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Lin Y, Zhao X, Liou B, Fannin V, Zhang W, Setchell KDR, Wang X, Pan D, Grabowski GA, Liu CJ, Sun Y. Intrinsic link between PGRN and Gba1 D409V mutation dosage in potentiating Gaucher disease. Hum Mol Genet 2024:ddae113. [PMID: 39101473 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Gaucher disease (GD) is caused by biallelic GBA1/Gba1 mutations that encode defective glucocerebrosidase (GCase). Progranulin (PGRN, encoded by GRN/Grn) is a modifier of GCase, but the interplay between PGRN and GCase, specifically GBA1/Gba1 mutations, contributing to GD severity is unclear. Mouse models were developed with various dosages of Gba1 D409V mutation against the PGRN deficiency (Grn-/-) [Grn-/-;Gba1D409V/WT (PG9Vwt), Grn-/-;Gba1D409V/D409V (PG9V), Grn-/-;Gba1D409V/Null (PG9VN)]. Disease progression in those mouse models was characterized by biochemical, pathological, transcriptomic, and neurobehavioral analyses. Compared to PG9Vwt, Grn-/-;Gba1WT/Null and Grn-/- mice that had a higher level of GCase activity and undetectable pathologies, homozygous or hemizygous D409V in PG9V or PG9VN, respectively, resulted in profound inflammation and neurodegeneration. PG9VN mice exhibited much earlier onset, shorter life span, tissue fibrosis, and more severe phenotypes than PG9V mice. Glycosphingolipid accumulation, inflammatory responses, lysosomal-autophagy dysfunction, microgliosis, retinal gliosis, as well as α-Synuclein increases were much more pronounced in PG9VN mice. Neurodegeneration in PG9VN was characterized by activated microglial phagocytosis of impaired neurons and programmed cell death due to necrosis and, possibly, pyroptosis. Brain transcriptomic analyses revealed the intrinsic relationship between D409V dosage, and the degree of altered gene expression related to lysosome dysfunction, microgliosis, and neurodegeneration in GD, suggesting the disease severity is dependent on a GCase activity threshold related to Gba1 D409V dosage and loss of PGRN. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of GD pathogenesis by elucidating additional underlying mechanisms of interplay between PGRN and Gba1 mutation dosage in modulating GCase function and disease severity in GD and GBA1-associated neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Lin
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Xiangli Zhao
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yale University School of Medicine, 789 Howard Avenue, New Haven, CT 06519, United States
| | - Benjamin Liou
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Venette Fannin
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Wujuan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Kenneth D R Setchell
- Department of Pathology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Dao Pan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Gregory A Grabowski
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Chuan-Ju Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yale University School of Medicine, 789 Howard Avenue, New Haven, CT 06519, United States
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 301 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003, United States
| | - Ying Sun
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
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2
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Colella P, Sayana R, Suarez-Nieto MV, Sarno J, Nyame K, Xiong J, Pimentel Vera LN, Arozqueta Basurto J, Corbo M, Limaye A, Davis KL, Abu-Remaileh M, Gomez-Ospina N. CNS-wide repopulation by hematopoietic-derived microglia-like cells corrects progranulin deficiency in mice. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5654. [PMID: 38969669 PMCID: PMC11226701 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49908-4] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can deliver therapeutic proteins to the central nervous system (CNS) through transplant-derived microglia-like cells. However, current conditioning approaches result in low and slow engraftment of transplanted cells in the CNS. Here we optimized a brain conditioning regimen that leads to rapid, robust, and persistent microglia replacement without adverse effects on neurobehavior or hematopoiesis. This regimen combines busulfan myeloablation and six days of Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor PLX3397. Single-cell analyses revealed unappreciated heterogeneity of microglia-like cells with most cells expressing genes characteristic of homeostatic microglia, brain-border-associated macrophages, and unique markers. Cytokine analysis in the CNS showed transient inductions of myeloproliferative and chemoattractant cytokines that help repopulate the microglia niche. Bone marrow transplant of progranulin-deficient mice conditioned with busulfan and PLX3397 restored progranulin in the brain and eyes and normalized brain lipofuscin storage, proteostasis, and lipid metabolism. This study advances our understanding of CNS repopulation by hematopoietic-derived cells and demonstrates its therapeutic potential for treating progranulin-dependent neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasqualina Colella
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Ruhi Sayana
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | | | - Jolanda Sarno
- Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplant, and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Tettamanti Center, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900, Monza, Italy
| | - Kwamina Nyame
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- The Institute for Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (Sarafan ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jian Xiong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- The Institute for Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (Sarafan ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | | | | | - Marco Corbo
- MedGenome, Inc, 348 Hatch Dr, Foster City, CA, 94404, USA
| | - Anay Limaye
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- MedGenome, Inc, 348 Hatch Dr, Foster City, CA, 94404, USA
| | - Kara L Davis
- Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplant, and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Monther Abu-Remaileh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- The Institute for Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (Sarafan ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Natalia Gomez-Ospina
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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3
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Tanourlouee SB, Nasirzadeh M, Zolbin MM, Azimzadeh A, Babaei JF, Bitaraf M, Kajbafzadeh AM, Masoumi A, Hassani S, Mirnia K. Effects of fresh bone marrow mononuclear cell therapy in rat model of retinopathy of prematurity. Regen Ther 2023; 24:43-53. [PMID: 37334242 PMCID: PMC10276165 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2023.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disease that alters retinal vascular patterns in preterm neonates with immature retinal vasculature. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cell therapy by bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) on neurological and vascular damages in a rat model of ROP. Methods Ten newborn Wistar rats were divided randomly into the control and the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) groups. Animals in the OIR group were incubated in an oxygen chamber to induce retinopathy. One eye of animals in the OIR group received BMMNC suspension (treated eyes), and the contralateral eye received the same volume of saline injection. Then, all animals underwent funduscopy, angiography, electroretinography, histopathology and immunohistochemical assessments. Results Compared to the saline injection group, eyes treated with BMMNC had less vascular tortuosity while veins and arteries had relatively the same caliber, as revealed by fundus examinations. Eyes in the treatment group showed significantly elevated photopic and scotopic B waves amplitude. Neovascularization in the inner retinal layer and apoptosis of neural retina cells in the treatment group was significantly lower compared to untreated eyes. Also, BMMNC transplantation decreased glial cell activation and VEGF expression in ischemic retina. Conclusions Our results indicate that intravitreal injection of BMMNC reduces neural and vascular damages and results in recovered retinal function in rat model of ROP. Ease of extraction without in vitro processing, besides the therapeutic effects of BMMNCs, make this source of cells as a new choice of therapy for ROP or other retinal ischemic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saman Behboodi Tanourlouee
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Gene, Cell & Tissue Research Institute Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Nasirzadeh
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Majidi Zolbin
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Gene, Cell & Tissue Research Institute Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ashkan Azimzadeh
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Gene, Cell & Tissue Research Institute Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Fahanik Babaei
- Electrophysiology Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Bitaraf
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Gene, Cell & Tissue Research Institute Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdol-Mohammad Kajbafzadeh
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Gene, Cell & Tissue Research Institute Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Masoumi
- Ophthalmology Department and Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shokoufeh Hassani
- Toxicology and Diseases Group (TDG), Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kayvan Mirnia
- Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Department of Neonatology, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Boylan MA, Pincetic A, Romano G, Tatton N, Kenkare-Mitra S, Rosenthal A. Targeting Progranulin as an Immuno-Neurology Therapeutic Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15946. [PMID: 37958929 PMCID: PMC10647331 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115946] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Immuno-neurology is an emerging therapeutic strategy for dementia and neurodegeneration designed to address immune surveillance failure in the brain. Microglia, as central nervous system (CNS)-resident myeloid cells, routinely perform surveillance of the brain and support neuronal function. Loss-of-function (LOF) mutations causing decreased levels of progranulin (PGRN), an immune regulatory protein, lead to dysfunctional microglia and are associated with multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia caused by the progranulin gene (GRN) mutation (FTD-GRN), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), limbic-predominant age-related transactivation response deoxyribonucleic acid binding protein 43 (TDP-43) encephalopathy (LATE), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Immuno-neurology targets immune checkpoint-like proteins, offering the potential to convert aging and dysfunctional microglia into disease-fighting cells that counteract multiple disease pathologies, clear misfolded proteins and debris, promote myelin and synapse repair, optimize neuronal function, support astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and maintain brain vasculature. Several clinical trials are underway to elevate PGRN levels as one strategy to modulate the function of microglia and counteract neurodegenerative changes associated with various disease states. If successful, these and other immuno-neurology drugs have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders by harnessing the brain's immune system and shifting it from an inflammatory/pathological state to an enhanced physiological/homeostatic state.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Arnon Rosenthal
- Alector, Inc., 131 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 600, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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5
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Kaplelach AK, Fox SN, Cook AK, Hall JA, Dannemiller RS, Jaunarajs KL, Arrant AE. Regulation of extracellular progranulin in medial prefrontal cortex. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 188:106326. [PMID: 37838007 PMCID: PMC10682954 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106326] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Progranulin is a secreted pro-protein that has anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic effects and is necessary for maintaining lysosomal function. Mutations in progranulin (GRN) are a major cause of frontotemporal dementia. Most pathogenic GRN mutations cause progranulin haploinsufficiency, so boosting progranulin levels is a promising therapeutic strategy. Progranulin is constitutively secreted, then taken up and trafficked to lysosomes. Before being taken up from the extracellular space, progranulin interacts with receptors that may mediate anti-inflammatory and growth factor-like effects. Modifying progranulin trafficking is a viable approach to boosting progranulin, but progranulin secretion and uptake by cells in the brain is poorly understood and may involve distinct mechanisms from other parts of the body. Understanding the cell types and processes that regulate extracellular progranulin in the brain could provide insight into progranulin's mechanism of action and inform design of progranulin-boosting therapies. To address this question we used microdialysis to measure progranulin in interstitial fluid (ISF) of mouse medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Grn+/- mice had approximately 50% lower ISF progranulin than wild-type mice, matching the reduction of progranulin in cortical tissue. Fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence confirmed that microglia and neurons are the major progranulin-expressing cell types in the mPFC. Studies of conditional microglial (Mg-KO) and neuronal (N-KO) Grn knockout mice revealed that loss of progranulin from either cell type results in approximately 50% reduction in ISF progranulin. LPS injection (i.p.) produced an acute increase in ISF progranulin in mPFC. Depolarizing cells with KCl increased ISF progranulin, but this response was not altered in N-KO mice, indicating progranulin secretion by non-neuronal cells. Increasing neuronal activity with picrotoxin did not increase ISF progranulin. These data indicate that microglia and neurons are the source of most ISF progranulin in mPFC, with microglia likely secreting more progranulin per cell than neurons. The acute increase in ISF progranulin after LPS treatment is consistent with a role for extracellular progranulin in regulating inflammation, and may have been driven by microglia or peripheral immune cells. Finally, these data indicate that mPFC neurons engage in constitutive progranulin secretion that is not acutely changed by neuronal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azariah K Kaplelach
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Stephanie N Fox
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Anna K Cook
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Justin A Hall
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Ryan S Dannemiller
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Karen L Jaunarajs
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Andrew E Arrant
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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6
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Tan LX, Germer CJ, Thamban T, La Cunza N, Lakkaraju A. Optineurin tunes outside-in signaling to regulate lysosome biogenesis and phagocytic clearance in the retina. Curr Biol 2023; 33:3805-3820.e7. [PMID: 37586372 PMCID: PMC10529777 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.07.031] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Balancing the competing demands of phagolysosomal degradation and autophagy is a significant challenge for phagocytic tissues. Yet how this plasticity is accomplished in health and disease is poorly understood. In the retina, circadian phagocytosis and degradation of photoreceptor outer segments by the postmitotic retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) are essential for healthy vision. Disrupted autophagy due to mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) overactivation in the RPE is associated with blinding macular degenerations; however, outer segment degradation is unaffected in these diseases, indicating that distinct mechanisms regulate these clearance mechanisms. Here, using advanced imaging and mouse models, we identify optineurin as a key regulator that tunes phagocytosis and lysosomal capacity to meet circadian demands and helps prioritize outer segment clearance by the RPE in macular degenerations. High-resolution live-cell imaging implicates optineurin in scissioning outer segment tips prior to engulfment, analogous to microglial trogocytosis of neuronal processes. Optineurin is essential for recruiting light chain 3 (LC3), which anchors outer segment phagosomes to microtubules and facilitates phagosome maturation and fusion with lysosomes. This dynamically activates transcription factor EB (TFEB) to induce lysosome biogenesis in an mTOR-independent, transient receptor potential-mucolipin 1 (TRPML1)-dependent manner. RNA-seq analyses show that expression of TFEB target genes temporally tracks with optineurin recruitment and that lysosomal and autophagy genes are controlled by distinct transcriptional programs in the RPE. The unconventional plasma membrane-to-nucleus signaling mediated by optineurin ensures outer segment degradation under conditions of impaired autophagy in macular degeneration models. Independent regulation of these critical clearance mechanisms would help safeguard the metabolic fitness of the RPE throughout the organismal lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xuan Tan
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Colin J Germer
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Thushara Thamban
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Nilsa La Cunza
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Aparna Lakkaraju
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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7
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Kashyap SN, Boyle NR, Roberson ED. Preclinical Interventions in Mouse Models of Frontotemporal Dementia Due to Progranulin Mutations. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:140-153. [PMID: 36781744 PMCID: PMC10119358 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01348-6] [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] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in progranulin (GRN) cause frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a leading cause of early-onset dementia characterized clinically by behavioral, social, and language deficits. There are currently no FDA-approved therapeutics for FTD-GRN, but this has been an active area of investigation, and several approaches are now in clinical trials. Here, we review preclinical development of therapies for FTD-GRN with a focus on testing in mouse models. Since most FTD-GRN-associated mutations cause progranulin haploinsufficiency, these approaches focus on raising progranulin levels. We begin by considering the disorders associated with altered progranulin levels, and then review the basics of progranulin biology including its lysosomal, neurotrophic, and immunomodulatory functions. We discuss mouse models of progranulin insufficiency and how they have been used in preclinical studies on a variety of therapeutic approaches. These include approaches to raise progranulin expression from the normal allele or facilitate progranulin production by the mutant allele, as well as approaches to directly increase progranulin levels by delivery across the blood-brain barrier or by gene therapy. Several of these approaches have entered clinical trials, providing hope that new therapies for FTD-GRN may be the next frontier in the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya N Kashyap
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Medical Scientist Training Program, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Nicholas R Boyle
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Medical Scientist Training Program, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Erik D Roberson
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Medical Scientist Training Program, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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8
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Rhinn H, Tatton N, McCaughey S, Kurnellas M, Rosenthal A. Progranulin as a therapeutic target in neurodegenerative diseases. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:641-652. [PMID: 35039149 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Progranulin (PGRN, encoded by the GRN gene) plays a key role in the development, survival, function, and maintenance of neurons and microglia in the mammalian brain. It regulates lysosomal biogenesis, inflammation, repair, stress response, and aging. GRN loss-of-function mutations cause neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis or frontotemporal dementia-GRN (FTD-GRN) in a gene dosage-dependent manner. Mutations that reduce PGRN levels increase the risk for developing Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and limbic-predominant age-related transactivation response DNA-binding protein 43 encephalopathy, as well as exacerbate the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and FTD caused by the hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene. Elevating and/or restoring PGRN levels is an attractive therapeutic strategy and is being investigated for neurodegenerative diseases through multiple mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herve Rhinn
- Alector, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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9
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Dong T, Tejwani L, Jung Y, Kokubu H, Luttik K, Driessen TM, Lim J. Microglia regulate brain progranulin levels through the endocytosis/lysosomal pathway. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e136147. [PMID: 34618685 PMCID: PMC8663778 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.136147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic variants in Granulin (GRN), which encodes the secreted glycoprotein progranulin (PGRN), are associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal lobar degeneration, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, and Alzheimer's disease. These genetic alterations manifest in pathological changes due to a reduction of PGRN expression; therefore, identifying factors that can modulate PGRN levels in vivo would enhance our understanding of PGRN in neurodegeneration and could reveal novel potential therapeutic targets. Here, we report that modulation of the endocytosis/lysosomal pathway via reduction of Nemo-like kinase (Nlk) in microglia, but not in neurons, can alter total brain Pgrn levels in mice. We demonstrate that Nlk reduction promotes Pgrn degradation by enhancing its trafficking through the endocytosis/lysosomal pathway, specifically in microglia. Furthermore, genetic interaction studies in mice showed that Nlk heterozygosity in Grn haploinsufficient mice further reduces Pgrn levels and induces neuropathological phenotypes associated with PGRN deficiency. Our results reveal a mechanism for Pgrn level regulation in the brain through the active catabolism by microglia and provide insights into the pathophysiology of PGRN-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Dong
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Leon Tejwani
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Neuroscience
| | - Youngseob Jung
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Hiroshi Kokubu
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kimberly Luttik
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Neuroscience
| | - Terri M. Driessen
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Janghoo Lim
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Neuroscience
- Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, and
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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10
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On the cusp of cures: Breakthroughs in Batten disease research. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 72:48-54. [PMID: 34571324 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Batten disease is a family of rare, lysosomal disorders caused by mutations in one of at least 13 genes, which encode a diverse set of lysosomal and extralysosomal proteins. Despite decades of research, the development of effective therapies has remained intractable. But now, the field is experiencing rapid, unprecedented progress on multiple fronts. New tools are providing insights into previously unsolvable problems, with molecular functions now known for nine Batten disease proteins. Protein interactome data are uncovering potential functional overlap between several Batten disease proteins, providing long-sought links between seemingly disparate proteins. Understanding of cellular etiology is elucidating contributions from and interactions between various CNS cell types. Collectively, this explosion in insight is hastening an unparalleled period of therapeutic breakthroughs, with multiple therapies showing great promise in preclinical and clinical studies. The coming years will provide a continuation of this rapid progress, with the promise of effective treatments giving patients hope.
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11
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Terryn J, Verfaillie CM, Van Damme P. Tweaking Progranulin Expression: Therapeutic Avenues and Opportunities. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:713031. [PMID: 34366786 PMCID: PMC8343103 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.713031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a neurodegenerative disease, leading to behavioral changes and language difficulties. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in progranulin (GRN) induce haploinsufficiency of the protein and are associated with up to one-third of all genetic FTD cases worldwide. While the loss of GRN is primarily associated with neurodegeneration, the biological functions of the secreted growth factor-like protein are more diverse, ranging from wound healing, inflammation, vasculogenesis, and metabolic regulation to tumor cell growth and metastasis. To date, no disease-modifying treatments exist for FTD, but different therapeutic approaches to boost GRN levels in the central nervous system are currently being developed (including AAV-mediated GRN gene delivery as well as anti-SORT1 antibody therapy). In this review, we provide an overview of the multifaceted regulation of GRN levels and the corresponding therapeutic avenues. We discuss the opportunities, advantages, and potential drawbacks of the diverse approaches. Additionally, we highlight the therapeutic potential of elevating GRN levels beyond patients with loss-of-function mutations in GRN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joke Terryn
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Catherine M Verfaillie
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Interdepartmental Stem Cell Institute, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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12
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Human progranulin-expressing mice as a novel tool for the development of progranulin-modulating therapeutics. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 153:105314. [PMID: 33636385 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The granulin protein (also known as, and hereafter referred to as, progranulin) is a secreted glycoprotein that contributes to overall brain health. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding the progranulin protein (Granulin Precursor, GRN) are a common cause of familial frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Gene therapy approaches that aim to increase progranulin expression from a single wild-type allele, an area of active investigation for the potential treatment of GRN-dependent FTD, will benefit from the availability of a mouse model that expresses a genomic copy of the human GRN gene. Here we report the development and characterization of a novel mouse model that expresses the entire human GRN gene in its native genomic context as a single copy inserted into a defined locus (Hprt) in the mouse genome. We show that human and mouse progranulin are expressed in a similar tissue-specific pattern, suggesting that the two genes are regulated by similar mechanisms. Human progranulin rescues a phenotype characteristic of progranulin-null mice, the exaggerated and early deposition of the aging pigment lipofuscin in the brain, indicating that the two proteins are functionally similar. Longitudinal behavioural and neuropathological analyses revealed no significant differences between wild-type and human progranulin-overexpressing mice up to 18 months of age, providing evidence that long-term increase of progranulin levels is well tolerated in mice. Finally, we demonstrate that human progranulin expression can be increased in the brain using an antisense oligonucleotide that inhibits a known GRN-regulating micro-RNA, demonstrating that the transgene is responsive to potential gene therapy drugs. Human progranulin-expressing mice represent a novel and valuable tool to expedite the development of progranulin-modulating therapeutics.
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13
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Endosomal Trafficking in Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis. Mol Cell Biol 2020; 40:MCB.00262-20. [PMID: 32690545 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00262-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders of early life, Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder of midlife, while Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder of late life. While they are phenotypically distinct, recent studies suggest that they share a biological pathway, retromer-dependent endosomal trafficking. A retromer is a multimodular protein assembly critical for sorting and trafficking cargo out of the endosome. As a lysosomal storage disease, all 13 of NCL's causative genes affect endolysosomal function, and at least four have been directly linked to retromer. PD has several known causative genes, with one directly linked to retromer and others causing endolysosomal dysfunction. AD has over 25 causative genes/risk factors, with several of them linked to retromer or endosomal trafficking dysfunction. In this article, we summarize the emerging evidence on the association of genes causing NCL with retromer function and endosomal trafficking, review the recent evidence linking NCL genes to AD, and discuss how NCL, AD, and PD converge on a shared molecular pathway. We also discuss this pathway's role in microglia and neurons, cell populations which are critical to proper brain homeostasis and whose dysfunction plays a key role in neurodegeneration.
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14
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Solomon DA, Mitchell JC, Salcher-Konrad MT, Vance CA, Mizielinska S. Review: Modelling the pathology and behaviour of frontotemporal dementia. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2020; 45:58-80. [PMID: 30582188 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12536] [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] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) encompasses a collection of clinically and pathologically diverse neurological disorders. Clinical features of behavioural and language dysfunction are associated with neurodegeneration, predominantly of frontal and temporal cortices. Over the past decade, there have been significant advances in the understanding of the genetic aetiology and neuropathology of FTD which have led to the creation of various disease models to investigate the molecular pathways that contribute to disease pathogenesis. The generation of in vivo models of FTD involves either targeting genes with known disease-causative mutations such as GRN and C9orf72 or genes encoding proteins that form the inclusions that characterize the disease pathologically, such as TDP-43 and FUS. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the different in vivo model systems used to understand pathomechanisms in FTD, with a focus on disease models which reproduce aspects of the wide-ranging behavioural phenotypes seen in people with FTD. We discuss the emerging disease pathways that have emerged from these in vivo models and how this has shaped our understanding of disease mechanisms underpinning FTD. We also discuss the challenges of modelling the complex clinical symptoms shown by people with FTD, the confounding overlap with features of motor neuron disease, and the drive to make models more disease-relevant. In summary, in vivo models can replicate many pathological and behavioural aspects of clinical FTD, but robust and thorough investigations utilizing shared features and variability between disease models will improve the disease-relevance of findings and thus better inform therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Solomon
- UK Dementia Research Institute, King's College London, London, Camberwell, UK.,Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, Camberwell, UK
| | - J C Mitchell
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, Camberwell, UK
| | - M-T Salcher-Konrad
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, Camberwell, UK
| | - C A Vance
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, Camberwell, UK
| | - S Mizielinska
- UK Dementia Research Institute, King's College London, London, Camberwell, UK.,Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, Camberwell, UK
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15
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Petkau TL, Hill A, Connolly C, Lu G, Wagner P, Kosior N, Blanco J, Leavitt BR. Mutant huntingtin expression in microglia is neither required nor sufficient to cause the Huntington's disease-like phenotype in BACHD mice. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:1661-1670. [PMID: 30624705 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the HTT gene and is characterized by early and selective striatal neurodegeneration. The huntingtin (HTT) protein is ubiquitously expressed in many tissues and the cellular pathogenesis of the disease is not fully understood. Immune cell dysfunction due to mutant HTT (mHTT) expression and aberrant immune system activation in HD patients suggests that inflammatory processes may contribute to HD pathogenesis. Here we used the BACHD mouse model of HD, which carries a conditional transgene expressing full-length human mHTT, to selectively deplete mHTT expression in myeloid lineage cells, including microglia, and evaluated the effects on HD-related behavior and neuropathology. In the converse experiment, we depleted mHTT expression in the majority of cells in the brain but specifically excluding microglia and again evaluated behavior and neuropathology. In mice with myeloid-specific mHTT-depletion, we observed no significant rescue of any behavioral or neuropathological outcome measures, while neural-specific knockout mice showed significant rescue of body weight, rotarod performance and striatal volume. We conclude that mHTT expression in microglia, though clearly affecting specific aspects of microglia function, does not alter disease pathogenesis in the BACHD mouse model. This may have implications for current or future therapeutic trials testing immune-modulating drugs in HD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terri L Petkau
- Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, and Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Austin Hill
- Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, and Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Colúm Connolly
- Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, and Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ge Lu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, and Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Pam Wagner
- Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, and Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Natalia Kosior
- Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, and Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jake Blanco
- Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, and Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Blair R Leavitt
- Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, and Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia Hospital, Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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16
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de Majo M, Koontz M, Rowitch D, Ullian EM. An update on human astrocytes and their role in development and disease. Glia 2020; 68:685-704. [PMID: 31926040 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human astrocytes provide trophic as well as structural support to the surrounding brain cells. Furthermore, they have been implicated in many physiological processes important for central nervous system function. Traditionally astrocytes have been considered to be a homogeneous class of cells, however, it has increasingly become more evident that astrocytes can have very different characteristics in different regions of the brain, or even within the same region. In this review we will discuss the features of human astrocytes, their heterogeneity, and their generation during neurodevelopment and the extraordinary progress that has been made to model these fascinating cells in vitro, mainly from induced pluripotent stem cells. Astrocytes' role in disease will also be discussed with a particular focus on their role in neurodegenerative disorders. As outlined here, astrocytes are important for the homeostasis of the central nervous system and understanding their regional specificity is a priority to elucidate the complexity of the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina de Majo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Mark Koontz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - David Rowitch
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Erik M Ullian
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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17
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Elia LP, Reisine T, Alijagic A, Finkbeiner S. Approaches to develop therapeutics to treat frontotemporal dementia. Neuropharmacology 2020; 166:107948. [PMID: 31962288 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.107948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) is a complex disease presenting as a spectrum of clinical disorders with progressive degeneration of frontal and temporal brain cortices and extensive neuroinflammation that result in personality and behavior changes, and eventually, death. There are currently no effective therapies for FTD. While 60-70% of FTD patients are sporadic cases, the other 30-40% are heritable (familial) cases linked to mutations in several known genes. We focus here on FTD caused by mutations in the GRN gene, which encodes a secreted protein, progranulin (PGRN), that has diverse roles in regulating cell survival, immune responses, and autophagy and lysosome function in the brain. FTD-linked mutations in GRN reduce brain PGRN levels that lead to autophagy and lysosome dysfunction, TDP43 accumulation, excessive microglial activation, astrogliosis, and neuron death through still poorly understood mechanisms. PGRN insufficiency has also been linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD), and so the development of therapeutics for GRN-linked FTD that restore PGRN levels and function may have broader application for other neurodegenerative diseases. This review focuses on a strategy to increase PGRN to functional, healthy levels in the brain by identifying novel genetic and chemical modulators of neuronal PGRN levels. This article is part of the special issue entitled 'The Quest for Disease-Modifying Therapies for Neurodegenerative Disorders'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa P Elia
- Center for Systems and Therapeutics and Taube/Koret Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Terry Reisine
- Independent Scientific Consultant, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Amela Alijagic
- Center for Systems and Therapeutics and Taube/Koret Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Steven Finkbeiner
- Center for Systems and Therapeutics and Taube/Koret Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, San Francisco, CA, USA; The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA; Departments of Neurology and Physiology, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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18
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Huber RJ, Hughes SM, Liu W, Morgan A, Tuxworth RI, Russell C. The contribution of multicellular model organisms to neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis research. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2019; 1866:165614. [PMID: 31783156 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.165614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The NCLs (neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis) are forms of neurodegenerative disease that affect people of all ages and ethnicities but are most prevalent in children. Commonly known as Batten disease, this debilitating neurological disorder is comprised of 13 different subtypes that are categorized based on the particular gene that is mutated (CLN1-8, CLN10-14). The pathological mechanisms underlying the NCLs are not well understood due to our poor understanding of the functions of NCL proteins. Only one specific treatment (enzyme replacement therapy) is approved, which is for the treating the brain in CLN2 disease. Hence there remains a desperate need for further research into disease-modifying treatments. In this review, we present and evaluate the genes, proteins and studies performed in the social amoeba, nematode, fruit fly, zebrafish, mouse and large animals pertinent to NCL. In particular, we highlight the use of multicellular model organisms to study NCL protein function, pathology and pathomechanisms. Their use in testing novel therapeutic approaches is also presented. With this information, we highlight how future research in these systems may be able to provide new insight into NCL protein functions in human cells and aid in the development of new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Huber
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Stephanie M Hughes
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre and Genetics Otago, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Wenfei Liu
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Alan Morgan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Crown St., Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
| | - Richard I Tuxworth
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Claire Russell
- Dept. Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK.
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19
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Kosior N, Petkau TL, Connolly C, Lu G, Leavitt BR. Isolating cells from adult murine brain for validation of cell-type specific cre-mediated deletion. J Neurosci Methods 2019; 328:108422. [PMID: 31493416 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.108422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND TheCre/loxP system allows for the temporal and spatial investigation of the expression of a single gene in the nervous system. Current methods of validating conditional knock-out mouse models rely on heterogeneous brain tissue or primary culture. These methods may assess the extent of genetic knockdown in the brain but do not provide age-appropriate, cell-type specific information. NEW METHOD We isolated specific cell types from adult murine brain using FACS to assess cell type-specific gene expression in conditional mouse models. RESULTS We identified robust but incomplete genetic knockdown in microglia isolated from two separate microglia-specific knockout models. COMPARISONWITH EXISTING METHODS(S) Genetic knockdown in isolated adult microglia differed significantly from cultured primary microglia. CONCLUSIONS Differences observed in primary cultured microglia compared to isolated adult microglia suggest that current methods used to validate microglia-specific gene deletion over-estimate deletion efficiency. Assessment of gene expression in isolated adult microglia provides a more accurate assessment of Cre-mediated gene deletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Kosior
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's and Women's Hospital, 980 West 28thAvenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Terri L Petkau
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's and Women's Hospital, 980 West 28thAvenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Colúm Connolly
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's and Women's Hospital, 980 West 28thAvenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Ge Lu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's and Women's Hospital, 980 West 28thAvenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Blair R Leavitt
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's and Women's Hospital, 980 West 28thAvenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia Hospital, S 192-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada; Brain Research Center, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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20
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Schulze-Edinghausen L, Dürr C, Öztürk S, Zucknick M, Benner A, Kalter V, Ohl S, Close V, Wuchter P, Stilgenbauer S, Lichter P, Seiffert M. Dissecting the Prognostic Significance and Functional Role of Progranulin in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E822. [PMID: 31200555 PMCID: PMC6627891 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is known for its strong dependency on the tumor microenvironment. We found progranulin (GRN), a protein that has been linked to inflammation and cancer, to be upregulated in the serum of CLL patients compared to healthy controls, and increased GRN levels to be associated with an increased hazard for disease progression and death. This raised the question of whether GRN is a functional driver of CLL. We observed that recombinant GRN did not directly affect viability, activation, or proliferation of primary CLL cells in vitro. However, GRN secretion was induced in co-cultures of CLL cells with stromal cells that enhanced CLL cell survival. Gene expression profiling and protein analyses revealed that primary mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in co-culture with CLL cells acquire a cancer-associated fibroblast-like phenotype. Despite its upregulation in the co-cultures, GRN treatment of MSCs did not mimic this effect. To test the relevance of GRN for CLL in vivo, we made use of the Eμ-TCL1 CLL mouse model. As we detected strong GRN expression in myeloid cells, we performed adoptive transfer of Eμ-TCL1 leukemia cells to bone marrow chimeric Grn-/- mice that lack GRN in hematopoietic cells. Thereby, we observed that CLL-like disease developed comparable in Grn-/- chimeras and respective control mice. In conclusion, serum GRN is found to be strongly upregulated in CLL, which indicates potential use as a prognostic marker, but there is no evidence that elevated GRN functionally drives the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Schulze-Edinghausen
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Claudia Dürr
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Selcen Öztürk
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Manuela Zucknick
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Axel Benner
- Division of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Verena Kalter
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Sibylle Ohl
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Viola Close
- Internal Medicine III, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany, and Cooperation Unit Mechanisms of Leukemogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Patrick Wuchter
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, German Red Cross Blood Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Stephan Stilgenbauer
- Internal Medicine III, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany, and Department of Internal Medicine I, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany.
| | - Peter Lichter
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Martina Seiffert
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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21
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McCauley ME, Baloh RH. Inflammation in ALS/FTD pathogenesis. Acta Neuropathol 2019; 137:715-730. [PMID: 30465257 PMCID: PMC6482122 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-018-1933-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are neurodegenerative diseases that overlap in their clinical presentation, pathology and genetics, and likely represent a spectrum of one underlying disease. In ALS/FTD patients, neuroinflammation characterized by innate immune responses of tissue-resident glial cells is uniformly present on end-stage pathology, and human imaging studies and rodent models support that neuroinflammation begins early in disease pathogenesis. Additionally, changes in circulating immune cell populations and cytokines are found in ALS/FTD patients, and there is evidence for an autoinflammatory state. However, despite the prominent role of neuro- and systemic inflammation in ALS/FTD, and experimental evidence in rodents that altering microglial function can mitigate pathology, therapeutic approaches to decrease inflammation have thus far failed to alter disease course in humans. Here, we review the characteristics of inflammation in ALS/FTD in both the nervous and peripheral immune systems. We further discuss evidence for direct influence on immune cell function by mutations in ALS/FTD genes including C9orf72, TBK1 and OPTN, and how this could lead to the altered innate immune system “tone” observed in these patients.
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22
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Microglial Progranulin: Involvement in Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Cells 2019; 8:cells8030230. [PMID: 30862089 PMCID: PMC6468562 DOI: 10.3390/cells8030230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease have proven resistant to new treatments. The complexity of neurodegenerative disease mechanisms can be highlighted by accumulating evidence for a role for a growth factor, progranulin (PGRN). PGRN is a glycoprotein encoded by the GRN/Grn gene with multiple cellular functions, including neurotrophic, anti-inflammatory and lysosome regulatory properties. Mutations in the GRN gene can lead to frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), a cause of dementia, and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), a lysosomal storage disease. Both diseases are associated with loss of PGRN function resulting, amongst other features, in enhanced microglial neuroinflammation and lysosomal dysfunction. PGRN has also been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Unlike FTLD, increased expression of PGRN occurs in brains of human AD cases and AD model mice, particularly in activated microglia. How microglial PGRN might be involved in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases will be discussed. A unifying feature of PGRN in diseases might be its modulation of lysosomal function in neurons and microglia. Many experimental models have focused on consequences of PGRN gene deletion: however, possible outcomes of increasing PGRN on microglial inflammation and neurodegeneration will be discussed. We will also suggest directions for future studies on PGRN and microglia in relation to neurodegenerative diseases.
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Arrant AE, Filiano AJ, Patel AR, Hoffmann MQ, Boyle NR, Kashyap SN, Onyilo VC, Young AH, Roberson ED. Reduction of microglial progranulin does not exacerbate pathology or behavioral deficits in neuronal progranulin-insufficient mice. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 124:152-162. [PMID: 30448285 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations in progranulin (GRN), most of which cause progranulin haploinsufficiency, are a major autosomal dominant cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Individuals with loss-of-function mutations on both GRN alleles develop neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), a lysosomal storage disorder. Progranulin is a secreted glycoprotein expressed by a variety of cell types throughout the body, including neurons and microglia in the brain. Understanding the relative importance of neuronal and microglial progranulin insufficiency in FTD pathogenesis may guide development of therapies. In this study, we used mouse models to investigate the role of neuronal and microglial progranulin insufficiency in the development of FTD-like pathology and behavioral deficits. Grn-/- mice model aspects of FTD and NCL, developing lipofuscinosis and gliosis throughout the brain, as well as deficits in social behavior. We have previously shown that selective depletion of neuronal progranulin disrupts social behavior, but does not produce lipofuscinosis or gliosis. We hypothesized that reduction of microglial progranulin would induce lipofuscinosis and gliosis, and exacerbate behavioral deficits, in neuronal progranulin-deficient mice. To test this hypothesis, we crossed Grnfl/fl mice with mice expressing Cre transgenes targeting neurons (CaMKII-Cre) and myeloid cells/microglia (LysM-Cre). CaMKII-Cre, which is expressed in forebrain excitatory neurons, reduced cortical progranulin protein levels by around 50%. LysM-Cre strongly reduced progranulin immunolabeling in many microglia, but did not reduce total brain progranulin levels, suggesting that, at least under resting conditions, microglia contribute less than neurons to overall brain progranulin levels. Mice with depletion of both neuronal and microglial progranulin failed to develop lipofuscinosis or gliosis, suggesting that progranulin from extracellular sources prevented pathology in cells targeted by the Cre transgenes. Reduction of microglial progranulin also did not exacerbate the social deficits of neuronal progranulin-insufficient mice. These results do not support the hypothesis of synergistic effects between progranulin-deficient neurons and microglia. Nearly complete progranulin deficiency appears to be required to induce lipofuscinosis and gliosis in mice, while partial progranulin insufficiency is sufficient to produce behavioral deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E Arrant
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Anthony J Filiano
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Aashka R Patel
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Madelyn Q Hoffmann
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Nicholas R Boyle
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Shreya N Kashyap
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Vincent C Onyilo
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Allen H Young
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Erik D Roberson
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States.
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Götzl JK, Colombo AV, Fellerer K, Reifschneider A, Werner G, Tahirovic S, Haass C, Capell A. Early lysosomal maturation deficits in microglia triggers enhanced lysosomal activity in other brain cells of progranulin knockout mice. Mol Neurodegener 2018; 13:48. [PMID: 30180904 PMCID: PMC6123925 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-018-0281-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) lead to frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) while the complete loss of progranulin (PGRN) function results in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), a lysosomal storage disease. Thus the growth factor-like protein PGRN may play an important role in lysosomal degradation. In line with a potential lysosomal function, PGRN is partially localized and processed in lysosomes. In the central nervous system (CNS), PGRN is like other lysosomal proteins highly expressed in microglia, further supporting an important role in protein degradation. We have previously reported that cathepsin (Cat) D is elevated in GRN-associated FTLD patients and Grn knockout mice. However, the primary mechanism that causes impaired protein degradation and elevated CatD levels upon PGRN deficiency in NCL and FTLD remains unclear. Methods mRNA expression analysis of selected lysosomal hydrolases, lysosomal membrane proteins and autophagy-related genes was performed by NanoString nCounter panel. Protein expression, maturation and in vitro activity of Cat D, B and L in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) and brains of Grn knockout mice were investigated. To selectively characterize microglial and non-microglial brain cells, an acutely isolated microglia fraction using MACS microbeads (Miltenyi Biotec) conjugated with CD11b antibody and a microglia-depleted fraction were analyzed for protein expression and maturation of selected cathepsins. Results We demonstrate that loss of PGRN results in enhanced expression, maturation and in vitro activity of Cat D, B and L in mouse embryonic fibroblasts and brain extracts of aged Grn knockout mice. Consistent with an overall enhanced expression and activity of lysosomal proteases in brain of Grn knockout mice, we observed an age-dependent transcriptional upregulation of certain lysosomal proteases. Thus, lysosomal dysfunction is not reflected by transcriptional downregulation of lysosomal proteases but rather by the upregulation of certain lysosomal proteases in an age-dependent manner. Surprisingly, cell specific analyses identified early lysosomal deficits in microglia before enhanced cathepsin levels could be detected in other brain cells, suggesting different functional consequences on lysosomal homeostasis in microglia and other brain cells upon lack of PGRN. Conclusions The present study uncovers early and selective lysosomal dysfunctions in Grn knockout microglia/macrophages. Dysregulated lysosomal homeostasis in microglia might trigger compensatory lysosomal changes in other brain cells. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13024-018-0281-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia K Götzl
- Chair of Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Katrin Fellerer
- Chair of Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Anika Reifschneider
- Chair of Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Georg Werner
- Chair of Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabina Tahirovic
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Haass
- Chair of Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377, Munich, Germany. .,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany. .,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377, Munich, Germany.
| | - Anja Capell
- Chair of Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377, Munich, Germany.
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