1
|
Khonsari H, Schneider M, Al-Mahdawi S, Chianea YG, Themis M, Parris C, Pook MA, Themis M. Lentivirus-meditated frataxin gene delivery reverses genome instability in Friedreich ataxia patient and mouse model fibroblasts. Gene Ther 2016; 23:846-856. [PMID: 27518705 PMCID: PMC5143368 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2016.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by deficiency of frataxin protein, with the primary sites of pathology being the large sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia and the cerebellum. FRDA is also often accompanied by severe cardiomyopathy and diabetes mellitus. Frataxin is important in mitochondrial iron-sulfur cluster (ISC) biogenesis and low-frataxin expression is due to a GAA repeat expansion in intron 1 of the FXN gene. FRDA cells are genomically unstable, with increased levels of reactive oxygen species and sensitivity to oxidative stress. Here we report the identification of elevated levels of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) in FRDA patient and YG8sR FRDA mouse model fibroblasts compared to normal fibroblasts. Using lentivirus FXN gene delivery to FRDA patient and YG8sR cells, we obtained long-term overexpression of FXN mRNA and frataxin protein levels with reduced DSB levels towards normal. Furthermore, γ-irradiation of FRDA patient and YG8sR cells revealed impaired DSB repair that was recovered on FXN gene transfer. This suggests that frataxin may be involved in DSB repair, either directly by an unknown mechanism, or indirectly via ISC biogenesis for DNA repair enzymes, which may be essential for the prevention of neurodegeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Khonsari
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
- Synthetic Biology Theme, Institute of Environment, Health & Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
| | - M Schneider
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
- Synthetic Biology Theme, Institute of Environment, Health & Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
| | - S Al-Mahdawi
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
- Synthetic Biology Theme, Institute of Environment, Health & Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
| | - Y G Chianea
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
- Synthetic Biology Theme, Institute of Environment, Health & Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
| | - M Themis
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
| | - C Parris
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
| | - M A Pook
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
- Synthetic Biology Theme, Institute of Environment, Health & Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
| | - M Themis
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
- Synthetic Biology Theme, Institute of Environment, Health & Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gomes CM, Santos R. Neurodegeneration in Friedreich's ataxia: from defective frataxin to oxidative stress. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2013; 2013:487534. [PMID: 23936609 PMCID: PMC3725840 DOI: 10.1155/2013/487534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2013] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia is the most common inherited autosomal recessive ataxia and is characterized by progressive degeneration of the peripheral and central nervous systems and cardiomyopathy. This disease is caused by the silencing of the FXN gene and reduced levels of the encoded protein, frataxin. Frataxin is a mitochondrial protein that functions primarily in iron-sulfur cluster synthesis. This small protein with an α / β sandwich fold undergoes complex processing and imports into the mitochondria, generating isoforms with distinct N-terminal lengths which may underlie different functionalities, also in respect to oligomerization. Missense mutations in the FXN coding region, which compromise protein folding, stability, and function, are found in 4% of FRDA heterozygous patients and are useful to understand how loss of functional frataxin impacts on FRDA physiopathology. In cells, frataxin deficiency leads to pleiotropic phenotypes, including deregulation of iron homeostasis and increased oxidative stress. Increasing amount of data suggest that oxidative stress contributes to neurodegeneration in Friedreich's ataxia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cláudio M. Gomes
- Instituto Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, 2784-505 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Renata Santos
- Development of the Nervous System, IBENS, Ecole Normale Supérieure, 46 rue d'Ulm, 75230 Paris Cedex 05, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Haugen AC, Di Prospero NA, Parker JS, Fannin RD, Chou J, Meyer JN, Halweg C, Collins JB, Durr A, Fischbeck K, Van Houten B. Altered gene expression and DNA damage in peripheral blood cells from Friedreich's ataxia patients: cellular model of pathology. PLoS Genet 2010; 6:e1000812. [PMID: 20090835 PMCID: PMC2799513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1000812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2009] [Accepted: 12/10/2009] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurodegenerative disease Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is the most common autosomal-recessively inherited ataxia and is caused by a GAA triplet repeat expansion in the first intron of the frataxin gene. In this disease, transcription of frataxin, a mitochondrial protein involved in iron homeostasis, is impaired, resulting in a significant reduction in mRNA and protein levels. Global gene expression analysis was performed in peripheral blood samples from FRDA patients as compared to controls, which suggested altered expression patterns pertaining to genotoxic stress. We then confirmed the presence of genotoxic DNA damage by using a gene-specific quantitative PCR assay and discovered an increase in both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA damage in the blood of these patients (p<0.0001, respectively). Additionally, frataxin mRNA levels correlated with age of onset of disease and displayed unique sets of gene alterations involved in immune response, oxidative phosphorylation, and protein synthesis. Many of the key pathways observed by transcription profiling were downregulated, and we believe these data suggest that patients with prolonged frataxin deficiency undergo a systemic survival response to chronic genotoxic stress and consequent DNA damage detectable in blood. In conclusion, our results yield insight into the nature and progression of FRDA, as well as possible therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, the identification of potential biomarkers, including the DNA damage found in peripheral blood, may have predictive value in future clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Astrid C. Haugen
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Nicholas A. Di Prospero
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Joel S. Parker
- Expression Analysis, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Rick D. Fannin
- Laboratory of Toxicogenomics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jeff Chou
- Laboratory of Toxicogenomics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Joel N. Meyer
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Christopher Halweg
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jennifer B. Collins
- Laboratory of Toxicogenomics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Alexandra Durr
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
- Département de Génétique et Embryologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Kenneth Fischbeck
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Bennett Van Houten
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Oberheitmann B, Frentzel-Beyme R, Hoffmann W. An application of the challenge assay in boat builders exposed to low levels of styrene--a feasibility study of a possible biomarker for acquired susceptibility. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2001; 204:23-9. [PMID: 11725341 DOI: 10.1078/1438-4639-00968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Sensitivity to carcinogens and susceptibility for malignant diseases may be related to genetic predisposition, e.g. polymorphisms in toxicant-metabolizing enzymes or DNA repair deficiencies. The latter may also be acquired by exposure to substances that interfere with DNA repair processes. Application of the challenge assay to an exposed population may allow scientists to study the interference of DNA repair as an acquired susceptibility phenomenon. The assay was therefore used in a feasibility study to evaluate its application. A group of 14 workers exposed to low levels of styrene (mean < 100 mg/m3 styrene in air; 35 micrograms/l styrene in blood) and a reference of seven controls were investigated for structural chromosomal aberrations using FISH. The rate of exchange-type aberrations per 100 metaphases was 0.14 (95% CI, 0.05-0.31) in controls and 0.22 (95% CI, 0.13-0.36) in exposed workers. The difference is not statistically significant. Interaction with DNA repair was measured in the 14 workers and 2 historical controls using the challenge assay. Exchange-type aberrations per 100 metaphases after X-ray challenge of 1.66 Gy were 13.26 (10.53-16.50) and 16.19 (15.00-17.40) for the controls and exposed, respectively. The difference is statistically significant (p < 0.038). Among the exposed group, the challenge response was also significantly correlated with the cumulative lifetime exposure to styrene (R2 = 0.3996; p < 0.015) but not with the current exposure as measured in blood (R2 = 0.0226; p = 0.700). The challenge responses in the short-term and long-term exposed subgroups were 15.55 (14.23-16.96) and 17.90 (15.64-20.39), respectively, based on sample sizes of 5 and 9, respectively. The difference was not significant. Hence, data from our study are consistent with the hypothesis that long-term exposure to styrene can interfere with DNA repair activities. The lack of statistically significant differences in some of the data may be due to the small sample size and a possible confounding by age in our investigation. Additional data from our ongoing study should clarify this uncertainty.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Oberheitmann
- UFT-Centre for Environmental Research and Environmental Technology, Division of Epidemiology, University of Bremen, D-28334 Bremen, Germany.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kidd A, Coleman R, Whiteford M, Barron LH, Simpson SA, Haites NE. Breast cancer in two sisters with Friedreich's ataxia. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY 2001; 27:512-4. [PMID: 11504527 DOI: 10.1053/ejso.2000.1093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder causing progressive ataxia and dysarthria. We report two sisters who had breast cancer aged 39 years and 42 years and who both developed a late onset form of FRDA with onset of neurological symptoms in their thirties. We discuss whether there may be an association between the late onset form of FRDA and malignancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Kidd
- Department of Medical Genetics, Grampian University Hospitals, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rudd NL, Hoar DI, Greentree CL, Dimnik LS, Hennig UG. Micronucleus assay in human fibroblasts: a measure of spontaneous chromosomal instability and mutagen hypersensitivity. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 1988; 12:3-13. [PMID: 3133207 DOI: 10.1002/em.2860120104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
By comparing fibroblast strains derived from individuals exhibiting chromosome instability and/or mutagen hypersensitivity (Cockayne syndrome, ataxia telangiectasia, and Fanconi anemia) with strains derived from healthy donors, the fibroblast micronucleus assay has been established as a reproducible measure of the genotypic variation in spontaneous or mitomycin C (MMC)-induced chromosomal instability. The patient strains that were moderately or exquisitely sensitive to MMC, whereas the mildly sensitive strain (Cockayne syndrome) overlapped with the control range. The reproducibility of the assay was evaluated within and between experiments. Paired comparison analyses between duplicate cultures and between repeat experiments failed to show any significant differences between micronucleus frequencies within strains, whereas a significant differences in the spontaneous micronucleus frequencies between strains was observed. In addition to its value as a test system for genotoxins, the fibroblast micronucleus assay may be useful for investigating genetically determined hypersensitivity to mutagens, elevated spontaneous chromosomal breakage, and chromosome segregation errors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N L Rudd
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Centre, Calgary, Canada
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Child JS, Perloff JK, Bach PM, Wolfe AD, Perlman S, Kark RA. Cardiac involvement in Friedreich's ataxia: a clinical study of 75 patients. J Am Coll Cardiol 1986; 7:1370-8. [PMID: 2940284 DOI: 10.1016/s0735-1097(86)80159-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
To establish the prevalence and to characterize the types of cardiac involvement in Friedreich's ataxia, 75 consecutive patients (39 male and 36 female), aged 10 to 66 years (mean 24) were prospectively studied. Electrocardiograms were performed in all patients, vectorcardiograms in 34 and echocardiograms in 58. Electrocardiographic and vectorcardiographic abnormalities occurred in 69 (92%) of the 75 patients. Electrocardiograms revealed ST-T wave abnormalities in 79%, right axis deviation in 40%, short PR interval in 24%, abnormal R wave in lead V1 in 20%, abnormal inferolateral Q waves in 14% and left ventricular hypertrophy (voltage and repolarization criteria) in 16%. Echocardiograms revealed concentric left ventricular hypertrophy in 11%, asymmetric septal hypertrophy in 9% and globally decreased left ventricular function in 7%. Progression from a normal echocardiogram to concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, asymmetric septal hypertrophy or globally decreased left ventricular function was identified in one patient in each category, although the study was not designed for longitudinal follow-up. Two patients died, and necropsy revealed in both a minimally dilated but flabby left ventricle. On the basis of electrocardiographic and vectorcardiographic and echocardiographic data, 95% of patients had one or more disorders. The most common abnormality was segmental myocardial "dystrophy" (electrocardiographic QRS initial force abnormalities), but global left ventricular hypokinesia occurred more often than previously recognized.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Collapse
|
8
|
Otsuka F, Tarone RE, Seguin LR, Robbins JH. Hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation in cultured cells from Down syndrome patients. J Neurol Sci 1985; 69:103-12. [PMID: 3159854 DOI: 10.1016/0022-510x(85)90011-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Down syndrome is caused by trisomy of chromosome 21 and is comprised of a constellation of abnormalities including neuropathological features that closely resemble those characterizing the neurodegeneration of Alzheimer disease. Because cultured cell lines from patients with Alzheimer disease and other neurodegenerations have a hypersensitivity to the lethal effects of DNA-damaging agents, we studied the response of Down syndrome lymphoblastoid lines to the lethal effects of ionizing and ultraviolet radiation. Lines from the four Down syndrome patients were more sensitive to X-rays than lines from 28 normal donors (P = 10(-4)), while survival of the Down syndrome lines after ultraviolet irradiation was not significantly different from normal. This hypersensitivity to X-rays, which may reflect defective repair of X-ray-induced DNA damage, represents the first abnormality common to cultured cells from both Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease patients.
Collapse
|
9
|
Gray RG, Kumar D. Mitochondrial malic enzyme in Friedreich's ataxia: failure to demonstrate reduced activity in cultured fibroblasts. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1985; 48:70-4. [PMID: 3973624 PMCID: PMC1028186 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.48.1.70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial and cytosolic malic enzymes were assayed radiochemically in fibroblasts from six patients suffering from Friedreich's ataxia in order to verify earlier reports of abnormalities in these enzymes. No abnormalities could be detected in the activities of either enzyme. On cellulose acetate electrophoresis a band of enzyme activity corresponding to the mitochondrial isoenzyme was detectable contrary to earlier reports. Possible explanations for the disparity of results between different laboratories are discussed.
Collapse
|
10
|
Robbins JH, Brumback RA, Polinsky RJ, Wirtschafter JD, Tarone RE, Scudiero DA, Otsuka F. Hypersensitivity to DNA-damaging agents in abiotrophies: a new explanation for degeneration of neurons, photoreceptors, and muscle in Alzheimer, Parkinson and Huntington diseases, retinitis pigmentosa, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. BASIC LIFE SCIENCES 1985; 35:315-44. [PMID: 2933027 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4899-2218-2_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
|
11
|
Rosenberg MB, Hansen C, Breakefield XO. Molecular genetic approaches to neurologic and psychiatric diseases. Prog Neurobiol 1985; 24:95-140. [PMID: 3898226 DOI: 10.1016/0301-0082(85)90008-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
|
12
|
Tarone RE, Otsuka F, Robbins JH. A sensitive assay for detecting hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation in lymphoblastoid lines from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and primary neuronal degenerations. J Neurol Sci 1984; 65:367-81. [PMID: 6333487 DOI: 10.1016/0022-510x(84)90099-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Hypersensitivity to the lethal effects of DNA-damaging agents is usually demonstrated using the classical colony-forming ability assay with cultured fibroblast lines. Based on the ability of viable cells in lymphoblastoid lines (Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B lymphocytes) to exclude the vital dye trypan blue, we have developed a more rapid survival assay which has been useful in detecting hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation in certain diseases characterized by primary degeneration of excitable tissue. We now present a complete description of this post-X-ray survival assay. We also demonstrate the suitability of both our assay and our method of data analysis for detecting hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation. This demonstration is based on a detailed analysis of assay results with lymphoblastoid lines from 28 normal donors, 3 ataxia telangiectasia (AT) patients, 2 obligate AT heterozygotes, 7 patients with diseases characterized by cellular hypersensitivity to ultraviolet radiation (UV), and 10 Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients.
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
The contribution of genetic differences to variation in ageing and the relationship of ageing to certain types of dementia are discussed. Neuropathological changes commonly found in the ageing brain are present in more severe form in Alzheimer-type dementia, Down's syndrome, multi-infarct dementia, and a substantial number of patients with Parkinson's disease. An increased frequency of ageing-associated changes outside the brain have been reported in Alzheimer-type dementia, Down's syndrome, and multi-infarct dementia, although the evidence is generally meagre and in many cases requires further corroboration. Genetic studies of Alzheimer-type dementia support the existence of heterogeneity on the basis of family history and age of onset; early onset is associated with greater genetic risk and severity of abnormality. The increasing evidence of an association between DNA damage, premature ageing, and neuronal cell loss may provide insights into the aetiology of these and other forms of dementia.
Collapse
|