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Gerninghaus J, Zhubi R, Krämer A, Karim M, Tran DHN, Joerger AC, Schreiber C, Berger LM, Berger BT, Ehret TAL, Elson L, Lenz C, Saxena K, Müller S, Einav S, Knapp S, Hanke T. Back-Pocket Optimization of 2-Aminopyrimidine-Based Macrocycles Leads to Potent EPHA2/GAK Kinase Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2024; 67:12534-12552. [PMID: 39028937 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Macrocyclization of acyclic compounds is a powerful strategy for improving inhibitor potency and selectivity. Here we have optimized 2-aminopyrimidine-based macrocycles to use these compounds as chemical tools for the ephrin kinase family. Starting with a promiscuous macrocyclic inhibitor, 6, we performed a structure-guided activity relationship and selectivity study using a panel of over 100 kinases. The crystal structure of EPHA2 in complex with the developed macrocycle 23 provided a basis for further optimization by specifically targeting the back pocket, resulting in compound 55, a potent inhibitor of EPHA2/A4 and GAK. Subsequent front-pocket derivatization resulted in an interesting in cellulo selectivity profile, favoring EPHA4 over the other ephrin receptor kinase family members. The dual EPHA2/A4 and GAK inhibitor 55 prevented dengue virus infection of Huh7 liver cells. However, further investigations are needed to determine whether this was a compound-specific effect or target-related.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Gerninghaus
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Rezart Zhubi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Andreas Krämer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Marwah Karim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Do Hoang Nhu Tran
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Andreas C Joerger
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Christian Schreiber
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Lena M Berger
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Benedict-Tilman Berger
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Theresa A L Ehret
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Lewis Elson
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Christopher Lenz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Krishna Saxena
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Susanne Müller
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Shirit Einav
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, 499 Illinois St, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Thomas Hanke
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
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2
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Tsitkov S, Valentine K, Kozareva V, Donde A, Frank A, Lei S, E Van Eyk J, Finkbeiner S, Rothstein JD, Thompson LM, Sareen D, Svendsen CN, Fraenkel E. Disease related changes in ATAC-seq of iPSC-derived motor neuron lines from ALS patients and controls. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3606. [PMID: 38697975 PMCID: PMC11066062 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47758-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), like many other neurodegenerative diseases, is highly heritable, but with only a small fraction of cases explained by monogenic disease alleles. To better understand sporadic ALS, we report epigenomic profiles, as measured by ATAC-seq, of motor neuron cultures derived from a diverse group of 380 ALS patients and 80 healthy controls. We find that chromatin accessibility is heavily influenced by sex, the iPSC cell type of origin, ancestry, and the inherent variance arising from sequencing. Once these covariates are corrected for, we are able to identify ALS-specific signals in the data. Additionally, we find that the ATAC-seq data is able to predict ALS disease progression rates with similar accuracy to methods based on biomarkers and clinical status. These results suggest that iPSC-derived motor neurons recapitulate important disease-relevant epigenomic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Tsitkov
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kelsey Valentine
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Velina Kozareva
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Aneesh Donde
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Aaron Frank
- Cedars-Sinai Biomanufacturing Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Susan Lei
- Cedars-Sinai Biomanufacturing Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer E Van Eyk
- Advanced Clinical Biosystems Research Institute, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Steve Finkbeiner
- Center for Systems and Therapeutics, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Taube/Koret Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Departments of Neurology and Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Rothstein
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Leslie M Thompson
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Dhruv Sareen
- Cedars-Sinai Biomanufacturing Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Clive N Svendsen
- The Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ernest Fraenkel
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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3
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Kampmann M. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of selective vulnerability in neurodegenerative diseases. Nat Rev Neurosci 2024; 25:351-371. [PMID: 38575768 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-024-00806-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
The selective vulnerability of specific neuronal subtypes is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. In this Review, I summarize our current understanding of the brain regions and cell types that are selectively vulnerable in different neurodegenerative diseases and describe the proposed underlying cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous mechanisms. I highlight how recent methodological innovations - including single-cell transcriptomics, CRISPR-based screens and human cell-based models of disease - are enabling new breakthroughs in our understanding of selective vulnerability. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms that determine selective vulnerability and resilience would shed light on the key processes that drive neurodegeneration and point to potential therapeutic strategies to protect vulnerable cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kampmann
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Van Schoor E, Strubbe D, Braems E, Weishaupt J, Ludolph AC, Van Damme P, Thal DR, Bercier V, Van Den Bosch L. TUBA4A downregulation as observed in ALS post-mortem motor cortex causes ALS-related abnormalities in zebrafish. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1340240. [PMID: 38463699 PMCID: PMC10921936 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1340240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Disease-associated variants of TUBA4A (alpha-tubulin 4A) have recently been identified in familial ALS. Interestingly, a downregulation of TUBA4A protein expression was observed in familial as well as sporadic ALS brain tissue. To investigate whether a decreased TUBA4A expression could be a driving factor in ALS pathogenesis, we assessed whether TUBA4A knockdown in zebrafish could recapitulate an ALS-like phenotype. For this, we injected an antisense oligonucleotide morpholino in zebrafish embryos targeting the zebrafish TUBA4A orthologue. An antibody against synaptic vesicle 2 was used to visualize motor axons in the spinal cord, allowing the analysis of embryonic ventral root projections. Motor behavior was assessed using the touch-evoked escape response. In post-mortem ALS motor cortex, we observed reduced TUBA4A levels. The knockdown of the zebrafish TUBA4A orthologue induced a motor axonopathy and a significantly disturbed motor behavior. Both phenotypes were dose-dependent and could be rescued by the addition of human wild-type TUBA4A mRNA. Thus, TUBA4A downregulation as observed in ALS post-mortem motor cortex could be modeled in zebrafish and induced a motor axonopathy and motor behavior defects reflecting a motor neuron disease phenotype, as previously described in embryonic zebrafish models of ALS. The rescue with human wild-type TUBA4A mRNA suggests functional conservation and strengthens the causal relation between TUBA4A protein levels and phenotype severity. Furthermore, the loss of TUBA4A induces significant changes in post-translational modifications of tubulin, such as acetylation, detyrosination and polyglutamylation. Our data unveil an important role for TUBA4A in ALS pathogenesis, and extend the relevance of TUBA4A to the majority of ALS patients, in addition to cases bearing TUBA4A mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelien Van Schoor
- Laboratory of Neuropathology, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven (University of Leuven) and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven (University of Leuven) and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dufie Strubbe
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven (University of Leuven) and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elke Braems
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven (University of Leuven) and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Albert C. Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen, Ulm, Germany
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven (University of Leuven) and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dietmar Rudolf Thal
- Laboratory of Neuropathology, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven (University of Leuven) and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valérie Bercier
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven (University of Leuven) and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven (University of Leuven) and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
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5
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Din Abdul Jabbar MA, Guo L, Guo Y, Simmons Z, Pioro EP, Ramasamy S, Yeo CJJ. Describing and characterising variability in ALS disease progression. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:34-45. [PMID: 37794802 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2260838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVES Decrease in the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) score is currently the most widely used measure of disease progression. However, it does not sufficiently encompass the heterogeneity of ALS. We describe a measure of variability in ALSFRS-R scores and demonstrate its utility in disease characterization. METHODS We used 5030 ALS clinical trial patients from the Pooled Resource Open-Access ALS Clinical Trials database to calculate variability in disease progression employing a novel measure and correlated variability with disease span. We characterized the more and less variable populations and designed a machine learning model that used clinical, laboratory and demographic data to predict class of variability. The model was validated with a holdout clinical trial dataset of 84 ALS patients (NCT00818389). RESULTS Greater variability in disease progression was indicative of longer disease span on the patient-level. The machine learning model was able to predict class of variability with accuracy of 60.1-72.7% across different time periods and yielded a set of predictors based on clinical, laboratory and demographic data. A reduced set of 16 predictors and the holdout dataset yielded similar accuracy. DISCUSSION This measure of variability is a significant determinant of disease span for fast-progressing patients. The predictors identified may shed light on pathophysiology of variability, with greater variability in fast-progressing patients possibly indicative of greater compensatory reinnervation and longer disease span. Increasing variability alongside decreasing rate of disease progression could be a future aim of trials for faster-progressing patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muzammil Arif Din Abdul Jabbar
- University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ling Guo
- Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R), A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yang Guo
- Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R), A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zachary Simmons
- Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, University Park, USA
| | - Erik P Pioro
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
| | - Savitha Ramasamy
- Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R), A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Crystal Jing Jing Yeo
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Imperial College London and NTU, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore, and
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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6
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Urban MW, Charsar BA, Heinsinger NM, Markandaiah SS, Sprimont L, Zhou W, Brown EV, Henderson NT, Thomas SJ, Ghosh B, Cain RE, Trotti D, Pasinelli P, Wright MC, Dalva MB, Lepore AC. EphrinB2 knockdown in cervical spinal cord preserves diaphragm innervation in a mutant SOD1 mouse model of ALS. eLife 2024; 12:RP89298. [PMID: 38224498 PMCID: PMC10945582 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89298] [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] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor neuron loss. Importantly, non-neuronal cell types such as astrocytes also play significant roles in disease pathogenesis. However, mechanisms of astrocyte contribution to ALS remain incompletely understood. Astrocyte involvement suggests that transcellular signaling may play a role in disease. We examined contribution of transmembrane signaling molecule ephrinB2 to ALS pathogenesis, in particular its role in driving motor neuron damage by spinal cord astrocytes. In symptomatic SOD1G93A mice (a well-established ALS model), ephrinB2 expression was dramatically increased in ventral horn astrocytes. Reducing ephrinB2 in the cervical spinal cord ventral horn via viral-mediated shRNA delivery reduced motor neuron loss and preserved respiratory function by maintaining phrenic motor neuron innervation of diaphragm. EphrinB2 expression was also elevated in human ALS spinal cord. These findings implicate ephrinB2 upregulation as both a transcellular signaling mechanism in mutant SOD1-associated ALS and a promising therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark W Urban
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Brittany A Charsar
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Nicolette M Heinsinger
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Shashirekha S Markandaiah
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Lindsay Sprimont
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Eric V Brown
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Nathan T Henderson
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Samantha J Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Biswarup Ghosh
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Rachel E Cain
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Davide Trotti
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Piera Pasinelli
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Megan C Wright
- Department of Biology, Arcadia UniversityGlensideUnited States
| | - Matthew B Dalva
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane UniversityNew OrleansUnited States
| | - Angelo C Lepore
- Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Synaptic Biology Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaUnited States
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7
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Ovsepian SV, O'Leary VB, Martinez S. Selective vulnerability of motor neuron types and functional groups to degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: review of the neurobiological mechanisms and functional correlates. Brain Struct Funct 2024; 229:1-14. [PMID: 37999738 PMCID: PMC10827929 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02728-6] [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: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative condition characterised by a progressive loss of motor neurons controlling voluntary muscle activity. The disease manifests through a variety of motor dysfunctions related to the extent of damage and loss of neurons at different anatomical locations. Despite extensive research, it remains unclear why some motor neurons are especially susceptible to the disease, while others are affected less or even spared. In this article, we review the neurobiological mechanisms, neurochemical profiles, and morpho-functional characteristics of various motor neuron groups and types of motor units implicated in their differential exposure to degeneration. We discuss specific cell-autonomous (intrinsic) and extrinsic factors influencing the vulnerability gradient of motor units and motor neuron types to ALS, with their impact on disease manifestation, course, and prognosis, as revealed in preclinical and clinical studies. We consider the outstanding challenges and emerging opportunities for interpreting the phenotypic and mechanistic variability of the disease to identify targets for clinical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saak V Ovsepian
- Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich London, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK.
| | - Valerie B O'Leary
- Department of Medical Genetics, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, 10000, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Salvador Martinez
- Instituto de Neurociencias UMH-CSIC, Avda. Ramon y Cajal, 03550, San Juan de Alicante, Spain.
- Center of Biomedical Network Research on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.
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8
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Dey B, Kumar A, Patel AB. Pathomechanistic Networks of Motor System Injury in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:1778-1806. [PMID: 37622689 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230824091601] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the most common, adult-onset, progressive motor neurodegenerative disorder that results in death within 3 years of the clinical diagnosis. Due to the clinicopathological heterogeneity, any reliable biomarkers for diagnosis or prognosis of ALS have not been identified till date. Moreover, the only three clinically approved treatments are not uniformly effective in slowing the disease progression. Over the last 15 years, there has been a rapid advancement in research on the complex pathomechanistic landscape of ALS that has opened up new avenues for successful clinical translation of targeted therapeutics. Multiple studies suggest that the age-dependent interaction of risk-associated genes with environmental factors and endogenous modifiers is critical to the multi-step process of ALS pathogenesis. In this review, we provide an updated discussion on the dysregulated cross-talk between intracellular homeostasis processes, the unique molecular networks across selectively vulnerable cell types, and the multisystemic nature of ALS pathomechanisms. Importantly, this work highlights the alteration in epigenetic and epitranscriptomic landscape due to gene-environment interactions, which have been largely overlooked in the context of ALS pathology. Finally, we suggest that precision medicine research in ALS will be largely benefitted from the stratification of patient groups based on the clinical phenotype, onset and progression, genome, exposome, and metabolic identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bedaballi Dey
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
- AcSIR-Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Arvind Kumar
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
- AcSIR-Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anant Bahadur Patel
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
- AcSIR-Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
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9
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Faria Assoni A, Giove Mitsugi T, Wardenaar R, Oliveira Ferreira R, Farias Jandrey EH, Machado Novaes G, Fonseca de Oliveira Granha I, Bakker P, Kaid C, Zatz M, Foijer F, Keith Okamoto O. Neurodegeneration-associated protein VAPB regulates proliferation in medulloblastoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19481. [PMID: 37945695 PMCID: PMC10636017 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45319-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
VAMP (Vesicle-associated membrane protein)-associated protein B and C (VAPB) has been widely studied in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, but little is known about its role in cancer. Medulloblastoma is a common brain malignancy in children and arises from undifferentiated cells during neuronal development. Therefore, medulloblastoma is an interesting model to investigate the possible relationship between VAPB and tumorigenesis. Here we demonstrate that high VAPB expression in medulloblastoma correlates with decreased overall patient survival. Consistent with this clinical correlation, we find that VAPB is required for normal proliferation rates of medulloblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Knockout of VAPB (VAPBKO) delayed cell cycle progression. Furthermore, transcript levels of WNT-related proteins were decreased in the VAPBKO. We conclude that VAPB is required for proliferation of medulloblastoma cells, thus revealing VAPB as a potential therapeutic target for medulloblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Faria Assoni
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 106, Rua do Matão, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil.
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, 1, Antonius Deusinglaan, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Thiago Giove Mitsugi
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 106, Rua do Matão, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil
| | - René Wardenaar
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, 1, Antonius Deusinglaan, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Raiane Oliveira Ferreira
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 106, Rua do Matão, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Elisa Helena Farias Jandrey
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 106, Rua do Matão, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Machado Novaes
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 106, Rua do Matão, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Isabela Fonseca de Oliveira Granha
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 106, Rua do Matão, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Petra Bakker
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, 1, Antonius Deusinglaan, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Carolini Kaid
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 106, Rua do Matão, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Mayana Zatz
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 106, Rua do Matão, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Floris Foijer
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, 1, Antonius Deusinglaan, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Oswaldo Keith Okamoto
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 106, Rua do Matão, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil.
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10
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Chiang CW, Lin YS, Chang FL, Lin TY, Tsai KC, HuangFu WC, Lee YC. Single-chain fragment antibody disrupting the EphA4 function as a therapeutic drug for gastric cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 680:161-170. [PMID: 37741263 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.09.025] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Studies have shown that the high expression of EphA4 in gastric cancer tissues may correlate with unfavorable clinical pathological characteristics. Therefore, EphA4 may be an effective target for treating gastric cancer in addition to HER-2/neu. In this study, generated scFv S3 can bind endogenous EphA4 of gastric cancer cells and has significant membrane staining. Additionally, scFv S3 binding to EphA4 inhibits the growth and migration of cancer cells and the growth induction that ephrinA1 generates in gastric cancer cells. We found that EphA4 molecules may degrade through antibody treatment of cells, and the increase in LAMP1 and LAMP2 indicates that lysosome is involved in the degradation. The scFv S3 administration leads to the signals pAKT, pERK, and pSTAT3 decrease in cancer cells. The xenograft model of HER-2/neu low expressing gastric cancer cell SNU-16 exhibits better therapeutic effects by scFv S3 than trastuzumab scFv. The scFv S3 administration in vivo can degrade EphA4 molecules in tumor tissues, decreasing Ki67 and increasing cleaved C3 molecule expression. Furthermore, we identified and validated that scFv S3 generates essential ionic bonding with R162 on EphA4. The antibody may provide effective treatment for patients with gastric cancer and abnormal activation or overexpression of EphA4 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Wei Chiang
- Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Shih Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Ling Chang
- Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Yu Lin
- Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Keng-Chang Tsai
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan; Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chun HuangFu
- Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Ching Lee
- Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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11
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Corcia P, Vourc'h P, Bernard E, Cassereau J, Codron P, Fleury MC, Guy N, Mouzat K, Pradat PF, Soriani MH, Couratier P. French National Protocol for genetic of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2023; 179:1020-1029. [PMID: 37735015 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2023.05.005] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Relationships between genes and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have been widely accepted since the first studies highlighting pathogenic mutations in the SOD1 gene 30years ago. Over the last three decades, scientific literature has clearly highlighted the central role played by genetic factors in the disease, in both clinics and pathophysiology, as well as in therapeutics. This implies that health professionals who care for patients with ALS are increasingly faced with patients and relatives eager to have answers to questions related to the role of genetic factors in the occurrence of the disease and the risk for their relatives to develop ALS. In order to address these public health issues, the French ALS network FILSLAN proposed to the Haute Autorité de santé (HAS) the drafting of a French National Protocol (PNDS) on ALS genetics. This PNDS was developed according to the "method for developing a national diagnosis and care protocol for rare diseases" published by the HAS in 2012 (methodological guide for PNDS available on the HAS website: http://www.has-sante.fr/). This document aims to provide the most recent data on the role of genes in ALS and to detail the implications for diagnosis and care.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Corcia
- CRMR SLA, CHRU Bretonneau, Tours, France; UMR 1253 iBrain, Tours, France.
| | - P Vourc'h
- UMR 1253 iBrain, Tours, France; Laboratoire de biochimie et biologie moléculaire, CHRU Bretonneau, Tours, France
| | | | | | - P Codron
- CRMR SLA, CHU d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - M-C Fleury
- CRC SLA, CHU de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - N Guy
- CRC SLA, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - K Mouzat
- Laboratoire de biochimie et biologie moléculaire, CHU de Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - P-F Pradat
- CRMR SLA, CHU Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
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12
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Urban MW, Charsar BA, Heinsinger NM, Markandaiah SS, Sprimont L, Zhou W, Brown EV, Henderson NT, Thomas SJ, Ghosh B, Cain RE, Trotti D, Pasinelli P, Wright MC, Dalva MB, Lepore AC. EphrinB2 knockdown in cervical spinal cord preserves diaphragm innervation in a mutant SOD1 mouse model of ALS. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.10.538887. [PMID: 37215009 PMCID: PMC10197713 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.10.538887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor neuron loss. Importantly, non-neuronal cell types such as astrocytes also play significant roles in disease pathogenesis. However, mechanisms of astrocyte contribution to ALS remain incompletely understood. Astrocyte involvement suggests that transcellular signaling may play a role in disease. We examined contribution of transmembrane signaling molecule ephrinB2 to ALS pathogenesis, in particular its role in driving motor neuron damage by spinal cord astrocytes. In symptomatic SOD1-G93A mice (a well-established ALS model), ephrinB2 expression was dramatically increased in ventral horn astrocytes. Reducing ephrinB2 in the cervical spinal cord ventral horn via viral-mediated shRNA delivery reduced motor neuron loss and preserved respiratory function by maintaining phrenic motor neuron innervation of diaphragm. EphrinB2 expression was also elevated in human ALS spinal cord. These findings implicate ephrinB2 upregulation as both a transcellular signaling mechanism in mutant SOD1-associated ALS and a promising therapeutic target.
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13
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Abstract
Although the past two decades have produced exciting discoveries in the genetics and pathology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), progress in developing an effective therapy remains slow. This review summarizes the critical discoveries and outlines the advances in disease characterization, diagnosis, imaging, and biomarkers, along with the current status of approaches to ALS care and treatment. Additional knowledge of the factors driving disease progression and heterogeneity will hopefully soon transform the care for patients with ALS into an individualized, multi-prong approach able to prevent disease progression sufficiently to allow for a dignified life with limited disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hristelina Ilieva
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Justin Kwan
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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14
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Rapti G. Regulation of axon pathfinding by astroglia across genetic model organisms. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1241957. [PMID: 37941606 PMCID: PMC10628440 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1241957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Glia and neurons are intimately associated throughout bilaterian nervous systems, and were early proposed to interact for patterning circuit assembly. The investigations of circuit formation progressed from early hypotheses of intermediate guideposts and a "glia blueprint", to recent genetic and cell manipulations, and visualizations in vivo. An array of molecular factors are implicated in axon pathfinding but their number appears small relatively to circuit complexity. Comprehending this circuit complexity requires to identify unknown factors and dissect molecular topographies. Glia contribute to both aspects and certain studies provide molecular and functional insights into these contributions. Here, I survey glial roles in guiding axon navigation in vivo, emphasizing analogies, differences and open questions across major genetic models. I highlight studies pioneering the topic, and dissect recent findings that further advance our current molecular understanding. Circuits of the vertebrate forebrain, visual system and neural tube in zebrafish, mouse and chick, the Drosophila ventral cord and the C. elegans brain-like neuropil emerge as major contexts to study glial cell functions in axon navigation. I present astroglial cell types in these models, and their molecular and cellular interactions that drive axon guidance. I underline shared principles across models, conceptual or technical complications, and open questions that await investigation. Glia of the radial-astrocyte lineage, emerge as regulators of axon pathfinding, often employing common molecular factors across models. Yet this survey also highlights different involvements of glia in embryonic navigation or pioneer axon pathfinding, and unknowns in the molecular underpinnings of glial cell functions. Future cellular and molecular investigations should complete the comprehensive view of glial roles in circuit assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Rapti
- Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
- Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Rome, Italy
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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15
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Verma M, Chopra M, Kumar H. Unraveling the Potential of EphA4: A Breakthrough Target and Beacon of Hope for Neurological Diseases. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:3375-3391. [PMID: 37477786 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01390-0] [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: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma A4 (EphA4) is a transmembrane receptor protein which is a part of the most prominent family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). It serves a crucial role in both physiological, biological, and functional states binding with their ligand like Ephrins. Its abundance in the majority of the body's systems has been reported. Moreover, it draws much attention in the CNS since it influences axonal and vascular guidance. Also, it has a widespread role at the pathological state of various CNS disorders. Reports suggest it obstructs axonal regeneration in various neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders. Although, neuro-regeneration is still an open challenge to the modern drug discovery community. Hence, in this review, we will provide information about the role of EphA4 in neurological diseases by which it may emerge as a therapeutic target for CNS disease. We will also provide a glance at numerous signaling pathways that activate or inhibit the EphA4-associated biological processes contributing to the course of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, this work might serve as a basis for futuristic studies that are related to the target-based drug discovery in the field of neuro-regeneration. Pathological and physiological events associated with EphA4 and Ephrin upregulation and interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenal Verma
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Ahmedabad, Opposite Air Force Station, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - Manjeet Chopra
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Ahmedabad, Opposite Air Force Station, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - Hemant Kumar
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Ahmedabad, Opposite Air Force Station, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India.
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16
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Lescouzères L, Hassen-Khodja C, Baudot A, Bordignon B, Bomont P. A multilevel screening pipeline in zebrafish identifies therapeutic drugs for GAN. EMBO Mol Med 2023:e16267. [PMID: 37144692 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202216267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder for which there is currently no treatment. Affecting the nervous system, GAN starts in infancy with motor deficits that rapidly evolve toward total loss of ambulation. Using the gan zebrafish model that reproduces the loss of motility as seen in patients, we conducted the first pharmacological screening for the GAN pathology. Here, we established a multilevel pipeline to identify small molecules restoring both the physiological and the cellular deficits in GAN. We combined behavioral, in silico, and high-content imaging analyses to refine our Hits to five drugs restoring locomotion, axonal outgrowth, and stabilizing neuromuscular junctions in the gan zebrafish. The postsynaptic nature of the drug's cellular targets provides direct evidence for the pivotal role the neuromuscular junction holds in the restoration of motility. Our results identify the first drug candidates that can now be integrated in a repositioning approach to fasten therapy for the GAN disease. Moreover, we anticipate both our methodological development and the identified hits to be of benefit to other neuromuscular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Lescouzères
- ERC Team, NeuroMyoGene Insitute - Now PGNM, Inserm U1315, CNRS UMR5261, University of Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Cédric Hassen-Khodja
- Montpellier Ressources Imagerie, BioCampus, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Anaïs Baudot
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, MMG, Marseille Medical Genetics, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Benoît Bordignon
- Montpellier Ressources Imagerie, BioCampus, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Pascale Bomont
- ERC Team, NeuroMyoGene Insitute - Now PGNM, Inserm U1315, CNRS UMR5261, University of Lyon 1, Lyon, France
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17
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Kina S, Kawabata-Iwakawa R, Miyamoto S, Kato T, Kina-Tanada M, Arasaki A. EphA4 signaling is involved in the phenotype of well-differentiated oral squamous cell arcinoma with decreased tumor immunity. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 945:175611. [PMID: 36804938 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175611] [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: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
Metronomic chemotherapy is defined as a high-frequency low-dose schedule of chemotherapy drug administration. Although metronomic chemotherapy is widely used, the mechanisms underlying resistance to metronomic chemotherapy remain unclear. Therefore, we herein conducted a single institutional phase I/II trial to assess the efficacy and safety of metronomic chemotherapy with bleomycin plus S-1, an oral 5-FU prodrug, in the neoadjuvant setting for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The response rate of well-differentiated OSCC to metronomic chemotherapy was significantly lower. We investigated differences in molecular profiles between poorly or moderately differentiated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and well-differentiated HNSCC from patients with HNSCC TCGA data. EphA4 expression positively correlated with histological differentiation. An upstream regulator analysis correlated with EphA4 expression identified pathways associated with decreased mTORC1 signaling and T cell activation, including TCR, CD3, CD28, and CD40LG. An EphA4 blocking peptide (KYL) induced mTOR activation in well-differentiated OSCC cell lines. Plasmacytoid dendritic cell and CD8+ T cell numbers were higher in the microenvironment of poorly or moderately differentiated HNSCC than in that of well-differentiated HNSCC. Well-differentiated HNSCC had the characteristics of "cold tumors" (immune-excluded tumors). Moreover, KYL used with chemotherapeutic drugs synergistically increased cancer cell death. Well-differentiated OSCC is depleted of immune cells, which may be partly explained by the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinichiro Kina
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Functional Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Japan; Center for Medical Education, Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan.
| | - Reika Kawabata-Iwakawa
- Division of Integrated Oncology Research, Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research, Japan
| | - Sho Miyamoto
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Functional Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Japan
| | - Tomoki Kato
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mika Kina-Tanada
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Functional Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Japan; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Plastic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Akira Arasaki
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Functional Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Japan
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18
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Yang L, Cheng Y, Zhu Y, Cui L, Li X. The Serotonergic System and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Review of Current Evidence. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023:10.1007/s10571-023-01320-0. [PMID: 36729314 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01320-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the premature death of motor neurons. Serotonin (5-HT) is a crucial neurotransmitter, and its dysfunction, whether as a contributor or by-product, has been implicated in ALS pathogenesis. Here, we summarize current evidence linking serotonergic alterations to ALS, including results from post-mortem and neuroimaging studies, biofluid testing, and studies of ALS animal models. We also discuss the possible role of 5-HT in modulating some important mechanisms of ALS (i.e. glutamate excitotoxity and neuroinflammation) and in regulating ALS phenotypes (i.e. breathing dysfunction and metabolic defects). Finally, we discuss the promise and limitations of the serotonergic system as a target for the development of ALS biomarkers and therapeutic approaches. However, due to a relative paucity of data and standardized methodologies in previous studies, proper interpretation of existing results remains a challenge. Future research is needed to unravel the mechanisms linking serotonergic pathways and ALS and to provide valid, reproducible, and translatable findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yang
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), The Transformation Medical Center of PUMC, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Yanfei Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), The Transformation Medical Center of PUMC, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Yicheng Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), The Transformation Medical Center of PUMC, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, 100005, China.,Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Liying Cui
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), The Transformation Medical Center of PUMC, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, 100005, China.,Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoguang Li
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), The Transformation Medical Center of PUMC, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, 100005, China. .,Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China.
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19
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Udine E, Jain A, van Blitterswijk M. Advances in sequencing technologies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis research. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:4. [PMID: 36635726 PMCID: PMC9838075 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00593-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is caused by upper and lower motor neuron loss and has a fairly rapid disease progression, leading to fatality in an average of 2-5 years after symptom onset. Numerous genes have been implicated in this disease; however, many cases remain unexplained. Several technologies are being used to identify regions of interest and investigate candidate genes. Initial approaches to detect ALS genes include, among others, linkage analysis, Sanger sequencing, and genome-wide association studies. More recently, next-generation sequencing methods, such as whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing, have been introduced. While those methods have been particularly useful in discovering new ALS-linked genes, methodological advances are becoming increasingly important, especially given the complex genetics of ALS. Novel sequencing technologies, like long-read sequencing, are beginning to be used to uncover the contribution of repeat expansions and other types of structural variation, which may help explain missing heritability in ALS. In this review, we discuss how popular and/or upcoming methods are being used to discover ALS genes, highlighting emerging long-read sequencing platforms and their role in aiding our understanding of this challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Udine
- grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA ,grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA
| | - Angita Jain
- grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA ,grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA ,grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA
| | - Marka van Blitterswijk
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
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20
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Khatoon F, Haque S, Hashem A, Mahmoud A, Tashkandi H, Mathkor D, Harakeh S, Alghamdi B, Kumar V. Network-based approach for targeting human kinases commonly associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and cancer. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1023286. [PMID: 36590916 PMCID: PMC9802580 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1023286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rare progressive and chronic motor neuron degenerative disease for which at present no cure is available. In recent years, multiple genes encode kinases and other causative agents for ALS have been identified. Kinases are enzymes that show pleiotropic nature and regulate different signal transduction processes and pathways. The dysregulation of kinase activity results in dramatic changes in processes and causes many other human diseases including cancers. Methods In this study, we have adopted a network-based system biology approach to investigate the kinase-based molecular interplay between ALS and other human disorders. A list of 62 ALS-associated-kinases was first identified and then we identified the disease associated with them by scanning multiple disease-gene interaction databases to understand the link between the ALS-associated kinases and other disorders. Results An interaction network with 36 kinases and 381 different disorders associated with them was prepared, which represents the complexity and the comorbidity associated with the kinases. Further, we have identified 5 miRNAs targeting the majority of the kinases in the disease-causing network. The gene ontology and pathways enrichment analysis of those miRNAs were performed to understand their biological and molecular functions along with to identify the important pathways. We also identified 3 drug molecules that can perturb the disease-causing network by drug repurposing. Conclusion This network-based study presented hereby contributes to a better knowledge of the molecular underpinning of comorbidities associated with the kinases associated with the ALS disease and provides the potential therapeutic targets to disrupt the highly complex disease-causing network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Khatoon
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology and Neurosciences, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anwar Hashem
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Mahmoud
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanaa Tashkandi
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Darin Mathkor
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Steve Harakeh
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, and Yousef Abdullatif Jameel Chair of Prophetic Medicine Application, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Badra Alghamdi
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience Unit, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vijay Kumar
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology and Neurosciences, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India,*Correspondence: Vijay Kumar,
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21
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Ganguly D, Thomas JA, Ali A, Kumar R. Mechanistic and therapeutic implications of EphA-4 receptor tyrosine kinase in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:5532-5546. [PMID: 34989046 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing hepatoma (Eph) receptors belong to a family of tyrosine kinase receptors that plays a pivotal role in the development of the brain. Eph can be divided broadly into two groups, namely, EphA and EphB, comprising nine and five members, respectively. In recent years, the role of EphA-4 has become increasingly apparent in the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Emerging evidence suggests that EphA-4 results in synaptic dysfunction, which in turn promotes the progression of AD. Moreover, pharmacological or genetic ablation of EphA-4 in the murine model of AD can alleviate the symptoms. The current review summarizes different pathways by which EphA-4 can influence pathogenesis. Since, majority of the studies had reported the protective effect of EphA-4 inhibition during AD, designing therapeutics based on decreasing its enzymatic activity might be necessary for introducing the novel interventions. Therefore, the review described peptide and nanobodies inhibitors of EphA-4 that exhibit the potential to modulate EphA-4 and could be used as lead molecules for the targeted therapy of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devargya Ganguly
- Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Sciences, GITAM (Deemed to be) University, Vishakhapatnam, India
| | - Joshua Abby Thomas
- Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Sciences, GITAM (Deemed to be) University, Vishakhapatnam, India
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Rahul Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Sciences, GITAM (Deemed to be) University, Vishakhapatnam, India
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22
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Dennys C, Baggio C, Rodrigo R, Roussel F, Kulinich A, Heintzman S, Fox A, Kolb SJ, Shaw PJ, Ethell IM, Pellecchia M, Meyer KC. EphA4 targeting agents protect motor neurons from cell death induced by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -astrocytes. iScience 2022; 25:104877. [PMID: 36034213 PMCID: PMC9404653 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disease that progressively destroys motor neurons (MNs). Earlier studies identified EphA4, a receptor tyrosine kinase, as a possible disease-modifying gene. The complex interplay between the EphA4 receptor and its ephrin ligands in motor neurons and astrocytes has not yet been fully elucidated and includes a putative pro-apoptotic activity of the unbound receptor compared to ephrin-bound receptor. We recently reported that astrocytes from patients with ALS induce cell death in co-cultured MNs. Here we found that first-generation synthetic EphA4 agonistic agent 123C4, effectively protected MNs when co-cultured with reactive astrocytes from patients with ALS from multiple subgroups (sALS and mutant SOD1). Newer generation and more potent EphA4 agonistic agents 150D4, 150E8, and 150E7 provided effective protection at a lower therapeutic dose. Combined, the data suggest that the development of EphA4 agonistic agents provides potentially a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Dennys
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Carlo Baggio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Rochelle Rodrigo
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Florence Roussel
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Anna Kulinich
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Sarah Heintzman
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ashley Fox
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Stephen J. Kolb
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Pamela J. Shaw
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Iryna M. Ethell
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Kathrin C. Meyer
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive Columbus, OH 43205, USA
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23
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Braems E, Bercier V, Van Schoor E, Heeren K, Beckers J, Fumagalli L, Dedeene L, Moisse M, Geudens I, Hersmus N, Mehta AR, Selvaraj BT, Chandran S, Ho R, Thal DR, Van Damme P, Swinnen B, Van Den Bosch L. HNRNPK alleviates RNA toxicity by counteracting DNA damage in C9orf72 ALS. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 144:465-488. [PMID: 35895140 PMCID: PMC9381635 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02471-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A 'GGGGCC' repeat expansion in the first intron of the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The exact mechanism resulting in these neurodegenerative diseases remains elusive, but C9 repeat RNA toxicity has been implicated as a gain-of-function mechanism. Our aim was to use a zebrafish model for C9orf72 RNA toxicity to identify modifiers of the ALS-linked phenotype. We discovered that the RNA-binding protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (HNRNPK) reverses the toxicity of both sense and antisense repeat RNA, which is dependent on its subcellular localization and RNA recognition, and not on C9orf72 repeat RNA binding. We observed HNRNPK cytoplasmic mislocalization in C9orf72 ALS patient fibroblasts, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons and post-mortem motor cortex and spinal cord, in line with a disrupted HNRNPK function in C9orf72 ALS. In C9orf72 ALS/FTD patient tissue, we discovered an increased nuclear translocation, but reduced expression of ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2 (RRM2), a downstream target of HNRNPK involved in the DNA damage response. Last but not least, we showed that increasing the expression of HNRNPK or RRM2 was sufficient to mitigate DNA damage in our C9orf72 RNA toxicity zebrafish model. Overall, our study strengthens the relevance of RNA toxicity as a pathogenic mechanism in C9orf72 ALS and demonstrates its link with an aberrant DNA damage response, opening novel therapeutic avenues for C9orf72 ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Braems
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valérie Bercier
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Evelien Van Schoor
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Laboratory of Neuropathology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kara Heeren
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jimmy Beckers
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Fumagalli
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieselot Dedeene
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Laboratory of Neuropathology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiomarker Research and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthieu Moisse
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ilse Geudens
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicole Hersmus
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arpan R Mehta
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Bhuvaneish T Selvaraj
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ritchie Ho
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dietmar R Thal
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Laboratory of Neuropathology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Swinnen
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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24
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Davis LA, Fogarty MJ, Brown A, Sieck GC. Structure and Function of the Mammalian Neuromuscular Junction. Compr Physiol 2022; 12:3731-3766. [PMID: 35950651 PMCID: PMC10461538 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c210022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian neuromuscular junction (NMJ) comprises a presynaptic terminal, a postsynaptic receptor region on the muscle fiber (endplate), and the perisynaptic (terminal) Schwann cell. As with any synapse, the purpose of the NMJ is to transmit signals from the nervous system to muscle fibers. This neural control of muscle fibers is organized as motor units, which display distinct structural and functional phenotypes including differences in pre- and postsynaptic elements of NMJs. Motor units vary considerably in the frequency of their activation (both motor neuron discharge rate and duration/duty cycle), force generation, and susceptibility to fatigue. For earlier and more frequently recruited motor units, the structure and function of the activated NMJs must have high fidelity to ensure consistent activation and continued contractile response to sustain vital motor behaviors (e.g., breathing and postural balance). Similarly, for higher force less frequent behaviors (e.g., coughing and jumping), the structure and function of recruited NMJs must ensure short-term reliable activation but not activation sustained for a prolonged period in which fatigue may occur. The NMJ is highly plastic, changing structurally and functionally throughout the life span from embryonic development to old age. The NMJ also changes under pathological conditions including acute and chronic disease. Such neuroplasticity often varies across motor unit types. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12:1-36, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah A. Davis
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Matthew J. Fogarty
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Alyssa Brown
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gary C. Sieck
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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25
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The Cell Autonomous and Non-Cell Autonomous Aspects of Neuronal Vulnerability and Resilience in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11081191. [PMID: 36009818 PMCID: PMC9405388 DOI: 10.3390/biology11081191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease characterized by a progressive paralysis due to the loss of particular neurons in our nervous system called motor neurons, that exert voluntary control of all our skeletal muscles. It is not entirely understood why motor neurons are particularly vulnerable in ALS, neither is it completely clear why certain groups of motor neurons, including those that regulate eye movement, are rather resilient to this disease. However, both vulnerability and resilience to ALS likely reflect cell intrinsic properties of different motor neuron subpopulations as well as non-cell autonomous events regulated by surrounding cell types. In this review we dissect the particular properties of different motor neuron types and their responses to disease that may underlie their respective vulnerabilities and resilience. Disease progression in ALS involves multiple cell types that are closely connected to motor neurons and we here also discuss their contributions to the differential vulnerability of motor neurons. Abstract Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is defined by the loss of upper motor neurons (MNs) that project from the cerebral cortex to the brain stem and spinal cord and of lower MNs in the brain stem and spinal cord which innervate skeletal muscles, leading to spasticity, muscle atrophy, and paralysis. ALS involves several disease stages, and multiple cell types show dysfunction and play important roles during distinct phases of disease initiation and progression, subsequently leading to selective MN loss. Why MNs are particularly vulnerable in this lethal disease is still not entirely clear. Neither is it fully understood why certain MNs are more resilient to degeneration in ALS than others. Brain stem MNs of cranial nerves III, IV, and VI, which innervate our eye muscles, are highly resistant and persist until the end-stage of the disease, enabling paralyzed patients to communicate through ocular tracking devices. MNs of the Onuf’s nucleus in the sacral spinal cord, that innervate sphincter muscles and control urogenital functions, are also spared throughout the disease. There is also a differential vulnerability among MNs that are intermingled throughout the spinal cord, that directly relate to their physiological properties. Here, fast-twitch fatigable (FF) MNs, which innervate type IIb muscle fibers, are affected early, before onset of clinical symptoms, while slow-twitch (S) MNs, that innervate type I muscle fibers, remain longer throughout the disease progression. The resilience of particular MN subpopulations has been attributed to intrinsic determinants and multiple studies have demonstrated their unique gene regulation and protein content in health and in response to disease. Identified factors within resilient MNs have been utilized to protect more vulnerable cells. Selective vulnerability may also, in part, be driven by non-cell autonomous processes and the unique surroundings and constantly changing environment close to particular MN groups. In this article, we review in detail the cell intrinsic properties of resilient and vulnerable MN groups, as well as multiple additional cell types involved in disease initiation and progression and explain how these may contribute to the selective MN resilience and vulnerability in ALS.
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26
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Liu C, Han S, Zheng J, Wang H, Li S, Li J. EphA4 regulates white matter remyelination after ischemic stroke through Ephexin-1/RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. Glia 2022; 70:1971-1991. [PMID: 35762396 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke, which accounts for nearly 80% of all strokes, leads to white matter injury and neurobehavioral dysfunction, but relevant therapies to inhibit demyelination or promote remyelination after white matter injury are still unavailable. In this study, the middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) in vivo and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in vitro were used to establish the ischemic models. We found that Eph receptor A4 (EphA4) had no effect on the apoptosis of oligodendrocytes using TUNEL staining. In contrast, EphA4 promoted proliferation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), but reduced the numbers of mature oligodendrocytes and the levels of myelin-associated proteins (MAG, MOG, and MBP) in the process of remyelination in ischemic models in vivo and in vitro as determined using PDGFRα-EphA4-shRNA and LV-EphA4 treatments. Notably, conditional knockout of EphA4 in OPCs (EphA4fl/fl + AAV-PDGFRα-Cre) improved the levels of myelin-associated proteins and functional recovery following ischemic stroke. In addition, regulation of remyelination by EphA4 was mediated by the Ephexin-1/RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. Therefore, EphA4 did not affect oligodendrocyte (OL) apoptosis but regulated white matter remyelination after ischemic stroke through the Ephexin-1/RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. EphA4 may provide a novel and effective therapeutic target in clinical practice of ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Song Han
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiayin Zheng
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyu Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shujuan Li
- The Neurological Department, Fu Wai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junfa Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Center of Stroke, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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27
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Asano T, Nakamura H, Kawamoto Y, Tada M, Kimura Y, Takano H, Yao R, Saito H, Ikeda T, Komiya H, Kubota S, Hashiguchi S, Takahashi K, Kunii M, Tanaka K, Goshima Y, Nakamura F, Takeuchi H, Doi H, Tanaka F. Inhibition of Crmp1 Phosphorylation at Ser522 Ameliorates Motor Function and Neuronal Pathology in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Model Mice. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0133-22.2022. [PMID: 35523582 PMCID: PMC9131721 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0133-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder that affects upper and lower motor neurons; however, its pathomechanism has not been fully elucidated. Using a comprehensive phosphoproteomic approach, we have identified elevated phosphorylation of Collapsin response mediator protein 1 (Crmp1) at serine 522 in the lumbar spinal cord of ALS model mice overexpressing a human superoxide dismutase mutant (SOD1G93A). We investigated the effects of Crmp1 phosphorylation and depletion in SOD1G93A mice using Crmp1S522A (Ser522→Ala) knock-in (Crmp1ki/ki ) mice in which the S522 phosphorylation site was abolished and Crmp1 knock-out (Crmp1-/-) mice, respectively. Crmp1ki/ki /SOD1G93A mice showed longer latency to fall in a rotarod test while Crmp1-/-/SOD1G93A mice showed shorter latency compared with SOD1G93A mice. Survival was prolonged in Crmp1ki/ki /SOD1G93A mice but not in Crmp1-/-/SOD1G93A mice. In agreement with these phenotypic findings, residual motor neurons and innervated neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) were comparatively well-preserved in Crmp1ki/ki /SOD1G93A mice without affecting microglial and astroglial pathology. Pathway analysis of proteome alterations showed that the sirtuin signaling pathway had opposite effects in Crmp1ki/ki /SOD1G93A and Crmp1-/-/SOD1G93A mice. Our study indicates that modifying CRMP1 phosphorylation is a potential therapeutic strategy for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Asano
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Haruko Nakamura
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Yuko Kawamoto
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Mikiko Tada
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Yayoi Kimura
- Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takano
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan
| | - Ryoji Yao
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan
| | - Hiroya Saito
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Takuya Ikeda
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Komiya
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Shun Kubota
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Shunta Hashiguchi
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Keita Takahashi
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Misako Kunii
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Kenichi Tanaka
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Yoshio Goshima
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neurobiology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Fumio Nakamura
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Takeuchi
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Doi
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Tanaka
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
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28
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Restuadi R, Steyn FJ, Kabashi E, Ngo ST, Cheng FF, Nabais MF, Thompson MJ, Qi T, Wu Y, Henders AK, Wallace L, Bye CR, Turner BJ, Ziser L, Mathers S, McCombe PA, Needham M, Schultz D, Kiernan MC, van Rheenen W, van den Berg LH, Veldink JH, Ophoff R, Gusev A, Zaitlen N, McRae AF, Henderson RD, Wray NR, Giacomotto J, Garton FC. Functional characterisation of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis risk locus GPX3/TNIP1. Genome Med 2022; 14:7. [PMID: 35042540 PMCID: PMC8767698 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-021-01006-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex, late-onset, neurodegenerative disease with a genetic contribution to disease liability. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified ten risk loci to date, including the TNIP1/GPX3 locus on chromosome five. Given association analysis data alone cannot determine the most plausible risk gene for this locus, we undertook a comprehensive suite of in silico, in vivo and in vitro studies to address this. METHODS The Functional Mapping and Annotation (FUMA) pipeline and five tools (conditional and joint analysis (GCTA-COJO), Stratified Linkage Disequilibrium Score Regression (S-LDSC), Polygenic Priority Scoring (PoPS), Summary-based Mendelian Randomisation (SMR-HEIDI) and transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) analyses) were used to perform bioinformatic integration of GWAS data (Ncases = 20,806, Ncontrols = 59,804) with 'omics reference datasets including the blood (eQTLgen consortium N = 31,684) and brain (N = 2581). This was followed up by specific expression studies in ALS case-control cohorts (microarray Ntotal = 942, protein Ntotal = 300) and gene knockdown (KD) studies of human neuronal iPSC cells and zebrafish-morpholinos (MO). RESULTS SMR analyses implicated both TNIP1 and GPX3 (p < 1.15 × 10-6), but there was no simple SNP/expression relationship. Integrating multiple datasets using PoPS supported GPX3 but not TNIP1. In vivo expression analyses from blood in ALS cases identified that lower GPX3 expression correlated with a more progressed disease (ALS functional rating score, p = 5.5 × 10-3, adjusted R2 = 0.042, Beffect = 27.4 ± 13.3 ng/ml/ALSFRS unit) with microarray and protein data suggesting lower expression with risk allele (recessive model p = 0.06, p = 0.02 respectively). Validation in vivo indicated gpx3 KD caused significant motor deficits in zebrafish-MO (mean difference vs. control ± 95% CI, vs. control, swim distance = 112 ± 28 mm, time = 1.29 ± 0.59 s, speed = 32.0 ± 2.53 mm/s, respectively, p for all < 0.0001), which were rescued with gpx3 expression, with no phenotype identified with tnip1 KD or gpx3 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS These results support GPX3 as a lead ALS risk gene in this locus, with more data needed to confirm/reject a role for TNIP1. This has implications for understanding disease mechanisms (GPX3 acts in the same pathway as SOD1, a well-established ALS-associated gene) and identifying new therapeutic approaches. Few previous examples of in-depth investigations of risk loci in ALS exist and a similar approach could be applied to investigate future expected GWAS findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Restuadi Restuadi
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Frederik J Steyn
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, QLD, Brisbane, 4029, Australia
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4019, Australia
| | - Edor Kabashi
- Imagine Institute, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité 1163, Paris Descartes Université, 75015, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), Université de Paris 06, INSERM Unité 1127, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche 7225, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière (ICM), 75013, Paris, France
| | - Shyuan T Ngo
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4019, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Fei-Fei Cheng
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Marta F Nabais
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
- University of Exeter Medical School, RILD Building, RD&E Hospital Wonford, Barrack Road, Exeter, EX2 5DW, UK
| | - Mike J Thompson
- Department of Computer Science, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ting Qi
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Yang Wu
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Anjali K Henders
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Leanne Wallace
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Chris R Bye
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Bradley J Turner
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Laura Ziser
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Susan Mathers
- Calvary Health Care Bethlehem, Parkdale, VIC, 3195, Australia
| | - Pamela A McCombe
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, QLD, Brisbane, 4029, Australia
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4019, Australia
| | - Merrilee Needham
- Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA, 6150, Australia
- Notre Dame University, Fremantle, WA, 6160, Australia
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - David Schultz
- Department of Neurology, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Wouter van Rheenen
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roel Ophoff
- Department of Computer Science, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Gusev
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Noah Zaitlen
- Department of Computer Science, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Allan F McRae
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Robert D Henderson
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, QLD, Brisbane, 4029, Australia
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4019, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Naomi R Wray
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Jean Giacomotto
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, Wacol, QLD, 4076, Australia
| | - Fleur C Garton
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
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29
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Pampalakis G, Angelis G, Zingkou E, Vekrellis K, Sotiropoulou G. A chemogenomic approach is required for effective treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e657. [PMID: 35064780 PMCID: PMC8783349 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
ALS is a fatal untreatable disease involving degeneration of motor neurons. Μultiple causative genes encoding proteins with versatile functions have been identified indicating that diverse biological pathways lead to ALS. Chemical entities still represent a promising choice to delay ALS progression, attenuate symptoms and/or increase life expectancy, but also gene-based and stem cell-based therapies are in the process of development, and some are tested in clinical trials. Various compounds proved effective in transgenic models overexpressing distinct ALS causative genes unfortunately though, they showed no efficacy in clinical trials. Notably, while animal models provide a uniform genetic background for preclinical testing, ALS patients are not stratified, and the distinct genetic forms of ALS are treated as one group, which could explain the observed discrepancies between treating genetically homogeneous mice and quite heterogeneous patient cohorts. We suggest that chemical entity-genotype correlation should be exploited to guide patient stratification for pharmacotherapy, that is administered drugs should be selected based on the ALS genetic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Pampalakis
- Department of Pharmacology - Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Angelis
- Department of Pharmacology - Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, Greece
| | - Eleni Zingkou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, Greece
| | - Kostas Vekrellis
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Sotiropoulou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, Greece
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30
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Immune Signaling Kinases in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413280. [PMID: 34948077 PMCID: PMC8707599 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder of motor neurons in adults, with a median survival of 3-5 years after appearance of symptoms, and with no curative treatment currently available. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is also an adult-onset neurodegenerative disease, displaying not only clinical overlap with ALS, but also significant similarities at genetic and pathologic levels. Apart from the progressive loss of neurons and the accumulation of protein inclusions in certain cells and tissues, both disorders are characterized by chronic inflammation mediated by activated microglia and astrocytes, with an early and critical impact of neurodegeneration along the disease course. Despite the progress made in the last two decades in our knowledge around these disorders, the underlying molecular mechanisms of such non-cell autonomous neuronal loss still need to be clarified. In particular, immune signaling kinases are currently thought to have a key role in determining the neuroprotective or neurodegenerative nature of the central and peripheral immune states in health and disease. This review provides a comprehensive and updated view of the proposed mechanisms, therapeutic potential, and ongoing clinical trials of immune-related kinases that have been linked to ALS and/or FTD, by covering the more established TBK1, RIPK1/3, RACK I, and EPHA4 kinases, as well as other emerging players in ALS and FTD immune signaling.
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31
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Singal CMS, Jaiswal P, Mehta A, Saleem K, Seth P. Role of EphrinA3 in HIV-1 Neuropathogenesis. ASN Neuro 2021; 13:17590914211044359. [PMID: 34618621 PMCID: PMC8504696 DOI: 10.1177/17590914211044359] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial cells perform important supporting functions for neurons through a dynamic crosstalk. Neuron–glia communication is the major phenomenon to sustain homeostatic functioning of the brain. Several interactive pathways between neurons and astrocytes are critical for the optimal functioning of neurons, and one such pathway is the ephrinA3–ephA4 signaling. The role of this pathway is essential in maintaining the levels of extracellular glutamate by regulating the excitatory amino acid transporters, EAAT1 and EAAT2 on astrocytes. Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and its proteins cause glutamate excitotoxicity due to excess glutamate levels at sites of high synaptic activity. This study unravels the effects of HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) from clade B on ephrinA3 and its role in regulating glutamate levels in astrocyte–neuron co-cultures of human origin. It was observed that the expression of ephrinA3 increases in the presence of HIV-1 Tat B, while the expression of EAAT1 and EAAT2 was attenuated. This led to reduced glutamate uptake and therefore high neuronal death due to glutamate excitotoxicity. Knockdown of ephrinA3 using small interfering RNA, in the presence of HIV-1 Tat B reversed the neurotoxic effects of HIV-1 Tat B via increased expression of glutamate transporters that reduced the levels of extracellular glutamate. The in vitro findings were validated in autopsy brain sections from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients and we found ephrinA3 to be upregulated in the case of HIV-1-infected patients. This study offers valuable insights into astrocyte-mediated neuronal damage in HIV-1 neuropathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paritosh Jaiswal
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, 29050National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Gurgaon, India
| | - Anuradha Mehta
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, 29050National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Gurgaon, India
| | - Kanza Saleem
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, 29050National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Gurgaon, India
| | - Pankaj Seth
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, 29050National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Gurgaon, India
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32
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Zhao J, Stevens CH, Boyd AW, Ooi L, Bartlett PF. Role of EphA4 in Mediating Motor Neuron Death in MND. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9430. [PMID: 34502339 PMCID: PMC8430883 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron disease (MND) comprises a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases with no effective cure. As progressive motor neuron cell death is one of pathological characteristics of MND, molecules which protect these cells are attractive therapeutic targets. Accumulating evidence indicates that EphA4 activation is involved in MND pathogenesis, and inhibition of EphA4 improves functional outcomes. However, the underlying mechanism of EphA4's function in MND is unclear. In this review, we first present results to demonstrate that EphA4 signalling acts directly on motor neurons to cause cell death. We then review the three most likely mechanisms underlying this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Claire H. Stevens
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia;
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Andrew W. Boyd
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Lezanne Ooi
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia;
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Perry F. Bartlett
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
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33
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Oliveira D, Morales-Vicente DA, Amaral MS, Luz L, Sertié AL, Leite FS, Navarro C, Kaid C, Esposito J, Goulart E, Caires L, Alves LM, Melo US, Figueiredo T, Mitne-Neto M, Okamoto OK, Verjovski-Almeida S, Zatz M. Different gene expression profiles in iPSC-derived motor neurons from ALS8 patients with variable clinical courses suggest mitigating pathways for neurodegeneration. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:1465-1475. [PMID: 32280986 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis type 8 (ALS8) is an autosomal dominant form of ALS, which is caused by pathogenic variants in the VAPB gene. Here we investigated five ALS8 patients, classified as 'severe' and 'mild' from a gigantic Brazilian kindred, carrying the same VAPB mutation but displaying different clinical courses. Copy number variation and whole exome sequencing analyses in such individuals ruled out previously described genetic modifiers of pathogenicity. After deriving induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for each patient (N = 5) and controls (N = 3), motor neurons were differentiated, and high-throughput RNA-Seq gene expression measurements were performed. Functional cell death and oxidative metabolism assays were also carried out in patients' iPSC-derived motor neurons. The degree of cell death and mitochondrial oxidative metabolism were similar in iPSC-derived motor neurons from mild patients and controls and were distinct from those of severe patients. Similar findings were obtained when RNA-Seq from such cells was performed. Overall, 43 genes were upregulated and 66 downregulated in the two mild ALS8 patients when compared with severe ALS8 individuals and controls. Interestingly, significantly enriched pathways found among differentially expressed genes, such as protein translation and protein targeting to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), are known to be associated with neurodegenerative processes. Taken together, the mitigating mechanisms here presented appear to maintain motor neuron survival by keeping translational activity and protein targeting to the ER in such cells. As ALS8 physiopathology has been associated with proteostasis mechanisms in ER-mitochondria contact sites, such differentially expressed genes appear to relate to the bypass of VAPB deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyllo Oliveira
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - David A Morales-Vicente
- Laboratory of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Murilo S Amaral
- Laboratory of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Livia Luz
- Laboratory of DNA Repair, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | | | - Felipe S Leite
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Claudia Navarro
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-887, Brazil
| | - Carolini Kaid
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Joyce Esposito
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Ernesto Goulart
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Luiz Caires
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Luciana M Alves
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Uirá S Melo
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Thalita Figueiredo
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil.,Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió 57972-900, Brazil
| | - Miguel Mitne-Neto
- Fleury Group, Research and Development. São Paulo, São Paulo 04344-070, Brazil
| | - Oswaldo K Okamoto
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Laboratory of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Mayana Zatz
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
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34
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Baggio C, Kulinich A, Dennys CN, Rodrigo R, Meyer K, Ethell I, Pellecchia M. NMR-Guided Design of Potent and Selective EphA4 Agonistic Ligands. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11229-11246. [PMID: 34293864 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, we applied an innovative nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-guided screening and ligand design approach, named focused high-throughput screening by NMR (fHTS by NMR), to derive potent, low-molecular-weight ligands capable of mimicking interactions elicited by ephrin ligands on the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA4. The agents bind with nanomolar affinity, trigger receptor activation in cellular assays with motor neurons, and provide remarkable motor neuron protection from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient-derived astrocytes. Structural studies on the complex between EphA4 ligand-binding domain and a most active agent provide insights into the mechanism of the agents at a molecular level. Together with preliminary in vivo pharmacology studies, the data form a strong foundation for the translation of these agents for the treatment of ALS and potentially other human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Baggio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Anna Kulinich
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Cassandra N Dennys
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205, United States
| | - Rochelle Rodrigo
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205, United States
| | - Kathrin Meyer
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205, United States
| | - Iryna Ethell
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
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35
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Aguila J, Cheng S, Kee N, Cao M, Wang M, Deng Q, Hedlund E. Spatial RNA Sequencing Identifies Robust Markers of Vulnerable and Resistant Human Midbrain Dopamine Neurons and Their Expression in Parkinson's Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:699562. [PMID: 34305528 PMCID: PMC8297217 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.699562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Defining transcriptional profiles of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons is critical to understanding their differential vulnerability in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Here, we determine transcriptomes of human SNc and VTA dopamine neurons using LCM-seq on a large sample cohort. We apply a bootstrapping strategy as sample input to DESeq2 and identify 33 stably differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these two subpopulations. We also compute a minimal sample size for identification of stable DEGs, which highlights why previous reported profiles from small sample sizes display extensive variability. Network analysis reveal gene interactions unique to each subpopulation and highlight differences in regulation of mitochondrial stability, apoptosis, neuronal survival, cytoskeleton regulation, extracellular matrix modulation as well as synapse integrity, which could explain the relative resilience of VTA dopamine neurons. Analysis of PD tissues showed that while identified stable DEGs can distinguish the subpopulations also in disease, the SNc markers SLIT1 and ATP2A3 were down-regulated and thus appears to be biomarkers of disease. In summary, our study identifies human SNc and VTA marker profiles, which will be instrumental for studies aiming to modulate dopamine neuron resilience and to validate cell identity of stem cell-derived dopamine neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Aguila
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Shangli Cheng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nigel Kee
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ming Cao
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Menghan Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Qiaolin Deng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Hedlund
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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36
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Braems E, Tziortzouda P, Van Den Bosch L. Exploring the alternative: Fish, flies and worms as preclinical models for ALS. Neurosci Lett 2021; 759:136041. [PMID: 34118308 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons. In general, patients succumb to respiratory insufficiency due to respiratory muscle weakness. Despite many promising therapeutic strategies primarily identified in rodent models, patient trials remain rather unsuccessful. There is a clear need for alternative approaches, which could provide directions towards the justified use of rodents and which increase the likelihood to identify new promising clinical candidates. In the last decades, the use of fast genetic approaches and the development of high-throughput screening platforms in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and in zebrafish (Danio rerio) have contributed to new insights into ALS pathomechanisms, disease modifiers and therapeutic targets. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of these alternative small animal studies, modeling the most common ALS genes and discuss the most recent preclinical discoveries. We conclude that small animal models will not replace rodent models, yet they clearly represent an important asset for preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Braems
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paraskevi Tziortzouda
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium.
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37
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Allodi I, Montañana-Rosell R, Selvan R, Löw P, Kiehn O. Locomotor deficits in a mouse model of ALS are paralleled by loss of V1-interneuron connections onto fast motor neurons. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3251. [PMID: 34059686 PMCID: PMC8166981 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23224-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
ALS is characterized by progressive inability to execute movements. Motor neurons innervating fast-twitch muscle-fibers preferentially degenerate. The reason for this differential vulnerability and its consequences on motor output is not known. Here, we uncover that fast motor neurons receive stronger inhibitory synaptic inputs than slow motor neurons, and disease progression in the SOD1G93A mouse model leads to specific loss of inhibitory synapses onto fast motor neurons. Inhibitory V1 interneurons show similar innervation pattern and loss of synapses. Moreover, from postnatal day 63, there is a loss of V1 interneurons in the SOD1G93A mouse. The V1 interneuron degeneration appears before motor neuron death and is paralleled by the development of a specific locomotor deficit affecting speed and limb coordination. This distinct ALS-induced locomotor deficit is phenocopied in wild-type mice but not in SOD1G93A mice after appearing of the locomotor phenotype when V1 spinal interneurons are silenced. Our study identifies a potential source of non-autonomous motor neuronal vulnerability in ALS and links ALS-induced changes in locomotor phenotype to inhibitory V1-interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilary Allodi
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark.
| | - Roser Montañana-Rosell
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Raghavendra Selvan
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
- Department of Computer Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Peter Löw
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ole Kiehn
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark.
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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38
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Neefjes J, Cabukusta B. What the VAP: The Expanded VAP Family of Proteins Interacting With FFAT and FFAT-Related Motifs for Interorganellar Contact. CONTACT (THOUSAND OAKS (VENTURA COUNTY, CALIF.)) 2021; 4:25152564211012246. [PMID: 34036242 PMCID: PMC7610837 DOI: 10.1177/25152564211012246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Membrane contact sites are formed by tether proteins that have the ability to bring two organellar membranes together. VAP proteins are a family of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident tether proteins specialized in interacting with FFAT (two phenylalanines in an acidic tract) peptide motifs in other proteins. If the FFAT-motif-containing proteins reside on other organelles, VAP proteins form contact sites between these organelles and the ER. The role of VAPA and VAPB, the two founding members of the VAP family in recruiting proteins to the ER and forming membrane contact sites is well appreciated as numerous interaction partners of VAPA and VAPB at different intracellular contact sites have been characterized. Recently, three new proteins -MOSPD1, MOSPD2 and MOSPD3-have been added to the VAP family. While MOSPD2 has a motif preference similar to VAPA and VAPB, MOSPD1 and MOSPD3 prefer to interact with proteins containing FFNT (two phenylalanines in a neutral tract) motifs. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in motif binding by VAP proteins along with the other biological processes VAP proteins are involved in.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Neefjes
- Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Birol Cabukusta
- Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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39
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Clark IC, Gutiérrez-Vázquez C, Wheeler MA, Li Z, Rothhammer V, Linnerbauer M, Sanmarco LM, Guo L, Blain M, Zandee SEJ, Chao CC, Batterman KV, Schwabenland M, Lotfy P, Tejeda-Velarde A, Hewson P, Manganeli Polonio C, Shultis MW, Salem Y, Tjon EC, Fonseca-Castro PH, Borucki DM, Alves de Lima K, Plasencia A, Abate AR, Rosene DL, Hodgetts KJ, Prinz M, Antel JP, Prat A, Quintana FJ. Barcoded viral tracing of single-cell interactions in central nervous system inflammation. Science 2021; 372:372/6540/eabf1230. [PMID: 33888612 DOI: 10.1126/science.abf1230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell interactions control the physiology and pathology of the central nervous system (CNS). To study astrocyte cell interactions in vivo, we developed rabies barcode interaction detection followed by sequencing (RABID-seq), which combines barcoded viral tracing and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Using RABID-seq, we identified axon guidance molecules as candidate mediators of microglia-astrocyte interactions that promote CNS pathology in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and, potentially, multiple sclerosis (MS). In vivo cell-specific genetic perturbation EAE studies, in vitro systems, and the analysis of MS scRNA-seq datasets and CNS tissue established that Sema4D and Ephrin-B3 expressed in microglia control astrocyte responses via PlexinB2 and EphB3, respectively. Furthermore, a CNS-penetrant EphB3 inhibitor suppressed astrocyte and microglia proinflammatory responses and ameliorated EAE. In summary, RABID-seq identified microglia-astrocyte interactions and candidate therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iain C Clark
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Cristina Gutiérrez-Vázquez
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael A Wheeler
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Zhaorong Li
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Veit Rothhammer
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mathias Linnerbauer
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Liliana M Sanmarco
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lydia Guo
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Manon Blain
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Stephanie E J Zandee
- Neuroimmunology Research Laboratory, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Chun-Cheih Chao
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Katelyn V Batterman
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Marius Schwabenland
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Freiburg, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Lotfy
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Amalia Tejeda-Velarde
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Patrick Hewson
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Carolina Manganeli Polonio
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael W Shultis
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yasmin Salem
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Emily C Tjon
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Pedro H Fonseca-Castro
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Davis M Borucki
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kalil Alves de Lima
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Agustin Plasencia
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Adam R Abate
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Douglas L Rosene
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Kevin J Hodgetts
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marco Prinz
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Freiburg, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany.,Signaling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany.,Center for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModulBasics), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jack P Antel
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Alexandre Prat
- Neuroimmunology Research Laboratory, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Francisco J Quintana
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. .,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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40
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Lake J, Storm CS, Makarious MB, Bandres-Ciga S. Genetic and Transcriptomic Biomarkers in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Current Situation and the Road Ahead. Cells 2021; 10:1030. [PMID: 33925602 PMCID: PMC8170880 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are etiologically and clinically heterogeneous conditions, often reflecting a spectrum of disease rather than well-defined disorders. The underlying molecular complexity of these diseases has made the discovery and validation of useful biomarkers challenging. The search of characteristic genetic and transcriptomic indicators for preclinical disease diagnosis, prognosis, or subtyping is an area of ongoing effort and interest. The next generation of biomarker studies holds promise by implementing meaningful longitudinal and multi-modal approaches in large scale biobank and healthcare system scale datasets. This work will only be possible in an open science framework. This review summarizes the current state of genetic and transcriptomic biomarkers in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, providing a comprehensive landscape of recent literature and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lake
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (J.L.); (M.B.M.)
| | - Catherine S. Storm
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK;
- UCL Movement Disorders Centre, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Mary B. Makarious
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (J.L.); (M.B.M.)
| | - Sara Bandres-Ciga
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (J.L.); (M.B.M.)
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41
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Gordon PM, Hamid F, Makeyev EV, Houart C. A conserved role for the ALS-linked splicing factor SFPQ in repression of pathogenic cryptic last exons. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1918. [PMID: 33771997 PMCID: PMC7997972 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22098-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein SFPQ plays an important role in neuronal development and has been associated with several neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Alzheimer's disease. Here, we report that loss of sfpq leads to premature termination of multiple transcripts due to widespread activation of previously unannotated cryptic last exons (CLEs). These SFPQ-inhibited CLEs appear preferentially in long introns of genes with neuronal functions and can dampen gene expression outputs and/or give rise to short peptides interfering with the normal gene functions. We show that one such peptide encoded by the CLE-containing epha4b mRNA isoform is responsible for neurodevelopmental defects in the sfpq mutant. The uncovered CLE-repressive activity of SFPQ is conserved in mouse and human, and SFPQ-inhibited CLEs are found expressed across ALS iPSC-derived neurons. These results greatly expand our understanding of SFPQ function and uncover a gene regulation mechanism with wide relevance to human neuropathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia M Gordon
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology and MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, IoPPN, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
| | - Fursham Hamid
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology and MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, IoPPN, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Eugene V Makeyev
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology and MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, IoPPN, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Corinne Houart
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology and MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, IoPPN, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
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42
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Thompson AG, Gray E, Charles PD, Hu MTM, Talbot K, Fischer R, Kessler BM, Turner MR. Network Analysis of the CSF Proteome Characterizes Convergent Pathways of Cellular Dysfunction in ALS. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:642324. [PMID: 33815045 PMCID: PMC8010303 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.642324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a clinical syndrome with complex biological determinants, but which in most cases is characterized by TDP-43 pathology. The identification in CSF of a protein signature of TDP-43 network dysfunction would have the potential to inform the identification of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. METHODS We compared CSF proteomic data from patients with ALS (n = 41), Parkinson's disease (n = 19) and healthy control participants (n = 20). Weighted correlation network analysis was used to identify modules within the CSF protein network and combined with gene ontology enrichment analysis to functionally annotate module proteins. Analysis of module eigenproteins and differential correlation analysis of the CSF protein network was used to compare ALS and Parkinson's disease protein co-correlation with healthy controls. In order to monitor temporal changes in the CSF proteome, we performed longitudinal analysis of the CSF proteome in a subset of ALS patients. RESULTS Weighted correlation network analysis identified 10 modules, including those enriched for terms involved in gene expression including nucleic acid binding, RNA metabolism and translation; humoral immune system function, including complement pathways; membrane proteins, axonal outgrowth and adherence; and glutamatergic synapses. Immune system module eigenproteins were increased in ALS, whilst axonal module eigenproteins were decreased in ALS. The 19 altered protein correlations in ALS were enriched for gene expression (OR 3.05, p = 0.017) and membrane protein modules (OR 17.48, p = 0.011), including intramodular hub proteins previously identified as TDP-43 interactors. Proteins decreasing over longitudinal analysis ALS were enriched in glutamatergic synapse and axonal outgrowth modules. Protein correlation network disruptions in Parkinson's disease showed no module enrichment. CONCLUSIONS Alterations in the co-correlation network in CSF samples identified a set of pathways known to be associated with TDP-43 dysfunction in the pathogenesis of ALS, with important implications for therapeutic targeting and biomarker development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander G. Thompson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Gray
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Philip D. Charles
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michele T. M. Hu
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Roman Fischer
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Benedikt M. Kessler
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Martin R. Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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43
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Guo W, Vandoorne T, Steyaert J, Staats KA, Van Den Bosch L. The multifaceted role of kinases in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: genetic, pathological and therapeutic implications. Brain 2021; 143:1651-1673. [PMID: 32206784 PMCID: PMC7296858 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is the most common degenerative disorder of motor neurons in adults. As there is no cure, thousands of individuals who are alive at present will succumb to the disease. In recent years, numerous causative genes and risk factors for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have been identified. Several of the recently identified genes encode kinases. In addition, the hypothesis that (de)phosphorylation processes drive the disease process resulting in selective motor neuron degeneration in different disease variants has been postulated. We re-evaluate the evidence for this hypothesis based on recent findings and discuss the multiple roles of kinases in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis pathogenesis. We propose that kinases could represent promising therapeutic targets. Mainly due to the comprehensive regulation of kinases, however, a better understanding of the disturbances in the kinome network in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is needed to properly target specific kinases in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Guo
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium.,VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium.,KU Leuven-Stem Cell Institute (SCIL), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tijs Vandoorne
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium.,VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jolien Steyaert
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium.,VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kim A Staats
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium.,VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
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44
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Yamaguchi M, Omori K, Asada S, Yoshida H. Epigenetic Regulation of ALS and CMT: A Lesson from Drosophila Models. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020491. [PMID: 33419039 PMCID: PMC7825332 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the third most common neurodegenerative disorder and is sometimes associated with frontotemporal dementia. Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT) is one of the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathies causing the slow progression of sensory and distal muscle defects. Of note, the severity and progression of CMT symptoms markedly vary. The phenotypic heterogeneity of ALS and CMT suggests the existence of modifiers that determine disease characteristics. Epigenetic regulation of biological functions via gene expression without alterations in the DNA sequence may be an important factor. The methylation of DNA, noncoding RNA, and post-translational modification of histones are the major epigenetic mechanisms. Currently, Drosophila is emerging as a useful ALS and CMT model. In this review, we summarize recent studies linking ALS and CMT to epigenetic regulation with a strong emphasis on approaches using Drosophila models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masamitsu Yamaguchi
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (K.O.); (S.A.)
- Kansai Gakken Laboratory, Kankyo Eisei Yakuhin Co. Ltd., Seika-cho, Kyoto 619-0237, Japan
- Correspondence: (M.Y.); (H.Y.)
| | - Kentaro Omori
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (K.O.); (S.A.)
| | - Satoshi Asada
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (K.O.); (S.A.)
| | - Hideki Yoshida
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan; (K.O.); (S.A.)
- Correspondence: (M.Y.); (H.Y.)
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45
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Stefanski KM, Russell CM, Westerfield JM, Lamichhane R, Barrera FN. PIP 2 promotes conformation-specific dimerization of the EphA2 membrane region. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100149. [PMID: 33277361 PMCID: PMC7900517 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.016423] [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: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of the EphA2 receptor on cancer malignancy hinges on the two different ways it can be activated. EphA2 induces antioncogenic signaling after ligand binding, but ligand-independent activation of EphA2 is pro-oncogenic. It is believed that the transmembrane (TM) domain of EphA2 adopts two alternate conformations in the ligand-dependent and the ligand-independent states. However, it is poorly understood how the difference in TM helical crossing angles found in the two conformations impacts the activity and regulation of EphA2. We devised a method that uses hydrophobic matching to stabilize two conformations of a peptide comprising the EphA2 TM domain and a portion of the intracellular juxtamembrane (JM) segment. The two conformations exhibit different TM crossing angles, resembling the ligand-dependent and ligand-independent states. We developed a single-molecule technique using styrene maleic acid lipid particles to measure dimerization in membranes. We observed that the signaling lipid PIP2 promotes TM dimerization, but only in the small crossing angle state, which we propose corresponds to the ligand-independent conformation. In this state the two TMs are almost parallel, and the positively charged JM segments are expected to be close to each other, causing electrostatic repulsion. The mechanism PIP2 uses to promote dimerization might involve alleviating this repulsion due to its high density of negative charges. Our data reveal a conformational coupling between the TM and JM regions and suggest that PIP2 might directly exert a regulatory effect on EphA2 activation in cells that is specific to the ligand-independent conformation of the receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Stefanski
- Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Charles M Russell
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Justin M Westerfield
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Rajan Lamichhane
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA.
| | - Francisco N Barrera
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA.
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46
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Oliveira D, Verjovski-Almeida S, Zatz M. Phenotypic heterogeneity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis type 8 and modifying mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:1776-1778. [PMID: 33510073 PMCID: PMC8328791 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.303030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Danyllo Oliveira
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan; Departmento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mayana Zatz
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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47
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Morello G, Salomone S, D’Agata V, Conforti FL, Cavallaro S. From Multi-Omics Approaches to Precision Medicine in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:577755. [PMID: 33192262 PMCID: PMC7661549 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.577755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating and fatal neurodegenerative disorder, caused by the degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons for which there is no truly effective cure. The lack of successful treatments can be well explained by the complex and heterogeneous nature of ALS, with patients displaying widely distinct clinical features and progression patterns, and distinct molecular mechanisms underlying the phenotypic heterogeneity. Thus, stratifying ALS patients into consistent and clinically relevant subgroups can be of great value for the development of new precision diagnostics and targeted therapeutics for ALS patients. In the last years, the use and integration of high-throughput "omics" approaches have dramatically changed our thinking about ALS, improving our understanding of the complex molecular architecture of ALS, distinguishing distinct patient subtypes and providing a rational foundation for the discovery of biomarkers and new individualized treatments. In this review, we discuss the most significant contributions of omics technologies in unraveling the biological heterogeneity of ALS, highlighting how these approaches are revealing diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic targets for future personalized interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Morello
- Institute for Research and Biomedical Innovation (IRIB), Italian National Research Council (CNR), Catania, Italy
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Velia D’Agata
- Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Sebastiano Cavallaro
- Institute for Research and Biomedical Innovation (IRIB), Italian National Research Council (CNR), Catania, Italy
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48
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Shatunov A, Al-Chalabi A. The genetic architecture of ALS. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 147:105156. [PMID: 33130222 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksey Shatunov
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9RX, UK
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9RX, UK; Department of Neurology, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, UK.
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49
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Goldshtein H, Muhire A, Petel Légaré V, Pushett A, Rotkopf R, Shefner JM, Peterson RT, Armstrong GAB, Russek‐ Blum N. Efficacy of Ciprofloxacin/Celecoxib combination in zebrafish models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2020; 7:1883-1897. [PMID: 32915525 PMCID: PMC7545590 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of a fixed-dose combination of two approved drugs, Ciprofloxacin and Celecoxib, as a potential therapeutic treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS Toxicity and efficacy of Ciprofloxacin and Celecoxib were tested, each alone and in distinct ratio combinations in SOD1 G93R transgenic zebrafish model for ALS. Quantification of swimming measures following stimuli, measurements of axonal projections from the spinal cord, neuromuscular junction structure and morphometric analysis of microglia cells were performed in the combination- treated vs nontreated mutant larvae. Additionally, quantifications of touch-evoked locomotor escape response were conducted in treated vs nontreated zebrafish expressing the TARDBP G348C ALS variant. RESULTS When administered individually, Ciprofloxacin had a mild effect and Celecoxib had no therapeutic effect. However, combined Ciprofloxacin and Celecoxib (Cipro/Celecox) treatment caused a significant increase of ~ 84% in the distance the SOD1 G93R transgenic larvae swam. Additionally, Cipro/Celecox elicited recovery of impaired motor neurons morphology and abnormal neuromuscular junction structure and preserved the ramified morphology of microglia cells in the SOD1 mutants. Furthermore, larvae expressing the TDP-43 mutation displayed evoked touch responses that were significantly longer in swim distance (110% increase) and significantly higher in maximal swim velocity (~44% increase) when treated with Cipro/Celecox combination. INTERPRETATION Cipro/Celecox combination improved locomotor and cellular deficits of ALS zebrafish models. These results identify this novel combination as effective, and may prove promising for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagit Goldshtein
- The Dead Sea Arava Science CenterAuspices of Ben Gurion UniversityCentral Arava86815Israel
| | - Alexandre Muhire
- The Dead Sea Arava Science CenterAuspices of Ben Gurion UniversityCentral Arava86815Israel
| | - Virginie Petel Légaré
- Department of Neurology and NeurosurgeryMontreal Neurological InstituteFaculty of MedicineMcGill UniversityMontrealQCH3A 0G4Canada
| | - Avital Pushett
- NeuroSense Therapeutics LtdMedinat Hayehudim 85Herzeliya4676670Israel
| | - Ron Rotkopf
- Bioinformatics and Biological Computing UnitLife Sciences Core FacilitiesWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovot7610001Israel
| | - Jeremy M. Shefner
- Barrow Neurological Institute, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, Creighton University College of Medicine PhoenixPhoenixAZ85013USA
| | | | - Gary A. B. Armstrong
- Department of Neurology and NeurosurgeryMontreal Neurological InstituteFaculty of MedicineMcGill UniversityMontrealQCH3A 0G4Canada
| | - Niva Russek‐ Blum
- The Dead Sea Arava Science CenterAuspices of Ben Gurion UniversityCentral Arava86815Israel
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50
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Oprişoreanu AM, Smith HL, Arya S, Webster R, Zhong Z, Eaton-Hart C, Wehner D, Cardozo MJ, Becker T, Talbot K, Becker CG. Interaction of Axonal Chondrolectin with Collagen XIXa1 Is Necessary for Precise Neuromuscular Junction Formation. Cell Rep 2020; 29:1082-1098.e10. [PMID: 31665626 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chondrolectin (Chodl) is needed for motor axon extension in zebrafish and is dysregulated in mouse models of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). However, the mechanistic basis of Chodl function is not known. Here, we use Chodl-deficient zebrafish and mouse mutants to show that the absence of Chodl leads to anatomical and functional defects of the neuromuscular synapse. In zebrafish, the growth of an identified motor axon beyond an "en passant" synapse and later axon branching from synaptic points are impaired, leading to functional deficits. Mechanistically, motor-neuron-autonomous Chodl function depends on its intracellular domain and on binding muscle-derived collagen XIXa1 by its extracellular C-type lectin domain. Our data support evolutionarily conserved roles of Chodl in synaptogenesis and provide evidence for a "synapse-first" scenario of motor axon growth in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana-Maria Oprişoreanu
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, The Chancellor's Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Hannah L Smith
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, The Chancellor's Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Sukrat Arya
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Richard Webster
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Zhen Zhong
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, The Chancellor's Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Charlotte Eaton-Hart
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Daniel Wehner
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, The Chancellor's Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Marcos J Cardozo
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, The Chancellor's Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Thomas Becker
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, The Chancellor's Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
| | - Catherina G Becker
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, The Chancellor's Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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