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Virla F, Turano E, Scambi I, Schiaffino L, Boido M, Mariotti R. Administration of adipose-derived stem cells extracellular vesicles in a murine model of spinal muscular atrophy: effects of a new potential therapeutic strategy. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:94. [PMID: 38561840 PMCID: PMC10986013 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03693-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal-recessive neuromuscular disease affecting children. It is caused by the mutation or deletion of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene resulting in lower motor neuron (MN) degeneration followed by motor impairment, progressive skeletal muscle paralysis and respiratory failure. In addition to the already existing therapies, a possible combinatorial strategy could be represented by the use of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) that can be obtained easily and in large amounts from adipose tissue. Their efficacy seems to be correlated to their paracrine activity and the production of soluble factors released through extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are important mediators of intercellular communication with a diameter between 30 and 100 nm. Their use in other neurodegenerative disorders showed a neuroprotective effect thanks to the release of their content, especially proteins, miRNAs and mRNAs. METHODS In this study, we evaluated the effect of EVs isolated from ASCs (ASC-EVs) in the SMNΔ7 mice, a severe SMA model. With this purpose, we performed two administrations of ASC-EVs (0.5 µg) in SMA pups via intracerebroventricular injections at post-natal day 3 (P3) and P6. We then assessed the treatment efficacy by behavioural test from P2 to P10 and histological analyses at P10. RESULTS The results showed positive effects of ASC-EVs on the disease progression, with improved motor performance and a significant delay in spinal MN degeneration of treated animals. ASC-EVs could also reduce the apoptotic activation (cleaved Caspase-3) and modulate the neuroinflammation with an observed decreased glial activation in lumbar spinal cord, while at peripheral level ASC-EVs could only partially limit the muscular atrophy and fiber denervation. CONCLUSIONS Our results could encourage the use of ASC-EVs as a therapeutic combinatorial treatment for SMA, bypassing the controversial use of stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Virla
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ermanna Turano
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ilaria Scambi
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Schiaffino
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marina Boido
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Raffaella Mariotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
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Aparicio JG, Hopp H, Harutyunyan N, Stewart C, Cobrinik D, Borchert M. Aberrant gene expression yet undiminished retinal ganglion cell genesis in iPSC-derived models of optic nerve hypoplasia. Ophthalmic Genet 2024; 45:1-15. [PMID: 37807874 PMCID: PMC10841193 DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2023.2253902] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH), the leading congenital cause of permanent blindness, is characterized by a retinal ganglion cell (RGC) deficit at birth. Multifactorial developmental events are hypothesized to underlie ONH and its frequently associated neurologic and endocrine abnormalities; however, environmental influences are unclear and genetic underpinnings are unexplored. This work investigates the genetic contribution to ONH RGC production and gene expression using patient induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived retinal organoids (ROs). MATERIALS AND METHODS iPSCs produced from ONH patients and controls were differentiated to ROs. RGC genesis was assessed using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Flow-sorted BRN3+ cells were collected for RNA extraction for RNA-Sequencing. Differential gene expression was assessed using DESeq2 and edgeR. PANTHER was employed to identify statistically over-represented ontologies among the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). DEGs of high interest to ONH were distinguished by assessing function, mutational constraint, and prior identification in ONH, autism and neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) studies. RESULTS RGC genesis and survival were similar in ONH and control ROs. Differential expression of 70 genes was identified in both DESeq2 and edgeR analyses, representing a ~ 4-fold higher percentage of DEGs than in randomized study participants. DEGs showed trends towards over-representation of validated NDD genes and ONH exome variant genes. Among the DEGs, RAPGEF4 and DMD had the greatest number of disease-relevant features. CONCLUSIONS ONH genetic background was not associated with impaired RGC genesis but was associated with DEGs exhibiting disease contribution potential. This constitutes some of the first evidence of a genetic contribution to ONH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer G. Aparicio
- The Vision Center and The Saban Research Institute,
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hanno Hopp
- The Vision Center and The Saban Research Institute,
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Narine Harutyunyan
- The Vision Center and The Saban Research Institute,
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carly Stewart
- The Vision Center and The Saban Research Institute,
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David Cobrinik
- The Vision Center and The Saban Research Institute,
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, Keck
School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of
Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck
School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mark Borchert
- The Vision Center and The Saban Research Institute,
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck
School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Zhong W, Pathak JL, Liang Y, Zhytnik L, Pals G, Eekhoff EMW, Bravenboer N, Micha D. The intricate mechanism of PLS3 in bone homeostasis and disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1168306. [PMID: 37484945 PMCID: PMC10361617 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1168306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Since our discovery in 2013 that genetic defects in PLS3 lead to bone fragility, the mechanistic details of this process have remained obscure. It has been established that PLS3 variants cause syndromic and nonsyndromic osteoporosis as well as osteoarthritis. PLS3 codes for an actin-bundling protein with a broad pattern of expression. As such, it is puzzling how PLS3 specifically leads to bone-related disease presentation. Our review aims to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the function of PLS3 in the predominant cell types in the bone tissue, the osteocytes, osteoblasts and osteoclasts. This is related to the role of PLS3 in regulating mechanotransduction, calcium regulation, vesicle trafficking, cell differentiation and mineralization as part of the complex bone pathology presented by PLS3 defects. Considering the consequences of PLS3 defects on multiple aspects of bone tissue metabolism, our review motivates the study of its mechanism in bone diseases which can potentially help in the design of suitable therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Zhong
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Tissue Function And Regeneration, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Temporomandibular Joint, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Janak L. Pathak
- Department of Temporomandibular Joint, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yueting Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
- The Second Clinical College, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lidiia Zhytnik
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Tissue Function And Regeneration, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Institute of Clinical Medicine, The University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Gerard Pals
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Tissue Function And Regeneration, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth M. W. Eekhoff
- Department Internal Medicine Section Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Rare Bone Disease Center, AMS, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Nathalie Bravenboer
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Tissue Function And Regeneration, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Dimitra Micha
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Tissue Function And Regeneration, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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4
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Hennlein L, Ghanawi H, Gerstner F, Palominos García E, Yildirim E, Saal-Bauernschubert L, Moradi M, Deng C, Klein T, Appenzeller S, Sauer M, Briese M, Simon C, Sendtner M, Jablonka S. Plastin 3 rescues cell surface translocation and activation of TrkB in spinal muscular atrophy. J Cell Biol 2023; 222:e202204113. [PMID: 36607273 PMCID: PMC9827530 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202204113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastin 3 (PLS3) is an F-actin-bundling protein that has gained attention as a modifier of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) pathology. SMA is a lethal pediatric neuromuscular disease caused by loss of or mutations in the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. Pathophysiological hallmarks are cellular maturation defects of motoneurons prior to degeneration. Despite the observed beneficial modifying effect of PLS3, the mechanism of how it supports F-actin-mediated cellular processes in motoneurons is not yet well understood. Our data reveal disturbed F-actin-dependent translocation of the Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) to the cell surface of Smn-deficient motor axon terminals, resulting in reduced TrkB activation by its ligand brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Improved actin dynamics by overexpression of hPLS3 restores membrane recruitment and activation of TrkB and enhances spontaneous calcium transients by increasing Cav2.1/2 "cluster-like" formations in SMA axon terminals. Thus, our study provides a novel role for PLS3 in supporting correct alignment of transmembrane proteins, a key mechanism for (moto)-neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Hennlein
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hanaa Ghanawi
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Florian Gerstner
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Ezgi Yildirim
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Mehri Moradi
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Chunchu Deng
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Teresa Klein
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Biocenter, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Silke Appenzeller
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken; Core Unit Bioinformatics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Sauer
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Biocenter, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Briese
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Simon
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute for Physiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Sendtner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sibylle Jablonka
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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5
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Muiños-Bühl A, Rombo R, Ling KK, Zilio E, Rigo F, Bennett CF, Wirth B. Long-Term SMN- and Ncald-ASO Combinatorial Therapy in SMA Mice and NCALD-ASO Treatment in hiPSC-Derived Motor Neurons Show Protective Effects. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044198. [PMID: 36835624 PMCID: PMC9961752 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
For SMA patients with only two SMN2 copies, available therapies might be insufficient to counteract lifelong motor neuron (MN) dysfunction. Therefore, additional SMN-independent compounds, supporting SMN-dependent therapies, might be beneficial. Neurocalcin delta (NCALD) reduction, an SMA protective genetic modifier, ameliorates SMA across species. In a low-dose SMN-ASO-treated severe SMA mouse model, presymptomatic intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of Ncald-ASO at postnatal day 2 (PND2) significantly ameliorates histological and electrophysiological SMA hallmarks at PND21. However, contrary to SMN-ASOs, Ncald-ASOs show a shorter duration of action limiting a long-term benefit. Here, we investigated the longer-term effect of Ncald-ASOs by additional i.c.v. bolus injection at PND28. Two weeks after injection of 500 µg Ncald-ASO in wild-type mice, NCALD was significantly reduced in the brain and spinal cord and well tolerated. Next, we performed a double-blinded preclinical study combining low-dose SMN-ASO (PND1) with 2× i.c.v. Ncald-ASO or CTRL-ASO (100 µg at PND2, 500 µg at PND28). Ncald-ASO re-injection significantly ameliorated electrophysiological defects and NMJ denervation at 2 months. Moreover, we developed and identified a non-toxic and highly efficient human NCALD-ASO that significantly reduced NCALD in hiPSC-derived MNs. This improved both neuronal activity and growth cone maturation of SMA MNs, emphasizing the additional protective effect of NCALD-ASO treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anixa Muiños-Bühl
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Roman Rombo
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Eleonora Zilio
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Frank Rigo
- IONIS Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | | | - Brunhilde Wirth
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Rare Diseases Cologne, University Hospital of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Correspondence:
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6
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Comparative Proteomics Analysis of Growth-Primed Adult Dorsal Root Ganglia Reveals Key Molecular Mediators for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0168-22.2022. [PMID: 36526365 PMCID: PMC9829101 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0168-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Injuries to peripheral nerves are frequent, yet no drug therapies are available for effective nerve repair. The slow growth rate of axons and inadequate access to growth factors challenge natural repair of nerves. A better understanding of the molecules that can promote the rate of axon growth may reveal therapeutic opportunities. Molecular profiling of injured neurons at early intervals of injury, when regeneration is at the maximum, has been the gold standard for exploring growth promoters. A complementary in vitro regenerative priming model was recently shown to induce enhanced outgrowth in adult sensory neurons. In this work, we exploited the in vitro priming model to reveal novel candidates for adult nerve regeneration. We performed a whole-tissue proteomics analysis of the in vitro primed dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) from adult SD rats and compared their molecular profile with that of the in vivo primed, and control DRGs. The proteomics data generated are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD031927. From the follow-up analysis, Bioinformatics interventions, and literature curation, we identified several molecules that were differentially expressed in the primed DRGs with a potential to modulate adult nerve regrowth. We then validated the growth promoting roles of mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF), one of the hits we identified, in adult rat sensory neurons. Overall, in this study, we explored two growth priming paradigm and shortlisted several candidates, and validated MANF, as potential targets for adult nerve regeneration. We also demonstrate that the in vitro priming model is a valid tool for adult nerve regeneration studies.
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7
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Dornburg A, Mallik R, Wang Z, Bernal MA, Thompson B, Bruford EA, Nebert DW, Vasiliou V, Yohe LR, Yoder JA, Townsend JP. Placing human gene families into their evolutionary context. Hum Genomics 2022; 16:56. [PMID: 36369063 PMCID: PMC9652883 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-022-00429-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Following the draft sequence of the first human genome over 20 years ago, we have achieved unprecedented insights into the rules governing its evolution, often with direct translational relevance to specific diseases. However, staggering sequence complexity has also challenged the development of a more comprehensive understanding of human genome biology. In this context, interspecific genomic studies between humans and other animals have played a critical role in our efforts to decode human gene families. In this review, we focus on how the rapid surge of genome sequencing of both model and non-model organisms now provides a broader comparative framework poised to empower novel discoveries. We begin with a general overview of how comparative approaches are essential for understanding gene family evolution in the human genome, followed by a discussion of analyses of gene expression. We show how homology can provide insights into the genes and gene families associated with immune response, cancer biology, vision, chemosensation, and metabolism, by revealing similarity in processes among distant species. We then explain methodological tools that provide critical advances and show the limitations of common approaches. We conclude with a discussion of how these investigations position us to gain fundamental insights into the evolution of gene families among living organisms in general. We hope that our review catalyzes additional excitement and research on the emerging field of comparative genomics, while aiding the placement of the human genome into its existentially evolutionary context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Dornburg
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, UNC-Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA.
| | - Rittika Mallik
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, UNC-Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Moisés A Bernal
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Brian Thompson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Elspeth A Bruford
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Daniel W Nebert
- Department of Environmental Health, Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, P.O. Box 670056, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Molecular Developmental Biology, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Vasilis Vasiliou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Laurel R Yohe
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, UNC-Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Yoder
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Jeffrey P Townsend
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, UNC-Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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8
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Butchbach MER, Scott RC. Biological networks and complexity in early-onset motor neuron diseases. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1035406. [PMID: 36341099 PMCID: PMC9634177 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1035406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are neuromuscular disorders where the spinal motor neurons-either the cell bodies themselves or their axons-are the primary cells affected. To date, there are 120 different genes that are lost or mutated in pediatric-onset MNDs. Most of these childhood-onset disorders, aside from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), lack viable therapeutic options. Previous research on MNDs has focused on understanding the pathobiology of a single, specific gene mutation and targeting therapies to that pathobiology. This reductionist approach has yielded therapeutic options for a specific disorder, in this case SMA. Unfortunately, therapies specific for SMA have not been effective against other pediatric-onset MNDs. Pursuing the same approach for the other defined MNDs would require development of at least 120 independent treatments raising feasibility issues. We propose an alternative to this this type of reductionist approach by conceptualizing MNDs in a complex adaptive systems framework that will allow identification of common molecular and cellular pathways which form biological networks that are adversely affected in early-onset MNDs and thus MNDs with similar phenotypes despite diverse genotypes. This systems biology approach highlights the complexity and self-organization of the motor system as well as the ways in which it can be affected by these genetic disorders. Using this integrated approach to understand early-onset MNDs, we would be better poised to expand the therapeutic repertoire for multiple MNDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E. R. Butchbach
- Division of Neurology, Nemours Children's Hospital Delaware, Wilmington, DE, United States,Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States,*Correspondence: Matthew E. R. Butchbach
| | - Rod C. Scott
- Division of Neurology, Nemours Children's Hospital Delaware, Wilmington, DE, United States,Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States,Neurosciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom,Rod C. Scott
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9
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Jablonka S, Hennlein L, Sendtner M. Therapy development for spinal muscular atrophy: perspectives for muscular dystrophies and neurodegenerative disorders. Neurol Res Pract 2022; 4:2. [PMID: 34983696 PMCID: PMC8725368 DOI: 10.1186/s42466-021-00162-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major efforts have been made in the last decade to develop and improve therapies for proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The introduction of Nusinersen/Spinraza™ as an antisense oligonucleotide therapy, Onasemnogene abeparvovec/Zolgensma™ as an AAV9-based gene therapy and Risdiplam/Evrysdi™ as a small molecule modifier of pre-mRNA splicing have set new standards for interference with neurodegeneration. MAIN BODY Therapies for SMA are designed to interfere with the cellular basis of the disease by modifying pre-mRNA splicing and enhancing expression of the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein, which is only expressed at low levels in this disorder. The corresponding strategies also can be applied to other disease mechanisms caused by loss of function or toxic gain of function mutations. The development of therapies for SMA was based on the use of cell culture systems and mouse models, as well as innovative clinical trials that included readouts that had originally been introduced and optimized in preclinical studies. This is summarized in the first part of this review. The second part discusses current developments and perspectives for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, as well as the obstacles that need to be overcome to introduce RNA-based therapies and gene therapies for these disorders. CONCLUSION RNA-based therapies offer chances for therapy development of complex neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. The experiences made with these new drugs for SMA, and also the experiences in AAV gene therapies could help to broaden the spectrum of current approaches to interfere with pathophysiological mechanisms in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibylle Jablonka
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Wuerzburg, Germany.
| | - Luisa Hennlein
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Sendtner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Wuerzburg, Germany.
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10
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Chilcott EM, Muiruri EW, Hirst TC, Yáñez-Muñoz RJ. Systematic review and meta-analysis determining the benefits of in vivo genetic therapy in spinal muscular atrophy rodent models. Gene Ther 2022; 29:498-512. [PMID: 34611322 PMCID: PMC9482879 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-021-00292-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe childhood neuromuscular disease for which two genetic therapies, Nusinersen (Spinraza, an antisense oligonucleotide), and AVXS-101 (Zolgensma, an adeno-associated viral vector of serotype 9 AAV9), have recently been approved. We investigated the pre-clinical development of SMA genetic therapies in rodent models and whether this can predict clinical efficacy. We have performed a systematic review of relevant publications and extracted median survival and details of experimental design. A random effects meta-analysis was used to estimate and compare efficacy. We stratified by experimental design (type of genetic therapy, mouse model, route and time of administration) and sought any evidence of publication bias. 51 publications were identified containing 155 individual comparisons, comprising 2573 animals in total. Genetic therapies prolonged survival in SMA mouse models by 3.23-fold (95% CI 2.75-3.79) compared to controls. Study design characteristics accounted for significant heterogeneity between studies and greatly affected observed median survival ratios. Some evidence of publication bias was found. These data are consistent with the extended average lifespan of Spinraza- and Zolgensma-treated children in the clinic. Together, these results support that SMA has been particularly amenable to genetic therapy approaches and highlight SMA as a trailblazer for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellie M. Chilcott
- grid.4970.a0000 0001 2188 881XAGCTlab.org, Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy, Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, TW20 0EX London, UK ,Present Address: Institute for Women’s Health, UCL, 86-96 Chenies Mews, London, WC1E 6HX UK
| | - Evalyne W. Muiruri
- grid.4970.a0000 0001 2188 881XAGCTlab.org, Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy, Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, TW20 0EX London, UK
| | - Theodore C. Hirst
- grid.416232.00000 0004 0399 1866Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, BT12 6BA UK
| | - Rafael J. Yáñez-Muñoz
- grid.4970.a0000 0001 2188 881XAGCTlab.org, Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy, Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, TW20 0EX London, UK
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11
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Kariyawasam DST, D'Silva AM, Herbert K, Howells J, Carey K, Kandula T, Farrar MA, Lin CSY. Axonal excitability changes in children with spinal muscular atrophy treated with nusinersen. J Physiol 2021; 600:95-109. [PMID: 34783018 DOI: 10.1113/jp282249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is associated with developmental disruption of motor axons in ventral roots of the spinal cord alongside motor axon degeneration. The pathogenesis of peripheral axonal change during development is pertinent to understand treatment response. Nerve excitability techniques, stimulating the median motor nerve at the wrist, were utilised to investigate axonal change during neurodevelopment in 24 children with SMA, compared with 71 age-matched controls. Longitudinal axonal response to nusinersen treatment in 18 children was also investigated. Significant differences in axonal development were noted in the youngest children with SMA, signified by reduced compound muscle action potential (CMAP) (P = 0.030), higher axonal threshold (P = 0.016), rheobase (minimal current amplitude of infinite duration, required to generate an action potential) (P = 0.012) and greater changes in depolarising and hyperpolarising threshold electrotonus. Subexcitability increased in all children with SMA, compared to controls. With treatment, nerve excitability changes were observed prominently in young children, with increases in CMAP, reduction in axonal threshold, fanning-in of threshold electrotonus, increase in resting current-threshold slope and reduction in subexcitability. Whilst motor axons continue to mature in SMA, developmental delays in passive and active membrane properties occur especially in early childhood. Concurrently, motor axons actively undergo degeneration. Nusinersen restores the developmental trajectory of motor axons reducing degeneration, especially in children with early treatment initiation. Our findings move the field forward in understanding the developmental aspect of childhood-onset motor neurone diseases and changes in axonal function associated with disease modification. KEY POINTS: Pathomechanisms in spinal muscular atrophy involve concurrent neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative processes. The greatest delays in maturation of the passive and active properties of the peripheral motor axon are seen in early childhood. Nusinersen facilitates developmental recovery of the motor axon whilst also reducing neurodegeneration. Axonal dysfunction is reversed with SMN repletion particularly when intervention occurs early in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didu S T Kariyawasam
- Department of Neurology, Randwick, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Arlene M D'Silva
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Karen Herbert
- Department of Physiotherapy, Randwick, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - James Howells
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kate Carey
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tejaswi Kandula
- Department of Neurology, Randwick, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle A Farrar
- Department of Neurology, Randwick, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cindy Shin-Yi Lin
- Translational Research Collective, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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12
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Boido M, De Amicis E, Mareschi K, Fagioli F, Vercelli A. Organotypic spinal cord cultures: An <em>in vitro</em> 3D model to preliminary screen treatments for spinal muscular atrophy. Eur J Histochem 2021; 65. [PMID: 34734684 PMCID: PMC8586821 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2021.3294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe neuromuscular disease affecting children, due to mutation/deletion of survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. The lack of functional protein SMN determines motor neuron (MN) degeneration and skeletal muscle atrophy, leading to premature death due to respiratory failure. Nowadays, the Food and Drug Administration approved the administration of three drugs, aiming at increasing the SMN production: although assuring noteworthy results, all these therapies show some non-negligible limitations, making essential the identification of alternative/synergistic therapeutic strategies. To offer a valuable in vitro experimental model for easily performing preliminary screenings of alternative promising treatments, we optimized an organotypic spinal cord culture (derived from murine spinal cord slices), which well recapitulates the pathogenetic features of SMA. Then, to validate the model, we tested the effects of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) or murine C2C12 cells (a mouse skeletal myoblast cell line) conditioned media: 1/3 of conditioned medium (obtained from either hMSCs or C2C12 cells) was added to the conventional medium of the organotypic culture and maintained for 7 days. Then the slices were fixed and immunoreacted to evaluate the MN survival. In particular we observed that the C2C12 and hMSCs conditioned media positively influenced the MN soma size and the axonal length respectively, without modulating the glial activation. These data suggest that trophic factors released by MSCs or muscular cells can exert beneficial effects, by acting on different targets, and confirm the reliability of the model. Overall, we propose the organotypic spinal cord culture as an excellent tool to preliminarily screen molecules and drugs before moving to in vivo models, in this way partly reducing the use of animals and the costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Boido
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin.
| | - Elena De Amicis
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin.
| | - Katia Mareschi
- Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Turin; Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Paediatric Onco-Haematology Division, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, City of Health and Science of Turin.
| | - Franca Fagioli
- Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Turin; Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Paediatric Onco-Haematology Division, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, City of Health and Science of Turin.
| | - Alessandro Vercelli
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin.
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13
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Butchbach MER. Genomic Variability in the Survival Motor Neuron Genes ( SMN1 and SMN2): Implications for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Phenotype and Therapeutics Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157896. [PMID: 34360669 PMCID: PMC8348669 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a leading genetic cause of infant death worldwide that is characterized by loss of spinal motor neurons leading to muscle weakness and atrophy. SMA results from the loss of survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene but retention of its paralog SMN2. The copy numbers of SMN1 and SMN2 are variable within the human population with SMN2 copy number inversely correlating with SMA severity. Current therapeutic options for SMA focus on increasing SMN2 expression and alternative splicing so as to increase the amount of SMN protein. Recent work has demonstrated that not all SMN2, or SMN1, genes are equivalent and there is a high degree of genomic heterogeneity with respect to the SMN genes. Because SMA is now an actionable disease with SMN2 being the primary target, it is imperative to have a comprehensive understanding of this genomic heterogeneity with respect to hybrid SMN1–SMN2 genes generated by gene conversion events as well as partial deletions of the SMN genes. This review will describe this genetic heterogeneity in SMA and its impact on disease phenotype as well as therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E. R. Butchbach
- Center for Applied Clinical Genomics, Nemours Children’s Health Delaware, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA;
- Center for Pediatric Research, Nemours Children’s Health Delaware, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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14
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Plastin 3 in health and disease: a matter of balance. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:5275-5301. [PMID: 34023917 PMCID: PMC8257523 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03843-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
For a long time, PLS3 (plastin 3, also known as T-plastin or fimbrin) has been considered a rather inconspicuous protein, involved in F-actin-binding and -bundling. However, in recent years, a plethora of discoveries have turned PLS3 into a highly interesting protein involved in many cellular processes, signaling pathways, and diseases. PLS3 is localized on the X-chromosome, but shows sex-specific, inter-individual and tissue-specific expression variability pointing towards skewed X-inactivation. PLS3 is expressed in all solid tissues but usually not in hematopoietic cells. When escaping X-inactivation, PLS3 triggers a plethora of different types of cancers. Elevated PLS3 levels are considered a prognostic biomarker for cancer and refractory response to therapies. When it is knocked out or mutated in humans and mice, it causes osteoporosis with bone fractures; it is the only protein involved in actin dynamics responsible for osteoporosis. Instead, when PLS3 is upregulated, it acts as a highly protective SMN-independent modifier in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Here, it seems to counteract reduced F-actin levels by restoring impaired endocytosis and disturbed calcium homeostasis caused by reduced SMN levels. In contrast, an upregulation of PLS3 on wild-type level might cause osteoarthritis. This emphasizes that the amount of PLS3 in our cells must be precisely balanced; both too much and too little can be detrimental. Actin-dynamics, regulated by PLS3 among others, are crucial in a lot of cellular processes including endocytosis, cell migration, axonal growth, neurotransmission, translation, and others. Also, PLS3 levels influence the infection with different bacteria, mycosis, and other pathogens.
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15
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In Search of a Cure: The Development of Therapeutics to Alter the Progression of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11020194. [PMID: 33562482 PMCID: PMC7915832 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Until the recent development of disease-modifying therapeutics, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) was considered a devastating neuromuscular disease with a poor prognosis for most affected individuals. Symptoms generally present during early childhood and manifest as muscle weakness and progressive paralysis, severely compromising the affected individual’s quality of life, independence, and lifespan. SMA is most commonly caused by the inheritance of homozygously deleted SMN1 alleles with retention of one or more copies of a paralog gene, SMN2, which inversely correlates with disease severity. The recent advent and use of genetically targeted therapies have transformed SMA into a prototype for monogenic disease treatment in the era of genetic medicine. Many SMA-affected individuals receiving these therapies achieve traditionally unobtainable motor milestones and survival rates as medicines drastically alter the natural progression of this disease. This review discusses historical SMA progression and underlying disease mechanisms, highlights advances made in therapeutic research, clinical trials, and FDA-approved medicines, and discusses possible second-generation and complementary medicines as well as optimal temporal intervention windows in order to optimize motor function and improve quality of life for all SMA-affected individuals.
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16
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Schwebach CL, Kudryashova E, Kudryashov DS. Plastin 3 in X-Linked Osteoporosis: Imbalance of Ca 2+-Dependent Regulation Is Equivalent to Protein Loss. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:635783. [PMID: 33553175 PMCID: PMC7859272 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.635783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteogenesis imperfecta is a genetic disorder disrupting bone development and remodeling. The primary causes of osteogenesis imperfecta are pathogenic variants of collagen and collagen processing genes. However, recently variants of the actin bundling protein plastin 3 have been identified as another source of osteogenesis imperfecta. Plastin 3 is a highly conserved protein involved in several important cellular structures and processes and is controlled by intracellular Ca2+ which potently inhibits its actin-bundling activity. The precise mechanisms by which plastin 3 causes osteogenesis imperfecta remain unclear, but recent advances have contributed to our understanding of bone development and the actin cytoskeleton. Here, we review the link between plastin 3 and osteogenesis imperfecta highlighting in vitro studies and emphasizing the importance of Ca2+ regulation in the localization and functionality of plastin 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Schwebach
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Elena Kudryashova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Dmitri S Kudryashov
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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17
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Mizuno S, Hirota JN, Ishii C, Iwasaki H, Sano Y, Furuichi T. Comprehensive Profiling of Gene Expression in the Cerebral Cortex and Striatum of BTBRTF/ArtRbrc Mice Compared to C57BL/6J Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:595607. [PMID: 33362469 PMCID: PMC7758463 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.595607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse line BTBR T+ Iptr3tf/J (hereafter referred as to BTBR/J) is a mouse strain that shows lower sociability compared to the C57BL/6J mouse strain (B6) and thus is often utilized as a model for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, we utilized another subline, BTBRTF/ArtRbrc (hereafter referred as to BTBR/R), and analyzed the associated brain transcriptome compared to B6 mice using microarray analysis, quantitative RT-PCR analysis, various bioinformatics analyses, and in situ hybridization. We focused on the cerebral cortex and the striatum, both of which are thought to be brain circuits associated with ASD symptoms. The transcriptome profiling identified 1,280 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 974 downregulated and 306 upregulated genes, including 498 non-coding RNAs [ncRNAs]) in BTBR/R mice compared to B6 mice. Among these DEGs, 53 genes were consistent with ASD-related genes already established. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis highlighted 78 annotations (GO terms) including DNA/chromatin regulation, transcriptional/translational regulation, intercellular signaling, metabolism, immune signaling, and neurotransmitter/synaptic transmission-related terms. RNA interaction analysis revealed novel RNA–RNA networks, including 227 ASD-related genes. Weighted correlation network analysis highlighted 10 enriched modules including DNA/chromatin regulation, neurotransmitter/synaptic transmission, and transcriptional/translational regulation. Finally, the behavioral analyses showed that, compared to B6 mice, BTBR/R mice have mild but significant deficits in social novelty recognition and repetitive behavior. In addition, the BTBR/R data were comprehensively compared with those reported in the previous studies of human subjects with ASD as well as ASD animal models, including BTBR/J mice. Our results allow us to propose potentially important genes, ncRNAs, and RNA interactions. Analysis of the altered brain transcriptome data of the BTBR/R and BTBR/J sublines can contribute to the understanding of the genetic underpinnings of autism susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shota Mizuno
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Jun-Na Hirota
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Chiaki Ishii
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Hirohide Iwasaki
- Department of Anatomy, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Yoshitake Sano
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Teiichi Furuichi
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
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18
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Menduti G, Rasà DM, Stanga S, Boido M. Drug Screening and Drug Repositioning as Promising Therapeutic Approaches for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Treatment. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:592234. [PMID: 33281605 PMCID: PMC7689316 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.592234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the most common genetic disease affecting infants and young adults. Due to mutation/deletion of the survival motor neuron (SMN) gene, SMA is characterized by the SMN protein lack, resulting in motor neuron impairment, skeletal muscle atrophy and premature death. Even if the genetic causes of SMA are well known, many aspects of its pathogenesis remain unclear and only three drugs have been recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (Nusinersen-Spinraza; Onasemnogene abeparvovec or AVXS-101-Zolgensma; Risdiplam-Evrysdi): although assuring remarkable results, the therapies show some important limits including high costs, still unknown long-term effects, side effects and disregarding of SMN-independent targets. Therefore, the research of new therapeutic strategies is still a hot topic in the SMA field and many efforts are spent in drug discovery. In this review, we describe two promising strategies to select effective molecules: drug screening (DS) and drug repositioning (DR). By using compounds libraries of chemical/natural compounds and/or Food and Drug Administration-approved substances, DS aims at identifying new potentially effective compounds, whereas DR at testing drugs originally designed for the treatment of other pathologies. The drastic reduction in risks, costs and time expenditure assured by these strategies make them particularly interesting, especially for those diseases for which the canonical drug discovery process would be long and expensive. Interestingly, among the identified molecules by DS/DR in the context of SMA, besides the modulators of SMN2 transcription, we highlighted a convergence of some targeted molecular cascades contributing to SMA pathology, including cell death related-pathways, mitochondria and cytoskeleton dynamics, neurotransmitter and hormone modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marina Boido
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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19
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Walsh MB, Janzen E, Wingrove E, Hosseinibarkooie S, Muela NR, Davidow L, Dimitriadi M, Norabuena EM, Rubin LL, Wirth B, Hart AC. Genetic modifiers ameliorate endocytic and neuromuscular defects in a model of spinal muscular atrophy. BMC Biol 2020; 18:127. [PMID: 32938453 PMCID: PMC7495824 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-020-00845-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding the genetic modifiers of neurodegenerative diseases can provide insight into the mechanisms underlying these disorders. Here, we examine the relationship between the motor neuron disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which is caused by reduced levels of the survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein, and the actin-bundling protein Plastin 3 (PLS3). Increased PLS3 levels suppress symptoms in a subset of SMA patients and ameliorate defects in SMA disease models, but the functional connection between PLS3 and SMN is poorly understood. Results We provide immunohistochemical and biochemical evidence for large protein complexes localized in vertebrate motor neuron processes that contain PLS3, SMN, and members of the hnRNP F/H family of proteins. Using a Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) SMA model, we determine that overexpression of PLS3 or loss of the C. elegans hnRNP F/H ortholog SYM-2 enhances endocytic function and ameliorates neuromuscular defects caused by decreased SMN-1 levels. Furthermore, either increasing PLS3 or decreasing SYM-2 levels suppresses defects in a C. elegans ALS model. Conclusions We propose that hnRNP F/H act in the same protein complex as PLS3 and SMN and that the function of this complex is critical for endocytic pathways, suggesting that hnRNP F/H proteins could be potential targets for therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa B Walsh
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, 185 Meeting Street, Mailbox GL-N, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Eva Janzen
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute of Genetics, and Center for Rare Disorders, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Emily Wingrove
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, 185 Meeting Street, Mailbox GL-N, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Seyyedmohsen Hosseinibarkooie
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute of Genetics, and Center for Rare Disorders, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Natalia Rodriguez Muela
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Lance Davidow
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Maria Dimitriadi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Erika M Norabuena
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Lee L Rubin
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Brunhilde Wirth
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute of Genetics, and Center for Rare Disorders, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Anne C Hart
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, 185 Meeting Street, Mailbox GL-N, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
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20
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Sasaki Y. Local Translation in Growth Cones and Presynapses, Two Axonal Compartments for Local Neuronal Functions. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10050668. [PMID: 32344905 PMCID: PMC7277458 DOI: 10.3390/biom10050668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
During neural development, growth cones, very motile compartments of tips of axons, lead axonal extension to the correct targets. Subsequently, presynapses, another axonal compartment with vigorous trafficking of synaptic vesicles, emerge to form functional synapses with postsynapses. In response to extracellular stimuli, the immediate supply of proteins by local translation within these two axonal compartments far from cell bodies confers high motility of growth cones and active vesicle trafficking in presynapses. Although local translation in growth cones and presynapses occurs at a very low level compared with cell bodies and even dendrites, recent progress in omics and visualization techniques with subcellular fractionation of these compartments has revealed the actual situation of local translation within these two axonal compartments. Here, the increasing evidence for local protein synthesis in growth cones and presynapses for axonal and synaptic functions has been reviewed. Furthermore, the mechanisms regulating local translation in these two compartments and pathophysiological conditions caused by dysregulated local translation are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukio Sasaki
- Functional Structure Biology Laboratory, Department of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Life Science, 1-7-29 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
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21
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Liu H, Hu Y, Yin J, Yan XY, Chen WJ, Jiang CY, Hu XS, Wang XY, Zhu JG, Yu ZB, Han SP. Profiles analysis reveals circular RNAs involving zebrafish physiological development. J Cell Physiol 2019; 234:15922-15933. [PMID: 30746688 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 01/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have found that known functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) include sequestration of microRNAs (miRNAs) or proteins, modulation of transcription and interference with splicing, and even translation to produce polypeptides. The zebrafish model is also demonstrably similar to humans in many studies. To explore the changes in circRNAs during embryonic development and to further research the mechanism of action of circRNAs in development-related diseases, Zebrafish embryos at the blastula period, gastrula period, segmentation period, throat stage, and incubation period were collected. Illumina deep-sequencing technology and CircRNA Identifier (CIRI) algorithm were used to detect circRNAs. In total, we identified 1,028 circRNAs (junction reads ≥5 and p < 0.05). Considering that the function of circRNAs is related to host genes, a bioinformatics analysis revealed these differentially expressed host genes are involved in NOTCH signaling pathways, cardiovascular system development, retinal ganglion cell axon guidance, and so on. Moreover, circRNAs can participate in biological regulation through the function of miRNA sponges. TargetScan and miRanda were used to predict 73 miRNAs binding to circRNAs such as miR-19b, miR-124, and so on. Some miRNAs play important roles in embryogenesis. The peak expression of circRNAs is distributed at different time points, suggesting that it may be involved in embryogenesis at different stages. Our study provides a foundation for understanding the dynamic regulation of circRNA transcriptomes during embryogenesis and identifies novel key circRNAs that might control embryonic development in a zebrafish model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Tian Fei Xiang, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yin Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Tian Fei Xiang, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Yin
- Department of Pediatrics, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Tian Fei Xiang, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiang-Yun Yan
- Department of Pediatrics, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Tian Fei Xiang, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wen-Juan Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Tian Fei Xiang, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cheng-Yao Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Tian Fei Xiang, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Shan Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Tian Fei Xiang, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xing-Yun Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Tian Fei Xiang, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jin-Gai Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Tian Fei Xiang, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhang-Bin Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Tian Fei Xiang, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shu-Ping Han
- Department of Pediatrics, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Tian Fei Xiang, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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22
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AAV9 Vector: a Novel modality in gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy. Gene Ther 2019; 26:287-295. [PMID: 31243392 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-019-0085-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the leading genetic cause of infant mortality, is characterized by the deterioration of alpha motor neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord. Currently, there is no cure for SMA, which calls for an urgent need to explore affordable and effective therapies and to maximize patients' independence and quality of life. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector, one of the most promising and well-investigated vehicles for delivering transgenes, is a compelling candidate for gene therapy. Some of the hallmarks of AAVs are their nonpathogenicity, inability to incur an immune response, potential to achieve robust transgene expression, and varied tropism for several tissues of the body. Recently, these features were harnessed in a clinical trial conducted by AveXis in SMA patients, where AAV9 was employed as a vehicle for one-time administration of the SMN gene, the causative gene in SMA. The trial demonstrated remarkable improvements in motor milestones and rates of survival in the patients. This review focuses on the advent of SMA gene therapy and summarizes different preclinical studies that were conducted leading up to the AAV9-SMA trial in SMA patients.
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Abstract
A snapshot of noteworthy recent developments in the patent literature of relevance to pharmaceutical and medical research and development.
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Evaluation of potential effects of Plastin 3 overexpression and low-dose SMN-antisense oligonucleotides on putative biomarkers in spinal muscular atrophy mice. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203398. [PMID: 30188931 PMCID: PMC6126849 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating motor neuron disorder caused by homozygous loss of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene and insufficient functional SMN protein produced by the SMN2 copy gene. Additional genetic protective modifiers such as Plastin 3 (PLS3) can counteract SMA pathology despite insufficient SMN protein. Recently, Spinraza, an SMN antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that restores full-length SMN2 transcripts, has been FDA- and EMA-approved for SMA therapy. Hence, the availability of biomarkers allowing a reliable monitoring of disease and therapy progression would be of great importance. Our objectives were (i) to analyse the feasibility of SMN and of six SMA biomarkers identified by the BforSMA study in the Taiwanese SMA mouse model, (ii) to analyse the effect of PLS3 overexpression on these biomarkers, and (iii) to assess the impact of low-dose SMN-ASO therapy on the level of SMN and the six biomarkers. METHODS At P10 and P21, the level of SMN and six putative biomarkers were compared among SMA, heterozygous and wild type mice, with or without PLS3 overexpression, and with or without presymptomatic low-dose SMN-ASO subcutaneous injection. SMN levels were measured in whole blood by ECL immunoassay and of six SMA putative biomarkers, namely Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP), Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 (DPP4), Tetranectin (C-type Lectin Family 3 Member B, CLEC3B), Osteopontin (Secreted Phosphoprotein 1, SPP1), Vitronectin (VTN) and Fetuin A (Alpha 2-HS Glycoprotein, AHSG) in plasma. RESULTS SMN levels were significantly discernible between SMA, heterozygous and wild type mice. However, no significant differences were measured upon low-dose SMN-ASO treatment compared to untreated animals. Of the six biomarkers, only COMP and DPP4 showed high and SPP1 moderate correlation with the SMA phenotype. PLS3 overexpression neither influenced the SMN level nor the six biomarkers, supporting the hypothesis that PLS3 acts as an independent protective modifier.
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