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Mishra P, Sivakumar A, Johnson A, Pernaci C, Warden AS, El-Hachem LR, Hansen E, Badell-Grau RA, Khare V, Ramirez G, Gillette S, Solis AB, Guo P, Coufal N, Cherqui S. Gene editing improves endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial contacts and unfolded protein response in Friedreich's ataxia iPSC-derived neurons. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1323491. [PMID: 38420191 PMCID: PMC10899513 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1323491] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a multisystemic, autosomal recessive disorder caused by homozygous GAA expansion mutation in the first intron of frataxin (FXN) gene. FXN is a mitochondrial protein critical for iron-sulfur cluster biosynthesis and deficiency impairs mitochondrial electron transport chain functions and iron homeostasis within the organelle. Currently, there is no effective treatment for FRDA. We have previously demonstrated that single infusion of wild-type hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) resulted in prevention of neurologic and cardiac complications of FRDA in YG8R mice, and rescue was mediated by FXN transfer from tissue engrafted, HSPC-derived microglia/macrophages to diseased neurons/myocytes. For a future clinical translation, we developed an autologous stem cell transplantation approach using CRISPR/Cas9 for the excision of the GAA repeats in FRDA patients' CD34+ HSPCs; this strategy leading to increased FXN expression and improved mitochondrial functions. The aim of the current study is to validate the efficiency and safety of our gene editing approach in a disease-relevant model. We generated a cohort of FRDA patient-derived iPSCs and isogenic lines that were gene edited with our CRISPR/Cas9 approach. iPSC derived FRDA neurons displayed characteristic apoptotic and mitochondrial phenotype of the disease, such as non-homogenous microtubule staining in neurites, increased caspase-3 expression, mitochondrial superoxide levels, mitochondrial fragmentation, and partial degradation of the cristae compared to healthy controls. These defects were fully prevented in the gene edited neurons. RNASeq analysis of FRDA and gene edited neurons demonstrated striking improvement in gene clusters associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the isogenic lines. Gene edited neurons demonstrated improved ER-calcium release, normalization of ER stress response gene, XBP-1, and significantly increased ER-mitochondrial contacts that are critical for functional homeostasis of both organelles, as compared to FRDA neurons. Ultrastructural analysis for these contact sites displayed severe ER structural damage in FRDA neurons, that was undetected in gene edited neurons. Taken together, these results represent a novel finding for disease pathogenesis showing dramatic ER structural damage in FRDA, validate the efficacy profile of our FXN gene editing approach in a disease relevant model, and support our approach as an effective strategy for therapeutic intervention for Friedreich's ataxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Mishra
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Anusha Sivakumar
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Avalon Johnson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Carla Pernaci
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Anna S. Warden
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Lilas Rony El-Hachem
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Emily Hansen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Rafael A. Badell-Grau
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Veenita Khare
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Gabriela Ramirez
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Sydney Gillette
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Angelyn B. Solis
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Peng Guo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Nicole Coufal
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Stephanie Cherqui
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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Pisciottani A, Croci L, Lauria F, Marullo C, Savino E, Ambrosi A, Podini P, Marchioretto M, Casoni F, Cremona O, Taverna S, Quattrini A, Cioni JM, Viero G, Codazzi F, Consalez GG. Neuronal models of TDP-43 proteinopathy display reduced axonal translation, increased oxidative stress, and defective exocytosis. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1253543. [PMID: 38026702 PMCID: PMC10679756 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1253543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, lethal neurodegenerative disease mostly affecting people around 50-60 years of age. TDP-43, an RNA-binding protein involved in pre-mRNA splicing and controlling mRNA stability and translation, forms neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions in an overwhelming majority of ALS patients, a phenomenon referred to as TDP-43 proteinopathy. These cytoplasmic aggregates disrupt mRNA transport and localization. The axon, like dendrites, is a site of mRNA translation, permitting the local synthesis of selected proteins. This is especially relevant in upper and lower motor neurons, whose axon spans long distances, likely accentuating their susceptibility to ALS-related noxae. In this work we have generated and characterized two cellular models, consisting of virtually pure populations of primary mouse cortical neurons expressing a human TDP-43 fusion protein, wt or carrying an ALS mutation. Both forms facilitate cytoplasmic aggregate formation, unlike the corresponding native proteins, giving rise to bona fide primary culture models of TDP-43 proteinopathy. Neurons expressing TDP-43 fusion proteins exhibit a global impairment in axonal protein synthesis, an increase in oxidative stress, and defects in presynaptic function and electrical activity. These changes correlate with deregulation of axonal levels of polysome-engaged mRNAs playing relevant roles in the same processes. Our data support the emerging notion that deregulation of mRNA metabolism and of axonal mRNA transport may trigger the dying-back neuropathy that initiates motor neuron degeneration in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Pisciottani
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Croci
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Lauria
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR Unit at Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Chiara Marullo
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Savino
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ambrosi
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Podini
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Filippo Casoni
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Ottavio Cremona
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Taverna
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Quattrini
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Jean-Michel Cioni
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Franca Codazzi
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - G. Giacomo Consalez
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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3
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Angulo MB, Bertalovitz A, Argenziano MA, Yang J, Patel A, Zesiewicz T, McDonald TV. Frataxin deficiency alters gene expression in Friedreich ataxia derived IPSC-neurons and cardiomyocytes. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2022; 11:e2093. [PMID: 36369844 PMCID: PMC9834160 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.2093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive disease, whereby homozygous inheritance of an expanded GAA trinucleotide repeat expansion in the first intron of the FXN gene leads to transcriptional repression of the encoded protein frataxin. FRDA is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, but the primary cause of death is heart disease which occurs in 60% of the patients. Several functions of frataxin have been proposed, but none of them fully explain why its deficiency causes the FRDA phenotypes nor why the most affected cell types are neurons and cardiomyocytes. METHODS To investigate, we generated iPSC-derived neurons (iNs) and cardiomyocytes (iCMs) from an FRDA patient and upregulated FXN expression via lentivirus without altering genomic GAA repeats at the FXN locus. RESULTS RNA-seq and differential gene expression enrichment analyses demonstrated that frataxin deficiency affected the expression of glycolytic pathway genes in neurons and extracellular matrix pathway genes in cardiomyocytes. Genes in these pathways were differentially expressed when compared to a control and restored to control levels when FRDA cells were supplemented with frataxin. CONCLUSIONS These results offer novel insight into specific roles of frataxin deficiency pathogenesis in neurons and cardiomyocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana B. Angulo
- Heart Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA,Department of Molecular Pharmacology & PhysiologyMorsani College of Medicine, University of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Alexander Bertalovitz
- Heart Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA,Department of Medicine (Cardiology)Morsani College of Medicine, University of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Mariana A. Argenziano
- Heart Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Jiajia Yang
- Heart Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA,Department of Molecular Pharmacology & PhysiologyMorsani College of Medicine, University of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Aarti Patel
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology)Morsani College of Medicine, University of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Theresa Zesiewicz
- Department of NeurologyMorsani College of Medicine, University of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Thomas V. McDonald
- Heart Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA,Department of Molecular Pharmacology & PhysiologyMorsani College of Medicine, University of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA,Department of Medicine (Cardiology)Morsani College of Medicine, University of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
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Kelekçi S, Yıldız AB, Sevinç K, Çimen DU, Önder T. Perspectives on current models of Friedreich’s ataxia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:958398. [PMID: 36036008 PMCID: PMC9403045 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.958398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA, OMIM#229300) is the most common hereditary ataxia, resulting from the reduction of frataxin protein levels due to the expansion of GAA repeats in the first intron of the FXN gene. Why the triplet repeat expansion causes a decrease in Frataxin protein levels is not entirely known. Generation of effective FRDA disease models is crucial for answering questions regarding the pathophysiology of this disease. There have been considerable efforts to generate in vitro and in vivo models of FRDA. In this perspective article, we highlight studies conducted using FRDA animal models, patient-derived materials, and particularly induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived models. We discuss the current challenges in using FRDA animal models and patient-derived cells. Additionally, we provide a brief overview of how iPSC-based models of FRDA were used to investigate the main pathways involved in disease progression and to screen for potential therapeutic agents for FRDA. The specific focus of this perspective article is to discuss the outlook and the remaining challenges in the context of FRDA iPSC-based models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Tamer Önder
- *Correspondence: Simge Kelekçi, , ; Tamer Önder,
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5
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Discovery of Therapeutics Targeting Oxidative Stress in Autosomal Recessive Cerebellar Ataxia: A Systematic Review. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15060764. [PMID: 35745683 PMCID: PMC9228961 DOI: 10.3390/ph15060764] [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: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias (ARCAs) are a heterogeneous group of rare neurodegenerative inherited disorders. The resulting motor incoordination and progressive functional disabilities lead to reduced lifespan. There is currently no cure for ARCAs, likely attributed to the lack of understanding of the multifaceted roles of antioxidant defense and the underlying mechanisms. This systematic review aims to evaluate the extant literature on the current developments of therapeutic strategies that target oxidative stress for the management of ARCAs. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct Scopus for relevant peer-reviewed articles published from 1 January 2016 onwards. A total of 28 preclinical studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria for inclusion in this systematic review. We first evaluated the altered cellular processes, abnormal signaling cascades, and disrupted protein quality control underlying the pathogenesis of ARCA. We then examined the current potential therapeutic strategies for ARCAs, including aromatic, organic and pharmacological compounds, gene therapy, natural products, and nanotechnology, as well as their associated antioxidant pathways and modes of action. We then discussed their potential as antioxidant therapeutics for ARCAs, with the long-term view toward their possible translation to clinical practice. In conclusion, our current understanding is that these antioxidant therapies show promise in improving or halting the progression of ARCAs. Tailoring the therapies to specific disease stages could greatly facilitate the management of ARCAs.
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Rosato C, Bettegazzi B, Intagliata P, Balbontin Arenas M, Zacchetti D, Lanati A, Zerbini G, Bandello F, Grohovaz F, Codazzi F. Redox and Calcium Alterations of a Müller Cell Line Exposed to Diabetic Retinopathy-Like Environment. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:862325. [PMID: 35370555 PMCID: PMC8972164 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.862325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus and is the major cause of vision loss in the working-age population. Although DR is traditionally considered a microvascular disease, an increasing body of evidence suggests that neurodegeneration is an early event that occurs even before the manifestation of vasculopathy. Accordingly, attention should be devoted to the complex neurodegenerative process occurring in the diabetic retina, also considering possible functional alterations in non-neuronal cells, such as glial cells. In this work, we investigate functional changes in Müller cells, the most abundant glial population present within the retina, under experimental conditions that mimic those observed in DR patients. More specifically, we investigated on the Müller cell line rMC-1 the effect of high glucose, alone or associated with activation processes and oxidative stress. By fluorescence microscopy and cellular assays approaches, we studied the alteration of functional properties, such as reactive oxygen species production, antioxidant response, calcium homeostasis, and mitochondrial membrane potential. Our results demonstrate that hyperglycaemic-like condition per se is well-tolerated by rMC-1 cells but makes them more susceptible to a pro-inflammatory environment, exacerbating the effects of this stressful condition. More specifically, rMC-1 cells exposed to high glucose decrease their ability to counteract oxidative stress, with consequent toxic effects. In conclusion, our study offers new insights into Müller cell pathophysiology in DR and proposes a novel in vitro model which may prove useful to further investigate potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules for the prevention and/or treatment of DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Rosato
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Bettegazzi
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Pia Intagliata
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Daniele Zacchetti
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella Lanati
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Valore Qualità, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Zerbini
- Complications of Diabetes Unit, Diabetes Research Institute (DRI), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Bandello
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Grohovaz
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Franca Codazzi
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Franca Codazzi
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7
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Schreiber AM, Li Y, Chen YH, Napierala JS, Napierala M. Selected Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Reverse the Frataxin Transcriptional Defect in a Novel Friedreich's Ataxia Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neuronal Reporter System. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:836476. [PMID: 35281493 PMCID: PMC8904878 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.836476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of guanine-adenine-adenine repeats within the first intron of the frataxin (FXN) gene. The location and nature of the expansion have been proven to contribute to transcriptional repression of FXN by decreasing the rate of polymerase II (RNA polymerase II) progression and increasing the presence of histone modifications associated with a heterochromatin-like state. Targeting impaired FXN transcription appears as a feasible option for therapeutic intervention, while no cure currently exists. We created a novel reporter cell line containing an FXN-Nanoluciferase (FXN-NLuc) fusion in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) reprogrammed from the fibroblasts of patients with FRDA, thus allowing quantification of endogenous FXN expression. The use of iPSCs provides the opportunity to differentiate these cells into disease-relevant neural progenitor cells (NPCs). NPCs derived from the FXN-NLuc line responded to treatments with a known FXN inducer, RG109. Results were validated by quantitative PCR and Western blot in multiple FRDA NPC lines. We then screened a commercially available library of compounds consisting of molecules targeting various enzymes and pathways critical for silencing or activation of gene expression. Only selected histone deacetylase inhibitors were capable of partial reactivation of FXN expression. This endogenous, FRDA iPSC-derived reporter can be utilized for high-throughput campaigns performed in cells most relevant to disease pathology in search of FXN transcription activators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Schreiber
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Yanjie Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Yi-Hsien Chen
- Genome Engineering and iPSC Center, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Jill S. Napierala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Marek Napierala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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8
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Benchoua A, Lasbareilles M, Tournois J. Contribution of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Models to Drug Discovery for Neurological Disorders. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123290. [PMID: 34943799 PMCID: PMC8699352 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the major obstacles to the identification of therapeutic interventions for central nervous system disorders has been the difficulty in studying the step-by-step progression of diseases in neuronal networks that are amenable to drug screening. Recent advances in the field of human pluripotent stem cell (PSC) biology offers the capability to create patient-specific human neurons with defined clinical profiles using reprogramming technology, which provides unprecedented opportunities for both the investigation of pathogenic mechanisms of brain disorders and the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies via drug screening. Many examples not only of the creation of human pluripotent stem cells as models of monogenic neurological disorders, but also of more challenging cases of complex multifactorial disorders now exist. Here, we review the state-of-the art brain cell types obtainable from PSCs and amenable to compound-screening formats. We then provide examples illustrating how these models contribute to the definition of new molecular or functional targets for drug discovery and to the design of novel pharmacological approaches for rare genetic disorders, as well as frequent neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Benchoua
- Neuroplasticity and Therapeutics, CECS, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France;
- High Throughput Screening Platform, CECS, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France;
- Correspondence:
| | - Marie Lasbareilles
- Neuroplasticity and Therapeutics, CECS, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France;
- UEVE UMR 861, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Johana Tournois
- High Throughput Screening Platform, CECS, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France;
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9
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Vilema-Enríquez G, Quinlan R, Kilfeather P, Mazzone R, Saqlain S, Del Molino Del Barrio I, Donato A, Corda G, Li F, Vedadi M, Németh AH, Brennan PE, Wade-Martins R. Inhibition of the SUV4-20 H1 histone methyltransferase increases frataxin expression in Friedreich's ataxia patient cells. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:17973-17985. [PMID: 33028632 PMCID: PMC7939392 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.015533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms of reduced frataxin (FXN) expression in Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) are linked to epigenetic modification of the FXN locus caused by the disease-associated GAA expansion. Here, we identify that SUV4-20 histone methyltransferases, specifically SUV4-20 H1, play an important role in the regulation of FXN expression and represent a novel therapeutic target. Using a human FXN-GAA-Luciferase repeat expansion genomic DNA reporter model of FRDA, we screened the Structural Genomics Consortium epigenetic probe collection. We found that pharmacological inhibition of the SUV4-20 methyltransferases by the tool compound A-196 increased the expression of FXN by ∼1.5-fold in the reporter cell line. In several FRDA cell lines and patient-derived primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells, A-196 increased FXN expression by up to 2-fold, an effect not seen in WT cells. SUV4-20 inhibition was accompanied by a reduction in H4K20me2 and H4K20me3 and an increase in H4K20me1, but only modest (1.4-7.8%) perturbation in genome-wide expression was observed. Finally, based on the structural activity relationship and crystal structure of A-196, novel small molecule A-196 analogs were synthesized and shown to give a 20-fold increase in potency for increasing FXN expression. Overall, our results suggest that histone methylation is important in the regulation of FXN expression and highlight SUV4-20 H1 as a potential novel therapeutic target for FRDA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Quinlan
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Alzheimer's Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Kilfeather
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Roberta Mazzone
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Alzheimer's Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Saba Saqlain
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Annalidia Donato
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriele Corda
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Fengling Li
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Masoud Vedadi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrea H Németh
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Centre for Genomic Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals National Health Service Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul E Brennan
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Alzheimer's Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Wade-Martins
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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10
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Sabitha KR, Shetty AK, Upadhya D. Patient-derived iPSC modeling of rare neurodevelopmental disorders: Molecular pathophysiology and prospective therapies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 121:201-219. [PMID: 33370574 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The pathological alterations that manifest during the early embryonic development due to inherited and acquired factors trigger various neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Besides major NDDs, there are several rare NDDs, exhibiting specific characteristics and varying levels of severity triggered due to genetic and epigenetic anomalies. The rarity of subjects, paucity of neural tissues for detailed analysis, and the unavailability of disease-specific animal models have hampered detailed comprehension of rare NDDs, imposing heightened challenge to the medical and scientific community until a decade ago. The generation of functional neurons and glia through directed differentiation protocols for patient-derived iPSCs, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and 3D brain organoid models have provided an excellent opportunity and vibrant resource for decoding the etiology of brain development for rare NDDs caused due to monogenic as well as polygenic disorders. The present review identifies cellular and molecular phenotypes demonstrated from patient-derived iPSCs and possible therapeutic opportunities identified for these disorders. New insights to reinforce the existing knowledge of the pathophysiology of these disorders and prospective therapeutic applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- K R Sabitha
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Ashok K Shetty
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - Dinesh Upadhya
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India.
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11
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Seco-Cervera M, González-Cabo P, Pallardó FV, Romá-Mateo C, García-Giménez JL. Thioredoxin and Glutaredoxin Systems as Potential Targets for the Development of New Treatments in Friedreich's Ataxia. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9121257. [PMID: 33321938 PMCID: PMC7763308 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9121257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The thioredoxin family consists of a small group of redox proteins present in all organisms and composed of thioredoxins (TRXs), glutaredoxins (GLRXs) and peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) which are found in the extracellular fluid, the cytoplasm, the mitochondria and in the nucleus with functions that include antioxidation, signaling and transcriptional control, among others. The importance of thioredoxin family proteins in neurodegenerative diseases is gaining relevance because some of these proteins have demonstrated an important role in the central nervous system by mediating neuroprotection against oxidative stress, contributing to mitochondrial function and regulating gene expression. Specifically, in the context of Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA), thioredoxin family proteins may have a special role in the regulation of Nrf2 expression and function, in Fe-S cluster metabolism, controlling the expression of genes located at the iron-response element (IRE) and probably regulating ferroptosis. Therefore, comprehension of the mechanisms that closely link thioredoxin family proteins with cellular processes affected in FRDA will serve as a cornerstone to design improved therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Seco-Cervera
- Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.S.-C.); (P.G.-C.); (F.V.P.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Universitat de València (UV), 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Pilar González-Cabo
- Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.S.-C.); (P.G.-C.); (F.V.P.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Universitat de València (UV), 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Federico V. Pallardó
- Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.S.-C.); (P.G.-C.); (F.V.P.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Universitat de València (UV), 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Carlos Romá-Mateo
- Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.S.-C.); (P.G.-C.); (F.V.P.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Universitat de València (UV), 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: (C.R.-M.); (J.L.G.-G.); Tel.: +34-963-864-646 (C.R.-M. & J.L.G.-G.)
| | - José Luis García-Giménez
- Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.S.-C.); (P.G.-C.); (F.V.P.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Universitat de València (UV), 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: (C.R.-M.); (J.L.G.-G.); Tel.: +34-963-864-646 (C.R.-M. & J.L.G.-G.)
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12
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Zesiewicz TA, Hancock J, Ghanekar SD, Kuo SH, Dohse CA, Vega J. Emerging therapies in Friedreich's Ataxia. Expert Rev Neurother 2020; 20:1215-1228. [PMID: 32909841 PMCID: PMC8018609 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2020.1821654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that results in gait and limb ataxia, diabetes, cardiac hypertrophy, and scoliosis. At the cellular level, FRDA results in the deficiency of frataxin, a mitochondrial protein that plays a vital role in iron homeostasis and amelioration of oxidative stress. No cure currently exists for FRDA, but exciting therapeutic developments which target different parts of the pathological cascade are on the horizon. AREAS COVERED Areas covered include past and emerging therapies for FRDA, including antioxidants and mitochondrial-related agents, nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activators, deuterated polyunsaturated fatty acids, iron chelators, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, trans-activator of transcription (TAT)-frataxin, interferon gamma (IFNγ), erythropoietin, resveratrol, gene therapy, and anti-sense oligonucleotides (ASOs), among others. EXPERT OPINION While drug discovery has been challenging, new and exciting prospective treatments for FRDA are currently on the horizon, including pharmaceutical agents and gene therapy. Agents that enhance mitochondrial function, such as Nrf2 activators, dPUFAs and catalytic antioxidants, as well as novel methods of frataxin augmentation and genetic modulation will hopefully provide treatment for this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa A. Zesiewicz
- University of South Florida (USF) Department of Neurology, USF Ataxia Research Center, Tampa Florida, James A Haley Veteran’s Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Joshua Hancock
- University of South Florida (USF) Department of Neurology, USF Ataxia Research Center, Tampa Florida, James A Haley Veteran’s Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Shaila D. Ghanekar
- University of South Florida (USF) Department of Neurology, USF Ataxia Research Center, Tampa Florida, James A Haley Veteran’s Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Sheng-Han Kuo
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and Tremor, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carlos A. Dohse
- Universidad Central Del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
| | - Joshua Vega
- University of South Florida (USF) Department of Neurology, USF Ataxia Research Center, Tampa Florida, James A Haley Veteran’s Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
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13
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Mazzara PG, Muggeo S, Luoni M, Massimino L, Zaghi M, Valverde PTT, Brusco S, Marzi MJ, Palma C, Colasante G, Iannielli A, Paulis M, Cordiglieri C, Giannelli SG, Podini P, Gellera C, Taroni F, Nicassio F, Rasponi M, Broccoli V. Frataxin gene editing rescues Friedreich's ataxia pathology in dorsal root ganglia organoid-derived sensory neurons. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4178. [PMID: 32826895 PMCID: PMC7442818 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17954-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal-recessive neurodegenerative and cardiac disorder which occurs when transcription of the FXN gene is silenced due to an excessive expansion of GAA repeats into its first intron. Herein, we generate dorsal root ganglia organoids (DRG organoids) by in vitro differentiation of human iPSCs. Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing show that DRG organoids present a transcriptional signature similar to native DRGs and display the main peripheral sensory neuronal and glial cell subtypes. Furthermore, when co-cultured with human intrafusal muscle fibers, DRG organoid sensory neurons contact their peripheral targets and reconstitute the muscle spindle proprioceptive receptors. FRDA DRG organoids model some molecular and cellular deficits of the disease that are rescued when the entire FXN intron 1 is removed, and not with the excision of the expanded GAA tract. These results strongly suggest that removal of the repressed chromatin flanking the GAA tract might contribute to rescue FXN total expression and fully revert the pathological hallmarks of FRDA DRG neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Giuseppe Mazzara
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 92037, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sharon Muggeo
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirko Luoni
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Massimino
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Mattia Zaghi
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Simone Brusco
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Jacopo Marzi
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Palma
- Department of Electronics, Information & Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Gaia Colasante
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Iannielli
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Neuroscience, 20129, Milan, Italy
| | - Marianna Paulis
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089, Rozzano, Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Cordiglieri
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics "Romeo e Enrica Invernizzi" - INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Gea Giannelli
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Podini
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Gellera
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Franco Taroni
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Nicassio
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Rasponi
- Department of Electronics, Information & Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Vania Broccoli
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy.
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Neuroscience, 20129, Milan, Italy.
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14
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Dionisi C, Rai M, Chazalon M, Schiffmann SN, Pandolfo M. Primary proprioceptive neurons from human induced pluripotent stem cells: a cell model for afferent ataxias. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7752. [PMID: 32385372 PMCID: PMC7210273 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64831-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are used to generate models of human diseases that recapitulate the pathogenic process as it occurs in affected cells. Many differentiated cell types can currently be obtained from iPSCs, but no validated protocol is yet available to specifically generate primary proprioceptive neurons. Proprioceptors are affected in a number of genetic and acquired diseases, including Friedreich ataxia (FRDA). To develop a cell model that can be applied to conditions primarily affecting proprioceptors, we set up a protocol to differentiate iPSCs into primary proprioceptive neurons. We modified the dual-SMAD inhibition/WNT activation protocol, previously used to generate nociceptor-enriched cultures of primary sensory neurons from iPSCs, to favor instead the generation of proprioceptors. We succeeded in substantially enriching iPSC-derived primary sensory neuron cultures for proprioceptors, up to 50% of finally differentiated neurons, largely exceeding the proportion of 7.5% normally represented by these cells in dorsal root ganglia. We also showed that almost pure populations of proprioceptors can be purified from these cultures by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Finally, we demonstrated that the protocol can be used to generate proprioceptors from iPSCs from FRDA patients, providing a cell model for this genetic sensory neuronopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Dionisi
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Myriam Rai
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marine Chazalon
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Serge N Schiffmann
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Massimo Pandolfo
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070, Brussels, Belgium.
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15
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Oxidative Stress, a Crossroad Between Rare Diseases and Neurodegeneration. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9040313. [PMID: 32326494 PMCID: PMC7222183 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9040313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is an imbalance between production and accumulation of oxygen reactive species and/or reactive nitrogen species in cells and tissues, and the capacity of detoxifying these products, using enzymatic and non-enzymatic components, such as glutathione. Oxidative stress plays roles in several pathological processes in the nervous system, such as neurotoxicity, neuroinflammation, ischemic stroke, and neurodegeneration. The concepts of oxidative stress and rare diseases were formulated in the eighties, and since then, the link between them has not stopped growing. The present review aims to expand knowledge in the pathological processes associated with oxidative stress underlying some groups of rare diseases: Friedreich’s ataxia, diseases with neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation, Charcot-Marie-Tooth as an example of rare neuromuscular disorders, inherited retinal dystrophies, progressive myoclonus epilepsies, and pediatric drug-resistant epilepsies. Despite the discrimination between cause and effect may not be easy on many occasions, all these conditions are Mendelian rare diseases that share oxidative stress as a common factor, and this may represent a potential target for therapies.
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16
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Li J, Cao F, Yin HL, Huang ZJ, Lin ZT, Mao N, Sun B, Wang G. Ferroptosis: past, present and future. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:88. [PMID: 32015325 PMCID: PMC6997353 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2298-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1770] [Impact Index Per Article: 442.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a new type of cell death that was discovered in recent years and is usually accompanied by a large amount of iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation during the cell death process; the occurrence of ferroptosis is iron-dependent. Ferroptosis-inducing factors can directly or indirectly affect glutathione peroxidase through different pathways, resulting in a decrease in antioxidant capacity and accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, ultimately leading to oxidative cell death. Recent studies have shown that ferroptosis is closely related to the pathophysiological processes of many diseases, such as tumors, nervous system diseases, ischemia-reperfusion injury, kidney injury, and blood diseases. How to intervene in the occurrence and development of related diseases by regulating cell ferroptosis has become a hotspot and focus of etiological research and treatment, but the functional changes and specific molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis still need to be further explored. This paper systematically summarizes the latest progress in ferroptosis research, with a focus on providing references for further understanding of its pathogenesis and for proposing new targets for the treatment of related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Feng Cao
- General Surgery Department, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - He-Liang Yin
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Qiqihar, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, 161005, China.,Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Qiqihar Hospital, Southern Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, 161007, China
| | - Zi-Jian Huang
- Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhi-Tao Lin
- Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ning Mao
- Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Bei Sun
- Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China. .,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
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17
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Igoillo-Esteve M, Oliveira AF, Cosentino C, Fantuzzi F, Demarez C, Toivonen S, Hu A, Chintawar S, Lopes M, Pachera N, Cai Y, Abdulkarim B, Rai M, Marselli L, Marchetti P, Tariq M, Jonas JC, Boscolo M, Pandolfo M, Eizirik DL, Cnop M. Exenatide induces frataxin expression and improves mitochondrial function in Friedreich ataxia. JCI Insight 2020; 5:134221. [PMID: 31877117 PMCID: PMC7098728 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.134221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease associated with a high diabetes prevalence. No treatment is available to prevent or delay disease progression. Friedreich ataxia is caused by intronic GAA trinucleotide repeat expansions in the frataxin-encoding FXN gene that reduce frataxin expression, impair iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis, cause oxidative stress, and result in mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Here we examined the metabolic, neuroprotective, and frataxin-inducing effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs in in vivo and in vitro models and in patients with Friedreich ataxia. The GLP-1 analog exenatide improved glucose homeostasis of frataxin-deficient mice through enhanced insulin content and secretion in pancreatic β cells. Exenatide induced frataxin and iron-sulfur cluster-containing proteins in β cells and brain and was protective to sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia. GLP-1 analogs also induced frataxin expression, reduced oxidative stress, and improved mitochondrial function in Friedreich ataxia patients' induced pluripotent stem cell-derived β cells and sensory neurons. The frataxin-inducing effect of exenatide was confirmed in a pilot trial in Friedreich ataxia patients, showing modest frataxin induction in platelets over a 5-week treatment course. Taken together, GLP-1 analogs improve mitochondrial function in frataxin-deficient cells and induce frataxin expression. Our findings identify incretin receptors as a therapeutic target in Friedreich ataxia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Federica Fantuzzi
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research and
- Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | - Amélie Hu
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Satyan Chintawar
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | - Ying Cai
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research and
| | | | - Myriam Rai
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lorella Marselli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Piero Marchetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mohammad Tariq
- Pole of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Christophe Jonas
- Pole of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marina Boscolo
- Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Massimo Pandolfo
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Décio L. Eizirik
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research and
- Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Miriam Cnop
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research and
- Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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18
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Upregulation of Peroxiredoxin 3 Protects Afg3l2-KO Cortical Neurons In Vitro from Oxidative Stress: A Paradigm for Neuronal Cell Survival under Neurodegenerative Conditions. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:4721950. [PMID: 31781336 PMCID: PMC6875171 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4721950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Several neurodegenerative disorders exhibit selective vulnerability, with subsets of
neurons more affected than others, possibly because of the high expression of an altered
gene or the presence of particular features that make them more susceptible to insults. On
the other hand, resilient neurons may display the ability to develop antioxidant defenses,
particularly in diseases of mitochondrial origin, where oxidative stress might contribute
to the neurodegenerative process. In this work, we investigated the oxidative stress
response of embryonic fibroblasts and cortical neurons obtained from
Afg3l2-KO mice. AFG3L2 encodes a subunit of a protease
complex that is expressed in mitochondria and acts as both quality control and regulatory
enzyme affecting respiration and mitochondrial dynamics. When cells were subjected to an
acute oxidative stress protocol, the survival of AFG3L2-KO MEFs was not significantly
influenced and was comparable to that of WT; however, the basal level of the antioxidant
molecule glutathione was higher. Indeed, glutathione depletion strongly affected the
viability of KO, but not of WT MEF, thereby indicating that oxidative stress is more
elevated in KO MEF even though well controlled by glutathione. On the other hand, when
cortical KO neurons were put in culture, they immediately appeared more vulnerable than WT
to the acute oxidative stress condition, but after few days in vitro, the situation was
reversed with KO neurons being more resistant than WT to acute stress. This compensatory,
protective competence was not due to the upregulation of glutathione, rather of two
mitochondrial antioxidant proteins: superoxide dismutase 2 and, at an even higher level,
peroxiredoxin 3. This body of evidence sheds light on the capability of neurons to
activate neuroprotective pathways and points the attention to peroxiredoxin 3, an
antioxidant enzyme that might be critical for neuronal survival also in other disorders
affecting mitochondria.
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19
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Petrillo S, D'Amico J, La Rosa P, Bertini ES, Piemonte F. Targeting NRF2 for the Treatment of Friedreich's Ataxia: A Comparison among Drugs. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5211. [PMID: 31640150 PMCID: PMC6829337 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20205211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
NRF2 (Nuclear factor Erythroid 2-related Factor 2) signaling is impaired in Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA), an autosomal recessive disease characterized by progressive nervous system damage and degeneration of nerve fibers in the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. The loss of frataxin in patients results in iron sulfur cluster deficiency and iron accumulation in the mitochondria, making FRDA a fatal and debilitating condition. There are no currently approved therapies for the treatment of FRDA and molecules able to activate NRF2 have the potential to induce clinical benefits in patients. In this study, we compared the efficacy of six redox-active drugs, some already adopted in clinical trials, targeting NRF2 activation and frataxin expression in fibroblasts obtained from skin biopsies of FRDA patients. All of these drugs consistently increased NRF2 expression, but differential profiles of NRF2 downstream genes were activated. The Sulforaphane and N-acetylcysteine were particularly effective on genes involved in preventing inflammation and maintaining glutathione homeostasis, the dimethyl fumarate, omaxevolone, and EPI-743 in counteracting toxic products accumulation, the idebenone in mitochondrial protection. This study may contribute to develop synergic therapies, based on a combination of treatment molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Petrillo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Jessica D'Amico
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Piergiorgio La Rosa
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Enrico Silvio Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy.
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20
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Georges P, Boza-Moran MG, Gide J, Pêche GA, Forêt B, Bayot A, Rustin P, Peschanski M, Martinat C, Aubry L. Induced pluripotent stem cells-derived neurons from patients with Friedreich ataxia exhibit differential sensitivity to resveratrol and nicotinamide. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14568. [PMID: 31601825 PMCID: PMC6787055 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49870-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Translation of pharmacological results from in vitro cell testing to clinical trials is challenging. One of the causes that may underlie these discrepant results is the lack of the phenotypic or species-specific relevance of the tested cells; today, this lack of relevance may be reduced by relying on cells differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells. To analyse the benefits provided by this approach, we chose to focus on Friedreich ataxia, a neurodegenerative condition for which the recent clinical testing of two compounds was not successful. These compounds, namely, resveratrol and nicotinamide, were selected because they had been shown to stimulate the expression of frataxin in fibroblasts and lymphoblastoid cells. Our results indicated that these compounds failed to do so in iPSC-derived neurons generated from two patients with Friedreich ataxia. By comparing the effects of both molecules on different cell types that may be considered to be non-relevant for the disease, such as fibroblasts, or more relevant to the disease, such as neurons differentiated from iPSCs, a differential response was observed; this response suggests the importance of developing more predictive in vitro systems for drug discovery. Our results demonstrate the value of utilizing human iPSCs early in drug discovery to improve translational predictability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria-Gabriela Boza-Moran
- INSERM UMR 861, I-STEM, AFM, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
- UEVE, Paris-Saclay UMR 861, I-STEM, AFM, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | | | - Georges Arielle Pêche
- INSERM UMR 861, I-STEM, AFM, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
- UEVE, Paris-Saclay UMR 861, I-STEM, AFM, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | | | - Aurélien Bayot
- CNRS UMR 3691, Institut Pasteur, Mitochondrial Biology Group, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Rustin
- Hôpital Robert Debré, INSERM UMR, 1141, Paris, France
| | - Marc Peschanski
- INSERM UMR 861, I-STEM, AFM, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
- UEVE, Paris-Saclay UMR 861, I-STEM, AFM, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Cécile Martinat
- INSERM UMR 861, I-STEM, AFM, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
- UEVE, Paris-Saclay UMR 861, I-STEM, AFM, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Laetitia Aubry
- INSERM UMR 861, I-STEM, AFM, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France.
- UEVE, Paris-Saclay UMR 861, I-STEM, AFM, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France.
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21
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Pueraria lobata and Daidzein Reduce Cytotoxicity by Enhancing Ubiquitin-Proteasome System Function in SCA3-iPSC-Derived Neurons. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:8130481. [PMID: 31687087 PMCID: PMC6800904 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8130481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion within the ATXN3/MJD1 gene. The expanded CAG repeats encode a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract at the C-terminus of the ATXN3 protein. ATXN3 containing expanded polyQ forms aggregates, leading to subsequent cellular dysfunctions including an impaired ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). To investigate the pathogenesis of SCA3 and develop potential therapeutic strategies, we established induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from SCA3 patients (SCA3-iPSC). Neurons derived from SCA3-iPSCs formed aggregates that are positive to the polyQ marker 1C2. Treatment with the proteasome inhibitor, MG132, on SCA3-iPSC-derived neurons downregulated proteasome activity, increased production of radical oxygen species (ROS), and upregulated the cleaved caspase 3 level and caspase 3 activity. This increased susceptibility to the proteasome inhibitor can be rescued by a Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) extract NH037 (from Pueraria lobata) and its constituent daidzein via upregulating proteasome activity and reducing protein ubiquitination, oxidative stress, cleaved caspase 3 level, and caspase 3 activity. Our results successfully recapitulate the key phenotypes of the neurons derived from SCA3 patients, as well as indicate the potential of NH037 and daidzein in the treatment for SCA3 patients.
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22
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Gottesfeld JM. Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics for the GAA·TTC Expansion Disease Friedreich Ataxia. Neurotherapeutics 2019; 16:1032-1049. [PMID: 31317428 PMCID: PMC6985418 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-019-00764-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA), the most common inherited ataxia, is caused by transcriptional silencing of the nuclear FXN gene, encoding the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. Currently, there is no approved therapy for this fatal disorder. Gene silencing in FRDA is due to hyperexpansion of the triplet repeat sequence GAA·TTC in the first intron of the FXN gene, which results in chromatin histone modifications consistent with heterochromatin formation. Frataxin is involved in mitochondrial iron homeostasis and the assembly and transfer of iron-sulfur clusters to various mitochondrial enzymes and components of the electron transport chain. Frataxin insufficiency leads to progressive spinocerebellar neurodegeneration, causing symptoms of gait and limb ataxia, slurred speech, muscle weakness, sensory loss, and cardiomyopathy in many patients, resulting in death in early adulthood. Numerous approaches are being taken to find a treatment for FRDA, including excision or correction of the repeats by genome engineering methods, gene activation with small molecules or artificial transcription factors, delivery of frataxin to affected cells by protein replacement therapy, gene therapy, or small molecules to increase frataxin protein levels, and therapies aimed at countering the cellular consequences of reduced frataxin. This review will summarize the mechanisms involved in repeat-mediated gene silencing and recent efforts aimed at development of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel M Gottesfeld
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA.
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23
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Zhao Q, Ji K, Wang T, Li G, Lu W, Ji J. Effect of the Histone Deacetylases Inhibitors on the Differentiation of Stem Cells in Bone Damage Repairing and Regeneration. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 15:24-31. [PMID: 31486757 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x14666190905155516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Tissue damage repairing and regeneration is a research hot topic. Tissue engineering arises at the historic moment which is a defect repair compound composed of seed cells, tissue engineering scaffolds, and inducing factors. Stem cells have a limited growth period in vitro culture, and they have a pattern of replicating ageing, and these disadvantages are limiting the applications of stem cells in basic research and clinical treatment. The enhancement of stem cell differentiation ability is a difficult problem to overcome, and it is possible to enhance the differentiation ability of stem cells through histone modification so as to provide a more robust foundation for damage repairing and regeneration. Studies have shown that Histone Deacetylases (HDAC) inhibitors can improve mesenchymal stem cells in vitro induced in different directions, conversion efficiency, increasing the feasibility and safety of stem cell therapy and tissue engineering, to offer reference to promote the stem cell therapy in clinical application. Therefore, this paper mainly focusing on the usage and achievements of the deacetylase inhibitors in stem cell differentiation studies and their use and prospects in repair of bone tissue defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhao
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Nanjing Key Laboratory, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kun Ji
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tiancong Wang
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guifeng Li
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Ji
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Nanjing Key Laboratory, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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24
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Lai JI, Nachun D, Petrosyan L, Throesch B, Campau E, Gao F, Baldwin KK, Coppola G, Gottesfeld JM, Soragni E. Transcriptional profiling of isogenic Friedreich ataxia neurons and effect of an HDAC inhibitor on disease signatures. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:1846-1859. [PMID: 30552117 PMCID: PMC6369281 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by transcriptional silencing of the frataxin (FXN) gene, resulting in loss of the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. Based on the knowledge that a GAA·TTC repeat expansion in the first intron of FXN induces heterochromatin, we previously showed that 2-aminobenzamide-type histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) increase FXN mRNA levels in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived FRDA neurons and in circulating lymphocytes from patients after HDACi oral administration. How the reduced expression of frataxin leads to neurological and other systemic symptoms in FRDA patients remains unclear. Similar to other triplet-repeat disorders, it is unknown why FRDA affects only specific cell types, primarily the large sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia and cardiomyocytes. The combination of iPSC technology and genome-editing techniques offers the unique possibility to address these questions in a relevant cell model of FRDA, obviating confounding effects of variable genetic backgrounds. Here, using "scarless" gene-editing methods, we created isogenic iPSC lines that differ only in the length of the GAA·TTC repeats. To uncover the gene expression signatures due to the GAA·TTC repeat expansion in FRDA neuronal cells and the effect of HDACi on these changes, we performed RNA-seq-based transcriptomic analysis of iPSC-derived central nervous system (CNS) and isogenic sensory neurons. We found that cellular pathways related to neuronal function, regulation of transcription, extracellular matrix organization, and apoptosis are affected by frataxin loss in neurons of the CNS and peripheral nervous system and that these changes are partially restored by HDACi treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiun-I Lai
- From the Departments of Molecular Medicine and
| | - Daniel Nachun
- the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | | | - Benjamin Throesch
- Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037 and
| | | | - Fuying Gao
- the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Kristin K Baldwin
- Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037 and
| | - Giovanni Coppola
- the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095
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25
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Schreiber AM, Misiorek JO, Napierala JS, Napierala M. Progress in understanding Friedreich's ataxia using human induced pluripotent stem cells. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2019; 7:81-90. [PMID: 30828501 DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2019.1562334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive multisystem disease mainly affecting the peripheral and central nervous systems, and heart. FRDA is caused by a GAA repeat expansion in the first intron of the frataxin (FXN) gene, that leads to reduced expression of FXN mRNA and frataxin protein. Neuronal and cardiac cells are primary targets of frataxin deficiency and generating models via differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into these cell types is essential for progress towards developing therapies for FRDA. Areas covered This review is focused on modeling FRDA using human iPSCs and various iPSC-differentiated cell types. We emphasized the importance of patient and corrected isogenic cell line pairs to minimize effects caused by biological variability between individuals. Expert opinion The versatility of iPSC-derived cellular models of FRDA is advantageous for developing new therapeutic strategies, and rigorous testing in such models will be critical for approval of the first treatment for FRDA. Creating a well-characterized and diverse set of iPSC lines, including appropriate isogenic controls, will facilitate achieving this goal. Also, improvement of differentiation protocols, especially towards proprioceptive sensory neurons and organoid generation, is necessary to utilize the full potential of iPSC technology in the drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Schreiber
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Julia O Misiorek
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Jill S Napierala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham AL, United States
| | - Marek Napierala
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham AL, United States
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26
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Diagnostics and Treatments of Iron-Related CNS Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1173:179-194. [PMID: 31456211 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-9589-5_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Iron has been proposed to be responsible for neuronal loss in several diseases of the central nervous system, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), stroke, Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In many diseases, abnormal accumulation of brain iron in disease-affected area has been observed, without clear knowledge of the contribution of iron overload to pathogenesis. Recent evidences implicate that key proteins involved in the disease pathogenesis may also participate in cellular iron metabolism, suggesting that the imbalance of brain iron homeostasis is associated with the diseases. Considering the complicated regulation of iron homeostasis within the brain, a thorough understanding of the molecular events leading to this phenotype is still to be investigated. However, current understanding has already provided the basis for the diagnosis and treatment of iron-related CNS diseases, which will be reviewed here.
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27
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Modeling Complex Neurological Diseases with Stem Cells: A Study of Bipolar Disorder. Results Probl Cell Differ 2018. [PMID: 30209664 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-93485-3_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BPD) is unknown. Using human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to unravel pathological mechanisms in polygenic diseases is challenging, with few successful studies to date. However, hiPSCs from BPD patients responsive to lithium have offered unique opportunities to discern lithium's mechanism of action and hence gain insight into BPD pathology. By profiling the proteomics of BPD-hiPSC-derived neurons, we found that lithium alters the phosphorylation state of collapsin response mediator protein-2 (CRMP2). The "set point" for the ratio of pCRMP2:CRMP2 is elevated uniquely in hiPSC-derived neurons from lithium responsive (Li-R) BPD patients, but not other psychiatric and neurological disorders. Utilizing neurons differentiated from human patient stem cells as an in vitro platform, we were able to elucidate the mechanism driving the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of lithium-responsive BPD, heretofore unknown. Importantly, the findings in culture were validated in human postmortem material as well as in animal models of BPD behavior. These data suggest that the "lithium response pathway" in BPD governs CRMP2's phosphorylation, which regulates cytoskeletal organization, particularly in dendritic spines, leading to modulated neural networks that may underlie Li-R BPD pathogenesis. This chapter reviews the methodology of leveraging a functional agent, lithium, to identify unknown pathophysiological pathways with hiPSCs and how to translate this disease modeling approach to other neurological disorders.
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28
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Vannocci T, Notario Manzano R, Beccalli O, Bettegazzi B, Grohovaz F, Cinque G, de Riso A, Quaroni L, Codazzi F, Pastore A. Adding a temporal dimension to the study of Friedreich's ataxia: the effect of frataxin overexpression in a human cell model. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm032706. [PMID: 29794127 PMCID: PMC6031361 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.032706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurodegenerative disease Friedreich's ataxia is caused by lower than normal levels of frataxin, an important protein involved in iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster biogenesis. An important step in designing strategies to treat this disease is to understand whether increasing the frataxin levels by gene therapy would simply be beneficial or detrimental, because previous studies, mostly based on animal models, have reported conflicting results. Here, we have exploited an inducible model, which we developed using the CRISPR/Cas9 methodology, to study the effects of frataxin overexpression in human cells and monitor how the system recovers after overexpression. Using new tools, which range from high-throughput microscopy to in cell infrared, we prove that overexpression of the frataxin gene affects the cellular metabolism. It also leads to a significant increase of oxidative stress and labile iron pool levels. These cellular alterations are similar to those observed when the gene is partly silenced, as occurs in Friedreich's ataxia patients. Our data suggest that the levels of frataxin must be tightly regulated and fine-tuned, with any imbalance leading to oxidative stress and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Vannocci
- Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Institute, King's College London, 5 Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RT, UK
| | - Roberto Notario Manzano
- Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Institute, King's College London, 5 Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RT, UK
| | - Ombretta Beccalli
- Division of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Bettegazzi
- Division of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Grohovaz
- Division of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Gianfelice Cinque
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
| | | | - Luca Quaroni
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, PL-30387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Franca Codazzi
- Division of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pastore
- Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Institute, King's College London, 5 Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RT, UK
- Molecular Medicine Department, University of Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
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29
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Lupoli F, Vannocci T, Longo G, Niccolai N, Pastore A. The role of oxidative stress in Friedreich's ataxia. FEBS Lett 2018; 592:718-727. [PMID: 29197070 PMCID: PMC5887922 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress and an increase in the levels of free radicals are important markers associated with several pathologies, including Alzheimer's disease, cancer and diabetes. Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an excellent paradigmatic example of a disease in which oxidative stress plays an important, albeit incompletely understood, role. FRDA is a rare genetic neurodegenerative disease that involves the partial silencing of frataxin, a small mitochondrial protein that was completely overlooked before being linked to FRDA. More than 20 years later, we now know how important this protein is in terms of being an essential and vital part of the machinery that produces iron-sulfur clusters in the cell. In this review, we revisit the most important steps that have brought us to our current understanding of the function of frataxin and its role in disease. We discuss the current hypotheses on the role of oxidative stress in FRDA and review some of the existing animal and cellular models. We also evaluate new techniques that can assist in the study of the disease mechanisms, as well as in our understanding of the interplay between primary and secondary phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Lupoli
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and PharmacyUniversity of SienaItaly
| | - Tommaso Vannocci
- The Maurice Wohl InstituteDementia Research CentreKing's College LondonUK
| | | | - Neri Niccolai
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and PharmacyUniversity of SienaItaly
| | - Annalisa Pastore
- The Maurice Wohl InstituteDementia Research CentreKing's College LondonUK
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity of PaviaItaly
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30
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Schork NJ, Nazor K. Integrated Genomic Medicine: A Paradigm for Rare Diseases and Beyond. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2017; 97:81-113. [PMID: 28838357 PMCID: PMC6383766 DOI: 10.1016/bs.adgen.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Individualized medicine, or the tailoring of therapeutic interventions to a patient's unique genetic, biochemical, physiological, exposure and behavioral profile, has been enhanced, if not enabled, by modern biomedical technologies such as high-throughput DNA sequencing platforms, induced pluripotent stem cell assays, biomarker discovery protocols, imaging modalities, and wireless monitoring devices. Despite successes in the isolated use of these technologies, however, it is arguable that their combined and integrated use in focused studies of individual patients is the best way to not only tailor interventions for those patients, but also shed light on treatment strategies for patients with similar conditions. This is particularly true for individuals with rare diseases since, by definition, they will require study without recourse to other individuals, or at least without recourse to many other individuals. Such integration and focus will require new biomedical scientific paradigms and infrastructure, including the creation of databases harboring study results, the formation of dedicated multidisciplinary research teams and new training programs. We consider the motivation and potential for such integration, point out areas in need of improvement, and argue for greater emphasis on improving patient health via technological innovations, not merely improving the technologies themselves. We also argue that the paradigm described can, in theory, be extended to the study of individuals with more common diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Schork
- The Translational Genomics Research Institute, 445 North Fifth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, , 858-794-4054
| | - Kristopher Nazor
- MYi Diagnostics and Discovery, 5310 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, CA 92121, , 858-458-9305
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