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Hu X, Ma YN, Xia Y. Association between abnormal lipid metabolism and Alzheimer's disease: New research has revealed significant findings on the APOE4 genotype in microglia. Biosci Trends 2024; 18:195-197. [PMID: 38631884 DOI: 10.5582/bst.2024.01092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
APOE4 is widely recognized as a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), implicated in 60-80% of all AD cases. Recent research suggests that microglia carrying the APOE4 genotype display abnormal lipid metabolism and accumulate lipid droplets, which may exacerbate the pathology of AD. Microglia play a critical role in immune surveillance within the central nervous system and are responsible for removing harmful particles and preserving neuronal function. The APOE4 genotype causes abnormal lipid metabolism in microglia, resulting in excessive accumulation of lipid droplets. This accumulation not only impairs the phagocytic and clearance capabilities of microglia but also disrupts their interactions with neurons, resulting in disorganization and neurodegenerative alterations at the neuronal network level. In addition, the presence of APOE4 modifies the metabolic landscape of microglia, particularly affecting purinergic signaling and lipid metabolism, thereby exacerbating the pathological processes of AD. In conclusion, the accumulation of lipid droplets and abnormal lipid metabolism may be critical mechanisms in the progression of AD in microglia carrying the APOE4 genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiqi Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central South University, Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Ya-Nan Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Ying Xia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central South University, Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou, China
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2
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Smith DM, Aggarwal G, Niehoff ML, Jones SA, Banerjee S, Farr SA, Nguyen AD. Biochemical, Biomarker, and Behavioral Characterization of the Grn R493X Mouse Model of Frontotemporal Dementia. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04190-9. [PMID: 38696065 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04190-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) are a major cause of frontotemporal dementia due to progranulin haploinsufficiency; complete deficiency of progranulin causes neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Several progranulin-deficient mouse models have been generated, including both knockout mice and knockin mice harboring a common patient mutation (R493X). However, the GrnR493X mouse model has not been characterized completely. Additionally, while homozygous GrnR493X and Grn knockout mice have been extensively studied, data from heterozygous mice is still limited. Here, we performed more in-depth characterization of heterozygous and homozygous GrnR493X knockin mice, which includes biochemical assessments, behavioral studies, and analysis of fluid biomarkers. In the brains of homozygous GrnR493X mice, we found increased phosphorylated TDP-43 along with increased expression of lysosomal genes, markers of microgliosis and astrogliosis, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and complement factors. Heterozygous GrnR493X mice did not have increased TDP-43 phosphorylation but did exhibit limited increases in lysosomal and inflammatory gene expression. Behavioral studies found social and emotional deficits in GrnR493X mice that mirror those observed in Grn knockout mouse models, as well as impairment in memory and executive function. Overall, the GrnR493X knockin mouse model closely phenocopies Grn knockout models. Lastly, in contrast to homozygous knockin mice, heterozygous GrnR493X mice do not have elevated levels of fluid biomarkers previously identified in humans, including neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in both plasma and CSF. These results may help to inform pre-clinical studies that use this Grn knockin mouse model and other Grn knockout models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise M Smith
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, USA
| | - Geetika Aggarwal
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, USA
| | - Michael L Niehoff
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St. Louis, USA
| | - Spencer A Jones
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, USA
| | - Subhashis Banerjee
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, USA
| | - Susan A Farr
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, USA
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St. Louis, USA
| | - Andrew D Nguyen
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA.
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, USA.
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Sevigny J, Uspenskaya O, Heckman LD, Wong LC, Hatch DA, Tewari A, Vandenberghe R, Irwin DJ, Saracino D, Le Ber I, Ahmed R, Rohrer JD, Boxer AL, Boland S, Sheehan P, Brandes A, Burstein SR, Shykind BM, Kamalakaran S, Daniels CW, David Litwack E, Mahoney E, Velaga J, McNamara I, Sondergaard P, Sajjad SA, Kobayashi YM, Abeliovich A, Hefti F. Progranulin AAV gene therapy for frontotemporal dementia: translational studies and phase 1/2 trial interim results. Nat Med 2024; 30:1406-1415. [PMID: 38745011 PMCID: PMC11108785 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-02973-0] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
GRN mutations cause progranulin haploinsufficiency, which eventually leads to frontotemporal dementia (FTD-GRN). PR006 is an investigational gene therapy delivering the granulin gene (GRN) using an adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) vector. In non-clinical studies, PR006 transduced neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells of patients with FTD-GRN, resulted in progranulin expression and improvement of lipofuscin, lysosomal and neuroinflammation pathologies in Grn-knockout mice, and was well tolerated except for minimal, asymptomatic dorsal root ganglionopathy in non-human primates. We initiated a first-in-human phase 1/2 open-label trial. Here we report results of a pre-specified interim analysis triggered with the last treated patient of the low-dose cohort (n = 6) reaching the 12-month follow-up timepoint. We also include preliminary data from the mid-dose cohort (n = 7). Primary endpoints were safety, immunogenicity and change in progranulin levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood. Secondary endpoints were Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) plus National Alzheimer's Disease Coordinating Center (NACC) Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD) rating scale and levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL). One-time administration of PR006 into the cisterna magna was generally safe and well tolerated. All patients developed treatment-emergent anti-AAV9 antibodies in the CSF, but none developed anti-progranulin antibodies. CSF pleocytosis was the most common PR006-related adverse event. Twelve serious adverse events occurred, mostly unrelated to PR006. Deep vein thrombosis developed in three patients. There was one death (unrelated) occurring 18 months after treatment. CSF progranulin increased after PR006 treatment in all patients; blood progranulin increased in most patients but only transiently. NfL levels transiently increased after PR006 treatment, likely reflecting dorsal root ganglia toxicity. Progression rates, based on the CDR scale, were within the broad ranges reported for patients with FTD. These data provide preliminary insights into the safety and bioactivity of PR006. Longer follow-up and additional studies are needed to confirm the safety and potential efficacy of PR006. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04408625 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Sevigny
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Olga Uspenskaya
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura Dean Heckman
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Li Chin Wong
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel A Hatch
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ambika Tewari
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rik Vandenberghe
- Neurology Service, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium and Laboratory for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - David J Irwin
- Department of Neurology, Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dario Saracino
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Inserm, CNRS UMR 7225 APHP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Le Ber
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Inserm, CNRS UMR 7225 APHP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Rebekah Ahmed
- Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jonathan D Rohrer
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Dementia Research Center, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Adam L Boxer
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sebastian Boland
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patricia Sheehan
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alissa Brandes
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Suzanne R Burstein
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin M Shykind
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sitharthan Kamalakaran
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carter W Daniels
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - E David Litwack
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erin Mahoney
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jenny Velaga
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ilan McNamara
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patricia Sondergaard
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Syed A Sajjad
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yvonne M Kobayashi
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Asa Abeliovich
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
| | - Franz Hefti
- Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY, USA
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Sung W, Noh MY, Nahm M, Kim YS, Ki CS, Kim YE, Kim HJ, Kim SH. Progranulin haploinsufficiency mediates cytoplasmic TDP-43 aggregation with lysosomal abnormalities in human microglia. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:47. [PMID: 38347588 PMCID: PMC10863104 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03039-1] [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: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Progranulin (PGRN) haploinsufficiency due to progranulin gene (GRN) variants can cause frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with aberrant TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) accumulation. Despite microglial burden with TDP-43-related pathophysiology, direct microglial TDP-43 pathology has not been clarified yet, only emphasized in neuronal pathology. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate TDP-43 pathology in microglia of patients with PGRN haploinsufficiency. METHODS To design a human microglial cell model with PGRN haploinsufficiency, monocyte-derived microglia (iMGs) were generated from FTD-GRN patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants (p.M1? and p.W147*) and three healthy controls. RESULTS iMGs from FTD-GRN patients with PGRN deficiency exhibited severe neuroinflammation phenotype and failure to maintain their homeostatic molecular signatures, along with impaired phagocytosis. In FTD-GRN patients-derived iMGs, significant cytoplasmic TDP-43 aggregation and accumulation of lipid droplets with profound lysosomal abnormalities were observed. These pathomechanisms were mediated by complement C1q activation and upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides considerable cellular and molecular evidence that loss-of-function variants of GRN in human microglia can cause microglial dysfunction with abnormal TDP-43 aggregation induced by inflammatory milieu as well as the impaired lysosome. Elucidating the role of microglial TDP-43 pathology in intensifying neuroinflammation in individuals with FTD due to PGRN deficiency and examining consequential effects on microglial dysfunction might yield novel insights into the mechanisms underlying FTD and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonjae Sung
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, 222, Wangsimni-Ro, Seongdong-Gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Young Noh
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, 222, Wangsimni-Ro, Seongdong-Gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Minyeop Nahm
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Sung Kim
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, 222, Wangsimni-Ro, Seongdong-Gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Young-Eun Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Jin Kim
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, 222, Wangsimni-Ro, Seongdong-Gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hyun Kim
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, 222, Wangsimni-Ro, Seongdong-Gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
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5
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Smith DM, Aggarwal G, Niehoff ML, Jones SA, Banerjee S, Farr SA, Nguyen AD. Biochemical, biomarker, and behavioral characterization of the GrnR493X mouse model of frontotemporal dementia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.05.27.542495. [PMID: 37398305 PMCID: PMC10312473 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.27.542495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) are a major cause of frontotemporal dementia due to progranulin haploinsufficiency; complete deficiency of progranulin causes neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Several progranulin-deficient mouse models have been generated, including both knockout mice and knockin mice harboring a common patient mutation (R493X). However, the GrnR493X mouse model has not been characterized completely. Additionally, while homozygous GrnR493X and Grn knockout mice have been extensively studied, data from heterozygous mice is still limited. Here, we performed more in-depth characterization of heterozygous and homozygous GrnR493X knockin mice, which includes biochemical assessments, behavioral studies, and analysis of fluid biomarkers. In the brains of homozygous GrnR493X mice, we found increased phosphorylated TDP-43 along with increased expression of lysosomal genes, markers of microgliosis and astrogliosis, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and complement factors. Heterozygous GrnR493X mice did not have increased TDP-43 phosphorylation but did exhibit limited increases in lysosomal and inflammatory gene expression. Behavioral studies found social and emotional deficits in GrnR493X mice that mirror those observed in Grn knockout mouse models, as well as impairment in memory and executive function. Overall, the GrnR493X knockin mouse model closely phenocopies Grn knockout models. Lastly, in contrast to homozygous knockin mice, heterozygous GrnR493X mice do not have elevated levels of fluid biomarkers previously identified in humans, including neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in both plasma and CSF. These results may help to inform pre-clinical studies that use this Grn knockin mouse model and other Grn knockout models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise M. Smith
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, United States of America
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, United States of America
- Saint Louis University, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, United States of America
| | - Geetika Aggarwal
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, United States of America
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, United States of America
- Saint Louis University, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, United States of America
| | - Michael L. Niehoff
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, United States of America
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, United States of America
| | - Spencer A. Jones
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, United States of America
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, United States of America
- Saint Louis University, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, United States of America
| | - Subhashis Banerjee
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, United States of America
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, United States of America
- Saint Louis University, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, United States of America
| | - Susan A. Farr
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, United States of America
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, United States of America
- Saint Louis University, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, United States of America
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, United States of America
| | - Andrew D. Nguyen
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, United States of America
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, United States of America
- Saint Louis University, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, United States of America
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Gillett DA, Wallings RL, Uriarte Huarte O, Tansey MG. Progranulin and GPNMB: interactions in endo-lysosome function and inflammation in neurodegenerative disease. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:286. [PMID: 38037070 PMCID: PMC10688479 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02965-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations in progranulin (PGRN) expression are associated with multiple neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), including frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs). Recently, the loss of PGRN was shown to result in endo-lysosomal system dysfunction and an age-dependent increase in the expression of another protein associated with NDs, glycoprotein non-metastatic B (GPNMB). MAIN BODY It is unclear what role GPNMB plays in the context of PGRN insufficiency and how they interact and contribute to the development or progression of NDs. This review focuses on the interplay between these two critical proteins within the context of endo-lysosomal health, immune function, and inflammation in their contribution to NDs. SHORT CONCLUSION PGRN and GPNMB are interrelated proteins that regulate disease-relevant processes and may have value as therapeutic targets to delay disease progression or extend therapeutic windows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew A Gillett
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CTRND), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Rebecca L Wallings
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CTRND), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Oihane Uriarte Huarte
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CTRND), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Malú Gámez Tansey
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CTRND), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Boylan MA, Pincetic A, Romano G, Tatton N, Kenkare-Mitra S, Rosenthal A. Targeting Progranulin as an Immuno-Neurology Therapeutic Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15946. [PMID: 37958929 PMCID: PMC10647331 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Immuno-neurology is an emerging therapeutic strategy for dementia and neurodegeneration designed to address immune surveillance failure in the brain. Microglia, as central nervous system (CNS)-resident myeloid cells, routinely perform surveillance of the brain and support neuronal function. Loss-of-function (LOF) mutations causing decreased levels of progranulin (PGRN), an immune regulatory protein, lead to dysfunctional microglia and are associated with multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia caused by the progranulin gene (GRN) mutation (FTD-GRN), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), limbic-predominant age-related transactivation response deoxyribonucleic acid binding protein 43 (TDP-43) encephalopathy (LATE), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Immuno-neurology targets immune checkpoint-like proteins, offering the potential to convert aging and dysfunctional microglia into disease-fighting cells that counteract multiple disease pathologies, clear misfolded proteins and debris, promote myelin and synapse repair, optimize neuronal function, support astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and maintain brain vasculature. Several clinical trials are underway to elevate PGRN levels as one strategy to modulate the function of microglia and counteract neurodegenerative changes associated with various disease states. If successful, these and other immuno-neurology drugs have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders by harnessing the brain's immune system and shifting it from an inflammatory/pathological state to an enhanced physiological/homeostatic state.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Arnon Rosenthal
- Alector, Inc., 131 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 600, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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8
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Frost NA, Donohue KC, Sohal V. Context-invariant socioemotional encoding by prefrontal ensembles. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.19.563015. [PMID: 37961143 PMCID: PMC10634670 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.19.563015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex plays a key role in social interactions, anxiety-related avoidance, and flexible context- dependent behaviors, raising the question: how do prefrontal neurons represent socioemotional information across different environments? Are contextual and socioemotional representations segregated or intermixed, and does this cause socioemotional encoding to remap or generalize across environments? To address this, we imaged neuronal activity in the medial prefrontal cortex of mice engaged in social interactions or anxiety-related avoidance within different environments. Neuronal ensembles representing context and social interaction overlapped more than expected while remaining orthogonal. Anxiety-related representations similarly generalized across environments while remaining orthogonal to contextual information. This shows how prefrontal cortex multiplexes parallel information streams using the same neurons, rather than distinct subcircuits, achieving context-invariant encoding despite context-specific reorganization of population-level activity.
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Santos-García I, Rodríguez-Cueto C, Villegas P, Piscitelli F, Lauritano A, Shen CKJ, Di Marzo V, Fernández-Ruiz J, de Lago E. Preclinical investigation in FAAH inhibition as a neuroprotective therapy for frontotemporal dementia using TDP-43 transgenic male mice. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:108. [PMID: 37149645 PMCID: PMC10163746 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02792-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a heterogeneous group of early onset and progressive neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by degeneration in the frontal and temporal lobes, which causes deterioration in cognition, personality, social behavior and language. Around 45% of the cases are characterized by the presence of aggregates of the RNA-binding protein TDP-43. METHODS In this study, we have used a murine model of FTD that overexpresses this protein exclusively in the forebrain (under the control of the CaMKIIα promoter) for several biochemical, histological and pharmacological studies focused on the endocannabinoid system. RESULTS These mice exhibited at postnatal day 90 (PND90) important cognitive deficits, signs of emotional impairment and disinhibited social behaviour, which were, in most of cases, maintained during the first year of life of these animals. Motor activity was apparently normal, but FTD mice exhibited higher mortality. Their MRI imaging analysis and their ex-vivo histopathological evaluation proved changes compatible with atrophy (loss of specific groups of pyramidal neurons: Ctip2- and NeuN-positive cells) and inflammatory events (astroglial and microglial reactivities) in both cortical (medial prefrontal cortex) and subcortical (hippocampus) structures at PND90 and also at PND365. The analysis of the endocannabinoid system in these mice proved a decrease in the hydrolysing enzyme FAAH in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus, with an increase in the synthesizing enzyme NAPE-PLD only in the hippocampus, responses that were accompanied by modest elevations in anandamide and related N-acylethanolamines. The potentiation of these elevated levels of anandamide after the pharmacological inactivation of FAAH with URB597 resulted in a general improvement in behaviour, in particular in cognitive deterioration, associated with the preservation of pyramidal neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex and the CA1 layer of the hippocampus, and with the reduction of gliosis in both structures. CONCLUSIONS Our data confirmed the potential of elevating the endocannabinoid tone as a therapy against TDP-43-induced neuropathology in FTD, limiting glial reactivity, preserving neuronal integrity and improving cognitive, emotional and social deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Santos-García
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Universidad Complutense, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Rodríguez-Cueto
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Universidad Complutense, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Villegas
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Universidad Complutense, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fabiana Piscitelli
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Lauritano
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Che-Kun J Shen
- The PhD Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110, Taiwan
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
- Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, CRIUCPQ and INAF, Centre NUTRISS, Faculties of Medicine and Agriculture and Food Sciences, Université Laval, Quebéc City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Javier Fernández-Ruiz
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Universidad Complutense, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Eva de Lago
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Universidad Complutense, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.
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10
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Life B, Petkau TL, Cruz GNF, Navarro-Delgado EI, Shen N, Korthauer K, Leavitt BR. FTD-associated behavioural and transcriptomic abnormalities in 'humanized' progranulin-deficient mice: A novel model for progranulin-associated FTD. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 182:106138. [PMID: 37105261 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is an early onset dementia characterized by neuropathology and behavioural changes. A common genetic cause of FTD is haploinsufficiency of the gene progranulin (GRN). Mouse models of progranulin deficiency have provided insight into progranulin neurobiology, but the description of phenotypes with preclinical relevance has been limited in the currently available heterozygous progranulin-null mice. The identification of robust and reproducible FTD-associated behavioural, neuropathological, and biochemical phenotypes in progranulin deficient mice is a critical step in the preclinical development of therapies for FTD. In this work, we report the generation of a novel, 'humanized' mouse model of progranulin deficiency that expresses a single, targeted copy of human GRN in the absence of mouse progranulin. We also report the in-depth, longitudinal characterization of humanized progranulin-deficient mice and heterozygous progranulin-null mice over 18 months. Our analysis yielded several novel progranulin-dependent physiological and behavioural phenotypes, including increased marble burying, open field hyperactivity, and thalamic microgliosis in both models. RNAseq analysis of cortical tissue revealed an overlapping profile of transcriptomic dysfunction. Further transcriptomic analysis offers new insights into progranulin neurobiology. In sum, we have identified several consistent phenotypes in two independent mouse models of progranulin deficiency that are expected to be useful endpoints in the development of therapies for progranulin-deficient FTD. Furthermore, the presence of the human progranulin gene in the humanized progranulin-deficient mice will expedite the development of clinically translatable gene therapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Life
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 0B3, Canada; BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Terri L Petkau
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 0B3, Canada; BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Giuliano N F Cruz
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada; Department of Statistics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Erick I Navarro-Delgado
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada; Department of Statistics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Ning Shen
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada; Department of Statistics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Keegan Korthauer
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada; Department of Statistics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Blair R Leavitt
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 0B3, Canada; BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada; Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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11
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Kashyap SN, Boyle NR, Roberson ED. Preclinical Interventions in Mouse Models of Frontotemporal Dementia Due to Progranulin Mutations. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:140-153. [PMID: 36781744 PMCID: PMC10119358 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01348-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in progranulin (GRN) cause frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a leading cause of early-onset dementia characterized clinically by behavioral, social, and language deficits. There are currently no FDA-approved therapeutics for FTD-GRN, but this has been an active area of investigation, and several approaches are now in clinical trials. Here, we review preclinical development of therapies for FTD-GRN with a focus on testing in mouse models. Since most FTD-GRN-associated mutations cause progranulin haploinsufficiency, these approaches focus on raising progranulin levels. We begin by considering the disorders associated with altered progranulin levels, and then review the basics of progranulin biology including its lysosomal, neurotrophic, and immunomodulatory functions. We discuss mouse models of progranulin insufficiency and how they have been used in preclinical studies on a variety of therapeutic approaches. These include approaches to raise progranulin expression from the normal allele or facilitate progranulin production by the mutant allele, as well as approaches to directly increase progranulin levels by delivery across the blood-brain barrier or by gene therapy. Several of these approaches have entered clinical trials, providing hope that new therapies for FTD-GRN may be the next frontier in the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya N Kashyap
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Medical Scientist Training Program, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Nicholas R Boyle
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Medical Scientist Training Program, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Erik D Roberson
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Medical Scientist Training Program, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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12
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Takahashi K, Nelvagal HR, Lange J, Cooper JD. Glial Dysfunction and Its Contribution to the Pathogenesis of the Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses. Front Neurol 2022; 13:886567. [PMID: 35444603 PMCID: PMC9013902 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.886567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
While significant efforts have been made in developing pre-clinical treatments for the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), many challenges still remain to bring children with NCLs a cure. Devising effective therapeutic strategies for the NCLs will require a better understanding of pathophysiology, but little is known about the mechanisms by which loss of lysosomal proteins causes such devastating neurodegeneration. Research into glial cells including astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes have revealed many of their critical functions in brain homeostasis and potential contributions to neurodegenerative diseases. Genetically modified mouse models have served as a useful platform to define the disease progression in the central nervous system across NCL subtypes, revealing a wide range of glial responses to disease. The emerging evidence of glial dysfunction questions the traditional “neuron-centric” view of NCLs, and would suggest that directly targeting glia in addition to neurons could lead to better therapeutic outcomes. This review summarizes the most up-to-date understanding of glial pathologies and their contribution to the pathogenesis of NCLs, and highlights some of the associated challenges that require further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keigo Takahashi
- Pediatric Storage Disorders Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Hemanth R. Nelvagal
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny Lange
- Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan D. Cooper
- Pediatric Storage Disorders Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- *Correspondence: Jonathan D. Cooper
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13
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Vest RT, Chou CC, Zhang H, Haney MS, Li L, Laqtom NN, Chang B, Shuken S, Nguyen A, Yerra L, Yang AC, Green C, Tanga M, Abu-Remaileh M, Bassik MC, Frydman J, Luo J, Wyss-Coray T. Small molecule C381 targets the lysosome to reduce inflammation and ameliorate disease in models of neurodegeneration. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2121609119. [PMID: 35259016 PMCID: PMC8931323 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2121609119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
SignificanceNeurodegenerative diseases are poorly understood and difficult to treat. One common hallmark is lysosomal dysfunction leading to the accumulation of aggregates and other undegradable materials, which cause damage to brain resident cells. Lysosomes are acidic organelles responsible for breaking down biomolecules and recycling their constitutive parts. In this work, we find that the antiinflammatory and neuroprotective compound, discovered via a phenotypic screen, imparts its beneficial effects by targeting the lysosome and restoring its function. This is established using a genome-wide CRISPRi target identification screen and then confirmed using a variety of lysosome-targeted studies. The resulting small molecule from this study represents a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases as well as a research tool for the study of lysosomes in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan T. Vest
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | | | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Michael S. Haney
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Lulin Li
- Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Palo Alto, CA 94304
| | - Nouf N. Laqtom
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Institute for Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine for Human Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Betty Chang
- Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Palo Alto, CA 94304
| | - Steven Shuken
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Andy Nguyen
- Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Palo Alto, CA 94304
| | - Lakshmi Yerra
- Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Palo Alto, CA 94304
| | - Andrew C. Yang
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | | | | | - Monther Abu-Remaileh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Institute for Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine for Human Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Michael C. Bassik
- Institute for Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine for Human Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Judith Frydman
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Jian Luo
- Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Palo Alto, CA 94304
| | - Tony Wyss-Coray
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
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14
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Rhinn H, Tatton N, McCaughey S, Kurnellas M, Rosenthal A. Progranulin as a therapeutic target in neurodegenerative diseases. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:641-652. [PMID: 35039149 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Progranulin (PGRN, encoded by the GRN gene) plays a key role in the development, survival, function, and maintenance of neurons and microglia in the mammalian brain. It regulates lysosomal biogenesis, inflammation, repair, stress response, and aging. GRN loss-of-function mutations cause neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis or frontotemporal dementia-GRN (FTD-GRN) in a gene dosage-dependent manner. Mutations that reduce PGRN levels increase the risk for developing Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and limbic-predominant age-related transactivation response DNA-binding protein 43 encephalopathy, as well as exacerbate the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and FTD caused by the hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene. Elevating and/or restoring PGRN levels is an attractive therapeutic strategy and is being investigated for neurodegenerative diseases through multiple mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herve Rhinn
- Alector, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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15
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Dong T, Tejwani L, Jung Y, Kokubu H, Luttik K, Driessen TM, Lim J. Microglia regulate brain progranulin levels through the endocytosis/lysosomal pathway. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e136147. [PMID: 34618685 PMCID: PMC8663778 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.136147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic variants in Granulin (GRN), which encodes the secreted glycoprotein progranulin (PGRN), are associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal lobar degeneration, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, and Alzheimer's disease. These genetic alterations manifest in pathological changes due to a reduction of PGRN expression; therefore, identifying factors that can modulate PGRN levels in vivo would enhance our understanding of PGRN in neurodegeneration and could reveal novel potential therapeutic targets. Here, we report that modulation of the endocytosis/lysosomal pathway via reduction of Nemo-like kinase (Nlk) in microglia, but not in neurons, can alter total brain Pgrn levels in mice. We demonstrate that Nlk reduction promotes Pgrn degradation by enhancing its trafficking through the endocytosis/lysosomal pathway, specifically in microglia. Furthermore, genetic interaction studies in mice showed that Nlk heterozygosity in Grn haploinsufficient mice further reduces Pgrn levels and induces neuropathological phenotypes associated with PGRN deficiency. Our results reveal a mechanism for Pgrn level regulation in the brain through the active catabolism by microglia and provide insights into the pathophysiology of PGRN-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Dong
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Leon Tejwani
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Neuroscience
| | - Youngseob Jung
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Hiroshi Kokubu
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kimberly Luttik
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Neuroscience
| | - Terri M. Driessen
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Janghoo Lim
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Neuroscience
- Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, and
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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16
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Schumann L, Wilken-Schmitz A, Trautmann S, Vogel A, Schreiber Y, Hahnefeld L, Gurke R, Geisslinger G, Tegeder I. Increased Fat Taste Preference in Progranulin-Deficient Mice. Nutrients 2021; 13:4125. [PMID: 34836380 PMCID: PMC8623710 DOI: 10.3390/nu13114125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Progranulin deficiency in mice is associated with deregulations of the scavenger receptor signaling of CD36/SCARB3 in immune disease models, and CD36 is a dominant receptor in taste bud cells in the tongue and contributes to the sensation of dietary fats. Progranulin-deficient mice (Grn-/-) are moderately overweight during middle age. We therefore asked if there was a connection between progranulin/CD36 in the tongue and fat taste preferences. By using unbiased behavioral analyses in IntelliCages and Phenomaster cages we showed that progranulin-deficient mice (Grn-/-) developed a strong preference of fat taste in the form of 2% milk over 0.3% milk, and for diluted MCTs versus tap water. The fat preference in the 7d-IntelliCage observation period caused an increase of 10% in the body weight of Grn-/- mice, which did not occur in the wildtype controls. CD36 expression in taste buds was reduced in Grn-/- mice at RNA and histology levels. There were no differences in the plasma or tongue lipids of various classes including sphingolipids, ceramides and endocannabinoids. The data suggest that progranulin deficiency leads to a lower expression of CD36 in the tongue resulting in a stronger urge for fatty taste and fatty nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana Schumann
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Annett Wilken-Schmitz
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Sandra Trautmann
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Alexandra Vogel
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Yannick Schreiber
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lisa Hahnefeld
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Robert Gurke
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gerd Geisslinger
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases (CIMD), 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Irmgard Tegeder
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (L.S.); (A.W.-S.); (S.T.); (A.V.); (Y.S.); (L.H.); (R.G.); (G.G.)
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17
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Wani A, Zhu J, Ulrich JD, Eteleeb A, Sauerbeck AD, Reitz SJ, Arhzaouy K, Ikenaga C, Yuede CM, Pittman SK, Wang F, Li S, Benitez BA, Cruchaga C, Kummer TT, Harari O, Chou TF, Schröder R, Clemen CS, Weihl CC. Neuronal VCP loss of function recapitulates FTLD-TDP pathology. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109399. [PMID: 34289347 PMCID: PMC8383344 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenic mechanism by which dominant mutations in VCP cause multisystem proteinopathy (MSP), a rare neurodegenerative disease that presents as fronto-temporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 inclusions (FTLD-TDP), remains unclear. To explore this, we inactivate VCP in murine postnatal forebrain neurons (VCP conditional knockout [cKO]). VCP cKO mice have cortical brain atrophy, neuronal loss, autophago-lysosomal dysfunction, and TDP-43 inclusions resembling FTLD-TDP pathology. Conditional expression of a single disease-associated mutation, VCP-R155C, in a VCP null background similarly recapitulates features of VCP inactivation and FTLD-TDP, suggesting that this MSP mutation is hypomorphic. Comparison of transcriptomic and proteomic datasets from genetically defined patients with FTLD-TDP reveal that progranulin deficiency and VCP insufficiency result in similar profiles. These data identify a loss of VCP-dependent functions as a mediator of FTLD-TDP and reveal an unexpected biochemical similarity with progranulin deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abubakar Wani
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jiang Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jason D Ulrich
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Abdallah Eteleeb
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Andrew D Sauerbeck
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sydney J Reitz
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Khalid Arhzaouy
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Chiseko Ikenaga
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Carla M Yuede
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sara K Pittman
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Feng Wang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Shan Li
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Bruno A Benitez
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Carlos Cruchaga
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Terrance T Kummer
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Oscar Harari
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Tsui-Fen Chou
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Rolf Schröder
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christoph S Clemen
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center, Cologne, Germany; Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Vegetative Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Conrad C Weihl
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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18
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Human progranulin-expressing mice as a novel tool for the development of progranulin-modulating therapeutics. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 153:105314. [PMID: 33636385 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The granulin protein (also known as, and hereafter referred to as, progranulin) is a secreted glycoprotein that contributes to overall brain health. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding the progranulin protein (Granulin Precursor, GRN) are a common cause of familial frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Gene therapy approaches that aim to increase progranulin expression from a single wild-type allele, an area of active investigation for the potential treatment of GRN-dependent FTD, will benefit from the availability of a mouse model that expresses a genomic copy of the human GRN gene. Here we report the development and characterization of a novel mouse model that expresses the entire human GRN gene in its native genomic context as a single copy inserted into a defined locus (Hprt) in the mouse genome. We show that human and mouse progranulin are expressed in a similar tissue-specific pattern, suggesting that the two genes are regulated by similar mechanisms. Human progranulin rescues a phenotype characteristic of progranulin-null mice, the exaggerated and early deposition of the aging pigment lipofuscin in the brain, indicating that the two proteins are functionally similar. Longitudinal behavioural and neuropathological analyses revealed no significant differences between wild-type and human progranulin-overexpressing mice up to 18 months of age, providing evidence that long-term increase of progranulin levels is well tolerated in mice. Finally, we demonstrate that human progranulin expression can be increased in the brain using an antisense oligonucleotide that inhibits a known GRN-regulating micro-RNA, demonstrating that the transgene is responsive to potential gene therapy drugs. Human progranulin-expressing mice represent a novel and valuable tool to expedite the development of progranulin-modulating therapeutics.
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19
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Zhou X, Kukar T, Rademakers R. Lysosomal Dysfunction and Other Pathomechanisms in FTLD: Evidence from Progranulin Genetics and Biology. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1281:219-242. [PMID: 33433878 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-51140-1_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
It has been more than a decade since heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) were first identified as an important genetic cause of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Due to the highly diverse biological functions of the progranulin (PGRN) protein, encoded by GRN, multiple possible disease mechanisms have been proposed. Early work focused on the neurotrophic properties of PGRN and its role in the inflammatory response. However, since the discovery of homozygous GRN mutations in patients with a lysosomal storage disorder, investigation into the possible roles of PGRN and its proteolytic cleavage products granulins, in lysosomal function and dysfunction, has taken center stage. In this chapter, we summarize the GRN mutational spectrum and its associated phenotypes followed by an in-depth discussion on the possible disease mechanisms implicated in FTLD-GRN. We conclude with key outstanding questions which urgently require answers to ensure safe and successful therapy development for GRN mutation carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolai Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Thomas Kukar
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rosa Rademakers
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
- VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, University of Antwerp-CDE, Antwerp, Belgium.
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20
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Huang M, Modeste E, Dammer E, Merino P, Taylor G, Duong DM, Deng Q, Holler CJ, Gearing M, Dickson D, Seyfried NT, Kukar T. Network analysis of the progranulin-deficient mouse brain proteome reveals pathogenic mechanisms shared in human frontotemporal dementia caused by GRN mutations. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2020; 8:163. [PMID: 33028409 PMCID: PMC7541308 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-01037-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterozygous, loss-of-function mutations in the granulin gene (GRN) encoding progranulin (PGRN) are a common cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Homozygous GRN mutations cause neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis-11 (CLN11), a lysosome storage disease. PGRN is a secreted glycoprotein that can be proteolytically cleaved into seven bioactive 6 kDa granulins. However, it is unclear how deficiency of PGRN and granulins causes neurodegeneration. To gain insight into the mechanisms of FTD pathogenesis, we utilized Tandem Mass Tag isobaric labeling mass spectrometry to perform an unbiased quantitative proteomic analysis of whole-brain tissue from wild type (Grn+/+) and Grn knockout (Grn-/-) mice at 3- and 19-months of age. At 3-months lysosomal proteins (i.e. Gns, Scarb2, Hexb) are selectively increased indicating lysosomal dysfunction is an early consequence of PGRN deficiency. Additionally, proteins involved in lipid metabolism (Acly, Apoc3, Asah1, Gpld1, Ppt1, and Naaa) are decreased; suggesting lysosomal degradation of lipids may be impaired in the Grn-/- brain. Systems biology using weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) of the Grn-/- brain proteome identified 26 modules of highly co-expressed proteins. Three modules strongly correlated to Grn deficiency and were enriched with lysosomal proteins (Gpnmb, CtsD, CtsZ, and Tpp1) and inflammatory proteins (Lgals3, GFAP, CD44, S100a, and C1qa). We find that lysosomal dysregulation is exacerbated with age in the Grn-/- mouse brain leading to neuroinflammation, synaptic loss, and decreased markers of oligodendrocytes, myelin, and neurons. In particular, GPNMB and LGALS3 (galectin-3) were upregulated by microglia and elevated in FTD-GRN brain samples, indicating common pathogenic pathways are dysregulated in human FTD cases and Grn-/- mice. GPNMB levels were significantly increased in the cerebrospinal fluid of FTD-GRN patients, but not in MAPT or C9orf72 carriers, suggesting GPNMB could be a biomarker specific to FTD-GRN to monitor disease onset, progression, and drug response. Our findings support the idea that insufficiency of PGRN and granulins in humans causes neurodegeneration through lysosomal dysfunction, defects in autophagy, and neuroinflammation, which could be targeted to develop effective therapies.
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21
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Werner G, Damme M, Schludi M, Gnörich J, Wind K, Fellerer K, Wefers B, Wurst W, Edbauer D, Brendel M, Haass C, Capell A. Loss of TMEM106B potentiates lysosomal and FTLD-like pathology in progranulin-deficient mice. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e50241. [PMID: 32929860 PMCID: PMC7534633 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202050241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TMEM106B encoding the lysosomal type II transmembrane protein 106B increase the risk for frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) of GRN (progranulin gene) mutation carriers. Currently, it is unclear if progranulin (PGRN) and TMEM106B are synergistically linked and if a gain or a loss of function of TMEM106B is responsible for the increased disease risk of patients with GRN haploinsufficiency. We therefore compare behavioral abnormalities, gene expression patterns, lysosomal activity, and TDP‐43 pathology in single and double knockout animals. Grn−/−/Tmem106b−/− mice show a strongly reduced life span and massive motor deficits. Gene expression analysis reveals an upregulation of molecular signature characteristic for disease‐associated microglia and autophagy. Dysregulation of maturation of lysosomal proteins as well as an accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins and widespread p62 deposition suggest that proteostasis is impaired. Moreover, while single Grn−/− knockouts only occasionally show TDP‐43 pathology, the double knockout mice exhibit deposition of phosphorylated TDP‐43. Thus, a loss of function of TMEM106B may enhance the risk for GRN‐associated FTLD by reduced protein turnover in the lysosomal/autophagic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Werner
- Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus Damme
- Institute of Biochemistry, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Martin Schludi
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Gnörich
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Karin Wind
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Katrin Fellerer
- Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Benedikt Wefers
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.,Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wurst
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.,Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Dieter Edbauer
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Brendel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Haass
- Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Anja Capell
- Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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22
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Solomon DA, Mitchell JC, Salcher-Konrad MT, Vance CA, Mizielinska S. Review: Modelling the pathology and behaviour of frontotemporal dementia. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2020; 45:58-80. [PMID: 30582188 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) encompasses a collection of clinically and pathologically diverse neurological disorders. Clinical features of behavioural and language dysfunction are associated with neurodegeneration, predominantly of frontal and temporal cortices. Over the past decade, there have been significant advances in the understanding of the genetic aetiology and neuropathology of FTD which have led to the creation of various disease models to investigate the molecular pathways that contribute to disease pathogenesis. The generation of in vivo models of FTD involves either targeting genes with known disease-causative mutations such as GRN and C9orf72 or genes encoding proteins that form the inclusions that characterize the disease pathologically, such as TDP-43 and FUS. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the different in vivo model systems used to understand pathomechanisms in FTD, with a focus on disease models which reproduce aspects of the wide-ranging behavioural phenotypes seen in people with FTD. We discuss the emerging disease pathways that have emerged from these in vivo models and how this has shaped our understanding of disease mechanisms underpinning FTD. We also discuss the challenges of modelling the complex clinical symptoms shown by people with FTD, the confounding overlap with features of motor neuron disease, and the drive to make models more disease-relevant. In summary, in vivo models can replicate many pathological and behavioural aspects of clinical FTD, but robust and thorough investigations utilizing shared features and variability between disease models will improve the disease-relevance of findings and thus better inform therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Solomon
- UK Dementia Research Institute, King's College London, London, Camberwell, UK.,Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, Camberwell, UK
| | - J C Mitchell
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, Camberwell, UK
| | - M-T Salcher-Konrad
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, Camberwell, UK
| | - C A Vance
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, Camberwell, UK
| | - S Mizielinska
- UK Dementia Research Institute, King's College London, London, Camberwell, UK.,Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, Camberwell, UK
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23
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Heller C, Foiani MS, Moore K, Convery R, Bocchetta M, Neason M, Cash DM, Thomas D, Greaves CV, Woollacott IO, Shafei R, Van Swieten JC, Moreno F, Sanchez-Valle R, Borroni B, Laforce R, Masellis M, Tartaglia MC, Graff C, Galimberti D, Rowe JB, Finger E, Synofzik M, Vandenberghe R, de Mendonca A, Tagliavini F, Santana I, Ducharme S, Butler CR, Gerhard A, Levin J, Danek A, Frisoni G, Sorbi S, Otto M, Heslegrave AJ, Zetterberg H, Rohrer JD. Plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein is raised in progranulin-associated frontotemporal dementia. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2020; 91:263-270. [PMID: 31937580 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2019-321954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are few validated fluid biomarkers in frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a measure of astrogliosis, a known pathological process of FTD, but has yet to be explored as potential biomarker. METHODS Plasma GFAP and neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentration were measured in 469 individuals enrolled in the Genetic FTD Initiative: 114 C9orf72 expansion carriers (74 presymptomatic, 40 symptomatic), 119 GRN mutation carriers (88 presymptomatic, 31 symptomatic), 53 MAPT mutation carriers (34 presymptomatic, 19 symptomatic) and 183 non-carrier controls. Biomarker measures were compared between groups using linear regression models adjusted for age and sex with family membership included as random effect. Participants underwent standardised clinical assessments including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration-Clinical Dementia Rating scale and MRI. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship of plasma GFAP to clinical and imaging measures. RESULTS Plasma GFAP concentration was significantly increased in symptomatic GRN mutation carriers (adjusted mean difference from controls 192.3 pg/mL, 95% CI 126.5 to 445.6), but not in those with C9orf72 expansions (9.0, -61.3 to 54.6), MAPT mutations (12.7, -33.3 to 90.4) or the presymptomatic groups. GFAP concentration was significantly positively correlated with age in both controls and the majority of the disease groups, as well as with NfL concentration. In the presymptomatic period, higher GFAP concentrations were correlated with a lower cognitive score (MMSE) and lower brain volume, while in the symptomatic period, higher concentrations were associated with faster rates of atrophy in the temporal lobe. CONCLUSIONS Raised GFAP concentrations appear to be unique to GRN-related FTD, with levels potentially increasing just prior to symptom onset, suggesting that GFAP may be an important marker of proximity to onset, and helpful for forthcoming therapeutic prevention trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Heller
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London, London, UK
| | - Martha S Foiani
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London, London, UK
| | - Katrina Moore
- Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Rhian Convery
- Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Martina Bocchetta
- Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Mollie Neason
- Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - David M Cash
- Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - David Thomas
- Neuradiological Academic Unit, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Caroline V Greaves
- Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Ione Oc Woollacott
- Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Rachelle Shafei
- Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - John C Van Swieten
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Fermin Moreno
- Cognitive Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, País Vasco, Spain
| | - Raquel Sanchez-Valle
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Barbara Borroni
- Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Robert Laforce
- Clinique Interdisciplinaire de Mémoire du CHU de Québec, Département des Sciences Neurologiques, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Mario Masellis
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Carmela Tartaglia
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Caroline Graff
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital-Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniela Galimberti
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Centro Dino Ferrari, Milan, Italy.,Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - James B Rowe
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Elizabeth Finger
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthis Synofzik
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rik Vandenberghe
- Laboratory for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Fabrizio Tagliavini
- Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Isabel Santana
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Simon Ducharme
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Alex Gerhard
- Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Johannes Levin
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Adrian Danek
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Sandro Sorbi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Amanda J Heslegrave
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London, London, UK
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Jonathan D Rohrer
- Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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24
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Marschallinger J, Iram T, Zardeneta M, Lee SE, Lehallier B, Haney MS, Pluvinage JV, Mathur V, Hahn O, Morgens DW, Kim J, Tevini J, Felder TK, Wolinski H, Bertozzi CR, Bassik MC, Aigner L, Wyss-Coray T. Lipid-droplet-accumulating microglia represent a dysfunctional and proinflammatory state in the aging brain. Nat Neurosci 2020; 23:194-208. [PMID: 31959936 PMCID: PMC7595134 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-019-0566-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 573] [Impact Index Per Article: 143.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Microglia become progressively activated and seemingly dysfunctional with age, and genetic studies have linked these cells to the pathogenesis of a growing number of neurodegenerative diseases. Here we report a striking buildup of lipid droplets in microglia with aging in mouse and human brains. These cells, which we call 'lipid-droplet-accumulating microglia' (LDAM), are defective in phagocytosis, produce high levels of reactive oxygen species and secrete proinflammatory cytokines. RNA-sequencing analysis of LDAM revealed a transcriptional profile driven by innate inflammation that is distinct from previously reported microglial states. An unbiased CRISPR-Cas9 screen identified genetic modifiers of lipid droplet formation; surprisingly, variants of several of these genes, including progranulin (GRN), are causes of autosomal-dominant forms of human neurodegenerative diseases. We therefore propose that LDAM contribute to age-related and genetic forms of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Marschallinger
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Tal Iram
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Macy Zardeneta
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Song E Lee
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Benoit Lehallier
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michael S Haney
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, and Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - John V Pluvinage
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Vidhu Mathur
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Oliver Hahn
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - David W Morgens
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, and Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Justin Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford ChEM-H and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Julia Tevini
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Thomas K Felder
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Obesity Research Unit, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Heimo Wolinski
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, BioTechMed-Graz, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Carolyn R Bertozzi
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford ChEM-H and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michael C Bassik
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.,Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, and Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ludwig Aigner
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Tony Wyss-Coray
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Department of Veterans Affairs, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
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25
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de Majo M, Koontz M, Rowitch D, Ullian EM. An update on human astrocytes and their role in development and disease. Glia 2020; 68:685-704. [PMID: 31926040 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human astrocytes provide trophic as well as structural support to the surrounding brain cells. Furthermore, they have been implicated in many physiological processes important for central nervous system function. Traditionally astrocytes have been considered to be a homogeneous class of cells, however, it has increasingly become more evident that astrocytes can have very different characteristics in different regions of the brain, or even within the same region. In this review we will discuss the features of human astrocytes, their heterogeneity, and their generation during neurodevelopment and the extraordinary progress that has been made to model these fascinating cells in vitro, mainly from induced pluripotent stem cells. Astrocytes' role in disease will also be discussed with a particular focus on their role in neurodegenerative disorders. As outlined here, astrocytes are important for the homeostasis of the central nervous system and understanding their regional specificity is a priority to elucidate the complexity of the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina de Majo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Mark Koontz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - David Rowitch
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Erik M Ullian
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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26
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Elia LP, Reisine T, Alijagic A, Finkbeiner S. Approaches to develop therapeutics to treat frontotemporal dementia. Neuropharmacology 2020; 166:107948. [PMID: 31962288 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.107948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) is a complex disease presenting as a spectrum of clinical disorders with progressive degeneration of frontal and temporal brain cortices and extensive neuroinflammation that result in personality and behavior changes, and eventually, death. There are currently no effective therapies for FTD. While 60-70% of FTD patients are sporadic cases, the other 30-40% are heritable (familial) cases linked to mutations in several known genes. We focus here on FTD caused by mutations in the GRN gene, which encodes a secreted protein, progranulin (PGRN), that has diverse roles in regulating cell survival, immune responses, and autophagy and lysosome function in the brain. FTD-linked mutations in GRN reduce brain PGRN levels that lead to autophagy and lysosome dysfunction, TDP43 accumulation, excessive microglial activation, astrogliosis, and neuron death through still poorly understood mechanisms. PGRN insufficiency has also been linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD), and so the development of therapeutics for GRN-linked FTD that restore PGRN levels and function may have broader application for other neurodegenerative diseases. This review focuses on a strategy to increase PGRN to functional, healthy levels in the brain by identifying novel genetic and chemical modulators of neuronal PGRN levels. This article is part of the special issue entitled 'The Quest for Disease-Modifying Therapies for Neurodegenerative Disorders'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa P Elia
- Center for Systems and Therapeutics and Taube/Koret Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Terry Reisine
- Independent Scientific Consultant, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Amela Alijagic
- Center for Systems and Therapeutics and Taube/Koret Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Steven Finkbeiner
- Center for Systems and Therapeutics and Taube/Koret Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA; Departments of Neurology and Physiology, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Lysikova EA, Kukharsky MS, Chaprov KD, Vasilieva NA, Roman AY, Ovchinnikov RK, Deykin AV, Ninkina N, Buchman VL. Behavioural impairments in mice of a novel FUS transgenic line recapitulate features of frontotemporal lobar degeneration. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 18:e12607. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina A. Lysikova
- School of BiosciencesCardiff University Cardiff UK
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences Chernogolovka Russian Federation
| | - Michail S. Kukharsky
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences Chernogolovka Russian Federation
| | - Kirill D. Chaprov
- School of BiosciencesCardiff University Cardiff UK
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences Chernogolovka Russian Federation
| | - Nataliia A. Vasilieva
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences Chernogolovka Russian Federation
| | - Andrei Y. Roman
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences Chernogolovka Russian Federation
| | - Ruslan K. Ovchinnikov
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences Chernogolovka Russian Federation
| | - Alexey V. Deykin
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Russian Federation
| | - Natalia Ninkina
- School of BiosciencesCardiff University Cardiff UK
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences Chernogolovka Russian Federation
| | - Vladimir L. Buchman
- School of BiosciencesCardiff University Cardiff UK
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences Chernogolovka Russian Federation
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Kosior N, Petkau TL, Connolly C, Lu G, Leavitt BR. Isolating cells from adult murine brain for validation of cell-type specific cre-mediated deletion. J Neurosci Methods 2019; 328:108422. [PMID: 31493416 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.108422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND TheCre/loxP system allows for the temporal and spatial investigation of the expression of a single gene in the nervous system. Current methods of validating conditional knock-out mouse models rely on heterogeneous brain tissue or primary culture. These methods may assess the extent of genetic knockdown in the brain but do not provide age-appropriate, cell-type specific information. NEW METHOD We isolated specific cell types from adult murine brain using FACS to assess cell type-specific gene expression in conditional mouse models. RESULTS We identified robust but incomplete genetic knockdown in microglia isolated from two separate microglia-specific knockout models. COMPARISONWITH EXISTING METHODS(S) Genetic knockdown in isolated adult microglia differed significantly from cultured primary microglia. CONCLUSIONS Differences observed in primary cultured microglia compared to isolated adult microglia suggest that current methods used to validate microglia-specific gene deletion over-estimate deletion efficiency. Assessment of gene expression in isolated adult microglia provides a more accurate assessment of Cre-mediated gene deletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Kosior
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's and Women's Hospital, 980 West 28thAvenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Terri L Petkau
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's and Women's Hospital, 980 West 28thAvenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Colúm Connolly
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's and Women's Hospital, 980 West 28thAvenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Ge Lu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's and Women's Hospital, 980 West 28thAvenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Blair R Leavitt
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's and Women's Hospital, 980 West 28thAvenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia Hospital, S 192-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada; Brain Research Center, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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29
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Maloney SE, Rieger MA, Al-Hasani R, Bruchas MR, Wozniak DF, Dougherty JD. Loss of CELF6 RNA binding protein impairs cocaine conditioned place preference and contextual fear conditioning. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 18:e12593. [PMID: 31215739 PMCID: PMC7059558 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In addition to gene expression differences in distinct cell types, there is substantial post-transcriptional regulation driven in part by RNA binding proteins (RBPs). Loss-of-function RBP mutations have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Fragile-X syndrome and syndromic autism. Work performed in animal models to elucidate the influence of neurodevelopmental disorder-associated RBPs on distinct behaviors has showed a connection between normal post-transcriptional regulation and conditioned learning. We previously reported cognitive inflexibility in a mouse model null for the RBP CUG-BP, Elav-like factor 6 (CELF6), which we also found to be associated with human autism. Specifically, these mice failed to potentiate exploratory hole-poking behavior in response to familiarization to a rewarding stimuli. Characterization of Celf6 gene expression showed high levels in monoaminergic populations such as the dopaminergic midbrain populations. To better understand the underlying behavioral disruption mediating the resistance to change exploratory behavior in the holeboard task, we tested three hypotheses: Does Celf6 loss lead to global restricted patterns of behavior, failure of immediate response to reward or failure to alter behavior in response to reward (conditioning). We found the acute response to reward was intact, yet Celf6 mutant mice exhibited impaired conditioned learning to both reward and aversive stimuli. Thus, we found that the resistance to change by the Celf6 mutant in the holeboard was most parsimoniously explained as a failure of conditioning, as the mice had blunted responses even to potent rewarding stimuli such as cocaine. These findings further support the role of RBPs in conditioned learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E. Maloney
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael A. Rieger
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ream Al-Hasani
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael R. Bruchas
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - David F. Wozniak
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Joseph D. Dougherty
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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McCauley ME, Baloh RH. Inflammation in ALS/FTD pathogenesis. Acta Neuropathol 2019; 137:715-730. [PMID: 30465257 PMCID: PMC6482122 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-018-1933-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are neurodegenerative diseases that overlap in their clinical presentation, pathology and genetics, and likely represent a spectrum of one underlying disease. In ALS/FTD patients, neuroinflammation characterized by innate immune responses of tissue-resident glial cells is uniformly present on end-stage pathology, and human imaging studies and rodent models support that neuroinflammation begins early in disease pathogenesis. Additionally, changes in circulating immune cell populations and cytokines are found in ALS/FTD patients, and there is evidence for an autoinflammatory state. However, despite the prominent role of neuro- and systemic inflammation in ALS/FTD, and experimental evidence in rodents that altering microglial function can mitigate pathology, therapeutic approaches to decrease inflammation have thus far failed to alter disease course in humans. Here, we review the characteristics of inflammation in ALS/FTD in both the nervous and peripheral immune systems. We further discuss evidence for direct influence on immune cell function by mutations in ALS/FTD genes including C9orf72, TBK1 and OPTN, and how this could lead to the altered innate immune system “tone” observed in these patients.
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31
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Silva PR, Nieva GV, Igaz LM. Suppression of Conditional TDP-43 Transgene Expression Differentially Affects Early Cognitive and Social Phenotypes in TDP-43 Mice. Front Genet 2019; 10:369. [PMID: 31068973 PMCID: PMC6491777 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a hallmark feature of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), two fatal neurodegenerative diseases. TDP-43 is a ubiquitously expressed RNA-binding protein with many physiological functions, playing a role in multiple aspects of RNA metabolism. We developed transgenic mice conditionally overexpressing human wild-type TDP-43 protein (hTDP-43-WT) in forebrain neurons, a model that recapitulates several key features of FTD. After post-weaning transgene (TG) induction during 1 month, these mice display an early behavioral phenotype, including impaired cognitive and social function with no substantial motor abnormalities. In order to expand the analysis of this model, we took advantage of the temporal and regional control of TG expression possible in these mice. We behaviorally evaluated mice at two different times: after 2 weeks of post-weaning TG induction (0.5 month group) and after subsequent TG suppression for 2 weeks following that time point [1 month (sup) group]. We found no cognitive abnormalities after 0.5 month of hTDP-43 expression, evaluated with a spatial working memory task (Y-maze test). Suppression of TG expression with doxycycline (Dox) at this time point prevented the development of cognitive deficits previously observed at 1 month post-induction, as revealed by the performance of the 1 month (sup) group. On the other hand, sociability deficits (assessed through the social interaction test) appeared very rapidly after Dox removal (0.5 month) and TG suppression was not sufficient to reverse this phenotype, indicating differential vulnerability to hTDP-43 expression and suppression. Animals evaluated at the early time point (0.5 month) post-induction do not display a motor phenotype, in agreement with the results obtained after 1 month of TG expression. Moreover, all motor tests (open field, accelerated rotarod, limb clasping, hanging wire grip) showed identical responses in both control and bigenic animals in the suppressed group, demonstrating that this protocol and treatment do not cause non-specific effects in motor behavior, which could potentially mask the phenotypes in other domains. Our results show that TDP-43-WT mice have a phenotype that qualifies them as a useful model of FTD and provide valuable information for susceptibility windows in therapeutic strategies for TDP-43 proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo R Silva
- IFIBIO Bernardo Houssay, Grupo de Neurociencia de Sistemas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriela V Nieva
- IFIBIO Bernardo Houssay, Grupo de Neurociencia de Sistemas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lionel M Igaz
- IFIBIO Bernardo Houssay, Grupo de Neurociencia de Sistemas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Abstract
Currently one of the few molecules that equally excites a neuroscientist, a cancer biologist, an immunologist, and a developmental biologist is progranulin (GRN/Grn)-a pluripotent growth factor that plays key roles in cell survival, proliferation, development, tissue regeneration, inflammation, wound healing, and angiogenesis. However, the molecular pathways associated with GRN signaling involved in these varied physiological processes are not understood. Gene inactivation has been considered as one of the best methods to delineate the biological role of a protein, and gene targeting is a direct means to disrupt a gene's open reading frame and block its expression, for instance, in a mouse. Such a gene knockout animal model also served as an in vivo disease model where loss of gene or its function is thought to be the primary disease mechanism, as is the case with progranulin loss of function in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). It is estimated that up to half of the cases of familial, dominant FTLD might be due to GRN haploinsufficiency. To understand the molecular pathways associated with GRN loss, constitutive and conditional progranulin knockout (Grn-/-) mice have also been constructed in several laboratories, including ours. These mice show several disease-characteristic features and suggest that continued studies on the Grn-/- mice would be instructive in the understanding of complex GRN biology in health and disease.
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Amado DA, Rieders JM, Diatta F, Hernandez-Con P, Singer A, Mak JT, Zhang J, Lancaster E, Davidson BL, Chen-Plotkin AS. AAV-Mediated Progranulin Delivery to a Mouse Model of Progranulin Deficiency Causes T Cell-Mediated Toxicity. Mol Ther 2019; 27:465-478. [PMID: 30559071 PMCID: PMC6369714 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus-mediated gene replacement is emerging as a safe and effective means of correcting single-gene mutations affecting the CNS. AAV-mediated progranulin gene (GRN) delivery has been proposed as a treatment for GRN-deficient frontotemporal dementia and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, and recent studies using intraparenchymal AAV-Grn delivery to brain have shown moderate success in histopathologic and behavioral rescue in mouse models. Here, we used AAV9 to deliver GRN to the lateral ventricle to achieve widespread expression in the Grn null mouse brain. We found that, despite a global increase in progranulin, overexpression resulted in dramatic and selective hippocampal toxicity and degeneration affecting neurons and glia. Hippocampal degeneration was preceded by T cell infiltration and perivascular cuffing. GRN delivery with an ependymal-targeting AAV for selective secretion of progranulin into the cerebrospinal fluid similarly resulted in T cell infiltration, as well as ependymal hypertrophy. Interestingly, overexpression of GRN in wild-type animals also provoked T cell infiltration. These results call into question the safety of GRN overexpression in the CNS, with evidence for both a region-selective immune response and cellular proliferative response. Our results highlight the importance of careful consideration of target gene biology and cellular response to overexpression prior to progressing to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Defne A Amado
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Julianne M Rieders
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3501 Civic Center Boulevard, 5060 CTRB, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Fortunay Diatta
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Pilar Hernandez-Con
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Adina Singer
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jordan T Mak
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Junxian Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eric Lancaster
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Beverly L Davidson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3501 Civic Center Boulevard, 5060 CTRB, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Alice S Chen-Plotkin
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Arrant AE, Filiano AJ, Patel AR, Hoffmann MQ, Boyle NR, Kashyap SN, Onyilo VC, Young AH, Roberson ED. Reduction of microglial progranulin does not exacerbate pathology or behavioral deficits in neuronal progranulin-insufficient mice. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 124:152-162. [PMID: 30448285 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations in progranulin (GRN), most of which cause progranulin haploinsufficiency, are a major autosomal dominant cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Individuals with loss-of-function mutations on both GRN alleles develop neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), a lysosomal storage disorder. Progranulin is a secreted glycoprotein expressed by a variety of cell types throughout the body, including neurons and microglia in the brain. Understanding the relative importance of neuronal and microglial progranulin insufficiency in FTD pathogenesis may guide development of therapies. In this study, we used mouse models to investigate the role of neuronal and microglial progranulin insufficiency in the development of FTD-like pathology and behavioral deficits. Grn-/- mice model aspects of FTD and NCL, developing lipofuscinosis and gliosis throughout the brain, as well as deficits in social behavior. We have previously shown that selective depletion of neuronal progranulin disrupts social behavior, but does not produce lipofuscinosis or gliosis. We hypothesized that reduction of microglial progranulin would induce lipofuscinosis and gliosis, and exacerbate behavioral deficits, in neuronal progranulin-deficient mice. To test this hypothesis, we crossed Grnfl/fl mice with mice expressing Cre transgenes targeting neurons (CaMKII-Cre) and myeloid cells/microglia (LysM-Cre). CaMKII-Cre, which is expressed in forebrain excitatory neurons, reduced cortical progranulin protein levels by around 50%. LysM-Cre strongly reduced progranulin immunolabeling in many microglia, but did not reduce total brain progranulin levels, suggesting that, at least under resting conditions, microglia contribute less than neurons to overall brain progranulin levels. Mice with depletion of both neuronal and microglial progranulin failed to develop lipofuscinosis or gliosis, suggesting that progranulin from extracellular sources prevented pathology in cells targeted by the Cre transgenes. Reduction of microglial progranulin also did not exacerbate the social deficits of neuronal progranulin-insufficient mice. These results do not support the hypothesis of synergistic effects between progranulin-deficient neurons and microglia. Nearly complete progranulin deficiency appears to be required to induce lipofuscinosis and gliosis in mice, while partial progranulin insufficiency is sufficient to produce behavioral deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E Arrant
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Anthony J Filiano
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Aashka R Patel
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Madelyn Q Hoffmann
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Nicholas R Boyle
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Shreya N Kashyap
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Vincent C Onyilo
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Allen H Young
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Erik D Roberson
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States.
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Niedowicz DM, Özcan S, Nelson PT. Glimepiride Administered in Chow Reversibly Impairs Glucose Tolerance in Mice. J Diabetes Res 2018; 2018:1251345. [PMID: 30510962 PMCID: PMC6231393 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1251345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Sulfonylureas are a class of antidiabetes medications prescribed to millions of individuals worldwide. Rodents have been used extensively to study sulfonylureas in the laboratory. Here, we report the results of studies treating mice with a sulfonylurea (glimepiride) in order to understand how the drug affects glucose homeostasis and tolerance. We tested the effect of glimepiride on fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance, and insulin secretion, using glimepiride sourced from a local pharmacy. We also examined the effect on glucagon, gluconeogenesis, and insulin sensitivity. Unexpectedly, glimepiride exposure in mice was associated with fasting hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, and decreased insulin. There was no change in circulating glucagon levels or gluconeogenesis. The effect was dose-dependent, took effect by two weeks, and was reversed within three weeks after removal. Glimepiride elicited the same effects in all strains evaluated: four wild-type strains, as well as the transgenic Grn-/- and diabetic db/db mice. Our findings suggest that the use of glimepiride as a hypoglycemic agent in mice should proceed with caution and may have broader implications about mouse models as a proxy to study the human pharmacopeia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana M. Niedowicz
- Sanders Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Sabire Özcan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
| | - Peter T. Nelson
- Sanders Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
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36
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Götzl JK, Colombo AV, Fellerer K, Reifschneider A, Werner G, Tahirovic S, Haass C, Capell A. Early lysosomal maturation deficits in microglia triggers enhanced lysosomal activity in other brain cells of progranulin knockout mice. Mol Neurodegener 2018; 13:48. [PMID: 30180904 PMCID: PMC6123925 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-018-0281-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) lead to frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) while the complete loss of progranulin (PGRN) function results in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), a lysosomal storage disease. Thus the growth factor-like protein PGRN may play an important role in lysosomal degradation. In line with a potential lysosomal function, PGRN is partially localized and processed in lysosomes. In the central nervous system (CNS), PGRN is like other lysosomal proteins highly expressed in microglia, further supporting an important role in protein degradation. We have previously reported that cathepsin (Cat) D is elevated in GRN-associated FTLD patients and Grn knockout mice. However, the primary mechanism that causes impaired protein degradation and elevated CatD levels upon PGRN deficiency in NCL and FTLD remains unclear. Methods mRNA expression analysis of selected lysosomal hydrolases, lysosomal membrane proteins and autophagy-related genes was performed by NanoString nCounter panel. Protein expression, maturation and in vitro activity of Cat D, B and L in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) and brains of Grn knockout mice were investigated. To selectively characterize microglial and non-microglial brain cells, an acutely isolated microglia fraction using MACS microbeads (Miltenyi Biotec) conjugated with CD11b antibody and a microglia-depleted fraction were analyzed for protein expression and maturation of selected cathepsins. Results We demonstrate that loss of PGRN results in enhanced expression, maturation and in vitro activity of Cat D, B and L in mouse embryonic fibroblasts and brain extracts of aged Grn knockout mice. Consistent with an overall enhanced expression and activity of lysosomal proteases in brain of Grn knockout mice, we observed an age-dependent transcriptional upregulation of certain lysosomal proteases. Thus, lysosomal dysfunction is not reflected by transcriptional downregulation of lysosomal proteases but rather by the upregulation of certain lysosomal proteases in an age-dependent manner. Surprisingly, cell specific analyses identified early lysosomal deficits in microglia before enhanced cathepsin levels could be detected in other brain cells, suggesting different functional consequences on lysosomal homeostasis in microglia and other brain cells upon lack of PGRN. Conclusions The present study uncovers early and selective lysosomal dysfunctions in Grn knockout microglia/macrophages. Dysregulated lysosomal homeostasis in microglia might trigger compensatory lysosomal changes in other brain cells. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13024-018-0281-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia K Götzl
- Chair of Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Katrin Fellerer
- Chair of Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Anika Reifschneider
- Chair of Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Georg Werner
- Chair of Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabina Tahirovic
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Haass
- Chair of Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377, Munich, Germany. .,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany. .,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377, Munich, Germany.
| | - Anja Capell
- Chair of Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377, Munich, Germany.
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Murine knockin model for progranulin-deficient frontotemporal dementia with nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E2849-E2858. [PMID: 29511098 PMCID: PMC5866607 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1722344115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the GRN gene cause frontotemporal dementia, a devastating neurological disease. The majority of these GRN mutations are nonsense and frameshift mutations. Here, we generated a knockin mouse model with a Grn mutation corresponding to the most prevalent human disease mutation, GRNR493X. We show that mice harboring this mutation phenocopy progranulin-deficient mice, and that the mutation triggers mRNA decay and, as a consequence, low production of Grn. However, the truncated mutant protein that would be produced from this allele is functional, suggesting inhibiting mRNA decay as a therapeutic approach for individuals with progranulin-deficient frontotemporal dementia caused by nonsense mutations. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder in individuals under age 60 and has no treatment or cure. Because many cases of FTD result from GRN nonsense mutations, an animal model for this type of mutation is highly desirable for understanding pathogenesis and testing therapies. Here, we generated and characterized GrnR493X knockin mice, which model the most common human GRN mutation, a premature stop codon at arginine 493 (R493X). Homozygous GrnR493X mice have markedly reduced Grn mRNA levels, lack detectable progranulin protein, and phenocopy Grn knockout mice, with CNS microgliosis, cytoplasmic TDP-43 accumulation, reduced synaptic density, lipofuscinosis, hyperinflammatory macrophages, excessive grooming behavior, and reduced survival. Inhibition of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) by genetic, pharmacological, or antisense oligonucleotide-based approaches showed that NMD contributes to the reduced mRNA levels in GrnR493X mice and cell lines and in fibroblasts from patients containing the GRNR493X mutation. Moreover, the expressed truncated R493X mutant protein was functional in several assays in progranulin-deficient cells. Together, these findings establish a murine model for in vivo testing of NMD inhibition or other therapies as potential approaches for treating progranulin deficiency caused by the R493X mutation.
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Fujita K, Chen X, Homma H, Tagawa K, Amano M, Saito A, Imoto S, Akatsu H, Hashizume Y, Kaibuchi K, Miyano S, Okazawa H. Targeting Tyro3 ameliorates a model of PGRN-mutant FTLD-TDP via tau-mediated synaptic pathology. Nat Commun 2018; 9:433. [PMID: 29382817 PMCID: PMC5789822 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-02821-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the progranulin (PGRN) gene cause a tau pathology-negative and TDP43 pathology-positive form of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-TDP). We generated a knock-in mouse harboring the R504X mutation (PGRN-KI). Phosphoproteomic analysis of this model revealed activation of signaling pathways connecting PKC and MAPK to tau prior to TDP43 aggregation and cognitive impairments, and identified PKCα as the kinase responsible for the early-stage tau phosphorylation at Ser203. Disinhibition of Gas6 binding to Tyro3 due to PGRN reduction results in activation of PKCα via PLCγ, inducing tau phosphorylation at Ser203, mislocalization of tau to dendritic spines, and spine loss. Administration of a PKC inhibitor, B-Raf inhibitor, or knockdown of molecules in the Gas6-Tyro3-tau axis rescues spine loss and cognitive impairment of PGRN-KI mice. Collectively, these results suggest that targeting of early-stage and aggregation-independent tau signaling represents a promising therapeutic strategy for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyota Fujita
- Department of Neuropathology, Medical Research Institute and Center for Brain Integration Research, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Xigui Chen
- Department of Neuropathology, Medical Research Institute and Center for Brain Integration Research, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Hidenori Homma
- Department of Neuropathology, Medical Research Institute and Center for Brain Integration Research, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Tagawa
- Department of Neuropathology, Medical Research Institute and Center for Brain Integration Research, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Mutsuki Amano
- Department of Cell Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65, Tsurumai, Showa, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Ayumu Saito
- Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Seiya Imoto
- Health Intelligence Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Akatsu
- Department of Medicine for Aging in Place and Community-Based Medical Education, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Yoshio Hashizume
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, 1-1 Yazakokarimata, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan
| | - Kozo Kaibuchi
- Department of Cell Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65, Tsurumai, Showa, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Satoru Miyano
- Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Okazawa
- Department of Neuropathology, Medical Research Institute and Center for Brain Integration Research, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan.
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39
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Alzheimer’s Disease and Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration: Mouse Models. NEURODEGENER DIS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-72938-1_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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40
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Chitramuthu BP, Bennett HPJ, Bateman A. Progranulin: a new avenue towards the understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative disease. Brain 2017; 140:3081-3104. [PMID: 29053785 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awx198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Progranulin, a secreted glycoprotein, is encoded in humans by the single GRN gene. Progranulin consists of seven and a half, tandemly repeated, non-identical copies of the 12 cysteine granulin motif. Many cellular processes and diseases are associated with this unique pleiotropic factor that include, but are not limited to, embryogenesis, tumorigenesis, inflammation, wound repair, neurodegeneration and lysosome function. Haploinsufficiency caused by autosomal dominant mutations within the GRN gene leads to frontotemporal lobar degeneration, a progressive neuronal atrophy that presents in patients as frontotemporal dementia. Frontotemporal dementia is an early onset form of dementia, distinct from Alzheimer's disease. The GRN-related form of frontotemporal lobar dementia is a proteinopathy characterized by the appearance of neuronal inclusions containing ubiquitinated and fragmented TDP-43 (encoded by TARDBP). The neurotrophic and neuro-immunomodulatory properties of progranulin have recently been reported but are still not well understood. Gene delivery of GRN in experimental models of Alzheimer's- and Parkinson's-like diseases inhibits phenotype progression. Here we review what is currently known concerning the molecular function and mechanism of action of progranulin in normal physiological and pathophysiological conditions in both in vitro and in vivo models. The potential therapeutic applications of progranulin in treating neurodegenerative diseases are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babykumari P Chitramuthu
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Royal Victoria Hospital, and McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Centre for Translational Biology, Platform in Metabolic Disorders and Complications, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Hugh P J Bennett
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Royal Victoria Hospital, and McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Centre for Translational Biology, Platform in Metabolic Disorders and Complications, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Andrew Bateman
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Royal Victoria Hospital, and McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Centre for Translational Biology, Platform in Metabolic Disorders and Complications, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
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41
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Clayton EL, Mancuso R, Nielsen TT, Mizielinska S, Holmes H, Powell N, Norona F, Larsen JO, Milioto C, Wilson KM, Lythgoe MF, Ourselin S, Nielsen JE, Johannsen P, Holm I, Collinge J, Oliver PL, Gomez-Nicola D, Isaacs AM. Early microgliosis precedes neuronal loss and behavioural impairment in mice with a frontotemporal dementia-causing CHMP2B mutation. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:873-887. [PMID: 28093491 PMCID: PMC5409096 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)-causing mutations in the CHMP2B gene lead to the generation of mutant C-terminally truncated CHMP2B. We report that transgenic mice expressing endogenous levels of mutant CHMP2B developed late-onset brain volume loss associated with frank neuronal loss and FTD-like changes in social behaviour. These data are the first to show neurodegeneration in mice expressing mutant CHMP2B and indicate that our mouse model is able to recapitulate neurodegenerative changes observed in FTD. Neuroinflammation has been increasingly implicated in neurodegeneration, including FTD. Therefore, we investigated neuroinflammation in our CHMP2B mutant mice. We observed very early microglial proliferation that develops into a clear pro-inflammatory phenotype at late stages. Importantly, we also observed a similar inflammatory profile in CHMP2B patient frontal cortex. Aberrant microglial function has also been implicated in FTD caused by GRN, MAPT and C9orf72 mutations. The presence of early microglial changes in our CHMP2B mutant mice indicates neuroinflammation may be a contributing factor to the neurodegeneration observed in FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Clayton
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Renzo Mancuso
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, South Laboratory and Pathology Block, Tremona Road, Southampton SO166YD, UK
| | - Troels Tolstrup Nielsen
- Department of Neurology, Danish Dementia Research Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sarah Mizielinska
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Holly Holmes
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine and Institute of Child Health, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Nicholas Powell
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine and Institute of Child Health, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Frances Norona
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Jytte Overgaard Larsen
- Translational Imaging Group, Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), University College London, UK
| | - Carmelo Milioto
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Katherine M Wilson
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Mark F Lythgoe
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine and Institute of Child Health, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Sebastian Ourselin
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Jörgen E Nielsen
- Department of Neurology, Danish Dementia Research Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.,Section of Neurogenetics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Johannsen
- Department of Neurology, Danish Dementia Research Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida Holm
- Laboratory for Experimental Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, Randers Hospital, DK-8930 Randers NØ, Denmark.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - John Collinge
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK.,MRC Prion Unit, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | | | - Peter L Oliver
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Diego Gomez-Nicola
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, South Laboratory and Pathology Block, Tremona Road, Southampton SO166YD, UK
| | - Adrian M Isaacs
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
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42
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Petkau TL, Kosior N, de Asis K, Connolly C, Leavitt BR. Selective depletion of microglial progranulin in mice is not sufficient to cause neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis or neuroinflammation. J Neuroinflammation 2017; 14:225. [PMID: 29149899 PMCID: PMC5693502 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-017-1000-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Progranulin deficiency due to heterozygous null mutations in the GRN gene are a common cause of familial frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), while homozygous loss-of-function GRN mutations are thought to be a rare cause of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). Aged progranulin-knockout (Grn-null) mice display highly exaggerated lipofuscinosis, microgliosis, and astrogliosis, as well as mild cell loss in specific brain regions. In the brain, progranulin is predominantly expressed in neurons and microglia, and previously, we demonstrated that neuronal-specific depletion of progranulin does not recapitulate the neuropathological phenotype of Grn-null mice. In this study, we evaluated whether selective depletion of progranulin expression in myeloid-lineage cells, including microglia, causes NCL-like neuropathology or neuroinflammation in mice. Methods We generated mice with progranulin depleted in myeloid-lineage cells by crossing mice homozygous for a floxed progranulin allele to mice expressing Cre recombinase under control of the LyzM promotor (Lyz-cKO). Results Progranulin expression was reduced by approximately 50–70% in isolated microglia compared to WT levels. Lyz-cKO mice aged to 12 months did not display any increase in lipofuscin deposition, microgliosis, or astrogliosis in the four brain regions examined, though increases were observed for many of these measures in Grn-null animals. To evaluate the functional effect of reduced progranulin expression in isolated microglia, primary cultures were stimulated with controlled standard endotoxin and cytokine release was measured. While Grn-null microglia display a hyper-inflammatory phenotype, Lyz-cKO and WT microglia secreted similar levels of inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion We conclude that progranulin expression from either microglia or neurons is sufficient to prevent the development of NCL-like neuropathology in mice. Furthermore, microglia that are deficient for progranulin expression but isolated from a progranulin-rich environment have a normal inflammatory profile. Our results suggest that progranulin acts, at least partly, in a non-cell autonomous manner in the brain. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12974-017-1000-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terri L Petkau
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, and Children's and Women's Hospital, 980 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Natalia Kosior
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, and Children's and Women's Hospital, 980 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Kathleen de Asis
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, and Children's and Women's Hospital, 980 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Colúm Connolly
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, and Children's and Women's Hospital, 980 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Blair R Leavitt
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, and Children's and Women's Hospital, 980 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada. .,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia Hospital, S 192 - 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada. .,Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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43
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Hardt S, Heidler J, Albuquerque B, Valek L, Altmann C, Wilken-Schmitz A, Schäfer MK, Wittig I, Tegeder I. Loss of synaptic zinc transport in progranulin deficient mice may contribute to progranulin-associated psychopathology and chronic pain. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1863:2727-2745. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Arrant AE, Filiano AJ, Unger DE, Young AH, Roberson ED. Restoring neuronal progranulin reverses deficits in a mouse model of frontotemporal dementia. Brain 2017; 140:1447-1465. [PMID: 28379303 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awx060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations in progranulin (GRN), a secreted glycoprotein expressed by neurons and microglia, are a common autosomal dominant cause of frontotemporal dementia, a neurodegenerative disease commonly characterized by disrupted social and emotional behaviour. GRN mutations are thought to cause frontotemporal dementia through progranulin haploinsufficiency, therefore, boosting progranulin expression from the intact allele is a rational treatment strategy. However, this approach has not been tested in an animal model of frontotemporal dementia and it is unclear if boosting progranulin could correct pre-existing deficits. Here, we show that adeno-associated virus-driven expression of progranulin in the medial prefrontal cortex reverses social dominance deficits in Grn+/- mice, an animal model of frontotemporal dementia due to GRN mutations. Adeno-associated virus-progranulin also corrected lysosomal abnormalities in Grn+/- mice. The adeno-associated virus-progranulin vector only transduced neurons, suggesting that restoring neuronal progranulin is sufficient to correct deficits in Grn+/- mice. To further test the role of neuronal progranulin in the development of frontotemporal dementia-related deficits, we generated two neuronal progranulin-deficient mouse lines using CaMKII-Cre and Nestin-Cre. Measuring progranulin levels in these lines indicated that most brain progranulin is derived from neurons. Both neuronal progranulin-deficient lines developed social dominance deficits similar to those in global Grn+/- mice, showing that neuronal progranulin deficiency is sufficient to disrupt social behaviour. These data support the concept of progranulin-boosting therapies for frontotemporal dementia and highlight an important role for neuron-derived progranulin in maintaining normal social function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E Arrant
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Anthony J Filiano
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Daniel E Unger
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Allen H Young
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Erik D Roberson
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Abella V, Pino J, Scotece M, Conde J, Lago F, Gonzalez-Gay MA, Mera A, Gómez R, Mobasheri A, Gualillo O. Progranulin as a biomarker and potential therapeutic agent. Drug Discov Today 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2017.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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46
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Conditional loss of progranulin in neurons is not sufficient to cause neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis-like neuropathology in mice. Neurobiol Dis 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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47
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Arrant AE, Filiano AJ, Warmus BA, Hall AM, Roberson ED. Progranulin haploinsufficiency causes biphasic social dominance abnormalities in the tube test. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2017; 15:588-603. [PMID: 27213486 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations in progranulin (GRN) are a major autosomal dominant cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a neurodegenerative disorder in which social behavior is disrupted. Progranulin-insufficient mice, both Grn(+/-) and Grn(-/-) , are used as models of FTD due to GRN mutations, with Grn(+/-) mice mimicking the progranulin haploinsufficiency of FTD patients with GRN mutations. Grn(+/-) mice have increased social dominance in the tube test at 6 months of age, although this phenotype has not been reported in Grn(-/-) mice. In this study, we investigated how the tube test phenotype of progranulin-insufficient mice changes with age, determined its robustness under several testing conditions, and explored the associated cellular mechanisms. We observed biphasic social dominance abnormalities in Grn(+/-) mice: at 6-8 months, Grn(+/-) mice were more dominant than wild-type littermates, while after 9 months of age, Grn(+/-) mice were less dominant. In contrast, Grn(-/-) mice did not exhibit abnormal social dominance, suggesting that progranulin haploinsufficiency has distinct effects from complete progranulin deficiency. The biphasic tube test phenotype of Grn(+/-) mice was associated with abnormal cellular signaling and neuronal morphology in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. At 6-9 months, Grn(+/-) mice exhibited increased mTORC2/Akt signaling in the amygdala and enhanced dendritic arbors in the basomedial amygdala, and at 9-16 months Grn(+/-) mice exhibited diminished basal dendritic arbors in the prelimbic cortex. These data show a progressive change in tube test dominance in Grn(+/-) mice and highlight potential underlying mechanisms by which progranulin insufficiency may disrupt social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Arrant
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - A J Filiano
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - B A Warmus
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - A M Hall
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - E D Roberson
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Krabbe G, Minami SS, Etchegaray JI, Taneja P, Djukic B, Davalos D, Le D, Lo I, Zhan L, Reichert MC, Sayed F, Merlini M, Ward ME, Perry DC, Lee SE, Sias A, Parkhurst CN, Gan WB, Akassoglou K, Miller BL, Farese RV, Gan L. Microglial NFκB-TNFα hyperactivation induces obsessive-compulsive behavior in mouse models of progranulin-deficient frontotemporal dementia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:5029-5034. [PMID: 28438992 PMCID: PMC5441749 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1700477114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common dementia before 65 years of age. Haploinsufficiency in the progranulin (GRN) gene accounts for 10% of all cases of familial FTD. GRN mutation carriers have an increased risk of autoimmune disorders, accompanied by elevated levels of tissue necrosis factor (TNF) α. We examined behavioral alterations related to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and the role of TNFα and related signaling pathways in FTD patients with GRN mutations and in mice lacking progranulin (PGRN). We found that patients and mice with GRN mutations displayed OCD and self-grooming (an OCD-like behavior in mice), respectively. Furthermore, medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens, an area implicated in development of OCD, display hyperexcitability in PGRN knockout mice. Reducing levels of TNFα in PGRN knockout mice abolished excessive self-grooming and the associated hyperexcitability of medium spiny neurons of the nucleus accumbens. In the brain, PGRN is highly expressed in microglia, which are a major source of TNFα. We therefore deleted PGRN specifically in microglia and found that it was sufficient to induce excessive grooming. Importantly, excessive grooming in these mice was prevented by inactivating nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in microglia/myeloid cells. Our findings suggest that PGRN deficiency leads to excessive NF-κB activation in microglia and elevated TNFα signaling, which in turn lead to hyperexcitability of medium spiny neurons and OCD-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grietje Krabbe
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - S Sakura Minami
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Jon I Etchegaray
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Praveen Taneja
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Biljana Djukic
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Dimitrios Davalos
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - David Le
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Iris Lo
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Lihong Zhan
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Meredith C Reichert
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Faten Sayed
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Mario Merlini
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Michael E Ward
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - David C Perry
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Suzee E Lee
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Ana Sias
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Christopher N Parkhurst
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY 10016
| | - Wen-Biao Gan
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY 10016
| | - Katerina Akassoglou
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Bruce L Miller
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Robert V Farese
- Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Li Gan
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158;
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158
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Chitramuthu BP, Kay DG, Bateman A, Bennett HPJ. Neurotrophic effects of progranulin in vivo in reversing motor neuron defects caused by over or under expression of TDP-43 or FUS. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174784. [PMID: 28358904 PMCID: PMC5373598 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Progranulin (PGRN) is a glycoprotein with multiple roles in normal and disease states. Mutations within the GRN gene cause frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). The affected neurons display distinctive TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) inclusions. How partial loss of PGRN causes TDP-43 neuropathology is poorly understood. TDP-43 inclusions are also found in affected neurons of patients with other neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer's disease. In ALS, TDP-43 inclusions are typically also immunoreactive for fused in sarcoma (FUS). Mutations within TDP-43 or FUS are themselves neuropathogenic in ALS and some cases of FTLD. We used the outgrowth of caudal primary motor neurons (MNs) in zebrafish embryos to investigate the interaction of PGRN with TDP-43 and FUS in vivo. As reported previously, depletion of zebrafish PGRN-A (zfPGRN-A) is associated with truncated primary MNs and impaired motor function. Here we found that depletion of zfPGRN-A results in primary MNs outgrowth stalling at the horizontal myoseptum, a line of demarcation separating the myotome into dorsal and ventral compartments that is where the final destination of primary motor is assigned. Successful axonal outgrowth beyond the horizontal myoseptum depends in part upon formation of acetylcholine receptor clusters and this was found to be disorganized upon depletion of zfPGRN-A. PGRN reversed the effects of zfPGRN-A knockdown, but a related gene, zfPGRN-1, was without effect. Both knockdown of TDP-43 or FUS, as well as expression of humanTDP-43 and FUS mutants results in MN abnormalities that are reversed by co-expression of hPGRN mRNA. Neither TDP-43 nor FUS reversed MN phenotypes caused by the depletion of PGRN. Thus TDP-43 and FUS lie upstream of PGRN in a gene complementation pathway. The ability of PGRN to override TDP-43 and FUS neurotoxicity due to partial loss of function or mutation in the corresponding genes may have therapeutic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babykumari P. Chitramuthu
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Montreal, Québec, Canada
- Neurodyn Inc., Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
- * E-mail: (BPC); (HPJB)
| | - Denis G. Kay
- Neurodyn Inc., Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | - Andrew Bateman
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Hugh P. J. Bennett
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Montreal, Québec, Canada
- * E-mail: (BPC); (HPJB)
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50
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Mouse models of frontotemporal dementia: A comparison of phenotypes with clinical symptomatology. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 74:126-138. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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