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Duwat C, Léal P, Vautheny A, Aurégan G, Joséphine C, Gaillard MC, Hérard AS, Jan C, Gipchtein P, Mitja J, Fouquet S, Niepon ML, Hantraye P, Brouillet E, Bonvento G, Cambon K, Bemelmans AP. Development of an AAV-based model of tauopathy targeting retinal ganglion cells and the mouse visual pathway to study the role of microglia in Tau pathology. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 181:106116. [PMID: 37054900 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Tauopathy is a typical feature of Alzheimer's disease of major importance because it strongly correlates with the severity of cognitive deficits experienced by patients. During the pathology, it follows a characteristic spatiotemporal course which takes its origin in the transentorhinal cortex, and then gradually invades the entire forebrain. To study the mechanisms of tauopathy, and test new therapeutic strategies, it is necessary to set-up relevant and versatile in vivo models allowing to recapitulate tauopathy. With this in mind, we have developed a model of tauopathy by overexpression of the human wild-type Tau protein in retinal ganglion cells in mice (RGCs). This overexpression led to the presence of hyperphosphorylated forms of the protein in the transduced cells as well as to their progressive degeneration. The application of this model to mice deficient in TREM2 (Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells-2, an important genetic risk factor for AD) as well as to 15-month-old mice showed that microglia actively participate in the degeneration of RGCs. Surprisingly, although we were able to detect the transgenic Tau protein up to the terminal arborization of RGCs at the level of the superior colliculi, spreading of the transgenic Tau protein to post-synaptic neurons was detected only in aged animals. This suggests that there may be neuron-intrinsic- or microenvironment mediators facilitating this spreading that appear with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Duwat
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Pauline Léal
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Audrey Vautheny
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Gwennaëlle Aurégan
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Charlène Joséphine
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Marie-Claude Gaillard
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Hérard
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Caroline Jan
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Pauline Gipchtein
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Julien Mitja
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Stéphane Fouquet
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | | | - Philippe Hantraye
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Emmanuel Brouillet
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Gilles Bonvento
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Karine Cambon
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Alexis-Pierre Bemelmans
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
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Tetlow AM, Jackman BM, Alhadidy MM, Perumal V, Morgan DG, Gordon MN. Influence of Host Age on Intracranial AAV9 TauP301L Induced Tauopathy. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 93:365-378. [PMID: 36970910 PMCID: PMC10540220 DOI: 10.3233/jad-221276] [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] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advanced age is the greatest risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This implies that some aspect of the aged milieu is possibly accelerating the development of AD related pathologies. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that intracranially injected with AAV9 tauP301L may cause a greater degree of pathology in old versus young mice. METHODS Animals were injected with viral vectors overexpressing the mutant tauP301L or control protein (green fluorescent protein, GFP) into the brains of mature, middle-aged, and old C57BL/6Nia mice. The tauopathy phenotype was monitored four months after injection using behavioral, histological, and neurochemical measures. RESULTS Phosphorylated-tau immunostaining (AT8) or Gallyas staining of aggregated tau increased with age, but other measures of tau accumulation were not significantly affected. Overall, AAV-tau injected mice had impaired radial arm water maze performance, increased microglial activation, and showed evidence of hippocampal atrophy. Aging impaired open field and rotarod performance in both AAV-tau and control mice. The efficiency of viral transduction and gene expression were the same at all animal ages. CONCLUSION We conclude that tauP301L over expression results in a tauopathy phenotype with memory impairment and accumulation of aggregated tau. However, the effects of aging on this phenotype are modest and not detected by some markers of tau accumulation, similar to prior work on this topic. Thus, although age does influence the development of tauopathy, it is likely that other factors, such as ability to compensate for tau pathology, are more responsible for the increased risk of AD with advanced age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber M. Tetlow
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brianna M. Jackman
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Mohammed M. Alhadidy
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Varshini Perumal
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - David G. Morgan
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Marcia N. Gordon
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
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3
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Leavitt RJ, Acharya MM, Baulch JE, Limoli CL. Extracellular Vesicle-Derived miR-124 Resolves Radiation-Induced Brain Injury. Cancer Res 2020; 80:4266-4277. [PMID: 32816912 PMCID: PMC7541572 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-1599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction (RICD) is a progressive and debilitating health issue facing patients following cranial radiotherapy to control central nervous system cancers. There has been some success treating RICD in rodents using human neural stem cell (hNSC) transplantation, but the procedure is invasive, requires immunosuppression, and could cause other complications such as teratoma formation. Extracellular vesicles (EV) are nanoscale membrane-bound structures that contain biological contents including mRNA, miRNA, proteins, and lipids that can be readily isolated from conditioned culture media. It has been previously shown that hNSC-derived EV resolves RICD following cranial irradiation using an immunocompromised rodent model. Here, we use immunocompetent wild-type mice to show that hNSC-derived EV treatment administered either intravenously via retro-orbital vein injection or via intracranial transplantation can ameliorate cognitive deficits following 9 Gy head-only irradiation. Cognitive function assessed on the novel place recognition, novel object recognition, and temporal order tasks was not only improved at early (5 weeks) but also at delayed (6 months) postirradiation times with just a single EV treatment. Improved behavioral outcomes were also associated with reduced neuroinflammation as measured by a reduction in activated microglia. To identify the mechanism of action, analysis of EV cargo implicated miRNA (miR-124) as a potential candidate in the mitigation of RICD. Furthermore, viral vector-mediated overexpression of miR-124 in the irradiated brain ameliorated RICD and reduced microglial activation. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that systemic administration of hNSC-derived EV abrogates RICD and neuroinflammation in cranially irradiated wild-type rodents through a mechanism involving miR-124. SIGNIFICANCE: Radiation-induced neurocognitive decrements in immunocompetent mice can be resolved by systemic delivery of hNSC-derived EVs involving a mechanism dependent on expression of miR-124.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron J Leavitt
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Munjal M Acharya
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Janet E Baulch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California.
| | - Charles L Limoli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California.
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4
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von Wittgenstein J, Zheng F, Wittmann MT, Balta EA, Ferrazzi F, Schäffner I, Häberle BM, Valero-Aracama MJ, Koehl M, Miranda CJ, Kaspar BK, Ekici AB, Reis A, Abrous DN, Alzheimer C, Lie DC. Sox11 is an Activity-Regulated Gene with Dentate-Gyrus-Specific Expression Upon General Neural Activation. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:3731-3743. [PMID: 32080705 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal activity initiates transcriptional programs that shape long-term changes in plasticity. Although neuron subtypes differ in their plasticity response, most activity-dependent transcription factors (TFs) are broadly expressed across neuron subtypes and brain regions. Thus, how region- and neuronal subtype-specific plasticity are established on the transcriptional level remains poorly understood. We report that in young adult (i.e., 6-8 weeks old) mice, the developmental TF SOX11 is induced in neurons within 6 h either by electroconvulsive stimulation or by exploration of a novel environment. Strikingly, SOX11 induction was restricted to the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. In the novel environment paradigm, SOX11 was observed in a subset of c-FOS expressing neurons (ca. 15%); whereas around 75% of SOX11+ DG granule neurons were c-FOS+, indicating that SOX11 was induced in an activity-dependent fashion in a subset of neurons. Environmental enrichment or virus-mediated overexpression of SOX11 enhanced the excitability of DG granule cells and downregulated the expression of different potassium channel subunits, whereas conditional Sox11/4 knock-out mice presented the opposite phenotype. We propose that Sox11 is regulated in an activity-dependent fashion, which is specific to the DG, and speculate that activity-dependent Sox11 expression may participate in the modulation of DG neuron plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia von Wittgenstein
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Fang Zheng
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marie-Theres Wittmann
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.,Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Elli-Anna Balta
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Fulvia Ferrazzi
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Iris Schäffner
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Benjamin M Häberle
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maria J Valero-Aracama
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Muriel Koehl
- Neurocentre Magendie U1215, INSERM and Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux 33000, France
| | - Carlos J Miranda
- The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Brian K Kaspar
- The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Arif B Ekici
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - André Reis
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Djoher Nora Abrous
- Neurocentre Magendie U1215, INSERM and Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux 33000, France
| | - Christian Alzheimer
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - D Chichung Lie
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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5
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Gernoux G, Gruntman AM, Blackwood M, Zieger M, Flotte TR, Mueller C. Muscle-Directed Delivery of an AAV1 Vector Leads to Capsid-Specific T Cell Exhaustion in Nonhuman Primates and Humans. Mol Ther 2020; 28:747-757. [PMID: 31982038 PMCID: PMC7054721 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
With the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) approvals for Zolgensma, Luxturna, and Glybera, recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) are considered efficient tools for gene transfer. However, studies in animals and humans demonstrate that intramuscular (IM) AAV delivery can trigger immune responses to AAV capsids and/or transgenes. IM delivery of rAAV1 in humans has also been described to induce tolerance to rAAV characterized by the presence of capsid-specific regulatory T cells (Tregs) in periphery. To understand mechanisms responsible for tolerance and parameters involved, we tested 3 muscle-directed administration routes in rhesus monkeys: IM delivery, venous limb perfusion, and the intra-arterial push and dwell method. These 3 methods were well tolerated and led to transgene expression. Interestingly, gene transfer in muscle led to Tregs and exhausted T cell infiltrates in situ at both day 21 and day 60 post-injection. In human samples, an in-depth analysis of the functionality of these cells demonstrates that capsid-specific exhausted T cells are detected after at least 5 years post-vector delivery and that the exhaustion can be reversed by blocking the checkpoint pathway. Overall, our study shows that persisting transgene expression after gene transfer in muscle is mediated by Tregs and exhausted T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwladys Gernoux
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Alisha M Gruntman
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, N. Grafton, MA, USA
| | - Meghan Blackwood
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Marina Zieger
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Terence R Flotte
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Christian Mueller
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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6
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You Y, Botros MB, Enoo AAV, Bockmiller A, Herron S, Delpech JC, Ikezu T. Cre-inducible Adeno Associated Virus-mediated Expression of P301L Mutant Tau Causes Motor Deficits and Neuronal Degeneration in the Substantia Nigra. Neuroscience 2019; 422:65-74. [PMID: 31689387 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Accumulation of microtubule associated protein tau in the substantia nigra is associated with several tauopathies including progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). A number of studies have used mutant tau transgenic mouse model to mimic the neuropathology of tauopathies and disease phenotypes. However, tau expression in these transgenic mouse models is not specific to brain subregions, and may not recapitulate subcortical disease phenotypes of PSP. It is necessary to develop a new disease modeling system for cell and region-specific expression of pathogenic tau for modeling PSP in mouse brain. In this study, we developed a novel strategy to express P301L mutant tau to the dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra by coupling tyrosine hydroxylase promoter Cre-driver mice with a Cre-inducible adeno-associated virus (iAAV). The results showed that P301L mutant tau was successfully transduced in the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra at the presence of Cre recombinase and iAAV. Furthermore, the iAAV-tau-injected mice displayed severe motor deficits including impaired movement ability, motor balance, and motor coordination compared to the control groups over a short time-course. Immunochemical analysis revealed that tau gene transfer significantly resulted in loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive dopaminergic neurons and elevated phosphorylated tau in the substantia nigra. Our development of dopaminergic neuron-specific neurodegenerative mouse model with tauopathy will be helpful for studying the underlying mechanism of pathological protein propagation as well as development of new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang You
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Mina B Botros
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Alicia A Van Enoo
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Aaron Bockmiller
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Shawn Herron
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Jean Christophe Delpech
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Tsuneya Ikezu
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA.
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7
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Darvas M, Keene D, Ladiges W. A geroscience mouse model for Alzheimer's disease. PATHOBIOLOGY OF AGING & AGE RELATED DISEASES 2019; 9:1616994. [PMID: 31143415 PMCID: PMC6522959 DOI: 10.1080/20010001.2019.1616994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Darvas
- Departments of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dirk Keene
- Departments of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Warren Ladiges
- Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA,
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8
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Ittner LM, Klugmann M, Ke YD. Adeno-associated virus-based Alzheimer's disease mouse models and potential new therapeutic avenues. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:3649-3665. [PMID: 30817847 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a highly prevalent neurodegenerative condition that presents with cognitive decline. The current understanding of underlying disease mechanisms remains incomplete. Genetically modified mouse models have been instrumental in deciphering pathomechanisms in AD. While these models were typically generated by classical transgenesis and genome editing, the use of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) to model and investigate AD in mice, as well as to develop novel gene-therapy approaches, is emerging. Here, we reviewed literature that used AAVs to study and model AD and discuss potential gene therapy strategies. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Therapeutics for Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: New Directions for Precision Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.18/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthias Klugmann
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yazi D Ke
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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9
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Maleysson V, Page G, Janet T, Klein RL, Haida O, Maurin A, Richard S, Champeroux P, Fauconneau B. Relevance of electroencephalogram assessment in amyloid and tau pathology in rat. Behav Brain Res 2018; 359:127-134. [PMID: 30367970 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In order to contribute to a better knowledge on the relationship between amyloid and tau pathology, and electroencephalography (EEG) disturbances, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of injection of beta amyloid Abeta(1-42) peptide, tau (a recombinant AAV (Adeno-Associated Virus) containing the human transgene tau with the P301 L mutation on rats and the combination of both, on the power of brain's rhythm (delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma waves) during the different sleep/wake states of animals by EEG recording. Currently, no preclinical studies explore the effect of the tau pathology on EEG. The experimentations were performed 3 weeks and 3 months post injections. Beta amyloid deposits and hyperphosphorylated Tau are observed by immunohistofluorescence, only in the hippocampus. Furthermore, using a radial arm water maze, the main effect was observed on working memory which was significantly impaired in Abeta-Tau group only 3 months post injections. However, on EEG, as early as the 3rd week, an overall decrease of the EEG bands power was observed in the treated groups, particularly the theta waves during the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Beta amyloid was mainly involved in these perturbations. Obviously, EEG seems to be an interesting tool in the early diagnostic of amyloid and tau pathologies, with a good sensitivity and the possibility to perform a follow up during a large period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Maleysson
- EA 3808, NEUVACOD, University of Poitiers France; Centre de Recherches Biologiques, CERB, Chemin de Montifault, 18800, Baugy, France
| | - Guylène Page
- EA 3808, NEUVACOD, University of Poitiers France
| | | | - Ronald L Klein
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Obélia Haida
- Centre de Recherches Biologiques, CERB, Chemin de Montifault, 18800, Baugy, France
| | - Anne Maurin
- Centre de Recherches Biologiques, CERB, Chemin de Montifault, 18800, Baugy, France
| | - Serge Richard
- Centre de Recherches Biologiques, CERB, Chemin de Montifault, 18800, Baugy, France
| | - Pascal Champeroux
- Centre de Recherches Biologiques, CERB, Chemin de Montifault, 18800, Baugy, France
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10
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Nouriziabari B, Sarkar S, Tanninen SE, Dayton RD, Klein RL, Takehara-Nishiuchi K. Aberrant Cortical Event-Related Potentials During Associative Learning in Rat Models for Presymptomatic Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 63:725-740. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-171033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bardia Nouriziabari
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Susmita Sarkar
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Robert D. Dayton
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Ronald L. Klein
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Kaori Takehara-Nishiuchi
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Neuroscience Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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11
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Grames MS, Dayton RD, Jackson KL, Richard AD, Lu X, Klein RL. Cre‐dependent AAV vectors for highly targeted expression of disease‐related proteins and neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra. FASEB J 2018. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201701529rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mychal S. Grames
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and NeuroscienceLouisiana State University (LSU) Health ShreveportShreveportLouisianaUSA
| | - Robert D. Dayton
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and NeuroscienceLouisiana State University (LSU) Health ShreveportShreveportLouisianaUSA
| | - Kasey L. Jackson
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and NeuroscienceLouisiana State University (LSU) Health ShreveportShreveportLouisianaUSA
| | - Adam D. Richard
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and NeuroscienceLouisiana State University (LSU) Health ShreveportShreveportLouisianaUSA
| | - Xiaohong Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and NeuroscienceLouisiana State University (LSU) Health ShreveportShreveportLouisianaUSA
| | - Ronald L. Klein
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and NeuroscienceLouisiana State University (LSU) Health ShreveportShreveportLouisianaUSA
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12
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Tanninen SE, Nouriziabari B, Morrissey MD, Bakir R, Dayton RD, Klein RL, Takehara-Nishiuchi K. Entorhinal tau pathology disrupts hippocampal-prefrontal oscillatory coupling during associative learning. Neurobiol Aging 2017; 58:151-162. [PMID: 28735144 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2017.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
A neural signature of asymptomatic preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) is disrupted connectivity between brain regions; however, its underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we tested whether a preclinical pathologic feature, tau aggregation in the entorhinal cortex (EC) is sufficient to disrupt the coordination of local field potentials (LFPs) between its efferent regions. P301L-mutant human tau or green fluorescent protein (GFP) was virally overexpressed in the EC of adult rats. LFPs were recorded from the dorsal hippocampus and prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex while the rats underwent trace eyeblink conditioning where they learned to associate 2 stimuli separated by a short time interval. In GFP-expressing rats, the 2 regions strengthened phase-phase and amplitude-amplitude couplings of theta and gamma oscillations during the interval separating the paired stimuli. Despite normal memory acquisition, this learning-related, inter-region oscillatory coupling was attenuated in the tau-expressing rats while prefrontal phase-amplitude theta-gamma cross-frequency coupling was elevated. Thus, EC tau aggregation caused aberrant long-range circuit activity during associative learning, identifying a culprit for the neural signature of preclinical AD stages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bardia Nouriziabari
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mark D Morrissey
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Neuroscience Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rami Bakir
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Robert D Dayton
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Ronald L Klein
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Kaori Takehara-Nishiuchi
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Neuroscience Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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13
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Jackson KL, Lin WL, Miriyala S, Dayton RD, Panchatcharam M, McCarthy KJ, Castanedes-Casey M, Dickson DW, Klein RL. p62 Pathology Model in the Rat Substantia Nigra with Filamentous Inclusions and Progressive Neurodegeneration. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169291. [PMID: 28076378 PMCID: PMC5226781 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the proteins most frequently found in neuropathological lesions is the ubiquitin binding protein p62 (sequestosome 1). Post-mortem analysis of p62 is a defining diagnostic marker in several neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and inclusion body myositis. Since p62 functions in protein degradation pathways including autophagy, the build-up of p62-positive inclusions suggests defects in protein clearance. p62 was expressed unilaterally in the rat substantia nigra with an adeno-associated virus vector (AAV9) in order to study p62 neuropathology. Inclusions formed within neurons from several days to several weeks after gene transfer. By electron microscopy, the inclusions were found to contain packed 10 nm thick filaments, and mitochondria cristae structure was disrupted, resulting in the formation of empty spaces. In corollary cell culture transfections, p62 clearly impaired mitochondrial function. To probe for potential effects on macroautophagy, we co-expressed p62 with a double fluorescent tagged reporter for the autophagosome protein LC3 in the rat. p62 induced a dramatic and specific dissociation of the two tags. By 12 weeks, a rotational behavior phenotype manifested, consistent with a significant loss of dopaminergic neurons analyzed post-mortem. p62 overexpression resulted in a progressive and robust pathology model with neuronal inclusions and neurodegeneration. p62 gene transfer could be a novel methodological probe to disrupt mitochondrial function or autophagy in the brain and other tissues in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasey L. Jackson
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States of America
| | - Wen-Lang Lin
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America
| | - Sumitra Miriyala
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States of America
| | - Robert D. Dayton
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States of America
| | - Manikandan Panchatcharam
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States of America
| | - Kevin J. McCarthy
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States of America
| | | | - Dennis W. Dickson
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America
| | - Ronald L. Klein
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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14
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Jackson KL, Dayton RD, Deverman BE, Klein RL. Better Targeting, Better Efficiency for Wide-Scale Neuronal Transduction with the Synapsin Promoter and AAV-PHP.B. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:116. [PMID: 27867348 PMCID: PMC5095393 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Widespread genetic modification of cells in the central nervous system (CNS) with a viral vector has become possible and increasingly more efficient. We previously applied an AAV9 vector with the cytomegalovirus/chicken beta-actin (CBA) hybrid promoter and achieved wide-scale CNS transduction in neonatal and adult rats. However, this method transduces a variety of tissues in addition to the CNS. Thus we studied intravenous AAV9 gene transfer with a synapsin promoter to better target the neurons. We noted in systematic comparisons that the synapsin promoter drives lower level expression than does the CBA promoter. The engineered adeno-associated virus (AAV)-PHP.B serotype was compared with AAV9, and AAV-PHP.B did enhance the efficiency of expression. Combining the synapsin promoter with AAV-PHP.B could therefore be advantageous in terms of combining two refinements of targeting and efficiency. Wide-scale expression was used to model a disease with widespread pathology. Vectors encoding the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-related protein transactive response DNA-binding protein, 43 kDa (TDP-43) with the synapsin promoter and AAV-PHP.B were used for efficient CNS-targeted TDP-43 expression. Intracerebroventricular injections were also explored to limit TDP-43 expression to the CNS. The neuron-selective promoter and the AAV-PHP.B enhanced gene transfer and ALS disease modeling in adult rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasey L Jackson
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Robert D Dayton
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Benjamin E Deverman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Ronald L Klein
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, LA, USA
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15
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Dinculescu A, Min SH, Dyka FM, Deng WT, Stupay RM, Chiodo V, Smith WC, Hauswirth WW. Pathological Effects of Mutant C1QTNF5 (S163R) Expression in Murine Retinal Pigment Epithelium. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2016; 56:6971-80. [PMID: 26513502 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.15-17166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The mutation S163R in complement C1q tumor necrosis factor-related protein-5 (C1QTNF5) causes an autosomal dominant disorder known as late-onset retinal degeneration (L-ORD). In this study, our goal is to evaluate the consequences of mutant S163R C1QTNF5 expression in mouse RPE following its delivery using an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector. METHODS We generated AAV vectors containing either human wild-type C1QTNF5 or mutant S163R C1QTNF5 driven by an RPE-specific BEST1 promoter, and delivered them subretinally into one eye of adult C57BL/6 mice. Transgene expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. Retinal function was assessed by full-field ERG. Pathological changes were further examined by digital fundus imaging and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). RESULTS We show that the AAV-expressed mutant S163R leads to pathological effects similar to some of those found in patients with advanced L-ORD, including RPE thinning, RPE cell loss, and retinal degeneration. In addition, we provide in vivo evidence that mutant S163R C1QTNF5 can form large, transparent, spherical intracellular aggregates throughout the RPE, which are detectable by light microscopy. In contrast to AAV-expressed wild-type C1QTNF5, which is secreted apically from the RPE toward the photoreceptor cells and the outer limiting membrane, the S163R mutant is primarily routed toward the basal side of RPE, where it forms thick, extracellular deposits over time. CONCLUSIONS Adeno-associated viral-targeted expression of mutant S163R in the RPE represents a useful approach for quickly generating animal models that mimic pathological features of L-ORD and offers the potential to understand disease mechanisms and develop therapeutic strategies.
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Abstract
Dementias are among the most common neurological disorders, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia worldwide. AD remains a looming health crisis despite great efforts to learn the mechanisms surrounding the neuron dysfunction and neurodegeneration that accompanies AD primarily in the medial temporal lobe. In addition to AD, a group of diseases known as frontotemporal dementias (FTDs) are degenerative diseases involving atrophy and degeneration in the frontal and temporal lobe regions. Importantly, AD and a number of FTDs are collectively known as tauopathies due to the abundant accumulation of pathological tau inclusions in the brain. The precise role tau plays in disease pathogenesis remains an area of strong research focus. A critical component to effectively study any human disease is the availability of models that recapitulate key features of the disease. Accordingly, a number of animal models are currently being pursued to fill the current gaps in our knowledge of the causes of dementias and to develop effective therapeutics. Recent developments in gene therapy-based approaches, particularly in recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs), have provided new tools to study AD and other related neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, gene therapy approaches have emerged as an intriguing possibility for treating these diseases in humans. This chapter explores the current state of rAAV models of AD and other dementias, discuss recent efforts to improve these models, and describe current and future possibilities in the use of rAAVs and other viruses in treatments of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Combs
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, 333 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Andrew Kneynsberg
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, 333 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Nicholas M Kanaan
- Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, 333 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA.
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
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Abstract
The striosome (or patch) was first identified with anatomical techniques as neurons organized in a three-dimensional labyrinth inserted in and interdigitating the rest of neostriatum: the matrix. Striosome and matrix rapidly became known as two neuronal compartments expressing different biochemical markers, embryonic development and afferent and efferent connectivity. In spite of extensive intrinsic neuronal axonal and dendritic extensions supposed to exchange information between matrix and striosomes, evidence suggested the presence of independent areas. Here, we report that indeed these two areas do not exchange synaptic information. We used genetic expression of channel rhodopsin 2 carried by adeno-associated virus serotype 10 (AAVrh10) that only expresses in neurons of the matrix compartment. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of matrix neurons activated by light pulses consistently produced inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs), but the same manipulation did not evoke IPSCs in striosome neurons. The matrix contains both direct and indirect striatal output pathways. By targeting striatal matrix expression of designer receptors exclusively activated by a designer drug (DREADD) hM3di carried by AAVrh10, we were able to inhibit the matrix neuronal compartment of the dorsolateral striatum during performance of a learned single-pellet reach-to-grasp task. As expected, inhibition of matrix neurons by systemic administration of DREADD agonist clozapine-n-oxide interfered with performance of the learned task.
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18
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Dujardin S, Colin M, Buée L. Invited review: Animal models of tauopathies and their implications for research/translation into the clinic. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2015; 41:59-80. [DOI: 10.1111/nan.12200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/23/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Dujardin
- Inserm, UMR1172 Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Centre; Lille France
- Faculté de Médecine; Université de Lille; France
- Memory Clinic; CHRU; Lille France
| | - Morvane Colin
- Inserm, UMR1172 Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Centre; Lille France
- Faculté de Médecine; Université de Lille; France
- Memory Clinic; CHRU; Lille France
| | - Luc Buée
- Inserm, UMR1172 Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Centre; Lille France
- Faculté de Médecine; Université de Lille; France
- Memory Clinic; CHRU; Lille France
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19
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Bourdenx M, Dutheil N, Bezard E, Dehay B. Systemic gene delivery to the central nervous system using Adeno-associated virus. Front Mol Neurosci 2014; 7:50. [PMID: 24917785 PMCID: PMC4040820 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2014.00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene delivery has emerged as an effective and safe tool for both preclinical and clinical studies of neurological disorders. The recent discovery that several serotypes are able to cross the blood–brain barrier when administered systemically has been a real breakthrough in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. Widespread transgene expression after systemic injection could spark interest as a therapeutic approach. Such strategy will avoid invasive brain surgery and allow non-focal gene therapy promising for CNS diseases affecting large portion of the brain. Here, we will review the recent results achieved through different systemic routes of injection generated in the last decade using systemic AAV-mediated delivery and propose a brief assessment of their values. In particular, we emphasize how the methods used for virus engineering could improve brain transduction after peripheral delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Bourdenx
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, Université de Bordeaux Bordeaux, France ; CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293 Bordeaux, France
| | - Nathalie Dutheil
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, Université de Bordeaux Bordeaux, France ; CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293 Bordeaux, France
| | - Erwan Bezard
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, Université de Bordeaux Bordeaux, France ; CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293 Bordeaux, France
| | - Benjamin Dehay
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, Université de Bordeaux Bordeaux, France ; CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293 Bordeaux, France
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20
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Löw K, Aebischer P, Schneider BL. Direct and retrograde transduction of nigral neurons with AAV6, 8, and 9 and intraneuronal persistence of viral particles. Hum Gene Ther 2014; 24:613-29. [PMID: 23600720 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2012.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors of serotypes 6, 8, and 9 were characterized as tools for gene delivery to dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra for future gene therapeutic applications in Parkinson's disease. While vectors of all three serotypes transduced nigral dopaminergic neurons with equal efficiency when directly injected to the substantia nigra, AAV6 was clearly superior to AAV8 and AAV9 for retrograde transduction of nigral neurons after striatal delivery. For sequential transduction of nigral dopaminergic neurons, the combination of AAV9 with AAV6 proved to be more powerful than AAV8 with AAV6 or repeated AAV6 administration. Surprisingly, single-stranded viral genomes persisted in nigral dopaminergic neurons within cell bodies and axon terminals in the striatum, and intact assembled AAV capsid was enriched in nuclei of nigral neurons, 4 weeks after virus injections to the substantia nigra. 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra reduced the number of viral genomes in the striatum, in line with viral genome persistence in axon terminals. However, 6-OHDA-induced axonal degeneration did not induce any transsynaptic spread of AAV infection in the striatum. Therefore, the potential presence of viral particles in axons may not represent an important safety issue for AAV gene therapy applications in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Löw
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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21
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Janus C, Golde T. The effect of brief neonatal cryoanesthesia on physical development and adult cognitive function in mice. Behav Brain Res 2014; 259:253-60. [PMID: 24239696 PMCID: PMC3883048 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Revised: 10/09/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Deep hypothermia (cryoanesthesia) is often used as general anesthesia during surgery in neonatal rodents. Neonatal cryoanesthesia has been used recently to generate somatic brain transgenic (SBT) mouse models via intracerebral ventricular injection of rAAV vectors into both non-transgenic mice and numerous transgenic mouse models. Since, the evaluation of cognition is one of the main experimental endpoints in many of these studies, we examined the consequences of brief neonatal cryoanesthesia on the physical development and mnemonic function of adult mice. Two groups of 129FVBF1 pups from reciprocal breeding crosses underwent cryoanesthesia for 6 min (Cryo6) or 12 min (Cryo12), respectively, within the first hours (<12h) of postnatal life. A group of pups separated from the nest and kept in ambient temperature of 33 °C for 6 min served as a control. Our results revealed that lowering the temperature of pups to ~8 °C (Cryo6) or ~5 °C (Cryo12) did not affect their body weight at pre-weaning stage and in the adulthood. The evaluation of cognitive function in adult mice revealed strong and comparable to control spatial reference, and context and tone fear memories of neonatally cryoanesthetized mice. Also, the experimental and control groups had comparable brain weight at the end of the study. Our results demonstrate that neonatal cryoanesthesia, lasting up to 12 min, has no adverse effects on the body weight of mice during development, and on their cognition in the adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Janus
- Department of Neuroscience, and CTRND, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States.
| | - Todd Golde
- Department of Neuroscience, and CTRND, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States.
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22
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Do Carmo S, Cuello AC. Modeling Alzheimer's disease in transgenic rats. Mol Neurodegener 2013; 8:37. [PMID: 24161192 PMCID: PMC4231465 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-8-37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 09/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. At the diagnostic stage, the AD brain is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular amyloid plaques, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and neuronal loss. Despite the large variety of therapeutic approaches, this condition remains incurable, since at the time of clinical diagnosis, the brain has already suffered irreversible and extensive damage. In recent years, it has become evident that AD starts decades prior to its clinical presentation. In this regard, transgenic animal models can shed much light on the mechanisms underlying this "pre-clinical" stage, enabling the identification and validation of new therapeutic targets. This paper summarizes the formidable efforts to create models mimicking the various aspects of AD pathology in the rat. Transgenic rat models offer distinctive advantages over mice. Rats are physiologically, genetically and morphologically closer to humans. More importantly, the rat has a well-characterized, rich behavioral display. Consequently, rat models of AD should allow a more sophisticated and accurate assessment of the impact of pathology and novel therapeutics on cognitive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Do Carmo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Room 1325, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - A Claudio Cuello
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Room 1325, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B2, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
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Pre-immunization with an intramuscular injection of AAV9-human erythropoietin vectors reduces the vector-mediated transduction following re-administration in rat brain. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63876. [PMID: 23667683 PMCID: PMC3648480 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We have recently demonstrated that adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9)-mediated human erythropoietin (hEPO) gene delivery into the brain protects dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. In the present study, we examined whether pre-exposure to AAV9-hEPO vectors with an intramuscular or intrastriatal injection would reduce AAV9-mediated hEPO transduction in rat brain. We first characterized transgene expression and immune responses against AAV9-hEPO vectors in rat striatum at 4 days, 3 weeks and 6 months, and with doses ranging from 1011 to 1013 viral genomes. To sensitize immune system, rats received an injection of AAV9-hEPO into either the muscle or the left striatum, and then sequentially an injection of AAV9-hEPO into the right striatum 3 weeks later. We observed that transgene expression exhibited in a time course and dose dependent manner, and inflammatory and immune responses displayed in a time course manner. Intramuscular, but not intrastriatal injections of AAV9-hEPO resulted in reduced levels of hEPO transduction and increased levels of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II antigen expression in the striatum following AAV9-hEPO re-administration. There were infiltration of the cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4)-and CD8-lymphacytes, and accumulation of activated microglial cells and astrocytes in the virally injected striatum. In addition, the sera from the rats with intramuscular injections of AAV9-hEPO contained greater levels of antibodies against both AAV9 capsid protein and hEPO protein than the other treatment groups. hEPO gene expression was negatively correlated with the levels of circulating antibodies against AAV9 capsid protein. Intramuscular and intrastriatal re-administration of AAV9-hEPO led to increased numbers of red blood cells in peripheral blood. Our results suggest that pre-immunization with an intramuscular injection can lead to the reduction of transgene expression in the striatal re-administration.
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24
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Lentiviral delivery of the human wild-type tau protein mediates a slow and progressive neurodegenerative tau pathology in the rat brain. Mol Ther 2013; 21:1358-68. [PMID: 23609018 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2013.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Most models for tauopathy use a mutated form of the Tau gene, MAPT, that is found in frontotemporal dementia with Parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17) and that leads to rapid neurofibrillary degeneration (NFD). Use of a wild-type (WT) form of human Tau protein to model the aggregation and associated neurodegenerative processes of Tau in the mouse brain has thus far been unsuccessful. In the present study, we generated an original "sporadic tauopathy-like" model in the rat hippocampus, encoding six Tau isoforms as found in humans, using lentiviral vectors (LVs) for the delivery of a human WT Tau. The overexpression of human WT Tau in pyramidal neurons resulted in NFD, the morphological characteristics and kinetics of which reflected the slow and sporadic neurodegenerative processes observed in sporadic tauopathies, unlike the rapid neurodegenerative processes leading to cell death and ghost tangles triggered by the FTDP-17 mutant Tau P301L. This new model highlights differences in the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the pathological processes induced by WT and mutant Tau and suggests that preference should be given to animal models using WT Tau in the quest to understand sporadic tauopathies.
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25
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Platt TL, Reeves VL, Murphy MP. Transgenic models of Alzheimer's disease: better utilization of existing models through viral transgenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2013; 1832:1437-48. [PMID: 23619198 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2013.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Revised: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Animal models have been used for decades in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) research field and have been crucial for the advancement of our understanding of the disease. Most models are based on familial AD mutations of genes involved in the amyloidogenic process, such as the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 (PS1). Some models also incorporate mutations in tau (MAPT) known to cause frontotemporal dementia, a neurodegenerative disease that shares some elements of neuropathology with AD. While these models are complex, they fail to display pathology that perfectly recapitulates that of the human disease. Unfortunately, this level of pre-existing complexity creates a barrier to the further modification and improvement of these models. However, as the efficacy and safety of viral vectors improves, their use as an alternative to germline genetic modification is becoming a widely used research tool. In this review we discuss how this approach can be used to better utilize common mouse models in AD research. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Animal Models of Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas L Platt
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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26
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Hsu PH, Wei KC, Huang CY, Wen CJ, Yen TC, Liu CL, Lin YT, Chen JC, Shen CR, Liu HL. Noninvasive and targeted gene delivery into the brain using microbubble-facilitated focused ultrasound. PLoS One 2013; 8:e57682. [PMID: 23460893 PMCID: PMC3584045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 01/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors are potentially powerful tools for gene therapy of CNS diseases, but their penetration into brain parenchyma is severely limited by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and current delivery relies on invasive stereotactic injection. Here we evaluate the local, targeted delivery of rAAV vectors into the brains of mice by noninvasive, reversible, microbubble-facilitated focused ultrasound (FUS), resulting in BBB opening that can be monitored and controlled by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using this method, we found that IV-administered AAV2-GFP (green fluorescence protein) with a low viral vector titer (1×10(9) vg/g) can successfully penetrate the BBB-opened brain regions to express GFP. We show that MRI monitoring of BBB-opening could serve as an indicator of the scale and distribution of AAV transduction. Transduction peaked at 3 weeks and neurons and astrocytes were affected. This novel, noninvasive delivery approach could significantly broaden the application of AAV-viral-vector-based genes for treatment of CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Hung Hsu
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Chen Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chang-Gung University and Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Yin Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chang-Gung University and Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Jen Wen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Chang-Gung University and Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chen Yen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Chang-Gung University and Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chang-Gung University and Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Lin Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Min-Chi University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Tin Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jin-Chung Chen
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Rui Shen
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, Medical College, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Li Liu
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Mustroph M, King M, Klein R, Ramirez J. Adult-onset focal expression of mutated human tau in the hippocampus impairs spatial working memory of rats. Behav Brain Res 2012; 233:141-8. [PMID: 22561128 PMCID: PMC3378764 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Revised: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Tauopathy in the hippocampus is one of the earliest cardinal features of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a condition characterized by progressive memory impairments. In fact, density of tau neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the hippocampus strongly correlates with severity of cognitive impairments in AD. In the present study, we employed a somatic cell gene transfer technique to create a rodent model of tauopathy by injecting a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector with a mutated human tau gene (P301L) into the hippocampus of adult rats. The P301L mutation is causal for frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism-17 (FTDP-17), but it has been used for studying memory effects characteristic of AD in transgenic mice. To ascertain if P301L-induced mnemonic deficits are persistent, animals were tested for 6 months. It was hypothesized that adult-onset, spatially restricted tau expression in the hippocampus would produce progressive spatial working memory deficits on a learned alternation task. Rats injected with the tau vector exhibited persistent impairments on the hippocampal-dependent task beginning at about 6 weeks post-transduction compared to rats injected with a green fluorescent protein vector. Histological analysis of brains for expression of human tau revealed hyperphosphorylated human tau and NFTs in the hippocampus in experimental animals only. Thus, adult-onset, vector-induced tauopathy spatially restricted to the hippocampus progressively impaired spatial working memory in rats. We conclude that the model faithfully reproduces histological and behavioral findings characteristic of dementing tauopathies. The rapid onset of sustained memory impairment establishes a preclinical model particularly suited to the development of potential tauopathy therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.L. Mustroph
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Davidson College, Davidson, NC, USA
| | - M.A. King
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - R.L. Klein
- Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience, LSUHSC, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - J.J. Ramirez
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Davidson College, Davidson, NC, USA
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Dayton RD, Wang DB, Klein RL. The advent of AAV9 expands applications for brain and spinal cord gene delivery. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2012; 12:757-66. [PMID: 22519910 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2012.681463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Straightforward studies compared adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes to determine the most appropriate one for robust expression in the CNS. AAV9 was efficient when directly injected into the brain, but more surprisingly, AAV9 produced global expression in the brain and spinal cord after a peripheral, systemic route of administration to neonatal mice. AREAS COVERED Topics include AAV9 gene delivery from intraparenchymal, intravenous, intrathecal and intrauterine routes of administration, and related preclinical studies and disease models. Systemic AAV9 gene transfer yields remarkably consistent neuronal expression, though only in early development. AAV9 is versatile to study neuropathological proteins: microtubule-associated protein tau and transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43). EXPERT OPINION AAV9 will be more widely used based on current data, although other natural serotypes and recombineered vectors may also support or improve upon wide-scale expression. A peripheral-to-central gene delivery that can affect the entire CNS without having to inject the CNS is promising for basic functional experiments, and potentially for gene therapy. Systemic or intra-cerebrospinal fluid routes of AAV9 administration should be considered for spinal muscular atrophy, lysosomal storage diseases and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, if more neuronal expression can be achieved in adults, or if glial expression can be exploited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Dayton
- Department of Pharmacology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, 1501 Kings Hwy, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA
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29
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Dendritic degeneration, neurovascular defects, and inflammation precede neuronal loss in a mouse model for tau-mediated neurodegeneration. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2011; 179:2001-15. [PMID: 21839061 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2011.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2011] [Revised: 06/14/2011] [Accepted: 06/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated expression of wild-type or mutant P301L protein tau produces massive degeneration of pyramidal neurons without protein tau aggregation. We probed this novel model for genetic and structural factors and early parameters of pyramidal neurodegeneration. In yellow fluorescent protein-expressing transgenic mice, intracerebral injection of AAV-tauP301L revealed early damage to apical dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons, whereas their somata remained normal. Ultrastructurally, more and enlarged autophagic vacuoles were contained in degenerating dendrites and manifested as dark, discontinuous, vacuolated processes surrounded by activated astrocytes. Dendritic spines were lost in AAV-tauP301L-injected yellow fluorescent protein-expressing transgenic mice, and ultrastructurally, spines appeared dark and degenerating. In CX3CR1(EGFP/EGFP)-deficient mice, microglia were recruited early to neurons expressing human tau. The inflammatory response was accompanied by extravasation of plasma immunoglobulins. α2-Macroglobulin, but neither albumin nor transferrin, became lodged in the brain parenchyma. Large proteins, but not Evans blue, entered the brain of mice injected with AAV-tauP301L. Ultrastructurally, brain capillaries were constricted and surrounded by swollen astrocytes with extensions that contacted degenerating dendrites and axons. Together, these data corroborate the hypothesis that neuroinflammation participates essentially in tau-mediated neurodegeneration, and the model recapitulates early dendritic defects reminiscent of "dendritic amputation" in Alzheimer's disease.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) encompass more than 50 distinct diseases, caused by defects in various aspects of lysosomal function. Neurodegeneration and/or dysmyelination are the hallmark of roughly 70% of LSDs. Gene therapy represents a promising approach for the treatment of CNS manifestations in LSDs, as it has the potential to provide a permanent source of the deficient enzyme, either by direct injection of vectors or by transplantation of gene-corrected cells. In this latter approach, the biology of neural stem/progenitor cells and hematopoietic cells might be exploited. AREAS COVERED Based on an extensive literature search up until March 2011, the author reviews and discusses the progress, the crucial aspects and the major challenges towards the development of novel gene therapy strategies aimed to target the CNS, with particular attention to direct intracerebral gene delivery and transplantation of neural stem/progenitor cells. EXPERT OPINION The implementation of viral vector delivery systems with specific tropism, regulated transgene expression, low immunogenicity and low genotoxic risk and the improvement in isolation and manipulation of relevant cell types to be transplanted, are fundamental challenges to the field. Also, combinatorial strategies might be required to achieve full correction in LSDs with neurological involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Gritti
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (HSR-TIGET), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milano, Italy.
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Ramirez JJ, Poulton WE, Knelson E, Barton C, King MA, Klein RL. Focal expression of mutated tau in entorhinal cortex neurons of rats impairs spatial working memory. Behav Brain Res 2011; 216:332-40. [PMID: 20727915 PMCID: PMC2975819 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2010.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2010] [Revised: 08/06/2010] [Accepted: 08/12/2010] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Entorhinal cortex neuropathology begins very early in Alzheimer's disease (AD), a disorder characterized by severe memory disruption. Indeed, loss of entorhinal volume is predictive of AD and two of the hallmark neuroanatomical markers of AD, amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), are particularly prevalent in the entorhinal area of AD-afflicted brains. Gene transfer techniques were used to create a model neurofibrillary tauopathy by injecting a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector with a mutated human tau gene (P301L) into the entorhinal cortex of adult rats. The objective of the present investigation was to determine whether adult onset, spatially restricted tauopathy could be sufficient to reproduce progressive deficits in mnemonic function. Spatial memory on a Y-maze was tested for approximately 3 months post-surgery. Upon completion of behavioral testing the brains were assessed for expression of human tau and evidence of tauopathy. Rats injected with the tau vector became persistently impaired on the task after about 6 weeks of postoperative testing, whereas the control rats injected with a green fluorescent protein vector performed at criterion levels during that period. Histological analysis confirmed the presence of hyperphosphorylated tau and NFTs in the entorhinal cortex and neighboring retrohippocampal areas as well as limited synaptic degeneration of the perforant path. Thus, highly restricted vector-induced tauopathy in retrohippocampal areas is sufficient for producing progressive impairment in mnemonic ability in rats, successfully mimicking a key aspect of tauopathies such as AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio J Ramirez
- Department of Psychology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035, USA.
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32
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Wang DB, Dayton RD, Zweig RM, Klein RL. Transcriptome analysis of a tau overexpression model in rats implicates an early pro-inflammatory response. Exp Neurol 2010; 224:197-206. [PMID: 20346943 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2010.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2009] [Revised: 02/12/2010] [Accepted: 03/17/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Neurofibrillary tangles comprised of the microtubule-associated protein tau are pathological features of Alzheimer's disease and several other neurodegenerative diseases, such as progressive supranuclear palsy. We previously overexpressed tau in the substantia nigra of rats and mimicked some of the neurodegenerative sequelae that occur in humans such as tangle formation, loss of dopamine neurons, and microgliosis. To study molecular changes involved in the tau-induced disease state, we used DNA microarrays at an early stage of the disease process. A range of adeno-associated virus (AAV9) vector doses for tau were injected in groups of rats with a survival interval of 2 weeks. Specific decreases in messages for dopamine-related genes validated the technique with respect to the dopaminergic cell loss observed. Of the mRNAs upregulated, there was a dose-dependent effect on multiple genes involved in immune response such as chemokines, interferon-inducible genes and leukocyte markers, only in the tau vector groups and not in dose-matched controls of either transgene-less empty vector or control green fluorescent protein vector. Histological staining for dopamine neurons and microglia matched the loss of dopaminergic markers and upregulation of immune response mRNAs in the microarray data, respectively. RT-PCR for selected markers confirmed the microarray results, with similar changes found by either technique. The mRNA data correlate well with previous findings, and underscore microgliosis and immune response in the degenerative process following tau overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA.
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33
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Stepanichev MY. Modeling of Alzheimer’s disease using viral vectors. NEUROCHEM J+ 2009. [DOI: 10.1134/s1819712409040035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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34
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Adeno-associated viral vector serotypes 1 and 5 targeted to the neonatal rat and pig striatum induce widespread transgene expression in the forebrain. Exp Neurol 2009; 222:70-85. [PMID: 20025873 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2009.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2009] [Revised: 12/08/2009] [Accepted: 12/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Viral vector-mediated gene transfer has emerged as a powerful means to target transgene expression in the central nervous system. Here we characterized the efficacy of serotypes 1 and 5 recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) after stereotaxic delivery to the neonatal rat and minipig striatum. The efficiency of GFP expression and the phenotype of GFP-positive cells were assessed within the forebrain at different time points up to 12 months after surgery. Both rAAV1-GFP and rAAV5-GFP delivery resulted in transduction of the striatum as well as striatal input and output areas, including large parts of the cortex. In both species, rAAV5 resulted in a more widespread transgene expression compared to rAAV1. In neonatal rats, rAAV5 also transduced several other areas such as the olfactory bulbs, hippocampus, and septum. Phenotypic analysis of the GFP-positive cells, performed using immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, showed that most of the GFP-positive cells by either serotype were NeuN-positive neuronal profiles. The rAAV5 vector further displayed the ability to transduce non-neuronal cell types in both rats and pigs, albeit at a low frequency. Our results show that striatal delivery of rAAV5 vectors in the neonatal brain represents a useful tool to express genes of interest both in the basal ganglia and the neocortex. Furthermore, we apply, for the first time, viral vector-mediated gene transfer to the pig brain providing the opportunity to study effects of genetic manipulation in this non-primate large animal species. Finally, we generated an atlas of the Göttingen minipig brain for guiding future studies in this large animal species.
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AAV9-mediated erythropoietin gene delivery into the brain protects nigral dopaminergic neurons in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. Gene Ther 2009; 17:83-94. [PMID: 19727138 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2009.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
We have recently shown that intrastriatal injection of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) protects dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) from 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) toxicity in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. However, systemic administration of EPO did not protect nigral DA neurons, suggesting that the blood-brain barrier limits the passage of EPO protein into the brain. In the present study, we used an adeno-associated viral (AAV) serotype 9 (AAV9) vector to deliver the human EPO gene into the brain of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. We observed that expression of the human EPO gene was robust and stable in the striatum and the SN for up to 10 weeks. EPO-immunoreactive (IR) cells were widespread throughout the injected striatum, and EPO-IR neurons and fibers were also found in the ipsilateral SN. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot analyses exhibited dramatic levels of EPO protein in the injected striatum. As a result, nigral DA neurons were protected against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity. Amphetamine-induced rotational asymmetry and spontaneous forelimb use asymmetry were both attenuated. Interestingly, we also observed that intrastriatal injection of AAV9-EPO vectors led to increased numbers of red blood cells in peripheral blood. This highlights the importance of using an inducible gene delivery system for EPO gene delivery.
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36
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Versatile somatic gene transfer for modeling neurodegenerative diseases. Neurotox Res 2009; 16:329-42. [PMID: 19669852 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-009-9080-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2009] [Revised: 03/26/2009] [Accepted: 06/29/2009] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A growing variety of technical approaches allow control over the expression of selected genes in living organisms. The ability to deliver functional exogenous genes involved in neurodegenerative diseases has opened pathological processes to experimental analysis and targeted therapeutic development in rodent and primate preclinical models. Biological adaptability, economic animal use, and reduced model development costs complement improved control over spatial and temporal gene expression compared with conventional transgenic models. A review of viral vector studies, typically adeno-associated virus or lentivirus, for expression of three proteins that are central to major neurodegenerative diseases, will illustrate how this approach has powered new advances and opportunities in CNS disease research.
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Youjin S, Jun Y. The treatment of hemophilia A: from protein replacement to AAV-mediated gene therapy. Biotechnol Lett 2009; 31:321-8. [PMID: 18979215 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-008-9869-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2008] [Revised: 10/04/2008] [Accepted: 10/07/2008] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Factor VIII (FVIII) is an essential component in blood coagulation, a deficiency of which causes the serious bleeding disorder hemophilia A. Recently, with the development of purification level and recombinant techniques, protein replacement treatment to hemophiliacs is relatively safe and can prolong their life expectancy. However, because of the possibility of unknown contaminants in plasma-derived FVIII and recombinant FVIII, and high cost for hemophiliacs to use these products, gene therapy for hemophilia A is an attractive alternative to protein replacement therapy. Thus far, the adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a promising vector for gene therapy. Further improvement of the virus for clinical application depends on better understanding of the molecular structure and fate of the vector genome. It is likely that hemophilia will be the first genetic disease to be cured by somatic cell gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Youjin
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, 515041, Shantou, China.
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Mimicking aspects of frontotemporal lobar degeneration and Lou Gehrig's disease in rats via TDP-43 overexpression. Mol Ther 2009; 17:607-13. [PMID: 19223871 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2009.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of neuropathological lesions made of TDP-43 and ubiquitin proteins in cases of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), there is a burst of effort on finding related familial mutations and developing animal models. We used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector for human TDP-43 expression targeted to the substantia nigra (SN) of rats. Though TDP-43 was expressed mainly in neuronal nuclei as expected, it was also expressed in the cytoplasm, and dotted along the plasma membrane of neurons. Cytoplasmic staining was both diffuse and granular, indicative of preinclusion lesions, over 4 weeks. Ubiquitin deposited in the cytoplasm, specifically in the TDP-43 group, and staining for microglia was increased dose-dependently by 1-2 logs in the TDP-43 group, while neurons were selectively obliterated. Neuronal death induced by TDP-43 was pyknotic and apoptotic. TDP-43 gene transfer caused loss of dopaminergic neurons in the SN and their axons in the striatum. Behavioral motor dysfunction resulted after TDP-43 gene transfer that was vector dose-dependent and progressive over time. The cytoplasmic expression, ubiquitination, and neurodegeneration mimicked features of the TDP-43 diseases, and the gliosis, apoptosis, and motor impairment may also be relevant to TDP-43 disease forms involving nigrostriatal degeneration.
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Klein RL, Dayton RD, Terry TL, Vascoe C, Sunderland JJ, Tainter KH. PET imaging in rats to discern temporal onset differences between 6-hydroxydopamine and tau gene vector neurodegeneration models. Brain Res 2009; 1259:113-22. [PMID: 19368808 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2009.01.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2008] [Revised: 01/27/2009] [Accepted: 01/29/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
We attempted to monitor the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system in rats with positron emission tomography (PET) during the progression of two experimental disease states. One model was 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioning and the other was direct gene transfer of the microtubule-associated protein tau to the substantia nigra using an adeno-associated virus vector (AAV9). The PET ligand was 6-[18F]fluoro-L-m-tyrosine (FMT), imaged prior to, and at two intervals after initiating dopaminergic neurodegeneration. The striatum was delineated with the aid of repeated PET imaging (FMT and sodium fluoride for bone), realignment to subsequent computed axial tomography scans, and registration to an atlas, which proved essential to tracking disease progression. The striata on the two sides of the brain were compared over time after unilateral lesioning treatments. 6-OHDA reduced uptake on the ipsilateral side relative to the untreated contralateral side at both 1 and 4 weeks after lesioning, while the AAV9 tau led to reduced uptake of the tracer in the striatum at 4 weeks, but not 1 week after treatment. The amplitude of the loss of FMT uptake in striatum at 4 weeks with either model was subtle relative to the postmortem histological analysis of the tissue, but the multi-modal imaging analysis yielded statistical effects that matched well with the histology in terms of the timing of the loss of dopaminergic markers. Live longitudinal imaging successfully tracked two distinct types of disease progression in individual rats, although the FMT is not a sensitive ligand to monitor the extent of the lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald L Klein
- Department of Pharmacology, LSUHSC, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA.
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40
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Klein RL, Dayton RD, Diaczynsky CG, Wang DB. Pronounced microgliosis and neurodegeneration in aged rats after tau gene transfer. Neurobiol Aging 2009; 31:2091-102. [PMID: 19155101 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2008.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2008] [Revised: 11/04/2008] [Accepted: 12/02/2008] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Microtubule-associated protein tau gene transfer to the substantia nigra of rats using the adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector previously led to neuropathology and neurodegeneration in young rats. In this study, we compared equal tau gene transfer in either 3 or 20-month-old rats, in order to test the hypothesis that late middle-aged rats are more susceptible to neurodegeneration. Two intervals and two vector doses of the tau vector probed for age-related differences in the initial sensitivity to low-level tau expression. Gene transfer efficiency was similar for both ages, but the tau vector caused more dopaminergic cell loss and a greater behavioral deficit in aged rats at specific doses and time points. Tau gene transfer caused microgliosis relative to the control vector, and to a greater extent in aged rats. The maximal microglial response occurred at 2 weeks preceding the peak dopaminergic cell loss by 8 weeks. The cellular and behavioral outcomes were more severe in the aged rats, validating the model for studies of age-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald L Klein
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA.
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