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Kong W, Li X, Guo X, Sun Y, Chai W, Chang Y, Huang Q, Wang P, Wang X. Ultrasound-Assisted CRISPRi-Exosome for Epigenetic Modification of α-Synuclein Gene in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. ACS NANO 2024; 18:7837-7851. [PMID: 38437635 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c05864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Currently, there is a lack of effective treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). In PD patients, aberrant methylation of SNCA (α-synuclein gene) has been reported and may be a potential therapeutic target. In this study, we established an epigenetic regulation platform based on an exosomal CRISPR intervention system. With the assist of focused ultrasound (FUS) opening the blood-brain barrier, engineered exosomes carrying RVG (rabies viral glycoprotein) targeting peptide, sgRNA (single guide RNA), and dCas9-DNMT3A (named RVG-CRISPRi-Exo) were efficiently delivered into the brain lesions and induced specific methylation of SNCA. In vivo, FUS combined with RVG-CRISPRi-Exo significantly improved motor performance, balance coordination, and neurosensitivity in PD mice, greatly down-regulated the elevation of α-synuclein (α-syn) caused by modeling, rescued cell apoptosis, and alleviated the progression of PD in mice. [18F]-FP-DTBZ imaging suggested that the synaptic function of the nigrostriatal pathway could be restored, which was conducive to the control of motor behavior in PD mice. Pyrosequencing results showed that RVG-CRISPRi-Exo could methylate CpG at specific sites of SNCA, and this fine-tuned editing achieved good therapeutic effects in PD model mice. In vitro, RVG-CRISPRi-Exo down-regulated SNCA transcripts and α-syn expression and relieved neuronal cell damage. Collectively, our findings provide a proof-of-principle for the development of targeted brain nanodelivery based on engineered exosomes and provide insights into epigenetic regulation of brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weirong Kong
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Xin Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Xiaoyu Guo
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Yue Sun
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Wenyu Chai
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Yawei Chang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Qichao Huang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Pan Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Xiaobing Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
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Nohesara S, Abdolmaleky HM, Thiagalingam S, Zhou JR. Gut microbiota defined epigenomes of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases reveal novel targets for therapy. Epigenomics 2024; 16:57-77. [PMID: 38088063 PMCID: PMC10804213 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2023-0342] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The origins of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) involve genetic mutations, epigenetic changes, neurotoxin exposure and gut microbiota dysregulation. The gut microbiota's dynamic composition and its metabolites influence intestinal and blood-brain barrier integrity, contributing to AD and PD development. This review explores protein misfolding, aggregation and epigenetic links in AD and PD pathogenesis. It also highlights the role of a leaky gut and the microbiota-gut-brain axis in promoting these diseases through inflammation-induced epigenetic alterations. In addition, we investigate the potential of diet, probiotics and microbiota transplantation for preventing and treating AD and PD via epigenetic modifications, along with a discussion related to current challenges and future considerations. These approaches offer promise for translating research findings into practical clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Nohesara
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Hamid Mostafavi Abdolmaleky
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Department of Surgery, Nutrition/Metabolism laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boson, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sam Thiagalingam
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Jin-Rong Zhou
- Department of Surgery, Nutrition/Metabolism laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boson, MA 02215, USA
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Brembati V, Faustini G, Longhena F, Bellucci A. Alpha synuclein post translational modifications: potential targets for Parkinson's disease therapy? Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1197853. [PMID: 37305556 PMCID: PMC10248004 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1197853] [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: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder with motor symptoms. The neuropathological alterations characterizing the brain of patients with PD include the loss of dopaminergic neurons of the nigrostriatal system and the presence of Lewy bodies (LB), intraneuronal inclusions that are mainly composed of alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) fibrils. The accumulation of α-Syn in insoluble aggregates is a main neuropathological feature in PD and in other neurodegenerative diseases, including LB dementia (LBD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA), which are therefore defined as synucleinopathies. Compelling evidence supports that α-Syn post translational modifications (PTMs) such as phosphorylation, nitration, acetylation, O-GlcNAcylation, glycation, SUMOylation, ubiquitination and C-terminal cleavage, play important roles in the modulation α-Syn aggregation, solubility, turnover and membrane binding. In particular, PTMs can impact on α-Syn conformational state, thus supporting that their modulation can in turn affect α-Syn aggregation and its ability to seed further soluble α-Syn fibrillation. This review focuses on the importance of α-Syn PTMs in PD pathophysiology but also aims at highlighting their general relevance as possible biomarkers and, more importantly, as innovative therapeutic targets for synucleinopathies. In addition, we call attention to the multiple challenges that we still need to face to enable the development of novel therapeutic approaches modulating α-Syn PTMs.
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Bakhit Y, Ibrahim MO, Tesson C, Elhassan AA, Ahmed MA, Alebeed MA, Elrasheed SM, Omar MA, Abubaker R, Eltom K, Shaheen MT, Ibrahim YA, Almak ME, Ali HA, Abugrain AA, Almahal MA, MohamedSharif AA, Tahir MY, Malik SM, Eldirdiri Abdelrahman H, Khidir RJ, Mohamed MT, Abdalla A, Elsayed LEO, Lesage S, Corvol JC, Seidi O, Wüllner U. Intrafamilial and interfamilial heterogeneity of PINK1-associated Parkinson's disease in Sudan. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2023; 111:105401. [PMID: 37150071 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2023.105401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
PINK1 is the second most predominant gene associated with autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease. Homozygous mutations in this gene are associated with an early onset of symptoms. Bradykinesia, tremors, and rigidity are common features, while dystonia, motor fluctuation, and non-motor symptoms occur in a lower percentage of cases and usually respond well to levodopa. We investigated 14 individuals with parkinsonism and eleven symptom-free siblings from three consanguineous Sudanese families, two of them multigenerational, using a custom gene panel screening 34 genes, 27 risk variants, and 8 candidate genes associated with parkinsonism. We found a known pathogenic nonsense PINK1 variant (NM_032409.3:c.1366C>T; p.(Gln456*)), a novel pathogenic single base duplication (NM_032409.3:c.1597dup; p.(Gln533Profs*29)), and another novel pathogenic insertion (NM_032409.3:c.1448_1449ins[1429_1443; TTGAG]; p.(Arg483Serfs*7)). All variants were homozygous and co-segregated in all affected family members. We also identified intrafamilial and interfamilial phenotypic heterogeneity associated with PINK1 mutations in these Sudanese cases, possibly reflecting the nature of the Sudanese population that has a large effective population size, which suggests a higher possibility of novel findings in monogenic and polygenic diseases in Sudan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousuf Bakhit
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Khartoum, Sudan; Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.
| | - Mohamed O Ibrahim
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Christelle Tesson
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Ali A Elhassan
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | | | - Mohamed A Alebeed
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Salma M Elrasheed
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Mawia A Omar
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Rayan Abubaker
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Khalid Eltom
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan; Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mutaz T Shaheen
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Yousuf A Ibrahim
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Murad E Almak
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Hiba A Ali
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Ahmed A Abugrain
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Mohamed A Almahal
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Abubaker A MohamedSharif
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan; Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Mohamed Y Tahir
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Sawazen M Malik
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Hazim Eldirdiri Abdelrahman
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan; Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris, 102 rue de la Sante, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Reem J Khidir
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Malaz T Mohamed
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Abdelmohaymin Abdalla
- Sudan Neuroscience Projects (SNPs), University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan; Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Liena E O Elsayed
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suzanne Lesage
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Corvol
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Department of Neurology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Osheik Seidi
- Department of Neurology, Soba Teaching Hospital, And Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Ullrich Wüllner
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany.
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Sugeno N, Hasegawa T. Unraveling the Complex Interplay between Alpha-Synuclein and Epigenetic Modification. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076645. [PMID: 37047616 PMCID: PMC10094812 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (αS) is a small, presynaptic neuronal protein encoded by the SNCA gene. Point mutations and gene multiplication of SNCA cause rare familial forms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Misfolded αS is cytotoxic and is a component of Lewy bodies, which are a pathological hallmark of PD. Because SNCA multiplication is sufficient to cause full-blown PD, gene dosage likely has a strong impact on pathogenesis. In sporadic PD, increased SNCA expression resulting from a minor genetic background and various environmental factors may contribute to pathogenesis in a complementary manner. With respect to genetic background, several risk loci neighboring the SNCA gene have been identified, and epigenetic alterations, such as CpG methylation and regulatory histone marks, are considered important factors. These alterations synergistically upregulate αS expression and some post-translational modifications of αS facilitate its translocation to the nucleus. Nuclear αS interacts with DNA, histones, and their modifiers to alter epigenetic status; thereby, influencing the stability of neuronal function. Epigenetic changes do not affect the gene itself but can provide an appropriate transcriptional response for neuronal survival through DNA methylation or histone modifications. As a new approach, publicly available RNA sequencing datasets from human midbrain-like organoids may be used to compare transcriptional responses through epigenetic alterations. This informatic approach combined with the vast amount of transcriptomics data will lead to the discovery of novel pathways for the development of disease-modifying therapies for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoto Sugeno
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience & Sensory Organs, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8574, Japan
| | - Takafumi Hasegawa
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience & Sensory Organs, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8574, Japan
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Molecular and Cellular Interactions in Pathogenesis of Sporadic Parkinson Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113043. [PMID: 36361826 PMCID: PMC9657547 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of the population all around the world suffer from age-associated neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease (PD). This disorder presents different signs of genetic, epigenetic and environmental origin, and molecular, cellular and intracellular dysfunction. At the molecular level, α-synuclein (αSyn) was identified as the principal molecule constituting the Lewy bodies (LB). The gut microbiota participates in the pathogenesis of PD and may contribute to the loss of dopaminergic neurons through mitochondrial dysfunction. The most important pathogenetic link is an imbalance of Ca2+ ions, which is associated with redox imbalance in the cells and increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this review, genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors that cause these disorders and their cause-and-effect relationships are considered. As a constituent of environmental factors, the example of organophosphates (OPs) is also reviewed. The role of endothelial damage in the pathogenesis of PD is discussed, and a ‘triple hit hypothesis’ is proposed as a modification of Braak’s dual hit one. In the absence of effective therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, more and more evidence is emerging about the positive impact of nutritional structure and healthy lifestyle on the state of blood vessels and the risk of developing these diseases.
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