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Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is well known for its angiogenic activity, but recent evidence has revealed a neuroprotective action of this factor on injured or diseased neurons. In the present review, we summarize the most relevant findings that have contributed to establish a link between VEGF deficiency and neuronal degeneration. At issue, 1) mutant mice with reduced levels of VEGF show adult-onset muscle weakness and motoneuron degeneration resembling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), 2) administration of VEGF to different animal models of motoneuron degeneration improves motor performance and ameliorates motoneuronal degeneration, and 3) there is an association between low plasmatic levels of VEGF and human ALS. Altogether, the results presented in this review highlight VEGF as an essential motoneuron neurotrophic factor endowed with promising therapeutic potential for the treatment of motoneuron disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula M Calvo
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rosendo G Hernández
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Angel M Pastor
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rosa R de la Cruz
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
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Zhou L, Chen W, Jiang S, Xu R. In Vitro Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:3783-3799. [PMID: 37870685 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01423-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is one of the commonest neurodegenerative diseases of adult-onset, which is characterized by the progressive death of motor neurons in the cerebral cortex, brain stem and spinal cord. The dysfunction and death of motor neurons lead to the progressive muscle weakness, atrophy, fasciculations, spasticity and ultimately the whole paralysis of body. Despite the identification of several genetic mutations associated with the pathogenesis of ALS, including mutations in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 leading to the abnormal expansion of GGGGCC repeat sequence, TAR DNA-binding protein 43, fused in sarcoma/translocated in liposarcoma, copper/zinc superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and TANK-binding kinase 1, the exact mechanisms underlying the specific degeneration of motor neurons that causes ALS remain incompletely understood. At present, since the transgenic model expressed SOD1 mutants was established, multiple in vitro models of ALS have been developed for studying the pathology, pathophysiology and pathogenesis of ALS as well as searching the effective neurotherapeutics. This review reviewed the details of present established in vitro models used in studying the pathology, pathophysiology and pathogenesis of ALS. Meanwhile, we also discussed the advantages, disadvantages, cost and availability of each models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Jiangxi Hospital, National Regional Medical Center for Neurological Diseases, No. 266 Fenghe North Avenue, Honggutan District, Nanchang, 330008, Jiangxi, China
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Wenzhi Chen
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Jiangxi Hospital, National Regional Medical Center for Neurological Diseases, No. 266 Fenghe North Avenue, Honggutan District, Nanchang, 330008, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shishi Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Jiangxi Hospital, National Regional Medical Center for Neurological Diseases, No. 266 Fenghe North Avenue, Honggutan District, Nanchang, 330008, Jiangxi, China
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Renshi Xu
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Jiangxi Hospital, National Regional Medical Center for Neurological Diseases, No. 266 Fenghe North Avenue, Honggutan District, Nanchang, 330008, Jiangxi, China.
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
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Ramya V, Sarkar N, Bhagat S, Pradhan RK, Varghese AM, Nalini A, Sathyaprabha TN, Raju TR, Vijayalakshmi K. Oligodendroglia Confer Neuroprotection to NSC-34 Motor Neuronal Cells Against the Toxic Insults of Cerebrospinal Fluid from Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:4855-4871. [PMID: 37184766 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03375-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder with multifactorial pathomechanisms affecting not only motor neurons but also glia. Both astrocytes and microglia get activated and contribute significantly to neurodegeneration. The role of oligodendroglia in such a situation remains obscure, especially in the sporadic form of ALS (SALS), which contributes to 90% of cases. Here, we have investigated the role of oligodendroglia in SALS pathophysiology using a human oligodendroglial cell line, MO3.13, by exposing the cells to cerebrospinal fluid from SALS patients (ALS-CSF; 10% v/v for 48 h). ALS-CSF significantly reduced the viability of MO3.13 cells and down-regulated the expression of oligodendroglia-specific proteins, namely, CNPase and Olig2. Furthermore, to investigate the effect of the observed oligodendroglial changes on motor neurons, NSC-34 motor neuronal cells were co-cultured/supplemented with conditioned/spent medium of MO3.13 cells upon exposure to ALS-CSF. Live cell imaging experiments revealed protection to NSC-34 cells against ALS-CSF toxicity upon co-culture with MO3.13 cells. This was evidenced by the absence of neuronal cytoplasmic vacuolation and beading of neurites, which instead resulted in better neuronal differentiation. Enhanced lactate levels and increased expression of its transporter, MCT-1, with sustained expression of trophic factors, namely, GDNF and BDNF, by MO3.13 cells hint towards metabolic and trophic support provided by the surviving oligodendroglia. Similar metabolic changes were seen in the lumbar spinal cord oligodendroglia of rat neonates intrathecally injected with ALS-CSF. The findings indicate that oligodendroglia are indeed rescuer to the degenerating motor neurons when the astrocytes and microglia turn topsy-turvy.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Ramya
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560 029, India
| | - Nisha Sarkar
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560 029, India
| | - Savita Bhagat
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560 029, India
| | - Raj Kumar Pradhan
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560 029, India
| | - Anu Mary Varghese
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560 029, India
| | - Atchayaram Nalini
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560 029, India
| | - Talakad N Sathyaprabha
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560 029, India
| | - Trichur R Raju
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560 029, India
| | - K Vijayalakshmi
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560 029, India.
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Ng Kee Kwong KC, Harbham PK, Selvaraj BT, Gregory JM, Pal S, Hardingham GE, Chandran S, Mehta AR. 40 Years of CSF Toxicity Studies in ALS: What Have We Learnt About ALS Pathophysiology? Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:647895. [PMID: 33815058 PMCID: PMC8012723 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.647895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on early evidence of in vitro neurotoxicity following exposure to serum derived from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), several studies have attempted to explore whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from people with ALS could possess similar properties. Although initial findings proved inconclusive, it is now increasingly recognized that ALS-CSF may exert toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. Nevertheless, the mechanism underlying CSF-induced neurodegeneration remains unclear. This review aims to summarize the 40-year long history of CSF toxicity studies in ALS, while discussing the various mechanisms that have been proposed, including glutamate excitotoxicity, proteotoxicity and oxidative stress. Furthermore, we consider the potential implications of a toxic CSF circulatory system in the pathophysiology of ALS, and also assess its significance in the context of current ALS research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pratap K. Harbham
- West Midlands Academic Foundation Programme, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Bhuvaneish T. Selvaraj
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jenna M. Gregory
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- MRC Edinburgh Brain Bank, Academic Department of Neuropathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Edinburgh Pathology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Suvankar Pal
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Giles E. Hardingham
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, InStem, Bengaluru, India
| | - Arpan R. Mehta
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Huang JB, Hsu SP, Pan HY, Chen SD, Chen SF, Lin TK, Liu XP, Li JH, Chen NC, Liou CW, Hsu CY, Chuang HY, Chuang YC. Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Coactivator 1α Activates Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor That Protects Against Neuronal Cell Death Following Status Epilepticus through PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197247. [PMID: 33008083 PMCID: PMC7583914 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Status epilepticus may cause molecular and cellular events, leading to hippocampal neuronal cell death. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α) is an important regulator of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), also known as fetal liver kinase receptor 1 (Flk-1). Resveratrol is an activator of PGC-1α. It has been suggested to provide neuroprotective effects in epilepsy, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we used microinjection of kainic acid into the left hippocampal CA3 region in Sprague Dawley rats to induce bilateral prolonged seizure activity. Upregulating the PGC-1α pathway will increase VEGF/VEGFR2 (Flk-1) signaling and further activate some survival signaling that includes the mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/mitogen activated protein kinase (ERK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathways and offer neuroprotection as a consequence of apoptosis in the hippocampal neurons following status epilepticus. Otherwise, downregulation of PGC-1α by siRNA against pgc-1α will inhibit VEGF/VEGFR2 (Flk-1) signaling and suppress pro-survival PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways that are also accompanied by hippocampal CA3 neuronal cell apoptosis. These results may indicate that the PGC-1α induced VEGF/VEGFR2 pathway may trigger the neuronal survival signaling, and the PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK signaling pathways. Thus, the axis of PGC-1α/VEGF/VEGFR2 (Flk-1) and the triggering of downstream PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK signaling could be considered an endogenous neuroprotective effect against apoptosis in the hippocampus following status epilepticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyun-Bin Huang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (J.-B.H.); (H.-Y.P.)
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; (S.-D.C.); (S.-F.C.); (T.-K.L.); (N.-C.C.); (C.-W.L.)
| | - Shih-Pin Hsu
- Department of Neurology, E-Da Hospital/School of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan;
| | - Hsiu-Yung Pan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (J.-B.H.); (H.-Y.P.)
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; (S.-D.C.); (S.-F.C.); (T.-K.L.); (N.-C.C.); (C.-W.L.)
| | - Shang-Der Chen
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; (S.-D.C.); (S.-F.C.); (T.-K.L.); (N.-C.C.); (C.-W.L.)
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Institute for Translation Research in Biomedicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (X.-P.L.); (J.-H.L.)
| | - Shu-Fang Chen
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; (S.-D.C.); (S.-F.C.); (T.-K.L.); (N.-C.C.); (C.-W.L.)
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Tsu-Kung Lin
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; (S.-D.C.); (S.-F.C.); (T.-K.L.); (N.-C.C.); (C.-W.L.)
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Mitochondrial Research Unit, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Xuan-Ping Liu
- Institute for Translation Research in Biomedicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (X.-P.L.); (J.-H.L.)
| | - Jie-Hau Li
- Institute for Translation Research in Biomedicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (X.-P.L.); (J.-H.L.)
| | - Nai-Ching Chen
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; (S.-D.C.); (S.-F.C.); (T.-K.L.); (N.-C.C.); (C.-W.L.)
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Liou
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; (S.-D.C.); (S.-F.C.); (T.-K.L.); (N.-C.C.); (C.-W.L.)
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Mitochondrial Research Unit, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Yao Hsu
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan;
| | - Hung-Yi Chuang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital and School of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan;
| | - Yao-Chung Chuang
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; (S.-D.C.); (S.-F.C.); (T.-K.L.); (N.-C.C.); (C.-W.L.)
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Institute for Translation Research in Biomedicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (X.-P.L.); (J.-H.L.)
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan;
- Department of Biological Science, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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Shanmukha S, Narayanappa G, Nalini A, Alladi PA, Raju TR. Sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SALS) - skeletal muscle response to cerebrospinal fluid from SALS patients in a rat model. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:11/4/dmm031997. [PMID: 29666144 PMCID: PMC5963857 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.031997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle atrophy is the most prominent feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an adult-onset neurodegenerative disease of motor neurons. However, the contribution of skeletal muscle to disease progression remains elusive. Our previous studies have shown that intrathecal injection of cerebrospinal fluid from sporadic ALS patients (ALS-CSF) induces several degenerative changes in motor neurons and glia of neonatal rats. Here, we describe various pathologic events in the rat extensor digitorum longus muscle following intrathecal injection of ALS-CSF. Adenosine triphosphatase staining and electron microscopic (EM) analysis revealed significant atrophy and grouping of type 2 fibres in ALS-CSF-injected rats. Profound neuromuscular junction (NMJ) damage, such as fragmentation accompanied by denervation, were revealed by α-bungarotoxin immunostaining. Altered expression of key NMJ proteins, rapsyn and calpain, was also observed by immunoblotting. In addition, EM analysis showed sarcolemmal folding, Z-line streaming, structural alterations of mitochondria and dilated sarcoplasmic reticulum. The expression of trophic factors was affected, with significant downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), marginal reduction in insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). However, motor neurons might be unable to harness the enhanced levels of BDNF and GDNF, owing to impaired NMJs. We propose that ALS-CSF triggers motor neuronal degeneration, resulting in pathological changes in the skeletal muscle. Muscle damage further aggravates the motor neuronal pathology, because of the interdependency between them. This sets in a vicious cycle, leading to rapid and progressive loss of motor neurons, which could explain the relentless course of ALS.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruthi Shanmukha
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560 029, India
| | - Gayathri Narayanappa
- Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560 029, India
| | - Atchayaram Nalini
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560 029, India
| | - Phalguni Anand Alladi
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560 029, India
| | - Trichur R Raju
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560 029, India
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VEGF alleviates ALS-CSF induced cytoplasmic accumulations of TDP-43 and FUS/TLS in NSC-34 cells. J Chem Neuroanat 2017; 81:48-52. [PMID: 28163215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2017.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cytoplasmic mislocalisation and aggregation of TDP-43 and FUS/TLS proteins in spinal motor neurons contribute to the pathogenesis of the highly fatal disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We investigated the neuroprotective effect of VEGF on expression of these proteins in the motor neuronal cell line NSC-34 modelled to reminisce sporadic form of ALS. We studied the expression of TDP-43 and FUS/TLS proteins after exposure to ALS-CSF and following VEGF supplementation by quantitative confocal microscopy and electron microscopy. ALS-CSF caused cytoplasmic overexpression of both the proteins and stress-granule formation in the cells. These alterations were alleviated by VEGF supplementation. The related ultrastructural changes like nuclear membrane dysmorphism and p-bodies associated changes were also reversed. However the protein expression did not completely translocate to the nucleus, as some cells continued to show to cytoplasmic mislocalisation. Thus, the present findings indicate that VEGF alleviates TDP43 and FUS pathology by complimenting its role in controlling apoptosis and reversing choline acetyl transferase expression. Hence, VEGF appears to target multiple pathogenic processes in the neurodegenerative cascade of ALS.
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Sabitha KR, Sanjay D, Savita B, Raju TR, Laxmi TR. Electrophysiological characterization of Nsc-34 cell line using Microelectrode Array. J Neurol Sci 2016; 370:134-139. [PMID: 27772743 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2016.09.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 09/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neurons communicate with each other through intricate network to evolve higher brain functions. The electrical activity of the neurons plays a crucial role in shaping the connectivity. With motor neurons being vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases, understanding the electrophysiological properties of motor neurons is the need of the hour, in order to comprehend the impairment of connectivity in these diseases. NSC-34 cell line serves as an excellent model to study the properties of motor neurons as they express Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Although NSC-34 cell lines have been used to study the effect of various toxicological, neurotrophic and neuroprotective agents, the electrical activity of these cells has not been elucidated. In the current study, we have characterized the electrophysiological properties of NSC-34 cell lines using Micro-Electrode Array (MEA) as a tool. Based on the spike waveform, firing frequency, auto- and cross-correlogram analysis, we demonstrate that NSC-34 cell culture has >2 distinct types of neuronal population: principal excitatory neurons, putative interneurons and unclassified neurons. The presence of interneurons in the NSC-34 culture was characterized by increased expression of GAD-67 markers. Thus, finding an understanding of the electrophysiological properties of different population of neurons in NSC-34 cell line, will have multiple applications in the treatment of neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- K R Sabitha
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru 560 029, India
| | - D Sanjay
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru 560 029, India
| | - B Savita
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru 560 029, India
| | - T R Raju
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru 560 029, India
| | - T R Laxmi
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru 560 029, India.
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Shruthi S, Sumitha R, Varghese AM, Ashok S, Chandrasekhar Sagar BK, Sathyaprabha TN, Nalini A, Kramer BW, Raju TR, Vijayalakshmi K, Alladi PA. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Facilitates Functional Recovery from ALS-Cerebral Spinal Fluid-Induced Neurodegenerative Changes in the NSC-34 Motor Neuron Cell Line. NEURODEGENER DIS 2016; 17:44-58. [PMID: 27617773 DOI: 10.1159/000447559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The survival of motor neurons is dependent upon neurotrophic factors both during childhood and adolescence and during adult life. In disease conditions, such as in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the mRNA levels of trophic factors like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and vascular endothelial growth factor are downregulated. This was replicated in our in vivo experimental system following the injection of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) of sporadic ALS (ALS-CSF) patients. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the protective role of BDNF in a model of sporadic ALS patients. METHODS The expressions of endogenous BDNF, its receptor TrkB, the enzyme choline acetyl transferase (ChAT), and phosphorylated neurofilaments were studied in NSC-34 cells. The calcium-buffering and proapoptotic effects were assessed by calbindin-D28K and caspase-3 expression, respectively. RESULTS ALS-CSF considerably depleted the endogenous BDNF protein, while its effect on IGF-1 and FGF-2 was inconsequential; this indirectly indicates a key role for BDNF in supporting motor neuronal survival. The exogenous supplementation of BDNF reversed autocrine expression; however, it may not be completely receptor mediated, as the TrkB levels were not restored. BDNF completely revived ChAT expression. It may inhibit apoptosis by restoring Ca2+ homeostasis, since caspase-3 and calbindin-D28K expression was back to normal. The organellar ultrastructural changes were only partially reversed. CONCLUSION Our study provides evidence that BDNF supplementation ameliorates most but not all degenerative changes. The incomplete revival at the ultrastructural level signifies the requirement of factors other than BDNF for near-total protection of motor neurons, and, to an extent, it explains why only a partial success is achieved in clinical trials with BDNF in ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanmukha Shruthi
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
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10
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Mishra PS, Dhull DK, Nalini A, Vijayalakshmi K, Sathyaprabha TN, Alladi PA, Raju TR. Astroglia acquires a toxic neuroinflammatory role in response to the cerebrospinal fluid from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. J Neuroinflammation 2016; 13:212. [PMID: 27578023 PMCID: PMC5006495 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-016-0698-0] [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: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-cell autonomous toxicity is one of the potential mechanisms implicated in the etiopathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the exact role of glial cells in ALS pathology is yet to be fully understood. In a cellular model recapitulating the pathology of sporadic ALS, we have studied the inflammatory response of astroglia following exposure to the cerebrospinal fluid from ALS patients (ALS-CSF). Methods Various inflammatory markers including pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, COX-2, PGE-2, trophic factors, glutamate, nitric oxide (NO), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed in the rat astroglial cultures exposed to ALS-CSF and compared with the disease control or normal controls. We used immunofluorescence, ELISA, and immunoblotting techniques to investigate the protein expression and real-time PCR to study the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. Glutamate, NO, and ROS were estimated using appropriate biochemical assays. Further, the effect of conditioned medium from the astroglial cultures exposed to ALS-CSF on NSC-34 motor neuronal cell line was detected using the MTT assay. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test, or Student’s t test, as applicable. Results Here, we report that the ALS-CSF enhanced the production and release of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as COX-2 and PGE-2. Concomitantly, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and the beneficial trophic factors, namely VEGF and GDNF, were down-regulated. We also found impaired regulation of glutamate, NO, and ROS in the astroglial cultures treated with ALS-CSF. The conditioned medium from the ALS-CSF exposed astroglial cultures induced degeneration in NSC-34 cells. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that the astroglial cells contribute to the neuroinflammation-mediated neurodegeneration in the in vitro model of sporadic ALS. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-016-0698-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja-Shree Mishra
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, 560029, India.,Present address: Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec (CRIUSMQ), Québec, QC, G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Dinesh K Dhull
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, 560029, India.,Present address: Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC-Center of Advanced Study (UGC-CAS), Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - A Nalini
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, 560029, India
| | - K Vijayalakshmi
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, 560029, India
| | - T N Sathyaprabha
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, 560029, India
| | - Phalguni Anand Alladi
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, 560029, India
| | - Trichur R Raju
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, 560029, India. trraju.nimhans.@gmail.com
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Vijayalakshmi K, Ostwal P, Sumitha R, Shruthi S, Varghese AM, Mishra P, Manohari SG, Sagar BC, Sathyaprabha TN, Nalini A, Raju TR, Alladi PA. Role of VEGF and VEGFR2 Receptor in Reversal of ALS-CSF Induced Degeneration of NSC-34 Motor Neuron Cell Line. Mol Neurobiol 2014; 51:995-1007. [PMID: 24880751 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8757-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the well-known angiogenic factor is both neurotrophic and neuroprotective. Altered VEGF signalling is implicated in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal degenerative disease of motor neurons. We have shown earlier that VEGF protects NSC-34 motor neuronal cell line, when exposed to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from sporadic ALS patients (ALS-CSF). Here, we have investigated the consequences of ALS-CSF and VEGF supplementation on the VEGFR2 receptor and endogenous VEGF expression. ALS-CSF caused significant down-regulation of VEGFR2 as well as the Calbindin-D28K levels, but not endogenous VEGF. Exogenous supplementation restored the depletion of VEGFR2 and Calbindin-D28K with a concomitant up-regulation of endogenous VEGF. The up-regulated caspase 3 in the ALS-CSF group was reinstated to basal levels along with a significant reduction in the number of TUNEL-positive cells. Electron photomicrographs of ALS-CSF-exposed cells divulged presence of cytoplasmic vacuoles alongside severe damage to organelles like mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, etc. Substantial recovery of most of the damaged organelles was noted in response to VEGF supplementation. While the enhancement in endogenous VEGF levels highlights the autocrine functions, the up-regulation of VEGFR2 receptor emphasizes the paracrine functions of VEGF in modulating its neuroprotective effect against ALS-CSF. The revival of cellular organellar structure, increased calbindin expression and enhanced survival in response to VEGF supplementation consolidates the opinion that VEGF indeed has a therapeutic potential in sporadic ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Vijayalakshmi
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560 029, India
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Chen YY, Liu XW, Gong TX, Zhang ZY, Liu YE, Zhang YB, Xiang LB, Xia H. Role of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in reverting neuronal nuclear and soma size alterations in NSC-34 cells exposed to cerebrospinal fluid from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2014; 120:1-5. [PMID: 24731566 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2014.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2013] [Revised: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or motor neuron disease is an adult-onset progressive neurodegenerative disorder. ALS-CSF has been shown to produce toxic effects on motor neuron cells like aberrant neurofilament phosphorylation and morphological alterations of nuclear and soma size. Our current study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective role of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in reverting the adverse effects produced by ALS-CSF. METHODS Our present study was carried out to determine the restorative potential of PDGF on the toxic effects of ALS-CSF on NSC motor neuron cells from patients. Therefore the cells were divided in to three groups: (a) normal control (NC) - the cells were not exposed to ALS-CSF; (b) ALS group - the cells were exposed to ALS-CSF; (c) NALS group - the cells were exposed to non ALS CSF. Further each of these groups was supplemented with PDGF. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS We observed that the mean area of nucleus and cell soma of the differentiated NSC motor neuron cells was significantly reduced in the cells exposed to ALS-CSF. We also observed that subsequent treatment with PDGF restored the soma area and nucleus of the ALS-CSF exposed cells significantly. Taken together, we show that supplementation with PDGF restores the morphological changes induced by ALS-CSF and PDGF may play a significant role in protecting motor neurons from apoptosis in ALS and thereby it promoting the cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Yue Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Area Command of Chinese PLA, Guangzhou 5000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xin-Wei Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA, Rescue Center of Severe Wound and Trauma of Chinese PLA, Shenyang 110840, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Tian-Xing Gong
- Department of Materials Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columia, V6T1Z4, Canada
| | - Zhi-Yu Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Forth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 11003, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yun-En Liu
- Laboratory of severe and war-related trauma center, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA, Shenyang 110840, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yu-Biao Zhang
- Laboratory of severe and war-related trauma center, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA, Shenyang 110840, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Liang-Bi Xiang
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA, Rescue Center of Severe Wound and Trauma of Chinese PLA, Shenyang 110840, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Hong Xia
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Area Command of Chinese PLA, Guangzhou 5000, Guangdong Province, China
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Yáñez M, Matías-Guiu J, Arranz-Tagarro JA, Galán L, Viña D, Gómez-Pinedo U, Vela A, Guerrero A, Martínez-Vila E, García AG. The neuroprotection exerted by memantine, minocycline and lithium, against neurotoxicity of CSF from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is antagonized by riluzole. NEURODEGENER DIS 2013; 13:171-9. [PMID: 24356417 DOI: 10.1159/000357281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In a recent study we found that cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients caused 20-30% loss of cell viability in primary cultures of rat embryo motor cortex neurons. We also found that the antioxidant resveratrol protected against such damaging effects and that, surprisingly, riluzole antagonized its protecting effects. Here we have extended this study to the interactions of riluzole with 3 other recognized neuroprotective agents, namely memantine, minocycline and lithium. We found: (1) by itself riluzole exerted neurotoxic effects at concentrations of 3-30 µM; this cell damage was similar to that elicited by 30 µM glutamate and a 10% dilution of ALS/CSF; (2) memantine (0.1-30 µM), minocycline (0.03-1 µM) and lithium (1-80 µg/ml) afforded 10-30% protection against ALS/CSF-elicited neurotoxicity, and (3) at 1-10 µM, riluzole antagonized the protection afforded by the 3 agents. These results strongly support the view that at the riluzole concentrations reached in the brain of patients, the neurotoxic effects of this drug could be masking the potential neuroprotective actions of new compounds being tested in clinical trials. Therefore, in the light of the present results, the inclusion of a group of patients free of riluzole treatment may be mandatory in future clinical trials performed in ALS patients with novel neuroprotective compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Yáñez
- Instituto Teófilo Hernando, Departamento de Farmacología y Terapéutica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Sun H, Bénardais K, Stanslowsky N, Thau-Habermann N, Hensel N, Huang D, Claus P, Dengler R, Stangel M, Petri S. Therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells and MSC conditioned medium in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)--in vitro evidence from primary motor neuron cultures, NSC-34 cells, astrocytes and microglia. PLoS One 2013; 8:e72926. [PMID: 24069165 PMCID: PMC3771979 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Administration of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) improves functional outcome in the SOD1G93A mouse model of the degenerative motor neuron disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as well as in models of other neurological disorders. We have now investigated the effect of the interaction between MSC and motor neurons (derived from both non-transgenic and mutant SOD1G93A transgenic mice), NSC-34 cells and glial cells (astrocytes, microglia) (derived again from both non-transgenic and mutant SOD1G93A ALS transgenic mice) in vitro. In primary motor neurons, NSC-34 cells and astrocytes, MSC conditioned medium (MSC CM) attenuated staurosporine (STS) - induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Studying MSC CM-induced expression of neurotrophic factors in astrocytes and NSC-34 cells, we found that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) gene expression in astrocytes were significantly enhanced by MSC CM, with differential responses of non-transgenic and mutant astrocytes. Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in NSC-34 cells was significantly upregulated upon MSC CM-treatment. MSC CM significantly reduced the expression of the cytokines TNFα and IL-6 and iNOS both in transgenic and non-transgenic astrocytes. Gene expression of the neuroprotective chemokine Fractalkine (CX3CL1) was also upregulated in mutant SOD1G93A transgenic astrocytes by MSC CM treatment. Correspondingly, MSC CM increased the respective receptor, CX3CR1, in mutant SOD1G93A transgenic microglia. Our data demonstrate that MSC modulate motor neuronal and glial response to apoptosis and inflammation. MSC therefore represent an interesting candidate for further preclinical and clinical evaluation in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Sun
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Karelle Bénardais
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nancy Stanslowsky
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nadine Thau-Habermann
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Niko Hensel
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - DongYa Huang
- Department of Neurology, East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peter Claus
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Reinhard Dengler
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Stangel
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
- Integriertes Forschungs- und Behandlungszentrum Transplantation (IFB-Tx), Hannover, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Maier O, Böhm J, Dahm M, Brück S, Beyer C, Johann S. Differentiated NSC-34 motoneuron-like cells as experimental model for cholinergic neurodegeneration. Neurochem Int 2013; 62:1029-38. [PMID: 23562846 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2013.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2012] [Revised: 03/02/2013] [Accepted: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-motoneurons appear to be exceedingly affected in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Morphological and physiological degeneration of this neuronal phenotype is typically characterized by a marked decrease of neuronal markers and by alterations of cholinergic metabolism such as reduced choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) expression. The motoneuron-like cell line NSC-34 is a hybrid cell line produced by fusion of neuroblastoma with mouse motoneuron-enriched primary spinal cord cells. In order to further establish this cell line as a valid model system to investigate cholinergic neurodegeneration, NSC-34 cells were differentiated by serum deprivation and additional treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (atRA). Cell maturation was characterized by neurite outgrowth and increased expression of neuronal and cholinergic markers, including MAP2, GAP-43 and ChAT. Subsequently, we used differentiated NSC-34 cells to study early degenerative responses following exposure to various neurotoxins (H2O2, TNF-α, and glutamate). Susceptibility to toxin-induced cell death was determined by means of morphological changes, expression of neuronal marker proteins, and the ratio of pro-(Bax) to anti-(Bcl-2) apoptotic proteins. NSC-34 cells respond to low doses of neurotoxins with increased cell death of remaining undifferentiated cells with no obvious adverse effects on differentiated cells. Thus, the different vulnerability of differentiated and undifferentiated NSC-34 cells to neurotoxins is a key characteristic of NSC-34 cells and has to be considered in neurotoxic studies. Nonetheless, application of atRA induced differentiation of NSC-34 cells and provides a suitable model to investigate molecular events linked to neurodegeneration of differentiated neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Maier
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, RWTH Aachen University, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim is to review the most relevant findings published during the last year concerning clinical, genetic, pathogenic, and therapeutic advances in motor neuron disease, neuropathies, and neuromuscular junction disorders. RECENT FINDINGS Studies on animal and cell models have improved the understanding of how mutated survival motor neuron protein in spinal muscular atrophy governs the pathogenetic processes. New phenotypes of SOD1 mutations have been described. Moreover, animal models enhanced the insight into the pathogenetic background of sporadic and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Novel treatment options for motor neuron disease have been described in humans and animal models. Considerable progress has been achieved also in elucidating the genetic background of many forms of inherited neuropathies and high clinical and genetic heterogeneity has been demonstrated. Mutations in MuSK and GFTP1 have been shown to cause new types of congenital myasthenic syndromes. A third type of autoantibodies (Lrp4) has been detected to cause myasthenia gravis. SUMMARY Advances in the clinical and genetic characterization of motor neuron diseases, neuropathies, and neuromuscular transmission defects have important implications on the fundamental understanding, diagnosis, and management of these disorders. Identification of crucial steps of the pathogenetic process may provide the basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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