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Gentenaar M, Meulmeester FL, van der Burg XR, Hoekstra AT, Hunt H, Kroon J, van Roon-Mom WMC, Meijer OC. Glucocorticoid receptor antagonist CORT113176 attenuates motor and neuropathological symptoms of Huntington's disease in R6/2 mice. Exp Neurol 2024; 374:114675. [PMID: 38216109 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114675] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Huntington's Disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene. The mutation leads to a toxic gain of function of the mutant huntingtin (mHtt) protein resulting in cellular malfunction, aberrant huntingtin aggregation and eventually neuronal cell death. Patients with HD show impaired motor functions and cognitive decline. Elevated levels of glucocorticoids have been found in HD patients and in HD mouse models, and there is a positive correlation between increased glucocorticoid levels and the progression of HD. Therefore, antagonism of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) may be an interesting strategy for the treatment of HD. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the selective GR antagonist CORT113176 in the commonly used R6/2 mouse model. In male mice, CORT113176 treatment significantly delayed the loss of grip strength, the development of hindlimb clasping, gait abnormalities, and the occurrence of epileptic seizures. CORT113176 treatment delayed loss of DARPP-32 immunoreactivity in the dorsolateral striatum. It also restored HD-related parameters including astrocyte markers in both the dorsolateral striatum and the hippocampus, and microglia markers in the hippocampus. This suggests that CORT113176 has both cell-type and brain region-specific effects. CORT113176 delayed the formation of mHtt aggregates in the striatum and the hippocampus. In female mice, we did not observe major effects of CORT113176 treatment on HD-related symptoms, with the exception of the anti-epileptic effects. We conclude that CORT113176 effectively delays several key symptoms related to the HD phenotype in male R6/2 mice and believe that GR antagonism may be a possible treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Gentenaar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Fleur L Meulmeester
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ximaine R van der Burg
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Anna T Hoekstra
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Hazel Hunt
- Corcept Therapeutics, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Jan Kroon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Corcept Therapeutics, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | | | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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2
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Amartumur S, Nguyen H, Huynh T, Kim TS, Woo RS, Oh E, Kim KK, Lee LP, Heo C. Neuropathogenesis-on-chips for neurodegenerative diseases. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2219. [PMID: 38472255 PMCID: PMC10933492 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46554-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Developing diagnostics and treatments for neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) is challenging due to multifactorial pathogenesis that progresses gradually. Advanced in vitro systems that recapitulate patient-like pathophysiology are emerging as alternatives to conventional animal-based models. In this review, we explore the interconnected pathogenic features of different types of ND, discuss the general strategy to modelling NDs using a microfluidic chip, and introduce the organoid-on-a-chip as the next advanced relevant model. Lastly, we overview how these models are being applied in academic and industrial drug development. The integration of microfluidic chips, stem cells, and biotechnological devices promises to provide valuable insights for biomedical research and developing diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarnai Amartumur
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Korea
| | - Huong Nguyen
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Korea
| | - Thuy Huynh
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Korea
| | - Testaverde S Kim
- Center for Integrated Nanostructure Physics (CINAP), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon, 16419, Korea
| | - Ran-Sook Woo
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon, 34824, Korea
| | - Eungseok Oh
- Department of Neurology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, 35015, Korea
| | - Kyeong Kyu Kim
- Department of Precision Medicine, Graduate School of Basic Medical Science (GSBMS), Institute for Anti-microbial Resistance Research and Therapeutics, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Korea
| | - Luke P Lee
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Korea.
- Harvard Medical School, Division of Engineering in Medicine and Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
| | - Chaejeong Heo
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Korea.
- Center for Integrated Nanostructure Physics (CINAP), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon, 16419, Korea.
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3
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Salado-Manzano C, Perpiña U, Straccia M, Molina-Ruiz FJ, Cozzi E, Rosser AE, Canals JM. Is the Immunological Response a Bottleneck for Cell Therapy in Neurodegenerative Diseases? Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:250. [PMID: 32848630 PMCID: PMC7433375 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD) are characterized by a selective detrimental impact on neurons in a specific brain area. Currently, these diseases have no cures, although some promising trials of therapies that may be able to slow the loss of brain cells are underway. Cell therapy is distinguished by its potential to replace cells to compensate for those lost to the degenerative process and has shown a great potential to replace degenerated neurons in animal models and in clinical trials in PD and HD patients. Fetal-derived neural progenitor cells, embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells are the main cell sources that have been tested in cell therapy approaches. Furthermore, new strategies are emerging, such as the use of adult stem cells, encapsulated cell lines releasing trophic factors or cell-free products, containing an enriched secretome, which have shown beneficial preclinical outcomes. One of the major challenges for these potential new treatments is to overcome the host immune response to the transplanted cells. Immune rejection can cause significant alterations in transplanted and endogenous tissue and requires immunosuppressive drugs that may produce adverse effects. T-, B-lymphocytes and microglia have been recognized as the main effectors in striatal graft rejection. This review aims to summarize the preclinical and clinical studies of cell therapies in PD and HD. In addition, the precautions and strategies to ensure the highest quality of cell grafts, the lowest risk during transplantation and the reduction of a possible immune rejection will be outlined. Altogether, the wide-ranging possibilities of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) could make therapeutic treatment of these incurable diseases possible in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Salado-Manzano
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Unai Perpiña
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Francisco J. Molina-Ruiz
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emanuele Cozzi
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Transplant Immunology Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Anne E. Rosser
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Josep M. Canals
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
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4
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Jensen MP, Barker RA. Disease-Modification in Huntington's Disease: Moving Away from a Single-Target Approach. J Huntingtons Dis 2019; 8:9-22. [PMID: 30636742 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-180320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
To date, no candidate intervention has demonstrated a disease-modifying effect in Huntington's disease, despite promising results in preclinical studies. In this commentary we discuss disease-modifying therapies that have been trialled in Huntington's disease and speculate that these failures may be attributed, in part, to the assumption that a single drug selectively targeting one aspect of disease pathology will be universally effective, regardless of disease stage or "subtype". We therefore propose an alternative approach for effective disease-modification that uses 1) a combination approach rather than monotherapy, and 2) targets the disease process early on - before it is clinically manifest. Finally, we will consider whether this change in approach that we propose will be relevant in the future given the recent shift to targeting more proximal disease processes-e.g., huntingtin gene expression; a timely question given Roche's recent decision to take on the clinical development of a promising new drug candidate in Huntington's disease, IONIS-HTTRx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie P Jensen
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Roger A Barker
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, UK
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5
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Scior A, Buntru A, Arnsburg K, Ast A, Iburg M, Juenemann K, Pigazzini ML, Mlody B, Puchkov D, Priller J, Wanker EE, Prigione A, Kirstein J. Complete suppression of Htt fibrilization and disaggregation of Htt fibrils by a trimeric chaperone complex. EMBO J 2017; 37:282-299. [PMID: 29212816 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201797212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded CAG trinucleotide repeat in the huntingtin gene (HTT). Molecular chaperones have been implicated in suppressing or delaying the aggregation of mutant Htt. Using in vitro and in vivo assays, we have identified a trimeric chaperone complex (Hsc70, Hsp110, and J-protein) that completely suppresses fibrilization of HttExon1Q48 The composition of this chaperone complex is variable as recruitment of different chaperone family members forms distinct functional complexes. The trimeric chaperone complex is also able to resolubilize Htt fibrils. We confirmed the biological significance of these findings in HD patient-derived neural cells and on an organismal level in Caenorhabditis elegans Among the proteins in this chaperone complex, the J-protein is the concentration-limiting factor. The single overexpression of DNAJB1 in HEK293T cells is sufficient to profoundly reduce HttExon1Q97 aggregation and represents a target of future therapeutic avenues for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Scior
- Leibniz-Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) im Forschungsverbund Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Kristin Arnsburg
- Leibniz-Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) im Forschungsverbund Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Ast
- Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Manuel Iburg
- Leibniz-Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) im Forschungsverbund Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katrin Juenemann
- Leibniz-Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) im Forschungsverbund Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Lucia Pigazzini
- Leibniz-Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) im Forschungsverbund Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin and NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Mlody
- Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dmytro Puchkov
- Leibniz-Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) im Forschungsverbund Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Josef Priller
- Department of Neuropsychiatry and Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Erich E Wanker
- Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Janine Kirstein
- Leibniz-Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) im Forschungsverbund Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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6
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Abstract
Purpose of Review The purpose of this review was to review the imaging, particularly positron emission tomography (PET), findings in neurorestoration studies in movement disorders, with specific focus on neural transplantation in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Huntington’s disease (HD). Recent Findings PET findings in PD transplantation studies have shown that graft survival as reflected by increases in dopaminergic PET markers does not necessarily correlate with clinical improvement. PD patients with more denervated ventral striatum and more imbalanced serotonin-to-dopamine ratio in the grafted neurons tended to have worse outcome. In HD transplantation studies, variable graft survival and clinical responses may be related to host inflammatory/immune responses to the grafts. Summary Information gleaned from imaging findings in previous neural transplantation studies has been used to refine study protocol and patient selection in future trials. This includes identifying suitable candidates for transplantation using imaging markers, employing multiple and/or novel PET tracers to better assess graft functions and inflammatory responses to grafts.
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7
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Szlachcic WJ, Wiatr K, Trzeciak M, Figlerowicz M, Figiel M. The Generation of Mouse and Human Huntington Disease iPS Cells Suitable for In vitro Studies on Huntingtin Function. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:253. [PMID: 28848389 PMCID: PMC5550714 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of CAG repeats in huntingtin (HTT) gene, resulting in expanded polyglutamine tract in HTT protein. Although, HD has its common onset in adulthood, subtle symptoms in patients may occur decades before diagnosis, and molecular and cellular changes begin much earlier, even in cells that are not yet lineage committed such as stem cells. Studies in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) HD models have demonstrated that multiple molecular processes are altered by the mutant HTT protein and suggested its silencing as a promising therapeutic strategy. Therefore, we aimed to generate HD iPS cells with stable silencing of HTT and further to investigate the effects of HTT knock-down on deregulations of signaling pathways e.g., p53 downregulation, present in cells already in pluripotent state. We designed a gene silencing strategy based on RNAi cassette in piggyBAC vector for constant shRNA expression. Using such system we delivered and tested several shRNA targeting huntingtin in mouse HD YAC128 iPSC and human HD109, HD71, and Control iPSC. The most effective shRNA (shHTT2) reagent stably silenced HTT in all HD iPS cells and remained active upon differentiation to neural stem cells (NSC). When investigating the effects of HTT silencing on signaling pathways, we found that in mouse HD iPSC lines expressing shRNA the level of mutant HTT inversely correlated with p53 levels, resulting in p53 level normalization upon silencing of mutant HTT. We also found that p53 deregulation continues into the NSC developmental stage and it was reversed upon HTT silencing. In addition, we observed subtle effects of silencing on proteins of Wnt/β-catenin and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. In summary, we successfully created the first mouse and human shRNA-expressing HD iPS cells with stable and continuous HTT silencing. Moreover, we demonstrated reversal of HD p53 phenotype in mouse HD iPSC, therefore, the stable knockdown of HTT is well-suited for investigation on HD cellular pathways, and is potentially useful as a stand-alone therapy or component of cell therapy. In addition, the total HTT knock-down in our human cells has further implications for mutant allele selective approach in iPSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech J Szlachcic
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesPoznań, Poland
| | - Kalina Wiatr
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesPoznań, Poland
| | - Marta Trzeciak
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesPoznań, Poland
| | - Marek Figlerowicz
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesPoznań, Poland
| | - Maciej Figiel
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of SciencesPoznań, Poland
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8
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Li M, Rosser AE. Pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons for transplantation in Huntington's disease. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2017; 230:263-281. [PMID: 28552232 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2017.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells present a potentially unlimited source of cells for regenerative medicine, providing that they can be efficiently and accurately differentiated to the target cell type. The principle target cell for Huntington's disease is the striatal medium spiny neuron. In this chapter, we review strategies for directing medium spiny neuron differentiation, based on known developmental principles, and we discuss the remaining hurdles on the road to engineering such cells for therapeutic application in Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Li
- Cardiff University Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom; Cardiff University School of Biosciences, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
| | - Anne E Rosser
- Cardiff University Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom; Cardiff University School of Biosciences, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
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9
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Trehalose rescues glial cell dysfunction in striatal cultures from HD R6/1 mice at early postnatal development. Mol Cell Neurosci 2016; 74:128-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2015] [Revised: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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10
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Liang C, Xu Y, Zheng D, Sun X, Xu Q, Duan D. RNAi-mediated silencing of HLA A2 suppressed acute rejection against human fibroblast xenografts in the striatum of 6-OHDA lesioned rats. J Neuroimmunol 2016; 297:28-37. [PMID: 27397073 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex class l (MHC I) molecules play a role in determining whether transplanted cells will be accepted or rejected, and masking of MHC I on donor cells has been found useful for immunoprotection of neural xenografts. In the present study, primary human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELF), HELF treated with lentivirus-mediated small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting human leukocyte antigen A2 (HLA A2, MHC I in humans) (siHELF), and rat embryonic lung fibroblasts (RELF) were stereotaxically grafted into the striatum of 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rats to explore whether knockdown of HLA A2 could reduce host immune responses against xenografts. Before lentiviral infection, the cells were transduced with retroviruses harboring tyrosine hydroxylase cDNA. Knockdown of HLA A2 protein was examined by Western blotting. The immune responses (the number of CD4 and CD8 T-cells in the brain and peripheral blood), glial reaction, and survival of human fibroblasts were quantitatively evaluated by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry at 4d, 2w, and 6w post-graft. Animal behaviors were assessed by counting apomorphine-induced rotations pre- and post-grafts. It was shown that a lower level of HLA A2 was observed in siHELF grafts than in HELF grafts, and knockdown of HLA A2 decreased rat immune responses, as indicated by less remarkable increases in the number of CD8 and CD4 T-cells in the brain and the ratio of CD4:CD8 T-cells in the peripheral blood in rats grafted with siHELF. Rats grafted with siHELF exhibited a significant improvement in motor asymmetry post-transplantation and a better survival of human fibroblasts at 2w. The increasing number of activated microglia and the decreasing number of astrocytes were found in three groups of rats post-implantation. These data suggested that RNAi-mediated knockdown of HLA A2 could suppress acute rejection against xenogeneic human cell transplants in the rat brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caixia Liang
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yunzhi Xu
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Deyu Zheng
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xiaohong Sun
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Qunyuan Xu
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Deyi Duan
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
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11
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Andres RH, Ducray AD, Andereggen L, Hohl T, Schlattner U, Wallimann T, Widmer HR. The effects of creatine supplementation on striatal neural progenitor cells depend on developmental stage. Amino Acids 2016; 48:1913-27. [PMID: 27129463 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-016-2238-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Transplantation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) is a promising experimental therapy for Huntington's disease (HD). The variables responsible for the success of this approach, including selection of the optimal developmental stage of the grafted cells, are however largely unknown. Supporting cellular energy metabolism by creatine (Cr) supplementation is a clinically translatable method for improving cell transplantation strategies. The present study aims at investigating differences between early (E14) and late (E18) developmental stages of rat striatal NPCs in vitro. NPCs were isolated from E14 and E18 embryos and cultured for 7 days with or without Cr [5 mM]. Chronic treatment significantly increased the percentage of GABA-immunoreactive neurons as compared to untreated controls, both in the E14 (170.4 ± 4.7 %) and the E18 groups (129.3 ± 9.3 %). This effect was greater in E14 cultures (p < 0.05). Similarly, short-term treatment for 24 h resulted in increased induction (p < 0.05) of the GABA-ergic phenotype in E14 (163.0 ± 10.4 %), compared to E18 cultures (133.3 ± 9.5 %). Total neuronal cell numbers and general viability were not affected by Cr (p > 0.05). Protective effects of Cr against a metabolic insult were equal in E14 and E18 NPCs (p > 0.05). Cr exposure promoted morphological differentiation of GABA-ergic neurons, including neurite length in both groups (p < 0.05), but the number of branching points was increased only in the E18 group (p < 0.05). Our results demonstrate that the role of Cr as a GABA-ergic differentiation factor depends on the developmental stage of striatal NPCs, while Cr-mediated neuroprotection is not significantly influenced. These findings have potential implications for optimizing future cell replacement strategies in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert H Andres
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Berne, Inselspital, Freiburgstrasse 10, 3010, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Angelique D Ducray
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Berne, Inselspital, Freiburgstrasse 10, 3010, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Andereggen
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Berne, Inselspital, Freiburgstrasse 10, 3010, Berne, Switzerland.,Department of Neurosurgery and F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Tabea Hohl
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Berne, Inselspital, Freiburgstrasse 10, 3010, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Uwe Schlattner
- Laboratory of Fundamental and Applied Bioenergetics, Université Grenoble Alpes, BP53, 38041, Grenoble Cedex, France.,Inserm, U1055, BP53, 38041, Grenoble Cedex, France
| | - Theo Wallimann
- Professor emeritus, formerly at Institute of Cell Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Schafmattstrasse 18, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hans R Widmer
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Berne, Inselspital, Freiburgstrasse 10, 3010, Berne, Switzerland.
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12
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Ambrosini S, Sarchielli E, Comeglio P, Porfirio B, Gallina P, Morelli A, Vannelli GB. Fibroblast growth factor and endothelin-1 receptors mediate the response of human striatal precursor cells to hypoxia. Neuroscience 2015; 289:123-33. [PMID: 25595970 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.12.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2014] [Revised: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 12/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fetal striatal transplantation has emerged as a new therapeutic strategy in Huntington's disease (HD). Hypoxia is one of the microenvironmental stress conditions to which fetal tissue is exposed as soon as it is isolated and transplanted into the diseased host brain. Mechanisms that support neuroblast survival and replenishment of damaged cells within the HD brain in the hypoxic condition have yet to be fully elucidated. This study is aimed at investigating the molecular pathways associated with the hypoxic condition in human fetal striatal neuroblasts (human striatal precursor (HSP) cells), using the hypoxia-mimetic agent cobalt chloride (CoCl2). We analyzed the effect of CoCl2 on HSP cell proliferation and on the expression of hypoxia-related proteins, such as hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Moreover, we evaluated fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2; 50ng/ml) and endothelin-1 (ET-1; 100nM) proliferative/survival effects in HSP cells in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Dose-response experiments using increasing concentrations of CoCl2 (50-750μM) showed that the HSP cell growth was unaffected after 24h, while it increased at 48h, with the maximal effect observed at 400μM. In contrast, cell survival was impaired at 72h. Hypoxic conditions determined HIF-1α protein accumulation and increased gene and protein expression of VEGF, while FGF2 and ET-1 significantly stimulated HSP cell proliferation both in normoxic and hypoxic conditions, thus counteracting the apoptotic CoCl2 effect at 72h. The incubation with selective receptor (FGFR1, endothelin receptor A (ETA) and endothelin receptor B (ETB)) inhibitors abolished the FGF2 and ET-1 neuroprotective effect. In particular, ET-1 stimulated HSP cell survival through ETA in normoxic conditions and through ETB during hypoxia. Accordingly, ETA expression was down-regulated, while ETB expression was up-regulated by CoCl2 treatment. Overall, our results support the idea that HSP cells possess the machinery for their adaptation to hypoxic conditions and that neurotrophic factors, such as FGF2 and ET-1, may sustain neurogenesis and long-term survival through complex receptor-mediated mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ambrosini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - E Sarchielli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - P Comeglio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Science "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Viale G.B. Morgagni 50, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - B Porfirio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Science "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Viale G.B. Morgagni 50, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - P Gallina
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - A Morelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - G B Vannelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
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13
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Zielonka D, Mielcarek M, Landwehrmeyer GB. Update on Huntington's disease: advances in care and emerging therapeutic options. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2014; 21:169-78. [PMID: 25572500 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2014.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Revised: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Huntington's disease (HD) is the most common hereditary neurodegenerative disorder. Despite the fact that both the gene and the mutation causing this monogenetic disorder were identified more than 20 years ago, disease-modifying therapies for HD have not yet been established. REVIEW While intense preclinical research and large cohort studies in HD have laid foundations for tangible improvements in understanding HD and caring for HD patients, identifying targets for therapeutic interventions and developing novel therapeutic modalities (new chemical entities and advanced therapies using DNA and RNA molecules as therapeutic agents) continues to be an ongoing process. The authors review recent achievements in HD research and focus on approaches towards disease-modifying therapies, ranging from huntingtin-lowering strategies to improving huntingtin clearance that may be promoted by posttranslational HTT modifications. CONCLUSION The nature and number of upcoming clinical studies/trials in HD is a reason for hope for HD patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Zielonka
- Department of Social Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland.
| | - Michal Mielcarek
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, London, UK
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Reddington AE, Rosser AE, Dunnett SB. Differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into striatal projection neurons: a pure MSN fate may not be sufficient. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:398. [PMID: 25520619 PMCID: PMC4251433 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 11/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder leading to the loss inter alia of DARPP-32 positive medium spiny projection neurons ("MSNs") in the striatum. There is no known cure for HD but the relative specificity of cell loss early in the disease has made cell replacement by neural transplantation an attractive therapeutic possibility. Transplantation of human fetal striatal precursor cells has shown "proof-of-principle" in clinical trials; however, the practical and ethical difficulties associated with sourcing fetal tissues have stimulated the need to identify alternative source(s) of donor cells that are more readily available and more suitable for standardization. We now have available the first generation of protocols to generate DARPP-32 positive MSN-like neurons from pluripotent stem cells and these have been successfully grafted into animal models of HD. However, whether these grafts can provide stable functional recovery to the level that can regularly be achieved with primary fetal striatal grafts remains to be demonstrated. Of particular concern, primary fetal striatal grafts are not homogenous; they contain not only the MSN subpopulation of striatal projection neurons but also include all the different cell types that make up the mature striatum, such as the multiple populations of striatal interneurons and striatal glia, and which certainly contribute to normal striatal function. By contrast, present protocols for pluripotent stem cell differentiation are almost entirely targeted at specifying just neurons of an MSN lineage. So far, evidence for the functionality and integration of stem-cell derived grafts is correspondingly limited. Indeed, consideration of the features of full striatal reconstruction that is achieved with primary fetal striatal grafts suggests that optimal success of the next generations of stem cell-derived replacement therapy in HD will require that graft protocols be developed to allow inclusion of multiple striatal cell types, such as interneurons and/or glia. Almost certainly, therefore, more sophisticated differentiation protocols will be necessary, over and above replacement of a specific population of MSNs. A rational solution to this technical challenge requires that we re-address the underlying question-what constitutes a functional striatal graft?
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Reddington
- The Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University Cardiff, UK
| | - Anne E Rosser
- The Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University Cardiff, UK ; Department of Psychological Medicine and Neurology, Cardiff University Cardiff, UK
| | - Stephen B Dunnett
- The Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University Cardiff, UK
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15
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Nussbaum-Krammer CI, Morimoto RI. Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system for studying non-cell-autonomous mechanisms in protein-misfolding diseases. Dis Model Mech 2014; 7:31-9. [PMID: 24396152 PMCID: PMC3882046 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.013011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans has a number of distinct advantages that are useful for understanding the basis for cellular and organismal dysfunction underlying age-associated diseases of protein misfolding. Although protein aggregation, a key feature of human neurodegenerative diseases, has been typically explored in vivo at the single-cell level using cells in culture, there is now increasing evidence that proteotoxicity has a non-cell-autonomous component and is communicated between cells and tissues in a multicellular organism. These discoveries have opened up new avenues for the use of C. elegans as an ideal animal model system to study non-cell-autonomous proteotoxicity, prion-like propagation of aggregation-prone proteins, and the organismal regulation of stress responses and proteostasis. This Review focuses on recent evidence that C. elegans has mechanisms to transmit certain classes of toxic proteins between tissues and a complex stress response that integrates and coordinates signals from single cells and tissues across the organism. These findings emphasize the potential of C. elegans to provide insights into non-cell-autonomous proteotoxic mechanisms underlying age-related protein-misfolding diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen I Nussbaum-Krammer
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Rice Institute for Biomedical Research, Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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16
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Paganini M, Biggeri A, Romoli AM, Mechi C, Ghelli E, Berti V, Pradella S, Bucciantini S, Catelan D, Saccardi R, Lombardini L, Mascalchi M, Massacesi L, Porfirio B, Di Lorenzo N, Vannelli GB, Gallina P. Fetal striatal grafting slows motor and cognitive decline of Huntington's disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2014; 85:974-81. [PMID: 24347577 PMCID: PMC4145428 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2013-306533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the clinical effect of caudate-putaminal transplantation of fetal striatal tissue in Huntington's disease (HD). METHODS We carried out a follow-up study on 10 HD transplanted patients and 16 HD not-transplanted patients. All patients were evaluated with the Unified HD Rating Scale (UHDRS) whose change in motor, cognitive, behavioural and functional capacity total scores were considered as outcome measures. Grafted patients also received morphological and molecular neuroimaging. RESULTS Patients were followed-up from disease onset for a total of 309.3 person-years (minimum 5.3, median 11.2 years, maximum 21.6 years). UHDRS scores have been available since 2004 (median time of 5.7 years since onset, minimum zero, maximum 17.2 years). Median post-transplantation follow-up was 4.3 years, minimum 2.8, maximum 5.1 years. Adjusted post-transplantation motor score deterioration rate was reduced compared to the pretransplantation period, and to that of not-transplanted patients by 0.9 unit/years (95% CI 0.2 to 1.6). Cognitive score deterioration was reduced of 2.7 unit/years (95% CI 0.1 to 5.3). For grafted patients the 2-year post-transplantation [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) showed striatal/cortical metabolic increase compared to the presurgical evaluation; 4-year post-transplantation PET values were slightly decreased, but remained higher than preoperatively. [(123)I]iodobenzamide single photon emission CT demonstrated an increase in striatal D2-receptor density during postgrafting follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Grafted patients experienced a milder clinical course with less pronounced motor/cognitive decline and associated brain metabolism improvement. Life-time follow-up may ultimately clarify whether transplantation permanently modifies the natural course of the disease, allowing longer sojourn time at less severe clinical stage, and improvement of overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Paganini
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florence, Florence, Italy Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Annibale Biggeri
- Department of Statistics, Informatics and Applications "G. Parenti", University of Florence, Florence, Italy Biostatistics Unit, ISPO Cancer Prevention and Research Institute, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Mechi
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Ghelli
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Valentina Berti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Pradella
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Dolores Catelan
- Department of Statistics, Informatics and Applications "G. Parenti", University of Florence, Florence, Italy Biostatistics Unit, ISPO Cancer Prevention and Research Institute, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Letizia Lombardini
- Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy Italian National Health Institute, National Transplantation Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Mascalchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Luca Massacesi
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florence, Florence, Italy Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Berardino Porfirio
- Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Nicola Di Lorenzo
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Pasquale Gallina
- Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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17
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Cicchetti F, Barker RA. The glial response to intracerebrally delivered therapies for neurodegenerative disorders: is this a critical issue? Front Pharmacol 2014; 5:139. [PMID: 25071571 PMCID: PMC4090753 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2014.00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of glial cells in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative conditions of the central nervous system (CNS) is now well established (as is discussed in other reviews in this special issue of Frontiers in Neuropharmacology). What is less clear is whether there are changes in these same cells in terms of their behavior and function in response to invasive experimental therapeutic interventions for these diseases. This has, and will continue to become more of an issue as we enter a new era of novel treatments which require the agent to be directly placed/infused into the CNS such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), cell transplants, gene therapies and growth factor infusions. To date, all of these treatments have produced variable outcomes and the reasons for this have been widely debated but the host astrocytic and/or microglial response induced by such invasively delivered agents has not been discussed in any detail. In this review, we have attempted to summarize the limited published data on this, in particular we discuss the small number of human post-mortem studies reported in this field. By so doing, we hope to provide a better description and understanding of the extent and nature of both the astrocytic and microglial response, which in turn could lead to modifications in the way these therapeutic interventions are delivered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cicchetti
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec Québec, QC, Canada ; Département de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Université Laval Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Roger A Barker
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge Cambridge, UK
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18
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Rikani AA, Choudhry Z, Choudhry AM, Rizvi N, Ikram H, Mobassarah NJ, Tuli S. The mechanism of degeneration of striatal neuronal subtypes in Huntington disease. Ann Neurosci 2014; 21:112-4. [PMID: 25206077 PMCID: PMC4158784 DOI: 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.210308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Revised: 05/26/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The pattern of neurodegeneration in Huntington's disease (HD) is very characteristic of regional locations as well as that of neuronal types in striatum. The different striatal neuronal populations demonstrate different degree of degeneration in response to various pathological events in HD. In the striatum, medium spiny GABA neurons (MSN) are preferentially degenerate while others are relatively spared. Vulnerability of specific neuronal populations within the striatum to pathological events constitutes an important hallmark of degeneration in HD. In an attempt to explain a likely mechanism of degeneration of striatal neuronal populations in HD, possible causes underlying differential vulnerability of neuronal subtypes to excitoxic insults and neurotrophic factors are discussed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azadeh A. Rikani
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Zia Choudhry
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Division of Research and Medical Education, International Maternal and Child Health Foundation, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Adnan M Choudhry
- Division of Research and Medical Education, International Maternal and Child Health Foundation, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nasir Rizvi
- Department of Neurology, University of Alberta Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Huma Ikram
- Neuropharmacology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Nusrat J Mobassarah
- Institute of Integrated Cell-Material Science, Kyoto University, Yoshida Ushinomiyacho, Sakyo-ku, Japan
| | - Sagun Tuli
- Center for Advanced Brain & Spine Surgery, Boston, MA, USA, 01760
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19
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Cicchetti F, Lacroix S, Cisbani G, Vallières N, Saint-Pierre M, St-Amour I, Tolouei R, Skepper JN, Hauser RA, Mantovani D, Barker RA, Freeman TB. Mutant huntingtin is present in neuronal grafts in huntington disease patients. Ann Neurol 2014; 76:31-42. [DOI: 10.1002/ana.24174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Revised: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cicchetti
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec Research Center
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neurosciences
| | - Steve Lacroix
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec Research Center
- Molecular Medicine, Laval University; Quebec City Quebec Canada
| | - Giulia Cisbani
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec Research Center
| | | | | | | | - Ranna Tolouei
- Biomaterials and Bioengineering Laboratory; Saint-François d'Assise Hospital
- Department of Mining Engineering, Metallurgy, and Materials; Laval University; Quebec City Quebec Canada
| | - Jeremy N. Skepper
- Cambridge Advanced Imaging Centre; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
| | - Robert A. Hauser
- Departments of Neurology, Pharmacology, and Experimental Therapeutics; Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders National Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence, University of South Florida; Tampa Florida
| | - Diego Mantovani
- Biomaterials and Bioengineering Laboratory; Saint-François d'Assise Hospital
- Department of Mining Engineering, Metallurgy, and Materials; Laval University; Quebec City Quebec Canada
| | - Roger A. Barker
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
| | - Thomas B. Freeman
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair; University of South Florida; Tampa Florida
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20
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Cisbani G, Cicchetti F. Review: The fate of cell grafts for the treatment of Huntington's disease: thepost-mortemevidence. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2014; 40:71-90. [DOI: 10.1111/nan.12104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. Cisbani
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (CHUL); Québec QC Canada
| | - F. Cicchetti
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (CHUL); Québec QC Canada
- Département de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences; Université Laval; Québec QC Canada
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21
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Gallina P, Paganini M, Biggeri A, Marini M, Romoli A, Sarchielli E, Berti V, Ghelli E, Guido C, Lombardini L, Mazzanti B, Simonelli P, Peri A, Maggi M, Porfirio B, Di Lorenzo N, Vannelli GB. Human Striatum Remodelling after Neurotransplantation in Huntington's Disease. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 2014; 92:211-7. [DOI: 10.1159/000360583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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22
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Zhu M, Shu K, Wang H, Li X, Xiao Q, Chan W, Emmanuel B, Jiang W, Lei T. Microtransplantation of whole ganglionic eminence cells ameliorates motor deficit, enlarges the volume of grafts, and prolongs survival in a rat model of Huntington's disease. J Neurosci Res 2013; 91:1563-71. [PMID: 24105649 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2013] [Revised: 06/23/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mingxin Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
| | - Kai Shu
- Department of Neurosurgery; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
| | - Heping Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
| | - Xiaopeng Li
- Department of Neurosurgery; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
| | - Qungen Xiao
- Department of Neurosurgery; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
| | - Waipan Chan
- Department of Immunology; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore Maryland
| | - Bosomah Emmanuel
- Department of Neurosurgery; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
| | - Ting Lei
- Department of Neurosurgery; Tongji Hospital; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
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23
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Cisbani G, Saint-Pierre M, Cicchetti F. Single-cell suspension methodology favors survival and vascularization of fetal striatal grafts in the YAC128 mouse model of Huntington's disease. Cell Transplant 2013; 23:1267-78. [PMID: 23768945 DOI: 10.3727/096368913x668636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell replacement therapies have yielded variable and short-lived benefits in Huntington's disease (HD) patients. This suboptimal outcome is likely due to the fact that graft survival is compromised long term because grafts are subjected to a host's microglial inflammatory response, to a lack of adequate trophic support, and possibly to cortical excitotoxicity. However, graft demise may also relate to more straightforward issues such as cell preparation methodology (solid grafts vs. cell suspension). Indeed, we recently reported that solid grafts are poorly revascularized in HD patients transplanted 9 and 12 years previously. To evaluate whether methodological issues relating to cell preparation may have an impact on graft viability, we implanted green fluorescent protein (GFP(+)) single-cell suspensions of fetal striatal neuronal cells into the striatum of YAC128 HD mice. Postmortem evaluation yielded comparable graft survival in YAC128 mice and their wild-type littermates (noncarrier) at 1 and 3 months posttransplantation. Additionally, the degrees of graft revascularization in the YAC128 and noncarrier mice were similar, with both capillaries and large-caliber vessels observable within the grafted tissue. Furthermore, GFP(+) cells interacted well with host blood vessels, indicating integration of the donor cells within the recipient brain. These observations, combined with our recent report of poor revascularization of solid grafts in the HD-transplanted patients, suggest that the success of cell transplantation can be improved by optimizing methodological aspects relating to cell preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Cisbani
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (CHUQ), Québec, QC, Canada
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24
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Huntington's disease: underlying molecular mechanisms and emerging concepts. Trends Biochem Sci 2013; 38:378-85. [PMID: 23768628 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2013.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2013] [Revised: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 05/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder for which no disease modifying treatments exist. Many molecular changes and cellular consequences that underlie HD are observed in other neurological disorders, suggesting that common pathological mechanisms and pathways may exist. Recent findings have enhanced our understanding of the way cells regulate and respond to expanded polyglutamine proteins such as mutant huntingtin. These studies demonstrate that in addition to effects on folding, aggregation, and clearance pathways, a general transcriptional mechanism also dictates the expression of polyglutamine proteins. Here, we summarize the key pathways and networks that are important in HD in the context of recent therapeutic advances and highlight how their interplay may be of relevance to other protein folding disorders.
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25
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Sasaki K, Yamasaki T, Omotuyi IO, Mishina M, Ueda H. Age-dependent dystonia in striatal Gγ7 deficient mice is reversed by the dopamine D2 receptor agonist pramipexole. J Neurochem 2013; 124:844-54. [PMID: 23311775 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Revised: 01/04/2013] [Accepted: 01/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Gγ7 is enriched in striatum and forms a heterotrimeric complex with Gαolf /Gβ, which is coupled to D1 receptor (D1R). Here, we attempted to characterize the pathophysiological, neurochemical, and pharmacological features of mice deficient of Gγ7 gene. Gγ7 knockout mice exhibited age-dependent deficiency in rotarod behavior and increased dystonia-like clasping reflex without loss of striatal neurons. The neurochemical basis for the motor manifestations using immunoblot analysis revealed increased levels of D1R, ChAT and NMDA receptor subunits (NR1 and NR2B) concurrent with decreased levels of D2R and Gαolf , possibly because of the secondary changes of decreased Gαolf /Gγ7-mediated D1R transmission. These behavioral and neurochemical changes are closely related to those observed in Huntington's disease (HD) human subjects and HD model mice. Taking advantage of the finding of D2R down-regulation in Gγ7 knockout mice and the dopamine-mediated synergistic relationship in the control of locomotion between D2R-striatopallidal and D1R-stritonigral neurons, we hypothesized that D2-agonist pramipexole would reverse behavioral dyskinesia caused by defective D1R/Gαolf signaling. Indeed, the rotarod deficiency and clasping reflex were reversed by pramipexole treatment under chronic administration. These findings suggest that Gγ7 knockout mice could be a new type of movement disorders, including HD and useful for the evaluation of therapeutic candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Sasaki
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
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26
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Cisbani G, Freeman TB, Soulet D, Saint-Pierre M, Gagnon D, Parent M, Hauser RA, Barker RA, Cicchetti F. Striatal allografts in patients with Huntington’s disease: impact of diminished astrocytes and vascularization on graft viability. Brain 2013; 136:433-43. [DOI: 10.1093/brain/aws359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
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Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by movement abnormalities, cognitive impairment, and abnormal behavior as well as sleep and weight problems. It is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene on the short arm of chromosome 4, which results in the progressive degeneration of the basal ganglia (caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus), cerebral cortex, brainstem, thalamus, and hypothalamus. This chapter considers four avenues of research: (a) the restoration of neurogenesis as an endogenous cell therapy in HD, (b) fetal tissue transplantation, (c) stem cell transplantation, and finally (d) the use of endogenous trophic factors such as brain derived neurotrophic factor.
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McLeod MC, Kobayashi NR, Sen A, Baghbaderani BA, Sadi D, Ulalia R, Behie LA, Mendez I. Transplantation of GABAergic cells derived from bioreactor-expanded human neural precursor cells restores motor and cognitive behavioral deficits in a rodent model of Huntington's disease. Cell Transplant 2012; 22:2237-56. [PMID: 23127784 DOI: 10.3727/096368912x658809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by progressive dementia, choreiform involuntary movements, and emotional deterioration. Neuropathological features include the progressive degeneration of striatal γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons. New therapeutic approaches, such as the transplantation of human neural precursor cells (hNPCs) to replace damaged or degenerated cells, are currently being investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential for utilizing telencephalic hNPCs expanded in suspension bioreactors for cell restorative therapy in a rodent model of HD. hNPCs were expanded in a hydrodynamically controlled and homogeneous environment under serum-free conditions. In vitro analysis revealed that the bioreactor-expanded telencephalic (BET)-hNPCs could be differentiated into a highly enriched population of GABAergic neurons. Behavioral assessments of unilateral striatal quinolinic acid-lesioned rodents revealed a significant improvement in motor and memory deficits following transplantation with GABAergic cells differentiated from BET-hNPCs. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that transplanted BET-hNPCs retained a GABAergic neuronal phenotype without aberrant transdifferentiation or tumor formation, indicating that BET-hNPCs are a safe source of cells for transplantation. This preclinical study has important implications as the transplantation of GABAergic cells derived from predifferentiated BET-hNPCs may be a safe and feasible cell replacement strategy to promote behavioral recovery in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus C McLeod
- Cell Restoration Laboratory, Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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El-Akabawy G, Rattray I, Johansson SM, Gale R, Bates G, Modo M. Implantation of undifferentiated and pre-differentiated human neural stem cells in the R6/2 transgenic mouse model of Huntington's disease. BMC Neurosci 2012; 13:97. [PMID: 22876937 PMCID: PMC3502570 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-13-97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cell therapy is a potential therapeutic approach for several neurodegenetative disease, including Huntington Disease (HD). To evaluate the putative efficacy of cell therapy in HD, most studies have used excitotoxic animal models with only a few studies having been conducted in genetic animal models. Genetically modified animals should provide a more accurate representation of human HD, as they emulate the genetic basis of its etiology. Results In this study, we aimed to assess the therapeutic potential of a human striatal neural stem cell line (STROC05) implanted in the R6/2 transgenic mouse model of HD. As DARPP-32 GABAergic output neurons are predominately lost in HD, STROC05 cells were also pre-differentiated using purmorphamine, a hedgehog agonist, to yield a greater number of DARPP-32 cells. A bilateral injection of 4.5x105 cells of either undifferentiated or pre-differentiated DARPP-32 cells, however, did not affect outcome compared to a vehicle control injection. Both survival and neuronal differentiation remained poor with a mean of only 161 and 81 cells surviving in the undifferentiated and differentiated conditions respectively. Only a few cells expressed the neuronal marker Fox3. Conclusions Although the rapid brain atrophy and short life-span of the R6/2 model constitute adverse conditions to detect potentially delayed treatment effects, significant technical hurdles, such as poor cell survival and differentiation, were also sub-optimal. Further consideration of these aspects is therefore needed in more enduring transgenic HD models to provide a definite assessment of this cell line’s therapeutic relevance. However, a combination of treatments is likely needed to affect outcome in transgenic models of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gehan El-Akabawy
- Department of Neuroscience, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
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Induced pluripotent stem cells to model and treat neurogenetic disorders. Neural Plast 2012; 2012:346053. [PMID: 22888453 PMCID: PMC3409544 DOI: 10.1155/2012/346053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2012] [Accepted: 05/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Remarkable advances in cellular reprogramming have made it possible to generate pluripotent stem cells from somatic cells, such as fibroblasts obtained from human skin biopsies. As a result, human diseases can now be investigated in relevant cell populations derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of patients. The rapid growth of iPSC technology has turned these cells into multipurpose basic and clinical research tools. In this paper, we highlight the roles of iPSC technology that are helping us to understand and potentially treat neurological diseases. Recent studies using iPSCs to model various neurogenetic disorders are summarized, and we discuss the therapeutic implications of iPSCs, including drug screening and cell therapy for neurogenetic disorders. Although iPSCs have been used in animal models with promising results to treat neurogenetic disorders, there are still many issues associated with reprogramming that must be addressed before iPSC technology can be fully exploited with translation to the clinic.
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Intrastriatal transplantation of neurotrophic factor-secreting human mesenchymal stem cells improves motor function and extends survival in R6/2 transgenic mouse model for Huntington's disease. PLOS CURRENTS 2012; 4:e4f7f6dc013d4e. [PMID: 22953237 PMCID: PMC3426086 DOI: 10.1371/4f7f6dc013d4e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Stem cell-based treatment for Huntington's disease (HD) is an expanding field of research. Although various stem cells have been shown to be beneficial in vivo, no long standing clinical effect has been demonstrated. To address this issue, we are developing a stem cell-based therapy designed to improve the microenvironment of the diseased tissue via delivery of neurotrophic factors (NTFs). Previously, we established that bone marrow derived human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be differentiated using medium based cues into NTF-secreting cells (NTF+ cells) that express astrocytic markers. NTF+ cells were shown to alleviate neurodegeneration symptoms in several disease models in vitro and in vivo, including the model for excitotoxicity. In the present study, we explored if the timing of intrastriatal transplantation of hNTF+ cells into the R6/2 transgenic mouse model for HD influences motor function and survival. One hundred thousand cells were transplanted bilaterally into the striatum of immune-suppressed mice at 4.5, 5.5 and 6.5 weeks of age. Contrary to our expectations, early transplantation of NTF+ cells did not improve motor function or overall survival. However, late (6.5 weeks) transplantation resulted in a temporary improvement in motor function and an extension of life span relative to that observed for PBS treated mice. We conclude that late transplantation of NTF+ cells induces a beneficial effect in this transgenic model for HD. Since no transplanted NTF+ cells could be detected in vivo, we suspect that the temporary nature of the beneficial effect is due to poor survival of transplanted cells. In general, we submit that NTF+ cells should be further evaluated for the therapy of HD.
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Ruiz C, Casarejos MJ, Gomez A, Solano R, de Yebenes JG, Mena MA. Protection by glia-conditioned medium in a cell model of Huntington disease. PLOS CURRENTS 2012; 4:e4fbca54a2028b. [PMID: 22919565 PMCID: PMC3423315 DOI: 10.1371/4fbca54a2028b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The physiological role of huntingtin and the pathogenic mechanisms that produce the disease are unknown. Mutant huntingtin changes its normal localization and produces cytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusions, changes gene transcription, alters synaptic transmission, impairs mitochondrial activity and activates caspases and other pro-apoptotic molecules, promotes excitotoxicity, energy deficits, synthesis and release reduction of neurotrophic factors and oxidative stress. Previous studies confirm that the mutant huntingtin difficult neurotrophic function of astrocytes leading to neuronal dysfunction in Huntington’s disease. Our objective was to study the neuroprotective potential role of glia-conditioned medium (GCM) in an in vitro model of Huntington’s disease. We used conditionally-immortalized striatal neuronal progenitor cell lines (STHdhQ7/Q7 and STHdhQ111/Q111) expressing endogenous levels of normal and mutant huntingtin with 7 and 111 glutamines, respectively. We studied the protection of fetal and postnatal glia conditioned medium (GCM) on H2O2 (2 µM), glutamate (5 mM) and 3-nitropropionic acid (2.5 mM) related toxicity. We also compared the neuroprotective effects of GCM versus that of the growth factors bFGF, BDNF and GDNF.
Fetal GCM protects from every toxin, reducing the cell death and increasing the cell survival. Fetal GCM reduces the caspases fragmentation of the protein PARP, the expression of chaperone Hsp70 and the accumulation of ROS and polyubiquitinated proteins. In addition, in Q111 striatal cells treated with H2O2 (2 µM) for 24 hours, the intracellular GSH levels are higher in the presence of GCM. Notably, the 13-day and 2-month postnatal GCM, totally protects from H2O2 induced cell death in mutant striatal cells. GCM neuroprotective effects are more potent than those of the already identified neurotrophic factors.
We conclude that GCM protects Q111 cells from neuronal neurotoxins and the effects of GCM are more potent than those of any known neurotrophic factor. GCM may contain new and more potent, as yet unidentified, neurotrophic molecules, potentially useful in patients with Huntington’s disease.
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Palmgren B, Jiao Y, Novozhilova E, Stupp SI, Olivius P. Survival, migration and differentiation of mouse tau-GFP embryonic stem cells transplanted into the rat auditory nerve. Exp Neurol 2012; 235:599-609. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2012.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2011] [Revised: 02/18/2012] [Accepted: 03/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Barker RA, Cicchetti F. Current understanding of the glial response to disorders of the aging CNS. Front Pharmacol 2012; 3:95. [PMID: 22654755 PMCID: PMC3361074 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2012.00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Accepted: 05/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this special issue of Frontiers in Pharmacology, we have asked leading experts to comment and review the evidence that inflammatory cells play a leading role in the pathological processes underlying neurodegenerative disorders. We now seek to draw these various observations together into a conclusion, with the hope that this will inform further work in this area and result in the identification of new therapeutic targets that will have a disease modifying effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger A Barker
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge Cambridge, UK
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Barker RA. The future of stem cells in neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system. CMAJ 2012; 184:631-2. [PMID: 21810959 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.110525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Roger A Barker
- Brain Repair Centre, the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Forvie Site, Cambridge, UK.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We identify the major recent advances in sourcing, preparation and delivery of primary and stem cell transplants into the brain, the preclinical studies in animal models and preliminary results on feasibility, safety and efficacy in an increasing range of human neurodegenerative diseases. RECENT FINDINGS After a decade of debate concerning the reliability and safety of foetal cell transplantation in Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, the conditions for eliminating side-effects and achieving more consistent efficacy are being implemented in renewed trials. In parallel, rapid advances are being made in identifying alternative sources of stem cells for transplantation, establishing the protocols for their reliable differentiation into specific neuronal phenotypes and translating these novel sources to cell therapy for patients in new clinical trials. Objective assessment of efficacy in patients does not always reveal outcomes that are as impressive as claimed - either in the preclinical animal models or by many commercial stem cell clinics - and even when stem cell therapies do appear to have been validated, the mechanisms are not always clear. SUMMARY In spite of rapid progress, the conditions for reliable, well tolerated and effective cell therapies in brain disease are not yet fully established.
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Wijeyekoon R, Barker RA. The Current Status of Neural Grafting in the Treatment of Huntington's Disease. A Review. Front Integr Neurosci 2011; 5:78. [PMID: 22162966 PMCID: PMC3232470 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2011.00078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2011] [Accepted: 11/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a devastating, fatal, autosomal dominant condition in which the abnormal gene codes for a mutant form of huntingtin that causes widespread neuronal dysfunction and death. This leads to a clinical presentation, typically in midlife, with a combination of motor, psychiatric, cognitive, metabolic, and sleep abnormalities, for which there are some effective symptomatic therapies that can produce some transient benefits. The disease, though, runs a progressive course over a 20-year period ultimately leading to death, and there are currently no proven disease modifying therapies. However whilst the neuronal dysfunction and loss affects much of the central nervous system, the striatum is affected early on in the disease and is one of the areas most affected by the pathogenic process. As a result the prospect of treating HD using neural transplants of striatal tissue has been explored and to date the clinical data is inconclusive. In this review we discuss the rationale for treating HD using this approach, before discussing the clinical trial data and what we have learnt to date using this therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruwani Wijeyekoon
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge Cambridge, UK
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Carnaud C. Is there still hope after prions have spread within the brain? J Infect Dis 2011; 204:978-9. [PMID: 21881111 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jir487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited, relentlessly progressive neurodegenerative disease with an invariably fatal outcome. HD is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, and is characterized pathologically by the loss of cortical and striatal neurons, and clinically by involuntary choreiform movements accompanied by progressive cognitive impairment and emotional lability. The disorder is caused by an expanded cystosine adenine guanine (CAG) tri-nucleotide repeat encoding polyglutamine (polyQ) in the first exon of the Huntingtin gene. There is a correlation between the number of CAG repeats and disease onset, such that in patients with CAG repeat lengths of 36 to 60, disease symptoms typically manifest after 35 years of age, whereas CAG repeat lengths >60 yield the more severe juvenile form of the disease. Even though mutant huntingtin is expressed throughout the brain, it is characterized by the selective degeneration of medium spiny neurons of the caudate and putamen, which heralds more widespread neuronal degeneration with disease progression. The mechanisms of cell dysfunction and death in HD have been the subjects of a number of studies, which have led to therapeutic strategies largely based on the amelioration of mutant huntingtin-related metabolic impairment and cellular toxicity. Each of these approaches has aimed to delay or stop the preferential degeneration of medium spiny neurons early in the disease course. Yet, in later stages of the disease, after cell death has become prominent, cell replacement therapy (whether by direct cell transplantation or by the mobilization of endogenous progenitors) may comprise a stronger potential avenue for therapy. In this review, we will consider recent progress in the transplantation of fetal striatal cells to the HD brain, as well as emerging alternative sources for human striatal progenitor cells. We will then consider the potential application of gene therapy toward the induction of striatal neurogenesis and neuronal recruitment, with an eye toward its potential therapeutic use in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdellatif Benraiss
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY USA
| | - Steven A. Goldman
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
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Freeman TB, Cicchetti F, Bachoud-Lévi AC, Dunnett SB. Technical factors that influence neural transplant safety in Huntington's disease. Exp Neurol 2010; 227:1-9. [PMID: 20849848 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2010.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2010] [Revised: 08/18/2010] [Accepted: 08/21/2010] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- T B Freeman
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33606-3571, USA.
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