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Losa M, Morsy Y, Emmenegger M, Manz SM, Schwarz P, Aguzzi A, Scharl M. Longitudinal microbiome investigation throughout prion disease course reveals pre- and symptomatic compositional perturbations linked to short-chain fatty acid metabolism and cognitive impairment in mice. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1412765. [PMID: 38919500 PMCID: PMC11196846 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1412765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Commensal intestinal bacteria shape our microbiome and have decisive roles in preserving host metabolic and immune homeostasis. They conspicuously impact disease development and progression, including amyloid-beta (Aβ) and alpha (α)-synuclein pathology in neurodegenerative diseases, conveying the importance of the brain-gut-microbiome axis in such conditions. However, little is known about the longitudinal microbiome landscape and its potential clinical implications in other protein misfolding disorders, such as prion disease. We investigated the microbiome architecture throughout prion disease course in mice. Fecal specimens were assessed by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. We report a temporal microbiome signature in prion disease and uncovered alterations in Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Desulfovibrionaceae, and Muribaculaceae family members in this disease. Moreover, we determined the enrichment of Bilophila, a microorganism connected to cognitive impairment, long before the clinical manifestation of disease symptoms. Based on temporal microbial abundances, several associated metabolic pathways and resulting metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, were linked to the disease. We propose that neuroinflammatory processes relate to perturbations of the intestinal microbiome and metabolic state by an interorgan brain-gut crosstalk. Furthermore, we describe biomarkers possibly suitable for early disease diagnostics and anti-prion therapy monitoring. While our study is confined to prion disease, our discoveries might be of equivalent relevance in other proteinopathies and central nervous system pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Losa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Yasser Morsy
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marc Emmenegger
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Salomon M. Manz
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Petra Schwarz
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Scharl
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Spiers JG, Cortina Chen HJ, Barry TL, Bourgognon JM, Steinert JR. Redox stress and metal dys-homeostasis appear as hallmarks of early prion disease pathogenesis in mice. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 192:182-190. [PMID: 36170956 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are associated with a multitude of dysfunctional cellular pathways. One major contributory factor is a redox stress challenge during the development of several protein misfolding conditions including Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and less common conditions such as Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (CJD). CJD is caused by misfolding of the neuronal prion protein and is characterised by a neurotoxic unfolded protein response involving chronic endoplasmic reticulum stress, reduced protein translation and spongiosis leading subsequently to synaptic and neuronal loss. Here we have characterised prion disease in mice to assess redox stress components including nitrergic and oxidative markers associated with neuroinflammatory activation. Aberrant regulation of the homeostasis of several redox metals contributes to the overall cellular redox stress and we have identified altered levels of iron, copper, zinc, and manganese in the hippocampus of prion diseased mice. Our data show that early in disease, there is evidence for oxidative stress in conjunction with reduced antioxidant superoxide dismutase mRNA and protein expression. Moreover, expression of divalent metal transporter proteins was reduced for Atp7b, Atox1, Slc11a2, Slc39a14 at 6-7 weeks but increased for Slc39a14 and Mt1 at 10 weeks of disease. Our data present evidence for a strong pro-oxidant environment and altered redox metal homeostasis in early disease pathology which both may be contributory factors to aggravating this protein misfolding disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jereme G Spiers
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia.
| | - Hsiao-Jou Cortina Chen
- Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Tiffany L Barry
- School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Julie-Myrtille Bourgognon
- School of Infection and Immunity, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Joern R Steinert
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, NG7 2NR, UK.
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Colini Baldeschi A, Vanni S, Zattoni M, Legname G. Novel regulators of PrP C expression as potential therapeutic targets in prion diseases. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:759-776. [PMID: 32631090 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1782384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prion diseases are rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorders. The key molecular event in these disorders is the misfolding of the physiological form of the cellular prion protein, PrPC, leading to the accumulation of a pathological isoform, PrPSc, with unique features. Both isoforms share the same primary sequence, lacking detectable differences in posttranslational modification, a major hurdle for their biochemical or biophysical independent characterization. The mechanism underlying the conversion of PrPC to PrPSc is not completely understood, so finding an effective therapy to cure prion disorders is extremely challenging. AREAS COVERED This review discusses the strategies for decreasing prion replication and throws a spotlight on the relevance of PrPC in the prion accumulation process. EXPERT OPINION PrPC is the key substrate for prion pathology; hence, the most promising therapeutic approach appears to be the targeting of PrPC to block the production of the infectious isoform. The use of RNA interference and antisense oligonucleotide technologies may offer opportunities for treatment because of their success in clinical trials for other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Colini Baldeschi
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) , Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Vanni
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS , Meldola, Italy
| | - Marco Zattoni
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) , Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) , Trieste, Italy
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Liang Y, Li Y, Wang H, Cheng X, Guan M, Zhong S, Zhao C. Does the Use of Antidepressants Accelerate the Disease Progress in Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Patients With Depression? A Case Report and A Systematic Review. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:297. [PMID: 31130883 PMCID: PMC6509196 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by rapidly progressive dementia. Growing evidence suggests that antidepressant usage was associated with dementia. Given the commonality of depression in CJD, it is necessary to investigate the effect of antidepressants on CJD. Methods: First, we report a case of sporadic CJD (sCJD) with depression where the condition worsened rapidly after using a serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant. Second, a systematic literature survey was conducted to investigate the effect of antidepressants on the survival time of sCJD patients with depression. Thirteen cases plus our case were included for qualitative analysis. Twelve subjects were included in the Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analysis. Finally, we provide a postulation of pathophysiological mechanism in CJD. Results: The median survival time of all patients was 6.0 months, of which patients with SNRIs were significantly shorter than those with first-generation antidepressants (2.0 vs. 6.0 months; log rank, P = .008) and relatively shorter than those with nonselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; 4.0 vs. 6.0 months; log rank, P = .090). In comparison with first-generation antidepressants, the use of SNRIs [hazard ratio (HR), 23.028; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.401 to 378.461; P = .028] remained independently associated with shorter survival time. Conclusions: The use of antidepressants, especially SNRIs, was associated with a shorter survival time of sCJD patients. The possible changes in neurotransmitters should be emphasized. Scientifically, this study may provide insights into the mechanism of CJD. Clinically, it may contribute to the early diagnosis of CJD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Chuansheng Zhao
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Diack AB, Bartz JC. Experimental models of human prion diseases and prion strains. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2018; 153:69-84. [PMID: 29887156 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-63945-5.00004-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Prion strains occur in natural prion diseases, including prion diseases of humans. Prion strains can correspond with differences in the clinical signs and symptoms of disease and the distribution of prion infectivity in the host and are hypothesized to be encoded by strain-specific differences in the conformation of the disease-specific isoform of the host-encoded prion protein, PrPTSE. Prion strains can differ in biochemical properties of PrPTSE that can include the relative sensitivity to digestion with proteinase K and conformational stability in denaturants. These strain-specific biochemical properties of field isolates are maintained upon transmission to experimental animal models of prion disease. Experimental human models of prion disease include traditional and gene-targeted mice that express endogenous PrPC. Transgenic mice that express different polymorphs of human PrPC or mutations in human PrPC that correspond with familial forms of human prion disease have been generated that can recapitulate the clinical, pathologic, and biochemical features of disease. These models aid in understanding disease pathogenesis, evaluating zoonotic potential of animal prion diseases, and assessing human-to-human transmission of disease. Models of sporadic or familial forms of disease offer an opportunity to define mechanisms of disease, identify key neurodegenerative pathways, and assess therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail B Diack
- Infection and Immunity, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, United Kingdom.
| | - Jason C Bartz
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
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Hou YX, Liu SW, Wang LW, Wu SH. Physiopathology of multiple organ dysfunctions in severely monocrotophos-poisoned rabbits. Chem Biol Interact 2017; 278:9-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2017.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Abstract
Prion diseases affect a wide range of mammal species and are caused by a misfolded self-propagating isoform (PrPSc) of the normal prion protein (PrPC). Distinct strains of prions exist and are operationally defined by differences in a heritable phenotype under controlled experimental transmission conditions. Prion strains can differ in incubation period, clinical signs of disease, tissue tropism, and host range. The mechanism by which a protein-only pathogen can encode strain diversity is only beginning to be understood. The prevailing hypothesis is that prion strain diversity is encoded by strain-specific conformations of PrPSc; however, strain-specific cellular cofactors have been identified in vitro that may also contribute to prion strain diversity. Although much progress has been made on understanding the etiological agent of prion disease, the relationship between the strain-specific properties of PrPSc and the resulting phenotype of disease in animals is poorly understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason C Bartz
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska 68178
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McKinnon C, Goold R, Andre R, Devoy A, Ortega Z, Moonga J, Linehan JM, Brandner S, Lucas JJ, Collinge J, Tabrizi SJ. Prion-mediated neurodegeneration is associated with early impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Acta Neuropathol 2016; 131:411-25. [PMID: 26646779 PMCID: PMC4752964 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-015-1508-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Prion diseases are a group of fatal neurodegenerative disorders characterised by the accumulation of misfolded prion protein (PrP(Sc)) in the brain. The critical relationship between aberrant protein misfolding and neurotoxicity currently remains unclear. The accumulation of aggregation-prone proteins has been linked to impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. As the principal route for protein degradation in mammalian cells, this could have profound detrimental effects on neuronal function and survival. Here, we determine the temporal onset of UPS dysfunction in prion-infected Ub(G76V)-GFP reporter mice, which express a ubiquitin fusion proteasome substrate to measure in vivo UPS activity. We show that the onset of UPS dysfunction correlates closely with PrP(Sc) deposition, preceding earliest behavioural deficits and neuronal loss. UPS impairment was accompanied by accumulation of polyubiquitinated substrates and found to affect both neuronal and astrocytic cell populations. In prion-infected CAD5 cells, we demonstrate that activation of the UPS by the small molecule inhibitor IU1 is sufficient to induce clearance of polyubiquitinated substrates and reduce misfolded PrP(Sc) load. Taken together, these results identify the UPS as a possible early mediator of prion pathogenesis and promising target for development of future therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris McKinnon
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Rob Goold
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Ralph Andre
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Anny Devoy
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Zaira Ortega
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", (CBMSO) CSIC/UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julie Moonga
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Jacqueline M Linehan
- MRC Prion Unit, University College London, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Sebastian Brandner
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Division of Neuropathology, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - José J Lucas
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", (CBMSO) CSIC/UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - John Collinge
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- MRC Prion Unit, University College London, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Sarah J Tabrizi
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
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Insights into Mechanisms of Chronic Neurodegeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17010082. [PMID: 26771599 PMCID: PMC4730326 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17010082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and prion diseases are characterised by the accumulation of abnormal conformers of a host encoded protein in the central nervous system. The process leading to neurodegeneration is still poorly defined and thus development of early intervention strategies is challenging. Unique amongst these diseases are Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases, which have the ability to transmit between individuals. The infectious nature of these diseases has permitted in vivo and in vitro modelling of the time course of the disease process in a highly reproducible manner, thus early events can be defined. Recent evidence has demonstrated that the cell-to-cell spread of protein aggregates by a “prion-like mechanism” is common among the protein misfolding diseases. Thus, the TSE models may provide insights into disease mechanisms and testable hypotheses for disease intervention, applicable to a number of these chronic neurodegenerative diseases.
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Reis R, Hennessy E, Murray C, Griffin ÉW, Cunningham C. At the centre of neuronal, synaptic and axonal pathology in murine prion disease: degeneration of neuroanatomically linked thalamic and brainstem nuclei. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2015; 41:780-97. [PMID: 25727649 PMCID: PMC4744702 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Aims The processes by which neurons degenerate in chronic neurodegenerative diseases remain unclear. Synaptic loss and axonal pathology frequently precede neuronal loss and protein aggregation demonstrably spreads along neuroanatomical pathways in many neurodegenerative diseases. The spread of neuronal pathology is less studied. Methods We previously demonstrated severe neurodegeneration in the posterior thalamus of multiple prion disease strains. Here we used the ME7 model of prion disease to examine the nature of this degeneration in the posterior thalamus and the major brainstem projections into this region. Results We objectively quantified neurological decline between 16 and 18 weeks post‐inoculation and observed thalamic subregion‐selective neuronal, synaptic and axonal pathology while demonstrating relatively uniform protease‐resistant prion protein (PrP) aggregation and microgliosis across the posterior thalamus. Novel amyloid precursor protein (APP) pathology was particularly prominent in the thalamic posterior (PO) and ventroposterior lateral (VPL) nuclei. The brainstem nuclei forming the major projections to these thalamic nuclei were examined. Massive neuronal loss in the PO was not matched by significant neuronal loss in the interpolaris (Sp5I), while massive synaptic loss in the ventral posteromedial nucleus (VPM) did correspond with significant neuronal loss in the principal trigeminal nucleus. Likewise, significant VPL synaptic loss was matched by significant neuronal loss in the gracile and cuneate nuclei. Conclusion These findings demonstrate significant spread of neuronal pathology from the thalamus to the brainstem in prion disease. The divergent neuropathological features in adjacent neuronal populations demonstrates that there are discrete pathways to neurodegeneration in different neuronal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Reis
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Edel Hennessy
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Caoimhe Murray
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Éadaoin W Griffin
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colm Cunningham
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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