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Luan T, Li Q, Huang Z, Feng Y, Xu D, Zhou Y, Hu Y, Wang T. Axonopathy Underlying Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Unraveling Complex Pathways and Therapeutic Insights. Neurosci Bull 2024:10.1007/s12264-024-01267-2. [PMID: 39097850 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01267-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive axonopathy, jointly leading to the dying back of the motor neuron, disrupting both nerve signaling and motor control. In this review, we highlight the roles of axonopathy in ALS progression, driven by the interplay of multiple factors including defective trafficking machinery, protein aggregation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Dysfunctional intracellular transport, caused by disruptions in microtubules, molecular motors, and adaptors, has been identified as a key contributor to disease progression. Aberrant protein aggregation involving TDP-43, FUS, SOD1, and dipeptide repeat proteins further amplifies neuronal toxicity. Mitochondrial defects lead to ATP depletion, oxidative stress, and Ca2+ imbalance, which are regarded as key factors underlying the loss of neuromuscular junctions and axonopathy. Mitigating these defects through interventions including neurotrophic treatments offers therapeutic potential. Collaborative research efforts aim to unravel ALS complexities, opening avenues for holistic interventions that target diverse pathological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongshu Luan
- The Brain Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Qing Li
- The Brain Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Zhi Huang
- The Brain Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Yu Feng
- The Brain Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Duo Xu
- The Brain Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Yujie Zhou
- The Brain Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Yiqing Hu
- The Brain Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Tong Wang
- The Brain Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
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Staderini T, Bigi A, Lagrève C, Marzi I, Bemporad F, Chiti F. Biophysical characterization of the phase separation of TDP-43 devoid of the C-terminal domain. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2024; 29:104. [PMID: 38997630 PMCID: PMC11245819 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-024-00615-4] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin-positive inclusions (FTLD-TDP), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) are associated with deposition of cytoplasmic inclusions of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) in neurons. One complexity of this process lies in the ability of TDP-43 to form liquid-phase membraneless organelles in cells. Previous work has shown that the recombinant, purified, prion-like domain (PrLD) forms liquid droplets in vitro, but the behaviour of the complementary fragment is uncertain. METHODS We have purified such a construct without the PrLD (PrLD-less TDP-43) and have induced its phase separation using a solution-jump method and an array of biophysical techniques to study the morphology, state of matter and structure of the TDP-43 assemblies. RESULTS The fluorescent TMR-labelled protein construct, imaged using confocal fluorescence, formed rapidly (< 1 min) round, homogeneous and 0.5-1.0 µm wide assemblies which then coalesced into larger, yet round, species. When labelled with AlexaFluor488, they initially exhibited fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), showing a liquid behaviour distinct from full-length TDP-43 and similar to PrLD. The protein molecules did not undergo major structural changes, as determined with circular dichroism and intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopies. This process had a pH and salt dependence distinct from those of full-length TDP-43 and its PrLD, which can be rationalized on the grounds of electrostatic forces. CONCLUSIONS Similarly to PrLD, PrLD-less TDP-43 forms liquid droplets in vitro through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), unlike the full-length protein that rather undergoes liquid-solid phase separation (LSPS). These results offer a rationale of the complex electrostatic forces governing phase separation of full-length TDP-43 and its fragments. On the one hand, PrLD-less TDP-43 has a low pI and oppositively charged domains, and LLPS is inhibited by salts, which attenuate inter-domain electrostatic attractions. On the other hand, PrLD is positively charged due to a high isoionic point (pI) and LLPS is therefore promoted by salts and pH increases as they both reduce electrostatic repulsions. By contrast, full-length TDP-43 undergoes LSPS most favourably at its pI, with positive and negative salt dependences at lower and higher pH, respectively, depending on whether repulsive or attractive forces dominate, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Staderini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019, Florence, Italy
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bigi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Clément Lagrève
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
- Chimie ParisTech-PSL, École Nationale Supérieur de Chimie de Paris, 11 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75231, Paris, France
| | - Isabella Marzi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Bemporad
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Chiti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy.
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Sharma A, Shah OP, Sharma L, Gulati M, Behl T, Khalid A, Mohan S, Najmi A, Zoghebi K. Molecular Chaperones as Therapeutic Target: Hallmark of Neurodegenerative Disorders. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:4750-4767. [PMID: 38127187 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03846-2] [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: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Misfolded and aggregated proteins build up in neurodegenerative illnesses, which causes neuronal dysfunction and ultimately neuronal death. In the last few years, there has been a significant upsurge in the level of interest towards the function of molecular chaperones in the control of misfolding and aggregation. The crucial molecular chaperones implicated in neurodegenerative illnesses are covered in this review article, along with a variety of their different methods of action. By aiding in protein folding, avoiding misfolding, and enabling protein breakdown, molecular chaperones serve critical roles in preserving protein homeostasis. By aiding in protein folding, avoiding misfolding, and enabling protein breakdown, molecular chaperones have integral roles in preserving regulation of protein balance. It has been demonstrated that aging, a significant risk factor for neurological disorders, affects how molecular chaperones function. The aggregation of misfolded proteins and the development of neurodegeneration may be facilitated by the aging-related reduction in chaperone activity. Molecular chaperones have also been linked to the pathophysiology of several instances of neuron withering illnesses, enumerating as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Molecular chaperones have become potential therapy targets concerning with the prevention and therapeutic approach for brain disorders due to their crucial function in protein homeostasis and their connection to neurodegenerative illnesses. Protein homeostasis can be restored, and illness progression can be slowed down by methods that increase chaperone function or modify their expression. This review emphasizes the importance of molecular chaperones in the context of neuron withering disorders and their potential as therapeutic targets for brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Sharma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Om Prakash Shah
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Lalit Sharma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Monica Gulati
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 1444411, India
- ARCCIM, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 20227, Australia
| | - Tapan Behl
- Amity School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amity University, Mohali, Punjab, India, Amity University, Mohali, India.
| | - Asaad Khalid
- Substance Abuse and Toxicology Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Institute, National Center for Research, P.O. Box 2424, 11111, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Syam Mohan
- Substance Abuse and Toxicology Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia.
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
- Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India.
| | - Asim Najmi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, P.O. Box 114, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Zoghebi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, P.O. Box 114, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
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Sprunger ML, Jackrel ME. The role of Matrin-3 in physiology and its dysregulation in disease. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:961-972. [PMID: 38813817 PMCID: PMC11209761 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220585] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
The dysfunction of many RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that are heavily disordered, including TDP-43 and FUS, are implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD). These proteins serve many important roles in the cell, and their capacity to form biomolecular condensates (BMCs) is key to their function, but also a vulnerability that can lead to misregulation and disease. Matrin-3 (MATR3) is an intrinsically disordered RBP implicated both genetically and pathologically in ALS/FTD, though it is relatively understudied as compared with TDP-43 and FUS. In addition to binding RNA, MATR3 also binds DNA and is implicated in many cellular processes including the DNA damage response, transcription, splicing, and cell differentiation. It is unclear if MATR3 localizes to BMCs under physiological conditions, which is brought further into question due to its lack of a prion-like domain. Here, we review recent studies regarding MATR3 and its roles in numerous physiological processes, as well as its implication in a range of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macy L Sprunger
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, U.S.A
| | - Meredith E Jackrel
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, U.S.A
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Garg V, Geurten BRH. Diving deep: zebrafish models in motor neuron degeneration research. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1424025. [PMID: 38966756 PMCID: PMC11222423 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1424025] [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: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
In the dynamic landscape of biomedical science, the pursuit of effective treatments for motor neuron disorders like hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) remains a key priority. Central to this endeavor is the development of robust animal models, with the zebrafish emerging as a prime candidate. Exhibiting embryonic transparency, a swift life cycle, and significant genetic and neuroanatomical congruencies with humans, zebrafish offer substantial potential for research. Despite the difference in locomotion-zebrafish undulate while humans use limbs, the zebrafish presents relevant phenotypic parallels to human motor control disorders, providing valuable insights into neurodegenerative diseases. This review explores the zebrafish's inherent traits and how they facilitate profound insights into the complex behavioral and cellular phenotypes associated with these disorders. Furthermore, we examine recent advancements in high-throughput drug screening using the zebrafish model, a promising avenue for identifying therapeutically potent compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vranda Garg
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Fang T, Pacut P, Bose A, Sun Y, Gao J, Sivakumar S, Bloom B, Nascimento Andrade EI, Trombetta B, Ghasemi M. Clinical and genetic factors affecting diagnostic timeline of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a 15-year retrospective study. Neurol Res 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38825034 DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2024.2362578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis can take 10-16 months from symptom onset, leading to delays in treatment and patient counselling. We studied the impact of clinical and genetic risk factors on the diagnostic timeline of ALS. METHODS Baseline characteristics, family history, gene testing, onset location, time from symptom onset to diagnosis, and time from first doctor visit to suspected ALS was collected. We used multiple regression to assess the interaction of these factors on ALS diagnostic timeline. We analysed a subgroup of patients with genetic testing and compared positive or negative tests, sporadic or familial and ALS-related genes to time for diagnosis. RESULTS Four hundred and forty-eight patients diagnosed with ALS at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical Center between January 2007 and December 2021 were analysed. The median time to ALS diagnosis was 12 months and remained unchanged from 2007 to 2021 (p = 0.20). Diagnosis was delayed in patients with sporadic compared with familial ALS (mean months [standard deviation], 16.5[13.5] and 11.2[8.5], p < 0.001); cognitive onset (41[21.26]) had longer time to diagnosis than bulbar (11.9[8.2]), limb (15.9[13.2]), respiratory (19.7[13.9]) and ALS with multiple onset locations (20.77[15.71], p < 0.001). One hundred and thirty-four patients had gene testing and 32 tested positive (23.8%). Gene testing (p = 0.23), a positive genetic test (p = 0.16), different ALS genes (p = 0.25) and sporadic (p = 0.92) or familial (p = 0.85) ALS testing positive for ALS genes did not influence time to diagnosis. DISCUSSION Time for ALS diagnosis remained unchanged from 2007 to 2021, bulbar-onset and familial ALS made for faster diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ton Fang
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Peter Pacut
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Abigail Bose
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Yuyao Sun
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Jeff Gao
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Shravan Sivakumar
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Brooke Bloom
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | | | - Bianca Trombetta
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Mehdi Ghasemi
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington, MA, USA
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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 2024:10.1038/s41418-024-01312-7. [PMID: 38816580 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-024-01312-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [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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Watanabe S, Amporndanai K, Awais R, Latham C, Awais M, O'Neill PM, Yamanaka K, Hasnain SS. Ebselen analogues delay disease onset and its course in fALS by on-target SOD-1 engagement. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12118. [PMID: 38802492 PMCID: PMC11130262 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62903-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) selectively affects motor neurons. SOD1 is the first causative gene to be identified for ALS and accounts for at least 20% of the familial (fALS) and up to 4% of sporadic (sALS) cases globally with some geographical variability. The destabilisation of the SOD1 dimer is a key driving force in fALS and sALS. Protein aggregation resulting from the destabilised SOD1 is arrested by the clinical drug ebselen and its analogues (MR6-8-2 and MR6-26-2) by redeeming the stability of the SOD1 dimer. The in vitro target engagement of these compounds is demonstrated using the bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay with protein-ligand binding directly visualised by co-crystallography in G93A SOD1. MR6-26-2 offers neuroprotection slowing disease onset of SOD1G93A mice by approximately 15 days. It also protected neuromuscular junction from muscle denervation in SOD1G93A mice clearly indicating functional improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seiji Watanabe
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Furo-Cho, Chikusa-Ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Kangsa Amporndanai
- Molecular Biophysics Group, Department of Biochemistry and System Biology, Institute of System, M0polecular and Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Raheela Awais
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Caroline Latham
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Muhammad Awais
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of System, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GE, UK
| | - Paul M O'Neill
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, UK.
| | - Koji Yamanaka
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Furo-Cho, Chikusa-Ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan.
- Institute for Glyco-Core Research (iGCORE), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.
- Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research (COMIT), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - S Samar Hasnain
- Molecular Biophysics Group, Department of Biochemistry and System Biology, Institute of System, M0polecular and Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK.
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Huang TN, Shih YT, Yen TL, Hsueh YP. Vcp overexpression and leucine supplementation extend lifespan and ameliorate neuromuscular junction phenotypes of a SOD1G93A-ALS mouse model. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:935-944. [PMID: 38382647 PMCID: PMC11102594 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae022] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Many genes with distinct molecular functions have been linked to genetically heterogeneous amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), including SuperOxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1) and Valosin-Containing Protein (VCP). SOD1 converts superoxide to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. VCP acts as a chaperon to regulate protein degradation and synthesis and various other cellular responses. Although the functions of these two genes differ, in the current report we show that overexpression of wild-type VCP in mice enhances lifespan and maintains the size of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) of both male and female SOD1G93A mice, a well-known ALS mouse model. Although VCP exerts multiple functions, its regulation of ER formation and consequent protein synthesis has been shown to play the most important role in controlling dendritic spine formation and social and memory behaviors. Given that SOD1 mutation results in protein accumulation and aggregation, it may direct VCP to the protein degradation pathway, thereby impairing protein synthesis. Since we previously showed that the protein synthesis defects caused by Vcp deficiency can be improved by leucine supplementation, to confirm the role of the VCP-protein synthesis pathway in SOD1-linked ALS, we applied leucine supplementation to SOD1G93A mice and, similar to Vcp overexpression, we found that it extends SOD1G93A mouse lifespan. In addition, the phenotypes of reduced muscle strength and fewer NMJs of SOD1G93A mice are also improved by leucine supplementation. These results support the existence of crosstalk between SOD1 and VCP and suggest a critical role for protein synthesis in ASL. Our study also implies a potential therapeutic treatment for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzyy-Nan Huang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec 2, Academia Rd, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yu-Tzu Shih
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec 2, Academia Rd, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan, ROC
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tzu-Li Yen
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec 2, Academia Rd, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Ping Hsueh
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec 2, Academia Rd, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan, ROC
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Genge A, Wainwright S, Vande Velde C. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: exploring pathophysiology in the context of treatment. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:225-236. [PMID: 38001557 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2278503] [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: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex, neurodegenerative disorder in which alterations in structural, physiological, and metabolic parameters act synergistically. Over the last decade there has been a considerable focus on developing drugs to slow the progression of the disease. Despite this, only four disease-modifying therapies are approved in North America. Although additional research is required for a thorough understanding of ALS, we have accumulated a large amount of knowledge that could be better integrated into future clinical trials to accelerate drug development and provide patients with improved treatment options. It is likely that future, successful ALS treatments will take a multi-pronged therapeutic approach, targeting different pathways, akin to personalized medicine in oncology. In this review, we discuss the link between ALS pathophysiology and treatments, looking at the therapeutic failures as learning opportunities that can help us refine and optimize drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Genge
- Clinical Research Unit Director, ALS Clinic, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Steven Wainwright
- Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and
| | - Christine Vande Velde
- CHUM Research Center, Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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De Cock L, Bercier V, Van Den Bosch L. New developments in pre-clinical models of ALS to guide translation. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 176:477-524. [PMID: 38802181 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which selective death of motor neurons leads to muscle weakness and paralysis. Most research has focused on understanding and treating monogenic familial forms, most frequently caused by mutations in SOD1, FUS, TARDBP and C9orf72, although ALS is mostly sporadic and without a clear genetic cause. Rodent models have been developed to study monogenic ALS, but despite numerous pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, few disease-modifying therapies are available. ALS is a heterogeneous disease with complex underlying mechanisms where several genes and molecular pathways appear to play a role. One reason for the high failure rate of clinical translation from the current models could be oversimplification in pre-clinical studies. Here, we review advances in pre-clinical models to better capture the heterogeneous nature of ALS and discuss the value of novel model systems to guide translation and aid in the development of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenja De Cock
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valérie Bercier
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.
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12
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Salaikumaran M, Gopal PP. Rational Design of TDP-43 Derived α-Helical Peptide Inhibitors: An In Silico Strategy to Prevent TDP-43 Aggregation in Neurodegenerative Disorders. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:1096-1109. [PMID: 38466778 PMCID: PMC10959110 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00659] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
TDP-43, an essential RNA/DNA-binding protein, is central to the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Pathological mislocalization and aggregation of TDP-43 disrupt RNA splicing, mRNA stability, and mRNA transport, thereby impairing neuronal function and survival. The formation of amyloid-like TDP-43 filaments is largely facilitated by the destabilization of an α-helical segment within the disordered C-terminal region. In this study, we hypothesized that preventing the destabilization of the α-helical domain could potentially halt the growth of these pathological filaments. To explore this, we utilized a range of in silico techniques to design and evaluate peptide-based therapeutics that bind to pathological TDP-43 amyloid-like filament crystal structures and resist β sheet conversion. Our computational approaches, including biophysical and secondary structure property prediction, molecular docking, 3D structure prediction, and molecular dynamics simulations, were used to assess the structure, stability, and binding affinity of these peptides in relation to pathological TDP-43 filaments. The results of our in silico analyses identified a selection of promising peptides which displayed a stable α-helical structure, exhibited an increased number of intramolecular hydrogen bonds within the helical domain, and demonstrated high binding affinities for pathological TDP-43 amyloid-like filaments. Molecular dynamics simulations provided further support for the structural and thermodynamic stability of these peptides, as they exhibited lower root-mean-square deviation and more favorable free energy landscapes over 300 ns. These findings establish α-helical propensity peptides as potential lead molecules for the development of novel therapeutics against TDP-43 aggregation. This structure-based computational approach for the rational design of peptide inhibitors opens a new direction in the search for effective interventions for ALS, FTD, and other related neurodegenerative diseases. The peptides identified as the most promising candidates in this study are currently subject to further testing and validation through both in vitro and in vivo experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muthu
Raj Salaikumaran
- Department
of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Pallavi P. Gopal
- Department
of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Program
in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, and Repair, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8055, United States
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13
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Chen S, Puri A, Bell B, Fritsche J, Palacios HH, Balch M, Sprunger ML, Howard MK, Ryan JJ, Haines JN, Patti GJ, Davis AA, Jackrel ME. HTRA1 disaggregates α-synuclein amyloid fibrils and converts them into non-toxic and seeding incompetent species. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2436. [PMID: 38499535 PMCID: PMC10948756 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46538-8] [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: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is closely linked to α-synuclein (α-syn) misfolding and accumulation in Lewy bodies. The PDZ serine protease HTRA1 degrades fibrillar tau, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease, and inactivating mutations to mitochondrial HTRA2 are implicated in PD. Here, we report that HTRA1 inhibits aggregation of α-syn as well as FUS and TDP-43, which are implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia. The protease domain of HTRA1 is necessary and sufficient for inhibiting aggregation, yet this activity is proteolytically-independent. Further, HTRA1 disaggregates preformed α-syn fibrils, rendering them incapable of seeding aggregation of endogenous α-syn, while reducing HTRA1 expression promotes α-syn seeding. HTRA1 remodels α-syn fibrils by targeting the NAC domain, the key domain catalyzing α-syn amyloidogenesis. Finally, HTRA1 detoxifies α-syn fibrils and prevents formation of hyperphosphorylated α-syn accumulations in primary neurons. Our findings suggest that HTRA1 may be a therapeutic target for a range of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Anuradhika Puri
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Braxton Bell
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Joseph Fritsche
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Hector H Palacios
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Maurie Balch
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Macy L Sprunger
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Matthew K Howard
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Jeremy J Ryan
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Jessica N Haines
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Gary J Patti
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Albert A Davis
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Meredith E Jackrel
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
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14
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Unni S, Kommu P, Aouti S, Nalli Y, Bharath MMS, Ali A, Padmanabhan B. Structural insights into the modulation Of SOD1 aggregation By a fungal metabolite Phialomustin-B: Therapeutic potential in ALS. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298196. [PMID: 38446760 PMCID: PMC10917278 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298196] [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: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal human motor neuron disease leading to muscle atrophy and paralysis. Mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) are associated with familial ALS (fALS). The SOD1 mutants in ALS have a toxic-gain of function by destabilizing the functional SOD1 homodimer, consequently inducing fibril-like aggregation with a cytotoxic non-native trimer intermediate. Therefore, reducing SOD1 oligomerization via chemical modulators is an optimal therapy in ALS. Here, we report the discovery of Phialomustin-B, an unsaturated secondary metabolite from the endophytic fungus Phialophora mustea, as a modulator of SOD1 aggregation. The crystal structure of the SOD1-Phialomustin complex refined to 1.90 Å resolution demonstrated for the first time that the ligand binds to the dimer interface and the lateral region near the electrostatic loop. The aggregation analyses of SOD1WT and the disease mutant SOD1A4V revealed that Phialomustin-B reduces cytotoxic trimerization. We propose that Phialomustin-B is a potent lead molecule with therapeutic potential in fALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sruthi Unni
- Department of Biophysics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Padmini Kommu
- Department of Biophysics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Snehal Aouti
- Department of Biophysics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Yedukondalu Nalli
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Natural Product Division, Jammu, India
| | - M. M. Srinivas Bharath
- Department of Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neurotoxicology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Asif Ali
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Natural Product Division, Jammu, India
- Medicinal & Process Chemistry Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, India
| | - Balasundaram Padmanabhan
- Department of Biophysics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
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15
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Dar NJ, John U, Bano N, Khan S, Bhat SA. Oxytosis/Ferroptosis in Neurodegeneration: the Underlying Role of Master Regulator Glutathione Peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:1507-1526. [PMID: 37725216 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03646-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Oxytosis/ferroptosis is an iron-dependent oxidative form of cell death triggered by lethal accumulation of phospholipid hydroperoxides (PLOOHs) in membranes. Failure of the intricate PLOOH repair system is a principle cause of ferroptotic cell death. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) is distinctly vital for converting PLOOHs in membranes to non-toxic alcohols. As such, GPX4 is known as the master regulator of oxytosis/ferroptosis. Ferroptosis has been implicated in a number of disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD), etc.), ischemia/reperfusion injury, and kidney degeneration. Reduced function of GPX4 is frequently observed in degenerative disorders. In this study, we examine how diminished GPX4 function may be a critical event in triggering oxytosis/ferroptosis to perpetuate or initiate the neurodegenerative diseases and assess the possible therapeutic importance of oxytosis/ferroptosis in neurodegenerative disorders. These discoveries are important for advancing our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases because oxytosis/ferroptosis may provide a new target to slow the course of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nawab John Dar
- School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
| | - Urmilla John
- School of Studies in Neuroscience, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India
- School of Studies in Zoology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India
| | - Nargis Bano
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, U.P, India
| | - Sameera Khan
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, U.P, India
| | - Shahnawaz Ali Bhat
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, U.P, India.
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16
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Halon-Golabek M, Flis DJ, Zischka H, Akdogan B, Wieckowski MR, Antosiewicz J, Ziolkowski W. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated disturbance of iron metabolism is blunted by swim training-role of AKT signaling pathway. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167014. [PMID: 38171451 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.167014] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Swim training has increased the life span of the transgenic animal model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Conversely, the progress of the disease is associated with the impairment of iron metabolism and insulin signaling. We used transgenic hmSOD1 G93A (ALS model) and non-transgenic mice in the present study. The study was performed on the muscles taken from trained (ONSET and TERMINAL) and untrained animals at three stages of the disease: BEFORE, ONSET, and TERMINAL. In order to study the molecular mechanism of changes in iron metabolism, we used SH-SY5Y and C2C12 cell lines expression vector pcDNA3.1 and transiently transfected with specific siRNAs. The progress of ALS resulted in decreased P-Akt/Akt ratio, which is associated with increased proteins responsible for iron storage ferritin L, ferritin H, PCBP1, and skeletal muscle iron at ONSET. Conversely, proteins responsible for iron export- TAU significantly decrease. The training partially reverses changes in proteins responsible for iron metabolism. AKT silencing in the SH-SY5Y cell line decreased PCBP2 and ferroportin and increased ferritin L, H, PCBP1, TAU, transferrin receptor 1, and APP. Moreover, silencing APP led to an increase in ferritin L and H. Our data suggest that swim training in the mice ALS model is associated with significant changes in iron metabolism related to AKT activity. Down-regulation of AKT mainly upregulates proteins involved in iron import and storage but decreases proteins involved in iron export.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Halon-Golabek
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Damian Jozef Flis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Hans Zischka
- Institute of Molecular Toxicology and Pharmacology, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany; Institute of Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Technical University Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Banu Akdogan
- Institute of Molecular Toxicology and Pharmacology, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Mariusz Roman Wieckowski
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology and Metabolism, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jedrzej Antosiewicz
- Department of Bioenergetics and Physiology of Exercise, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Wiesław Ziolkowski
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
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17
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Borrego-Hernández D, Vázquez-Costa JF, Domínguez-Rubio R, Expósito-Blázquez L, Aller E, Padró-Miquel A, García-Casanova P, Colomina MJ, Martín-Arriscado C, Osta R, Cordero-Vázquez P, Esteban-Pérez J, Povedano-Panadés M, García-Redondo A. Intermediate Repeat Expansion in the ATXN2 Gene as a Risk Factor in the ALS and FTD Spanish Population. Biomedicines 2024; 12:356. [PMID: 38397958 PMCID: PMC10886453 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12020356] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Intermediate CAG expansions in the gene ataxin-2 (ATXN2) are a known risk factor for ALS, but little is known about their role in FTD risk. Moreover, their contribution to the risk and phenotype of patients might vary in populations with different genetic backgrounds. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of intermediate CAG expansions in ATXN2 with the risk and phenotype of ALS and FTD in the Spanish population. Repeat-primed PCR was performed in 620 ALS and 137 FTD patients in three referral centers in Spain to determine the exact number of CAG repeats. In our cohort, ≥27 CAG repeats in ATXN2 were associated with a higher risk of developing ALS (odds ratio [OR] = 2.666 [1.471-4.882]; p = 0.0013) but not FTD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.446 [0.558-3.574]; p = 0.44). Moreover, ALS patients with ≥27 CAG repeats in ATXN2 showed a shorter survival rate compared to those with <27 repeats (hazard ratio [HR] 1.74 [1.18, 2.56], p = 0.005), more frequent limb onset (odds ratio [OR] = 2.34 [1.093-4.936]; p = 0.028) and a family history of ALS (odds ratio [OR] = 2.538 [1.375-4.634]; p = 0.002). Intermediate CAG expansions of ≥27 repeats in ATXN2 are associated with ALS risk but not with FTD in the Spanish population. ALS patients carrying an intermediate expansion in ATXN2 show more frequent limb onset but a worse prognosis than those without expansions. In patients carrying C9orf72 expansions, the intermediate ATXN2 expansion might increase the penetrance and modify the phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Borrego-Hernández
- ALS Research Laboratory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain; (L.E.-B.); (P.C.-V.); (J.E.-P.); (A.G.-R.)
| | - Juan Francisco Vázquez-Costa
- Neuromuscular Unit, ERN-NMD Group, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (J.F.V.-C.); (P.G.-C.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Raúl Domínguez-Rubio
- Motoneuron Functional Unit, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; (R.D.-R.); (M.P.-P.)
| | - Laura Expósito-Blázquez
- ALS Research Laboratory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain; (L.E.-B.); (P.C.-V.); (J.E.-P.); (A.G.-R.)
| | - Elena Aller
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Genetics Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ariadna Padró-Miquel
- Genetics Laboratory (LCTMS), Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, 08908 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain;
| | - Pilar García-Casanova
- Neuromuscular Unit, ERN-NMD Group, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (J.F.V.-C.); (P.G.-C.)
| | - María J. Colomina
- Anesthesia Service Unit, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain;
| | | | - Rosario Osta
- Laboratório de Genética e Biotecnologia (LAGENBIO), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Zaragoza University, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - Pilar Cordero-Vázquez
- ALS Research Laboratory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain; (L.E.-B.); (P.C.-V.); (J.E.-P.); (A.G.-R.)
| | - Jesús Esteban-Pérez
- ALS Research Laboratory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain; (L.E.-B.); (P.C.-V.); (J.E.-P.); (A.G.-R.)
| | - Mónica Povedano-Panadés
- Motoneuron Functional Unit, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; (R.D.-R.); (M.P.-P.)
| | - Alberto García-Redondo
- ALS Research Laboratory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain; (L.E.-B.); (P.C.-V.); (J.E.-P.); (A.G.-R.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
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18
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Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is well known for its angiogenic activity, but recent evidence has revealed a neuroprotective action of this factor on injured or diseased neurons. In the present review, we summarize the most relevant findings that have contributed to establish a link between VEGF deficiency and neuronal degeneration. At issue, 1) mutant mice with reduced levels of VEGF show adult-onset muscle weakness and motoneuron degeneration resembling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), 2) administration of VEGF to different animal models of motoneuron degeneration improves motor performance and ameliorates motoneuronal degeneration, and 3) there is an association between low plasmatic levels of VEGF and human ALS. Altogether, the results presented in this review highlight VEGF as an essential motoneuron neurotrophic factor endowed with promising therapeutic potential for the treatment of motoneuron disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula M Calvo
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rosendo G Hernández
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Angel M Pastor
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rosa R de la Cruz
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
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19
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Sunildutt N, Ahmed F, Chethikkattuveli Salih AR, Lim JH, Choi KH. Integrating Transcriptomic and Structural Insights: Revealing Drug Repurposing Opportunities for Sporadic ALS. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:3793-3806. [PMID: 38284068 PMCID: PMC10809234 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c07296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in debilitating muscle weakness and atrophy. Currently, there are no effective treatments available for ALS, posing significant challenges in managing the disease that affects approximately two individuals per 100,000 people annually. To address the urgent need for effective ALS treatments, we conducted a drug repurposing study using a combination of bioinformatics tools and molecular docking techniques. We analyzed sporadic ALS-related genes from the GEO database and identified key signaling pathways involved in sporadic ALS pathogenesis through pathway analysis using DAVID. Subsequently, we utilized the Clue Connectivity Map to identify potential drug candidates and performed molecular docking using AutoDock Vina to evaluate the binding affinity of short-listed drugs to key sporadic ALS-related genes. Our study identified Cefaclor, Diphenidol, Flubendazole, Fluticasone, Lestaurtinib, Nadolol, Phenamil, Temozolomide, and Tolterodine as potential drug candidates for repurposing in sporadic ALS treatment. Notably, Lestaurtinib demonstrated high binding affinity toward multiple proteins, suggesting its potential as a broad-spectrum therapeutic agent for sporadic ALS. Additionally, docking analysis revealed NOS3 as the gene that interacts with all the short-listed drugs, suggesting its possible involvement in the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of these drugs in sporadic ALS. Overall, our study provides a systematic framework for identifying potential drug candidates for sporadic ALS therapy and highlights the potential of drug repurposing as a promising strategy for discovering new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naina Sunildutt
- Department
of Mechatronics Engineering, Jeju National
University, Jeju63243, Republic
of Korea
| | - Faheem Ahmed
- Department
of Mechatronics Engineering, Jeju National
University, Jeju63243, Republic
of Korea
| | - Abdul Rahim Chethikkattuveli Salih
- Department
of Mechatronics Engineering, Jeju National
University, Jeju63243, Republic
of Korea
- Terasaki
Institute for Biomedical InnovationLos Angeles21100, United States
| | - Jong Hwan Lim
- Department
of Mechatronics Engineering, Jeju National
University, Jeju63243, Republic
of Korea
| | - Kyung Hyun Choi
- Department
of Mechatronics Engineering, Jeju National
University, Jeju63243, Republic
of Korea
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20
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Rothstein JD, Warlick C, Coyne AN. Highly variable molecular signatures of TDP-43 loss of function are associated with nuclear pore complex injury in a population study of sporadic ALS patient iPSNs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.12.571299. [PMID: 38168312 PMCID: PMC10760028 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.12.571299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The nuclear depletion and cytoplasmic aggregation of the RNA binding protein TDP-43 is widely considered a pathological hallmark of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and related neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies have artificially reduced TDP-43 in wildtype human neurons to replicate loss of function associated events. Although this prior work has defined a number of gene expression and mRNA splicing changes that occur in a TDP-43 dependent manner, it is unclear how these alterations relate to authentic ALS where TDP-43 is not depleted from the cell but miscompartmentalized to variable extents. Here, in this population study, we generate ~30,000 qRT-PCR data points spanning 20 genes in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived neurons (iPSNs) from >150 control, C9orf72 ALS/FTD, and sALS patients to examine molecular signatures of TDP-43 dysfunction. This data set defines a time dependent and variable profile of individual molecular hallmarks of TDP-43 loss of function within and amongst individual patient lines. Importantly, nearly identical changes are observed in postmortem CNS tissues obtained from a subset of patients whose iPSNs were examined. Notably, these studies provide evidence that induction of nuclear pore complex (NPC) injury via reduction of the transmembrane Nup POM121 in wildtype iPSNs is sufficient to phenocopy disease associated signatured of TDP-43 loss of function thereby directly linking NPC integrity to TDP-43 loss of function. Therapeutically, we demonstrate that the expression of all mRNA species associated with TDP-43 loss of function can be restored in sALS iPSNs via two independent methods to repair NPC injury. Collectively, this data 1) represents a substantial resource for the community to examine TDP-43 loss of function events in authentic sALS patient iPSNs, 2) demonstrates that patient derived iPSNs can accurately reflect actual TDP-43 associated alterations in patient brain, and 3) that targeting NPC injury events can be preclinically and reliably accomplished in an iPSN based platform of a sporadic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D. Rothstein
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205
| | - Caroline Warlick
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205
| | - Alyssa N. Coyne
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205
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21
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Rabeh N, Hajjar B, Maraka JO, Sammanasunathan AF, Khan M, Alkhaaldi SMI, Mansour S, Almheiri RT, Hamdan H, Abd-Elrahman KS. Targeting mGluR group III for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115733. [PMID: 37862967 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115733] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, is essential for neuronal function, and it acts on ionotropic or metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). A disturbance in glutamatergic signaling is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. Developing disease-modifying treatments for neurodegenerative diseases targeting glutamate receptors is a promising avenue. The understudied group III mGluR 4, 6-8 are commonly found in the presynaptic membrane, and their activation inhibits glutamate release. Thus, targeted mGluRs therapies could aid in treating neurodegenerative diseases. This review describes group III mGluRs and their pharmacological ligands in the context of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases. Attempts to evaluate the efficacy of these drugs in clinical trials are also discussed. Despite a growing list of group III mGluR-specific pharmacological ligands, research on the use of these drugs in neurodegenerative diseases is limited, except for Parkinson's disease. Future efforts should focus on delineating the contribution of group III mGluR to neurodegeneration and developing novel ligands with superior efficacy and a favorable side effect profile for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Rabeh
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates; Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Baraa Hajjar
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jude O Maraka
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ashwin F Sammanasunathan
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammed Khan
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Saif M I Alkhaaldi
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Samy Mansour
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rashed T Almheiri
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hamdan Hamdan
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates; Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center (HEIC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khaled S Abd-Elrahman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Science, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt.
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22
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Ho WY, Chak LL, Hor JH, Liu F, Diaz-Garcia S, Chang JC, Sanford E, Rodriguez MJ, Alagappan D, Lim SM, Cho YL, Shimizu Y, Sun AX, Tyan SH, Koo E, Kim SH, Ravits J, Ng SY, Okamura K, Ling SC. FUS-dependent microRNA deregulations identify TRIB2 as a druggable target for ALS motor neurons. iScience 2023; 26:108152. [PMID: 37920668 PMCID: PMC10618709 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) modulate mRNA expression, and their deregulation contributes to various diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). As fused in sarcoma (FUS) is a causal gene for ALS and regulates biogenesis of miRNAs, we systematically analyzed the miRNA repertoires in spinal cords and hippocampi from ALS-FUS mice to understand how FUS-dependent miRNA deregulation contributes to ALS. miRNA profiling identified differentially expressed miRNAs between different central nervous system (CNS) regions as well as disease states. Among the up-regulated miRNAs, miR-1197 targets the pro-survival pseudokinase Trib2. A reduced TRIB2 expression was observed in iPSC-derived motor neurons from ALS patients. Pharmacological stabilization of TRIB2 protein with a clinically approved cancer drug rescues the survival of iPSC-derived human motor neurons, including those from a sporadic ALS patient. Collectively, our data indicate that miRNA profiling can be used to probe the molecular mechanisms underlying selective vulnerability, and TRIB2 is a potential therapeutic target for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Yun Ho
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
- Programs in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Li-Ling Chak
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
- Temasek Lifesciences Laboratory, Singapore 117604, Singapore
| | - Jin-Hui Hor
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, A∗STAR Research Entities, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Fujia Liu
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
| | - Sandra Diaz-Garcia
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jer-Cherng Chang
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
| | - Emma Sanford
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
| | - Maria J. Rodriguez
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Durgadevi Alagappan
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
| | - Su Min Lim
- Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Yik-Lam Cho
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
| | - Yuji Shimizu
- Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
| | - Alfred Xuyang Sun
- Programs in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Sheue-Houy Tyan
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
| | - Edward Koo
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
| | - Seung Hyun Kim
- Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - John Ravits
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Shi-Yan Ng
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, A∗STAR Research Entities, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Katsutomo Okamura
- Temasek Lifesciences Laboratory, Singapore 117604, Singapore
- Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Shuo-Chien Ling
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
- Programs in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
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23
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Lombardi M, Corrado L, Piola B, Comi C, Cantello R, D’Alfonso S, Mazzini L, De Marchi F. Variability in Clinical Phenotype in TARDBP Mutations: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Case Description and Literature Review. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2039. [PMID: 38002982 PMCID: PMC10671725 DOI: 10.3390/genes14112039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the 43 kDa transactive-response (TAR)-DNA-binding protein (TARDBP) are associated with 2-5% of familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) cases. TAR DNA-Binding Protein 43 (TDP-43) is an RNA/DNA-binding protein involved in several cellular mechanisms (e.g., transcription, pre-mRNA processing, and splicing). Many ALS-linked TARDBP mutations have been described in the literature, but few phenotypic data on monogenic TARDBP-mutated ALS are available. In this paper, (1) we describe the clinical features of ALS patients carrying mutations in the TARDBP gene evaluated at the Tertiary ALS Center at Maggiore della Carità University Hospital, Novara, Italy, from 2010 to 2020 and (2) present the results of our review of the literature on this topic, analyzing data obtained for 267 patients and highlighting their main clinical and demographic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Lombardi
- ALS Center, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.L.); (R.C.); (L.M.)
| | - Lucia Corrado
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (L.C.); (B.P.); (S.D.)
| | - Beatrice Piola
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (L.C.); (B.P.); (S.D.)
| | - Cristoforo Comi
- Neurology Unit, S. Andrea Hospital, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 13100 Vercelli, Italy;
| | - Roberto Cantello
- ALS Center, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.L.); (R.C.); (L.M.)
| | - Sandra D’Alfonso
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (L.C.); (B.P.); (S.D.)
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- ALS Center, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.L.); (R.C.); (L.M.)
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- ALS Center, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.L.); (R.C.); (L.M.)
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Salaikumaran MR, Gopal PP. Rational Design of TDP-43 Derived α-Helical Peptide Inhibitors: an In-Silico Strategy to Prevent TDP-43 Aggregation in Neurodegenerative Disorders. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.26.564235. [PMID: 37961353 PMCID: PMC10635017 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.26.564235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
TDP-43, an essential RNA/DNA-binding protein, is central to the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Pathological mislocalization and aggregation of TDP-43 disrupts RNA splicing, mRNA stability, and mRNA transport, thereby impairing neuronal function and survival. The formation of amyloid-like TDP-43 filaments is largely facilitated by the destabilization of an α-helical segment within the disordered C-terminal region. In this study, we hypothesized that preventing the destabilization of the α-helical domain could potentially halt the growth of these pathological filaments. To explore this, we utilized a range of in-silico techniques to design and evaluate peptide-based therapeutics. Various pathological TDP-43 amyloid-like filament crystal structures were selected for their potential to inhibit the binding of additional TDP-43 monomers to the growing filaments. Our computational approaches included biophysical and secondary structure property prediction, molecular docking, 3D structure prediction, and molecular dynamics simulations. Through these techniques, we were able to assess the structure, stability, and binding affinity of these peptides in relation to pathological TDP-43 filaments. The results of our in-silico analyses identified a selection of promising peptides, which displayed a stable α-helical structure, exhibited an increased number of intramolecular hydrogen bonds within the helical domain, and demonstrated high binding affinities for pathological TDP-43 amyloid-like filaments. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulations provided further support for the stability of these peptides, as they exhibited lower root mean square deviations in their helical propensity over 100ns. These findings establish α-helical propensity peptides as potential lead molecules for the development of novel therapeutics against TDP-43 aggregation. This structure-based computational approach for rational design of peptide inhibitors opens a new direction in the search for effective interventions for ALS, FTD, and other related neurodegenerative diseases. The peptides identified as the most promising candidates in this study are currently subject to further testing and validation through both in vitro and in vivo experiments.
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25
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Zhu Y, Li M, He Z, Pang X, Du R, Yu W, Zhang J, Bai J, Wang J, Huang X. Evaluating the causal association between microRNAs and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurol Sci 2023; 44:3567-3575. [PMID: 37261630 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-06860-3] [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: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, miRNAs are involved in the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and identifying circulating miRNAs that are causally associated with ALS risk as biomarkers is imperative. METHODS We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization study to evaluate the causal relationship between miRNAs and ALS. Our analysis was conducted using summary statistics from miRNA expression quantitative loci (eQTL) data of the Framingham Heart Study and ALS genome-wide association studies data. Another independent miRNA data was used to further validate. RESULTS We identified eight unique miRNAs that were causally associated with ALS risk. Using expression data of miRNAs from an independent study, we validated three high-confidence miRNAs, namely hsa-miR-27b-3p, hsa-miR-139-5p, and hsa-miR-152-3p, which might have a potential causal effect on ALS risk. CONCLUSION We suggested that higher levels of hsa-miR-27b-3p and hsa-miR-139-5p had protective effects on ALS, whereas higher levels of hsa-miR-152-3p might act as a risk factor for ALS. The analytical framework presented in this study helps to understand the role of miRNAs in the development of ALS and to identify the biomarkers for ALS risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahui Zhu
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Mao Li
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengqing He
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyuan Pang
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- College of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Rongrong Du
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- College of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenxiu Yu
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jinghong Zhang
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiongming Bai
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- College of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiao Wang
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xusheng Huang
- Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
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26
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Chen S, Puri A, Bell B, Fritsche J, Palacios H, Balch M, Sprunger M, Howard M, Patterson J, Patti G, Davis A, Jackrel M. HtrA1 prevents and reverses α-synuclein aggregation, rendering it non-toxic and seeding incompetent. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2570571. [PMID: 37674720 PMCID: PMC10479434 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2570571/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson disease (PD) is closely linked to the misfolding and accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) into Lewy bodies. HtrA1 is a PDZ serine protease that degrades fibrillar tau, which is associated with Alzheimer disease (AD). Further, inactivating mutations to mitochondrial HtrA2 have been implicated in PD. Here, we establish that HtrA1 inhibits the aggregation of α-syn as well as FUS and TDP-43, which are implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We demonstrate that the protease domain of HtrA1 is necessary and sufficient for inhibition of aggregation, yet this activity is independent of HtrA1 proteolytic activity. Further, we find that HtrA1 also disaggregates preformed α-syn fibrils, which may promote their clearance. Treatment of α-syn fibrils with HtrA1 renders α-syn incapable of seeding the aggregation of endogenous α-syn in mammalian biosensor cells. We find that HtrA1 remodels α-syn by specifically targeting the NAC domain, which is the key domain that catalyzes α-syn oligomerization and fibrillization. Finally, in a primary neuron model of α-syn aggregation, we show that HtrA1 and its proteolytically inactive form both detoxify α-syn and prevent the formation of hyperphosphorylated α-syn accumulations. Our findings suggest that HtrA1 prevents aggregation and promotes disaggregation of multiple disease-associated proteins, and may be a therapeutic target for treating a range of neurodegenerative disorders.
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27
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Younes R, Issa Y, Jdaa N, Chouaib B, Brugioti V, Challuau D, Raoul C, Scamps F, Cuisinier F, Hilaire C. The Secretome of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells and Its Components GDF15 and HB-EGF Protect Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Motoneurons against Death. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2152. [PMID: 37626649 PMCID: PMC10452672 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082152] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and incurable paralytic disorder caused by the progressive death of upper and lower motoneurons. Although numerous strategies have been developed to slow disease progression and improve life quality, to date only a few therapeutic treatments are available with still unsatisfactory therapeutic benefits. The secretome of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) contains numerous neurotrophic factors that could promote motoneuron survival. Accordingly, DPSCs confer neuroprotective benefits to the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS. However, the mode of action of DPSC secretome on motoneurons remains largely unknown. Here, we used conditioned medium of human DPSCs (DPSCs-CM) and assessed its effect on survival, axonal length, and electrical activity of cultured wildtype and SOD1G93A motoneurons. To further understand the role of individual factors secreted by DPSCs and to circumvent the secretome variability bias, we focused on GDF15 and HB-EGF whose neuroprotective properties remain elusive in the ALS pathogenic context. DPSCs-CM rescues motoneurons from trophic factor deprivation-induced death, promotes axon outgrowth of wildtype but not SOD1G93A mutant motoneurons, and has no impact on the spontaneous electrical activity of wildtype or mutant motoneurons. Both GDF15 and HB-EGF protect SOD1G93A motoneurons against nitric oxide-induced death, but not against death induced by trophic factor deprivation. GDF15 and HB-EGF receptors were found to be expressed in the spinal cord, with a two-fold increase in expression for the GDF15 low-affinity receptor in SOD1G93A mice. Therefore, the secretome of DPSCs appears as a new potential therapeutic candidate for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Younes
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
- LBN, University of Montpellier, 34193 Montpellier, France
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut 6573, Lebanon
| | - Youssef Issa
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Nadia Jdaa
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Batoul Chouaib
- LBN, University of Montpellier, 34193 Montpellier, France
- Human Health Department, IRSN, SERAMED, LRMed, 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | | | - Désiré Challuau
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Cédric Raoul
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Cécile Hilaire
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
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28
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Huang Y, Yang H, Yang B, Zheng Y, Hou X, Chen G, Zhang W, Zeng X, DU B. Ginsenoside-Rg1 combined with a conditioned medium from induced neuron-like hUCMSCs alleviated the apoptosis in a cell model of ALS through regulating the NF-κB/Bcl-2 pathway. Chin J Nat Med 2023; 21:540-550. [PMID: 37517821 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(23)60445-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting both upper and lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. One important aspect of ALS pathogenesis is superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) mutant-mediated mitochondrial toxicity, leading to apoptosis in neurons. This study aimed to evaluate the neural protective synergistic effects of ginsenosides Rg1 (G-Rg1) and conditioned medium (CM) on a mutational SOD1 cell model, and to explore the underlying mechanisms. We found that the contents of nerve growth factor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor significantly increased in CM after human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) were exposed to neuron differentiation reagents for seven days. CM or G-Rg1 decreased the apoptotic rate of SOD1G93A-NSC34 cells to a certain extent, but their combination brought about the least apoptosis, compared with CM or G-Rg1 alone. Further research showed that the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was upregulated in all the treatment groups. Proteins associated with mitochondrial apoptotic pathways, such as Bax, caspase 9 (Cas-9), and cytochrome c (Cyt c), were downregulated. Furthermore, CM or G-Rg1 also inhibited the activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway by reducing the phosphorylation of p65 and IκBα. CM/G-Rg1 or their combination also reduced the apoptotic rate induced by betulinic acid (BetA), an agonist of the NF-κB signaling pathway. In summary, the combination of CM and G-Rg1 effectively reduced the apoptosis of SOD1G93A-NSC34 cells through suppressing the NF-κB/Bcl-2 signaling pathway (Fig. 1 is a graphical representation of the abstract).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Huang
- Labortory of Stem Cell Clinical Reaearch, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Clinical Research, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Huili Yang
- Labortory of Stem Cell Clinical Reaearch, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510006, China; Department of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Biying Yang
- Labortory of Stem Cell Clinical Reaearch, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510006, China; Department of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yu Zheng
- Labortory of Stem Cell Clinical Reaearch, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510006, China; Department of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiaomei Hou
- Labortory of Stem Cell Clinical Reaearch, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510006, China; Department of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guiling Chen
- Labortory of Stem Cell Clinical Reaearch, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Clinical Research, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wenqi Zhang
- Labortory of Stem Cell Clinical Reaearch, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510006, China; Department of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Labortory of Stem Cell Clinical Reaearch, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Clinical Research, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Baoxin DU
- Labortory of Stem Cell Clinical Reaearch, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Labortory of Stem Cell Biology and Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510006, China; Department of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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Pisharady PK, Eberly LE, Adanyeguh IM, Manousakis G, Guliani G, Walk D, Lenglet C. Multimodal MRI improves diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity to longitudinal change in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2023; 3:84. [PMID: 37328685 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00318-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent advances in MRI acquisitions and image analysis have increased the utility of neuroimaging in understanding disease-related changes. In this work, we aim to demonstrate increased sensitivity to disease progression as well as improved diagnostic accuracy in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with multimodal MRI of the brain and cervical spinal cord. METHODS We acquired diffusion MRI data from the brain and cervical cord, and T1 data from the brain, of 20 participants with ALS and 20 healthy control participants. Ten ALS and 14 control participants, and 11 ALS and 13 control participants were re-scanned at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups respectively. We estimated cross-sectional differences and longitudinal changes in diffusion metrics, cortical thickness, and fixel-based microstructure measures, i.e. fiber density and fiber cross-section. RESULTS We demonstrate improved disease diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity through multimodal analysis of brain and spinal cord metrics. The brain metrics also distinguished lower motor neuron-predominant ALS participants from control participants. Fiber density and cross-section provided the greatest sensitivity to longitudinal change. We demonstrate evidence of progression in a cohort of 11 participants with slowly progressive ALS, including in participants with very slow change in ALSFRS-R. More importantly, we demonstrate that longitudinal change is detectable at a six-month follow-up visit. We also report correlations between ALSFRS-R and the fiber density and cross-section metrics. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that multimodal MRI is useful in improving disease diagnosis, and fixel-based measures may serve as potential biomarkers of disease progression in ALS clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pramod Kumar Pisharady
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Lynn E Eberly
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Isaac M Adanyeguh
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Georgios Manousakis
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Gaurav Guliani
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - David Walk
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Christophe Lenglet
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
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A meta-analysis of post-exercise outcomes in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. eNeurologicalSci 2023; 31:100452. [PMID: 36875937 PMCID: PMC9982645 DOI: 10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To systematically evaluate post-exercise outcomes related to function and quality of life in people with ALS. Methods PRISMA guidelines were used for identifying and extracting articles. Levels of evidence and quality of articles were judged based on The Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Levels of Evidence and the QualSyst. Outcomes were analyzed with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V2 software, random effects models, and Hedge's G. Effects were examined at 0-4 months, up to 6 months, and > 6 months. Pre-specified sensitivity analyses were performed for 1) controlled trials vs. all studies and 2) ALSFRS-R bulbar, respiratory, and motor subscales. Heterogeneity of pooled outcomes was computed with the I2 statistic. Results 16 studies and seven functional outcomes met inclusion for the meta-analysis. Of the outcomes explored, the ALSFRS-R demonstrated a favorable summary effect size and had acceptable heterogeneity and dispersion. While FIM scores demonstrated a favorable summary effect size, heterogeneity limited interpretations. Other outcomes did not demonstrate a favorable summary effect size and/or could not be reported due to few studies reporting outcomes. Conclusions This study provides inconclusive guidance regarding exercise regimens to maintain function and quality of life in people with ALS due to study limitations (e.g., small sample size, high attrition rate, heterogeneity in methods and participants, etc.). Future research is warranted to determine optimal treatment regimens and dosage parameters in this patient population.
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Key Words
- 25FWT, (25 Feet Walk Test)
- 6MWT, (6 Minute Walk Test)
- ALS, (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
- ALSFRS-R, (ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- DIGEST, (Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity)
- EAT-10, (Eating Assessment Tool)
- EMST, (Expiratory muscle strength training)
- Exercise
- FAC, (Functional Ambulation Categories)
- FIM, (Functional Independence Measurement)
- FOIS, (Functional Oral Intake Scale)
- FSS, (Fatigue Severity Scale)
- FVC, (forced vital capacity)
- IMST, (Inspiratory muscle strength training)
- ITT, (intention-to-treat)
- KEMS, (knee extension muscle strength)
- MEP, (maximum expiratory pressure)
- MIP, (maximum inspiratory pressure)
- MND, (motor neuron disease)
- MVIC, (maximum voluntary isometric contraction)
- Motor neuron disease
- Outcome measures
- PAS, (Penetration Aspiration Scale)
- PEF, (peak expiratory flow)
- PRISMA-2009, (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses)
- RCTs, (randomized controlled trials)
- RPE, (rating of perceived exertion)
- Rehabilitation
- SNIP, (sniff nasal inspiratory pressure)
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Tyler SE, Tyler LD. Pathways to healing: Plants with therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2023; 14:210-234. [PMID: 36880056 PMCID: PMC9984566 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Some of the greatest challenges in medicine are the neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), which remain without a cure and mostly progress to death. A companion study employed a toolkit methodology to document 2001 plant species with ethnomedicinal uses for alleviating pathologies relevant to NDs, focusing on its relevance to Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to find plants with therapeutic bioactivities for a range of NDs. 1339 of the 2001 plant species were found to have a bioactivity from the literature of therapeutic relevance to NDs such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, AD, motor neurone diseases, multiple sclerosis, prion diseases, Neimann-Pick disease, glaucoma, Friedreich's ataxia and Batten disease. 43 types of bioactivities were found, such as reducing protein misfolding, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and cell death, and promoting neurogenesis, mitochondrial biogenesis, autophagy, longevity, and anti-microbial activity. Ethno-led plant selection was more effective than random selection of plant species. Our findings indicate that ethnomedicinal plants provide a large resource of ND therapeutic potential. The extensive range of bioactivities validate the usefulness of the toolkit methodology in the mining of this data. We found that a number of the documented plants are able to modulate molecular mechanisms underlying various key ND pathologies, revealing a promising and even profound capacity to halt and reverse the processes of neurodegeneration.
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Key Words
- A-H, Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome
- AD, Alzheimer’s disease
- ALS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- BBB, blood-brain barrier
- C. elegans,, Caenorhabditis elegans
- CJD, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
- CMT, Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease
- CS, Cockayne syndrome
- Ech A, Echinochrome A
- FDA, Food and Drug Administration
- FRDA, Friedreich’s ataxia
- FTD, Frontotemporal dementia
- HD, Huntington’s disease
- Hsp, Heat shock protein
- LSD, Lysosomal storage diseases
- MS, Multiple sclerosis
- MSA, Multiple system atrophy
- MSP, Multisystem proteinopathy
- Medicinal plant
- ND, neurodegenerative disease
- NPC, Neimann-Pick disease type C
- NSC, neural stem cells
- Neuro-inflammation
- Neurodegeneration
- Neurogenesis
- PC, pharmacological chaperone
- PD, Parkinson’s disease
- Protein misfolding
- SMA, Spinal muscular atrophy
- VD, Vascular dementia
- prion dis, prion diseases
- α-syn, alpha-synuclein
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena E.B. Tyler
- John Ray Research Field Station, Cheshire, United Kingdom
- Corresponding author.
| | - Luke D.K. Tyler
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
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Kumar ST, Nazarov S, Porta S, Maharjan N, Cendrowska U, Kabani M, Finamore F, Xu Y, Lee VMY, Lashuel HA. Seeding the aggregation of TDP-43 requires post-fibrillization proteolytic cleavage. Nat Neurosci 2023:10.1038/s41593-023-01341-4. [PMID: 37248338 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01341-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Despite the strong evidence linking the transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) aggregation to the pathogenesis of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and several neurodegenerative diseases, our knowledge of the sequence and structural determinants of its aggregation and neurotoxicity remains incomplete. Herein, we present a new method for producing recombinant full-length TDP-43 filaments that exhibit sequence and morphological features similar to those of brain-derived TDP-43 filaments. We show that TDP-43 filaments contain a β-sheet-rich helical amyloid core that is fully buried by the flanking structured domains of the protein. We demonstrate that the proteolytic cleavage of TDP-43 filaments and exposure of this amyloid core are necessary for propagating TDP-43 pathology and enhancing the seeding of brain-derived TDP-43 aggregates. Only TDP-43 filaments with exposed amyloid core efficiently seeded the aggregation of endogenous TDP-43 in cells. These findings suggest that inhibiting the enzymes mediating cleavage of TDP-43 aggregates represents a viable disease-modifying strategy to slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other TDP-43 proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senthil T Kumar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sergey Nazarov
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sílvia Porta
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CNDR), Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Niran Maharjan
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Urszula Cendrowska
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Malek Kabani
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Finamore
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yan Xu
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CNDR), Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Virginia M-Y Lee
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CNDR), Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Dučić T, Koch JC. Synchrotron-Based Fourier-Transform Infrared Micro-Spectroscopy of Cerebrospinal Fluid from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients Reveals a Unique Biomolecular Profile. Cells 2023; 12:1451. [PMID: 37296572 PMCID: PMC10253168 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111451] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease, with the most common adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder affecting motoneurons. Although disruptions in macromolecular conformation and homeostasis have been described in association with ALS, the underlying pathological mechanisms are still not completely understood, and unambiguous biomarkers are lacking. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is appealing to extensive interest due to its potential to resolve biomolecular conformation and content, as this approach offers a non-invasive, label-free identification of specific biologically relevant molecules in a few microliters of CSF sample. Here, we analyzed the CSF of 33 ALS patients compared to 32 matched controls using FTIR spectroscopy and multivariate analysis and demonstrated major differences in the molecular contents. A significant change in the conformation and concentration of RNA is demonstrated. Moreover, significantly increased glutamate and carbohydrates are found in ALS. Moreover, key markers of lipid metabolism are strongly altered; specifically, we find a decrease in unsaturated lipids and an increase in peroxidation of lipids in ALS, whereas the total amount of lipids compared to proteins is reduced. Our study demonstrates that FTIR characterization of CSF could represent a powerful tool for ALS diagnosis and reveals central features of ALS pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Dučić
- CELLS−ALBA, Carrer de la Llum 2-26, Cerdanyola del Valles, 08290 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jan Christoph Koch
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
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Sharma K, Sarkar J, Trisal A, Ghosh R, Dixit A, Singh AK. Targeting mitochondrial dysfunction to salvage cellular senescence for managing neurodegeneration. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2023; 136:309-337. [PMID: 37437982 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2023.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Aging is an inevitable phenomenon that causes a decline in bodily functions over time. One of the most important processes that play a role in aging is senescence. Senescence is characterized by accumulation of cells that are no longer functional but elude the apoptotic pathway. These cells secrete inflammatory molecules that comprise the senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Several essential molecules such as p53, Rb, and p16INK4a regulate the senescence process. Mitochondrial regulation has been found to play an important role in senescence. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from mitochondria can affect cellular senescence by inducing the persistent DNA damage response, thus stabilizing the senescence. Evidently, senescence plays a major contributory role to the development of age-related neurological disorders. In this chapter, we discuss the role of senescence in the progression and onset of several neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Moreover, we also discuss the efficacy of certain molecules like MitoQ, SkQ1, and Latrepirdine that could be proven therapeutics with respect to these disorders by regulating mitochondrial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komal Sharma
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology and Neurosciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Joyobrata Sarkar
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology and Neurosciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Anchal Trisal
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology and Neurosciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Rishika Ghosh
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology and Neurosciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Anubhuti Dixit
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology and Neurosciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India.
| | - Abhishek Kumar Singh
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology and Neurosciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India.
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35
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Khamaysa M, Lefort M, Pélégrini-Issac M, Lackmy-Vallée A, Preuilh A, Devos D, Rolland AS, Desnuelle C, Chupin M, Marchand-Pauvert V, Querin G, Pradat PF. Comparison of spinal magnetic resonance imaging and classical clinical factors in predicting motor capacity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol 2023:10.1007/s00415-023-11727-w. [PMID: 37103756 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11727-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motor capacity is crucial in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) clinical trial design and patient care. However, few studies have explored the potential of multimodal MRI to predict motor capacity in ALS. This study aims to evaluate the predictive value of cervical spinal cord MRI parameters for motor capacity in ALS compared to clinical prognostic factors. METHODS Spinal multimodal MRI was performed shortly after diagnosis in 41 ALS patients and 12 healthy participants as part of a prospective multicenter cohort study, the PULSE study (NCT00002013-A00969-36). Motor capacity was assessed using ALSFRS-R scores. Multiple stepwise linear regression models were constructed to predict motor capacity at 3 and 6 months from diagnosis, based on clinical variables, structural MRI measurements, including spinal cord cross-sectional area (CSA), anterior-posterior, and left-to-right cross-section diameters at vertebral levels from C1 to T4, and diffusion parameters in the lateral corticospinal tracts (LCSTs) and dorsal columns. RESULTS Structural MRI measurements were significantly correlated with the ALSFRS-R score and its sub-scores. And as early as 3 months from diagnosis, structural MRI measurements fit the best multiple linear regression model to predict the total ALSFRS-R (R2 = 0.70, p value = 0.0001) and arm sub-score (R2 = 0.69, p value = 0.0002), and combined with DTI metric in the LCST and clinical factors fit the best multiple linear regression model to predict leg sub-score (R2 = 0.73, p value = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS Spinal multimodal MRI could be promising as a tool to enhance prognostic accuracy and serve as a motor function proxy in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Khamaysa
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Paris, France
| | - M Lefort
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Paris, France
| | - M Pélégrini-Issac
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Paris, France
| | - A Lackmy-Vallée
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Paris, France
| | - A Preuilh
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Paris, France
| | - D Devos
- Département de Neurology, Centre Référent SLA, CHU de Lille, Centre LICEND COEN, Lille, France
- Départment de Pharmacologie Médicale, Université de Lille, INSERM UMRS_1172 LilNCog, CHU de Lille, Centre LICEND COEN, Lille, France
| | - A-S Rolland
- Départment de Pharmacologie Médicale, Université de Lille, INSERM UMRS_1172 LilNCog, CHU de Lille, Centre LICEND COEN, Lille, France
| | - C Desnuelle
- Faculté Médecine de Nice, Département de Neurologie, Université Cote d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - M Chupin
- CATI Multicenter Neuroimaging Platform, Paris, France
| | - V Marchand-Pauvert
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Paris, France
| | - G Querin
- APHP, Service de Neuromyologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre Référent Maladies Neuromusculaires Rares, Paris, France
- Institut de Myologie, I-Motion Clinical Trials Platform, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Pierre-François Pradat
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Paris, France.
- APHP, Département de Neurologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre Référent SLA, Paris, France.
- Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute Ulster University, C-TRIC, Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry/Londonderry, UK.
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Ong HW, Liang Y, Richardson W, Lowry ER, Wells CI, Chen X, Silvestre M, Dempster K, Silvaroli JA, Smith JL, Wichterle H, Pabla NS, Ultanir SK, Bullock AN, Drewry DH, Axtman AD. Discovery of a Potent and Selective CDKL5/GSK3 Chemical Probe That Is Neuroprotective. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:1672-1685. [PMID: 37084253 PMCID: PMC10161233 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite mediating several essential processes in the brain, including during development, cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) remains a poorly characterized human protein kinase. Accordingly, its substrates, functions, and regulatory mechanisms have not been fully described. We realized that availability of a potent and selective small molecule probe targeting CDKL5 could enable illumination of its roles in normal development as well as in diseases where it has become aberrant due to mutation. We prepared analogs of AT-7519, a compound that has advanced to phase II clinical trials and is a known inhibitor of several cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and cyclin-dependent kinase-like kinases (CDKLs). We identified analog 2 as a highly potent and cell-active chemical probe for CDKL5/GSK3 (glycogen synthase kinase 3). Evaluation of its kinome-wide selectivity confirmed that analog 2 demonstrates excellent selectivity and only retains GSK3α/β affinity. We next demonstrated the inhibition of downstream CDKL5 and GSK3α/β signaling and solved a co-crystal structure of analog 2 bound to human CDKL5. A structurally similar analog (4) proved to lack CDKL5 affinity and maintain potent and selective inhibition of GSK3α/β, making it a suitable negative control. Finally, we used our chemical probe pair (2 and 4) to demonstrate that inhibition of CDKL5 and/or GSK3α/β promotes the survival of human motor neurons exposed to endoplasmic reticulum stress. We have demonstrated a neuroprotective phenotype elicited by our chemical probe pair and exemplified the utility of our compounds to characterize the role of CDKL5/GSK3 in neurons and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wee Ong
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Yi Liang
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - William Richardson
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
| | - Emily R Lowry
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
- The Project ALS Therapeutics Core, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Carrow I Wells
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Xiangrong Chen
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
| | - Margaux Silvestre
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, U.K
| | - Kelvin Dempster
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, U.K
| | - Josie A Silvaroli
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Jeffery L Smith
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Hynek Wichterle
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
- The Project ALS Therapeutics Core, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Navjot S Pabla
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Sila K Ultanir
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, U.K
| | - Alex N Bullock
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K
| | - David H Drewry
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Alison D Axtman
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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Rey F, Berardo C, Maghraby E, Mauri A, Messa L, Esposito L, Casili G, Ottolenghi S, Bonaventura E, Cuzzocrea S, Zuccotti G, Tonduti D, Esposito E, Paterniti I, Cereda C, Carelli S. Redox Imbalance in Neurological Disorders in Adults and Children. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12040965. [PMID: 37107340 PMCID: PMC10135575 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12040965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxygen is a central molecule for numerous metabolic and cytophysiological processes, and, indeed, its imbalance can lead to numerous pathological consequences. In the human body, the brain is an aerobic organ and for this reason, it is very sensitive to oxygen equilibrium. The consequences of oxygen imbalance are especially devastating when occurring in this organ. Indeed, oxygen imbalance can lead to hypoxia, hyperoxia, protein misfolding, mitochondria dysfunction, alterations in heme metabolism and neuroinflammation. Consequently, these dysfunctions can cause numerous neurological alterations, both in the pediatric life and in the adult ages. These disorders share numerous common pathways, most of which are consequent to redox imbalance. In this review, we will focus on the dysfunctions present in neurodegenerative disorders (specifically Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and pediatric neurological disorders (X-adrenoleukodystrophies, spinal muscular atrophy, mucopolysaccharidoses and Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease), highlighting their underlining dysfunction in redox and identifying potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Rey
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy
| | - Clarissa Berardo
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy
| | - Erika Maghraby
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessia Mauri
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy
| | - Letizia Messa
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering (DEIB), Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Letizia Esposito
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy
| | - Giovanna Casili
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Sara Ottolenghi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Eleonora Bonaventura
- Child Neurology Unit, Buzzi Children's Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy
- Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Leukodystrophies and Genetic Leukoencephalopathies (COALA), Buzzi Children's Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
- Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy
| | - Davide Tonduti
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
- Child Neurology Unit, Buzzi Children's Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy
- Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Leukodystrophies and Genetic Leukoencephalopathies (COALA), Buzzi Children's Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy
| | - Emanuela Esposito
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Irene Paterniti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Cristina Cereda
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy
| | - Stephana Carelli
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, 20154 Milano, Italy
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Antonioni A, Govoni V, Brancaleoni L, Donà A, Granieri E, Bergamini M, Gerdol R, Pugliatti M. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Air Pollutants in the Province of Ferrara, Northern Italy: An Ecological Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20085591. [PMID: 37107873 PMCID: PMC10138704 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20085591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The etiopathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is still largely unknown, but likely depends on gene-environment interactions. Among the putative sources of environmental exposure are air pollutants and especially heavy metals. We aimed to investigate the relationship between ALS density and the concentration of air pollution heavy metals in Ferrara, northern Italy. An ecological study was designed to correlate the map of ALS distribution and that of air pollutants. All ALS cases diagnosed between 2000 and 2017 (Ferrara University Hospital administrative data) were plotted by residency in 100 sub-areas, and grouped in 4 sectors: urban, rural, northwestern and along the motorway. The concentrations of silver, aluminium, cadmium, chrome, copper, iron, manganese, lead, and selenium in moss and lichens were measured and monitored in 2006 and 2011. Based on 62 ALS patients, a strong and direct correlation of ALS density was observed only with copper concentrations in all sectors and in both sexes (Pearson coefficient (ρ) = 0.758; p = 0.000002). The correlation was higher in the urban sector (ρ = 0.767; p = 0.000128), in women for the overall population (ρ = 0.782, p = 0.000028) and in the urban (ρ = 0.872, p = 0.000047) population, and for the older cohort of diagnosed patients (2000-2009) the assessment correlated with the first assessment of air pollutants in 2006 (ρ = 0.724, p = 0.008). Our data is, in part, consistent with a hypothesis linking copper pollution to ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annibale Antonioni
- Unit of Clinical Neurology, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.A.); (E.G.)
- Doctoral Program in Translational Neurosciences and Neurotechnologies, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Vittorio Govoni
- Unit of Clinical Neurology, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.A.); (E.G.)
| | - Lisa Brancaleoni
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessandro Donà
- Unit of Clinical Neurology, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.A.); (E.G.)
| | - Enrico Granieri
- Unit of Clinical Neurology, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.A.); (E.G.)
| | - Mauro Bergamini
- Preventive Medicine and Risk Assessment, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Renato Gerdol
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maura Pugliatti
- Unit of Clinical Neurology, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.A.); (E.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0532-239309
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Ketabforoush AHME, Chegini R, Barati S, Tahmasebi F, Moghisseh B, Joghataei MT, Faghihi F, Azedi F. Masitinib: The promising actor in the next season of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis treatment series. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 160:114378. [PMID: 36774721 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with high mortality and morbidity rate affecting both upper and lower motor neurons (MN). Muscle force reduction, behavioral change, pseudobulbar affect, and cognitive impairments are the most common clinical manifestations of ALS. The main physiopathology of ALS is still unclear, though several studies have identified that oxidative stress, proteinopathies, glutamate-related excitotoxicity, microglial activation, and neuroinflammation may be involved in the pathogenesis of ALS. From 1995 until October 2022, only Riluzole, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide (DH) with Quinidine sulfate (Q), Edaravone, and Sodium phenylbutyrate with Taurursodiol (PB/TUDCO) have achieved FDA approval for ALS treatment. Despite the use of these four approved agents, the survival rate and quality of life of ALS patients are still low. Thus, finding novel treatments for ALS patients is an urgent requirement. Masitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, emphasizes the neuro-inflammatory activity of ALS by targeting macrophages, mast cells, and microglia cells. Masitinib downregulates the proinflammatory cytokines, indirectly reduces inflammation, and induces neuroprotection. Also, it was effective in phase 2/3 and 3 clinical trials (CTs) by increasing overall survival and delaying motor, bulbar, and respiratory function deterioration. This review describes the pathophysiology of ALS, focusing on Masitinib's mechanism of action and explaining why Masitinib could be a promising actor in the treatment of ALS patients. In addition, Masitinib CTs and other competitor drugs in phase 3 CTs have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rojin Chegini
- Metabolic Liver Disease Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Shirin Barati
- Department of Anatomy, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Tahmasebi
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Bardia Moghisseh
- Student Research Committee, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taghi Joghataei
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faezeh Faghihi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Fereshteh Azedi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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40
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Zhang G, E M, Zhou X. Environmental and Occupational solvents exposure and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurol Sci 2023:10.1007/s10072-023-06718-8. [PMID: 36897461 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-06718-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Studies focusing on the association between environmental and occupational solvent exposure and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have yielded inconsistent results. Herein we present the results of a meta-analysis on the correlation between solvent exposure and ALS. We searched for eligible studies that reported ALS with exposure to solvents in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to December 2022. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to evaluate the quality of the article and a meta-analysis was performed using a random effect model. Thirteen articles, including two cohort studies and 13 case-control studies with 6365 cases and 173,321 controls were selected. The odds ratio (OR) for the association between solvent exposure and ALS was 1.31 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-1.54) with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 59.7%; p = 0.002). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the results, and publication bias was not detected. These results indicated that environmental and occupational solvent exposure was associated with the risk of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqiang Zhang
- The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, 6 Zhenhua East Road, Lianyungang, 222061, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng E
- Yangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 52 Shangfangsi Road, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Yangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 52 Shangfangsi Road, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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Rey F, Maghraby E, Messa L, Esposito L, Barzaghini B, Pandini C, Bordoni M, Gagliardi S, Diamanti L, Raimondi MT, Mazza M, Zuccotti G, Carelli S, Cereda C. Identification of a novel pathway in sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis mediated by the long non-coding RNA ZEB1-AS1. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 178:106030. [PMID: 36736597 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deregulation of transcription in the pathogenesis of sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (sALS) is taking central stage with RNA-sequencing analyses from sALS patients tissues highlighting numerous deregulated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). The oncogenic lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 is strongly downregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of sALS patients. In addition, in cancer-derived cell lines, ZEB1-AS1 belongs to a negative feedback loop regulation with hsa-miR-200c, acting as a molecular sponge for this miRNA. The role of the lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 in sALS pathogenesis has not been characterized yet, and its study could help identifying a possible disease-modifying target. METHODS the implication of the ZEB1-AS1/ZEB1/hsa-miR-200c/BMI1 pathway was investigated in multiple patients-derived cellular models (patients-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells and induced pluripotent stem cells-derived neural stem cells) and in the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y, where its function was inhibited via RNA interference. Molecular techniques such as Real Time PCR, Western Blot and Immunofluorescence were used to assess the pathway dysregulation. RESULTS Our results show a dysregulation of a signaling pathway involving ZEB1-AS1/hsa-miR-200c/β-Catenin in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in induced pluripotent stem cells-derived neural stem cells from sALS patients. These results were validated in vitro on the cell line SH-SY5Y with silenced expression of ZEB1-AS1. Moreover, we found an increase for ZEB1-AS1 during neural differentiation with an aberrant expression of β-Catenin, highlighting also its aggregation and possible impact on neurite length. CONCLUSIONS Our results support and describe the role of ZEB1-AS1 pathway in sALS and specifically in neuronal differentiation, suggesting that an impairment of β-Catenin signaling and an alteration of the neuronal phenotype are taking place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Rey
- Pediatric Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Erika Maghraby
- Pediatric Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Letizia Messa
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy; Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering (DEIB), Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Letizia Esposito
- Pediatric Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Bianca Barzaghini
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Pandini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Bordoni
- Cellular Models and Neuroepigenetics Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stella Gagliardi
- Molecular Biology and Transcriptomics Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luca Diamanti
- Neuroncology Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Manuela Teresa Raimondi
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Mazza
- Immunotherapy, Cell Therapy and Biobank (ITCB), IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
- Pediatric Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Stephana Carelli
- Pediatric Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Cristina Cereda
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Liu W, Zhu SO, Guo YL, Tu LF, Zhen YQ, Zhao RY, Ou-Yang L, Kurihara H, He RR, Liu B. BL-918, a small-molecule activator of ULK1, induces cytoprotective autophagy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis therapy. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:524-537. [PMID: 36042292 PMCID: PMC9958028 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-00972-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is one of the most common fatal neurodegenerative diseases in adults. ALS pathogenesis is associated with toxic SOD1 aggregates generated by mutant SOD1. Since autophagy is responsible for the clearance of toxic protein aggregates including SOD1 aggregates, autophagy induction has been considered as a potential strategy for treating ALS. Autophagic signaling is initiated by unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) complex. We previously identified that BL-918 as a specific ULK1 activator, which exerted cytoprotective effect against Parkinson's disease in vitro and in vivo. In this study we investigated whether BL-918 exerted a therapeutic effect against ALS, and characterized its pharmacokinetic profile in rats. In hSODG93A-NSC34 cells, treatment with BL-918 (5, 10 μM) dose-dependently induced ULK1-dependent autophagy, and eliminated toxic SOD1 aggregates. In SODG93A mice, administration of BL-918 (40, 80 mg/kg, b.i.d., i.g.) dose-dependently prolonged lifespan and improved the motor function, and enhanced the clearance of SOD1 aggregates in spinal cord and cerebral cortex through inducing autophagy. In the pharmacokinetic study conducted in rats, we found BL-918 and its 2 metabolites (M8 and M10) present in spinal cord and brain; after intragastric and intravenous administration, BL-918 reached the highest blood concentration compared to M8 and M10. Collectively, ULK1 activator BL-918 displays a therapeutic potential on ALS through inducing cytoprotective autophagy. This study provides a further clue for autophagic dysfunction in ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Shi-Ou Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yu-Lin Guo
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Long-Fang Tu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yong-Qi Zhen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Rong-Yan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Liang Ou-Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Hiroshi Kurihara
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Rong-Rong He
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Wilson DM, Cookson MR, Van Den Bosch L, Zetterberg H, Holtzman DM, Dewachter I. Hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases. Cell 2023; 186:693-714. [PMID: 36803602 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 272] [Impact Index Per Article: 272.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Decades of research have identified genetic factors and biochemical pathways involved in neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). We present evidence for the following eight hallmarks of NDD: pathological protein aggregation, synaptic and neuronal network dysfunction, aberrant proteostasis, cytoskeletal abnormalities, altered energy homeostasis, DNA and RNA defects, inflammation, and neuronal cell death. We describe the hallmarks, their biomarkers, and their interactions as a framework to study NDDs using a holistic approach. The framework can serve as a basis for defining pathogenic mechanisms, categorizing different NDDs based on their primary hallmarks, stratifying patients within a specific NDD, and designing multi-targeted, personalized therapies to effectively halt NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Wilson
- Hasselt University, Biomedical Research Institute, BIOMED, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
| | - Mark R Cookson
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK; Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China; UW Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - David M Holtzman
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ilse Dewachter
- Hasselt University, Biomedical Research Institute, BIOMED, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
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Ong HW, Liang Y, Richardson W, Lowry ER, Wells CI, Chen X, Silvestre M, Dempster K, Silvaroli JA, Smith JL, Wichterle H, Pabla NS, Ultanir SK, Bullock AN, Drewry DH, Axtman AD. A Potent and Selective CDKL5/GSK3 Chemical Probe is Neuroprotective. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.09.527935. [PMID: 36798313 PMCID: PMC9934649 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.09.527935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite mediating several essential processes in the brain, including during development, cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) remains a poorly characterized human protein kinase. Accordingly, its substrates, functions, and regulatory mechanisms have not been fully described. We realized that availability of a potent and selective small molecule probe targeting CDKL5 could enable illumination of its roles in normal development as well as in diseases where it has become aberrant due to mutation. We prepared analogs of AT-7519, a known inhibitor of several cyclin dependent and cyclin-dependent kinase-like kinases that has been advanced into Phase II clinical trials. We identified analog 2 as a highly potent and cell-active chemical probe for CDKL5/GSK3 (glycogen synthase kinase 3). Evaluation of its kinome-wide selectivity confirmed that analog 2 demonstrates excellent selectivity and only retains GSK3α/β affinity. As confirmation that our chemical probe is a high-quality tool to use in directed biological studies, we demonstrated inhibition of downstream CDKL5 and GSK3α/β signaling and solved a co-crystal structure of analog 2 bound to CDKL5. A structurally similar analog ( 4 ) proved to lack CDKL5 affinity and maintain potent and selective inhibition of GSK3α/β. Finally, we used our chemical probe pair ( 2 and 4 ) to demonstrate that inhibition of CDKL5 and/or GSK3α/β promotes the survival of human motor neurons exposed to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We have demonstrated a neuroprotective phenotype elicited by our chemical probe pair and exemplified the utility of our compounds to characterize the role of CDKL5/GSK3 in neurons and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wee Ong
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States of America
| | - Yi Liang
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States of America
| | - William Richardson
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Emily R. Lowry
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, 10032, United States of America; The Project ALS Therapeutics Core, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, 10032, United States of America
| | - Carrow I. Wells
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States of America
| | - Xiangrong Chen
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Margaux Silvestre
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Kelvin Dempster
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Josie A. Silvaroli
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States of America
| | - Jeffery L. Smith
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States of America
| | - Hynek Wichterle
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neurology, Neuroscience, Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, 10032, United States of America; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, 10032, United States of America; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, 10032, United States of America; The Project ALS Therapeutics Core, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, 10032, United States of America
| | - Navjot S. Pabla
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States of America
| | - Sila K. Ultanir
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Alex N. Bullock
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - David H. Drewry
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States of America; UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States of America
| | - Alison D. Axtman
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States of America
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45
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Porras G, Ruiz S, Maestro I, Borrego-Hernández D, Redondo AG, Martínez A, Martín-Requero Á. Functional Characterization of a Familial ALS-Associated Missense TBK1 (p-Arg573Gly) Mutation in Patient-Derived Lymphoblasts. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032847. [PMID: 36769169 PMCID: PMC9917786 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The goal of this work was to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of an ALS-associated missense mutation, p.Arg573Gly (R573G), in the TBK1 gene. In particular, we seek to analyze the influence of this variant on the cellular levels and the function of TBK1 in immortalized cells from an ALS patient. The patient (Code# E7) belonged to a Spanish family with autosomal dominant disease manifesting in the sixth decade as either dementia or ALS. Four control individuals without signs of neurological disease were also included in this study. Our results indicate that the R375G TBK1 mutation did not affect the levels of mRNA nor the total TBK1 content; however, we observed a significant decrease in the levels of TBK1 phosphorylation, which is essential for TBK1 activity, as well as a significant reduction in the phosphorylation of p62 and RIPK1, known substrates for TBK1. Lymphoblasts from the R573G TBK1 mutation carrier patient display pathological TDP-43 homeostasis, showing elevated levels of phosphorylated TDP-43 and accumulation of the protein in the cytosolic compartment. In addition, the functional decrease in TBK1 activity observed in the E7 patient did not alter the autophagy flux, but it seems to be enough to increase ROS levels as well as the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gracia Porras
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvana Ruiz
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés Maestro
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Alberto G. Redondo
- ALS Research Lab, Hospital 12 de Octubre Research Institute (i+12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Martínez
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (Á.M.-R.)
| | - Ángeles Martín-Requero
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (Á.M.-R.)
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Katiyar D, Singhal S, Bansal P, Nagarajan K, Grover P. Nutraceuticals and phytotherapeutics for holistic management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. 3 Biotech 2023; 13:62. [PMID: 36714551 PMCID: PMC9880136 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03475-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis" (ALS) is a progressive neuronal disorder that affects sensory neurons in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control. Moreover, additional neuronal subgroups as well as glial cells such as microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes are also thought to play a role in the aetiology. The disease affects upper motor neurons and lowers motor neurons and leads to that either lead to muscle weakness and wasting in the arms, legs, trunk and periventricular area. Oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, programmed cell death, altered neurofilament activity, anomalies in neurotransmission, abnormal protein processing and deterioration, increased inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction may all play a role in the progression of ALS. There are presently hardly FDA-approved drugs used to treat ALS, and they are only beneficial in slowing the progression of the disease and enhancing functions in certain individuals with ALS, not really in curing or preventing the illness. These days, researchers focus on understanding the pathogenesis of the disease by targeting several mechanisms aiming to develop successful treatments for ALS. This review discusses the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, clinical features, pathophysiology, and disease management. The compilation focuses on alternative methods for the management of symptoms of ALS with nutraceuticals and phytotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepti Katiyar
- KIET School of Pharmacy, KIET Group of Institutions, Delhi-NCR, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201206 India
| | - Shipra Singhal
- KIET School of Pharmacy, KIET Group of Institutions, Delhi-NCR, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201206 India
| | - Priya Bansal
- KIET School of Pharmacy, KIET Group of Institutions, Delhi-NCR, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201206 India
| | - K. Nagarajan
- KIET School of Pharmacy, KIET Group of Institutions, Delhi-NCR, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201206 India
| | - Parul Grover
- KIET School of Pharmacy, KIET Group of Institutions, Delhi-NCR, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201206 India
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Stoklund Dittlau K, Van Den Bosch L. Why should we care about astrocytes in a motor neuron disease? FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE 2023; 3:1047540. [PMID: 39086676 PMCID: PMC11285655 DOI: 10.3389/fmmed.2023.1047540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron disease in adults, causing progressive degeneration of motor neurons, which results in muscle atrophy, respiratory failure and ultimately death of the patients. The pathogenesis of ALS is complex, and extensive efforts have focused on unravelling the underlying molecular mechanisms with a large emphasis on the dying motor neurons. However, a recent shift in focus towards the supporting glial population has revealed a large contribution and influence in ALS, which stresses the need to explore this area in more detail. Especially studies into astrocytes, the residential homeostatic supporter cells of neurons, have revealed a remarkable astrocytic dysfunction in ALS, and therefore could present a target for new and promising therapeutic entry points. In this review, we provide an overview of general astrocyte function and summarize the current literature on the role of astrocytes in ALS by categorizing the potentially underlying molecular mechanisms. We discuss the current efforts in astrocyte-targeted therapy, and highlight the potential and shortcomings of available models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Stoklund Dittlau
- KU Leuven—University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven—University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
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You FL, Xia GF, Cai J. Behavioural Variant Frontotemporal Dementia due to CCNF Gene Mutation: A Case Report. Curr Alzheimer Res 2023; 20:371-378. [PMID: 37872794 DOI: 10.2174/1567205020666230811092906] [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: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frontal, temporal lobe dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are fatal neurodegenerative diseases. Studies have found that CCNF mutations have been found in patients with familial and sporadic ALS and FTD. Behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by progressive deterioration of personality, social behaviour, and cognitive function, which is most closely related to genetic factors. As the early symptoms of bvFTD are highly heterogeneous, the condition is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's disease or psychiatric disorders. In this study, a bvFTD patient had a CCNF gene mutation, which led to ubiquitinated protein accumulation and ultimately caused neurodegenerative disease. Genetic detection should be improved urgently for bvFTD patients and family members to provide a clinical reference for early diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia. CASE PRESENTATION In this case, the patient was 65 years old with an insidious onset, early-onset memory loss, a significant decline in the episodic memory, an early AD diagnosis, and oral treatment with donepezil hydrochloride for 3 years with poor efficacy, followed by a change to oral memantine hydrochloride tablets, which controlled the condition for several months. His medication was switched to sodium oligomannate capsules, and his condition was gradually controlled, but no significant improvement was observed. After spontaneous drug withdrawal, the patient's condition progressed rapidly; therefore, he visited our hospital and underwent neuropsychological tests for moderate to severe cognitive impairment. AD cerebrospinal fluid markers showed no significant abnormalities, and cranial MRI revealed frontotemporal lobe atrophy and decreased hippocampal volume. Genetic testing for the presence of the CCNF gene revealed a c.1532C > A (p. T511N) heterozygous variant, which might be a diagnostic criterion for bvFTD. Therefore, the patient's symptoms recurred after transient improvement with the combination of donepezil, oral memantine hydrochloride tablets, and sodium oligomannate, but his overall condition was improved compared to that before, and this treatment regimen was continued to observe changes during the follow-up. CONCLUSION The early clinical manifestations of bvFTD are complex and variable, and the condition is easily misdiagnosed, thus delaying treatment. Therefore, for patients with a high clinical suspicion of FTD, in addition to a detailed understanding of their medical history and family history and improvement of relevant examinations, genetic testing should be performed as early as possible to help confirm the diagnosis. For diseases closely related to genes, genetic testing of other family members should be optimised as much as possible to allow early diagnosis and intervention and guide fertility in the next generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Ling You
- Department of Neurology, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550002, China
| | - Gao-Fu Xia
- Department of Neurology, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550002, China
| | - Jing Cai
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550001, China
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Muzio L, Ghirelli A, Agosta F, Martino G. Novel therapeutic approaches for motor neuron disease. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 196:523-537. [PMID: 37620088 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-98817-9.00027-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to the neurodegeneration and death of upper and lower motor neurons (MNs). Although MNs are the main cells involved in the process of neurodegeneration, a growing body of evidence points toward other cell types as concurrent to disease initiation and propagation. Given the current absence of effective therapies, the quest for other therapeutic targets remains open and still challenges the scientific community. Both neuronal and extra-neuronal mechanisms of cellular stress and damage have been studied and have posed the basis for the development of novel therapies that have been investigated on both animal models and humans. In this chapter, a thorough review of the main mechanisms of cellular damage and the respective therapeutic attempts targeting them is reported. The main areas covered include neuroinflammation, protein aggregation, RNA metabolism, and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Muzio
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, InsPE, Milan, Italy
| | - Alma Ghirelli
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, InsPE, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Agosta
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, InsPE, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianvito Martino
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, InsPE, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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Chang J, Shaw TB, Holdom CJ, McCombe PA, Henderson RD, Fripp J, Barth M, Guo CC, Ngo ST, Steyn FJ. Lower hypothalamic volume with lower body mass index is associated with shorter survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:57-68. [PMID: 36214080 PMCID: PMC10099625 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Weight loss in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is associated with faster disease progression and shorter survival. Decreased hypothalamic volume is proposed to contribute to weight loss due to loss of appetite and/or hypermetabolism. We aimed to investigate the relationship between hypothalamic volume and body mass index (BMI) in ALS and Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the associations of hypothalamic volume with weight loss, appetite, metabolism and survival in patients with ALS. METHODS We compared hypothalamic volumes from magnetic resonance imaging scans with BMI for patients with ALS (n = 42), patients with AD (n = 167) and non-neurodegenerative disease controls (n = 527). Hypothalamic volumes from patients with ALS were correlated with measures of appetite and metabolism, and change in anthropomorphic measures and disease outcomes. RESULTS Lower hypothalamic volume was associated with lower and higher BMI in ALS (quadratic association; probability of direction = 0.96). This was not observed in AD patients or controls. Hypothalamic volume was not associated with loss of appetite (p = 0.58) or hypermetabolism (p = 0.49). Patients with lower BMI and lower hypothalamic volume tended to lose weight (p = 0.08) and fat mass (p = 0.06) over the course of their disease, and presented with an increased risk of earlier death (hazard ratio [HR] 3.16, p = 0.03). Lower hypothalamic volume alone trended for greater risk of earlier death (HR 2.61, p = 0.07). CONCLUSION These observations suggest that lower hypothalamic volume in ALS contributes to positive and negative energy balance, and is not universally associated with loss of appetite or hypermetabolism. Critically, lower hypothalamic volume with lower BMI was associated with weight loss and earlier death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeryn Chang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Australia
| | - Thomas B Shaw
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.,Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Australia.,School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Australia
| | - Cory J Holdom
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Australia
| | - Pamela A McCombe
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.,UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia.,Wesley Medical Research, The Wesley Hospital, Auchenflower, Australia
| | - Robert D Henderson
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.,UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia.,Wesley Medical Research, The Wesley Hospital, Auchenflower, Australia
| | - Jurgen Fripp
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Herston, Australia
| | - Markus Barth
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Australia.,School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Australia
| | | | - Shyuan T Ngo
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.,Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Australia.,Wesley Medical Research, The Wesley Hospital, Auchenflower, Australia
| | - Frederik J Steyn
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.,Wesley Medical Research, The Wesley Hospital, Auchenflower, Australia
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