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Abstract
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCLs) is a group of inherited neurodegenerative lysosomal storage diseases that together represent the most common cause of dementia in children. Phenotypically, patients have visual impairment, cognitive and motor decline, epilepsy, and premature death. A primary challenge is to halt and/or reverse these diseases, towards which developments in potential effective therapies are encouraging. Many treatments, including enzyme replacement therapy (for CLN1 and CLN2 diseases), stem-cell therapy (for CLN1, CLN2, and CLN8 diseases), gene therapy vector (for CLN1, CLN2, CLN3, CLN5, CLN6, CLN7, CLN10, and CLN11 diseases), and pharmacological drugs (for CLN1, CLN2, CLN3, and CLN6 diseases) have been evaluated for safety and efficacy in pre-clinical and clinical studies. Currently, cerliponase alpha for CLN2 disease is the only approved therapy for NCL. Lacking is any study of potential treatments for CLN4, CLN9, CLN12, CLN13 or CLN14 diseases. This review provides an overview of genetics for each CLN disease, and we discuss the current understanding from pre-clinical and clinical study of potential therapeutics. Various therapeutic interventions have been studied in many experimental animal models. Combination of treatments may be useful to slow or even halt disease progression; however, few therapies are unlikely to even partially reverse the disease and a complete reversal is currently improbable. Early diagnosis to allow initiation of therapy, when indicated, during asymptomatic stages is more important than ever.
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Johnson TB, Brudvig JJ, Lehtimäki KK, Cain JT, White KA, Bragge T, Rytkönen J, Huhtala T, Timm D, Vihma M, Puoliväli JT, Poutiainen P, Nurmi A, Weimer JM. A multimodal approach to identify clinically relevant biomarkers to comprehensively monitor disease progression in a mouse model of pediatric neurodegenerative disease. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 189:101789. [PMID: 32198061 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
While research has accelerated the development of new treatments for pediatric neurodegenerative disorders, the ability to demonstrate the long-term efficacy of these therapies has been hindered by the lack of convincing, noninvasive methods for tracking disease progression both in animal models and in human clinical trials. Here, we unveil a new translational platform for tracking disease progression in an animal model of a pediatric neurodegenerative disorder, CLN6-Batten disease. Instead of looking at a handful of parameters or a single "needle in a haystack", we embrace the idea that disease progression, in mice and patients alike, is a diverse phenomenon best characterized by a combination of relevant biomarkers. Thus, we employed a multi-modal quantitative approach where 144 parameters were longitudinally monitored to allow for individual variability. We use a range of noninvasive neuroimaging modalities and kinematic gait analysis, all methods that parallel those commonly used in the clinic, followed by a powerful statistical platform to identify key progressive anatomical and metabolic changes that correlate strongly with the progression of pathological and behavioral deficits. This innovative, highly sensitive platform can be used as a powerful tool for preclinical studies on neurodegenerative diseases, and provides proof-of-principle for use as a potentially translatable tool for clinicians in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler B Johnson
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Jon J Brudvig
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | | | - Jacob T Cain
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Katherine A White
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Timo Bragge
- Discovery Research Services, Charles River, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jussi Rytkönen
- Discovery Research Services, Charles River, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tuulia Huhtala
- Discovery Research Services, Charles River, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Derek Timm
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Maria Vihma
- Discovery Research Services, Charles River, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Pekka Poutiainen
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Antti Nurmi
- Discovery Research Services, Charles River, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Jill M Weimer
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
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Rosenberg JB, Chen A, Kaminsky SM, Crystal RG, Sondhi D. Advances in the Treatment of Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2019; 7:473-500. [PMID: 33365208 PMCID: PMC7755158 DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2019.1684258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) represent a class of neurodegenerative disorders involving defective lysosomal processing enzymes or receptors, leading to lysosomal storage disorders, typically characterized by observation of cognitive and visual impairments, epileptic seizures, ataxia, and deterioration of motor skills. Recent success of a biologic (Brineura®) for the treatment of neurologic manifestations of the central nervous system (CNS) has led to renewed interest in therapeutics for NCL, with the goal of ablating or reversing the impact of these devastating disorders. Despite complex challenges associated with CNS therapy, many treatment modalities have been evaluated, including enzyme replacement therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and small molecule pharmacotherapy. Because the clinical endpoints for the evaluation of candidate therapies are complex and often reliant on subjective clinical scales, the development of quantitative biomarkers for NCLs has become an apparent necessity for the validation of potential treatments. We will discuss the latest findings in the search for relevant biomarkers for assessing disease progression. For this review, we will focus primarily on recent pre-clinical and clinical developments for treatments to halt or cure these NCL diseases. Continued development of current therapies and discovery of newer modalities will be essential for successful therapeutics for NCL. AREAS COVERED The reader will be introduced to the NCL subtypes, natural histories, experimental animal models, and biomarkers for NCL progression; challenges and different therapeutic approaches, and the latest pre-clinical and clinical research for therapeutic development for the various NCLs. This review corresponds to the literatures covering the years from 1968 to mid-2019, but primarily addresses pre-clinical and clinical developments for the treatment of NCL disease in the last decade and as a follow-up to our 2013 review of the same topic in this journal. EXPERT OPINION Much progress has been made in the treatment of neurologic diseases, such as the NCLs, including better animal models and improved therapeutics with better survival outcomes. Encouraging results are being reported at symposiums and in the literature, with multiple therapeutics reaching the clinical trial stage for the NCLs. The potential for a cure could be at hand after many years of trial and error in the preclinical studies. The clinical development of enzyme replacement therapy (Brineura® for CLN2), immunosuppression (CellCept® for CLN3), and gene therapy vectors (for CLN1, CLN2, CLN3, and CLN6) are providing encouragement to families that have a child afflicted with NCL. We believe that successful therapies in the future may involve the combination of two or more therapeutic modalities to provide therapeutic benefit especially as the patients grow older.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan B Rosenberg
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Alvin Chen
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Stephen M Kaminsky
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Ronald G Crystal
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Dolan Sondhi
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
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Lange J, Haslett LJ, Lloyd-Evans E, Pocock JM, Sands MS, Williams BP, Cooper JD. Compromised astrocyte function and survival negatively impact neurons in infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2018; 6:74. [PMID: 30089511 PMCID: PMC6081811 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-018-0575-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are the most common cause of childhood dementia and are invariably fatal. Early localized glial activation occurs in these disorders, and accurately predicts where neuronal loss is most pronounced. Recent evidence suggests that glial dysfunction may contribute to neuron loss, and we have now explored this possibility in infantile NCL (INCL, CLN1 disease). We grew primary cultures of astrocytes, microglia, and neurons derived from Ppt1 deficient mice (Ppt1−/−) and assessed their properties compared to wildtype (WT) cultures, before co-culturing them in different combinations (astrocytes with microglia, astrocytes or microglia with neurons, all three cell types together). These studies revealed that both Ppt1−/− astrocytes and microglia exhibit a more activated phenotype under basal unstimulated conditions, as well as alterations to their protein expression profile following pharmacological stimulation. Ppt1- /− astrocytes also displayed abnormal calcium signalling and an elevated cytoplasmic Ca2+ level, and a profound defect in their survival. Ppt1−/− neurons displayed decreased neurite outgrowth, altered complexity, a reduction in cell body size, and impaired neuron survival with prolonged time in culture. In co-cultures, the presence of both astrocytes and microglia from Ppt1−/− mice further impaired the morphology of both wild type and Ppt1−/− neurons. This negative influence was more pronounced for Ppt1−/− microglia, which appeared to trigger increased Ppt1−/− neuronal death. In contrast, wild type glial cells, especially astrocytes, ameliorated some of the morphological defects observed in Ppt1−/− neurons. These findings suggest that both Ppt1−/− microglia and astrocytes are dysfunctional and may contribute to the neurodegeneration observed in CLN1 disease. However, the dysfunctional phenotypes of Ppt1−/− glia are different from those present in CLN3 disease, suggesting that the pathogenic role of glia may differ between NCLs.
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Parviainen L, Dihanich S, Anderson GW, Wong AM, Brooks HR, Abeti R, Rezaie P, Lalli G, Pope S, Heales SJ, Mitchison HM, Williams BP, Cooper JD. Glial cells are functionally impaired in juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis and detrimental to neurons. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2017; 5:74. [PMID: 29041969 PMCID: PMC5645909 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-017-0476-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs or Batten disease) are a group of inherited, fatal neurodegenerative disorders of childhood. In these disorders, glial (microglial and astrocyte) activation typically occurs early in disease progression and predicts where neuron loss subsequently occurs. We have found that in the most common juvenile form of NCL (CLN3 disease or JNCL) this glial response is less pronounced in both mouse models and human autopsy material, with the morphological transformation of both astrocytes and microglia severely attenuated or delayed. To investigate their properties, we isolated glia and neurons from Cln3-deficient mice and studied their basic biology in culture. Upon stimulation, both Cln3-deficient astrocytes and microglia also showed an attenuated ability to transform morphologically, and an altered protein secretion profile. These defects were more pronounced in astrocytes, including the reduced secretion of a range of neuroprotective factors, mitogens, chemokines and cytokines, in addition to impaired calcium signalling and glutamate clearance. Cln3-deficient neurons also displayed an abnormal organization of their neurites. Most importantly, using a co-culture system, Cln3-deficient astrocytes and microglia had a negative impact on the survival and morphology of both Cln3-deficient and wildtype neurons, but these effects were largely reversed by growing mutant neurons with healthy glia. These data provide evidence that CLN3 disease astrocytes are functionally compromised. Together with microglia, they may play an active role in neuron loss in this disorder and can be considered as potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
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Llavero Hurtado M, Fuller HR, Wong AMS, Eaton SL, Gillingwater TH, Pennetta G, Cooper JD, Wishart TM. Proteomic mapping of differentially vulnerable pre-synaptic populations identifies regulators of neuronal stability in vivo. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12412. [PMID: 28963550 PMCID: PMC5622084 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12603-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapses are an early pathological target in many neurodegenerative diseases ranging from well-known adult onset conditions such as Alzheimer and Parkinson disease to neurodegenerative conditions of childhood such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCLs). However, the reasons why synapses are particularly vulnerable to such a broad range of neurodegeneration inducing stimuli remains unknown. To identify molecular modulators of synaptic stability and degeneration, we have used the Cln3−/− mouse model of a juvenile form of NCL. We profiled and compared the molecular composition of anatomically-distinct, differentially-affected pre-synaptic populations from the Cln3−/− mouse brain using proteomics followed by bioinformatic analyses. Identified protein candidates were then tested using a Drosophila CLN3 model to study their ability to modify the CLN3-neurodegenerative phenotype in vivo. We identified differential perturbations in a range of molecular cascades correlating with synaptic vulnerability, including valine catabolism and rho signalling pathways. Genetic and pharmacological targeting of key ‘hub’ proteins in such pathways was sufficient to modulate phenotypic presentation in a Drosophila CLN3 model. We propose that such a workflow provides a target rich method for the identification of novel disease regulators which could be applicable to the study of other conditions where appropriate models exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maica Llavero Hurtado
- Division of Neurobiology, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Heidi R Fuller
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, Keele, ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Andrew M S Wong
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 9RX, UK
| | - Samantha L Eaton
- Division of Neurobiology, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | | | - Giuseppa Pennetta
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jonathan D Cooper
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 9RX, UK.,Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, and David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA
| | - Thomas M Wishart
- Division of Neurobiology, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK. .,Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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Nelvagal HR, Cooper JD. Translating preclinical models of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis: progress and prospects. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2017.1360182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hemanth R. Nelvagal
- Pediatric Storage Disorders Laboratory, Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan D. Cooper
- Pediatric Storage Disorders Laboratory, Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Torrance, CA, USA
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Best HL, Neverman NJ, Wicky HE, Mitchell NL, Leitch B, Hughes SM. Characterisation of early changes in ovine CLN5 and CLN6 Batten disease neural cultures for the rapid screening of therapeutics. Neurobiol Dis 2017; 100:62-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
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A Case-controlled Investigation of Pain Experience and Sensory Function in Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis. Clin J Pain 2016; 31:998-1003. [PMID: 25569218 DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000000192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This case-control study explored pain experience and expression among individuals with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) through parental report, tactile sensory testing, and infrared thermography (IRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS Participants with NCL (n=8; M=14.8 y) and their unaffected siblings (n=8; M=23.5 y) were characterized in terms of pain response to a brief tactile sensory test (light touch, Von Frey monofilament). During sensory testing, behavioral expression was measured using the Battens Observational Pain Scale and infrared thermography (IRT) was used to quantify changes in skin/eye temperature. RESULTS Children with NCL experienced pain frequently and from multiple sources that negatively impacted their lives. Children with NCL were reactive to the sensory testing as indexed by significant increased IRT temperature change (P<0.001). Across combined sensory conditions, individuals with NCL were significantly more reactive (Battens Observational Pain Scale total score) to sensory testing compared with siblings (P<0.05). Similarly, IRT difference scores between sensory conditions revealed a significant increase in temperature for individuals with NCL compared with siblings (P<0.001). DISCUSSION Ongoing reported pain was a problem for the children with NCL in this sample. Increased pain expression during the repeated Von Frey filament suggests that the pathophysiology of the ongoing pain may be centrally mediated.
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Amorim IS, Mitchell NL, Palmer DN, Sawiak SJ, Mason R, Wishart TM, Gillingwater TH. Molecular neuropathology of the synapse in sheep with CLN5 Batten disease. Brain Behav 2015; 5:e00401. [PMID: 26664787 PMCID: PMC4667763 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Synapses represent a major pathological target across a broad range of neurodegenerative conditions. Recent studies addressing molecular mechanisms regulating synaptic vulnerability and degeneration have relied heavily on invertebrate and mouse models. Whether similar molecular neuropathological changes underpin synaptic breakdown in large animal models and in human patients with neurodegenerative disease remains unclear. We therefore investigated whether molecular regulators of synaptic pathophysiology, previously identified in Drosophila and mouse models, are similarly present and modified in the brain of sheep with CLN5 Batten disease. METHODS Gross neuropathological analysis of CLN5 Batten disease sheep and controls was used alongside postmortem MRI imaging to identify affected brain regions. Synaptosome preparations were then generated and quantitative fluorescent Western blotting used to determine and compare levels of synaptic proteins. RESULTS The cortex was particularly affected by regional neurodegeneration and synaptic loss in CLN5 sheep, whilst the cerebellum was relatively spared. Quantitative assessment of the protein content of synaptosome preparations revealed significant changes in levels of seven out of eight synaptic neurodegeneration proteins investigated in the motor cortex, but not cerebellum, of CLN5 sheep (α-synuclein, CSP-α, neurofascin, ROCK2, calretinin, SIRT2, and UBR4). CONCLUSIONS Synaptic pathology is a robust correlate of region-specific neurodegeneration in the brain of CLN5 sheep, driven by molecular pathways similar to those reported in Drosophila and rodent models. Thus, large animal models, such as sheep, represent ideal translational systems to develop and test therapeutics aimed at delaying or halting synaptic pathology for a range of human neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês S Amorim
- Centre for Integrative Physiology University of Edinburgh Hugh Robson Building Edinburgh UK ; Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research University of Edinburgh Hugh Robson Building Edinburgh UK
| | - Nadia L Mitchell
- Department of Molecular Biosciences Faculty of Agricultural and Life Sciences and Batten Animal Research Network Lincoln University Christchurch New Zealand
| | - David N Palmer
- Department of Molecular Biosciences Faculty of Agricultural and Life Sciences and Batten Animal Research Network Lincoln University Christchurch New Zealand
| | - Stephen J Sawiak
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience University of Cambridge Downing Street Cambridge UK ; Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre University of Cambridge Box 65 Addenbrooke's Hospital Hills Road Cambridge UK
| | - Roger Mason
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience University of Cambridge Downing Street Cambridge UK
| | - Thomas M Wishart
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research University of Edinburgh Hugh Robson Building Edinburgh UK ; Division of Neurobiology The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK
| | - Thomas H Gillingwater
- Centre for Integrative Physiology University of Edinburgh Hugh Robson Building Edinburgh UK ; Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research University of Edinburgh Hugh Robson Building Edinburgh UK
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Cooper JD, Tarczyluk MA, Nelvagal HR. Towards a new understanding of NCL pathogenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2015; 1852:2256-61. [PMID: 26026924 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2015.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses (NCLs, Batten disease) are a group of inherited neurodegenerative disorders that have been traditionally grouped together on the basis of certain shared clinical and pathological features. However, as the number of genes that appear to cause new forms of NCL continues to grow, it is timely to reassess our understanding of the pathogenesis of these disorders and what groups them together. The various NCL subtypes do indeed share features of a build-up of autofluorescent storage material, progressive neuron loss and activation of the innate immune system. The characterisation of animal models has highlighted the selective nature of neuron loss and its intimate relationship with glial activation, rather than the generalised build-up of storage material. More recent data provide evidence for the pathway-dependent nature of pathology, the contribution of glial dysfunction, and the involvement of new brain regions previously thought to be unaffected, and it is becoming apparent that pathology extends beyond the brain. These data have important implications, not just for therapy, but also for our understanding of these disorders. However, looking beneath these broadly similar pathological themes evidence emerges for marked differences in the nature and extent of these events in different forms of NCL. Indeed, given the widely different nature of the mutated gene products it is perhaps more surprising that these disorders resemble each other as much as they do. Such data raise the question whether we should rethink the collective grouping of these gene deficiencies together, or whether it would be better to consider them as separate entities. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Current Research on the Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses (Batten Disease).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Cooper
- Pediatric Storage Disorders Laboratory (PSDL), Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, James Black Centre, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, UK.
| | - Marta A Tarczyluk
- Pediatric Storage Disorders Laboratory (PSDL), Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, James Black Centre, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Hemanth R Nelvagal
- Pediatric Storage Disorders Laboratory (PSDL), Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, James Black Centre, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NU, UK
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Guo J, O'Brien DP, Mhlanga-Mutangadura T, Olby NJ, Taylor JF, Schnabel RD, Katz ML, Johnson GS. A rare homozygous MFSD8 single-base-pair deletion and frameshift in the whole genome sequence of a Chinese Crested dog with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. BMC Vet Res 2015; 10:960. [PMID: 25551667 PMCID: PMC4298050 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-014-0181-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses are heritable lysosomal storage diseases characterized by progressive neurological impairment and the accumulation of autofluorescent storage granules in neurons and other cell types. Various forms of human neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis have been attributed to mutations in at least 13 different genes. So far, mutations in the canine orthologs of 7 of these genes have been identified in DNA from dogs with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. The identification of new causal mutations could lead to the establishment of canine models to investigate the pathogenesis of the corresponding human neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses and to evaluate and optimize therapeutic interventions for these fatal human diseases. Case presentation We obtained blood and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded brain sections from a rescue dog that was reported to be a young adult Chinese Crested. The dog was euthanized at approximately 19 months of age as a consequence of progressive neurological decline that included blindness, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. A diagnosis of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis was made based on neurological signs, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, and fluorescence microscopic and electron microscopic examination of brain sections. We isolated DNA from the blood and used it to generate a whole genome sequence with 33-fold average coverage. Among the 7.2 million potential sequence variants revealed by aligning the sequence reads to the canine genome reference sequence was a homozygous single base pair deletion in the canine ortholog of one of 13 known human NCL genes: MFSD8:c.843delT. MFSD8:c.843delT is predicted to cause a frame shift and premature stop codon resulting in a truncated protein, MFSD8:p.F282Lfs13*, missing its 239 C-terminal amino acids. The MFSD8:c.843delT allele is absent from the whole genome sequences of 101 healthy canids or dogs with other diseases. The genotyping of archived DNA from 1478 Chinese Cresteds did not identify any additional MFSD8:c.843delT homozygotes and found only one heterozygote. Conclusion We conclude that the neurodegenerative disease of the Chinese Crested rescue dog was neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis and that homozygosity for the MFSD8:c.843delT sequence variant was very likely to be the molecular-genetic cause of the disease. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-014-0181-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juyuan Guo
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
| | - Dennis P O'Brien
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
| | - Tendai Mhlanga-Mutangadura
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
| | - Natasha J Olby
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Jeremy F Taylor
- Division of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
| | - Robert D Schnabel
- Division of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
| | - Martin L Katz
- Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
| | - Gary S Johnson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
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Guo J, Johnson GS, Brown HA, Provencher ML, da Costa RC, Mhlanga-Mutangadura T, Taylor JF, Schnabel RD, O'Brien DP, Katz ML. A CLN8 nonsense mutation in the whole genome sequence of a mixed breed dog with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis and Australian Shepherd ancestry. Mol Genet Metab 2014; 112:302-9. [PMID: 24953404 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2014.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2014] [Revised: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are hereditary neurodegenerative diseases characterized by seizures and progressive cognitive decline, motor impairment, and vision loss accompanied by accumulation of autofluorescent lysosomal storage bodies in the central nervous system and elsewhere in the body. Mutations in at least 14 genes underlie the various forms of NCL. One of these genes, CLN8, encodes an intrinsic membrane protein of unknown function that appears to be localized primarily to the endoplasmic reticulum. Most CLN8 mutations in people result in a form of NCL with a late infantile onset and relatively rapid progression. A mixed breed dog with Australian Shepherd and Blue Heeler ancestry developed neurological signs characteristic of NCL starting at about 8months of age. The signs became progressively worse and the dog was euthanized at 21months of age due to seizures of increasing frequency and severity. Postmortem examination of the brain and retinas identified massive accumulations of intracellular autofluorescent inclusions characteristic of the NCLs. Whole genome sequencing of DNA from this dog identified a CLN8:c.585G>A transition that predicts a CLN8:p.Trp195* nonsense mutation. This mutation appears to be rare in both ancestral breeds. All of our 133 archived DNA samples from Blue Heelers, and 1481 of our 1488 archived Australian Shepherd DNA samples tested homozygous for the reference CLN8:c.585G allele. Four of the Australian Shepherd samples tested heterozygous and 3 tested homozygous for the mutant CLN8:c.585A allele. All 3 dogs homozygous for the A allele exhibited clinical signs of NCL and in 2 of them NCL was confirmed by postmortem evaluation of brain tissue. The occurrence of confirmed NCL in 3 of 4 CLN8:c.585A homozygous dogs, plus the occurrence of clinical signs consistent with NCL in the fourth homozygote strongly suggests that this rare truncating mutation causes NCL. Identification of this NCL-causing mutation provides the opportunity for identifying dogs that can be used to establish a canine model for the CLN8 disease (also known as late infantile variant or late infantile CLN8 disease).
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Affiliation(s)
- Juyuan Guo
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Gary S Johnson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Holly A Brown
- Metz Petz Veterinary Clinic at Shawnee, Lima, OH, USA
| | - Michele L Provencher
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ronaldo C da Costa
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tendai Mhlanga-Mutangadura
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Jeremy F Taylor
- Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Robert D Schnabel
- Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Dennis P O'Brien
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Martin L Katz
- Mason Eye Institute, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA.
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Tanaka Y, Chambers JK, Matsuwaki T, Yamanouchi K, Nishihara M. Possible involvement of lysosomal dysfunction in pathological changes of the brain in aged progranulin-deficient mice. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2014; 2:78. [PMID: 25022663 PMCID: PMC4149276 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-014-0078-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction It has been shown that progranulin (PGRN) deficiency causes age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), a lysosomal storage disease. Previous studies also suggested that PGRN is involved in modulating lysosomal function. To elucidate the pathophysiological role of PGRN in the aged brain, in the present study, lysosomal function and pathological changes of the brain were investigated using 10- and 90-week-old wild-type and PGRN-deficient mice. Results We showed that PGRN deficiency caused enhanced CD68 expression in activated microglia and astrogliosis in the cortex and thalamus, especially in the ventral posteromedial nucleus/ventral posterolateral nucleus (VPM/VPL), in the aged brain. Immunoreactivity for Lamp1 (lysosome marker) in the VPM/VPL and expression of lysosome-related genes, i.e. cathepsin D, V-type proton ATPase subunit d2, and transcription factor EB genes, were also increased by PGRN deficiency. Aggregates of p62, which is selectively degraded by the autophagy-lysosomal system, were observed in neuronal and glial cells in the VPM/VPL of aged PGRN-deficient mice. TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) aggregates in the cytoplasm of neurons were also observed in aged PGRN-deficient mice. PGRN deficiency caused enhanced expression of glial cell-derived cytotoxic factors such as macrophage expressed gene 1, cytochrome b-245 light chain, cytochrome b-245 heavy chain, complement C4, tumor necrosis factor-α and lipocalin 2. In addition, neuronal loss and lipofuscinosis in the VPM/VPL and disrupted myelination in the cerebral cortex were observed in aged PGRN-deficient mice. Conclusions The present study shows that aged PGRN-deficient mice present with NCL-like pathology as well as TDP-43 aggregates in the VPM/VPL, where a particular vulnerability has been reported in NCL model mice. The present results also suggest that these pathological changes in the VPM/VPL are likely a result of lysosomal dysfunction. How PGRN prevents lysosomal dysfunction with aging remains to be elucidated. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40478-014-0078-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Groh J, Stadler D, Buttmann M, Martini R. Non-invasive assessment of retinal alterations in mouse models of infantile and juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis by spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2014; 2:54. [PMID: 24887158 PMCID: PMC4035096 DOI: 10.1186/2051-5960-2-54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses constitute a group of fatal inherited lysosomal storage diseases that manifest in profound neurodegeneration in the CNS. Visual impairment usually is an early symptom and selective degeneration of retinal neurons has been described in patients suffering from distinct disease subtypes. We have previously demonstrated that palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1 deficient (Ppt1-/-) mice, a model of the infantile disease subtype, exhibit progressive axonal degeneration in the optic nerve and loss of retinal ganglion cells, faithfully reflecting disease severity in the CNS. Here we performed spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in Ppt1-/- and ceroid lipofuscinosis neuronal 3 deficient (Cln3-/-) mice, which are models of infantile and juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, respectively, in order to establish a non-invasive method to assess retinal alterations and monitor disease severity in vivo. Results Blue laser autofluorescence imaging revealed increased accumulation of autofluorescent storage material in the inner retinae of 7-month-old Ppt1-/- and of 16-month-old Cln3-/- mice in comparison with age-matched control littermates. Additionally, optical coherence tomography demonstrated reduced thickness of retinae in knockout mice in comparison with age-matched control littermates. High resolution scans and manual measurements allowed for separation of different retinal composite layers and revealed a thinning of layers in the inner retinae of both mouse models at distinct ages. OCT measurements correlated well with subsequent histological analysis of the same retinae. Conclusions These results demonstrate the feasibility of OCT to assess neurodegenerative disease severity in mouse models of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis and might have important implications for diagnostic evaluation of disease progression and therapeutic efficacy in patients. Moreover, the non-invasive method allows for longitudinal studies in experimental models, reducing the number of animals used for research.
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Sondhi D, Rosenberg JB, Van de Graaf BG, Kaminsky SM, Crystal RG. Advances in the treatment of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2013. [DOI: 10.1517/21678707.2013.852081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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A murine model of variant late infantile ceroid lipofuscinosis recapitulates behavioral and pathological phenotypes of human disease. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78694. [PMID: 24223841 PMCID: PMC3815212 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2012] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs; also known collectively as Batten Disease) are a family of autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorders. Mutations in as many as 13 genes give rise to ∼10 variants of NCL, all with overlapping clinical symptomatology including visual impairment, motor and cognitive dysfunction, seizures, and premature death. Mutations in CLN6 result in both a variant late infantile onset neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (vLINCL) as well as an adult-onset form of the disease called Type A Kufs. CLN6 is a non-glycosylated membrane protein of unknown function localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In this study, we perform a detailed characterization of a naturally occurring Cln6 mutant (Cln6nclf) mouse line to validate its utility for translational research. We demonstrate that this Cln6nclf mutation leads to deficits in motor coordination, vision, memory, and learning. Pathologically, we demonstrate loss of neurons within specific subregions and lamina of the cortex that correlate to behavioral phenotypes. As in other NCL models, this model displays selective loss of GABAergic interneuron sub-populations in the cortex and the hippocampus with profound, early-onset glial activation. Finally, we demonstrate a novel deficit in memory and learning, including a dramatic reduction in dendritic spine density in the cerebral cortex, which suggests a reduction in synaptic strength following disruption in CLN6. Together, these findings highlight the behavioral and pathological similarities between the Cln6nclf mouse model and human NCL patients, validating this model as a reliable format for screening potential therapeutics.
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NCL disease mechanisms. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2013; 1832:1882-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2013.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2012] [Revised: 05/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Kühl TG, Dihanich S, Wong AMS, Cooper JD. Regional brain atrophy in mouse models of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis: a new rostrocaudal perspective. J Child Neurol 2013; 28:1117-22. [PMID: 24014506 DOI: 10.1177/0883073813494479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (Batten disease) are collectively the most common inherited neurodegenerative disorder of childhood. Mouse models of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis represent a powerful resource for investigating the underlying disease mechanisms, which remain poorly understood. Here we present a new rostrocaudal analysis of regional brain volume rather than focusing on central nervous system structures that can be affected. This has revealed an earlier onset of regional atrophy than was suspected in infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (or CLN1 disease, infantile), with a greater involvement of rostral structures. We have also provided the first description of regional atrophy in severely affected mice with the juvenile variant (CLN3 disease, juvenile). These data reveal new perspectives on how the central nervous system is affected in these disorders, which have implications for judging the efficacy of therapeutic strategies in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G Kühl
- Pediatric Storage Disorders Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, King's Health Partners Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, London, UK
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22
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Kay GW, Palmer DN. Chronic oral administration of minocycline to sheep with ovine CLN6 neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis maintains pharmacological concentrations in the brain but does not suppress neuroinflammation or disease progression. J Neuroinflammation 2013; 10:97. [PMID: 23899308 PMCID: PMC3733893 DOI: 10.1186/1742-2094-10-97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs; or Batten disease) are fatal inherited human neurodegenerative diseases affecting an estimated 1:12,500 live births worldwide. They are caused by mutations in at least 11 different genes. Currently, there are no effective treatments. Progress into understanding pathogenesis and possible therapies depends on studying animal models. The most studied animals are the CLN6 South Hampshire sheep, in which the course of neuropathology closely follows that in affected children. Neurodegeneration, a hallmark of the disease, has been linked to neuroinflammation and is consequent to it. Activation of astrocytes and microglia begins prenatally, starting from specific foci associated with the later development of progressive cortical atrophy and the development of clinical symptoms, including the occipital cortex and blindness. Both neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation generalize and become more severe with increasing age and increasing clinical severity. The purpose of this study was to determine if chronic administration of an anti-inflammatory drug, minocycline, from an early age would halt or reverse the development of disease. METHOD Minocycline, a tetracycline family antibiotic with activity against neuroinflammation, was tested by chronic oral administration of 25 mg minocycline/kg/day to presymptomatic lambs affected with CLN6 NCL at 3 months of age to 14 months of age, when clinical symptoms are obvious, to determine if this would suppress neuroinflammation or disease progression. RESULTS Minocycline was absorbed without significant rumen biotransformation to maintain pharmacological concentrations of 1 μM in plasma and 400 nM in cerebrospinal fluid, but these did not result in inhibition of microglial activation or astrocytosis and did not change the neuronal loss or clinical course of the disease. CONCLUSION Oral administration is an effective route for drug delivery to the central nervous system in large animals, and model studies in these animals should precede highly speculative procedures in humans. Minocycline does not inhibit a critical step in the neuroinflammatory cascade in this form of Batten disease. Identification of the critical steps in the neuroinflammatory cascade in neurodegenerative diseases, and targeting of specific drugs to them, will greatly increase the likelihood of success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham W Kay
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, PO Box 85084, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
| | - David N Palmer
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, PO Box 85084, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
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Groh J, Kühl TG, Ip CW, Nelvagal HR, Sri S, Duckett S, Mirza M, Langmann T, Cooper JD, Martini R. Immune cells perturb axons and impair neuronal survival in a mouse model of infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Brain 2013; 136:1083-101. [DOI: 10.1093/brain/awt020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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von Tetzchner S, Fosse P, Elmerskog B. Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis and education. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2013; 1832:1894-905. [PMID: 23470553 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2013.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Revised: 02/05/2013] [Accepted: 02/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL) is characterized by severe visual impairment with onset around age 4-8 years, and a developmental course that includes blindness, epilepsy, speech problems, dementia, motor coordination problems, and emotional reactions. There is presently no cure and the disease leads to premature death. There have been few studies of non-medical intervention for individuals with JNCL, probably because of the negative prognosis. The present chapter discusses the education of children and adolescents with JNCL on the basis of current knowledge about the variation in perceptual, cognitive and language abilities through the course of the disease, and the possibilities that exist for supporting coping and learning within and outside the classroom. Adapted and special needs education may contribute significantly to improved learning conditions, better maintenance of skills and less frustration for individuals with JNCL. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses or Batten Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen von Tetzchner
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1094 Blindern, N-0317 Oslo, Norway.
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Blom T, Schmiedt ML, Wong AM, Kyttälä A, Soronen J, Jauhiainen M, Tyynelä J, Cooper JD, Jalanko A. Exacerbated neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis phenotype in Cln1/5 double-knockout mice. Dis Model Mech 2013; 6:342-57. [PMID: 23065637 PMCID: PMC3597017 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.010140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2012] [Accepted: 10/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Both CLN1 and CLN5 deficiencies lead to severe neurodegenerative diseases of childhood, known as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs). The broadly similar phenotypes of NCL mouse models, and the potential for interactions between NCL proteins, raise the possibility of shared or convergent disease mechanisms. To begin addressing these issues, we have developed a new mouse model lacking both Cln1 and Cln5 genes. These double-knockout (Cln1/5 dko) mice were fertile, showing a slight decrease in expected Mendelian breeding ratios, as well as impaired embryoid body formation by induced pluripotent stem cells derived from Cln1/5 dko fibroblasts. Typical disease manifestations of the NCLs, i.e. seizures and motor dysfunction, were detected at the age of 3 months, earlier than in either single knockout mouse. Pathological analyses revealed a similar exacerbation and earlier onset of disease in Cln1/5 dko mice, which exhibited a pronounced accumulation of autofluorescent storage material. Cortical demyelination and more pronounced glial activation in cortical and thalamic regions was followed by cortical neuron loss. Alterations in lipid metabolism in Cln1/5 dko showed a specific increase in plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activity. Finally, gene expression profiling of Cln1/5 dko cortex revealed defects in myelination and immune response pathways, with a prominent downregulation of α-synuclein in Cln1/5 dko mouse brains. The simultaneous loss of both Cln1 and Cln5 genes might enhance the typical pathological phenotypes of these mice by disrupting or downregulating shared or convergent pathogenic pathways, which could potentially include interactions of CLN1 and CLN5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tea Blom
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Public Health Genomics Unit, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mia-Lisa Schmiedt
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Public Health Genomics Unit, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Andrew M. Wong
- Pediatric Storage Disorders Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Centre for the Cellular Basis of Behaviour, James Black Centre, King's Health Partners Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Aija Kyttälä
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Public Health Genomics Unit, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jarkko Soronen
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Public Health Genomics Unit, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Matti Jauhiainen
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Public Health Genomics Unit, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jaana Tyynelä
- Finnish Medicines Agency, Helsinki, Finland and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jonathan D. Cooper
- Pediatric Storage Disorders Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Centre for the Cellular Basis of Behaviour, James Black Centre, King's Health Partners Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anu Jalanko
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Public Health Genomics Unit, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Kuronen M, Lehesjoki AE, Jalanko A, Cooper JD, Kopra O. Selective spatiotemporal patterns of glial activation and neuron loss in the sensory thalamocortical pathways of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis 8 mice. Neurobiol Dis 2012; 47:444-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2012.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2012] [Revised: 04/25/2012] [Accepted: 04/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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A homozygous mutation in KCTD7 links neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis to the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Am J Hum Genet 2012; 91:202-8. [PMID: 22748208 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2012.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Revised: 04/18/2012] [Accepted: 05/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is a genetically heterogeneous group of lysosomal diseases that collectively compose the most common Mendelian form of childhood-onset neurodegeneration. It is estimated that ∼8% of individuals diagnosed with NCL by conservative clinical and histopathologic criteria have been ruled out for mutations in the nine known NCL-associated genes, suggesting that additional genes remain unidentified. To further understand the genetic underpinnings of the NCLs, we performed whole-exome sequencing on DNA samples from a Mexican family affected by a molecularly undefined form of NCL characterized by infantile-onset progressive myoclonic epilepsy (PME), vision loss, cognitive and motor regression, premature death, and prominent NCL-type storage material. Using a recessive model to filter the identified variants, we found a single homozygous variant, c.550C>T in KCTD7, that causes a p.Arg184Cys missense change in potassium channel tetramerization domain-containing protein 7 (KCTD7) in the affected individuals. The mutation was predicted to be deleterious and was absent in over 6,000 controls. The identified variant altered the localization pattern of KCTD7 and abrogated interaction with cullin-3, a ubiquitin-ligase component and known KCTD7 interactor. Intriguingly, murine cerebellar cells derived from a juvenile NCL model (CLN3) showed enrichment of endogenous KCTD7. Whereas KCTD7 mutations have previously been linked to PME without lysosomal storage, this study clearly demonstrates that KCTD7 mutations also cause a rare, infantile-onset NCL subtype designated as CLN14.
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Thelen M, Daμμe M, Schweizer M, Hagel C, Wong AM, Cooper JD, Braulke T, Galliciotti G. Disruption of the autophagy-lysosome pathway is involved in neuropathology of the nclf mouse model of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35493. [PMID: 22536393 PMCID: PMC3335005 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2012] [Accepted: 03/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Variant late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, a fatal lysosomal storage disorder accompanied by regional atrophy and pronounced neuron loss in the brain, is caused by mutations in the CLN6 gene. CLN6 is a non-glycosylated endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident membrane protein of unknown function. To investigate mechanisms contributing to neurodegeneration in CLN6 disease we examined the nclf mouse, a naturally occurring model of the human CLN6 disease. Prominent autofluorescent and electron-dense lysosomal storage material was found in cerebellar Purkinje cells, thalamus, hippocampus, olfactory bulb and in cortical layer II to V. Another prominent early feature of nclf pathogenesis was the localized astrocytosis that was evident in many brain regions and the more widespread microgliosis. Expression analysis of mutant Cln6 found in nclf mice demonstrated synthesis of a truncated protein with a reduced half-life. Whereas the rapid degradation of the mutant Cln6 protein can be inhibited by proteasomal inhibitors, there was no evidence for ER stress or activation of the unfolded protein response in various brain areas during postnatal development. Age-dependent increases in LC3-II, ubiquitinated proteins, and neuronal p62-positive aggregates were observed, indicating a disruption of the autophagy-lysosome degradation pathway of proteins in brains of nclf mice, most likely due to defective fusion between autophagosomes and lysosomes. These data suggest that proteasomal degradation of mutant Cln6 is sufficient to prevent the accumulation of misfolded Cln6 protein, whereas lysosomal dysfunction impairs constitutive autophagy promoting neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Thelen
- Department of Biochemistry, Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Daμμe
- Department of Biochemistry 1, University Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Michaela Schweizer
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Hagel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrew M.S. Wong
- Department of Neuroscience and Centre for the Cellular Basis of Behaviour, MRC Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, Kinǵs College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan D. Cooper
- Department of Neuroscience and Centre for the Cellular Basis of Behaviour, MRC Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, Kinǵs College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Braulke
- Department of Biochemistry, Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Giovanna Galliciotti
- Department of Biochemistry, Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Schmiedt ML, Blom T, Blom T, Kopra O, Wong A, von Schantz-Fant C, Ikonen E, Kuronen M, Jauhiainen M, Cooper JD, Jalanko A. Cln5-deficiency in mice leads to microglial activation, defective myelination and changes in lipid metabolism. Neurobiol Dis 2012; 46:19-29. [PMID: 22182690 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2011.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2011] [Revised: 11/08/2011] [Accepted: 12/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
CLN5 disease, late infantile variant phenotype neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, is a severe neurodegenerative disease caused by mutations in the CLN5 gene, which encodes a lysosomal protein of unknown function. Cln5-deficiency in mice leads to loss of thalamocortical neurons, and glial activation, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We have now studied the gene expression of Cln5 in the mouse brain and show that it increases gradually with age and differs between neurons and glia, with the highest expression in microglia. In Cln5(-/-) mice, we documented early and significant microglial activation that was already evident at 3 months of age. Loss of Cln5 also leads to defective myelination in vitro and in the developing mouse brain. This was accompanied by early alterations in serum lipid profiles, dysfunctional cellular metabolism and lipid transport in Cln5(-/-) mice. Taken together, these data provide significant new information about events associated with Cln5-deficiency, revealing altered myelination and disturbances in lipid metabolism, together with an early neuroimmune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia-Lisa Schmiedt
- National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Public Health Genomics Unit, Helsinki, Finland
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Early microglial activation precedes neuronal loss in the brain of the Cstb-/- mouse model of progressive myoclonus epilepsy, EPM1. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2012; 71:40-53. [PMID: 22157618 DOI: 10.1097/nen.0b013e31823e68e1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Progressive myoclonus epilepsy of Unverricht-Lundborg type (EPM1) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the cystatin B (CSTB) gene encoding an inhibitor of cysteine proteases. Here, we provide the first detailed description of the onset and progression of pathologic changes in the CNS of Cstb-deficient (Cstb) mice. Our data reveal early and localized glial activation in brain regions where neuron loss subsequently occurs. These changes are most pronounced in the thalamocortical system, with neuron loss occurring first within the cortex and only subsequently in the corresponding thalamic relay nucleus. Microglial activation precedes the emergence of myoclonia and is followed by successive astrocytosis and selective neuron loss. Neuron loss was not detected in thalamic relay nuclei that displayed no glial activation. Microglia showed morphologic changes during disease progression from that of phagocytic brain macrophages in young animals to having thickened branched processes in older animals. These novel data on the timing of pathologic events in the CSTB-deficient brain highlight the potential role of glial activation at the initial stages of the disease. Determining the precise sequence of the neurodegenerative events in Cstb mouse brains will lay the basis for understanding the pathophysiology of EPM1.
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Current therapies for the soluble lysosomal forms of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Biochem Soc Trans 2011; 38:1484-8. [PMID: 21118112 DOI: 10.1042/bst0381484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The NCLs (neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses) are the most common inherited paediatric neurodegenerative disorder. Although genetically distinct, NCLs can be broadly divided into two categories: one in which the mutation results in a defect in a transmembrane protein, and the other where the defect lies in a soluble lysosomal enzyme. A number of therapeutic approaches are applicable to the soluble lysosomal forms of NCL based on the phenomenon of cross-correction, whereby the ubiquitously expressed mannose 6-phosphate/IGF (insulin-like growth factor) II receptor provides an avenue for endocytosis, trafficking and lysosomal processing of extracellularly delivered enzyme. The present review discusses therapeutic utilization of cross-correction by enzyme-replacement therapy, gene therapy and stem cell therapy for the NCLs, along with an overview of the recent progress in translating these treatments into the clinic.
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