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Salpeter EM, Leonard BC, Lopez AJ, Murphy CJ, Thomasy S, Imai DM, Grimsrud K, Lloyd KCK, Yan J, Sanchez Russo R, Shankar SP, Moshiri A. Retinal degeneration in mice and humans with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 8. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:1274. [PMID: 34532411 PMCID: PMC8421982 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-4739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background Ceroid lipofuscinosis type 8 belongs to a heterogenous group of vision and life-threatening neurodegenerative diseases, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). Effective therapy is limited to a single drug for treatment of ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2, necessitating animal disease models to facilitate further therapeutic development. Murine models are advantageous for therapeutic development due to easy genetic manipulation and rapid breeding, however appropriate genetic models need to be identified and characterized before being used for therapy testing. To date, murine models of ocular disease associated with ceroid lipofuscinosis type 8 have only been characterized in motor neuron degeneration mice. Methods Cln8−/− mice were produced by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing through the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium. Ophthalmic examination, optical coherence tomography, electroretinography, and ocular histology was performed on Cln8−/− mice and controls at 16 weeks of age. Quantification of all retinal layers, retinal pigmented epithelium, and the choriocapillaris was performed using images acquired with ocular coherence tomography and planimetry of histologic sections. Necropsy was performed to investigate concurrent systemic abnormalities. Clinical correlation with human patients with CLN8-associated retinopathy is provided. Results Retinal degeneration characterized by retinal pigment epithelium mottling, scattered drusen, and retinal vascular attenuation was noted in all Cln8−/− mice. Loss of inner and outer photoreceptor segment demarcation was noted on optical coherence tomography, with significant thinning of the whole retina (P=1e-9), outer nuclear layer (P=1e-9), and combined photoreceptor segments (P=1e-9). A global reduction in scotopic and photopic electroretinographic waveforms was noted in all Cln8−/− mice. Slight thickening of the inner plexiform layer (P=0.02) and inner nuclear layer (P=0.004), with significant thinning of the whole retina (P=0.03), outer nuclear layer (P=0.01), and outer photoreceptor segments (P=0.001) was appreciated on histologic sections. Scattered lipid vacuoles were noted in splenic red pulp of all Cln8−/− mice, though no gross systemic abnormalities were detected on necropsy. Retinal findings are consistent with those seen in patients with ceroid lipofuscinosis type 8. Conclusions This study provides detailed clinical characterization of retinopathy in adult Cln8−/− mice. Findings suggest that Cln8−/− mice may provide a useful murine model for development of novel therapeutics needed for treating ocular disease in patients with ceroid lipofuscinosis type 8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elyse M Salpeter
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Brian C Leonard
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Antonio J Lopez
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Christopher J Murphy
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Sara Thomasy
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Denise M Imai
- Comparative Pathology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Kristin Grimsrud
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - K C Kent Lloyd
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Jiong Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Suma P Shankar
- Department of Pediatrics & Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Ala Moshiri
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
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2
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kleine Holthaus SM, Aristorena M, Maswood R, Semenyuk O, Hoke J, Hare A, Smith AJ, Mole SE, Ali RR. Gene Therapy Targeting the Inner Retina Rescues the Retinal Phenotype in a Mouse Model of CLN3 Batten Disease. Hum Gene Ther 2020; 31:709-718. [PMID: 32578444 PMCID: PMC7404834 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), often referred to as Batten disease, are inherited lysosomal storage disorders that represent the most common neurodegeneration during childhood. Symptoms include seizures, vision loss, motor and cognitive decline, and premature death. The development of brain-directed treatments for NCLs has made noteworthy progress in recent years. Clinical trials are currently ongoing or planned for different forms of the disease. Despite these promising advances, it is unlikely that therapeutic interventions targeting the brain will prevent loss of vision in patients as retinal cells remain untreated and will continue to degenerate. Here, we demonstrate that Cln3Δex7/8 mice, a mouse model of CLN3 Batten disease with juvenile onset, suffer from a decline in inner retinal function resulting from the death of rod bipolar cells, interneurons vital for signal transmission from photoreceptors to ganglion cells in the retina. We also show that this ocular phenotype can be treated by adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated expression of CLN3 in cells of the inner retina, leading to significant survival of bipolar cells and preserved retinal function. In contrast, the treatment of photoreceptors, which are lost in patients at late disease stages, was not therapeutic in Cln3Δex7/8 mice, underlining the notion that CLN3 disease is primarily a disease of the inner retina with secondary changes in the outer retina. These data indicate that bipolar cells play a central role in this disease and identify this cell type as an important target for ocular AAV-based gene therapies for CLN3 disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mikel Aristorena
- Department of Genetics, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ryea Maswood
- Department of Genetics, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Olha Semenyuk
- Department of Genetics, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Justin Hoke
- Department of Genetics, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aura Hare
- Department of Genetics, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander J. Smith
- Department of Genetics, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sara E. Mole
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin R. Ali
- Department of Genetics, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Correspondence: Prof. Robin R. Ali, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, United Kingdom.
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3
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Ahrens-Nicklas RC, Tecedor L, Hall AF, Lysenko E, Cohen AS, Davidson BL, Marsh ED. Neuronal network dysfunction precedes storage and neurodegeneration in a lysosomal storage disorder. JCI Insight 2019; 4:131961. [PMID: 31573978 PMCID: PMC6948765 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.131961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of lysosomal storage material and late-stage neurodegeneration are hallmarks of lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) affecting the brain. Yet, for most LSDs, including CLN3 disease, the most common form of childhood dementia, it is unclear what mechanisms drive neurologic symptoms. Do deficits arise from loss of function of the mutated protein or toxicity from storage accumulation? Here, using in vitro voltage-sensitive dye imaging and in vivo electrophysiology, we find progressive hippocampal dysfunction occurs before notable lysosomal storage and neuronal loss in 2 CLN3 disease mouse models. Pharmacologic reversal of lysosomal storage deposition in young mice does not rescue this circuit dysfunction. Additionally, we find that CLN3 disease mice lose an electrophysiologic marker of new memory encoding - hippocampal sharp-wave ripples. This discovery, which is also seen in Alzheimer's disease, suggests the possibility of a shared electrophysiologic signature of dementia. Overall, our data describe new insights into previously unknown network-level changes occurring in LSDs affecting the central nervous system and highlight the need for new therapeutic interventions targeting early circuit defects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Arron F. Hall
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pediatrics
| | | | | | | | - Eric D. Marsh
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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4
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Mirza M, Vainshtein A, DiRonza A, Chandrachud U, Haslett LJ, Palmieri M, Storch S, Groh J, Dobzinski N, Napolitano G, Schmidtke C, Kerkovich DM. The CLN3 gene and protein: What we know. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2019; 7:e859. [PMID: 31568712 PMCID: PMC6900386 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background One of the most important steps taken by Beyond Batten Disease Foundation in our quest to cure juvenile Batten (CLN3) disease is to understand the State of the Science. We believe that a strong understanding of where we are in our experimental understanding of the CLN3 gene, its regulation, gene product, protein structure, tissue distribution, biomarker use, and pathological responses to its deficiency, lays the groundwork for determining therapeutic action plans. Objectives To present an unbiased comprehensive reference tool of the experimental understanding of the CLN3 gene and gene product of the same name. Methods BBDF compiled all of the available CLN3 gene and protein data from biological databases, repositories of federally and privately funded projects, patent and trademark offices, science and technology journals, industrial drug and pipeline reports as well as clinical trial reports and with painstaking precision, validated the information together with experts in Batten disease, lysosomal storage disease, lysosome/endosome biology. Results The finished product is an indexed review of the CLN3 gene and protein which is not limited in page size or number of references, references all available primary experiments, and does not draw conclusions for the reader. Conclusions Revisiting the experimental history of a target gene and its product ensures that inaccuracies and contradictions come to light, long‐held beliefs and assumptions continue to be challenged, and information that was previously deemed inconsequential gets a second look. Compiling the information into one manuscript with all appropriate primary references provides quick clues to which studies have been completed under which conditions and what information has been reported. This compendium does not seek to replace original articles or subtopic reviews but provides an historical roadmap to completed works.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alberto DiRonza
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Uma Chandrachud
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Michela Palmieri
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Stephan Storch
- Biochemistry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Janos Groh
- Neurology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Niv Dobzinski
- Biochemistry and Biophysics, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Carolin Schmidtke
- Biochemistry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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5
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Prevention of Photoreceptor Cell Loss in a Cln6 nclf Mouse Model of Batten Disease Requires CLN6 Gene Transfer to Bipolar Cells. Mol Ther 2018; 26:1343-1353. [PMID: 29606505 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are inherited lysosomal storage disorders characterized by general neurodegeneration and premature death. Sight loss is also a major symptom in NCLs, severely affecting the quality of life of patients, but it is not targeted effectively by brain-directed therapies. Here we set out to explore the therapeutic potential of an ocular gene therapy to treat sight loss in NCL due to a deficiency in the transmembrane protein CLN6. We found that, although Cln6nclf mice presented mainly with photoreceptor degeneration, supplementation of CLN6 in photoreceptors was not beneficial. Because the level of CLN6 is low in photoreceptors but high in bipolar cells (retinal interneurons that are only lost in Cln6-deficient mice at late disease stages), we explored the therapeutic effects of delivering CLN6 to bipolar cells using adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 7m8. Bipolar cell-specific expression of CLN6 slowed significantly the loss of photoreceptor function and photoreceptor cells. This study shows that the deficiency of a gene normally expressed in bipolar cells can cause the loss of photoreceptors and that this can be prevented by bipolar cell-directed treatment.
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6
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Gene Therapy Approaches to Treat the Neurodegeneration and Visual Failure in Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1074:91-99. [PMID: 29721932 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-75402-4_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a group of fatal, inherited lysosomal storage disorders mostly affecting the central nervous system of children. Symptoms include vision loss, seizures, motor deterioration and cognitive decline ultimately resulting in premature death. Studies in animal models showed that the diseases are amenable to gene supplementation therapies, and over the last decade, major advances have been made in the (pre)clinical development of these therapies. This mini-review summarises and discusses current gene therapy approaches for NCL targeting the brain and the eye.
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7
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Mohammed A, O'Hare MB, Warley A, Tear G, Tuxworth RI. in vivo localization of the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis proteins, CLN3 and CLN7, at endogenous expression levels. Neurobiol Dis 2017; 103:123-132. [PMID: 28365214 PMCID: PMC5441185 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses are a group of recessively inherited, childhood-onset neurodegenerative conditions. Several forms are caused by mutations in genes encoding putative lysosomal membrane proteins. Studies of the cell biology underpinning these disorders are hampered by the poor antigenicity of the membrane proteins, which makes visualization of the endogenous proteins difficult. We have used Drosophila to generate knock-in YFP-fusions for two of the NCL membrane proteins: CLN7 and CLN3. The YFP-fusions are expressed at endogenous levels and the proteins can be visualized live without the need for overexpression. Unexpectedly, both CLN7 and CLN3 have restricted expression in the CNS of Drosophila larva and are predominantly expressed in the glia that form the insect blood-brain-barrier. CLN7 is also expressed in neurons in the developing visual system. Analogous with murine CLN3, Drosophila CLN3 is strongly expressed in the excretory and osmoregulatory Malpighian tubules, but the knock-in also reveals unexpected localization of the protein to the apical domain adjacent to the lumen. In addition, some CLN3 protein in the tubules is localized within mitochondria. Our in vivo imaging of CLN7 and CLN3 suggests new possibilities for function and promotes new ideas about the cell biology of the NCLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alamin Mohammed
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Megan B O'Hare
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Alice Warley
- Centre for Ultrastructural Imaging, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Guy Tear
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.
| | - Richard I Tuxworth
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; Department of Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.
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8
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Oetjen S, Kuhl D, Hermey G. Revisiting the neuronal localization and trafficking of CLN3 in juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. J Neurochem 2016; 139:456-470. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Oetjen
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Cognition; Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg; University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf; Hamburg Germany
| | - Dietmar Kuhl
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Cognition; Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg; University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf; Hamburg Germany
| | - Guido Hermey
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Cognition; Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg; University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf; Hamburg Germany
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9
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Ouseph MM, Kleinman ME, Wang QJ. Vision loss in juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (CLN3 disease). Ann N Y Acad Sci 2016; 1371:55-67. [PMID: 26748992 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL; also known as CLN3 disease) is a devastating neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder and the most common form of Batten disease. Progressive visual and neurological symptoms lead to mortality in patients by the third decade. Although ceroid-lipofuscinosis, neuronal 3 (CLN3) has been identified as the sole disease gene, the biochemical and cellular bases of JNCL and the functions of CLN3 are yet to be fully understood. As severe ocular pathologies manifest early in disease progression, the retina is an ideal tissue to study in the efforts to unravel disease etiology and design therapeutics. There are significant discrepancies in the ocular phenotypes between human JNCL and existing murine models, impeding investigations on the sequence of events occurring during the progression of vision impairment. This review focuses on current understanding of vision loss in JNCL and discusses future research directions toward molecular dissection of the pathogenesis of the disease and associated vision problems in order to ultimately improve the quality of patient life and cure the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Qing Jun Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry.,Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology.,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
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10
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Ding SL. Comparative anatomy of the prosubiculum, subiculum, presubiculum, postsubiculum, and parasubiculum in human, monkey, and rodent. J Comp Neurol 2013; 521:4145-62. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.23416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Revised: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 06/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Song-Lin Ding
- Allen Institute for Brain Science; Seattle Washington 98103
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11
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Kollmann K, Uusi-Rauva K, Scifo E, Tyynelä J, Jalanko A, Braulke T. Cell biology and function of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis-related proteins. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2013; 1832:1866-81. [PMID: 23402926 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2013.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Revised: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) comprise a group of inherited lysosomal disorders with variable age of onset, characterized by lysosomal accumulation of autofluorescent ceroid lipopigments, neuroinflammation, photoreceptor- and neurodegeneration. Most of the NCL-related genes encode soluble and transmembrane proteins which localize to the endoplasmic reticulum or to the endosomal/lysosomal compartment and directly or indirectly regulate lysosomal function. Recently, exome sequencing led to the identification of four novel gene defects in NCL patients and a new NCL nomenclature currently comprising CLN1 through CLN14. Although the precise function of most of the NCL proteins remains elusive, comprehensive analyses of model organisms, particularly mouse models, provided new insight into pathogenic mechanisms of NCL diseases and roles of mutant NCL proteins in cellular/subcellular protein and lipid homeostasis, as well as their adaptive/compensatorial regulation at the transcriptional level. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the expression, function and regulation of NCL proteins and their impact on lysosomal integrity. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses or Batten Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Kollmann
- Department of Biochemistry, Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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12
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Shacka JJ. Mouse models of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses: useful pre-clinical tools to delineate disease pathophysiology and validate therapeutics. Brain Res Bull 2012; 88:43-57. [PMID: 22502604 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2012.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2011] [Revised: 03/04/2012] [Accepted: 03/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL, also known as Batten disease) is a devastating neurodegenerative diseases caused by mutations in either soluble enzymes or membrane-associated structural proteins that result in lysosome dysfunction. Different forms of NCL were defined initially by age of onset, affected population and/or type of storage material but collectively represent the most prevalent pediatric hereditary neurovisceral storage disorder. Specific gene mutations are now known for each subclass of NCL in humans that now largely define the disease: cathepsin D (CTSD) for congenital (CLN10 form); palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1) for infantile (CLN1 form); tripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1) for classic late infantile (CLN2 form); variant late infantile-CLN5, CLN6 or CLN8 for variant late infantile forms; and CLN3 for juvenile (CLN3 form). Several mouse models of NCL have been developed, or in some cases exist sporadically, that exhibit mutations producing a progressive neurodegenerative phenotype similar to that observed in human NCL. The study of these mouse models of NCL has dramatically advanced our knowledge of NCL pathophysiology and in some cases has helped delineate the function of proteins mutated in human NCL. In addition, NCL mutant mice have been tested for several different therapeutic approaches and as such they have become important pre-clinical models for validating treatment options. In this review we will assess the current state of mouse models of NCL with regards to their unique pathophysiology and how these mice have helped investigators achieve a better understanding of human NCL disease and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Shacka
- Neuropathology Division, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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13
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Tuxworth RI, Chen H, Vivancos V, Carvajal N, Huang X, Tear G. The Batten disease gene CLN3 is required for the response to oxidative stress. Hum Mol Genet 2011; 20:2037-47. [PMID: 21372148 PMCID: PMC3080613 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddr088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the CLN3 gene cause juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL or Batten disease), an early onset neurodegenerative disorder. JNCL is the most common of the NCLs, a group of disorders with infant or childhood onset that are caused by single gene mutations. The NCLs, although relatively rare, share many pathological and clinical similarities with the more common late-onset neurodegenerative disorders, while their simple genetic basis makes them an excellent paradigm. The early onset and rapid disease progression in the NCLs suggests that one or more key cellular processes are severely compromised. To identify the functional pathways compromised in JNCL, we have performed a gain-of-function modifier screen in Drosophila. We find that CLN3 interacts genetically with the core stress signalling pathways and components of stress granules, suggesting a function in stress responses. In support of this, we find that Drosophila lacking CLN3 function are hypersensitive to oxidative stress yet they respond normally to other physiological stresses. Overexpression of CLN3 is sufficient to confer increased resistance to oxidative stress. We find that CLN3 mutant flies perceive conditions of increased oxidative stress correctly but are unable to detoxify reactive oxygen species, suggesting that their ability to respond is compromised. Together, our data suggest that the lack of CLN3 function leads to a failure to manage the response to oxidative stress and this may be the key deficit in JNCL that leads to neuronal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard I Tuxworth
- MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
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