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Salem S, Kilgore MD, Anwer M, Maxan A, Child D, Bird TD, Keene CD, Cicchetti F, Latimer C. Evidence of mutant huntingtin and tau-related pathology within neuronal grafts in Huntington's disease cases. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 198:106542. [PMID: 38810948 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
A number of post-mortem studies conducted in transplanted Huntington's disease (HD) patients from various trials have reported the presence of pathological and misfolded proteins, in particular mutant huntingtin (mHtt) and phosphorylated tau neuropil threads, in the healthy grafted tissue. Here, we extended these observations with histological analysis of post-mortem tissue from three additional HD patients who had received similar striatal allografts from the fetal tissue transplantation trial conducted in Los Angeles in 1998. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using anti-mHtt antibodies, EM48 and MW7, as well as anti-hyperphosphorylated tau antibodies, AT8 and CP13. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the colocalization of EM48+ mHtt aggregates with the neuronal marker MAP2 and/or the extracellular matrix protein phosphacan in both the host and grafts. We confirmed the presence of mHtt aggregates within grafts of all three cases as well as tau neuropil threads in the grafts of two of the three transplanted HD patients. Phosphorylated tau was also variably expressed in the host cerebral cortex of all three subjects. While mHtt inclusions were present within neurons (immunofluorescence co-localization of MAP2 and EM48) as well as within the extracellular matrix of the host (immunofluorescence co-localization of phosphacan and EM48), their localization was limited to the extracellular matrix in the grafted tissue. This study corroborates previous findings that both mHtt and tau pathology can be found in the host and grafts of HD patients years post-grafting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shireen Salem
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, T2-07, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; Departement de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Mitchell D Kilgore
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Neuropathology Division, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Mehwish Anwer
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, T2-07, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; Departement de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Alexander Maxan
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, T2-07, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; Departement de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Dan Child
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Neuropathology Division, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Thomas D Bird
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - C Dirk Keene
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Neuropathology Division, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Francesca Cicchetti
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, T2-07, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; Departement de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada; Departement de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
| | - Caitlin Latimer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Neuropathology Division, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Fan Y, Goh ELK, Chan JKY. Neural Cells for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Clinical Trials. Stem Cells Transl Med 2023; 12:510-526. [PMID: 37487111 PMCID: PMC10427968 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szad041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (ND) are an entire spectrum of clinical conditions that affect the central and peripheral nervous system. There is no cure currently, with treatment focusing mainly on slowing down progression or symptomatic relief. Cellular therapies with various cell types from different sources are being conducted as clinical trials for several ND diseases. They include neural, mesenchymal and hemopoietic stem cells, and neural cells derived from embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. In this review, we present the list of cellular therapies for ND comprising 33 trials that used neural stem progenitors, 8 that used differentiated neural cells ,and 109 trials that involved non-neural cells in the 7 ND. Encouraging results have been shown in a few early-phase clinical trials that require further investigations in a randomized setting. However, such definitive trials may not be possible given the relative cost of the trials, and in the setting of rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiping Fan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Experimental Fetal Medicine Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Academic Clinical Program in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eyleen L K Goh
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Faculty, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jerry Kok Yen Chan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Experimental Fetal Medicine Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Academic Clinical Program in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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Extracellular Vesicles and Cellular Ageing. Subcell Biochem 2023; 102:271-311. [PMID: 36600137 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-21410-3_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Ageing is a complex process characterized by deteriorated performance at multiple levels, starting from cellular dysfunction to organ degeneration. Stem cell-based therapies aim to administrate stem cells that eventually migrate to the injured site to replenish the damaged tissue and recover tissue functionality. Stem cells can be easily obtained and cultured in vitro, and display several qualities such as self-renewal, differentiation, and immunomodulation that make them suitable candidates for stem cell-based therapies. Current animal studies and clinical trials are being performed to assess the safety and beneficial effects of stem cell engraftments for regenerative medicine in ageing and age-related diseases.Since alterations in cell-cell communication have been associated with the development of pathophysiological processes, new research is focusing on the modulation of the microenvironment. Recent research has highlighted the important role of some microenvironment components that modulate cell-cell communication, thus spreading signals from damaged ageing cells to neighbor healthy cells, thereby promoting systemic ageing. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small-rounded vesicles released by almost every cell type. EVs cargo includes several bioactive molecules, such as lipids, proteins, and genetic material. Once internalized by target cells, their specific cargo can induce epigenetic modifications and alter the fate of the recipient cells. Also, EV's content is dependent on the releasing cells, thus, EVs can be used as biomarkers for several diseases. Moreover, EVs have been proposed to be used as cell-free therapies that focus on their administration to slow or even reverse some hallmarks of physiological ageing. It is not surprising that EVs are also under study as next-generation therapies for age-related diseases.
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Kinfe T, Del Vecchio A, Nüssel M, Zhao Y, Stadlbauer A, Buchfelder M. Deep brain stimulation and stereotactic-assisted brain graft injection targeting fronto-striatal circuits for Huntington's disease: an update. Expert Rev Neurother 2022; 22:781-788. [PMID: 35766355 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2022.2091988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Huntington's Disease as progressive neurological disorders associated with motor, behavioral, and cognitive impairment poses a therapeutic challenge in case of limited responsiveness to established therapeutics. Pallidal deep brain stimulation and neurorestorative strategies (brain grafts) scoping to modulate fronto-striatal circuits have gained increased recognition for the treatment of refractory Huntington's disease (HD). AREAS COVERED A review (2000-2022) was performed in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library covering clinical trials conceptualized to determine the efficacy and safety of invasive, stereotactic-guided deep-brain stimulation and intracranial brain-graft injection targeting the globus pallidus and adjunct structures (striatum). EXPERT OPINION Stereotactic brain-grafting strategies were performed in few HD patients with inconsistent findings and mild-to-moderate clinical responsiveness with a recently published large, randomized-controlled trial (NCT00190450) yielding negative results. We identified 19 in-human DBS trials (uncontrolled) targeting the globus pallidus internus/externus along with randomized-controlled trial pending report (NCT02535884). We did not detect any significant changes in the UHDRS total score after restorative injections, while in contrast, the use of deep-brain stimulation resulted in a significant reduction of chorea. GPi-DBS should be considered in cases where selective chorea is present. However, both invasive therapies remain experimental and are not ready for the implementation in clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kinfe
- Division of Functional Neurosurgery and Stereotaxy, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.,Department of Neurosurgery, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Alessandro Del Vecchio
- Department of Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering (AIBE), Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Nüssel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Yining Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Stadlbauer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Michael Buchfelder
- Department of Neurosurgery, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
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Rosser AE, Busse ME, Gray WP, Badin RA, Perrier AL, Wheelock V, Cozzi E, Martin UP, Salado-Manzano C, Mills LJ, Drew C, Goldman SA, Canals JM, Thompson LM. Translating cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases: Huntington's disease as a model disorder. Brain 2022; 145:1584-1597. [PMID: 35262656 PMCID: PMC9166564 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been substantial progress in the development of regenerative medicine strategies for CNS disorders over the last decade, with progression to early clinical studies for some conditions. However, there are multiple challenges along the translational pipeline, many of which are common across diseases and pertinent to multiple donor cell types. These include defining the point at which the preclinical data are sufficiently compelling to permit progression to the first clinical studies; scaling-up, characterization, quality control and validation of the cell product; design, validation and approval of the surgical device; and operative procedures for safe and effective delivery of cell product to the brain. Furthermore, clinical trials that incorporate principles of efficient design and disease-specific outcomes are urgently needed (particularly for those undertaken in rare diseases, where relatively small cohorts are an additional limiting factor), and all processes must be adaptable in a dynamic regulatory environment. Here we set out the challenges associated with the clinical translation of cell therapy, using Huntington's disease as a specific example, and suggest potential strategies to address these challenges. Huntington's disease presents a clear unmet need, but, importantly, it is an autosomal dominant condition with a readily available gene test, full genetic penetrance and a wide range of associated animal models, which together mean that it is a powerful condition in which to develop principles and test experimental therapeutics. We propose that solving these challenges in Huntington's disease would provide a road map for many other neurological conditions. This white paper represents a consensus opinion emerging from a series of meetings of the international translational platforms Stem Cells for Huntington's Disease and the European Huntington's Disease Network Advanced Therapies Working Group, established to identify the challenges of cell therapy, share experience, develop guidance and highlight future directions, with the aim to expedite progress towards therapies for clinical benefit in Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E. Rosser
- Cardiff University Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
- Cardiff University Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Life Sciences Building, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
- Brain Repair and Intracranial Neurotherapeutics (B.R.A.I.N.) Biomedical Research Unit, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4EP, UK
| | - Monica E. Busse
- Cardiff University Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences Cardiff University, 4th Floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4YS, UK
| | - William P. Gray
- Cardiff University Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
- Brain Repair and Intracranial Neurotherapeutics (B.R.A.I.N.) Biomedical Research Unit, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4EP, UK
- University Hospital of Wales Healthcare NHS Trust, Department of Neurosurgery, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK
| | - Romina Aron Badin
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, Molecular Imaging Research Center, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Anselme L. Perrier
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, Molecular Imaging Research Center, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Vicki Wheelock
- University of California Davis, Department of Neurology, 95817 Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Emanuele Cozzi
- Transplant Immunology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Padua University Hospital—Ospedale Giustinianeo, Padova, Italy
| | - Unai Perpiña Martin
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Creatio-Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Salado-Manzano
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Creatio-Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura J. Mills
- Cardiff University Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences Cardiff University, 4th Floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4YS, UK
| | - Cheney Drew
- Cardiff University Centre for Trials Research, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences Cardiff University, 4th Floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4YS, UK
| | - Steven A. Goldman
- Centre for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester, 14642 Rochester, NY, USA
- University of Copenhagen Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, DK-2200 Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - Josep M. Canals
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Creatio-Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leslie M. Thompson
- University of California Irvine, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior and the Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Center, 92697 Irvine, CA, USA
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Bachoud-Lévi AC. What did we learn from neural grafts in Huntington disease? Rev Neurol (Paris) 2022; 178:441-449. [PMID: 35491247 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease is a rare, severe, and inherited neurodegenerative disorder that affects young adults. To date, there is no treatment to stop its progression. The primary atrophy of the striatum in HD, is limited in space and centrally focalised in the brain and thus constitutes a good candidate for graft. Therefore, transplantation of foetal cells from the ganglionic eminence, the germinal zone of the striatum, has the potential to restore disrupted fronto-cortical circuits and corresponding clinical functions. The international Multicentric intracerebral Grafting in Huntington's disease trial was not as successful as two pilot trials (Créteil and London) which showed promising results in the 2000s, displaying stabilisation/recovery of symptoms in some patients. A point-by-point comparison of the differences between MIG-HD and the pilot trial from Créteil in which similar data are available provides lessons on the grafting procedure and allows for strategic thinking before embarking on future trials. MIG-HD demonstrated the existence of intracerebral alloimmunisation leading to acute or chronic graft rejection into the brain and showed the limitations of surgical standardisation and immunosuppression. It has also improved the safety of the procedure and provided guidance for the follow-up of future patients. Indeed, even if disease modifiers treatments are currently the focus of intense research, they may not stop or slow the progression of the disease sufficiently, or even be administered in all patients, to prevent brain atrophy in all cases. Although disease-modifying therapies are currently the subject of intense research, they may not stop or slow disease progression sufficiently, or may not be given to all patients to prevent brain atrophy. A combination with intracerebral transplantation to repair the damaged structures may thus prove beneficial. Altogether, pursuing research in intracerebral transplantation remains necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- A-C Bachoud-Lévi
- Département d'études cognitives, école normale supérieure, PSL University, 75005 Paris, France; Inserm U955, Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, Equipe E01 NeuroPsychologie Interventionnelle, 94000 Créteil, France; Faculté de médecine, Université Paris-Est Créteil, 94000 Créteil, France; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, National Reference Center for Huntington's Disease, Neurology Department, Henri Mondor-Albert Chenevier Hospital, Créteil, France.
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Park HJ, Jeon J, Choi J, Kim JY, Kim HS, Huh JY, Goldman SA, Song J. Human iPSC-derived neural precursor cells differentiate into multiple cell types to delay disease progression following transplantation into YAC128 Huntington's disease mouse model. Cell Prolif 2021; 54:e13082. [PMID: 34152047 PMCID: PMC8349664 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate whether human HLA-homozygous induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural precursor cells (iPSC-NPCs) can provide functional benefits in Huntington's disease (HD), we transplanted them into the YAC128 transgenic HD mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS CHAi001-A, an HLA-homozygous iPSC line (A*33:03-B*44:03-DRB1*13:02), was differentiated into neural precursor cells, and then, they were transplanted into 6 months-old YAC128 mice. Various behavioural and histological analyses were performed for five months after transplantation. RESULTS Motor and cognitive functions were significantly improved in transplanted animals. Cells transplanted in the striatum showed multipotential differentiation. Five months after transplantation, the donor cells had differentiated into neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Transplantation restored DARPP-32 expression, synaptophysin density, myelin basic protein expression in the corpus callosum and astrocyte function. CONCLUSION Altogether, these results strongly suggest that iPSC-NPCs transplantation induces neuroprotection and functional recovery in a mouse model of HD and should be taken forward for clinical trials in HD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Jung Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA Stem Cell Institute, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Juhyun Jeon
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA Stem Cell Institute, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Jiwoo Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA Stem Cell Institute, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Ji Yeon Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA Stem Cell Institute, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Hyun Sook Kim
- Department of Neurology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Ji Young Huh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Steven A Goldman
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.,Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen Faculty of Health and Medical Science, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Jihwan Song
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA Stem Cell Institute, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea.,iPS Bio, Inc., 3F, 16 Daewangpangyo-ro 712 Beon-gil, Seongnam-si, Korea
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Pinarbasi ES, Liu EA, Yu Z, Kopyov O, Brown NA, Dayalu P, Lieberman AP. Donor-containing cortical and intraventricular glioneuronal nodules in Huntington's disease brain decades after fetal cell transplantation. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 141:979-981. [PMID: 33683397 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02292-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Kuang X, Nunn K, Jiang J, Castellano P, Hardikar U, Horgan A, Kong J, Tan Z, Dai W. Structural insight into transmissive mutant huntingtin species by correlative light and electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 560:99-104. [PMID: 33984771 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.04.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aggregates of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) containing an expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) tract are hallmarks of Huntington's Disease (HD). Studies have shown that mHTT can spread between cells, leading to the propagation of misfolded protein pathology. However, the structure of transmissive mHTT species, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their transmission remain unknown. Using correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), we identified two types of aggregation-prone granules in conditioned medium from PC12 cells expressing a mHTT N-terminal fragment: densities enclosed by extracellular vesicles (EVs), and uncoated, amorphous meshworks of heterogeneous oligomers that co-localize with clusters of EVs. In vitro assays confirmed that liposomes induce condensation of polyQ oligomers into higher-order assemblies, resembling the uncoated meshworks observed in PC12 conditioned medium. Our findings provide novel insights into formation and architecture of transmissive mHTT proteins, and highlight the potential role of EVs as both carriers and modulators of transmissive mHTT proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuyuan Kuang
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA; Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA; Department of Hyperbaric Oxygen, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Kyle Nunn
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA; Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Jennifer Jiang
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA; Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Paul Castellano
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA; Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Uttara Hardikar
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA; Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Arianna Horgan
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA; School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Joyce Kong
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA; Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Zhiqun Tan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, 29697, USA; Institute for Memory Impairment and Neurological Disorders, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 29697, USA.
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA; Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
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Latoszek E, Czeredys M. Molecular Components of Store-Operated Calcium Channels in the Regulation of Neural Stem Cell Physiology, Neurogenesis, and the Pathology of Huntington's Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:657337. [PMID: 33869222 PMCID: PMC8047111 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.657337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the major Ca2+ signaling pathways is store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), which is responsible for Ca2+ flow into cells in response to the depletion of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores. SOCE and its molecular components, including stromal interaction molecule proteins, Orai Ca2+ channels, and transient receptor potential canonical channels, are involved in the physiology of neural stem cells and play a role in their proliferation, differentiation, and neurogenesis. This suggests that Ca2+ signaling is an important player in brain development. Huntington’s disease (HD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by polyglutamine expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) protein, characterized by the loss of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the striatum. However, recent research has shown that HD is also a neurodevelopmental disorder and Ca2+ signaling is dysregulated in HD. The relationship between HD pathology and elevations of SOCE was demonstrated in different cellular and mouse models of HD and in induced pluripotent stem cell-based GABAergic MSNs from juvenile- and adult-onset HD patient fibroblasts. The present review discusses the role of SOCE in the physiology of neural stem cells and its dysregulation in HD pathology. It has been shown that elevated expression of STIM2 underlying the excessive Ca2+ entry through store-operated calcium channels in induced pluripotent stem cell-based MSNs from juvenile-onset HD. In the light of the latest findings regarding the role of Ca2+ signaling in HD pathology we also summarize recent progress in the in vitro differentiation of MSNs that derive from different cell sources. We discuss advances in the application of established protocols to obtain MSNs from fetal neural stem cells/progenitor cells, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and induced neural stem cells and the application of transdifferentiation. We also present recent progress in establishing HD brain organoids and their potential use for examining HD pathology and its treatment. Moreover, the significance of stem cell therapy to restore normal neural cell function, including Ca2+ signaling in the central nervous system in HD patients will be considered. The transplantation of MSNs or their precursors remains a promising treatment strategy for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Latoszek
- Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Czeredys
- Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Bachoud-Lévi AC, Massart R, Rosser A. Cell therapy in Huntington's disease: Taking stock of past studies to move the field forward. Stem Cells 2021; 39:144-155. [PMID: 33176057 PMCID: PMC10234449 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare inherited neurodegenerative disease that manifests mostly in adulthood with progressive cognitive, behavioral, and motor dysfunction. Neuronal loss occurs predominantly in the striatum but also extends to other brain regions, notably the cortex. Most patients die around 20 years after motor onset, although there is variability in the rate of progression and some phenotypic heterogeneity. The most advanced experimental therapies currently are huntingtin-lowering strategies, some of which are in stage 3 clinical trials. However, even if these approaches are successful, it is unlikely that they will be applicable to all patients or will completely halt continued loss of neural cells in all cases. On the other hand, cellular therapies have the potential to restore atrophied tissues and may therefore provide an important complementary therapeutic avenue. Pilot studies of fetal cell grafts in the 2000s reported the most dramatic clinical improvements yet achieved for this disease, but subsequent studies have so far failed to identify methodology to reliably reproduce these results. Moving forward, a major challenge will be to generate suitable donor cells from (nonfetal) cell sources, but in parallel there are a host of procedural and trial design issues that will be important for improving reliability of transplants and so urgently need attention. Here, we consider findings that have emerged from clinical transplant studies in HD to date, in particular new findings emerging from the recent multicenter intracerebral transplant HD study, and consider how these data may be used to inform future cell therapy trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Catherine Bachoud-Lévi
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, National Reference Center for Huntington's Disease, Neurology Department, Henri Mondor-Albert Chenevier Hospital, Créteil, France
- Département d'Etudes Cognitives, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Paris, France
- Inserm U955, Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, Equipe E01 NeuroPsychologie Interventionnelle, Créteil, France
- NeurATRIS, Créteil, France
- Université Paris-Est Créteil, Faculté de Médecine, Créteil, France
| | - Renaud Massart
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, National Reference Center for Huntington's Disease, Neurology Department, Henri Mondor-Albert Chenevier Hospital, Créteil, France
- Département d'Etudes Cognitives, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Paris, France
- Inserm U955, Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, Equipe E01 NeuroPsychologie Interventionnelle, Créteil, France
- NeurATRIS, Créteil, France
| | - Anne Rosser
- Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Cardiff University Brain Repair Group, Life Sciences Building, School of Biosciences, Cardiff, UK
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute and Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, UK
- Brain Repair And Intracranial Neurotherapeutics (BRAIN) Unit, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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12
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Cano A, Ettcheto M, Espina M, Auladell C, Folch J, Kühne BA, Barenys M, Sánchez-López E, Souto EB, García ML, Turowski P, Camins A. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate PEGylated poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles mitigate striatal pathology and motor deficits in 3-nitropropionic acid intoxicated mice. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2021; 16:19-35. [PMID: 33410329 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2020-0239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To compare free and nanoparticle (NP)-encapsulated epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) for the treatment of Huntington's disease (HD)-like symptoms in mice. Materials & methods: EGCG was incorporated into PEGylated poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid NPs with ascorbic acid (AA). HD-like striatal lesions and motor deficit were induced in mice by 3-nitropropionic acid-intoxication. EGCG and EGCG/AA NPs were co-administered and behavioral motor assessments and striatal histology performed after 5 days. Results: EGCG/AA NPs were significantly more effective than free EGCG in reducing motor disturbances and depression-like behavior associated with 3-nitropropionic acid toxicity. EGCG/AA NPs treatment also mitigated neuroinflammation and prevented neuronal loss. Conclusion: NP encapsulation enhances therapeutic robustness of EGCG in this model of HD symptomatology. Together with our previous findings, this highlights the potential of EGCG/AA NPs in the symptomatic treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Cano
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology & Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy & Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology (IN2UB), Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miren Ettcheto
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy & Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain.,Unit of Biochemistry & Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Rovira i Virgili, Reus (Tarragona), Spain
| | - Marta Espina
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology & Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy & Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology (IN2UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Auladell
- Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology & Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaume Folch
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.,Unit of Biochemistry & Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Rovira i Virgili, Reus (Tarragona), Spain
| | - Britta A Kühne
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy & Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Barenys
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy & Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Sánchez-López
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology & Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy & Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology (IN2UB), Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eliana B Souto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Maria Luisa García
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology & Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy & Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology (IN2UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patric Turowski
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College of London, London, UK
| | - Antonio Camins
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy & Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain
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13
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García-Huerta P, Troncoso-Escudero P, Wu D, Thiruvalluvan A, Cisternas-Olmedo M, Henríquez DR, Plate L, Chana-Cuevas P, Saquel C, Thielen P, Longo KA, Geddes BJ, Lederkremer GZ, Sharma N, Shenkman M, Naphade S, Sardi SP, Spichiger C, Richter HG, Court FA, Tshilenge KT, Ellerby LM, Wiseman RL, Gonzalez-Billault C, Bergink S, Vidal RL, Hetz C. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) protects against Huntington's disease through the extracellular disposal of protein aggregates. Acta Neuropathol 2020; 140:737-764. [PMID: 32642868 PMCID: PMC8513574 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-020-02183-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Impaired neuronal proteostasis is a salient feature of many neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting alterations in the function of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We previously reported that targeting the transcription factor XBP1, a key mediator of the ER stress response, delays disease progression and reduces protein aggregation in various models of neurodegeneration. To identify disease modifier genes that may explain the neuroprotective effects of XBP1 deficiency, we performed gene expression profiling of brain cortex and striatum of these animals and uncovered insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf2) as the major upregulated gene. Here, we studied the impact of IGF2 signaling on protein aggregation in models of Huntington's disease (HD) as proof of concept. Cell culture studies revealed that IGF2 treatment decreases the load of intracellular aggregates of mutant huntingtin and a polyglutamine peptide. These results were validated using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived medium spiny neurons from HD patients and spinocerebellar ataxia cases. The reduction in the levels of mutant huntingtin was associated with a decrease in the half-life of the intracellular protein. The decrease in the levels of abnormal protein aggregation triggered by IGF2 was independent of the activity of autophagy and the proteasome pathways, the two main routes for mutant huntingtin clearance. Conversely, IGF2 signaling enhanced the secretion of soluble mutant huntingtin species through exosomes and microvesicles involving changes in actin dynamics. Administration of IGF2 into the brain of HD mice using gene therapy led to a significant decrease in the levels of mutant huntingtin in three different animal models. Moreover, analysis of human postmortem brain tissue and blood samples from HD patients showed a reduction in IGF2 level. This study identifies IGF2 as a relevant factor deregulated in HD, operating as a disease modifier that buffers the accumulation of abnormal protein species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula García-Huerta
- Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Sector B, Second Floor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Independencia 1027, P.O. Box 70086, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paulina Troncoso-Escudero
- Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Sector B, Second Floor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Independencia 1027, P.O. Box 70086, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Mayor, Santiago, Chile
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arun Thiruvalluvan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marisol Cisternas-Olmedo
- Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Mayor, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniel R Henríquez
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lars Plate
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Pedro Chana-Cuevas
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristian Saquel
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Mayor, Santiago, Chile
| | - Peter Thielen
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | | | | | - Gerardo Z Lederkremer
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- George Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Neeraj Sharma
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- George Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Marina Shenkman
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- George Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Swati Naphade
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, 94945, USA
| | - S Pablo Sardi
- Rare and Neurological Diseases Therapeutic Area, Sanofi, 49 New York Avenue, Framingham, MA, 01701, USA
| | - Carlos Spichiger
- Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University Austral of Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Hans G Richter
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Pathology, University Austral of Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Felipe A Court
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Mayor, Santiago, Chile
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, 94945, USA
| | | | - Lisa M Ellerby
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, 94945, USA
| | - R Luke Wiseman
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Christian Gonzalez-Billault
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, 94945, USA
| | - Steven Bergink
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rene L Vidal
- Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile.
- Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Mayor, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Claudio Hetz
- Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile.
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Sector B, Second Floor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Independencia 1027, P.O. Box 70086, Santiago, Chile.
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, 94945, USA.
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14
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Tabrizi SJ, Flower MD, Ross CA, Wild EJ. Huntington disease: new insights into molecular pathogenesis and therapeutic opportunities. Nat Rev Neurol 2020; 16:529-546. [PMID: 32796930 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-020-0389-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene (HTT) and involves a complex web of pathogenic mechanisms. Mutant HTT (mHTT) disrupts transcription, interferes with immune and mitochondrial function, and is aberrantly modified post-translationally. Evidence suggests that the mHTT RNA is toxic, and at the DNA level, somatic CAG repeat expansion in vulnerable cells influences the disease course. Genome-wide association studies have identified DNA repair pathways as modifiers of somatic instability and disease course in HD and other repeat expansion diseases. In animal models of HD, nucleocytoplasmic transport is disrupted and its restoration is neuroprotective. Novel cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma biomarkers are among the earliest detectable changes in individuals with premanifest HD and have the sensitivity to detect therapeutic benefit. Therapeutically, the first human trial of an HTT-lowering antisense oligonucleotide successfully, and safely, reduced the CSF concentration of mHTT in individuals with HD. A larger trial, powered to detect clinical efficacy, is underway, along with trials of other HTT-lowering approaches. In this Review, we discuss new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of HD and future therapeutic strategies, including the modulation of DNA repair and targeting the DNA mutation itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Tabrizi
- Huntington's Disease Centre, University College London, London, UK. .,Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK. .,UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Michael D Flower
- Huntington's Disease Centre, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Christopher A Ross
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Edward J Wild
- Huntington's Disease Centre, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
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15
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Salado-Manzano C, Perpiña U, Straccia M, Molina-Ruiz FJ, Cozzi E, Rosser AE, Canals JM. Is the Immunological Response a Bottleneck for Cell Therapy in Neurodegenerative Diseases? Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:250. [PMID: 32848630 PMCID: PMC7433375 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD) are characterized by a selective detrimental impact on neurons in a specific brain area. Currently, these diseases have no cures, although some promising trials of therapies that may be able to slow the loss of brain cells are underway. Cell therapy is distinguished by its potential to replace cells to compensate for those lost to the degenerative process and has shown a great potential to replace degenerated neurons in animal models and in clinical trials in PD and HD patients. Fetal-derived neural progenitor cells, embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells are the main cell sources that have been tested in cell therapy approaches. Furthermore, new strategies are emerging, such as the use of adult stem cells, encapsulated cell lines releasing trophic factors or cell-free products, containing an enriched secretome, which have shown beneficial preclinical outcomes. One of the major challenges for these potential new treatments is to overcome the host immune response to the transplanted cells. Immune rejection can cause significant alterations in transplanted and endogenous tissue and requires immunosuppressive drugs that may produce adverse effects. T-, B-lymphocytes and microglia have been recognized as the main effectors in striatal graft rejection. This review aims to summarize the preclinical and clinical studies of cell therapies in PD and HD. In addition, the precautions and strategies to ensure the highest quality of cell grafts, the lowest risk during transplantation and the reduction of a possible immune rejection will be outlined. Altogether, the wide-ranging possibilities of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) could make therapeutic treatment of these incurable diseases possible in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Salado-Manzano
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Unai Perpiña
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Francisco J. Molina-Ruiz
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emanuele Cozzi
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Transplant Immunology Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Anne E. Rosser
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Josep M. Canals
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
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16
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Bachoud-Lévi AC. Human Fetal Cell Therapy in Huntington's Disease: A Randomized, Multicenter, Phase II Trial. Mov Disord 2020; 35:1323-1335. [PMID: 32666599 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease is a rare, severe, inherited neurodegenerative disease in which we assessed the safety and efficacy of grafting human fetal ganglionic eminence intrastriatally. METHODS Patients at the early stage of the disease were enrolled in the Multicentric Intracerebral Grafting in Huntington's Disease trial, a delayed-start phase II randomized study. After a run-in period of 12 months, patients were randomized at month 12 to either the treatment group (transplanted at month 13-month 14) or the control group and secondarily treated 20 months later (month 33-month 34). The primary outcome was total motor score compared between both groups 20 months postrandomization (month 32). Secondary outcomes included clinical, imaging, and electrophysiological findings and a comparison of pregraft and postgraft total motor score slopes during the entire study period (month 0-month 52) regardless of the time of transplant. RESULTS Of 54 randomized patients, 45 were transplanted; 26 immediately (treatment) and 19 delayed (control). Mean total motor score at month 32 did not differ between groups (treated controls difference in means adjusted for M12: +2.9 [95% confidence interval, -2.8 to 8.6]; P = 0.31). Its rate of decline after transplantation was similar to that before transplantation. A total of 27 severe adverse events were recorded in the randomized patients, 10 of which were related to the transplant procedure. Improvement of procedures during the trial significantly decreased the frequency of surgical events.We found antihuman leucocytes antigen antibodies in 40% of the patients. CONCLUSION No clinical benefit was found in this trial. This may have been related to graft rejection. Ectopia and high track number negatively influence the graft outcome. Procedural adjustments substantially improved surgical safety. (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00190450.) © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Catherine Bachoud-Lévi
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, National Reference Center for Huntington's Disease, Neurology Department, Henri Mondor-Albert Chenevier Hospital, Créteil, France.,Equipe neuropsychologie interventionnelle, Département d'études cognitives, École normale supérieure, PSL, Research University, Institut Mondor de Recherche biomédicale, Université Paris-Est, INSERM, Paris, and Créteil, France.,Faculté de Santé, Université Paris Est, Créteil, France
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17
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Bartl S, Oueslati A, Southwell AL, Siddu A, Parth M, David LS, Maxan A, Salhat N, Burkert M, Mairhofer A, Friedrich T, Pankevych H, Balazs K, Staffler G, Hayden MR, Cicchetti F, Smrzka OW. Inhibiting cellular uptake of mutant huntingtin using a monoclonal antibody: Implications for the treatment of Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 141:104943. [PMID: 32407769 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by a highly polymorphic CAG trinucleotide expansion in the gene encoding for the huntingtin protein (HTT). The resulting mutant huntingtin protein (mutHTT) is ubiquitously expressed but also exhibits the ability to propagate from cell-to-cell to disseminate pathology; a property which may serve as a new therapeutic focus. Accordingly, we set out to develop a monoclonal antibody (mAB) targeting a particularly exposed region close to the aa586 caspase-6 cleavage site of the HTT protein. This monoclonal antibody, designated C6-17, effectively binds mutHTT and is able to deplete the protein from cell culture supernatants. Using cell-based assays, we demonstrate that extracellular secretion of mutHTT into cell culture media and its subsequent uptake in recipient HeLa cells can be almost entirely blocked by mAB C6-17. Immunohistochemical stainings of post-mortem HD brain tissue confirmed the specificity of mAB C6-17 to human mutHTT aggregates. These findings demonstrate that mAB C6-17 not only successfully engages with its target, mutHTT, but also inhibits cell uptake suggesting that this antibody could interfere with the pathological processes of mutHTT spreading in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abid Oueslati
- Université Laval/Centre de recherche du CHU, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Alberto Siddu
- Université Laval/Centre de recherche du CHU, Québec, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Oskar W Smrzka
- AFFiRiS AG, Vienna, Austria; Ablevia biotech GmbH, Vienna, Austria
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18
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Chohan MO. Deconstructing Neurogenesis, Transplantation and Genome-Editing as Neural Repair Strategies in Brain Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:116. [PMID: 32232041 PMCID: PMC7082747 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural repair in injury and disease presents a pressing unmet need in regenerative medicine. Due to the intrinsically reduced ability of the brain to replace lost and damaged neurons, reversing long-term cognitive and functional impairments poses a unique problem. Over the years, advancements in cellular and molecular understanding of neurogenesis mechanisms coupled with sophistication of biotechnology tools have transformed neural repair into a cross-disciplinary field that integrates discoveries from developmental neurobiology, transplantation and tissue engineering to design disease- and patient-specific remedies aimed at boosting either native rehabilitation or delivering exogenous hypoimmunogenic interventions. Advances in deciphering the blueprint of neural ontogenesis and annotation of the human genome has led to the development of targeted therapeutic opportunities that have the potential of treating the most vulnerable patient populations and whose findings from benchside suggest looming clinical translation. This review discusses how findings from studies of adult neurogenesis have informed development of interventions that target endogenous neural regenerative machineries and how advances in biotechnology, including the use of new gene-editing tools, have made possible the development of promising, complex neural transplant-based strategies. Adopting a multi-pronged strategy that is tailored to underlying neural pathology and that encompasses facilitation of endogenous regeneration, correction of patient’s genomic mutations and delivery of transformed neural precursors and mature disease-relevant neuronal populations to replace injured or lost neural tissue remains no longer a fantasy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad O Chohan
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Integrative Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
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19
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Henriques D, Moreira R, Schwamborn J, Pereira de Almeida L, Mendonça LS. Successes and Hurdles in Stem Cells Application and Production for Brain Transplantation. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:1194. [PMID: 31802998 PMCID: PMC6877657 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain regenerative strategies through the transplantation of stem cells hold the potential to promote functional rescue of brain lesions caused either by trauma or neurodegenerative diseases. Most of the positive modulations fostered by stem cells are fueled by bystander effects, namely increase of neurotrophic factors levels and reduction of neuroinflammation. Nevertheless, the ultimate goal of cell therapies is to promote cell replacement. Therefore, the ability of stem cells to migrate and differentiate into neurons that later become integrated into the host neuronal network replacing the lost neurons has also been largely explored. However, as most of the preclinical studies demonstrate, there is a small functional integration of graft-derived neurons into host neuronal circuits. Thus, it is mandatory to better study the whole brain cell therapy approach in order to understand what should be better comprehended concerning graft-derived neuronal and glial cells migration and integration before we can expect these therapies to be ready as a viable solution for brain disorder treatment. Therefore, this review discusses the positive mechanisms triggered by cell transplantation into the brain, the limitations of adult brain plasticity that might interfere with the neuroregeneration process, as well as some strategies tested to overcome some of these limitations. It also considers the efforts that have been made by the regulatory authorities to lead to better standardization of preclinical and clinical studies in this field in order to reduce the heterogeneity of the obtained results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Henriques
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Moreira
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jens Schwamborn
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Liliana S Mendonça
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Nguyen H, Zarriello S, Coats A, Nelson C, Kingsbury C, Gorsky A, Rajani M, Neal EG, Borlongan CV. Stem cell therapy for neurological disorders: A focus on aging. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 126:85-104. [PMID: 30219376 PMCID: PMC6650276 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related neurological disorders continue to pose a significant societal and economic burden. Aging is a complex phenomenon that affects many aspects of the human body. Specifically, aging can have detrimental effects on the progression of brain diseases and endogenous stem cells. Stem cell therapies possess promising potential to mitigate the neurological symptoms of such diseases. However, aging presents a major obstacle for maximum efficacy of these treatments. In this review, we discuss current preclinical and clinical literature to highlight the interactions between aging, stem cell therapy, and the progression of major neurological disease states such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and multiple system atrophy. We raise important questions to guide future research and advance novel treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung Nguyen
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Sydney Zarriello
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Alexandreya Coats
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Cannon Nelson
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Chase Kingsbury
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Anna Gorsky
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Mira Rajani
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Elliot G Neal
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Cesar V Borlongan
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
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21
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Sharma M, Subramaniam S. Rhes travels from cell to cell and transports Huntington disease protein via TNT-like protrusion. J Cell Biol 2019; 218:1972-1993. [PMID: 31076452 PMCID: PMC6548131 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201807068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tunneling nanotubes (TNT) are membranous tubes that connect two cells, but their functional roles and mechanism of biogenesis remain obscure. Sharma and Subramaniam demonstrate that Rhes, a brain-enriched protein, increases biogenesis of TNT-like cellular protrusions or “Rhes tunnels” through which Rhes travels from cell to cell and transports Huntington disease (HD) protein. Tunneling nanotubes (TNT) are thin, membranous, tunnel-like cell-to-cell connections, but the mechanisms underlying their biogenesis or functional role remains obscure. Here, we report, Rhes, a brain-enriched GTPase/SUMO E3-like protein, induces the biogenesis of TNT-like cellular protrusions, “Rhes tunnels,” through which Rhes moves from cell to cell and transports Huntington disease (HD) protein, the poly-Q expanded mutant Huntingtin (mHTT). The formation of TNT-like Rhes tunnels requires the Rhes’s serine 33, C-terminal CAAX, and a SUMO E3-like domain. Electron microscopy analysis revealed that TNT-like Rhes tunnels appear continuous, cell–cell connections, and <200 nm in diameter. Live-cell imaging shows that Rhes tunnels establish contact with the neighboring cell and deliver Rhes-positive cargoes, which travel across the plasma membrane of the neighboring cell before entering it. The Rhes tunnels carry Rab5a/Lyso 20-positive vesicles and transport mHTT, but not normal HTT, mTOR, or wtTau proteins. SUMOylation-defective mHTT, Rhes C263S (cannot SUMOylate mHTT), or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated depletion of three isoforms of SUMO diminishes Rhes-mediated mHTT transport. Thus, Rhes promotes the biogenesis of TNT-like cellular protrusions and facilitates the cell–cell transport of mHTT involving SUMO-mediated mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Sharma
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL
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22
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Abstract
The retina is a very fine and layered neural tissue, which vitally depends on the preservation of cells, structure, connectivity and vasculature to maintain vision. There is an urgent need to find technical and biological solutions to major challenges associated with functional replacement of retinal cells. The major unmet challenges include generating sufficient numbers of specific cell types, achieving functional integration of transplanted cells, especially photoreceptors, and surgical delivery of retinal cells or tissue without triggering immune responses, inflammation and/or remodeling. The advances of regenerative medicine enabled generation of three-dimensional tissues (organoids), partially recreating the anatomical structure, biological complexity and physiology of several tissues, which are important targets for stem cell replacement therapies. Derivation of retinal tissue in a dish creates new opportunities for cell replacement therapies of blindness and addresses the need to preserve retinal architecture to restore vision. Retinal cell therapies aimed at preserving and improving vision have achieved many improvements in the past ten years. Retinal organoid technologies provide a number of solutions to technical and biological challenges associated with functional replacement of retinal cells to achieve long-term vision restoration. Our review summarizes the progress in cell therapies of retina, with focus on human pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal tissue, and critically evaluates the potential of retinal organoid approaches to solve a major unmet clinical need—retinal repair and vision restoration in conditions caused by retinal degeneration and traumatic ocular injuries. We also analyze obstacles in commercialization of retinal organoid technology for clinical application.
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23
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Goncalves K, Przyborski S. The utility of stem cells for neural regeneration. Brain Neurosci Adv 2018; 2:2398212818818071. [PMID: 32166173 PMCID: PMC7058206 DOI: 10.1177/2398212818818071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of stem cells in biomedical research is an extremely active area of science. This is because they provide tools that can be used both in vivo and vitro to either replace cells lost in degenerative processes, or to model such diseases to elucidate their underlying mechanisms. This review aims to discuss the use of stem cells in terms of providing regeneration within the nervous system, which is particularly important as neurons of the central nervous system lack the ability to inherently regenerate and repair lost connections. As populations are ageing, incidence of neurodegenerative diseases are increasing, highlighting the need to better understand the regenerative capacity and many uses of stem cells in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefan Przyborski
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, UK.,Reprocell Europe, Sedgefield, UK
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24
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Emborg ME. Nonhuman Primate Models of Neurodegenerative Disorders. ILAR J 2018; 58:190-201. [PMID: 28985333 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilx021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's (AD), Huntington's (HD), and Parkinson's (PD) disease are age-related neurodegenerative disorders characterized by progressive neuronal cell death. Although each disease has particular pathologies and symptoms, accumulated evidence points to similar mechanisms of neurodegeneration, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and protein aggregation. A significant body of research is ongoing to understand how these pathways affect each other and what ultimately triggers the onset of the disease. Experiments in nonhuman primates (NHPs) account for only 5% of all research in animals. Yet the impact of NHP studies for clinical translation is much greater, especially for neurodegenerative disorders, as NHPs have a complex cognitive and motor functions and highly developed neuroanatomy. New NHP models are emerging to better understand pathology and improve the platform in which to test novel therapies. The goal of this report is to review NHP models of AD, HD, and PD in the context of the current understanding of these diseases and their contribution to the development of novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina E Emborg
- Preclinical Parkinson's Research Program, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center.,Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
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25
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de Natale ER, Wilson H, Pagano G, Politis M. Imaging Transplantation in Movement Disorders. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2018; 143:213-263. [PMID: 30473196 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cell replacement therapy with graft transplantation has been tested as a disease-modifying treatment in neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the damage of a predominant cell type, such as substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD) or striatal medium spiny projection neurons in Huntington's disease (HD). The results of these trials are mixed with success in preclinical and pilot open-label trials, which were not consistently reproduced in randomized controlled trials. Positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) molecular imaging and functional magnetic resonance imaging allow the graft survival, and its relationship with the host tissues to be studied in vivo. In PD, PET with [18F]DOPA showed that graft survival does not necessarily correlate with the clinical improvement and PD patients with worse outcome had lower binding in the ventral striatum and a high serotonin ([11C]DASB PET) to dopamine ([18F]DOPA PET) ratio in the grafted neurons. In HD, PET with [11C]PK11195 showed the graft survival and the clinical responses may be related to the reactive activation of the host inflammatory/immune system. Findings from these studies have been used to refine study protocols and patient selection in current clinical trials, which includes identifying suitable candidates for transplantation using imaging markers and employing multiple and/or novel PET tracers to better assess graft functions and inflammatory responses to grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Rosario de Natale
- Neurodegeneration Imaging Group, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Heather Wilson
- Neurodegeneration Imaging Group, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gennaro Pagano
- Neurodegeneration Imaging Group, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marios Politis
- Neurodegeneration Imaging Group, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
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26
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Maxan A, Mason S, Saint-Pierre M, Smith E, Ho A, Harrower T, Watts C, Tai Y, Pavese N, Savage JC, Tremblay MÈ, Gould P, Rosser AE, Dunnett SB, Piccini P, Barker RA, Cicchetti F. Outcome of cell suspension allografts in a patient with Huntington's disease. Ann Neurol 2018; 84:950-956. [PMID: 30286516 PMCID: PMC6587549 DOI: 10.1002/ana.25354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
For patients with incurable neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's (HD) and Parkinson's disease, cell transplantation has been explored as a potential treatment option. Here, we present the first clinicopathological study of a patient with HD in receipt of cell-suspension striatal allografts who took part in the NEST-UK multicenter clinical transplantation trial. Using various immunohistochemical techniques, we found a discrepancy in the survival of grafted projection neurons with respect to grafted interneurons as well as major ongoing inflammatory and immune responses to the grafted tissue with evidence of mutant huntingtin aggregates within the transplant area. Our results indicate that grafts can survive more than a decade post-transplantation, but show compromised survival with inflammation and mutant protein being observed within the transplant site. Ann Neurol 2018;84:950-956.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Maxan
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (CHUQ), Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Sarah Mason
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Martine Saint-Pierre
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (CHUQ), Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Emma Smith
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Aileen Ho
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy Harrower
- Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Colin Watts
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Yen Tai
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Pavese
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Imaging Unit, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Julie C Savage
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (CHUQ), Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de médecine moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (CHUQ), Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de médecine moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Peter Gould
- Laboratoire de neuropathology, Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus-CHU de Québec, Québec, QC, United Kingdom
| | - Anne E Rosser
- Brain Repair Group and BRAIN unit, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute and School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen B Dunnett
- Brain Repair Group and BRAIN unit, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute and School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Piccini
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Imaging Unit, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roger A Barker
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Cicchetti
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (CHUQ), Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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27
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Neal EG, Liska MG, Lippert T, Lin R, Gonzalez M, Russo E, Xu K, Ji X, Vale FL, Van Loveren H, Borlongan CV. An update on intracerebral stem cell grafts. Expert Rev Neurother 2018; 18:557-572. [PMID: 29961357 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2018.1491309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Primary neurological disorders are notoriously debilitating and deadly, and over the past four decades stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising treatment. Translation of stem cell therapies from the bench to the clinic requires a better understanding of delivery protocols, safety profile, and efficacy in each disease. Areas covered: In this review, benefits and risks of intracerebral stem cell transplantation are presented for consideration. Milestone discoveries in stem cell applications are reviewed to examine the efficacy and safety of intracerebral stem cell transplant therapy for disorders of the central nervous system and inform design of translatable protocols for clinically feasible stem cell-based treatments. Expert commentary: Intracerebral administration, compared to peripheral delivery, is more invasive and carries the risk of open brain surgery. However, direct cell implantation bypasses the blood-brain barrier and reduces the first-pass effect, effectively increasing the therapeutic cell deposition at its intended site of action. These benefits must be weighed with the risk of graft-versus-host immune response. Rigorous clinical trials are underway to assess the safety and efficacy of intracerebral transplants, and if successful will lead to widely available stem cell therapies for neurologic diseases in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot G Neal
- a Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair , Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, USF Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA
| | - M Grant Liska
- a Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair , Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, USF Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA
| | - Trenton Lippert
- a Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair , Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, USF Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA
| | - Roger Lin
- a Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair , Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, USF Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA
| | - Melissa Gonzalez
- a Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair , Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, USF Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA
| | - Eleonora Russo
- a Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair , Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, USF Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA
| | - Kaya Xu
- a Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair , Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, USF Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA
| | - Xunming Ji
- b Department of Neurosurgery , Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University , Beijing , China
| | - Fernando L Vale
- c USF Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair , Tampa , FL , USA
| | - Harry Van Loveren
- c USF Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair , Tampa , FL , USA
| | - Cesario V Borlongan
- a Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair , Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, USF Morsani College of Medicine , Tampa , FL , USA
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28
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Meas SJ, Zhang CL, Dabdoub A. Reprogramming Glia Into Neurons in the Peripheral Auditory System as a Solution for Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Lessons From the Central Nervous System. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:77. [PMID: 29593497 PMCID: PMC5861218 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Disabling hearing loss affects over 5% of the world’s population and impacts the lives of individuals from all age groups. Within the next three decades, the worldwide incidence of hearing impairment is expected to double. Since a leading cause of hearing loss is the degeneration of primary auditory neurons (PANs), the sensory neurons of the auditory system that receive input from mechanosensory hair cells in the cochlea, it may be possible to restore hearing by regenerating PANs. A direct reprogramming approach can be used to convert the resident spiral ganglion glial cells into induced neurons to restore hearing. This review summarizes recent advances in reprogramming glia in the CNS to suggest future steps for regenerating the peripheral auditory system. In the coming years, direct reprogramming of spiral ganglion glial cells has the potential to become one of the leading biological strategies to treat hearing impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Meas
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Chun-Li Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Alain Dabdoub
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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29
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Stem Cell-Based Therapies for Polyglutamine Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1049:439-466. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-71779-1_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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30
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Cisbani G, Maxan A, Kordower JH, Planel E, Freeman TB, Cicchetti F. Presence of tau pathology within foetal neural allografts in patients with Huntington's and Parkinson's disease. Brain 2017; 140:2982-2992. [PMID: 29069396 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awx255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell replacement has been explored as a therapeutic strategy to repair the brain in patients with Huntington's and Parkinson's disease. Post-mortem evaluations of healthy grafted tissue in such cases have revealed the development of Huntington- or Parkinson-like pathology including mutant huntingtin aggregates and Lewy bodies. An outstanding question remains if tau pathology can also be seen in patients with Huntington's and Parkinson's disease who had received foetal neural allografts. This was addressed by immunohistochemical/immunofluorescent stainings performed on grafted tissue of two Huntington's disease patients, who came to autopsy 9 and 12 years post-transplantation, and two patients with Parkinson's disease who came to autopsy 18 months and 16 years post-transplantation. We show that grafts also contain tau pathology in both types of transplanted patients. In two patients with Huntington's disease, the grafted tissue showed the presence of hyperphosphorylated tau [both AT8 (phospho-tau Ser202 and Thr205) and CP13 (pSer202) immunohistochemical stainings] pathological inclusions, neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads. In patients with Parkinson's disease, the grafted tissue was characterized by hyperphosphorylated tau (AT8; immunofluorescent staining) pathological inclusions, neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads but only in the patient who came to autopsy 16 years post-transplantation. Abundant tau-related pathology was observed in the cortex and striatum of all cases studied. While the striatum of the grafted Huntington's disease patient revealed an equal amount of 3-repeat and 4-repeat isoforms of tau, the grafted tissue showed elevated 4-repeat isoforms by western blot. This suggests that transplants may have acquired tau pathology from the host brain, although another possibility is that this was due to acceleration of ageing. This finding not only adds to the recent reports that tau pathology is a feature of these neurodegenerative diseases, but also that tau pathology can manifest in healthy neural tissue transplanted into the brains of patients with two distinct neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Cisbani
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Axe Neurosciences, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Alexander Maxan
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Axe Neurosciences, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Jeffrey H Kordower
- Department of Neurological Sciences and Center for Brain Repair, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Emmanuel Planel
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Axe Neurosciences, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie and Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Thomas B Freeman
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33606-3571, USA.,Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33606-3571, USA
| | - Francesca Cicchetti
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Axe Neurosciences, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie and Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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31
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Abstract
Purpose of Review The purpose of this review was to review the imaging, particularly positron emission tomography (PET), findings in neurorestoration studies in movement disorders, with specific focus on neural transplantation in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Huntington’s disease (HD). Recent Findings PET findings in PD transplantation studies have shown that graft survival as reflected by increases in dopaminergic PET markers does not necessarily correlate with clinical improvement. PD patients with more denervated ventral striatum and more imbalanced serotonin-to-dopamine ratio in the grafted neurons tended to have worse outcome. In HD transplantation studies, variable graft survival and clinical responses may be related to host inflammatory/immune responses to the grafts. Summary Information gleaned from imaging findings in previous neural transplantation studies has been used to refine study protocol and patient selection in future trials. This includes identifying suitable candidates for transplantation using imaging markers, employing multiple and/or novel PET tracers to better assess graft functions and inflammatory responses to grafts.
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32
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Salvadores N, Sanhueza M, Manque P, Court FA. Axonal Degeneration during Aging and Its Functional Role in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:451. [PMID: 28928628 PMCID: PMC5591337 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging constitutes the main risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative diseases. This represents a major health issue worldwide that is only expected to escalate due to the ever-increasing life expectancy of the population. Interestingly, axonal degeneration, which occurs at early stages of neurodegenerative disorders (ND) such as Alzheimer's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease, also takes place as a consequence of normal aging. Moreover, the alteration of several cellular processes such as proteostasis, response to cellular stress and mitochondrial homeostasis, which have been described to occur in the aging brain, can also contribute to axonal pathology. Compelling evidence indicate that the degeneration of axons precedes clinical symptoms in NDs and occurs before cell body loss, constituting an early event in the pathological process and providing a potential therapeutic target to treat neurodegeneration before neuronal cell death. Although, normal aging and the development of neurodegeneration are two processes that are closely linked, the molecular basis of the switch that triggers the transition from healthy aging to neurodegeneration remains unrevealed. In this review we discuss the potential role of axonal degeneration in this transition and provide a detailed overview of the literature and current advances in the molecular understanding of the cellular changes that occur during aging that promote axonal degeneration and then discuss this in the context of ND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Salvadores
- Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad MayorSantiago, Chile.,Fondap Geroscience Center for Brain Health and MetabolismSantiago, Chile
| | - Mario Sanhueza
- Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad MayorSantiago, Chile.,Fondap Geroscience Center for Brain Health and MetabolismSantiago, Chile
| | - Patricio Manque
- Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad MayorSantiago, Chile
| | - Felipe A Court
- Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad MayorSantiago, Chile.,Fondap Geroscience Center for Brain Health and MetabolismSantiago, Chile
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Choi KA, Hong S. Induced neural stem cells as a means of treatment in Huntington's disease. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2017; 17:1333-1343. [PMID: 28792249 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2017.1365133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease characterized by chorea, dementia, and depression caused by progressive nerve cell degeneration, which is triggered by expanded CAG repeats in the huntingtin (Htt) gene. Currently, there is no cure for this disease, nor is there an effective medicine available to delay or improve the physical, mental, and behavioral severities caused by it. Areas covered: In this review, the authors describe the use of induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) by direct conversion technology, which offers great advantages as a therapeutic cell type to treat HD. Expert opinion: Cell conversion of somatic cells into a desired stem cell type is one of the most promising treatments for HD because it could be facilitated for the generation of patient-specific neural stem cells. The induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have a powerful potential for differentiation into neurons, but they may cause teratoma formation due to an undifferentiated pluripotent stem cell after transplantation Therefore, direct conversion of somatic cells into iNSCs is a promising alternative technology in regenerative medicine and the iNSCs may be provided as a therapeutic cell source for Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Ah Choi
- a School of Biosystem and Biomedical Science , College of Health Science, Korea University , Seongbuk-gu , Republic of Korea
| | - Sunghoi Hong
- a School of Biosystem and Biomedical Science , College of Health Science, Korea University , Seongbuk-gu , Republic of Korea.,b Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Science , College of Health Science, Korea University , Seongbuk-gu , Republic of Korea
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Szlachcic WJ, Wiatr K, Trzeciak M, Figlerowicz M, Figiel M. The Generation of Mouse and Human Huntington Disease iPS Cells Suitable for In vitro Studies on Huntingtin Function. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:253. [PMID: 28848389 PMCID: PMC5550714 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of CAG repeats in huntingtin (HTT) gene, resulting in expanded polyglutamine tract in HTT protein. Although, HD has its common onset in adulthood, subtle symptoms in patients may occur decades before diagnosis, and molecular and cellular changes begin much earlier, even in cells that are not yet lineage committed such as stem cells. Studies in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) HD models have demonstrated that multiple molecular processes are altered by the mutant HTT protein and suggested its silencing as a promising therapeutic strategy. Therefore, we aimed to generate HD iPS cells with stable silencing of HTT and further to investigate the effects of HTT knock-down on deregulations of signaling pathways e.g., p53 downregulation, present in cells already in pluripotent state. We designed a gene silencing strategy based on RNAi cassette in piggyBAC vector for constant shRNA expression. Using such system we delivered and tested several shRNA targeting huntingtin in mouse HD YAC128 iPSC and human HD109, HD71, and Control iPSC. The most effective shRNA (shHTT2) reagent stably silenced HTT in all HD iPS cells and remained active upon differentiation to neural stem cells (NSC). When investigating the effects of HTT silencing on signaling pathways, we found that in mouse HD iPSC lines expressing shRNA the level of mutant HTT inversely correlated with p53 levels, resulting in p53 level normalization upon silencing of mutant HTT. We also found that p53 deregulation continues into the NSC developmental stage and it was reversed upon HTT silencing. In addition, we observed subtle effects of silencing on proteins of Wnt/β-catenin and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. In summary, we successfully created the first mouse and human shRNA-expressing HD iPS cells with stable and continuous HTT silencing. Moreover, we demonstrated reversal of HD p53 phenotype in mouse HD iPSC, therefore, the stable knockdown of HTT is well-suited for investigation on HD cellular pathways, and is potentially useful as a stand-alone therapy or component of cell therapy. In addition, the total HTT knock-down in our human cells has further implications for mutant allele selective approach in iPSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech J Szlachcic
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesPoznań, Poland
| | - Kalina Wiatr
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesPoznań, Poland
| | - Marta Trzeciak
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesPoznań, Poland
| | - Marek Figlerowicz
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesPoznań, Poland
| | - Maciej Figiel
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesPoznań, Poland
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35
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Marsh SE, Blurton-Jones M. Neural stem cell therapy for neurodegenerative disorders: The role of neurotrophic support. Neurochem Int 2017; 106:94-100. [PMID: 28219641 PMCID: PMC5446923 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease currently affect tens of millions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, as the world's population ages, the incidence of many of these diseases will continue to rise and is expected to more than double by 2050. Despite significant research and a growing understanding of disease pathogenesis, only a handful of therapies are currently available and all of them provide only transient benefits. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop novel disease-modifying therapies to prevent the development or slow the progression of these debilitating disorders. A growing number of pre-clinical studies have suggested that transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) could offer a promising new therapeutic approach for neurodegeneration. While much of the initial excitement about this strategy focused on the use of NSCs to replace degenerating neurons, more recent studies have implicated NSC-mediated changes in neurotrophins as a major mechanism of therapeutic efficacy. In this mini-review we will discuss recent work that examines the ability of NSCs to provide trophic support to disease-effected neuronal populations and synapses in models of neurodegeneration. We will then also discuss some of key challenges that remain before NSC-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases can be translated toward potential clinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel E Marsh
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Mathew Blurton-Jones
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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36
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Adegbuyiro A, Sedighi F, Pilkington AW, Groover S, Legleiter J. Proteins Containing Expanded Polyglutamine Tracts and Neurodegenerative Disease. Biochemistry 2017; 56:1199-1217. [PMID: 28170216 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b00936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Several hereditary neurological and neuromuscular diseases are caused by an abnormal expansion of trinucleotide repeats. To date, there have been 10 of these trinucleotide repeat disorders associated with an expansion of the codon CAG encoding glutamine (Q). For these polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases, there is a critical threshold length of the CAG repeat required for disease, and further expansion beyond this threshold is correlated with age of onset and symptom severity. PolyQ expansion in the translated proteins promotes their self-assembly into a variety of oligomeric and fibrillar aggregate species that accumulate into the hallmark proteinaceous inclusion bodies associated with each disease. Here, we review aggregation mechanisms of proteins with expanded polyQ-tracts, structural consequences of expanded polyQ ranging from monomers to fibrillar aggregates, the impact of protein context and post-translational modifications on aggregation, and a potential role for lipid membranes in aggregation. As the pathogenic mechanisms that underlie these disorders are often classified as either a gain of toxic function or loss of normal protein function, some toxic mechanisms associated with mutant polyQ tracts will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adewale Adegbuyiro
- The C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, 217 Clark Hall, West Virginia University , Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United States
| | - Faezeh Sedighi
- The C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, 217 Clark Hall, West Virginia University , Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United States
| | - Albert W Pilkington
- The C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, 217 Clark Hall, West Virginia University , Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United States
| | - Sharon Groover
- The C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, 217 Clark Hall, West Virginia University , Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United States
| | - Justin Legleiter
- The C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, 217 Clark Hall, West Virginia University , Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United States.,Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, P.O. Box 9304, West Virginia University , Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United States.,NanoSAFE, P.O. Box 6223, West Virginia University , Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United States
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Gowing G, Svendsen S, Svendsen CN. Ex vivo gene therapy for the treatment of neurological disorders. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2017; 230:99-132. [PMID: 28552237 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ex vivo gene therapy involves the genetic modification of cells outside of the body to produce therapeutic factors and their subsequent transplantation back into patients. Various cell types can be genetically engineered. However, with the explosion in stem cell technologies, neural stem/progenitor cells and mesenchymal stem cells are most often used. The synergy between the effect of the new cell and the additional engineered properties can often provide significant benefits to neurodegenerative changes in the brain. In this review, we cover both preclinical animal studies and clinical human trials that have used ex vivo gene therapy to treat neurological disorders with a focus on Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, ALS, and stroke. We highlight some of the major advances in this field including new autologous sources of pluripotent stem cells, safer ways to introduce therapeutic transgenes, and various methods of gene regulation. We also address some of the remaining hurdles including tunable gene regulation, in vivo cell tracking, and rigorous experimental design. Overall, given the current outcomes from researchers and clinical trials, along with exciting new developments in ex vivo gene and cell therapy, we anticipate that successful treatments for neurological diseases will arise in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve Gowing
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Soshana Svendsen
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Clive N Svendsen
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
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38
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From open to large-scale randomized cell transplantation trials in Huntington's disease. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2017; 230:227-261. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2016.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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39
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The Complexity of Clinical Huntington's Disease: Developments in Molecular Genetics, Neuropathology and Neuroimaging Biomarkers. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 15:129-161. [PMID: 28674980 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-57193-5_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterised by extensive neuronal loss in the striatum and cerebral cortex, and a triad of clinical symptoms affecting motor, cognitive/behavioural and mood functioning. The mutation causing HD is an expansion of a CAG tract in exon 1 of the HTT gene. This chapter provides a multifaceted overview of the clinical complexity of HD. We explore recent directions in molecular genetics including the identification of loci that are genetic modifiers of HD that could potentially reveal therapeutic targets beyond the HTT gene transcript and protein. The variability of clinical symptomatology in HD is considered alongside recent findings of variability in cellular and neurochemical changes in the striatum and cerebral cortex in human brain. We review evidence from structural neuroimaging methods of progressive changes of striatum, cerebral cortex and white matter in pre-symptomatic and symptomatic HD, with a particular focus on the potential identification of neuroimaging biomarkers that could be used to test promising disease-specific and modifying treatments. Finally we provide an overview of completed clinical trials in HD and future therapeutic developments.
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40
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Goldman SA. Stem and Progenitor Cell-Based Therapy of the Central Nervous System: Hopes, Hype, and Wishful Thinking. Cell Stem Cell 2016; 18:174-88. [PMID: 26849304 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2016.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A variety of neurological disorders are attractive targets for stem and progenitor cell-based therapy. Yet many conditions are not, whether by virtue of an inhospitable disease environment, poorly understood pathophysiology, or poor alignment of donor cell capabilities with patient needs. Moreover, some disorders may be medically feasible targets but are not practicable, in light of already available treatments, poor risk-benefit and cost-benefit profiles, or resource limitations. This Perspective seeks to define those neurological conditions most appropriate for cell replacement therapy by considering its potential efficacy and clinical feasibility in those disorders, as well as potential impediments to its application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven A Goldman
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine and the Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark.
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41
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Siddiqi F, Wolfe JH. Stem Cell Therapy for the Central Nervous System in Lysosomal Storage Diseases. Hum Gene Ther 2016; 27:749-757. [PMID: 27420186 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2016.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological diseases with genetic etiologies result in the loss or dysfunction of neural cells throughout the CNS. At present, few treatment options exist for the majority of neurogenetic diseases. Stem cell transplantation (SCT) into the CNS has the potential to be an effective treatment modality because progenitor cells may replace lost cells in the diseased brain, provide multiple trophic factors, or deliver missing proteins. This review focuses on the use of SCT in lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), a large group of monogenic disorders with prominent CNS disease. In most patients the CNS disease results in intellectual disability that is refractory to current standard-of-care treatment. A large amount of preclinical work on brain-directed SCT has been performed in rodent LSD models. Cell types that have been used for direct delivery into the CNS include neural stem cells, embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells. Hematopoietic stem cells have been an effective therapy for the CNS in a few LSDs and may be augmented by overexpression of the missing gene. Current barriers and potential strategies to improve SCT for translation into effective patient therapies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faez Siddiqi
- 1 Research Institute of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - John H Wolfe
- 1 Research Institute of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine and W.F. Goodman Center for Comparative Medical Genetics, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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42
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Abstract
Basic experimental stem cell research has opened up the possibility of many diverse clinical applications; however, translation to clinical trials has been restricted to only a few diseases. To broaden this clinical scope, pluripotent stem cell derivatives provide a uniquely scalable source of functional differentiated cells that can potentially repair damaged or diseased tissues to treat a wide spectrum of diseases and injuries. However, gathering sound data on their distribution, longevity, function and mechanisms of action in host tissues is imperative to realizing their clinical benefit. The large-scale availability of treatments involving pluripotent stem cells remains some years away, because of the long and demanding regulatory pathway that is needed to ensure their safety.
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43
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Aron Badin R, Vadori M, Vanhove B, Nerriere-Daguin V, Naveilhan P, Neveu I, Jan C, Lévèque X, Venturi E, Mermillod P, Van Camp N, Dollé F, Guillermier M, Denaro L, Manara R, Citton V, Simioni P, Zampieri P, D'avella D, Rubello D, Fante F, Boldrin M, De Benedictis GM, Cavicchioli L, Sgarabotto D, Plebani M, Stefani AL, Brachet P, Blancho G, Soulillou JP, Hantraye P, Cozzi E. Cell Therapy for Parkinson's Disease: A Translational Approach to Assess the Role of Local and Systemic Immunosuppression. Am J Transplant 2016; 16:2016-29. [PMID: 26749114 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.13704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Revised: 11/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Neural transplantation is a promising therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases; however, many patients receiving intracerebral fetal allografts exhibit signs of immunization to donor antigens that could compromise the graft. In this context, we intracerebrally transplanted mesencephalic pig xenografts into primates to identify a suitable strategy to enable long-term cell survival, maturation, and differentiation. Parkinsonian primates received WT or CTLA4-Ig transgenic porcine xenografts and different durations of peripheral immunosuppression to test whether systemic plus graft-mediated local immunosuppression might avoid rejection. A striking recovery of spontaneous locomotion was observed in primates receiving systemic plus local immunosuppression for 6 mo. Recovery was associated with restoration of dopaminergic activity detected both by positron emission tomography imaging and histological examination. Local infiltration by T cells and CD80/86+ microglial cells expressing indoleamine 2,3-dioxigenase were observed only in CTLA4-Ig recipients. Results suggest that in this primate neurotransplantation model, peripheral immunosuppression is indispensable to achieve the long-term survival of porcine neuronal xenografts that is required to study the beneficial immunomodulatory effect of local blockade of T cell costimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Aron Badin
- MIRCen, CEA UMR 9199, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - M Vadori
- CORIT (Consortium for Research in Organ Transplantation), Padua, Italy
| | - B Vanhove
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale UMR1064, Nantes, France.,CHU de Nantes, Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - V Nerriere-Daguin
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale UMR1064, Nantes, France
| | - P Naveilhan
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale UMR913, Nantes, France
| | - I Neveu
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale UMR913, Nantes, France
| | - C Jan
- MIRCen, CEA UMR 9199, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - X Lévèque
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale UMR1064, Nantes, France
| | - E Venturi
- INRA Physio Reproduction Femelle CR de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - P Mermillod
- INRA Physio Reproduction Femelle CR de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - N Van Camp
- MIRCen, CEA UMR 9199, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - F Dollé
- CEA, I²BM, Service Hospitalier Frédéric Joliot, Orsay, France
| | | | - L Denaro
- Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - R Manara
- Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - V Citton
- Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - P Simioni
- Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - P Zampieri
- Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - D D'avella
- Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - D Rubello
- Nuclear Medicine, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Rovigo, Italy
| | - F Fante
- CORIT (Consortium for Research in Organ Transplantation), Padua, Italy
| | - M Boldrin
- CORIT (Consortium for Research in Organ Transplantation), Padua, Italy
| | - G M De Benedictis
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy
| | - L Cavicchioli
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy
| | - D Sgarabotto
- Transplant Infectious Disease Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - M Plebani
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - A L Stefani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - P Brachet
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale UMR1064, Nantes, France
| | - G Blancho
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale UMR1064, Nantes, France.,CHU de Nantes, Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - J P Soulillou
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale UMR1064, Nantes, France
| | - P Hantraye
- MIRCen, CEA UMR 9199, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - E Cozzi
- CORIT (Consortium for Research in Organ Transplantation), Padua, Italy.,Transplant Immunology Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
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Squecco R, Idrizaj E, Morelli A, Gallina P, Vannelli GB, Francini F. An electrophysiological study on the effects of BDNF and FGF2 on voltage dependent Ca(2+) currents in developing human striatal primordium. Mol Cell Neurosci 2016; 75:50-62. [PMID: 27370937 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2016.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, studies in both Huntington's disease animal models and pilot clinical trials have demonstrated that replacement of degenerated striatum and repair of circuitries by grafting fetal striatal primordium is feasible, safe and may counteract disease progression. However, a better comprehension of striatal ontogenesis is required to assess the fetal graft regenerative potential. During neuronal development, neurotrophins exert pleiotropic actions in regulating cell fate and synaptic plasticity. In this regard, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) are crucially implicated in the control of fate choice of striatal progenitor cells. In this study, we intended to refine the functional features of human striatal precursor (HSP) cells isolated from ganglionic eminence of 9-12week old human fetuses, by studying with electrophysiological methods the effect of BDNF and FGF2 on the membrane biophysical properties and the voltage-dependent Ca(2+) currents. These features are particularly relevant to evaluate neuronal cell functioning and can be considered reliable markers of the developmental phenotype of human striatal primordium. Our results have demonstrated that BDNF and FGF2 induced membrane hyperpolarization, increased the membrane capacitance and reduced the resting total and specific conductance values, suggesting a more efficient control of resting ionic fluxes. Moreover, the treatment with both neurotrophins enhanced N-type Ca(2+) current amplitude and reduced L- and T-type ones. Overall, our data indicate that BDNF and FGF2 may help HSP cells to attain a more functionally mature phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Squecco
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, viale Morgagni 63, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Eglantina Idrizaj
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, viale Morgagni 63, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Annamaria Morelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Pasquale Gallina
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Palagi 1, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Gabriella B Vannelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Francini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, viale Morgagni 63, 50134 Florence, Italy
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45
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Arndt JR, Chaibva M, Legleiter J. The emerging role of the first 17 amino acids of huntingtin in Huntington's disease. Biomol Concepts 2016; 6:33-46. [PMID: 25741791 DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2015-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by a polyglutamine (polyQ) domain that is expanded beyond a critical threshold near the N-terminus of the huntingtin (htt) protein, directly leading to htt aggregation. While full-length htt is a large (on the order of ∼350 kDa) protein, it is proteolyzed into a variety of N-terminal fragments that accumulate in oligomers, fibrils, and larger aggregates. It is clear that polyQ length is a key determinant of htt aggregation and toxicity. However, the flanking sequences around the polyQ domain, such as the first 17 amino acids on the N terminus (Nt17), influence aggregation, aggregate stability, influence other important biochemical properties of the protein and ultimately its role in pathogenesis. Here, we review the impact of Nt17 on htt aggregation mechanisms and kinetics, structural properties of Nt17 in both monomeric and aggregate forms, the potential role of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) that occur in Nt17 in HD, and the function of Nt17 as a membrane targeting domain.
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46
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Hong CJ, Park H, Yu SW. Autophagy for the quality control of adult hippocampal neural stem cells. Brain Res 2016; 1649:166-172. [PMID: 26969409 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.02.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy plays an important role in neurodegeneration, as well as in normal brain development and function. Recent studies have also implicated autophagy in the regulation of stemness and neurogenesis in neural stem cells (NSCs). However, little is known regarding the roles of autophagy in NSC biology. It has been shown that in addition to cytoprotective roles of autophagy, pro-death autophagy, or ׳autophagic cell death (ACD),' regulates the quantity of adult NSCs. A tight regulation of survival and death of NSCs residing in the neurogenic niches through programmed cell death (PCD) is critical for maintenance of adult neurogenesis. ACD plays a primary role in the death of adult hippocampal neural stem (HCN) cells following insulin withdrawal. Despite the normal apoptotic capability of HCN cells, they are committed to death by autophagy following insulin withdrawal, suggesting the existence of a unique regulatory program that controls the mode of cell death. We propose that dual roles of autophagy for maintenance of NSC pluripotency, as well as for elimination of defective NSCs, may serve as a combined NSC quality control mechanism. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI:Autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Jeeyeon Hong
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunhee Park
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Woon Yu
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Republic of Korea; Neurometabolomics Research Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Republic of Korea.
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47
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Liu L, Huang JS, Han C, Zhang GX, Xu XY, Shen Y, Li J, Jiang HY, Lin ZC, Xiong N, Wang T. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Huntington's Disease: Disease Modeling and the Potential for Cell-Based Therapy. Mol Neurobiol 2015; 53:6698-6708. [PMID: 26659595 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9601-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by motor dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and behavioral abnormalities. It is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene, resulting in progressive neuronal loss predominately in the striatum and cortex. Despite the discovery of the causative gene in 1993, the exact mechanisms underlying HD pathogenesis have yet to be elucidated. Treatments that slow or halt the disease process are currently unavailable. Recent advances in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies have transformed our ability to study disease in human neural cells. Here, we firstly review the progress made to model HD in vitro using patient-derived iPSCs, which reveal unique insights into illuminating molecular mechanisms and provide a novel human cell-based platform for drug discovery. We then highlight the promises and challenges for pluripotent stem cells that might be used as a therapeutic source for cell replacement therapy of the lost neurons in HD brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Liu
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jin-Sha Huang
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chao Han
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Guo-Xin Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiao-Yun Xu
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yan Shen
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hai-Yang Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhi-Cheng Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and Mailman Neuroscience Research Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Nian Xiong
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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Singh RK, Mallela RK, Cornuet PK, Reifler AN, Chervenak AP, West MD, Wong KY, Nasonkin IO. Characterization of Three-Dimensional Retinal Tissue Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells in Adherent Monolayer Cultures. Stem Cells Dev 2015; 24:2778-95. [PMID: 26283078 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2015.0144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-based therapy of retinal degenerative conditions is a promising modality to treat blindness, but requires new strategies to improve the number of functionally integrating cells. Grafting semidifferentiated retinal tissue rather than progenitors allows preservation of tissue structure and connectivity in retinal grafts, mandatory for vision restoration. Using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), we derived retinal tissue growing in adherent conditions consisting of conjoined neural retina and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and evaluated cell fate determination and maturation in this tissue. We found that deriving such tissue in adherent conditions robustly induces all eye field genes (RX, PAX6, LHX2, SIX3, SIX6) and produces four layers of pure populations of retinal cells: RPE (expressing NHERF1, EZRIN, RPE65, DCT, TYR, TYRP, MITF, PMEL), early photoreceptors (PRs) (coexpressing CRX and RCVRN), inner nuclear layer neurons (expressing CALB2), and retinal ganglion cells [RGCs, expressing BRN3B and Neurofilament (NF) 200]. Furthermore, we found that retinal progenitors divide at the apical side of the hESC-derived retinal tissue (next to the RPE layer) and then migrate toward the basal side, similar to that found during embryonic retinogenesis. We detected synaptogenesis in hESC-derived retinal tissue, and found neurons containing many synaptophysin-positive boutons within the RGC and PR layers. We also observed long NF200-positive axons projected by RGCs toward the apical side. Whole-cell recordings demonstrated that putative amacrine and/or ganglion cells exhibited electrophysiological responses reminiscent of those in normal retinal neurons. These responses included voltage-gated Na(+) and K(+) currents, depolarization-induced spiking, and responses to neurotransmitter receptor agonists. Differentiation in adherent conditions allows generation of long and flexible pieces of 3D retinal tissue suitable for isolating transplantable slices of tissue for retinal replacement therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratnesh K Singh
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Ramya K Mallela
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Pamela K Cornuet
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Aaron N Reifler
- 2 Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Andrew P Chervenak
- 2 Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Kwoon Y Wong
- 2 Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Igor O Nasonkin
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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49
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Ruiz-Arlandis G, Pieri L, Bousset L, Melki R. Binding, internalization and fate of Huntingtin Exon1 fibrillar assemblies in mitotic and nonmitotic neuroblastoma cells. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2015; 42:137-52. [PMID: 26111612 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The aggregation of Huntingtin (HTT) protein and of its moiety encoded by its Exon1 (HTTExon1) into fibrillar structures inside neurons is the molecular hallmark of Huntington's disease. Prion-like transmission of these aggregates between cells has been demonstrated. The cell-to-cell transmission mechanisms of these protein aggregates and the susceptibility of different kinds of neuronal cells to these toxic assemblies still need assessment. METHODS Here, we documented the binding to and internalization by differentiated and undifferentiated neuroblastoma cells of exogenous fibrillar HTTExon1 and polyglutamine (polyQ) polypeptides containing the same number of glutamines. We assessed the contribution of endocytosis to fibrillar HTTExon1 uptake, their intracellular localization and fate. RESULTS We observed that undifferentiated neuroblastoma cells were more susceptible to fibrillar HTTExon1 and polyQ than their differentiated counterparts. Furthermore, we demonstrated that exogenous HTTExon1 aggregates are mainly taken up by endocytosis and directed to lysosomal compartments in both mitotic and quiescent cells. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the rates of endocytic processes that differ in mitotic and quiescent cells strongly impact the uptake of exogenous HTTExon1 and polyQ fibrils. This may be either the consequence of distinct metabolisms or distributions of specific protein partners for amyloid-like assemblies at the surface of highly dividing versus quiescent cells. Our results highlight the importance of endocytic processes in the internalization of exogenous HTTExon1 fibrils and suggest that a proportion of those assemblies reach the cytosol where they can amplify by recruiting the endogenous protein after escaping, by yet an unknown process, from the endo-lysosomal compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ruiz-Arlandis
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - L Pieri
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - L Bousset
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - R Melki
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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50
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de Melo-Martín I, Hellmers N, Henchcliffe C. First-in-human cell transplant trials in Parkinson's disease: The need for an improved informed consent process. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2015; 21:829-32. [PMID: 26004682 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2015.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Revised: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
First-in-human clinical trials of innovative medical procedures, such as cell transplantation for Parkinson's disease, present a variety of ethical challenges. In an era of rapidly developing stem cell technologies likely to be translated into clinical trials over the next few years, it is critical that ethical concerns be fully considered. One important undertaking is ensuring that research participants give free and truly informed consent. This will necessitate adequate disclosure of risks and benefits at a time when these are incompletely defined; ensuring understanding of a complex research protocol when there is significant possibility of therapeutic misconception; and careful determination of capacity for informed consent in patients with a neurodegenerative disorder that is known to affect cognition. Here we call attention to the ethical issues that researchers conducting these types of trials will face when trying to obtain a genuinely informed consent, and we suggest possible solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada de Melo-Martín
- Division of Medical Ethics, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 402 East 67th Street, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Natalie Hellmers
- Weill Cornell Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Institute, Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 428 East 72nd Street, Suite 400, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Claire Henchcliffe
- Weill Cornell Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Institute, Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 428 East 72nd Street, Suite 400, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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