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Goffin L, Lemoine D, Clotman F. Potential contribution of spinal interneurons to the etiopathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1434404. [PMID: 39091344 PMCID: PMC11293063 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1434404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) consists of a group of adult-onset fatal and incurable neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the progressive death of motor neurons (MNs) throughout the central nervous system (CNS). At first, ALS was considered to be an MN disease, caused by cell-autonomous mechanisms acting specifically in MNs. Accordingly, data from ALS patients and ALS animal models revealed alterations in excitability in multiple neuronal populations, including MNs, which were associated with a variety of cellular perturbations such as protein aggregation, ribonucleic acid (RNA) metabolism defects, calcium dyshomeostasis, modified electrophysiological properties, and autophagy malfunctions. However, experimental evidence rapidly demonstrated the involvement of other types of cells, including glial cells, in the etiopathogenesis of ALS through non-cell autonomous mechanisms. Surprisingly, the contribution of pre-motor interneurons (INs), which regulate MN activity and could therefore critically modulate their excitability at the onset or during the progression of the disease, has to date been severely underestimated. In this article, we review in detail how spinal pre-motor INs are affected in ALS and their possible involvement in the etiopathogenesis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Frédéric Clotman
- Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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2
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Dartsch RC, Kraut S, Mayer T, Gabel A, Dietrich A, Weissmann N, Fuchs B, Knoepp F. Use of FRET-Sensor 'Mermaid' to Detect Subtle Changes in Membrane Potential of Primary Mouse PASMCs. Cells 2024; 13:1070. [PMID: 38920698 PMCID: PMC11202191 DOI: 10.3390/cells13121070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Subtle changes in the membrane potential of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) are pivotal for controlling pulmonary vascular tone, e.g., for initiating Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction, a vital mechanism of the pulmonary circulation. In our study, we evaluated the ability of the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based voltage-sensor Mermaid to detect such subtle changes in membrane potential. Mouse PASMCs were isolated and transduced with Mermaid-encoding lentiviral vectors before the acceptor/donor emission ratio was assessed via live cell FRET-imaging. Mermaid's sensitivity was tested by applying specific potassium chloride (KCl) concentrations. These KCl concentrations were previously validated by patch clamp recordings to induce depolarization with predefined amplitudes that physiologically occur in PASMCs. Mermaid's emission ratio dose-dependently increased upon depolarization with KCl. However, Mermaid formed unspecific intracellular aggregates, which limited the usefulness of this voltage sensor. When analyzing the membrane rim only to circumvent these unspecific signals, Mermaid was not suitable to resolve subtle changes in the membrane potential of ≤10 mV. In summary, we found Mermaid to be a suitable alternative for reliably detecting qualitative membrane voltage changes of more than 10 mV in primary mouse PASMCs. However, one should be aware of the limitations associated with this voltage sensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth C. Dartsch
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Simone Kraut
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Tim Mayer
- Walther-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Ludwig-Maximilians University, 80539 Munich, Germany; (T.M.)
| | - Andreas Gabel
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Alexander Dietrich
- Walther-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Ludwig-Maximilians University, 80539 Munich, Germany; (T.M.)
| | - Norbert Weissmann
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Beate Fuchs
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Fenja Knoepp
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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3
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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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4
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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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Gazzola M, Martinat C. Unlocking the Complexity of Neuromuscular Diseases: Insights from Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neuromuscular Junctions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15291. [PMID: 37894969 PMCID: PMC10607237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015291] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, the use of pluripotent stem cells to mimic the complexities of the human neuromuscular junction has received much attention. Deciphering the key mechanisms underlying the establishment and maturation of this complex synapse has been driven by the dual goals of addressing developmental questions and gaining insight into neuromuscular disorders. This review aims to summarise the evolution and sophistication of in vitro neuromuscular junction models developed from the first differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into motor neurons to recent neuromuscular organoids. We also discuss the potential offered by these models to decipher different neuromuscular diseases characterised by defects in the presynaptic compartment, the neuromuscular junction, and the postsynaptic compartment. Finally, we discuss the emerging field that considers the use of these techniques in drug screening assay and the challenges they will face in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Gazzola
- INSERM U861, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France;
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Faustini G, Longhena F, Muscò A, Bono F, Parrella E, La Via L, Barbon A, Pizzi M, Onofri F, Benfenati F, Missale C, Memo M, Zizioli D, Bellucci A. Synapsin III Regulates Dopaminergic Neuron Development in Vertebrates. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233902. [PMID: 36497160 PMCID: PMC9739466 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by alterations in the mesocorticolimbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways. Polymorphisms in the Synapsin III (Syn III) gene can associate with ADHD onset and even affect the therapeutic response to the gold standard ADHD medication, methylphenidate (MPH), a monoamine transporter inhibitor whose efficacy appears related with the stimulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Interestingly, we previously showed that MPH can bind Syn III, which can regulate neuronal development. These observations suggest that Syn III polymorphism may impinge on ADHD onset and response to therapy by affecting BDNF-dependent dopaminergic neuron development. Here, by studying zebrafish embryos exposed to Syn III gene knock-down (KD), Syn III knock-out (ko) mice and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived neurons subjected to Syn III RNA interference, we found that Syn III governs the earliest stages of dopaminergic neurons development and that this function is conserved in vertebrates. We also observed that in mammals Syn III exerts this function acting upstream of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)- and cAMP-dependent protein kinase 5 (Cdk5)-stimulated dendrite development. Collectively, these findings own significant implications for deciphering the biological basis of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Faustini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Longhena
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessia Muscò
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Federica Bono
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Edoardo Parrella
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca La Via
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Barbon
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Marina Pizzi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Franco Onofri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Via Leon Battista Alberti 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- IRCSS Policlinico San Martino Hospital, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Cristina Missale
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Zizioli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.Z.); (A.B.); Tel.: +39-(0)30-3717546 (D.Z.); +39-(0)30-3717380 (A.B.)
| | - Arianna Bellucci
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Laboratory for Preventive and Personalized Medicine, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.Z.); (A.B.); Tel.: +39-(0)30-3717546 (D.Z.); +39-(0)30-3717380 (A.B.)
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Chia K, Klingseisen A, Sieger D, Priller J. Zebrafish as a model organism for neurodegenerative disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:940484. [PMID: 36311026 PMCID: PMC9606821 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.940484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish is increasingly recognized as a model organism for translational research into human neuropathology. The zebrafish brain exhibits fundamental resemblance with human neuroanatomical and neurochemical pathways, and hallmarks of human brain pathology such as protein aggregation, neuronal degeneration and activation of glial cells, for example, can be modeled and recapitulated in the fish central nervous system. Genetic manipulation, imaging, and drug screening are areas where zebrafish excel with the ease of introducing mutations and transgenes, the expression of fluorescent markers that can be detected in vivo in the transparent larval stages overtime, and simple treatment of large numbers of fish larvae at once followed by automated screening and imaging. In this review, we summarize how zebrafish have successfully been employed to model human neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease. We discuss advantages and disadvantages of choosing zebrafish as a model for these neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelda Chia
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Klingseisen
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Dirk Sieger
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Dirk Sieger,
| | - Josef Priller
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Neuropsychiatry and Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, DZNE, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Josef Priller,
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Lescouzères L, Bordignon B, Bomont P. Development of a high-throughput tailored imaging method in zebrafish to understand and treat neuromuscular diseases. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:956582. [PMID: 36204134 PMCID: PMC9530744 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.956582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a vertebrate species offering multitude of advantages for the study of conserved biological systems in human and has considerably enriched our knowledge in developmental biology and physiology. Being equally important in medical research, the zebrafish has become a critical tool in the fields of diagnosis, gene discovery, disease modeling, and pharmacology-based therapy. Studies on the zebrafish neuromuscular system allowed for deciphering key molecular pathways in this tissue, and established it as a model of choice to study numerous motor neurons, neuromuscular junctions, and muscle diseases. Starting with the similarities of the zebrafish neuromuscular system with the human system, we review disease models associated with the neuromuscular system to focus on current methodologies employed to study them and outline their caveats. In particular, we put in perspective the necessity to develop standardized and high-resolution methodologies that are necessary to deepen our understanding of not only fundamental signaling pathways in a healthy tissue but also the changes leading to disease phenotype outbreaks, and offer templates for high-content screening strategies. While the development of high-throughput methodologies is underway for motility assays, there is no automated approach to quantify the key molecular cues of the neuromuscular junction. Here, we provide a novel high-throughput imaging methodology in the zebrafish that is standardized, highly resolutive, quantitative, and fit for drug screening. By providing a proof of concept for its robustness in identifying novel molecular players and therapeutic drugs in giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) disease, we foresee that this new tool could be useful for both fundamental and biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Lescouzères
- ERC Team, Institut NeuroMyoGéne-PGNM, Inserm U1315, CNRS UMR 5261, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Benoît Bordignon
- Montpellier Ressources Imagerie, BioCampus, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Pascale Bomont
- ERC Team, Institut NeuroMyoGéne-PGNM, Inserm U1315, CNRS UMR 5261, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- *Correspondence: Pascale Bomont,
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Bonifacino T, Zerbo RA, Balbi M, Torazza C, Frumento G, Fedele E, Bonanno G, Milanese M. Nearly 30 Years of Animal Models to Study Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Historical Overview and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212236. [PMID: 34830115 PMCID: PMC8619465 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, multigenic, multifactorial, and non-cell autonomous neurodegenerative disease characterized by upper and lower motor neuron loss. Several genetic mutations lead to ALS development and many emerging gene mutations have been discovered in recent years. Over the decades since 1990, several animal models have been generated to study ALS pathology including both vertebrates and invertebrates such as yeast, worms, flies, zebrafish, mice, rats, guinea pigs, dogs, and non-human primates. Although these models show different peculiarities, they are all useful and complementary to dissect the pathological mechanisms at the basis of motor neuron degeneration and ALS progression, thus contributing to the development of new promising therapeutics. In this review, we describe the up to date and available ALS genetic animal models, classified by the different genetic mutations and divided per species, pointing out their features in modeling, the onset and progression of the pathology, as well as their specific pathological hallmarks. Moreover, we highlight similarities, differences, advantages, and limitations, aimed at helping the researcher to select the most appropriate experimental animal model, when designing a preclinical ALS study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Bonifacino
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberta Arianna Zerbo
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Matilde Balbi
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Carola Torazza
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Giulia Frumento
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Ernesto Fedele
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Giambattista Bonanno
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Milanese
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (T.B.); (R.A.Z.); (M.B.); (C.T.); (G.F.); (G.B.); (M.M.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Genoa, Italy
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Russell KL, Downie JM, Gibson SB, Tsetsou S, Keefe MD, Duran JA, Figueroa KP, Bromberg MB, Murtaugh LC, Bonkowsky JL, Pulst SM, Jorde LB. Pathogenic Effect of TP73 Gene Variants in People With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurology 2021; 97:e225-e235. [PMID: 34135078 PMCID: PMC8302149 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000012285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify novel disease associated loci for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we used sequencing data and performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to demonstrate pathogenicity of mutations identified in TP73. METHODS We analyzed exome sequences of 87 patients with sporadic ALS and 324 controls, with confirmatory sequencing in independent ALS cohorts of >2,800 patients. For the top hit, TP73, a regulator of apoptosis and differentiation and a binding partner and homolog of the tumor suppressor gene TP53, we assayed mutation effects using in vitro and in vivo experiments. C2C12 myoblast differentiation assays, characterization of myotube appearance, and immunoprecipitation of p53-p73 complexes were performed in vitro. In vivo, we used clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 targeting of zebrafish tp73 to assay motor neuron number and axon morphology. RESULTS Four heterozygous rare, nonsynonymous mutations in TP73 were identified in our sporadic ALS cohort. In independent ALS cohorts, we identified an additional 19 rare, deleterious variants in TP73. Patient TP73 mutations caused abnormal differentiation and increased apoptosis in the myoblast differentiation assay, with abnormal myotube appearance. Immunoprecipitation of mutant ΔN-p73 demonstrated that patient mutations hinder the ability of ΔN-p73 to bind p53. CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of tp73 in zebrafish led to impaired motor neuron development and abnormal axonal morphology, concordant with ALS pathology. CONCLUSION Together, these results strongly suggest that variants in TP73 correlate with risk for ALS and indicate a role for apoptosis in ALS disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristi L Russell
- From the Departments of Human Genetics (K.L.R., J.A.D., L.C.M., L.B.J.), Neurology (S.B.G., K.P.F., M.B.B., S.M.P.), and Pediatrics (M.D.K., J.L.B.), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City; Department of Medicine (J.M.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurosurgery (S.T.), Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY; and Brain and Spine Center (J.L.B.), Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT.
| | - Jonathan M Downie
- From the Departments of Human Genetics (K.L.R., J.A.D., L.C.M., L.B.J.), Neurology (S.B.G., K.P.F., M.B.B., S.M.P.), and Pediatrics (M.D.K., J.L.B.), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City; Department of Medicine (J.M.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurosurgery (S.T.), Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY; and Brain and Spine Center (J.L.B.), Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Summer B Gibson
- From the Departments of Human Genetics (K.L.R., J.A.D., L.C.M., L.B.J.), Neurology (S.B.G., K.P.F., M.B.B., S.M.P.), and Pediatrics (M.D.K., J.L.B.), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City; Department of Medicine (J.M.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurosurgery (S.T.), Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY; and Brain and Spine Center (J.L.B.), Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Spyridoula Tsetsou
- From the Departments of Human Genetics (K.L.R., J.A.D., L.C.M., L.B.J.), Neurology (S.B.G., K.P.F., M.B.B., S.M.P.), and Pediatrics (M.D.K., J.L.B.), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City; Department of Medicine (J.M.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurosurgery (S.T.), Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY; and Brain and Spine Center (J.L.B.), Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Matthew D Keefe
- From the Departments of Human Genetics (K.L.R., J.A.D., L.C.M., L.B.J.), Neurology (S.B.G., K.P.F., M.B.B., S.M.P.), and Pediatrics (M.D.K., J.L.B.), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City; Department of Medicine (J.M.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurosurgery (S.T.), Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY; and Brain and Spine Center (J.L.B.), Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Jerry A Duran
- From the Departments of Human Genetics (K.L.R., J.A.D., L.C.M., L.B.J.), Neurology (S.B.G., K.P.F., M.B.B., S.M.P.), and Pediatrics (M.D.K., J.L.B.), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City; Department of Medicine (J.M.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurosurgery (S.T.), Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY; and Brain and Spine Center (J.L.B.), Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Karla P Figueroa
- From the Departments of Human Genetics (K.L.R., J.A.D., L.C.M., L.B.J.), Neurology (S.B.G., K.P.F., M.B.B., S.M.P.), and Pediatrics (M.D.K., J.L.B.), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City; Department of Medicine (J.M.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurosurgery (S.T.), Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY; and Brain and Spine Center (J.L.B.), Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Mark B Bromberg
- From the Departments of Human Genetics (K.L.R., J.A.D., L.C.M., L.B.J.), Neurology (S.B.G., K.P.F., M.B.B., S.M.P.), and Pediatrics (M.D.K., J.L.B.), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City; Department of Medicine (J.M.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurosurgery (S.T.), Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY; and Brain and Spine Center (J.L.B.), Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - L Charles Murtaugh
- From the Departments of Human Genetics (K.L.R., J.A.D., L.C.M., L.B.J.), Neurology (S.B.G., K.P.F., M.B.B., S.M.P.), and Pediatrics (M.D.K., J.L.B.), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City; Department of Medicine (J.M.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurosurgery (S.T.), Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY; and Brain and Spine Center (J.L.B.), Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Joshua L Bonkowsky
- From the Departments of Human Genetics (K.L.R., J.A.D., L.C.M., L.B.J.), Neurology (S.B.G., K.P.F., M.B.B., S.M.P.), and Pediatrics (M.D.K., J.L.B.), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City; Department of Medicine (J.M.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurosurgery (S.T.), Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY; and Brain and Spine Center (J.L.B.), Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Stefan M Pulst
- From the Departments of Human Genetics (K.L.R., J.A.D., L.C.M., L.B.J.), Neurology (S.B.G., K.P.F., M.B.B., S.M.P.), and Pediatrics (M.D.K., J.L.B.), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City; Department of Medicine (J.M.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurosurgery (S.T.), Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY; and Brain and Spine Center (J.L.B.), Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Lynn B Jorde
- From the Departments of Human Genetics (K.L.R., J.A.D., L.C.M., L.B.J.), Neurology (S.B.G., K.P.F., M.B.B., S.M.P.), and Pediatrics (M.D.K., J.L.B.), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City; Department of Medicine (J.M.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Neurosurgery (S.T.), Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY; and Brain and Spine Center (J.L.B.), Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT
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11
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Wang X, Zhang JB, He KJ, Wang F, Liu CF. Advances of Zebrafish in Neurodegenerative Disease: From Models to Drug Discovery. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:713963. [PMID: 34335276 PMCID: PMC8317260 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.713963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disease (NDD), including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are characterized by the progressive loss of neurons which leads to the decline of motor and/or cognitive function. Currently, the prevalence of NDD is rapidly increasing in the aging population. However, valid drugs or treatment for NDD are still lacking. The clinical heterogeneity and complex pathogenesis of NDD pose a great challenge for the development of disease-modifying therapies. Numerous animal models have been generated to mimic the pathological conditions of these diseases for drug discovery. Among them, zebrafish (Danio rerio) models are progressively emerging and becoming a powerful tool for in vivo study of NDD. Extensive use of zebrafish in pharmacology research or drug screening is due to the high conserved evolution and 87% homology to humans. In this review, we summarize the zebrafish models used in NDD studies, and highlight the recent findings on pharmacological targets for NDD treatment. As high-throughput platforms in zebrafish research have rapidly developed in recent years, we also discuss the application prospects of these new technologies in future NDD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jin-Bao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Kai-Jie He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fen Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chun-Feng Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Department of Neurology, Suqian First Hospital, Suqian, China
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12
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Braems E, Tziortzouda P, Van Den Bosch L. Exploring the alternative: Fish, flies and worms as preclinical models for ALS. Neurosci Lett 2021; 759:136041. [PMID: 34118308 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons. In general, patients succumb to respiratory insufficiency due to respiratory muscle weakness. Despite many promising therapeutic strategies primarily identified in rodent models, patient trials remain rather unsuccessful. There is a clear need for alternative approaches, which could provide directions towards the justified use of rodents and which increase the likelihood to identify new promising clinical candidates. In the last decades, the use of fast genetic approaches and the development of high-throughput screening platforms in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and in zebrafish (Danio rerio) have contributed to new insights into ALS pathomechanisms, disease modifiers and therapeutic targets. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of these alternative small animal studies, modeling the most common ALS genes and discuss the most recent preclinical discoveries. We conclude that small animal models will not replace rodent models, yet they clearly represent an important asset for preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Braems
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paraskevi Tziortzouda
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium.
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13
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Aldewachi H, Al-Zidan RN, Conner MT, Salman MM. High-Throughput Screening Platforms in the Discovery of Novel Drugs for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:30. [PMID: 33672148 PMCID: PMC7926814 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8020030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are incurable and debilitating conditions that result in progressive degeneration and/or death of nerve cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Identification of viable therapeutic targets and new treatments for CNS disorders and in particular, for NDDs is a major challenge in the field of drug discovery. These difficulties can be attributed to the diversity of cells involved, extreme complexity of the neural circuits, the limited capacity for tissue regeneration, and our incomplete understanding of the underlying pathological processes. Drug discovery is a complex and multidisciplinary process. The screening attrition rate in current drug discovery protocols mean that only one viable drug may arise from millions of screened compounds resulting in the need to improve discovery technologies and protocols to address the multiple causes of attrition. This has identified the need to screen larger libraries where the use of efficient high-throughput screening (HTS) becomes key in the discovery process. HTS can investigate hundreds of thousands of compounds per day. However, if fewer compounds could be screened without compromising the probability of success, the cost and time would be largely reduced. To that end, recent advances in computer-aided design, in silico libraries, and molecular docking software combined with the upscaling of cell-based platforms have evolved to improve screening efficiency with higher predictability and clinical applicability. We review, here, the increasing role of HTS in contemporary drug discovery processes, in particular for NDDs, and evaluate the criteria underlying its successful application. We also discuss the requirement of HTS for novel NDD therapies and examine the major current challenges in validating new drug targets and developing new treatments for NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Aldewachi
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK;
- College of Pharmacy, Nineveh University, Mosul 41002, Iraq
| | - Radhwan N. Al-Zidan
- College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul 41002, Iraq;
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, UK
| | - Matthew T. Conner
- School of Sciences, Research Institute in Healthcare Science, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK;
| | - Mootaz M. Salman
- College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul 41002, Iraq;
- Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
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14
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Bragato C, Blasevich F, Ingenito G, Mantegazza R, Maggi L. Therapeutic efficacy of 3,4-Diaminopyridine phosphate on neuromuscular junction in Pompe disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 137:111357. [PMID: 33724918 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
3,4-Diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP) and its phosphate form, 3,4-DAPP have been used efficiently in the past years to treat muscular weakness in myasthenic syndromes with neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) impairment. Pompe disease (PD), an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder due to a defect of the lysosomal enzyme α-glucosidase (GAA), presents some secondary symptoms that are related to neuromuscular transmission dysfunction, resulting in endurance and strength failure. In order to evaluate whether 3,4-DAPP could have a beneficial effect on this pathology, we took advantage of a transient zebrafish PD model that we previously generated and characterized. We investigated presynaptic and postsynaptic structures, NMJs at the electron microscopy level, and zebrafish behavior, before and after treatment with 3,4-DAPP. After drug administration, we observed an increase in the number of acetylcholine receptors an increment in the percentage of NMJs with normal structure and amelioration in embryo behavior, with recovery of typical movements that were lost in the embryo PD model. Our results revealed early NMJ impairment in Pompe zebrafish model with improvement after administration of 3,4-DAPP, suggesting its potential use as symptomatic drug in patients with Pompe disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Bragato
- Neuromuscular Diseases and Neuroimmunology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy.
| | - Flavia Blasevich
- Neuromuscular Diseases and Neuroimmunology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy
| | | | - Renato Mantegazza
- Neuromuscular Diseases and Neuroimmunology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Maggi
- Neuromuscular Diseases and Neuroimmunology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan 20133, Italy
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15
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Goldshtein H, Muhire A, Petel Légaré V, Pushett A, Rotkopf R, Shefner JM, Peterson RT, Armstrong GAB, Russek‐ Blum N. Efficacy of Ciprofloxacin/Celecoxib combination in zebrafish models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2020; 7:1883-1897. [PMID: 32915525 PMCID: PMC7545590 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of a fixed-dose combination of two approved drugs, Ciprofloxacin and Celecoxib, as a potential therapeutic treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS Toxicity and efficacy of Ciprofloxacin and Celecoxib were tested, each alone and in distinct ratio combinations in SOD1 G93R transgenic zebrafish model for ALS. Quantification of swimming measures following stimuli, measurements of axonal projections from the spinal cord, neuromuscular junction structure and morphometric analysis of microglia cells were performed in the combination- treated vs nontreated mutant larvae. Additionally, quantifications of touch-evoked locomotor escape response were conducted in treated vs nontreated zebrafish expressing the TARDBP G348C ALS variant. RESULTS When administered individually, Ciprofloxacin had a mild effect and Celecoxib had no therapeutic effect. However, combined Ciprofloxacin and Celecoxib (Cipro/Celecox) treatment caused a significant increase of ~ 84% in the distance the SOD1 G93R transgenic larvae swam. Additionally, Cipro/Celecox elicited recovery of impaired motor neurons morphology and abnormal neuromuscular junction structure and preserved the ramified morphology of microglia cells in the SOD1 mutants. Furthermore, larvae expressing the TDP-43 mutation displayed evoked touch responses that were significantly longer in swim distance (110% increase) and significantly higher in maximal swim velocity (~44% increase) when treated with Cipro/Celecox combination. INTERPRETATION Cipro/Celecox combination improved locomotor and cellular deficits of ALS zebrafish models. These results identify this novel combination as effective, and may prove promising for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagit Goldshtein
- The Dead Sea Arava Science CenterAuspices of Ben Gurion UniversityCentral Arava86815Israel
| | - Alexandre Muhire
- The Dead Sea Arava Science CenterAuspices of Ben Gurion UniversityCentral Arava86815Israel
| | - Virginie Petel Légaré
- Department of Neurology and NeurosurgeryMontreal Neurological InstituteFaculty of MedicineMcGill UniversityMontrealQCH3A 0G4Canada
| | - Avital Pushett
- NeuroSense Therapeutics LtdMedinat Hayehudim 85Herzeliya4676670Israel
| | - Ron Rotkopf
- Bioinformatics and Biological Computing UnitLife Sciences Core FacilitiesWeizmann Institute of ScienceRehovot7610001Israel
| | - Jeremy M. Shefner
- Barrow Neurological Institute, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, Creighton University College of Medicine PhoenixPhoenixAZ85013USA
| | | | - Gary A. B. Armstrong
- Department of Neurology and NeurosurgeryMontreal Neurological InstituteFaculty of MedicineMcGill UniversityMontrealQCH3A 0G4Canada
| | - Niva Russek‐ Blum
- The Dead Sea Arava Science CenterAuspices of Ben Gurion UniversityCentral Arava86815Israel
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16
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Gois AM, Mendonça DMF, Freire MAM, Santos JR. IN VITRO AND IN VIVO MODELS OF AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS: AN UPDATED OVERVIEW. Brain Res Bull 2020; 159:32-43. [PMID: 32247802 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2020.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of upper motor neurons (UMN) and lower motor neurons (LMN). Disease affects people all over the world and is more prevalent in men. Patients with ALS develop extensive muscle wasting, paralysis and ultimately death, with a median survival of usually fewer than five years after disease onset. ALS may be sporadic (sALS, 90%) or familial (fALS, 10%). The large majority of fALS cases are associated with genetic alterations, which are mainly related to the genes SOD1, TDP-43, FUS, and C9ORF72. In vitro and in vivo models have helped elucidate ALS etiology and pathogenesis, as well as its molecular, cellular, and physiological mechanisms. Many studies in cell cultures and animal models, such as Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, zebrafish, rodents, and non-human primates have been performed to clarify the relationship of these genes to ALS disease. However, there are inherent limitations to consider when using experimental models. In this review, we provide an updated overview of the most used in vitro and in vivo studies that have contributed to a better understanding of the different ALS pathogenic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auderlan M Gois
- Behavioral and Evolutionary Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Federal University of Sergipe, Itabaiana, SE, Brazil
| | - Deise M F Mendonça
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Degenerative Diseases of the Nervous System, Department of Biosciences, Federal University of Sergipe, Itabaiana, SE, Brazil
| | - Marco Aurelio M Freire
- Postgraduation Program in Health and Society, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Jose R Santos
- Behavioral and Evolutionary Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Federal University of Sergipe, Itabaiana, SE, Brazil.
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17
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Martin E, Cazenave W, Allain AE, Cattaert D, Branchereau P. Implication of 5-HT in the Dysregulation of Chloride Homeostasis in Prenatal Spinal Motoneurons from the G93A Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1107. [PMID: 32046135 PMCID: PMC7039234 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive motor neuron degeneration and muscle paralysis. The early presymptomatic onset of abnormal processes is indicative of cumulative defects that ultimately lead to a late manifestation of clinical symptoms. It remains of paramount importance to identify the primary defects that underlie this condition and to determine how these deficits lead to a cycle of deterioration. We recently demonstrated that prenatal E17.5 lumbar spinal motoneurons (MNs) from SOD1G93A mice exhibit a KCC2-related alteration in chloride homeostasis, i.e., the EGABAAR is more depolarized than in WT littermates. Here, using immunohistochemistry, we found that the SOD1G93A lumbar spinal cord is less enriched with 5-HT descending fibres than the WT lumbar spinal cord. High-performance liquid chromatography confirmed the lower level of the monoamine 5-HT in the SOD1G93A spinal cord compared to the WT spinal cord. Using ex vivo perforated patch-clamp recordings of lumbar MNs coupled with pharmacology, we demonstrated that 5-HT strongly hyperpolarizes the EGABAAR by interacting with KCC2. Therefore, the deregulation of the interplay between 5-HT and KCC2 may explain the alteration in chloride homeostasis detected in prenatal SOD1G93A MNs. In conclusion, 5-HT and KCC2 are two likely key factors in the presymptomatic phase of ALS, particular in familial ALS involving the SOD1G93A mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Pascal Branchereau
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, INCIA, UMR 5287, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (E.M.); (W.C.); (A.-E.A.); (D.C.)
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18
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Bose P. Novel small molecule TRVA242 targets neuromuscular junction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neural Regen Res 2019; 15:1041-1042. [PMID: 31823882 PMCID: PMC7034275 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.270309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Poulomee Bose
- Department of Neuroscience, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire St. Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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19
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Germeys C, Vandoorne T, Bercier V, Van Den Bosch L. Existing and Emerging Metabolomic Tools for ALS Research. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E1011. [PMID: 31817338 PMCID: PMC6947647 DOI: 10.3390/genes10121011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that aberrant energy metabolism could play an important role in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Despite this, studies applying advanced technologies to investigate energy metabolism in ALS remain scarce. The rapidly growing field of metabolomics offers exciting new possibilities for ALS research. Here, we review existing and emerging metabolomic tools that could be used to further investigate the role of metabolism in ALS. A better understanding of the metabolic state of motor neurons and their surrounding cells could hopefully result in novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Germeys
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven—University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (C.G.); (T.V.); (V.B.)
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tijs Vandoorne
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven—University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (C.G.); (T.V.); (V.B.)
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valérie Bercier
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven—University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (C.G.); (T.V.); (V.B.)
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven—University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (C.G.); (T.V.); (V.B.)
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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20
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Bose P, Tremblay E, Maios C, Narasimhan V, Armstrong GAB, Liao M, Parker JA, Robitaille R, Wen XY, Barden C, Drapeau P. The Novel Small Molecule TRVA242 Stabilizes Neuromuscular Junction Defects in Multiple Animal Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurotherapeutics 2019; 16:1149-1166. [PMID: 31342410 PMCID: PMC6985319 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-019-00765-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder in which the neuromuscular junction progressively degenerates, leading to movement difficulties, paralysis, and eventually death. ALS is currently being treated by only two FDA-approved drugs with modest efficacy in slowing disease progression. Often, the translation of preclinical findings to bedside terminates prematurely as the evaluation of potential therapeutic compounds focuses on a single study or a single animal model. To circumscribe these issues, we screened 3,765 novel small molecule derivatives of pimozide, a recently identified repurposed neuroleptic for ALS, in Caenorhabditis elegans, confirmed the hits in zebrafish and validated the most active compounds in mouse genetic models. Out of the 27 small molecules identified from the high-throughput screen in worms, 4 were found to recover locomotor defects in C. elegans and genetic zebrafish models of ALS. TRVA242 was identified as the most potent compound as it significantly improved efficiency in rescuing locomotor, motorneuron, and neuromuscular junction synaptic deficits in a C. elegans TDP-43 model and in multiple zebrafish genetic (TDP-43, SOD1, and C9ORF72) models of ALS. The actions of TRVA242 were also conserved in a mammalian model as it also stabilized neuromuscular junction deficits in a mouse SOD1 model of ALS. Compounds such as TRVA242 therefore represent new potential therapeutics for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poulomee Bose
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM Tour Viger R09-482), 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montréal, Quebec, H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Elsa Tremblay
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- FRQS Group de recherche sur le system nerveux centrale, Montreal, Canada
| | - Claudia Maios
- Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM Tour Viger R09-482), 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montréal, Quebec, H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Vijay Narasimhan
- Zebrafish Centre for Advanced Drug Discovery and Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital and Department of Medicine and Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gary A B Armstrong
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University and Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Canada
| | - Meijiang Liao
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM Tour Viger R09-482), 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montréal, Quebec, H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - J Alex Parker
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM Tour Viger R09-482), 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montréal, Quebec, H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Richard Robitaille
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- FRQS Group de recherche sur le system nerveux centrale, Montreal, Canada
| | - Xiao Yan Wen
- Zebrafish Centre for Advanced Drug Discovery and Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital and Department of Medicine and Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Pierre Drapeau
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
- Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM Tour Viger R09-482), 900 Rue Saint Denis, Montréal, Quebec, H2X 0A9, Canada.
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Saba L, Viscomi MT, Martini A, Caioli S, Mercuri NB, Guatteo E, Zona C. Modified age-dependent expression of NaV1.6 in an ALS model correlates with motor cortex excitability alterations. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 130:104532. [PMID: 31302244 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortical hyperexcitability is an early and intrinsic feature of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), but the mechanisms underlying this critical neuronal dysfunction are poorly understood. Recently, we have demonstrated that layer V pyramidal neurons (PNs) in the primary motor cortex (M1) of one-month old (P30) G93A ALS mice display an early hyperexcitability status compared to Control mice. In order to investigate the time-dependent evolution of the cortical excitability in the G93A ALS model, here we have performed an electrophysiological and immunohistochemical study at three different mouse ages. M1 PNs from 14-days old (P14) G93A mice have shown no excitability alterations, while M1 PNs from 3-months old (P90) G93A mice have shown a hypoexcitability status, compared to Control mice. These age-dependent cortical excitability dysfunctions correlate with a similar time-dependent trend of the persistent sodium current (INaP) amplitude alterations, suggesting that INaP may play a crucial role in the G93A cortical excitability aberrations. Specifically, immunohistochemistry experiments have indicated that the expression level of the NaV1.6 channel, one of the voltage-gated Na+ channels mainly distributed within the central nervous system, varies in G93A primary motor cortex during disease progression, according to the excitability and INaP alterations, but not in other cortical areas. Microfluorometry experiments, combined with electrophysiological recordings, have verified that P30 G93A PNs hyperexcitability is associated to a greater accumulation of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) compared to Control PNs, and that this difference is still present when G93A and Control PNs fire action potentials at the same frequency. These results suggest that [Ca2+]i de-regulation in G93A PNs may contribute to neuronal demise and that the NaV1.6 channels could be a potential therapeutic target to ameliorate ALS disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Saba
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Viscomi
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Istologia ed Embriologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Largo F. Vito 1, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Alessandro Martini
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, Rome 00143, Italy
| | - Silvia Caioli
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, Rome 00143, Italy
| | - Nicola Biagio Mercuri
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, Rome 00143, Italy
| | - Ezia Guatteo
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, Rome 00143, Italy; Department of Motor Science and Wellness, University of Naples 'Parthenope', Via Medina 40, Naples 80133, Italy
| | - Cristina Zona
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, Rome 00143, Italy.
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22
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Bose P, Armstrong GAB, Drapeau P. Neuromuscular junction abnormalities in a zebrafish loss-of-function model of TDP-43. J Neurophysiol 2018; 121:285-297. [PMID: 30461368 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00265.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost 90% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases are characterized by the presence of aggregates of insoluble, misfolded cytoplasmic TAR DNA binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43). Distal axonopathy with impaired neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) before motor neuron degeneration or clinical onset of symptoms has been hypothesized as an early pathology in ALS. However, synaptic defects at the NMJ caused by TDP-43 mutations have not been characterized. In this study, we examined a previously reported zebrafish line expressing the tardbpY220X/Y220X variant, which results in an unstable and degraded protein. These tardbp-/- larvae, however, mature normally due to the upregulated expression of an alternative splice variant of the tardbp paralog tardbp-like, or tardbpl. We generated a mutant line with a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated 5-base pair deletion encompassing the ATG start codon of tardbpl and in-crossed these with tardbp-/- mutants to obtain tardbp-/- and tardbpl-/- double mutants, herein referred to as hom/hom. We subsequently characterized morphological, coiling, locomotor, synaptic, and NMJ structural abnormalities in the hom/hom mutants and in their genotypic controls. We observed that hom/hom mutants displayed gross morphological defects, early lethality, reduced locomotor function, aberrant quantal transmission, and perturbed synapse architecture at the NMJ. We further employed pharmacological manipulations in an effort to rescue phenotypic defects and observed that tardbp+/-; tardbpl-/- (herein referred to as het/hom) mutants, but not hom/hom mutants, were sensitive to chronic treatments of BAY K 8644, an L-type calcium channel agonist. This result highlights the importance of partial vs. complete loss of allelic functions of TDP-43. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study highlights the importance of partial vs. complete loss of allelic functions of TDP-43 in a zebrafish loss of function model, thus making it an attractive tool for drug screening approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poulomee Bose
- Department of Neuroscience, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal , Montreal, Quebec , Canada
| | - Gary A B Armstrong
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University , Montreal, Quebec , Canada
| | - Pierre Drapeau
- Department of Neuroscience, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal , Montreal, Quebec , Canada
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Egashira Y, Zempo B, Sakata S, Ono F. Recent advances in neuromuscular junction research prompted by the zebrafish model. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Cappello V, Francolini M. Neuromuscular Junction Dismantling in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18102092. [PMID: 28972545 PMCID: PMC5666774 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18102092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular junction assembly and plasticity during embryonic, postnatal, and adult life are tightly regulated by the continuous cross-talk among motor nerve endings, muscle fibers, and glial cells. Altered communications among these components is thought to be responsible for the physiological age-related changes at this synapse and possibly for its destruction in pathological states. Neuromuscular junction dismantling plays a crucial role in the onset of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is characterized by the degeneration and death of motor neurons leading to skeletal muscle denervation, atrophy and, most often, death of the patient within five years from diagnosis. ALS is a non-cell autonomous disease as, besides motor neuron degeneration, glial cells, and possibly muscle fibers, play a role in its onset and progression. Here, we will review the recent literature regarding the mechanisms leading to neuromuscular junction disassembly and muscle denervation focusing on the role of the three players of this peripheral tripartite synapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Cappello
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation@NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Maura Francolini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano-Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milano, Italy.
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25
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Svensson E, Jeffreys H, Li WC. The modulation of two motor behaviors by persistent sodium currents in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. J Neurophysiol 2017; 118:121-130. [PMID: 28331009 PMCID: PMC5494356 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00755.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We have characterized persistent sodium currents in three groups of spinal neurons and their role in shaping spiking activity in the Xenopus tadpole. We then attempted to evaluate the role of persistent sodium currents in regulating tadpole swimming and struggling motor outputs by using low concentrations of the persistent sodium current antagonist riluzole. Persistent sodium currents (INaP) are common in neuronal circuitries and have been implicated in several diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and epilepsy. However, the role of INaP in the regulation of specific behaviors is still poorly understood. In this study we have characterized INaP and investigated its role in the swimming and struggling behavior of Xenopus tadpoles. INaP was identified in three groups of neurons, namely, sensory Rohon-Beard neurons (RB neurons), descending interneurons (dINs), and non-dINs (neurons rhythmically active in swimming). All groups of neurons expressed INaP, but the currents differed in decay time constants, amplitudes, and the membrane potential at which INaP peaked. Low concentrations (1 µM) of the INaP blocker riluzole blocked INaP ~30% and decreased the excitability of the three neuron groups without affecting spike amplitudes or cellular input resistances. Riluzole reduced the number of rebound spikes in dINs and depressed repetitive firing in RB neurons and non-dINs. At the behavior level, riluzole at 1 µM shortened fictive swimming episodes. It also reduced the number of action potentials neurons fired on each struggling cycle. The results show that INaP may play important modulatory roles in motor behaviors. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We have characterized persistent sodium currents in three groups of spinal neurons and their role in shaping spiking activity in the Xenopus tadpole. We then attempted to evaluate the role of persistent sodium currents in regulating tadpole swimming and struggling motor outputs by using low concentrations of the persistent sodium current antagonist riluzole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Svensson
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom
| | - Hugo Jeffreys
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom
| | - Wen-Chang Li
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom
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26
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Benedetti L, Ghilardi A, Prosperi L, Francolini M, Del Giacco L. Biosensing Motor Neuron Membrane Potential in Live Zebrafish Embryos. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28671644 DOI: 10.3791/55297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The protocols described here are designed to allow researchers to study cell communication without altering the integrity of the environment in which the cells are located. Specifically, they have been developed to analyze the electrical activity of excitable cells, such as spinal neurons. In such a scenario, it is crucial to preserve the integrity of the spinal cell, but it is also important to preserve the anatomy and physiological shape of the systems involved. Indeed, the comprehension of the manner in which the nervous system-and other complex systems-works must be based on a systemic approach. For this reason, the live zebrafish embryo was chosen as a model system, and the spinal neuron membrane voltage changes were evaluated without interfering with the physiological conditions of the embryos. Here, an approach combining the employment of zebrafish embryos with a FRET-based biosensor is described. Zebrafish embryos are characterized by a very simplified nervous system and are particularly suited for imaging applications thanks to their transparency, allowing for the employment of fluorescence-based voltage indicators at the plasma membrane during zebrafish development. The synergy between these two components makes it possible to analyze the electrical activity of the cells in intact living organisms, without perturbing the physiological state. Finally, this non-invasive approach can co-exist with other analyses (e.g., spontaneous movement recordings, as shown here).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Benedetti
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano; Department of Neuroscience; Department of Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine; Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale University School of Medicine
| | - Anna Ghilardi
- Department of BioSciences, Università degli Studi di Milano
| | - Laura Prosperi
- Department of BioSciences, Università degli Studi di Milano
| | - Maura Francolini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano
| | - Luca Del Giacco
- Department of BioSciences, Università degli Studi di Milano;
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