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Kouhashi M, Yukawa K, Yano N, Hagemeijer MC, Hirata S, Kambe D, Yokoyama A, Yoshida A, Kora K, de Ronde CJ, Vrieswijk S, van der Meijden E, Yoshida T, Yamashita H. A 37-Year-Old Man With Intellectual Disability Discovered to Have Aspartylglucosaminuria: Implications for the Diagnosis of Genetic Causes. Neurol Genet 2024; 10:e200161. [PMID: 38831911 PMCID: PMC11145746 DOI: 10.1212/nxg.0000000000200161] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Objectives The causes of intellectual disability (ID) are varied, with as many as 1,400 causative genes. We attempted to identify the causative gene in a patient with long-standing undiagnosed ID. Methods Although this was an isolated case with no family history, we searched for the causative gene using trio-based whole-exome sequencing (trio-WES), because severe ID is often caused by genetic variations, and inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) are assumed to be the cause when regression and epilepsy occur. Results We identified homozygous donor splice-site variants in the AGA gene (aspartylglucosaminidase; NM_000027.4) Chr4(GRCh38):g. 177436275C>A, c.698+1G>T. This gene is implicated in aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU; OMIM #208400) and originated from both of the patient's parents. We confirmed the pathogenicity of the variant by detecting the splicing defect in cDNA from the patient's blood and accumulation of aberrant metabolites in the patient's urine. Discussion We discuss how to more readily achieve an accurate diagnosis for patients with undiagnosed intellectual disabilities. Medical practitioners' awareness of the characteristics of the disease leading to clinical suspicion in patients with matching presentations, and the performance of newborn screening when possible, is important for the diagnosis of ID. In addition, the characteristic symptoms and course of the disease give rise to suspicion of IMDs. Given our results, we consider trio-WES to be a powerful method for identifying the causative genes in cases of ID with genetic causes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutsuo Kouhashi
- From the Department of Neurology (M.K., K.Y., S.H., D.K., H.Y.), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center; Department of Neurology (M.K., S.H.); Department of Pediatrics (N.Y., A. Yokoyama, K.K., T.Y.), Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan; Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases (M.C.H., C.J.R., S.V., E.M.), Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology (D.K.), Kyoto Kizugawa Hospital; and Department of Pediatrics (A. Yokoyama, A. Yoshida), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Kayoko Yukawa
- From the Department of Neurology (M.K., K.Y., S.H., D.K., H.Y.), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center; Department of Neurology (M.K., S.H.); Department of Pediatrics (N.Y., A. Yokoyama, K.K., T.Y.), Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan; Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases (M.C.H., C.J.R., S.V., E.M.), Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology (D.K.), Kyoto Kizugawa Hospital; and Department of Pediatrics (A. Yokoyama, A. Yoshida), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Naoko Yano
- From the Department of Neurology (M.K., K.Y., S.H., D.K., H.Y.), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center; Department of Neurology (M.K., S.H.); Department of Pediatrics (N.Y., A. Yokoyama, K.K., T.Y.), Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan; Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases (M.C.H., C.J.R., S.V., E.M.), Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology (D.K.), Kyoto Kizugawa Hospital; and Department of Pediatrics (A. Yokoyama, A. Yoshida), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Marne C Hagemeijer
- From the Department of Neurology (M.K., K.Y., S.H., D.K., H.Y.), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center; Department of Neurology (M.K., S.H.); Department of Pediatrics (N.Y., A. Yokoyama, K.K., T.Y.), Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan; Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases (M.C.H., C.J.R., S.V., E.M.), Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology (D.K.), Kyoto Kizugawa Hospital; and Department of Pediatrics (A. Yokoyama, A. Yoshida), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Shinya Hirata
- From the Department of Neurology (M.K., K.Y., S.H., D.K., H.Y.), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center; Department of Neurology (M.K., S.H.); Department of Pediatrics (N.Y., A. Yokoyama, K.K., T.Y.), Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan; Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases (M.C.H., C.J.R., S.V., E.M.), Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology (D.K.), Kyoto Kizugawa Hospital; and Department of Pediatrics (A. Yokoyama, A. Yoshida), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kambe
- From the Department of Neurology (M.K., K.Y., S.H., D.K., H.Y.), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center; Department of Neurology (M.K., S.H.); Department of Pediatrics (N.Y., A. Yokoyama, K.K., T.Y.), Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan; Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases (M.C.H., C.J.R., S.V., E.M.), Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology (D.K.), Kyoto Kizugawa Hospital; and Department of Pediatrics (A. Yokoyama, A. Yoshida), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Atsushi Yokoyama
- From the Department of Neurology (M.K., K.Y., S.H., D.K., H.Y.), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center; Department of Neurology (M.K., S.H.); Department of Pediatrics (N.Y., A. Yokoyama, K.K., T.Y.), Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan; Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases (M.C.H., C.J.R., S.V., E.M.), Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology (D.K.), Kyoto Kizugawa Hospital; and Department of Pediatrics (A. Yokoyama, A. Yoshida), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Akira Yoshida
- From the Department of Neurology (M.K., K.Y., S.H., D.K., H.Y.), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center; Department of Neurology (M.K., S.H.); Department of Pediatrics (N.Y., A. Yokoyama, K.K., T.Y.), Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan; Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases (M.C.H., C.J.R., S.V., E.M.), Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology (D.K.), Kyoto Kizugawa Hospital; and Department of Pediatrics (A. Yokoyama, A. Yoshida), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Kengo Kora
- From the Department of Neurology (M.K., K.Y., S.H., D.K., H.Y.), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center; Department of Neurology (M.K., S.H.); Department of Pediatrics (N.Y., A. Yokoyama, K.K., T.Y.), Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan; Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases (M.C.H., C.J.R., S.V., E.M.), Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology (D.K.), Kyoto Kizugawa Hospital; and Department of Pediatrics (A. Yokoyama, A. Yoshida), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Corline J de Ronde
- From the Department of Neurology (M.K., K.Y., S.H., D.K., H.Y.), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center; Department of Neurology (M.K., S.H.); Department of Pediatrics (N.Y., A. Yokoyama, K.K., T.Y.), Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan; Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases (M.C.H., C.J.R., S.V., E.M.), Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology (D.K.), Kyoto Kizugawa Hospital; and Department of Pediatrics (A. Yokoyama, A. Yoshida), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Sandrien Vrieswijk
- From the Department of Neurology (M.K., K.Y., S.H., D.K., H.Y.), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center; Department of Neurology (M.K., S.H.); Department of Pediatrics (N.Y., A. Yokoyama, K.K., T.Y.), Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan; Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases (M.C.H., C.J.R., S.V., E.M.), Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology (D.K.), Kyoto Kizugawa Hospital; and Department of Pediatrics (A. Yokoyama, A. Yoshida), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Eric van der Meijden
- From the Department of Neurology (M.K., K.Y., S.H., D.K., H.Y.), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center; Department of Neurology (M.K., S.H.); Department of Pediatrics (N.Y., A. Yokoyama, K.K., T.Y.), Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan; Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases (M.C.H., C.J.R., S.V., E.M.), Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology (D.K.), Kyoto Kizugawa Hospital; and Department of Pediatrics (A. Yokoyama, A. Yoshida), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yoshida
- From the Department of Neurology (M.K., K.Y., S.H., D.K., H.Y.), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center; Department of Neurology (M.K., S.H.); Department of Pediatrics (N.Y., A. Yokoyama, K.K., T.Y.), Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan; Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases (M.C.H., C.J.R., S.V., E.M.), Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology (D.K.), Kyoto Kizugawa Hospital; and Department of Pediatrics (A. Yokoyama, A. Yoshida), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Yamashita
- From the Department of Neurology (M.K., K.Y., S.H., D.K., H.Y.), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center; Department of Neurology (M.K., S.H.); Department of Pediatrics (N.Y., A. Yokoyama, K.K., T.Y.), Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan; Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases (M.C.H., C.J.R., S.V., E.M.), Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology (D.K.), Kyoto Kizugawa Hospital; and Department of Pediatrics (A. Yokoyama, A. Yoshida), Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center, Japan
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Balasundaram A, Ramireddy S, S UK, D TK, Tayubi IA, Zayed H, C GPD. A new horizon in the phosphorylated sites of AGA: the structural impact of C163S mutation in aspartylglucosaminuria through molecular dynamics simulation. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:4313-4324. [PMID: 37334725 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2220798] [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: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by insufficient aspartylglucosaminidase (AGA) activity leading to chronic neurodegeneration. We utilized the PhosphoSitePlus tool to identify the AGA protein's phosphorylation sites. The phosphorylation was induced on the specific residue of the three-dimensional AGA protein, and the structural changes upon phosphorylation were studied via molecular dynamics simulation. Furthermore, the structural behaviour of C163S mutation and C163S mutation with adjacent phosphorylation was investigated. We have examined the structural impact of phosphorylated forms and C163S mutation in AGA. Molecular dynamics simulations (200 ns) exposed patterns of deviation, fluctuation, and change in compactness of Y178 phosphorylated AGA protein (Y178-p), T215 phosphorylated AGA protein (T215-p), T324 phosphorylated AGA protein (T324-p), C163S mutant AGA protein (C163S), and C163S mutation with Y178 phosphorylated AGA protein (C163S-Y178-p). Y178-p, T215-p, and C163S mutation demonstrated an increase in intramolecular hydrogen bonds, leading to greater compactness of the AGA forms. Principle component analysis (PCA) and Gibbs free energy of the phosphorylated/C163S mutation structures exhibit transition in motion/orientation than Wild type (WT). T215-p may be more dominant among these than the other studied phosphorylated forms. It might contribute to hydrolyzing L-asparagine functioning as an asparaginase, thereby regulating neurotransmitter activity. This study revealed structural insights into the phosphorylation of Y178, T215, and T324 in AGA protein. Additionally, it exposed the structural changes of the C163S mutation and C163S-Y178-p of AGA protein. This research will shed light on a better understanding of AGA's phosphorylated mechanism.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambritha Balasundaram
- Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sriroopreddy Ramireddy
- Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Udhaya Kumar S
- Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Thirumal Kumar D
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Iftikhar Aslam Tayubi
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Hatem Zayed
- Department of Biomedical Sciences College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - George Priya Doss C
- Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
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Ryckman AE, Deschenes NM, Quinville BM, Osmon KJ, Mitchell M, Chen Z, Gray SJ, Walia JS. Intrathecal delivery of a bicistronic AAV9 vector expressing β-hexosaminidase A corrects Sandhoff disease in a murine model: A dosage study. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101168. [PMID: 38205442 PMCID: PMC10777117 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The pathological accumulation of GM2 ganglioside associated with Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) and Sandhoff disease (SD) occurs in individuals who possess mutant forms of the heterodimer β-hexosaminidase A (Hex A) because of mutation of the HEXA and HEXB genes, respectively. With a lack of approved therapies, patients experience rapid neurological decline resulting in early death. A novel bicistronic vector carrying both HEXA and HEXB previously demonstrated promising results in mouse models of SD following neonatal intravenous administration, including significant reduction in GM2 accumulation, increased levels of Hex A, and a 2-fold extension of survival. The aim of the present study was to identify an optimal dose of the bicistronic vector in 6-week-old SD mice by an intrathecal route of administration along with transient immunosuppression, to inform possible clinical translation. Three doses of the bicistronic vector were tested: 2.5e11, 1.25e11, and 0.625e11 vector genomes per mouse. The highest dose provided the greatest increase in biochemical and behavioral parameters, such that treated mice lived to a median age of 56 weeks (>3 times the lifespan of the SD controls). These results have direct implications in deciding a human equivalent dose for TSD/SD and have informed the approval of a clinical trial application (NCT04798235).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex E. Ryckman
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Natalie M. Deschenes
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Brianna M. Quinville
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Karlaina J.L. Osmon
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Melissa Mitchell
- Medical Genetics/Departments of Pediatrics, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, Canada
| | - Zhilin Chen
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Steven J. Gray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jagdeep S. Walia
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Medical Genetics/Departments of Pediatrics, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, Canada
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Song Y, Lee D, Choi J, Lee JW, Hong K. Genome-wide association and replication studies for handedness in a Korean community-based cohort. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3121. [PMID: 37337823 PMCID: PMC10498080 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Handedness is a conspicuous characteristic in human behavior, with a worldwide proportion of approximately 90% of people preferring to use the right hand for many tasks. In the Korean population, the proportion of left-handedness is relatively low at approximately 7%-10%, similar to that in other East-Asian cultures in which the use of the left hand for writing and other public activities has historically been oppressed. METHODS In this study, we conducted two genome-wide association studies (GWASs) between right-handedness and left-handedness, and between right-handedness and ambidexterity using logistic regression analyses using a Korean community-based cohort. We also performed association analyses with previously reported variants and our findings. RESULTS A total of 8806 participants were included for analysis, and the results identified 28 left-handedness-associated and 15 ambidexterity-associated loci; of these, two left-handedness loci (NEIL3 [rs11726465] and SVOPL [rs117495448]) and one ambidexterity locus (PDE8B/WDR41 [rs118077080]) showed near genome-wide significance. Association analyses with previously reported variants replicated ANKS1B (rs7132513) in left-handedness and ANKIB1 (rs2040498) in ambidexterity. CONCLUSION The variants and positional candidate genes identified and replicated in this study were largely associated with brain development, cerebral asymmetry, neurological processes, and neuropsychiatric diseases in line with previous findings. As the first East-Asian GWAS related to handedness, these results may provide an intriguing reference for further human neurologic research in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youhyun Song
- Department of Family MedicineGangnam Severance HospitalYonsei University College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
- Healthcare Research Team, Health Promotion CenterGangnam Severance HospitalYonsei University College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Dasom Lee
- Theragen Bio Co. Ltd.Gyeonggi‐doSouth Korea
| | | | - Ji Won Lee
- Department of Family MedicineSeverance HospitalYonsei University College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
- Institute for Innovation in Digital HealthcareYonsei UniversitySeoulSouth Korea
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Chen X, Dong T, Hu Y, De Pace R, Mattera R, Eberhardt K, Ziegler M, Pirovolakis T, Sahin M, Bonifacino JS, Ebrahimi-Fakhari D, Gray SJ. Intrathecal AAV9/AP4M1 gene therapy for hereditary spastic paraplegia 50 shows safety and efficacy in preclinical studies. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e164575. [PMID: 36951961 PMCID: PMC10178841 DOI: 10.1172/jci164575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Spastic paraplegia 50 (SPG50) is an ultrarare childhood-onset neurological disorder caused by biallelic loss-of-function variants in the AP4M1 gene. SPG50 is characterized by progressive spastic paraplegia, global developmental delay, and subsequent intellectual disability, secondary microcephaly, and epilepsy. We preformed preclinical studies evaluating an adeno-associated virus (AAV)/AP4M1 gene therapy for SPG50 and describe in vitro studies that demonstrate transduction of patient-derived fibroblasts with AAV2/AP4M1, resulting in phenotypic rescue. To evaluate efficacy in vivo, Ap4m1-KO mice were intrathecally (i.t.) injected with 5 × 1011, 2.5 × 1011, or 1.25 × 1011 vector genome (vg) doses of AAV9/AP4M1 at P7-P10 or P90. Age- and dose-dependent effects were observed, with early intervention and higher doses achieving the best therapeutic benefits. In parallel, three toxicology studies in WT mice, rats, and nonhuman primates (NHPs) demonstrated that AAV9/AP4M1 had an acceptable safety profile up to a target human dose of 1 × 1015 vg. Of note, similar degrees of minimal-to-mild dorsal root ganglia (DRG) toxicity were observed in both rats and NHPs, supporting the use of rats to monitor DRG toxicity in future i.t. AAV studies. These preclinical results identify an acceptably safe and efficacious dose of i.t.-administered AAV9/AP4M1, supporting an investigational gene transfer clinical trial to treat SPG50.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Thomas Dong
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Yuhui Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Raffaella De Pace
- Neurosciences and Cellular and Structural Biology Division, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Rafael Mattera
- Neurosciences and Cellular and Structural Biology Division, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kathrin Eberhardt
- Department of Neurology and F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marvin Ziegler
- Department of Neurology and F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Mustafa Sahin
- Department of Neurology and F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Juan S. Bonifacino
- Neurosciences and Cellular and Structural Biology Division, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Darius Ebrahimi-Fakhari
- Department of Neurology and F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Steven J. Gray
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Banning A, Laine M, Tikkanen R. Validation of Aspartylglucosaminidase Activity Assay for Human Serum Samples: Establishment of a Biomarker for Diagnostics and Clinical Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065722. [PMID: 36982794 PMCID: PMC10059667 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel treatment strategies are emerging for rare, genetic diseases, resulting in clinical trials that require adequate biomarkers for the assessment of the treatment effect. For enzyme defects, biomarkers that can be assessed from patient serum, such as enzyme activity, are highly useful, but the activity assays need to be properly validated to ensure a precise, quantitative measurement. Aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficiency of the lysosomal hydrolase aspartylglucosaminidase (AGA). We have here established and validated a fluorometric AGA activity assay for human serum samples from healthy donors and AGU patients. We show that the validated AGA activity assay is suitable for the assessment of AGA activity in the serum of healthy donors and AGU patients, and it can be used for diagnostics of AGU and, potentially, for following a treatment effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Banning
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Giessen, Friedrichstrasse 24, DE-35390 Giessen, Germany
| | - Minna Laine
- Department of Child Neurology, Helsinki University Hospital and Helsinki University, P.O. Box 900, FI-01400 Vantaa, Finland
| | - Ritva Tikkanen
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Giessen, Friedrichstrasse 24, DE-35390 Giessen, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Kido J, Sugawara K, Nakamura K. Gene therapy for lysosomal storage diseases: Current clinical trial prospects. Front Genet 2023; 14:1064924. [PMID: 36713078 PMCID: PMC9880060 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1064924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are a group of metabolic inborn errors caused by defective enzymes in the lysosome, resulting in the accumulation of undegraded substrates. LSDs are progressive diseases that exhibit variable rates of progression depending on the disease and the patient. The availability of effective treatment options, including substrate reduction therapy, pharmacological chaperone therapy, enzyme replacement therapy, and bone marrow transplantation, has increased survival time and improved the quality of life in many patients with LSDs. However, these therapies are not sufficiently effective, especially against central nerve system abnormalities and corresponding neurological and psychiatric symptoms because of the blood-brain barrier that prevents the entry of drugs into the brain or limiting features of specific treatments. Gene therapy is a promising tool for the treatment of neurological pathologies associated with LSDs. Here, we review the current state of gene therapy for several LSDs for which clinical trials have been conducted or are planned. Several clinical trials using gene therapy for LSDs are underway as phase 1/2 studies; no adverse events have not been reported in most of these studies. The administration of viral vectors has achieved good therapeutic outcomes in animal models of LSDs, and subsequent human clinical trials are expected to promote the practical application of gene therapy for LSDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Kido
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan,Department of Pediatrics, Kumamoto University Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan,*Correspondence: Jun Kido,
| | - Keishin Sugawara
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kimitoshi Nakamura
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan,Department of Pediatrics, Kumamoto University Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan
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Uusimaa J, Kettunen J, Varilo T, Järvelä I, Kallijärvi J, Kääriäinen H, Laine M, Lapatto R, Myllynen P, Niinikoski H, Rahikkala E, Suomalainen A, Tikkanen R, Tyynismaa H, Vieira P, Zarybnicky T, Sipilä P, Kuure S, Hinttala R. The Finnish genetic heritage in 2022 – from diagnosis to translational research. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:278566. [PMID: 36285626 PMCID: PMC9637267 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Isolated populations have been valuable for the discovery of rare monogenic diseases and their causative genetic variants. Finnish disease heritage (FDH) is an example of a group of hereditary monogenic disorders caused by single major, usually autosomal-recessive, variants enriched in the population due to several past genetic drift events. Interestingly, distinct subpopulations have remained in Finland and have maintained their unique genetic repertoire. Thus, FDH diseases have persisted, facilitating vigorous research on the underlying molecular mechanisms and development of treatment options. This Review summarizes the current status of FDH, including the most recently discovered FDH disorders, and introduces a set of other recently identified diseases that share common features with the traditional FDH diseases. The Review also discusses a new era for population-based studies, which combine various forms of big data to identify novel genotype–phenotype associations behind more complex conditions, as exemplified here by the FinnGen project. In addition to the pathogenic variants with an unequivocal causative role in the disease phenotype, several risk alleles that correlate with certain phenotypic features have been identified among the Finns, further emphasizing the broad value of studying genetically isolated populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Uusimaa
- Children and Adolescents, Oulu University Hospital 1 , 90029 Oulu , Finland
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine and Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu 2 , 90014 Oulu , Finland
| | - Johannes Kettunen
- Computational Medicine, Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu 3 , 90014 Oulu , Finland
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare 4 , 00271 Helsinki
- Finland 4 , 00271 Helsinki
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu 5 , 90014 Oulu , Finland
| | - Teppo Varilo
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare 4 , 00271 Helsinki
- Finland 4 , 00271 Helsinki
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki 6 , 00251 Helsinki , Finland
| | - Irma Järvelä
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki 6 , 00251 Helsinki , Finland
| | - Jukka Kallijärvi
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Folkhälsan Research Center 7 , 00014 Helsinki , Finland
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki 8 , 00014 Helsinki , Finland
| | - Helena Kääriäinen
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare 4 , 00271 Helsinki
- Finland 4 , 00271 Helsinki
| | - Minna Laine
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki 9 , 00029 Helsinki , Finland
| | - Risto Lapatto
- Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital 10 , 00029 Helsinki , Finland
| | - Päivi Myllynen
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, Medical Research Center, University of Oulu and Northern Finland Laboratory Centre NordLab, Oulu University Hospital 11 , 90029 Oulu , Finland
| | - Harri Niinikoski
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku 12 , 20014 Turku , Finland
- Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku 13 , 20014 Turku , Finland
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital 14 , 20014 Turku , Finland
- Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital 15 , 20014 Turku , Finland
| | - Elisa Rahikkala
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine and Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu 2 , 90014 Oulu , Finland
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Oulu University Hospital 16 , 90029 Oulu , Finland
| | - Anu Suomalainen
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki 8 , 00014 Helsinki , Finland
- HUS Diagnostics, Helsinki University Hospital 17 , 00014 Helsinki , Finland
| | - Ritva Tikkanen
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Giessen 18 , D-35392 Giessen , Germany
| | - Henna Tyynismaa
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki 8 , 00014 Helsinki , Finland
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki 19 , 00014 Helsinki , Finland
| | - Päivi Vieira
- Children and Adolescents, Oulu University Hospital 1 , 90029 Oulu , Finland
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine and Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu 2 , 90014 Oulu , Finland
| | - Tomas Zarybnicky
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki 8 , 00014 Helsinki , Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki 20 , 00014 Helsinki , Finland
| | - Petra Sipilä
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku 12 , 20014 Turku , Finland
- Turku Center for Disease Modeling, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku 21 , 20014 Turku , Finland
| | - Satu Kuure
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki 8 , 00014 Helsinki , Finland
- GM-Unit, Laboratory Animal Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki 22 , 00014 Helsinki , Finland
| | - Reetta Hinttala
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine and Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu 2 , 90014 Oulu , Finland
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu 5 , 90014 Oulu , Finland
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9
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Goodspeed K, Horton D, Lowden A, Sguigna PV, Booth T, Wang ZJ, Edgar VB. A cross-sectional natural history study of aspartylglucosaminuria. JIMD Rep 2022; 63:425-433. [PMID: 36101820 PMCID: PMC9458605 DOI: 10.1002/jmd2.12294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder that causes stagnation of development in adolescence and neurodegeneration in early adulthood. Precision therapies, including gene transfer therapy, are in development with a goal of taking advantage of the slow clinical course. Understanding of disease natural history and identification of disease-relevant biomarkers are important steps in clinical trial readiness. We describe the clinical features of a diverse population of patients with AGU, including potential imaging and electrophysiological biomarkers. This is a single-center, cross-sectional study of the clinical, neuropsychological, electrophysiological, and imaging characteristics of AGU. A comprehensive assessment of eight participants (5 Non-Finnish) revealed a mean non-verbal IQ (NVIQ) of 70.25 ± 10.33 which decreased with age (rs = -0.85, p = 0.008). All participants demonstrated deficits in communication and gross/fine motor dysfunction. Auditory and visual evoked potentials demonstrated abnormalities in one or both modalities in 7 of 8 subjects, suggesting sensory pathway dysfunction. Brain imaging demonstrated T2 FLAIR hypointensity in the pulvinar nuclei and cerebral atrophy, as previously shown in the Finnish AGU population. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) showed a 5.1 ppm peak corresponding to the toxic substrate (GlcNAc-Asn), which accumulates in AGU. Our results showed there was no significant difference between Finnish and Non-Finnish patients, and performance on standardized cognitive and motor testing was similar to prior studies. Age-related changes on functional assessments and disease-relevant abnormalities on surrogate biomarkers, such as MRS, could be used as outcome measures in a clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Goodspeed
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA,Children's Health DallasDallasTexasUSA,Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA,Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
| | - Daniel Horton
- Children's Health DallasDallasTexasUSA,Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
| | - Andrea Lowden
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA,Children's Health DallasDallasTexasUSA,Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
| | - Peter V. Sguigna
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
| | - Timothy Booth
- Children's Health DallasDallasTexasUSA,Department of RadiologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
| | - Zhiyue J. Wang
- Children's Health DallasDallasTexasUSA,Department of RadiologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
| | - Veronica Bordes Edgar
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA,Children's Health DallasDallasTexasUSA,Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
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10
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Linhorst A, Lübke T. The Human Ntn-Hydrolase Superfamily: Structure, Functions and Perspectives. Cells 2022; 11:cells11101592. [PMID: 35626629 PMCID: PMC9140057 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
N-terminal nucleophile (Ntn)-hydrolases catalyze the cleavage of amide bonds in a variety of macromolecules, including the peptide bond in proteins, the amide bond in N-linked protein glycosylation, and the amide bond linking a fatty acid to sphingosine in complex sphingolipids. Ntn-hydrolases are all sharing two common hallmarks: Firstly, the enzymes are synthesized as inactive precursors that undergo auto-proteolytic self-activation, which, as a consequence, reveals the active site nucleophile at the newly formed N-terminus. Secondly, all Ntn-hydrolases share a structural consistent αββα-fold, notwithstanding the total lack of amino acid sequence homology. In humans, five subclasses of the Ntn-superfamily have been identified so far, comprising relevant members such as the catalytic active subunits of the proteasome or a number of lysosomal hydrolases, which are often associated with lysosomal storage diseases. This review gives an updated overview on the structural, functional, and (patho-)physiological characteristics of human Ntn-hydrolases, in particular.
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11
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Li H, Sun B, Huang Y, Zhang J, Xu X, Shen Y, Chen Z, Yang J, Shen L, Hu Y, Gu H. Gene therapy of yeast NDI1 on mitochondrial complex I dysfunction in rotenone-induced Parkinson’s disease models in vitro and vivo. Mol Med 2022; 28:29. [PMID: 35255803 PMCID: PMC8900322 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00456-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease without cure or effective treatment. This study explores whether the yeast internal NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (NDI1) can functionally replace the defective mammalian mitochondrial complex I, which may provide a gene therapy strategy for treating sporadic PD caused by mitochondrial complex I dysfunction.
Method
Recombinant lentivirus expressing NDI1 was transduced into SH-SY5Y cells, or recombinant adeno-associated virus type 5 expressing NDI1 was transduced into the right substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of mouse. PD cell and mouse models were established by rotenone treatment. The therapeutic effects of NDI1 on rotenone-induced PD models in vitro and vivo were assessed in neurobehavior, neuropathology, and mitochondrial functions, by using the apomorphine-induced rotation test, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blot, complex I enzyme activity determination, oxygen consumption detection, ATP content determination and ROS measurement.
Results
NDI1 was expressed and localized in mitochondria in SH-SY5Y cells. NDI1 resisted rotenone-induced changes in cell morphology, loss of cell viability, accumulation of α-synuclein and pS129 α-synuclein, mitochondrial ROS production and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. The basal and maximal oxygen consumption, mitochondrial coupling efficiency, basal and oligomycin-sensitive ATP and complex I activity in cell model were significantly increased in rotenone + NDI1 group compared to rotenone + vector group. NDI1 was efficiently expressed in dopaminergic neurons in the right SNpc without obvious adverse effects. The rotation number to the right side (NDI1-treated side) was significantly increased compared to that to the left side (untreated side) in mouse model. The number of viable dopaminergic neurons, the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, total and maximal oxygen consumption, mitochondrial coupling efficiency and complex I enzyme activity in right substantia nigra, and the content of dopamine in right striatum were significantly increased in rotenone + NDI1 group compared to rotenone + vector group.
Conclusion
Yeast NDI1 can rescue the defect of oxidative phosphorylation in rotenone-induced PD cell and mouse models, and ameliorate neurobehavioral and neuropathological damages. The results may provide a basis for the yeast NDI1 gene therapy of sporadic PD caused by mitochondrial complex I dysfunction.
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12
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Chen X, Dong T, Hu Y, Shaffo FC, Belur NR, Mazzulli JR, Gray SJ. AAV9/MFSD8 gene therapy is effective in preclinical models of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 7 disease. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:146286. [PMID: 35025759 PMCID: PMC8884910 DOI: 10.1172/jci146286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 7 (CLN7) disease is a lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in the facilitator superfamily domain containing 8 (MFSD8) gene, which encodes a membrane-bound lysosomal protein, MFSD8. To test the effectiveness and safety of adeno-associated viral (AAV) gene therapy, an in vitro study demonstrated that AAV2/MFSD8 dose dependently rescued lysosomal function in fibroblasts from a CLN7 patient. An in vivo efficacy study using intrathecal administration of AAV9/MFSD8 to Mfsd8- /- mice at P7-P10 or P120 with high or low dose led to clear age- and dose-dependent effects. A high dose of AAV9/MFSD8 at P7-P10 resulted in widespread MFSD8 mRNA expression, tendency of amelioration of subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase accumulation and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity, normalization of impaired behaviors, doubled median life span, and extended normal body weight gain. In vivo safety studies in rodents concluded that intrathecal administration of AAV9/MFSD8 was safe and well tolerated. In summary, these results demonstrated that the AAV9/MFSD8 vector is both effective and safe in preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Thomas Dong
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Yuhui Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Frances C Shaffo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Nandkishore R Belur
- The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Joseph R Mazzulli
- The Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Steven J Gray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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13
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Kagiava A, Richter J, Tryfonos C, Leal-Julià M, Sargiannidou I, Christodoulou C, Bosch A, Kleopa KA. Efficacy of AAV serotypes to target Schwann cells after intrathecal and intravenous delivery. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23358. [PMID: 34857831 PMCID: PMC8640002 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02694-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To optimize gene delivery to myelinating Schwann cells we compared clinically relevant AAV serotypes and injection routes. AAV9 and AAVrh10 vectors expressing either EGFP or the neuropathy-associated gene GJB1/Connexin32 (Cx32) under a myelin specific promoter were injected intrathecally or intravenously in wild type and Gjb1-null mice, respectively. Vector biodistribution in lumbar roots and sciatic nerves was higher in AAVrh10 injected mice while EGFP and Cx32 expression rates and levels were similar between the two serotypes. A gradient of biodistribution away from the injection site was seen with both intrathecal and intravenous delivery, while similar expression rates were achieved despite higher vector amounts injected intravenously. Quantified immune cells in relevant tissues were similar to non-injected littermates. Overall, AAV9 and AAVrh10 efficiently transduce Schwann cells throughout the peripheral nervous system with both clinically relevant routes of administration, although AAV9 and intrathecal injection may offer a more efficient approach for treating demyelinating neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kagiava
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, 6 Iroon Avenue, P.O. Box 23462, 1683, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - J Richter
- Molecular Virology Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - C Tryfonos
- Molecular Virology Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - M Leal-Julià
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Neurosciences, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat Mixta UAB-VHIR, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Sargiannidou
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, 6 Iroon Avenue, P.O. Box 23462, 1683, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - C Christodoulou
- Molecular Virology Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - A Bosch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Neurosciences, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Bellaterra, Spain
- Unitat Mixta UAB-VHIR, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - K A Kleopa
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, 6 Iroon Avenue, P.O. Box 23462, 1683, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
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14
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Zárybnický T, Heikkinen A, Kangas SM, Karikoski M, Martínez-Nieto GA, Salo MH, Uusimaa J, Vuolteenaho R, Hinttala R, Sipilä P, Kuure S. Modeling Rare Human Disorders in Mice: The Finnish Disease Heritage. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113158. [PMID: 34831381 PMCID: PMC8621025 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The modification of genes in animal models has evidently and comprehensively improved our knowledge on proteins and signaling pathways in human physiology and pathology. In this review, we discuss almost 40 monogenic rare diseases that are enriched in the Finnish population and defined as the Finnish disease heritage (FDH). We will highlight how gene-modified mouse models have greatly facilitated the understanding of the pathological manifestations of these diseases and how some of the diseases still lack proper models. We urge the establishment of subsequent international consortiums to cooperatively plan and carry out future human disease modeling strategies. Detailed information on disease mechanisms brings along broader understanding of the molecular pathways they act along both parallel and transverse to the proteins affected in rare diseases, therefore also aiding understanding of common disease pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Zárybnický
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Anne Heikkinen
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland; (A.H.); (S.M.K.); (M.H.S.); (R.V.)
- Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, 90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Salla M. Kangas
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland; (A.H.); (S.M.K.); (M.H.S.); (R.V.)
- PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, 90014 Oulu, Finland;
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Marika Karikoski
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland; (M.K.); (G.A.M.-N.)
| | - Guillermo Antonio Martínez-Nieto
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland; (M.K.); (G.A.M.-N.)
- Turku Center for Disease Modelling (TCDM), Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Miia H. Salo
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland; (A.H.); (S.M.K.); (M.H.S.); (R.V.)
- PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, 90014 Oulu, Finland;
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Johanna Uusimaa
- PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, 90014 Oulu, Finland;
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland
- Clinic for Children and Adolescents, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 20, 90029 Oulu, Finland
| | - Reetta Vuolteenaho
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland; (A.H.); (S.M.K.); (M.H.S.); (R.V.)
| | - Reetta Hinttala
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland; (A.H.); (S.M.K.); (M.H.S.); (R.V.)
- PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, 90014 Oulu, Finland;
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland
- Correspondence: (R.H.); (P.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Petra Sipilä
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland; (M.K.); (G.A.M.-N.)
- Turku Center for Disease Modelling (TCDM), Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
- Correspondence: (R.H.); (P.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Satu Kuure
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
- GM-Unit, Laboratory Animal Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence: (R.H.); (P.S.); (S.K.)
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15
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Towards Splicing Therapy for Lysosomal Storage Disorders: Methylxanthines and Luteolin Ameliorate Splicing Defects in Aspartylglucosaminuria and Classic Late Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112813. [PMID: 34831035 PMCID: PMC8616534 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Splicing defects caused by mutations in the consensus sequences at the borders of introns and exons are common in human diseases. Such defects frequently result in a complete loss of function of the protein in question. Therapy approaches based on antisense oligonucleotides for specific gene mutations have been developed in the past, but they are very expensive and require invasive, life-long administration. Thus, modulation of splicing by means of small molecules is of great interest for the therapy of genetic diseases resulting from splice-site mutations. Using minigene approaches and patient cells, we here show that methylxanthine derivatives and the food-derived flavonoid luteolin are able to enhance the correct splicing of the AGA mRNA with a splice-site mutation c.128-2A>G in aspartylglucosaminuria, and result in increased AGA enzyme activity in patient cells. Furthermore, we also show that one of the most common disease causing TPP1 gene variants in classic late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis may also be amenable to splicing modulation using similar substances. Therefore, our data suggest that splice-modulation with small molecules may be a valid therapy option for lysosomal storage disorders.
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16
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Knockout of the CMP-Sialic Acid Transporter SLC35A1 in Human Cell Lines Increases Transduction Efficiency of Adeno-Associated Virus 9: Implications for Gene Therapy Potency Assays. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051259. [PMID: 34069698 PMCID: PMC8160606 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAV) have emerged as an important tool for gene therapy for human diseases. A prerequisite for clinical approval is an in vitro potency assay that can measure the transduction efficiency of each virus lot produced. The AAV serotypes are typical for gene therapy bind to different cell surface structures. The binding of AAV9 on the surface is mediated by terminal galactose residues present in the asparagine-linked carbohydrates in glycoproteins. However, such terminal galactose residues are rare in cultured cells. They are masked by sialic acid residues, which is an obstacle for the infection of many cell lines with AAV9 and the respective potency assays. The sialic acid residues can be removed by enzymatic digestion or chemical treatment. Still, such treatments are not practical for AAV9 potency assays since they may be difficult to standardize. In this study, we generated human cell lines (HEK293T and HeLa) that become permissive for AAV9 transduction after a knockout of the CMP–sialic acid transporter SLC35A1. Using the human aspartylglucosaminidase (AGA) gene, we show that these cell lines can be used as a model system for establishing potency assays for AAV9-based gene therapy approaches for human diseases.
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