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Nowak I, Paździor M, Sarna R, Madej M. Molecular Mechanisms in the Design of Novel Targeted Therapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:5436-5453. [PMID: 38920997 PMCID: PMC11202845 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46060325] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are a diverse group of diseases characterized by a progressive loss of neurological function due to damage to nerve cells in the central nervous system. In recent years, there has been a worldwide increase in the expanding associated with increasing human life expectancy. Molecular mechanisms control many of the essential life processes of cells, such as replication, transcription, translation, protein synthesis and gene regulation. These are complex interactions that form the basis for understanding numerous processes in the organism and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. In the context of neurodegenerative diseases, molecular basis refers to changes at the molecular level that cause damage to or degeneration of nerve cells. These may include protein aggregates leading to pathological structures in brain cells, impaired protein transport in nerve cells, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory processes or genetic mutations that impair nerve cell function. New medical therapies are based on these mechanisms and include gene therapies, reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress, and the use of miRNAs and regenerative medicine. The aim of this study was to bring together the current state of knowledge regarding selected neurodegenerative diseases, presenting the underlying molecular mechanisms involved, which could be potential targets for new forms of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Nowak
- Silesia LabMed, Centre for Research and Implementation, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 18 Medykow Str., 40-752 Katowice, Poland; (M.P.); (R.S.); (M.M.)
| | - Marlena Paździor
- Silesia LabMed, Centre for Research and Implementation, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 18 Medykow Str., 40-752 Katowice, Poland; (M.P.); (R.S.); (M.M.)
| | - Robert Sarna
- Silesia LabMed, Centre for Research and Implementation, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 18 Medykow Str., 40-752 Katowice, Poland; (M.P.); (R.S.); (M.M.)
| | - Marcel Madej
- Silesia LabMed, Centre for Research and Implementation, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 18 Medykow Str., 40-752 Katowice, Poland; (M.P.); (R.S.); (M.M.)
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
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2
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Lin NH, Jian WS, Snider N, Perng MD. Glial fibrillary acidic protein is pathologically modified in Alexander disease. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107402. [PMID: 38782207 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107402] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Here, we describe pathological events potentially involved in the disease pathogenesis of Alexander disease (AxD). This is a primary genetic disorder of astrocyte caused by dominant gain-of-function mutations in the gene coding for an intermediate filament protein glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Pathologically, this disease is characterized by the upregulation of GFAP and its accumulation as Rosenthal fibers. Although the genetic basis linking GFAP mutations with Alexander disease has been firmly established, the initiating events that promote GFAP accumulation and the role of Rosenthal fibers (RFs) in the disease process remain unknown. Here, we investigate the hypothesis that disease-associated mutations promote GFAP aggregation through aberrant posttranslational modifications. We found high molecular weight GFAP species in the RFs of AxD brains, indicating abnormal GFAP crosslinking as a prominent pathological feature of this disease. In vitro and cell-based studies demonstrate that cystine-generating mutations promote GFAP crosslinking by cysteine-dependent oxidation, resulting in defective GFAP assembly and decreased filament solubility. Moreover, we found GFAP was ubiquitinated in RFs of AxD patients and rodent models, supporting this modification as a critical factor linked to GFAP aggregation. Finally, we found that arginine could increase the solubility of aggregation-prone mutant GFAP by decreasing its ubiquitination and aggregation. Our study suggests a series of pathogenic events leading to AxD, involving interplay between GFAP aggregation and abnormal modifications by GFAP ubiquitination and oxidation. More important, our findings provide a basis for investigating new strategies to treat AxD by targeting abnormal GFAP modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni-Hsuan Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Syuan Jian
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Natasha Snider
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ming-Der Perng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
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Dong L, Shang L, Liu C, Mao C, Huang X, Chu S, Peng B, Cui L, Gao J. Genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity among Chinese pediatric genetic white matter disorders. Ital J Pediatr 2023; 49:155. [PMID: 37981684 PMCID: PMC10658925 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-023-01555-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pediatric genetic white matter disorders are characterized by a broad disease spectrum. Genetic testing is valuable in the diagnosis. However, there are few studies on the clinical and genetic spectrum of Chinese pediatric genetic white matter disorders. METHODS The participants were enrolled from the cohort of Peking Union Medical College Hospital. They all received history collection, brain MRI and gene sequencing. Their neurologic complaints which were related to white matter disorders occurred before 18. Brain MRI indicated periventricular and/or deep white matter lesions, fazekas grade 2-3. RESULTS Among the 13 subjects, there were 11 males and two females. The average age of onset was 10.0 ± 5.5 years old. The potential genetic variants were found in 84.6% (11/13) subjects. The ABCD1 showed the greatest mutation frequency (30.8%, 4/13). The EIF2B3 A151fs, EIF2B4 c.885 + 2T > G, EIF2B5 R129X and MPV17 Q142X were novel pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants. 100% (4/4) ABCD1 carriers were accompanied by visual impairment, whereas 100% (3/3) EIF2B carriers developed dysuria. 100% (4/4) ABCD1 carriers exhibited diffuse white matter hyperintensities mainly in the posterior cortical regions, while the EIF2B4 and EIF2B5 carriers were accompanied by cystic degeneration. CONCLUSION There is genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity among Chinese subjects with pediatric genetic white matter disorders. The knowledge of these clinical and genetic characteristics facilitates an accurate diagnosis of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liling Dong
- Neurology department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng district, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Li Shang
- Neurology department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng district, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Caiyan Liu
- Neurology department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng district, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Chenhui Mao
- Neurology department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng district, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Xinying Huang
- Neurology department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng district, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Shanshan Chu
- Neurology department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng district, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Bin Peng
- Neurology department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng district, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Liying Cui
- Neurology department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng district, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Jing Gao
- Neurology department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng district, Beijing, 100005, China.
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Pajares MA, Hernández-Gerez E, Pekny M, Pérez-Sala D. Alexander disease: the road ahead. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:2156-2160. [PMID: 37056123 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.369097] [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: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Alexander disease is a rare neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the glial fibrillary acidic protein, a type III intermediate filament protein expressed in astrocytes. Both early (infantile or juvenile) and adult onsets of the disease are known and, in both cases, astrocytes present characteristic aggregates, named Rosenthal fibers. Mutations are spread along the glial fibrillary acidic protein sequence disrupting the typical filament network in a dominant manner. Although the presence of aggregates suggests a proteostasis problem of the mutant forms, this behavior is also observed when the expression of wild-type glial fibrillary acidic protein is increased. Additionally, several isoforms of glial fibrillary acidic protein have been described to date, while the impact of the mutations on their expression and proportion has not been exhaustively studied. Moreover, the posttranslational modification patterns and/or the protein-protein interaction networks of the glial fibrillary acidic protein mutants may be altered, leading to functional changes that may modify the morphology, positioning, and/or the function of several organelles, in turn, impairing astrocyte normal function and subsequently affecting neurons. In particular, mitochondrial function, redox balance and susceptibility to oxidative stress may contribute to the derangement of glial fibrillary acidic protein mutant-expressing astrocytes. To study the disease and to develop putative therapeutic strategies, several experimental models have been developed, a collection that is in constant growth. The fact that most cases of Alexander disease can be related to glial fibrillary acidic protein mutations, together with the availability of new and more relevant experimental models, holds promise for the design and assay of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María A Pajares
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Hernández-Gerez
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Milos Pekny
- Laboratory of Astrocyte Biology and CNS Regeneration, Center for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Dolores Pérez-Sala
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Madrid, Spain
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Anis S, Fay-Karmon T, Lassman S, Shbat F, Lesman-Segev O, Mor N, Barel O, Dominissini D, Chorin O, Pras E, Greenbaum L, Hassin-Baer S. Adult-onset Alexander disease among patients of Jewish Syrian descent. Neurogenetics 2023; 24:303-310. [PMID: 37658208 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-023-00732-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare autosomal dominant leukodystrophy caused by heterozygous mutations in the glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) gene. The age of symptoms onset ranges from infancy to adulthood, with variable clinical and radiological manifestations. Adult-onset AxD manifests as a chronic and progressive condition, characterized by bulbar, motor, cerebellar, and other clinical signs and symptoms. Neuroradiological findings typically involve the brainstem and cervical spinal cord. Adult-onset AxD has been described in diverse populations but is rare in Israel. We present a series of patients diagnosed with adult-onset AxD from three families, all of Jewish Syrian descent. Five patients (4 females) were diagnosed with adult-onset AxD due to the heterozygous mutation c.219G > A, p.Met73Ile in GFAP. Age at symptoms onset ranged from 48 to 61 years. Clinical characteristics were typical and involved progressive bulbar and gait disturbance, followed by pyramidal and cerebellar impairment, dysautonomia, and cognitive decline. Imaging findings included medullary and cervical spinal atrophy and mostly infratentorial white matter hyperintensities. A newly recognized cluster of adult-onset AxD in Jews of Syrian origin is presented. This disorder should be considered in differential diagnosis in appropriate circumstances. Genetic counselling for family members is required in order to discuss options for future family planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saar Anis
- Movement Disorders Institute and Department of Neurology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tsvia Fay-Karmon
- Movement Disorders Institute and Department of Neurology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Simon Lassman
- St George's Hospital, University of London, London, UK
- Arrow Project for Medical Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Fadi Shbat
- Movement Disorders Institute and Department of Neurology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Orit Lesman-Segev
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Nofar Mor
- Cancer Research Center and Wohl Institute for Translational Medicine, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ortal Barel
- Cancer Research Center and Wohl Institute for Translational Medicine, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Dan Dominissini
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Cancer Research Center and Wohl Institute for Translational Medicine, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Odelia Chorin
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Institute of Rare Diseases, Lily and Edmond Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Elon Pras
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Lior Greenbaum
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Sharon Hassin-Baer
- Movement Disorders Institute and Department of Neurology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Abdelrahman SA, El-Shal AS, Abdelrahman AA, Saleh EZH, Mahmoud AA. Neuroprotective effects of quercetin on the cerebellum of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnoNps)-exposed rats. Tissue Barriers 2023; 11:2115273. [PMID: 35996208 PMCID: PMC10364653 DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2022.2115273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered nanomaterials induce hazardous effects at the cellular and molecular levels. We investigated different mechanisms underlying the neurotoxic potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) on cerebellar tissue and clarified the ameliorative role of Quercetin supplementation. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into control group (I), ZnONPs-exposed group (II), and ZnONPs and Quercetin group (III). Oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA & TOS), antioxidant biomarkers (SOD, GSH, GR, and TAC), serum interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured. Serum micro-RNA (miRNA): miRNA-21-5p, miRNA-122-5p, miRNA-125b-5p, and miRNA-155-3p expression levels were quantified by real-time quantitative polymerase-chain reaction (RT-QPCR). Cerebellar tissue sections were stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin and Silver stains and examined microscopically. Expression levels of Calbindin D28k, GFAP, and BAX proteins in cerebellar tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. Quercetin supplementation lowered oxidative stress biomarkers levels and ameliorated the antioxidant parameters that were decreased by ZnONPs. No significant differences in GR activity were detected between the study groups. ZnONPs significantly increased serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α which were improved with Quercetin. Serum miRNA-21-5p, miRNA-122-5p, miRNA-125b-5p, and miRNA-155-p expression levels showed significant increase in ZnONPs group, while no significant difference was observed between Quercetin-treated group and control group. ZnONPs markedly impaired cerebellar tissue structure with decreased levels of calbindin D28k, increased BAX and GFAP expression. Quercetin supplementation ameliorated cerebellar tissue apoptosis, gliosis and improved calbindin levels. In conclusion: Quercetin supplementation ameliorated cerebellar neurotoxicity induced by ZnONPs at cellular and molecular basis by different studied mechanisms.Abbreviations: NPs: Nanoparticles, ROS: reactive oxygen species, ZnONPs: Zinc oxide nanoparticles, AgNPs: silver nanoparticles, BBB: blood-brain barrier, ncRNAs: Non-coding RNAs, miRNA: Micro RNA, DMSO: Dimethyl sulfoxide, LPO: lipid peroxidation, MDA: malondialdehyde, TBA: thiobarbituric acid, TOS: total oxidative status, ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, H2O2: hydrogen peroxide, SOD: superoxide dismutase, GR: glutathione reductase, TAC: total antioxidant capacity, IL-1: interleukin-1, TNF: tumor necrosis factor alpha, cDNA: complementary DNA, RT-QPCR: Real-time quantitative polymerase-chain reaction, ABC: Avidin biotin complex technique, DAB: 3', 3-diaminobenzidine, SPSS: Statistical Package for Social Sciences, ANOVA: One way analysis of variance, Tukey's HSD: Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference, GFAP: glial fiberillar acitic protein, iNOS: Inducible nitric oxide synthase, NO: nitric oxide, HO-1: heme oxygenase-1, Nrf2: nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, NF-B: nuclear factor-B, SCI: spinal cord injury, CB: Calbindin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaimaa A. Abdelrahman
- Medical Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Amal S. El-Shal
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Armed Forces College of Medicine (AFCM), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Abeer A. Abdelrahman
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Ebtehal Zaid Hassen Saleh
- Medical Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Abeer A. Mahmoud
- Medical Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
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Shiohama T, Stewart N, Nangaku M, van der Kouwe AJ, Takahashi E. Identification of association fibers using ex vivo diffusion tractography in Alexander disease brains. J Neuroimaging 2022; 32:866-874. [PMID: 35983725 PMCID: PMC9474676 DOI: 10.1111/jon.13040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Alexander disease (AxD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by heterozygous Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein mutation. The characteristic structural findings of AxD, such as leukodystrophic features, are well known, while association fibers of AxD remain uninvestigated. The aim of this study was to explore global and subcortical fibers in four brains with AxD using ex vivo diffusion tractography METHODS: High-angular-resolution diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (HARDI) tractography and diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) tractography were used to evaluate long and short association fibers and compared to histological findings in brain specimens obtained from four donors with AxD and two donors without neurological disorders RESULTS: AxD brains showed impairment of long association fibers, except for the arcuate fasciculus and cingulum bundle, and abnormal trajectories of the inferior longitudinal and fronto-occipital fasciculi on HARDI tractography and loss of multidirectionality in subcortical fibers on DTI tractography. In histological studies, AxD brains showed diffuse low density on Klüver-Barrera and neurofilament staining and sporadic Rosenthal fibers on hematoxylin and eosin staining CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the spatial distribution of degenerations of short and long association fibers in AxD brains using combined tractography and pathological findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Shiohama
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Natalie Stewart
- College of Science, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Andre J.W. van der Kouwe
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02144, USA
| | - Emi Takahashi
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Viedma-Poyatos Á, González-Jiménez P, Pajares MA, Pérez-Sala D. Alexander disease GFAP R239C mutant shows increased susceptibility to lipoxidation and elicits mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Redox Biol 2022; 55:102415. [PMID: 35933901 PMCID: PMC9364016 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alexander disease is a fatal neurological disorder caused by mutations in the intermediate filament protein Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), which is key for astrocyte homeostasis. These mutations cause GFAP aggregation, astrocyte dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Remarkably, most of the known GFAP mutations imply a change by more nucleophilic amino acids, mainly cysteine or histidine, which are more susceptible to oxidation and lipoxidation. Therefore, we hypothesized that a higher susceptibility of Alexander disease GFAP mutants to oxidative or electrophilic damage, which frequently occurs during neurodegeneration, could contribute to disease pathogenesis. To address this point, we have expressed GFP-GFAP wild type or the harmful Alexander disease GFP-GFAP R239C mutant in astrocytic cells. Interestingly, GFAP R239C appears more oxidized than the wild type under control conditions, as indicated both by its lower cysteine residue accessibility and increased presence of disulfide-bonded oligomers. Moreover, GFP-GFAP R239C undergoes lipoxidation to a higher extent than GFAP wild type upon treatment with the electrophilic mediator 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2). Importantly, GFAP R239C filament organization is altered in untreated cells and is earlier and more severely disrupted than GFAP wild type upon exposure to oxidants (diamide, H2O2) or electrophiles (4-hydroxynonenal, 15d-PGJ2), which exacerbate GFAP R239C aggregation. Furthermore, H2O2 causes reversible alterations in GFAP wild type, but irreversible damage in GFAP R239C expressing cells. Finally, we show that GFAP R239C expression induces a more oxidized cellular status, with decreased free thiol content and increased mitochondrial superoxide generation. In addition, mitochondria show decreased mass, increased colocalization with GFAP and altered morphology. Notably, a GFP-GFAP R239H mutant recapitulates R239C-elicited alterations whereas an R239G mutant induces a milder phenotype. Together, our results outline a deleterious cycle involving altered GFAP R239C organization, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and further GFAP R239C protein damage and network disruption, which could contribute to astrocyte derangement in Alexander disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Viedma-Poyatos
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia González-Jiménez
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - María A Pajares
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores Pérez-Sala
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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Yang AW, Lin NH, Yeh TH, Snider N, Perng MD. Effects of Alexander disease-associated mutations on the assembly and organization of GFAP intermediate filaments. Mol Biol Cell 2022; 33:ar69. [PMID: 35511821 PMCID: PMC9635275 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-01-0013] [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] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Alexander disease is a primary genetic disorder of astrocytes caused by dominant mutations in the gene encoding glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). How single-amino-acid changes can lead to cytoskeletal catastrophe and brain degeneration remains poorly understood. In this study, we have analyzed 14 missense mutations located in the GFAP rod domain to investigate how these mutations affect in vitro filament assembly. Whereas the internal rod mutants assembled into filaments that were shorter than those of wild type, the rod end mutants formed structures with one or more of several atypical characteristics, including short filament length, irregular width, roughness of filament surface, and filament aggregation. When transduced into primary astrocytes, GFAP mutants with in vitro assembly defects usually formed cytoplasmic aggregates, which were more resistant to biochemical extraction. The resistance of GFAP to solubilization was also observed in brain tissues of patients with Alexander disease, in which a significant proportion of insoluble GFAP were accumulated in Rosenthal fiber fractions. These findings provide clinically relevant evidence that link GFAP assembly defects to disease pathology at the tissue level and suggest that altered filament assembly and properties as a result of GFAP mutation are critical initiating factors for the pathogenesis of Alexander disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Wen Yang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Ni-Hsuan Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Hung Yeh
- Department of Medical Science, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Natasha Snider
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Ming-Der Perng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan,Department of Medical Science, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan,*Address correspondence to: Ming-Der Perng ()
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10
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Kang YR, Lee SH, Lin NH, Lee SJ, Yang AW, Chandrasekaran G, Kang KW, Jin MS, Kim MK, Perng MD, Choi SY, Nam TS. A novel in-frame GFAP p.E138_L148del mutation in Type II Alexander disease with atypical phenotypes. Eur J Hum Genet 2022; 30:687-694. [PMID: 35246666 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-022-01073-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is a neurodegenerative astrogliopathy caused by mutation in the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene. A 42-year-old Korean man presented with temporary gait disturbance and psychiatric regression after a minor head trauma in the absence of bulbar symptoms and signs. Magnetic resonance images of the brain and spinal cord showed significant atrophy of the medulla oblongata and the entire spinal cord as well as contrast-enhanced T2 hypointensity in the basal ganglia. DNA sequencing revealed a novel 33-bp in-frame deletion mutation (p.Glu138_Leu148del) within the 1B rod domain of GFAP, which was predicted to be deleterious by PROVEAN analysis. To test whether the deletion mutant is disease-causing, we performed in vitro GFAP assembly and sedimentation assays, and GFAP aggregation assays in human adrenal carcinoma SW13 (Vim-) cells and rat primary astrocytes. All the assays revealed that GFAP p.Glu138_Leu148del is aggregation prone. Based on these findings, we diagnosed the patient with Type II AxD. This is a report that demonstrates the pathogenicity of InDel mutation of GFAP through functional studies. This patient's atypical presentation as well as the discrepancy between clinical symptoms and radiologic findings may extend the scope of AxD.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Ri Kang
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Hyun Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, 58128, Republic of Korea
| | - Ni-Hsuan Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan
| | - Seung-Jin Lee
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Ai-Wen Yang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan
| | | | - Kyung Wook Kang
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Sun Jin
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Myeong-Kyu Kim
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Ming-Der Perng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan.
| | - Seok-Yong Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, 58128, Republic of Korea.
| | - Tai-Seung Nam
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, 61469, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Becerra-Hernández LV, Escobar-Betancourt MI, Pimienta-Jiménez HJ, Buriticá E. Crystallin Alpha-B Overexpression as a Possible Marker of Reactive Astrogliosis in Human Cerebral Contusions. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:838551. [PMID: 35360493 PMCID: PMC8963874 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.838551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has not yet been fully elucidated. Crystallin alpha-B (CRYAB) is a molecular chaperone that apparently tries to stabilize the rapid thickening of the intermediate filaments of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) during the process of reactive astrogliosis in response to TBI. Previous analyses of the gene expression profile in human brain contusion tissue showed us an exacerbated CRYAB overexpression. Here, we used 3, 3’-diaminobenzidine (DAB) immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence to verify CRYAB overexpression and to describe its expression and distribution in samples of contused cortical tissue derived from emergency decompressive surgery after severe TBI. The histological expression of CRYAB was mainly seen in subcortical white matter astrocytes of injured tissue. Most of the cells that overexpressed GFAP in the analyzed tissue also overexpressed CRYAB, a finding corroborated by the co-localization of the two markers. The only difference was the presence of a few pyramidal neurons that expressed CRYAB in layer V of the cerebral cortex. The selective vulnerability of layer V of the cerebral cortex during TBI could explain the expression of CRYAB in neurons of this cortical layer. Our results indicate a parallel behavior in the cellular expression of CRYAB and GFAP during the subacute response to TBI. These results lead us to postulate CRYAB as a possible marker of reactive astrogliosis in contused cortical tissue.
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12
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Lanciotti A, Brignone MS, Macioce P, Visentin S, Ambrosini E. Human iPSC-Derived Astrocytes: A Powerful Tool to Study Primary Astrocyte Dysfunction in the Pathogenesis of Rare Leukodystrophies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010274. [PMID: 35008700 PMCID: PMC8745131 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are very versatile cells, endowed with multitasking capacities to ensure brain homeostasis maintenance from brain development to adult life. It has become increasingly evident that astrocytes play a central role in many central nervous system pathologies, not only as regulators of defensive responses against brain insults but also as primary culprits of the disease onset and progression. This is particularly evident in some rare leukodystrophies (LDs) where white matter/myelin deterioration is due to primary astrocyte dysfunctions. Understanding the molecular defects causing these LDs may help clarify astrocyte contribution to myelin formation/maintenance and favor the identification of possible therapeutic targets for LDs and other CNS demyelinating diseases. To date, the pathogenic mechanisms of these LDs are poorly known due to the rarity of the pathological tissue and the failure of the animal models to fully recapitulate the human diseases. Thus, the development of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) from patient fibroblasts and their differentiation into astrocytes is a promising approach to overcome these issues. In this review, we discuss the primary role of astrocytes in LD pathogenesis, the experimental models currently available and the advantages, future evolutions, perspectives, and limitations of hiPSC to study pathologies implying astrocyte dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Lanciotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00169 Rome, Italy; (A.L.); (M.S.B.); (P.M.)
| | - Maria Stefania Brignone
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00169 Rome, Italy; (A.L.); (M.S.B.); (P.M.)
| | - Pompeo Macioce
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00169 Rome, Italy; (A.L.); (M.S.B.); (P.M.)
| | - Sergio Visentin
- National Center for Research and Preclinical and Clinical Evaluation of Drugs, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00169 Rome, Italy;
| | - Elena Ambrosini
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00169 Rome, Italy; (A.L.); (M.S.B.); (P.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-064-990-2037
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13
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Abstract
Fifty years have passed since the discovery of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) by Lawrence Eng and colleagues. Now recognized as a member of the intermediate filament family of proteins, it has become a subject for study in fields as diverse as structural biology, cell biology, gene expression, basic neuroscience, clinical genetics and gene therapy. This review covers each of these areas, presenting an overview of current understanding and controversies regarding GFAP with the goal of stimulating continued study of this fascinating protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albee Messing
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison.,Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Michael Brenner
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama-Birmingham
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14
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Lin NH, Yang AW, Chang CH, Perng MD. Elevated GFAP isoform expression promotes protein aggregation and compromises astrocyte function. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21614. [PMID: 33908669 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100087r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) caused by mutations in the coding region of GFAP is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by astrocyte dysfunction, GFAP aggregation, and Rosenthal fiber accumulation. Although how GFAP mutations cause disease is not fully understood, Rosenthal fibers could be induced by forced overexpression of human GFAP and this could be lethal in mice implicate that an increase in GFAP levels is central to AxD pathogenesis. Our recent studies demonstrated that intronic GFAP mutations cause disease by altering GFAP splicing, suggesting that an increase in GFAP isoform expression could lead to protein aggregation and astrocyte dysfunction that typify AxD. Here we test this hypothesis by establishing primary astrocyte cultures from transgenic mice overexpressing human GFAP. We found that GFAP-δ and GFAP-κ were disproportionately increased in transgenic astrocytes and both were enriched in Rosenthal fibers of human AxD brains. In vitro assembly studies showed that while the major isoform GFAP-α self-assembled into typical 10-nm filaments, minor isoforms including GFAP-δ, -κ, and -λ were assembly-compromised and aggregation prone. Lentiviral transduction showed that expression of these minor GFAP isoforms decreased filament solubility and increased GFAP stability, leading to the formation of Rosenthal fibers-like aggregates that also disrupted the endogenous intermediate filament networks. The aggregate-bearing astrocytes lost their normal morphology and glutamate buffering capacity, which had a toxic effect on neighboring neurons. In conclusion, our findings provide evidence that links elevated GFAP isoform expression with GFAP aggregation and impaired glutamate transport, and suggest a potential non-cell-autonomous mechanism underlying neurodegeneration through astrocyte dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni-Hsuan Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ai-Wen Yang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hsuan Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Der Perng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Science, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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15
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Song X, Jiang J, Tian W, Zhan F, Zhu Z, Li B, Tang H, Cao L. A report of two cases of bulbospinal form Alexander disease and preliminary exploration of the disease. Mol Med Rep 2021; 24:572. [PMID: 34109421 PMCID: PMC8201446 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is a cerebral white matter disease affecting a wide range of ages, from infants to adults. In the present study, two cases of bulbospinal form AxD were reported, and a preliminary exploration of AxD was conducted thorough clinical, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and functional analyses. In total, two de novo mutations in the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene (c.214G>A and c.1235C>T) were identified in unrelated patients (one in each patient). Both patients showed increased regional neural activity and functional connectivity in the cerebellum and posterior parietal cortex according to fMRI analysis. Notably, grey matter atrophy was discovered in the patient with c.214G>A variant. Functional experiments revealed aberrant accumulation of mutant GFAP and decreased solubility of c.1235C>T variant. Under pathological conditions, autophagic flux was activated for GFAP aggregate degradation. Moreover, transcriptional data of AxD and healthy human brain samples were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed an upregulation of immune‑related responses and downregulation of ion transport, synaptic transmission and neurotransmitter homeostasis. Enrichment analysis of cell‑specific differentially expressed genes also indicated a marked inflammatory environment in AxD. Overall, the clinical features of the two patients with bulbospinal form AxD were thoroughly described. To the best of our knowledge, the brain atrophy pattern and spontaneous brain functional network activity of patients with AxD were explored for the first time. Cytological experiments provided evidence of the pathogenicity of the identified variants. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis found that inflammatory immune‑related reactions may play a critical role in AxD, which may be conducive to the understanding of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxuan Song
- Department of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, P.R. China
| | - Jingwen Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, P.R. China
| | - Wotu Tian
- Department of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, P.R. China
| | - Feixia Zhan
- Department of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, P.R. China
| | - Zeyu Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, P.R. China
| | - Binyin Li
- Department of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, P.R. China
| | - Huidong Tang
- Department of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, P.R. China
| | - Li Cao
- Department of Neurology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, P.R. China
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16
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Shalaby AM, Aboregela AM, Alabiad MA, Tayssir Sadek M. The Effect of Induced Diabetes Mellitus on the Cerebellar Cortex of Adult Male Rat and the Possible Protective Role of Oxymatrine: A Histological, Immunohistochemical and Biochemical Study. Ultrastruct Pathol 2021; 45:182-196. [PMID: 34000959 DOI: 10.1080/01913123.2021.1926610] [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: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents a widespread metabolic disease with a well-known neurotoxicity in both central and peripheral nervous systems. Oxymatrine is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has various pharmacological activities including: anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory potentials. The present work aimed to study the impact of diabetes mellitus on the cerebellar cortex of adult male albino rat and to evaluate the potential protective role of oxymatrine. Fifty-five adult male rats were randomly divided into three groups: group I served as control, group II was given oxymatrine (80 mg/kg/day) orally for 8 weeks and group III was given a single dose of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) intaperitoneally to induce diabetes. Then diabetic rats were subdivided into two subgroups: subgroup IIIa that received no additional treatment and subgroup IIIb that received oxymatrine similar to group II. The diabetic group revealed numerous changes in the Purkinje cell layer in the form of multilayer arrangement of Purkinje cells, shrunken cells with deeply stained nuclei as well as focal loss of the Purkinje cells. A significant increment in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and synaptophysin expression were reported in immunohistochemistry compared with the control group. Transmission electron microscopy showed irregularity and splitting of myelin sheaths in the molecular layer, dark shrunken Purkinje cells with ill-defined nuclei, dilated Golgi saccules and dense granule cells with irregular nuclear outlines in the granular layer. In contrast, these changes were less evident in diabetic rats that received oxymatrine. In conclusion, Oxymatrine could protect the cerebellar cortex against changes induced by DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amany Mohamed Shalaby
- Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Adel Mohamed Aboregela
- Human Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.,Basic Medical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Bisha University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Ali Alabiad
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Mona Tayssir Sadek
- Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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17
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Candiani S, Carestiato S, Mack AF, Bani D, Bozzo M, Obino V, Ori M, Rosamilia F, De Sarlo M, Pestarino M, Ceccherini I, Bachetti T. Alexander Disease Modeling in Zebrafish: An In Vivo System Suitable to Perform Drug Screening. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11121490. [PMID: 33322348 PMCID: PMC7764705 DOI: 10.3390/genes11121490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare astrogliopathy caused by heterozygous mutations, either inherited or arising de novo, on the glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) gene (17q21). Mutations in the GFAP gene make the protein prone to forming aggregates which, together with heat-shock protein 27 (HSP27), αB-crystallin, ubiquitin, and proteasome, contribute to form Rosenthal fibers causing a toxic effect on the cell. Unfortunately, no pharmacological treatment is available yet, except for symptom reduction therapies, and patients undergo a progressive worsening of the disease. The aim of this study was the production of a zebrafish model for AxD, to have a system suitable for drug screening more complex than cell cultures. To this aim, embryos expressing the human GFAP gene carrying the most severe p.R239C under the control of the zebrafish gfap gene promoter underwent functional validation to assess several features already observed in in vitro and other in vivo models of AxD, such as the localization of mutant GFAP inclusions, the ultrastructural analysis of cells expressing mutant GFAP, the effects of treatments with ceftriaxone, and the heat shock response. Our results confirm that zebrafish is a suitable model both to study the molecular pathogenesis of GFAP mutations and to perform pharmacological screenings, likely useful for the search of therapies for AxD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Candiani
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.C.); (M.B.); (V.O.); (F.R.); (M.P.)
| | - Silvia Carestiato
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.C.); (M.B.); (V.O.); (F.R.); (M.P.)
| | - Andreas F. Mack
- Institut für Klinische Anatomie und Zellanalytik, Universitaet Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany;
| | - Daniele Bani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy;
| | - Matteo Bozzo
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.C.); (M.B.); (V.O.); (F.R.); (M.P.)
| | - Valentina Obino
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.C.); (M.B.); (V.O.); (F.R.); (M.P.)
| | - Michela Ori
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.O.); (M.D.S.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Rosamilia
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.C.); (M.B.); (V.O.); (F.R.); (M.P.)
| | - Miriam De Sarlo
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.O.); (M.D.S.)
| | - Mario Pestarino
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.C.); (M.B.); (V.O.); (F.R.); (M.P.)
| | - Isabella Ceccherini
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Tiziana Bachetti
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.C.); (S.C.); (M.B.); (V.O.); (F.R.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-010-3358082
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18
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de Waard DM, Bugiani M. Astrocyte-Oligodendrocyte-Microglia Crosstalk in Astrocytopathies. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:608073. [PMID: 33328899 PMCID: PMC7710860 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.608073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Defective astrocyte function due to a genetic mutation can have major consequences for microglia and oligodendrocyte physiology, which in turn affects the white matter integrity of the brain. This review addresses the current knowledge on shared and unique pathophysiological mechanisms of astrocytopathies, including vanishing white matter, Alexander disease, megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts, Aicardi-Goutières syndrome, and oculodentodigital dysplasia. The mechanisms of disease include protein accumulation, unbalanced secretion of extracellular matrix proteins, pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules, cytokines and chemokines by astrocytes, as well as an altered gap junctional network and a changed ionic and nutrient homeostasis. Interestingly, the extent to which astrogliosis and microgliosis are present in these astrocytopathies is highly variable. An improved understanding of astrocyte-microglia-oligodendrocyte crosstalk might ultimately lead to the identification of druggable targets for these, currently untreatable, severe conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marianna Bugiani
- Department of Pathology, VU Medical center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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19
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NG2 and GFAP co-expression after differentiation in cells transfected with mutant GFAP and in undifferentiated glioma cells. NEUROLOGÍA (ENGLISH EDITION) 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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20
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Ibrahim MAA, Sharaf Eldin HEM, Elswaidy NRM. Role of aqueous extract of saffron in ameliorating effect of sofosbuvir on the cerebellar cortex in rat. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2020; 304:714-724. [PMID: 32721089 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Sofosbuvir is a promising antiviral drug against chronic hepatitis C virus. Although it is characterized by its high efficacy, its adverse effects on nervous tissue are still unclear. Saffron is known for its neuroprotective property. This is a biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical study of the effect of sofosbuvir on the cerebellar cortex of rat and the possible ameliorating role of saffron's aqueous extract. Twenty-four adult male Wistar albino rats were equally divided into four groups; control, saffron extract-treated, sofosbuvir-treated (41.1 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks) and group concomitantly treated with saffron extract and sofosbuvir. Sofosbuvir-treated group recorded a significant increase in cerebellar malondialdehyde level coupling with a significant decrease in tissue glutathione and superoxide dismutase. Light microscopy revealed reduced number of Purkinje cells. The granular layer depicted many granular cells and Bergmann astrocytes with nuclear and cytoplasmic alterations. Electron microscopy revealed disorganized molecular layer with disarranged myelinated axons and disrupted mitochondria. Few shrunken Purkinje cells showed electron-dense cytoplasm and rarefied nuclei, indistinct nuclear envelope and dilated perinuclear space, areas of vacuolated cytoplasm, fragmented rough endoplasmic reticulum and few dark mitochondria. Some axons with tiny mitochondria were detected. A significant upregulation in immunohistochemical expression of GFAP-positive astrocytes was recorded. Concomitant administration of saffron extract significantly improved all studied parameters. Saffron extract is beneficial in ameliorating sofosbuvir-induced cerebellar morphological changes mainly through its antioxidant and neuroprotective properties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Noha R M Elswaidy
- Histology and Cell Biology Department, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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21
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Selig EE, Zlatic CO, Cox D, Mok YF, Gooley PR, Ecroyd H, Griffin MDW. N- and C-terminal regions of αB-crystallin and Hsp27 mediate inhibition of amyloid nucleation, fibril binding, and fibril disaggregation. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:9838-9854. [PMID: 32417755 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.012748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Small heat-shock proteins (sHSPs) are ubiquitously expressed molecular chaperones that inhibit amyloid fibril formation; however, their mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. sHSPs comprise a conserved α-crystallin domain flanked by variable N- and C-terminal regions. To investigate the functional contributions of these three regions, we compared the chaperone activities of various constructs of human αB-crystallin (HSPB5) and heat-shock 27-kDa protein (Hsp27, HSPB1) during amyloid formation by α-synuclein and apolipoprotein C-II. Using an array of approaches, including thioflavin T fluorescence assays and sedimentation analysis, we found that the N-terminal region of Hsp27 and the terminal regions of αB-crystallin are important for delaying amyloid fibril nucleation and for disaggregating mature apolipoprotein C-II fibrils. We further show that the terminal regions are required for stable fibril binding by both sHSPs and for mediating lateral fibril-fibril association, which sequesters preformed fibrils into large aggregates and is believed to have a cytoprotective function. We conclude that although the isolated α-crystallin domain retains some chaperone activity against amyloid formation, the flanking domains contribute additional and important chaperone activities, both in delaying amyloid formation and in mediating interactions of sHSPs with amyloid aggregates. Both these chaperone activities have significant implications for the pathogenesis and progression of diseases associated with amyloid deposition, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Selig
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Courtney O Zlatic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dezerae Cox
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yee-Foong Mok
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul R Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Heath Ecroyd
- Molecular Horizons and the School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael D W Griffin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia .,Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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22
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Fu MH, Chang YY, Lin NH, Yang AW, Chang CC, Liu JS, Peng CH, Wu KLH, Perng MD, Lan MY. Recessively-Inherited Adult-Onset Alexander Disease Caused by a Homozygous Mutation in the GFAP Gene. Mov Disord 2020; 35:1662-1667. [PMID: 32374915 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexander disease (AxD) is an autosomal-dominant leukodystrophy caused by heterozygous mutations in the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene. OBJECTIVES The objective of this report is to characterize the clinical phenotype and identify the genetic mutation associated with adult-onset AxD. METHODS A man presented with progressive unsteadiness since age 16. Magnetic resonance imaging findings revealed characteristic features of AxD. The GFAP gene was screened, and a candidate variant was functionally tested to evaluate causality. RESULTS A homozygous c.197G > A (p.Arg66Gln) mutation was found in the proband, and his asymptomatic parents were heterozygous for the same mutation. This mutation affected GFAP solubility and promoted filament aggregation. The presence of the wild-type protein rescued mutational effects, consistent with the recessive nature of this mutation. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first report of AxD caused by a homozygous mutation in GFAP. The clinical implication is while examining patients with characteristic features on suspicion of AxD, GFAP screening is recommended even without a supportive family history. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mu-Hui Fu
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Yee Chang
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Center for Parkinson's Disease, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ni-Hsuan Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ai-Wen Yang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Science, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Chih Chang
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Shou Liu
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Huei Peng
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Kay L H Wu
- Institute for Translational Research in Biomedicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Senior Citizen Services, National Tainan Institute of Nursing, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Der Perng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Science, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Min-Yu Lan
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Center for Parkinson's Disease, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Hwang B, Ise H. Multimeric conformation of type III intermediate filaments but not the filamentous conformation exhibits high affinity to lipid bilayers. Genes Cells 2020; 25:413-426. [DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Beomju Hwang
- Graduate School of Engineering Kyushu University Fukuoka Japan
| | - Hirohiko Ise
- Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering Kyushu University Fukuoka Japan
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24
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Abstract
Background Alexander disease is caused by dominantly acting mutations in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), the major intermediate filament of astrocytes in the central nervous system. Main body In addition to the sequence variants that represent the origin of disease, GFAP accumulation also takes place, together leading to a gain-of-function that has sometimes been referred to as “GFAP toxicity.” Whether the nature of GFAP toxicity in patients, who have mixtures of both mutant and normal protein, is the same as that produced by simple GFAP excess, is not yet clear. Conclusion The implications of these questions for the design of effective treatments are discussed.
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25
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Heaven MR, Wilson L, Barnes S, Brenner M. Relative stabilities of wild-type and mutant glial fibrillary acidic protein in patients with Alexander disease. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:15604-15612. [PMID: 31484723 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.009777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is an often fatal astrogliopathy caused by dominant gain-of-function missense mutations in the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene. The mechanism by which the mutations produce the AxD phenotype is not known. However, the observation that features of AxD are displayed by mice that express elevated levels of GFAP from a human WT GFAP transgene has contributed to the notion that the mutations produce AxD by increasing accumulation of total GFAP above some toxic threshold rather than the mutant GFAP being inherently toxic. A possible mechanism for accumulation of GFAP in AxD patients is that the mutated GFAP variants are more stable than the WT, an attribution abetted by observations that GFAP complexes containing GFAP variants are more resistant to solvent extraction. Here we tested this hypothesis by determining the relative levels of WT and mutant GFAP in three individuals with AxD, each of whom carried a common but different GFAP mutation (R79C, R239H, or R416W). Mass spectrometry analysis identified a peptide specific to the mutant or WT GFAP in each patient, and we quantified this peptide by comparing its signal to that of an added [15N]GFAP standard. In all three individuals, the level of mutant GFAP was less than that of the WT. This finding suggests that AxD onset is due to an intrinsic toxicity of the mutant GFAP instead of it acting indirectly by being more stable than WT GFAP and thereby increasing the total GFAP level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Heaven
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Landon Wilson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Targeted Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Stephen Barnes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama 35294.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Targeted Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Michael Brenner
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
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Aggregate formation analysis of GFAP R416W found in one case of Alexander disease. Brain Dev 2019; 41:195-200. [PMID: 30213442 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is a neurodegenerative disease in astrocytes caused by a mutation in the gene encoding glial fibrillary acidic protein, GFAP. We herein present the case of a 12-year-old girl who showed intermittent exotropia at 3 years of age and central precocious puberty at 7 years of age. The periventricular and medulla oblongata showed high signal intensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was diagnosed with AxD after direct sequencing revealing a de novo recurrent mutation, c.1246C>T (p.R416W) in GFAP. The transient expression of GFAPR416W in cells resulted in the significant formation of aggregates, which recapitulated the hallmark of AxD. We firstly utilized In Cell analyzer to prove the tendency of aggregate formation by mutants of GFAP.
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27
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Battaglia RA, Beltran AS, Delic S, Dumitru R, Robinson JA, Kabiraj P, Herring LE, Madden VJ, Ravinder N, Willems E, Newman RA, Quinlan RA, Goldman JE, Perng MD, Inagaki M, Snider NT. Site-specific phosphorylation and caspase cleavage of GFAP are new markers of Alexander disease severity. eLife 2019; 8:47789. [PMID: 31682229 PMCID: PMC6927689 DOI: 10.7554/elife.47789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), which supports the structural integrity of astrocytes. Over 70 GFAP missense mutations cause AxD, but the mechanism linking different mutations to disease-relevant phenotypes remains unknown. We used AxD patient brain tissue and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived astrocytes to investigate the hypothesis that AxD-causing mutations perturb key post-translational modifications (PTMs) on GFAP. Our findings reveal selective phosphorylation of GFAP-Ser13 in patients who died young, independently of the mutation they carried. AxD iPSC-astrocytes accumulated pSer13-GFAP in cytoplasmic aggregates within deep nuclear invaginations, resembling the hallmark Rosenthal fibers observed in vivo. Ser13 phosphorylation facilitated GFAP aggregation and was associated with increased GFAP proteolysis by caspase-6. Furthermore, caspase-6 was selectively expressed in young AxD patients, and correlated with the presence of cleaved GFAP. We reveal a novel PTM signature linking different GFAP mutations in infantile AxD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Battaglia
- Department of Cell Biology and PhysiologyUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Adriana S Beltran
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States,Human Pluripotent Stem Cell CoreUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Samed Delic
- Department of Cell Biology and PhysiologyUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States,Department of BiosciencesUniversity of DurhamDurhamUnited Kingdom
| | - Raluca Dumitru
- Human Pluripotent Stem Cell CoreUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Jasmine A Robinson
- Department of Cell Biology and PhysiologyUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Parijat Kabiraj
- Department of Cell Biology and PhysiologyUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Laura E Herring
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Victoria J Madden
- Department of PathologyUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | | | | | | | - Roy A Quinlan
- Department of BiosciencesUniversity of DurhamDurhamUnited Kingdom
| | - James E Goldman
- Department of PathologyColumbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Ming-Der Perng
- Institute of Molecular MedicineNational Tsing Hua UniversityHsinchuTaiwan, Republic of China
| | - Masaki Inagaki
- Department of PhysiologyMie University Graduate School of MedicineMieJapan
| | - Natasha T Snider
- Department of Cell Biology and PhysiologyUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
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Gentil BJ, Lai GT, Menade M, Larivière R, Minotti S, Gehring K, Chapple JP, Brais B, Durham HD. Sacsin, mutated in the ataxia ARSACS, regulates intermediate filament assembly and dynamics. FASEB J 2018; 33:2982-2994. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801556r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Benoit J. Gentil
- Department of Neurology and NeurosurgeryMontreal Neurological InstituteMcGill UniversityMontrealQuébecCanada
- Department of Kinesiology and Physical EducationMcGill UniversityMontrealQuébecCanada
| | - Gia-Thanh Lai
- Department of Neurology and NeurosurgeryMontreal Neurological InstituteMcGill UniversityMontrealQuébecCanada
- Department of Kinesiology and Physical EducationMcGill UniversityMontrealQuébecCanada
| | - Marie Menade
- Department of BiochemistryGroupe de Recherche axé sur la Structure des ProtéinesMcGill UniversityMontrealQuébecCanada
| | - Roxanne Larivière
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics of MotionMontreal Neurological InstituteMcGill UniversityMontrealQuébecCanada
| | - Sandra Minotti
- Department of Neurology and NeurosurgeryMontreal Neurological InstituteMcGill UniversityMontrealQuébecCanada
| | - Kalle Gehring
- Department of BiochemistryGroupe de Recherche axé sur la Structure des ProtéinesMcGill UniversityMontrealQuébecCanada
| | - J.-Paul Chapple
- William Harvey Research InstituteBarts and the London School of Medicine and DentistryQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Bernard Brais
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics of MotionMontreal Neurological InstituteMcGill UniversityMontrealQuébecCanada
| | - Heather D. Durham
- Department of Neurology and NeurosurgeryMontreal Neurological InstituteMcGill UniversityMontrealQuébecCanada
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29
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Gómez-Pinedo U, Duran-Moreno M, Sirerol-Piquer S, Matias-Guiu J. Myelin changes in Alexander disease. NEUROLOGÍA (ENGLISH EDITION) 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2017.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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30
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Gómez-Pinedo U, Sirerol-Piquer S, Durán-Moreno M, Matias-Guiu JA, Barcia JA, García-Verdugo JM, Matias-Guiu J. NG2 and GFAP co-expression after differentiation in cells transfected with mutant GFAP and in undifferentiated glioma cells. Neurologia 2017; 35:479-485. [PMID: 29249301 DOI: 10.1016/j.nrl.2017.11.001] [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: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 10/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alexander disease is a rare disorder caused by mutations in the gene coding for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). In a previous study, differentiation of neurospheres transfected with these mutations resulted in a cell type that expresses both GFAP and NG2. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of molecular marker mutations in comparison to undifferentiated glioma cells simultaneously expressing GFAP and NG2. METHODS We used samples of human glioblastoma (GBM) and rat neurospheres transfected with GFAP mutations to analyse GFAP and NG2 expression after differentiation. We also performed an immunocytochemical analysis of neuronal differentiation for both cell types and detection of GFAP, NG2, vimentin, Olig2, and caspase-3 at 3 and 7 days from differentiation. RESULTS Both the cells transfected with GFAP mutations and GBM cells showed increased NG2 and GFAP expression. However, expression of caspase-3-positive cells was found to be considerably higher in transfected cells than in GBM cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that GFAP expression is not the only factor associated with cell death in Alexander disease. Caspase-3 expression and the potential role of NG2 in increasing resistance to apoptosis in cells co-expressing GFAP and NG2 should be considered in the search for new therapeutic strategies for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Gómez-Pinedo
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Neurociencias, IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España.
| | - S Sirerol-Piquer
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología Comparada, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, España
| | - M Durán-Moreno
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología Comparada, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, España
| | - J A Matias-Guiu
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Neurociencias, IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - J A Barcia
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Neurociencias, IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - J M García-Verdugo
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología Comparada, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, España
| | - J Matias-Guiu
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Neurociencias, IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
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Aggregation-prone GFAP mutation in Alexander disease validated using a zebrafish model. BMC Neurol 2017; 17:175. [PMID: 28882119 PMCID: PMC5590178 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-017-0938-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alexander disease (AxD) is an astrogliopathy that predominantly affects the white matter of the central nervous system (CNS), and is caused by a mutation in the gene encoding the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an intermediate filament primarily expressed in astrocytes and ependymal cells. The main pathologic feature of AxD is the presence of Rosenthal fibers (RFs), homogeneous eosinophilic inclusions found in astrocytes. Because of difficulties in procuring patient’ CNS tissues and the presence of RFs in other pathologic conditions, there is a need to develop an in vivo assay that can determine whether a mutation in the GFAP results in aggregation and is thus disease-causing. Methods We found a GFAP mutation (c.382G > A, p.Asp128Asn) in a 68-year-old man with slowly progressive gait disturbance with tendency to fall. The patient was tentatively diagnosed with AxD based on clinical and radiological findings. To develop a vertebrate model to assess the aggregation tendency of GFAP, we expressed several previously reported mutant GFAPs and p.Asp128Asn GFAP in zebrafish embryos. Results The most common GFAP mutations in AxD, p.Arg79Cys, p.Arg79His, p.Arg239Cys and p.Arg239His, and p.Asp128Asn induced a significantly higher number of GFAP aggregates in zebrafish embryos than wild-type GFAP. Conclusions The p.Asp128Asn GFAP mutation is likely to be a disease-causing mutation. Although it needs to be tested more extensively in larger case series, the zebrafish assay system presented here would help clinicians determine whether GFAP mutations identified in putative AxD patients are disease-causing.
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Lin NH, Messing A, Perng MD. Characterization of a panel of monoclonal antibodies recognizing specific epitopes on GFAP. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180694. [PMID: 28700643 PMCID: PMC5503259 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by heterozygous mutations in the GFAP gene, which encodes the major intermediate filament protein of astrocytes. This disease is characterized by the accumulation of cytoplasmic protein aggregates, known as Rosenthal fibers. Antibodies specific to GFAP could provide invaluable tools to facilitate studies of the normal biology of GFAP and to elucidate the pathologic role of this IF protein in disease. While a large number of antibodies to GFAP are available, few if any of them have defined epitopes. Here we described the characterization of a panel of commonly used anti-GFAP antibodies, which recognized epitopes at regions extending across the rod domain of GFAP. We show that all of the antibodies are useful for immunoblotting and immunostaining, and identify a subset that preferentially recognized human GFAP. Using these antibodies, we demonstrate the presence of biochemically modified forms of GFAP in brains of human AxD patients and mouse AxD models. These data suggest that this panel of anti-GFAP antibodies will be useful for studies of animal and cell-based models of AxD and related diseases in which cytoskeletal defects associated with GFAP modifications occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni-Hsuan Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Albee Messing
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Ming-Der Perng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Gómez-Pinedo U, Sirerol-Piquer MS, Durán-Moreno M, García-Verdugo JM, Matias-Guiu J. Alexander Disease Mutations Produce Cells with Coexpression of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and NG2 in Neurosphere Cultures and Inhibit Differentiation into Mature Oligodendrocytes. Front Neurol 2017; 8:255. [PMID: 28634469 PMCID: PMC5459916 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The disease is characterized by presence of GFAP aggregates in the cytoplasm of astrocytes and loss of myelin. OBJECTIVES Determine the effect of AxD-related mutations on adult neurogenesis. METHODS We transfected different types of mutant GFAP into neurospheres using the nucleofection technique. RESULTS We find that mutations may cause coexpression of GFAP and NG2 in neurosphere cultures, which would inhibit the differentiation of precursors into oligodendrocytes and thus explain the myelin loss occurring in the disease. Transfection produces cells that differentiate into new cells marked simultaneously by GFAP and NG2 and whose percentage increased over days of differentiation. Increased expression of GFAP is due to a protein with an anomalous structure that forms aggregates throughout the cytoplasm of new cells. These cells display down-expression of vimentin and nestin. Up-expression of cathepsin D and caspase-3 in the first days of differentiation suggest that apoptosis as a lysosomal response may be at work. HSP27, a protein found in Rosenthal bodies, is expressed less at the beginning of the process although its presence increases in later stages. CONCLUSION Our findings seem to suggest that the mechanism of development of AxD may not be due to a function gain due to increase of GFAP, but to failure in the differentiation process may occur at the stage in which precursor cells transform into oligodendrocytes, and that possibility may provide the best explanation for the clinical and radiological images described in AxD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulises Gómez-Pinedo
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Neuroscience Institute, IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Salomé Sirerol-Piquer
- Laboratory of Comparative Neurobiology, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biologia Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Durán-Moreno
- Laboratory of Comparative Neurobiology, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biologia Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Manuel García-Verdugo
- Laboratory of Comparative Neurobiology, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biologia Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jorge Matias-Guiu
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Neuroscience Institute, IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Sosunov AA, McKhann GM, Goldman JE. The origin of Rosenthal fibers and their contributions to astrocyte pathology in Alexander disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2017; 5:27. [PMID: 28359321 PMCID: PMC5374671 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-017-0425-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Rosenthal fibers (RFs) are cytoplasmic, proteinaceous aggregates. They are the pathognomonic feature of the astrocyte pathology in Alexander Disease (AxD), a neurodegenerative disorder caused by heterozygous mutations in the GFAP gene, encoding glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Although RFs have been known for many years their origin and significance remain elusive issues. We have used mouse models of AxD based on the overexpression of human GFAP (transgenic, TG) and a point mutation in mouse GFAP (knock-in, KI) to examine the formation of RFs and to find astrocyte changes that correlate with the appearance of RFs. We found RFs of various sizes and shapes. The smallest ones appear as granular depositions on intermediate filaments. These contain GFAP and the small heat shock protein, alphaB-crystallin. Their aggregation appears to give rise to large RFs. The appearance of new RFs and the growth of previously formed RFs occur over time. We determined that DAPI is a reliable marker of RFs and in parallel with Fluoro-Jade B (FJB) staining defined a high variability in the appearance of RFs, even in neighboring astrocytes. Although many astrocytes in AxD with increased levels of GFAP and with or without RFs change their phenotype, only some cells with large numbers of RFs show a profound reconstruction of cellular processes, with a loss of fine distal processes and the appearance of large, lobulated nuclei, likely due to arrested mitosis. We conclude that 1) RFs appear to originate as small, osmiophilic masses containing both GFAP and alphaB-crystallin deposited on bundles of intermediate filaments. 2) RFs continue to form within AxD astrocytes over time. 3) DAPI is a reliable marker for RFs and can be used with immunolabeling. 4) RFs appear to interfere with the successful completion of astrocyte mitosis and cell division.
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Gómez-Pinedo U, Duran-Moreno M, Sirerol-Piquer S, Matias-Guiu J. Myelin changes in Alexander disease. Neurologia 2017; 33:526-533. [PMID: 28342553 DOI: 10.1016/j.nrl.2017.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alexander disease (AxD) is a type of leukodystrophy. Its pathological basis, along with myelin loss, is the appearance of Rosenthal bodies, which are cytoplasmic inclusions in astrocytes. Mutations in the gene coding for GFAP have been identified as a genetic basis for AxD. However, the mechanism by which these variants produce the disease is not understood. DEVELOPMENT The most widespread hypothesis is that AxD develops when a gain of function mutation causes an increase in GFAP. However, this mechanism does not explain myelin loss, given that experimental models in which GFAP expression is normal or mutated do not exhibit myelin disorders. This review analyses other possibilities that may explain this alteration, such as epigenetic or inflammatory alterations, presence of NG2 (+) - GFAP (+) cells, or post-translational modifications in GFAP that are unrelated to increased expression. CONCLUSIONS The different hypotheses analysed here may explain the myelin alteration affecting these patients, and multiple mechanisms may coexist. These theories raise the possibility of designing therapies based on these mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Gómez-Pinedo
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Servicio de Neurología, Instituto de Neurociencias, IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España.
| | - M Duran-Moreno
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología Comparada, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, España
| | - S Sirerol-Piquer
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología Comparada, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, España
| | - J Matias-Guiu
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Servicio de Neurología, Instituto de Neurociencias, IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
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Moody LR, Barrett-Wilt GA, Sussman MR, Messing A. Glial fibrillary acidic protein exhibits altered turnover kinetics in a mouse model of Alexander disease. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:5814-5824. [PMID: 28223355 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.772020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the astrocyte-specific intermediate filament glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) lead to the rare and fatal disorder, Alexander disease (AxD). A prominent feature of the disease is aberrant accumulation of GFAP. It has been proposed that this accumulation occurs because of an increase in gene transcription coupled with impaired proteasomal degradation, yet this hypothesis remains untested. We therefore sought to directly investigate GFAP turnover in a mouse model of AxD that is heterozygous for a disease-causing point mutation (GfapR236H/+) (and thus expresses both wild-type and mutant protein). Stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture, using primary cortical astrocytes, indicated that the in vitro half-lives of total GFAP in astrocytes from wild-type and mutant mice were similar at ∼3-4 days. Surprisingly, results obtained with stable isotope labeling of mammals revealed that, in vivo, the half-life of GFAP in mutant mice (15.4 ± 0.5 days) was much shorter than that in wild-type mice (27.5 ± 1.6 days). These unexpected in vivo data are most consistent with a model in which synthesis and degradation are both increased. Our work reveals that an AxD-causing mutation alters GFAP turnover kinetics in vivo and provides an essential foundation for future studies aimed at preventing or reducing the accumulation of GFAP. In particular, these data suggest that elimination of GFAP might be possible and occurs more quickly than previously surmised.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Albee Messing
- From the Waisman Center, .,Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705
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Moeton M, Stassen OMJA, Sluijs JA, van der Meer VWN, Kluivers LJ, van Hoorn H, Schmidt T, Reits EAJ, van Strien ME, Hol EM. GFAP isoforms control intermediate filament network dynamics, cell morphology, and focal adhesions. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:4101-20. [PMID: 27141937 PMCID: PMC5043008 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2239-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is the characteristic intermediate filament (IF) protein in astrocytes. Expression of its main isoforms, GFAPα and GFAPδ, varies in astrocytes and astrocytoma implying a potential regulatory role in astrocyte physiology and pathology. An IF-network is a dynamic structure and has been functionally linked to cell motility, proliferation, and morphology. There is a constant exchange of IF-proteins with the network. To study differences in the dynamic properties of GFAPα and GFAPδ, we performed fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments on astrocytoma cells with fluorescently tagged GFAPs. Here, we show for the first time that the exchange of GFP-GFAPδ was significantly slower than the exchange of GFP-GFAPα with the IF-network. Furthermore, a collapsed IF-network, induced by GFAPδ expression, led to a further decrease in fluorescence recovery of both GFP-GFAPα and GFP-GFAPδ. This altered IF-network also changed cell morphology and the focal adhesion size, but did not alter cell migration or proliferation. Our study provides further insight into the modulation of the dynamic properties and functional consequences of the IF-network composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Moeton
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Oscar M J A Stassen
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Soft Tissue Biomechanics & Engineering, Department of biomedical engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline A Sluijs
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent W N van der Meer
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Liselot J Kluivers
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hedde van Hoorn
- Physics of Life Processes, Leiden Institute of Physics, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Schmidt
- Physics of Life Processes, Leiden Institute of Physics, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eric A J Reits
- Cell Biology and Histology, AMC Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Miriam E van Strien
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elly M Hol
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Lin NH, Huang YS, Opal P, Goldman RD, Messing A, Perng MD. The role of gigaxonin in the degradation of the glial-specific intermediate filament protein GFAP. Mol Biol Cell 2016; 27:3980-3990. [PMID: 27798231 PMCID: PMC5156539 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e16-06-0362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is a primary genetic disorder of astrocytes caused by dominant mutations in the gene encoding the intermediate filament (IF) protein GFAP. This disease is characterized by excessive accumulation of GFAP, known as Rosenthal fibers, within astrocytes. Abnormal GFAP aggregation also occurs in giant axon neuropathy (GAN), which is caused by recessive mutations in the gene encoding gigaxonin. Given that one of the functions of gigaxonin is to facilitate proteasomal degradation of several IF proteins, we sought to determine whether gigaxonin is involved in the degradation of GFAP. Using a lentiviral transduction system, we demonstrated that gigaxonin levels influence the degradation of GFAP in primary astrocytes and in cell lines that express this IF protein. Gigaxonin was similarly involved in the degradation of some but not all AxD-associated GFAP mutants. In addition, gigaxonin directly bound to GFAP, and inhibition of proteasome reversed the clearance of GFAP in cells achieved by overexpressing gigaxonin. These studies identify gigaxonin as an important factor that targets GFAP for degradation through the proteasome pathway. Our findings provide a critical foundation for future studies aimed at reducing or reversing pathological accumulation of GFAP as a potential therapeutic strategy for AxD and related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni-Hsuan Lin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Shan Huang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Puneet Opal
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Robert D Goldman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Albee Messing
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705.,Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Ming-Der Perng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
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Heaven MR, Flint D, Randall SM, Sosunov AA, Wilson L, Barnes S, Goldman JE, Muddiman DC, Brenner M. Composition of Rosenthal Fibers, the Protein Aggregate Hallmark of Alexander Disease. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:2265-82. [PMID: 27193225 PMCID: PMC5036859 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by astrocytic protein aggregates called Rosenthal fibers (RFs). We used mouse models of AxD to determine the protein composition of RFs to obtain information about disease mechanisms including the hypothesis that sequestration of proteins in RFs contributes to disease. A method was developed for RF enrichment, and analysis of the resulting fraction using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation mass spectrometry identified 77 proteins not previously associated with RFs. Three of five proteins selected for follow-up were confirmed enriched in the RF fraction by immunobloting of both the AxD mouse models and human patients: receptor for activated protein C kinase 1 (RACK1), G1/S-specific cyclin D2, and ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX3X. Immunohistochemistry validated cyclin D2 as a new RF component, but results for RACK1 and DDX3X were equivocal. None of these was decreased in the non-RF fractions compared to controls. A similar result was obtained for the previously known RF component, alphaB-crystallin, which had been a candidate for sequestration. Thus, no support was obtained for the sequestration hypothesis for AxD. Providing possible insight into disease progression, the association of several of the RF proteins with stress granules suggests a role for stress granules in the origin of RFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R. Heaven
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Daniel Flint
- Department of Neurobiology and the Civitan International Research Center, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Shan M. Randall
- Keck Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | | | - Landon Wilson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Targeted Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Stephen Barnes
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Targeted Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - James E. Goldman
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, 10032
| | - David C. Muddiman
- Keck Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Michael Brenner
- Department of Neurobiology and the Civitan International Research Center, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
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Labauge P, Ayrignac X, Carra-Dallière C, Menjot de Champfleur N. Leucodistrofie dell’adulto. Neurologia 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/s1634-7072(15)76144-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Allen EHA, Courtney DG, Atkinson SD, Moore JE, Mairs L, Poulsen ET, Schiroli D, Maurizi E, Cole C, Hickerson RP, James J, Murgatroyd H, Smith FJD, MacEwen C, Enghild JJ, Nesbit MA, Leslie Pedrioli DM, McLean WHI, Moore CBT. Keratin 12 missense mutation induces the unfolded protein response and apoptosis in Meesmann epithelial corneal dystrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:1176-91. [PMID: 26758872 PMCID: PMC4764196 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Meesmann epithelial corneal dystrophy (MECD) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by dominant-negative mutations within the KRT3 or KRT12 genes, which encode the cytoskeletal protein keratins K3 and K12, respectively. To investigate the pathomechanism of this disease, we generated and phenotypically characterized a novel knock-in humanized mouse model carrying the severe, MECD-associated, K12-Leu132Pro mutation. Although no overt changes in corneal opacity were detected by slit-lamp examination, the corneas of homozygous mutant mice exhibited histological and ultrastructural epithelial cell fragility phenotypes. An altered keratin expression profile was observed in the cornea of mutant mice, confirmed by western blot, RNA-seq and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Mass spectrometry (MS) and immunohistochemistry demonstrated a similarly altered keratin profile in corneal tissue from a K12-Leu132Pro MECD patient. The K12-Leu132Pro mutation results in cytoplasmic keratin aggregates. RNA-seq analysis revealed increased chaperone gene expression, and apoptotic unfolded protein response (UPR) markers, CHOP and Caspase 12, were also increased in the MECD mice. Corneal epithelial cell apoptosis was increased 17-fold in the mutant cornea, compared with the wild-type (P < 0.001). This elevation of UPR marker expression was also observed in the human MECD cornea. This is the first reporting of a mouse model for MECD that recapitulates the human disease and is a valuable resource in understanding the pathomechanism of the disease. Although the most severe phenotype is observed in the homozygous mice, this model will still provide a test-bed for therapies not only for corneal dystrophies but also for other keratinopathies caused by similar mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin H A Allen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK, Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK
| | - David G Courtney
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Sarah D Atkinson
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Johnny E Moore
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK, Cathedral Eye Clinic, Academy Street, Belfast BT15 1ED, UK
| | - Laura Mairs
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | | | - Davide Schiroli
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Eleonora Maurizi
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Christian Cole
- Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Robyn P Hickerson
- Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK
| | - John James
- Microscopy Facility, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Helen Murgatroyd
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Frances J D Smith
- Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Carrie MacEwen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Jan J Enghild
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Center for Insoluble Protein Structures (inSPIN), Science Park, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark and
| | - M Andrew Nesbit
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Deena M Leslie Pedrioli
- Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK
| | - W H Irwin McLean
- Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland DD1 5EH, UK,
| | - C B Tara Moore
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK,
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Esmer C, Villegas-Aguilera M, Morales-Ibarra JJ, Bravo-Oro A. [An atypical presentation of Infantile Alexander disease lacking macrocephaly]. BOLETIN MEDICO DEL HOSPITAL INFANTIL DE MEXICO 2016; 73:196-201. [PMID: 29421207 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmhimx.2016.02.005] [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: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexander disease is a rare form of leukodystrophy that involves mainly astrocytes; it is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner and occurs by mutations in the GFAP gene, located on chromosome 17q21. It can occur at any age and its infantile form is characterized by macrocephaly, seizures, severe motor and cognitive delay, and progressive spasticity or ataxia. CASE REPORT An 8-month-old female was evaluated with a history of neurodevelopmental delay and unprovoked focal motor seizures. Physical examination showed normal head circumference, increased motor responses to tactile and noise stimuli, pyramidal signs and no visceromegalies. Widespread hypodense white matter was found on magnetic resonance and lumbar puncture showed hyperproteinorrachia. Krabbe disease was ruled out by enzymatic assay and gene sequencing of GALC. In the reassessment of the case, abnormalities in neuroimaging lead to suspicion of Alexander disease, and GFAP gene sequencing reported a pathogenic mutation in exon 4 c.716G>A, which caused a change of arginine to histidine at position 239 of the protein (p.Arg239His). CONCLUSIONS The radiographic signs observed in the resonance were decisive for the diagnosis, later confirmed by molecular study. It is important to consider that certain mutations are not associated with macrocephaly, which may cause delay in diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Esmer
- Departamento de Neurogenética, Hospital Central Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto, San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Miguel Villegas-Aguilera
- Departamento de Neuropediatría, Hospital Central Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto, San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Juan José Morales-Ibarra
- Departamento de Neuropediatría, Hospital Central Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto, San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Antonio Bravo-Oro
- Departamento de Neuropediatría, Hospital Central Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto, San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México.
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Tena-Suck ML, Morales-del Ángel AY, Hernández-Campos ME, Fernández-Valverde F, Ortíz-Plata A, Hernández AD, Santamaría A. Ultrastructural characterization of craniopharyngioma at the tumor boundary: A structural comparison with an experimental toxic model using "oil machinery" fluid, with emphasis on Rosenthal fibers. Acta Histochem 2015; 117:696-704. [PMID: 26515050 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2015.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 09/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are cystic, encapsulated, slow-growing epithelial tumors. CPs can be aggressive forms invading and resorting surrounding structures of adjacent brain tissue, where Rosenthal fibers (RFs) are expressed. The aim of this study was to investigate the ultrastructure of these fibers in human biopsies and compare it with an experimental toxic model produced by the cortical infusion of the oil cyst fluid ("Oil machinery" fluid or OMF) from CPs to rats. For this purpose, the CPs from ten patients were examined by light and electron microscopy. OMF was administered to rats intracortically. Immunohistochemical detection of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin was assessed. In both freshly obtained CPs and rat brain tissue, the presence of abundant cellular debris, lipid-laden macrophages, reactive gliosis, inflammation and extracellular matrix destruction were seen. Ultrastructural results suggest focal pathological disturbances and an altered microenvironment surrounding the tumor-brain junction, with an enhanced presence of RFs in human tumors. In contrast, in the rat brain different degrees of cellular disorganization with aberrant filament-filament interactions and protein aggregation were seen, although RFs were absent. Our immunohistochemical findings in CPs also revealed an enhanced expression of GFAP and vimentin in RFs at the peripheral, but not at the central (body) level. Through these findings we hypothesize that the continuous OMF release at the CPs boundary may cause tissue alterations, including damaging of the extracellular matrix, and possibly contributing to RFs formation, a condition that was not possible to reproduce in the experimental model. The presence of RFs at the CPs boundary might be considered as a major criterion for the degree of CPs invasiveness to normal tissue. The lack of RFs reactivity in the experimental model reveals that the invasive component of CPs is not present in the OMF, although the fluid per se can exert tissue damage.
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Wójtowicz I, Jabłońska J, Zmojdzian M, Taghli-Lamallem O, Renaud Y, Junion G, Daczewska M, Huelsmann S, Jagla K, Jagla T. Drosophila small heat shock protein CryAB ensures structural integrity of developing muscles, and proper muscle and heart performance. Development 2015; 142:994-1005. [PMID: 25715399 DOI: 10.1242/dev.115352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Molecular chaperones, such as the small heat shock proteins (sHsps), maintain normal cellular function by controlling protein homeostasis in stress conditions. However, sHsps are not only activated in response to environmental insults, but also exert developmental and tissue-specific functions that are much less known. Here, we show that during normal development the Drosophila sHsp CryAB [L(2)efl] is specifically expressed in larval body wall muscles and accumulates at the level of Z-bands and around myonuclei. CryAB features a conserved actin-binding domain and, when attenuated, leads to clustering of myonuclei and an altered pattern of sarcomeric actin and the Z-band-associated actin crosslinker Cheerio (filamin). Our data suggest that CryAB and Cheerio form a complex essential for muscle integrity: CryAB colocalizes with Cheerio and, as revealed by mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation experiments, binds to Cheerio, and the muscle-specific attenuation of cheerio leads to CryAB-like sarcomeric phenotypes. Furthermore, muscle-targeted expression of CryAB(R120G), which carries a mutation associated with desmin-related myopathy (DRM), results in an altered sarcomeric actin pattern, in affected myofibrillar integrity and in Z-band breaks, leading to reduced muscle performance and to marked cardiac arrhythmia. Taken together, we demonstrate that CryAB ensures myofibrillar integrity in Drosophila muscles during development and propose that it does so by interacting with the actin crosslinker Cheerio. The evidence that a DRM-causing mutation affects CryAB muscle function and leads to DRM-like phenotypes in the fly reveals a conserved stress-independent role of CryAB in maintaining muscle cell cytoarchitecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Wójtowicz
- GReD - INSERM U1103, CNRS UMR6293, Clermont Université, 28, place Henri Dunant, Clermont-Ferrand 63000, France Department of Animal Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, University of Wrocław, Sienkiewicza 21, Wrocław 50-335, Poland
| | - Jadwiga Jabłońska
- Department of Animal Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, University of Wrocław, Sienkiewicza 21, Wrocław 50-335, Poland
| | - Monika Zmojdzian
- GReD - INSERM U1103, CNRS UMR6293, Clermont Université, 28, place Henri Dunant, Clermont-Ferrand 63000, France
| | - Ouarda Taghli-Lamallem
- GReD - INSERM U1103, CNRS UMR6293, Clermont Université, 28, place Henri Dunant, Clermont-Ferrand 63000, France
| | - Yoan Renaud
- GReD - INSERM U1103, CNRS UMR6293, Clermont Université, 28, place Henri Dunant, Clermont-Ferrand 63000, France
| | - Guillaume Junion
- GReD - INSERM U1103, CNRS UMR6293, Clermont Université, 28, place Henri Dunant, Clermont-Ferrand 63000, France
| | - Malgorzata Daczewska
- Department of Animal Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, University of Wrocław, Sienkiewicza 21, Wrocław 50-335, Poland
| | - Sven Huelsmann
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute and Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Krzysztof Jagla
- GReD - INSERM U1103, CNRS UMR6293, Clermont Université, 28, place Henri Dunant, Clermont-Ferrand 63000, France
| | - Teresa Jagla
- GReD - INSERM U1103, CNRS UMR6293, Clermont Université, 28, place Henri Dunant, Clermont-Ferrand 63000, France
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Hess JF, Budamagunta MS, Aziz A, FitzGerald PG, Voss JC. Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis of the vimentin tail domain reveals points of order in a largely disordered region and conformational adaptation upon filament assembly. Protein Sci 2014; 22:47-55. [PMID: 23109052 DOI: 10.1002/pro.2182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Very little data have been reported that describe the structure of the tail domain of any cytoplasmic intermediate filament (IF) protein. We report here the results of studies using site directed spin labeling and electron paramagnetic resonance (SDSL-EPR) to explore the structure and dynamics of the tail domain of human vimentin in tetramers (protofilaments) and filaments. The data demonstrate that in contrast to the vimentin head and rod domains, the tail domains are not closely apposed in protofilaments. However, upon assembly into intact IFs, several sites, including positions 445, 446, 451, and 452, the conserved "beta-site," become closely apposed, indicating dynamic changes in tail domain structure that accompany filament elongation. No evidence is seen for coiled-coil structure within the region studied, in either protofilaments or assembled filaments. EPR analysis also establishes that more than half of the tail domain is very flexible in both the assembly intermediate and the intact IF. However, by positioning the spin label at distinct sites, EPR is able to identify both the rod proximal region and sites flanking the beta-site motif as rigid locations within the tail. The rod proximal region is well assembled at the tetramer stage with only slight changes occurring during filament elongation. In contrast, at the beta site, the polypeptide backbone transitions from flexible in the assembly intermediate to much more rigid in the intact IF. These data support a model in which the distal tail domain structure undergoes significant conformational change during filament elongation and final assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F Hess
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
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Diagnosis by whole exome sequencing of atypical infantile onset Alexander disease masquerading as a mitochondrial disorder. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2014; 18:495-501. [PMID: 24742911 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2014.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2013] [Revised: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There are many similarities, both clinical and radiological, between mitochondrial leukoencephalopathies and Alexander disease, an astrogliopathy. Clinically, both can manifest with a myriad of symptoms and signs, arising from the neonatal period to adulthood. Radiologically, both can demonstrate white matter changes, signal abnormalities of basal ganglia or thalami, brainstem abnormalities and contrast enhancement of white matter structures. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy may reveal elevation of lactate in the abnormal white matter in Alexander disease making the distinction even more challenging. PATIENT AND METHODS We present a child who was considered to have an infantile onset mitochondrial disorder due to a combination of neurological symptoms and signs (developmental regression, failure to thrive, episodic deterioration, abnormal eye movements, pyramidal and cerebellar signs), urinary excretion of 3-methyl-glutaconic acid and imaging findings (extensive white matter changes and cerebellar atrophy) with a normal head circumference. Whole exome sequence analysis was performed. RESULTS The child was found to harbor the R416W mutation, one of the most prevalent mutations in the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene that causes Alexander disease. CONCLUSIONS Alexander disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infantile leukoencephalopathy, even when no macrocephaly is present. Next generation sequencing is a useful aid in unraveling the molecular etiology of leukoencephalopathies.
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Identification of a novel nonsense mutation in the rod domain of GFAP that is associated with Alexander disease. Eur J Hum Genet 2014; 23:72-8. [PMID: 24755947 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2014.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2013] [Revised: 02/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is an astrogliopathy that primarily affects the white matter of the central nervous system (CNS). AxD is caused by mutations in a gene encoding GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein). The GFAP mutations in AxD have been reported to act in a gain-of-function manner partly because the identified mutations generate practically full-length GFAP. We found a novel nonsense mutation (c.1000 G>T, p.(Glu312Ter); also termed p.(E312*)) within a rod domain of GFAP in a 67-year-old Korean man with a history of memory impairment and leukoencephalopathy. This mutation, GFAP p.(E312*), removes part of the 2B rod domain and the whole tail domain from the GFAP. We characterized GFAP p.(E312*) using western blotting, in vitro assembly and sedimentation assay, and transient transfection of human adrenal cortex carcinoma SW13 (Vim(+)) cells with plasmids encoding GFAP p.(E312*). The GFAP p.(E312*) protein, either alone or in combination with wild-type GFAP, elicited self-aggregation. In addition, the assembled GFAP p.(E312*) aggregated into paracrystal-like structures, and GFAP p.(E312*) elicited more GFAP aggregation than wild-type GFAP in the human adrenal cortex carcinoma SW13 (Vim(+)) cells. Our findings are the first report, to the best of our knowledge, on this novel nonsense mutation of GFAP that is associated with AxD and paracrystal formation.
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Caspase cleavage of GFAP produces an assembly-compromised proteolytic fragment that promotes filament aggregation. ASN Neuro 2013; 5:e00125. [PMID: 24102621 PMCID: PMC3833455 DOI: 10.1042/an20130032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
IF (intermediate filament) proteins can be cleaved by caspases to generate proapoptotic fragments as shown for desmin. These fragments can also cause filament aggregation. The hypothesis is that disease-causing mutations in IF proteins and their subsequent characteristic histopathological aggregates could involve caspases. GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein), a closely related IF protein expressed mainly in astrocytes, is also a putative caspase substrate. Mutations in GFAP cause AxD (Alexander disease). The overexpression of wild-type or mutant GFAP promotes cytoplasmic aggregate formation, with caspase activation and GFAP proteolysis. In this study, we report that GFAP is cleaved specifically by caspase 6 at VELD²²⁵ in its L12 linker domain in vitro. Caspase cleavage of GFAP at Asp²²⁵ produces two major cleavage products. While the C-GFAP (C-terminal GFAP) is unable to assemble into filaments, the N-GFAP (N-terminal GFAP) forms filamentous structures that are variable in width and prone to aggregation. The effect of N-GFAP is dominant, thus affecting normal filament assembly in a way that promotes filament aggregation. Transient transfection of N-GFAP into a human astrocytoma cell line induces the formation of cytoplasmic aggregates, which also disrupt the endogenous GFAP networks. In addition, we generated a neo-epitope antibody that recognizes caspase-cleaved but not the intact GFAP. Using this antibody, we demonstrate the presence of the caspase-generated GFAP fragment in transfected cells expressing a disease-causing mutant GFAP and in two mouse models of AxD. These findings suggest that caspase-mediated GFAP proteolysis may be a common event in the context of both the GFAP mutation and excess.
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Wong ZR, Su PH, Chang KW, Huang BM, Lee H, Yang HY. Identification of a rod domain-truncated isoform of nestin, Nes-SΔ107–254, in rat dorsal root ganglia. Neurosci Lett 2013; 553:181-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2013.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Revised: 08/07/2013] [Accepted: 08/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Effects of a polymorphism in the GFAP promoter on the age of onset and ambulatory disability in late-onset Alexander disease. J Hum Genet 2013; 58:635-8. [PMID: 23903069 DOI: 10.1038/jhg.2013.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Revised: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder. Most patients with AxD have a de novo dominant missense mutation in the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene. Patients with late-onset AxD exhibit a more variable onset and severity than patients with early-onset AxD, suggesting the existence of factors that modify the clinical phenotype of late-onset AxD. A -250-bp C/A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the GFAP promoter (rs2070935) in the activator protein-1 binding site is a candidate factor for modification of the clinical phenotype. We analyzed the SNP in 10 patients with late-onset AxD and evaluated the effects of the SNP on the clinical course of late-onset AxD. Three of four cases with the C/C genotype lost the ability to walk in their 30s or 40s, whereas all six cases with the other genotypes retained the ability to walk throughout their 30s. The age of onset in patients with the C/C genotype was significantly earlier than in patients with the other genotypes (P<0.05). A more severe phenotype was observed in the patient in whom the C allele of rs2070935 was in cis with the GFAP mutation compared with the patient in whom the C allele of rs2070935 was in trans with the GFAP mutation. Our investigation revealed the possibility that the C/C genotype at rs2070935 of the GFAP promoter in late-onset AxD was associated with an earlier onset and a more rapid progression of ambulatory disability compared with the other genotypes.
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