCR as well as Western blots. Furthermore, the expression levels of DNA damage response proteins p53bp1 and H2ax were investigated using qPCR and immunofluorescence staining. Proof-of-principle experiments using ROS scavengers were performed in vitro to decipher the influence of ROS on the formation of DNA double strand breaks quantifying the γH2ax spots formation. Results: Here, we verified an elevated ROS-level in spinal motor neurons of symptomatic Wobbler mice in vitro. As a result, an increased number of DNA damage response proteins p53bp1 and γH2ax in dissociated motor neurons of the spinal cord of Wobbler mice was observed. Furthermore, we found a significantly altered expression of several antioxidant molecules in the spinal cord of Wobbler mice, suggesting a deficit in ROS detoxification mechanisms. This hypothesis could be verified by using ROS scavenger molecules in vitro to reduce the number of γH2ax foci in dissociated motor neurons and thus counteract the harmful effects of ROS. Conclusion: Our data indicate that maintenance of redox homeostasis may play a key role in the therapy of the neurodegenerative disease ALS. Our results underline a necessity for multimodal treatment approaches to prolong the average lifespan of motor neurons and thus slow down the progression of the disease, since a focused intervention in one pathomechanism seems to be insufficient in ALS therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maya Junghans
- Department of Cytology, Institute of Anatomy, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Felix John
- Department of Cytology, Institute of Anatomy, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Hilal Cihankaya
- Department of Cytology, Institute of Anatomy, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Daniel Schliebs
- Department of Cytology, Institute of Anatomy, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Konstanze F. Winklhofer
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESOLV, Bochum, Germany
| | - Verian Bader
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Johann Matschke
- Institute of Cell Biology (Cancer Research), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Carsten Theiss
- Department of Cytology, Institute of Anatomy, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Veronika Matschke
- Department of Cytology, Institute of Anatomy, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- *Correspondence: Veronika Matschke
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cox LM, Calcagno N, Gauthier C, Madore C, Butovsky O, Weiner HL. The microbiota restrains neurodegenerative microglia in a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. MICROBIOME 2022; 10:47. [PMID: 35272713 PMCID: PMC8915543 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01232-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gut microbiota can affect neurologic disease by shaping microglia, the primary immune cell in the central nervous system (CNS). While antibiotics improve models of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and the C9orf72 model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), antibiotics worsen disease progression the in SOD1G93A model of ALS. In ALS, microglia transition from a homeostatic to a neurodegenerative (MGnD) phenotype and contribute to disease pathogenesis, but whether this switch can be affected by the microbiota has not been investigated. RESULTS In this short report, we found that a low-dose antibiotic treatment worsened motor function and decreased survival in the SOD1 mice, which is consistent with studies using high-dose antibiotics. We also found that co-housing SOD1 mice with wildtype mice had no effect on disease progression. We investigated changes in the microbiome and found that antibiotics reduced Akkermansia and butyrate-producing bacteria, which may be beneficial in ALS, and cohousing had little effect on the microbiome. To investigate changes in CNS resident immune cells, we sorted spinal cord microglia and found that antibiotics downregulated homeostatic genes and increased neurodegenerative disease genes in SOD1 mice. Furthermore, antibiotic-induced changes in microglia preceded changes in motor function, suggesting that this may be contributing to disease progression. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the microbiota play a protective role in the SOD1 model of ALS by restraining MGnD microglia, which is opposite to other neurologic disease models, and sheds new light on the importance of disease-specific interactions between microbiota and microglia. Video abstract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Cox
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Narghes Calcagno
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Christian Gauthier
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Charlotte Madore
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Bordeaux University, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Oleg Butovsky
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Howard L Weiner
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Amor S, Nutma E, Marzin M, Puentes F. Imaging immunological processes from blood to brain in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clin Exp Immunol 2021; 206:301-313. [PMID: 34510431 PMCID: PMC8561688 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathology studies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and animal models of ALS reveal a strong association between aberrant protein accumulation and motor neurone damage, as well as activated microglia and astrocytes. While the role of neuroinflammation in the pathology of ALS is unclear, imaging studies of the central nervous system (CNS) support the idea that innate immune activation occurs early in disease in both humans and rodent models of ALS. In addition, emerging studies also reveal changes in monocytes, macrophages and lymphocytes in peripheral blood as well as at the neuromuscular junction. To more clearly understand the association of neuroinflammation (innate and adaptive) with disease progression, the use of biomarkers and imaging modalities allow monitoring of immune parameters in the disease process. Such approaches are important for patient stratification, selection and inclusion in clinical trials, as well as to provide readouts of response to therapy. Here, we discuss the different imaging modalities, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy and positron emission tomography as well as other approaches, including biomarkers of inflammation in ALS, that aid the understanding of the underlying immune mechanisms associated with motor neurone degeneration in ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Amor
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC Location VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Erik Nutma
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC Location VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Manuel Marzin
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC Location VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Fabiola Puentes
- Department of Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Extensive phenotypic characterisation of a human TDP-43 Q331K transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Sci Rep 2021; 11:16659. [PMID: 34404845 PMCID: PMC8370970 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96122-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of preclinical studies in ALS have relied on transgenic models with overexpression of mutant human superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), widely regarded to have failed in terms of translation of therapeutic effects. However, there are still no widely accepted models of other genetic subtypes of ALS. The majority of patients show ubiquitinated cytoplasmic inclusions of TAR DNA binding protein of 43 kilodaltons (TDP-43) in spinal motor neurons at the end stage of disease and a small proportion have mutations in TARDBP, the gene encoding TDP-43. TDP-43 transgenic mouse models have been produced, but have not been widely adopted. Here, we characterised one of these models available from the Jackson Laboratory in detail. Compared to TDP-43WT mice, TDP-43Q331K mice had 43% less hindlimb muscle mass at 6 months and a 73% reduction in hindlimb compound muscle action potential at 8 months of age. Rotarod and gait analysis indicated motor system decline with elevated weight gain. At the molecular level, the lack of TDP-43 cellular pathology was confirmed with a surprising increase in nuclear TDP-43 in motor neurons. Power analysis indicated group sizes of 12–14 mice are needed to detect 10–20% changes in measured parameters with a power of 80%, providing valid readouts for preclinical testing. Overall, this model may represent a useful component of multi-model pre-clinical therapeutic studies for ALS.
Collapse
|
9
|
Braems E, Tziortzouda P, Van Den Bosch L. Exploring the alternative: Fish, flies and worms as preclinical models for ALS. Neurosci Lett 2021; 759:136041. [PMID: 34118308 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons. In general, patients succumb to respiratory insufficiency due to respiratory muscle weakness. Despite many promising therapeutic strategies primarily identified in rodent models, patient trials remain rather unsuccessful. There is a clear need for alternative approaches, which could provide directions towards the justified use of rodents and which increase the likelihood to identify new promising clinical candidates. In the last decades, the use of fast genetic approaches and the development of high-throughput screening platforms in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and in zebrafish (Danio rerio) have contributed to new insights into ALS pathomechanisms, disease modifiers and therapeutic targets. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of these alternative small animal studies, modeling the most common ALS genes and discuss the most recent preclinical discoveries. We conclude that small animal models will not replace rodent models, yet they clearly represent an important asset for preclinical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elke Braems
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paraskevi Tziortzouda
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ruiz-Ruiz C, Calzaferri F, García AG. P2X7 Receptor Antagonism as a Potential Therapy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:93. [PMID: 32595451 PMCID: PMC7303288 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on the purinergic ionotropic receptor P2X7 (P2X7R) as a potential target for developing drugs that delay the onset and/or disease progression in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Description of clinical and genetic ALS features is followed by an analysis of advantages and drawbacks of transgenic mouse models of disease based on mutations in a bunch of proteins, particularly Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), TAR-DNA binding protein-43 (TDP-43), Fused in Sarcoma/Translocated in Sarcoma (FUS), and Chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72). Though of limited value, these models are however critical to study the proof of concept of new compounds, before reaching clinical trials. The authors also provide a description of ALS pathogenesis including protein aggregation, calcium-dependent excitotoxicity, dysfunction of calcium-binding proteins, ultrastructural mitochondrial alterations, disruption of mitochondrial calcium handling, and overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Understanding disease pathogenic pathways may ease the identification of new drug targets. Subsequently, neuroinflammation linked with P2X7Rs in ALS pathogenesis is described in order to understand the rationale of placing the use of P2X7R antagonists as a new therapeutic pharmacological approach to ALS. This is the basis for the hypothesis that a P2X7R blocker could mitigate the neuroinflammatory state, indirectly leading to neuroprotection and higher motoneuron survival in ALS patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Ruiz-Ruiz
- Instituto Teófilo Hernando and Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francesco Calzaferri
- Instituto Teófilo Hernando and Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio G García
- Instituto Teófilo Hernando and Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|