1
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Skinnider MA, Gautier M, Teo AYY, Kathe C, Hutson TH, Laskaratos A, de Coucy A, Regazzi N, Aureli V, James ND, Schneider B, Sofroniew MV, Barraud Q, Bloch J, Anderson MA, Squair JW, Courtine G. Single-cell and spatial atlases of spinal cord injury in the Tabulae Paralytica. Nature 2024; 631:150-163. [PMID: 38898272 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07504-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Here, we introduce the Tabulae Paralytica-a compilation of four atlases of spinal cord injury (SCI) comprising a single-nucleus transcriptome atlas of half a million cells, a multiome atlas pairing transcriptomic and epigenomic measurements within the same nuclei, and two spatial transcriptomic atlases of the injured spinal cord spanning four spatial and temporal dimensions. We integrated these atlases into a common framework to dissect the molecular logic that governs the responses to injury within the spinal cord1. The Tabulae Paralytica uncovered new biological principles that dictate the consequences of SCI, including conserved and divergent neuronal responses to injury; the priming of specific neuronal subpopulations to upregulate circuit-reorganizing programs after injury; an inverse relationship between neuronal stress responses and the activation of circuit reorganization programs; the necessity of re-establishing a tripartite neuroprotective barrier between immune-privileged and extra-neural environments after SCI and a failure to form this barrier in old mice. We leveraged the Tabulae Paralytica to develop a rejuvenative gene therapy that re-established this tripartite barrier, and restored the natural recovery of walking after paralysis in old mice. The Tabulae Paralytica provides a window into the pathobiology of SCI, while establishing a framework for integrating multimodal, genome-scale measurements in four dimensions to study biology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Skinnider
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Matthieu Gautier
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alan Yue Yang Teo
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Kathe
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas H Hutson
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Achilleas Laskaratos
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra de Coucy
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Regazzi
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Viviana Aureli
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicholas D James
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bernard Schneider
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Bertarelli Platform for Gene Therapy, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michael V Sofroniew
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Quentin Barraud
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jocelyne Bloch
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mark A Anderson
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Jordan W Squair
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Grégoire Courtine
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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2
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Hutchings C, Nuriel Y, Lazar D, Kohl A, Muir E, Genin O, Cinnamon Y, Benyamini H, Nevo Y, Sela-Donenfeld D. Hindbrain boundaries as niches of neural progenitor and stem cells regulated by the extracellular matrix proteoglycan chondroitin sulphate. Development 2024; 151:dev201934. [PMID: 38251863 PMCID: PMC10911165 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201934] [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: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The interplay between neural progenitors and stem cells (NPSCs), and their extracellular matrix (ECM) is a crucial regulatory mechanism that determines their behavior. Nonetheless, how the ECM dictates the state of NPSCs remains elusive. The hindbrain is valuable to examine this relationship, as cells in the ventricular surface of hindbrain boundaries (HBs), which arise between any two neighboring rhombomeres, express the NPSC marker Sox2, while being surrounded with the membrane-bound ECM molecule chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan (CSPG), in chick and mouse embryos. CSPG expression was used to isolate HB Sox2+ cells for RNA-sequencing, revealing their distinguished molecular properties as typical NPSCs, which express known and newly identified genes relating to stem cells, cancer, the matrisome and cell cycle. In contrast, the CSPG- non-HB cells, displayed clear neural-differentiation transcriptome. To address whether CSPG is significant for hindbrain development, its expression was manipulated in vivo and in vitro. CSPG manipulations shifted the stem versus differentiation state of HB cells, evident by their behavior and altered gene expression. These results provide further understanding of the uniqueness of hindbrain boundaries as repetitive pools of NPSCs in-between the rapidly growing rhombomeres, which rely on their microenvironment to maintain their undifferentiated state during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmel Hutchings
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yarden Nuriel
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Daniel Lazar
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Ayelet Kohl
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Elizabeth Muir
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
| | - Olga Genin
- Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Department of Poultry and Aquaculture Science, Rishon LeTsiyon 7505101, Israel
| | - Yuval Cinnamon
- Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Department of Poultry and Aquaculture Science, Rishon LeTsiyon 7505101, Israel
| | - Hadar Benyamini
- Info-CORE, Bioinformatics Unit of the I-CORE at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Yuval Nevo
- Info-CORE, Bioinformatics Unit of the I-CORE at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Dalit Sela-Donenfeld
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
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3
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Ali S, Rivera M, Ward J, Keshavarz-Moore E, Mason C, Nesbeth DN. Serum-free lentiviral vector production is compatible with medium-resident nuclease activity arising from adherent HEK293T host cells engineered with a nuclease-encoding transgene. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17067. [PMID: 37484388 PMCID: PMC10361239 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
At present lentiviral vector production for cell and gene therapy commonly involves transient plasmid transfection of mammalian cells cultivated in serum-containing media and addition of exogenous nuclease to reduce host cell and plasmid DNA impurities. Switching from serum-containing media to chemically-defined, serum free media, and minimising the number of process additions, are both increasingly regarded as necessary steps for simplifying and potentially automating lentiviral vector bioprocessing in future. Here we adapted human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cells to grow in serum-free media and also modified these cells with transgenes designed to encode a secreted nuclease activity. Stable transfection of HEK293T cells with transgenes encoding the Staphylococcus aureus nuclease B (NucB) open reading frame with either its native secretion signal peptide, the murine Igκ chain leader sequence or a novel viral transport fusion protein, all resulted in qualitatively detectable nuclease activity in serum-free media. Serum-free transient transfection of human embryonic kidney HEK293T cells stably harbouring the transgene for NucB with its native secretion signal produced active lentivirus in the presence of medium-resident nuclease activity. This lentivirus material was able to transduce the AGF-T immortal T cell line with a green fluorescent protein reporter payload at a level of 2.05 × 105 TU/mL (±3.34 × 104 TU/mL). Sufficient nuclease activity was present in 10 μL of this unconcentrated lentivirus material to degrade 1.5 μg DNA within 2 h at 37 °C, without agitation - conditions compatible with lentivirus production. These observations demonstrate that lentiviral vector production, by transient transfection, is compatible with host cells harbouring a nuclease transgene and evidencing nuclease activity in their surrounding growth media. This work provides a solid basis for future investigations, beyond the scope of this present study, in which commercial and academic groups can apply this approach to therapeutic payloads and potentially omit exogenous nuclease bioprocess additions.
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4
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Khalil AS, Hellenbrand D, Reichl K, Umhoefer J, Filipp M, Choe J, Hanna A, Murphy WL. A Localized Materials-Based Strategy to Non-Virally Deliver Chondroitinase ABC mRNA Improves Hindlimb Function in a Rat Spinal Cord Injury Model. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2200206. [PMID: 35882512 PMCID: PMC10031873 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202200206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury often results in devastating consequences for those afflicted, with very few therapeutic options. A central element of spinal cord injuries is astrogliosis, which forms a glial scar that inhibits neuronal regeneration post-injury. Chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) is an enzyme capable of degrading chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG), the predominant extracellular matrix component of the glial scar. However, poor protein stability remains a challenge in its therapeutic use. Messenger RNA (mRNA) delivery is an emerging gene therapy technology for in vivo production of difficult-to-produce therapeutic proteins. Here, mineral-coated microparticles as an efficient, non-viral mRNA delivery vehicles to produce exogenous ChABC in situ within a spinal cord lesion are used. ChABC production reduces the deposition of CSPGs in an in vitro model of astrogliosis, and direct injection of these microparticles within a glial scar forces local overexpression of ChABC and improves recovery of motor function seven weeks post-injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Khalil
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Daniel Hellenbrand
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Kaitlyn Reichl
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Jennifer Umhoefer
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Mallory Filipp
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Joshua Choe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Amgad Hanna
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705
| | - William L. Murphy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
- Forward BIO Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
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5
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Sinopoulou E, Spejo AB, Roopnarine N, Burnside ER, Bartus K, De Winter F, McMahon SB, Bradbury EJ. Chronic muscle recordings reveal recovery of forelimb function in spinal injured female rats after cortical epidural stimulation combined with rehabilitation and chondroitinase ABC. J Neurosci Res 2022; 100:2055-2076. [PMID: 35916483 PMCID: PMC9544922 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25111] [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: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Cervical level spinal cord injury (SCI) can severely impact upper limb muscle function, which is typically assessed in the clinic using electromyography (EMG). Here, we established novel preclinical methodology for EMG assessments of muscle function after SCI in awake freely moving animals. Adult female rats were implanted with EMG recording electrodes in bicep muscles and received bilateral cervical (C7) contusion injuries. Forelimb muscle activity was assessed by recording maximum voluntary contractions during a grip strength task and cortical motor evoked potentials in the biceps. We demonstrate that longitudinal recordings of muscle activity in the same animal are feasible over a chronic post-injury time course and provide a sensitive method for revealing post-injury changes in muscle activity. This methodology was utilized to investigate recovery of muscle function after a novel combination therapy. Cervical contused animals received intraspinal injections of a neuroplasticity-promoting agent (lentiviral-chondroitinase ABC) plus 11 weeks of cortical epidural electrical stimulation (3 h daily, 5 days/week) and behavioral rehabilitation (15 min daily, 5 days/week). Longitudinal monitoring of voluntary and evoked muscle activity revealed significantly increased muscle activity and upper limb dexterity with the combination treatment, compared to a single treatment or no treatment. Retrograde mapping of motor neurons innervating the biceps showed a predominant distribution across spinal segments C5-C8, indicating that treatment effects were likely due to neuroplastic changes in a mixture of intact and injured motor neurons. Thus, longitudinal assessments of muscle function after SCI correlate with skilled reach and grasp performance and reveal functional benefits of a novel combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Sinopoulou
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, London, UK.,Department of Neuroscience, The Center for Neural Repair, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Aline Barroso Spejo
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, London, UK
| | - Naomi Roopnarine
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, London, UK
| | - Emily R Burnside
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, London, UK
| | - Katalin Bartus
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, London, UK
| | - Fred De Winter
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stephen B McMahon
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth J Bradbury
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, London, UK
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6
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Tansley S, Gu N, Guzmán AU, Cai W, Wong C, Lister K, Muñoz-Pino E, Yousefpour N, Roome RB, Heal J, Wu N, Castonguay A, Lean G, Muir EM, Kania A, Prager-Khoutorsky M, Zhang J, Gkogkas CG, Fawcett JW, Diatchenko L, Ribeiro-da-Silva A, De Koninck Y, Mogil JS, Khoutorsky A. Microglia-mediated degradation of perineuronal nets promotes pain. Science 2022; 377:80-86. [PMID: 35617374 DOI: 10.1126/science.abl6773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Activation of microglia in the spinal cord dorsal horn following peripheral nerve injury contributes to the development of pain hypersensitivity. How activated microglia selectively enhance the activity of spinal nociceptive circuits is not well understood. We discovered that following peripheral nerve injury, microglia degrade extracellular matrix structures, perineuronal nets (PNNs), in lamina I of the spinal cord dorsal horn. Lamina I PNNs selectively enwrap spinoparabrachial projection neurons, which integrate nociceptive information in the spinal cord and convey it to supraspinal brain regions to induce pain sensation. Degradation of PNNs by microglia enhances the activity of projection neurons and induces pain-related behaviors. Thus, nerve injury-induced degradation of PNNs is a mechanism by which microglia selectively augment the output of spinal nociceptive circuits and cause pain hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Tansley
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ning Gu
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alba Ureña Guzmán
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Weihua Cai
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Calvin Wong
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kevin Lister
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Einer Muñoz-Pino
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Noosha Yousefpour
- Departement of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - R Brian Roome
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal (IRCM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jordyn Heal
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Neil Wu
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Annie Castonguay
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Graham Lean
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Elizabeth M Muir
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Artur Kania
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal (IRCM), Montreal, QC, Canada.,Departement of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Ji Zhang
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christos G Gkogkas
- Biomedical Research Institute, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, University Campus, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - James W Fawcett
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Centre for Reconstructive Neuroscience, Institute for Experimental Medicine CAS, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Luda Diatchenko
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alfredo Ribeiro-da-Silva
- Departement of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Departement of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yves De Koninck
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada.,Departement of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jeffrey S Mogil
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Arkady Khoutorsky
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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7
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Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans prevent immune cell phenotypic conversion and inflammation resolution via TLR4 in rodent models of spinal cord injury. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2933. [PMID: 35614038 PMCID: PMC9133109 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30467-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) act as potent inhibitors of axonal growth and neuroplasticity after spinal cord injury (SCI). Here we reveal that CSPGs also play a critical role in preventing inflammation resolution by blocking the conversion of pro-inflammatory immune cells to a pro-repair phenotype in rodent models of SCI. We demonstrate that enzymatic digestion of CSPG glycosaminoglycans enhances immune cell clearance and reduces pro-inflammatory protein and gene expression profiles at key resolution time points. Analysis of phenotypically distinct immune cell clusters revealed CSPG-mediated modulation of macrophage and microglial subtypes which, together with T lymphocyte infiltration and composition changes, suggests a role for CSPGs in modulating both innate and adaptive immune responses after SCI. Mechanistically, CSPG activation of a pro-inflammatory phenotype in pro-repair immune cells was found to be TLR4-dependent, identifying TLR4 signalling as a key driver of CSPG-mediated immune modulation. These findings establish CSPGs as critical mediators of inflammation resolution failure after SCI in rodents, which leads to prolonged inflammatory pathology and irreversible tissue destruction.
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8
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Islam A, Tom VJ. The use of viral vectors to promote repair after spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2022; 354:114102. [PMID: 35513025 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating event that can permanently disrupt multiple modalities. Unfortunately, the combination of the inhibitory environment at a central nervous system (CNS) injury site and the diminished intrinsic capacity of adult axons for growth results in the failure for robust axonal regeneration, limiting the ability for repair. Delivering genetic material that can either positively or negatively modulate gene expression has the potential to counter the obstacles that hinder axon growth within the spinal cord after injury. A popular gene therapy method is to deliver the genetic material using viral vectors. There are considerations when deciding on a viral vector approach for a particular application, including the type of vector, as well as serotypes, and promoters. In this review, we will discuss some of the aspects to consider when utilizing a viral vector approach to as a therapy for SCI. Additionally, we will discuss some recent applications of gene therapy to target extrinsic and/or intrinsic barriers to promote axon regeneration after SCI in preclinical models. While still in early stages, this approach has potential to treat those living with SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraful Islam
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Veronica J Tom
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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9
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Steele-Nicholson LJ, Andrews MR. Axon-Targeting Motifs: Mechanisms and Applications of Enhancing Axonal Localisation of Transmembrane Proteins. Cells 2022; 11:cells11060937. [PMID: 35326388 PMCID: PMC8946247 DOI: 10.3390/cells11060937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal polarity established in developing neurons ensures proper function in the mature nervous system. As functionally distinct cellular compartments, axons and dendrites often require different subsets of proteins to maintain synaptic transmission and overall order. Although neurons in the mature CNS do not regenerate throughout life, their interactions with their extracellular environment are dynamic. The axon remains an overall protected area of the neuron where only certain proteins have access throughout the lifespan of the cell. This is in comparison to the somatodendritic compartment, where although it too has a specialised subset of proteins required for its maintenance, many proteins destined for the axonal compartment must first be trafficked through the former. Recent research has shown that axonal proteins contain specific axon-targeting motifs that permit access to the axonal compartment as well as downstream targeting to the axonal membrane. These motifs target proteins to the axonal compartment by a variety of mechanisms including: promoting segregation into axon-targeted secretory vesicles, increasing interaction with axonal kinesins and enhancing somatodendritic endocytosis. In this review, we will discuss axon-targeting motifs within the context of established neuron trafficking mechanisms. We will also include examples of how these motifs have been applied to target proteins to the axonal compartment to improve both tools for the study of axon biology, and for use as potential therapeutics for axonopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lloyd J. Steele-Nicholson
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK;
- Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Melissa R. Andrews
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK;
- Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- Correspondence:
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10
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Warren PM, Fawcett JW, Kwok JCF. Substrate Specificity and Biochemical Characteristics of an Engineered Mammalian Chondroitinase ABC. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:11223-11230. [PMID: 34056277 PMCID: PMC8153898 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c06262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans inhibit regeneration, neuroprotection, and plasticity following spinal cord injury. The development of a second-generation chondroitinase ABC enzyme, capable of being secreted from mammalian cells (mChABC), has facilitated the functional recovery of animals following severe spinal trauma. The genetically modified enzyme has been shown to efficiently break down the inhibitory extracellular matrix surrounding cells at the site of injury, while facilitating cellular integration and axonal growth. However, the activity profile of the enzyme in relation to the original bacterial chondroitinase (bChABC) has not been determined. Here, we characterize the activity profile of mChABC and compare it to bChABC, both enzymes having been maintained under physiologically relevant conditions for the duration of the experiment. We show that this genetically modified enzyme can be secreted reliably and robustly in high yields from a mammalian cell line. The modifications made to the cDNA of the enzyme have not altered the functional activity of mChABC compared to bChABC, ensuring that it has optimal activity on chondroitin sulfate-A, with an optimal pH at 8.0 and temperature at 37 °C. However, mChABC shows superior thermostability compared to bChABC, ensuring that the recombinant enzyme operates with enhanced activity over a variety of physiologically relevant substrates and temperatures compared to the widely used bacterial alternative without substantially altering its kinetic output. The determination that mChABC can function with greater robustness under physiological conditions than bChABC is an important step in the further development of this auspicious treatment strategy toward a clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippa M. Warren
- Department
of Clinical Neurosciences, John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, U.K.
- Wolfson
Centre for Age Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology
and Neuroscience, King’s College
London, Guy’s
Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, U.K.
- Department
of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, U.K.
| | - James W. Fawcett
- Department
of Clinical Neurosciences, John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, U.K.
- Centre
for Reconstructive Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jessica C. F. Kwok
- Department
of Clinical Neurosciences, John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, U.K.
- Centre
for Reconstructive Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- School
of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
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11
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Schmitt BM, Boewe AS, Götz C, Philipp SE, Urbschat S, Oertel J, Menger MD, Laschke MW, Ampofo E. CK2 Activity Mediates the Aggressive Molecular Signature of Glioblastoma Multiforme by Inducing Nerve/Glial Antigen (NG)2 Expression. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071678. [PMID: 33918235 PMCID: PMC8037969 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nerve/glial antigen (NG)2 expression crucially determines the aggressiveness of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Recent evidence suggests that protein kinase CK2 regulates NG2 expression. Therefore, we investigated in the present study whether CK2 inhibition suppresses proliferation and migration of NG2-positive GBM cells. For this purpose, CK2 activity was suppressed in the NG2-positive cell lines A1207 and U87 by the pharmacological inhibitor CX-4945 and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of CK2α. As shown by quantitative real-time PCR, luciferase-reporter assays, flow cytometry and western blot, this significantly reduced NG2 gene and protein expression when compared to vehicle-treated and wild type controls. In addition, CK2 inhibition markedly reduced NG2-dependent A1207 and U87 cell proliferation and migration. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-based data further revealed not only a high expression of both NG2 and CK2 in GBM but also a positive correlation between the mRNA expression of the two proteins. Finally, we verified a decreased NG2 expression after CX-4945 treatment in patient-derived GBM cells. These findings indicate that the inhibition of CK2 represents a promising approach to suppress the aggressive molecular signature of NG2-positive GBM cells. Therefore, CX-4945 may be a suitable drug for the future treatment of NG2-positive GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate M. Schmitt
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (B.M.S.); (A.S.B.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Anne S. Boewe
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (B.M.S.); (A.S.B.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Claudia Götz
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany;
| | - Stephan E. Philipp
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany;
| | - Steffi Urbschat
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (S.U.); (J.O.)
| | - Joachim Oertel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (S.U.); (J.O.)
| | - Michael D. Menger
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (B.M.S.); (A.S.B.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Matthias W. Laschke
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (B.M.S.); (A.S.B.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Emmanuel Ampofo
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (B.M.S.); (A.S.B.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
- Correspondence:
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12
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Prager J, Ito D, Carwardine DR, Jiju P, Chari DM, Granger N, Wong LF. Delivery of chondroitinase by canine mucosal olfactory ensheathing cells alongside rehabilitation enhances recovery after spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2021; 340:113660. [PMID: 33647272 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause chronic paralysis and incontinence and remains a major worldwide healthcare burden, with no regenerative treatment clinically available. Intraspinal transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) and injection of chondroitinase ABC (chABC) are both promising therapies but limited and unpredictable responses are seen, particularly in canine clinical trials. Sustained delivery of chABC presents a challenge due to its thermal instability; we hypothesised that transplantation of canine olfactory mucosal OECs genetically modified ex vivo by lentiviral transduction to express chABC (cOEC-chABC) would provide novel delivery of chABC and synergistic therapy. Rats were randomly divided into cOEC-chABC, cOEC, or vehicle transplanted groups and received transplant immediately after dorsal column crush corticospinal tract (CST) injury. Rehabilitation for forepaw reaching and blinded behavioural testing was conducted for 8 weeks. We show that cOEC-chABC transplanted animals recover greater forepaw reaching accuracy on Whishaw testing and more normal gait than cOEC transplanted or vehicle control rats. Increased CST axon sprouting cranial to the injury and serotonergic fibres caudal to the injury suggest a mechanism for recovery. We therefore demonstrate that cOECs can deliver sufficient chABC to drive modest functional improvement, and that this genetically engineered cellular and molecular approach is a feasible combination therapy for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Prager
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, UK
| | - Daisuke Ito
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, Japan
| | | | - Prince Jiju
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Divya M Chari
- Neural Tissue Engineering, Keele School of Medicine, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Nicolas Granger
- The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, UK
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13
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Jevans B, James ND, Burnside E, McCann CJ, Thapar N, Bradbury EJ, Burns AJ. Combined treatment with enteric neural stem cells and chondroitinase ABC reduces spinal cord lesion pathology. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:10. [PMID: 33407795 PMCID: PMC7789480 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-02031-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal cord injury (SCI) presents a significant challenge for the field of neurotherapeutics. Stem cells have shown promise in replenishing the cells lost to the injury process, but the release of axon growth-inhibitory molecules such as chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) by activated cells within the injury site hinders the integration of transplanted cells. We hypothesised that simultaneous application of enteric neural stem cells (ENSCs) isolated from the gastrointestinal tract, with a lentivirus (LV) containing the enzyme chondroitinase ABC (ChABC), would enhance the regenerative potential of ENSCs after transplantation into the injured spinal cord. METHODS ENSCs were harvested from the GI tract of p7 rats, expanded in vitro and characterised. Adult rats bearing a contusion injury were randomly assigned to one of four groups: no treatment, LV-ChABC injection only, ENSC transplantation only or ENSC transplantation+LV-ChABC injection. After 16 weeks, rats were sacrificed and the harvested spinal cords examined for evidence of repair. RESULTS ENSC cultures contained a variety of neuronal subtypes suitable for replenishing cells lost through SCI. Following injury, transplanted ENSC-derived cells survived and ChABC successfully degraded CSPGs. We observed significant reductions in the injured tissue and cavity area, with the greatest improvements seen in the combined treatment group. ENSC-derived cells extended projections across the injury site into both the rostral and caudal host spinal cord, and ENSC transplantation significantly increased the number of cells extending axons across the injury site. Furthermore, the combined treatment resulted in a modest, but significant functional improvement by week 16, and we found no evidence of the spread of transplanted cells to ectopic locations or formation of tumours. CONCLUSIONS Regenerative effects of a combined treatment with ENSCs and ChABC surpassed either treatment alone, highlighting the importance of further research into combinatorial therapies for SCI. Our work provides evidence that stem cells taken from the adult gastrointestinal tract, an easily accessible source for autologous transplantation, could be strongly considered for the repair of central nervous system disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Jevans
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Present Address: German Centre for Neurodegenerative diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Nicholas D James
- Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, UK
| | - Emily Burnside
- Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, UK
| | - Conor J McCann
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Nikhil Thapar
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Neurogastroenterology and Motility Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
- Present Address: Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplant, Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Elizabeth J Bradbury
- Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, UK
| | - Alan J Burns
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Present Address: Gastrointestinal Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International, Cambridge, USA.
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14
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Carstens KE, Gloss BR, Alexander GM, Dudek SM. Modified adeno-associated virus targets the bacterial enzyme chondroitinase ABC to select mouse neuronal populations in vivo using the Cre-LoxP system. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 53:4005-4015. [PMID: 33220084 PMCID: PMC8137719 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Current methods of experimentally degrading the specialized extracellular matrix (ECM), perineuronal nets (PNNs) have several limitations. Genetic knockout of ECM components typically has only partial effects on PNNs, and knockout of the major ECM component aggrecan is lethal in mice. Direct injection of the chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) enzyme into the mammalian brain is effective at degrading PNNs in vivo but this method typically lacks consistent, localized spatial targeting of PNN degradation. PNNs also regenerate within weeks after a ChABC injection, thus limiting the ability to perform long‐term studies. Previous work has demonstrated that viral delivery of ChABC in mammalian neurons can successfully degrade PNNs for much longer periods, but the effects are similarly diffuse beyond the injection site. In an effort to gain cell‐specific targeting of ChABC, we designed an adeno‐associated virus encoding ChABC under the control of the Cre‐LoxP system. We show that this virus is effective at targeting the synthesis of ChABC to Cre‐expressing mouse neurons in vivo. Although ChABC expression is localized to the Cre‐expressing neurons, we also note that ChABC is apparently trafficked and secreted at projection sites, as was previously reported for the non‐Cre dependent construct. Overall, this method allows for cell‐specific targeting of ChABC and long‐term degradation of PNNs, which will ultimately serve as an effective tool to study the function of cell‐autonomous regulation of PNNs in vivo. This novel approach may also aid in determining whether specific, long‐term PNN loss is an appropriate strategy for treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with PNN pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E Carstens
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Bernd R Gloss
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Georgia M Alexander
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Serena M Dudek
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Durham, NC, USA
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15
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Warren PM, Andrews MR, Smith M, Bartus K, Bradbury EJ, Verhaagen J, Fawcett JW, Kwok JCF. Secretion of a mammalian chondroitinase ABC aids glial integration at PNS/CNS boundaries. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11262. [PMID: 32647242 PMCID: PMC7347606 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67526-0] [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: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schwann cell grafts support axonal growth following spinal cord injury, but a boundary forms between the implanted cells and host astrocytes. Axons are reluctant to exit the graft tissue in large part due to the surrounding inhibitory environment containing chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs). We use a lentiviral chondroitinase ABC, capable of being secreted from mammalian cells (mChABC), to examine the repercussions of CSPG digestion upon Schwann cell behaviour in vitro. We show that mChABC transduced Schwann cells robustly secrete substantial quantities of the enzyme causing large-scale CSPG digestion, facilitating the migration and adhesion of Schwann cells on inhibitory aggrecan and astrocytic substrates. Importantly, we show that secretion of the engineered enzyme can aid the intermingling of cells at the Schwann cell-astrocyte boundary, enabling growth of neurites over the putative graft/host interface. These data were echoed in vivo. This study demonstrates the profound effect of the enzyme on cellular motility, growth and migration. This provides a cellular mechanism for mChABC induced functional and behavioural recovery shown in in vivo studies. Importantly, we provide in vitro evidence that mChABC gene therapy is equally or more effective at producing these effects as a one-time application of commercially available ChABC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippa M Warren
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK. .,Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK. .,Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK.
| | - Melissa R Andrews
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK.,Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Marc Smith
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK
| | - Katalin Bartus
- Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Elizabeth J Bradbury
- Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - James W Fawcett
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK.,Centre for Reconstructive Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jessica C F Kwok
- Centre for Reconstructive Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague 4, Czech Republic.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
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16
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Abstract
Understanding mechanisms underlying learning and memory is crucial in view of tackling cognitive decline occurring during aging or following neurological disorders. The cerebellum offers an ideal system to achieve this goal because of the well-characterized forms of motor learning that it controls. It is so far unclear whether cerebellar memory processes depend on changes in perineuronal nets (PNNs). PNNs are assemblies of extracellular matrix molecules around neurons, which regulate neural plasticity. Here we demonstrate that during eyeblink conditioning (EBC), which is a form of cerebellar motor learning, PNNs in the mouse deep cerebellar nuclei are dynamically modulated, and PNN changes are essential for the formation and storage of EBC memories. Together, these results unveil an important mechanism controlling motor associative memories. Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are assemblies of extracellular matrix molecules, which surround the cell body and dendrites of many types of neuron and regulate neural plasticity. PNNs are prominently expressed around neurons of the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN), but their role in adult cerebellar plasticity and behavior is far from clear. Here we show that PNNs in the mouse DCN are diminished during eyeblink conditioning (EBC), a form of associative motor learning that depends on DCN plasticity. When memories are fully acquired, PNNs are restored. Enzymatic digestion of PNNs in the DCN improves EBC learning, but intact PNNs are necessary for memory retention. At the structural level, PNN removal induces significant synaptic rearrangements in vivo, resulting in increased inhibition of DCN baseline activity in awake behaving mice. Together, these results demonstrate that PNNs are critical players in the regulation of cerebellar circuitry and function.
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17
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Griffin JM, Bradke F. Therapeutic repair for spinal cord injury: combinatory approaches to address a multifaceted problem. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e11505. [PMID: 32090481 PMCID: PMC7059014 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201911505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent years saw the advent of promising preclinical strategies that combat the devastating effects of a spinal cord injury (SCI) that are progressing towards clinical trials. However, individually, these treatments produce only modest levels of recovery in animal models of SCI that could hamper their implementation into therapeutic strategies in spinal cord injured humans. Combinational strategies have demonstrated greater beneficial outcomes than their individual components alone by addressing multiple aspects of SCI pathology. Clinical trial designs in the future will eventually also need to align with this notion. The scenario will become increasingly complex as this happens and conversations between basic researchers and clinicians are required to ensure accurate study designs and functional readouts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarred M Griffin
- Laboratory for Axonal Growth and Regeneration, German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Frank Bradke
- Laboratory for Axonal Growth and Regeneration, German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
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18
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Griffin JM, Fackelmeier B, Clemett CA, Fong DM, Mouravlev A, Young D, O'Carroll SJ. Astrocyte-selective AAV-ADAMTS4 gene therapy combined with hindlimb rehabilitation promotes functional recovery after spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2020; 327:113232. [PMID: 32044329 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are inhibitors to axon regeneration and plasticity. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS4) is a human enzyme that catalyses the proteolysis of CSPG protein cores. Infusion of ADAMTS4 into the damaged spinal cord was previously shown to improve functional recovery SCI, however, this therapy is limited in its enzyme form. Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector gene therapy has emerged as the vector of choice for safe, robust and long-term transgene expression in the central nervous system. Here, an AAV expression cassette containing ADAMTS4 under the control of the astrocytic GfaABC1D promoter was packaged into an AAV5 vector. Sustained expression of ADAMTS4 was achieved in vitro and in vivo leading to degradation of CSPGs. Compared to a contusion only group, AAV-ADAMTS4 resulted in significantly decreased lesion size, increased sprouting of hindlimb corticospinal tract axons, increased serotonergic fiber density caudal to a contusive spinal cord injury. Hindlimb-specific exercise rehabilitation was used to drive neuroplasticity towards improving functional connections. The combination of hindlimb rehabilitation with AAV-ADAMTS4 led to functional recovery after SCI compared to a contusion only group. Thus, long-term degradation of CSPGs through AAV-ADAMTS4 gene therapy in a combinational approach with rehabilitation represents a candidate for further preclinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarred M Griffin
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, New Zealand; Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, New Zealand.
| | - Barbara Fackelmeier
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, New Zealand; Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, New Zealand.
| | - Connor A Clemett
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, New Zealand; Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, New Zealand.
| | - Dahna M Fong
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, New Zealand; Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, New Zealand.
| | - Alexandre Mouravlev
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, New Zealand; Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, New Zealand.
| | - Deborah Young
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, New Zealand; Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, New Zealand.
| | - Simon J O'Carroll
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, New Zealand; Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, New Zealand.
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19
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Gao J, Xia B, Li S, Huang L, Ma T, Shi X, Luo K, Yang Y, Zhao L, Zhang H, Luo B, Huang J. Magnetic Field Promotes Migration of Schwann Cells with Chondroitinase ABC (ChABC)-Loaded Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles Across Astrocyte Boundary in vitro. Int J Nanomedicine 2020; 15:315-332. [PMID: 32021182 PMCID: PMC6980842 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s227328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The clinical outcome of spinal cord injury is usually poor due to the lack of axonal regeneration and glia scar formation. As one of the most classical supporting cells in neural regeneration, Schwann cells (SCs) provide bioactive substrates for axonal migration and release molecules that regulate axonal growth. However, the effect of SC transplantation is limited by their poor migration capacity in the astrocyte-rich central nervous system. METHODS In this study, we first magnetofected SCs with chondroitinase ABC-polyethylenimine functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (ChABC/PEI-SPIONs) to induce overexpression of ChABC for the removal of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans. These are inhibitory factors and forming a dense scar that acts as a barrier to the regenerating axons. In vitro, we observed the migration of SCs in the region of astrocytes after the application of a stable external magnetic field. RESULTS We found that magnetofection with ChABC/PEI-SPIONs significantly up-regulated the expression of ChABC in SCs. Under the driven effect of the directional magnetic field (MF), the migration of magnetofected SCs was enhanced in the direction of the magnetic force. The number of SCs with ChABC/PEI-SPIONs migrated and the distance of migration into the astrocyte region was significantly increased. The number of SCs with ChABC/PEI-SPIONs that migrated into the astrocyte region was 11.6- and 4.6-fold higher than those observed for the intact control and non-MF groups, respectively. Furthermore, it was found that SCs with ChABC/PEI-SPIONs were in close contact with astrocytes and no longer formed boundaries in the presence of MF. CONCLUSION The mobility of the SCs with ChABC/PEI-SPIONs was enhanced along the axis of MF, holding the potential to promote nerve regeneration by providing a bioactive microenvironment and relieving glial obstruction to axonal regeneration in the treatment of spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Gao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bing Xia
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shengyou Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liangliang Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The General Hospital of Central Theater Command of People’s Liberation Army, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Teng Ma
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaowei Shi
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kai Luo
- Department of Orthopaedics, The 985th Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Taiyuan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yujie Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Laihe Zhao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Spinal Surgery, People’s Hospital of Longhua District, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Beier Luo
- Department of Orthopaedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinghui Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
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Day P, Alves N, Daniell E, Dasgupta D, Ogborne R, Steeper A, Raza M, Ellis C, Fawcett J, Keynes R, Muir E. Targeting chondroitinase ABC to axons enhances the ability of chondroitinase to promote neurite outgrowth and sprouting. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0221851. [PMID: 31961897 PMCID: PMC6974052 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is currently no effective treatment for promoting regeneration of injured nerves in patients who have sustained injury to the central nervous system such as spinal cord injury. Chondroitinase ABC is an enzyme, which promotes neurite outgrowth and regeneration. It has shown considerable promise as a therapy for these conditions. The aim of the study is to determine if targeting chondroitinase ABC expression to the neuronal axon can further enhance its ability to promote axon outgrowth. Long-distance axon regeneration has not yet been achieved, and would be a significant step in attaining functional recovery following spinal cord injury. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS To investigate this, neuronal cultures were transfected with constructs encoding axon-targeted chondroitinase, non-targeted chondroitinase or GFP, and the effects on neuron outgrowth and sprouting determined on substrates either permissive or inhibitory to neuron regeneration. The mechanisms underlying the observed effects were also explored. Targeting chondroitinase to the neuronal axon markedly enhances its ability to promote neurite outgrowth. The increase in neurite length is associated with an upregulation of β-integrin staining at the axonal cell surface. Staining for phosphofocal adhesion kinase, is also increased, indicating that the β-integrins are in an activated state. Expression of chondroitinase within the neurons also resulted in a decrease in expression of PTEN and RhoA, molecules which present a block to neurite outgrowth, thus identifying two of the pathways by which ChABC promotes neurite outgrowth. CONCLUSIONS / SIGNIFICANCE The novel finding that targeting ChABC to the axon significantly enhances its ability to promote neurite extension, suggests that this may be an effective way of promoting long-distance axon regeneration following spinal cord injury. It could also potentially improve its efficacy in the treatment of other pathologies, where it has been shown to promote recovery, such as myocardial infarction, stroke and Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Day
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nuno Alves
- John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Esther Daniell
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Debayan Dasgupta
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Rosalie Ogborne
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ashley Steeper
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mansoor Raza
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Clare Ellis
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - James Fawcett
- John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Roger Keynes
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Muir
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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21
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Burnside ER, De Winter F, Didangelos A, James ND, Andreica EC, Layard-Horsfall H, Muir EM, Verhaagen J, Bradbury EJ. Immune-evasive gene switch enables regulated delivery of chondroitinase after spinal cord injury. Brain 2019; 141:2362-2381. [PMID: 29912283 PMCID: PMC6061881 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awy158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chondroitinase ABC is a promising preclinical therapy that promotes functional neuroplasticity after CNS injury by degrading extracellular matrix inhibitors. Efficient delivery of chondroitinase ABC to the injured mammalian spinal cord can be achieved by viral vector transgene delivery. This approach dramatically modulates injury pathology and restores sensorimotor functions. However, clinical development of this therapy is limited by a lack of ability to exert control over chondroitinase gene expression. Prior experimental gene regulation platforms are likely to be incompatible with the non-resolving adaptive immune response known to occur following spinal cord injury. Therefore, here we apply a novel immune-evasive dual vector system, in which the chondroitinase gene is under a doxycycline inducible regulatory switch, utilizing a chimeric transactivator designed to evade T cell recognition. Using this novel vector system, we demonstrate tight temporal control of chondroitinase ABC gene expression, effectively removing treatment upon removal of doxycycline. This enables a comparison of short and long-term gene therapy paradigms in the treatment of clinically-relevant cervical level contusion injuries in adult rats. We reveal that transient treatment (2.5 weeks) is sufficient to promote improvement in sensory axon conduction and ladder walking performance. However, in tasks requiring skilled reaching and grasping, only long term treatment (8 weeks) leads to significantly improved function, with rats able to accurately grasp and retrieve sugar pellets. The late emergence of skilled hand function indicates enhanced neuroplasticity and connectivity and correlates with increased density of vGlut1+ innervation in spinal cord grey matter, particularly in lamina III–IV above and below the injury. Thus, our novel gene therapy system provides an experimental tool to study temporal effects of extracellular matrix digestion as well as an encouraging step towards generating a safer chondroitinase gene therapy strategy, longer term administration of which increases neuroplasticity and recovery of descending motor control. This preclinical study could have a significant impact for tetraplegic individuals, for whom recovery of hand function is an important determinant of independence, and supports the ongoing development of chondroitinase gene therapy towards clinical application for the treatment of spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Burnside
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Fred De Winter
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Athanasios Didangelos
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Nicholas D James
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Elena-Cristina Andreica
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Hugo Layard-Horsfall
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Elizabeth M Muir
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth J Bradbury
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
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Effects of treadmill training on microvascular remodeling in the rat after spinal cord injury. Muscle Nerve 2018; 59:370-379. [DOI: 10.1002/mus.26379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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23
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Tran AP, Warren PM, Silver J. The Biology of Regeneration Failure and Success After Spinal Cord Injury. Physiol Rev 2018. [PMID: 29513146 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00017.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 490] [Impact Index Per Article: 81.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since no approved therapies to restore mobility and sensation following spinal cord injury (SCI) currently exist, a better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms following SCI that compromise regeneration or neuroplasticity is needed to develop new strategies to promote axonal regrowth and restore function. Physical trauma to the spinal cord results in vascular disruption that, in turn, causes blood-spinal cord barrier rupture leading to hemorrhage and ischemia, followed by rampant local cell death. As subsequent edema and inflammation occur, neuronal and glial necrosis and apoptosis spread well beyond the initial site of impact, ultimately resolving into a cavity surrounded by glial/fibrotic scarring. The glial scar, which stabilizes the spread of secondary injury, also acts as a chronic, physical, and chemo-entrapping barrier that prevents axonal regeneration. Understanding the formative events in glial scarring helps guide strategies towards the development of potential therapies to enhance axon regeneration and functional recovery at both acute and chronic stages following SCI. This review will also discuss the perineuronal net and how chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) deposited in both the glial scar and net impede axonal outgrowth at the level of the growth cone. We will end the review with a summary of current CSPG-targeting strategies that help to foster axonal regeneration, neuroplasticity/sprouting, and functional recovery following SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Phuong Tran
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland, Ohio ; and School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds , Leeds , United Kingdom
| | - Philippa Mary Warren
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland, Ohio ; and School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds , Leeds , United Kingdom
| | - Jerry Silver
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland, Ohio ; and School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds , Leeds , United Kingdom
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24
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Jaime-Ramirez AC, Dmitrieva N, Yoo JY, Banasavadi-Siddegowda Y, Zhang J, Relation T, Bolyard C, Wojton J, Kaur B. Humanized chondroitinase ABC sensitizes glioblastoma cells to temozolomide. J Gene Med 2018; 19. [PMID: 28087981 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant gliomas (glioblastomas; GBMs) are extremely aggressive and have a median survival of approximately 15 months. Current treatment modalities, which include surgical resection, radiation and chemotherapy, have done little to prolong the lives of GBM patients. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPG) are critical for cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions and are implicated in glioma growth and invasion. Chondroitinase (Chase) ABC is a bacterial enzyme that cleaves chondroitin sulfate disaccharide chains from CSPGs in the tumor ECM. Wild-type Chase ABC has limited stability and/or activity in mammalian cells; therefore, we created a mutant humanized version (Chase M) with enhanced function in mammalian cells. METHODS We hypothesized that disruption of cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions by ChaseM and temozolomide (TMZ) will enhance the chemotherapeutic availability and sensitivity of glioma cells. RESULTS Utilizing primary patient-derived neurospheres, we found that ChaseM decreases glioma neurosphere aggregation in vitro. Furthermore, an oncolytic HSV-1 virus expressing secreted ChaseM (OV-ChaseM) enhanced viral spread and glioma cell killing compared to OV-Control, in vitro. OV-ChaseM plus TMZ combinatorial treatment resulted in a significant synergistic enhancement of glioma cell killing accompanied by an increase in apoptotic cell death. Intracellular flow cytometric analysis revealed a significant reduction in the phosphorylation of the pro-survival AKT protein following OV-ChaseM plus TMZ treatment. Lastly, in nude mice bearing intracranial GBM30 glioma xenografts, intratumoral OV-ChaseM plus TMZ (10 mg/kg by oral gavage) combination therapy resulted in a significant (p < 0.02) enhancement of survival compared to each individual treatment alone. CONCLUSIONS These data reveal that OV-ChaseM enhances glioma cell viral susceptibility and sensitivity to TMZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Cristina Jaime-Ramirez
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Nina Dmitrieva
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ji Young Yoo
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Yeshavanth Banasavadi-Siddegowda
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jianying Zhang
- Center for Biostatistics Biomedical Informatics Department, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Theresa Relation
- Neuroscience Graduate Program and The Medical Scientist Training Program, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Chelsea Bolyard
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jeffrey Wojton
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Balveen Kaur
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
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25
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Carwardine D, Prager J, Neeves J, Muir EM, Uney J, Granger N, Wong LF. Transplantation of canine olfactory ensheathing cells producing chondroitinase ABC promotes chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan digestion and axonal sprouting following spinal cord injury. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188967. [PMID: 29228020 PMCID: PMC5724818 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation is a promising strategy for treating spinal cord injury (SCI), as has been demonstrated in experimental SCI models and naturally occurring SCI in dogs. However, the presence of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans within the extracellular matrix of the glial scar can inhibit efficient axonal repair and limit the therapeutic potential of OECs. Here we have used lentiviral vectors to genetically modify canine OECs to continuously deliver mammalian chondroitinase ABC at the lesion site in order to degrade the inhibitory chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans in a rodent model of spinal cord injury. We demonstrate that these chondroitinase producing canine OECs survived at 4 weeks following transplantation into the spinal cord lesion and effectively digested chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans at the site of injury. There was evidence of sprouting within the corticospinal tract rostral to the lesion and an increase in the number of corticospinal axons caudal to the lesion, suggestive of axonal regeneration. Our results indicate that delivery of the chondroitinase enzyme can be achieved with the genetically modified OECs to increase axon growth following SCI. The combination of these two promising approaches is a potential strategy for promoting neural regeneration following SCI in veterinary practice and human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Carwardine
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Prager
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jacob Neeves
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth M. Muir
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - James Uney
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolas Granger
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Liang-Fong Wong
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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26
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Muir E, Raza M, Ellis C, Burnside E, Love F, Heller S, Elliot M, Daniell E, Dasgupta D, Alves N, Day P, Fawcett J, Keynes R. Trafficking and processing of bacterial proteins by mammalian cells: Insights from chondroitinase ABC. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186759. [PMID: 29121057 PMCID: PMC5679598 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is very little reported in the literature about the relationship between modifications of bacterial proteins and their secretion by mammalian cells that synthesize them. We previously reported that the secretion of the bacterial enzyme Chondroitinase ABC by mammalian cells requires the strategic removal of at least three N-glycosylation sites. The aim of this study was to determine if it is possible to enhance the efficacy of the enzyme as a treatment for spinal cord injury by increasing the quantity of enzyme secreted or by altering its cellular location. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS To determine if the efficiency of enzyme secretion could be further increased, cells were transfected with constructs encoding the gene for chondroitinase ABC modified for expression by mammalian cells; these contained additional modifications of strategic N-glycosylation sites or alternative signal sequences to direct secretion of the enzyme from the cells. We show that while removal of certain specific N-glycosylation sites enhances enzyme secretion, N-glycosylation of at least two other sites, N-856 and N-773, is essential for both production and secretion of active enzyme. Furthermore, we find that the signal sequence directing secretion also influences the quantity of enzyme secreted, and that this varies widely amongst the cell types tested. Last, we find that replacing the 3'UTR on the cDNA encoding Chondroitinase ABC with that of β-actin is sufficient to target the enzyme to the neuronal growth cone when transfected into neurons. This also enhances neurite outgrowth on an inhibitory substrate. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE Some intracellular trafficking pathways are adversely affected by cryptic signals present in the bacterial gene sequence, whilst unexpectedly others are required for efficient secretion of the enzyme. Furthermore, targeting chondroitinase to the neuronal growth cone promotes its ability to increase neurite outgrowth on an inhibitory substrate. These findings are timely in view of the renewed prospects for gene therapy, and of direct relevance to strategies aimed at expressing foreign proteins in mammalian cells, in particular bacterial proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Muir
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Mansoor Raza
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Clare Ellis
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Burnside
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Love
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Heller
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Elliot
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Esther Daniell
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Debayan Dasgupta
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nuno Alves
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Forvie Site, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Priscilla Day
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - James Fawcett
- John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Forvie Site, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Roger Keynes
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Wang Z, Winsor K, Nienhaus C, Hess E, Blackmore MG. Combined chondroitinase and KLF7 expression reduce net retraction of sensory and CST axons from sites of spinal injury. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 99:24-35. [PMID: 27988344 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Axon regeneration in the central nervous system is limited both by inhibitory extracellular cues and by an intrinsically low capacity for axon growth in some CNS populations. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are well-studied inhibitors of axon growth in the CNS, and degradation of CSPGs by chondroitinase has been shown to improve the extension of injured axons. Alternatively, axon growth can be improved by targeting the neuron-intrinsic growth capacity through forced expression of regeneration-associated transcription factors. For example, a transcriptionally active chimera of Krüppel-like Factor 7 (KLF7) and a VP16 domain improves axon growth when expressed in corticospinal tract neurons. Here we tested the hypothesis that combined expression of chondroitinase and VP16-KLF7 would lead to further improvements in axon growth after spinal injury. Chondroitinase was expressed by viral transduction of cells in the spinal cord, while VP16-KLF7 was virally expressed in sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia or corticospinal tract (CST) neurons. After transection of the dorsal columns, both chondroitinase and VP16-KLF7 increased the proximity of severed sensory axons to the injury site. Similarly, after complete crush injuries, VP16-KLF7 expression increased the approach of CST axons to the injury site. In neither paradigm however, did single or combined treatment with chondroitinase or VP16-KLF7 enable regenerative growth distal to the injury. These results substantiate a role for CSPG inhibition and low KLF7 activity in determining the net retraction of axons from sites of spinal injury, while suggesting that additional factors act to limit a full regenerative response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zimei Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, 53201, USA
| | - Kristen Winsor
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, 53201, USA
| | | | - Evan Hess
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, 53201, USA
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28
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Xia B, Huang L, Zhu L, Liu Z, Ma T, Zhu S, Huang J, Luo Z. Manipulation of Schwann cell migration across the astrocyte boundary by polysialyltransferase-loaded superparamagnetic nanoparticles under magnetic field. Int J Nanomedicine 2016; 11:6727-6741. [PMID: 28003748 PMCID: PMC5161335 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s122358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Schwann cell (SC) transplantation is an attractive strategy for spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the efficacy of SC transplantation has been limited by the poor migratory ability of SCs in the astrocyte-rich central nervous system (CNS) environment and the inability to intermingle with the host astrocyte. In this study, we first magnetofected SCs by polysialyltransferase-functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (PST/SPIONs) to induce overexpression of polysialylation of neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) to enhance SC migration ability, before manipulating the direction of SC migration with the assistance of an applied magnetic field (MF). It was found that magnetofection with PST/SPIONs significantly upregulated the expression of PSA-NCAM in SCs, which significantly enhanced the migration ability of SCs, but without preferential direction in the absence of MF. The number and averaged maximum distance of SCs with PST/SPIONs migrating into the astrocyte domain were significantly enhanced by an applied MF. In a 300 μm row along the astrocyte boundary, the number of SCs with PST/SPIONs migrating into the astrocyte domain under an MF was 2.95 and 6.71 times higher than that in the absence of MF and the intact control SCs, respectively. More interestingly, a confrontation assay demonstrated that SCs with PST/SPIONs were in close contact with astrocytes and no longer formed boundaries in the presence of MF. In conclusion, SCs with PST/SPIONs showed enhanced preferential migration along the axis of a magnetic force, which might be beneficial for the formation of Büngner bands in the CNS. These findings raise the possibilities of enhancing the migration of transplanted SCs in astrocyte-rich CNS regions in a specific direction and creating an SC bridge in the CNS environment to guide regenerated axons to their distal destination in the treatment of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Xia
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Liangliang Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongyang Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Teng Ma
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu Zhu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinghui Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuojing Luo
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
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29
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Carwardine D, Wong LF, Fawcett JW, Muir EM, Granger N. Canine olfactory ensheathing cells from the olfactory mucosa can be engineered to produce active chondroitinase ABC. J Neurol Sci 2016; 367:311-8. [PMID: 27423610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2016.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A multitude of factors must be overcome following spinal cord injury (SCI) in order to achieve clinical improvement in patients. It is thought that by combining promising therapies these diverse factors could be combatted with the aim of producing an overall improvement in function. Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) present in the glial scar that forms following SCI present a significant block to axon regeneration. Digestion of CSPGs by chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) leads to axon regeneration, neuronal plasticity and functional improvement in preclinical models of SCI. However, the enzyme activity decays at body temperature within 24-72h, limiting the translational potential of ChABC as a therapy. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) have shown huge promise as a cell transplant therapy in SCI. Their beneficial effects have been demonstrated in multiple small animal SCI models as well as in naturally occurring SCI in canine patients. In the present study, we have genetically modified canine OECs from the mucosa to constitutively produce enzymatically active ChABC. We have developed a lentiviral vector that can deliver a mammalian modified version of the ChABC gene to mammalian cells, including OECs. Enzyme production was quantified using the Morgan-Elson assay that detects the breakdown products of CSPG digestion in cell supernatants. We confirmed our findings by immunolabelling cell supernatant samples using Western blotting. OECs normal cell function was unaffected by genetic modification as demonstrated by normal microscopic morphology and the presence of the low affinity neurotrophin receptor (p75(NGF)) following viral transduction. We have developed the means to allow production of active ChABC in combination with a promising cell transplant therapy for SCI repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Carwardine
- University of Bristol, School of Veterinary Sciences, Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Biomedical Science Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom.
| | - Liang-Fong Wong
- University of Bristol, School of Clinical Sciences, Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Biomedical Science Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom.
| | - James W Fawcett
- University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, E.D. Adrian Building, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, United Kingdom.
| | - Elizabeth M Muir
- University of Cambridge, Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, Anatomy Building, Downing St, Cambridge CB2 3DY, United Kingdom.
| | - Nicolas Granger
- University of Bristol, School of Veterinary Sciences, Langford House, Langford, North Somerset BS40 5DU, United Kingdom.
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Guo Y, Klüppel M, Tang H, Tan S, Zhang P, Chen Z. Lentivirus-mediated transfection of chondroitinase ABC gene without the bacterial leader sequence enables long-term secretion of functional chondroitinase ABC in human bone marrow stromal cells. Biotechnol Lett 2016; 38:893-900. [PMID: 26910777 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-016-2046-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the feasibility of secretion of functional chondroitinase ABC (ChABC), a bacterial enzyme that promotes axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury, from human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs). RESULTS A lentiviral-expression vector, Lenti6.3-ChABC-3F, carrying the ChABC-3F gene without the bacterial leader sequence (aa 1-24) was constructed. Transfection of these Lenti6.3-ChABC-3F lentivirus led to stable expression in and secrection of ChABC proteins from hBMSCs for at least ten passages in culture in vitro, which was demonstrated by QRT-PCR, immunostaining, western blotting and ELISA. Moreover, the secreted ChABC proteins exhibited similar functional activity as the commercially-available ChABC. CONCLUSIONS The lentivirus-mediated transfection of chondroitinase ABC gene without the bacterial leader sequence induced substantial long-term secretion of functional ChABC in hBMSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Guo
- Department of Neurology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Michael Klüppel
- Department of Pediatrics, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hao Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Key Clinic Department, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sheng Tan
- Department of Neurology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peidong Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern, Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenzhou Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Key Clinic Department, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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James ND, Shea J, Muir EM, Verhaagen J, Schneider BL, Bradbury EJ. Chondroitinase gene therapy improves upper limb function following cervical contusion injury. Exp Neurol 2015; 271:131-5. [PMID: 26044197 PMCID: PMC4590527 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are known to be important contributors to the intensely inhibitory environment that prevents tissue repair and regeneration following spinal cord injury. The bacterial enzyme chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) degrades these inhibitory molecules and has repeatedly been shown to promote functional recovery in a number of spinal cord injury models. However, when used to treat more traumatic and clinically relevant spinal contusion injuries, findings with the ChABC enzyme have been inconsistent. We recently demonstrated that delivery of mammalian-compatible ChABC via gene therapy led to sustained and widespread digestion of CSPGs, resulting in significant functional repair of a moderate thoracic contusion injury in adult rats. Here we demonstrate that chondroitinase gene therapy significantly enhances upper limb function following cervical contusion injury, with improved forelimb ladder performance and grip strength as well as increased spinal conduction through the injury site and reduced lesion pathology. This is an important addition to our previous findings as improving upper limb function is a top priority for spinal injured patients. Additionally great importance is placed on replication in the spinal cord injury field. That chondroitinase gene therapy has now been shown to be efficacious in contusion models at either thoracic or cervical level is an important step in the further development of this promising therapeutic strategy towards the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas D James
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Jessie Shea
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Elizabeth M Muir
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, 1105BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bernard L Schneider
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elizabeth J Bradbury
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK.
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Abstract
Three theories of regeneration dominate neuroscience today, all purporting to explain why the adult central nervous system (CNS) cannot regenerate. One theory proposes that Nogo, a molecule expressed by myelin, prevents axonal growth. The second theory emphasizes the role of glial scars. The third theory proposes that chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) prevent axon growth. Blockade of Nogo, CSPG, and their receptors indeed can stop axon growth in vitro and improve functional recovery in animal spinal cord injury (SCI) models. These therapies also increase sprouting of surviving axons and plasticity. However, many investigators have reported regenerating spinal tracts without eliminating Nogo, glial scar, or CSPG. For example, many motor and sensory axons grow spontaneously in contused spinal cords, crossing gliotic tissue and white matter surrounding the injury site. Sensory axons grow long distances in injured dorsal columns after peripheral nerve lesions. Cell transplants and treatments that increase cAMP and neurotrophins stimulate motor and sensory axons to cross glial scars and to grow long distances in white matter. Genetic studies deleting all members of the Nogo family and even the Nogo receptor do not always improve regeneration in mice. A recent study reported that suppressing the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene promotes prolific corticospinal tract regeneration. These findings cannot be explained by the current theories proposing that Nogo and glial scars prevent regeneration. Spinal axons clearly can and will grow through glial scars and Nogo-expressing tissue under some circumstances. The observation that deleting PTEN allows corticospinal tract regeneration indicates that the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway regulates axonal growth. Finally, many other factors stimulate spinal axonal growth, including conditioning lesions, cAMP, glycogen synthetase kinase inhibition, and neurotrophins. To explain these disparate regenerative phenomena, I propose that the spinal cord has evolved regenerative mechanisms that are normally suppressed by multiple extrinsic and intrinsic factors but can be activated by injury, mediated by the PTEN/AKT/mTOR, cAMP, and GSK3b pathways, to stimulate neural growth and proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wise Young
- W. M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
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Abstract
Even after 20 years of granting orphan status for chondroitinase by US FDA, there is no visible outcome in terms of clinical use. The reasons are many. One of them could be lack of awareness regarding the biological application of the enzyme. The biological activity of chondroitinase is due to its ability to act on chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs). CSPGs are needed for normal functioning of the body. An increase or decrease in the level of CSPGs results in various pathological conditions. Chondroitinase is useful in conditions where there is an increase in the level of CSPGs, namely spinal cord injury, vitreous attachment and cancer. Over the last decade, various animal studies showed that chondroitinase could be a good drug candidate. Research focusing on developing a suitable carrier system for delivering chondroitinase needs to be carried out so that pharmacological activity observed in vitro and preclinical studies could be translated to clinical use. Further studies on distribution of chondroitinase as well need to be focused so that chondroitinase with desired attributes could be discovered. The present review article discusses about various biological applications of chondroitinase, drug delivery systems to deliver the enzyme and distribution of chondroitinase among microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narayanan Kasinathan
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology , Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University , Manipal , Karnataka , India
| | - Subrahmanyam M Volety
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology , Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University , Manipal , Karnataka , India
| | - Venkata Rao Josyula
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology , Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University , Manipal , Karnataka , India
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Kim Y, Lee HG, Dmitrieva N, Kim J, Kaur B, Friedman A. Choindroitinase ABC I-mediated enhancement of oncolytic virus spread and anti tumor efficacy: a mathematical model. PLoS One 2014; 9:e102499. [PMID: 25047810 PMCID: PMC4105445 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses are genetically engineered viruses that are designed to kill cancer cells while doing minimal damage to normal healthy tissue. After being injected into a tumor, they infect cancer cells, multiply inside them, and when a cancer cell is killed they move on to spread and infect other cancer cells. Chondroitinase ABC (Chase-ABC) is a bacterial enzyme that can remove a major glioma ECM component, chondroitin sulfate glycosoamino glycans from proteoglycans without any deleterious effects in vivo. It has been shown that Chase-ABC treatment is able to promote the spread of the viruses, increasing the efficacy of the viral treatment. In this paper we develop a mathematical model to investigate the effect of the Chase-ABC on the treatment of glioma by oncolytic viruses (OV). We show that the model's predictions agree with experimental results for a spherical glioma. We then use the model to test various treatment options in the heterogeneous microenvironment of the brain. The model predicts that separate injections of OV, one into the center of the tumor and another outside the tumor will result in better outcome than if the total injection is outside the tumor. In particular, the injection of the ECM-degrading enzyme (Chase-ABC) on the periphery of the main tumor core need to be administered in an optimal strategy in order to infect and eradicate the infiltrating glioma cells outside the tumor core in addition to proliferative cells in the bulk of tumor core. The model also predicts that the size of tumor satellites and distance between the primary tumor and multifocal/satellite lesions may be an important factor for the efficacy of the viral therapy with Chase treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangjin Kim
- Department of Mathematics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America; Department of Mathematics, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Geun Lee
- Department of Mathematics, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Nina Dmitrieva
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Junseok Kim
- Department of Mathematics, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Balveen Kaur
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Avner Friedman
- Department of Mathematics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America; Mathematical Biosciences Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
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Large-scale chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan digestion with chondroitinase gene therapy leads to reduced pathology and modulates macrophage phenotype following spinal cord contusion injury. J Neurosci 2014; 34:4822-36. [PMID: 24695702 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4369-13.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) inhibit repair following spinal cord injury. Here we use mammalian-compatible engineered chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) delivered via lentiviral vector (LV-ChABC) to explore the consequences of large-scale CSPG digestion for spinal cord repair. We demonstrate significantly reduced secondary injury pathology in adult rats following spinal contusion injury and LV-ChABC treatment, with reduced cavitation and enhanced preservation of spinal neurons and axons at 12 weeks postinjury, compared with control (LV-GFP)-treated animals. To understand these neuroprotective effects, we investigated early inflammatory changes following LV-ChABC treatment. Increased expression of the phagocytic macrophage marker CD68 at 3 d postinjury was followed by increased CD206 expression at 2 weeks, indicating that large-scale CSPG digestion can alter macrophage phenotype to favor alternatively activated M2 macrophages. Accordingly, ChABC treatment in vitro induced a significant increase in CD206 expression in unpolarized monocytes stimulated with conditioned medium from spinal-injured tissue explants. LV-ChABC also promoted the remodelling of specific CSPGs as well as enhanced vascularity, which was closely associated with CD206-positive macrophages. Neuroprotective effects of LV-ChABC corresponded with improved sensorimotor function, evident as early as 1 week postinjury, a time point when increased neuronal survival correlated with reduced apoptosis. Improved function was maintained into chronic injury stages, where improved axonal conduction and increased serotonergic innervation were also observed. Thus, we demonstrate that ChABC gene therapy can modulate secondary injury processes, with neuroprotective effects that lead to long-term improved functional outcome and reveal novel mechanistic evidence that modulation of macrophage phenotype may underlie these effects.
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36
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Alves JN, Muir EM, Andrews MR, Ward A, Michelmore N, Dasgupta D, Verhaagen J, Moloney EB, Keynes RJ, Fawcett JW, Rogers JH. AAV vector-mediated secretion of chondroitinase provides a sensitive tracer for axonal arborisations. J Neurosci Methods 2014; 227:107-20. [PMID: 24583077 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2014.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
As part of a project to express chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) in neurons of the central nervous system, we have inserted a modified ChABC gene into an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector and injected it into the vibrissal motor cortex in adult rats to determine the extent and distribution of expression of the enzyme. A similar vector for expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) was injected into the same location. For each vector, two versions with minor differences were used, giving similar results. After 4 weeks, the brains were stained to show GFP and products of chondroitinase digestion. Chondroitinase was widely expressed, and the AAV-ChABC and AAV-GFP vectors gave similar expression patterns in many respects, consistent with the known projections from the directly transduced neurons in vibrissal motor cortex and adjacent cingulate cortex. In addition, diffusion of vector to deeper neuronal populations led to labelling of remote projection fields which was much more extensive with AAV-ChABC than with AAV-GFP. The most notable of these populations are inferred to be neurons of cortical layer 6, projecting widely in the thalamus, and neurons of the anterior pole of the hippocampus, projecting through most of the hippocampus. We conclude that, whereas GFP does not label the thinnest axonal branches of some neuronal types, chondroitinase is efficiently secreted from these arborisations and enables their extent to be sensitively visualised. After 12 weeks, chondroitinase expression was undiminished.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Nuno Alves
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK; Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Elizabeth M Muir
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Melissa R Andrews
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
| | - Anneliese Ward
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Nicholas Michelmore
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Debayan Dasgupta
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105BA Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth B Moloney
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105BA Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Roger J Keynes
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - James W Fawcett
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
| | - John H Rogers
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
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37
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Kanno H, Pressman Y, Moody A, Berg R, Muir EM, Rogers JH, Ozawa H, Itoi E, Pearse DD, Bunge MB. Combination of engineered Schwann cell grafts to secrete neurotrophin and chondroitinase promotes axonal regeneration and locomotion after spinal cord injury. J Neurosci 2014; 34:1838-55. [PMID: 24478364 PMCID: PMC3905147 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2661-13.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Revised: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Transplantation of Schwann cells (SCs) is a promising therapeutic strategy for spinal cord repair. SCs introduced into lesions support axon regeneration, but because these axons do not exit the transplant, additional approaches with SCs are needed. Here, we transplanted SCs genetically modified to secrete a bifunctional neurotrophin (D15A) and chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) into a subacute contusion injury in rats. We examined the effects of these modifications on graft volume, SC number, degradation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), astrogliosis, SC myelination of axons, propriospinal and supraspinal axon numbers, locomotor outcome (BBB scoring, CatWalk gait analysis), and mechanical and thermal sensitivity on the hind paws. D15A secreted from transplanted SCs increased graft volume and SC number and myelinated axon number. SCs secreting ChABC significantly decreased CSPGs, led to some egress of SCs from the graft, and increased propriospinal and 5-HT-positive axons in the graft. SCs secreting both D15A and ChABC yielded the best responses: (1) the largest number of SC myelinated axons, (2) more propriospinal axons in the graft and host tissue around and caudal to it, (3) more corticospinal axons closer to the graft and around and caudal to it, (4) more brainstem neurons projecting caudal to the transplant, (5) increased 5-HT-positive axons in the graft and caudal to it, (6) significant improvement in aspects of locomotion, and (7) improvement in mechanical and thermal allodynia. This is the first evidence that the combination of SC transplants engineered to secrete neurotrophin and chondroitinase further improves axonal regeneration and locomotor and sensory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruo Kanno
- Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan, 9808574
| | | | | | | | - Elizabeth M. Muir
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom, and
| | - John H. Rogers
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom, and
| | - Hiroshi Ozawa
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan, 9808574
| | - Eiji Itoi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan, 9808574
| | - Damien D. Pearse
- Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
- Department of Neurological Surgery
- Neuroscience Program
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, and
| | - Mary Bartlett Bunge
- Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
- Department of Neurological Surgery
- Neuroscience Program
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, and
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136
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Burnside ER, Bradbury EJ. Review: Manipulating the extracellular matrix and its role in brain and spinal cord plasticity and repair. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2014; 40:26-59. [DOI: 10.1111/nan.12114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. R. Burnside
- King's College London; Regeneration Group; The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases; Guy's Campus; London UK
| | - E. J. Bradbury
- King's College London; Regeneration Group; The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases; Guy's Campus; London UK
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Pêgo AP, Kubinova S, Cizkova D, Vanicky I, Mar FM, Sousa MM, Sykova E. Regenerative medicine for the treatment of spinal cord injury: more than just promises? J Cell Mol Med 2014; 16:2564-82. [PMID: 22805417 PMCID: PMC4118226 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2012.01603.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury triggers a complex set of events that lead to tissue healing without the restoration of normal function due to the poor regenerative capacity of the spinal cord. Nevertheless, current knowledge about the intrinsic regenerative ability of central nervous system axons, when in a supportive environment, has made the prospect of treating spinal cord injury a reality. Among the range of strategies under investigation, cell-based therapies offer the most promising results, due to the multifactorial roles that these cells can fulfil. However, the best cell source is still a matter of debate, as are clinical issues that include the optimal cell dose as well as the timing and route of administration. In this context, the role of biomaterials is gaining importance. These can not only act as vehicles for the administered cells but also, in the case of chronic lesions, can be used to fill the permanent cyst, thus creating a more favourable and conducive environment for axonal regeneration in addition to serving as local delivery systems of therapeutic agents to improve the regenerative milieu. Some of the candidate molecules for the future are discussed in view of the knowledge derived from studying the mechanisms that facilitate the intrinsic regenerative capacity of central nervous system neurons. The future challenge for the multidisciplinary teams working in the field is to translate the knowledge acquired in basic research into effective combinatorial therapies to be applied in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Pêgo
- INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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40
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Warren PM, Alilain WJ. The challenges of respiratory motor system recovery following cervical spinal cord injury. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2014; 212:173-220. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-63488-7.00010-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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41
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Global identification of prokaryotic glycoproteins based on an Escherichia coli proteome microarray. PLoS One 2012; 7:e49080. [PMID: 23145077 PMCID: PMC3492326 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 10/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosylation is one of the most abundant protein posttranslational modifications. Protein glycosylation plays important roles not only in eukaryotes but also in prokaryotes. To further understand the roles of protein glycosylation in prokaryotes, we developed a lectin binding assay to screen glycoproteins on an Escherichia coli proteome microarray containing 4,256 affinity-purified E.coli proteins. Twenty-three E.coli proteins that bound Wheat-Germ Agglutinin (WGA) were identified. PANTHER protein classification analysis showed that these glycoprotein candidates were highly enriched in metabolic process and catalytic activity classes. One sub-network centered on deoxyribonuclease I (sbcB) was identified. Bioinformatics analysis suggests that prokaryotic protein glycosylation may play roles in nucleotide and nucleic acid metabolism. Fifteen of the 23 glycoprotein candidates were validated by lectin (WGA) staining, thereby increasing the number of validated E. coli glycoproteins from 3 to 18. By cataloguing glycoproteins in E.coli, our study greatly extends our understanding of protein glycosylation in prokaryotes.
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Bosch KD, Bradbury EJ, Verhaagen J, Fawcett JW, McMahon SB. Chondroitinase ABC promotes plasticity of spinal reflexes following peripheral nerve injury. Exp Neurol 2012; 238:64-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2012.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Revised: 07/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/01/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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43
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Kwok J, Warren P, Fawcett J. Chondroitin sulfate: A key molecule in the brain matrix. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2012; 44:582-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2012.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2011] [Revised: 01/01/2012] [Accepted: 01/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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44
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Chew DJ, Fawcett JW, Andrews MR. The challenges of long-distance axon regeneration in the injured CNS. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2012. [PMID: 23186719 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-59544-7.00013-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Injury to the central nervous system (CNS) that results in long-tract axonal damage typically leads to permanent functional deficits in areas innervated at, and below, the level of the lesion. The initial ischemia, inflammation, and neurodegeneration are followed by a progressive generation of scar tissue, dieback of transected axons, and demyelination, creating an area inhibitory to regrowth and recovery. Two ways to combat this inhibition is to therapeutically target the extrinsic and intrinsic properties of the axon-scar environment. Scar tissue within and surrounding the lesion site can be broken down using an enzyme known as chondroitinase. Negative regulators of adult neuronal growth, such as Nogo, can be neutralized with antibodies. Both therapies greatly improve functional recovery in animal models. Alternatively, modifying the intrinsic growth properties of CNS neurons through gene therapy or pharmacotherapy has also shown promising axonal regeneration after injury. Despite these promising therapies, the main challenge of long-distance axon regeneration still remains; achieving a level of functional and organized connectivity below the level of the lesion that mimics the intact CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Chew
- Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge, UK
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Reier PJ, Lane MA, Hall ED, Teng YD, Howland DR. Translational spinal cord injury research: preclinical guidelines and challenges. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2012; 109:411-33. [PMID: 23098728 PMCID: PMC4288927 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-52137-8.00026-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Advances in the neurobiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) have prompted increasing attention to opportunities for moving experimental strategies towards clinical applications. Preclinical studies are the centerpiece of the translational process. A major challenge is to establish strategies for achieving optimal translational progression while minimizing potential repetition of previous disappointments associated with clinical trials. This chapter reviews and expands upon views pertaining to preclinical design reported in recently published opinion surveys. Subsequent discussion addresses other preclinical considerations more specifically related to current and potentially imminent cellular and pharmacological approaches to acute/subacute and chronic SCI. Lastly, a retrospective and prospective analysis examines how guidelines currently under discussion relate to select examples of past, current, and future clinical translations. Although achieving definition of the "perfect" preclinical scenario is difficult to envision, this review identifies therapeutic robustness and independent replication of promising experimental findings as absolutely critical prerequisites for clinical translation. Unfortunately, neither has been fully embraced thus far. Accordingly, this review challenges the notion "everything works in animals and nothing in humans", since more rigor must first be incorporated into the bench-to-bedside translational process by all concerned, whether in academia, clinical medicine, or corporate circles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Reier
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Secretion of bacterial chondroitinase ABC from bone marrow stromal cells by glycosylation site mutation: A promising approach for axon regeneration. Med Hypotheses 2011; 77:914-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2011.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2010] [Revised: 07/30/2011] [Accepted: 08/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Zhao RR, Muir EM, Alves JN, Rickman H, Allan AY, Kwok JC, Roet KC, Verhaagen J, Schneider BL, Bensadoun JC, Ahmed SG, Yáñez-Muñoz RJ, Keynes RJ, Fawcett JW, Rogers JH. Lentiviral vectors express chondroitinase ABC in cortical projections and promote sprouting of injured corticospinal axons. J Neurosci Methods 2011; 201:228-38. [PMID: 21855577 PMCID: PMC3235548 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2011.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2011] [Revised: 08/02/2011] [Accepted: 08/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Several diseases and injuries of the central nervous system could potentially be treated by delivery of an enzyme, which might most effectively be achieved by gene therapy. In particular, the bacterial enzyme chondroitinase ABC is beneficial in animal models of spinal cord injury. We have adapted the chondroitinase gene so that it can direct secretion of active chondroitinase from mammalian cells, and inserted it into lentiviral vectors. When injected into adult rat brain, these vectors lead to extensive secretion of chondroitinase, both locally and from long-distance axon projections, with activity persisting for more than 4 weeks. In animals which received a simultaneous lesion of the corticospinal tract, the vector reduced axonal die-back and promoted sprouting and short-range regeneration of corticospinal axons. The same beneficial effects on damaged corticospinal axons were observed in animals which received the chondroitinase lentiviral vector directly into the vicinity of a spinal cord lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Rong Zhao
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
| | - Elizabeth M. Muir
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - João Nuno Alves
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Hannah Rickman
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Anna Y. Allan
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Jessica C. Kwok
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
| | - Kasper C.D. Roet
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bernard L. Schneider
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Charles Bensadoun
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sherif G. Ahmed
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Rafael J. Yáñez-Muñoz
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Roger J. Keynes
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - James W. Fawcett
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
| | - John H. Rogers
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 1223 3 33865; fax: +44 1223 3 33840.
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Onifer SM, Smith GM, Fouad K. Plasticity after spinal cord injury: relevance to recovery and approaches to facilitate it. Neurotherapeutics 2011; 8:283-93. [PMID: 21384221 PMCID: PMC3101826 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-011-0034-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor, sensory, and autonomic functions can spontaneously return or recover to varying extents in both humans and animals, regardless of the traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) level and whether it was complete or incomplete. In parallel, adverse and painful functions can appear. The underlying mechanisms for all of these diverse functional changes are summarized under the term plasticity. Our review will describe what is known regarding this phenomenon after traumatic SCI and focus on its relevance to motor and sensory recovery. Although it is still somewhat speculative, plasticity can be found throughout the neuraxis and includes various changes ranging from alterations in the properties of spared neuronal circuitries, intact or lesioned axon collateral sprouting, and synaptic rearrangements. Furthermore, we will discuss a selection of potential approaches for facilitating plasticity as possible SCI treatments. Because a mechanism underlying spontaneous plasticity and recovery might be motor activity and the related neuronal activity, activity-based therapies are being used and investigated both clinically and experimentally. Additional pharmacological and gene-delivery approaches, based on plasticity being dependent on the delicate balance between growth inhibition and promotion as well as the basic intrinsic growth ability of the neurons themselves, have been found to be effective alone and in combination with activity-based therapies. The positive results have to be tempered with the reality that not all plasticity is beneficial. Therefore, a tremendous number of questions still need to be addressed. Ultimately, answers to these questions will enhance plasticity's potential for improving the quality of life for persons with SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M. Onifer
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0098 USA
| | - George M. Smith
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509 USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0298 USA
| | - Karim Fouad
- Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G4 Canada
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Klüppel M. Efficient secretion of biologically active Chondroitinase ABC from mammalian cells in the absence of an N-terminal signal peptide. Mol Cell Biochem 2011; 351:1-11. [PMID: 21213020 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-010-0705-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2010] [Accepted: 12/13/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Proteoglycans carrying chondroitin sulfate side chains have been shown to fulfill important biological functions in development, disease, and signaling. One area of considerable interest is the functional importance of chondroitin sulfates as inhibitors of the regeneration of axonal projections in the mammalian central nervous system. In animal models of spinal cord injury, injections of the enzyme Chondroitinase ABC from the bacterium Proteus vulgaris into the lesion site leads to degradation of chondroitin sulfates, and promotes axonal regeneration and significant functional recovery. Here, a mammalian expression system of an epitope-tagged Chondroitinase ABC protein is described. It is demonstrated that the addition of a eukaryotic secretion signal sequence to the N-terminus of the bacterial Chondroitinase ABC sequence allowed secretion, but interfered with function of the secreted enzyme. In contrast, expression of the Chondroitinase ABC gene without N-terminal eukaryotic secretion sequence or bacterial hydrophobic leader sequence led to efficient secretion of a biologically active Chondroitinase ABC protein from both immortalized and primary cells. Moreover, the C-terminal epitope tag could be utilized to follow expression of this protein. This novel Chondroitinase ABC gene is a valuable tool for a better understanding of the in vivo roles of chondroitin sulfates in mammalian development and disease, as well as in gene therapy approaches, including the treatment of spinal chord injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Klüppel
- Department of Pediatrics, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60614-4314, USA.
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Manipulating the glial scar: chondroitinase ABC as a therapy for spinal cord injury. Brain Res Bull 2010; 84:306-16. [PMID: 20620201 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2010.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2010] [Revised: 06/25/2010] [Accepted: 06/30/2010] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are potent inhibitors of growth in the adult CNS. Use of the enzyme chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) as a strategy to reduce CSPG inhibition in experimental models of spinal cord injury has led to observations of a remarkable capacity for repair. Here we review the evidence that treatment with ChABC, either as an individual therapy or in combination with other strategies, can have multiple beneficial effects on promoting repair following spinal cord injury. These include promoting regeneration of injured axons, plasticity of uninjured pathways and neuroprotection of injured projection neurons. More importantly, ChABC therapy has been demonstrated to promote significant recovery of function to spinal injured animals. Thus, there is robust pre-clinical evidence demonstrating beneficial effects of ChABC treatment following spinal cord injury. Furthermore, these effects have been replicated in a number of different injury models, with independent confirmation by different laboratories, providing an important validation of ChABC as a promising therapeutic strategy. We discuss putative mechanisms underlying ChABC-mediated repair as well as potential issues and considerations in translating ChABC treatment into a clinical therapy for spinal cord injury.
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