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Martinelli I, Mandrioli J, Ghezzi A, Zucchi E, Gianferrari G, Simonini C, Cavallieri F, Valzania F. Multifaceted superoxide dismutase 1 expression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: a rare occurrence? Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:130-138. [PMID: 38767482 PMCID: PMC11246149 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neuromuscular condition resulting from the progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. While the typical clinical phenotype of ALS involves both upper and lower motor neurons, human and animal studies over the years have highlighted the potential spread to other motor and non-motor regions, expanding the phenotype of ALS. Although superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) mutations represent a minority of ALS cases, the SOD1 gene remains a milestone in ALS research as it represents the first genetic target for personalized therapies. Despite numerous single case reports or case series exhibiting extramotor symptoms in patients with ALS mutations in SOD1 (SOD1-ALS), no studies have comprehensively explored the full spectrum of extramotor neurological manifestations in this subpopulation. In this narrative review, we analyze and discuss the available literature on extrapyramidal and non-motor features during SOD1-ALS. The multifaceted expression of SOD1 could deepen our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms, pointing towards a multidisciplinary approach for affected patients in light of new therapeutic strategies for SOD1-ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Martinelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine Ph.D. Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Ghezzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Zucchi
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Gianferrari
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Simonini
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesco Cavallieri
- Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Franco Valzania
- Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Ghaderi S, Fatehi F, Kalra S, Mohammadi S, Batouli SAH. Quantitative susceptibility mapping in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: automatic quantification of the magnetic susceptibility in the subcortical nuclei. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38957123 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2024.2372648] [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: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Objective: Previous studies have suggested a link between dysregulation of cortical iron levels and neuronal loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. However, few studies have reported differences in quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) values in subcortical nuclei between patients with ALS and healthy controls (HCs). Methods: MRI was performed using a 3 Tesla Prisma scanner (64-channel head coil), including 3D T1-MPRAGE and multi-echo 3D GRE for QSM reconstruction. Automated QSM segmentation was used to measure susceptibility values in the subcortical nuclei, which were compared between the groups. Correlations with clinical scales were analyzed. Group comparisons were performed using independent t-tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Correlations were assessed using Pearson's correlation, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Cohen's d was reported to compare the standardized mean difference (SMD) of QSM. Results: Twelve patients with limb-onset ALS (mean age 48.7 years, 75% male) and 13 age-, sex-, and handedness-matched HCs (mean age 44.6 years, 69% male) were included. Compared to HCs, ALS patients demonstrated significantly lower susceptibility in the left caudate nucleus (CN) (SMD = -0.845), right CN (SMD = -0.851), whole CN (SMD = -1.016), and left subthalamic nucleus (STN) (SMD = -1.000). Susceptibility in the left putamen (SMD = -0.857), left thalamus (SMD = -1.081), and whole thalamus (SMD = -0.968) was significantly higher in the patients. The susceptibility of the substantia nigra (SN), CN, and pulvinar was positively correlated with disease duration. Conclusions: QSM detects abnormal iron accumulation patterns in the subcortical gray matter of ALS patients, which correlates with disease characteristics, supporting its potential as a neuroimaging biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadegh Ghaderi
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzad Fatehi
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Neurology Department, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Sanjay Kalra
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, and
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Sana Mohammadi
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Amir Hossein Batouli
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Ketabforoush A, Faghihi F, Azedi F, Ariaei A, Habibi MA, Khalili M, Ashtiani BH, Joghataei MT, Arnold WD. Sodium Phenylbutyrate and Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid: A Story of Hope Turned to Disappointment in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Treatment. Clin Drug Investig 2024; 44:495-512. [PMID: 38909349 DOI: 10.1007/s40261-024-01371-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
The absence of a definitive cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) emphasizes the crucial need to explore new and improved treatment approaches for this fatal, progressive, and disabling neurodegenerative disorder. As at the end of 2023, five treatments - riluzole, edaravone, dextromethorphan hydrobromide + quinidine sulfate (DHQ), tofersen, and sodium phenylbutyrate-tauroursodeoxycholic acid (PB-TUDCA) - were FDA approved for the treatment of patients with ALS. Among them PB-TUDCA has been shown to impact DNA processing impairments, mitochondria dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, and pathologic folded protein agglomeration defects, which have been associated with ALS pathophysiology. The Phase 2 CENTAUR trial demonstrated significant impact of PB-TUDCA on the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) risk of death, hospitalization, and the need for tracheostomy or permanent assisted ventilation in patients with ALS based on post hoc analyses. More recently, contrasting with the CENTAUR trial results, results from the Phase 3 PHOENIX trial (NCT05021536) showed no change in ALSFRS-R total score at 48 weeks. Consequently, the sponsor company initiated the process with the US FDA and Health Canada to voluntarily withdraw the marketing authorizations for PB-TUDCA. In the present article, we review ALS pathophysiology, with a focus on PB-TUDCA's proposed mechanisms of action and recent clinical trial results and discuss the implications of conflicting trial data for ALS and other neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arsh Ketabforoush
- NextGen Precision Health, University of Missouri, 1030 Hitt St., Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Faezeh Faghihi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Azedi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Armin Ariaei
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohamad Amin Habibi
- Clinical Research Development Center, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Maryam Khalili
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahram Haghi Ashtiani
- Department of Neurology, Firouzgar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taghi Joghataei
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - W David Arnold
- NextGen Precision Health, University of Missouri, 1030 Hitt St., Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
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4
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Ghaderi S, Fatehi F, Kalra S, Mohammadi S, Zemorshidi F, Ramezani M, Hesami O, Pezeshgi S, Batouli SAH. Volume loss in the left anterior-superior subunit of the hypothalamus in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14801. [PMID: 38887187 PMCID: PMC11183167 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14801] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) causes motor neuron loss and progressive paralysis. While traditionally viewed as motor neuron disease (MND), ALS also affects non-motor regions, such as the hypothalamus. This study aimed to quantify the hypothalamic subregion volumes in patients with ALS versus healthy controls (HCs) and examine their associations with demographic and clinical features. METHODS Forty-eight participants (24 ALS patients and 24 HCs) underwent structural MRI. A deep convolutional neural network was used for the automated segmentation of the hypothalamic subunits, including the anterior-superior (a-sHyp), anterior-inferior (a-iHyp), superior tuberal (supTub), inferior tuberal (infTub), and posterior (posHyp). The neural network was validated using FreeSurfer v7.4.1, with individual head size variations normalized using total intracranial volume (TIV) normalization. Statistical analyses were performed for comparisons using independent sample t-tests. Correlations were calculated using Pearson's and Spearman's tests (p < 0.05). The standard mean difference (SMD) was used to compare the mean differences between parametric variables. RESULTS The volume of the left a-sHyp hypothalamic subunit was significantly lower in ALS patients than in HCs (p = 0.023, SMD = -0.681). No significant correlation was found between the volume of the hypothalamic subunits, body mass index (BMI), and ALSFRS-R in patients with ALS. However, right a-sHyp (r = 0.420, p = 0.041) was correlated with disease duration, whereas right supTub (r = -0.471, p = 0.020) and left postHyp (r = -0.406, p = 0.049) were negatively correlated with age. There was no significant difference in the volume of hypothalamic subunits between males and females, and no significant difference was found between patients with revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) scores ≤41 and >41 and those with a disease duration of 9 months or less. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The main finding suggests atrophy of the left a-sHyp hypothalamic subunit in patients with ALS, which is supported by previous research as an extra-motor neuroimaging finding for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadegh Ghaderi
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in MedicineTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, Shariati HospitalTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Farzad Fatehi
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, Shariati HospitalTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Neurology DepartmentUniversity Hospitals of Leicester NHS TrustLeicesterUK
| | - Sanjay Kalra
- Neuroscience and Mental Health InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
- Division of Neurology, Department of MedicineUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Sana Mohammadi
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, Shariati HospitalTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Fariba Zemorshidi
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, Shariati HospitalTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Department of NeurologyMashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
| | - Mahtab Ramezani
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, Shariati HospitalTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Omid Hesami
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, Shariati HospitalTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Department of NeurologyShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Saharnaz Pezeshgi
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, Shariati HospitalTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Seyed Amir Hossein Batouli
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in MedicineTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
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5
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Wang X, Hu Y, Xu R. The pathogenic mechanism of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:800-806. [PMID: 37843214 PMCID: PMC10664110 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.382233] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is usually characterized by focal death of both upper and/or lower motor neurons occurring in the motor cortex, basal ganglia, brainstem, and spinal cord, and commonly involves the muscles of the upper and/or lower extremities, and the muscles of the bulbar and/or respiratory regions. However, as the disease progresses, it affects the adjacent body regions, leading to generalized muscle weakness, occasionally along with memory, cognitive, behavioral, and language impairments; respiratory dysfunction occurs at the final stage of the disease. The disease has a complicated pathophysiology and currently, only riluzole, edaravone, and phenylbutyrate/taurursodiol are licensed to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in many industrialized countries. The TAR DNA-binding protein 43 inclusions are observed in 97% of those diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This review provides a preliminary overview of the potential effects of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, including the abnormalities in nucleoplasmic transport, RNA function, post-translational modification, liquid-liquid phase separation, stress granules, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, axonal transport, protein quality control system, and non-cellular autonomous functions (e.g., glial cell functions and prion-like propagation).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Wang
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, The Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yushu Hu
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, The Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Renshi Xu
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, The Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
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6
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Ivantsik O, John A, Kydonopoulou K, Mitropoulos K, Gerou S, Ali BR, Patrinos GP. Novel Pathogenic Variants Leading to Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Greek Patients. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:309. [PMID: 38540370 PMCID: PMC10970271 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030309] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive disease that affects motor neurons, leading to paralysis and death usually 3-5 years after the onset of symptoms. The investigation of both sporadic and familial ALS highlighted four main genes that contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease: SOD1, FUS, TARDBP and C9orf72. This study aims to provide a comprehensive investigation of genetic variants found in SOD1, FUS and TARDBP genes in Greek sporadic ALS (sALS) cases. Our sequencing analysis of the coding regions of the abovementioned genes that include the majority of the variants that lead to ALS in 32 sALS patients and 3 healthy relatives revealed 6 variants in SOD1, 19 variants in FUS and 37 variants in TARDBP, of which the SOD1 p.D90A and the FUS c.*356G>A (rs886051940) variants have been previously associated with ALS, while two novel nonsense pathogenic variants were also identified, namely FUS p.R241* and TDP-43 p.Y214*. Our study contributes to the worldwide effort toward clarifying the genetic basis of sALS to better understand the disease's molecular pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ouliana Ivantsik
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, Division of Pharmacology and Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Rion, Greece
| | - Anne John
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Konstantinos Mitropoulos
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 10679 Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Gerou
- ANALYSI Biomedical Laboratories S.A., 54623 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Bassam R Ali
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- ASPIRE Abu Dhabi Precision Medicine Ρesearch Institute, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - George P Patrinos
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, Division of Pharmacology and Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Rion, Greece
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- ASPIRE Abu Dhabi Precision Medicine Ρesearch Institute, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Clinical Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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7
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Pomeshchik Y, Velasquez E, Gil J, Klementieva O, Gidlöf R, Sydoff M, Bagnoli S, Nacmias B, Sorbi S, Westergren-Thorsson G, Gouras GK, Rezeli M, Roybon L. Proteomic analysis across patient iPSC-based models and human post-mortem hippocampal tissue reveals early cellular dysfunction and progression of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:150. [PMID: 37715247 PMCID: PMC10504768 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01649-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus is a primary region affected in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Because AD postmortem brain tissue is not available prior to symptomatic stage, we lack understanding of early cellular pathogenic mechanisms. To address this issue, we examined the cellular origin and progression of AD pathogenesis by comparing patient-based model systems including iPSC-derived brain cells transplanted into the mouse brain hippocampus. Proteomic analysis of the graft enabled the identification of pathways and network dysfunction in AD patient brain cells, associated with increased levels of Aβ-42 and β-sheet structures. Interestingly, the host cells surrounding the AD graft also presented alterations in cellular biological pathways. Furthermore, proteomic analysis across human iPSC-based models and human post-mortem hippocampal tissue projected coherent longitudinal cellular changes indicative of early to end stage AD cellular pathogenesis. Our data showcase patient-based models to study the cell autonomous origin and progression of AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuriy Pomeshchik
- iPSC Laboratory for CNS Disease Modelling, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D10, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
- Strategic Research Area MultiPark, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Erika Velasquez
- iPSC Laboratory for CNS Disease Modelling, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D10, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Strategic Research Area MultiPark, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jeovanis Gil
- Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Department of Biomedical Engineering, BMC D13, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Oxana Klementieva
- Strategic Research Area MultiPark, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Medical Micro-Spectroscopy, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC B10, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ritha Gidlöf
- Lund University BioImaging Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22142, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marie Sydoff
- Lund University BioImaging Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22142, Lund, Sweden
| | - Silvia Bagnoli
- Laboratorio Di Neurogenetica, Dipartimento Di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino- NEUROFARBA, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50134, Florence, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | - Benedetta Nacmias
- Laboratorio Di Neurogenetica, Dipartimento Di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino- NEUROFARBA, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50134, Florence, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | - Sandro Sorbi
- Laboratorio Di Neurogenetica, Dipartimento Di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino- NEUROFARBA, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50134, Florence, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | - Gunilla Westergren-Thorsson
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC C12, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22142, Lund, Sweden
| | - Gunnar K Gouras
- Strategic Research Area MultiPark, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Experimental Dementia Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC B11, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Melinda Rezeli
- Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Department of Biomedical Engineering, BMC D13, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Swedish National Infrastructure for Biological Mass Spectrometry (BioMS), Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Laurent Roybon
- iPSC Laboratory for CNS Disease Modelling, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D10, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
- Strategic Research Area MultiPark, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, The MiND Program, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
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8
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Kell DB, Pretorius E. Are fibrinaloid microclots a cause of autoimmunity in Long Covid and other post-infection diseases? Biochem J 2023; 480:1217-1240. [PMID: 37584410 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230241] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
It is now well established that the blood-clotting protein fibrinogen can polymerise into an anomalous form of fibrin that is amyloid in character; the resultant clots and microclots entrap many other molecules, stain with fluorogenic amyloid stains, are rather resistant to fibrinolysis, can block up microcapillaries, are implicated in a variety of diseases including Long COVID, and have been referred to as fibrinaloids. A necessary corollary of this anomalous polymerisation is the generation of novel epitopes in proteins that would normally be seen as 'self', and otherwise immunologically silent. The precise conformation of the resulting fibrinaloid clots (that, as with prions and classical amyloid proteins, can adopt multiple, stable conformations) must depend on the existing small molecules and metal ions that the fibrinogen may (and is some cases is known to) have bound before polymerisation. Any such novel epitopes, however, are likely to lead to the generation of autoantibodies. A convergent phenomenology, including distinct conformations and seeding of the anomalous form for initiation and propagation, is emerging to link knowledge in prions, prionoids, amyloids and now fibrinaloids. We here summarise the evidence for the above reasoning, which has substantial implications for our understanding of the genesis of autoimmunity (and the possible prevention thereof) based on the primary process of fibrinaloid formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas B Kell
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, U.K
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 200, 2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1 Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
| | - Etheresia Pretorius
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, U.K
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1 Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
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9
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Younes R, Issa Y, Jdaa N, Chouaib B, Brugioti V, Challuau D, Raoul C, Scamps F, Cuisinier F, Hilaire C. The Secretome of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells and Its Components GDF15 and HB-EGF Protect Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Motoneurons against Death. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2152. [PMID: 37626649 PMCID: PMC10452672 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and incurable paralytic disorder caused by the progressive death of upper and lower motoneurons. Although numerous strategies have been developed to slow disease progression and improve life quality, to date only a few therapeutic treatments are available with still unsatisfactory therapeutic benefits. The secretome of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) contains numerous neurotrophic factors that could promote motoneuron survival. Accordingly, DPSCs confer neuroprotective benefits to the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS. However, the mode of action of DPSC secretome on motoneurons remains largely unknown. Here, we used conditioned medium of human DPSCs (DPSCs-CM) and assessed its effect on survival, axonal length, and electrical activity of cultured wildtype and SOD1G93A motoneurons. To further understand the role of individual factors secreted by DPSCs and to circumvent the secretome variability bias, we focused on GDF15 and HB-EGF whose neuroprotective properties remain elusive in the ALS pathogenic context. DPSCs-CM rescues motoneurons from trophic factor deprivation-induced death, promotes axon outgrowth of wildtype but not SOD1G93A mutant motoneurons, and has no impact on the spontaneous electrical activity of wildtype or mutant motoneurons. Both GDF15 and HB-EGF protect SOD1G93A motoneurons against nitric oxide-induced death, but not against death induced by trophic factor deprivation. GDF15 and HB-EGF receptors were found to be expressed in the spinal cord, with a two-fold increase in expression for the GDF15 low-affinity receptor in SOD1G93A mice. Therefore, the secretome of DPSCs appears as a new potential therapeutic candidate for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Younes
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
- LBN, University of Montpellier, 34193 Montpellier, France
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut 6573, Lebanon
| | - Youssef Issa
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Nadia Jdaa
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Batoul Chouaib
- LBN, University of Montpellier, 34193 Montpellier, France
- Human Health Department, IRSN, SERAMED, LRMed, 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | | | - Désiré Challuau
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Cédric Raoul
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Cécile Hilaire
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
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10
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Liu J, Wu XL, Zeng YT, Hu ZH, Lu JX. Solid-state NMR studies of amyloids. Structure 2023; 31:230-243. [PMID: 36750098 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Amyloids have special structural properties and are involved in many aspects of biological function. In particular, amyloids are the cause or hallmarks of a group of notorious and incurable neurodegenerative diseases. The extraordinary high molecular weight and aggregation states of amyloids have posed a challenge for researchers studying them. Solid-state NMR (SSNMR) has been extensively applied to study the structures and dynamics of amyloids for the past 20 or more years and brought us tremendous progress in understanding their structure and related diseases. These studies, at the same time, helped to push SSNMR technical developments in sensitivity and resolution. In this review, some interesting research studies and important technical developments are highlighted to give the reader an overview of the current state of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xia-Lian Wu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yu-Teng Zeng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhi-Heng Hu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jun-Xia Lu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
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11
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Synucleinopathy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Potential Avenue for Antisense Therapeutics? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169364. [PMID: 36012622 PMCID: PMC9409035 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common adult-onset motor neuron disease classified as both a neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorder. With a complex aetiology and no current cure for ALS, broadening the understanding of disease pathology and therapeutic avenues is required to progress with patient care. Alpha-synuclein (αSyn) is a hallmark for disease in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, and multiple system atrophy. A growing body of evidence now suggests that αSyn may also play a pathological role in ALS, with αSyn-positive Lewy bodies co-aggregating alongside known ALS pathogenic proteins, such as SOD1 and TDP-43. This review endeavours to capture the scope of literature regarding the aetiology and development of ALS and its commonalities with "synucleinopathy disorders". We will discuss the involvement of αSyn in ALS and motor neuron disease pathology, and the current theories and strategies for therapeutics in ALS treatment, as well as those targeting αSyn for synucleinopathies, with a core focus on small molecule RNA technologies.
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