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Nystuen KL, McNamee SM, Akula M, Holton KM, DeAngelis MM, Haider NB. Alzheimer's Disease: Models and Molecular Mechanisms Informing Disease and Treatments. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:45. [PMID: 38247923 PMCID: PMC10813760 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11010045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease resulting in progressive loss of memory, language and motor abilities caused by cortical and hippocampal degeneration. This review captures the landscape of understanding of AD pathology, diagnostics, and current therapies. Two major mechanisms direct AD pathology: (1) accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) plaque and (2) tau-derived neurofibrillary tangles (NFT). The most common variants in the Aβ pathway in APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 are largely responsible for early-onset AD (EOAD), while MAPT, APOE, TREM2 and ABCA7 have a modifying effect on late-onset AD (LOAD). More recent studies implicate chaperone proteins and Aβ degrading proteins in AD. Several tests, such as cognitive function, brain imaging, and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and blood tests, are used for AD diagnosis. Additionally, several biomarkers seem to have a unique AD specific combination of expression and could potentially be used in improved, less invasive diagnostics. In addition to genetic perturbations, environmental influences, such as altered gut microbiome signatures, affect AD. Effective AD treatments have been challenging to develop. Currently, there are several FDA approved drugs (cholinesterase inhibitors, Aß-targeting antibodies and an NMDA antagonist) that could mitigate AD rate of decline and symptoms of distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaden L. Nystuen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Shannon M. McNamee
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Monica Akula
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Kristina M. Holton
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Margaret M. DeAngelis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Neena B. Haider
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Almeida MR, Tábuas-Pereira M, Baldeiras I, Lima M, Durães J, Massano J, Pinto M, Cruto C, Santana I. Characterization of Progranulin Gene Mutations in Portuguese Patients with Frontotemporal Dementia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:511. [PMID: 38203682 PMCID: PMC10778719 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In Portugal, heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the progranulin (GRN) gene account for approximately half of the genetic mediated forms of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). GRN mutations reported thus far cause FTD through a haploinsufficiency disease mechanism. Herein, we aim to unveil the GRN mutation spectrum, investigated in 257 FTD patients and 19 family members from the central/north region of Portugal using sequencing methods. Seven different pathogenic variants were identified in 46 subjects including 40 patients (16%) and 6 relatives (32%). bvFTD was the most common clinical presentation among the GRN mutation patients, who showed a global pattern of moderate-to-severe frontotemporoparietal deficits in the neuropsychological evaluation. Interestingly, two mutations were novel (p.Thr238Profs*18, p.Leu354Profs*16), and five were previously described, although three of them only in the Portuguese population, suggesting a population-specific GRN mutational spectrum. The subjects harboring a GRN mutation showed a significant reduction in serum PGRN levels, supporting the pathogenic nature of these variants. This work broadens the mutation spectrum of GRN and the identification of the underlying GRN mutations provided an accurate genetic counselling and allowed the enrolment of subjects with GRN mutations (both asymptomatic and symptomatic) in ongoing clinical trials, which is essential to test new drugs for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosário Almeida
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (I.B.); (I.S.)
| | - Miguel Tábuas-Pereira
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.T.-P.); (M.L.); (J.D.)
| | - Inês Baldeiras
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (I.B.); (I.S.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marisa Lima
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.T.-P.); (M.L.); (J.D.)
| | - João Durães
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.T.-P.); (M.L.); (J.D.)
| | - João Massano
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (J.M.); (M.P.)
| | - Madalena Pinto
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (J.M.); (M.P.)
| | - Catarina Cruto
- Neurology Department, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Unidade Local de Saúde de Matosinhos, 4464-513 Matosinhos, Portugal;
| | - Isabel Santana
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (I.B.); (I.S.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal
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Lima M, Tábuas-Pereira M, Durães J, Vieira D, Faustino P, Baldeiras I, Santana I. Neuropsychological Assessment in the Distinction Between Biomarker Defined Frontal-Variant of Alzheimer's Disease and Behavioral-Variant of Frontotemporal Dementia. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 91:1303-1312. [PMID: 36617783 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frontal-variant of Alzheimer's disease (fvAD) was purposed for patients with AD pathology that, despite the typical amnestic presentation, show early and progressive deterioration of behavior and executive functions, closely resembling the behavioral-variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). This leads to a challenging differential diagnosis where neuropsychological evaluation and in vivo pathological evidence are essential. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the contribution of a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment (NP) battery in distinguishing between fvAD-dementia and bvFTD supported by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers. METHODS We included 40 patients with a baseline NP profile with prominent early executive and/or behavioral dysfunction, who meet both diagnosis of bvFTD and fvAD-dementia, according to international criteria. All patients underwent comprehensive NP assessment and CSF-AD biomarker evaluation. Neuropsychological domains as well as clinical and sociodemographic features, and APOE genotype were compared between groups. RESULTS 21 patients (52.5%) met the biological criteria for AD (decreased Aβ42 together with increased T-tau or P-tau in CSF) and were therefore classified as fvAD (mean age was 64.57, with 47.6% female). There were no differences between groups regarding age/age-at-onset, gender, or educational level. Regarding neuropsychological profile, performances in language and memory functions were equivalent in both groups. Significant differences were found in visuo-constructional abilities (p = 0.004), Trail Making Test A (p < 0.001), and Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices (p = 0.019), with fvAD patients showing worst performances. CONCLUSION In patients with an early prominent frontal profile, a higher impairment in attention and visuo-spatial functions, signaling additional right hemisphere fronto-parietal dysfunction, point towards a diagnosis of fvAD-dementia and may be useful in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Lima
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Tábuas-Pereira
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Durães
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Daniela Vieira
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar do Médio Ave, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Faustino
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Baldeiras
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Santana
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Tábuas-Pereira M, Santana I, Gibbons E, Paquette K, Almeida MR, Baldeiras I, Bras J, Guerreiro R. Exome Sequencing of a Portuguese Cohort of Frontotemporal Dementia Patients: Looking Into the ALS-FTD Continuum. Front Neurol 2022; 13:886379. [PMID: 35873773 PMCID: PMC9300853 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.886379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is considered to be part of a continuum with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Many genes are associated with both ALS and FTD. Yet, many genes associated with ALS have not been shown to cause FTD. We aimed to study a Portuguese cohort of FTD patients, searching for variants in genes associated with both FTD and/or ALS. Methods We included 57 thoroughly characterized index FTD patients from our memory clinic, who were not carriers of pathogenic variants in GRN, MAPT or C9orf72. We performed exome sequencing and 1) prioritized potential FTD and ALS causing variants by using Exomiser to annotate and filter results; and 2) looked specifically at rare variability in genes associated with FTD (excluding GRN, MAPT and C9ORF72) and/or ALS. Results We identified 13 rare missense variants in 10 patients (three patients had two variants) in the following genes: FUS, OPTN, CCNF, DCTN1, TREM2, ERBB4, ANG, CHRNA4, CHRNB4 and SETX. We found an additional frameshift variant on GLT8D1 in one patient. One variant (ERBB4 p.Arg1112His) gathered enough evidence to be classified as likely pathogenic by the ACMG criteria. Discussion We report, for the first time, an expanded study of genes known to cause FTD-ALS, in the Portuguese population. Potentially pathogenic variants in ERBB4, FUS, SETX, ANG, CHRNA4 and CHRNB4 were identified in FTD patients. These findings provide additional evidence for the potential role of rare variability in ALS-associated genes in FTD, expanding the genetic spectrum between the two diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Tábuas-Pereira
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Miguel Tábuas-Pereira
| | - Isabel Santana
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Elizabeth Gibbons
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Kimberly Paquette
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Maria Rosário Almeida
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Baldeiras
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jose Bras
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Rita Guerreiro
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
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Lima M, Tábuas-Pereira M, Duro D, Durães J, Vieira D, Baldeiras I, Almeida MR, Santana I. Neuropsychological features of progranulin-associated frontotemporal dementia: a nested case-control study. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:910-915. [PMID: 33229728 PMCID: PMC8178761 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.297082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The distinction between sporadic and genetic behavioural-variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) regarding some neuropsychological (NP) features remains challenging. Specifically, progranulin (GRN)-associated bvFTD frequently presents with early episodic memory impairment and some degree of parietal dysfunction which are supporters of Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis. In this context, we aimed to characterize the NP profile of GRN-bvFTD as compared to sporadic-bvFTD and AD in patients with mild dementia (Mini-Mental State Examination score ≥ 17 and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale score ≤ 1. We identified 21 patients at Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal with GRN mutations belonging to fifteen different families. As our focus was bvFTD variants, FTD-related aphasic forms (3 patients) were excluded. The remaining 18 GRN-bvFTD were further matched with 18 sporadic-bvFTD and 18 AD patients according to disease staging, age and education. All patients completed the Mini-Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and a comprehensive NP assessment battery. Results were converted into z-scores. Differences between groups in individual NP measures and NP domains were assessed through non-parametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis test analysis) and eta squared (ŋ2) was calculated as a measure of effect size. Group comparisons show that GRN patients have worse performances on verbal retrieval processes (P = 0.039, ŋ2 = 0.110) and visuoconstructive abilities (P = 0.039, ŋ2 = 0.190) than sporadic bvFTD forms. When compared to AD, GRN patients present a higher impairment in frontal (P = 0.001, ŋ2 = 0.211) and parietal (P = 0.041, ŋ2 = 0.129) measures and a better performance in memory tasks (P = 0.020, ŋ2 = 0.120). Sporadic-bvFTD forms are worse than AD in frontal measures (P = 0.032, ŋ2 = 0.200), being better in both memory (P = 0.010, ŋ2 = 0.131) and visuospatial skills (P = 0.023, ŋ2 = 0.231). Considering these results, we conclude that GRN-bvFTD patients present a NP profile that associates the typical patterns of FTD and AD deficits. This is particularly expressive in visuoconstructive abilities, which was the more discriminative feature between groups, followed by episodic verbal memory. This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal (CE-029/2019) on June 24, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Lima
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Tábuas-Pereira
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Diana Duro
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Durães
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Daniela Vieira
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Baldeiras
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal
- University of Coimbra, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Isabel Santana
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal
- University of Coimbra, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal
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Ntymenou S, Tsantzali I, Kalamatianos T, Voumvourakis KI, Kapaki E, Tsivgoulis G, Stranjalis G, Paraskevas GP. Blood Biomarkers in Frontotemporal Dementia: Review and Meta-Analysis. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11020244. [PMID: 33672008 PMCID: PMC7919273 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are useful in the differential diagnosis between frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer’s dementia (AD), but require lumbar puncture, which is a moderately invasive procedure that can cause anxiety to patients. Gradually, the measurement of blood biomarkers has been attracting great interest. Testing blood instead of CSF, in order to measure biomarkers, offers numerous advantages because it negates the need for lumbar puncture, it is widely available, and can be repeated, allowing the prediction of disease course. In this study, a systematic review of the existing literature was conducted, as well as meta-analysis with greater emphasis on the most studied biomarkers, p-tau and progranulin. The goal was to give prominence to evidence regarding the use of plasma biomarkers in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Ntymenou
- Department of Neurology, Evangelismos Hospital, 10676 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioanna Tsantzali
- 2nd Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, "Attikon" University General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Theodosis Kalamatianos
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Evangelismos Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 10676 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos I Voumvourakis
- 2nd Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, "Attikon" University General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Kapaki
- Ward of Cognitive and Movement Disorders, 1st Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
- Unit of Neurochemistry and Biological Markers, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- 2nd Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, "Attikon" University General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - George Stranjalis
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Evangelismos Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 10676 Athens, Greece
| | - George P Paraskevas
- 2nd Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, "Attikon" University General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
- Unit of Neurochemistry and Biological Markers, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
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Arienti F, Lazzeri G, Vizziello M, Monfrini E, Bresolin N, Saetti MC, Picillo M, Franco G, Di Fonzo A. Unravelling Genetic Factors Underlying Corticobasal Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Cells 2021; 10:171. [PMID: 33467748 PMCID: PMC7830591 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticobasal syndrome (CBS) is an atypical parkinsonian presentation characterized by heterogeneous clinical features and different underlying neuropathology. Most CBS cases are sporadic; nevertheless, reports of families and isolated individuals with genetically determined CBS have been reported. In this systematic review, we analyze the demographical, clinical, radiological, and anatomopathological features of genetically confirmed cases of CBS. A systematic search was performed using the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, included all publications in English from 1 January 1999 through 1 August 2020. We found forty publications with fifty-eight eligible cases. A second search for publications dealing with genetic risk factors for CBS led to the review of eight additional articles. GRN was the most common gene involved in CBS, representing 28 out of 58 cases, followed by MAPT, C9ORF72, and PRNP. A set of symptoms was shown to be significantly more common in GRN-CBS patients, including visuospatial impairment, behavioral changes, aphasia, and language alterations. In addition, specific demographical, clinical, biochemical, and radiological features may suggest mutations in other genes. We suggest a diagnostic algorithm to help in identifying potential genetic cases of CBS in order to improve the diagnostic accuracy and to better understand the still poorly defined underlying pathogenetic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Arienti
- Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Neuroscience Section, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (F.A.); (G.L.); (M.V.); (E.M.); (M.C.S.)
| | - Giulia Lazzeri
- Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Neuroscience Section, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (F.A.); (G.L.); (M.V.); (E.M.); (M.C.S.)
| | - Maria Vizziello
- Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Neuroscience Section, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (F.A.); (G.L.); (M.V.); (E.M.); (M.C.S.)
| | - Edoardo Monfrini
- Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Neuroscience Section, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (F.A.); (G.L.); (M.V.); (E.M.); (M.C.S.)
| | - Nereo Bresolin
- Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neurology Unit, 20122 Milan, Italy; (N.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Maria Cristina Saetti
- Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Neuroscience Section, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (F.A.); (G.L.); (M.V.); (E.M.); (M.C.S.)
| | - Marina Picillo
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, 84084 Salerno, Italy;
| | - Giulia Franco
- Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neurology Unit, 20122 Milan, Italy; (N.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Alessio Di Fonzo
- Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neurology Unit, 20122 Milan, Italy; (N.B.); (G.F.)
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Fluid Biomarkers of Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1281:123-139. [PMID: 33433873 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-51140-1_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A timely diagnosis of frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) is frequently challenging due to the heterogeneous symptomatology and poor phenotype-pathological correlation. Fluid biomarkers that reflect FTD pathophysiology could be instrumental in both clinical practice and pharmaceutical trials. In recent years, significant progress has been made in developing biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases: amyloid-β and tau in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can be used to exclude Alzheimer's disease, while neurofilament light chain (NfL) is emerging as a promising, albeit nonspecific, marker of neurodegeneration in both CSF and blood. Gene-specific biomarkers such as PGRN in GRN mutation carriers and dipeptide repeat proteins in C9orf72 mutation carriers are potential target engagement markers in genetic FTD trials. Novel techniques capable of measuring very low concentrations of brain-derived proteins in peripheral fluids are facilitating studies of blood biomarkers as a minimally invasive alternative to CSF. A major remaining challenge is the identification of a biomarker that can be used to predict the neuropathological substrate in sporadic FTD patients.
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Tábuas-Pereira M, Almeida MR, Duro D, Lima M, Durães J, Guerreiro R, Brás J, Baldeiras I, Santana I. Patients with progranulin mutations overlap with the progressive dysexecutive syndrome: towards the definition of a frontoparietal dementia phenotype. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa126. [PMID: 33216842 PMCID: PMC7660038 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Tábuas-Pereira
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-045, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-370, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-517, Portugal
- Centro Académico Clínico de Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-517, Portugal
| | - Maria Rosário Almeida
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-517, Portugal
- Centro Académico Clínico de Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-517, Portugal
| | - Diana Duro
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-045, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-370, Portugal
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Coimbra 3000-115, Portugal
| | - Marisa Lima
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-045, Portugal
- Centro Académico Clínico de Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-517, Portugal
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Coimbra 3000-115, Portugal
| | - João Durães
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-045, Portugal
| | - Rita Guerreiro
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
- Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - José Brás
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
- Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Inês Baldeiras
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-045, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-370, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-517, Portugal
- Centro Académico Clínico de Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-517, Portugal
| | - Isabel Santana
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-045, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-370, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-517, Portugal
- Centro Académico Clínico de Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3004-517, Portugal
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10
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Nguyen AD, Malmstrom TK, Niehoff ML, Aziz A, Miller DK, Morley JE. Serum progranulin levels are associated with frailty in middle-aged individuals. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238877. [PMID: 32886731 PMCID: PMC7473561 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE A recent study identified progranulin as a candidate biomarker for frailty, based on gene expression databases. In the present study, we investigated associations between serum progranulin levels and frailty in a population-based sample of late middle-age and older adults. METHODS We utilized a cohort study that included 358 African Americans (baseline ages 49-65). Frailty was assessed by three established methods: the interview-based FRAIL scale, the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) frailty scale that includes performance-based measurements, and the Frailty Index (FI) that is based on cumulative deficits. Serum levels of the following proteins and metabolites were measured: progranulin, cystatin C, fructosamine, soluble cytokine receptors (interleukin-2 and -6, tumor necrosis factor α-1 and -2), and C-reactive protein. Sarcopenia was assessed using the SARC-F index. Vital status was determined by matching through the National Death Index (NDI). RESULTS Serum progranulin levels were associated with frailty for all indices (FRAIL, CHS, and FI) but not with sarcopenia. Inflammatory markers indicated by soluble cytokine receptors (sIL-2R, sIL-6R, sTNFR1, sTNFR2) were positively associated serum progranulin. Increased serum progranulin levels at baseline predicted poorer outcomes including future frailty as measured by the FRAIL scale and 15-year all-cause mortality independent of age, gender, and frailty. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that serum progranulin levels may be a candidate biomarker for physical frailty, independent of sarcopenia. Further studies are needed to validate this association and assess the utility of serum progranulin levels as a potential biomarker for prevalent frailty, for risk for developing incident frailty, and for mortality risk over and above the effect of baseline frailty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D. Nguyen
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Henry and Amelia Nasrallah Center for Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Theodore K. Malmstrom
- Henry and Amelia Nasrallah Center for Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Michael L. Niehoff
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Asef Aziz
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Douglas K. Miller
- Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - John E. Morley
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
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11
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Guven G, Bilgic B, Tufekcioglu Z, Erginel Unaltuna N, Hanagasi H, Gurvit H, Singleton A, Hardy J, Emre M, Gulec C, Bras J, Guerreiro R, Lohmann E. Peripheral GRN mRNA and Serum Progranulin Levels as a Potential Indicator for Both the Presence of Splice Site Mutations and Individuals at Risk for Frontotemporal Dementia. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 67:159-167. [PMID: 30475763 DOI: 10.3233/jad-180599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Progranulin (GRN) gene mutations are a major cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Most mutations identified to date are null mutations, which are predicted to cause the pathology via haploinsufficiency. Decreased peripheral progranulin protein (PGRN) levels are associated with the presence of GRN null mutations and are accepted as reliable biomarkers. In this study, our aim was to test whether the presence of specific GRN splice site mutations (c.- 8+2T>G and c.708+6_9del), could be predicted by peripheral mRNA or protein GRN levels, by studying affected and asymptomatic individuals from FTD families. We also tested four missense GRN variants to assess if altered GRN levels depended on the type of mutation.Our results confirmed a reduction in both mRNA and protein PGRN levels in the splice site mutation carriers, which is consistent with previous reports for null mutations. Our results also suggested that both decreased peripheral GRN mRNA and serum PGRN levels indicate the presence of pathogenic mutations in affected individuals, and identify the asymptomatic individuals at risk, without previous knowledge of genetic status. Both inferences suggest a potential use of peripheral GRN mRNA or serum PGRN levels as biomarkers for families with FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamze Guven
- Department of Genetics, Aziz Sancar Institute for Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Başar Bilgic
- Department of Neurology, Behavioural Neurology and Movement Disorders Unit, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Tufekcioglu
- Department of Neurology, Behavioural Neurology and Movement Disorders Unit, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nihan Erginel Unaltuna
- Department of Genetics, Aziz Sancar Institute for Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hasmet Hanagasi
- Department of Neurology, Behavioural Neurology and Movement Disorders Unit, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hakan Gurvit
- Department of Neurology, Behavioural Neurology and Movement Disorders Unit, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Andrew Singleton
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John Hardy
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Murat Emre
- Department of Neurology, Behavioural Neurology and Movement Disorders Unit, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cagri Gulec
- Department of Medical Genetics, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Jose Bras
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.,UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (UK DRI), London, UK
| | - Rita Guerreiro
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.,UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (UK DRI), London, UK
| | - Ebba Lohmann
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Germany.,DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tübingen, Germany
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12
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Galimberti D, Bertram K, Formica A, Fenoglio C, Cioffi SMG, Arighi A, Scarpini E, Colosimo C. Plasma Screening for Progranulin Mutations in Patients with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Syndromes. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 53:445-9. [PMID: 27163816 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Progranulin gene (GRN) mutations are characterized by heterogeneous presentations. Corticobasal syndrome (CBS) is often associated with GRN mutations, whereas association with progressive supranuclear palsy syndrome (PSPS) is rare. Plasma progranulin levels were evaluated in 34 patients, including 19 with PSPS, 12 with CBS, and 3 with mixed signs, with the purpose to screen for the presence of causal mutations, associated with low levels. We found undetectable levels in a patient with CBS. Sequencing confirmed the presence of the Thr272fs deletion. Progranulin mutation screening is suggested in cases of CBS, even in the absence of positive family history for dementia and/or movement disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Galimberti
- Neurology Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Kelly Bertram
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alessandra Formica
- Dipartimento di Neurologia e Psichiatria, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
| | - Chiara Fenoglio
- Neurology Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara M G Cioffi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Arighi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Elio Scarpini
- Neurology Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Colosimo
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Santa Maria, Terni, Italy
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13
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Chitramuthu BP, Bennett HPJ, Bateman A. Progranulin: a new avenue towards the understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative disease. Brain 2017; 140:3081-3104. [PMID: 29053785 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awx198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Progranulin, a secreted glycoprotein, is encoded in humans by the single GRN gene. Progranulin consists of seven and a half, tandemly repeated, non-identical copies of the 12 cysteine granulin motif. Many cellular processes and diseases are associated with this unique pleiotropic factor that include, but are not limited to, embryogenesis, tumorigenesis, inflammation, wound repair, neurodegeneration and lysosome function. Haploinsufficiency caused by autosomal dominant mutations within the GRN gene leads to frontotemporal lobar degeneration, a progressive neuronal atrophy that presents in patients as frontotemporal dementia. Frontotemporal dementia is an early onset form of dementia, distinct from Alzheimer's disease. The GRN-related form of frontotemporal lobar dementia is a proteinopathy characterized by the appearance of neuronal inclusions containing ubiquitinated and fragmented TDP-43 (encoded by TARDBP). The neurotrophic and neuro-immunomodulatory properties of progranulin have recently been reported but are still not well understood. Gene delivery of GRN in experimental models of Alzheimer's- and Parkinson's-like diseases inhibits phenotype progression. Here we review what is currently known concerning the molecular function and mechanism of action of progranulin in normal physiological and pathophysiological conditions in both in vitro and in vivo models. The potential therapeutic applications of progranulin in treating neurodegenerative diseases are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babykumari P Chitramuthu
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Royal Victoria Hospital, and McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Centre for Translational Biology, Platform in Metabolic Disorders and Complications, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Hugh P J Bennett
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Royal Victoria Hospital, and McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Centre for Translational Biology, Platform in Metabolic Disorders and Complications, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Andrew Bateman
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Royal Victoria Hospital, and McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Centre for Translational Biology, Platform in Metabolic Disorders and Complications, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
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14
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GRN and MAPT Mutations in 2 Frontotemporal Dementia Research Centers in Brazil. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2017; 30:310-317. [PMID: 27082848 DOI: 10.1097/wad.0000000000000153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in GRN (progranulin) and MAPT (microtubule-associated protein tau) are among the most frequent causes of monogenic frontotemporal dementia (FTD), but data on the frequency of these mutations in regions such as Latin America are still lacking. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the frequencies of GRN and MAPT mutations in FTD cohorts from 2 Brazilian dementia research centers, the University of Sao Paulo and the Federal University of Minas Gerais medical schools. METHODS We included 76 probands diagnosed with behavioral-variant FTD (n=55), semantic-variant Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) (n=11), or nonfluent-variant PPA (n=10). Twenty-five percent of the cohort had at least 1 relative affected with FTD. RESULTS Mutations in GRN were identified in 7 probands, and in MAPT, in 2 probands. We identified 3 novel GRN mutations (p.Q130X, p.317Afs*12, and p.K259Afs*23) in patients diagnosed with nonfluent-variant PPA or behavioral-variant FTD. Plasma progranulin levels were measured and a cutoff value of 70 ng/mL was found, with 100% sensitivity and specificity to detect null GRN mutations. CONCLUSIONS The frequency of GRN mutations was 9.6% and that of MAPT mutations was 7.1%. Among familial cases of FTD, the frequency of GRN mutations was 31.5% and that of MAPT mutations was 10.5%.
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15
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Willemse EAJ, Durieux-Lu S, van der Flier WM, Pijnenburg YAL, de Jonge R, Teunissen CE. Stability of Progranulin Under Pre-Analytical Conditions in Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid. J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 53:107-16. [PMID: 27104901 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Progranulin (PGRN) levels in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are increasingly studied as potential markers for neurodegenerative disorders. We aimed to 1) characterize two commercially available PGRN ELISAs on several assay validation parameters, 2) assess the stability of PGRN in serum and CSF under pre-analytical conditions, and 3) compare stability in the two assays. Intra- and inter-assay variation, inter-lot variation, linearity, lower limit of detection, and kit correlations were assessed for the Adipogen and R&D PGRN ELISA kits. Blood and serum samples were experimentally exposed to ≤9 freeze/thaw cycles, delayed processing for ≤24 h at room temperature and 4°C, and to temperature stability tests for ≤3 weeks at -20°C, 4°C, room temperature, and 37°C. Both commercial PGRN ELISA kits showed acceptable ranges for intra- and inter-assay variation, where the R&D kit performed more accurate than the Adipogen kit, especially for inter-assay variation (intra-assay serum: 6.7 and 8.3%, respectively; inter-assay serum: 9.2 and 21.0%; intra-assay CSF: 3.6 and 12.0%; inter-assay CSF: 16.0 and 44.5%). Absolute serum PGRN concentrations were 1.9-fold higher in Adipogen than R&D (p < 0.001) and strongly correlated between both kits (ρ= 0.86, p < 0.0001) and CSF PGRN levels were on the borderline of detection in both kits. PGRN was typically stable under all pre-analytical conditions addressed, although two weeks at 37°C resulted in decreased PGRN concentrations in CSF, only when using the Adipogen kit. These results support further examination of PGRN as a potential marker in neurodegenerative diseases, since PGRN is stable in serum and CSF and can be measured using ELISA kits from several providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline A J Willemse
- Clinical Chemistry, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Neurology and Alzheimer Center, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sisi Durieux-Lu
- Clinical Chemistry, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wiesje M van der Flier
- Neurology and Alzheimer Center, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yolande A L Pijnenburg
- Neurology and Alzheimer Center, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert de Jonge
- Clinical Chemistry, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte E Teunissen
- Clinical Chemistry, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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16
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Oeckl P, Steinacker P, Feneberg E, Otto M. Neurochemical biomarkers in the diagnosis of frontotemporal lobar degeneration: an update. J Neurochem 2016; 138 Suppl 1:184-92. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Oeckl
- Department of Neurology; Ulm University Hospital; Ulm Germany
| | | | - Emily Feneberg
- Department of Neurology; Ulm University Hospital; Ulm Germany
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology; Ulm University Hospital; Ulm Germany
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17
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Taghdiri F, Sato C, Ghani M, Moreno D, Rogaeva E, Tartaglia MC. Novel GRN Mutations in Patients with Corticobasal Syndrome. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22913. [PMID: 26961809 PMCID: PMC4785496 DOI: 10.1038/srep22913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss-of-function GRN mutations lead to GRN haploinsufficiency and consequently neurodegeneration with significant heterogeneity in clinical presentation of various syndromes. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetics and clinical features of patients with GRN-related frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) syndromes. We performed mutation analysis of GRN in 45 unrelated Canadian patients with a broad spectrum of FTLD-like syndromes (mean age at onset of 64.0 ± 11.2 years). In our cohort, two patients were carriers of two novel heterozygous alterations in GRN: 2 bp insertion (c.769-770insCC:p.Q257fs) and 12 bp deletion (c.1009-1020del:p.337-340del). Both patients presented with corticobasal syndrome supported by clinical and radiological findings. The absence of the mutant allele in the RT-PCR product was only observed for the sample with 2 bp insertion in GRN. In contrast, the allele with 12 bp deletion in GRN was not down-regulated at the RNA level and did not segregate with FTLD in the family. Our report extends the evidence for genetic and phenotypic variability in FTLD disorders, and detects a novel pathogenic GRN mutation, carriers of which could eventually help to evaluate the efficacy of different treatments at early stages of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Foad Taghdiri
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Christine Sato
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Mahdi Ghani
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Danielle Moreno
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Ekaterina Rogaeva
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Maria Carmela Tartaglia
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada.,Devision of Neurology, University Health Network memory clinic, Toronto Western Hospital, 399 Bathurst street, ON M5T 2S8, Canada
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18
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Karch CM, Ezerskiy L, Redaelli V, Giovagnoli AR, Tiraboschi P, Pelliccioni G, Pelliccioni P, Kapetis D, D'Amato I, Piccoli E, Ferretti MG, Tagliavini F, Rossi G. Missense mutations in progranulin gene associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration: study of pathogenetic features. Neurobiol Aging 2016; 38:215.e1-215.e12. [PMID: 26652843 PMCID: PMC4738142 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2015.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
GRN, the gene coding for the progranulin (PGRN) protein, was recognized as a gene linked to frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). The first mutations identified were null mutations giving rise to haploinsufficiency. Missense mutations were subsequently detected, but only a small subset has been functionally investigated. We identified missense mutations (C105Y, A199V, and R298H) in FTLD cases with family history and/or with low plasma PGRN levels. The aim of this study was to determine their pathogenicity. We performed functional studies, analyzing PGRN expression, secretion, and cleavage by elastase. GRN C105Y affected both secretion and elastase cleavage, likely representing a pathogenic mutation. GRN A199V did not alter the physiological properties of PGRN and GRN R298H produced only moderate effects on PGRN secretion, indicating that their pathogenicity is uncertain. In the absence of strong segregation data and neuropathological examinations, genetic, biomarker, and functional studies can be applied to an algorithm to assess the likelihood of pathogenicity for a mutation. This information can improve our understanding of the complex mechanisms by which GRN mutations lead to FTLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste M Karch
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA; Hope Center Program on Protein Aggregation and Neurodegeneration, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Lubov Ezerskiy
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Veronica Redaelli
- Division of Neurology V and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Giovagnoli
- Division of Neurology V and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Pietro Tiraboschi
- Division of Neurology V and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Pelliccioni
- Division of Neurology, Geriatric Hospital, INRCA-IRCCS, Ancona, Italy
| | - Dimos Kapetis
- Bioinformatics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Ilaria D'Amato
- Division of Neurology V and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Elena Piccoli
- Division of Neurology V and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Giulia Ferretti
- Division of Neurology V and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Tagliavini
- Division of Neurology V and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Giacomina Rossi
- Division of Neurology V and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy.
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19
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Benussi A, Padovani A, Borroni B. Phenotypic Heterogeneity of Monogenic Frontotemporal Dementia. Front Aging Neurosci 2015; 7:171. [PMID: 26388768 PMCID: PMC4555036 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2015.00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a genetically and pathologically heterogeneous disorder characterized by personality changes, language impairment, and deficits of executive functions associated with frontal and temporal lobe degeneration. Different phenotypes have been defined on the basis of presenting clinical symptoms, i.e., the behavioral variant of FTD, the agrammatic variant of primary progressive aphasia, and the semantic variant of PPA. Some patients have an associated movement disorder, either parkinsonism, as in progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal syndrome, or motor neuron disease (FTD-MND). A family history of dementia is found in 40% of cases of FTD and about 10% have a clear autosomal-dominant inheritance. Genetic studies have identified several genes associated with monogenic FTD: microtubule-associated protein tau, progranulin, TAR DNA-binding protein 43, valosin-containing protein, charged multivesicular body protein 2B, fused in sarcoma, and the hexanucleotide repeat expansion in intron 1 of the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72. Patients often present with an extensive phenotypic variability, even among different members of the same kindred carrying an identical disease mutation. The objective of the present work is to review and evaluate available literature data in order to highlight recent advances in clinical, biological, and neuroimaging features of monogenic frontotemporal lobar degeneration and try to identify different mechanisms underlying the extreme phenotypic heterogeneity that characterizes this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Benussi
- Centre for Ageing Brain and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Centre for Ageing Brain and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Barbara Borroni
- Centre for Ageing Brain and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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20
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Gaspar R, Santana I, Mendes C, Fernandes AS, Duro D, Simões M, Luís D, Santos MJ, Grazina M. Genetic Variation of MT-ND Genes in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration: Biochemical Phenotype-Genotype Correlation. NEURODEGENER DIS 2015; 15:70-80. [DOI: 10.1159/000380766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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21
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Further evidence for plasma progranulin as a biomarker in bipolar disorder. J Affect Disord 2014; 157:87-91. [PMID: 24581833 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2014.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2013] [Revised: 01/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A recent study suggested that progranulin (encoded by the fronto-temporal dementia risk gene GRN) plasma levels are decreased in bipolar disorder (BD). Replication of this finding is however lacking. METHODS Progranulin plasma levels of bipolar patients (n=104) and healthy controls (n=80) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Participants were also genotyped for three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GRN gene (rs2879096, rs4792938 and rs5848), and the effect of genetic variation on progranulin levels was examined. RESULTS Plasma progranulin levels were decreased in BD (ANCOVA, p=0.001). Furthermore, age was significantly and positively correlated with plasma progranulin (Pearson׳s correlation, r=0.269, p<0.001). Also, lithium treatment but no other medication had a significant effect on progranulin plasma levels (ANCOVA, p=0.007). Specifically in BD, the GRN SNP rs5848 was associated with progranulin plasma levels (Kruskal-Wallis test, p<0.005). LIMITATIONS Subgroup analysis regarding bipolar I vs. bipolar II subtype and polarity of the episode at sampling (manic vs. depressed vs. mixed vs. rapid cycling vs. euthymic) could only be performed with limited validity due to the relatively small sample size. The suitability of peripheral progranulin as a biomarker for BD is limited due to the overlap between patients and controls. CONCLUSION The findings strengthen the evidence for progranulin being involved in pathomechanisms of bipolar disorder, and suggest a genetic determinant of progranulin concentrations that is relevant specifically in bipolar patients.
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