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Gonzalez D, Vásquez-Doorman C, Luna A, Allende ML. Modeling Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Zebrafish: Current Advances and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1962. [PMID: 38396640 PMCID: PMC10888324 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25041962] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease characterized by degeneration of lower motor neurons (LMNs), causing muscle weakness, atrophy, and paralysis. SMA is caused by mutations in the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene and can be classified into four subgroups, depending on its severity. Even though the genetic component of SMA is well known, the precise mechanisms underlying its pathophysiology remain elusive. Thus far, there are three FDA-approved drugs for treating SMA. While these treatments have shown promising results, their costs are extremely high and unaffordable for most patients. Thus, more efforts are needed in order to identify novel therapeutic targets. In this context, zebrafish (Danio rerio) stands out as an ideal animal model for investigating neurodegenerative diseases like SMA. Its well-defined motor neuron circuits and straightforward neuromuscular structure offer distinct advantages. The zebrafish's suitability arises from its low-cost genetic manipulation and optical transparency exhibited during larval stages, which facilitates in vivo microscopy. This review explores advancements in SMA research over the past two decades, beginning with the creation of the first zebrafish model. Our review focuses on the findings using different SMA zebrafish models generated to date, including potential therapeutic targets such as U snRNPs, Etv5b, PLS3, CORO1C, Pgrn, Cpg15, Uba1, Necdin, and Pgk1, among others. Lastly, we conclude our review by emphasizing the future perspectives in the field, namely exploiting zebrafish capacity for high-throughput screening. Zebrafish, with its unique attributes, proves to be an ideal model for studying motor neuron diseases and unraveling the complexity of neuromuscular defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Gonzalez
- Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 7800003, RM, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago 8370854, RM, Chile
| | - Constanza Vásquez-Doorman
- Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 7800003, RM, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago 8370854, RM, Chile
| | - Adolfo Luna
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago 8370854, RM, Chile
| | - Miguel L Allende
- Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 7800003, RM, Chile
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Zhang Y, He J, Xiang L, Tang X, Wang S, Li A, Wang C, Li L, Zhu B. Molecular Mechanisms of Medicinal Plant Securinega suffruticosa-derived Compound Securinine against Spinal Muscular Atrophy based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification. Curr Pharm Des 2024; 30:1178-1193. [PMID: 38561613 DOI: 10.2174/0113816128288504240321041408] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a severe motor neuronal disorder with high morbidity and mortality. Securinine has shown the potential to treat SMA; however, its anti-SMA role remains unclear. OBJECTIVE This study aims to reveal the anti-SMA mechanisms of securinine. METHODS Securinine-associated targets were acquired from Herbal Ingredients' Targets (HIT), Similarity Ensemble Approach (SEA), and SuperPred. SMA-associated targets were obtained from GeneCards and Dis- GeNET. Protein-protein Interaction (PPI) network was constructed using GeneMANIA, and hug targets were screened using cytoHubba. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed using ClusterProfifiler. Molecular docking was conducted using Pymol and Auto- Dock. In vitro assays were used to verify the anti-SMA effects of securinine. RESULTS Twenty-six intersection targets of securinine and SMA were obtained. HDAC1, HDAC2, TOP2A, PIK3R1, PRMT5, JAK2, HSP90AB1, TERT, PTGS2, and PAX8 were the core targets in PPI network. GO analysis demonstrated that the intersecting targets were implicated in the regulation of proteins, steroid hormones, histone deacetylases, and DNA transcription. KEGG analysis, pathway-pathway, and hub target-pathway networks revealed that securinine might treat SMA through TNF, JAK-STAT, Ras, and PI3K-Akt pathways. Securinine had a favorable binding affinity with HDAC1, HSP90AB, JAK2, PRMT5, PTGS2, and TERT. Securinine rescued viability suppression, mitochondria damage, and SMN loss in the SMA cell model. Furthermore, securinine increased HDAC1 and PRMT5 expression, decreased PTGS2 expression, suppressed the JAK2-STAT3 pathway, and promoted the PI3K-Akt pathway. CONCLUSION Securinine might alleviate SMA by elevating HDAC1 and PRMT5 expression and reducing PTGS2 via JAK2-STAT3 suppression and PI3K-Akt activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinhong Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Preconception Health Birth in Western China, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Birth Defects and Genetic Diseases, Department of Medical Genetics, Yunnan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
- The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
- School of Medical, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Jing He
- NHC Key Laboratory of Preconception Health Birth in Western China, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Birth Defects and Genetic Diseases, Department of Medical Genetics, Yunnan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
- The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
- School of Medical, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Lifeng Xiang
- The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
- School of Medical, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Periconception Health Birth in Western China, Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Xinhua Tang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Preconception Health Birth in Western China, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Birth Defects and Genetic Diseases, Department of Medical Genetics, Yunnan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
- The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
- School of Medical, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Shiyu Wang
- School of Medical, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Aoyu Li
- School of Medical, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Chaoyan Wang
- School of Medical, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Li Li
- The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
- School of Medical, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
- Department of Pediatrics, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Baosheng Zhu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Preconception Health Birth in Western China, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Birth Defects and Genetic Diseases, Department of Medical Genetics, Yunnan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
- The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
- School of Medical, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
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Cao THM, Le APH, Tran TT, Huynh VK, Pham BH, Le TM, Nguyen QL, Tran TC, Tong TM, Than THN, Nguyen TTT, Ha HTT. Plasma cell-free RNA profiling of Vietnamese Alzheimer's patients reveals a linkage with chronic inflammation and apoptosis: a pilot study. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1308610. [PMID: 38178908 PMCID: PMC10764507 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1308610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Circulating cell-free RNA (cfRNA) is a potential hallmark for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) as it construes the genetic expression level, giving insights into the pathological progress from the outset. Profiles of cfRNA in Caucasian AD patients have been investigated thoroughly, yet there was no report exploring cfRNAs in the ASEAN groups. This study examined the gap, expecting to support the development of point-of-care AD diagnosis. Methods cfRNA profiles were characterized from 20 Vietnamese plasma samples (10 probable AD and 10 age-matched controls). RNA reads were subjected to differential expression (DE) analysis. Weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to identify gene modules that were significantly co-expressed. These modules' expression profiles were then correlated with AD status to identify relevant modules. Genes with the highest intramodular connectivity (module membership) were selected as hub genes. Transcript counts of differentially expressed genes were correlated with key AD measures-MMSE and MTA scores-to identify potential biomarkers. Results 136 genes were identified as significant AD hallmarks (p < 0.05), with 52 downregulated and 84 upregulated in the AD cohort. 45.6% of these genes are highly expressed in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex. Notably, all markers related to chronic inflammation were upregulated, and there was a significant shift in all apoptotic markers. Three co-expressed modules were found to be significantly correlated with Alzheimer's status (p < 0.05; R2> 0.5). Functional enrichment analysis on these modules reveals an association with focal adhesion, nucleocytoplasmic transport, and metal ion response leading to apoptosis, suggesting the potential participation of these pathways in AD pathology. 47 significant hub genes were found to be differentially expressed genes with the highest connectivity. Six significant hub genes (CREB1, YTHDC1, IL1RL1, PHACTR2, ANKRD36B, RNF213) were found to be significantly correlated with MTA and MMSE scores. Other significant transcripts (XRN1, UBB, CHP1, THBS1, S100A9) were found to be involved in inflammation and neuronal death. Overall, we have identified candidate transcripts in plasma cf-RNA that are differentially expressed and are implicated in inflammation and apoptosis, which can jumpstart further investigations into applying cf-RNA as an AD biomarker in Vietnam and ASEAN countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thien Hoang Minh Cao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Anh Phuc Hoang Le
- School of Biomedical Engineering, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Tai Tien Tran
- Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Immunology, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Vy Kim Huynh
- School of Biomedical Engineering, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Bao Hoai Pham
- School of Biomedical Engineering, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Thao Mai Le
- School of Biomedical Engineering, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Quang Lam Nguyen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Thang Cong Tran
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Trang Mai Tong
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - The Ha Ngoc Than
- Department of Geriatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Care, University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Tran Tran To Nguyen
- Department of Geriatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Huong Thi Thanh Ha
- School of Biomedical Engineering, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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Martin Carli JF, Dzieciatkowska M, Hernandez TL, Monks J, McManaman JL. Comparative proteomic analysis of human milk fat globules and paired membranes and mouse milk fat globules identifies core cellular systems contributing to mammary lipid trafficking and secretion. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1259047. [PMID: 38169886 PMCID: PMC10759240 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1259047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Human milk delivers critical nutritional and immunological support to human infants. Milk fat globules (MFGs) and their associated membranes (MFGMs) contain the majority of milk lipids and many bioactive components that contribute to neonatal development and health, yet their compositions have not been fully defined, and the mechanisms responsible for formation of these structures remain incompletely understood. Methods: In this study, we used untargeted mass spectrometry to quantitatively profile the protein compositions of freshly obtained MFGs and their paired, physically separated MFGM fractions from 13 human milk samples. We also quantitatively profiled the MFG protein compositions of 9 pooled milk samples from 18 lactating mouse dams. Results: We identified 2,453 proteins and 2,795 proteins in the majority of human MFG and MFGM samples, respectively, and 1,577 proteins in mouse MFGs. Using paired analyses of protein abundance in MFGMs compared to MFGs (MFGM-MFG; 1% FDR), we identified 699 proteins that were more highly abundant in MFGMs (MFGM-enriched), and 201 proteins that were less abundant in MFGMs (cytoplasmic). MFGM-enriched proteins comprised membrane systems (apical plasma membrane and multiple vesicular membranes) hypothesized to be responsible for lipid and protein secretion and components of membrane transport and signaling systems. Cytoplasmic proteins included ribosomal and proteasomal systems. Comparing abundance between human and mouse MFGs, we found a positive correlation (R 2 = 0.44, p < 0.0001) in the relative abundances of 1,279 proteins that were found in common across species. Discussion: Comparative pathway enrichment analyses between human and mouse samples reveal similarities in membrane trafficking and signaling pathways involved in milk fat secretion and identify potentially novel immunological components of MFGs. Our results advance knowledge of the composition and relative quantities of proteins in human and mouse MFGs in greater detail, provide a quantitative profile of specifically enriched human MFGM proteins, and identify core cellular systems involved in milk lipid secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayne F. Martin Carli
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Monika Dzieciatkowska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Teri L. Hernandez
- College of Nursing, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Jenifer Monks
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - James L. McManaman
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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Giorgia Q, Gomez Garcia de la Banda M, Smeriglio P. Role of circulating biomarkers in spinal muscular atrophy: insights from a new treatment era. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1226969. [PMID: 38020652 PMCID: PMC10679720 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1226969] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a lower motor neuron disease due to biallelic mutations in the SMN1 gene on chromosome 5. It is characterized by progressive muscle weakness of limbs, bulbar and respiratory muscles. The disease is usually classified in four different phenotypes (1-4) according to age at symptoms onset and maximal motor milestones achieved. Recently, three disease modifying treatments have received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), while several other innovative drugs are under study. New therapies have been game changing, improving survival and life quality for SMA patients. However, they have also intensified the need for accurate biomarkers to monitor disease progression and treatment efficacy. While clinical and neurophysiological biomarkers are well established and helpful in describing disease progression, there is a great need to develop more robust and sensitive circulating biomarkers, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and other small molecules. Used alone or in combination with clinical biomarkers, they will play a critical role in enhancing patients' stratification for clinical trials and access to approved treatments, as well as in tracking response to therapy, paving the way to the development of individualized therapeutic approaches. In this comprehensive review, we describe the foremost circulating biomarkers of current significance, analyzing existing literature on non-treated and treated patients with a special focus on neurofilaments and circulating miRNA, aiming to identify and examine their role in the follow-up of patients treated with innovative treatments, including gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Querin Giorgia
- APHP, Service de Neuromyologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre Référent pour les Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Est/Ile de France, Paris, France
- Institut de Myologie, I-Motion Clinical Trials Platform, Paris, France
- European Reference Center Network (Euro-NMD ERN), Paris, France
| | - Marta Gomez Garcia de la Banda
- Institut de Myologie, I-Motion Clinical Trials Platform, Paris, France
- APHP, Pediatric Neurology Department, Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Centre Référent pour les Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Est/Ile de France, Paris, France
- APHP, Pediatric Neurology and ICU Department, Université Paris Saclay, DMU Santé de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, Garches, France
| | - Piera Smeriglio
- Centre of Research in Myology, Institute of Myology, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France
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Ueda J, Uemura N, Ishimoto T, Taguchi T, Sawamura M, Nakanishi E, Ikuno M, Matsuzawa S, Yamakado H, Takahashi R. Ca 2+ -Calmodulin-Calcineurin Signaling Modulates α-Synuclein Transmission. Mov Disord 2023; 38:1056-1067. [PMID: 37066491 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intercellular transmission of pathogenic proteins plays a crucial role in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Previous research has shown that the neuronal uptake of such proteins is activity-dependent; however, the detailed mechanisms underlying activity-dependent α-synuclein transmission in Parkinson's disease remain unclear. OBJECTIVE To examine whether α-synuclein transmission is affected by Ca2+ -calmodulin-calcineurin signaling in cultured cells and mouse models of Parkinson's disease. METHODS Mouse primary hippocampal neurons were used to examine the effects of the modulation of Ca2+ -calmodulin-calcineurin signaling on the neuronal uptake of α-synuclein preformed fibrils. The effects of modulating Ca2+ -calmodulin-calcineurin signaling on the development of α-synuclein pathology were examined using a mouse model injected with α-synuclein preformed fibrils. RESULTS Modulation of Ca2+ -calmodulin-calcineurin signaling by inhibiting voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, calmodulin, and calcineurin blocked the neuronal uptake of α-synuclein preformed fibrils via macropinocytosis. Different subtypes of voltage-gated Ca2+ channel differentially contributed to the neuronal uptake of α-synuclein preformed fibrils. In wild-type mice inoculated with α-synuclein preformed fibrils, we found that inhibiting calcineurin ameliorated the development of α-synuclein pathology. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that Ca2+ -calmodulin-calcineurin signaling modulates α-synuclein transmission and has potential as a therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ueda
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Norihito Uemura
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Ishimoto
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Taguchi
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masanori Sawamura
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Etsuro Nakanishi
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masashi Ikuno
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shuichi Matsuzawa
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hodaka Yamakado
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Takahashi
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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7
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Kim JK, Jha NN, Awano T, Caine C, Gollapalli K, Welby E, Kim SS, Fuentes-Moliz A, Wang X, Feng Z, Sera F, Takeda T, Homma S, Ko CP, Tabares L, Ebert AD, Rich MM, Monani UR. A spinal muscular atrophy modifier implicates the SMN protein in SNARE complex assembly at neuromuscular synapses. Neuron 2023; 111:1423-1439.e4. [PMID: 36863345 PMCID: PMC10164130 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Reduced survival motor neuron (SMN) protein triggers the motor neuron disease, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Restoring SMN prevents disease, but it is not known how neuromuscular function is preserved. We used model mice to map and identify an Hspa8G470R synaptic chaperone variant, which suppressed SMA. Expression of the variant in the severely affected mutant mice increased lifespan >10-fold, improved motor performance, and mitigated neuromuscular pathology. Mechanistically, Hspa8G470R altered SMN2 splicing and simultaneously stimulated formation of a tripartite chaperone complex, critical for synaptic homeostasis, by augmenting its interaction with other complex members. Concomitantly, synaptic vesicular SNARE complex formation, which relies on chaperone activity for sustained neuromuscular synaptic transmission, was found perturbed in SMA mice and patient-derived motor neurons and was restored in modified mutants. Identification of the Hspa8G470R SMA modifier implicates SMN in SNARE complex assembly and casts new light on how deficiency of the ubiquitous protein causes motor neuron disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-Ki Kim
- Department of Neurology, New York, NY, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology & Disease, New York, NY, USA
| | - Narendra N Jha
- Department of Neurology, New York, NY, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology & Disease, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tomoyuki Awano
- Department of Neurology, New York, NY, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology & Disease, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charlotte Caine
- Department of Neurology, New York, NY, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology & Disease, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kishore Gollapalli
- Department of Neurology, New York, NY, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology & Disease, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emily Welby
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Seung-Soo Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrea Fuentes-Moliz
- Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, University of Seville School of Medicine, 41009, Seville, Spain
| | - Xueyong Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
| | - Zhihua Feng
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Fusako Sera
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Taishi Takeda
- Department of Neurology, New York, NY, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology & Disease, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shunichi Homma
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Chien-Ping Ko
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Lucia Tabares
- Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, University of Seville School of Medicine, 41009, Seville, Spain
| | - Allison D Ebert
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Mark M Rich
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
| | - Umrao R Monani
- Department of Neurology, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, New York, NY, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology & Disease, New York, NY, USA; Colleen Giblin Research Laboratory, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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8
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Muiños-Bühl A, Rombo R, Ling KK, Zilio E, Rigo F, Bennett CF, Wirth B. Long-Term SMN- and Ncald-ASO Combinatorial Therapy in SMA Mice and NCALD-ASO Treatment in hiPSC-Derived Motor Neurons Show Protective Effects. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044198. [PMID: 36835624 PMCID: PMC9961752 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
For SMA patients with only two SMN2 copies, available therapies might be insufficient to counteract lifelong motor neuron (MN) dysfunction. Therefore, additional SMN-independent compounds, supporting SMN-dependent therapies, might be beneficial. Neurocalcin delta (NCALD) reduction, an SMA protective genetic modifier, ameliorates SMA across species. In a low-dose SMN-ASO-treated severe SMA mouse model, presymptomatic intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of Ncald-ASO at postnatal day 2 (PND2) significantly ameliorates histological and electrophysiological SMA hallmarks at PND21. However, contrary to SMN-ASOs, Ncald-ASOs show a shorter duration of action limiting a long-term benefit. Here, we investigated the longer-term effect of Ncald-ASOs by additional i.c.v. bolus injection at PND28. Two weeks after injection of 500 µg Ncald-ASO in wild-type mice, NCALD was significantly reduced in the brain and spinal cord and well tolerated. Next, we performed a double-blinded preclinical study combining low-dose SMN-ASO (PND1) with 2× i.c.v. Ncald-ASO or CTRL-ASO (100 µg at PND2, 500 µg at PND28). Ncald-ASO re-injection significantly ameliorated electrophysiological defects and NMJ denervation at 2 months. Moreover, we developed and identified a non-toxic and highly efficient human NCALD-ASO that significantly reduced NCALD in hiPSC-derived MNs. This improved both neuronal activity and growth cone maturation of SMA MNs, emphasizing the additional protective effect of NCALD-ASO treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anixa Muiños-Bühl
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Roman Rombo
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Eleonora Zilio
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Frank Rigo
- IONIS Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | | | - Brunhilde Wirth
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Rare Diseases Cologne, University Hospital of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Correspondence:
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9
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Chen L, Roake CM, Maccallini P, Bavasso F, Dehghannasiri R, Santonicola P, Mendoza-Ferreira N, Scatolini L, Rizzuti L, Esposito A, Gallotta I, Francia S, Cacchione S, Galati A, Palumbo V, Kobin MA, Tartaglia G, Colantoni A, Proietti G, Wu Y, Hammerschmidt M, De Pittà C, Sales G, Salzman J, Pellizzoni L, Wirth B, Di Schiavi E, Gatti M, Artandi S, Raffa GD. TGS1 impacts snRNA 3'-end processing, ameliorates survival motor neuron-dependent neurological phenotypes in vivo and prevents neurodegeneration. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:12400-12424. [PMID: 35947650 PMCID: PMC9757054 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Trimethylguanosine synthase 1 (TGS1) is a highly conserved enzyme that converts the 5'-monomethylguanosine cap of small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) to a trimethylguanosine cap. Here, we show that loss of TGS1 in Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster and Danio rerio results in neurological phenotypes similar to those caused by survival motor neuron (SMN) deficiency. Importantly, expression of human TGS1 ameliorates the SMN-dependent neurological phenotypes in both flies and worms, revealing that TGS1 can partly counteract the effects of SMN deficiency. TGS1 loss in HeLa cells leads to the accumulation of immature U2 and U4atac snRNAs with long 3' tails that are often uridylated. snRNAs with defective 3' terminations also accumulate in Drosophila Tgs1 mutants. Consistent with defective snRNA maturation, TGS1 and SMN mutant cells also exhibit partially overlapping transcriptome alterations that include aberrantly spliced and readthrough transcripts. Together, these results identify a neuroprotective function for TGS1 and reinforce the view that defective snRNA maturation affects neuronal viability and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Chen
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Cancer Signaling and Epigenetics Program and Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Caitlin M Roake
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Paolo Maccallini
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Bavasso
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roozbeh Dehghannasiri
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Natalia Mendoza-Ferreira
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Livia Scatolini
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ludovico Rizzuti
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ivan Gallotta
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, IGB-ABT, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Sofia Francia
- IFOM-The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, CNR-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefano Cacchione
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Galati
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Palumbo
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marie A Kobin
- Cancer Signaling and Epigenetics Program and Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome 00161, Italy
- Center for Human Technology, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa 16152, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome 00161, Italy
- Center for Human Technology, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa 16152, Italy
| | - Gabriele Proietti
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome 00161, Italy
- Center for Human Technology, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa 16152, Italy
| | - Yunming Wu
- Cancer Signaling and Epigenetics Program and Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
- Department of Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Matthias Hammerschmidt
- Institute for Zoology, Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Gabriele Sales
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Julia Salzman
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Livio Pellizzoni
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, NY 10032, USA
| | - Brunhilde Wirth
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Rare Diseases, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Elia Di Schiavi
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, IBBR, CNR, Naples, Italy
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, IGB-ABT, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Gatti
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari (IBPM) del CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Steven E Artandi
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Grazia D Raffa
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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10
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Muinos-Bühl A, Rombo R, Janzen E, Ling KK, Hupperich K, Rigo F, Bennett CF, Wirth B. Combinatorial ASO-mediated therapy with low dose SMN and the protective modifier Chp1 is not sufficient to ameliorate SMA pathology hallmarks. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 171:105795. [PMID: 35724821 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105795] [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: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating genetically inherited neuromuscular disorder characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord, leading to muscle atrophy and weakness. Although SMA is caused by homozygous mutations in SMN1, the disease severity is mainly determined by the copy number of SMN2, an almost identical gene that produces ~10% correctly spliced SMN transcripts. Recently, three FDA- and EMA-approved therapies that either increase correctly spliced SMN2 transcripts (nusinersen and risdiplam) or replace SMN1 (onasemnogen abeparvovec-xioi) have revolutionized the clinical outcome in SMA patients. However, for severely affected SMA individuals carrying only two SMN2 copies even a presymptomatic therapy might be insufficient to fully counteract disease development. Therefore, SMN-independent compounds supporting SMN-dependent therapies represent a promising therapeutic approach. Recently, we have shown a significant amelioration of SMA disease hallmarks in a severely affected SMA mouse carrying a mutant Chp1 allele when combined with low-dose of SMN antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) treatment. CHP1 is a direct interacting partner of PLS3, a strong protective modifier of SMA. Both proteins ameliorate impaired endocytosis in SMA and significantly restore pathological hallmarks in mice. Here, we aimed to pharmacologically reduce CHP1 levels in an ASO-based combinatorial therapy targeting SMN and Chp1. Chp1 modulation is a major challenge since its genetic reduction to ~50% has shown to ameliorate SMA pathology, while the downregulation below that level causes cerebellar ataxia. Efficacy and tolerability studies determined that a single injection of 30 μg Chp1-ASO4 in the CNS is a safe dosage that significantly reduced CHP1 levels to ~50% at postnatal day (PND)14. Unfortunately, neither electrophysiological predictors such as compound muscle action potential (CMAP) or motor unit number estimation (MUNE) nor histological hallmarks of SMA in neuromuscular junction (NMJ), spinal cord or muscle were ameliorated in SMA mice treated with Chp1-ASO4 compared to CTRL-ASO at PND21. Surprisingly, CHP1 levels were almost at control level 4-weeks post injection, indicating a rather short-term effect of the ASO. Therefore, we re-administrated Chp1-ASO4 by i.c.v. bolus injection at PND28. However, no significant improvement of SMA hallmarks were seen at 2 month-of-age either. In conclusion, in contrast to the protective effect of genetically-induced Chp1 reduction on SMA, combinatorial therapy with Chp1- and SMN-ASOs failed to significantly ameliorate the SMA pathology. Chp1-ASOs compared to SMN-ASO proved to have rather short-term effect and even reinjection had no significant impact on SMA progression, suggesting that further optimization of the ASO may be required to fully explore the combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Muinos-Bühl
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany.
| | - R Rombo
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany.
| | - E Janzen
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany
| | - K K Ling
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA.
| | - K Hupperich
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany
| | - F Rigo
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA.
| | - C F Bennett
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA.
| | - B Wirth
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany; Center for Rare Diseases, University Hospital of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany.
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11
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Jablonka S, Hennlein L, Sendtner M. Therapy development for spinal muscular atrophy: perspectives for muscular dystrophies and neurodegenerative disorders. Neurol Res Pract 2022; 4:2. [PMID: 34983696 PMCID: PMC8725368 DOI: 10.1186/s42466-021-00162-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major efforts have been made in the last decade to develop and improve therapies for proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The introduction of Nusinersen/Spinraza™ as an antisense oligonucleotide therapy, Onasemnogene abeparvovec/Zolgensma™ as an AAV9-based gene therapy and Risdiplam/Evrysdi™ as a small molecule modifier of pre-mRNA splicing have set new standards for interference with neurodegeneration. MAIN BODY Therapies for SMA are designed to interfere with the cellular basis of the disease by modifying pre-mRNA splicing and enhancing expression of the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein, which is only expressed at low levels in this disorder. The corresponding strategies also can be applied to other disease mechanisms caused by loss of function or toxic gain of function mutations. The development of therapies for SMA was based on the use of cell culture systems and mouse models, as well as innovative clinical trials that included readouts that had originally been introduced and optimized in preclinical studies. This is summarized in the first part of this review. The second part discusses current developments and perspectives for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, as well as the obstacles that need to be overcome to introduce RNA-based therapies and gene therapies for these disorders. CONCLUSION RNA-based therapies offer chances for therapy development of complex neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. The experiences made with these new drugs for SMA, and also the experiences in AAV gene therapies could help to broaden the spectrum of current approaches to interfere with pathophysiological mechanisms in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibylle Jablonka
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Wuerzburg, Germany.
| | - Luisa Hennlein
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Sendtner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Wuerzburg, Germany.
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12
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Chilcott EM, Muiruri EW, Hirst TC, Yáñez-Muñoz RJ. Systematic review and meta-analysis determining the benefits of in vivo genetic therapy in spinal muscular atrophy rodent models. Gene Ther 2022; 29:498-512. [PMID: 34611322 PMCID: PMC9482879 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-021-00292-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe childhood neuromuscular disease for which two genetic therapies, Nusinersen (Spinraza, an antisense oligonucleotide), and AVXS-101 (Zolgensma, an adeno-associated viral vector of serotype 9 AAV9), have recently been approved. We investigated the pre-clinical development of SMA genetic therapies in rodent models and whether this can predict clinical efficacy. We have performed a systematic review of relevant publications and extracted median survival and details of experimental design. A random effects meta-analysis was used to estimate and compare efficacy. We stratified by experimental design (type of genetic therapy, mouse model, route and time of administration) and sought any evidence of publication bias. 51 publications were identified containing 155 individual comparisons, comprising 2573 animals in total. Genetic therapies prolonged survival in SMA mouse models by 3.23-fold (95% CI 2.75-3.79) compared to controls. Study design characteristics accounted for significant heterogeneity between studies and greatly affected observed median survival ratios. Some evidence of publication bias was found. These data are consistent with the extended average lifespan of Spinraza- and Zolgensma-treated children in the clinic. Together, these results support that SMA has been particularly amenable to genetic therapy approaches and highlight SMA as a trailblazer for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellie M. Chilcott
- grid.4970.a0000 0001 2188 881XAGCTlab.org, Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy, Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, TW20 0EX London, UK ,Present Address: Institute for Women’s Health, UCL, 86-96 Chenies Mews, London, WC1E 6HX UK
| | - Evalyne W. Muiruri
- grid.4970.a0000 0001 2188 881XAGCTlab.org, Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy, Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, TW20 0EX London, UK
| | - Theodore C. Hirst
- grid.416232.00000 0004 0399 1866Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, BT12 6BA UK
| | - Rafael J. Yáñez-Muñoz
- grid.4970.a0000 0001 2188 881XAGCTlab.org, Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy, Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, TW20 0EX London, UK
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13
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Butchbach MER. Genomic Variability in the Survival Motor Neuron Genes ( SMN1 and SMN2): Implications for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Phenotype and Therapeutics Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157896. [PMID: 34360669 PMCID: PMC8348669 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a leading genetic cause of infant death worldwide that is characterized by loss of spinal motor neurons leading to muscle weakness and atrophy. SMA results from the loss of survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene but retention of its paralog SMN2. The copy numbers of SMN1 and SMN2 are variable within the human population with SMN2 copy number inversely correlating with SMA severity. Current therapeutic options for SMA focus on increasing SMN2 expression and alternative splicing so as to increase the amount of SMN protein. Recent work has demonstrated that not all SMN2, or SMN1, genes are equivalent and there is a high degree of genomic heterogeneity with respect to the SMN genes. Because SMA is now an actionable disease with SMN2 being the primary target, it is imperative to have a comprehensive understanding of this genomic heterogeneity with respect to hybrid SMN1–SMN2 genes generated by gene conversion events as well as partial deletions of the SMN genes. This review will describe this genetic heterogeneity in SMA and its impact on disease phenotype as well as therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E. R. Butchbach
- Center for Applied Clinical Genomics, Nemours Children’s Health Delaware, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA;
- Center for Pediatric Research, Nemours Children’s Health Delaware, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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14
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Chaytow H, Faller KM, Huang YT, Gillingwater TH. Spinal muscular atrophy: From approved therapies to future therapeutic targets for personalized medicine. Cell Rep Med 2021; 2:100346. [PMID: 34337562 PMCID: PMC8324491 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating childhood motor neuron disease that, in the most severe cases and when left untreated, leads to death within the first two years of life. Recent therapeutic advances have given hope to families and patients by compensating for the deficiency in survival motor neuron (SMN) protein via gene therapy or other genetic manipulation. However, it is now apparent that none of these therapies will cure SMA alone. In this review, we discuss the three currently licensed therapies for SMA, briefly highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages, before considering alternative approaches to increasing SMN protein levels. We then explore recent preclinical research that is identifying and targeting dysregulated pathways secondary to, or independent of, SMN deficiency that may provide adjunctive opportunities for SMA. These additional therapies are likely to be key for the development of treatments that are effective across the lifespan of SMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Chaytow
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kiterie M.E. Faller
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yu-Ting Huang
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Thomas H. Gillingwater
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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15
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Plastin 3 in health and disease: a matter of balance. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:5275-5301. [PMID: 34023917 PMCID: PMC8257523 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03843-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
For a long time, PLS3 (plastin 3, also known as T-plastin or fimbrin) has been considered a rather inconspicuous protein, involved in F-actin-binding and -bundling. However, in recent years, a plethora of discoveries have turned PLS3 into a highly interesting protein involved in many cellular processes, signaling pathways, and diseases. PLS3 is localized on the X-chromosome, but shows sex-specific, inter-individual and tissue-specific expression variability pointing towards skewed X-inactivation. PLS3 is expressed in all solid tissues but usually not in hematopoietic cells. When escaping X-inactivation, PLS3 triggers a plethora of different types of cancers. Elevated PLS3 levels are considered a prognostic biomarker for cancer and refractory response to therapies. When it is knocked out or mutated in humans and mice, it causes osteoporosis with bone fractures; it is the only protein involved in actin dynamics responsible for osteoporosis. Instead, when PLS3 is upregulated, it acts as a highly protective SMN-independent modifier in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Here, it seems to counteract reduced F-actin levels by restoring impaired endocytosis and disturbed calcium homeostasis caused by reduced SMN levels. In contrast, an upregulation of PLS3 on wild-type level might cause osteoarthritis. This emphasizes that the amount of PLS3 in our cells must be precisely balanced; both too much and too little can be detrimental. Actin-dynamics, regulated by PLS3 among others, are crucial in a lot of cellular processes including endocytosis, cell migration, axonal growth, neurotransmission, translation, and others. Also, PLS3 levels influence the infection with different bacteria, mycosis, and other pathogens.
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16
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Camblor-Perujo S, Kononenko NL. Brain-specific functions of the endocytic machinery. FEBS J 2021; 289:2219-2246. [PMID: 33896112 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Endocytosis is an essential cellular process required for multiple physiological functions, including communication with the extracellular environment, nutrient uptake, and signaling by the cell surface receptors. In a broad sense, endocytosis is accomplished through either constitutive or ligand-induced invagination of the plasma membrane, which results in the formation of the plasma membrane-retrieved endocytic vesicles, which can either be sent for degradation to the lysosomes or recycled back to the PM. This additional function of endocytosis in membrane retrieval has been adopted by excitable cells, such as neurons, for membrane equilibrium maintenance at synapses. The last two decades were especially productive with respect to the identification of brain-specific functions of the endocytic machinery, which additionally include but not limited to regulation of neuronal differentiation and migration, maintenance of neuron morphology and synaptic plasticity, and prevention of neurotoxic aggregates spreading. In this review, we highlight the current knowledge of brain-specific functions of endocytic machinery with a specific focus on three brain cell types, neuronal progenitor cells, neurons, and glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Natalia L Kononenko
- CECAD Cluster of Excellence, University of Cologne, Germany.,Center for Physiology & Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Germany
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17
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Lopez-Manzaneda M, Franco-Espin J, Tejero R, Cano R, Tabares L. Calcium is reduced in presynaptic mitochondria of motor nerve terminals during neurotransmission in SMA mice. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:629-643. [PMID: 33693569 PMCID: PMC8127408 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive degenerative motor neuron disease characterized by symmetrical muscle weakness and atrophy of limb and trunk muscles being the most severe genetic disease in children. In SMA mouse models, motor nerve terminals display neurotransmitter release reduction, endocytosis decrease and mitochondria alterations. The relationship between these changes is, however, not well understood. In the present study, we investigated whether the endocytosis impairment could be related to the functional alteration of the presynaptic mitochondria during action potential (AP) firing. To this aim, we generated a Synaptophysin-pHluorin (SypHy) transgenic mouse, crossed it with Taiwanese SMA mice, and recorded exo- and endocytosis and mitochondria Ca2+ signaling in real-time at ex vivo motor nerve terminals of Taiwanese-SypHy mice. The experiments were performed at the beginning of the motor symptoms to get an integrated view of the nerve terminal’s functional state before degeneration. Our electrophysiological and live imaging results demonstrated that the mitochondria’s capacity to increase matrix-free Ca2+ in SMA mice was significantly limited during nerve AP firing, except when the rate of Ca2+ entry to the cytosol was considerably reduced. These results indicate that both the mitochondrial Ca2+ signaling alterations and the secretion machinery defects are significant players in the dysfunction of the presynaptic terminal in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Lopez-Manzaneda
- Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Julio Franco-Espin
- Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Rocio Tejero
- Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Raquel Cano
- Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Lucia Tabares
- Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
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18
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In Search of a Cure: The Development of Therapeutics to Alter the Progression of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11020194. [PMID: 33562482 PMCID: PMC7915832 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Until the recent development of disease-modifying therapeutics, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) was considered a devastating neuromuscular disease with a poor prognosis for most affected individuals. Symptoms generally present during early childhood and manifest as muscle weakness and progressive paralysis, severely compromising the affected individual’s quality of life, independence, and lifespan. SMA is most commonly caused by the inheritance of homozygously deleted SMN1 alleles with retention of one or more copies of a paralog gene, SMN2, which inversely correlates with disease severity. The recent advent and use of genetically targeted therapies have transformed SMA into a prototype for monogenic disease treatment in the era of genetic medicine. Many SMA-affected individuals receiving these therapies achieve traditionally unobtainable motor milestones and survival rates as medicines drastically alter the natural progression of this disease. This review discusses historical SMA progression and underlying disease mechanisms, highlights advances made in therapeutic research, clinical trials, and FDA-approved medicines, and discusses possible second-generation and complementary medicines as well as optimal temporal intervention windows in order to optimize motor function and improve quality of life for all SMA-affected individuals.
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Warman-Chardon J, Jasmin BJ, Kothary R, Parks RJ. Report on the 5th Ottawa International Conference on Neuromuscular Disease & Biology -October 17-19, 2019, Ottawa, Canada. J Neuromuscul Dis 2021; 8:323-334. [PMID: 33492242 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-219001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jodi Warman-Chardon
- Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Genetics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Canada.,Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada.,Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Bernard J Jasmin
- Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Rashmi Kothary
- Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa, Canada.,Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada.,Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Robin J Parks
- Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa, Canada.,Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Canada.,Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Canada
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20
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Sharifi Z, Taheri M, Fallah MS, Abiri M, Golnabi F, Bagherian H, Zeinali R, Farahzadi H, Alborji M, Tehrani PG, Amini M, Asnavandi S, Hashemi M, Forouzesh F, Zeinali S. Comprehensive Mutation Analysis and Report of 12 Novel Mutations in a Cohort of Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Iran. J Mol Neurosci 2021; 71:2281-2298. [PMID: 33481221 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-020-01789-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophies (SMAs) are a heterogeneous group of neuromuscular diseases characterized by loss of motor neurons, muscle weakness, hypotonia and muscle atrophy, with different modes of inheritance; however, the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene is predominantly involved. The aims of the current study were to clarify the genetic basis of SMA and determine the mutation spectrum of SMN1 and other associated genes, in order to provide molecular information for more accurate diagnosis and future prospects for treatment. We performed a comprehensive analysis of 5q SMA in 1765 individuals including 528 patients from 432 unrelated families with at least one child with suspected clinical presentation of SMA. Copy number variations of the SMN1 and SMN2 genes and linkage analysis were performed using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and short tandem repeat (STR) markers linked to the SMN1 gene. Cases without mutation in the SMA locus on 5q were analyzed for the DNAJB2, IGHMBP2, SIGMAR1 and PLEKHG5 genes using linked STR markers. Sanger sequencing of whole genes was performed for cases with homozygous haplotypes. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and whole-exome analysis was conducted for some of the remaining cases. Mutations in the SMN1 gene were identified in 287 (66.43%) families including 269 patients (62.26%) with homozygous deletion of the entire SMN1 gene. Only one of the patients had a homozygous point mutation in the SMN1 gene. Among the remaining families, three families showed mutations in either the DNAJB2, SIGMAR1 or PLEKHG5 genes, which were linked using STR analysis and Sanger sequencing. From 10 families who underwent WGS, we found six homozygous point mutations in six families for either the TNNT1, TPM3, TTN, SACS or COL6A2 genes. Two mutations in the PLA2G6 gene were also found in another patient as compound heterozygous. This rather large cohort allowed us to identify genotype patterns in Iranian 5q SMA patients. The process of identifying 11 mutations (9 novel) in 9 different genes among non-5q SMA patients shows the diversity of genes involved in non-5q SMA in Iranians. Genotyping of patients with SMA is essential for prenatal and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), and may be very helpful for guiding treatment, with the advent of new, more effective, albeit very expensive, therapies. Also, combining linkage analysis was shown to be beneficial in many ways, including sample authenticity and segregation analysis, and for ruling out maternal cell contamination during prenatal diagnosis (PND).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Sharifi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.,Dr. Zeinali's Medical Genetics Laboratory, Kawsar Human Genetics Research Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Urogenital Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Sadegh Fallah
- Dr. Zeinali's Medical Genetics Laboratory, Kawsar Human Genetics Research Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Abiri
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Golnabi
- Dr. Zeinali's Medical Genetics Laboratory, Kawsar Human Genetics Research Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamideh Bagherian
- Dr. Zeinali's Medical Genetics Laboratory, Kawsar Human Genetics Research Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Razieh Zeinali
- Dr. Zeinali's Medical Genetics Laboratory, Kawsar Human Genetics Research Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Farahzadi
- Proteomics Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marjan Alborji
- Dr. Zeinali's Medical Genetics Laboratory, Kawsar Human Genetics Research Center, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Masoume Amini
- Dr. Zeinali's Medical Genetics Laboratory, Kawsar Human Genetics Research Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sadaf Asnavandi
- Dr. Zeinali's Medical Genetics Laboratory, Kawsar Human Genetics Research Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Flora Forouzesh
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sirous Zeinali
- Dr. Zeinali's Medical Genetics Laboratory, Kawsar Human Genetics Research Center, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Molecular Medicine, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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Watson KS, Boukhloufi I, Bowerman M, Parson SH. The Relationship between Body Composition, Fatty Acid Metabolism and Diet in Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11020131. [PMID: 33498293 PMCID: PMC7909254 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive condition that results in pathological deficiency of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. SMA most frequently presents itself within the first few months of life and is characterized by progressive muscle weakness. As a neuromuscular condition, it prominently affects spinal cord motor neurons and the skeletal muscle they innervate. However, over the past few decades, the SMA phenotype has expanded to include pathologies outside of the neuromuscular system. The current therapeutic SMA landscape is at a turning point, whereby a holistic multi-systemic approach to the understanding of disease pathophysiology is at the forefront of fundamental research and translational endeavours. In particular, there has recently been a renewed interest in body composition and metabolism in SMA patients, specifically that of fatty acids. Indeed, there is increasing evidence of aberrant fat distribution and fatty acid metabolism dysfunction in SMA patients and animal models. This review will explore fatty acid metabolic defects in SMA and discuss how dietary interventions could potentially be used to modulate and reduce the adverse health impacts of these perturbations in SMA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine S. Watson
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK;
| | - Imane Boukhloufi
- School of Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK;
| | - Melissa Bowerman
- School of Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK;
- Wolfson Centre for Inherited Neuromuscular Disease, RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry SY10 7AG, UK
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (S.H.P.)
| | - Simon H. Parson
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK;
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (S.H.P.)
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22
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Wirth B. Spinal Muscular Atrophy: In the Challenge Lies a Solution. Trends Neurosci 2021; 44:306-322. [PMID: 33423791 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2020.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The path from gene discovery to therapy in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has been a highly challenging endeavor, but also led to one of the most successful stories in neurogenetics. In SMA, a neuromuscular disorder with an often fatal outcome until recently, with those affected never able to sit, stand, or walk, children now achieve these motoric abilities and almost age-based development when treated presymptomatically. This review summarizes the challenges along this 30-year journey. It is also meant to inspire early-career scientists not to give up when things become difficult but to try to uncover the biological underpinnings and transform the challenge into the next big discovery. Without doubt, the improvements seen with the three therapeutic strategies in SMA are impressive; many open questions remain and are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brunhilde Wirth
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine, Center for Rare Disorders, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 34, 50931 Cologne, Germany.
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23
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Zhang J, Krishnan A, Wu H, Venkataraman V. Calcium-Dependent Translocation of S100B Is Facilitated by Neurocalcin Delta. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26010227. [PMID: 33466232 PMCID: PMC7794955 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26010227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
S100B is a calcium-binding protein that governs calcium-mediated responses in a variety of cells—especially neuronal and glial cells. It is also extensively investigated as a potential biomarker for several disease conditions, especially neurodegenerative ones. In order to establish S100B as a viable pharmaceutical target, it is critical to understand its mechanistic role in signaling pathways and its interacting partners. In this report, we provide evidence to support a calcium-regulated interaction between S100B and the neuronal calcium sensor protein, neurocalcin delta both in vitro and in living cells. Membrane overlay assays were used to test the interaction between purified proteins in vitro and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, for interactions in living cells. Added calcium is essential for interaction in vitro; however, in living cells, calcium elevation causes translocation of the NCALD-S100B complex to the membrane-rich, perinuclear trans-Golgi network in COS7 cells, suggesting that the response is independent of specialized structures/molecules found in neuronal/glial cells. Similar results are also observed with hippocalcin, a closely related paralog; however, the interaction appears less robust in vitro. The N-terminal region of NCALD and HPCA appear to be critical for interaction with S100B based on in vitro experiments. The possible physiological significance of this interaction is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA; (J.Z.); (A.K.); (H.W.)
| | - Anuradha Krishnan
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA; (J.Z.); (A.K.); (H.W.)
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA; (J.Z.); (A.K.); (H.W.)
| | - Venkat Venkataraman
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA; (J.Z.); (A.K.); (H.W.)
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, NeuroMusculoskeletal Institute, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-856-566-6418
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Gollapalli K, Kim JK, Monani UR. Emerging concepts underlying selective neuromuscular dysfunction in infantile-onset spinal muscular atrophy. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:1978-1984. [PMID: 33642371 PMCID: PMC8343306 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.308073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Infantile-onset spinal muscular atrophy is the quintessential example of a disorder characterized by a predominantly neurodegenerative phenotype that nevertheless stems from perturbations in a housekeeping protein. Resulting from low levels of the Survival of Motor Neuron (SMN) protein, spinal muscular atrophy manifests mainly as a lower motor neuron disease. Why this is so and whether other cell types contribute to the classic spinal muscular atrophy phenotype continue to be the subject of intense investigation and are only now gaining appreciation. Yet, what is emerging is sometimes as puzzling as it is instructive, arguing for a careful re-examination of recent study outcomes, raising questions about established dogma in the field and making the case for a greater focus on milder spinal muscular atrophy models as tools to identify key mechanisms driving selective neuromuscular dysfunction in the disease. This review examines the evidence for novel molecular and cellular mechanisms that have recently been implicated in spinal muscular atrophy, highlights breakthroughs, points out caveats and poses questions that ought to serve as the basis of new investigations to better understand and treat this and other more common neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kishore Gollapalli
- Department of Neurology; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeong-Ki Kim
- Department of Neurology; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Umrao R Monani
- Department of Neurology; Department of Pathology & Cell Biology; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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Auslander N, Ramos DM, Zelaya I, Karathia H, Crawford TO, Schäffer AA, Sumner CJ, Ruppin E. The GENDULF algorithm: mining transcriptomics to uncover modifier genes for monogenic diseases. Mol Syst Biol 2020; 16:e9701. [PMID: 33438800 PMCID: PMC7754056 DOI: 10.15252/msb.20209701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Modifier genes are believed to account for the clinical variability observed in many Mendelian disorders, but their identification remains challenging due to the limited availability of genomics data from large patient cohorts. Here, we present GENDULF (GENetic moDULators identiFication), one of the first methods to facilitate prediction of disease modifiers using healthy and diseased tissue gene expression data. GENDULF is designed for monogenic diseases in which the mechanism is loss of function leading to reduced expression of the mutated gene. When applied to cystic fibrosis, GENDULF successfully identifies multiple, previously established disease modifiers, including EHF, SLC6A14, and CLCA1. It is then utilized in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and predicts U2AF1 as a modifier whose low expression correlates with higher SMN2 pre-mRNA exon 7 retention. Indeed, knockdown of U2AF1 in SMA patient-derived cells leads to increased full-length SMN2 transcript and SMN protein expression. Taking advantage of the increasing availability of transcriptomic data, GENDULF is a novel addition to existing strategies for prediction of genetic disease modifiers, providing insights into disease pathogenesis and uncovering novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noam Auslander
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory (CDSL)National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
- National Center for Biotechnology InformationNational Library of MedicineNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Daniel M Ramos
- Department of NeuroscienceJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Ivette Zelaya
- Interdepartmental Program in BioinformaticsUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Hiren Karathia
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene ExpressionNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthMDUSA
| | - Thomas O. Crawford
- Department of PediatricsJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Department of NeurologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Alejandro A Schäffer
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory (CDSL)National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Charlotte J Sumner
- Department of NeuroscienceJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Department of NeurologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Eytan Ruppin
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory (CDSL)National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
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Simon CM, Van Alstyne M, Lotti F, Bianchetti E, Tisdale S, Watterson DM, Mentis GZ, Pellizzoni L. Stasimon Contributes to the Loss of Sensory Synapses and Motor Neuron Death in a Mouse Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Cell Rep 2020; 29:3885-3901.e5. [PMID: 31851921 PMCID: PMC6956708 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.11.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Reduced expression of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein causes the neurodegenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Here, we show that adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9)-mediated delivery of Stasimon—a gene encoding an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident transmembrane protein regulated by SMN—improves motor function in a mouse model of SMA through multiple mechanisms. In proprioceptive neurons, Stasimon overexpression prevents the loss of afferent synapses on motor neurons and enhances sensory-motor neurotransmission. In motor neurons, Stasimon suppresses neurodegeneration by reducing phosphorylation of the tumor suppressor p53. Moreover, Stasimon deficiency converges on SMA-related mechanisms of p53 upregulation to induce phosphorylation of p53 through activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and pharmacological inhibition of this kinase prevents motor neuron death in SMA mice. These findings identify Stasimon dysfunction induced by SMN deficiency as an upstream driver of distinct cellular cascades that lead to synaptic loss and motor neuron degeneration, revealing a dual contribution of Stasimon to motor circuit pathology in SMA. SMN deficiency causes motor circuit dysfunction in SMA. Simon et al. show that Stasimon—an ER-resident protein regulated by SMN—contributes to sensory synaptic loss and motor neuron death in SMA mice through distinct mechanisms. In motor neurons, Stasimon dysfunction induces p38 MAPK-mediated phosphorylation of p53 whose inhibition prevents neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian M Simon
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Meaghan Van Alstyne
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Francesco Lotti
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Elena Bianchetti
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Sarah Tisdale
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - D Martin Watterson
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - George Z Mentis
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Livio Pellizzoni
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Walsh MB, Janzen E, Wingrove E, Hosseinibarkooie S, Muela NR, Davidow L, Dimitriadi M, Norabuena EM, Rubin LL, Wirth B, Hart AC. Genetic modifiers ameliorate endocytic and neuromuscular defects in a model of spinal muscular atrophy. BMC Biol 2020; 18:127. [PMID: 32938453 PMCID: PMC7495824 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-020-00845-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding the genetic modifiers of neurodegenerative diseases can provide insight into the mechanisms underlying these disorders. Here, we examine the relationship between the motor neuron disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which is caused by reduced levels of the survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein, and the actin-bundling protein Plastin 3 (PLS3). Increased PLS3 levels suppress symptoms in a subset of SMA patients and ameliorate defects in SMA disease models, but the functional connection between PLS3 and SMN is poorly understood. Results We provide immunohistochemical and biochemical evidence for large protein complexes localized in vertebrate motor neuron processes that contain PLS3, SMN, and members of the hnRNP F/H family of proteins. Using a Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) SMA model, we determine that overexpression of PLS3 or loss of the C. elegans hnRNP F/H ortholog SYM-2 enhances endocytic function and ameliorates neuromuscular defects caused by decreased SMN-1 levels. Furthermore, either increasing PLS3 or decreasing SYM-2 levels suppresses defects in a C. elegans ALS model. Conclusions We propose that hnRNP F/H act in the same protein complex as PLS3 and SMN and that the function of this complex is critical for endocytic pathways, suggesting that hnRNP F/H proteins could be potential targets for therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa B Walsh
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, 185 Meeting Street, Mailbox GL-N, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Eva Janzen
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute of Genetics, and Center for Rare Disorders, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Emily Wingrove
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, 185 Meeting Street, Mailbox GL-N, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Seyyedmohsen Hosseinibarkooie
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute of Genetics, and Center for Rare Disorders, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Natalia Rodriguez Muela
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Lance Davidow
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Maria Dimitriadi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Erika M Norabuena
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Lee L Rubin
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Brunhilde Wirth
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute of Genetics, and Center for Rare Disorders, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Anne C Hart
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, 185 Meeting Street, Mailbox GL-N, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
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Kannan A, Jiang X, He L, Ahmad S, Gangwani L. ZPR1 prevents R-loop accumulation, upregulates SMN2 expression and rescues spinal muscular atrophy. Brain 2020; 143:69-93. [PMID: 31828288 PMCID: PMC6935747 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder caused by homozygous mutation or deletion of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. A second copy, SMN2, is similar to SMN1 but produces ∼10% SMN protein because of a single-point mutation that causes splicing defects. Chronic low levels of SMN cause accumulation of co-transcriptional R-loops and DNA damage leading to genomic instability and neurodegeneration in SMA. Severity of SMA disease correlates inversely with SMN levels. SMN2 is a promising target to produce higher levels of SMN by enhancing its expression. Mechanisms that regulate expression of SMN genes are largely unknown. We report that zinc finger protein ZPR1 binds to RNA polymerase II, interacts in vivo with SMN locus and upregulates SMN2 expression in SMA mice and patient cells. Modulation of ZPR1 levels directly correlates and influences SMN2 expression levels in SMA patient cells. ZPR1 overexpression in vivo results in a systemic increase of SMN levels and rescues severe to moderate disease in SMA mice. ZPR1-dependent rescue improves growth and motor function and increases the lifespan of male and female SMA mice. ZPR1 reduces neurodegeneration in SMA mice and prevents degeneration of cultured primary spinal cord neurons derived from SMA mice. Further, we show that the low levels of ZPR1 associated with SMA pathogenesis cause accumulation of co-transcriptional RNA-DNA hybrids (R-loops) and DNA damage leading to genomic instability in SMA mice and patient cells. Complementation with ZPR1 elevates senataxin levels, reduces R-loop accumulation and rescues DNA damage in SMA mice, motor neurons and patient cells. In conclusion, ZPR1 is critical for preventing accumulation of co-transcriptional R-loops and DNA damage to avert genomic instability and neurodegeneration in SMA. ZPR1 enhances SMN2 expression and leads to SMN-dependent rescue of SMA. ZPR1 represents a protective modifier and a therapeutic target for developing a new method for the treatment of SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annapoorna Kannan
- Center of Emphasis in Neurosciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Xiaoting Jiang
- Center of Emphasis in Neurosciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Lan He
- Center of Emphasis in Neurosciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Saif Ahmad
- Center of Emphasis in Neurosciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Laxman Gangwani
- Center of Emphasis in Neurosciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
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AAV9-DOK7 gene therapy reduces disease severity in Smn 2B/- SMA model mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 530:107-114. [PMID: 32828271 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease caused by deletions or mutations in the survival motor neuron (SMN1) gene. An important hallmark of disease progression is the pathology of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Affected NMJs in the SMA context exhibit delayed maturation, impaired synaptic transmission, and loss of contact between motor neurons and skeletal muscle. Protection and maintenance of NMJs remains a focal point of therapeutic strategies to treat SMA, and the recent implication of the NMJ-organizer Agrin in SMA pathology suggests additional NMJ organizing molecules may contribute. DOK7 is an NMJ organizer that functions downstream of Agrin. The potential of DOK7 as a putative therapeutic target was demonstrated by adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy delivery of DOK7 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Emery Dreyefuss Muscular Dystrophy (EDMD). To assess the potential of DOK7 as a disease modifier of SMA, we administered AAV-DOK7 to an intermediate mouse model of SMA. AAV9-DOK7 treatment conferred improvements in NMJ architecture and reduced muscle fiber atrophy. Additionally, these improvements resulted in a subtle reduction in phenotypic severity, evidenced by improved grip strength and an extension in survival. These findings reveal DOK7 is a novel modifier of SMA.
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Smeriglio P, Langard P, Querin G, Biferi MG. The Identification of Novel Biomarkers Is Required to Improve Adult SMA Patient Stratification, Diagnosis and Treatment. J Pers Med 2020; 10:jpm10030075. [PMID: 32751151 PMCID: PMC7564782 DOI: 10.3390/jpm10030075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is currently classified into five different subtypes, from the most severe (type 0) to the mildest (type 4) depending on age at onset, best motor function achieved, and copy number of the SMN2 gene. The two recent approved treatments for SMA patients revolutionized their life quality and perspectives. However, upon treatment with Nusinersen, the most widely administered therapy up to date, a high degree of variability in therapeutic response was observed in adult SMA patients. These data, together with the lack of natural history information and the wide spectrum of disease phenotypes, suggest that further efforts are needed to develop precision medicine approaches for all SMA patients. Here, we compile the current methods for functional evaluation of adult SMA patients treated with Nusinersen. We also present an overview of the known molecular changes underpinning disease heterogeneity. We finally highlight the need for novel techniques, i.e., -omics approaches, to capture phenotypic differences and to understand the biological signature in order to revise the disease classification and device personalized treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piera Smeriglio
- Centre of Research in Myology, Institute of Myology, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, 75013 Paris, France; (P.L.); (G.Q.)
- Correspondence: (P.S.); (M.G.B.)
| | - Paul Langard
- Centre of Research in Myology, Institute of Myology, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, 75013 Paris, France; (P.L.); (G.Q.)
| | - Giorgia Querin
- Centre of Research in Myology, Institute of Myology, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, 75013 Paris, France; (P.L.); (G.Q.)
- Association Institut de Myologie, Plateforme Essais Cliniques Adultes, 75013 Paris, France
- APHP, Service de Neuromyologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Maria Grazia Biferi
- Centre of Research in Myology, Institute of Myology, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, 75013 Paris, France; (P.L.); (G.Q.)
- Correspondence: (P.S.); (M.G.B.)
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the advent of novel therapies and their impact on the field of chromosome 5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). RECENT FINDINGS Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) enhancing SMN2 function are delivered intrathecally and small molecules will also be available soon delivered by the oral route; alternatively, systemic injection of viral vectors in order to replace the SMN gene are likely to be available in the future. In summer 2019, it remains the core finding that intrathecally delivered ASOs convincingly change the natural history of the disease in children and that the treatment effect is the better, the earlier ASO treatment is started. Therefore, postnatal screening for deletions and mutations in the SMN gene is presently discussed. Much has to be learnt, however, both on the challenges of the intrathecal mode of delivery and the efficacy of ASOs in adolescent and adult patients. Therapeutic outcome measures mirroring this phenotype are difficult to assess in this group of patients. SUMMARY Therapeutic advances in 5q-associated SMA have been convincing in the previous years and change the field. This includes newborn screening, changing phenotypes in the treated children, challenges for drug administration in adolescents and adults and the comparison of drug effects. Long-term studies are required.
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Autophagy in motor neuron diseases. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 172:157-202. [PMID: 32620242 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are a wide group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the degeneration of a specific neuronal type located in the central nervous system, the motor neuron (MN). There are two main types of MNs, spinal and cortical MNs and depending on the type of MND, one or both types are affected. Cortical MNs innervate spinal MNs and these control a variety of cellular targets, being skeletal muscle their main one which is also affected in MNDs. A correct functionality of autophagy is necessary for the survival of all cellular types and it is particularly crucial for neurons, given their postmitotic and highly specialized nature. Numerous studies have identified alterations of autophagy activity in multiple MNDs. The scientific community has been particularly prolific in reporting the role that autophagy plays in the most common adult MND, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, although many studies have started to identify physiological and pathological functions of this catabolic system in other MNDs, such as spinal muscular atrophy and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. The degradation of selective cargo by autophagy and how this process is altered upon the presence of MND-causing mutations is currently also a matter of intense investigation, particularly regarding the selective autophagic clearance of mitochondria. Thorough reviews on this field have been recently published. This chapter will cover the current knowledge on the functionality of autophagy and lysosomal homeostasis in the main MNDs and other autophagy-related topics in the MND field that have risen special interest in the research community.
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Dong C, Yin F, Zhu D, Cai X, Chen C, Liu X. NCALD affects drug resistance and prognosis by acting as a ceRNA of CX3CL1 in ovarian cancer. J Cell Biochem 2020; 121:4470-4483. [PMID: 32030795 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance, an impenetrable barrier in the treatment of ovarian cancer (OC), is often associated with poor outcomes. Hence, it is urgent to discover new factors controlling drug resistance and survival. The association between neurocalcin delta (NCALD) and cancer drug resistance is poorly understood. Here, we reveal that NCALD messenger RNA expression, probably regulated by DNA methylation and microRNAs, was significantly downregulated in at least three independent microarrays covering 633 ovarian carcinomas and 16 normal controls, which includes the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) ovarian cohort. In the sub-groups of the TCGA cohort, NCALD was suppressed in 90 platinum-resistant tissues vs in 197 sensitive tissues. It is consistent with the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction results revealing gene downregulation in carboplatin-resistant SKOV3 and HeyA8 OC cells as compared with that in controls. Low expression of NCALD predicted poor overall survival (OS) in sub-groups of 1656 patients, progression-free survival (PFS) in 1435 patients, and post-progression survival (PPS) in 782 patients according to Kaplan-Meier plotter covering 1815 OC patients. Comprehensive bioinformatic analyses strongly implicated NCALD in the regulation of drug resistance, probably via competing for endogenous RNA (ceRNA) interactions with CX3CL1 and tumor immune-microenvironment. NCALD acted as a ceRNA for CX3CL1 in 21 different cancers includes OC according to Starbase. These two genes negatively correlated with tumor purity and positively correlated with infiltration levels of neutrophils and dendritic cells in OC. The combined low expression of NCALD and CX3CL1 showed better prognosis potential for OS, PFS, and PPS in the 1815 OC patients than any of the individually tested genes. In summary, NCALD acts as a ceRNA for CX3CL1, and its downregulation may affect drug resistance and prognosis in OC. Thus, NCALD could be a new therapeutic target for anticancer therapy and a new biomarker for survival prediction in OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caihua Dong
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Ageing-Related Disease of Chinese Ministry of Education, Centre for Translational Medicine and School of Preclinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Fuqiang Yin
- Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.,Key Laboratory of High-Incidence-Tumor Prevention and Treatment (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Dan Zhu
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiangxue Cai
- Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Cuilan Chen
- Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Ageing-Related Disease of Chinese Ministry of Education, Centre for Translational Medicine and School of Preclinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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34
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Wirth B, Karakaya M, Kye MJ, Mendoza-Ferreira N. Twenty-Five Years of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Research: From Phenotype to Genotype to Therapy, and What Comes Next. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2020; 21:231-261. [PMID: 32004094 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-102319-103602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Twenty-five years ago, the underlying genetic cause for one of the most common and devastating inherited diseases in humans, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), was identified. Homozygous deletions or, rarely, subtle mutations of SMN1 cause SMA, and the copy number of the nearly identical copy gene SMN2 inversely correlates with disease severity. SMA has become a paradigm and a prime example of a monogenic neurological disorder that can be efficiently ameliorated or nearly cured by novel therapeutic strategies, such as antisense oligonucleotide or gene replacement therapy. These therapies enable infants to survive who might otherwise have died before the age of two and allow individuals who have never been able to sit or walk to do both. The major milestones on the road to these therapies were to understand the genetic cause and splice regulation of SMN genes, the disease's phenotype-genotype variability, the function of the protein and the main affected cellular pathways and tissues, the disease's pathophysiology through research on animal models, the windows of opportunity for efficient treatment, and how and when to treat patients most effectively.This review aims to bridge our knowledge from phenotype to genotype to therapy, not only highlighting the significant advances so far but also speculating about the future of SMA screening and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brunhilde Wirth
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne and Center for Rare Diseases, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Mert Karakaya
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne and Center for Rare Diseases, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Min Jeong Kye
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne and Center for Rare Diseases, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Natalia Mendoza-Ferreira
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne and Center for Rare Diseases, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany;
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35
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Antoine M, Patrick KL, Soret J, Duc P, Rage F, Cacciottolo R, Nissen KE, Cauchi RJ, Krogan NJ, Guthrie C, Gachet Y, Bordonné R. Splicing Defects of the Profilin Gene Alter Actin Dynamics in an S. pombe SMN Mutant. iScience 2019; 23:100809. [PMID: 31927482 PMCID: PMC6957872 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.100809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating motor neuron disorder caused by mutations in the survival motor neuron (SMN) gene. It remains unclear how SMN deficiency leads to the loss of motor neurons. By screening Schizosaccharomyces pombe, we found that the growth defect of an SMN mutant can be alleviated by deletion of the actin-capping protein subunit gene acp1+. We show that SMN mutated cells have splicing defects in the profilin gene, which thus directly hinder actin cytoskeleton homeostasis including endocytosis and cytokinesis. We conclude that deletion of acp1+ in an SMN mutant background compensates for actin cytoskeleton alterations by restoring redistribution of actin monomers between different types of cellular actin networks. Our data reveal a direct correlation between an impaired function of SMN in snRNP assembly and defects in actin dynamics. They also point to important common features in the pathogenic mechanism of SMA and ALS. Splicing defects in the profilin gene in an S. pombe SMN mutant SMN mutant contains excessively polymerized actin Altered actin dynamics in the SMN mutant hinders endocytosis and cytokinesis Deletion of the acp1 subunit restores actin dynamics in the SMN mutant
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Antoine
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Johann Soret
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Pauline Duc
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Florence Rage
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Rebecca Cacciottolo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | | | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | | | | | - Yannick Gachet
- Centre de Biologie Integrative, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Rémy Bordonné
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
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36
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Rehorst WA, Thelen MP, Nolte H, Türk C, Cirak S, Peterson JM, Wong GW, Wirth B, Krüger M, Winter D, Kye MJ. Muscle regulates mTOR dependent axonal local translation in motor neurons via CTRP3 secretion: implications for a neuromuscular disorder, spinal muscular atrophy. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:154. [PMID: 31615574 PMCID: PMC6794869 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0806-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder, which causes dysfunction/loss of lower motor neurons and muscle weakness as well as atrophy. While SMA is primarily considered as a motor neuron disease, recent data suggests that survival motor neuron (SMN) deficiency in muscle causes intrinsic defects. We systematically profiled secreted proteins from control and SMN deficient muscle cells with two combined metabolic labeling methods and mass spectrometry. From the screening, we found lower levels of C1q/TNF-related protein 3 (CTRP3) in the SMA muscle secretome and confirmed that CTRP3 levels are indeed reduced in muscle tissues and serum of an SMA mouse model. We identified that CTRP3 regulates neuronal protein synthesis including SMN via mTOR pathway. Furthermore, CTRP3 enhances axonal outgrowth and protein synthesis rate, which are well-known impaired processes in SMA motor neurons. Our data revealed a new molecular mechanism by which muscles regulate the physiology of motor neurons via secreted molecules. Dysregulation of this mechanism contributes to the pathophysiology of SMA.
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37
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Kaifer KA, Villalón E, O'Brien BS, Sison SL, Smith CE, Simon ME, Marquez J, O'Day S, Hopkins AE, Neff R, Rindt H, Ebert AD, Lorson CL. AAV9-mediated delivery of miR-23a reduces disease severity in Smn2B/-SMA model mice. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:3199-3210. [PMID: 31211843 PMCID: PMC6859438 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disease caused by deletions or mutations in survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1). The molecular mechanisms underlying motor neuron degeneration in SMA remain elusive, as global cellular dysfunction obscures the identification and characterization of disease-relevant pathways and potential therapeutic targets. Recent reports have implicated microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation as a potential contributor to the pathological mechanism in SMA. To characterize miRNAs that are differentially regulated in SMA, we profiled miRNA levels in SMA induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons. From this array, miR-23a downregulation was identified selectively in SMA motor neurons, consistent with previous reports where miR-23a functioned in neuroprotective and muscle atrophy-antagonizing roles. Reintroduction of miR-23a expression in SMA patient iPSC-derived motor neurons protected against degeneration, suggesting a potential miR-23a-specific disease-modifying effect. To assess this activity in vivo, miR-23a was expressed using a self-complementary adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (scAAV9) viral vector in the Smn2B/- SMA mouse model. scAAV9-miR-23a significantly reduced the pathology in SMA mice, including increased motor neuron size, reduced neuromuscular junction pathology, increased muscle fiber area, and extended survival. These experiments demonstrate that miR-23a is a novel protective modifier of SMA, warranting further characterization of miRNA dysfunction in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Kaifer
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Eric Villalón
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Benjamin S O'Brien
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Samantha L Sison
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Caley E Smith
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Madeline E Simon
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jose Marquez
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Siri O'Day
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Abigail E Hopkins
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Rachel Neff
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Hansjörg Rindt
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Allison D Ebert
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Janzen E, Wolff L, Mendoza-Ferreira N, Hupperich K, Delle Vedove A, Hosseinibarkooie S, Kye MJ, Wirth B. PLS3 Overexpression Delays Ataxia in Chp1 Mutant Mice. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:993. [PMID: 31607845 PMCID: PMC6761326 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Many neurodegenerative disorders share common pathogenic pathways such as endocytic defects, Ca2+ misregulation and defects in actin dynamics. Factors acting on these shared pathways are highly interesting as a therapeutic target. Plastin 3 (PLS3), a proven protective modifier of spinal muscular atrophy across species, is a remarkable example of the former, and thereby offers high potential as a cross-disease modifier. Importantly, PLS3 has been linked to numerous proteins associated with various neurodegenerative diseases. Among them, PLS3 directly interacts with calcineurin like EF-hand protein 1 (CHP1), whose loss-of-function results in ataxia. In this study, we aimed to determine whether PLS3 is a cross-disease modifier for ataxia caused by Chp1 mutation in mice. For this purpose, we generated Chp1 mutant mice, named vacillator mice, overexpressing a PLS3 transgene. Here, we show that PLS3 overexpression (OE) delays the ataxic phenotype of the vacillator mice at an early but not later disease stage. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PLS3 OE ameliorates axon hypertrophy and axonal swellings in Purkinje neurons thereby slowing down neurodegeneration. Mechanistically, we found that PLS3 OE in the cerebellum shows a trend of increased membrane targeting and/or expression of Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE1), an important CHP1 binding partner and a causative gene for ataxia, when mutated in humans and mice. This data supports the hypothesis that PLS3 is a cross-disease genetic modifier for CHP1-causing ataxia and spinal muscular atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Janzen
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lisa Wolff
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Natalia Mendoza-Ferreira
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kristina Hupperich
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Andrea Delle Vedove
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Seyyedmohsen Hosseinibarkooie
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Min Jeong Kye
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Brunhilde Wirth
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Rare Diseases Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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NCALD Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapy in Addition to Nusinersen further Ameliorates Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Mice. Am J Hum Genet 2019; 105:221-230. [PMID: 31230718 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disease causing the most frequent genetic childhood lethality. Recently, nusinersen, an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that corrects SMN2 splicing and thereby increases full-length SMN protein, has been approved by the FDA and EMA for SMA therapy. However, the administration of nusinersen in severe and/or post-symptomatic SMA-affected individuals is insufficient to counteract the disease. Therefore, additional SMN-independent therapies are needed to support the function of motoneurons and neuromuscular junctions. We recently identified asymptomatic SMN1-deleted individuals who were protected against SMA by reduced expression of neurocalcin delta (NCALD). NCALD reduction is proven to be a protective modifier of SMA across species, including worm, zebrafish, and mice. Here, we identified Ncald-ASO3-out of 450 developed Ncald ASOs-as the most efficient and non-toxic ASO for the CNS, by applying a stepwise screening strategy in cortical neurons and adult and neonatal mice. In a randomized-blinded preclinical study, a single subcutaneous low-dose SMN-ASO and a single intracerebroventricular Ncald-ASO3 or control-ASO injection were presymptomatically administered in a severe SMA mouse model. NCALD reduction of >70% persisted for about 1 month. While low-dose SMN-ASO rescues multiorgan impairment, additional NCALD reduction significantly ameliorated SMA pathology including electrophysiological and histological properties of neuromuscular junctions and muscle at P21 and motoric deficits at 3 months. The present study shows the additional benefit of a combinatorial SMN-dependent and SMN-independent ASO-based therapy for SMA. This work illustrates how a modifying gene, identified in some asymptomatic individuals, helps to develop a therapy for all SMA-affected individuals.
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40
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Abstract
A snapshot of noteworthy recent developments in the patent literature of relevance to pharmaceutical and medical research and development.
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41
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Evaluation of potential effects of Plastin 3 overexpression and low-dose SMN-antisense oligonucleotides on putative biomarkers in spinal muscular atrophy mice. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203398. [PMID: 30188931 PMCID: PMC6126849 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating motor neuron disorder caused by homozygous loss of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene and insufficient functional SMN protein produced by the SMN2 copy gene. Additional genetic protective modifiers such as Plastin 3 (PLS3) can counteract SMA pathology despite insufficient SMN protein. Recently, Spinraza, an SMN antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that restores full-length SMN2 transcripts, has been FDA- and EMA-approved for SMA therapy. Hence, the availability of biomarkers allowing a reliable monitoring of disease and therapy progression would be of great importance. Our objectives were (i) to analyse the feasibility of SMN and of six SMA biomarkers identified by the BforSMA study in the Taiwanese SMA mouse model, (ii) to analyse the effect of PLS3 overexpression on these biomarkers, and (iii) to assess the impact of low-dose SMN-ASO therapy on the level of SMN and the six biomarkers. METHODS At P10 and P21, the level of SMN and six putative biomarkers were compared among SMA, heterozygous and wild type mice, with or without PLS3 overexpression, and with or without presymptomatic low-dose SMN-ASO subcutaneous injection. SMN levels were measured in whole blood by ECL immunoassay and of six SMA putative biomarkers, namely Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP), Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 (DPP4), Tetranectin (C-type Lectin Family 3 Member B, CLEC3B), Osteopontin (Secreted Phosphoprotein 1, SPP1), Vitronectin (VTN) and Fetuin A (Alpha 2-HS Glycoprotein, AHSG) in plasma. RESULTS SMN levels were significantly discernible between SMA, heterozygous and wild type mice. However, no significant differences were measured upon low-dose SMN-ASO treatment compared to untreated animals. Of the six biomarkers, only COMP and DPP4 showed high and SPP1 moderate correlation with the SMA phenotype. PLS3 overexpression neither influenced the SMN level nor the six biomarkers, supporting the hypothesis that PLS3 acts as an independent protective modifier.
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