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Malacarne C, Giagnorio E, Chirizzi C, Cattaneo M, Saraceno F, Cavalcante P, Bonanno S, Mantegazza R, Moreno-Manzano V, Lauria G, Metrangolo P, Bombelli FB, Marcuzzo S. FM19G11-loaded nanoparticles modulate energetic status and production of reactive oxygen species in myoblasts from ALS mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116380. [PMID: 38447450 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116380] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. Considerable evidence indicates that early skeletal muscle atrophy plays a crucial role in the disease pathogenesis, leading to an altered muscle-motor neuron crosstalk that, in turn, may contribute to motor neuron degeneration. Currently, there is no effective treatment for ALS, highlighting the need to dig deeper into the pathological mechanisms for developing innovative therapeutic strategies. FM19G11 is a novel drug able to modulate the global cellular metabolism, but its effects on ALS skeletal muscle atrophy and mitochondrial metabolism have never been evaluated, yet. This study investigated whether FM19G11-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) may affect the bioenergetic status in myoblasts isolated from G93A-SOD1 mice at different disease stages. We found that FM19G1-loaded NP treatment was able to increase transcriptional levels of Akt1, Akt3, Mef2a, Mef2c and Ucp2, which are key genes associated with cell proliferation (Akt1, Akt3), muscle differentiation (Mef2c), and mitochondrial activity (Ucp2), in G93A-SOD1 myoblasts. These cells also showed a significant reduction of mitochondrial area and networks, in addition to decreased ROS production after treatment with FM19G11-loaded NPs, suggesting a ROS clearance upon the amelioration of mitochondrial dynamics. Our overall findings demonstrate a significant impact of FM19G11-loaded NPs on muscle cell function and bioenergetic status in G93A-SOD1 myoblasts, thus promising to open new avenues towards possible adoption of FM19G11-based nanotherapies to slow muscle degeneration in the frame of ALS and muscle disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Malacarne
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Eleonora Giagnorio
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy.
| | - Cristina Chirizzi
- Neuroradiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy; Laboratory of Supramolecular and Bio-Nanomaterials (SupraBioNano Lab), Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering, "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Milan 20131, Italy
| | - Marco Cattaneo
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy; PhD Program in Pharmacological Biomolecular Sciences, Experimental and Clinical, University of Milano, Via G.Balzaretti 9, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Fulvia Saraceno
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy; Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/a, Parma 43124, Italy
| | - Paola Cavalcante
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Silvia Bonanno
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Renato Mantegazza
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Victoria Moreno-Manzano
- Neuronal and Tissue Regeneration Laboratory, Prince Felipe Research Center, Carrer d´Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, Valencia 46012, Spain
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Metrangolo
- Laboratory of Supramolecular and Bio-Nanomaterials (SupraBioNano Lab), Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering, "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Milan 20131, Italy; Brains Lab, Joint Research Platform, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta-Politecnico di Milano, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Baldelli Bombelli
- Laboratory of Supramolecular and Bio-Nanomaterials (SupraBioNano Lab), Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering, "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Milan 20131, Italy
| | - Stefania Marcuzzo
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy; Brains Lab, Joint Research Platform, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta-Politecnico di Milano, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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2
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Zhong R, Rua MT, Wei-LaPierre L. Targeting mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Physiol 2024; 602:1519-1549. [PMID: 38010626 PMCID: PMC11032238 DOI: 10.1113/jp284143] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare adult-onset neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive motor neuron (MN) loss, muscle denervation and paralysis. Over the past several decades, researchers have made tremendous efforts to understand the pathogenic mechanisms underpinning ALS, with much yet to be resolved. ALS is described as a non-cell autonomous condition with pathology detected in both MNs and non-neuronal cells, such as glial cells and skeletal muscle. Studies in ALS patient and animal models reveal ubiquitous abnormalities in mitochondrial structure and function, and disturbance of intracellular calcium homeostasis in various tissue types, suggesting a pivotal role of aberrant mitochondrial calcium uptake and dysfunctional calcium signalling cascades in ALS pathogenesis. Calcium signalling and mitochondrial dysfunction are intricately related to the manifestation of cell death contributing to MN loss and skeletal muscle dysfunction. In this review, we discuss the potential contribution of intracellular calcium signalling, particularly mitochondrial calcium uptake, in ALS pathogenesis. Functional consequences of excessive mitochondrial calcium uptake and possible therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial calcium uptake or the mitochondrial calcium uniporter, the main channel mediating mitochondrial calcium influx, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjia Zhong
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611
- Department of Emergency Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China, 110001
| | - Michael T. Rua
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611
| | - Lan Wei-LaPierre
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611
- Myology Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
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3
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Mázala DA, Chen D, Chin ER. SERCA1 Overexpression in Skeletal Muscle Attenuates Muscle Atrophy and Improves Motor Function in a Mouse Model of ALS. J Neuromuscul Dis 2024; 11:315-326. [PMID: 38217607 PMCID: PMC10977371 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-230123] [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] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass and muscle function. Previous work from our lab demonstrated that skeletal muscles from a mouse model of ALS show elevated intracellular calcium (Ca2+) levels and heightened endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Objective To investigate whether overexpression of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ ATPase 1 (SERCA1) in skeletal muscle would improve intracellular Ca2+ handling, attenuate ER stress, and improve motor function ALS transgenic mice. Methods B6SJL-Tg (SOD1*G93A)1Gur/J (ALS-Tg) mice were bred with skeletal muscle α-actinin SERCA1 overexpressing mice to generate wild type (WT), SERCA1 overexpression (WT/+SERCA1), ALS-Tg, and SERCA1 overexpressing ALS-Tg (ALS-Tg/+SERCA1) mice. Motor function (grip test) was assessed weekly and skeletal muscles were harvested at 16 weeks of age to evaluate muscle mass, SR-Ca2+ ATPase activity, levels of SERCA1 and ER stress proteins - protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), Grp78/BiP, and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). Single muscle fibers were also isolated from the flexor digitorum brevis muscle to assess changes in resting and peak Fura-2 ratios. Results ALS-Tg/+SERCA1 mice showed improved motor function, delayed onset of disease, and improved muscle mass compared to ALS-Tg. Further, ALS-Tg/+SERCA1 mice returned levels of SERCA1 protein and SR-Ca2+ ATPase activity back to levels in WT mice. Unexpectedly, SERCA-1 overexpression increased levels of the ER stress maker Grp78/BiP in both WT and ALS-Tg mice, while not altering protein levels of PDI or CHOP. Lastly, single muscle fibers from ALS-Tg/+SERCA1 had similar resting but lower peak Fura-2 levels (at 30 Hz and 100 Hz) compared to ALS-Tg mice. Conclusions These data indicate that SERCA1 overexpression attenuates the progressive loss of muscle mass and maintains motor function in ALS-Tg mice while not lowering resting Ca2+ levels or ER stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davi A.G. Mázala
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Department of Kinesiology, College of Health Professions, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Research Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Dapeng Chen
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Zeteo Tech, Inc., Sykesville, MD, USA
| | - Eva R. Chin
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Solve FSHD, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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4
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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.
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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
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5
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Giagnorio E, Malacarne C, Cavalcante P, Scandiffio L, Cattaneo M, Pensato V, Gellera C, Riva N, Quattrini A, Dalla Bella E, Lauria G, Mantegazza R, Bonanno S, Marcuzzo S. MiR-146a in ALS: Contribution to Early Peripheral Nerve Degeneration and Relevance as Disease Biomarker. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054610. [PMID: 36902041 PMCID: PMC10002507 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054610] [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: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the progressive, irreversible loss of upper and lower motor neurons (UMNs, LMNs). MN axonal dysfunctions are emerging as relevant pathogenic events since the early ALS stages. However, the exact molecular mechanisms leading to MN axon degeneration in ALS still need to be clarified. MicroRNA (miRNA) dysregulation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of neuromuscular diseases. These molecules represent promising biomarkers for these conditions since their expression in body fluids consistently reflects distinct pathophysiological states. Mir-146a has been reported to modulate the expression of the NFL gene, encoding the light chain of the neurofilament (NFL) protein, a recognized biomarker for ALS. Here, we analyzed miR-146a and Nfl expression in the sciatic nerve of G93A-SOD1 ALS mice during disease progression. The miRNA was also analyzed in the serum of affected mice and human patients, the last stratified relying on the predominant UMN or LMN clinical signs. We revealed a significant miR-146a increase and Nfl expression decrease in G93A-SOD1 peripheral nerve. In the serum of both ALS mice and human patients, the miRNA levels were reduced, discriminating UMN-predominant patients from the LMN ones. Our findings suggest a miR-146a contribution to peripheral axon impairment and its potential role as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Giagnorio
- Neurology IV—Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Malacarne
- Neurology IV—Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Paola Cavalcante
- Neurology IV—Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Letizia Scandiffio
- Neurology IV—Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Cattaneo
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Viviana Pensato
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Gellera
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Nilo Riva
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Quattrini
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Dalla Bella
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Renato Mantegazza
- Neurology IV—Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Bonanno
- Neurology IV—Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.B.); (S.M.); Tel.: +39-02-2394-2284 (S.B.); +39-02-2394-4651 (S.M.); Fax: +39-02-7063-3874 (S.M.)
| | - Stefania Marcuzzo
- Neurology IV—Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.B.); (S.M.); Tel.: +39-02-2394-2284 (S.B.); +39-02-2394-4651 (S.M.); Fax: +39-02-7063-3874 (S.M.)
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Zhou Y, Tang J, Lan J, Zhang Y, Wang H, Chen Q, Kang Y, Sun Y, Feng X, Wu L, Jin H, Chen S, Peng Y. Honokiol alleviated neurodegeneration by reducing oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial function in mutant SOD1 cellular and mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:577-597. [PMID: 36873166 PMCID: PMC9979194 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting both upper and lower motor neurons (MNs) with large unmet medical needs. Multiple pathological mechanisms are considered to contribute to the progression of ALS, including neuronal oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Honokiol (HNK) has been reported to exert therapeutic effects in several neurologic disease models including ischemia stroke, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Here we found that honokiol also exhibited protective effects in ALS disease models both in vitro and in vivo. Honokiol improved the viability of NSC-34 motor neuron-like cells that expressed the mutant G93A SOD1 proteins (SOD1-G93A cells for short). Mechanistical studies revealed that honokiol alleviated cellular oxidative stress by enhancing glutathione (GSH) synthesis and activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway. Also, honokiol improved both mitochondrial function and morphology via fine-tuning mitochondrial dynamics in SOD1-G93A cells. Importantly, honokiol extended the lifespan of the SOD1-G93A transgenic mice and improved the motor function. The improvement of antioxidant capacity and mitochondrial function was further confirmed in the spinal cord and gastrocnemius muscle in mice. Overall, honokiol showed promising preclinical potential as a multiple target drug for ALS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jingshu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jiaqi Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Hongyue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Qiuyu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yuying Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yang Sun
- Department of Natural Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xinhong Feng
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China
| | - Lei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Hongtao Jin
- New Drug Safety Evaluation Center, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Shizhong Chen
- Department of Natural Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ying Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
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7
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Cannon AE, Zürrer WE, Zejlon C, Kulcsar Z, Lewandowski S, Piehl F, Granberg T, Ineichen BV. Neuroimaging findings in preclinical amyotrophic lateral sclerosis models-How well do they mimic the clinical phenotype? A systematic review. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1135282. [PMID: 37205225 PMCID: PMC10185801 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1135282] [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: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives Animal models for motor neuron diseases (MND) such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are commonly used in preclinical research. However, it is insufficiently understood how much findings from these model systems can be translated to humans. Thus, we aimed at systematically assessing the translational value of MND animal models to probe their external validity with regards to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features. Methods In a comprehensive literature search in PubMed and Embase, we retrieved 201 unique publications of which 34 were deemed eligible for qualitative synthesis including risk of bias assessment. Results ALS animal models can indeed present with human ALS neuroimaging features: Similar to the human paradigm, (regional) brain and spinal cord atrophy as well as signal changes in motor systems are commonly observed in ALS animal models. Blood-brain barrier breakdown seems to be more specific to ALS models, at least in the imaging domain. It is noteworthy that the G93A-SOD1 model, mimicking a rare clinical genotype, was the most frequently used ALS proxy. Conclusions Our systematic review provides high-grade evidence that preclinical ALS models indeed show imaging features highly reminiscent of human ALS assigning them a high external validity in this domain. This opposes the high attrition of drugs during bench-to-bedside translation and thus raises concerns that phenotypic reproducibility does not necessarily render an animal model appropriate for drug development. These findings emphasize a careful application of these model systems for ALS therapy development thereby benefiting refinement of animal experiments. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42022373146.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Charlotte Zejlon
- Department of Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zsolt Kulcsar
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Fredrik Piehl
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center of Neurology, Academic Specialist Center, Stockholm Health Services, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tobias Granberg
- Department of Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Benjamin Victor Ineichen
- Center for Reproducible Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Benjamin Victor Ineichen
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8
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Liu H, Guan L, Deng M, Bolund L, Kristiansen K, Zhang J, Luo Y, Zhang Z. Integrative genetic and single cell RNA sequencing analysis provides new clues to the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis neurodegeneration. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1116087. [PMID: 36875658 PMCID: PMC9983639 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1116087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The gradual loss of motor neurons (MNs) in the brain and spinal cord is a hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in ALS are still not fully understood. Methods Based on 75 ALS-pathogenicity/susceptibility genes and large-scale single-cell transcriptomes of human/mouse brain/spinal cord/muscle tissues, we performed an expression enrichment analysis to identify cells involved in ALS pathogenesis. Subsequently, we created a strictness measure to estimate the dosage requirement of ALS-related genes in linked cell types. Results Remarkably, expression enrichment analysis showed that α- and γ-MNs, respectively, are associated with ALS-susceptibility genes and ALS-pathogenicity genes, revealing differences in biological processes between sporadic and familial ALS. In MNs, ALS-susceptibility genes exhibited high strictness, as well as the ALS-pathogenicity genes with known loss of function mechanism, indicating the main characteristic of ALS-susceptibility genes is dosage-sensitive and the loss of function mechanism of these genes may involve in sporadic ALS. In contrast, ALS-pathogenicity genes with gain of function mechanism exhibited low strictness. The significant difference of strictness between loss of function genes and gain of function genes provided a priori understanding for the pathogenesis of novel genes without an animal model. Besides MNs, we observed no statistical evidence for an association between muscle cells and ALS-related genes. This result may provide insight into the etiology that ALS is not within the domain of neuromuscular diseases. Moreover, we showed several cell types linked to other neurological diseases [i.e., spinocerebellar ataxia (SA), hereditary motor neuropathies (HMN)] and neuromuscular diseases [i.e. hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)], including an association between Purkinje cells in brain and SA, an association between α-MNs in spinal cord and SA, an association between smooth muscle cells and SA, an association between oligodendrocyte and HMN, a suggestive association between γ-MNs and HMN, a suggestive association between mature skeletal muscle and HMN, an association between oligodendrocyte in brain and SPG, and no statistical evidence for an association between cell type and SMA. Discussion These cellular similarities and differences deepened our understanding of the heterogeneous cellular basis of ALS, SA, HMN, SPG, and SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hankui Liu
- Hebei Industrial Technology Research Institute of Genomics in Maternal and Child Health, BGI-Shijiazhuang Medical Laboratory, Shijiazhuang, China.,BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liping Guan
- Hebei Industrial Technology Research Institute of Genomics in Maternal and Child Health, BGI-Shijiazhuang Medical Laboratory, Shijiazhuang, China.,Laboratory of Genomics and Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Min Deng
- Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lars Bolund
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, BGI-Qingdao, Qingdao, China.,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Karsten Kristiansen
- Laboratory of Genomics and Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jianguo Zhang
- Hebei Industrial Technology Research Institute of Genomics in Maternal and Child Health, BGI-Shijiazhuang Medical Laboratory, Shijiazhuang, China.,BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yonglun Luo
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.,Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, BGI-Qingdao, Qingdao, China.,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Zhanchi Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.,Hebei Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease Mechanism, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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9
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Bono N, Saroglia G, Marcuzzo S, Giagnorio E, Lauria G, Rosini E, De Nardo L, Athanassiou A, Candiani G, Perotto G. Silk fibroin microgels as a platform for cell microencapsulation. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE. MATERIALS IN MEDICINE 2022; 34:3. [PMID: 36586059 PMCID: PMC9805413 DOI: 10.1007/s10856-022-06706-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cell microencapsulation has been utilized for years as a means of cell shielding from the external environment while facilitating the transport of gases, general metabolites, and secretory bioactive molecules at once. In this light, hydrogels may support the structural integrity and functionality of encapsulated biologics whereas ensuring cell viability and function and releasing potential therapeutic factors once in situ. In this work, we describe a straightforward strategy to fabricate silk fibroin (SF) microgels (µgels) and encapsulate cells into them. SF µgels (size ≈ 200 µm) were obtained through ultrasonication-induced gelation of SF in a water-oil emulsion phase. A thorough physicochemical (SEM analysis, and FT-IR) and mechanical (microindentation tests) characterization of SF µgels were carried out to assess their nanostructure, porosity, and stiffness. SF µgels were used to encapsulate and culture L929 and primary myoblasts. Interestingly, SF µgels showed a selective release of relatively small proteins (e.g., VEGF, molecular weight, MW = 40 kDa) by the encapsulated primary myoblasts, while bigger (macro)molecules (MW = 160 kDa) were hampered to diffusing through the µgels. This article provided the groundwork to expand the use of SF hydrogels into a versatile platform for encapsulating relevant cells able to release paracrine factors potentially regulating tissue and/or organ functions, thus promoting their regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Bono
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131, Milan, Italy.
| | - Giulio Saroglia
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131, Milan, Italy
- Smart Materials, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Stefania Marcuzzo
- Neurology IV-Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Giagnorio
- Neurology IV-Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Rosini
- The Protein Factory 2.0, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Luigi De Nardo
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Candiani
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Perotto
- Smart Materials, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy.
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10
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Martinez B, Peplow PV. MicroRNA expression in animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and potential therapeutic approaches. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:728-740. [PMID: 34472458 PMCID: PMC8530133 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.322431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A review of recent animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis showed a large number of miRNAs had altered levels of expression in the brain and spinal cord, motor neurons of spinal cord and brainstem, and hypoglossal, facial, and red motor nuclei and were mostly upregulated. Among the miRNAs found to be upregulated in two of the studies were miR-21, miR-155, miR-125b, miR-146a, miR-124, miR-9, and miR-19b, while those downregulated in two of the studies included miR-146a, miR-29, miR-9, and miR-125b. A change of direction in miRNA expression occurred in some tissues when compared (e.g., miR-29b-3p in cerebellum and spinal cord of wobbler mice at 40 days), or at different disease stages (e.g., miR-200a in spinal cord of SOD1(G93A) mice at 95 days vs. 108 and 112 days). In the animal models, suppression of miR-129-5p resulted in increased lifespan, improved muscle strength, reduced neuromuscular junction degeneration, and tended to improve motor neuron survival in the SOD1(G93A) mouse model. Suppression of miR-155 was also associated with increased lifespan, while lowering of miR-29a tended to improve lifespan in males and increase muscle strength in SOD1(G93A) mice. Overexpression of members of miR-17~92 cluster improved motor neuron survival in SOD1(G93A) mice. Treatment with an artificial miRNA designed to target hSOD1 increased lifespan and improved muscle strength in SOD1(G93A) animals. Further studies with animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are warranted to validate these findings and identify specific miRNAs whose suppression or directed against hSOD1 results in increased lifespan, improved muscle strength, reduced neuromuscular junction degeneration, and improved motor neuron survival in SOD1(G93A) animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Martinez
- Physical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
- Department of Medicine, St. Georges University School of Medicine, Grenada
| | - Philip V. Peplow
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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11
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Verma S, Khurana S, Vats A, Sahu B, Ganguly NK, Chakraborti P, Gourie-Devi M, Taneja V. Neuromuscular Junction Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:1502-1527. [PMID: 34997540 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02658-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons leading to skeletal muscle denervation. Earlier studies have shown that motor neuron degeneration begins in motor cortex and descends to the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in a dying forward fashion. However, accumulating evidences support that ALS is a distal axonopathy where early pathological changes occur at the NMJ, prior to onset of clinical symptoms and propagates towards the motor neuron cell body supporting "dying back" hypothesis. Despite several evidences, series of events triggering NMJ disassembly in ALS are still obscure. Neuromuscular junction is a specialized tripartite chemical synapse which involves a well-coordinated communication among the presynaptic motor neuron, postsynaptic skeletal muscle, and terminal Schwann cells. This review provides comprehensive insight into the role of NMJ in ALS pathogenesis. We have emphasized the molecular alterations in cellular components of NMJ leading to loss of effective neuromuscular transmission in ALS. Further, we provide a preview into research involved in exploring NMJ as potential target for designing effective therapies for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagar Verma
- Department of Research, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi, India.,Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Hamdard, Delhi, India
| | - Shiffali Khurana
- Department of Research, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi, India.,Department of Biomedical Science, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Abhishek Vats
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bandana Sahu
- Department of Research, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi, India
| | | | | | | | - Vibha Taneja
- Department of Research, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi, India.
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12
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Massopust R, Juros D, Shapiro D, Lopes M, Haldar SM, Taetzsch T, Valdez G. KLF15 overexpression in myocytes fails to ameliorate ALS-related pathology or extend the lifespan of SOD1G93A mice. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 162:105583. [PMID: 34902552 PMCID: PMC8750438 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a currently incurable disease that causes progressive motor neuron loss, paralysis and death. Skeletal muscle pathology occurs early during the course of ALS. It is characterized by impaired mitochondrial biogenesis, metabolic dysfunction and deterioration of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the synapse through which motor neurons communicate with muscles. Therefore, a better understanding of the molecules that underlie this pathology may lead to therapies that slow motor neuron loss and delay ALS progression. Kruppel Like Factor 15 (KLF15) has been identified as a transcription factor that activates alternative metabolic pathways and NMJ maintenance factors, including Fibroblast Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 (FGFBP1), in skeletal myocytes. In this capacity, KLF15 has been shown to play a protective role in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), however its role in ALS has not been evaluated. Here, we examined whether muscle-specific KLF15 overexpression promotes the health of skeletal muscles and NMJs in the SOD1G93A ALS mouse model. We show that muscle-specific KLF15 overexpression did not elicit a significant beneficial effect on skeletal muscle atrophy, NMJ health, motor function, or survival in SOD1G93A ALS mice. Our findings suggest that, unlike in mouse models of DMD and SMA, KLF15 overexpression has a minimal impact on ALS disease progression in SOD1G93A mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Massopust
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Devin Juros
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Dillon Shapiro
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, & Biochemistry Graduate Program, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Mikayla Lopes
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Saptarsi M. Haldar
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA,Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA,Current address: Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Thomas Taetzsch
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Gregorio Valdez
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA,Center for Translational Neuroscience, Robert J. and Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science and Brown Institute for Translational Science, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA,Department of Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, United States
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13
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Contingent intramuscular boosting of P2XR7 axis improves motor function in transgenic ALS mice. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 79:7. [PMID: 34936028 PMCID: PMC8695421 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04070-8] [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: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that leads to progressive degeneration of motor neurons and severe muscle atrophy without effective treatment. Most research on the disease has been focused on studying motor neurons and supporting cells of the central nervous system. Strikingly, the recent observations have suggested that morpho-functional alterations in skeletal muscle precede motor neuron degeneration, bolstering the interest in studying muscle tissue as a potential target for the delivery of therapies. We previously showed that the systemic administration of the P2XR7 agonist, 2′(3′)-O‐(4-benzoylbenzoyl) adenosine 5-triphosphate (BzATP), enhanced the metabolism and promoted the myogenesis of new fibres in the skeletal muscles of SOD1G93A mice. Here we further corroborated this evidence showing that intramuscular administration of BzATP improved the motor performance of ALS mice by enhancing satellite cells and the muscle pro-regenerative activity of infiltrating macrophages. The preservation of the skeletal muscle retrogradely propagated along with the motor unit, suggesting that backward signalling from the muscle could impinge on motor neuron death. In addition to providing the basis for a suitable adjunct multisystem therapeutic approach in ALS, these data point out that the muscle should be at the centre of ALS research as a target tissue to address novel therapies in combination with those oriented to the CNS.
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14
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Fralish Z, Lotz EM, Chavez T, Khodabukus A, Bursac N. Neuromuscular Development and Disease: Learning From in vitro and in vivo Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:764732. [PMID: 34778273 PMCID: PMC8579029 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.764732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a specialized cholinergic synaptic interface between a motor neuron and a skeletal muscle fiber that translates presynaptic electrical impulses into motor function. NMJ formation and maintenance require tightly regulated signaling and cellular communication among motor neurons, myogenic cells, and Schwann cells. Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) can result in loss of NMJ function and motor input leading to paralysis or even death. Although small animal models have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the NMJ structure and function, the complexities of studying this multi-tissue system in vivo and poor clinical outcomes of candidate therapies developed in small animal models has driven the need for in vitro models of functional human NMJ to complement animal studies. In this review, we discuss prevailing models of NMDs and highlight the current progress and ongoing challenges in developing human iPSC-derived (hiPSC) 3D cell culture models of functional NMJs. We first review in vivo development of motor neurons, skeletal muscle, Schwann cells, and the NMJ alongside current methods for directing the differentiation of relevant cell types from hiPSCs. We further compare the efficacy of modeling NMDs in animals and human cell culture systems in the context of five NMDs: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, and Pompe disease. Finally, we discuss further work necessary for hiPSC-derived NMJ models to function as effective personalized NMD platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Fralish
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ethan M Lotz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Taylor Chavez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Alastair Khodabukus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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15
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Rey F, Marcuzzo S, Bonanno S, Bordoni M, Giallongo T, Malacarne C, Cereda C, Zuccotti GV, Carelli S. LncRNAs Associated with Neuronal Development and Oncogenesis Are Deregulated in SOD1-G93A Murine Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9070809. [PMID: 34356873 PMCID: PMC8301400 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease caused in 10% of cases by inherited mutations considered “familial”. An ever-increasing amount of evidence is showing a fundamental role for RNA metabolism in ALS pathogenesis, and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) appear to play a role in ALS development. Here, we aim to investigate the expression of a panel of lncRNAs (linc-Enc1, linc–Brn1a, linc–Brn1b, linc-p21, Hottip, Tug1, Eldrr, and Fendrr) which could be implicated in early phases of ALS. Via Real-Time PCR, we assessed their expression in a murine familial model of ALS (SOD1-G93A mouse) in brain and spinal cord areas of SOD1-G93A mice in comparison with that of B6.SJL control mice, in asymptomatic (week 8) and late-stage disease (week 18). We highlighted a specific area and pathogenetic-stage deregulation in each lncRNA, with linc-p21 being deregulated in all analyzed tissues. Moreover, we analyzed the expression of their human homologues in SH-SY5Y-SOD1-WT and SH-SY5Y-SOD1-G93A, observing a profound alteration in their expression. Interestingly, the lncRNAs expression in our ALS models often resulted opposite to that observed for the lncRNAs in cancer. These evidences suggest that lncRNAs could be novel disease-modifying agents, biomarkers, or pathways affected by ALS neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Rey
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, Via Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy; (F.R.); (T.G.); (G.V.Z.)
- Paediatric Clinical Research Center Fondazione “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”, University of Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Stefania Marcuzzo
- Neurology IV-Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (S.B.); (C.M.)
| | - Silvia Bonanno
- Neurology IV-Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (S.B.); (C.M.)
| | - Matteo Bordoni
- Centro di Eccellenza Sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano, Italy;
| | - Toniella Giallongo
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, Via Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy; (F.R.); (T.G.); (G.V.Z.)
- Paediatric Clinical Research Center Fondazione “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”, University of Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Claudia Malacarne
- Neurology IV-Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (S.B.); (C.M.)
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Cristina Cereda
- Genomic and Post-Genomic Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, Via Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy; (F.R.); (T.G.); (G.V.Z.)
- Paediatric Clinical Research Center Fondazione “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”, University of Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital “V. Buzzi”, Via Lodovico Castelvetro 32, 20154 Milano, Italy
| | - Stephana Carelli
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, Via Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy; (F.R.); (T.G.); (G.V.Z.)
- Paediatric Clinical Research Center Fondazione “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”, University of Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-50319825
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16
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Post J, Schaffrath A, Gering I, Hartwig S, Lehr S, Shah NJ, Langen KJ, Willbold D, Kutzsche J, Willuweit A. Oral Treatment with RD2RD2 Impedes Development of Motoric Phenotype and Delays Symptom Onset in SOD1 G93A Transgenic Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137066. [PMID: 34209129 PMCID: PMC8269060 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a pathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative disorders and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It has been implicated as driver of disease progression and is observed in ALS patients, as well as in the transgenic SOD1G93A mouse model. Here, we explore and validate the therapeutic potential of the d-enantiomeric peptide RD2RD2 upon oral administration in SOD1G93A mice. Transgenic mice were treated daily with RD2RD2 or placebo for 10 weeks and phenotype progression was followed with several behavioural tests. At the end of the study, plasma cytokine levels and glia cell markers in brain and spinal cord were analysed. Treatment resulted in a significantly increased performance in behavioural and motor coordination tests and a decelerated neurodegenerative phenotype in RD2RD2-treated SOD1G93A mice. Additionally, we observed retardation of the average disease onset. Treatment of SOD1G93A mice led to significant reduction in glial cell activation and a rescue of neurons. Analysis of plasma revealed normalisation of several cytokines in samples of RD2RD2-treated SOD1G93A mice towards the levels of non-transgenic mice. In conclusion, these findings qualify RD2RD2 to be considered for further development and testing towards a disease modifying ALS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Post
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (A.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Anja Schaffrath
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (A.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Ian Gering
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (A.S.); (I.G.)
| | - Sonja Hartwig
- Institute for Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (S.H.); (S.L.)
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Partner Düsseldorf, 85764 München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Lehr
- Institute for Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (S.H.); (S.L.)
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Partner Düsseldorf, 85764 München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - N. Jon Shah
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine 11, INM-11, JARA, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- JARA-Brain-Translational Medicine, 52062 Aachen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Karl-Josef Langen
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (A.S.); (I.G.)
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Correspondence: (D.W.); (J.K.); (A.W.); Tel.: +49-2461-612100 (D.W.); +49-2461-619496 (J.K.); +49-2461-6196358 (A.W.); Fax: +49-2461-612023 (D.W.); +49-2461-619497 (J.K.); +49-2461-612302 (A.W.)
| | - Janine Kutzsche
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (J.P.); (A.S.); (I.G.)
- Correspondence: (D.W.); (J.K.); (A.W.); Tel.: +49-2461-612100 (D.W.); +49-2461-619496 (J.K.); +49-2461-6196358 (A.W.); Fax: +49-2461-612023 (D.W.); +49-2461-619497 (J.K.); +49-2461-612302 (A.W.)
| | - Antje Willuweit
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (N.J.S.); (K.-J.L.)
- Correspondence: (D.W.); (J.K.); (A.W.); Tel.: +49-2461-612100 (D.W.); +49-2461-619496 (J.K.); +49-2461-6196358 (A.W.); Fax: +49-2461-612023 (D.W.); +49-2461-619497 (J.K.); +49-2461-612302 (A.W.)
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17
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Giagnorio E, Malacarne C, Mantegazza R, Bonanno S, Marcuzzo S. MyomiRs and their multifaceted regulatory roles in muscle homeostasis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:269129. [PMID: 34137441 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of both upper and lower motor neurons (MNs). The main clinical features of ALS are motor function impairment, progressive muscle weakness, muscle atrophy and, ultimately, paralysis. Intrinsic skeletal muscle deterioration plays a crucial role in the disease and contributes to ALS progression. Currently, there are no effective treatments for ALS, highlighting the need to obtain a deeper understanding of the molecular events underlying degeneration of both MNs and muscle tissue, with the aim of developing successful therapies. Muscle tissue is enriched in a group of microRNAs called myomiRs, which are effective regulators of muscle homeostasis, plasticity and myogenesis in both physiological and pathological conditions. After providing an overview of ALS pathophysiology, with a focus on the role of skeletal muscle, we review the current literature on myomiR network dysregulation as a contributing factor to myogenic perturbations and muscle atrophy in ALS. We argue that, in view of their critical regulatory function at the interface between MNs and skeletal muscle fiber, myomiRs are worthy of further investigation as potential molecular targets of therapeutic strategies to improve ALS symptoms and counteract disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Giagnorio
- Neurology IV - Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy.,PhD program in Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Claudia Malacarne
- Neurology IV - Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy.,PhD program in Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Renato Mantegazza
- Neurology IV - Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Silvia Bonanno
- Neurology IV - Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Stefania Marcuzzo
- Neurology IV - Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
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18
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Malacarne C, Galbiati M, Giagnorio E, Cavalcante P, Salerno F, Andreetta F, Cagnoli C, Taiana M, Nizzardo M, Corti S, Pensato V, Venerando A, Gellera C, Fenu S, Pareyson D, Masson R, Maggi L, Dalla Bella E, Lauria G, Mantegazza R, Bernasconi P, Poletti A, Bonanno S, Marcuzzo S. Dysregulation of Muscle-Specific MicroRNAs as Common Pathogenic Feature Associated with Muscle Atrophy in ALS, SMA and SBMA: Evidence from Animal Models and Human Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115673. [PMID: 34073630 PMCID: PMC8198536 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by upper and/or lower MN loss. MNDs include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). Despite variability in onset, progression, and genetics, they share a common skeletal muscle involvement, suggesting that it could be a primary site for MND pathogenesis. Due to the key role of muscle-specific microRNAs (myomiRs) in skeletal muscle development, by real-time PCR we investigated the expression of miR-206, miR-133a, miR-133b, and miR-1, and their target genes, in G93A-SOD1 ALS, Δ7SMA, and KI-SBMA mouse muscle during disease progression. Further, we analyzed their expression in serum of SOD1-mutated ALS, SMA, and SBMA patients, to demonstrate myomiR role as noninvasive biomarkers. Our data showed a dysregulation of myomiRs and their targets, in ALS, SMA, and SBMA mice, revealing a common pathogenic feature associated with muscle impairment. A similar myomiR signature was observed in patients’ sera. In particular, an up-regulation of miR-206 was identified in both mouse muscle and serum of human patients. Our overall findings highlight the role of myomiRs as promising biomarkers in ALS, SMA, and SBMA. Further investigations are needed to explore the potential of myomiRs as therapeutic targets for MND treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Malacarne
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti, 9, 20133 Milano, Italy;
| | - Eleonora Giagnorio
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Paola Cavalcante
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Franco Salerno
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Francesca Andreetta
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Cinza Cagnoli
- Molecular Neuroanatomy and Pathogenesis Unit, Neurology VII—Clinical and Experimental Epileptology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Michela Taiana
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.T.); (S.C.)
| | - Monica Nizzardo
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Stefania Corti
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.T.); (S.C.)
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Viviana Pensato
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.P.); (A.V.); (C.G.)
| | - Anna Venerando
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.P.); (A.V.); (C.G.)
| | - Cinzia Gellera
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.P.); (A.V.); (C.G.)
| | - Silvia Fenu
- Unit of Rare Neurodegenerative and Neurometabolic Diseases, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.F.); (D.P.)
| | - Davide Pareyson
- Unit of Rare Neurodegenerative and Neurometabolic Diseases, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.F.); (D.P.)
| | - Riccardo Masson
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Maggi
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Eleonora Dalla Bella
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (E.D.B.); (G.L.)
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (E.D.B.); (G.L.)
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, Via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Renato Mantegazza
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Pia Bernasconi
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Centro di Eccellenza sulle Malattie Neurodegenerative, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti, 9, 20133 Milano, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (S.M.); Tel.: +39-02-5031-8215 (A.P.); Tel.: +39-02-2394-4511 (ext. 4651) (S.M.); Fax: +39-02-70633874 (S.M.)
| | - Silvia Bonanno
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Stefania Marcuzzo
- Neurology IV–Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (E.G.); (P.C.); (F.S.); (F.A.); (L.M.); (R.M.); (P.B.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (S.M.); Tel.: +39-02-5031-8215 (A.P.); Tel.: +39-02-2394-4511 (ext. 4651) (S.M.); Fax: +39-02-70633874 (S.M.)
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19
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Badawi Y, Nishimune H. Impairment Mechanisms and Intervention Approaches for Aged Human Neuromuscular Junctions. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:568426. [PMID: 33328881 PMCID: PMC7717980 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.568426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a chemical synapse formed between a presynaptic motor neuron and a postsynaptic muscle cell. NMJs in most vertebrate species share many essential features; however, some differences distinguish human NMJs from others. This review will describe the pre- and postsynaptic structures of human NMJs and compare them to NMJs of laboratory animals. We will focus on age-dependent declines in function and changes in the structure of human NMJs. Furthermore, we will describe insights into the aging process revealed from mouse models of accelerated aging. In addition, we will compare aging phenotypes to other human pathologies that cause impairments of pre- and postsynaptic structures at NMJs. Finally, we will discuss potential intervention approaches for attenuating age-related NMJ dysfunction and sarcopenia in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yomna Badawi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Hiroshi Nishimune
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, United States.,Neurobiology of Aging, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Itabashi, Japan
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20
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Badu-Mensah A, Guo X, McAleer CW, Rumsey JW, Hickman JJ. Functional skeletal muscle model derived from SOD1-mutant ALS patient iPSCs recapitulates hallmarks of disease progression. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14302. [PMID: 32868812 PMCID: PMC7459299 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70510-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent findings suggest a pathologic role of skeletal muscle in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) onset and progression. However, the exact mechanism by which this occurs remains elusive due to limited human-based studies. To this end, phenotypic ALS skeletal muscle models were developed from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from healthy individuals (WT) and ALS patients harboring mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene. Although proliferative, SOD1 myoblasts demonstrated delayed and reduced fusion efficiency compared to WT. Additionally, SOD1 myotubes exhibited significantly reduced length and cross-section. Also, SOD1 myotubes had loosely arranged myosin heavy chain and reduced acetylcholine receptor expression per immunocytochemical analysis. Functional analysis indicated considerably reduced contractile force and synchrony in SOD1 myotubes. Mitochondrial assessment indicated reduced inner mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and metabolic plasticity in the SOD1-iPSC derived myotubes. This work presents the first well-characterized in vitro iPSC-derived muscle model that demonstrates SOD1 toxicity effects on human muscle regeneration, contractility and metabolic function in ALS. Current findings align with previous ALS patient biopsy studies and suggest an active contribution of skeletal muscle in NMJ dysfunction. Further, the results validate this model as a human-relevant platform for ALS research and drug discovery studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Badu-Mensah
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA.,College of Medicine, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA
| | - Xiufang Guo
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
| | | | - John W Rumsey
- Hesperos Inc., 12501 Research Pkwy, Suite 100, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
| | - James J Hickman
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA. .,Hesperos Inc., 12501 Research Pkwy, Suite 100, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA.
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21
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Baek KW, Jung YK, Kim JS, Park JS, Hah YS, Kim SJ, Yoo JI. Rodent Model of Muscular Atrophy for Sarcopenia Study. J Bone Metab 2020; 27:97-110. [PMID: 32572370 PMCID: PMC7297619 DOI: 10.11005/jbm.2020.27.2.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The hallmark symptom of sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and strength without the loss of overall body weight. Sarcopenia patients are likely to have worse clinical outcomes and higher mortality than do healthy individuals. The sarcopenia population shows an annual increase of ~0.8% in the population after age 50, and the prevalence rate is rapidly increasing with the recent worldwide aging trend. Based on International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, a global classification of disease published by the World Health Organization, issued the disease code (M62.84) given to sarcopenia in 2016. Therefore, it is expected that the study of sarcopenia will be further activated based on the classification of disease codes in the aging society. Several epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have looked at the correlation between the prevalence of sarcopenia and several environmental factors. In addition, studies using cell lines and rodents have been done to understand the biological mechanism of sarcopenia. Laboratory rodent models are widely applicable in sarcopenia studies because of the advantages of time savings, cost saving, and various analytical applications that could not be used for human subjects. The rodent models that can be applied to the sarcopenia research are diverse, but a simple and fast method that can cause atrophy or aging is preferred. Therefore, we will introduce various methods of inducing muscular atrophy in rodent models to be applied to the study of sarcopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Wan Baek
- Department of Physical Education, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gyoengsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Youn-Kwan Jung
- Biomedical Research Institute, Gyoengsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Ji-Seok Kim
- Department of Physical Education, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Jin Sung Park
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gyoengsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Young-Sool Hah
- Biomedical Research Institute, Gyoengsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - So-Jeong Kim
- Department of Convergence of Medical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Jun-Il Yoo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gyoengsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
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22
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Pape JA, Grose JH. The effects of diet and sex in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2020; 176:301-315. [PMID: 32147204 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2019.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease with no known cure. Approximately 90% of ALS cases are sporadic, suggesting there are multiple contributing factors that influence the disease risk, onset, and progression. Diet and sex are two factors that have been reported to alter ALS risk, onset and progression in humans and in animal models, providing potential modifiers of disease. Several epidemiological studies have identified diets that positively affect ALS patients, including various high-calorie fat or sugar-based diets, while animal models have been developed to test how these diets are working on a molecular level. These diets may offset the metabolic alterations that occur in ALS, such as hypermetabolism, lowered body mass index(BMI), and hyperlipidemia. Sex-dependent differences have also come forth from large-scale epidemiological studies as well as mouse-model studies. In addition, sex hormones have been shown to affect disease risk or progression. Herein, studies on the effects of diet and sex on ALS risk, onset, and progression will be reviewed. Understanding these diet- and sex-dependent outcomes may lead to optimized patient-specific therapies for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Pape
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Provo, United States
| | - J H Grose
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Provo, United States.
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23
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Glial Cells-The Strategic Targets in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Treatment. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9010261. [PMID: 31963681 PMCID: PMC7020059 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9010261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disease, which is characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons in the motor cortex and the spinal cord and subsequently by muscle atrophy. To date, numerous gene mutations have been linked to both sporadic and familial ALS, but the effort of many experimental groups to develop a suitable therapy has not, as of yet, proven successful. The original focus was on the degenerating motor neurons, when researchers tried to understand the pathological mechanisms that cause their slow death. However, it was soon discovered that ALS is a complicated and diverse pathology, where not only neurons, but also other cell types, play a crucial role via the so-called non-cell autonomous effect, which strongly deteriorates neuronal conditions. Subsequently, variable glia-based in vitro and in vivo models of ALS were established and used for brand-new experimental and clinical approaches. Such a shift towards glia soon bore its fruit in the form of several clinical studies, which more or less successfully tried to ward the unfavourable prognosis of ALS progression off. In this review, we aimed to summarize current knowledge regarding the involvement of each glial cell type in the progression of ALS, currently available treatments, and to provide an overview of diverse clinical trials covering pharmacological approaches, gene, and cell therapies.
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24
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van der Heyden B, van de Worp WRPH, van Helvoort A, Theys J, Schols AMWJ, Langen RCJ, Verhaegen F. Automated CT-derived skeletal muscle mass determination in lower hind limbs of mice using a 3D U-Net deep learning network. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2019; 128:42-49. [PMID: 31697595 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00465.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The loss of skeletal muscle mass is recognized as a complication of several chronic diseases and is associated with increased mortality and a decreased quality of life. Relevant and reliable animal models in which muscle wasting can be monitored noninvasively over time are instrumental to investigate and develop new therapies. In this work, we developed a fully automatic deep learning algorithm for segmentation of micro cone beam computed tomography images of the lower limb muscle complex in mice and subsequent muscle mass calculation. A deep learning algorithm was trained on manually segmented data from 32 mice. Muscle wet mass measurements were obtained from 47 mice and served as a data set for model validation and reverse model validation. The automatic algorithm performance was ~150 times faster than manual segmentation. Reverse validation of the algorithm showed high quantitative metrics (i.e., a Dice similarity coefficient of 0.93, a Hausdorff distance of 0.4 mm, and a center of mass displacement of 0.1 mm), substantiating the robustness and accuracy of the model. A high correlation (R2 = 0.92) was obtained between the computed tomography-derived muscle mass measurements and the muscle wet masses. Longitudinal follow-up revealed time-dependent changes in muscle mass that separated control from lung tumor-bearing mice, which was confirmed as cachexia. In conclusion, this deep learning model for automated assessment of the lower limb muscle complex provides highly accurate noninvasive longitudinal evaluation of skeletal muscle mass. Furthermore, it facilitates the workflow and increases the amount of data derived from mouse studies while reducing the animal numbers.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This deep learning application enables highly accurate noninvasive longitudinal evaluation of skeletal muscle mass changes in mice with minimal requirement for operator involvement in the data analysis. It provides a unique opportunity to increase and analyze the amount of data derived from animal studies automatically while reducing animal numbers and analytical workload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent van der Heyden
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter R P H van de Worp
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, NUTRIM-School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ardy van Helvoort
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, NUTRIM-School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Health and Science Department, Danone Nutricia Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Theys
- Department of Precision Medicine, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Annemie M W J Schols
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, NUTRIM-School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ramon C J Langen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, NUTRIM-School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Verhaegen
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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25
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Cai M, Yang EJ. Hochu-Ekki-To Improves Motor Function in an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Animal Model. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11112644. [PMID: 31689925 PMCID: PMC6893748 DOI: 10.3390/nu11112644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hochu-ekki-to (Bojungikgi-Tang (BJIGT) in Korea; Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi Tang in Chinese), a traditional herbal prescription, has been widely used in Asia. Hochu-ekki-to (HET) is used to enhance the immune system in respiratory disorders, improve the nutritional status associated with chronic diseases, enhance the mucosal immune system, and improve learning and memory. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is pathologically characterized by motor neuron cell death and muscle paralysis, and is an adult-onset motor neuron disease. Several pathological mechanisms of ALS have been reported by clinical and in vitro/in vivo studies using ALS models. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive, and the critical pathological target needs to be identified before effective drugs can be developed for patients with ALS. Since ALS is a disease involving both motor neuron death and skeletal muscle paralysis, suitable therapy with optimal treatment effects would involve a motor neuron target combined with a skeletal muscle target. Herbal medicine is effective for complex diseases because it consists of multiple components for multiple targets. Therefore, we investigated the effect of the herbal medicine HET on motor function and survival in hSOD1G93A transgenic mice. HET was orally administered once a day for 6 weeks from the age of 2 months (the pre-symptomatic stage) of hSOD1G93A transgenic mice. We used the rota-rod test and foot printing test to examine motor activity, and Western blotting and H&E staining for evaluation of the effects of HET in the gastrocnemius muscle and lumbar (L4–5) spinal cord of mice. We found that HET treatment dramatically inhibited inflammation and oxidative stress both in the spinal cord and gastrocnemius of hSOD1G93A transgenic mice. Furthermore, HET treatment improved motor function and extended the survival of hSOD1G93A transgenic mice. Our findings suggest that HET treatment may modulate the immune reaction in muscles and neurons to delay disease progression in a model of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudan Cai
- Department of Herbal medicine Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Korea.
| | - Eun Jin Yang
- Department of Clinical Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Korea.
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26
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Marcuzzo S, Terragni B, Bonanno S, Isaia D, Cavalcante P, Cappelletti C, Ciusani E, Rizzo A, Regalia G, Yoshimura N, Ugolini GS, Rasponi M, Bechi G, Mantegazza M, Mantegazza R, Bernasconi P, Minati L. Hyperexcitability in Cultured Cortical Neuron Networks from the G93A-SOD1 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Model Mouse and its Molecular Correlates. Neuroscience 2019; 416:88-99. [PMID: 31400485 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.07.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting the corticospinal tract and leading to motor neuron death. According to a recent study, magnetic resonance imaging-visible changes suggestive of neurodegeneration seem absent in the motor cortex of G93A-SOD1 ALS mice. However, it has not yet been ascertained whether the cortical neural activity is intact, or alterations are present, perhaps even from an early stage. Here, cortical neurons from this model were isolated at post-natal day 1 and cultured on multielectrode arrays. Their activity was studied with a comprehensive pool of neurophysiological analyses probing excitability, criticality and network architecture, alongside immunocytochemistry and molecular investigations. Significant hyperexcitability was visible through increased network firing rate and bursting, whereas topological changes in the synchronization patterns were apparently absent. The number of dendritic spines was increased, accompanied by elevated transcriptional levels of the DLG4 gene, NMDA receptor 1 and the early pro-apoptotic APAF1 gene. The extracellular Na+, Ca2+, K+ and Cl- concentrations were elevated, pointing to perturbations in the culture micro-environment. Our findings highlight remarkable early changes in ALS cortical neuron activity and physiology. These changes suggest that the causative factors of hyperexcitability and associated toxicity could become established much earlier than the appearance of disease symptoms, with implications for the discovery of new hypothetical therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Marcuzzo
- Neurology IV -Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy.
| | - Benedetta Terragni
- Neurophysiopathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Silvia Bonanno
- Neurology IV -Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Davide Isaia
- Neurology IV -Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy; Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Department of Development and Stem Cells, CNRS UMR7104, INSERM U964, Université de Strasbourg, 67404 Illkirch CU, Strasbourg, France
| | - Paola Cavalcante
- Neurology IV -Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Cristina Cappelletti
- Neurology IV -Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Emilio Ciusani
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology and Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Ambra Rizzo
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology and Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Giulia Regalia
- Neuroengineering and Medical Robotics Laboratory, Politecnico di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy; Currently working at Empatica srl, Milan 20144, Italy
| | - Natsue Yoshimura
- World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Giovanni Stefano Ugolini
- Department of Electronics, Information & Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Marco Rasponi
- Department of Electronics, Information & Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Giulia Bechi
- Neurophysiopathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Massimo Mantegazza
- Neurophysiopathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy; Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR7275, LabEx ICST, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, 06560 Valbonne-Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Renato Mantegazza
- Neurology IV -Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Pia Bernasconi
- Neurology IV -Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Ludovico Minati
- World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan; Complex Systems Theory Department, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences (IFJ-PAN), 31-342 Kraków, Poland; Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
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Fernandes JG, Franco NH, Grierson AJ, Hultgren J, Furley AJW, Olsson IAS. Methodological standards, quality of reporting and regulatory compliance in animal research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review. BMJ OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 3:e000016. [PMID: 35047680 PMCID: PMC8715942 DOI: 10.1136/bmjos-2018-000016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research community was one of the first to adopt methodology guidelines to improve preclinical research reproducibility. We here present the results of a systematic review to investigate how the standards in this field changed over the 10-year period during which the guidelines were first published (2007) and updated (2010). Methods We searched for papers reporting ALS research on SOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1) mice published between 2005 and 2015 on the ISI Web of Science database, resulting in a sample of 569 papers to review, after triage. Two scores-one for methodological quality, one for regulatory compliance-were built from weighted sums of separate sets of items, and subjected to multivariable regression analysis, to assess how these related to publication year, type of study, country of origin and journal. Results Reporting standards improved over time. Of papers published after the first ALS guidelines were made public, fewer than 9% referred specifically to these. Of key research parameters, only three (genetic background, number of transgenes and group size) were reported in >50% of the papers. Information on housing conditions, randomisation and blinding was absent in over two-thirds of the papers. Group size was among the best reported parameters, but the majority reported using fewer than the recommended sample size and only two studies clearly justified group size. Conclusions General methodological standards improved gradually over a period of 8-10 years, but remained generally comparable with related fields with no specific guidelines, except with regard to severity. Only 11% of ALS studies were classified in the highest severity level (animals allowed to reach death or moribund stages), substantially below the proportion in studies of comparable neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's. The existence of field-specific guidelines, although a welcome indication of concern, seems insufficient to ensure adherence to high methodological standards. Other mechanisms may be required to improve methodological and welfare standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana G Fernandes
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno H Franco
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Andrew J Grierson
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jan Hultgren
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Sweden
| | - Andrew J W Furley
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK
| | - I Anna S Olsson
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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A pilot study assessing T1-weighted muscle MRI in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Skeletal Radiol 2019; 48:569-575. [PMID: 30225607 DOI: 10.1007/s00256-018-3073-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2018] [Revised: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The authors set out to study the role of T1-weighted muscle MRI in the diagnostic phase of ALS, comparing images from ten patients and nine age-matched healthy controls (HCs). All subjects underwent MRI of 68 muscles in the hands, paraspinal regions and lower limbs; the images were semi-quantitatively scored. Atrophy was more frequent in muscles of ALS patients than HCs (p < 0.0001); fatty infiltration was particularly marked in iliopsoas (p = 0.046), anterior (p = 0.020) and posterior (p = 0.047) calf muscles in patients. A trend towards agreement was found between MRI and clinic-EMG data for the first dorsal interosseous, paraspinal, and tibial anterior muscles. Muscle T1-weighted MRI can distinguish ALS patients from HCs for specific regions (i.e., legs). MRI abnormalities could be found in pauci-symptomatic spinal muscles in bulbar-onset patients. Muscle MRI may be a useful diagnostic tool in ALS, in particular for muscles difficult to investigate using clinical-EMG methods.
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FM19G11-Loaded Gold Nanoparticles Enhance the Proliferation and Self-Renewal of Ependymal Stem Progenitor Cells Derived from ALS Mice. Cells 2019; 8:cells8030279. [PMID: 30909571 PMCID: PMC6468696 DOI: 10.3390/cells8030279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. In ALS mice, neurodegeneration is associated with the proliferative restorative attempts of ependymal stem progenitor cells (epSPCs) that normally lie in a quiescent in the spinal cord. Thus, modulation of the proliferation of epSPCs may represent a potential strategy to counteract neurodegeneration. Recent studies demonstrated that FM19G11, a hypoxia-inducible factor modulator, induces epSPC self-renewal and proliferation. The aim of the study was to investigate whether FM19G11-loaded gold nanoparticles (NPs) can affect self-renewal and proliferation processes in epSPCs isolated from G93A-SOD1 mice at disease onset. We discovered elevated levels of SOX2, OCT4, AKT1, and AKT3, key genes associated with pluripotency, self-renewal, and proliferation, in G93A-SOD1 epSPCs at the transcriptional and protein levels after treatment with FM19G11-loaded NPs. We also observed an increase in the levels of the mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP) gene in treated cells. FM19G11-loaded NPs treatment also affected the expression of the cell cycle-related microRNA (miR)-19a, along with its target gene PTEN, in G93A-SOD1 epSPCs. Overall our findings establish the significant impact of FM19G11-loaded NPs on the cellular pathways involved in self-renewal and proliferation in G93A-SOD1 epSPCs, thus providing an impetus to the design of novel tailored approaches to delay ALS disease progression.
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Carboxyl-terminal modulator protein regulates Akt signaling during skeletal muscle atrophy in vitro and a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3920. [PMID: 30850672 PMCID: PMC6408440 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40553-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neuromuscular disease involving motor neuron death, paralysis and, ultimately, respiratory failure. Motor neuron dysfunction leads to target skeletal muscle atrophy involving dysregulation of downstream cell survival, growth and metabolic signaling. Decreased Akt activity is linked to muscle atrophy in ALS and is associated with increased atrophy gene expression. Unfortunately, the regulating mechanism of Akt activity in atrophic muscle remains unclear. Recent research indicates a role of carboxyl-terminal modulator protein (CTMP) in Akt-signaling related neurologic dysfunction and skeletal muscle metabolism. CTMP is known to bind and reduce Akt phosphorylation and activation. We hypothesized that CTMP expression might progressively increase in ALS skeletal muscle as the disease progresses, downregulating Akt activity. We found that CTMP protein expression significantly increased in hindlimb skeletal muscle in the mSOD1G93A mouse model of ALS in late stages of the disease (P < 0.05), which negatively correlated with Akt phosphorylation over this period (R2 = -0.77). Co-immunoprecipitation of Akt revealed CTMP binding in pre-symptomatic and end-stage skeletal muscle, suggesting a possible direct role in reduced Akt signaling during disease progression. Inflammatory TNFα and downstream cellular degradation process markers for autophagy, lysosome production, and atrophy significantly increased in a pattern corresponding to increased CTMP expression and reduced Akt phosphorylation. In an in vitro model of skeletal muscle atrophy, differentiated C2C12 cells exhibited reduced Akt activity and decreased FOXO1 phosphorylation, a process known to promote transcription of atrophy genes in skeletal muscle. These results corresponded with increased Atrogin-1 expression compared to healthy control cells (P < 0.05). Transfection with CTMP siRNA significantly increased Akt phosphorylation in atrophic C2C12 cells, corresponding to significantly decreased CTMP expression. In conclusion, this is the first study to provide evidence for a link between elevated CTMP expression, downregulated Akt phosphorylation and muscle atrophy in ALS and clearly demonstrates a direct influence of CTMP on Akt phosphorylation in an in vitro muscle cell atrophy model.
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Lin CY, Zhang PH, Chen YJ, Wu CL, Tsai HJ. Conditional Overexpression of rtn4al in Muscle of Adult Zebrafish Displays Defects Similar to Human Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2019; 21:52-64. [PMID: 30443836 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-018-9857-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The protein level of muscle-specific human NogoA is abnormally upregulated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mice and patients. On the other hand, while the presence of miR-206 in muscle cells delays onset and death in ALS, the relationship between these two phenomena remains unclear. Mammalian NogoA protein, also known as Reticulon 4a (Rtn4a), plays an important role in inhibiting the outgrowth of motor neurons. Our group previously identified zebrafish rtn4al as the target gene of miR-206 and found that knockdown of miR-206 increases rtn4al mRNA and Rtn4al protein in zebrafish embryos. It can be concluded from these results that neurite outgrowth of motor neurons is inhibited by Rtn4a1, which is entirely consistent with overexpression of either human NogoA or zebrafish homolog Rtn4al. Since an animal model able to express NogoA/rtn4al at the mature stage is unavailable, we generated a zebrafish transgenic line, Tg(Zα:TetON-Rtn4al), which conditionally and specifically overexpresses Rtn4al in the muscle tissue. After doxycycline induction, adult zebrafish displayed denervation at neuromuscular junction during the first week, then muscle disintegration and split myofibers during the third week, and, finally, significant weight loss in the sixth week. These results suggest that this zebrafish transgenic line, representing the inducible overexpression of Rtn4a1 in muscle, may provide an alternative animal model with which to study ALS because it exhibits ALS-like phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yung Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Mackay Medical College, No. 46, Sec. 3, Zhongzhen Road, Sanzhi Dist., New Taipei City, 252, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hsiang Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Mackay Medical College, No. 46, Sec. 3, Zhongzhen Road, Sanzhi Dist., New Taipei City, 252, Taiwan
| | - You-Jei Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 106, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lun Wu
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 106, Taiwan
| | - Huai-Jen Tsai
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Mackay Medical College, No. 46, Sec. 3, Zhongzhen Road, Sanzhi Dist., New Taipei City, 252, Taiwan.
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Majchrzak M, Drela K, Andrzejewska A, Rogujski P, Figurska S, Fiedorowicz M, Walczak P, Janowski M, Lukomska B, Stanaszek L. SOD1/Rag2 Mice with Low Copy Number of SOD1 Gene as a New Long-Living Immunodeficient Model of ALS. Sci Rep 2019; 9:799. [PMID: 30692571 PMCID: PMC6349855 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37235-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The most recent research concerning amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) emphasizes the role of glia in disease development. Thus, one can suspect that the effective therapeutic strategy in treatment of ALS would be replacement of defective glia. One of the basic problems with human glial progenitors (hGRPs) replacement strategies is the time needed for the cells to become fully functional in vivo. The lifespan of most popular high copy number SOD1 mutant mice might be too short to acknowledge benefits of transplanted cells. We focused on developing immunodeficient rag2-/- model of ALS with lower number of transgene copies and longer lifespan. The obtained hSOD1/rag2 double mutant mice have been characterized. QPCR analysis revealed that copy number of hSOD1 transgene varied in our colony (4-8 copies). The difference in transgene copy number may be translated to significant impact on the lifespan. The death of long- and short-living hSOD1/rag2 mice is preceded by muscular weakness as early as one month before death. Importantly, based on magnetic resonance imaging we identified that mutant mice demonstrated abnormalities within the medullar motor nuclei. To conclude, we developed long-living double mutant hSOD1/rag2 mice, which could be a promising model for testing therapeutic utility of human stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Majchrzak
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - K Drela
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - A Andrzejewska
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - P Rogujski
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - S Figurska
- Laboratory for Genetically Modified Animals, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - M Fiedorowicz
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Small Animal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - P Walczak
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Division of MR Research, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, 10-719, Poland
| | - M Janowski
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Division of MR Research, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - B Lukomska
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - L Stanaszek
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
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Theme 2 In vitro experimental models. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2018; 19:112-129. [DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2018.1510569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Ceccanti M, Onesti E, Rubino A, Cambieri C, Tartaglia G, Miscioscia A, Frasca V, Inghilleri M. Modulation of human corticospinal excitability by paired associative stimulation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and effects of Riluzole. Brain Stimul 2018; 11:775-781. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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Kjældgaard AL, Pilely K, Olsen KS, Pedersen SW, Lauritsen AØ, Møller K, Garred P. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: The complement and inflammatory hypothesis. Mol Immunol 2018; 102:14-25. [PMID: 29933890 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating, neurodegenerative motor neuron disease. The aetiology of ALS remains an enigma which hinders the design of an effective treatment to prevent, postpone, or reverse the pathophysiological changes occurring during the aggressive progression of this disease. During the last decade, basic research within the innate immune system, and in particular the complement system, has revealed new, important roles of the innate immune system during development, homeostasis, and ageing within as well as outside the central nervous system. Several lines of evidence indicate that aberrant activation of the complement system locally in the central nervous system as well as systemically may be involved in the pathophysiology of ALS. This exciting new knowledge could point towards the innate immune system as a potential target of medical intervention in ALS. Recently, the historic perception of ALS as a central neurodegenerative disease has been challenged due to the significant amount of evidence of a dying-back mechanism causing the selective destruction of the motor neurons, indicating that disease onset occurs outside the borders of the blood-brain-barrier. This review addresses the function of the innate immune system during ALS. We emphasize the role of the complement system and specifically suggest the involvement of ficolin-3 from the lectin pathway in the pathophysiology of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Lene Kjældgaard
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Diagnostic Centre, Section 7631; Department of Neuroanaesthesiology.
| | - Katrine Pilely
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Diagnostic Centre, Section 7631
| | | | - Stephen Wørlich Pedersen
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Centre, Rigshospitalet, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Peter Garred
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology, Diagnostic Centre, Section 7631
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Micro-computed tomography for non-invasive evaluation of muscle atrophy in mouse models of disease. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198089. [PMID: 29813127 PMCID: PMC5973599 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscle wasting occurs during various chronic diseases and precedes death in humans as in mice. The evaluation of the degree of muscle atrophy in diseased mouse models is often overlooked since it requires the sacrifice of the animals for muscle examination or expensive instrumentation and highly qualified personnel, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Very often behavioral tests for muscle strength evaluation are used as an outcome measurement in preclinical therapeutic trials. However, these tests are easy to perform serially, but not enough sensitive to detect early muscle changes during disease progression. Monitoring muscle loss in living animals could allow to perform more informative preclinical trials with a better evaluation of therapeutic benefit with respect to muscle wasting. We developed a non-invasive procedure based on micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) without contrast agents to monitor hind limb muscle wasting in mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and cancer cachexia: the transgenic SOD1G93A mouse and the colon adenocarcinoma C26-bearing mouse, respectively. We established the scanning procedure and the parameters to consider in the reconstructed images to calculate the Index of Muscle Mass (IMM). The coefficient of variance for the whole procedure was 2.2%. We performed longitudinally micro-CT scan of hind limbs in SOD1G93A mice at presymptomatic and symptomatic stages of the disease and calculated the IMM. We found that IMM in SOD1G93A mice was lower than age-matched controls even before symptom onset. We also detected a further decrease in IMM as disease progresses, most markedly just before disease onset. We performed the same analyses in the C26-based mouse model losing quickly body and muscle mass because of cancer cachexia. Overall, we found that the reduced muscle content detected by micro-CT mirrored the reduced muscle weight in both disease models. We developed a fast, precise and easy-to-conduct imaging procedure to monitor hind limb muscle mass, useful in therapeutic preclinical trials but also in proof-of-principle studies to identify the onset of muscle wasting. This method could be widely applied to other disease models characterized by muscle wasting, to assist drug development and search for early biomarkers of muscle atrophy. Moreover, reducing the number of mice needed for the experiments and being less distressing are in line with the 3R principle embodied in national and international directives for animal research.
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Iyer AK, Jones KJ, Sanders VM, Walker CL. Temporospatial Analysis and New Players in the Immunology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19020631. [PMID: 29473876 PMCID: PMC5855853 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of lower and upper motor neurons (MN) leading to muscle weakness, paralysis and eventually death. Although a highly varied etiology results in ALS, it broadly manifests itself as sporadic and familial forms that have evident similarities in clinical symptoms and disease progression. There is a tremendous amount of knowledge on molecular mechanisms leading to loss of MNs and neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) as major determinants of disease onset, severity and progression in ALS. Specifically, two main opposing hypotheses, the dying forward and dying back phenomena, exist to account for NMJ denervation. The former hypothesis proposes that the earliest degeneration occurs at the central MNs and proceeds to the NMJ, whereas in the latter, the peripheral NMJ is the site of precipitating degeneration progressing backwards to the MN cell body. A large body of literature strongly indicates a role for the immune system in disease onset and progression via regulatory involvement at the level of both the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS). In this review, we discuss the earliest reported immune responses with an emphasis on newly identified immune players in mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (mSOD1) transgenic mice, the gold standard mouse model for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhirami K Iyer
- Anatomy and Cell Biology Department, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
- Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | - Kathryn J Jones
- Anatomy and Cell Biology Department, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
- Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | - Virginia M Sanders
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Chandler L Walker
- Anatomy and Cell Biology Department, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
- Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
- Department of Biomedical and Applied Sciences, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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Cappello V, Francolini M. Neuromuscular Junction Dismantling in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18102092. [PMID: 28972545 PMCID: PMC5666774 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18102092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular junction assembly and plasticity during embryonic, postnatal, and adult life are tightly regulated by the continuous cross-talk among motor nerve endings, muscle fibers, and glial cells. Altered communications among these components is thought to be responsible for the physiological age-related changes at this synapse and possibly for its destruction in pathological states. Neuromuscular junction dismantling plays a crucial role in the onset of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is characterized by the degeneration and death of motor neurons leading to skeletal muscle denervation, atrophy and, most often, death of the patient within five years from diagnosis. ALS is a non-cell autonomous disease as, besides motor neuron degeneration, glial cells, and possibly muscle fibers, play a role in its onset and progression. Here, we will review the recent literature regarding the mechanisms leading to neuromuscular junction disassembly and muscle denervation focusing on the role of the three players of this peripheral tripartite synapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Cappello
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation@NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Maura Francolini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano-Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milano, Italy.
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What is "Hyper" in the ALS Hypermetabolism? Mediators Inflamm 2017; 2017:7821672. [PMID: 29081604 PMCID: PMC5610793 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7821672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The progressive and fatal loss of upper (brain) and lower (spinal cord) motor neurons and muscle denervation concisely condenses the clinical picture of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Despite the multiple mechanisms believed to underlie the selective loss of motor neurons, ALS aetiology remains elusive and obscure. Likewise, there is also a cluster of alterations in ALS patients in which muscle wasting, body weight loss, eating dysfunction, and abnormal energy dissipation coexist. Defective energy metabolism characterizes the ALS progression, and such paradox of energy balance stands as a challenge for the understanding of ALS pathogenesis. The hypermetabolism in ALS will be examined from tissue-specific energy imbalance (e.g., skeletal muscle) to major energetic pathways (e.g., AMP-activated protein kinase) and whole-body energy alterations including glucose and lipid metabolism, nutrition, and potential involvement of interorgan communication. From the point of view here expressed, the hypermetabolism in ALS should be evaluated as a magnifying glass through which looking at the ALS pathogenesis is from a different perspective in which defective metabolism can disclose novel mechanistic interpretations and lines of intervention.
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Hewitt BM, Yap MH, Hodson-Tole EF, Kennerley AJ, Sharp PS, Grant RA. A novel automated rodent tracker (ART), demonstrated in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurosci Methods 2017; 300:147-156. [PMID: 28414047 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Generating quantitative metrics of rodent locomotion and general behaviours from video footage is important in behavioural neuroscience studies. However, there is not yet a free software system that can process large amounts of video data with minimal user interventions. NEW METHOD Here we propose a new, automated rodent tracker (ART) that uses a simple rule-based system to quickly and robustly track rodent nose and body points, with minimal user input. Tracked points can then be used to identify behaviours, approximate body size and provide locomotion metrics, such as speed and distance. RESULTS ART was demonstrated here on video recordings of a SOD1 mouse model, of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, aged 30, 60, 90 and 120days. Results showed a robust decline in locomotion speeds, as well as a reduction in object exploration and forward movement, with an increase in the time spent still. Body size approximations (centroid width), showed a significant decrease from P30. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S) ART performed to a very similar accuracy as manual tracking and Ethovision (a commercially available alternative), with average differences in coordinate points of 0.6 and 0.8mm, respectively. However, it required much less user intervention than Ethovision (6 as opposed to 30 mouse clicks) and worked robustly over more videos. CONCLUSIONS ART provides an open-source option for behavioural analysis of rodents, performing to the same standards as commercially available software. It can be considered a validated, and accessible, alternative for researchers for whom non-invasive quantification of natural rodent behaviour is desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett M Hewitt
- School of Computing, Mathematics and Digital Technology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK; School of Biology & Conservation Ecology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Moi Hoon Yap
- School of Computing, Mathematics and Digital Technology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Emma F Hodson-Tole
- School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Paul S Sharp
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Robyn A Grant
- School of Biology & Conservation Ecology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK.
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41
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Bontempi P, Busato A, Bonafede R, Schiaffino L, Scambi I, Sbarbati A, Mariotti R, Marzola P. MRI reveals therapeutical efficacy of stem cells: An experimental study on the SOD1(G93A) animal model. Magn Reson Med 2017; 79:459-469. [PMID: 28370153 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.26685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 02/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The first part of the experiment identifies and validates MRI biomarkers distinctive of the disease progression in the transgenic superoxide dismutase gene (SOD1(G93A)) animal model. The second part assesses the efficacy of a mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy through the MRI biomarkers previously defined. METHODS The first part identifies MRI differences between SOD1(G93A) and healthy mice. The second part of the experiment follows the disease evolution of stem cell-treated and non-stem-cell treated SOD1(G93A) mice. The analysis focused on voxel-based morphometry and T2 mapping on the brain tissues, and T2-weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) on the hind limbs. RESULTS Comparing diseased mice to healthy control revealed gray matter alterations in the brainstem area, accompanied by increased T2 relaxation time. Differences in muscle volume, muscle signal intensity, fractional anisotropy, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity were measured in the hind limbs. In the comparison between stem cell-treated mice and nontreated ones, differences in muscle volume, muscle signal intensity, and DTI-derived maps were found. CONCLUSION MRI-derived biomarkers can be used to identify differences between stem cell-treated and nontreated SOD1(G93A) mice. Magn Reson Med 79:459-469, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Bontempi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alice Busato
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Roberta Bonafede
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Schiaffino
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ilaria Scambi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Andrea Sbarbati
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Raffaella Mariotti
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Pasquina Marzola
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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42
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Marcuzzo S, Bonanno S, Figini M, Scotti A, Zucca I, Minati L, Riva N, Domi T, Fossaghi A, Quattrini A, Galbardi B, D'Alessandro S, Bruzzone MG, García-Verdugo JM, Moreno-Manzano V, Mantegazza R, Bernasconi P. A longitudinal DTI and histological study of the spinal cord reveals early pathological alterations in G93A-SOD1 mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Exp Neurol 2017; 293:43-52. [PMID: 28351750 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by selective motor neuron degeneration in the motor cortex, brainstem and spinal cord. It is generally accepted that ALS is caused by death of motor neurons, however the exact temporal cascade of degenerative processes is not yet completely known. To identify the early pathological changes in spinal cord of G93A-SOD1 ALS mice we performed a comprehensive longitudinal analysis employing diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging alongside histology and electron microscopy, in parallel with peripheral nerve histology. We showed the gradient of degeneration appearance in spinal cord white and gray matter, starting earliest in the ventral white matter, due to a cascade of pathological events including axon dysfunction and mitochondrial changes. Notably, we found that even the main sensory regions are affected by the neurodegenerative process at symptomatic disease phase. Overall our results attest the applicability of DTI in determining disease progression in ALS mice. These findings suggest that DTI could be potentially adapted in humans to aid the assessment of ALS progression and eventually the evaluation of treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Marcuzzo
- Neurology IV -Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Silvia Bonanno
- Neurology IV -Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan 20133, Italy; PhD Program in Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan 20126, Italy
| | - Matteo Figini
- Scientific Department, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Alessandro Scotti
- Scientific Department, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Ileana Zucca
- Scientific Department, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Ludovico Minati
- Scientific Department, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Nilo Riva
- Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Teuta Domi
- Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Andrea Fossaghi
- Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Angelo Quattrini
- Neuropathology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Barbara Galbardi
- Scientific Department, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Sara D'Alessandro
- Neurology IV -Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan 20133, Italy
| | | | | | - Victoria Moreno-Manzano
- Neuronal and Tissue Regeneration Laboratory, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia 46012, Spain
| | - Renato Mantegazza
- Neurology IV -Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Pia Bernasconi
- Neurology IV -Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan 20133, Italy.
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43
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Loeffler JP, Picchiarelli G, Dupuis L, Gonzalez De Aguilar JL. The Role of Skeletal Muscle in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Brain Pathol 2016; 26:227-36. [PMID: 26780251 PMCID: PMC8029271 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal adult‐onset disease primarily characterized by upper and lower motor neuron degeneration, muscle wasting and paralysis. It is increasingly accepted that the pathological process leading to ALS is the result of multiple disease mechanisms that operate within motor neurons and other cell types both inside and outside the central nervous system. The implication of skeletal muscle has been the subject of a number of studies conducted on patients and related animal models. In this review, we describe the features of ALS muscle pathology and discuss on the contribution of muscle to the pathological process. We also give an overview of the therapeutic strategies proposed to alleviate muscle pathology or to deliver curative agents to motor neurons. ALS muscle mainly suffers from oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and bioenergetic disturbances. However, the way by which the disease affects different types of myofibers depends on their contractile and metabolic features. Although the implication of muscle in nourishing the degenerative process is still debated, there is compelling evidence suggesting that it may play a critical role. Detailed understanding of the muscle pathology in ALS could, therefore, lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Philippe Loeffler
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR_S 1118, Strasbourg, France.,INSERM, U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Péripheriques de la Neurodégénérescence, Strasbourg, France
| | - Gina Picchiarelli
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR_S 1118, Strasbourg, France.,INSERM, U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Péripheriques de la Neurodégénérescence, Strasbourg, France
| | - Luc Dupuis
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR_S 1118, Strasbourg, France.,INSERM, U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Péripheriques de la Neurodégénérescence, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jose-Luis Gonzalez De Aguilar
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR_S 1118, Strasbourg, France.,INSERM, U1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Péripheriques de la Neurodégénérescence, Strasbourg, France
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44
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Figini M, Scotti A, Marcuzzo S, Bonanno S, Padelli F, Moreno-Manzano V, García-Verdugo JM, Bernasconi P, Mantegazza R, Bruzzone MG, Zucca I. Comparison of Diffusion MRI Acquisition Protocols for the In Vivo Characterization of the Mouse Spinal Cord: Variability Analysis and Application to an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Model. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161646. [PMID: 27560686 PMCID: PMC4999133 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) has relevant applications in the microstructural characterization of the spinal cord, especially in neurodegenerative diseases. Animal models have a pivotal role in the study of such diseases; however, in vivo spinal dMRI of small animals entails additional challenges that require a systematical investigation of acquisition parameters. The purpose of this study is to compare three acquisition protocols and identify the scanning parameters allowing a robust estimation of the main diffusion quantities and a good sensitivity to neurodegeneration in the mouse spinal cord. For all the protocols, the signal-to-noise and contrast-to noise ratios and the mean value and variability of Diffusion Tensor metrics were evaluated in healthy controls. For the estimation of fractional anisotropy less variability was provided by protocols with more diffusion directions, for the estimation of mean, axial and radial diffusivity by protocols with fewer diffusion directions and higher diffusion weighting. Intermediate features (12 directions, b = 1200 s/mm2) provided the overall minimum inter- and intra-subject variability in most cases. In order to test the diagnostic sensitivity of the protocols, 7 G93A-SOD1 mice (model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) at 10 and 17 weeks of age were scanned and the derived diffusion parameters compared with those estimated in age-matched healthy animals. The protocols with an intermediate or high number of diffusion directions provided the best differentiation between the two groups at week 17, whereas only few local significant differences were highlighted at week 10. According to our results, a dMRI protocol with an intermediate number of diffusion gradient directions and a relatively high diffusion weighting is optimal for spinal cord imaging. Further work is needed to confirm these results and for a finer tuning of acquisition parameters. Nevertheless, our findings could be important for the optimization of acquisition protocols for preclinical and clinical dMRI studies on the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Figini
- Scientific Direction, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta” Milan, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Alessandro Scotti
- Scientific Direction, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta” Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Marcuzzo
- Neurology IV—Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Bonanno
- Neurology IV—Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Padelli
- Scientific Direction, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta” Milan, Italy
| | - Victoria Moreno-Manzano
- Neuronal and Tissue Regeneration Laboratory, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Pia Bernasconi
- Neurology IV—Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | - Renato Mantegazza
- Neurology IV—Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Ileana Zucca
- Scientific Direction, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta” Milan, Italy
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45
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Sassone J, Taiana M, Lombardi R, Porretta-Serapiglia C, Freschi M, Bonanno S, Marcuzzo S, Caravello F, Bendotti C, Lauria G. ALS mouse model SOD1G93A displays early pathology of sensory small fibers associated to accumulation of a neurotoxic splice variant of peripherin. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:1588-99. [PMID: 26908600 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multisystem neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects motor neurons and, though less evidently, other neuronal systems. About 75% of sporadic and familial ALS patients show a subclinical degeneration of small-diameter fibers, as measured by loss of intraepidermal nerve fibers (IENFs), but the underlying biological causes are unknown. Small-diameter fibers are derived from small-diameter sensory neurons, located in dorsal root ganglia (DRG), whose biochemical hallmark is the expression of type III intermediate filament peripherin. We tested here the hypothesis that small-diameter DRG neurons of ALS mouse model SOD1(G93A)suffer from axonal stress and investigated the underlying molecular mechanism. We found that SOD1(G93A)mice display small fiber pathology, as measured by IENF loss, which precedes the onset of the disease. In vitro small-diameter DRG neurons of SOD1(G93A)mice show axonal stress features and accumulation of a peripherin splice variant, named peripherin56, which causes axonal stress through disassembling light and medium neurofilament subunits (NFL and NFM, respectively). Our findings first demonstrate that small-diameter DRG neurons of the ALS mouse model SOD1(G93A)display axonal stress in vitro and in vivo, thus sustaining the hypothesis that the effects of ALS disease spread beyond motor neurons. These results suggest a molecular mechanism for the small fiber pathology found in ALS patients. Finally, our data agree with previous findings, suggesting a key role of peripherin in the ALS pathogenesis, thus highlighting that DRG neurons mirror some dysfunctions found in motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mattia Freschi
- Neuroscience Department, Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri', Animal Facility Fondazione italiana per la ricerca sulla SLA (AriSLA), Milan, Italy and
| | - Silvia Bonanno
- 4th Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation 'Carlo Besta' Neurological Institute, via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy, PhD Program in Neuroscience, University of Milan, Bicocca, Italy
| | - Stefania Marcuzzo
- 4th Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation 'Carlo Besta' Neurological Institute, via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Caterina Bendotti
- Neuroscience Department, Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri'
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46
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Park KHJ. Mechanisms of Muscle Denervation in Aging: Insights from a Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Aging Dis 2015; 6:380-9. [PMID: 26425392 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2015.0506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscle denervation at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is thought to be a contributing factor in age-related muscle weakness. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that modulate NMJ innervation is a key to developing therapies to combat age-related muscle weakness affecting the elderly. Two mouse models, one lacking the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene and another harboring the transgenic mutant human SOD1 gene, display progressive changes at the NMJ, including muscle endplate fragmentation, nerve terminal sprouting, and denervation. These changes at the NMJ share many of the common features observed in the NMJs of aged mice. In this review, research findings demonstrating the effects of PGC-1α, IGF-1, GDNF, MyoD, myogenin, and miR-206 on NMJ innervation patterns in the G93A SOD1 mice will be highlighted in the context of age-related muscle denervation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin H J Park
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, USA
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47
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Caron I, Micotti E, Paladini A, Merlino G, Plebani L, Forloni G, Modo M, Bendotti C. Comparative Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Histopathological Correlates in Two SOD1 Transgenic Mouse Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132159. [PMID: 26132656 PMCID: PMC4488470 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal disease due to motoneuron degeneration. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is becoming a promising non-invasive approach to monitor the disease course but a direct correlation with neuropathology is not feasible in human. Therefore in this study we aimed to examine MRI changes in relation to histopathology in two mouse models of ALS (C57BL6/J and 129S2/SvHsd SOD1G93A mice) with different disease onset and progression. A longitudinal in vivo analysis of T2 maps, compared to ex vivo histological changes, was performed on cranial motor nuclei. An increased T2 value was associated with a significant tissue vacuolization that occurred prior to motoneuron loss in the cranial nuclei of C57 SOD1G93A mice. Conversely, in 129Sv SOD1G93A mice, which exhibit a more severe phenotype, MRI detected a milder increase of T2 value, associated with a milder vacuolization. This suggests that alteration within brainstem nuclei is not predictive of a more severe phenotype in the SOD1G93A mouse model. Using an ex vivo paradigm, Diffusion Tensor Imaging was also applied to study white matter spinal cord degeneration. In contrast to degeneration of cranial nuclei, alterations in white matter and axons loss reflected the different disease phenotype of SOD1G93A mice. The correspondence between MRI and histology further highlights the potential of MRI to monitor progressive motoneuron and axonal degeneration non-invasively in vivo. The identification of prognostic markers of the disease nevertheless requires validation in multiple models of ALS to ensure that these are not merely model-specific. Eventually this approach has the potential to lead to the development of robust and validated non-invasive imaging biomarkers in ALS patients, which may help to monitor the efficacy of therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Caron
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Neuroscience Department, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri”, Milan, Italy
| | - Edoardo Micotti
- Laboratory of Biology of neurodegenerative disorders, Neuroscience Department, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri”, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Paladini
- Laboratory of Biology of neurodegenerative disorders, Neuroscience Department, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri”, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Merlino
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Neuroscience Department, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri”, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Plebani
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Neuroscience Department, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri”, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Forloni
- Laboratory of Biology of neurodegenerative disorders, Neuroscience Department, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri”, Milan, Italy
| | - Michel Modo
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine & Centre for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Departments of Radiology & Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Neuroscience Department, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri”, Milan, Italy
- * E-mail:
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48
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Haulcomb MM, Mesnard-Hoaglin NA, Batka RJ, Meadows RM, Miller WM, Mcmillan KP, Brown TJ, Sanders VM, Jones KJ. Identification of B6SJL mSOD1(G93A) mouse subgroups with different disease progression rates. J Comp Neurol 2015; 523:2752-68. [PMID: 26010802 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Revised: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Disease progression rates among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) vary greatly. Although the majority of affected individuals survive 3-5 years following diagnosis, some subgroups experience a more rapidly progressing form, surviving less than 1 year, and other subgroups experience slowly progressing forms, surviving nearly 50 years. Genetic heterogeneity and environmental factors pose significant barriers in investigating patient progression rates. Similar to the case for humans, variation in survival within the mSOD1 mouse has been well documented, but different progression rates have not been investigated. The present study identifies two subgroups of B6SJL mSOD1(G93A) mice with different disease progression rates, a fast progression group (FPG) and slow progression group, as evidenced by differences in the rate of motor function decline. In addition, increased disease-associated gene expression within the FPG facial motor nucleus confirmed the presence of a more severe phenotype. We hypothesize that a more severe disease phenotype could be the result of 1) an earlier onset of axonal disconnection with a consistent degeneration rate or 2) a more severe or accelerated degenerative process. We performed a facial nerve transection axotomy in both mSOD1 subgroups prior to disease onset as a method to standardize the axonal disconnection. Instead of leading to comparable gene expression in both subgroups, this standardization did not eliminate the severe phenotype in the FPG facial nucleus, suggesting that the FPG phenotype is the result of a more severe or accelerated degenerative process. We theorize that these mSOD1 subgroups are representative of the rapid and slow disease phenotypes often experienced in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa M Haulcomb
- Neuroscience Program, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, 60153.,Research and Development Service, Hines Veterans Administration Hospital, Hines, Illinois, 60141.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202.,Research and Development Service, Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202
| | - Nichole A Mesnard-Hoaglin
- Neuroscience Program, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, 60153.,Research and Development Service, Hines Veterans Administration Hospital, Hines, Illinois, 60141
| | - Richard J Batka
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202.,Research and Development Service, Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202
| | - Rena M Meadows
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202.,Research and Development Service, Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202.,Program in Medical Neurosciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202
| | - Whitney M Miller
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202.,Research and Development Service, Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202
| | - Kathryn P Mcmillan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202.,Research and Development Service, Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202
| | - Todd J Brown
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202.,Research and Development Service, Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202
| | - Virginia M Sanders
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210
| | - Kathryn J Jones
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202.,Research and Development Service, Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202
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49
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Pfohl SR, Halicek MT, Mitchell CS. Characterization of the Contribution of Genetic Background and Gender to Disease Progression in the SOD1 G93A Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Meta-Analysis. J Neuromuscul Dis 2015; 2:137-150. [PMID: 26594635 PMCID: PMC4652798 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-140068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background: The SOD1 G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most frequently used model to examine ALS pathophysiology. There is a lack of homogeneity in usage of the SOD1 G93A mouse, including differences in genetic background and gender, which could confound the field’s results. Objective: In an analysis of 97 studies, we characterized the ALS progression for the high transgene copy control SOD1 G93A mouse on the basis of disease onset, overall lifespan, and disease duration for male and female mice on the B6SJL and C57BL/6J genetic backgrounds and quantified magnitudes of differences between groups. Methods: Mean age at onset, onset assessment measure, disease duration, and overall lifespan data from each study were extracted and statistically modeled as the response of linear regression with the sex and genetic background factored as predictors. Additional examination was performed on differing experimental onset and endpoint assessment measures. Results: C57BL/6 background mice show delayed onset of symptoms, increased lifespan, and an extended disease duration compared to their sex-matched B6SJL counterparts. Female B6SJL generally experience extended lifespan and delayed onset compared to their male counterparts, while female mice on the C57BL/6 background show delayed onset but no difference in survival compared to their male counterparts. Finally, different experimental protocols (tremor, rotarod, etc.) for onset determination result in notably different onset means. Conclusions: Overall, the observed effect of sex on disease endpoints was smaller than that which can be attributed to the genetic background. The often-reported increase in lifespan for female mice was observed only for mice on the B6SJL background, implicating a strain-dependent effect of sex on disease progression that manifests despite identical mutant SOD1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R Pfohl
- Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Martin T Halicek
- Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Cassie S Mitchell
- Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Chen D, Wang Y, Chin ER. Activation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress response in skeletal muscle of G93A*SOD1 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:170. [PMID: 26041991 PMCID: PMC4435075 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) are one of the genetic causes of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Although the primary symptom of ALS is muscle weakness, the link between SOD1 mutations, cellular dysfunction and muscle atrophy and weakness is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to characterize cellular markers of ER stress in skeletal muscle across the lifespan of G93A*SOD1 (ALS-Tg) mice. Muscles were obtained from ALS-Tg and age-matched wild type (WT) mice at 70d (pre-symptomatic), 90d and 120–140d (symptomatic) and analyzed for ER stress markers. In white gastrocnemius (WG) muscle, ER stress sensors PERK and IRE1α were upregulated ~2-fold at 70d and remained (PERK) or increased further (IRE1α) at 120–140d. Phospho-eIF2α, a downstream target of PERK and an inhibitor of protein translation, was increased by 70d and increased further to 12.9-fold at 120–140d. IRE1α upregulation leads to increased splicing of X-box binding protein 1 (XBP-1) to the XBP-1s isoform. XBP-1s transcript was increased at 90d and 120–140d indicating activation of IRE1α signaling. The ER chaperone/heat shock protein Grp78/BiP was upregulated 2-fold at 70d and 90d and increased to 6.1-fold by 120–140d. The ER-stress-specific apoptotic signaling protein CHOP was upregulated 2-fold at 70d and 90d and increased to 13.3-fold at 120–140d indicating progressive activation of an apoptotic signal in muscle. There was a greater increase in Grp78/BiP and CHOP in WG vs. the more oxidative red gastrocnemius (RG) ALS-Tg at 120–140d indicating greater ER stress and apoptosis in fast glycolytic muscle. These data show that the ER stress response is activated in skeletal muscle of ALS-Tg mice by an early pre-symptomatic age and increases with disease progression. These data suggest a mechanism by which myocellular ER stress leads to reduced protein translation and contributes to muscle atrophy and weakness in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dapeng Chen
- School of Public Health, University of Maryland MD, USA
| | - Yan Wang
- Proteomics Core Facility, College of Computer, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Maryland MD, USA
| | - Eva R Chin
- School of Public Health, University of Maryland MD, USA
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