1
|
Mosbach V, Puccio H. A multiple animal and cellular models approach to study frataxin deficiency in Friedreich Ataxia. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119809. [PMID: 39134123 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2024.119809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is one of the most frequent inherited recessive ataxias characterized by a progressive sensory and spinocerebellar ataxia. The main causative mutation is a GAA repeat expansion in the first intron of the frataxin (FXN) gene which leads to a transcriptional silencing of the gene resulting in a deficit in FXN protein. The nature of the mutation (an unstable GAA expansion), as well as the multi-systemic nature of the disease (with neural and non-neural sites affected) make the generation of models for Friedreich's ataxia quite challenging. Over the years, several cellular and animal models for FA have been developed. These models are all complementary and possess their own strengths to investigate different aspects of the disease, such as the epigenetics of the locus or the pathophysiology of the disease, as well as being used to developed novel therapeutic approaches. This review will explore the recent advancements in the different mammalian models developed for FA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentine Mosbach
- Institut NeuroMyoGene-PGNM UCBL-CNRS UMR5261 INSERM U1315, Lyon, France
| | - Hélène Puccio
- Institut NeuroMyoGene-PGNM UCBL-CNRS UMR5261 INSERM U1315, Lyon, France.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lai Y, Diaz N, Armbrister R, Agoulnik I, Liu Y. DNA Base Damage Repair Crosstalks with Chromatin Structures to Contract Expanded GAA Repeats in Friedreich's Ataxia. Biomolecules 2024; 14:809. [PMID: 39062522 PMCID: PMC11274795 DOI: 10.3390/biom14070809] [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: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Trinucleotide repeat (TNR) expansion is the cause of over 40 neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease and Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA). There are no effective treatments for these diseases due to the poor understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying somatic TNR expansion and contraction in neural systems. We and others have found that DNA base excision repair (BER) actively modulates TNR instability, shedding light on the development of effective treatments for the diseases by contracting expanded repeats through DNA repair. In this study, temozolomide (TMZ) was employed as a model DNA base damaging agent to reveal the mechanisms of the BER pathway in modulating GAA repeat instability at the frataxin (FXN) gene in FRDA neural cells and transgenic mouse mice. We found that TMZ induced large GAA repeat contraction in FRDA mouse brain tissue, neurons, and FRDA iPSC-differentiated neural cells, increasing frataxin protein levels in FRDA mouse brain and neural cells. Surprisingly, we found that TMZ could also inhibit H3K9 methyltransferases, leading to open chromatin and increasing ssDNA breaks and recruitment of the key BER enzyme, pol β, on the repeats in FRDA neural cells. We further demonstrated that the H3K9 methyltransferase inhibitor BIX01294 also induced the contraction of the expanded repeats and increased frataxin protein in FRDA neural cells by opening the chromatin and increasing the endogenous ssDNA breaks and recruitment of pol β on the repeats. Our study provides new mechanistic insight illustrating that inhibition of H3K9 methylation can crosstalk with BER to induce GAA repeat contraction in FRDA. Our results will open a new avenue for developing novel gene therapy by targeting histone methylation and the BER pathway for repeat expansion diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanhao Lai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (Y.L.); (N.D.)
| | - Nicole Diaz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (Y.L.); (N.D.)
| | - Rhyisa Armbrister
- Biochemistry Ph.D. Program, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (R.A.); (I.A.)
| | - Irina Agoulnik
- Biochemistry Ph.D. Program, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (R.A.); (I.A.)
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (Y.L.); (N.D.)
- Biochemistry Ph.D. Program, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (R.A.); (I.A.)
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nishiyama M, Kalambogias J, Imai F, Yang E, Lang S, de Nooij JC, Yoshida Y. Anatomical and functional analysis of the corticospinal tract in an FRDA mouse model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.28.601178. [PMID: 39005321 PMCID: PMC11244874 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.28.601178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is one of the most common hereditary ataxias. It is caused by a GAA repeat in the first intron of the FXN gene, which encodes an essential mitochondrial protein. Patients suffer from progressive motor dysfunction due to the degeneration of mechanoreceptive and proprioceptive neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and cerebellar dentate nucleus neurons, especially at early disease stages. Postmortem analyses of FRDA patients also indicate pathological changes in motor cortex including in the projection neurons that give rise to the cortical spinal tract (CST). Yet, it remains poorly understood how early in the disease cortical spinal neurons (CSNs) show these alterations, or whether CSN/CST pathology resembles the abnormalities observed in other tissues affected by FXN loss. To address these questions, we examined CSN driven motor behaviors and pathology in the YG8JR FRDA mouse model. We find that FRDA mice show impaired motor skills, exhibit significant reductions in CSN functional output, and, among other pathological changes, show abnormal mitochondrial distributions in CSN neurons and CST axonal tracts. Moreover, some of these alterations were observed as early as two months of age, suggesting that CSN/CST pathology may be an earlier event in FRDA disease than previously appreciated. These studies warrant a detailed mechanistic understanding of how FXN loss impacts CSN health and functionality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Misa Nishiyama
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, United States
| | - John Kalambogias
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, United States
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fumiyasu Imai
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, United States
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, United States
| | - Emily Yang
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, United States
| | - Sonia Lang
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, United States
| | | | - Yutaka Yoshida
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, United States
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, United States
- Neural Circuit Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sciarretta F, Zaccaria F, Ninni A, Ceci V, Turchi R, Apolloni S, Milani M, Della Valle I, Tiberi M, Chiurchiù V, D'Ambrosi N, Pedretti S, Mitro N, Volontè C, Amadio S, Aquilano K, Lettieri-Barbato D. Frataxin deficiency shifts metabolism to promote reactive microglia via glucose catabolism. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202402609. [PMID: 38631900 PMCID: PMC11024345 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202402609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunometabolism investigates the intricate relationship between the immune system and cellular metabolism. This study delves into the consequences of mitochondrial frataxin (FXN) depletion, the primary cause of Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), a debilitating neurodegenerative condition characterized by impaired coordination and muscle control. By using single-cell RNA sequencing, we have identified distinct cellular clusters within the cerebellum of an FRDA mouse model, emphasizing a significant loss in the homeostatic response of microglial cells lacking FXN. Remarkably, these microglia deficient in FXN display heightened reactive responses to inflammatory stimuli. Furthermore, our metabolomic analyses reveal a shift towards glycolysis and itaconate production in these cells. Remarkably, treatment with butyrate counteracts these immunometabolic changes, triggering an antioxidant response via the itaconate-Nrf2-GSH pathways and suppressing the expression of inflammatory genes. Furthermore, we identify Hcar2 (GPR109A) as a mediator involved in restoring the homeostasis of microglia without FXN. Motor function tests conducted on FRDA mice underscore the neuroprotective attributes of butyrate supplementation, enhancing neuromotor performance. In conclusion, our findings elucidate the role of disrupted homeostatic function in cerebellar microglia in the pathogenesis of FRDA. Moreover, they underscore the potential of butyrate to mitigate inflammatory gene expression, correct metabolic imbalances, and improve neuromotor capabilities in FRDA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Sciarretta
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Zaccaria
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Ninni
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Ceci
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Turchi
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Savina Apolloni
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Milani
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Della Valle
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Tiberi
- Laboratory of Resolution of Neuroinflammation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Chiurchiù
- Laboratory of Resolution of Neuroinflammation, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, IFT-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia D'Ambrosi
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Pedretti
- DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Nico Mitro
- DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Volontè
- https://ror.org/04zaypm56 National Research Council, Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science "A. Ruberti", Rome, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Experimental Neuroscience and Neurological Disease Models, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Amadio
- Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Experimental Neuroscience and Neurological Disease Models, Rome, Italy
| | - Katia Aquilano
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Lettieri-Barbato
- Department Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Delibaş B, Kaplan AA, Marangoz AH, Eltahir MI, Altun G, Kaplan S. The effect of dietary sesame oil and ginger oil as antioxidants in the adult rat dorsal root ganglia after peripheral nerve crush injury. Int J Neurosci 2024; 134:714-724. [PMID: 36342428 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2022.2145475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
AIM The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary sesame oil and ginger oil supplements on the dorsal root ganglia following a sciatic nerve crush model in male Wistar albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Crush injury models have been done by means of graded forceps (50 Newton). The animals were given a daily sesame oil (4 ml/kg/day) and ginger oil (400 mg/kg/day) via oral gavage for a period of 28 days. Dorsal root ganglia from the L5 levels were harvested. Processing of tissues was done for electron microscopy and light microscopy. Immunohistochemical staining with active caspase-3 antibody and qualitative ultrastructural analyses of tissues were made by a light and a transmission electron microscope, respectively. RESULTS The results showed that crush injury leads to remarkable ultrastructural changes in sensory neurons, such as swollen mitochondria, disruption of cristae structure, glial cell proliferation and, consequently, phagocytosis of the damaged neuron. These ultrastructural changes were less evident in the treated groups, and both natural compounds reduced the expression of activated caspase-3, which may also affect ultrastructural changes. CONCLUSION The application of the natural products sesame oil and ginger oil may represent a supportive approach to the protection of sensory neurons against the destructive effects of peripheral nerve crush injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Burcu Delibaş
- Departments of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Arife Ahsen Kaplan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul Medipol University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Mohammed Issa Eltahir
- Departments of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
- Faculty of Medicine, National University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Gamze Altun
- Departments of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Suleyman Kaplan
- Departments of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
- Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
VanPortfliet JJ, Chute C, Lei Y, Shutt TE, West AP. Mitochondrial DNA release and sensing in innate immune responses. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:R80-R91. [PMID: 38779772 PMCID: PMC11112387 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae031] [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: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are pleiotropic organelles central to an array of cellular pathways including metabolism, signal transduction, and programmed cell death. Mitochondria are also key drivers of mammalian immune responses, functioning as scaffolds for innate immune signaling, governing metabolic switches required for immune cell activation, and releasing agonists that promote inflammation. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a potent immunostimulatory agonist, triggering pro-inflammatory and type I interferon responses in a host of mammalian cell types. Here we review recent advances in how mtDNA is detected by nucleic acid sensors of the innate immune system upon release into the cytoplasm and extracellular space. We also discuss how the interplay between mtDNA release and sensing impacts cellular innate immune endpoints relevant to health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordyn J VanPortfliet
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, United States
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807, United States
| | - Cole Chute
- Departments of Medical Genetics and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Yuanjiu Lei
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, United States
| | - Timothy E Shutt
- Departments of Medical Genetics and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - A Phillip West
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, United States
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Dong YN, Ngaba LV, An J, Adeshina MW, Warren N, Wong J, Lynch DR. A peptide derived from TID1S rescues frataxin deficiency and mitochondrial defects in FRDA cellular models. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1352311. [PMID: 38495102 PMCID: PMC10940384 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1352311] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), the most common recessive inherited ataxia, results from homozygous guanine-adenine-adenine (GAA) repeat expansions in intron 1 of the FXN gene, which leads to the deficiency of frataxin, a mitochondrial protein essential for iron-sulphur cluster synthesis. The study of frataxin protein regulation might yield new approaches for FRDA treatment. Here, we report tumorous imaginal disc 1 (TID1), a mitochondrial J-protein cochaperone, as a binding partner of frataxin that negatively controls frataxin protein levels. TID1 interacts with frataxin both in vivo in mouse cortex and in vitro in cortical neurons. Acute and subacute depletion of frataxin using RNA interference markedly increases TID1 protein levels in multiple cell types. In addition, TID1 overexpression significantly increases frataxin precursor but decreases intermediate and mature frataxin levels in HEK293 cells. In primary cultured human skin fibroblasts, overexpression of TID1S results in decreased levels of mature frataxin and increased fragmentation of mitochondria. This effect is mediated by the last 6 amino acids of TID1S as a peptide made from this sequence rescues frataxin deficiency and mitochondrial defects in FRDA patient-derived cells. Our findings show that TID1 negatively modulates frataxin levels, and thereby suggests a novel therapeutic target for treating FRDA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Na Dong
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lucie Vanessa Ngaba
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jacob An
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Miniat W. Adeshina
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nathan Warren
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Johnathan Wong
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - David R. Lynch
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Perfitt TL, Huichalaf C, Gooch R, Kuperman A, Ahn Y, Chen X, Ullas S, Hirenallur-Shanthappa D, Zhan Y, Otis D, Whiteley LO, Bulawa C, Martelli A. A modified mouse model of Friedreich's ataxia with conditional Fxn allele homozygosity delays onset of cardiomyopathy. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2024; 326:H357-H369. [PMID: 38038720 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00496.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency in frataxin (FXN), a mitochondrial protein that plays a critical role in the synthesis of iron-sulfur clusters (Fe-S), vital inorganic cofactors necessary for numerous cellular processes. FA is characterized by progressive ataxia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, with cardiac dysfunction as the most common cause of mortality in patients. Commonly used cardiac-specific mouse models of FA use the muscle creatine kinase (MCK) promoter to express Cre recombinase in cardiomyocytes and striated muscle cells in mice with one conditional Fxn allele and one floxed-out/null allele. These mice quickly develop cardiomyopathy that becomes fatal by 9-11 wk of age. Here, we generated a cardiac-specific model with floxed Fxn allele homozygosity (MCK-Fxnflox/flox). MCK-Fxnflox/flox mice were phenotypically normal at 9 wk of age, despite no detectable FXN protein expression. Between 13 and 15 wk of age, these mice began to display progressive cardiomyopathy, including decreased ejection fraction and fractional shortening and increased left ventricular mass. MCK-Fxnflox/flox mice began to lose weight around 16 wk of age, characteristically associated with heart failure in other cardiac-specific FA models. By 18 wk of age, MCK-Fxnflox/flox mice displayed elevated markers of Fe-S deficiency, cardiac stress and injury, and cardiac fibrosis. This modified model reproduced important pathophysiological and biochemical features of FA over a longer timescale than previous cardiac-specific mouse models, offering a larger window for studying potential therapeutics.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Previous cardiac-specific frataxin knockout models exhibit rapid and fatal cardiomyopathy by 9 wk of age. This severe phenotype poses challenges for the design and execution of intervention studies. We introduce an alternative cardiac-specific model, MCK-Fxnflox/flox, with increased longevity and delayed onset of all major phenotypes. These phenotypes develop to the same severity as previous models. Thus, this new model provides the same cardiomyopathy-associated mortality with a larger window for potential studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tyler L Perfitt
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer, Incorporated, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Claudia Huichalaf
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer, Incorporated, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Renea Gooch
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer, Incorporated, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Anna Kuperman
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer, Incorporated, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Youngwook Ahn
- Target Sciences, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer, Incorporated, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Xian Chen
- Comparative Medicine, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer, Incorporated, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Soumya Ullas
- Comparative Medicine, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer, Incorporated, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Dinesh Hirenallur-Shanthappa
- Comparative Medicine, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer, Incorporated, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Yutian Zhan
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer, Incorporated, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Diana Otis
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer, Incorporated, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Laurence O Whiteley
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer, Incorporated, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Christine Bulawa
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer, Incorporated, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Alain Martelli
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer, Incorporated, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chaisson MJP, Sulovari A, Valdmanis PN, Miller DE, Eichler EE. Advances in the discovery and analyses of human tandem repeats. Emerg Top Life Sci 2023; 7:361-381. [PMID: 37905568 PMCID: PMC10806765 DOI: 10.1042/etls20230074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Long-read sequencing platforms provide unparalleled access to the structure and composition of all classes of tandemly repeated DNA from STRs to satellite arrays. This review summarizes our current understanding of their organization within the human genome, their importance with respect to disease, as well as the advances and challenges in understanding their genetic diversity and functional effects. Novel computational methods are being developed to visualize and associate these complex patterns of human variation with disease, expression, and epigenetic differences. We predict accurate characterization of this repeat-rich form of human variation will become increasingly relevant to both basic and clinical human genetics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark J P Chaisson
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, U.S.A
- The Genomic and Epigenomic Regulation Program, USC Norris Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, U.S.A
| | - Arvis Sulovari
- Computational Biology, Cajal Neuroscience Inc, Seattle, WA 98102, U.S.A
| | - Paul N Valdmanis
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, U.S.A
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, U.S.A
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, U.S.A
| | - Danny E Miller
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, U.S.A
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, U.S.A
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, U.S.A
| | - Evan E Eichler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, U.S.A
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gentili HG, Pignataro MF, Olmos J, Pavan MF, Ibañez LI, Santos J, Velazquez Duarte F. CRISPR/Cas9-based edition of frataxin gene in Dictyostelium discoideum. Biochem J 2023; 480:1533-1551. [PMID: 37721041 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230244] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we describe the development of a Dictyostelium discoideum strain deficient in frataxin protein (FXN). We investigated the conservation of function between humans and D. discoideum and showed that DdFXN can substitute the human version in the interaction and activation of the Fe-S assembly supercomplex. We edited the D. discoideum fxn locus and isolated a defective mutant, clone 8, which presents landmarks of frataxin deficiency, such as a decrease in Fe-S cluster-dependent enzymatic functions, growth rate reduction, and increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. In addition, the multicellular development is affected as well as growing on bacterial lawn. We also assessed the rescuing capacity of DdFXN-G122V, a version that mimics a human variant present in some FA patients. While the expression of DdFXN-G122V rescues growth and enzymatic activity defects, as DdFXN does, multicellular development defects were only partially rescued. The results of the study suggest that this new D. discoideum strain offers a wide range of possibilities to easily explore diverse FA FXN variants. This can facilitate the development of straightforward drug screenings to look for new therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hernan G Gentili
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Departamento de Fisiología y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Florencia Pignataro
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Departamento de Fisiología y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Justo Olmos
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Departamento de Fisiología y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Florencia Pavan
- Instituto de Química Física de los Materiales, Medio Ambiente y Energía (INQUIMAE), CONICET, FCEN, UBA, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lorena Itatí Ibañez
- Instituto de Química Física de los Materiales, Medio Ambiente y Energía (INQUIMAE), CONICET, FCEN, UBA, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Javier Santos
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Departamento de Fisiología y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Francisco Velazquez Duarte
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Departamento de Fisiología y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Rance G, Carew P, Winata L, Sale P, Delatycki M, Sly D. Auditory neuropathy in mice and humans with Friedreich ataxia. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2023; 10:953-963. [PMID: 37060174 PMCID: PMC10270266 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent studies have found that human Friedreich ataxia patients have dysfunction of transmission in the auditory neural pathways. Here, we characterize hearing deficits in a mouse model of Friedreich ataxia and compare these to a clinical population. METHODS Sixteen mice with a C57BL/6 background were evaluated. Eight were YG8Pook/J animals (Friedreich ataxia phenotype) and eight wild-type mice served as controls. Auditory function was assessed between ages 6 and 12 months using otoacoustic emissions and auditory steady-state responses. At study end, motor deficit was assessed using Rotorod testing and inner ear tissue was examined. Thirty-seven individuals with Friedreich ataxia underwent auditory steady-state evoked potential assessment and response amplitudes were compared with functional hearing ability (speech perception-in-noise) and disease status was measured by the Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale. RESULTS The YG8Pook/J mice showed anatomic and functional abnormality. While otoacoustic emission responses from the cochlear hair cells were mildly affected, auditory steady-state responses showed exaggerated amplitude reductions as the animals aged with Friedreich ataxia mice showing a 50-60% decrease compared to controls who showed only a 20-25% reduction (F(2,94) = 17.90, p < 0.00). Furthermore, the YG8Pook/J mice had fewer surviving spiral ganglion neurons, indicating greater degeneration of the auditory nerve. Neuronal density was 20-25% lower depending on cochlear region (F(1, 30) = 45.02, p < 0.001). In human participants, auditory steady-state response amplitudes were correlated with both Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant word scores and Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale score. INTERPRETATION This study found degenerative changes in auditory structure and function in YG8Pook/J mice, indicating that auditory measures in these animals may provide a model for testing Friedreich ataxia treatments. In addition, auditory steady-state response findings in a clinical population suggested that these scalp-recorded potentials may serve as an objective biomarker for disease progress in affected individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gary Rance
- Department of Audiology and Speech PathologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Peter Carew
- Department of Audiology and Speech PathologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Leon Winata
- Department of OtolaryngologyUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Phillip Sale
- Department of OtolaryngologyUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Martin Delatycki
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research InstituteMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - David Sly
- Department of OtolaryngologyUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Ear Science Institute AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cotticelli MG, Xia S, Truitt R, Doliba NM, Rozo AV, Tobias JW, Lee T, Chen J, Napierala JS, Napierala M, Yang W, Wilson RB. Acute frataxin knockdown in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes activates a type I interferon response. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:276639. [PMID: 36107856 PMCID: PMC9637271 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia, the most common hereditary ataxia, is a neuro- and cardio-degenerative disorder caused, in most cases, by decreased expression of the mitochondrial protein frataxin. Cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of premature death. Frataxin functions in the biogenesis of iron-sulfur clusters, which are prosthetic groups that are found in proteins involved in many biological processes. To study the changes associated with decreased frataxin in human cardiomyocytes, we developed a novel isogenic model by acutely knocking down frataxin, post-differentiation, in cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Transcriptome analysis of four biological replicates identified severe mitochondrial dysfunction and a type I interferon response as the pathways most affected by frataxin knockdown. We confirmed that, in iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, loss of frataxin leads to mitochondrial dysfunction. The type I interferon response was activated in multiple cell types following acute frataxin knockdown and was caused, at least in part, by release of mitochondrial DNA into the cytosol, activating the cGAS-STING sensor pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. Grazia Cotticelli
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Shujuan Xia
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Rachel Truitt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nicolai M. Doliba
- Institute of Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Andrea V. Rozo
- Institute of Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John W. Tobias
- Department of Genetics, Penn Genomics Analysis Core, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Taehee Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Justin Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jill S. Napierala
- Department of Neurology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Marek Napierala
- Department of Neurology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Wenli Yang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Robert B. Wilson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Author for correspondence ()
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Fil D, Conley RL, Zuberi AR, Lutz CM, Gemelli T, Napierala M, Napierala JS. Neurobehavioral deficits of mice expressing a low level of G127V mutant frataxin. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 177:105996. [PMID: 36638893 PMCID: PMC9901512 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.105996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by reduced expression of the mitochondrial protein frataxin (FXN). Most FRDA patients are homozygous for large expansions of GAA repeats in intron 1 of FXN, while some are compound heterozygotes with an expanded GAA tract in one allele and a missense or nonsense mutation in the other. A missense mutation, changing a glycine to valine at position 130 (G130V), is prevalent among the clinical variants. We and others have demonstrated that levels of mature FXN protein in FRDA G130V samples are reduced below those detected in samples harboring homozygous repeat expansions. Little is known regarding expression and function of endogenous FXN-G130V protein due to lack of reagents and models that can distinguish the mutant FXN protein from the wild-type FXN produced from the GAA-expanded allele. We aimed to determine the effect of the G130V (murine G127V) mutation on Fxn expression and to define its multi-system impact in vivo. We used CRISPR/Cas9 to introduce the G127V missense mutation in the Fxn coding sequence and generated homozygous mice (FxnG127V/G127V). We also introduced the G127V mutation into a GAA repeat expansion FRDA mouse model (FxnGAA230/KO; KIKO) to generate a compound heterozygous strain (FxnG127V/GAA230). We performed neurobehavioral tests on cohorts of WT and Fxn mutant animals at three-month intervals for one year, and collected tissue samples to analyze molecular changes during that time. The endogenous Fxn G127V protein is detected at much lower levels in all tissues analyzed from FxnG127V/G127V mice compared to age and sex-matched WT mice without differences in Fxn transcript levels. FxnG127V/G127V mice are significantly smaller than WT counterparts, but perform similarly in most neurobehavioral tasks. RNA sequencing analysis revealed reduced expression of genes in oxidative phosphorylation and protein synthesis, underscoring the metabolic consequences in our mouse model expressing extremely low levels of Fxn. Results of these studies provide insight into the unique pathogenic mechanism of the FXN G130V mechanism and the tolerable limit of Fxn/FXN expression in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fil
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Robbie L Conley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Aamir R Zuberi
- Technology Evaluation and Development, JAX Center for Precision Genetics, Rare Disease Translational Center, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | - Cathleen M Lutz
- The Rare and Orphan Disease Center, JAX Center for Precision Genetics, Rare Disease Translational Center, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | - Terry Gemelli
- Department of Neurology, Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Marek Napierala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Jill S Napierala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kalef-Ezra E, Edzeamey FJ, Valle A, Khonsari H, Kleine P, Oggianu C, Al-Mahdawi S, Pook MA, Anjomani Virmouni S. A new FRDA mouse model [ Fxn null:YG8s(GAA) > 800] with more than 800 GAA repeats. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:930422. [PMID: 36777637 PMCID: PMC9909538 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.930422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an inherited recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a homozygous guanine-adenine-adenine (GAA) repeat expansion within intron 1 of the FXN gene, which encodes the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. There is still no effective therapy for FRDA, therefore the development of optimal cell and animal models of the disease is one of the priorities for preclinical therapeutic testing. Methods We obtained the latest FRDA humanized mouse model that was generated on the basis of our previous YG8sR, by Jackson laboratory [YG8JR, Fxn null:YG8s(GAA) > 800]. We characterized the behavioral, cellular, molecular and epigenetics properties of the YG8JR model, which has the largest GAA repeat sizes compared to all the current FRDA mouse models. Results We found statistically significant behavioral deficits, together with reduced levels of frataxin mRNA and protein, and aconitase activity in YG8JR mice compared with control Y47JR mice. YG8JR mice exhibit intergenerational GAA repeat instability by the analysis of parent and offspring tissue samples. Somatic GAA repeat instability was also detected in individual brain and cerebellum tissue samples. In addition, increased DNA methylation of CpG U13 was identified in FXN GAA repeat region in the brain, cerebellum, and heart tissues. Furthermore, we show decreased histone H3K9 acetylation and increased H3K9 methylation of YG8JR cerebellum tissues within the FXN gene, upstream and downstream of the GAA repeat region compared to Y47JR controls. Discussion These studies provide a detailed characterization of the GAA repeat expansion-based YG8JR transgenic mouse models that will help investigations of FRDA disease mechanisms and therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ester Kalef-Ezra
- Ataxia Research Group, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Fred Jonathan Edzeamey
- Ataxia Research Group, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Adamo Valle
- Energy Metabolism and Nutrition, Research Institute of Health Sciences (IUNICS), University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain,Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain,Biomedical Research Networking Center for Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn CB06/03/0043), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Hassan Khonsari
- Ataxia Research Group, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Paula Kleine
- Ataxia Research Group, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Carlo Oggianu
- Ataxia Research Group, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sahar Al-Mahdawi
- Ataxia Research Group, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A. Pook
- Ataxia Research Group, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Anjomani Virmouni
- Ataxia Research Group, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Sara Anjomani Virmouni,
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Dionisi C, Chazalon M, Rai M, Keime C, Imbault V, Communi D, Puccio H, Schiffmann SN, Pandolfo M. Proprioceptors-enriched neuronal cultures from induced pluripotent stem cells from Friedreich ataxia patients show altered transcriptomic and proteomic profiles, abnormal neurite extension, and impaired electrophysiological properties. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad007. [PMID: 36865673 PMCID: PMC9972525 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad007] [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: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia is an autosomal recessive multisystem disorder with prominent neurological manifestations and cardiac involvement. The disease is caused by large GAA expansions in the first intron of the FXN gene, encoding the mitochondrial protein frataxin, resulting in downregulation of gene expression and reduced synthesis of frataxin. The selective loss of proprioceptive neurons is a hallmark of Friedreich ataxia, but the cause of the specific vulnerability of these cells is still unknown. We herein perform an in vitro characterization of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived sensory neuronal cultures highly enriched for primary proprioceptive neurons. We employ neurons differentiated from healthy donors, Friedreich ataxia patients and Friedreich ataxia sibling isogenic control lines. The analysis of the transcriptomic and proteomic profile suggests an impairment of cytoskeleton organization at the growth cone, neurite extension and, at later stages of maturation, synaptic plasticity. Alterations in the spiking profile of tonic neurons are also observed at the electrophysiological analysis of mature neurons. Despite the reversal of the repressive epigenetic state at the FXN locus and the restoration of FXN expression, isogenic control neurons retain many features of Friedreich ataxia neurons. Our study suggests the existence of abnormalities affecting proprioceptors in Friedreich ataxia, particularly their ability to extend towards their targets and transmit proper synaptic signals. It also highlights the need for further investigations to better understand the mechanistic link between FXN silencing and proprioceptive degeneration in Friedreich ataxia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Myriam Rai
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Céline Keime
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire UMR 7104 CNRS-UdS / INSERM U1258, Université de Strasbourg, 67404 Illkirch Cedex, Strasbourg, France
| | - Virginie Imbault
- Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (IRIBHM), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - David Communi
- Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (IRIBHM), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hélène Puccio
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire UMR 7104 CNRS-UdS / INSERM U1258, Université de Strasbourg, 67404 Illkirch Cedex, Strasbourg, France,Institut NeuroMyoGene (INMG) UMR5310—INSERM U1217, Faculté de Médecine, Université Claude Bernard—Lyon I, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Serge N Schiffmann
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, ULB-Neuroscience Institute (UNI), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Massimo Pandolfo
- Correspondence to: Massimo Pandolfo Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery McGill University, Montreal Neurological Institute 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gérard C, Archambault AF, Bouchard C, Tremblay JP. A promising mouse model for Friedreich Ataxia progressing like human patients. Behav Brain Res 2023; 436:114107. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
17
|
Younger DS. Neurogenetic motor disorders. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 195:183-250. [PMID: 37562870 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-98818-6.00003-0] [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: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Advances in the field of neurogenetics have practical applications in rapid diagnosis on blood and body fluids to extract DNA, obviating the need for invasive investigations. The ability to obtain a presymptomatic diagnosis through genetic screening and biomarkers can be a guide to life-saving disease-modifying therapy or enzyme replacement therapy to compensate for the deficient disease-causing enzyme. The benefits of a comprehensive neurogenetic evaluation extend to family members in whom identification of the causal gene defect ensures carrier detection and at-risk counseling for future generations. This chapter explores the many facets of the neurogenetic evaluation in adult and pediatric motor disorders as a primer for later chapters in this volume and a roadmap for the future applications of genetics in neurology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David S Younger
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Neuroscience, CUNY School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine and Neurology, White Plains Hospital, White Plains, NY, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kelekçi S, Yıldız AB, Sevinç K, Çimen DU, Önder T. Perspectives on current models of Friedreich’s ataxia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:958398. [PMID: 36036008 PMCID: PMC9403045 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.958398] [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: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA, OMIM#229300) is the most common hereditary ataxia, resulting from the reduction of frataxin protein levels due to the expansion of GAA repeats in the first intron of the FXN gene. Why the triplet repeat expansion causes a decrease in Frataxin protein levels is not entirely known. Generation of effective FRDA disease models is crucial for answering questions regarding the pathophysiology of this disease. There have been considerable efforts to generate in vitro and in vivo models of FRDA. In this perspective article, we highlight studies conducted using FRDA animal models, patient-derived materials, and particularly induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived models. We discuss the current challenges in using FRDA animal models and patient-derived cells. Additionally, we provide a brief overview of how iPSC-based models of FRDA were used to investigate the main pathways involved in disease progression and to screen for potential therapeutic agents for FRDA. The specific focus of this perspective article is to discuss the outlook and the remaining challenges in the context of FRDA iPSC-based models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Tamer Önder
- *Correspondence: Simge Kelekçi, , ; Tamer Önder,
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abeti R, Jasoliya M, Al-Mahdawi S, Pook M, Gonzalez-Robles C, Hui CK, Cortopassi G, Giunti P. A Drug Combination Rescues Frataxin-Dependent Neural and Cardiac Pathophysiology in FA Models. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:830650. [PMID: 35664670 PMCID: PMC9160322 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.830650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is an inherited multisystemic neuro- and cardio-degenerative disorder. Seventy-four clinical trials are listed for FA (including past and present), but none are considered FDA/EMA-approved therapy. To date, FA therapeutic strategies have focused along two main lines using a single-drug approach: a) increasing frataxin and b) enhancing downstream pathways, including antioxidant levels and mitochondrial function. Our novel strategy employed a combinatorial approach to screen approved compounds to determine if a combination of molecules provided an additive or synergistic benefit to FA cells and/or animal models. Eight single drug molecules were administered to FA fibroblast patient cells: nicotinamide riboside, hemin, betamethasone, resveratrol, epicatechin, histone deacetylase inhibitor 109, methylene blue, and dimethyl fumarate. We measured their individual ability to induce FXN transcription and mitochondrial biogenesis in patient cells. Single-drug testing highlighted that dimethyl fumarate and resveratrol increased these two parameters. In addition, the simultaneous administration of these two drugs was the most effective in terms of FXN mRNA and mitobiogenesis increase. Interestingly, this combination also improved mitochondrial functions and reduced reactive oxygen species in neurons and cardiomyocytes. Behavioral tests in an FA mouse model treated with dimethyl fumarate and resveratrol demonstrated improved rotarod performance. Our data suggest that dimethyl fumarate is effective as a single agent, and the addition of resveratrol provides further benefit in some assays without showing toxicity. Therefore, they could be a valuable combination to counteract FA pathophysiology. Further studies will help fully understand the potential of a combined therapeutic strategy in FA pathophysiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosella Abeti
- Ataxia Centre, Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL, Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Rosella Abeti, ; Paola Giunti,
| | - Mittal Jasoliya
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Sahar Al-Mahdawi
- Department of Life Sciences, Institute of Environment, Health, and Societies, College of Health and Life Sciences, Division of Biosciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Pook
- Department of Life Sciences, Institute of Environment, Health, and Societies, College of Health and Life Sciences, Division of Biosciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Cristina Gonzalez-Robles
- Ataxia Centre, Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL, Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chun Kiu Hui
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Gino Cortopassi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Paola Giunti
- Ataxia Centre, Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL, Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Rosella Abeti, ; Paola Giunti,
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Sivakumar A, Cherqui S. Advantages and Limitations of Gene Therapy and Gene Editing for Friedreich's Ataxia. Front Genome Ed 2022; 4:903139. [PMID: 35663795 PMCID: PMC9157421 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2022.903139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an inherited, multisystemic disorder predominantly caused by GAA hyper expansion in intron 1 of frataxin (FXN) gene. This expansion mutation transcriptionally represses FXN, a mitochondrial protein that is required for iron metabolism and mitochondrial homeostasis, leading to neurodegerative and cardiac dysfunction. Current therapeutic options for FRDA are focused on improving mitochondrial function and increasing frataxin expression through pharmacological interventions but are not effective in delaying or preventing the neurodegeneration in clinical trials. Recent research on in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy methods in FRDA animal and cell models showcase its promise as a one-time therapy for FRDA. In this review, we provide an overview on the current and emerging prospects of gene therapy for FRDA, with specific focus on advantages of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of FXN as a viable option to restore endogenous frataxin expression. We also assess the potential of ex vivo gene editing in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells as a potential autologous transplantation therapeutic option and discuss its advantages in tackling FRDA-specific safety aspects for clinical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephanie Cherqui
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Mercado-Ayón E, Warren N, Halawani S, Rodden LN, Ngaba L, Dong YN, Chang JC, Fonck C, Mavilio F, Lynch DR, Lin H. Cerebellar Pathology in an Inducible Mouse Model of Friedreich Ataxia. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:819569. [PMID: 35401081 PMCID: PMC8987918 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.819569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by deficiency of the mitochondrial protein frataxin. Lack of frataxin causes neuronal loss in various areas of the CNS and PNS. In particular, cerebellar neuropathology in FRDA patients includes loss of large principal neurons and synaptic terminals in the dentate nucleus (DN), and previous studies have demonstrated early synaptic deficits in the Knockin-Knockout mouse model of FRDA. However, the exact correlation of frataxin deficiency with cerebellar neuropathology remains unclear. Here we report that doxycycline-induced frataxin knockdown in a mouse model of FRDA (FRDAkd) leads to synaptic cerebellar degeneration that can be partially reversed by AAV8-mediated frataxin restoration. Loss of cerebellar Purkinje neurons and large DN principal neurons are observed in the FRDAkd mouse cerebellum. Levels of the climbing fiber-specific glutamatergic synaptic marker VGLUT2 decline starting at 4 weeks after dox induction, whereas levels of the parallel fiber-specific synaptic marker VGLUT1 are reduced by 18-weeks. These findings suggest initial selective degeneration of climbing fiber synapses followed by loss of parallel fiber synapses. The GABAergic synaptic marker GAD65 progressively declined during dox induction in FRDAkd mice, while GAD67 levels remained unaltered, suggesting specific roles for frataxin in maintaining cerebellar synaptic integrity and function during adulthood. Expression of frataxin following AAV8-mediated gene transfer partially restored VGLUT1/2 levels. Taken together, our findings show that frataxin knockdown leads to cerebellar degeneration in the FRDAkd mouse model, suggesting that frataxin helps maintain cerebellar structure and function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Mercado-Ayón
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nathan Warren
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sarah Halawani
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Layne N. Rodden
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lucie Ngaba
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Yi Na Dong
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Carlos Fonck
- Audentes Therapeutics, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Fulvio Mavilio
- Audentes Therapeutics, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - David R. Lynch
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: David R. Lynch, ;
| | - Hong Lin
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Hong Lin,
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Acute Cerebellar Inflammation and Related Ataxia: Mechanisms and Pathophysiology. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12030367. [PMID: 35326323 PMCID: PMC8946185 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12030367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum governs motor coordination and motor learning. Infection with external microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, induces the release and production of inflammatory mediators, which drive acute cerebellar inflammation. The clinical observation of acute cerebellitis is associated with the emergence of cerebellar ataxia. In our animal model of the acute inflammation of the cerebellar cortex, animals did not show any ataxia but hyperexcitability in the cerebellar cortex and depression-like behaviors. In contrast, animal models with neurodegeneration of the cerebellar Purkinje cells and hypoexcitability of the neurons show cerebellar ataxia. The suppression of the Ca2+-activated K+ channels in vivo is associated with a type of ataxia. Therefore, there is a gap in our interpretation between the very early phase of cerebellar inflammation and the emergence of cerebellar ataxia. In this review, we discuss the hypothesized scenario concerning the emergence of cerebellar ataxia. First, compared with genetically induced cerebellar ataxias, we introduce infection and inflammation in the cerebellum via aberrant immunity and glial responses. Especially, we focus on infections with cytomegalovirus, influenza virus, dengue virus, and SARS-CoV-2, potential relevance to mitochondrial DNA, and autoimmunity in infection. Second, we review neurophysiological modulation (intrinsic excitability, excitatory, and inhibitory synaptic transmission) by inflammatory mediators and aberrant immunity. Next, we discuss the cerebellar circuit dysfunction (presumably, via maintaining the homeostatic property). Lastly, we propose the mechanism of the cerebellar ataxia and possible treatments for the ataxia in the cerebellar inflammation.
Collapse
|
23
|
Monfort B, Want K, Gervason S, D’Autréaux B. Recent Advances in the Elucidation of Frataxin Biochemical Function Open Novel Perspectives for the Treatment of Friedreich’s Ataxia. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:838335. [PMID: 35310092 PMCID: PMC8924461 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.838335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is the most prevalent autosomic recessive ataxia and is associated with a severe cardiac hypertrophy and less frequently diabetes. It is caused by mutations in the gene encoding frataxin (FXN), a small mitochondrial protein. The primary consequence is a defective expression of FXN, with basal protein levels decreased by 70–98%, which foremost affects the cerebellum, dorsal root ganglia, heart and liver. FXN is a mitochondrial protein involved in iron metabolism but its exact function has remained elusive and highly debated since its discovery. At the cellular level, FRDA is characterized by a general deficit in the biosynthesis of iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters and heme, iron accumulation and deposition in mitochondria, and sensitivity to oxidative stress. Based on these phenotypes and the proposed ability of FXN to bind iron, a role as an iron storage protein providing iron for Fe-S cluster and heme biosynthesis was initially proposed. However, this model was challenged by several other studies and it is now widely accepted that FXN functions primarily in Fe-S cluster biosynthesis, with iron accumulation, heme deficiency and oxidative stress sensitivity appearing later on as secondary defects. Nonetheless, the biochemical function of FXN in Fe-S cluster biosynthesis is still debated. Several roles have been proposed for FXN: iron chaperone, gate-keeper of detrimental Fe-S cluster biosynthesis, sulfide production stimulator and sulfur transfer accelerator. A picture is now emerging which points toward a unique function of FXN as an accelerator of a key step of sulfur transfer between two components of the Fe-S cluster biosynthetic complex. These findings should foster the development of new strategies for the treatment of FRDA. We will review here the latest discoveries on the biochemical function of frataxin and the implication for a potential therapeutic treatment of FRDA.
Collapse
|
24
|
Seminotti B, Grings M, Tucci P, Leipnitz G, Saso L. Nuclear Factor Erythroid-2-Related Factor 2 Signaling in the Neuropathophysiology of Inherited Metabolic Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:785057. [PMID: 34955754 PMCID: PMC8693715 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.785057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) are rare genetic conditions that affect multiple organs, predominantly the central nervous system. Since treatment for a large number of IMDs is limited, there is an urgent need to find novel therapeutical targets. Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that has a key role in controlling the intracellular redox environment by regulating the expression of antioxidant enzymes and several important genes related to redox homeostasis. Considering that oxidative stress along with antioxidant system alterations is a mechanism involved in the neuropathophysiology of many IMDs, this review focuses on the current knowledge about Nrf2 signaling dysregulation observed in this group of disorders characterized by neurological dysfunction. We review here Nrf2 signaling alterations observed in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, glutaric acidemia type I, hyperhomocysteinemia, and Friedreich’s ataxia. Additionally, beneficial effects of different Nrf2 activators are shown, identifying a promising target for treatment of patients with these disorders. We expect that this article stimulates research into the investigation of Nrf2 pathway involvement in IMDs and the use of potential pharmacological modulators of this transcription factor to counteract oxidative stress and exert neuroprotection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Seminotti
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Mateus Grings
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Paolo Tucci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Guilhian Leipnitz
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Physiology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Luciano Saso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Viventi S, Frausin S, Howden SE, Lim SY, Finol-Urdaneta RK, McArthur JR, Abu-Bonsrah KD, Ng W, Ivanusic J, Thompson L, Dottori M. In vivo survival and differentiation of Friedreich ataxia iPSC-derived sensory neurons transplanted in the adult dorsal root ganglia. Stem Cells Transl Med 2021; 10:1157-1169. [PMID: 33734599 PMCID: PMC8284774 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.20-0334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by degeneration of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) sensory neurons, which is due to low levels of the mitochondrial protein Frataxin. To explore cell replacement therapies as a possible approach to treat FRDA, we examined transplantation of sensory neural progenitors derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and FRDA induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) into adult rodent DRG regions. Our data showed survival and differentiation of hESC and FRDA iPSC-derived progenitors in the DRG 2 and 8 weeks post-transplantation, respectively. Donor cells expressed neuronal markers, including sensory and glial markers, demonstrating differentiation to these lineages. These results are novel and a highly significant first step in showing the possibility of using stem cells as a cell replacement therapy to treat DRG neurodegeneration in FRDA as well as other peripheral neuropathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Serena Viventi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
| | - Stefano Frausin
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
| | - Sara E Howden
- The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Shiang Y Lim
- O'Brien Institute Department, St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, Australia.,Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, St Vincent Hospital, Fitzroy, Australia
| | - Rocio K Finol-Urdaneta
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Keiraville, Australia
| | - Jeffrey R McArthur
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Keiraville, Australia
| | - Kwaku Dad Abu-Bonsrah
- The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Wayne Ng
- School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.,Department of Neurosurgery, Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport, Australia
| | - Jason Ivanusic
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Lachlan Thompson
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
| | - Mirella Dottori
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Keiraville, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Petrillo S, Santoro M, La Rosa P, Perna A, Gallo MG, Bertini ES, Silvestri G, Piemonte F. Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 Activation Might Mitigate Clinical Symptoms in Friedreich's Ataxia: Clues of an "Out-Brain Origin" of the Disease From a Family Study. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:638810. [PMID: 33708070 PMCID: PMC7940825 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.638810] [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: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is the most frequent autosomal recessive ataxia in western countries, with a mean age of onset at 10–15 years. Patients manifest progressive cerebellar and sensory ataxia, dysarthria, lower limb pyramidal weakness, and other systemic manifestations. Previously, we described a family displaying two expanded GAA alleles not only in the proband affected by late-onset FRDA but also in the two asymptomatic family members: the mother and the younger sister. Both of them showed a significant reduction of frataxin levels, without any disease manifestation. Here, we analyzed if a protective mechanism might contribute to modulate the phenotype in this family. We particularly focused on the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), the first line of antioxidant defense in cells, and on the glutathione (GSH) system, an index of reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification ability. Our findings show a great reactivity of the GSH system to the frataxin deficiency, particularly in the asymptomatic mother, where the genes of GSH synthesis [glutamate–cysteine ligase (GCL)] and GSSG detoxification [GSH S-reductase (GSR)] were highly responsive. The GSR was activated even in the asymptomatic sister and in the proband, reflecting the need of buffering the GSSG increase. Furthermore, and contrasting the NRF2 expression documented in FRDA tissues, NRF2 was highly activated in the mother and in the younger sister, while it was constitutively low in the proband. This suggests that, also under frataxin depletion, the endogenous stimulation of NRF2 in asymptomatic FRDA subjects may contribute to protect against the progressive oxidative damage, helping to prevent the onset of neurological symptoms and highlighting an “out-brain origin” of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Petrillo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Piergiorgio La Rosa
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Perna
- Department of Neurosciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Giovanna Gallo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Silvio Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Silvestri
- Department of Neurosciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,UOC of Neurology, Area of Neuroscience, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Ocana-Santero G, Díaz-Nido J, Herranz-Martín S. Future Prospects of Gene Therapy for Friedreich's Ataxia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1815. [PMID: 33670433 PMCID: PMC7918362 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia is an autosomal recessive neurogenetic disease that is mainly associated with atrophy of the spinal cord and progressive neurodegeneration in the cerebellum. The disease is caused by a GAA-expansion in the first intron of the frataxin gene leading to a decreased level of frataxin protein, which results in mitochondrial dysfunction. Currently, there is no effective treatment to delay neurodegeneration in Friedreich's ataxia. A plausible therapeutic approach is gene therapy. Indeed, Friedreich's ataxia mouse models have been treated with viral vectors en-coding for either FXN or neurotrophins, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor showing promising results. Thus, gene therapy is increasingly consolidating as one of the most promising therapies. However, several hurdles have to be overcome, including immunotoxicity and pheno-toxicity. We review the state of the art of gene therapy in Friedreich's ataxia, addressing the main challenges and the most feasible solutions for them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Ocana-Santero
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (G.O.-S.); (J.D.-N.)
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Javier Díaz-Nido
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (G.O.-S.); (J.D.-N.)
| | - Saúl Herranz-Martín
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (G.O.-S.); (J.D.-N.)
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Manzar H, Abdulhussein D, Yap TE, Cordeiro MF. Cellular Consequences of Coenzyme Q10 Deficiency in Neurodegeneration of the Retina and Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9299. [PMID: 33291255 PMCID: PMC7730520 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a ubiquitous cofactor in the body, operating in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it plays a vital role in the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through the electron transport chain (ETC). In addition to this, CoQ10 serves as an antioxidant, protecting the cell from oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as maintaining a proton (H+) gradient across lysosome membranes to facilitate the breakdown of cellular waste products. Through the process of ageing, the body becomes deficient in CoQ10, resulting in several systemic manifestations. On a cellular level, one of the consequences of CoQ10 deficiency is apoptosis, which can be visualised in tissues of the central nervous system (CNS). Diseases affecting the retina and brain such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) have shown defects in cellular biochemical reactions attributed to reduced levels of CoQ10. Through further research into the pathogenesis of such conditions, the effects of CoQ10 deficiency can be counteracted through supplementation, early detection and intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haider Manzar
- Imperial College Ophthalmology Research Group, Western Eye Hospital, 153-173 Marylebone Road, Marylebone, London NW1 5QH, UK; (H.M.); (D.A.); (T.E.Y.)
| | - Dalia Abdulhussein
- Imperial College Ophthalmology Research Group, Western Eye Hospital, 153-173 Marylebone Road, Marylebone, London NW1 5QH, UK; (H.M.); (D.A.); (T.E.Y.)
| | - Timothy E. Yap
- Imperial College Ophthalmology Research Group, Western Eye Hospital, 153-173 Marylebone Road, Marylebone, London NW1 5QH, UK; (H.M.); (D.A.); (T.E.Y.)
| | - M. Francesca Cordeiro
- Imperial College Ophthalmology Research Group, Western Eye Hospital, 153-173 Marylebone Road, Marylebone, London NW1 5QH, UK; (H.M.); (D.A.); (T.E.Y.)
- Glaucoma & Retinal Neurodegeneration Research Group, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
La Rosa P, Petrillo S, Fiorenza MT, Bertini ES, Piemonte F. Ferroptosis in Friedreich's Ataxia: A Metal-Induced Neurodegenerative Disease. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10111551. [PMID: 33202971 PMCID: PMC7696618 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, arising from the accumulation of lipid-based reactive oxygen species when glutathione-dependent repair systems are compromised. Lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial impairment and iron dyshomeostasis are the hallmark of ferroptosis, which is emerging as a crucial player in neurodegeneration. This review provides an analysis of the most recent advances in ferroptosis, with a special focus on Friedreich's Ataxia (FA), the most common autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease, caused by reduced levels of frataxin, a mitochondrial protein involved in iron-sulfur cluster synthesis and antioxidant defenses. The hypothesis is that the iron-induced oxidative damage accumulates over time in FA, lowering the ferroptosis threshold and leading to neuronal cell death and, at last, to cardiac failure. The use of anti-ferroptosis drugs combined with treatments able to activate the antioxidant response will be of paramount importance in FA therapy, such as in many other neurodegenerative diseases triggered by oxidative stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piergiorgio La Rosa
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (P.L.R.); (M.T.F.)
| | - Sara Petrillo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (E.S.B.)
| | - Maria Teresa Fiorenza
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (P.L.R.); (M.T.F.)
| | - Enrico Silvio Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (E.S.B.)
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (E.S.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-6859-2102
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Rodríguez LR, Calap-Quintana P, Lapeña-Luzón T, Pallardó FV, Schneuwly S, Navarro JA, Gonzalez-Cabo P. Oxidative stress modulates rearrangement of endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contacts and calcium dysregulation in a Friedreich's ataxia model. Redox Biol 2020; 37:101762. [PMID: 33128998 PMCID: PMC7585950 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2020.101762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neuromuscular and neurological manifestations. It is caused by mutations in the FXN gene, which results in loss of the mitochondrial protein frataxin. Endoplasmic Reticulum-mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs) are inter-organelle structures involved in the regulation of essential cellular processes, including lipid metabolism and calcium signaling. In the present study, we have analyzed in both, unicellular and multicellular models of FRDA, calcium management and integrity of MAMs. We observed that function of MAMs is compromised in our cellular model of FRDA, which was improved upon treatment with antioxidants. In agreement, promoting mitochondrial calcium uptake was sufficient to restore several defects caused by frataxin deficiency in Drosophila Melanogaster. Remarkably, our findings describe for the first time frataxin as a member of the protein network of MAMs, where interacts with two of the main proteins implicated in endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria communication. These results suggest a new role of frataxin, indicate that FRDA goes beyond mitochondrial defects and highlight MAMs as novel therapeutic candidates to improve patient's conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura R Rodríguez
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, 46010, Spain; Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, Spain
| | - Pablo Calap-Quintana
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, 46010, Spain; Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain
| | - Tamara Lapeña-Luzón
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, 46010, Spain; Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain
| | - Federico V Pallardó
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, 46010, Spain; Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain
| | - Stephan Schneuwly
- Institute of Zoology, Universitaetsstrasse 31, University of Regensburg, 93040, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Juan A Navarro
- Institute of Zoology, Universitaetsstrasse 31, University of Regensburg, 93040, Regensburg, Germany; INCLIVA Biomedial Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Pilar Gonzalez-Cabo
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, 46010, Spain; Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Salami CO, Jackson K, Jose C, Alyass L, Cisse GI, De BP, Stiles KM, Chiuchiolo MJ, Sondhi D, Crystal RG, Kaminsky SM. Stress-Induced Mouse Model of the Cardiac Manifestations of Friedreich's Ataxia Corrected by AAV-mediated Gene Therapy. Hum Gene Ther 2020; 31:819-827. [PMID: 32646255 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2019.363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FA), an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency in the expression of frataxin (FXN), is characterized by progressive ataxia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Although cardiac dysfunction is the most common cause of mortality in FA, the cardiac disease remains subclinical for most of the clinical course because the neurologic disease limits muscle oxygen demands. Previous FXN knockout mouse models exhibit fatal cardiomyopathy similar to human FA, but in contrast to the human condition, untreated mice become moribund by 2 months of age, unlike humans where the cardiac disease often does not manifest until the third decade. The study was designed to create a mouse model for early FA disease relevant to the time for which a gene therapy would likely be most effective. To generate a cardiac-specific mouse model of FA cardiomyopathy similar to the human disease, we used a cardiac promoter (αMyhc) driving CRE recombinase cardiac-specific excision of FXN exon 4 to generate a mild, cardiac-specific FA model that is normal at rest, but exhibits the cardiac phenotype with stress. The hearts of αMyhc mice had decreased levels of FXN and activity of the mitochondrial complex II/complex IV respiratory chain. At rest, αMyhc mice exhibited normal cardiac function as assessed by echocardiographic assessment of ejection fraction and fractional shortening, but when the heart was stressed chemically with dobutamine, αMyhc mice compared with littermate control mice had a 62% reduction in the stress ejection fraction (p < 2 × 10-4) and 71% reduction in stress-related fractional shortening (p < 10-5). When assessing functional cardiac performance using running on an inclined treadmill, αMyhc mice stayed above the midline threefold less than littermate controls (p < 0.02). A one-time intravenous administration of 1011 genome copies of AAVrh.10hFXN, an adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype rh10 gene transfer vector expressing human FXN, corrected the stress-induced ejection fraction and fractional shortening phenotypes. Treated αMyhc mice exhibited exercise performance on a treadmill indistinguishable from littermate controls (p > 0.07). These αMyhc mice provide an ideal model to study long-term cardiac complications due to FA and AAV-mediated gene therapy correction of stress-induced cardiac phenotypes typical of human FA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christiana O Salami
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Katie Jackson
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Clarisse Jose
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Laith Alyass
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Georges-Ibrahim Cisse
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bishnu P De
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Katie M Stiles
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Maria J Chiuchiolo
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dolan Sondhi
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ronald G Crystal
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Stephen M Kaminsky
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Rodríguez LR, Lapeña T, Calap-Quintana P, Moltó MD, Gonzalez-Cabo P, Navarro Langa JA. Antioxidant Therapies and Oxidative Stress in Friedreich´s Ataxia: The Right Path or Just a Diversion? Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:E664. [PMID: 32722309 PMCID: PMC7465446 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9080664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich´s ataxia is the commonest autosomal recessive ataxia among population of European descent. Despite the huge advances performed in the last decades, a cure still remains elusive. One of the most studied hallmarks of the disease is the increased production of oxidative stress markers in patients and models. This feature has been the motivation to develop treatments that aim to counteract such boost of free radicals and to enhance the production of antioxidant defenses. In this work, we present and critically review those "antioxidant" drugs that went beyond the disease´s models and were approved for its application in clinical trials. The evaluation of these trials highlights some crucial aspects of the FRDA research. On the one hand, the analysis contributes to elucidate whether oxidative stress plays a central role or whether it is only an epiphenomenon. On the other hand, it comments on some limitations in the current trials that complicate the analysis and interpretation of their outcome. We also include some suggestions that will be interesting to implement in future studies and clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura R. Rodríguez
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Universitat de València-INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.R.R.); (T.L.); (P.C.-Q.)
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Tamara Lapeña
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Universitat de València-INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.R.R.); (T.L.); (P.C.-Q.)
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Pablo Calap-Quintana
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Universitat de València-INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.R.R.); (T.L.); (P.C.-Q.)
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - María Dolores Moltó
- Department of Genetics, Universitat de València-INCLIVA, 46100 Valencia, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), 46100 Valencia, Spain
| | - Pilar Gonzalez-Cabo
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Universitat de València-INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.R.R.); (T.L.); (P.C.-Q.)
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Mystery of Expansion: DNA Metabolism and Unstable Repeats. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1241:101-124. [PMID: 32383118 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-41283-8_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian genome mostly contains repeated sequences. Some of these repeats are in the regulatory elements of genes, and their instability, particularly the propensity to change the repeat unit number, is responsible for 36 well-known neurodegenerative human disorders. The mechanism of repeat expansion has been an unsolved question for more than 20 years. There are a few hypotheses describing models of mutation development. Every hypothesis is based on assumptions about unusual secondary structures that violate DNA metabolism processes in the cell. Some models are based on replication errors, and other models are based on mismatch repair or base excision repair errors. Additionally, it has been shown that epigenetic regulation of gene expression can influence the probability and frequency of expansion. In this review, we consider the molecular bases of repeat expansion disorders and discuss possible mechanisms of repeat expansion during cell metabolism.
Collapse
|
34
|
Kim T, Song B, Lee IS. Drosophila Glia: Models for Human Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4859. [PMID: 32660023 PMCID: PMC7402321 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial cells are key players in the proper formation and maintenance of the nervous system, thus contributing to neuronal health and disease in humans. However, little is known about the molecular pathways that govern glia-neuron communications in the diseased brain. Drosophila provides a useful in vivo model to explore the conserved molecular details of glial cell biology and their contributions to brain function and disease susceptibility. Herein, we review recent studies that explore glial functions in normal neuronal development, along with Drosophila models that seek to identify the pathological implications of glial defects in the context of various central nervous system disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Im-Soon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for CHANS, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (T.K.); (B.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Chiabrando D, Bertino F, Tolosano E. Hereditary Ataxia: A Focus on Heme Metabolism and Fe-S Cluster Biogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113760. [PMID: 32466579 PMCID: PMC7312568 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Heme and Fe-S clusters regulate a plethora of essential biological processes ranging from cellular respiration and cell metabolism to the maintenance of genome integrity. Mutations in genes involved in heme metabolism and Fe-S cluster biogenesis cause different forms of ataxia, like posterior column ataxia and retinitis pigmentosa (PCARP), Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) and X-linked sideroblastic anemia with ataxia (XLSA/A). Despite great efforts in the elucidation of the molecular pathogenesis of these disorders several important questions still remain to be addressed. Starting with an overview of the biology of heme metabolism and Fe-S cluster biogenesis, the review discusses recent progress in the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of PCARP, FRDA and XLSA/A, and highlights future line of research in the field. A better comprehension of the mechanisms leading to the degeneration of neural circuity responsible for balance and coordinated movement will be crucial for the therapeutic management of these patients.
Collapse
|
36
|
Muñoz-Lasso DC, Mollá B, Calap-Quintana P, García-Giménez JL, Pallardo FV, Palau F, Gonzalez-Cabo P. Cofilin dysregulation alters actin turnover in frataxin-deficient neurons. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5207. [PMID: 32251310 PMCID: PMC7090085 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62050-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormalities in actin cytoskeleton have been linked to Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), an inherited peripheral neuropathy characterised by an early loss of neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) among other clinical symptoms. Despite all efforts to date, we still do not fully understand the molecular events that contribute to the lack of sensory neurons in FRDA. We studied the adult neuronal growth cone (GC) at the cellular and molecular level to decipher the connection between frataxin and actin cytoskeleton in DRG neurons of the well-characterised YG8R Friedreich's ataxia mouse model. Immunofluorescence studies in primary cultures of DRG from YG8R mice showed neurons with fewer and smaller GCs than controls, associated with an inhibition of neurite growth. In frataxin-deficient neurons, we also observed an increase in the filamentous (F)-actin/monomeric (G)-actin ratio (F/G-actin ratio) in axons and GCs linked to dysregulation of two crucial modulators of filamentous actin turnover, cofilin-1 and the actin-related protein (ARP) 2/3 complex. We show how the activation of cofilin is due to the increase in chronophin (CIN), a cofilin-activating phosphatase. Thus cofilin emerges, for the first time, as a link between frataxin deficiency and actin cytoskeleton alterations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana C Muñoz-Lasso
- CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, 46010, Spain
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, Spain
| | - Belén Mollá
- CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV), CSIC, Valencia, 46010, Spain
| | - Pablo Calap-Quintana
- CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, 46010, Spain
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Luis García-Giménez
- CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, 46010, Spain
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, Spain
| | - Federico V Pallardo
- CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, 46010, Spain
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francesc Palau
- CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu and Department of Genetic & Molecular Medicine and IPER, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, 08950, Spain
- Hospital Clínic and Division of Pediatrics, University of Barcelona School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Gonzalez-Cabo
- CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain.
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, 46010, Spain.
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
The NRF2 Signaling Network Defines Clinical Biomarkers and Therapeutic Opportunity in Friedreich's Ataxia. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030916. [PMID: 32019240 PMCID: PMC7037688 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is a trinucleotide repeats expansion neurodegenerative disorder, for which no cure or approved therapies are present. In most cases, GAA trinucleotide repetitions in the first intron of the FXN gene are the genetic trigger of FA, determining a strong reduction of frataxin, a mitochondrial protein involved in iron homeostasis. Frataxin depletion impairs iron–sulfur cluster biosynthesis and determines iron accumulation in the mitochondria. Mounting evidence suggests that these defects increase oxidative stress susceptibility and reactive oxygen species production in FA, where the pathologic picture is worsened by a defective regulation of the expression and signaling pathway modulation of the transcription factor NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2), one of the fundamental mediators of the cellular antioxidant response. NRF2 protein downregulation and impairment of its nuclear translocation can compromise the adequate cellular response to the frataxin depletion-dependent redox imbalance. As NRF2 stability, expression, and activation can be modulated by diverse natural and synthetic compounds, efforts have been made in recent years to understand if regulating NRF2 signaling might ameliorate the pathologic defects in FA. Here we provide an analysis of the pharmaceutical interventions aimed at restoring the NRF2 signaling network in FA, elucidating specific biomarkers useful for monitoring therapeutic effectiveness, and developing new therapeutic tools.
Collapse
|
38
|
Stepanova A, Magrané J. Mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons in Friedreich's ataxia. Mol Cell Neurosci 2020; 102:103419. [PMID: 31770591 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2019.103419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia is a multisystemic genetic disorder within the family of mitochondrial diseases that is characterized by reduced levels of the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. Based on clinical evidence, the peripheral nervous system is affected early, neuronal dysfunction progresses towards the central nervous system, and other organs (such as heart and pancreas) are affected later. However, little attention has been given to the specific aspects of mitochondria function altered by frataxin depletion in the nervous system. For years, commonly accepted views on mitochondria dysfunction in Friedreich's ataxia stemmed from studies using non-neuronal systems and may not apply to neurons, which have their own bioenergetic needs and present a unique, extensive neurite network. Moreover, the basis of the selective neuronal vulnerability, which primarily affects large sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia, large principal neurons in the dentate nuclei of the cerebellum, and pyramidal neurons in the cerebral cortex, remains elusive. In order to identify potential misbeliefs in the field and highlight controversies, we reviewed current knowledge on frataxin expression in different tissues, discussed the molecular function of frataxin, and the consequences of its deficiency for mitochondria structural and functional properties, with a focus on the nervous system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Stepanova
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America.
| | - Jordi Magrané
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Griso O, Puccio H. Primary Cultures of Pure Embryonic Dorsal Root Ganglia Sensory Neurons as a New Cellular Model for Friedreich's Ataxia. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2056:241-253. [PMID: 31586352 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9784-8_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral neuropathies can have various origins, from genetic to acquired causes, and affect altogether a large group of people in the world. Current available therapies aim at helping the disease symptoms but not to correct or stop the development of the disease. Primary neuronal cultures represent an essential tool in the study of events related to peripheral neuropathies as they allow to isolate the affected cell types, often originating in complex tissues in which they account for only a few percentage of cells. They provide a powerful system to identifying or testing compounds with potential therapeutic effect in the treatment of those diseases. Friedreich's ataxia is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder, which is characterized by a progressive spinocerebellar and sensory ataxia. Proprioceptive neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are the primary affected cells. The disease is triggered by a mutation in the gene FXN which leads to a reduction of the frataxin protein. In order to study the neurophysiopathology of the disease at the cellular and molecular levels, we have established a model of primary cultures of DRG sensory neurons in which we induce the loss of the frataxin protein. With such a model we can alleviate the issues related to the complexity of DRG tissues and low amount of sensory neuron material in adult mouse. Hereby, we provide a protocol of detailed and optimized methods to obtain high yield of healthy mouse DRG sensory neuron in culture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Griso
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch, France
- INSERM, U1258, Illkirch, France
- CNRS, UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Hélène Puccio
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch, France.
- INSERM, U1258, Illkirch, France.
- CNRS, UMR7104, Illkirch, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Reetz K, Hilgers RD, Isfort S, Dohmen M, Didszun C, Fedosov K, Kistermann J, Mariotti C, Durr A, Boesch S, Klopstock T, Rodríguez de Rivera Garrido FJ, Schöls L, Klockgether T, Pandolfo M, Korinthenberg R, Lavin P, Molenberghs G, Libri V, Giunti P, Festenstein R, Schulz JB. Protocol of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicentre study of the efficacy and safety of nicotinamide in patients with Friedreich ataxia (NICOFA). Neurol Res Pract 2019; 1:33. [PMID: 33324899 PMCID: PMC7650055 DOI: 10.1186/s42466-019-0038-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Currently, no treatment that delays with the progression of Friedreich ataxia is available. In the majority of patients Friedreich ataxia is caused by homozygous pathological expansion of GAA repeats in the first intron of the FXN gene. Nicotinamide acts as a histone deacetylase inhibitor. Dose escalation studies have shown, that short term treatment with dosages of up to 4 g/day increase the expression of FXN mRNA and frataxin protein up to the levels of asymptomatic heterozygous gene carriers. The long-term effects and the effects on clinical endpoints, activities of daily living and quality of life are unknown. Methods The aim of the NICOFA study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of nicotinamide for the treatment of Friedreich ataxia over 24 months. An open-label dose adjustment wash-in period with nicotinamide (phase A: weeks 1–4) to the individually highest tolerated dose of 2–4 g nicotinamide/day will be followed by a 2 (nicotinamide group): 1 (placebo group) randomization (phase B: weeks 5–104). In the nicotinamide group, patients will continue with their individually highest tolerated dose between 2 and 4 g/d per os once daily and the placebo group patients will be receiving matching placebo. Safety assessments will consist of monitoring and recording of all adverse events and serious adverse events, regular monitoring of haematology, blood chemistry and urine values, regular measurement of vital signs and the performance of physical examinations including cardiological signs. The primary outcome is the change in the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) over time as compared with placebo in patients with Friedreich ataxia based on the linear mixed effect model (LMEM) model. Secondary endpoints are measures of quality of life, functional motor and cognitive measures, clinician’s and patient’s global impression-change scales as well as the up-regulation of the frataxin protein level, safety and survival/death. Perspective The NICOFA study represents one of the first attempts to assess the clinical efficacy of an epigenetic therapeutic intervention for this disease and will provide evidence of possible disease modifying effects of nicotinamide treatment in patients with Friedreich ataxia. Trial registration EudraCT-No.: 2017-002163-17, ClinicalTrials.govNCT03761511.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Reetz
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralf-Dieter Hilgers
- Department of Medical Statistics, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 19, Aachen, Germany
| | - Susanne Isfort
- Center for Translational & Clinical Research Aachen (CTC-A), RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marc Dohmen
- Center for Translational & Clinical Research Aachen (CTC-A), RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, Aachen, Germany
| | - Claire Didszun
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Fedosov
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Jennifer Kistermann
- Center for Translational & Clinical Research Aachen (CTC-A), RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, Aachen, Germany
| | - Caterina Mariotti
- Unit of Genetics of Neurodegenerative and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Alexandra Durr
- Genetic Department, ICM (Brain and Spine Institute) Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06 UMR S 1127, and INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225 and APHP, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Sylvia Boesch
- Department of Neurology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Thomas Klopstock
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich Baur Institute, University Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | | | - Ludger Schöls
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Klockgether
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Massimo Pandolfo
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rudolf Korinthenberg
- Ethical Commission, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Engelbergstr. 21, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philip Lavin
- Boston Biostatistics Research Foundation, Framingham, MA USA
| | - Geert Molenberghs
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, UHasselt and KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vincenzo Libri
- NIHR UCLH Clinical Research Facility-Leonard Wolfson Experimental Neurology Centre, University College London (UCL) Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Paola Giunti
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, University College London (UCL) Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Richard Festenstein
- Gene Control Mechanisms and Disease Group, Department of Medicine, Division of Brain Sciences and MRC London Institute for Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Jörg B Schulz
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Center for Translational & Clinical Research Aachen (CTC-A), RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, Aachen, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Delatycki MB, Bidichandani SI. Friedreich ataxia- pathogenesis and implications for therapies. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 132:104606. [PMID: 31494282 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia is the most common of the hereditary ataxias. It is due to homozygous/compound heterozygous mutations in FXN. This gene encodes frataxin, a protein largely localized to mitochondria. In about 96% of affected individuals there is homozygosity for a GAA repeat expansion in intron 1 of the FXN gene. Studies of people with Friedreich ataxia and of animal and cell models, have provided much insight into the pathogenesis of this disorder. The expanded GAA repeat leads to transcriptional deficiency of the FXN gene. The consequent deficiency of frataxin protein leads to reduced iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis and mitochondrial ATP production, elevated mitochondrial iron, and oxidative stress. More recently, a role for inflammation has emerged as being important in the pathogenesis of Friedreich ataxia. These findings have led to a number of potential therapies that have been subjected to clinical trials or are being developed toward human studies. Therapies that have been proposed include pharmaceuticals that increase frataxin levels, protein and gene replacement therapies, antioxidants, iron chelators and modulators of inflammation. Whilst no therapies have yet been approved for Friedreich ataxia, there is much optimism that the advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of this disorder since the discovery its genetic basis, will result in approved disease modifying therapies in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin B Delatycki
- Bruce Lefroy Centre, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Sanjay I Bidichandani
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Wong AOT, Wong G, Shen M, Chow MZY, Tse WW, Gurung B, Mak SY, Lieu DK, Costa KD, Chan CW, Martelli A, Nabhan JF, Li RA. Correlation between frataxin expression and contractility revealed by in vitro Friedreich's ataxia cardiac tissue models engineered from human pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:203. [PMID: 31286988 PMCID: PMC6615274 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1305-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by a non-coding mutation in the first intron of the frataxin (FXN) gene that suppresses its expression. Compensatory hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and conduction system abnormalities in FRDA lead to cardiomyocyte (CM) death and fibrosis, consequently resulting in heart failure and arrhythmias. Murine models have been developed to study disease pathology in the past two decades; however, differences between human and mouse physiology and metabolism have limited the relevance of animal studies in cardiac disease conditions. To bridge this gap, we aimed to generate species-specific, functional in vitro experimental models of FRDA using 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) engineered cardiac tissues from FXN-deficient human pluripotent stem cell-derived ventricular cardiomyocytes (hPSC-hvCMs) and to compare their contractile and electrophysiological properties with healthy tissue constructs. METHODS Healthy control and FRDA patient-specific hPSC-hvCMs were derived by directed differentiation using a small molecule-based protocol reported previously. We engineered the hvCMs into our established human ventricular cardiac tissue strip (hvCTS) and human ventricular cardiac anisotropic sheet (hvCAS) models, and functional assays were performed on days 7-17 post-tissue fabrication to assess the electrophysiology and contractility of FRDA patient-derived and FXN-knockdown engineered tissues, in comparison with healthy controls. To further validate the disease model, forced expression of FXN was induced in FXN-deficient tissues to test if disease phenotypes could be rescued. RESULTS Here, we report for the first time the generation of human engineered tissue models of FRDA cardiomyopathy from hPSCs: FXN-deficient hvCTS displayed attenuated developed forces (by 70-80%) compared to healthy controls. High-resolution optical mapping of hvCAS with reduced FXN expression also revealed electrophysiological defects consistent with clinical observations, including action potential duration prolongation and maximum capture frequency reduction. Interestingly, a clear positive correlation between FXN expression and contractility was observed (ρ > 0.9), and restoration of FXN protein levels by lentiviral transduction rescued contractility defects in FXN-deficient hvCTS. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that human-based in vitro cardiac tissue models of FRDA provide a translational, disease-relevant biomimetic platform for the evaluation of novel therapeutics and to provide insight into FRDA disease progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriel Wong
- Novoheart, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2V6 Canada
| | - Michael Shen
- Novoheart, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2V6 Canada
| | | | - Wan Wai Tse
- Novoheart, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2V6 Canada
| | - Bimal Gurung
- Novoheart, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2V6 Canada
| | - Suet Yee Mak
- Novoheart, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2V6 Canada
| | | | | | - Camie W. Chan
- Novoheart, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2V6 Canada
| | - Alain Martelli
- Current address: Astellas Innovation Management Astellas Pharma, 1030 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
| | - Joseph F. Nabhan
- Current address: Astellas Innovation Management Astellas Pharma, 1030 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
| | - Ronald A. Li
- Novoheart, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2V6 Canada
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Dong YN, McMillan E, Clark EM, Lin H, Lynch DR. GRP75 overexpression rescues frataxin deficiency and mitochondrial phenotypes in Friedreich ataxia cellular models. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:1594-1607. [PMID: 30590615 PMCID: PMC6494971 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease caused by the deficiency of frataxin, a mitochondrial protein crucial for iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Currently, there is no therapy to slow down the progression of FRDA. Recent evidence indicates that posttranslational regulation of residual frataxin levels can rescue some of the functional deficit of FRDA, raising the possibility of enhancing levels of residual frataxin as a treatment for FRDA. Here, we present evidence that mitochondrial molecular chaperone GRP75, also known as mortalin/mthsp70/PBP74, directly interacts with frataxin both in vivo in mouse cortex and in vitro in cortical neurons. Overexpressing GRP75 increases the levels of both wild-type frataxin and clinically relevant missense frataxin variants in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, while clinical GRP75 variants such as R126W, A476T and P509S impair the binding of GRP75 with frataxin and the effect of GRP75 on frataxin levels. In addition, GRP75 overexpression rescues frataxin deficiency and abnormal cellular phenotypes such as the abnormal mitochondrial network and decreased ATP levels in FRDA patient-derived cells. The effect of GRP75 on frataxin might be in part mediated by the physical interaction between GRP75 and mitochondrial processing peptidase (MPP), which makes frataxin more accessible to MPP. As GRP75 levels are decreased in multiple cell types of FRDA patients, restoring GRP75 might be effective in treating both typical FRDA patients with two guanine-adenine-adenine repeat expansions and compound heterozygous patients with point mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Na Dong
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Emily McMillan
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elisia M Clark
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hong Lin
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David R Lynch
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Mollá B, Muñoz-Lasso DC, Calap P, Fernandez-Vilata A, de la Iglesia-Vaya M, Pallardó FV, Moltó MD, Palau F, Gonzalez-Cabo P. Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors Revert Axonal Dystrophy in Friedreich's Ataxia Mouse Model. Neurotherapeutics 2019; 16:432-449. [PMID: 30761510 PMCID: PMC6554462 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-018-00706-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by an unstable GAA repeat expansion within intron 1 of the FXN gene and characterized by peripheral neuropathy. A major feature of FRDA is frataxin deficiency with the loss of large sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), namely proprioceptive neurons, undergoing dying-back neurodegeneration with progression to posterior columns of the spinal cord and cerebellar ataxia. We used isolated DRGs from a YG8R FRDA mouse model and C57BL/6J control mice for a proteomic study and a primary culture of sensory neurons from DRG to test novel pharmacological strategies. We found a decreased expression of electron transport chain (ETC) proteins, the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system and antioxidant enzymes, confirming a clear impairment in mitochondrial function and an oxidative stress-prone phenotype. The proteomic profile also showed a decreased expression in Ca2+ signaling related proteins and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). These receptors modulate intracellular cAMP/cGMP and Ca2+ levels. Treatment of frataxin-deficient sensory neurons with phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors was able to restore improper cytosolic Ca2+ levels and revert the axonal dystrophy found in DRG neurons of YG8R mice. In conclusion, the present study shows the effectiveness of PDE inhibitors against axonal degeneration of sensory neurons in YG8R mice. Our findings indicate that PDE inhibitors may become a future FRDA pharmacological treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Belén Mollá
- CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, 46010, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV), CSIC, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Diana C Muñoz-Lasso
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibañez, 46010, Valencia, Spain
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, 46010, Spain
| | - Pablo Calap
- CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, 46010, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibañez, 46010, Valencia, Spain
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, 46010, Spain
- Department of Genetics, University of Valencia, Campus of Burjassot, 46100, Valencia, Spain
| | - Angel Fernandez-Vilata
- Brain Connectivity Laboratory, Joint Unit FISABIO & Prince Felipe Research Centre (CIPF), 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - María de la Iglesia-Vaya
- Brain Connectivity Laboratory, Joint Unit FISABIO & Prince Felipe Research Centre (CIPF), 46012, Valencia, Spain
- Regional Ministry of Health in Valencia, Hospital Sagunto (CEIB-CSUSP), Valencia, 46500, Spain
- CIBER de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Valencia, 46010, Spain
| | - Federico V Pallardó
- CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, 46010, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibañez, 46010, Valencia, Spain
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, 46010, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Maria Dolores Moltó
- Department of Genetics, University of Valencia, Campus of Burjassot, 46100, Valencia, Spain
- CIBER de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Valencia, 46010, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francesc Palau
- CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, 46010, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu and Department of Genetic & Molecular Medicine and IPER, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Barcelona School of Medicine, Barcelona, 08036, Spain
| | - Pilar Gonzalez-Cabo
- CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, 46010, Spain.
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibañez, 46010, Valencia, Spain.
- Associated Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, 46010, Spain.
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010, Valencia, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Lai JI, Nachun D, Petrosyan L, Throesch B, Campau E, Gao F, Baldwin KK, Coppola G, Gottesfeld JM, Soragni E. Transcriptional profiling of isogenic Friedreich ataxia neurons and effect of an HDAC inhibitor on disease signatures. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:1846-1859. [PMID: 30552117 PMCID: PMC6369281 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by transcriptional silencing of the frataxin (FXN) gene, resulting in loss of the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. Based on the knowledge that a GAA·TTC repeat expansion in the first intron of FXN induces heterochromatin, we previously showed that 2-aminobenzamide-type histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) increase FXN mRNA levels in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived FRDA neurons and in circulating lymphocytes from patients after HDACi oral administration. How the reduced expression of frataxin leads to neurological and other systemic symptoms in FRDA patients remains unclear. Similar to other triplet-repeat disorders, it is unknown why FRDA affects only specific cell types, primarily the large sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia and cardiomyocytes. The combination of iPSC technology and genome-editing techniques offers the unique possibility to address these questions in a relevant cell model of FRDA, obviating confounding effects of variable genetic backgrounds. Here, using "scarless" gene-editing methods, we created isogenic iPSC lines that differ only in the length of the GAA·TTC repeats. To uncover the gene expression signatures due to the GAA·TTC repeat expansion in FRDA neuronal cells and the effect of HDACi on these changes, we performed RNA-seq-based transcriptomic analysis of iPSC-derived central nervous system (CNS) and isogenic sensory neurons. We found that cellular pathways related to neuronal function, regulation of transcription, extracellular matrix organization, and apoptosis are affected by frataxin loss in neurons of the CNS and peripheral nervous system and that these changes are partially restored by HDACi treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiun-I Lai
- From the Departments of Molecular Medicine and
| | - Daniel Nachun
- the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | | | - Benjamin Throesch
- Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037 and
| | | | - Fuying Gao
- the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Kristin K Baldwin
- Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037 and
| | - Giovanni Coppola
- the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Deal SL, Yamamoto S. Unraveling Novel Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration Through a Large-Scale Forward Genetic Screen in Drosophila. Front Genet 2019; 9:700. [PMID: 30693015 PMCID: PMC6339878 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration is characterized by progressive loss of neurons. Genetic and environmental factors both contribute to demise of neurons, leading to diverse devastating cognitive and motor disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases in humans. Over the past few decades, the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has become an integral tool to understand the molecular, cellular and genetic mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration. Extensive tools and sophisticated technologies allow Drosophila geneticists to identify and study evolutionarily conserved genes that are essential for neural maintenance. In this review, we will focus on a large-scale mosaic forward genetic screen on the fly X-chromosome that led to the identification of a number of essential genes that exhibit neurodegenerative phenotypes when mutated. Most genes identified from this screen are evolutionarily conserved and many have been linked to human diseases with neurological presentations. Systematic electrophysiological and ultrastructural characterization of mutant tissue in the context of the Drosophila visual system, followed by a series of experiments to understand the mechanism of neurodegeneration in each mutant led to the discovery of novel molecular pathways that are required for neuronal integrity. Defects in mitochondrial function, lipid and iron metabolism, protein trafficking and autophagy are recurrent themes, suggesting that insults that eventually lead to neurodegeneration may converge on a set of evolutionarily conserved cellular processes. Insights from these studies have contributed to our understanding of known neurodegenerative diseases such as Leigh syndrome and Friedreich's ataxia and have also led to the identification of new human diseases. By discovering new genes required for neural maintenance in flies and working with clinicians to identify patients with deleterious variants in the orthologous human genes, Drosophila biologists can play an active role in personalized medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Deal
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Al-Mahdawi S, Ging H, Bayot A, Cavalcanti F, La Cognata V, Cavallaro S, Giunti P, Pook MA. Large Interruptions of GAA Repeat Expansion Mutations in Friedreich Ataxia Are Very Rare. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:443. [PMID: 30519163 PMCID: PMC6258883 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia is a multi-system autosomal recessive inherited disorder primarily caused by homozygous GAA repeat expansion mutations within intron 1 of the frataxin gene. The resulting deficiency of frataxin protein leads to progressive mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and cell death, with the main affected sites being the large sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia and the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum. The GAA repeat expansions may be pure (GAA)n in sequence or may be interrupted with regions of non-GAA sequence. To our knowledge, there has been no large-scale study of FRDA patient DNA samples to determine the frequency of large interruptions in GAA repeat expansions. Therefore, we have investigated a panel of 245 Friedreich ataxia patient and carrier DNA samples using GAA repeat PCR amplification and MboII restriction enzyme digestion. We demonstrate that the vast majority (97.8%) of Friedreich ataxia GAA repeat expansion samples do not contain significant sequence changes that would result in abnormal MboII digestion profiles, indicating that they are primarily pure GAA repeats. These results show for the first time that large interruptions in the GAA repeats are very rare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Al-Mahdawi
- Ataxia Research Group, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom.,Synthetic Biology Theme, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Heather Ging
- Ataxia Centre, Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aurelien Bayot
- Ataxia Centre, Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Paola Giunti
- Ataxia Centre, Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A Pook
- Ataxia Research Group, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom.,Synthetic Biology Theme, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Role of frataxin protein deficiency and metabolic dysfunction in Friedreich ataxia, an autosomal recessive mitochondrial disease. Neuronal Signal 2018; 2:NS20180060. [PMID: 32714592 PMCID: PMC7373238 DOI: 10.1042/ns20180060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with developmental features caused by a genetic deficiency of frataxin, a small, nuclear-encoded mitochondrial protein. Frataxin deficiency leads to impairment of iron–sulphur cluster synthesis, and consequently, ATP production abnormalities. Based on the involvement of such processes in FRDA, initial pathophysiological hypotheses focused on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production as a key component of the mechanism. With further study, a variety of other events appear to be involved, including abnormalities of mitochondrially related metabolism and dysfunction in mitochondrial biogenesis. Consequently, present therapies focus not only on free radical damage, but also on control of metabolic abnormalities and correction of mitochondrial biogenesis. Understanding the multitude of abnormalities in FRDA thus offers possibilities for treatment of this disorder.
Collapse
|
49
|
Abeti R, Brown AF, Maiolino M, Patel S, Giunti P. Calcium Deregulation: Novel Insights to Understand Friedreich's Ataxia Pathophysiology. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:264. [PMID: 30333728 PMCID: PMC6176067 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by degeneration of dorsal root ganglia, cerebellum and cardiomyopathy. Heart failure is one of the most common causes of death for FRDA patients. Deficiency of frataxin, a small mitochondrial protein, is responsible for all clinical and morphological manifestations of FRDA. The focus of our study was to investigate the unexplored Ca2+ homeostasis in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) and in cardiomyocytes of FRDA cellular models to understand the pathogenesis of degeneration. Ca2+ homeostasis in neurons and cardiomyocytes is not only crucial for the cellular wellbeing but more importantly to generate action potential in both neurons and cardiomyocytes. By challenging Ca2+ homeostasis in CGNs, and in adult and neonatal cardiomyocytes of FRDA models, we have assessed the impact of frataxin decrease on both neuronal and cardiac physiopathology. Interestingly, we have found that Ca2+ homeostasis is altered both cell types. CGNs showed a Ca2+ mishandling under depolarizing conditions and this was also reflected in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) content. In cardiomyocytes we found that the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content was pathologically reduced, and that mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake was impaired. This phenomenon is due to the excess of oxidative stress under FRDA like conditions and the consequent aberrant modulation of key players at the SR/ER and mitochondrial level that usually restore the Ca2+ homeostasis. Our findings demonstrate that in both neurons and cardiomyocytes the decreased Ca2+ level within the stores has a comparable detrimental impact in their physiology. In cardiomyocytes, we found that ryanodine receptors (RyRs) may be leaking and expel more Ca2+ out from the SR. At the same time mitochondrial uptake was altered and we found that Vitamin E can restore this defect. Moreover, Vitamin E protects from cell death induced by hypoxia-reperfusion injury, revealing novel properties of Vitamin E as potential therapeutic tool for FRDA cardiomyopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosella Abeti
- Ataxia Centre, Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander F Brown
- Ataxia Centre, Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marta Maiolino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, School of Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Sandip Patel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Giunti
- Ataxia Centre, Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Piguet F, de Montigny C, Vaucamps N, Reutenauer L, Eisenmann A, Puccio H. Rapid and Complete Reversal of Sensory Ataxia by Gene Therapy in a Novel Model of Friedreich Ataxia. Mol Ther 2018; 26:1940-1952. [PMID: 29853274 PMCID: PMC6094869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FA) is a rare mitochondrial disease characterized by sensory and spinocerebellar ataxia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and diabetes, for which there is no treatment. FA is caused by reduced levels of frataxin (FXN), an essential mitochondrial protein involved in the biosynthesis of iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters. Despite significant progress in recent years, to date, there are no good models to explore and test therapeutic approaches to stop or reverse the ganglionopathy and the sensory neuropathy associated to frataxin deficiency. Here, we report a new conditional mouse model with complete frataxin deletion in parvalbumin-positive cells that recapitulate the sensory ataxia and neuropathy associated to FA, albeit with a more rapid and severe course. Interestingly, although fully dysfunctional, proprioceptive neurons can survive for many weeks without frataxin. Furthermore, we demonstrate that post-symptomatic delivery of frataxin-expressing AAV allows for rapid and complete rescue of the sensory neuropathy associated with frataxin deficiency, thus establishing the pre-clinical proof of concept for the potential of gene therapy in treating FA neuropathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Françoise Piguet
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 67404 Illkirch, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1258, 67404 Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, 67404 Illkirch, France; Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Charline de Montigny
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 67404 Illkirch, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1258, 67404 Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, 67404 Illkirch, France; Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Nadège Vaucamps
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 67404 Illkirch, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1258, 67404 Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, 67404 Illkirch, France; Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Laurence Reutenauer
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 67404 Illkirch, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1258, 67404 Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, 67404 Illkirch, France; Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Aurélie Eisenmann
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 67404 Illkirch, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1258, 67404 Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, 67404 Illkirch, France; Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Hélène Puccio
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 67404 Illkirch, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1258, 67404 Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, 67404 Illkirch, France; Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
| |
Collapse
|