1
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Cranston AL, Kraev I, Stewart MG, Horsley D, Santos RX, Robinson L, Dreesen E, Armstrong P, Palliyil S, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Riedel G. Rescue of synaptosomal glutamate release defects in tau transgenic mice by the tau aggregation inhibitor hydromethylthionine. Cell Signal 2024; 121:111269. [PMID: 38909930 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111269] [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: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Glutamatergic neurotransmission, important for learning and memory, is disrupted in different ways in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) tauopathies. We have previously reported that two tau transgenic mouse models, L1 and L66, produce different phenotypes resembling AD and FTD, respectively. The AD-like L1 model expresses the truncated core aggregation domain of the AD paired helical filament (PHF) form of tau (tau296-390) whereas the FTD-like L66 model expresses full-length tau carrying two mutations at P301S/G335D. We have used synaptosomes isolated from these mice to investigate K+-evoked glutamate release and, if abnormal, to determine responsiveness to hydromethylthionine, a tau aggregation inhibitor previously shown to reduce tau pathology in these models. We report that the transgenes in these two mouse lines cause opposite abnormalities in glutamate release. Over-expression of the core tau unit in L1 produces a significant reduction in glutamate release and a loss of Ca2+-dependency compared with wild-type control mice. Full-length mutant tau produces an increase in glutamate release that retains normal Ca2+-dependency. Chronic pre-treatment with hydromethylthionine normalises both reduced (L1) and excessive glutamate (L66) and restores normal Ca2+-dependency in L1 mice. This implies that both patterns of impairment are the result of tau aggregation, but that the direction and Ca2+-dependency of the abnormality is determined by expression of the disease-specific transgene. Our results lead to the conclusion that the tauopathies need not be considered a single entity in terms of the downstream effects of pathological aggregation of tau protein. In this case, directionally opposite abnormalities in glutamate release resulting from different types of tau aggregation in the two mouse models can be corrected by hydromethylthionine. This may help to explain the activity of hydromethylthionine on cognitive decline and brain atrophy in both AD and behavioural-variant FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Cranston
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Igor Kraev
- School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Mike G Stewart
- School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
| | - David Horsley
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Renato X Santos
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Lianne Robinson
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Eline Dreesen
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Paul Armstrong
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Soumya Palliyil
- Scottish Biologics Facility, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZP, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZD, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd, 395 King Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZD, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd, 395 King Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZD, UK.
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2
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Kodavati M, Maloji Rao VH, Provasek VE, Hegde ML. Regulation of DNA damage response by RNA/DNA-binding proteins: Implications for neurological disorders and aging. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 100:102413. [PMID: 39032612 PMCID: PMC11463832 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102413] [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: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are evolutionarily conserved across most forms of life, with an estimated 1500 RBPs in humans. Traditionally associated with post-transcriptional gene regulation, RBPs contribute to nearly every known aspect of RNA biology, including RNA splicing, transport, and decay. In recent years, an increasing subset of RBPs have been recognized for their DNA binding properties and involvement in DNA transactions. We refer to these RBPs with well-characterized DNA binding activity as RNA/DNA binding proteins (RDBPs), many of which are linked to neurological diseases. RDBPs are associated with both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA repair. Furthermore, the presence of intrinsically disordered domains in RDBPs appears to be critical for regulating their diverse interactions and plays a key role in controlling protein aggregation, which is implicated in neurodegeneration. In this review, we discuss the emerging roles of common RDBPs from the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) family, such as TAR DNA binding protein-43 (TDP43) and fused in sarcoma (FUS) in controlling DNA damage response (DDR). We also explore the implications of RDBP pathology in aging and neurodegenerative diseases and provide a prospective on the therapeutic potential of targeting RDBP pathology mediated DDR defects for motor neuron diseases and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manohar Kodavati
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77047, USA.
| | - Vikas H Maloji Rao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77047, USA
| | - Vincent E Provasek
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77047, USA; School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Muralidhar L Hegde
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77047, USA; School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Weill Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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3
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Riku Y, Yoshida M, Iwasaki Y, Sobue G, Katsuno M, Ishigaki S. TDP-43 Proteinopathy and Tauopathy: Do They Have Pathomechanistic Links? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415755. [PMID: 36555399 PMCID: PMC9779029 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transactivation response DNA binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) and tau are major pathological proteins of neurodegenerative disorders, of which neuronal and glial aggregates are pathological hallmarks. Interestingly, accumulating evidence from neuropathological studies has shown that comorbid TDP-43 pathology is observed in a subset of patients with tauopathies, and vice versa. The concomitant pathology often spreads in a disease-specific manner and has morphological characteristics in each primary disorder. The findings from translational studies have suggested that comorbid TDP-43 or tau pathology has clinical impacts and that the comorbid pathology is not a bystander, but a part of the disease process. Shared genetic risk factors or molecular abnormalities between TDP-43 proteinopathies and tauopathies, and direct interactions between TDP-43 and tau aggregates, have been reported. Further investigations to clarify the pathogenetic factors that are shared by a broad spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders will establish key therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Riku
- Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute 480-1195, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 744-8550, Japan
- Correspondence: or
| | - Mari Yoshida
- Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute 480-1195, Japan
| | - Yasushi Iwasaki
- Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute 480-1195, Japan
| | - Gen Sobue
- Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute 480-1195, Japan
| | - Masahisa Katsuno
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 744-8550, Japan
- Department of Clinical Research Education, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 744-8550, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Ishigaki
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu 520-2192, Japan
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4
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Chiu PY, Yang FC, Chiu MJ, Lin WC, Lu CH, Yang SY. Relevance of plasma biomarkers to pathologies in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and frontotemporal dementia. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17919. [PMID: 36289355 PMCID: PMC9605966 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22647-6] [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: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid plaques and tau tangles are pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Parkinson's disease (PD) results from the accumulation of α-synuclein. TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) and total tau protein (T-Tau) play roles in FTD pathology. All of the pathological evidence was found in the biopsy. However, it is impossible to perform stein examinations in clinical practice. Assays of biomarkers in plasma would be convenient. It would be better to investigate the combinations of various biomarkers in AD, PD and FTD. Ninety-one subjects without neurodegenerative diseases, 76 patients with amnesic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or AD dementia, combined as AD family, were enrolled. One hundred and nine PD patients with normal cognition (PD-NC) or dementia (PDD), combined as PD family, were enrolled. Twenty-five FTD patients were enrolled for assays of plasma amyloid β 1-40 (Aβ1-40), Aβ1-42, T-Tau, α-synuclein and TDP-43 using immunomagnetic reduction (IMR). The results show that Aβs and T-Tau are major domains in AD family. α-synuclein is highly dominant in PD family. FTD is closely associated with TDP-43 and T-Tau. The dominant plasma biomarkers in AD family, PD family and FTD are consistent with pathology. This implies that plasma biomarkers are promising for precise and differential assessments of AD, PD and FTD in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pai-Yi Chiu
- grid.452796.b0000 0004 0634 3637Department of Neurology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Chunghwa, 500 Taiwan ,MR-Guided Focus Ultrasound Center, Chang Bin Shaw Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhwa, 505 Taiwan
| | - Fu-Chi Yang
- grid.278244.f0000 0004 0638 9360Department of Neurology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, 114 Taiwan
| | - Ming-Jang Chiu
- grid.19188.390000 0004 0546 0241Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100 Taiwan ,grid.19188.390000 0004 0546 0241Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100 Taiwan ,grid.19188.390000 0004 0546 0241Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106 Taiwan ,grid.19188.390000 0004 0546 0241Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106 Taiwan
| | - Wei-Che Lin
- grid.145695.a0000 0004 1798 0922Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung, 833 Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hsien Lu
- grid.145695.a0000 0004 1798 0922Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung, 833 Taiwan
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5
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Jensen BK, McAvoy KJ, Heinsinger NM, Lepore AC, Ilieva H, Haeusler AR, Trotti D, Pasinelli P. Targeting TNFα produced by astrocytes expressing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-linked mutant fused in sarcoma prevents neurodegeneration and motor dysfunction in mice. Glia 2022; 70:1426-1449. [PMID: 35474517 PMCID: PMC9540310 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Genetic mutations that cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressively lethal motor neuron disease, are commonly found in ubiquitously expressed genes. In addition to direct defects within motor neurons, growing evidence suggests that dysfunction of non-neuronal cells is also an important driver of disease. Previously, we demonstrated that mutations in DNA/RNA binding protein fused in sarcoma (FUS) induce neurotoxic phenotypes in astrocytes in vitro, via activation of the NF-κB pathway and release of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα. Here, we developed an intraspinal cord injection model to test whether astrocyte-specific expression of ALS-causative FUSR521G variant (mtFUS) causes neuronal damage in vivo. We show that restricted expression of mtFUS in astrocytes is sufficient to induce death of spinal motor neurons leading to motor deficits through upregulation of TNFα. We further demonstrate that TNFα is a key toxic molecule as expression of mtFUS in TNFα knockout animals does not induce pathogenic changes. Accordingly, in mtFUS-transduced animals, administration of TNFα neutralizing antibodies prevents neurodegeneration and motor dysfunction. Together, these studies strengthen evidence that astrocytes contribute to disease in ALS and establish, for the first time, that FUS-ALS astrocytes induce pathogenic changes to motor neurons in vivo. Our work identifies TNFα as the critical driver of mtFUS-astrocytic toxicity and demonstrates therapeutic success of targeting TNFα to attenuate motor neuron dysfunction and death. Ultimately, through defining and subsequently targeting this toxic mechanism, we provide a viable FUS-ALS specific therapeutic strategy, which may also be applicable to sporadic ALS where FUS activity and cellular localization are frequently perturbed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigid K. Jensen
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Kevin J. McAvoy
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Present address:
Manfredi LaboratoryWeill Cornell Medicine, Cornell UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Nicolette M. Heinsinger
- Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Angelo C. Lepore
- Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Hristelina Ilieva
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Aaron R. Haeusler
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Davide Trotti
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Piera Pasinelli
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
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6
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Kovacs GG, Ghetti B, Goedert M. Classification of Diseases with Accumulation of Tau Protein. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2022; 48:e12792. [PMID: 35064600 PMCID: PMC9352145 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gabor G Kovacs
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Laboratory Medicine Program & Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bernardino Ghetti
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana, USA
| | - Michel Goedert
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, UK
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7
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Bocchetta M, Malpetti M, Todd EG, Rowe JB, Rohrer JD. Looking beneath the surface: the importance of subcortical structures in frontotemporal dementia. Brain Commun 2021; 3:fcab158. [PMID: 34458729 PMCID: PMC8390477 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcab158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Whilst initial anatomical studies of frontotemporal dementia focussed on cortical involvement, the relevance of subcortical structures to the pathophysiology of frontotemporal dementia has been increasingly recognized over recent years. Key structures affected include the caudate, putamen, nucleus accumbens, and globus pallidus within the basal ganglia, the hippocampus and amygdala within the medial temporal lobe, the basal forebrain, and the diencephalon structures of the thalamus, hypothalamus and habenula. At the most posterior aspect of the brain, focal involvement of brainstem and cerebellum has recently also been shown in certain subtypes of frontotemporal dementia. Many of the neuroimaging studies on subcortical structures in frontotemporal dementia have been performed in clinically defined sporadic cases. However, investigations of genetically- and pathologically-confirmed forms of frontotemporal dementia are increasingly common and provide molecular specificity to the changes observed. Furthermore, detailed analyses of sub-nuclei and subregions within each subcortical structure are being added to the literature, allowing refinement of the patterns of subcortical involvement. This review focuses on the existing literature on structural imaging and neuropathological studies of subcortical anatomy across the spectrum of frontotemporal dementia, along with investigations of brain–behaviour correlates that examine the cognitive sequelae of specific subcortical involvement: it aims to ‘look beneath the surface’ and summarize the patterns of subcortical involvement have been described in frontotemporal dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Bocchetta
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Maura Malpetti
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emily G Todd
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - James B Rowe
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jonathan D Rohrer
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
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8
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McKenna MC, Chipika RH, Li Hi Shing S, Christidi F, Lope J, Doherty MA, Hengeveld JC, Vajda A, McLaughlin RL, Hardiman O, Hutchinson S, Bede P. Infratentorial pathology in frontotemporal dementia: cerebellar grey and white matter alterations in FTD phenotypes. J Neurol 2021; 268:4687-4697. [PMID: 33983551 PMCID: PMC8563547 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10575-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The contribution of cerebellar pathology to cognitive and behavioural manifestations is increasingly recognised, but the cerebellar profiles of FTD phenotypes are relatively poorly characterised. A prospective, single-centre imaging study has been undertaken with a high-resolution structural and diffusion tensor protocol to systematically evaluate cerebellar grey and white matter alterations in behavioural-variant FTD(bvFTD), non-fluent variant primary progressive aphasia(nfvPPA), semantic-variant primary progressive aphasia(svPPA), C9orf72-positive ALS-FTD(C9 + ALSFTD) and C9orf72-negative ALS-FTD(C9-ALSFTD). Cerebellar cortical thickness and complementary morphometric analyses were carried out to appraise atrophy patterns controlling for demographic variables. White matter integrity was assessed in a study-specific white matter skeleton, evaluating three diffusivity metrics: fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD). Significant cortical thickness reductions were identified in: lobule VII and crus I in bvFTD; lobule VI VII, crus I and II in nfvPPA; and lobule VII, crus I and II in svPPA; lobule IV, VI, VII and Crus I and II in C9 + ALSFTD. Morphometry revealed volume reductions in lobule V in all groups; in addition to lobule VIII in C9 + ALSFTD; lobule VI, VIII and vermis in C9-ALSFTD; lobule V, VII and vermis in bvFTD; and lobule V, VI, VIII and vermis in nfvPPA. Widespread white matter alterations were demonstrated by significant fractional anisotropy, axial diffusivity and radial diffusivity changes in each FTD phenotype that were more focal in those with C9 + ALSFTD and svPPA. Our findings indicate that FTD subtypes are associated with phenotype-specific cerebellar signatures with the selective involvement of specific lobules instead of global cerebellar atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Clare McKenna
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Peter Bede, Room 5.43, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Rangariroyashe H Chipika
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Peter Bede, Room 5.43, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Stacey Li Hi Shing
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Peter Bede, Room 5.43, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Foteini Christidi
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Peter Bede, Room 5.43, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Jasmin Lope
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Peter Bede, Room 5.43, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mark A Doherty
- Complex Trait Genomics Laboratory, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Jennifer C Hengeveld
- Complex Trait Genomics Laboratory, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Alice Vajda
- Complex Trait Genomics Laboratory, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Russell L McLaughlin
- Complex Trait Genomics Laboratory, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Peter Bede, Room 5.43, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | | | - Peter Bede
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Peter Bede, Room 5.43, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. .,Department of Neurology, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
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9
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Gelpi E, Aldecoa I, Lopez-Villegas D, Abellan-Vidal MT, Mercadel-Fañanas P, Fortea J, Ribosa R, Morenas E, Gomez-Anson B, Molina-Porcel L, Ximelis T, Borrego S, Antonell A, Rovelet-Lecrux A, Klotz S, Andres-Benito P, Sanchez-Valle R, Ferrer I. Atypical astroglial pTDP-43 pathology in astroglial predominant tauopathy. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2021; 47:1109-1113. [PMID: 33730418 PMCID: PMC9292602 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Gelpi
- Neurological Tissue Bank of the Biobank-Hospital Clinic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Iban Aldecoa
- Neurological Tissue Bank of the Biobank-Hospital Clinic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Pathology, Biomedical Diagnostic Centre (CDB), Hospital Clinic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dolores Lopez-Villegas
- Cognitive Disorders and Psychogeriatry, Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Addiccions, Centre Emili Mira, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Teresa Abellan-Vidal
- Cognitive Disorders and Psychogeriatry, Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Addiccions, Centre Emili Mira, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Mercadel-Fañanas
- Cognitive Disorders and Psychogeriatry, Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Addiccions, Centre Emili Mira, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Fortea
- Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i St Pau, St Pau research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roser Ribosa
- Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i St Pau, St Pau research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Estrella Morenas
- Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i St Pau, St Pau research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Laura Molina-Porcel
- Neurological Tissue Bank of the Biobank-Hospital Clinic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Clinic I Provincial de Barcelona and Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa Ximelis
- Neurological Tissue Bank of the Biobank-Hospital Clinic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Borrego
- Neurological Tissue Bank of the Biobank-Hospital Clinic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Clinic I Provincial de Barcelona and Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Antonell
- Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Clinic I Provincial de Barcelona and Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anne Rovelet-Lecrux
- Université de Rouen, Institut de Recherche et d'Innovation Biomédicale (IRIB), Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Sigrid Klotz
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pol Andres-Benito
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Barcelona, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, CIBERNED, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Raquel Sanchez-Valle
- Neurological Tissue Bank of the Biobank-Hospital Clinic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.,Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Clinic I Provincial de Barcelona and Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isidre Ferrer
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Barcelona, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, CIBERNED, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
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10
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Ishigaki S, Riku Y, Fujioka Y, Endo K, Iwade N, Kawai K, Ishibashi M, Yokoi S, Katsuno M, Watanabe H, Mori K, Akagi A, Yokota O, Terada S, Kawakami I, Suzuki N, Warita H, Aoki M, Yoshida M, Sobue G. Aberrant interaction between FUS and SFPQ in neurons in a wide range of FTLD spectrum diseases. Brain 2020; 143:2398-2405. [PMID: 32770214 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Fused in sarcoma (FUS) is genetically and clinicopathologically linked to frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We have previously reported that intranuclear interactions of FUS and splicing factor, proline- and glutamine-rich (SFPQ) contribute to neuronal homeostasis. Disruption of the FUS-SFPQ interaction leads to an increase in the ratio of 4-repeat tau (4R-tau)/3-repeat tau (3R-tau), which manifests in FTLD-like phenotypes in mice. Here, we examined FUS-SFPQ interactions in 142 autopsied individuals with FUS-related ALS/FTLD (ALS/FTLD-FUS), TDP-43-related ALS/FTLD (ALS/FTLD-TDP), progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, or Pick's disease as well as controls. Immunofluorescent imaging showed impaired intranuclear co-localization of FUS and SFPQ in neurons of ALS/FTLD-FUS, ALS/FTLD-TDP, progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration cases, but not in Alzheimer's disease or Pick's disease cases. Immunoprecipitation analyses of FUS and SFPQ revealed reduced interactions between the two proteins in ALS/FTLD-TDP and progressive supranuclear palsy cases, but not in those with Alzheimer disease. Furthermore, the ratio of 4R/3R-tau was elevated in cases with ALS/FTLD-TDP and progressive supranuclear palsy, but was largely unaffected in cases with Alzheimer disease. We concluded that impaired interactions between intranuclear FUS and SFPQ and the subsequent increase in the ratio of 4R/3R-tau constitute a common pathogenesis pathway in FTLD spectrum diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinsuke Ishigaki
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.,Research Division of Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.,Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yuichi Riku
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.,Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yusuke Fujioka
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kuniyuki Endo
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Iwade
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kaori Kawai
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.,Research Division of Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Minaka Ishibashi
- Research Division of Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yokoi
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Masahisa Katsuno
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hirohisa Watanabe
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.,Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.,Department of Neurology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
| | - Keiko Mori
- Department of Neurology, Oyamada Memorial Spa Hospital, Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan
| | - Akio Akagi
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
| | - Osamu Yokota
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Kinoko Espoir Hospital, Kasaoka, Okayama, Japan
| | - Seishi Terada
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Ito Kawakami
- Dementia Research project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Sciences, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Suzuki
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Warita
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Masashi Aoki
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Mari Yoshida
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
| | - Gen Sobue
- Research Division of Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.,Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.,Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
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11
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Kim G, Gautier O, Tassoni-Tsuchida E, Ma XR, Gitler AD. ALS Genetics: Gains, Losses, and Implications for Future Therapies. Neuron 2020; 108:822-842. [PMID: 32931756 PMCID: PMC7736125 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of motor neurons from the brain and spinal cord. The ALS community has made remarkable strides over three decades by identifying novel familial mutations, generating animal models, elucidating molecular mechanisms, and ultimately developing promising new therapeutic approaches. Some of these approaches reduce the expression of mutant genes and are in human clinical trials, highlighting the need to carefully consider the normal functions of these genes and potential contribution of gene loss-of-function to ALS. Here, we highlight known loss-of-function mechanisms underlying ALS, potential consequences of lowering levels of gene products, and the need to consider both gain and loss of function to develop safe and effective therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garam Kim
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Neurosciences Interdepartmental Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Olivia Gautier
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Neurosciences Interdepartmental Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Eduardo Tassoni-Tsuchida
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - X Rosa Ma
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aaron D Gitler
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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12
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Klotz S, Fischer P, Hinterberger M, Ricken G, Hönigschnabl S, Gelpi E, Kovacs GG. Multiple system aging-related tau astrogliopathy with complex proteinopathy in an oligosymptomatic octogenarian. Neuropathology 2020; 41:72-83. [PMID: 33263220 PMCID: PMC7984345 DOI: 10.1111/neup.12708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The combination of multiple neurodegenerative proteinopathies is increasingly recognized. Together they can potentiate neuronal dysfunction and contribute to complex neurological symptoms. We report an octogenarian female case of multiple extraneural metastases of a rectal carcinoma. She attempted suicide, which ultimately led to cardiorespiratory failure nine days after hospital admission. Apart from the suicide attempt and late-onset depression, other psychiatric or neurological symptoms were not reported. Unexpectedly, histopathologic examination revealed prominent aging-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG) of all five types (subpial, subependymal, grey and white matter, and perivascular) affecting cortical and subcortical brain regions. This pathology was associated with intermediate Alzheimer's disease neuropathologic change (A2B2C2 score), cerebral amyloid angiopathy, Lewy body-type α-synuclein proteinopathy (Braak stage 4), and a multiple system transactivation response DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) proteinopathy also involving the astroglia. In summary, we report a complex and extensive combination of multiple proteinopathies with widespread ARTAG of all five types in a patient who had attempted suicide. Although longitudinal psychometric tests and neuropsychological evaluations were not performed, this report poses the question of thresholds of cognition and pathology load, describes ARTAG affecting unusually widespread brain regions, and supports the notion that complex proteinopathies should be regarded as a frequent condition in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Klotz
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Fischer
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Research Society Vienna D.C., Danube Hospital Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Margareta Hinterberger
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Research Society Vienna D.C., Danube Hospital Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerda Ricken
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Ellen Gelpi
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gabor G Kovacs
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Laboratory Medicine Program & Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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13
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Strong MJ, Donison NS, Volkening K. Alterations in Tau Metabolism in ALS and ALS-FTSD. Front Neurol 2020; 11:598907. [PMID: 33329356 PMCID: PMC7719764 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.598907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing acceptance that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), classically considered a neurodegenerative disease affecting almost exclusively motor neurons, is syndromic with both clinical and biological heterogeneity. This is most evident in its association with a broad range of neuropsychological, behavioral, speech and language deficits [collectively termed ALS frontotemporal spectrum disorder (ALS-FTSD)]. Although the most consistent pathology of ALS and ALS-FTSD is a disturbance in TAR DNA binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) metabolism, alterations in microtubule-associated tau protein (tau) metabolism can also be observed in ALS-FTSD, most prominently as pathological phosphorylation at Thr175 (pThr175tau). pThr175 has been shown to promote exposure of the phosphatase activating domain (PAD) in the tau N-terminus with the consequent activation of GSK3β mediated phosphorylation at Thr231 (pThr231tau) leading to pathological oligomer formation. This pathological cascade of tau phosphorylation has been observed in chronic traumatic encephalopathy with ALS (CTE-ALS) and in both in vivo and in vitro experimental paradigms, suggesting that it is of critical relevance to the pathobiology of ALS-FTSD. It is also evident that the co-existence of alterations in the metabolism of TDP-43 and tau acts synergistically in a rodent model to exacerbate the pathology of either.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Strong
- Molecular Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Neil S Donison
- Molecular Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Kathryn Volkening
- Molecular Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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14
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Nakano M, Riku Y, Nishioka K, Hasegawa M, Washimi Y, Arahata Y, Takeda A, Horibe K, Yamaoka A, Suzuki K, Tsujimoto M, Li Y, Yoshino H, Hattori N, Akagi A, Miyahara H, Iwasaki Y, Yoshida M. Unclassified four-repeat tauopathy associated with familial parkinsonism and progressive respiratory failure. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2020; 8:148. [PMID: 32854784 PMCID: PMC7450700 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-01025-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe an autopsied patient with familial parkinsonism and unclassified four repeat-tau (4R-tau) aggregation. She presented with bradykinesia, truncal dystonia, and mild amnesia at the age of 61 and then exhibited body weight loss (15 kg over 8 months), sleep disturbances, and progressive respiratory failure with CO2 narcosis. She died of respiratory failure at the age of 62, 14 months after disease onset. Her brother also showed parkinsonism at the age of 58 and suddenly died 6 months later. Postmortem examination revealed 4R-tau aggregation, which was characterized by neuronal globose-type tangles or pretangles, bush-like or miscellaneous astrocytic inclusions, and coiled bodies. The temporal tip, the striatum, the substantia nigra, the tegmentum of the midbrain, the medullary reticular formation, and the spinal cord were severely involved with tau aggregation. Argyrophilic grains and ballooned neurons were also found in the medial temporal structures, however, extensions of the 4R-aggregations in the case were clearly broader than those of the argyrophilic grains. Western blot analysis of sarkosyl-insoluble fractions from brain lysates revealed prominent bands of tau at both 33 kDa and 37 kDa. Genetic examinations did not reveal any known pathogenic mutations in MAPT, DCTN-1, PSEN-1, or familial or young-onset parkinsonism-related genes. The clinical manifestations, pathologic findings, and biochemical properties of aggregated tau in our patient cannot be explained by argyrophilic grain disease or other known 4R-tauopathies alone. Our results further extend the clinical and neuropathologic spectra of 4R-tauopathy.
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15
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Abstract
Astrocytes contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative proteinopathies as influencing neuronal degeneration or neuroprotection, and also act as potential mediators of the propagation or elimination of disease-associated proteins. Protein astrogliopathies can be observed in different forms of neurodegenerative conditions. Morphological characterization of astrogliopathy is used only for the classification of tauopathies. Currently, at least six types of astrocytic tau pathologies are distinguished. Astrocytic plaques (AP), tufted astrocytes (TAs), ramified astrocytes (RA), and globular astroglial inclusions are seen predominantly in primary tauopathies, while thorn-shaped astrocytes (TSA) and granular/fuzzy astrocytes (GFA) are evaluated in aging-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG). ARTAG can be seen in the white and gray matter and subpial, subependymal, and perivascular locations. Some of these overlap with the features of tau pathology seen in Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Furthermore, gray matter ARTAG shares features with primary tauopathy-related astrocytic tau pathology. Sequential distribution patterns have been described for tau astrogliopathies. Importantly, astrocytic tau pathology in primary tauopathies can be observed in brain areas without neuronal tau deposition. The various morphologies of tau astrogliopathy might reflect a role in the propagation of pathological tau protein, an early response to a yet unidentified neurodegeneration-inducing event, or, particularly for ARTAG, a response to a repeated or prolonged pathogenic process such as blood-brain barrier dysfunction or local mechanical impact. The concept of tau astrogliopathies and ARTAG facilitated communication among research disciplines and triggered the investigation of the significance of astrocytic lesions in neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabor G Kovacs
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Laboratory Medicine Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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16
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Ferrer I, Andrés-Benito P, Zelaya MV, Aguirre MEE, Carmona M, Ausín K, Lachén-Montes M, Fernández-Irigoyen J, Santamaría E, del Rio JA. Familial globular glial tauopathy linked to MAPT mutations: molecular neuropathology and seeding capacity of a prototypical mixed neuronal and glial tauopathy. Acta Neuropathol 2020; 139:735-771. [PMID: 31907603 PMCID: PMC7096369 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-019-02122-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Globular glial tauopathy (GGT) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease involving the grey matter and white matter (WM) and characterized by neuronal deposition of hyper-phosphorylated, abnormally conformed, truncated, oligomeric 4Rtau in neurons and in glial cells forming typical globular astrocyte and oligodendrocyte inclusions (GAIs and GOIs, respectively) and coiled bodies. Present studies centre on four genetic GGT cases from two unrelated families bearing the P301T mutation in MAPT and one case of sporadic GGT (sGGT) and one case of GGT linked to MAPT K317M mutation, for comparative purposes. Clinical and neuropathological manifestations and biochemical profiles of phospho-tau are subjected to individual variations in patients carrying the same mutation, even in carriers of the same family, independently of the age of onset, gender, and duration of the disease. Immunohistochemistry, western blotting, transcriptomic, proteomics and phosphoproteomics, and intra-cerebral inoculation of brain homogenates to wild-type (WT) mice were the methods employed. In GGT cases linked to MAPT P301T mutation, astrocyte markers GFAP, ALDH1L1, YKL40 mRNA and protein, GJA1 mRNA, and AQ4 protein are significantly increased; glutamate transporter GLT1 (EAAT2) and glucose transporter (SLC2A1) decreased; mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 1 (MPC1) increased, and mitochondrial uncoupling protein 5 (UCP5) almost absent in GAIs in frontal cortex (FC). Expression of oligodendrocyte markers OLIG1 and OLIG2mRNA, and myelin-related genes MBP, PLP1, CNP, MAG, MAL, MOG, and MOBP are significantly decreased in WM; CNPase, PLP1, and MBP antibodies reveal reduction and disruption of myelinated fibres; and SMI31 antibodies mark axonal damage in the WM. Altered expression of AQ4, GLUC-t, and GLT-1 is also observed in sGGT and in GGT linked to MAPT K317M mutation. These alterations point to primary astrogliopathy and oligodendrogliopathy in GGT. In addition, GGT linked to MAPT P301T mutation proteotypes unveil a proteostatic imbalance due to widespread (phospho)proteomic dearrangement in the FC and WM, triggering a disruption of neuron projection morphogenesis and synaptic transmission. Identification of hyper-phosphorylation of variegated proteins calls into question the concept of phospho-tau-only alteration in the pathogenesis of GGT. Finally, unilateral inoculation of sarkosyl-insoluble fractions of GGT homogenates from GGT linked to MAPT P301T, sGGT, and GGT linked to MAPT K317M mutation in the hippocampus, corpus callosum, or caudate/putamen in wild-type mice produces seeding, and time- and region-dependent spreading of phosphorylated, non-oligomeric, and non-truncated 4Rtau and 3Rtau, without GAIs and GOIs but only of coiled bodies. These experiments prove that host tau strains are important in the modulation of cellular vulnerability and phenotypes of phospho-tau aggregates.
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17
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Chen Y, Kumfor F, Landin-Romero R, Irish M, Piguet O. The Cerebellum in Frontotemporal Dementia: a Meta-Analysis of Neuroimaging Studies. Neuropsychol Rev 2019; 29:450-464. [PMID: 31428914 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-019-09414-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a neurodegenerative brain disorder primarily affecting the frontal and/or temporal lobes. Three main subtypes have been recognized: behavioural-variant FTD (bvFTD), semantic dementia (SD), and progressive nonfluent aphasia (PNFA), each of which has a distinct clinical and cognitive profile. Although the role of the cerebellum in cognition is increasingly accepted, knowledge of cerebellar changes across neuroimaging modalities and their contribution to behavioural and cognitive changes in FTD syndromes is currently scant. We conducted an anatomical/activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis in 53 neuroimaging studies (structural MRI: 42; positron emission tomography: 6; functional MRI: 4; single-photon emission computed tomography: 1) to identify the patterns of cerebellar changes and their relations to profiles of behavioural and cognitive deficits in FTD syndromes. Overall, widespread bilateral cerebellar changes were found in FTD and notably the patterns were subtype specific. In bvFTD, ALE peaks were identified in the bilateral Crus, left lobule VI, right lobules VIIb and VIIIb. In SD, focal cerebellar changes were located in the left Crus I and lobule VI. A separate ALE meta-analysis on PNFA studies was not performed due to the limited number of studies available. In addition, the ALE analysis indicated that bilateral Crus I and Crus II were associated with behavioural disruption and cognitive dysfunction. This ALE meta-analysis provides the quantification of the location and extent of cerebellar changes across the main FTD syndromes, which in turn provides evidence of cerebellar contributions to behavioural and cognitive changes in FTD. These results bring new insights into the mechanisms mediating FTD symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- The University of Sydney, School of Psychology, Brain & Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Fiona Kumfor
- The University of Sydney, School of Psychology, Brain & Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ramon Landin-Romero
- The University of Sydney, School of Psychology, Brain & Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Muireann Irish
- The University of Sydney, School of Psychology, Brain & Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Olivier Piguet
- The University of Sydney, School of Psychology, Brain & Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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18
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You Y, Perkins A, Cisternas P, Muñoz B, Taylor X, You Y, Garringer HJ, Oblak AL, Atwood BK, Vidal R, Lasagna-Reeves CA. Tau as a mediator of neurotoxicity associated to cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:26. [PMID: 30808415 PMCID: PMC6390363 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0680-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is typified by the cerebrovascular deposition of amyloid. Currently, there is no clear understanding of the mechanisms underlying the contribution of CAA to neurodegeneration. Despite the fact that CAA is highly associated with accumulation of Aβ, other types of amyloids have been shown to associate with the vasculature. Interestingly, in many cases, vascular amyloidosis is accompanied by significant tau pathology. However, the contribution of tau to neurodegeneration associated to CAA remains to be determined. We used a mouse model of Familial Danish Dementia (FDD), a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of Danish amyloid (ADan) in the vasculature, to characterize the contribution of tau to neurodegeneration associated to CAA. We performed histological and biochemical assays to establish tau modifications associated with CAA in conjunction with cell-based and electrophysiological assays to determine the role of tau in the synaptic dysfunction associated with ADan. We demonstrated that ADan aggregates induced hyperphosphorylation and misfolding of tau. Moreover, in a mouse model for CAA, we observed tau oligomers closely associated to astrocytes in the vicinity of vascular amyloid deposits. We finally determined that the absence of tau prevents synaptic dysfunction induced by ADan oligomers. In addition to demonstrating the effect of ADan amyloid on tau misfolding, our results provide compelling evidence of the role of tau in neurodegeneration associated with ADan-CAA and suggest that decreasing tau levels could be a feasible approach for the treatment of CAA.
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19
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Vuksanović V, Staff RT, Ahearn T, Murray AD, Wischik CM. Cortical Thickness and Surface Area Networks in Healthy Aging, Alzheimer's Disease and Behavioral Variant Fronto-Temporal Dementia. Int J Neural Syst 2018; 29:1850055. [PMID: 30638083 DOI: 10.1142/s0129065718500557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Models of the human brain as a complex network of inter-connected sub-units are important in helping to understand the structural basis of the clinical features of neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of this study was to characterize in a systematic manner the differences in the structural correlation networks in cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and behavioral variant Fronto-Temporal Dementia (bvFTD). We have used the baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data available from a large population of patients from three clinical trials in mild to moderate AD and mild bvFTD and compared this to a well-characterized healthy aging cohort. The study population comprised 202 healthy elderly subjects, 213 with bvFTD and 213 with AD. We report that both CT and SA network architecture can be described in terms of highly correlated networks whose positive and inverse links map onto the intrinsic modular organization of the four cortical lobes. The topology of the disturbance in structural network is different in the two disease conditions, and both are different from normal aging. The changes from normal are global in character and are not restricted to fronto-temporal and temporo-parietal lobes, respectively, in bvFTD and AD, and indicate an increase in both global correlational strength and in particular nonhomologous inter-lobar connectivity defined by inverse correlations. These inverse correlations appear to be adaptive in character, reflecting coordinated increases in CT and SA that may compensate for corresponding impairment in functionally linked nodes. The effects were more pronounced in the cortical thickness atrophy network in bvFTD and in the surface area network in AD. Although lobar modularity is preserved in the context of neurodegenerative disease, the hub-like organization of networks differs both from normal and between the two forms of dementia. This implies that hubs may be secondary features of the connectivity adaptation to neurodegeneration and may not be an intrinsic property of the brain. However, analysis of the topological differences in hub-like organization CT and SA networks, and their underlying positive and negative correlations, may provide a basis for assisting in the differential diagnosis of bvFTD and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vesna Vuksanović
- 1Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Center, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Roger T Staff
- 2Imaging Physics, National Health Service Grampian, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Trevor Ahearn
- 2Imaging Physics, National Health Service Grampian, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Alison D Murray
- 1Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Center, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- 3TauRx, Therapeutics, Aberdeen, AB24 5RP, UK.,4School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
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20
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Ferrer I, García MA, González IL, Lucena DD, Villalonga AR, Tech MC, Llorens F, Garcia‐Esparcia P, Martinez‐Maldonado A, Mendez MF, Escribano BT, Bech‐Serra JJ, Sabido E, de la Torre Gómez C, del Rio JA. Aging-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG): not only tau phosphorylation in astrocytes. Brain Pathol 2018; 28:965-985. [PMID: 29396893 PMCID: PMC8028270 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG) is defined by the presence of two types of tau-bearing astrocytes: thorn-shaped astrocytes (TSAs) and granular/fuzzy astrocytes in the brain of old-aged individuals. The present study is focused on TSAs in rare forms of ARTAG with no neuronal tau pathology or restricted to entorhinal and transentorhinal cortices, to avoid bias from associated tauopathies. TSAs show 4Rtau phosphorylation at several specific sites and abnormal tau conformation, but they lack ubiquitin and they are not immunostained with tau-C3 antibodies which recognize truncated tau at Asp421. Astrocytes in ARTAG have atrophic processes, reduced glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and increased superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) immunoreactivity. Gel electrophoresis and western blotting of sarkosyl-insoluble fractions reveal a pattern of phospho-tau in ARTAG characterized by two bands of 68 and 64 kDa, and several middle bands between 35 and 50 kDa which differ from what is seen in AD. Phosphoproteomics of dissected vulnerable regions identifies an increase of phosphorylation marks in a large number of proteins in ARTAG compared with controls. GFAP, aquaporin 4, several serine-threonine kinases, microtubule associated proteins and other neuronal proteins are among the differentially phosphorylated proteins in ARTAG thus suggesting a hyper-phosphorylation background that affects several molecules, including many kinases and proteins from several cell compartments and various cell types. Finally, present results show for the first time that tau seeding is produced in neurons of the hippocampal complex, astrocytes, oligodendroglia and along fibers of the corpus callosum, fimbria and fornix following inoculation into the hippocampus of wild type mice of sarkosyl-insoluble fractions enriched in hyper-phosphorylated tau from selected ARTAG cases. These findings show astrocytes as crucial players of tau seeding in tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isidro Ferrer
- Department of Pathology and Experimental TherapeuticsUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Bellvitge University Hospital, IDIBELL (Bellvitge Biomedical Research Centre)BarcelonaSpain
- Ministry of Economy and CompetitivenessCIBERNED (Network Centre of Biomedical Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos IIIBarcelonaSpain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Meritxell Aguiló García
- Department of Pathology and Experimental TherapeuticsUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and BiochemistryInstitute for Molecular Biosciences, Karl‐Franzens University of GrazAustria
| | - Irene López González
- Ministry of Economy and CompetitivenessCIBERNED (Network Centre of Biomedical Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos IIIBarcelonaSpain
| | - Daniela Diaz Lucena
- Ministry of Economy and CompetitivenessCIBERNED (Network Centre of Biomedical Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos IIIBarcelonaSpain
| | - Aina Roig Villalonga
- Department of Pathology and Experimental TherapeuticsUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Margarita Carmona Tech
- Department of Pathology and Experimental TherapeuticsUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Ministry of Economy and CompetitivenessCIBERNED (Network Centre of Biomedical Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos IIIBarcelonaSpain
| | - Franc Llorens
- Ministry of Economy and CompetitivenessCIBERNED (Network Centre of Biomedical Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos IIIBarcelonaSpain
| | - Paula Garcia‐Esparcia
- Bellvitge University Hospital, IDIBELL (Bellvitge Biomedical Research Centre)BarcelonaSpain
| | | | - Margalida Frau Mendez
- Department of Pathology and Experimental TherapeuticsUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Benjamín Torrejón Escribano
- Biology Unit, Scientific and Technical ServicesUniversity of Barcelona, Hospitalet de LlobregatBarcelonaSpain
| | | | - Eduard Sabido
- Proteomics Unit, Centre de Regulació GenòmicaBarcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | | | - José Antonio del Rio
- Ministry of Economy and CompetitivenessCIBERNED (Network Centre of Biomedical Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos IIIBarcelonaSpain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Molecular and Cellular NeurobiotechnologyInstitute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Parc Científic de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
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21
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Kovacs GG, Lee VM, Trojanowski JQ. Protein astrogliopathies in human neurodegenerative diseases and aging. Brain Pathol 2018; 27:675-690. [PMID: 28805003 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive dysfunction and loss of neurons associated with depositions of pathologically altered proteins showing hierarchical involvement of brain regions. The role of astrocytes in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases is explored as contributors to neuronal degeneration or neuroprotection pathways, and also as potential mediators of the transcellular spreading of disease-associated proteins. Protein astrogliopathy (PAG), including deposition of amyloid-β, prion protein, tau, α-synuclein, and very rarely transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is not unprecedented or unusual in neurodegenerative diseases. Morphological characterization of PAG is considered, however, only for the neuropathological diagnosis and classification of tauopathies. Astrocytic tau pathology is seen in primary frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) associated with tau pathologies (FTLD-Tau), and also in the form of aging-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG). Importantly, ARTAG shares common features with primary FTLD-Tau as well as with the astroglial tau pathologies that are thought to be hallmarks of a brain injury-related tauopathy known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Supported by experimental observations, the morphological variability of PAG might reflect distinct pathogenic involvement of different astrocytic populations. PAG might indicate astrocytic contribution to spreading or clearance of disease-associated proteins, however, this might lead to astrocytic dysfunction and eventually contribute to the degeneration of neurons. Here, we review recent advances in understanding ARTAG and other related forms of PAG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabor G Kovacs
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Virginia M Lee
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Institute on Aging and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - John Q Trojanowski
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Institute on Aging and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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22
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Sobue G, Ishigaki S, Watanabe H. Pathogenesis of Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration: Insights From Loss of Function Theory and Early Involvement of the Caudate Nucleus. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:473. [PMID: 30050404 PMCID: PMC6052086 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is a group of clinically, pathologically and genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders that involve the frontal and temporal lobes. Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), semantic dementia (SD), and progressive non-fluent aphasia (PNFA) are three major clinical syndromes. TDP-43, FUS, and tau are three major pathogenetic proteins. In this review, we first discuss the loss-of-function mechanism of FTLD. We focus on FUS-associated pathogenesis in which FUS is linked to tau by regulating its alternative splicing machinery. Moreover, FUS is associated with abnormalities in post-synaptic formation, which can be an early disease marker of FTLD. Second, we discuss clinical and pathological aspects of FTLD. Recently, FTLD and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have been recognized as the same disease entity; indeed, nearly all sporadic ALS cases show TDP-43 pathology irrespective of FTD phenotype. Thus, investigating early structural and network changes in the FTLD/ALS continuum can be useful for developing early diagnostic markers of FTLD. MRI studies have revealed the involvement of the caudate nucleus and its anatomical networks in association with the early phase of behavioral/cognitive decline in FTLD/ALS. In particular, even ALS patients with normal cognition have shown a significant decrease in structural connectivity between the caudate head networks. In pathological studies, FTLD/ALS has shown striatal involvement of both efferent system components and glutamatergic inputs from the cerebral cortices even in ALS patients. Thus, the caudate nucleus may be primarily associated with behavioral abnormality and cognitive involvement in FTLD/ALS. Although several clinical trials have been conducted, there is still no therapy that can change the disease course in patients with FTLD. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish a strategy for predominant sporadic FTLD cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gen Sobue
- Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Brain and Mind Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Ishigaki
- Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Brain and Mind Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hirohisa Watanabe
- Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Brain and Mind Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
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23
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Abstract
Astrocytes are involved in many diseases of the central nervous system, not only as reactive cells to neuronal damage but also as primary actors in the pathological process. Astrogliopathy is a term used to designate the involvement of astrocytes as key elements in the pathogenesis and pathology of diseases and injuries of the central nervous system. Astrocytopathy is utilized to name non-reactive astrogliosis covering hypertrophy, atrophy and astroglial degeneration with loss of function in astrocytes and pathological remodeling, as well as senescent changes. Astrogliopathy and astrocytopathy are hallmarks of tauopathies—neurodegenerative diseases with abnormal hyper-phosphorylated tau aggregates in neurons and glial cells. The involvement of astrocytes covers different disease-specific types such as tufted astrocytes, astrocytic plaques, thorn-shaped astrocytes, granular/fuzzy astrocytes, ramified astrocytes and astrocytes with globular inclusions, as well as others which are unnamed but not uncommon in familial frontotemporal degeneration linked to mutations in the tau gene. Knowledge of molecular differences among tau-containing astrocytes is only beginning, and their distinct functional implications remain rather poorly understood. However, tau-containing astrocytes in certain conditions have deleterious effects on neuronal function and nervous system integrity. Moreover, recent studies have shown that tau-containing astrocytes obtained from human brain tauopathies have a capacity for abnormal tau seeding and spreading in wild type mice. Inclusive conceptions include a complex scenario involving neurons, glial cells and local environmental factors that potentiate each other and promote disease progression in tauopathies.
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24
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Ishigaki S, Sobue G. Importance of Functional Loss of FUS in FTLD/ALS. Front Mol Biosci 2018; 5:44. [PMID: 29774215 PMCID: PMC5943504 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2018.00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fused in sarcoma (FUS) is an RNA binding protein that regulates RNA metabolism including alternative splicing, transcription, and RNA transportation. FUS is genetically and pathologically involved in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD)/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Multiple lines of evidence across diverse models suggest that functional loss of FUS can lead to neuronal dysfunction and/or neuronal cell death. Loss of FUS in the nucleus can impair alternative splicing and/or transcription, whereas dysfunction of FUS in the cytoplasm, especially in the dendritic spines of neurons, can cause mRNA destabilization. Alternative splicing of the MAPT gene at exon 10, which generates 4-repeat Tau (4R-Tau) and 3-repeat Tau (3R-Tau), is one of the most impactful targets regulated by FUS. Additionally, loss of FUS function can affect dendritic spine maturations by destabilizing mRNAs such as Glutamate receptor 1 (GluA1), a major AMPA receptor, and Synaptic Ras GTPase-activating protein 1 (SynGAP1). Moreover, FUS is involved in axonal transport and morphological maintenance of neurons. These findings indicate that a biological link between loss of FUS function, Tau isoform alteration, aberrant post-synaptic function, and phenotypic expression might lead to the sequential cascade culminating in FTLD. Thus, to facilitate development of early disease markers and/or therapeutic targets of FTLD/ALS it is critical that the functions of FUS and its downstream pathways are unraveled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinsuke Ishigaki
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Therapeutics for Intractable Neurological Disorders, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Gen Sobue
- Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.,Research Division of Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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25
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Abstract
Several studies have indicated that certain misfolded amyloids composed of tau, β-amyloid or α-synuclein can be transferred from cell to cell, suggesting the contribution of mechanisms reminiscent of those by which infective prions spread through the brain. This process of a 'prion-like' spreading between cells is also relevant as a novel putative therapeutic target that could block the spreading of proteinaceous aggregates throughout the brain which may underlie the progressive nature of neurodegenerative diseases. The relevance of β-amyloid oligomers and cellular prion protein (PrPC) binding has been a focus of interest in Alzheimer's disease (AD). At the molecular level, β-amyloid/PrPC interaction takes place in two differently charged clusters of PrPC. In addition to β-amyloid, participation of PrPC in α-synuclein binding and brain spreading also appears to be relevant in α-synucleopathies. This review summarizes current knowledge about PrPC as a putative receptor for amyloid proteins and the physiological consequences of these interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A Del Río
- Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Isidre Ferrer
- Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Barcelona, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Senior Consultant Neuropathology, Service of Pathology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
| | - Rosalina Gavín
- Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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26
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Ferrer I. Sisyphus in Neverland. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 62:1023-1047. [PMID: 29154280 PMCID: PMC5870014 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The study of life and living organisms and the way in which these interact and organize to form social communities have been central to my career. I have been fascinated by biology, neurology, and neuropathology, but also by history, sociology, and art. Certain current historical, political, and social events, some occurring proximally but others affecting people in apparently distant places, have had an impact on me. Epicurus, Seneca, and Camus shared their philosophical positions which I learned from. Many scientists from various disciplines have been exciting sources of knowledge as well. I have created a world of hypothesis and experiments but I have also got carried away by serendipity following unexpected observations. It has not been an easy path; errors and wanderings are not uncommon, and opponents close to home much more abundant than one might imagine. Ambition, imagination, resilience, and endurance have been useful in moving ahead in response to setbacks. In the end, I have enjoyed my dedication to science and I am grateful to have glimpsed beauty in it. These are brief memories of a Spanish neuropathologist born and raised in Barcelona, EU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isidro Ferrer
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Barcelona; Service of Pathological Anatomy, Bellvitge University Hospital; CIBERNED; Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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27
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Ishigaki S, Fujioka Y, Okada Y, Riku Y, Udagawa T, Honda D, Yokoi S, Endo K, Ikenaka K, Takagi S, Iguchi Y, Sahara N, Takashima A, Okano H, Yoshida M, Warita H, Aoki M, Watanabe H, Okado H, Katsuno M, Sobue G. Altered Tau Isoform Ratio Caused by Loss of FUS and SFPQ Function Leads to FTLD-like Phenotypes. Cell Rep 2017; 18:1118-1131. [PMID: 28147269 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fused in sarcoma (FUS) and splicing factor, proline- and glutamine-rich (SFPQ) are RNA binding proteins that regulate RNA metabolism. We found that alternative splicing of the Mapt gene at exon 10, which generates 4-repeat tau (4R-T) and 3-repeat tau (3R-T), is regulated by interactions between FUS and SFPQ in the nuclei of neurons. Hippocampus-specific FUS- or SFPQ-knockdown mice exhibit frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD)-like behaviors, reduced adult neurogenesis, accumulation of phosphorylated tau, and hippocampal atrophy with neuronal loss through an increased 4R-T/3R-T ratio. Normalization of this increased ratio by 4R-T-specific silencing results in recovery of the normal phenotype. These findings suggest a biological link among FUS/SFPQ, tau isoform alteration, and phenotypic expression, which may function in the early pathomechanism of FTLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinsuke Ishigaki
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan; Department of Therapeutics for Intractable Neurological Disorders, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Fujioka
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yohei Okada
- Department of Neurology, Aichi Medical University, School of Medicine, Aichi 480-1195, Japan
| | - Yuichi Riku
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan; Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Aichi 480-1195, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Udagawa
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Daiyu Honda
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yokoi
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Kuniyuki Endo
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Kensuke Ikenaka
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Shinnosuke Takagi
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yohei Iguchi
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Naruhiko Sahara
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging Research, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Akihiko Takashima
- Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8588, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Mari Yoshida
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Aichi 480-1195, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Warita
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
| | - Masashi Aoki
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
| | - Hirohisa Watanabe
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan; Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Haruo Okado
- Department of Brain Development and Neural Regeneration, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Masahisa Katsuno
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Gen Sobue
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan; Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan; Research Division of Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan.
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28
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Ferrer I. Diversity of astroglial responses across human neurodegenerative disorders and brain aging. Brain Pathol 2017; 27:645-674. [PMID: 28804999 PMCID: PMC8029391 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrogliopathy refers to alterations of astrocytes occurring in diseases of the nervous system, and it implies the involvement of astrocytes as key elements in the pathogenesis and pathology of diseases and injuries of the central nervous system. Reactive astrocytosis refers to the response of astrocytes to different insults to the nervous system, whereas astrocytopathy indicates hypertrophy, atrophy/degeneration and loss of function and pathological remodeling occurring as a primary cause of a disease or as a factor contributing to the development and progression of a particular disease. Reactive astrocytosis secondary to neuron loss and astrocytopathy due to intrinsic alterations of astrocytes occur in neurodegenerative diseases, overlap each other, and, together with astrocyte senescence, contribute to disease-specific astrogliopathy in aging and neurodegenerative diseases with abnormal protein aggregates in old age. In addition to the well-known increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein and other proteins in reactive astrocytes, astrocytopathy is evidenced by deposition of abnormal proteins such as β-amyloid, hyper-phosphorylated tau, abnormal α-synuclein, mutated huntingtin, phosphorylated TDP-43 and mutated SOD1, and PrPres , in Alzheimer's disease, tauopathies, Lewy body diseases, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, respectively. Astrocytopathy in these diseases can also be manifested by impaired glutamate transport; abnormal metabolism and release of neurotransmitters; altered potassium, calcium and water channels resulting in abnormal ion and water homeostasis; abnormal glucose metabolism; abnormal lipid and, particularly, cholesterol metabolism; increased oxidative damage and altered oxidative stress responses; increased production of cytokines and mediators of the inflammatory response; altered expression of connexins with deterioration of cell-to-cell networks and transfer of gliotransmitters; and worsening function of the blood brain barrier, among others. Increased knowledge of these aspects will permit a better understanding of brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases in old age as complex disorders in which neurons are not the only players.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isidro Ferrer
- Department of Pathology and Experimental TherapeuticsUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Institute of NeuropathologyPathologic Anatomy Service, Bellvitge University Hospital, IDIBELL, Hospitalet de LlobregatBarcelonaSpain
- Institute of NeurosciencesUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Biomedical Network Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Institute Carlos IIIMadridSpain
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29
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Arendt T, Stieler JT, Holzer M. Tau and tauopathies. Brain Res Bull 2016; 126:238-292. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2016.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 333] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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30
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Kovacs GG, Rahimi J, Ströbel T, Lutz MI, Regelsberger G, Streichenberger N, Perret-Liaudet A, Höftberger R, Liberski PP, Budka H, Sikorska B. Tau pathology in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease revisited. Brain Pathol 2016; 27:332-344. [PMID: 27377321 PMCID: PMC8028936 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a human prion disease with different etiologies. To determine the spectrum of tau pathologies in CJD, we assessed phospho-Tau (pTau) immunoreactivities in 75 sporadic CJD cases including an evaluation of the entorhinal cortex and six hippocampal subregions. Twelve cases (16%) showed only small tau-immunoreactive neuritic profiles. Fifty-two (69.3%) showed additional tau pathology in the medial temporal lobe compatible with primary age related tauopathy (PART). In 22/52 cases the lower pTau immunoreactivity load in the entorhinal cortex as compared to subiculum, dentate gyrus or CA4 region of the hippocampus was significantly different from the typical distribution of the Braak staging. A further 11 cases (14.7%) showed widespread tau pathologies compatible with features of primary tauopathies or the gray matter type of ageing-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG). Prominent gray matter ARTAG was also observed in two out of three additionally examined V203I genetic CJD cases. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid revealed prominent increase of total tau protein in cases with widespread tau pathology, while pTau (T181) level was increased only in four. This correlated with immunohistochemical observations showing less pathology with anti-pTau T181 antibody when compared to anti-pTau S202/T205, T212/S214 and T231. The frequency of tau pathologies is not unusually high in sporadic CJD and does not precisely relate to PrP deposition. However, the pattern of hippocampal tau pathology often deviates from the stages of Braak. Currently applied examination of cerebrospinal fluid pTau (T181) level does not reliably reflect primary tauopathies, PART and ARTAG seen in CJD brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabor G Kovacs
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, and Austrian Reference Center for Human Prion Diseases, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jasmin Rahimi
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, and Austrian Reference Center for Human Prion Diseases, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Ströbel
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, and Austrian Reference Center for Human Prion Diseases, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mirjam I Lutz
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, and Austrian Reference Center for Human Prion Diseases, Vienna, Austria
| | - Günther Regelsberger
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, and Austrian Reference Center for Human Prion Diseases, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nathalie Streichenberger
- Prion Disease Laboratory, Pathology and Biochemistry, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon/Claude Bernard University, Lyon, France.,Institut NeuroMyogène CNRS UMR 5310 - INSERM U1217, Lyon, France
| | - Armand Perret-Liaudet
- Prion Disease Laboratory, Pathology and Biochemistry, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon/Claude Bernard University, Lyon, France.,Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon (Laboratoire BioRaN), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 - CNRS UMR5292 - INSERM U1028, Lyon, France
| | - Romana Höftberger
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, and Austrian Reference Center for Human Prion Diseases, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pawel P Liberski
- Department of Molecular Pathology and Neuropathology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Herbert Budka
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, and Austrian Reference Center for Human Prion Diseases, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beata Sikorska
- Department of Molecular Pathology and Neuropathology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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31
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Alexander J, Kalev O, Mehrabian S, Traykov L, Raycheva M, Kanakis D, Drineas P, Lutz MI, Ströbel T, Penz T, Schuster M, Bock C, Ferrer I, Paschou P, Kovacs GG. Familial early-onset dementia with complex neuropathologic phenotype and genomic background. Neurobiol Aging 2016; 42:199-204. [PMID: 27143436 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 02/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Despite significant progress in our understanding of hereditary neurodegenerative diseases, the list of genes associated with early-onset dementia is not yet complete. In the present study, we describe a familial neurodegenerative disorder characterized clinically as the behavioral and/or dysexecutive variant of Alzheimer's disease with neuroradiologic features of Alzheimer's disease, however, lacking amyloid-β deposits in the brain. Instead, we observed a complex, 4 repeat predominant, tauopathy, together with a TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa proteinopathy. Whole-exome sequencing on 2 affected siblings and 1 unaffected aunt uncovered a large number of candidate genes, including LRRK2 and SYNE2. In addition, DDI1, KRBA1, and TOR1A genes possessed novel stop-gain mutations only in the patients. Pathway, gene ontology, and network interaction analysis indicated the involvement of pathways related to neurodegeneration but revealed novel aspects also. This condition does not fit into any well-characterized category of neurodegenerative disorders. Exome sequencing did not disclose a single disease-specific gene mutation suggesting that a set of genes working together in different pathways may contribute to the etiology of the complex phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Alexander
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupoli, Greece
| | - Ognian Kalev
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, Landes-Nervenklinik Wagner-Jauregg, Linz, Austria
| | - Shima Mehrabian
- Department of Neurology, UH "Alexandrovska", Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | | | - Dimitrios Kanakis
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupoli, Greece
| | - Petros Drineas
- Department of Computer Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Mirjam I Lutz
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Ströbel
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Penz
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Schuster
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Bock
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Isidro Ferrer
- Institute of Neuropathology, IDIBELL-Bellvitge University Hospital, University of Barcelona, Hospitalet de Llobregat; CIBERNED (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Peristera Paschou
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupoli, Greece.
| | - Gabor G Kovacs
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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32
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Kahlson MA, Colodner KJ. Glial Tau Pathology in Tauopathies: Functional Consequences. J Exp Neurosci 2016; 9:43-50. [PMID: 26884683 PMCID: PMC4750898 DOI: 10.4137/jen.s25515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Revised: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are a class of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the presence of hyperphosphorylated and aggregated tau pathology in neuronal and glial cells. Though the ratio of neuronal and glial tau aggregates varies across diseases, glial tau aggregates can populate the same degenerating brain regions as neuronal tau aggregates. While much is known about the deleterious consequences of tau pathology in neurons, the relative contribution of glial tau pathology to these diseases is less clear. Recent studies using a number of model systems implicate glial tau pathology in contributing to tauopathy pathogenesis. This review aims to highlight the functional consequences of tau overexpression in glial cells and explore the potential contribution of glial tau pathology in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha A Kahlson
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth J Colodner
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, USA
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33
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Kovacs GG, Ferrer I, Grinberg LT, Alafuzoff I, Attems J, Budka H, Cairns NJ, Crary JF, Duyckaerts C, Ghetti B, Halliday GM, Ironside JW, Love S, Mackenzie IR, Munoz DG, Murray ME, Nelson PT, Takahashi H, Trojanowski JQ, Ansorge O, Arzberger T, Baborie A, Beach TG, Bieniek KF, Bigio EH, Bodi I, Dugger BN, Feany M, Gelpi E, Gentleman SM, Giaccone G, Hatanpaa KJ, Heale R, Hof PR, Hofer M, Hortobágyi T, Jellinger K, Jicha GA, Ince P, Kofler J, Kövari E, Kril JJ, Mann DM, Matej R, McKee AC, McLean C, Milenkovic I, Montine TJ, Murayama S, Lee EB, Rahimi J, Rodriguez RD, Rozemüller A, Schneider JA, Schultz C, Seeley W, Seilhean D, Smith C, Tagliavini F, Takao M, Thal DR, Toledo JB, Tolnay M, Troncoso JC, Vinters HV, Weis S, Wharton SB, White CL, Wisniewski T, Woulfe JM, Yamada M, Dickson DW. Aging-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG): harmonized evaluation strategy. Acta Neuropathol 2016; 131:87-102. [PMID: 26659578 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-015-1509-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 362] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 11/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pathological accumulation of abnormally phosphorylated tau protein in astrocytes is a frequent, but poorly characterized feature of the aging brain. Its etiology is uncertain, but its presence is sufficiently ubiquitous to merit further characterization and classification, which may stimulate clinicopathological studies and research into its pathobiology. This paper aims to harmonize evaluation and nomenclature of aging-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG), a term that refers to a morphological spectrum of astroglial pathology detected by tau immunohistochemistry, especially with phosphorylation-dependent and 4R isoform-specific antibodies. ARTAG occurs mainly, but not exclusively, in individuals over 60 years of age. Tau-immunoreactive astrocytes in ARTAG include thorn-shaped astrocytes at the glia limitans and in white matter, as well as solitary or clustered astrocytes with perinuclear cytoplasmic tau immunoreactivity that extends into the astroglial processes as fine fibrillar or granular immunopositivity, typically in gray matter. Various forms of ARTAG may coexist in the same brain and might reflect different pathogenic processes. Based on morphology and anatomical distribution, ARTAG can be distinguished from primary tauopathies, but may be concurrent with primary tauopathies or other disorders. We recommend four steps for evaluation of ARTAG: (1) identification of five types based on the location of either morphologies of tau astrogliopathy: subpial, subependymal, perivascular, white matter, gray matter; (2) documentation of the regional involvement: medial temporal lobe, lobar (frontal, parietal, occipital, lateral temporal), subcortical, brainstem; (3) documentation of the severity of tau astrogliopathy; and (4) description of subregional involvement. Some types of ARTAG may underlie neurological symptoms; however, the clinical significance of ARTAG is currently uncertain and awaits further studies. The goal of this proposal is to raise awareness of astroglial tau pathology in the aged brain, facilitating communication among neuropathologists and researchers, and informing interpretation of clinical biomarkers and imaging studies that focus on tau-related indicators.
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