1
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Fare CM, Rothstein JD. Nuclear pore dysfunction and disease: a complex opportunity. Nucleus 2024; 15:2314297. [PMID: 38383349 PMCID: PMC10883112 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2024.2314297] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The separation of genetic material from bulk cytoplasm has enabled the evolution of increasingly complex organisms, allowing for the development of sophisticated forms of life. However, this complexity has created new categories of dysfunction, including those related to the movement of material between cellular compartments. In eukaryotic cells, nucleocytoplasmic trafficking is a fundamental biological process, and cumulative disruptions to nuclear integrity and nucleocytoplasmic transport are detrimental to cell survival. This is particularly true in post-mitotic neurons, where nuclear pore injury and errors to nucleocytoplasmic trafficking are strongly associated with neurodegenerative disease. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of nuclear pore biology in physiological and pathological contexts and discuss potential therapeutic approaches for addressing nuclear pore injury and dysfunctional nucleocytoplasmic transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte M Fare
- Department of Neurology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Rothstein
- Department of Neurology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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2
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de Calbiac H, Renault S, Haouy G, Jung V, Roger K, Zhou Q, Campanari ML, Chentout L, Demy DL, Marian A, Goudin N, Edbauer D, Guerrera C, Ciura S, Kabashi E. Poly-GP accumulation due to C9orf72 loss of function induces motor neuron apoptosis through autophagy and mitophagy defects. Autophagy 2024; 20:2164-2185. [PMID: 39316747 PMCID: PMC11423671 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2024.2358736] [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: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) of the C9orf72 gene is the most frequent cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a devastative neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor neuron degeneration. C9orf72 HRE is associated with lowered levels of C9orf72 expression and its translation results in the production of dipeptide-repeats (DPRs). To recapitulate C9orf72-related ALS disease in vivo, we developed a zebrafish model where we expressed glycine-proline (GP) DPR in a c9orf72 knockdown context. We report that C9orf72 gain- and loss-of-function properties act synergistically to induce motor neuron degeneration and paralysis with poly(GP) accumulating preferentially within motor neurons along with Sqstm1/p62 aggregation indicating macroautophagy/autophagy deficits. Poly(GP) levels were shown to accumulate upon c9orf72 downregulation and were comparable to levels assessed in autopsy samples of patients carrying C9orf72 HRE. Chemical boosting of autophagy using rapamycin or apilimod, is able to rescue motor deficits. Proteomics analysis of zebrafish-purified motor neurons unravels mitochondria dysfunction confirmed through a comparative analysis of previously published C9orf72 iPSC-derived motor neurons. Consistently, 3D-reconstructions of motor neuron demonstrate that poly(GP) aggregates colocalize to mitochondria, thus inducing their elongation and swelling and the failure of their processing by mitophagy, with mitophagy activation through urolithin A preventing locomotor deficits. Finally, we report apoptotic-related increased amounts of cleaved Casp3 (caspase 3, apoptosis-related cysteine peptidase) and rescue of motor neuron degeneration by constitutive inhibition of Casp9 or treatment with decylubiquinone. Here we provide evidence of key pathogenic steps in C9ALS-FTD that can be targeted through pharmacological avenues, thus raising new therapeutic perspectives for ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hortense de Calbiac
- Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Team Translational Research for Neurological Diseases, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Solène Renault
- Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Team Translational Research for Neurological Diseases, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Grégoire Haouy
- Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Team Translational Research for Neurological Diseases, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Jung
- Proteomics Platform 3P5Necker, INSERM US24/CNRS UMS, Paris Descartes University, Structure Fédérative de Recherche Necker, Paris, France
| | - Kevin Roger
- Proteomics Platform 3P5Necker, INSERM US24/CNRS UMS, Paris Descartes University, Structure Fédérative de Recherche Necker, Paris, France
| | - Qihui Zhou
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (Synergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Maria-Letizia Campanari
- Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Team Translational Research for Neurological Diseases, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Loïc Chentout
- Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Team Translational Research for Neurological Diseases, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Doris Lou Demy
- Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Team Translational Research for Neurological Diseases, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Anca Marian
- Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Team Translational Research for Neurological Diseases, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Goudin
- Imaging Core Facility, INSERM US24/CNRS UMS3633, Paris, France
| | - Dieter Edbauer
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (Synergy), Munich, Germany
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN), Munich, Germany
| | - Chiara Guerrera
- Proteomics Platform 3P5Necker, INSERM US24/CNRS UMS, Paris Descartes University, Structure Fédérative de Recherche Necker, Paris, France
| | - Sorana Ciura
- Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Team Translational Research for Neurological Diseases, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Edor Kabashi
- Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Team Translational Research for Neurological Diseases, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
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3
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Bubenik JL, Scotti MM, Swanson MS. Therapeutic targeting of RNA for neurological and neuromuscular disease. Genes Dev 2024; 38:698-717. [PMID: 39142832 PMCID: PMC11444190 DOI: 10.1101/gad.351612.124] [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: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Neurological and neuromuscular diseases resulting from familial, sporadic, or de novo mutations have devasting personal, familial, and societal impacts. As the initial product of DNA transcription, RNA transcripts and their associated ribonucleoprotein complexes provide attractive targets for modulation by increasing wild-type or blocking mutant allele expression, thus relieving downstream pathological consequences. Therefore, it is unsurprising that many existing and under-development therapeutics have focused on targeting disease-associated RNA transcripts as a frontline drug strategy for these genetic disorders. This review focuses on the current range of RNA targeting modalities using examples of both dominant and recessive neurological and neuromuscular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi L Bubenik
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Marina M Scotti
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Maurice S Swanson
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
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4
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van der Geest AT, Jakobs CE, Ljubikj T, Huffels CFM, Cañizares Luna M, Vieira de Sá R, Adolfs Y, de Wit M, Rutten DH, Kaal M, Zwartkruis MM, Carcolé M, Groen EJN, Hol EM, Basak O, Isaacs AM, Westeneng HJ, van den Berg LH, Veldink JH, Schlegel DK, Pasterkamp RJ. Molecular pathology, developmental changes and synaptic dysfunction in (pre-) symptomatic human C9ORF72-ALS/FTD cerebral organoids. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2024; 12:152. [PMID: 39289761 PMCID: PMC11409520 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-024-01857-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
A hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in C9ORF72 is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Human brain imaging and experimental studies indicate early changes in brain structure and connectivity in C9-ALS/FTD, even before symptom onset. Because these early disease phenotypes remain incompletely understood, we generated iPSC-derived cerebral organoid models from C9-ALS/FTD patients, presymptomatic C9ORF72-HRE (C9-HRE) carriers, and controls. Our work revealed the presence of all three C9-HRE-related molecular pathologies and developmental stage-dependent size phenotypes in cerebral organoids from C9-ALS/FTD patients. In addition, single-cell RNA sequencing identified changes in cell type abundance and distribution in C9-ALS/FTD organoids, including a reduction in the number of deep layer cortical neurons and the distribution of neural progenitors. Further, molecular and cellular analyses and patch-clamp electrophysiology detected various changes in synapse structure and function. Intriguingly, organoids from all presymptomatic C9-HRE carriers displayed C9-HRE molecular pathology, whereas the extent to which more downstream cellular defects, as found in C9-ALS/FTD models, were detected varied for the different presymptomatic C9-HRE cases. Together, these results unveil early changes in 3D human brain tissue organization and synaptic connectivity in C9-ALS/FTD that likely constitute initial pathologies crucial for understanding disease onset and the design of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid T van der Geest
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Channa E Jakobs
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tijana Ljubikj
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christiaan F M Huffels
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marta Cañizares Luna
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Renata Vieira de Sá
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Youri Adolfs
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marina de Wit
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Daan H Rutten
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marthe Kaal
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maria M Zwartkruis
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mireia Carcolé
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL and Dept. of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Ewout J N Groen
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elly M Hol
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Onur Basak
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Adrian M Isaacs
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL and Dept. of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Henk-Jan Westeneng
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Domino K Schlegel
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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5
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Rizea RE, Corlatescu AD, Costin HP, Dumitru A, Ciurea AV. Understanding Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Advances. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9966. [PMID: 39337454 PMCID: PMC11432652 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25189966] [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: 08/01/2024] [Revised: 09/12/2024] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
This review offers an in-depth examination of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), addressing its epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic techniques, and current as well as emerging treatments. The purpose is to condense key findings and illustrate the complexity of ALS, which is shaped by both genetic and environmental influences. We reviewed the literature to discuss recent advancements in understanding molecular mechanisms such as protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and axonal transport defects, which are critical for identifying potential therapeutic targets. Significant progress has been made in refining diagnostic criteria and identifying biomarkers, leading to earlier and more precise diagnoses. Although current drug treatments provide some benefits, there is a clear need for more effective therapies. Emerging treatments, such as gene therapy and stem cell therapy, show potential in modifying disease progression and improving the quality of life for ALS patients. The review emphasizes the importance of continued research to address challenges such as disease variability and the limited effectiveness of existing treatments. Future research should concentrate on further exploring the molecular foundations of ALS and developing new therapeutic approaches. The implications for clinical practice include ensuring the accessibility of new treatments and that healthcare systems are equipped to support ongoing research and patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radu Eugen Rizea
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, "Carol Davila", 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Bagdasar-Arseni" Clinical Emergency Hospital, 041915 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Antonio-Daniel Corlatescu
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, "Carol Davila", 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Horia Petre Costin
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, "Carol Davila", 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adrian Dumitru
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, "Carol Davila", 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Morphopathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, "Carol Davila", 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Emergency University Hospital Bucharest, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandru Vlad Ciurea
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, "Carol Davila", 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Sanador Clinical Hospital, 010991 Bucharest, Romania
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6
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Gilbert JW, Kennedy Z, Godinho BMDC, Summers A, Weiss A, Echeverria D, Bramato B, McHugh N, Cooper D, Yamada K, Hassler M, Tran H, Gao FB, Brown RH, Khvorova A. Identification of selective and non-selective C9ORF72 targeting in vivo active siRNAs. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102291. [PMID: 39233852 PMCID: PMC11372813 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
A hexanucleotide (G4C2) repeat expansion (HRE) within intron one of C9ORF72 is the leading genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). C9ORF72 haploinsufficiency, formation of RNA foci, and production of dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins have been proposed as mechanisms of disease. Here, we report the first example of disease-modifying siRNAs for C9ORF72 driven ALS/FTD. Using a combination of reporter assay and primary cortical neurons derived from a C9-ALS/FTD mouse model, we screened a panel of more than 150 fully chemically stabilized siRNAs targeting different C9ORF72 transcriptional variants. We demonstrate the lack of correlation between siRNA efficacy in reporter assay versus native environment; repeat-containing C9ORF72 mRNA variants are found to preferentially localize to the nucleus, and thus C9ORF72 mRNA accessibility and intracellular localization have a dominant impact on functional RNAi. Using a C9-ALS/FTD mouse model, we demonstrate that divalent siRNAs targeting C9ORF72 mRNA variants specifically or non-selectively reduce the expression of C9ORF72 mRNA and significantly reduce DPR proteins. Interestingly, siRNA silencing all C9ORF72 mRNA transcripts was more effective in removing intranuclear mRNA aggregates than targeting only HRE-containing C9ORF72 mRNA transcripts. Combined, these data support RNAi-based degradation of C9ORF72 as a potential therapeutic paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Alexandra Weiss
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | | | | | - David Cooper
- RNA Therapeutic Institute, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Ken Yamada
- RNA Therapeutic Institute, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | - Hélène Tran
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Fen Biao Gao
- RNA Therapeutic Institute, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Robert H Brown
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
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Babu S, Nicholson KA, Rothstein JD, Swenson A, Sampognaro PJ, Pant P, Macklin EA, Spruill S, Paganoni S, Gendron TF, Prudencio M, Petrucelli L, Nix D, Landrette S, Nkrumah E, Fandrick K, Edwards J, Young PR. Apilimod dimesylate in C9orf72 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a randomized phase 2a clinical trial. Brain 2024; 147:2998-3008. [PMID: 38606777 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae109] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Apilimod dimesylate is a first-in-class phosphoinositide kinase, FYVE-type zinc finger-containing (PIKfyve) inhibitor with a favourable clinical safety profile and has demonstrated activity in preclinical C9orf72 and TDP-43 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) models. In this ALS clinical trial, the safety, tolerability, CNS penetrance and modulation of pharmacodynamic target engagement biomarkers were evaluated. This phase 2a, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, biomarker-end-point clinical trial was conducted in four US centres (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05163886). Participants with C9orf72 repeat expansions were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive twice-daily oral treatment with 125 mg apilimod dimesylate capsules or matching placebo for 12 weeks, followed by a 12-week open-label extension. Safety was measured as the occurrence of treatment-emergent or serious adverse events attributable to the study drug and tolerability at trial completion or treatment over 12 weeks. Changes from baseline in plasma and CSF and concentrations of apilimod dimesylate and its active metabolites and of pharmacodynamic biomarkers of PIKfyve inhibition [soluble glycoprotein nonmetastatic melanoma protein B (sGPNMB) upregulation] and disease-specific CNS target engagement [poly(GP)] were measured. Between 16 December 2021 and 7 July 2022, 15 eligible participants were enrolled. There were no drug-related serious adverse events reported in the trial. Fourteen (93%) participants completed the double-blind period with 99% dose compliance [n = 9 (90%) apilimod dimesylate; n = 5 (100%) placebo]. At Week 12, apilimod dimesylate was measurable in CSF at 1.63 ng/ml [standard deviation (SD): 0.937]. At Week 12, apilimod dimesylate increased plasma sGPNMB by >2.5-fold (P < 0.001), indicating PIKfyve inhibition, and lowered CSF poly(GP) protein levels by 73% (P < 0.001), indicating CNS tissue-level proof of mechanism. Apilimod dimesylate met prespecified key safety and biomarker end-points in this phase 2a trial and demonstrated CNS penetrance and pharmacodynamic target engagement. Apilimod dimesylate was observed to result in the greatest reduction in CSF poly(GP) levels observed to date in C9orf72 clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suma Babu
- Sean M Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Katharine A Nicholson
- Sean M Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Sanofi, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Rothstein
- Department of Neurology, Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Andrea Swenson
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa city, IA 52242, USA
| | - Paul J Sampognaro
- Neuromuscular Division, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Pravin Pant
- Sean M Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Eric A Macklin
- Biostatistics Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Susan Spruill
- Applied Statistics and Consulting, Spruce Pine, NC 28777, USA
| | - Sabrina Paganoni
- Sean M Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Tania F Gendron
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
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8
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Ho PC, Hsieh TC, Tsai KJ. TDP-43 proteinopathy in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: From pathomechanisms to therapeutic strategies. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 100:102441. [PMID: 39069095 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102441] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Proteostasis failure is a common pathological characteristic in neurodegenerative diseases. Revitalizing clearance systems could effectively mitigate these diseases. The transactivation response (TAR) DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) plays a critical role as an RNA/DNA-binding protein in RNA metabolism and synaptic function. Accumulation of TDP-43 aggregates in the central nervous system is a hallmark of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Autophagy, a major and highly conserved degradation pathway, holds the potential for degrading aggregated TDP-43 and alleviating FTLD/ALS. This review explores the causes of TDP-43 aggregation, FTLD/ALS-related genes, key autophagy factors, and autophagy-based therapeutic strategies targeting TDP-43 proteinopathy. Understanding the underlying pathological mechanisms of TDP-43 proteinopathy can facilitate therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Chuan Ho
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Chi Hsieh
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Kuen-Jer Tsai
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Research Center of Clinical Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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9
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Ruan K, Bai G, Fang Y, Li D, Li T, Liu X, Lu B, Lu Q, Songyang Z, Sun S, Wang Z, Zhang X, Zhou W, Zhang H. Biomolecular condensates and disease pathogenesis. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024; 67:1792-1832. [PMID: 39037698 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-024-2661-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates or membraneless organelles (MLOs) formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) divide intracellular spaces into discrete compartments for specific functions. Dysregulation of LLPS or aberrant phase transition that disturbs the formation or material states of MLOs is closely correlated with neurodegeneration, tumorigenesis, and many other pathological processes. Herein, we summarize the recent progress in development of methods to monitor phase separation and we discuss the biogenesis and function of MLOs formed through phase separation. We then present emerging proof-of-concept examples regarding the disruption of phase separation homeostasis in a diverse array of clinical conditions including neurodegenerative disorders, hearing loss, cancers, and immunological diseases. Finally, we describe the emerging discovery of chemical modulators of phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Ruan
- The First Affiliated Hospital & School of Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membrane-less Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Research Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences at the Microscale, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
| | - Ge Bai
- Nanhu Brain-computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou, 311100, China.
- Department of Neurology of Second Affiliated Hospital and School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Yanshan Fang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Dan Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Xingguo Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
- Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
| | - Boxun Lu
- Neurology Department at Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Qing Lu
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Zhou Songyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.
| | - Shuguo Sun
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Zheng Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China.
| | - Xin Zhang
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
| | - Wen Zhou
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Hong Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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10
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Huang SH, Parandhaman M, Jyothi Ravi M, Janda DC, Amemiya S. Nanoscale interactions of arginine-containing dipeptide repeats with nuclear pore complexes as measured by transient scanning electrochemical microscopy. Chem Sci 2024; 15:d4sc05063k. [PMID: 39246336 PMCID: PMC11375788 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc05063k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The nuclear pore complex (NPC) plays imperative biological and biomedical roles as the sole gateway for molecular transport between the cytoplasm and nucleus of eukaryotic cells. The proteinous nanopore, however, can be blocked by arginine-containing polydipeptide repeats (DPRs) of proteins resulting from the disordered C9orf72 gene as a potential cause of serious neurological diseases. Herein, we report the new application of transient scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to quantitatively characterize DPR-NPC interactions for the first time. Twenty repeats of neurotoxic glycine-arginine and proline-arginine in the NPC are quantified to match the number of phenylalanine-glycine (FG) units in hydrophobic transport barriers of the nanopore. The 1 : 1 stoichiometry supports the hypothesis that the guanidinium residue of a DPR molecule engages in cation-π interactions with the aromatic residue of an FG unit. Cation-π interactions, however, are too weak to account for the measured free energy of DPR transfer from water into the NPC. The DPR transfer is thermodynamically as favorable as the transfer of nuclear transport receptors, which is attributed to hydrophobic interactions as hypothesized generally for NPC-mediated macromolecular transport. Kinetically, the DPRs are trapped by FG units for much longer than the physiological receptors, thereby blocking the nanopore. Significantly, the novel mechanism of toxicity implies that the efficient and safe nuclear import of genetic therapeutics requires strong association with and fast dissociation from the NPC. Moreover, this work demonstrates the unexplored power of transient SECM to determine the thermodynamics and kinetics of biological membrane-molecule interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siao-Han Huang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh 219 Parkman Avenue Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15260 USA
| | - Moghitha Parandhaman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh 219 Parkman Avenue Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15260 USA
| | - Manu Jyothi Ravi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh 219 Parkman Avenue Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15260 USA
| | - Donald C Janda
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh 219 Parkman Avenue Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15260 USA
| | - Shigeru Amemiya
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh 219 Parkman Avenue Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15260 USA
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11
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Vieira de Sá R, Sudria-Lopez E, Cañizares Luna M, Harschnitz O, van den Heuvel DMA, Kling S, Vonk D, Westeneng HJ, Karst H, Bloemenkamp L, Varderidou-Minasian S, Schlegel DK, Mars M, Broekhoven MH, van Kronenburg NCH, Adolfs Y, Vangoor VR, de Jongh R, Ljubikj T, Peeters L, Seeler S, Mocholi E, Basak O, Gordon D, Giuliani F, Verhoeff T, Korsten G, Calafat Pla T, Venø MT, Kjems J, Talbot K, van Es MA, Veldink JH, van den Berg LH, Zelina P, Pasterkamp RJ. ATAXIN-2 intermediate-length polyglutamine expansions elicit ALS-associated metabolic and immune phenotypes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7484. [PMID: 39209824 PMCID: PMC11362472 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51676-0] [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: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Intermediate-length repeat expansions in ATAXIN-2 (ATXN2) are the strongest genetic risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). At the molecular level, ATXN2 intermediate expansions enhance TDP-43 toxicity and pathology. However, whether this triggers ALS pathogenesis at the cellular and functional level remains unknown. Here, we combine patient-derived and mouse models to dissect the effects of ATXN2 intermediate expansions in an ALS background. iPSC-derived motor neurons from ATXN2-ALS patients show altered stress granules, neurite damage and abnormal electrophysiological properties compared to healthy control and other familial ALS mutations. In TDP-43Tg-ALS mice, ATXN2-Q33 causes reduced motor function, NMJ alterations, neuron degeneration and altered in vitro stress granule dynamics. Furthermore, gene expression changes related to mitochondrial function and inflammatory response are detected and confirmed at the cellular level in mice and human neuron and organoid models. Together, these results define pathogenic defects underlying ATXN2-ALS and provide a framework for future research into ATXN2-dependent pathogenesis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Vieira de Sá
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Emma Sudria-Lopez
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marta Cañizares Luna
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Oliver Harschnitz
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini, 1, 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Dianne M A van den Heuvel
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Kling
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Danielle Vonk
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Henk-Jan Westeneng
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Henk Karst
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lauri Bloemenkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Suzy Varderidou-Minasian
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Domino K Schlegel
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mayte Mars
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mark H Broekhoven
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nicky C H van Kronenburg
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Youri Adolfs
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Vamshidhar R Vangoor
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rianne de Jongh
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tijana Ljubikj
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lianne Peeters
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sabine Seeler
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Enric Mocholi
- Center for Molecuar Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Onur Basak
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - David Gordon
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Fabrizio Giuliani
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tessa Verhoeff
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Giel Korsten
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Teresa Calafat Pla
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Morten T Venø
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Omiics ApS, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jørgen Kjems
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Michael A van Es
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pavol Zelina
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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12
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Hou WC, Massey LA, Rhoades D, Wu Y, Ren W, Frank C, Overkleeft HS, Kelly JW. A PIKfyve modulator combined with an integrated stress response inhibitor to treat lysosomal storage diseases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2320257121. [PMID: 39150784 PMCID: PMC11348278 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320257121] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Lysosomal degradation pathways coordinate the clearance of superfluous and damaged cellular components. Compromised lysosomal degradation is a hallmark of many degenerative diseases, including lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), which are caused by loss-of-function mutations within both alleles of a lysosomal hydrolase, leading to lysosomal substrate accumulation. Gaucher's disease, characterized by <15% of normal glucocerebrosidase function, is the most common LSD and is a prominent risk factor for developing Parkinson's disease. Here, we show that either of two structurally distinct small molecules that modulate PIKfyve activity, identified in a high-throughput cellular lipid droplet clearance screen, can improve glucocerebrosidase function in Gaucher patient-derived fibroblasts through an MiT/TFE transcription factor that promotes lysosomal gene translation. An integrated stress response (ISR) antagonist used in combination with a PIKfyve modulator further improves cellular glucocerebrosidase activity, likely because ISR signaling appears to also be slightly activated by treatment by either small molecule at the higher doses employed. This strategy of combining a PIKfyve modulator with an ISR inhibitor improves mutant lysosomal hydrolase function in cellular models of additional LSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C. Hou
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA92122
| | - Lynée A. Massey
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA92122
| | - Derek Rhoades
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA92122
| | - Yin Wu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA92122
| | - Wen Ren
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA92122
| | - Chiara Frank
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA92122
| | - Herman S. Overkleeft
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey W. Kelly
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA92122
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13
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Steffke C, Agarwal S, Kabashi E, Catanese A. Overexpression of Toxic Poly(Glycine-Alanine) Aggregates in Primary Neuronal Cultures Induces Time-Dependent Autophagic and Synaptic Alterations but Subtle Activity Impairments. Cells 2024; 13:1300. [PMID: 39120329 PMCID: PMC11311834 DOI: 10.3390/cells13151300] [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: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The pathogenic expansion of the intronic GGGGCC hexanucleotide located in the non-coding region of the C9orf72 gene represents the most frequent genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This mutation leads to the accumulation of toxic RNA foci and dipeptide repeats (DPRs), as well as reduced levels of the C9orf72 protein. Thus, both gain and loss of function are coexisting pathogenic aspects linked to C9orf72-ALS/FTD. Synaptic alterations have been largely described in C9orf72 models, but it is still not clear which aspect of the pathology mostly contributes to these impairments. To address this question, we investigated the dynamic changes occurring over time at the synapse upon accumulation of poly(GA), the most abundant DPR. Overexpression of this toxic form induced a drastic loss of synaptic proteins in primary neuron cultures, anticipating autophagic defects. Surprisingly, the dramatic impairment characterizing the synaptic proteome was not fully matched by changes in network properties. In fact, high-density multi-electrode array analysis highlighted only minor reductions in the spike number and firing rate of poly(GA) neurons. Our data show that the toxic gain of function linked to C9orf72 affects the synaptic proteome but exerts only minor effects on the network activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Steffke
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany; (C.S.); (S.A.)
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany
- International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine of Ulm (IGraDU), University of Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Shreya Agarwal
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany; (C.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Edor Kabashi
- Institute Imagine, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, University Paris Descartes, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Alberto Catanese
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany; (C.S.); (S.A.)
- Institute Imagine, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, University Paris Descartes, 75015 Paris, France;
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14
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Wang H, Zeng R. Aberrant protein aggregation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol 2024; 271:4826-4851. [PMID: 38869826 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12485-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease. As its pathological mechanisms are not well understood, there are no efficient therapeutics for it at present. While it is highly heterogenous both etiologically and clinically, it has a common salient hallmark, i.e., aberrant protein aggregation (APA). The upstream pathogenesis and the downstream effects of APA in ALS are sophisticated and the investigation of this pathology would be of consequence for understanding ALS. In this paper, the pathomechanism of APA in ALS and the candidate treatment strategies for it are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaixiu Wang
- Department Neurology, Shanxi Provincial Peoples Hospital: Fifth Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030012, China.
- Beijing Ai-Si-Kang Medical Technology Co. Ltd., No. 18 11th St Economical & Technological Development Zone, Beijing, 100176, China.
| | - Rong Zeng
- Department Neurology, Shanxi Provincial Peoples Hospital: Fifth Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030012, China
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15
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Wu Y, Zheng W, Xu G, Zhu L, Li Z, Chen J, Wang L, Chen S. C9orf72 controls hepatic lipid metabolism by regulating SREBP1 transport. Cell Death Differ 2024; 31:1070-1084. [PMID: 38816580 PMCID: PMC11303392 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-024-01312-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Sterol regulatory element binding transcription factors (SREBPs) play a crucial role in lipid homeostasis. They are processed and transported to the nucleus via COPII, where they induce the expression of lipogenic genes. COPII maintains the homeostasis of organelles and plays an essential role in the protein secretion pathways in eukaryotes. The formation of COPII begins at endoplasmic reticulum exit sites (ERES), and is regulated by SEC16A, which provides a platform for the assembly of COPII. However, there have been few studies on the changes in SEC16A protein levels. The repetitive expansion of the hexanucleotide sequence GGGGCC within the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) gene is a prevalent factor in the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Here, we found that the absence of C9orf72 leads to a decrease in SEC16A protein levels, resulting in reduced localization of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor SEC12 at the ERES. Consequently, the small GTP binding protein SAR1 is unable to bind the endoplasmic reticulum normally, impairing the assembly of COPII. Ultimately, the disruption of SREBPs transport decreases de novo lipogenesis. These results suggest that C9orf72 acts as a novel role in regulating lipid homeostasis and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yachen Wu
- Brain Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Pediatrics, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518038, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenzhong Zheng
- Brain Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Guofeng Xu
- Brain Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Lijun Zhu
- Brain Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zhiqiang Li
- Brain Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Jincao Chen
- Brain Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Lianrong Wang
- Brain Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Pediatrics, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518038, Guangdong, China.
| | - Shi Chen
- Brain Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbiology in Genomic Modification & Editing and Application, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518035, China.
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16
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Celona B, Salomonsson SE, Wu H, Dang B, Kratochvil HT, Clelland CD, DeGrado WF, Black BL. Zfp106 binds to G-quadruplex RNAs and inhibits RAN translation and formation of RNA foci caused by G4C2 repeats. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2220020121. [PMID: 39042693 PMCID: PMC11295049 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2220020121] [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: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Expansion of intronic GGGGCC repeats in the C9orf72 gene causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia. Transcription of the expanded repeats results in the formation of RNA-containing nuclear foci and altered RNA metabolism. In addition, repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation of the expanded GGGGCC-repeat sequence results in the production of highly toxic dipeptide-repeat (DPR) proteins. GGGGCC repeat-containing transcripts form G-quadruplexes, which are associated with formation of RNA foci and RAN translation. Zfp106, an RNA-binding protein essential for motor neuron survival in mice, suppresses neurotoxicity in a Drosophila model of C9orf72 ALS. Here, we show that Zfp106 inhibits formation of RNA foci and significantly reduces RAN translation caused by GGGGCC repeats in cultured mammalian cells, and we demonstrate that Zfp106 coexpression reduces the levels of DPRs in C9orf72 patient-derived cells. Further, we show that Zfp106 binds to RNA G-quadruplexes and causes a conformational change in the G-quadruplex structure formed by GGGGCC repeats. Together, these data demonstrate that Zfp106 suppresses the formation of RNA foci and DPRs caused by GGGGCC repeats and suggest that the G-quadruplex RNA-binding function of Zfp106 contributes to its suppression of GGGGCC repeat-mediated cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Celona
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
| | - Sally E. Salomonsson
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
| | - Haifan Wu
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
| | - Bobo Dang
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
| | - Huong T. Kratochvil
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
| | - Claire D. Clelland
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
| | - William F. DeGrado
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
| | - Brian L. Black
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA94143
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17
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Khalil NN, Rexius-Hall ML, Gupta D, McCarthy L, Verma R, Kellogg AC, Takamoto K, Xu M, Nejatpoor T, Parker SJ, McCain ML. Hypoxic-Normoxic Crosstalk Activates Pro-Inflammatory Signaling in Human Cardiac Fibroblasts and Myocytes in a Post-Infarct Myocardium on a Chip. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2401478. [PMID: 39001626 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202401478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Myocardial infarctions locally deprive myocardium of oxygenated blood and cause immediate cardiac myocyte necrosis. Irreparable myocardium is then replaced with a scar through a dynamic repair process that is an interplay between hypoxic cells of the infarct zone and normoxic cells of adjacent healthy myocardium. In many cases, unresolved inflammation or fibrosis occurs for reasons that are incompletely understood, increasing the risk of heart failure. Crosstalk between hypoxic and normoxic cardiac cells is hypothesized to regulate mechanisms of repair after a myocardial infarction. To test this hypothesis, microfluidic devices are fabricated on 3D printed templates for co-culturing hypoxic and normoxic cardiac cells. This system demonstrates that hypoxia drives human cardiac fibroblasts toward glycolysis and a pro-fibrotic phenotype, similar to the anti-inflammatory phase of wound healing. Co-culture with normoxic fibroblasts uniquely upregulates pro-inflammatory signaling in hypoxic fibroblasts, including increased secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). In co-culture with hypoxic fibroblasts, normoxic human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiac myocytes also increase pro-inflammatory signaling, including upregulation of interleukin 6 (IL-6) family signaling pathway and increased expression of IL-6 receptor. Together, these data suggest that crosstalk between hypoxic fibroblasts and normoxic cardiac cells uniquely activates phenotypes that resemble the initial pro-inflammatory phase of post-infarct wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie N Khalil
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Megan L Rexius-Hall
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Divya Gupta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Liam McCarthy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Riya Verma
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Austin C Kellogg
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Kaelyn Takamoto
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Maryann Xu
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Tiana Nejatpoor
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Sarah J Parker
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Megan L McCain
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
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18
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Min JH, Sarlus H, Harris RA. Copper toxicity and deficiency: the vicious cycle at the core of protein aggregation in ALS. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1408159. [PMID: 39050823 PMCID: PMC11267976 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1408159] [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: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of ALS involves many signs of a disruption in copper homeostasis, with both excess free levels and functional deficiency likely occurring simultaneously. This is crucial, as many important physiological functions are performed by cuproenzymes. While it is unsurprising that many ALS symptoms are related to signs of copper deficiency, resulting in vascular, antioxidant system and mitochondrial oxidative respiration deficiencies, there are also signs of copper toxicity such as ROS generation and enhanced protein aggregation. We discuss how copper also plays a key role in proteostasis and interacts either directly or indirectly with many of the key aggregate-prone proteins implicated in ALS, such as TDP-43, C9ORF72, SOD1 and FUS as well as the effect of their aggregation on copper homeostasis. We suggest that loss of cuproprotein function is at the core of ALS pathology, a condition that is driven by a combination of unbound copper and ROS that can either initiate and/or accelerate protein aggregation. This could trigger a positive feedback cycle whereby protein aggregates trigger the aggregation of other proteins in a chain reaction that eventually captures elements of the proteostatic mechanisms in place to counteract them. The end result is an abundance of aggregated non-functional cuproproteins and chaperones alongside depleted intracellular copper stores, resulting in a general lack of cuproenzyme function. We then discuss the possible aetiology of ALS and illustrate how strong risk factors including environmental toxins such as BMAA and heavy metals can functionally behave to promote protein aggregation and disturb copper metabolism that likely drives this vicious cycle in sporadic ALS. From this synthesis, we propose restoration of copper balance using copper delivery agents in combination with chaperones/chaperone mimetics, perhaps in conjunction with the neuroprotective amino acid serine, as a promising strategy in the treatment of this incurable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Hong Min
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital at Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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Scaber J, Thomas-Wright I, Clark AJ, Xu Y, Vahsen BF, Carcolé M, Dafinca R, Farrimond L, Isaacs AM, Bennett DL, Talbot K. Cellular and axonal transport phenotypes due to the C9ORF72 HRE in iPSC motor and sensory neurons. Stem Cell Reports 2024; 19:957-972. [PMID: 38876108 PMCID: PMC11252479 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2024.05.008] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons (MNs) from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) have multiple cellular phenotypes, but which of these accurately reflect the biology underlying the cell-specific vulnerability of ALS is uncertain. We therefore compared phenotypes due to the C9ORF72 HRE in MNs with sensory neurons (SNs), which are relatively spared in ALS. The iPSC models were able to partially reproduce the differential gene expression seen between adult SNs and MNs. We demonstrated that the typical hallmarks of C9ORF72-ALS, including RNA foci and dipeptide formation, as well as specific axonal transport defects, occurred equally in MNs and SNs, suggesting that these in vitro phenotypes are not sufficient to explain the cell-type selectivity of ALS in isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Scaber
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK.
| | - Iona Thomas-Wright
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK
| | - Alex J Clark
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK; Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University, E1 2AT London, UK
| | - Yinyan Xu
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), CAMS Oxford Institute (COI), Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 7FZ Oxford, UK
| | - Björn F Vahsen
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK
| | - Mireia Carcolé
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL and Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, WCIN 3BG London, UK
| | - Ruxandra Dafinca
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK
| | - Lucy Farrimond
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK
| | - Adrian M Isaacs
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL and Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, WCIN 3BG London, UK
| | - David L Bennett
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU Oxford, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, OX1 3QU Oxford, UK.
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20
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Renaux E, Baudouin C, Marchese D, Clovis Y, Lee SK, Gofflot F, Rezsohazy R, Clotman F. Lhx4 surpasses its paralog Lhx3 in promoting the differentiation of spinal V2a interneurons. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:286. [PMID: 38970652 PMCID: PMC11335214 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05316-x] [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: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Paralog factors are considered to ensure the robustness of biological processes by providing redundant activity in cells where they are co-expressed. However, the specific contribution of each factor is frequently underestimated. In the developing spinal cord, multiple families of transcription factors successively contribute to differentiate an initially homogenous population of neural progenitors into a myriad of neuronal subsets with distinct molecular, morphological, and functional characteristics. The LIM-homeodomain transcription factors Lhx3, Lhx4, Isl1 and Isl2 promote the segregation and differentiation of spinal motor neurons and V2 interneurons. Based on their high sequence identity and their similar distribution, the Lhx3 and Lhx4 paralogs are considered to contribute similarly to these processes. However, the specific contribution of Lhx4 has never been studied. Here, we provide evidence that Lhx3 and Lhx4 are present in the same cell populations during spinal cord development. Similarly to Lhx3, Lhx4 can form multiproteic complexes with Isl1 or Isl2 and the nuclear LIM interactor NLI. Lhx4 can stimulate a V2-specific enhancer more efficiently than Lhx3 and surpasses Lhx3 in promoting the differentiation of V2a interneurons in chicken embryo electroporation experiments. Finally, Lhx4 inactivation in mice results in alterations of differentiation of the V2a subpopulation, but not of motor neuron production, suggesting that Lhx4 plays unique roles in V2a differentiation that are not compensated by the presence of Lhx3. Thus, Lhx4 could be the major LIM-HD factor involved in V2a interneuron differentiation during spinal cord development and should be considered for in vitro differentiation of spinal neuronal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Renaux
- Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology, Louvain-la-Neuve, 1348, Belgium
- Université catholique de Louvain, Institute of Neuroscience, Laboratory of Neural Differentiation, Brussels, 1200, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Baudouin
- Université catholique de Louvain, Institute of Neuroscience, Laboratory of Neural Differentiation, Brussels, 1200, Belgium
| | - Damien Marchese
- Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology, Louvain-la-Neuve, 1348, Belgium
| | - Yoanne Clovis
- Pediatric Neuroscience Research Program, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Soo-Kyung Lee
- Pediatric Neuroscience Research Program, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Françoise Gofflot
- Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology, Louvain-la-Neuve, 1348, Belgium
| | - René Rezsohazy
- Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology, Louvain-la-Neuve, 1348, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Clotman
- Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology, Louvain-la-Neuve, 1348, Belgium.
- Université catholique de Louvain, Institute of Neuroscience, Laboratory of Neural Differentiation, Brussels, 1200, Belgium.
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21
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Sun S, Shen Y, Zhang X, Ding N, Xu Z, Zhang Q, Li L. The MuSK agonist antibody protects the neuromuscular junction and extends the lifespan in C9orf72-ALS mice. Mol Ther 2024; 32:2176-2189. [PMID: 38734896 PMCID: PMC11286808 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.05.016] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The disassembly of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is an early event in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), ultimately leading to motor dysfunction and lethal respiratory paralysis. The hexanucleotide GGGGCC repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic mutation, and the dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins have been shown to cause neurodegeneration. While no drugs can treat ALS patients efficiently, new treatment strategies are urgently needed. Here, we report that a MuSK agonist antibody alleviates poly-PR-induced NMJ deficits in C9orf72-ALS mice. The HB9-PRF/F mice, which express poly-PR proteins in motor neurons, exhibited impaired motor behavior and NMJ deficits. Mechanistically, poly-PR proteins interacted with Agrin to disrupt the interaction between Agrin and Lrp4, leading to attenuated activation of MuSK. Treatment with a MuSK agonist antibody rescued NMJ deficits, and extended the lifespan of C9orf72-ALS mice. Moreover, impaired NMJ transmission was observed in C9orf72-ALS patients. These findings identify the mechanism by which poly-PR proteins attenuate MuSK activation and NMJ transmission, highlighting the potential of promoting MuSK activation with an agonist antibody as a therapeutic strategy to protect NMJ function and prolong the lifespan of ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangshuang Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yihui Shen
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ning Ding
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhe Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Qijie Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China.
| | - Lei Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
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22
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Guo R, Chen Y, Zhang J, Zhou Z, Feng B, Du X, Liu X, Ma J, Cui H. Neural Differentiation and spinal cord organoid generation from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for ALS modelling and inflammatory screening. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:4732-4749. [PMID: 38127186 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03836-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
C9orf72 genetic mutation is the most common genetic cause of ALS/FTD accompanied by abnormal protein insufficiency. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures are providing new approaches. Therefore, this study established neuronal cell types and generated spinal cord organoids (SCOs) derived from C9orf72 knockdown human iPSCs to model ALS disease and screen the unrevealed phenotype. Wild-type (WT) iPSC lines from three healthy donor fibroblasts were established, and pluripotency and differentiation ability were identified by RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. After infection by the lentivirus with C9orf72-targeting shRNA, stable C9-knockdown iPSC colonies were selected and differentiated into astrocytes, motor neurons and SCOs. Finally, we analyzed the extracted RNA-seq data of human C9 mutant/knockout iPSC-derived motor neurons and astrocytes from the GEO database and the inflammatory regulation-related genes in function and pathways. The expression of inflammatory factors was measured by qRT-PCR. The results showed that both WT-iPSCs and edited C9-iPSCs maintained a similar ability to differentiate into the three germ layers, astrocytes and motor neurons, forming SCOs in a 3D culture system. The constructed C9-SCOs have features of spinal cord development and multiple neuronal cell types, including sensory neurons, motor neurons, and other neurons. Based on the bioinformatics analysis, proinflammatory factors were confirmed to be upregulated in C9-iPSC-derived 2D cells and 3D cultured SCOs. The above differentiated models exhibited low C9orf72 expression and the pathological characteristics of ALS, especially neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyun Guo
- Hebei Medical University-University of Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
- Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
| | - Yimeng Chen
- Hebei Medical University-University of Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
- Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
| | - Jinyu Zhang
- Hebei Medical University-University of Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
- Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
| | - Zijing Zhou
- Hebei Medical University-University of Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
- Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
| | - Baofeng Feng
- Hebei Medical University-University of Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
- Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
- Human Anatomy Department, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
| | - Xiaofeng Du
- Hebei Medical University-University of Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
- Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Hebei Medical University-University of Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
- Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Hebei Medical University-University of Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China.
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China.
- Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China.
- Human Anatomy Department, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China.
| | - Huixian Cui
- Hebei Medical University-University of Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China.
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China.
- Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China.
- Human Anatomy Department, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, China.
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23
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d’Almeida NA, Tipping M. Flight to insight: maximizing the potential of Drosophila models of C9orf72-FTD. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1434443. [PMID: 38915937 PMCID: PMC11194461 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1434443] [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: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Advancements in understanding the pathogenesis of C9orf72-associated frontotemporal dementia (C9orf72-FTD) have highlighted the role of repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation and dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), with Drosophila melanogaster models providing valuable insights. While studies have primarily focused on RAN translation and DPR toxicity, emerging areas of investigation in fly models have expanded to neuronal dysfunction, autophagy impairment, and synaptic dysfunction, providing potential directions for new therapeutic targets and mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Despite this progress, there are still significant gaps in Drosophila models of C9orf72-FTD, namely in the areas of metabolism and circadian rhythm. Metabolic dysregulation, particularly lipid metabolism, autophagy, and insulin signaling, has been implicated in disease progression with findings from animal models and human patients with C9orf72 repeat expansions. Moreover, circadian disruptions have been observed in C9of72-FTD, with alterations in rest-activity patterns and cellular circadian machinery, suggesting a potential role in disease pathophysiology. Drosophila models offer unique opportunities to explore these aspects of C9orf72-FTD and identify novel therapeutic targets aimed at mitigating neurodegeneration.
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24
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Wei Y, Zhong S, Yang H, Wang X, Lv B, Bian Y, Pei Y, Xu C, Zhao Q, Wu Y, Luo D, Wang F, Sun H, Chen Y. Current therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): A review on past and future therapeutic strategies. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 272:116496. [PMID: 38759454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116496] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects the first and second motoneurons (MNs), associated with muscle weakness, paralysis and finally death. The exact etiology of the disease still remains unclear. Currently, efforts to develop novel ALS treatments which target specific pathomechanisms are being studied. The mechanisms of ALS pathogenesis involve multiple factors, such as protein aggregation, glutamate excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, inflammation etc. Unfortunately, to date, there are only two FDA-approved drugs for ALS, riluzole and edavarone, without curative treatment for ALS. Herein, we give an overview of the many pathways and review the recent discovery and preclinical characterization of neuroprotective compounds. Meanwhile, drug combination and other therapeutic approaches are also reviewed. In the last part, we analyze the reasons of clinical failure and propose perspective on the treatment of ALS in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Sheng Zhong
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Huajing Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xueqing Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Bingbing Lv
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yaoyao Bian
- Jiangsu Provincial Engineering Center of TCM External Medication Researching and Industrializing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yuqiong Pei
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Chunlei Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Qun Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yulan Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Daying Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Fan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Haopeng Sun
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
| | - Yao Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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25
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Ruotolo G, D'Anzi A, Casamassa A, Mazzoni M, Ferrari D, Lombardi I, Carletti RM, D'Asdia C, Torrente I, Frezza K, Lattante S, Sabatelli M, Pennuto M, Vescovi AL, Rosati J. Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (CSSi017-A)(12862) from an ALS patient carrying a repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene. Stem Cell Res 2024; 77:103412. [PMID: 38613988 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2024.103412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic expansions of the hexanucleotide repeats (GGGGCC) in the C9orf72 gene appear in approximately 40% of patients with familial ALS and 7% of patients with sporadic ALS in the European population, making this mutation one of the most prevalent genetic mutations in ALS. Here, we generated a human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) line from the dermal fibroblasts of a patient carrying a 56-repeat expansion in an ALS disease-causing allele of C9orf72. These iPSCs showed stable amplification in vitro with normal karyotype and high expression of pluripotent markers and differentiated spontaneously in vivo into three germ layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ruotolo
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - A D'Anzi
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - A Casamassa
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - M Mazzoni
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - D Ferrari
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - I Lombardi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - R M Carletti
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - C D'Asdia
- Medical Genetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - I Torrente
- Medical Genetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - K Frezza
- Medical Genetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - S Lattante
- Medical Genetics Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy; Experimental Medicine Department, Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - M Sabatelli
- Neurology Unit, NeMO Clinical Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Section of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy
| | - M Pennuto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - A L Vescovi
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - J Rosati
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.
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26
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Nguyen L. Updates on Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutics for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2024; 13:888. [PMID: 38891021 PMCID: PMC11172142 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a motor neuron disease. In ALS, upper and lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord progressively degenerate during the course of the disease, leading to the loss of the voluntary movement of the arms and legs. Since its first description in 1869 by a French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, the scientific discoveries on ALS have increased our understanding of ALS genetics, pathology and mechanisms and provided novel therapeutic strategies. The goal of this review article is to provide a comprehensive summary of the recent findings on ALS mechanisms and related therapeutic strategies to the scientific audience. Several highlighted ALS research topics discussed in this article include the 2023 FDA approved drug for SOD1 ALS, the updated C9orf72 GGGGCC repeat-expansion-related mechanisms and therapeutic targets, TDP-43-mediated cryptic splicing and disease markers and diagnostic and therapeutic options offered by these recent discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Nguyen
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
- Center for NeuroGenetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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27
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Zhang S, Shu H, Zhou J, Rubin-Sigler J, Yang X, Liu Y, Cooper-Knock J, Monte E, Zhu C, Tu S, Li H, Tong M, Ecker JR, Ichida JK, Shen Y, Zeng J, Tsao PS, Snyder MP. Deconvolution of polygenic risk score in single cells unravels cellular and molecular heterogeneity of complex human diseases. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.14.594252. [PMID: 38798507 PMCID: PMC11118500 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.14.594252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) are commonly used for predicting an individual's genetic risk of complex diseases. Yet, their implication for disease pathogenesis remains largely limited. Here, we introduce scPRS, a geometric deep learning model that constructs single-cell-resolved PRS leveraging reference single-cell chromatin accessibility profiling data to enhance biological discovery as well as disease prediction. Real-world applications across multiple complex diseases, including type 2 diabetes (T2D), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and Alzheimer's disease (AD), showcase the superior prediction power of scPRS compared to traditional PRS methods. Importantly, scPRS not only predicts disease risk but also uncovers disease-relevant cells, such as hormone-high alpha and beta cells for T2D, cardiomyocytes and pericytes for HCM, and astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells for AD. Facilitated by a layered multi-omic analysis, scPRS further identifies cell-type-specific genetic underpinnings, linking disease-associated genetic variants to gene regulation within corresponding cell types. We substantiate the disease relevance of scPRS-prioritized HCM genes and demonstrate that the suppression of these genes in HCM cardiomyocytes is rescued by Mavacamten treatment. Additionally, we establish a novel microglia-specific regulatory relationship between the AD risk variant rs7922621 and its target genes ANXA11 and TSPAN14. We further illustrate the detrimental effects of suppressing these two genes on microglia phagocytosis. Our work provides a multi-tasking, interpretable framework for precise disease prediction and systematic investigation of the genetic, cellular, and molecular basis of complex diseases, laying the methodological foundation for single-cell genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Departments of Biostatistics & Biomedical Engineering, Genetics Institute, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Sai Zhang, Hantao Shu, and Jingtian Zhou
| | - Hantao Shu
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- These authors contributed equally: Sai Zhang, Hantao Shu, and Jingtian Zhou
| | - Jingtian Zhou
- Arc Institute, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Sai Zhang, Hantao Shu, and Jingtian Zhou
| | - Jasper Rubin-Sigler
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yuxi Liu
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Johnathan Cooper-Knock
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Emma Monte
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Chenchen Zhu
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sharon Tu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Han Li
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Mingming Tong
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joseph R. Ecker
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Justin K. Ichida
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yin Shen
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jianyang Zeng
- School of Engineering, Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Philip S. Tsao
- VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michael P. Snyder
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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28
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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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29
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Sellier C, Corcia P, Vourc'h P, Dupuis L. C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion: From ALS and FTD to a broader pathogenic role? Rev Neurol (Paris) 2024; 180:417-428. [PMID: 38609750 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
The major gene underlying monogenic forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) is C9ORF72. The causative mutation in C9ORF72 is an abnormal hexanucleotide (G4C2) repeat expansion (HRE) located in the first intron of the gene. The aim of this review is to propose a comprehensive update on recent developments on clinical, biological and therapeutics aspects related to C9ORF72 in order to highlight the current understanding of genotype-phenotype correlations, and also on biological machinery leading to neuronal death. We will particularly focus on the broad phenotypic presentation of C9ORF72-related diseases, that goes well beyond the classical phenotypes observed in ALS and FTD patients. Last, we will comment the possible therapeutical hopes for patients carrying a C9ORF72 HRE.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sellier
- Centre de recherches en biomédecine de Strasbourg, UMR-S1329, Inserm, université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - P Corcia
- UMR 1253 iBrain, Inserm, université de Tours, Tours, France; Centre constitutif de coordination SLA, CHU de Bretonneau, 2, boulevard Tonnelle, 37044 Tours cedex 1, France
| | - P Vourc'h
- UMR 1253 iBrain, Inserm, université de Tours, Tours, France; Service de biochimie et biologie moléculaire, CHU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - L Dupuis
- Centre de recherches en biomédecine de Strasbourg, UMR-S1329, Inserm, université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
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30
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Zhao T, Duan S, Li J, Zheng H, Liu C, Zhang H, Luo H, Xu Y. Mapping of repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation knowledge: A bibliometric analysis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29141. [PMID: 38628764 PMCID: PMC11019168 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29141] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Over 50 genetic human disorders are attributed to the irregular expansion of microsatellites. These expanded microsatellite sequences can experience bidirectional transcription, leading to new reading frames. Beyond the standard AUG initiation or adjacent start codons, they are translated into proteins characterized by disease-causing amino acid repeats through repeat-associated non-AUG translation. Despite its significance, there's a discernible gap in comprehensive and objective articles on RAN translation. This study endeavors to evaluate and delineate the contemporary landscape and progress of RAN translation research via a bibliometric analysis. We sourced literature on RAN translation from the Web of Science Core Collection. Utilizing two bibliometric analysis tools, CiteSpace and VOSviewer, we gauged individual impacts and interactions by examining annual publications, journals, co-cited journals, countries/regions, institutions, authors, and co-cited authors. Following this, we assessed the co-occurrence and bursts of keywords and co-cited references to pinpoint research hotspots and trending in RAN translation. Between 2011 and 2022, 1317 authors across 359 institutions from 34 countries/regions contributed to 250 publications on RAN translation, spread across 118 academic journals. This article presents a systematic, objective, and comprehensive analysis of the current literature on RAN translation. Our findings emphasize that mechanisms related to C9orf72 ALS/FTD are pivotal topics in the realm of RAN translation, with cellular stress and the utilization of small molecule marking the trending research areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiqi Zhao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Suying Duan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Honglin Zheng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- The Academy of Medical Sciences of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Chenyang Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Hang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Haiyang Luo
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yuming Xu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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31
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Zambon AA, Falzone YM, Bolino A, Previtali SC. Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for neuromuscular diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:198. [PMID: 38678519 PMCID: PMC11056344 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05229-9] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Neuromuscular diseases encompass a heterogeneous array of disorders characterized by varying onset ages, clinical presentations, severity, and progression. While these conditions can stem from acquired or inherited causes, this review specifically focuses on disorders arising from genetic abnormalities, excluding metabolic conditions. The pathogenic defect may primarily affect the anterior horn cells, the axonal or myelin component of peripheral nerves, the neuromuscular junction, or skeletal and/or cardiac muscles. While inherited neuromuscular disorders have been historically deemed not treatable, the advent of gene-based and molecular therapies is reshaping the treatment landscape for this group of condition. With the caveat that many products still fail to translate the positive results obtained in pre-clinical models to humans, both the technological development (e.g., implementation of tissue-specific vectors) as well as advances on the knowledge of pathogenetic mechanisms form a collective foundation for potentially curative approaches to these debilitating conditions. This review delineates the current panorama of therapies targeting the most prevalent forms of inherited neuromuscular diseases, emphasizing approved treatments and those already undergoing human testing, offering insights into the state-of-the-art interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Andrea Zambon
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Institute for Experimental Neurology, Inspe, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Yuri Matteo Falzone
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Institute for Experimental Neurology, Inspe, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bolino
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Institute for Experimental Neurology, Inspe, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Carlo Previtali
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Institute for Experimental Neurology, Inspe, Milan, Italy.
- Neurology Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
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32
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Sachdev A, Gill K, Sckaff M, Birk AM, Aladesuyi Arogundade O, Brown KA, Chouhan RS, Issagholian-Lewin PO, Patel E, Watry HL, Bernardi MT, Keough KC, Tsai YC, Smith AST, Conklin BR, Clelland CD. Reversal of C9orf72 mutation-induced transcriptional dysregulation and pathology in cultured human neurons by allele-specific excision. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2307814121. [PMID: 38621131 PMCID: PMC11047104 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307814121] [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: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Efforts to genetically reverse C9orf72 pathology have been hampered by our incomplete understanding of the regulation of this complex locus. We generated five different genomic excisions at the C9orf72 locus in a patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line and a non-diseased wild-type (WT) line (11 total isogenic lines), and examined gene expression and pathological hallmarks of C9 frontotemporal dementia/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in motor neurons differentiated from these lines. Comparing the excisions in these isogenic series removed the confounding effects of different genomic backgrounds and allowed us to probe the effects of specific genomic changes. A coding single nucleotide polymorphism in the patient cell line allowed us to distinguish transcripts from the normal vs. mutant allele. Using digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), we determined that transcription from the mutant allele is upregulated at least 10-fold, and that sense transcription is independently regulated from each allele. Surprisingly, excision of the WT allele increased pathologic dipeptide repeat poly-GP expression from the mutant allele. Importantly, a single allele was sufficient to supply a normal amount of protein, suggesting that the C9orf72 gene is haplo-sufficient in induced motor neurons. Excision of the mutant repeat expansion reverted all pathology (RNA abnormalities, dipeptide repeat production, and TDP-43 pathology) and improved electrophysiological function, whereas silencing sense expression did not eliminate all dipeptide repeat proteins, presumably because of the antisense expression. These data increase our understanding of C9orf72 gene regulation and inform gene therapy approaches, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and CRISPR gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kamaljot Gill
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA94158
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94158
| | - Maria Sckaff
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA94158
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94158
| | | | - Olubankole Aladesuyi Arogundade
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94158
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94158
| | - Katherine A. Brown
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94158
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94158
| | - Runvir S. Chouhan
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94158
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94158
| | - Patrick Oliver Issagholian-Lewin
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94158
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94158
| | - Esha Patel
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94158
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94158
| | | | | | | | | | - Alec Simon Tulloch Smith
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98195
- The Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98195
| | - Bruce R. Conklin
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA94158
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94143
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94143
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94158
| | - Claire Dudley Clelland
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94158
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA94158
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33
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Lai JD, Berlind JE, Fricklas G, Lie C, Urenda JP, Lam K, Sta Maria N, Jacobs R, Yu V, Zhao Z, Ichida JK. KCNJ2 inhibition mitigates mechanical injury in a human brain organoid model of traumatic brain injury. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:519-536.e8. [PMID: 38579683 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.03.004] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) strongly correlates with neurodegenerative disease. However, it remains unclear which neurodegenerative mechanisms are intrinsic to the brain and which strategies most potently mitigate these processes. We developed a high-intensity ultrasound platform to inflict mechanical injury to induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cortical organoids. Mechanically injured organoids elicit classic hallmarks of TBI, including neuronal death, tau phosphorylation, and TDP-43 nuclear egress. We found that deep-layer neurons were particularly vulnerable to injury and that TDP-43 proteinopathy promotes cell death. Injured organoids derived from C9ORF72 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD) patients displayed exacerbated TDP-43 dysfunction. Using genome-wide CRISPR interference screening, we identified a mechanosensory channel, KCNJ2, whose inhibition potently mitigated neurodegenerative processes in vitro and in vivo, including in C9ORF72 ALS/FTD organoids. Thus, targeting KCNJ2 may reduce acute neuronal death after brain injury, and we present a scalable, genetically flexible cerebral organoid model that may enable the identification of additional modifiers of mechanical stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse D Lai
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Neurological & Rare Diseases, Dewpoint Therapeutics, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Joshua E Berlind
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gabriella Fricklas
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cecilia Lie
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jean-Paul Urenda
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kelsey Lam
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Naomi Sta Maria
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Russell Jacobs
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Violeta Yu
- Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Neurological & Rare Diseases, Dewpoint Therapeutics, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhen Zhao
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Justin K Ichida
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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34
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Zhang S, Moll T, Rubin-Sigler J, Tu S, Li S, Yuan E, Liu M, Butt A, Harvey C, Gornall S, Alhalthli E, Shaw A, Souza CDS, Ferraiuolo L, Hornstein E, Shelkovnikova T, van Dijk CH, Timpanaro IS, Kenna KP, Zeng J, Tsao PS, Shaw PJ, Ichida JK, Cooper-Knock J, Snyder MP. Deep learning modeling of rare noncoding genetic variants in human motor neurons defines CCDC146 as a therapeutic target for ALS. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.03.30.24305115. [PMID: 38633814 PMCID: PMC11023684 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.30.24305115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and incurable neurodegenerative disease caused by the selective and progressive death of motor neurons (MNs). Understanding the genetic and molecular factors influencing ALS survival is crucial for disease management and therapeutics. In this study, we introduce a deep learning-powered genetic analysis framework to link rare noncoding genetic variants to ALS survival. Using data from human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived MNs, this method prioritizes functional noncoding variants using deep learning, links cis-regulatory elements (CREs) to target genes using epigenomics data, and integrates these data through gene-level burden tests to identify survival-modifying variants, CREs, and genes. We apply this approach to analyze 6,715 ALS genomes, and pinpoint four novel rare noncoding variants associated with survival, including chr7:76,009,472:C>T linked to CCDC146. CRISPR-Cas9 editing of this variant increases CCDC146 expression in iPSC-derived MNs and exacerbates ALS-specific phenotypes, including TDP-43 mislocalization. Suppressing CCDC146 with an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), showing no toxicity, completely rescues ALS-associated survival defects in neurons derived from sporadic ALS patients and from carriers of the ALS-associated G4C2-repeat expansion within C9ORF72. ASO targeting of CCDC146 may be a broadly effective therapeutic approach for ALS. Our framework provides a generic and powerful approach for studying noncoding genetics of complex human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, Genetics Institute, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Sai Zhang, Tobias Moll, and Jasper Rubin-Sigler
| | - Tobias Moll
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- These authors contributed equally: Sai Zhang, Tobias Moll, and Jasper Rubin-Sigler
| | - Jasper Rubin-Sigler
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Sai Zhang, Tobias Moll, and Jasper Rubin-Sigler
| | - Sharon Tu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shuya Li
- School of Engineering, Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Enming Yuan
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Menghui Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Afreen Butt
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Calum Harvey
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sarah Gornall
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Elham Alhalthli
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Allan Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Cleide Dos Santos Souza
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Laura Ferraiuolo
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Eran Hornstein
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tatyana Shelkovnikova
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Charlotte H. van Dijk
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ilia S. Timpanaro
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kevin P. Kenna
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jianyang Zeng
- School of Engineering, Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Philip S. Tsao
- VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Pamela J. Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Justin K. Ichida
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Johnathan Cooper-Knock
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Michael P. Snyder
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Huo D, Liang W, Wang D, Liu Q, Wang H, Wang Y, Zhang C, Cong C, Su X, Tan X, Zhang W, Han L, Zhang D, Wang M, Feng H. Roflupram alleviates autophagy defects and reduces mutant hSOD1-induced motor neuron damage in cell and mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neuropharmacology 2024; 247:109812. [PMID: 38218579 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109812] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and incurable disease involving motor neuron (MN) degeneration and is characterized by ongoing myasthenia and amyotrophia in adults. Most ALS patients die of respiratory muscle paralysis after an average of 3-5 years. Defective autophagy in MNs is considered an important trigger of ALS pathogenesis. Roflupram (ROF) was demonstrated to activate autophagy in microglial cells and exert protective effects against Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, our research aimed to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of ROF in treating ALS both in vivo and in vitro. We found that ROF could delay disease onset and prolong the survival of hSOD1-G93A transgenic mice. Moreover, ROF protected MNs in the anterior horn of the spinal cord, activated the AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway, increased autophagic flow, and reduced SOD1 aggregation. In an NSC34 cell line stably transfected with hSOD1-G93A, ROF protected against cellular damage caused by hSOD1-G93A. Moreover, we have demonstrated that ROF inhibited gliosis in ALS model mice. Collectively, our study suggested that ROF is neuroprotective in ALS models and the AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic target in ALS, which increases autophagic flow and reduces SOD1 aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Huo
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Weiwei Liang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Qiaochu Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Hongyong Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Chunting Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei City, Anhui Province, PR China
| | - Chaohua Cong
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xiaoli Su
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Xingli Tan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Wenmo Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Ling Han
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Dongmei Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Ming Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Honglin Feng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China.
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Gao C, Shi Q, Pan X, Chen J, Zhang Y, Lang J, Wen S, Liu X, Cheng TL, Lei K. Neuromuscular organoids model spinal neuromuscular pathologies in C9orf72 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113892. [PMID: 38431841 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113892] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Hexanucleotide repeat expansions in the C9orf72 gene are the most common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia. Due to the lack of trunk neuromuscular organoids (NMOs) from ALS patients' induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), an organoid system was missing to model the trunk spinal neuromuscular neurodegeneration. With the C9orf72 ALS patient-derived iPSCs and isogenic controls, we used an NMO system containing trunk spinal cord neural and peripheral muscular tissues to show that the ALS NMOs could model peripheral defects in ALS, including contraction weakness, neural denervation, and loss of Schwann cells. The neurons and astrocytes in ALS NMOs manifested the RNA foci and dipeptide repeat proteins. Acute treatment with the unfolded protein response inhibitor GSK2606414 increased the glutamatergic muscular contraction 2-fold and reduced the dipeptide repeat protein aggregation and autophagy. This study provides an organoid system for spinal neuromuscular pathologies in ALS and its application for drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Gao
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Brain and Cognitive Science, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qinghua Shi
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Pan
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiajia Chen
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuhong Zhang
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiali Lang
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shan Wen
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tian-Lin Cheng
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institute of Pediatrics, National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Lei
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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37
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Zhou L, Xu R. Invertebrate genetic models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1328578. [PMID: 38500677 PMCID: PMC10944931 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1328578] [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: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a common adult-onset neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive death of motor neurons in the cerebral cortex, brain stem, and spinal cord. The exact mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of ALS remain unclear. The current consensus regarding the pathogenesis of ALS suggests that the interaction between genetic susceptibility and harmful environmental factors is a promising cause of ALS onset. The investigation of putative harmful environmental factors has been the subject of several ongoing studies, but the use of transgenic animal models to study ALS has provided valuable information on the onset of ALS. Here, we review the current common invertebrate genetic models used to study the pathology, pathophysiology, and pathogenesis of ALS. The considerations of the usage, advantages, disadvantages, costs, and availability of each invertebrate model will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- LiJun Zhou
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Center for Neurological Diseases, Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Jiangxi Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - RenShi Xu
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Center for Neurological Diseases, Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Jiangxi Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Gotoh S, Mori K, Fujino Y, Kawabe Y, Yamashita T, Omi T, Nagata K, Tagami S, Nagai Y, Ikeda M. eIF5 stimulates the CUG initiation of RAN translation of poly-GA dipeptide repeat protein (DPR) in C9orf72 FTLD/ALS. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105703. [PMID: 38301895 PMCID: PMC10904283 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Tandem GGGGCC repeat expansion in C9orf72 is a genetic cause of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Transcribed repeats are translated into dipeptide repeat proteins via repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation. However, the regulatory mechanism of RAN translation remains unclear. Here, we reveal a GTPase-activating protein, eukaryotic initiation factor 5 (eIF5), which allosterically facilitates the conversion of eIF2-bound GTP into GDP upon start codon recognition, as a novel modifier of C9orf72 RAN translation. Compared to global translation, eIF5, but not its inactive mutants, preferentially stimulates poly-GA RAN translation. RAN translation is increased during integrated stress response, but the stimulatory effect of eIF5 on poly-GA RAN translation was additive to the increase of RAN translation during integrated stress response, with no further increase in phosphorylated eIF2α. Moreover, an alteration of the CUG near cognate codon to CCG or AUG in the poly-GA reading frame abolished the stimulatory effects, indicating that eIF5 primarily acts through the CUG-dependent initiation. Lastly, in a Drosophila model of C9orf72 FTLD/ALS that expresses GGGGCC repeats in the eye, knockdown of endogenous eIF5 by two independent RNAi strains significantly reduced poly-GA expressions, confirming in vivo effect of eIF5 on poly-GA RAN translation. Together, eIF5 stimulates the CUG initiation of poly-GA RAN translation in cellular and Drosophila disease models of C9orf72 FTLD/ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiho Gotoh
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Kohji Mori
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.
| | - Yuzo Fujino
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan; Department of Neurology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuya Kawabe
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Tomoko Yamashita
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Tsubasa Omi
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Kenichi Nagata
- Department of Precision Medicine for Dementia, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Shinji Tagami
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Nagai
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Manabu Ikeda
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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Dzik KP, Flis DJ, Kaczor-Keller KB, Bytowska ZK, Karnia MJ, Ziółkowski W, Kaczor JJ. Spinal cord abnormal autophagy and mitochondria energy metabolism are modified by swim training in SOD1-G93A mice. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:379-390. [PMID: 38197966 PMCID: PMC10879285 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02410-8] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may result from the dysfunctions of various mechanisms such as protein accumulation, mitophagy, and biogenesis of mitochondria. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the molecular mechanisms in ALS development and the impact of swim training on these processes. In the present study, an animal model of ALS, SOD1-G93A mice, was used with the wild-type mice as controls. Mice swam five times per week for 30 min. Mice were analyzed before ALS onset (70 days old), at ALS 1 disease onset (116 days old), and at the terminal stage of the disease ALS (130 days old), and compared with the corresponding ALS untrained groups and normalized to the wild-type group. Enzyme activity and protein content were analyzed in the spinal cord homogenates. The results show autophagy disruptions causing accumulation of p62 accompanied by low PGC-1α and IGF-1 content in the spinal cord of SOD1-G93A mice. Swim training triggered a neuroprotective effect, attenuation of NF-l degradation, less accumulated p62, and lower autophagy initiation. The IGF-1 pathway induces pathophysiological adaptation to maintain energy demands through anaerobic metabolism and mitochondrial protection. KEY MESSAGES: The increased protein content of p62 in the spinal cord of SOD1-G93A mice suggests that autophagic clearance and transportation are disrupted. Swim training attenuates neurofilament light destruction in the spinal cord of SOD1-G93A mice. Swim training reducing OGDH provokes suppression of ATP-consuming anabolic pathways. Swim training induces energy metabolic changes and mitochondria protection through the IGF-1 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Patrycja Dzik
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Bazynskiego 8, 80-309, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Damian Józef Flis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Barbara Kaczor-Keller
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Science, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Zofia Kinga Bytowska
- Division of Bioenergetics and Physiology of Exercise, Faculty of Health Sciences With Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Mateusz Jakub Karnia
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Bazynskiego 8, 80-309, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Wiesław Ziółkowski
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences With Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jan Jacek Kaczor
- Department of Animal and Human Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Bazynskiego 8, 80-309, Gdansk, Poland.
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Cabrera GT, Meijboom KE, Abdallah A, Tran H, Foster Z, Weiss A, Wightman N, Stock R, Gendron T, Gruntman A, Giampetruzzi A, Petrucelli L, Brown RH, Mueller C. Artificial microRNA suppresses C9ORF72 variants and decreases toxic dipeptide repeat proteins in vivo. Gene Ther 2024; 31:105-118. [PMID: 37752346 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-023-00418-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons, causing progressive muscle weakness and respiratory failure. The presence of an expanded hexanucleotide repeat in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9ORF72) is the most frequent mutation causing familial ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). To determine if suppressing expression of C9ORF72 gene products can reduce toxicity, we designed a set of artificial microRNAs (amiRNA) targeting the human C9ORF72 gene. Here we report that an AAV9-mediated amiRNA significantly suppresses expression of the C9ORF72 mRNA, protein, and toxic dipeptide repeat proteins generated by the expanded repeat in the brain and spinal cord of C9ORF72 transgenic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Toro Cabrera
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Katharina E Meijboom
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Abbas Abdallah
- Department of Pediatrics and Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Helene Tran
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Zachariah Foster
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Alexandra Weiss
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Nicholas Wightman
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Rachel Stock
- Department of Pediatrics and Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Tania Gendron
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd., Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Alisha Gruntman
- Department of Pediatrics and Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Anthony Giampetruzzi
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd., Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Robert H Brown
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.
| | - Christian Mueller
- Department of Pediatrics and Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.
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Qneibi M, Bdir S, Bdair M, Aldwaik SA, Sandouka D, Heeh M, Idais TI. AMPA receptor neurotransmission and therapeutic applications: A comprehensive review of their multifaceted modulation. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 266:116151. [PMID: 38237342 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116151] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
The neuropharmacological community has shown a strong interest in AMPA receptors as critical components of excitatory synaptic transmission during the last fifteen years. AMPA receptors, members of the ionotropic glutamate receptor family, allow rapid excitatory neurotransmission in the brain. AMPA receptors, which are permeable to sodium and potassium ions, manage the bulk of the brain's rapid synaptic communications. This study thoroughly examines the recent developments in AMPA receptor regulation, focusing on a shift from single chemical illustrations to a more extensive investigation of underlying processes. The complex interplay of these modulators in modifying the function and structure of AMPA receptors is the main focus, providing insight into their influence on the speed of excitatory neurotransmission. This research emphasizes the potential of AMPA receptor modulation as a therapy for various neurological disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. Analyzing these regulators' sophisticated molecular details enhances our comprehension of neuropharmacology, representing a significant advancement in using AMPA receptors for treating intricate neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Qneibi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
| | - Sosana Bdir
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Mohammad Bdair
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Samia Ammar Aldwaik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Dana Sandouka
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | | | - Tala Iyad Idais
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
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Zhang W, Zhang M, Ma L, Jariyasakulroj S, Chang Q, Lin Z, Lu Z, Chen JF. Recapitulating and reversing human brain ribosomopathy defects via the maladaptive integrated stress response. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk1034. [PMID: 38306425 PMCID: PMC10836730 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk1034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Animal or human models recapitulating brain ribosomopathies are incomplete, hampering development of urgently needed therapies. Here, we generated genetic mouse and human cerebral organoid models of brain ribosomopathies, caused by mutations in small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) SNORD118. Both models exhibited protein synthesis loss, proteotoxic stress, and p53 activation and led to decreased proliferation and increased death of neural progenitor cells (NPCs), resulting in brain growth retardation, recapitulating features in human patients. Loss of SNORD118 function resulted in an aberrant upregulation of p-eIF2α, the mediator of integrated stress response (ISR). Using human iPSC cell-based screen, we identified small-molecule 2BAct, an ISR inhibitor, which potently reverses mutant NPC defects. Targeting ISR by 2BAct mitigated ribosomopathy defects in both cerebral organoid and mouse models. Thus, our SNORD118 mutant organoid and mice recapitulate human brain ribosomopathies and cross-validate maladaptive ISR as a key disease-driving mechanism, pointing to a therapeutic intervention strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Minjie Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Li Ma
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Supawadee Jariyasakulroj
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Qing Chang
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Ziying Lin
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Zhipeng Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jian-Fu Chen
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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Mušálková D, Přistoupilová A, Jedličková I, Hartmannová H, Trešlová H, Nosková L, Hodaňová K, Bittmanová P, Stránecký V, Jiřička V, Langmajerová M, Woodbury‐Smith M, Zarrei M, Trost B, Scherer SW, Bleyer AJ, Vevera J, Kmoch S. Increased burden of rare protein-truncating variants in constrained, brain-specific and synaptic genes in extremely impulsively violent males with antisocial personality disorder. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2024; 23:e12882. [PMID: 38359179 PMCID: PMC10869132 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The genetic correlates of extreme impulsive violence are poorly understood, and there have been few studies that have characterized a large group of affected individuals both clinically and genetically. We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) in 290 males with the life-course-persistent, extremely impulsively violent form of antisocial personality disorder (APD) and analyzed the spectrum of rare protein-truncating variants (rPTVs). Comparisons were made with 314 male controls and publicly available genotype data. Functional annotation tools were used for biological interpretation. Participants were significantly more likely to harbor rPTVs in genes that are intolerant to loss-of-function variants (odds ratio [OR] 2.06; p < 0.001), specifically expressed in brain (OR 2.80; p = 0.036) and enriched for those involved in neurotransmitter transport and synaptic processes. In 60 individuals (20%), we identified rPTVs that we classified as clinically relevant based on their clinical associations, biological function and gene expression patterns. Of these, 37 individuals harbored rPTVs in 23 genes that are associated with a monogenic neurological disorder, and 23 individuals harbored rPTVs in 20 genes reportedly intolerant to loss-of-function variants. The analysis presents evidence in support of a model where presence of either one or several private, functionally relevant mutations contribute significantly to individual risk of life-course-persistent APD and reveals multiple individuals who could be affected by clinically unrecognized neuropsychiatric Mendelian disease. Thus, Mendelian diseases and increased rPTV burden may represent important factors for the development of extremely impulsive violent life-course-persistent forms of APD irrespective of their clinical presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dita Mušálková
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Anna Přistoupilová
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Ivana Jedličková
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Hana Hartmannová
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Helena Trešlová
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Lenka Nosková
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Kateřina Hodaňová
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Petra Bittmanová
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Viktor Stránecký
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
| | - Václav Jiřička
- Department of PsychologyPrison Service of the Czech RepublicPragueCzech Republic
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine in PilsenCharles UniversityPilsenCzech Republic
| | - Michaela Langmajerová
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine in PilsenCharles UniversityPilsenCzech Republic
| | - Marc Woodbury‐Smith
- The Centre for Applied Genomics and Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoOntarioCanada
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences InstituteNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Mehdi Zarrei
- The Centre for Applied Genomics and Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Brett Trost
- The Centre for Applied Genomics and Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Stephen W. Scherer
- The Centre for Applied Genomics and Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoOntarioCanada
- Department of Molecular Genetics and McLaughlin CentreUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Anthony J. Bleyer
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
- Section on Nephrology, Wake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jan Vevera
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine in PilsenCharles UniversityPilsenCzech Republic
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity Hospital PilsenPilsenCzech Republic
| | - Stanislav Kmoch
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of MedicineCharles University in Prague and General University Hospital in PraguePragueCzech Republic
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine in PilsenCharles UniversityPilsenCzech Republic
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Limone F, Couto A, Wang JY, Zhang Y, McCourt B, Huang C, Minkin A, Jani M, McNeer S, Keaney J, Gillet G, Gonzalez RL, Goodman WA, Kadiu I, Eggan K, Burberry A. Myeloid and lymphoid expression of C9orf72 regulates IL-17A signaling in mice. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadg7895. [PMID: 38295187 PMCID: PMC11247723 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adg7895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
A mutation in C9ORF72 is the most common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Patients with ALS or FTD often develop autoimmunity and inflammation that precedes or coincides with the onset of neurological symptoms, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we knocked out murine C9orf72 in seven hematopoietic progenitor compartments by conditional mutagenesis and found that myeloid lineage C9orf72 prevents splenomegaly, loss of tolerance, and premature mortality. Furthermore, we demonstrated that C9orf72 plays a role in lymphoid cells to prevent interleukin-17A (IL-17A) production and neutrophilia. Mass cytometry identified early and sustained elevation of the costimulatory molecule CD80 expressed on C9orf72-deficient mouse macrophages, monocytes, and microglia. Enrichment of CD80 was similarly observed in human spinal cord microglia from patients with C9ORF72-mediated ALS compared with non-ALS controls. Single-cell RNA sequencing of murine spinal cord, brain cortex, and spleen demonstrated coordinated induction of gene modules related to antigen processing and presentation and antiviral immunity in C9orf72-deficient endothelial cells, microglia, and macrophages. Mechanistically, C9ORF72 repressed the trafficking of CD80 to the cell surface in response to Toll-like receptor agonists, interferon-γ, and IL-17A. Deletion of Il17a in C9orf72-deficient mice prevented CD80 enrichment in the spinal cord, reduced neutrophilia, and reduced gut T helper type 17 cells. Last, systemic delivery of an IL-17A neutralizing antibody augmented motor performance and suppressed neuroinflammation in C9orf72-deficient mice. Altogether, we show that C9orf72 orchestrates myeloid costimulatory potency and provide support for IL-17A as a therapeutic target for neuroinflammation associated with ALS or FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Limone
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Leiden University Medical Center, LUMC, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Couto
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Jin-Yuan Wang
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Yingying Zhang
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Blake McCourt
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Cerianne Huang
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Adina Minkin
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Marghi Jani
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Sarah McNeer
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - James Keaney
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine-l’Alleud, 1420, Belgium
| | - Gaëlle Gillet
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine-l’Alleud, 1420, Belgium
| | - Rodrigo Lopez Gonzalez
- Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44196, USA
| | - Wendy A. Goodman
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Irena Kadiu
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine-l’Alleud, 1420, Belgium
| | - Kevin Eggan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Aaron Burberry
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
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45
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Geng Y, Cai Q. Role of C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansions in ALS/FTD pathogenesis. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1322720. [PMID: 38318532 PMCID: PMC10838790 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1322720] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are progressive neurological disorders that share neurodegenerative pathways and features. The most prevalent genetic causes of ALS/FTD is the GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat expansions in the first intron region of the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) gene. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the accumulating evidences elucidating the pathogenic mechanism associated with hexanucleotide repeat expansions in ALS/FTD. These mechanisms encompass the structural polymorphism of DNA and transcribed RNA, the formation of RNA foci via phase separation, and the cytoplasmic accumulation and toxicities of dipeptide-repeat proteins. Additionally, the formation of G-quadruplex structures significantly impairs the expression and normal function of the C9orf72 protein. We also discuss the sequestration of specific RNA binding proteins by GGGGCC RNA, which further contributes to the toxicity of C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansions. The deeper understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of hexanucleotide repeat expansions in ALS/FTD provides multiple potential drug targets for these devastating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Geng
- Clinical Research Institute of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Fujian Key Laboratory of Brain Tumors Diagnosis and Precision Treatment, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Brain Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Qixu Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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46
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Watts ME, Giadone RM, Ordureau A, Holton KM, Harper JW, Rubin LL. Analyzing the ER stress response in ALS patient derived motor neurons identifies druggable neuroprotective targets. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 17:1327361. [PMID: 38314348 PMCID: PMC10834640 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1327361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative motor neuron (MN) disease with severely limited treatment options. Identification of effective treatments has been limited in part by the lack of predictive animal models for complex human disorders. Here, we utilized pharmacologic ER stressors to exacerbate underlying sensitivities conferred by ALS patient genetics in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons (MNs). In doing so, we found that thapsigargin and tunicamycin exposure recapitulated ALS-associated degeneration, and that we could rescue this degeneration via MAP4K4 inhibition (MAP4K4i). We subsequently identified mechanisms underlying MAP4K4i-mediated protection by performing phosphoproteomics on iPSC-derived MNs treated with ER stressors ±MAP4K4i. Through these analyses, we found JNK, PKC, and BRAF to be differentially modulated in MAP4K4i-protected MNs, and that inhibitors to these proteins could also rescue MN toxicity. Collectively, this study highlights the value of utilizing ER stressors in ALS patient MNs to identify novel druggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle E. Watts
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Richard M. Giadone
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Alban Ordureau
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kristina M. Holton
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - J. Wade Harper
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lee L. Rubin
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
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47
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Salomonsson SE, Maltos AM, Gill K, Aladesuyi Arogundade O, Brown KA, Sachdev A, Sckaff M, Lam KJK, Fisher IJ, Chouhan RS, Van Laar VS, Marley CB, McLaughlin I, Bankiewicz KS, Tsai YC, Conklin BR, Clelland CD. Validated assays for the quantification of C9orf72 human pathology. Sci Rep 2024; 14:828. [PMID: 38191789 PMCID: PMC10774390 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50667-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
A repeat expansion mutation in the C9orf72 gene is the leading known genetic cause of FTD and ALS. The C9orf72-ALS/FTD field has been plagued by a lack of reliable tools to monitor this genomic locus and its RNA and protein products. We have validated assays that quantify C9orf72 pathobiology at the DNA, RNA and protein levels using knock-out human iPSC lines as controls. Here we show that single-molecule sequencing can accurately measure the repeat expansion and faithfully report on changes to the C9orf72 locus in what has been a traditionally hard to sequence genomic region. This is of particular value to sizing and phasing the repeat expansion and determining changes to the gene locus after gene editing. We developed ddPCR assays to quantify two major C9orf72 transcript variants, which we validated by selective excision of their distinct transcriptional start sites. Using validated knock-out human iPSC lines, we validated 4 commercially available antibodies (of 9 tested) that were specific for C9orf72 protein quantification by Western blot, but none were specific for immunocytochemistry. We tested 15 combinations of antibodies against dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) across 66 concentrations using MSD immunoassay, and found two (against poly-GA and poly-GP) that yielded a 1.5-fold or greater signal increase in patient iPSC-motor neurons compared to knock-out control, and validated them in human postmortem and transgenic mouse brain tissue. Our validated DNA, RNA and protein assays are applicable to discovery research as well as clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Salomonsson
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - A M Maltos
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - K Gill
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - O Aladesuyi Arogundade
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - K A Brown
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - A Sachdev
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - M Sckaff
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - K J K Lam
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - I J Fisher
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - R S Chouhan
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - V S Van Laar
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Gene Therapy Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - C B Marley
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - K S Bankiewicz
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Gene Therapy Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Y-C Tsai
- Pacific Biosciences, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - B R Conklin
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Departments of Medicine, Ophthalmology, and Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - C D Clelland
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Memory & Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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48
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Eck RJ, Stair JG, Kraemer BC, Liachko NF. Simple models to understand complex disease: 10 years of progress from Caenorhabditis elegans models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Front Neurosci 2024; 17:1300705. [PMID: 38239833 PMCID: PMC10794587 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1300705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans are a powerful model system to study human disease, with numerous experimental advantages including significant genetic and cellular homology to vertebrate animals, a short lifespan, and tractable behavioral, molecular biology and imaging assays. Beginning with the identification of SOD1 as a genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), C. elegans have contributed to a deeper understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of this devastating neurodegenerative disease. More recently this work has expanded to encompass models of other types of ALS and the related disease frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-TDP), including those characterized by mutation or accumulation of the proteins TDP-43, C9orf72, FUS, HnRNPA2B1, ALS2, DCTN1, CHCHD10, ELP3, TUBA4A, CAV1, UBQLN2, ATXN3, TIA1, KIF5A, VAPB, GRN, and RAB38. In this review we summarize these models and the progress and insights from the last ten years of using C. elegans to study the neurodegenerative diseases ALS and FTLD-TDP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randall J. Eck
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jade G. Stair
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Brian C. Kraemer
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Nicole F. Liachko
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
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49
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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 PMCID: PMC11284732 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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50
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Lee D, Jeong HC, Kim SY, Chung JY, Cho SH, Kim KA, Cho JH, Ko BS, Cha IJ, Chung CG, Kim ES, Lee SB. A comparison study of pathological features and drug efficacy between Drosophila models of C9orf72 ALS/FTD. Mol Cells 2024; 47:100005. [PMID: 38376483 PMCID: PMC10880080 DOI: 10.1016/j.mocell.2023.12.003] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating neurodegenerative disease with a complex genetic basis, presenting both in familial and sporadic forms. The hexanucleotide (G4C2) repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene, which triggers distinct pathogenic mechanisms, has been identified as a major contributor to familial and sporadic Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases. Animal models have proven pivotal in understanding these mechanisms; however, discrepancies between models due to variable transgene sequence, expression levels, and toxicity profiles complicate the translation of findings. Herein, we provide a systematic comparison of 7 publicly available Drosophila transgenes modeling the G4C2 expansion under uniform conditions, evaluating variations in their toxicity profiles. Further, we tested 3 previously characterized disease-modifying drugs in selected lines to uncover discrepancies among the tested strains. Our study not only deepens our understanding of the C9orf72 G4C2 mutations but also presents a framework for comparing constructs with minute structural differences. This work may be used to inform experimental designs to better model disease mechanisms and help guide the development of targeted interventions for neurodegenerative diseases, thus bridging the gap between model-based research and therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davin Lee
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Chan Jeong
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Yeol Kim
- SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Seongnam 13494, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Yong Chung
- SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Seongnam 13494, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Hwan Cho
- SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Seongnam 13494, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Ah Kim
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Ho Cho
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Su Ko
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - In Jun Cha
- Brain Research Policy Center, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41068, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Geon Chung
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Eun Seon Kim
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Bae Lee
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
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