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Henriques C, Lopes MM, Silva AC, Lobo DD, Badin RA, Hantraye P, Pereira de Almeida L, Nobre RJ. Viral-based animal models in polyglutamine disorders. Brain 2024; 147:1166-1189. [PMID: 38284949 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine disorders are a complex group of incurable neurodegenerative disorders caused by an abnormal expansion in the trinucleotide cytosine-adenine-guanine tract of the affected gene. To better understand these disorders, our dependence on animal models persists, primarily relying on transgenic models. In an effort to complement and deepen our knowledge, researchers have also developed animal models of polyglutamine disorders employing viral vectors. Viral vectors have been extensively used to deliver genes to the brain, not only for therapeutic purposes but also for the development of animal models, given their remarkable flexibility. In a time- and cost-effective manner, it is possible to use different transgenes, at varying doses, in diverse targeted tissues, at different ages, and in different species, to recreate polyglutamine pathology. This paper aims to showcase the utility of viral vectors in disease modelling, share essential considerations for developing animal models with viral vectors, and provide a comprehensive review of existing viral-based animal models for polyglutamine disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Henriques
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Gene and Stem Cell Therapies for the Brain Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel M Lopes
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Gene and Stem Cell Therapies for the Brain Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana C Silva
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Gene and Stem Cell Therapies for the Brain Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Diana D Lobo
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Gene and Stem Cell Therapies for the Brain Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Romina Aron Badin
- CEA, DRF, Institute of Biology François Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- CNRS, CEA, Paris-Sud University, Université Paris-Saclay, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory (UMR9199), 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Philippe Hantraye
- CEA, DRF, Institute of Biology François Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- CNRS, CEA, Paris-Sud University, Université Paris-Saclay, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory (UMR9199), 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Gene and Stem Cell Therapies for the Brain Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Jorge Nobre
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Gene and Stem Cell Therapies for the Brain Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
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Stahl F, Evert BO, Han X, Breuer P, Wüllner U. Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 Pathophysiology-Implications for Translational Research and Clinical Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3984. [PMID: 38612794 PMCID: PMC11012515 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) comprise a group of inherited neurodegenerative diseases. Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD) or spinocerebellar ataxia 3 (SCA3) is the most common autosomal dominant form, caused by the expansion of CAG repeats within the ataxin-3 (ATXN3) gene. This mutation results in the expression of an abnormal protein containing long polyglutamine (polyQ) stretches that confers a toxic gain of function and leads to misfolding and aggregation of ATXN3 in neurons. As a result of the neurodegenerative process, SCA3 patients are severely disabled and die prematurely. Several screening approaches, e.g., druggable genome-wide and drug library screenings have been performed, focussing on the reduction in stably overexpressed ATXN3(polyQ) protein and improvement in the resultant toxicity. Transgenic overexpression models of toxic ATXN3, however, missed potential modulators of endogenous ATXN3 regulation. In another approach to identify modifiers of endogenous ATXN3 expression using a CRISPR/Cas9-modified SK-N-SH wild-type cell line with a GFP-T2A-luciferase (LUC) cassette under the control of the endogenous ATXN3 promotor, four statins were identified as potential activators of expression. We here provide an overview of the high throughput screening approaches yet performed to find compounds or genomic modifiers of ATXN3(polyQ) toxicity in different SCA3 model organisms and cell lines to ameliorate and halt SCA3 progression in patients. Furthermore, the putative role of cholesterol in neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) in general and SCA3 in particular is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Stahl
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Disease (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Bernd O. Evert
- Departments of Neurology and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (B.O.E.); (X.H.); (P.B.)
| | - Xinyu Han
- Departments of Neurology and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (B.O.E.); (X.H.); (P.B.)
| | - Peter Breuer
- Departments of Neurology and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (B.O.E.); (X.H.); (P.B.)
| | - Ullrich Wüllner
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Disease (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany;
- Departments of Neurology and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (B.O.E.); (X.H.); (P.B.)
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Chen YS, Harn HJ, Hong ZX, Huang YC, Lin YT, Zheng HX, Chen PY, Yang HH, Chen PR, Tsai HC, Lin SZ, Ho TJ, Chiou TW. Preconditioning of exosomes derived from human olfactory ensheathing cells improved motor coordination and balance in an SCA3/MJD mouse model: A new therapeutic approach. Eur J Pharm Sci 2023; 191:106608. [PMID: 37832855 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Exosome therapy is a novel trend in regeneration medicine. However, identifying a suitable biomarker that can associate the therapeutic efficacy of exosomes with SCA3/MJD is essential. In this study, parental cells were preconditioned with butylidenephthalide (Bdph) for exosome preparation to evaluate the therapeutic effect of SCA3/MJD. The therapeutic agent hsa-miRNA-6780-5p was enriched up to 98-fold in exosomes derived from butylidenephthalide (Bdph)-preconditioned human olfactory ensheathing cells (hOECs) compared with that in naïve hOECs exosomes. The particle sizes of exosomes derived from naïve hOECs and those derived from hOECs preconditioned with Bdph were approximately 113.0 ± 3.5 nm and 128.9 ± 0.7 nm, respectively. A liposome system was used to demonstrate the role of hsa-miRNA-6780-5p, wherein hsa-miRNA-6780-5p was found to enhance autophagy and inhibit the expression of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) disease proteins with the polyglutamine (polyQ) tract. Exosomes with enriched hsa-miRNA-6780-5p were further applied to HEK-293-84Q cells, leading to decreased expression of polyQ and increased autophagy. The results were reversed when 3MA, an autophagy inhibitor, was added to the cells treated with hsa-miRNA-6780-5p-enriched exosomes, indicating that the decreased polyQ expression was modulated via autophagy. SCA3 mice showed improved motor coordination behavior when they intracranially received exosomes enriched with hsa-miRNA-6780-5p. SCA3 mouse cerebellar tissues treated with hsa-miRNA-6780-5p-enriched exosomes showed decreased expression of polyQ and increased expression of LC3II/I, an autophagy marker. In conclusion, our findings can serve as a basis for developing an alternative therapeutic strategy for SCA3 disease treatment using miRNA-enriched exosomes derived from chemically preconditioned cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Shuan Chen
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC; Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Jyh Harn
- Department of Pathology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Tzu Chi University, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Zhen-Xiang Hong
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Chen Huang
- Department of Life Science, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Rd, Shoufeng, Hualien 974301, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Tung Lin
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hui-Xuan Zheng
- Department of Life Science, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Rd, Shoufeng, Hualien 974301, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pei-Yu Chen
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsueh-Hui Yang
- Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Peir-Rong Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital and Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsieh-Chih Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Technology, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 106, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shinn-Zong Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tsung-Jung Ho
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, 707, Sec. 3, Chung-Yang Rd., Hualien, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Tzyy-Wen Chiou
- Department of Life Science, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Rd, Shoufeng, Hualien 974301, Taiwan, ROC.
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Tang Z, Hu S, Wu Z, He M. Therapeutic effects of engineered exosome-based miR-25 and miR-181a treatment in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 mice by silencing ATXN3. Mol Med 2023; 29:96. [PMID: 37438701 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-023-00695-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common autosomal dominant hereditary ataxia worldwide, which is however in a lack of effective treatment. In view of that engineered exosomes are a promising non-invasive gene therapy transporter that can overcome the traditional problem of poor drug delivery, the aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the value of exosome-based microRNA therapy in SCA3 and the therapeutic effects of intravenously administrated ATXN3 targeting microRNAs in transgenic SCA3 mouse models. METHODS The rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG) peptide-modified exosomes loaded with miR-25 or miR-181a were peripherally injected to enable targeted delivery of miRNAs to the brain of SCA3 mice. The behaviors, ATXN3 level, purkinje cell and other neuronal loss, and neuroinflammation were evaluated 4 weeks after initial treatment. RESULTS The targeted and efficient delivery of miR-25 and miR-181a by modified exosomes substantially inhibited the mutant ATXN3 expression, reduced neuron apoptosis and induced motor improvements in SCA3 mouse models without increasing the neuroinflammatory response. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirmed the therapeutic potential of engineered exosome-based miR-25 and miR-181a treatment in substantially reducing ATXN3 aggregation and cytotoxicity by relying on its targeted and efficient drug delivery performance in SCA3 mice. This treatment method shows a promising prospect for future clinical applications in SCA3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenchu Tang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410011, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410011, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shenglan Hu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410011, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ziwei Wu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410011, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Miao He
- Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410011, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410011, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Rufino-Ramos D, Leandro K, Perdigão PRL, O'Brien K, Pinto MM, Santana MM, van Solinge TS, Mahjoum S, Breakefield XO, Breyne K, Pereira de Almeida L. Extracellular communication between brain cells through functional transfer of Cre mRNA mediated by extracellular vesicles. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2220-2239. [PMID: 37194237 PMCID: PMC10362460 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.05.012] [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: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In the central nervous system (CNS), the crosstalk between neural cells is mediated by extracellular mechanisms, including brain-derived extracellular vesicles (bdEVs). To study endogenous communication across the brain and periphery, we explored Cre-mediated DNA recombination to permanently record the functional uptake of bdEVs cargo over time. To elucidate functional cargo transfer within the brain at physiological levels, we promoted the continuous secretion of physiological levels of neural bdEVs containing Cre mRNA from a localized region in the brain by in situ lentiviral transduction of the striatum of Flox-tdTomato Ai9 mice reporter of Cre activity. Our approach efficiently detected in vivo transfer of functional events mediated by physiological levels of endogenous bdEVs throughout the brain. Remarkably, a spatial gradient of persistent tdTomato expression was observed along the whole brain, exhibiting an increment of more than 10-fold over 4 months. Moreover, bdEVs containing Cre mRNA were detected in the bloodstream and extracted from brain tissue to further confirm their functional delivery of Cre mRNA in a novel and highly sensitive Nanoluc reporter system. Overall, we report a sensitive method to track bdEV transfer at physiological levels, which will shed light on the role of bdEVs in neural communication within the brain and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Rufino-Ramos
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Kevin Leandro
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Pedro R L Perdigão
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Killian O'Brien
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria Manuel Pinto
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Magda M Santana
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Thomas S van Solinge
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shadi Mahjoum
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xandra O Breakefield
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Koen Breyne
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Rufino-Ramos D, Albuquerque PR, Leandro K, Carmona V, Martins IM, Fernandes R, Henriques C, Lobo D, Faro R, Perfeito R, Mendonça LS, Pereira D, Gomes CM, Nobre RJ, Pereira de Almeida L. Extracellular vesicle-based delivery of silencing sequences for the treatment of Machado-Joseph disease/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1275-1292. [PMID: 37025062 PMCID: PMC10188911 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD)/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common autosomal dominantly inherited ataxia worldwide. It is caused by an over-repetition of the trinucleotide CAG within the ATXN3 gene, which confers toxic properties to ataxin-3 (ATXN3) species. RNA interference technology has shown promising therapeutic outcomes but still lacks a non-invasive delivery method to the brain. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) emerged as promising delivery vehicles due to their capacity to deliver small nucleic acids, such as microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs were found to be enriched into EVs due to specific signal motifs designated as ExoMotifs. In this study, we aimed at investigating whether ExoMotifs would promote the packaging of artificial miRNAs into EVs to be used as non-invasive therapeutic delivery vehicles to treat MJD/SCA3. We found that miRNA-based silencing sequences, associated with ExoMotif GGAG and ribonucleoprotein A2B1 (hnRNPA2B1), retained the capacity to silence mutant ATXN3 (mutATXN3) and were 3-fold enriched into EVs. Bioengineered EVs containing the neuronal targeting peptide RVG on the surface significantly decreased mutATXN3 mRNA in primary cerebellar neurons from MJD YAC 84.2 and in a novel dual-luciferase MJD mouse model upon daily intranasal administration. Altogether, these findings indicate that bioengineered EVs carrying miRNA-based silencing sequences are a promising delivery vehicle for brain therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Rufino-Ramos
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Patrícia R Albuquerque
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Kevin Leandro
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vitor Carmona
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês M Martins
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rita Fernandes
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carina Henriques
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Diana Lobo
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rosário Faro
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rita Perfeito
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Liliana S Mendonça
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Dina Pereira
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Célia M Gomes
- CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Jorge Nobre
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-504, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Genetic Variation in ATXN3 (Ataxin-3) 3'UTR: Insights into the Downstream Regulatory Elements of the Causative Gene of Machado-Joseph Disease/Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 22:37-45. [PMID: 35034258 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-021-01358-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Untranslated regions are involved in the regulation of transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes. Characterization of these regions remains poorly explored for ATXN3, the causative gene of Machado-Joseph disease (MJD). Although a few genetic modifiers have been identified for MJD age at onset (AO), they only explain a small fraction of the AO variance. Our aim was to analyse variation at the 3'UTR of ATXN3 in MJD patients, analyse its impact on AO and attempt to build haplotypes that might discriminate between normal and expanded alleles.After assessing ATXN3 3'UTR variants in molecularly confirmed MJD patients, an in silico analysis was conducted to predict their functional impact (e.g. their effect on miRNA-binding sites). Alleles in cis with the expanded (CAG)n were inferred from family data, and haplotypes were built. The effect of the alternative alleles on the AO and on SARA and NESSCA ataxia scales was tested.Nine variants, all previously described, were found. For eight variants, in silico analyses predicted (a) deleterious effects (rs10151135; rs55966267); (b) changes on miRNA-binding sites (rs11628764; rs55966267; rs709930) and (c) alterations of RNA-binding protein (RBP)-binding sites (rs1055996; rs910369; rs709930; rs10151135; rs3092822; rs7158733). Patients harbouring the alternative allele at rs10151135 had significantly higher SARA Axial subscores (p = 0.023), comparatively with those homozygous for the reference allele. Ten different haplotypes were obtained, one of which was exclusively found in cis with the expanded and four with the normal allele. These findings, which are relevant for the design of allele-specific therapies, warrant further investigation in independent MJD cohorts.
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8
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Rufino-Ramos D, Leandro K, Perdigão PR, O’Brien K, Pinto MM, Santana MM, van Solinge TS, Mahjoum S, Breakefield XO, Breyne K, de Almeida LP. Extracellular communication between brain cells through functional transfer of Cre mRNA. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.29.525937. [PMID: 36811091 PMCID: PMC9942248 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.29.525937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In the central nervous system (CNS), the crosstalk between neural cells is mediated by extracellular mechanisms, including brain-derived extracellular vesicles (bdEVs). To study endogenous communication across the brain and periphery, we explored Cre-mediated DNA recombination to permanently record the functional uptake of bdEVs cargo overtime. To elucidate functional cargo transfer within the brain at physiological levels, we promoted the continuous secretion of physiological levels of neural bdEVs containing Cre mRNA from a localized region in the brain by in situ lentiviral transduction of the striatum of Flox-tdTomato Ai9 mice reporter of Cre activity. Our approach efficiently detected in vivo transfer of functional events mediated by physiological levels of endogenous bdEVs throughout the brain. Remarkably, a spatial gradient of persistent tdTomato expression was observed along the whole brain exhibiting an increment of more than 10-fold over 4 months. Moreover, bdEVs containing Cre mRNA were detected in the bloodstream and extracted from brain tissue to further confirm their functional delivery of Cre mRNA in a novel and highly sensitive Nanoluc reporter system. Overall, we report a sensitive method to track bdEVs transfer at physiological levels which will shed light on the role of bdEVs in neural communication within the brain and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Rufino-Ramos
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB – Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Kevin Leandro
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB – Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Pedro R.L. Perdigão
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB – Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Killian O’Brien
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria Manuel Pinto
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB – Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Magda M. Santana
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB – Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Thomas S van Solinge
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shadi Mahjoum
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xandra O Breakefield
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Koen Breyne
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB – Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal
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9
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Biswas DD, El Haddad L, Sethi R, Huston ML, Lai E, Abdelbarr MM, Mhandire DZ, ElMallah MK. Neuro-respiratory pathology in spinocerebellar ataxia. J Neurol Sci 2022; 443:120493. [PMID: 36410186 PMCID: PMC9808489 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2022.120493] [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: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) are a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders with an autosomal dominant inheritance. Symptoms include poor coordination and balance, peripheral neuropathy, impaired vision, incontinence, respiratory insufficiency, dysphagia, and dysarthria. Although many patients with SCA have respiratory-related complications, the exact mechanism and extent of this pathology remain unclear. This review aims to provide an update on the recent clinical and preclinical scientific findings on neuropathology causing respiratory insufficiency in SCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debolina D Biswas
- Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2644, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Léa El Haddad
- Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2644, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ronit Sethi
- Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2644, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Meredith L Huston
- Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2644, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Elias Lai
- Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2644, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Mariam M Abdelbarr
- Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2644, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Doreen Z Mhandire
- Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2644, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Mai K ElMallah
- Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2644, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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10
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Ding Y, Zhang Y, Liu X. Combinational treatments of RNA interference and extracellular vesicles in the spinocerebellar ataxia. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1043947. [PMID: 36311034 PMCID: PMC9606576 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1043947] [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: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease (ND) with a high mortality rate. Symptomatic treatment is the only clinically adopted treatment. However, it has poor effect and serious complications. Traditional diagnostic methods [such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] have drawbacks. Presently, the superiority of RNA interference (RNAi) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) in improving SCA has attracted extensive attention. Both can serve as the potential biomarkers for the diagnosing and monitoring disease progression. Herein, we analyzed the basis and prospect of therapies for SCA. Meanwhile, we elaborated the development and application of miRNAs, siRNAs, shRNAs, and EVs in the diagnosis and treatment of SCA. We propose the combination of RNAi and EVs to avoid the adverse factors of their respective treatment and maximize the benefits of treatment through the technology of EVs loaded with RNA. Obviously, the combinational therapy of RNAi and EVs may more accurately diagnose and cure SCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Ding
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuehong Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
- *Correspondence: Xuehong Liu,
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11
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Breuer P, Rasche T, Han X, Faber J, Haustein K, Klockgether T, Wüllner U. The Ratio of Expanded to Normal Ataxin 3 in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Correlates with the Age at Onset in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3. Mov Disord 2022; 37:1098-1099. [DOI: 10.1002/mds.28962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Breuer
- Department of Neurology University of Bonn Bonn Germany
| | - Tim Rasche
- Department of Neurology University of Bonn Bonn Germany
| | - Xinyu Han
- Department of Neurology University of Bonn Bonn Germany
| | | | | | - Thomas Klockgether
- Department of Neurology University of Bonn Bonn Germany
- DZNE Bonn Germany
| | - Ullrich Wüllner
- Department of Neurology University of Bonn Bonn Germany
- DZNE Bonn Germany
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12
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Hauser S, Helm J, Kraft M, Korneck M, Hübener-Schmid J, Schöls L. Allele-specific targeting of mutant ataxin-3 by antisense oligonucleotides in SCA3-iPSC-derived neurons. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 27:99-108. [PMID: 34938609 PMCID: PMC8649108 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is caused by an expanded polyglutamine stretch in ataxin-3. While wild-type ataxin-3 has important functions, e.g., as a deubiquitinase, downregulation of mutant ataxin-3 is likely to slow down the course of this fatal disease. We established a screening platform with human neurons of patients and controls derived from induced pluripotent stem cells to test antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) for their effects on ataxin-3 expression. We identified an ASO that suppressed mutant and wild-type ataxin-3 levels by >90% after a singular treatment. Next, we screened pairs of ASOs designed to selectively target the mutant or the wild-type allele by taking advantage of a SNP (c.987G > C) in ATXN3 that is present in most SCA3 patients. We found ASOmut4 to reduce levels of mutant ataxin-3 by 80% after 10 days while leaving expression of wild-type ataxin-3 largely unaffected. In a long-term study we proved this effect to last for about 4 weeks after a single treatment without signs of neurotoxicity. This study provides proof of principle that allele-specific lowering of poly(Q)-expanded ataxin-3 by selective ASOs is feasible and long lasting, with sparing of wild-type ataxin-3 expression in a human cell culture model that is genetically identical to SCA3 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Hauser
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jacob Helm
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Graduate School of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Melanie Kraft
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Milena Korneck
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Graduate School of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jeannette Hübener-Schmid
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics and Center of Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ludger Schöls
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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13
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Rufino-Ramos D, Lule S, Mahjoum S, Ughetto S, Cristopher Bragg D, Pereira de Almeida L, Breakefield XO, Breyne K. Using genetically modified extracellular vesicles as a non-invasive strategy to evaluate brain-specific cargo. Biomaterials 2022; 281:121366. [PMID: 35033904 PMCID: PMC8886823 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The lack of techniques to trace brain cell behavior in vivo hampers the ability to monitor status of cells in a living brain. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanosized membrane-surrounded vesicles, released by virtually all brain cells might be able to report their status in easily accessible biofluids, such as blood. EVs communicate among tissues using lipids, saccharides, proteins, and nucleic acid cargo that reflect the state and composition of their source cells. Currently, identifying the origin of brain-derived EVs has been challenging, as they consist of a rare population diluted in an overwhelming number of blood and peripheral tissue-derived EVs. Here, we developed a sensitive platform to select out pre-labelled brain-derived EVs in blood as a platform to study the molecular fingerprints of brain cells. This proof-of-principle study used a transducible construct tagging tetraspanin (TSN) CD63, a membrane-spanning hallmark of EVs equipped with affinity, bioluminescent, and fluorescent tags to increase detection sensitivity and robustness in capture of EVs secreted from pre-labelled cells into biofluids. Our platform enables unprecedented efficient isolation of neural EVs from the blood. These EVs derived from pre-labelled mouse brain cells or engrafted human neuronal progenitor cells (hNPCs) were submitted to multiplex analyses, including transcript and protein levels, in compliance with the multibiomolecule EV carriers. Overall, our novel strategy to track brain-derived EVs in a complex biofluid opens up new avenues to study EVs released from pre-labelled cells in near and distal compartments into the biofluid source.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Rufino-Ramos
- Neurology and Radiology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 13(th)Street, Building 149, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA; CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra, 3004-504, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3000-548, Portugal; CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sevda Lule
- Neurology and Radiology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 13(th)Street, Building 149, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Shadi Mahjoum
- Neurology and Radiology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 13(th)Street, Building 149, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Stefano Ughetto
- Neurology and Radiology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 13(th)Street, Building 149, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - D Cristopher Bragg
- Neurology and Radiology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 13(th)Street, Building 149, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA; The Collaborative Center for X-linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra, 3004-504, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3000-548, Portugal; CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Xandra O Breakefield
- Neurology and Radiology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 13(th)Street, Building 149, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Koen Breyne
- Neurology and Radiology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 13(th)Street, Building 149, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA.
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14
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Vasconcelos-Ferreira A, Martins IM, Lobo D, Pereira D, Lopes MM, Faro R, Lopes SM, Verbeek D, Schmidt T, Nóbrega C, Pereira de Almeida L. ULK overexpression mitigates motor deficits and neuropathology in mouse models of Machado-Joseph disease. Mol Ther 2022; 30:370-387. [PMID: 34298131 PMCID: PMC8753369 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder clinically characterized by prominent ataxia. It is caused by an expansion of a CAG trinucleotide in ATXN3, translating into an expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) tract in the ATXN3 protein, that becomes prone to misfolding and aggregation. The pathogenesis of the disease has been associated with the dysfunction of several cellular mechanisms, including autophagy and transcription regulation. In this study, we investigated the transcriptional modifications of the autophagy pathway in models of MJD and assessed whether modulating the levels of the affected autophagy-associated transcripts (AATs) would alleviate MJD-associated pathology. Our results show that autophagy is impaired at the transcriptional level in MJD, affecting multiple AATs, including Unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 and 2 (ULK1 and ULK2), two homologs involved in autophagy induction. Reinstating ULK1/2 levels by adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene transfer significantly improved motor performance while preventing neuropathology in two in vivo models of MJD. Moreover, in vitro studies showed that the observed positive effects may be mainly attributed to ULK1 activity. This study provides strong evidence of the beneficial effect of overexpression of ULK homologs, suggesting these as promising instruments for the treatment of MJD and other neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Vasconcelos-Ferreira
- CNC – Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga, Pólo 1, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,CIBB – Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Morgado Martins
- CNC – Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga, Pólo 1, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,CIBB – Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,IIIUC – Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão – Pólo II, Rua Dom Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Diana Lobo
- CNC – Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga, Pólo 1, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,CIBB – Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,IIIUC – Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão – Pólo II, Rua Dom Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Dina Pereira
- CNC – Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga, Pólo 1, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,CIBB – Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel M. Lopes
- CNC – Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga, Pólo 1, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,CIBB – Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,IIIUC – Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão – Pólo II, Rua Dom Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rosário Faro
- CNC – Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga, Pólo 1, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,CIBB – Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sara M. Lopes
- CNC – Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga, Pólo 1, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,CIBB – Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,IIIUC – Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão – Pólo II, Rua Dom Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Dineke Verbeek
- Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9700 RB, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Thorsten Schmidt
- Institute of Medical Genetics & Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany,Center for Rare Diseases (ZSE Tübingen), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Clévio Nóbrega
- CNC – Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga, Pólo 1, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,CIBB – Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- CNC – Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga, Pólo 1, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,CIBB – Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal,Corresponding author: Luís Pereira de Almeida, PhD, CNC – Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga, Pólo 1, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.
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15
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Nobre RJ, Lobo DD, Henriques C, Duarte SP, Lopes SM, Silva AC, Lopes MM, Mariet F, Schwarz LK, Baatje MS, Ferreira V, Vallès A, Pereira de Almeida L, Evers MM, Toonen LJA. MiRNA-Mediated Knockdown of ATXN3 Alleviates Molecular Disease Hallmarks in a Mouse Model for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3. Nucleic Acid Ther 2021; 32:194-205. [PMID: 34878314 PMCID: PMC9221165 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2021.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of a CAG repeat in the ATXN3 gene. This mutation leads to a toxic gain of function of the ataxin-3 protein, resulting in neuronal dysfunction and atrophy of specific brain regions over time. As ataxin-3 is a dispensable protein in rodents, ataxin-3 knockdown by gene therapy may be a powerful approach for the treatment of SCA3. In this study, we tested the feasibility of an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector carrying a previously described artificial microRNA against ATXN3 in a striatal mouse model of SCA3. Striatal injection of the AAV resulted in good distribution throughout the striatum, with strong dose-dependent ataxin-3 knockdown. The hallmark intracellular ataxin-3 inclusions were almost completely alleviated by the microRNA-induced ATXN3 knockdown. In addition, the striatal lesion of dopamine- and cAMP-regulated neuronal phosphoprotein (DARPP-32) in the SCA3 mice was rescued by ATXN3 knockdown, indicating functional rescue of neuronal signaling and health upon AAV treatment. Together, these data suggest that microRNA-induced ataxin-3 knockdown is a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of SCA3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Jorge Nobre
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility and University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Diana D Lobo
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carina Henriques
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility and University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sonia P Duarte
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sara M Lopes
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana C Silva
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel M Lopes
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fanny Mariet
- uniQure Biopharma b.v., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - M S Baatje
- uniQure Biopharma b.v., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Luis Pereira de Almeida
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility and University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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16
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Vázquez-Mojena Y, León-Arcia K, González-Zaldivar Y, Rodríguez-Labrada R, Velázquez-Pérez L. Gene Therapy for Polyglutamine Spinocerebellar Ataxias: Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives. Mov Disord 2021; 36:2731-2744. [PMID: 34628681 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) comprise a heterogeneous group of six autosomal dominant ataxias caused by cytosine-adenine-guanine repeat expansions in the coding region of single genes. Currently, there is no curative or disease-slowing treatment for these disorders, but their monogenic inheritance has informed rationales for development of gene therapy strategies. In fact, RNA interference strategies have shown promising findings in cellular and/or animal models of SCA1, SCA3, SCA6, and SCA7. In addition, antisense oligonucleotide therapy has provided encouraging proofs of concept in models of SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, and SCA7, but they have not yet progressed to clinical trials. On the contrary, the gene editing strategies, such as the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR/Cas9), have been introduced to a limited extent in these disorders. In this article, we review the available literature about gene therapy in polyglutamine SCAs and discuss the main technological and ethical challenges toward the prospect of their use in future clinical trials. Although antisense oligonucleotide therapies are further along the path to clinical phases, the recent failure of three clinical trials in Huntington's disease may delay their utilization for polyglutamine SCAs, but they offer lessons that could optimize the likelihood of success in potential future clinical studies. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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17
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Simões AT, Carmona V, Duarte-Neves J, Cunha-Santos J, Pereira de Almeida L. Identification of the calpain-generated toxic fragment of ataxin-3 protein provides new avenues for therapy of Machado-Joseph disease| Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2021; 48:e12748. [PMID: 34273111 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is the most frequent dominantly inherited cerebellar ataxia worldwide. Expansion of a CAG trinucleotide in the MJD1 gene translates into a polyglutamine tract within ataxin-3, which upon proteolysis may lead to MJD. The aim of this work was to understand the in vivo contribution of calpain proteases to the pathogenesis of MJD. Therefore, we investigated (a) the calpain cleavage sites in ataxin-3 protein, (b) the most toxic ataxin-3 fragment generated by calpain cleavage and (c) whether targeting calpain cleavage sites of mutant ataxin-3 could be a therapeutic strategy for MJD. METHODS We generated truncated and calpain-resistant constructs at the predicted cleavage sites of ataxin-3 using inverse PCR mutagenesis. Lentiviral vectors encoding these constructs were transduced in the adult mouse brain prior to western blot and immunohistochemical analysis 5 and 8 weeks later. RESULTS We identified the putative calpain cleavage sites for both wild-type and mutant ataxin-3 proteins. The mutation of these sites eliminated the formation of the toxic fragments, namely, the 26-kDa fragment, the major contributor for striatal degeneration. Nonetheless, reducing the formation of both the 26- and 34-kDa fragments was required to preclude the intranuclear localisation of ataxin-3. A neuroprotective effect was observed upon mutagenesis of calpain cleavage sites within mutant ataxin-3 protein. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the calpain system should be considered a target for MJD therapy. The identified calpain cleavage sites will contribute to the design of targeted drugs and genome editing systems for those specific locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Teresa Simões
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vítor Carmona
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Duarte-Neves
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Janete Cunha-Santos
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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18
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Borbolla-Jiménez FV, Del Prado-Audelo ML, Cisneros B, Caballero-Florán IH, Leyva-Gómez G, Magaña JJ. New Perspectives of Gene Therapy on Polyglutamine Spinocerebellar Ataxias: From Molecular Targets to Novel Nanovectors. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1018. [PMID: 34371710 PMCID: PMC8309146 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13071018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Seven of the most frequent spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are caused by a pathological expansion of a cytosine, adenine and guanine (CAG) trinucleotide repeat located in exonic regions of unrelated genes, which in turn leads to the synthesis of polyglutamine (polyQ) proteins. PolyQ proteins are prone to aggregate and form intracellular inclusions, which alter diverse cellular pathways, including transcriptional regulation, protein clearance, calcium homeostasis and apoptosis, ultimately leading to neurodegeneration. At present, treatment for SCAs is limited to symptomatic intervention, and there is no therapeutic approach to prevent or reverse disease progression. This review provides a compilation of the experimental advances obtained in cell-based and animal models toward the development of gene therapy strategies against polyQ SCAs, providing a discussion of their potential application in clinical trials. In the second part, we describe the promising potential of nanotechnology developments to treat polyQ SCA diseases. We describe, in detail, how the design of nanoparticle (NP) systems with different physicochemical and functionalization characteristics has been approached, in order to determine their ability to evade the immune system response and to enhance brain delivery of molecular tools. In the final part of this review, the imminent application of NP-based strategies in clinical trials for the treatment of polyQ SCA diseases is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola V. Borbolla-Jiménez
- Laboratorio de Medicina Genómica, Departamento de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Ciudad de México 14389, Mexico;
- Programa de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - María Luisa Del Prado-Audelo
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México 14380, Mexico;
| | - Bulmaro Cisneros
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico;
| | - Isaac H. Caballero-Florán
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
- Departamento de Farmacia, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Leyva-Gómez
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - Jonathan J. Magaña
- Laboratorio de Medicina Genómica, Departamento de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Ciudad de México 14389, Mexico;
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México 14380, Mexico;
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19
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Raj K, Akundi RS. Mutant Ataxin-3-Containing Aggregates (MATAGGs) in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3: Dynamics of the Disorder. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:3095-3118. [PMID: 33629274 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02314-z] [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: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common type of SCA worldwide caused by abnormal polyglutamine expansion in the coding region of the ataxin-3 gene. Ataxin-3 is a multi-faceted protein involved in various cellular processes such as deubiquitination, cytoskeletal organisation, and transcriptional regulation. The presence of an expanded poly(Q) stretch leads to altered processing and misfolding of the protein culminating in the production of insoluble protein aggregates in the cell. Various post-translational modifications affect ataxin-3 fibrillation and aggregation. This review provides an exhaustive assessment of the various pathogenic mechanisms undertaken by the mutant ataxin-3-containing aggregates (MATAGGs) for disease induction and neurodegeneration. This includes in-depth discussion on MATAGG dynamics including their formation, role in neuronal pathogenesis, and the debate over the toxic v/s protective nature of the MATAGGs in disease progression. Additionally, the currently available therapeutic strategies against SCA3 have been reviewed. The shift in the focus of such strategies, from targeting the steps that lead to or reduce aggregate formation to targeting the expression of mutant ataxin-3 itself via RNA-based therapeutics, has also been presented. We also discuss the intriguing promise that various growth and neurotrophic factors, especially the insulin pathway, hold in the modulation of SCA3 progression. These emerging areas show the newer directions through which SCA3 can be targeted including various preclinical and clinical trials. All these advances made in the last three decades since the discovery of the ataxin-3 gene have been critically reviewed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika Raj
- Neuroinflammation Research Lab, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, South Asian University, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Ravi Shankar Akundi
- Neuroinflammation Research Lab, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, South Asian University, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, 110021, India.
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20
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Current Status of Gene Therapy Research in Polyglutamine Spinocerebellar Ataxias. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22084249. [PMID: 33921915 PMCID: PMC8074016 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias (PolyQ SCAs) are a group of 6 rare autosomal dominant diseases, which arise from an abnormal CAG repeat expansion in the coding region of their causative gene. These neurodegenerative ataxic disorders are characterized by progressive cerebellar degeneration, which translates into progressive ataxia, the main clinical feature, often accompanied by oculomotor deficits and dysarthria. Currently, PolyQ SCAs treatment is limited only to symptomatic mitigation, and no therapy is available to stop or delay the disease progression, which culminates with death. Over the last years, many promising gene therapy approaches were investigated in preclinical studies and could lead to a future treatment to stop or delay the disease development. Here, we summed up the most promising of these therapies, categorizing them in gene augmentation therapy, gene silencing strategies, and gene edition approaches. While several of the reviewed strategies are promising, there is still a gap from the preclinical results obtained and their translation to clinical studies. However, there is an increase in the number of approved gene therapies, as well as a constant development in their safety and efficacy profiles. Thus, it is expected that in a near future some of the promising strategies reviewed here could be tested in a clinical setting and if successful provide hope for SCAs patients.
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21
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Gonsior K, Kaucher GA, Pelz P, Schumann D, Gansel M, Kuhs S, Klockgether T, Forlani S, Durr A, Hauser S, Rattay TW, Synofzik M, Hengel H, Schöls L, Rieß OH, Hübener-Schmid J. PolyQ-expanded ataxin-3 protein levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells correlate with clinical parameters in SCA3: a pilot study. J Neurol 2020; 268:1304-1315. [PMID: 33106888 PMCID: PMC7990753 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-10274-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In view of upcoming clinical trials, quantitative molecular markers accessible in peripheral blood are of critical importance as prognostic or pharmacodynamic markers in genetic neurodegenerative diseases such as Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 (SCA3), in particular for signaling target engagement. In this pilot study, we focused on the quantification of ataxin-3, the protein altered in SCA3, in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) acquired from preataxic and ataxic SCA3 mutation carriers as well as healthy controls, as a molecular marker directly related to SCA3 pathophysiology. We established two different highly sensitive TR-FRET-based immunoassays to measure the protein levels of either total full-length, non-expanded and expanded, ataxin-3 or specifically polyQ-expanded ataxin-3. In PBMCs, a clear discrimination between SCA3 mutation carrier and controls were seen measuring polyQ-expanded ataxin-3 protein level. Additionally, polyQ-expanded ataxin-3 protein levels correlated with disease progression and clinical severity as assessed by the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia. Total full-length ataxin-3 protein levels were directly influenced by the expression levels of the polyQ-expanded ataxin-3 protein, but were not correlated with clinical parameters. Assessment of ataxin-3 levels in fibroblasts or induced pluripotent stem cells allowed to distinguish mutation carriers from controls, thus providing proof-of-principle validation of our PBMC findings across cell lines. Total full-length or polyQ-expanded ataxin-3 protein was not detectable by TR-FRET assays in other biofluids like plasma or cerebrospinal fluid, indicating the need for ultra-sensitive assays for these biofluids. Standardization studies revealed that tube systems, blood sampling, and PBMC preparation may influence ataxin-3 protein levels indicating a high demand for standardized protocols in biomarker studies. In conclusion, the polyQ-expanded ataxin-3 protein is a promising candidate as a molecular target engagement marker in SCA3 in future clinical trials, determinable even in—easily accessible—peripheral blood biomaterials. These results, however, require validation in a larger cohort and further standardization of modifying conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Gonsior
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Anna Kaucher
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Patrik Pelz
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dorothea Schumann
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Melanie Gansel
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sandra Kuhs
- Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, 53127, Bonn, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Thomas Klockgether
- Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, 53127, Bonn, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Sylvie Forlani
- Institut du Cerveau-Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, INSERM, CNRS, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Alexandra Durr
- Institut du Cerveau-Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, INSERM, CNRS, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Stefan Hauser
- Center for Neurology, and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tim W Rattay
- Center for Neurology, and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthis Synofzik
- Center for Neurology, and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Holger Hengel
- Center for Neurology, and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ludger Schöls
- Center for Neurology, and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olaf H Rieß
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,DFG NGS Competence Center Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jeannette Hübener-Schmid
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany. .,Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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22
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Neves-Carvalho A, Duarte-Silva S, Teixeira-Castro A, Maciel P. Polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias: emerging therapeutic targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:1099-1119. [PMID: 32962458 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1827394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Six of the most frequent dominantly inherited spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) worldwide - SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCA7, and SCA17 - are caused by an expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract in the corresponding proteins. While the identification of the causative mutation has advanced knowledge on the pathogenesis of polyQ SCAs, effective therapeutics able to mitigate the severe clinical manifestation of these highly incapacitating disorders are not yet available. AREAS COVERED This review provides a comprehensive and critical perspective on well-established and emerging therapeutic targets for polyQ SCAs; it aims to inspire prospective drug discovery efforts. EXPERT OPINION The landscape of polyQ SCAs therapeutic targets and strategies includes (1) the mutant genes and proteins themselves, (2) enhancement of endogenous protein quality control responses, (3) abnormal protein-protein interactions of the mutant proteins, (4) disturbed neuronal function, (5) mitochondrial function, energy availability and oxidative stress, and (6) glial dysfunction, growth factor or hormone imbalances. Challenges include gaining a clearer definition of therapeutic targets for the drugs in clinical development, the discovery of novel drug-like molecules for challenging key targets, and the attainment of a stronger translation of preclinical findings to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Neves-Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho , Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Sara Duarte-Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho , Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Andreia Teixeira-Castro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho , Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Maciel
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho , Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
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23
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Mendonça LS, Nóbrega C, Tavino S, Brinkhaus M, Matos C, Tomé S, Moreira R, Henriques D, Kaspar BK, Pereira de Almeida L. Ibuprofen enhances synaptic function and neural progenitors proliferation markers and improves neuropathology and motor coordination in Machado-Joseph disease models. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:3691-3703. [PMID: 31127937 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 is an inherited neurodegenerative disease associated with an abnormal glutamine over-repetition within the ataxin-3 protein. This mutant ataxin-3 protein affects several cellular pathways, leading to neuroinflammation and neuronal death in specific brain regions resulting in severe clinical manifestations. Presently, there is no therapy able to modify the disease progression. Nevertheless, anti-inflammatory pharmacological intervention has been associated with positive outcomes in other neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, the present work aimed at investigating whether ibuprofen treatment would alleviate Machado-Joseph disease. We found that ibuprofen-treated mouse models presented a significant reduction in the neuroinflammation markers, namely Il1b and TNFa mRNA and IKB-α protein phosphorylation levels. Moreover, these mice exhibited neuronal preservation, cerebellar atrophy reduction, smaller mutant ataxin-3 inclusions and motor performance improvement. Additionally, neural cultures of Machado-Joseph disease patients' induced pluripotent stem cells-derived neural stem cells incubated with ibuprofen showed increased levels of neural progenitors proliferation and synaptic markers such as MSI1, NOTCH1 and SYP. These findings were further confirmed in ibuprofen-treated mice that display increased neural progenitor numbers (Ki67 positive) in the subventricular zone. Furthermore, interestingly, ibuprofen treatment enhanced neurite total length and synaptic function of human neurons. Therefore, our results indicate that ibuprofen reduces neuroinflammation and induces neuroprotection, alleviating Machado-Joseph disease-associated neuropathology and motor impairments. Thus, our findings demonstrate that ibuprofen treatment has the potential to be used as a neuroprotective therapeutic approach in Machado-Joseph disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana S Mendonça
- Vectors and Gene Therapy Group, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Clévio Nóbrega
- Vectors and Gene Therapy Group, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Silvia Tavino
- Vectors and Gene Therapy Group, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maximilian Brinkhaus
- Vectors and Gene Therapy Group, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carlos Matos
- Vectors and Gene Therapy Group, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sandra Tomé
- Vectors and Gene Therapy Group, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Moreira
- Vectors and Gene Therapy Group, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Daniel Henriques
- Vectors and Gene Therapy Group, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Brian K Kaspar
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- Vectors and Gene Therapy Group, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
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24
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Chen YS, Hong ZX, Lin SZ, Harn HJ. Identifying Therapeutic Targets for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3/Machado-Joseph Disease through Integration of Pathological Biomarkers and Therapeutic Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093063. [PMID: 32357546 PMCID: PMC7246822 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease (SCA3/MJD) is a progressive motor disease with no broadly effective treatment. However, most current therapies are based on symptoms rather than the underlying disease mechanisms. In this review, we describe potential therapeutic strategies based on known pathological biomarkers and related pathogenic processes. The three major conclusions from the current studies are summarized as follows: (i) for the drugs currently being tested in clinical trials; a weak connection was observed between drugs and SCA3/MJD biomarkers. The only two exceptions are the drugs suppressing glutamate-induced calcium influx and chemical chaperon. (ii) For most of the drugs that have been tested in animal studies, there is a direct association with pathological biomarkers. We further found that many drugs are associated with inducing autophagy, which is supported by the evidence of deficient autophagy biomarkers in SCA3/MJD, and that there may be more promising therapeutics. (iii) Some reported biomarkers lack relatively targeted drugs. Low glucose utilization, altered amino acid metabolism, and deficient insulin signaling are all implicated in SCA3/MJD, but there have been few studies on treatment strategies targeting these abnormalities. Therapeutic strategies targeting multiple pathological SCA3/MJD biomarkers may effectively block disease progression and preserve neurological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Shuan Chen
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-S.C.); (H.-J.H.); Tel.: +886-3-856-1825 (Y.-S.C. & H.-J.H.); Fax: +886-3-856-0977 (H.-J.H.)
| | - Zhen-Xiang Hong
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
| | - Shinn-Zong Lin
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Jyh Harn
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Tzu Chi University, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-S.C.); (H.-J.H.); Tel.: +886-3-856-1825 (Y.-S.C. & H.-J.H.); Fax: +886-3-856-0977 (H.-J.H.)
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25
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Zhao H, Li G, Zhang S, Li F, Wang R, Tao Z, Ma Q, Han Z, Yan F, Fan J, Li L, Ji X, Luo Y. Inhibition of histone deacetylase 3 by MiR-494 alleviates neuronal loss and improves neurological recovery in experimental stroke. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2019; 39:2392-2405. [PMID: 31510852 PMCID: PMC6893973 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x19875201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
HDAC3 is an essential negative regulator of neuronal plasticity and memory formation. Although a chemical inhibitor has been invented, little is known about its endogenous modulators. We explored whether miR-494 affects HDAC3-mediated neuronal injury following acute ischemic stroke. A substantial increase in plasma miR-494 was detected in AIS patients and was positively associated with the mRS at one year after symptom onset. The miR-494 levels were transiently increased in the infarcted brain tissue of mice. In contrast, miR-494 levels were reduced in neurons but increased in the medium after OGD. Intracerebroventricular injection of miR-494 agomir reduced neuronal apoptosis and infarct volume at the acute stage of MCAO, promoted axonal plasticity and long-term outcomes at the recovery stage, suppressed neuronal ataxin-3 and HDAC3 expression and increased acetyl-H3K9 levels in the ipsilateral hemisphere. In vitro studies confirmed that miR-494 posttranslationally inhibited HDAC3 in neurons and prevented OGD-induced neuronal axonal injury. The HDAC3 inhibitor increased acetyl-H3K9 levels and reversed miR-494 antagomir-aggravated acute cerebral ischemic injury, as well as brain atrophy and long-term functional recovery. These results suggest that miR-494 may serve as a predictive biomarker of functional outcomes in AIS patients and a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiping Zhao
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Geriatric Medical Research Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Cerebrovascular Diseases, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Guangwen Li
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Geriatric Medical Research Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Cerebrovascular Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Sijia Zhang
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Geriatric Medical Research Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Cerebrovascular Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Fangfang Li
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Rongliang Wang
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Geriatric Medical Research Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Cerebrovascular Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Tao
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Geriatric Medical Research Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Cerebrovascular Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Qingfeng Ma
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ziping Han
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Yan
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Junfen Fan
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lingzhi Li
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Geriatric Medical Research Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Cerebrovascular Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xunming Ji
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Geriatric Medical Research Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Cerebrovascular Diseases, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yumin Luo
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Geriatric Medical Research Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Cerebrovascular Diseases, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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26
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Da Silva JD, Teixeira-Castro A, Maciel P. From Pathogenesis to Novel Therapeutics for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3: Evading Potholes on the Way to Translation. Neurotherapeutics 2019; 16:1009-1031. [PMID: 31691128 PMCID: PMC6985322 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-019-00798-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also known as Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the ATXN3 gene. In spite of the identification of a clear monogenic cause 25 years ago, the pathological process still puzzles researchers, impairing prospects for an effective therapy. Here, we propose the disruption of protein homeostasis as the hub of SCA3 pathogenesis, being the molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways that are deregulated in SCA3 downstream consequences of the misfolding and aggregation of ATXN3. Moreover, we attempt to provide a realistic perspective on how the translational/clinical research in SCA3 should evolve. This was based on molecular findings, clinical and epidemiological characteristics, studies of proposed treatments in other conditions, and how that information is essential for their (re-)application in SCA3. This review thus aims i) to critically evaluate the current state of research on SCA3, from fundamental to translational and clinical perspectives; ii) to bring up the current key questions that remain unanswered in this disorder; and iii) to provide a frame on how those answers should be pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Diogo Da Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Andreia Teixeira-Castro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Maciel
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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27
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Dong X, Cong S. The Emerging Role of microRNAs in Polyglutamine Diseases. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:156. [PMID: 31275113 PMCID: PMC6593396 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding molecules that regulate a large amount of post-transcriptional repressor genes by recognizing semi-complementary target sequences that are normally located in the 3' UTR of the mRNA. Altered expression of miRNA has been related to several pathological processes, including polyglutamine (Poly Q) diseases. Specific expression patterns in the circulating fluids and brain parenchyma have been speculated as potential biomarkers for Poly Q disease diagnosis and prognosis. Several miRNAs have been consistently identified in diseases including Huntington's disease (HD) and spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). In our review, we describe the emerging role of miRNAs in Poly Q diseases and provide an overview on general miRNA biology, implications in pathophysiology, and their potential roles as future biomarkers and applications for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shuyan Cong
- Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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28
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Marcelo A, Brito F, Carmo-Silva S, Matos CA, Alves-Cruzeiro J, Vasconcelos-Ferreira A, Koppenol R, Mendonça L, de Almeida LP, Nóbrega C. Cordycepin activates autophagy through AMPK phosphorylation to reduce abnormalities in Machado-Joseph disease models. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:51-63. [PMID: 30219871 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by an abnormal expansion of citosine-adenine-guanine trinucleotide repeats in the disease-causing gene. This mutation leads to an abnormal polyglutamine tract in the protein ataxin-3 (Atx3), resulting in formation of mutant Atx3 aggregates. Despite several attempts to develop a therapeutic option for MJD, currently there are no available therapies capable of delaying or stopping disease progression. Recently, our group reported that reducing the expression levels of mutant Atx3 lead to a mitigation of several MJD-related behavior and neuropathological abnormalities. Aiming a more rapid translation to the human clinics, in this study we investigate a pharmacological inhibitor of translation-cordycepin-in several preclinical models. We found that cordycepin treatment significantly reduced (i) the levels of mutant Atx3, (ii) the neuropathological abnormalities in a lentiviral mouse model, (iii) the motor and neuropathological deficits in a transgenic mouse model and (iv) the number of ubiquitin aggregates in a human neural model. We hypothesize that the effect of cordycepin is mediated by the increase of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) levels, which is accompanied by a reduction in the global translation levels and by a significant activation of the autophagy pathway. Overall, this study suggests that cordycepin might constitute an effective and safe therapeutic approach for MJD, and probably for the other polyglutamine diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Marcelo
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Portugal.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine (DCBM), University of Algarve, Portugal.,Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve and University Hospital of Algarve, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filipa Brito
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sara Carmo-Silva
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carlos A Matos
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Alves-Cruzeiro
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Rebekah Koppenol
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Portugal
| | - Liliana Mendonça
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Clévio Nóbrega
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Portugal.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine (DCBM), University of Algarve, Portugal.,Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve and University Hospital of Algarve, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Portugal
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29
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Hou X, Gong X, Zhang L, Li T, Yuan H, Xie Y, Peng Y, Qiu R, Xia K, Tang B, Jiang H. Identification of a potential exosomal biomarker in spinocerebellar ataxia Type 3/Machado-Joseph disease. Epigenomics 2019; 11:1037-1056. [PMID: 31144508 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2019-0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To identify spinocerebellar ataxia Type 3 (SCA3)-related exosomal biomarkers and the underlying mechanisms. Materials & methods: Exosomal RNAs from plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were extracted from 24 SCA3 patients and 22 controls, respectively. Small RNA sequencing and quantitative PCR verification were performed. Gene ontology annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses of the results were carried out. Results: One novel miRNA is notably downregulated in plasma-derived exosomes, while upregulated in CSF-derived exosomes of SCA3 patients. Besides, it is successively upregulated in CSF-derived exosomes from Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 groups. The downstream target genes were enriched in protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum and axon guidance. Conclusion: One exosomal biomarker was identified in SCA3, and this is the first time to report an exosomal miRNA as a biomarker in SCA3 internationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaocan Hou
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Xuan Gong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Longbo Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Tianjiao Li
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Hongyu Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Yue Xie
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Yun Peng
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Rong Qiu
- School of Information Science & Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Kun Xia
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Beisha Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China.,Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China.,Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
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30
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Buijsen RAM, Toonen LJA, Gardiner SL, van Roon-Mom WMC. Genetics, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Progress in Polyglutamine Spinocerebellar Ataxias. Neurotherapeutics 2019; 16:263-286. [PMID: 30607747 PMCID: PMC6554265 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-018-00696-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias (ADCAs) are a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by degeneration of the cerebellum and its connections. All ADCAs have progressive ataxia as their main clinical feature, frequently accompanied by dysarthria and oculomotor deficits. The most common spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are 6 polyglutamine (polyQ) SCAs. These diseases are all caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the coding region of a gene. Currently, no curative treatment is available for any of the polyQ SCAs, but increasing knowledge on the genetics and the pathological mechanisms of these polyQ SCAs has provided promising therapeutic targets to potentially slow disease progression. Potential treatments can be divided into pharmacological and gene therapies that target the toxic downstream effects, gene therapies that target the polyQ SCA genes, and stem cell replacement therapies. Here, we will provide a review on the genetics, mechanisms, and therapeutic progress in polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald A M Buijsen
- Department of Human Genetics, LUMC, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Lodewijk J A Toonen
- Department of Human Genetics, LUMC, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah L Gardiner
- Department of Human Genetics, LUMC, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, LUMC, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
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31
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Krauss S, Nalavade R, Weber S, Carter K, Evert BO. Upregulation of miR-25 and miR-181 Family Members Correlates with Reduced Expression of ATXN3 in Lymphocytes from SCA3 Patients. Microrna 2019; 8:76-85. [PMID: 30147021 DOI: 10.2174/2211536607666180821162403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), the most common spinocerebellar ataxia, is caused by a polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion in the protein ataxin-3 (ATXN3). Silencing the expression of polyQ-expanded ATXN3 rescues the cellular disease phenotype. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNAs targeting gene expression, in lymphoblastoid cells (LCs) from SCA3 patients and the capability of identified deregulated miRNAs to target and alter ATXN3 expression. METHODS MiRNA profiling was performed by microarray hybridization of total RNA from control and SCA3-LCs. The capability of the identified miRNAs and their target sites to suppress ATXN3 expression was analyzed using mutagenesis, reverse transcription PCR, immunoblotting, luciferase reporter assays, mimics and precursors of the identified miRNAs. RESULTS SCA3-LCs showed significantly decreased expression levels of ATXN3 and a significant upregulation of the ATXN3-3'UTR targeting miRNAs, miR-32 and miR-181c and closely related members of the miR-25 and miR-181 family, respectively. MiR-32 and miR-181c effectively targeted the 3'UTR of ATXN3 and suppressed the expression of ATXN3. CONCLUSIONS The simultaneous upregulation of closely related miRNAs targeting the 3'UTR of ATXN3 and the significantly reduced ATXN3 expression levels in SCA3-LCs suggests that miR-25 and miR-181 family members cooperatively bind to the 3'UTR to suppress the expression of ATXN3. The findings further suggest that the upregulation of miR-25 and miR-181 family members in SCA3- LCs reflects a cell type-specific, protective mechanism to diminish polyQ-mediated cytotoxic effects. Thus, miRNA mimics of miR-25 and miR-181 family members may prove useful for the treatment of SCA3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sybille Krauss
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Sigmund-Freud-Street 27, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Rohit Nalavade
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Sigmund-Freud-Street 27, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Stephanie Weber
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Sigmund-Freud-Street 27, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Katlynn Carter
- Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Street 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Bernd O Evert
- Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Street 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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32
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Krauss S, Evert BO. The Role of MicroRNAs in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:1729-1742. [PMID: 30664869 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
More than 90% of the human genome are transcribed as non-coding RNAs. While it is still under debate if all these non-coding transcripts are functional, there is emerging evidence that RNA has several important functions in addition to coding for proteins. For example, microRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulatory RNAs that control gene expression in various biological processes and human diseases. In spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), a devastating neurodegenerative disease, miRNAs are involved in the disease process at different levels, including the deregulation of components of the general miRNA biogenesis machinery, as well as in the cell type-specific control of the expression of the SCA3 disease protein and other SCA3 disease-relevant proteins. However, it remains difficult to predict whether these changes are a cause or a consequence of the neurodegenerative process in SCA3. Further studies using standardized procedures for the analysis of miRNA expression and larger sample numbers are required to enhance our understanding of the miRNA-mediated processes involved in SCA3 disease and may enable the development of miRNA-based therapeutics. In this review, we summarize the findings of independent studies highlighting both the disease-related and cytoprotective roles of miRNAs that have been implicated so far in the disease process of SCA3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sybille Krauss
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Sigmund-Freud-Street 27, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Bernd O Evert
- Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Street 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
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33
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Matos CA, de Almeida LP, Nóbrega C. Machado-Joseph disease/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: lessons from disease pathogenesis and clues into therapy. J Neurochem 2018; 148:8-28. [PMID: 29959858 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), also known as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), is an incurable disorder, widely regarded as the most common form of spinocerebellar ataxia in the world. MJD/SCA3 arises from mutation of the ATXN3 gene, but this simple monogenic cause contrasts with the complexity of the pathogenic mechanisms that are currently admitted to underlie neuronal dysfunction and death. The aberrantly expanded protein product - ataxin-3 - is known to aggregate and generate toxic species that disrupt several cell systems, including autophagy, proteostasis, transcription, mitochondrial function and signalling. Over the years, research into putative therapeutic approaches has often been devoted to the development of strategies that counteract disease at different stages of cellular pathogenesis. Silencing the pathogenic protein, blocking aggregation, inhibiting toxic proteolytic processing and counteracting dysfunctions of the cellular systems affected have yielded promising ameliorating results in studies with cellular and animal models. The current review analyses the available studies dedicated to the investigation of MJD/SCA3 pathogenesis and the exploration of possible therapeutic strategies, focusing primarily on gene therapy and pharmacological approaches rooted on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Matos
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Clévio Nóbrega
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, University of Algarve, Coimbra, Portugal.,Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Coimbra, Portugal.,Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
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Abstract
This review explores the presence and functions of polyglutamine (polyQ) in viral proteins. In mammals, mutations in polyQ segments (and CAG repeats at the nucleotide level) have been linked to neural disorders and ataxias. PolyQ regions in normal human proteins have documented functional roles, in transcription factors and, more recently, in regulating autophagy. Despite the high frequency of polyQ repeats in eukaryotic genomes, little attention has been given to the presence or possible role of polyQ sequences in virus genomes. A survey described here revealed that polyQ repeats occur rarely in RNA viruses, suggesting that they have detrimental effects on virus replication at the nucleotide or protein level. However, there have been sporadic reports of polyQ segments in potyviruses and in reptilian nidoviruses (among the largest RNA viruses known). Conserved polyQ segments are found in the regulatory control proteins of many DNA viruses. Variable length polyQ tracts are found in proteins that contribute to transmissibility (cowpox A-type inclusion protein (ATI)) and control of latency (herpes viruses). New longer-read sequencing methods, using original biological samples, should reveal more details on the presence and functional role of polyQ in viruses, as well as the nucleotide regions that encode them. Given the known toxic effects of polyQ repeats, the role of these segments in neurovirulent and tumorigenic viruses should be further explored.
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35
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Abstract
Polyglutamine diseases are hereditary degenerative disorders of the nervous system that have remained, to this date, untreatable. Promisingly, investigation into their molecular etiology and the development of increasingly perfected tools have contributed to the design of novel strategies with therapeutic potential. Encouraging studies have explored gene therapy as a means to counteract cell demise and loss in this context. The current chapter addresses the two main focuses of research in the area: the characteristics of the systems used to deliver nucleic acids to cells and the molecular and cellular actions of the therapeutic agents. Vectors used in gene therapy have to satisfyingly reach the tissues and cell types of interest, while eliciting the lowest toxicity possible. Both viral and non-viral systems have been developed for the delivery of nucleic acids to the central nervous system, each with its respective advantages and shortcomings. Since each polyglutamine disease is caused by mutation of a single gene, many gene therapy strategies have tried to halt degeneration by silencing the corresponding protein products, usually recurring to RNA interference. The potential of small interfering RNAs, short hairpin RNAs and microRNAs has been investigated. Overexpression of protective genes has also been evaluated as a means of decreasing mutant protein toxicity and operate beneficial alterations. Recent gene editing tools promise yet other ways of interfering with the disease-causing genes, at the most upstream points possible. Results obtained in both cell and animal models encourage further delving into this type of therapeutic strategies and support the future use of gene therapy in the treatment of polyglutamine diseases.
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Abstract
The dominant polyglutamine (polyQ) disorders are a group of progressive and incurable neurodegenerative disorders, which are caused by unstable expanded CAG trinucleotide repeats in the coding regions of their respective causative genes. The most prevalent polyQ disorders worldwide are Huntington’s disease and spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and chromatin remodeling and noncoding RNA regulation, regulate gene expression or genome function. Epigenetic dysregulation has been suggested to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of polyQ disorders. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of epigenetic changes present in several representative polyQ disorders and discuss the potentiality of miRNAs as therapeutic targets for the clinic therapy of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Tie-Shan Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Caixia Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomics & Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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37
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Stem Cell-Based Therapies for Polyglutamine Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1049:439-466. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-71779-1_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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38
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Molecular Mechanisms and Cellular Pathways Implicated in Machado-Joseph Disease Pathogenesis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1049:349-367. [PMID: 29427113 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-71779-1_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is a dominantly inherited disorder originally described in people of Portuguese descent, and associated with the expansion of a CAG tract in the coding region of the causative gene MJD1/ATX3. The CAG repeats range from 10 to 51 in the normal population and from 55 to 87 in SCA3/MJD patients. MJD1 encodes ataxin-3, a protein whose physiological function has been linked to ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Despite the identification of the causative mutation, the pathogenic process leading to the neurodegeneration observed in the disease is not yet completely understood. In the past years, several studies identified different molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways as being impaired or deregulated in MJD. Autophagy, proteolysis or post-translational modifications, among other processes, were implicated in MJD pathogenesis. From these studies it was possible to identify new targets for therapeutic intervention, which in some cases proved successful in models of disease.
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Rufino-Ramos D, Albuquerque PR, Carmona V, Perfeito R, Nobre RJ, Pereira de Almeida L. Extracellular vesicles: Novel promising delivery systems for therapy of brain diseases. J Control Release 2017; 262:247-258. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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