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Barwell T, Seroude L. Polyglutamine disease in peripheral tissues. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:3303-3311. [PMID: 37642359 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
This year is a milestone anniversary of the discovery that Huntington's disease is caused by the presence of expanded polyglutamine repeats in the huntingtin gene leading to the formation of huntingtin aggregates. 30 years have elapsed and there is still no cure and the only FDA-approved treatment to alleviate the debilitating locomotor impairments presents several adverse effects. It has long been neglected that the huntingtin gene is almost ubiquitously expressed in many tissues outside of the nervous system. Growing evidence indicates that these peripheral tissues can contribute to the symptoms of the disease. New findings in Drosophila have shown that the selective expression of mutant huntingtin in muscle or fat is sufficient to cause detrimental effects in the absence of any neurodegeneration. In addition, it was discovered that a completely different tissue distribution of Htt aggregates in Drosophila muscles is responsible for a drastic aggravation of the detrimental effects. This review examines the peripheral tissues that express huntingtin with an added focus on the nature and distribution of the aggregates, if any.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Barwell
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Laurent Seroude
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
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2
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Bragina EY, Gomboeva DE, Saik OV, Ivanisenko VA, Freidin MB, Nazarenko MS, Puzyrev VP. Apoptosis Genes as a Key to Identification of Inverse Comorbidity of Huntington's Disease and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119385. [PMID: 37298337 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119385] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer and neurodegenerative disorders present overwhelming challenges for healthcare worldwide. Epidemiological studies showed a decrease in cancer rates in patients with neurodegenerative disorders, including the Huntington disease (HD). Apoptosis is one of the most important processes for both cancer and neurodegeneration. We suggest that genes closely connected with apoptosis and associated with HD may affect carcinogenesis. We applied reconstruction and analysis of gene networks associated with HD and apoptosis and identified potentially important genes for inverse comorbidity of cancer and HD. The top 10 high-priority candidate genes included APOE, PSEN1, INS, IL6, SQSTM1, SP1, HTT, LEP, HSPA4, and BDNF. Functional analysis of these genes was carried out using gene ontology and KEGG pathways. By exploring genome-wide association study results, we identified genes associated with neurodegenerative and oncological disorders, as well as their endophenotypes and risk factors. We used publicly available datasets of HD and breast and prostate cancers to analyze the expression of the identified genes. Functional modules of these genes were characterized according to disease-specific tissues. This integrative approach revealed that these genes predominantly exert similar functions in different tissues. Apoptosis along with lipid metabolism dysregulation and cell homeostasis maintenance in the response to environmental stimulus and drugs are likely key processes in inverse comorbidity of cancer in patients with HD. Overall, the identified genes represent the promising targets for studying molecular relations of cancer and HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Yu Bragina
- Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Densema E Gomboeva
- Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Olga V Saik
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Ivanisenko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Maxim B Freidin
- Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
- Department of Biology, School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
- Centre of Omics Technology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria S Nazarenko
- Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of General Medicine, Siberian State Medical University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Valery P Puzyrev
- Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of General Medicine, Siberian State Medical University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
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Mansky RH, Greguske EA, Yu D, Zarate N, Intihar TA, Tsai W, Brown TG, Thayer MN, Kumar K, Gomez-Pastor R. Tumor suppressor p53 regulates heat shock factor 1 protein degradation in Huntington's disease. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112198. [PMID: 36867535 PMCID: PMC10128052 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112198] [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: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
p53 and HSF1 are two major transcription factors involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis, whose dysregulation contributes to cancer and neurodegeneration. Contrary to most cancers, p53 is increased in Huntington's disease (HD) and other neurodegenerative diseases, while HSF1 is decreased. p53 and HSF1 reciprocal regulation has been shown in different contexts, but their connection in neurodegeneration remains understudied. Using cellular and animal models of HD, we show that mutant HTT stabilized p53 by abrogating the interaction between p53 and E3 ligase MDM2. Stabilized p53 promotes protein kinase CK2 alpha prime and E3 ligase FBXW7 transcription, both of which are responsible for HSF1 degradation. Consequently, p53 deletion in striatal neurons of zQ175 HD mice restores HSF1 abundance and decrease HTT aggregation and striatal pathology. Our work shows the mechanism connecting p53 stabilization with HSF1 degradation and pathophysiology in HD and sheds light on the broader molecular differences and commonalities between cancer and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H Mansky
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Erin A Greguske
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Dahyun Yu
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Nicole Zarate
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Taylor A Intihar
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Wei Tsai
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Taylor G Brown
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Mackenzie N Thayer
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kompal Kumar
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Rocio Gomez-Pastor
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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Pradhan SS, Rao KR, Manjunath M, Saiswaroop R, Patnana DP, Phalguna KS, Choudhary B, Sivaramakrishnan V. Vitamin B 6, B 12 and folate modulate deregulated pathways and protein aggregation in yeast model of Huntington disease. 3 Biotech 2023; 13:96. [PMID: 36852176 PMCID: PMC9958225 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03525-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an incurable and progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting the basal ganglia of the brain. HD is caused due to expansion of the polyglutamine tract in the protein Huntingtin resulting in aggregates. The increased PolyQ length results in aggregation of protein Huntingtin leading to neuronal cell death. Vitamin B6, B12 and folate are deficient in many neurodegenerative diseases. We performed an integrated analysis of transcriptomic, metabolomic and cofactor-protein network of vitamin B6, B12 and folate was performed. Our results show considerable overlap of pathways modulated by Vitamin B6, B12 and folate with those obtained from transcriptomic and metabolomic data of HD patients and model systems. Further, in yeast model of HD we showed treatment of B6, B12 or folate either alone or in combination showed impaired aggregate formation. Transcriptomic analysis of yeast model treated with B6, B12 and folate showed upregulation of pathways like ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, autophagy, peroxisome, fatty acid, lipid and nitrogen metabolism. Metabolomic analysis of yeast model shows deregulation of pathways like aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, metabolism of various amino acids, nitrogen metabolism and glutathione metabolism. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of yeast model showed concordance in the pathways obtained. Knockout of Peroxisomal (PXP1 and PEX7) and Autophagy (ATG5) genes in yeast increased aggregates which is mitigated by vitamin B6, B12 and folate treatment. Taken together our results show a role for Vitamin B6, B12 and folate mediated modulation of pathways important for preventing protein aggregation with potential implications for HD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03525-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Sanwid Pradhan
- Disease Biology Lab, Department of Biosciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh 515134 India
| | - K. Raksha Rao
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, Karnataka 560100 India
| | - Meghana Manjunath
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, Karnataka 560100 India
| | - R. Saiswaroop
- Disease Biology Lab, Department of Biosciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh 515134 India
| | - Durga Prasad Patnana
- Department of Chemistry, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh 515134 India
| | - Kanikaram Sai Phalguna
- Disease Biology Lab, Department of Biosciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh 515134 India
| | - Bibha Choudhary
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, Karnataka 560100 India
| | - Venketesh Sivaramakrishnan
- Disease Biology Lab, Department of Biosciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh 515134 India
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Dickson E, Fryklund C, Soylu-Kucharz R, Sjögren M, Stenkula KG, Björkqvist M. Altered Adipocyte Cell Size Distribution Prior to Weight Loss in the R6/2 Model of Huntington's Disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2023; 12:253-266. [PMID: 37718850 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-230587] [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: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic alterations contribute to disease onset and prognosis of Huntington's disease (HD). Weight loss in the R6/2 mouse model of HD is a consistent feature, with onset in mid-to-late stage of disease. OBJECTIVE In the present study, we aimed to investigate molecular and functional changes in white adipose tissue (WAT) that occur at weight loss in R6/2 mice. We further elaborated on the effect of leptin-deficiency and early obesity in R6/2 mice. METHODS We performed analyses at 12 weeks of age; a time point that coincides with the start of weight loss in our R6/2 mouse colony. Gonadal (visceral) and inguinal (subcutaneous) WAT depot weights were monitored, as well as adipocyte size distribution. Response to isoprenaline-stimulated glycerol release and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes from gonadal WAT was assessed. RESULTS In R6/2 mice, WAT depot weights were comparable to wildtype (WT) mice, and the response to insulin and isoprenaline in gonadal adipocytes was unaltered. Leptin-deficient R6/2 mice exhibited distinct changes compared to leptin-deficient WT mice. At 12 weeks, female leptin-deficient R6/2 mice had reduced body weight accompanied by an increased proportion of smaller adipocytes, while in contrast; male mice displayed a shift towards larger adipocyte sizes without a significant body weight reduction at this timepoint. CONCLUSIONS We here show that there are early sex-specific changes in adipocyte cell size distribution in WAT of R6/2 mice and leptin-deficient R6/2 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elna Dickson
- Brain Disease Biomarker Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Claes Fryklund
- Glucose Transport and Protein Trafficking, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Rana Soylu-Kucharz
- Brain Disease Biomarker Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marie Sjögren
- Brain Disease Biomarker Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karin G Stenkula
- Glucose Transport and Protein Trafficking, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria Björkqvist
- Brain Disease Biomarker Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Singh A, Agrawal N. Progressive transcriptional changes in metabolic genes and altered fatbody homeostasis in Drosophila model of Huntington's disease. Metab Brain Dis 2022; 37:2783-2792. [PMID: 36121619 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-022-01078-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disorder marked by progressive neuronal atrophy, particularly in striatum and cerebral cortex. Although predominant manifestations of the disease include loss in the triad of motor, cognitive and behavioral capabilities, metabolic dysfunction in patients and HD models are being increasingly recognized. Patients display progressive body weight loss, which aggravates the disease and leads to cachexia in the terminal stages. Using the Drosophila model of HD, we have earlier reported that diseased flies exhibit an atypical pattern of lipid gain and loss with progression along with exhibiting extensive mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired calcium homeostasis and heightened apoptosis in the fatbody. Here, we first monitored the structural changes that abdominal fatbody undergoes with disease progression. Further, we checked the transcriptional changes of key metabolic genes in whole fly as well as genes regulating mitochondrial function, apoptosis, autophagy and calcium homeostasis in the abdominal fatbody. We found extensive alterations in whole-body and fatbody-specific transcriptional profile of the diseased flies, which was in consort with their stage-specific physiological state. Additionally, we also assessed lysosome-mediated autophagy in the fatbody of diseased flies in order to ascertain the mechanisms contributing to fatbody atrophy at the terminal stage. Interestingly, we found elevated autophagy in fatbody of flies throughout disease progression. This study provides new insights into the effect on peripheral metabolism due to degeneration of neurons in the neurodegenerative disease, thereby discerns novel mechanisms leading to cachexia in diseased flies and advocates for the need of managing metabolic dysfunctions in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Singh
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, 110007, New Delhi, India
| | - Namita Agrawal
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, 110007, New Delhi, India.
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Singh A, Agrawal N. Metabolism in Huntington's disease: a major contributor to pathology. Metab Brain Dis 2022; 37:1757-1771. [PMID: 34704220 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-021-00844-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressively debilitating neurodegenerative disease exhibiting autosomal-dominant inheritance. It is caused by an unstable expansion in the CAG repeat tract of HD gene, which transforms the disease-specific Huntingtin protein (HTT) to a mutant form (mHTT). The profound neuronal death in cortico-striatal circuits led to its identification and characterisation as a neurodegenerative disease. However, equally disturbing are the concomitant whole-body manifestations affecting nearly every organ of the diseased individuals, at varying extents. Altered central and peripheral metabolism of energy, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates encompass the gross pathology of the disease. Intense fluctuation of body weight, glucose homeostasis and organ-specific subcellular abnormalities are being increasingly recognised in HD. Many of these metabolic abnormalities exist years before the neuropathological manifestations such as chorea, cognitive decline and behavioural abnormalities develop, and prove to be reliable predictors of the disease progression. In this review, we provide a consolidated overview of the central and peripheral metabolic abnormalities associated with HD, as evidenced from clinical and experimental studies. Additionally, we have discussed the potential of metabolic biomolecules to translate into efficient biomarkers for the disease onset as well as progression. Finally, we provide a brief outlook on the efficacy of existing therapies targeting metabolic remediation. While it is clear that components of altered metabolic pathways can mark many aspects of the disease, it is only conceivable that combinatorial therapies aiming for neuronal protection in consort with metabolic upliftment will prove to be more efficient than the existing symptomatic treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Singh
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Namita Agrawal
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110007, India.
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8
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Kong G, Lê Cao KA, Hannan AJ. Alterations in the Gut Fungal Community in a Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0219221. [PMID: 35262396 PMCID: PMC9045163 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02192-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a trinucleotide expansion in the HTT gene, which is expressed throughout the brain and body, including the gut epithelium and enteric nervous system. Afflicted individuals suffer from progressive impairments in motor, psychiatric, and cognitive faculties, as well as peripheral deficits, including the alteration of the gut microbiome. However, studies characterizing the gut microbiome in HD have focused entirely on the bacterial component, while the fungal community (mycobiome) has been overlooked. The gut mycobiome has gained recognition for its role in host homeostasis and maintenance of the gut epithelial barrier. We aimed to characterize the gut mycobiome profile in HD using fecal samples collected from the R6/1 transgenic mouse model (and wild-type littermate controls) from 4 to 12 weeks of age, corresponding to presymptomatic through to early disease stages. Shotgun sequencing was performed on fecal DNA samples, followed by metagenomic analyses. The HD gut mycobiome beta diversity was significantly different from that of wild-type littermates at 12 weeks of age, while no genotype differences were observed at the earlier time points. Similarly, greater alpha diversity was observed in the HD mice by 12 weeks of age. Key taxa, including Malassezia restricta, Yarrowia lipolytica, and Aspergillus species, were identified as having a negative association with HD. Furthermore, integration of the bacterial and fungal data sets at 12 weeks of age identified negative correlations between the HD-associated fungal species and Lactobacillus reuteri. These findings provide new insights into gut microbiome alterations in HD and may help identify novel therapeutic targets. IMPORTANCE Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder affecting both the mind and body. We have recently discovered that gut bacteria are disrupted in HD. The present study provides the first evidence of an altered gut fungal community (mycobiome) in HD. The genomes of many thousands of gut microbes were sequenced and used to assess "metagenomics" in particular the different types of fungal species in the HD versus control gut, in a mouse model. At an early disease stage, before the onset of symptoms, the overall gut mycobiome structure (array of fungi) in HD mice was distinct from that of their wild-type littermates. Alterations of multiple key fungi species were identified as being associated with the onset of disease symptoms, some of which showed strong correlations with the gut bacterial community. This study highlights the potential role of gut fungi in HD and may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldine Kong
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne Brain Centre, Parkville, Australia
| | - Kim-Anh Lê Cao
- Melbourne Integrative Genomics, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anthony J. Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne Brain Centre, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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Ciancarelli I, Morone G, Iosa M, Paolucci S, Pignolo L, Tonin P, Cerasa A, Ciancarelli MGT. Rehabilitation outcomes in Huntington disease patients with low body mass index. JOURNAL OF MUSCULOSKELETAL & NEURONAL INTERACTIONS 2022; 22:79-86. [PMID: 35234162 PMCID: PMC8919652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A catabolic state and a progressive body weight loss are a well-documented hallmark of Huntington Disease (HD). No study is still available on the effectiveness of intensive in-hospital rehabilitation in HD patients with low body mass index (BMI). METHODS Twenty HD patients with low BMI value were enrolled in this study. Disease severity was assessed before and after rehabilitation by the Barthel Index, the Total Functional Capacity Scale, and the Physical Performance Test. RESULTS BMI-scores correlated with clinical measures before and after rehabilitation. All patients showed an improvement in outcome measures (p<0.001), and an increase in BMI values (p<0.001) after rehabilitation. Effectiveness of rehabilitation correlated with the values of BMI assessed before reheducational programs (p=0.024) and with BMI values observed in each patient in the three months before admission to hospital (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS Findings of the current study show that the effectiveness of the rehabilitation is positively correlated with the BMI values and confirm the efficacy of in-hospital intensive rehabilitation as a valid strategy finalized to improve neuromotor performances and global functional recovery even in HD patients with low BMI and at risk of malnutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Ciancarelli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila - 67100 L’Aquila - Italy,Territorial Rehabilitation L’Aquila - ASL Avezzano-Sulmona-L’Aquila - Italy,Corresponding author: Irene Ciancarelli, MD, Associate Professor of Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Edificio Delta 6, via Giuseppe Petrini - 67100 Coppito 67100, L’Aquila - Italy E-mail:
| | | | - Marco Iosa
- Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | | | - Loris Pignolo
- S. Anna Rehabilitation Institute, RAN - Research on Advanced Neurorehabilitation, Italy
| | - Paolo Tonin
- S. Anna Rehabilitation Institute, RAN - Research on Advanced Neurorehabilitation, Italy
| | - Antonio Cerasa
- S. Anna Rehabilitation Institute, RAN - Research on Advanced Neurorehabilitation, Italy,Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council of Italy, Messina, Italy, Pharmacotechnology Documentation and Transfer Unit, Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health Science and Nutrition, University of Calabria, Italy
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10
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Ogilvie AC, Nopoulos PC, Schultz JL. Quantifying the Onset of Unintended Weight Loss in Huntington's Disease: A Retrospective Analysis of Enroll-HD. J Huntingtons Dis 2021; 10:485-492. [PMID: 34633327 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-210488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unintended weight loss and decreased body mass indexes (BMIs) are common symptoms of individuals with manifest HD. It is unknown at what point during disease progression weight loss starts to accelerate relative to a healthy individual's weight and when recommended interventions should be initiated to have the strongest impact on patient care. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to identify a point in time relative to age at motor onset when the decline in weight in HD starts to accelerate relative to a non-HD population. The relationship between initiation of weight loss interventions and changes in weight loss was also explored. METHODS Participants from the fifth version of the Enroll-HD study were identified for this research. Linear mixed-effects piecewise regression models were used to estimate the point in time relative to the reported age of motor onset in which BMI started to decline in participants with HD compared to healthy non-HD controls. A post-hoc descriptive analysis was performed to look at when nutritional supplements and swallow therapy were initiated in participants with HD relative to motor onset. RESULTS BMI decline in the HD group began to accelerate compared to controls approximately 5.7 years after the reported age of motor onset (95% CI: 4.7-6.9). The average initiation times of swallow therapy and nutritional supplements were 7.7 years (SD = 5.5 years) and 6.7 years (SD = 6.5 years) after motor onset, respectively. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest a potential point for intervention of nutrition programs or therapies used to prevent future weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy C Ogilvie
- Department of Psychiatry, The Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, The College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Peg C Nopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry, The Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Neurology, The Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jordan L Schultz
- Department of Psychiatry, The Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Neurology, The Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Division of Pharmacy Practice and Sciences, The College of Pharmacy, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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11
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Chuang CL, Demontis F. Systemic manifestation and contribution of peripheral tissues to Huntington's disease pathogenesis. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 69:101358. [PMID: 33979693 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease that is caused by expansion of cytosine/adenosine/guanine repeats in the huntingtin (HTT) gene, which leads to a toxic, aggregation-prone, mutant HTT-polyQ protein. Beyond the well-established mechanisms of HD progression in the central nervous system, growing evidence indicates that also peripheral tissues are affected in HD and that systemic signaling originating from peripheral tissues can influence the progression of HD in the brain. Herein, we review the systemic manifestation of HD in peripheral tissues, and the impact of systemic signaling on HD pathogenesis. Mutant HTT induces a body wasting syndrome (cachexia) primarily via its activity in skeletal muscle, bone, adipose tissue, and heart. Additional whole-organism effects induced by mutant HTT include decline in systemic metabolic homeostasis, which stems from derangement of pancreas, liver, gut, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and circadian functions. In addition to spreading via the bloodstream and a leaky blood brain barrier, HTT-polyQ may travel long distance via its uptake by neurons and its axonal transport from the peripheral to the central nervous system. Lastly, signaling factors that are produced and/or secreted in response to therapeutic interventions such as exercise or in response to mutant HTT activity in peripheral tissues may impact HD. In summary, these studies indicate that HD is a systemic disease that is influenced by intertissue signaling and by the action of pathogenic HTT in peripheral tissues. We propose that treatment strategies for HD should include the amelioration of HD symptoms in peripheral tissues. Moreover, harnessing signaling between peripheral tissues and the brain may provide a means for reducing HD progression in the central nervous system.
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12
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Genetic Screen in Adult Drosophila Reveals That dCBP Depletion in Glial Cells Mitigates Huntington Disease Pathology through a Foxo-Dependent Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083884. [PMID: 33918672 PMCID: PMC8069648 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive and fatal autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the first exon of the huntingtin gene (HTT). In spite of considerable efforts, there is currently no treatment to stop or delay the disease. Although HTT is expressed ubiquitously, most of our knowledge has been obtained on neurons. More recently, the impact of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) on other cell types, including glial cells, has received growing interest. It is currently unclear whether new pathological pathways could be identified in these cells compared to neurons. To address this question, we performed an in vivo screen for modifiers of mutant huntingtin (HTT-548-128Q) induced pathology in Drosophila adult glial cells and identified several putative therapeutic targets. Among them, we discovered that partial nej/dCBP depletion in these cells was protective, as revealed by strongly increased lifespan and restored locomotor activity. Thus, dCBP promotes the HD pathology in glial cells, in contrast to previous opposite findings in neurons. Further investigations implicated the transcriptional activator Foxo as a critical downstream player in this glial protective pathway. Our data suggest that combinatorial approaches combined to specific tissue targeting may be required to uncover efficient therapies in HD.
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Singh A, Agrawal N. Deciphering the key mechanisms leading to alteration of lipid metabolism in Drosophila model of Huntington's disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1867:166127. [PMID: 33722743 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited, progressively debilitating disorder marked by prominent degeneration in striatal and cortical brain regions. HD is caused by (CAG)n repeat expansion in huntingtin (HTT) gene that translates into a mutant form of the ubiquitously present Huntingtin (HTT) protein. Extensive metabolic dysfunction coexisting with overt neuropathies has been evidenced in clinical and experimental settings of HD. Body weight loss despite normal to high caloric intake remains a critical determinant of the disease progression and a challenge for therapeutic interventions. In the present study, we intended to monitor the cellular and molecular perturbations in Drosophila, caused by pan-neuronal expression of mHTT (mutant Huntingtin) protein. We found aberrant transcription profile of key lipolytic and lipogenic genes in whole-body of the fly with disease progression. Interestingly, fatbody undergoes extensive alteration of vital cellular processes and eventually surrenders to increased apoptotic cell death in terminal stage of the disease. Extensive mitochondrial dysfunction from early disease stage along with calcium derangement at terminal stage were observed in fatbody, which contribute to its deteriorating integrity. All the mechanisms were monitored progressively, at different disease stages, and many alterations were documented in the early stage itself. Our study hence provides insight into the mechanisms through which neuronal expression of mHTT might be inflicting the profound systemic effects, specifically on lipid metabolism, and may open new therapeutic avenues for alleviation of the multidimensional disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Singh
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Namita Agrawal
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.
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Barker RA, Fujimaki M, Rogers P, Rubinsztein DC. Huntingtin-lowering strategies for Huntington's disease. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:1125-1132. [PMID: 32745442 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1804552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Huntington's disease (HD) is an incurable, autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by an abnormally long polyglutamine tract in the huntingtin protein. Because this mutation causes disease via gain-of-function, lowering huntingtin levels represents a rational therapeutic strategy. AREAS COVERED We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and other trial databases, and relevant company and HD funding websites for press releases until April 2020 to review strategies for huntingtin lowering, including autophagy and PROTACs, which have been studied in preclinical models. We focussed our analyses on oligonucleotide (ASOs) and miRNA approaches, which have entered or are about to enter clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION ASO and mRNA approaches for lowering mutant huntingtin protein production and strategies for increasing mutant huntingtin clearance are attractive because they target the cause of disease. However, questions concerning the optimal mode of delivery and associated safety issues remain. It is unclear if the human CNS coverage with intrathecal or intraparenchymal delivery will be sufficient for efficacy. The extent that one must lower mutant huntingtin levels for it to be therapeutic is uncertain and the extent to which CNS lowering of wild-type huntingtin is safe is unclear. Polypharmacy may be an effective approach for ameliorating signs and symptoms and for preventing/delaying onset and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger A Barker
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, and MRC-WT Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge , Cambridge, UK
| | - Motoki Fujimaki
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research , Cambridge, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute , Cambridge, UK
| | - Priya Rogers
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, and MRC-WT Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge , Cambridge, UK
| | - David C Rubinsztein
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research , Cambridge, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute , Cambridge, UK
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Abstract
Huntington's disease is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by an unstable expanded trinucleotide repeat at the short end of the fourth chromosome. Central nervous system pathology begins in the striatum, eventually affecting the entire brain and occurs consequent to multiple intracellular derangements. The proximate cause is a mutant protein with an elongated polyglutamine tract. Pharmacological approaches targeting multiple domains of intracellular functions have universally been disappointing. However, recent developments in gene therapy, including antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs, and gene editing are bringing new hope to the Huntington's community. This review discusses the promises and challenges of these new potential treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen M Shannon
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1685 Highland Avenue #7158, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
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Juvenile Huntington's Disease Skin Fibroblasts Respond with Elevated Parkin Level and Increased Proteasome Activity as a Potential Mechanism to Counterbalance the Pathological Consequences of Mutant Huntingtin Protein. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215338. [PMID: 31717806 PMCID: PMC6861992 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder, caused by an abnormal polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion in the huntingtin protein (Htt). Mitochondrial dysfunction and impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) are hallmarks of HD neurons. The extraneural manifestations of HD are still unclear. We investigated the crosstalk between mitochondria and proteolytic function in skin fibroblasts from juvenile HD patients. We found reduced mitosis, increased cell size, elevated ROS and increased mitochondrial membrane potential in juvenile HD fibroblasts, while cellular viability was maintained. Mitochondrial OXPHOS analysis did not reveal significant differences compared to control. However, the level of mitochondrial fusion and fission proteins was significantly lower and branching in the mitochondria network was reduced. We hypothesized that juvenile HD fibroblasts counterbalance cellular damage and mitochondrial network deficit with altered proteasome activity to promote cell survival. Our data reveal that juvenile HD fibroblasts exhibit higher proteasome activity, which was associated with elevated gene and protein expression of parkin. Moreover, we demonstrate elevated proteasomal degradation of the mitochondrial fusion protein Mfn1 in diseased cells compared to control cells. Our data suggest that juvenile HD fibroblasts respond to mutant polyQ expansion of Htt with enhanced proteasome activity and faster turnover of specific UPS substrates to protect cells.
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