1
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Yamamuro-Tanabe A, Mukai Y, Kojima W, Zheng S, Matsumoto N, Takada S, Mizuhara M, Kosuge Y, Ishimaru Y, Yoshioka Y. An Increase in Peroxiredoxin 6 Expression Induces Neurotoxic A1 Astrocytes in the Lumbar Spinal Cord of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mice Model. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:3571-3584. [PMID: 37556038 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-04003-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe neurodegenerative disease with selective degeneration of motor neurons. It has been reported that an increase in the levels of inflammatory cytokines and glial cells such as reactive astrocytes is closely involved in the pathological progression of ALS. Recently, the levels of neuropathic cytotoxic (A1) astrocytes among reactive astrocytes have reportedly increased in the central nervous system of ALS mice, which induce motor neuron degeneration through the production of inflammatory cytokines and secretion of neuropathic factors. Hence, elucidating the induction mechanism of A1 astrocytes in ALS is important to understand the mechanism of disease progression in ALS. In this study, we observed that the expression of peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6), a member of the peroxiredoxin family, was markedly upregulated in astrocytes of the lumbar spinal cord of SOD1G93A mice model for ALS. Additionally, when PRDX6 was transiently transfected into the mouse astrocyte cell line C8-D1A and human astrocytoma cell line U-251 MG, the mRNA expression of complement C3 (a marker for A1 astrocyte phenotype) and inflammatory cytokines was increased. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of C3 and inflammatory cytokine was increased in C8-D1A and U-251 MG cells stably expressing PRDX6, and the increased mRNA expression was significantly suppressed by MJ33 (lithium[1-hexadecoxy-3-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy) propan-2-yl] methyl phosphate), an inhibitor of the phospholipase A2 activity of PRDX6. Our results suggest that the expression of PRDX6 in astrocytes plays an important role in the induction of A1 astrocytes and expression of inflammatory cytokines in the ALS mice model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Yamamuro-Tanabe
- Laboratory of Pharmacotherapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotoge-cho, Hirakata, Osaka, 573-0101, Japan
| | - Yurika Mukai
- Laboratory of Pharmacotherapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotoge-cho, Hirakata, Osaka, 573-0101, Japan
| | - Wataru Kojima
- Laboratory of Pharmacotherapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotoge-cho, Hirakata, Osaka, 573-0101, Japan
| | - Siyuan Zheng
- Laboratory of Pharmacotherapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotoge-cho, Hirakata, Osaka, 573-0101, Japan
| | - Naoko Matsumoto
- Laboratory of Pharmacotherapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotoge-cho, Hirakata, Osaka, 573-0101, Japan
| | - Shoho Takada
- Laboratory of Pharmacotherapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotoge-cho, Hirakata, Osaka, 573-0101, Japan
| | - Mao Mizuhara
- Laboratory of Pharmacotherapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotoge-cho, Hirakata, Osaka, 573-0101, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kosuge
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, Chiba, 274-8555, Japan
| | - Yuki Ishimaru
- Laboratory of Pharmacotherapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotoge-cho, Hirakata, Osaka, 573-0101, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Yoshioka
- Laboratory of Pharmacotherapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotoge-cho, Hirakata, Osaka, 573-0101, Japan.
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2
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Valori CF, Sulmona C, Brambilla L, Rossi D. Astrocytes: Dissecting Their Diverse Roles in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Cells 2023; 12:1450. [PMID: 37296571 PMCID: PMC10252425 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are fatal neurodegenerative disorders often co-occurring in the same patient, a feature that suggests a common origin of the two diseases. Consistently, pathological inclusions of the same proteins as well as mutations in the same genes can be identified in both ALS/FTD. Although many studies have described several disrupted pathways within neurons, glial cells are also regarded as crucial pathogenetic contributors in ALS/FTD. Here, we focus our attention on astrocytes, a heterogenous population of glial cells that perform several functions for optimal central nervous system homeostasis. Firstly, we discuss how post-mortem material from ALS/FTD patients supports astrocyte dysfunction around three pillars: neuroinflammation, abnormal protein aggregation, and atrophy/degeneration. Furthermore, we summarize current attempts at monitoring astrocyte functions in living patients using either novel imaging strategies or soluble biomarkers. We then address how astrocyte pathology is recapitulated in animal and cellular models of ALS/FTD and how we used these models both to understand the molecular mechanisms driving glial dysfunction and as platforms for pre-clinical testing of therapeutics. Finally, we present the current clinical trials for ALS/FTD, restricting our discussion to treatments that modulate astrocyte functions, directly or indirectly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara F. Valori
- Molecular Neuropathology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72072 Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Neuropathology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Claudia Sulmona
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Liliana Brambilla
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Daniela Rossi
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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3
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Filipi T, Matusova Z, Abaffy P, Vanatko O, Tureckova J, Benesova S, Kubiskova M, Kirdajova D, Zahumensky J, Valihrach L, Anderova M. Cortical glia in SOD1(G93A) mice are subtly affected by ALS-like pathology. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6538. [PMID: 37085528 PMCID: PMC10121704 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33608-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of glia in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is undeniable. Their disease-related activity has been extensively studied in the spinal cord, but only partly in the brain. We present herein a comprehensive study of glia in the cortex of SOD1(G93A) mice-a widely used model of ALS. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and immunohistochemistry, we inspected astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes, in four stages of the disease, respecting the factor of sex. We report minimal changes of glia throughout the disease progression and regardless of sex. Pseudobulk and single-cell analyses revealed subtle disease-related transcriptional alterations at the end-stage in microglia and oligodendrocytes, which were supported by immunohistochemistry. Therefore, our data support the hypothesis that the SOD1(G93A) mouse cortex does not recapitulate the disease in patients, and we recommend the use of a different model for future studies of the cortical ALS pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Filipi
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
- Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, 15006, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Matusova
- Laboratory of Gene Expression, Institute of Biotechnology CAS, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 12800, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Abaffy
- Laboratory of Gene Expression, Institute of Biotechnology CAS, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Vanatko
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
- Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, 15006, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Tureckova
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Sarka Benesova
- Laboratory of Gene Expression, Institute of Biotechnology CAS, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic
- Department of Informatics and Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technicka 5, 16628, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Kubiskova
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Denisa Kirdajova
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Zahumensky
- Department of Functional Organization of Biomembranes, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Valihrach
- Laboratory of Gene Expression, Institute of Biotechnology CAS, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic.
| | - Miroslava Anderova
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic.
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4
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Huang YJ, Hung CC, Hsu PC, Lee PY, Tsai YA, Hsin YC, Lee XT, Chou CC, Chen ML, Tarng DC, Lee YH. Astrocytic aryl hydrocarbon receptor mediates chronic kidney disease-associated mental disorders involving GLT1 hypofunction and neuronal activity enhancement in the mouse brain. Glia 2023; 71:1057-1080. [PMID: 36573349 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24326] [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: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated mental disorders have been attributed to the excessive accumulation of hemodialysis-resistant indoxyl-3-sulfate (I3S) in the brain. I3S not only induces oxidative stress but is also a potent endogenous agonist of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Here, we investigated the role of AhR in CKD-induced brain disorders using a 5/6 nephrectomy-induced CKD mouse model, which showed increased I3S concentration in both blood and brain, anxiety and impaired novelty recognition, and AhR activation in the anterior cortex. GFAP+ reactive astrocytes were increased accompanied with the reduction of glutamate transporter 1 (GLT1) on perineuronal astrocytic processes (PAPs) in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in CKD mice, and these alterations were attenuated in both neural lineage-specific and astrocyte-specific Ahr conditional knockout mice (nAhrCKO and aAhrCKO). By using chronic I3S treatment in primary astrocytes and glia-neuron (GN) mix cultures to mimic the CKD brain microenvironment, we also found significant reduction of GLT1 expression and activity in an AhR-dependent manner. Chronic I3S treatment induced AhR-dependent pro-oxidant Nox1 and AhR-independent anti-oxidant HO-1 expressions. Notably, AhR mediates chronic I3S-induced neuronal activity enhancement and synaptotoxicity in GN mix, not neuron-enriched cortical culture. In CKD mice, neuronal activity enhancement was observed in ACC and hippocampal CA1, and these responses were abrogated by both nAhrCKO and aAhrCKO. Finally, intranasal AhR antagonist CH-223191 administration significantly ameliorated the GLT1/PAPs reduction, increase in c-Fos+ neurons, and memory impairment in the CKD mice. Thus, astrocytic AhR plays a crucial role in the CKD-induced disturbance of neuron-astrocyte interaction and mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jie Huang
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chi Hung
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chien Hsu
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Yi Lee
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-An Tsai
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chiao Hsin
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Xie-Ting Lee
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Cheng Chou
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Lien Chen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Der-Cherng Tarng
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsuan Lee
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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5
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Region-Specific Characteristics of Astrocytes and Microglia: A Possible Involvement in Aging and Diseases. Cells 2022; 11:cells11121902. [PMID: 35741031 PMCID: PMC9220858 DOI: 10.3390/cells11121902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although different regions of the brain are dedicated to specific functions, the intra- and inter-regional heterogeneity of astrocytes and microglia in these regions has not yet been fully understood. Recently, an advancement in various technologies, such as single-cell RNA sequencing, has allowed for the discovery of astrocytes and microglia with distinct molecular fingerprints and varying functions in the brain. In addition, the regional heterogeneity of astrocytes and microglia exhibits different functions in several situations, such as aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, investigating the region-specific astrocytes and microglia is important in understanding the overall function of the brain. In this review, we summarize up-to-date research on various intra- and inter-regional heterogeneities of astrocytes and microglia, and provide information on how they can be applied to aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
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6
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Logan R, Dubel-Haag J, Schcolnicov N, Miller SJ. Novel Genetic Signatures Associated With Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Genet 2022; 13:851496. [PMID: 35401706 PMCID: PMC8986983 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.851496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a complex polygenetic neurodegenerative disorder. Establishing a diagnosis for ALS is a challenging and lengthy process. By the time a diagnosis is made, the lifespan prognosis is only about two to 5 years. Genetic testing can be critical in assessing a patient’s risk for ALS, provided they have one of the known familial genes. However, the vast majority of ALS cases are sporadic and have no known associated genetic signatures. Our analysis of the whole genome sequencing data from ALS patients and healthy controls from the Answer ALS Consortium has uncovered twenty-three novel mutations in twenty-two protein-coding genes associated with sporadic ALS cases. The results show the majority of patients with the sporadic form of ALS have at least one or more mutation(s) in the 22 genes we have identified with probabilities of developing ALS ranging from 25–99%, depending on the number of mutations a patient has among the identified genes. Moreover, we have identified a subset of the ALS cohort that has >17 mutations in the 22 identified. In this case, a patient with this mutation profile has a 99% chance of developing ALS and could be classified as being at high risk for the disease. These genetic biomarkers can be used as an early ALS disease diagnostic tool with a rapid and non-invasive technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Logan
- Pluripotent Diagnostics Corp, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
- Department of Biology, Eastern Nazarene College, Quincy, MA, United States
| | | | | | - Sean J. Miller
- Pluripotent Diagnostics Corp, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
- *Correspondence: Sean J. Miller,
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7
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Martins-Macedo J, Lepore AC, Domingues HS, Salgado AJ, Gomes ED, Pinto L. Glial restricted precursor cells in central nervous system disorders: Current applications and future perspectives. Glia 2020; 69:513-531. [PMID: 33052610 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The crosstalk between glial cells and neurons represents an exceptional feature for maintaining the normal function of the central nervous system (CNS). Increasing evidence has revealed the importance of glial progenitor cells in adult neurogenesis, reestablishment of cellular pools, neuroregeneration, and axonal (re)myelination. Several types of glial progenitors have been described, as well as their potentialities for recovering the CNS from certain traumas or pathologies. Among these precursors, glial-restricted precursor cells (GRPs) are considered the earliest glial progenitors and exhibit tripotency for both Type I/II astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. GRPs have been derived from embryos and embryonic stem cells in animal models and have maintained their capacity for self-renewal. Despite the relatively limited knowledge regarding the isolation, characterization, and function of these progenitors, GRPs are promising candidates for transplantation therapy and reestablishment/repair of CNS functions in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as in traumatic injuries. Herein, we review the definition, isolation, characterization and potentialities of GRPs as cell-based therapies in different neurological conditions. We briefly discuss the implications of using GRPs in CNS regenerative medicine and their possible application in a clinical setting. MAIN POINTS: GRPs are progenitors present in the CNS with differentiation potential restricted to the glial lineage. These cells have been employed in the treatment of a myriad of neurodegenerative and traumatic pathologies, accompanied by promising results, herein reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Martins-Macedo
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Angelo C Lepore
- Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Helena S Domingues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António J Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Eduardo D Gomes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Luísa Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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8
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Trujillo-Estrada L, Gomez-Arboledas A, Forner S, Martini AC, Gutierrez A, Baglietto-Vargas D, LaFerla FM. Astrocytes: From the Physiology to the Disease. Curr Alzheimer Res 2020; 16:675-698. [PMID: 31470787 DOI: 10.2174/1567205016666190830110152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes are key cells for adequate brain formation and regulation of cerebral blood flow as well as for the maintenance of neuronal metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis and exocytosis, and synaptic transmission. Many of these functions are intrinsically related to neurodegeneration, allowing refocusing on the role of astrocytes in physiological and neurodegenerative states. Indeed, emerging evidence in the field indicates that abnormalities in the astrocytic function are involved in the pathogenesis of multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), Huntington's Disease (HD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). In the present review, we highlight the physiological role of astrocytes in the CNS, including their communication with other cells in the brain. Furthermore, we discuss exciting findings and novel experimental approaches that elucidate the role of astrocytes in multiple neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Trujillo-Estrada
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4545, United States
| | - Angela Gomez-Arboledas
- Department of Cell Biology, Genetic and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Malaga-IBIMA, Malaga, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Stefânia Forner
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4545, United States
| | - Alessandra Cadete Martini
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4545, United States
| | - Antonia Gutierrez
- Department of Cell Biology, Genetic and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Malaga-IBIMA, Malaga, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - David Baglietto-Vargas
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4545, United States.,Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - Frank M LaFerla
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4545, United States.,Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
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9
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Izrael M, Slutsky SG, Revel M. Rising Stars: Astrocytes as a Therapeutic Target for ALS Disease. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:824. [PMID: 32848579 PMCID: PMC7399224 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multifactorial disease, characterized by a progressive loss of motor neurons that eventually leads to paralysis and death. The current ALS-approved drugs modestly change the clinical course of the disease. The mechanism by which motor neurons progressively degenerate remains unclear but entails a non-cell autonomous process. Astrocytes impaired biological functionality were implicated in multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Alzheimer disease (AD). In ALS disease patients, A1 reactive astrocytes were found to play a key role in the pathology of ALS disease and death of motor neurons, via loss or gain of function or acquired toxicity. The contribution of astrocytes to the maintenance of motor neurons by diverse mechanisms makes them a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of ALS. Therapeutic approaches targeting at modulating the function of endogenous astrocytes or replacing lost functionality by transplantation of healthy astrocytes, may contribute to the development of therapies which might slow down or even halt the progression ALS diseases. The proposed mechanisms by which astrocytes can potentially ameliorate ALS progression and the status of ALS clinical studies involving astrocytes are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Izrael
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department at Kadimastem Ltd., Nes-Ziona, Israel
| | - Shalom Guy Slutsky
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department at Kadimastem Ltd., Nes-Ziona, Israel
| | - Michel Revel
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department at Kadimastem Ltd., Nes-Ziona, Israel.,Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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10
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Clarke BE, Taha DM, Tyzack GE, Patani R. Regionally encoded functional heterogeneity of astrocytes in health and disease: A perspective. Glia 2020; 69:20-27. [PMID: 32749770 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence has suggested that astrocytes demonstrate striking regionally allocated functional heterogeneity. Here, we discuss how this spatiotemporally encoded diversity determines the astrocytic phenotype along a finely grained spectrum from neuroprotective to deleterious states. With increasing recognition of their diverse and evolving roles in the central neuraxis, astrocytes now represent a tractable cellular target for therapies aiming to restore neural circuit integrity in a broad range of neurodegenerative disorders. Understanding the determinants of astrocyte physiology along with the true extent of heterogeneity in their regional and subregional functions will ultimately inform therapeutic strategy in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin E Clarke
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK.,The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Doaa M Taha
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK.,The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Giulia E Tyzack
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK.,The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Rickie Patani
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK.,The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
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11
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Miller SJ, Glatzer JC, Hsieh YC, Rothstein JD. Cortical astroglia undergo transcriptomic dysregulation in the G93A SOD1 ALS mouse model. J Neurogenet 2018; 32:322-335. [PMID: 30398075 PMCID: PMC6444185 DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2018.1513508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Astroglia are the most abundant glia cell in the central nervous system, playing essential roles in maintaining homeostasis. Key functions of astroglia include, but are not limited to, neurotransmitter recycling, ion buffering, immune modulation, neurotrophin secretion, neuronal synaptogenesis and elimination, and blood-brain barrier maintenance. In neurological diseases, it is well appreciated that astroglia play crucial roles in the disease pathogenesis. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a motor neuron degenerative disease, astroglia in the spinal cord and cortex downregulate essential transporters, among other proteins, that exacerbate disease progression. Spinal cord astroglia undergo dramatic transcriptome dysregulation. However, in the cortex, it has not been well studied what effects glia, especially astroglia, have on upper motor neurons in the pathology of ALS. To begin to shed light on the involvement and dysregulation that astroglia undergo in ALS, we isolated pure grey-matter cortical astroglia and subjected them to microarray analysis. We uncovered a vast number of genes that show dysregulation at end-stage in the ALS mouse model, G93A SOD1. Many of these genes play essential roles in ion homeostasis and the Wnt-signaling pathway. Several of these dysregulated genes are common in ALS spinal cord astroglia, while many of them are unique. This database serves as an approach for understanding the significance of dysfunctional genes and pathways in cortical astroglia in the context of motor neuron disease, as well as determining regional astroglia heterogeneity, and providing insight into ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J. Miller
- Dept. of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
- The Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Jenna C. Glatzer
- Dept. of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
- The Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Yi-chun Hsieh
- Dept. of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
- The Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Jeffrey D. Rothstein
- Dept. of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
- The Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
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12
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Miller SJ. Astrocyte Heterogeneity in the Adult Central Nervous System. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:401. [PMID: 30524236 PMCID: PMC6262303 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the central nervous system (CNS), providing critical roles in the overall maintenance and homeostasis. Over 100 years ago, Cajal first showed morphological depictions of different astrocyte populations. Surprisingly, to date astrocytes remain classified in two groups based on their morphological and neuroanatomical positioning. However, accumulating evidence over the past few years is showing that astrocytes are highly diverse throughout the CNS. Astrocyte heterogeneity is not surprisingly, as these cells interact with all other cells in the CNS. Like neurons, astrocytes may also have subpopulations that vary in their functionality. In this mini review, we will explore some of the recent evidence in the adult CNS of astrocyte diversity. First, we will review the very little literature on healthy adult astroglia heterogeneity, followed by the identification of different subpopulations in disease states and how this varies between human and mouse. Exploring this new area of neuroscience will hopefully provide researchers with a new perspective on astrocytes and their heterogeneity throughout the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J Miller
- Laboratory of Tony Wyss-Coray, Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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13
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Pehar M, Harlan BA, Killoy KM, Vargas MR. Role and Therapeutic Potential of Astrocytes in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Curr Pharm Des 2017; 23:5010-5021. [PMID: 28641533 PMCID: PMC5740017 DOI: 10.2174/1381612823666170622095802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 06/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord, brain stem, and motor cortex. The molecular mechanism underlying the progressive degeneration of motor neuron remains uncertain but involves a non-cell autonomous process. In acute injury or degenerative diseases astrocytes adopt a reactive phenotype known as astrogliosis. Astrogliosis is a complex remodeling of astrocyte biology and most likely represents a continuum of potential phenotypes that affect neuronal function and survival in an injury-specific manner. In ALS patients, reactive astrocytes surround both upper and lower degenerating motor neurons and play a key role in the pathology. It has become clear that astrocytes play a major role in ALS pathology. Through loss of normal function or acquired new characteristics, astrocytes are able to influence motor neuron fate and the progression of the disease. The use of different cell culture models indicates that ALS-astrocytes are able to induce motor neuron death by secreting a soluble factor(s). Here, we discuss several pathogenic mechanisms that have been proposed to explain astrocyte-mediated motor neuron death in ALS. In addition, examples of strategies that revert astrocyte-mediated motor neuron toxicity are reviewed to illustrate the therapeutic potential of astrocytes in ALS. Due to the central role played by astrocytes in ALS pathology, therapies aimed at modulating astrocyte biology may contribute to the development of integral therapeutic approaches to halt ALS progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Pehar
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Benjamin A. Harlan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kelby M. Killoy
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Marcelo R. Vargas
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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