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Jiang S, Xu R. The Current Potential Pathogenesis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04269-3. [PMID: 38829511 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04269-3] [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: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease mainly characterized by the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins in the affected motor neurons. At present, the accurate pathogenesis of ALS remains unclear and there are still no effective treatment measures for ALS. The potential pathogenesis of ALS mainly includes the misfolding of some pathogenic proteins, the genetic variation, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy disorders, neuroinflammation, the misregulation of RNA, the altered axonal transport, and gut microbial dysbiosis. Exploring the pathogenesis of ALS is a critical step in searching for the effective therapeutic approaches. The current studies suggested that the genetic variation, gut microbial dysbiosis, the activation of glial cells, and the transportation disorder of extracellular vesicles may play some important roles in the pathogenesis of ALS. This review conducts a systematic review of these current potential promising topics closely related to the pathogenesis of ALS; it aims to provide some new evidences and clues for searching the novel treatment measures of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shishi Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, National Regional Center for Neurological Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Center South University, Jiangxi Hospital. No. 152 of Aiguo Road, Donghu District, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Renshi Xu
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, National Regional Center for Neurological Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Center South University, Jiangxi Hospital. No. 152 of Aiguo Road, Donghu District, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China.
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2
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Chen L, Chen G, Zhang M, Zhang X. Modeling sporadic juvenile ALS in iPSC-derived motor neurons explores the pathogenesis of FUS R503fs mutation. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1364164. [PMID: 38711616 PMCID: PMC11070534 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1364164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Fused in sarcoma (FUS) mutations represent the most common genetic etiology of juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (JALS), for which effective treatments are lacking. In a prior report, we identified a novel FUS mutation, c.1509dupA: p. R503fs (FUSR503fs), in a sporadic JALS patient. Methods The physicochemical properties and structure of FUSR503fs protein were analyzed by software: Multi-electrode array (MEA) assay, calcium activity imaging assay and transcriptome analysis were used to explore the pathophysiological mechanism of iPSC derived motor neurons. Results Structural analysis and predictions regarding physical and chemical properties of this mutation suggest that the reduction of phosphorylation and glycosylation sites, along with alterations in the amino acid sequence, may contribute to abnormal FUS accumulation within the cytoplasm and nucleus of induced pluripotent stem cell- derived motor neurons (MNs). Multi-electrode array and calcium activity imaging indicate diminished spontaneous electrical and calcium activity signals in MNs harboring the FUSR503fs mutation. Transcriptomic analysis reveals upregulation of genes associated with viral infection and downregulation of genes involved in neural function maintenance, such as the ATP6V1C2 gene. Treatment with ropinirole marginally mitigates the electrophysiological decline in FUSR503fs MNs, suggesting the utility of this cell model for mechanistic exploration and drug screening. Discussion iPSCs-derived motor neurons from JALS patients are promising tools for drug screening. The pathological changes in motor neurons of FUSR503fs may occur earlier than in other known mutation types that have been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Neurological Rare Disease Biobank and Precision Diagnostic Technical Service Platform, Shanghai, China
| | - Guojie Chen
- Hunan YoBon Biotechnology Limited Company, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Mengting Zhang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (School of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaojie Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Neurological Rare Disease Biobank and Precision Diagnostic Technical Service Platform, Shanghai, China
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Yang W, Chen X, Zhou Y, Tang X, Sun Y, Dong Y, Yang H, Chen Y, Zhang M. Investigation of a Fused in Sarcoma Splicing Mutation in a Chinese Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patient. Can J Neurol Sci 2023; 50:891-896. [PMID: 36511129 DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2022.336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Genetic mutations of fused in sarcoma (FUS) causing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may disrupt mRNA splicing events. For example, the FUS c.1394-2delA variant was reported in two western ALS patients, but its molecular mechanism is unclear. In this study, we aim to investigate FUS splice site mutations in Chinese ALS patients. METHODS Sanger sequencing was used to identify FUS splicing mutations in Chinese ALS patients. We combined a deep learning tool (SpliceAI), RNA sequencing, and RT-PCR/RT-qPCR to analyze the effect of FUS c.1394-2delA mutation on RNA splicing and expression. AlphaFold was used to predict the protein structure of mutant FUS. In transfected cell lines, we used immunofluorescence to assess cytoplasmic mislocalization of mutant FUS protein. RESULTS We identified a de novo FUS splice acceptor site mutation (c.1394-2delA, p. Gly466Valfs*14) in one Chinese sporadic ALS patient, which is linked to exon 14 skipping, and upregulated total FUS mRNA expression. The FUS splice site mutation was predicted to be translated into a truncated protein product at C-terminal. In vitro studies revealed that the FUS mutation increased cytoplasmic mislocalization in both HEK293T and SH-SY5Y cells. CONCLUSIONS We identified a de novo FUS splicing mutation (c.1394-2delA, p. Gly466Valfs*14) in 1 out of 233 Chinese ALS patients. It caused abnormal RNA splicing, upregulated gene expression, truncated FUS translation, and cytosolic mislocalization. Our findings suggested that FUS splice site mutation is rare in Chinese ALS patients and extended our knowledge of molecular mechanisms of the FUS c.1394-2delA mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanli Yang
- The First Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- The First Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuelin Tang
- The First Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yimin Sun
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Dong
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Yang
- The First Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- The First Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Research, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Institute for Advanced Study, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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4
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Lo YL, Lin HC, Tseng WH. Tumor pH-functionalized and charge-tunable nanoparticles for the nucleus/cytoplasm-directed delivery of oxaliplatin and miRNA in the treatment of head and neck cancer. Acta Biomater 2022; 153:465-480. [PMID: 36115656 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Prospective tumor pH-responsive and charge-convertible nanoparticles have been utilized to reduce side effects and improve the active tumor-targeting ability and nuclear/cytoplasmic localization of chemo- and gene therapeutics for the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC). Oxaliplatin (Oxa) is a third-generation platinum compound that prevents DNA replication. miR-320 may regulate cancer cell apoptosis, resistance, and progression. Innovative nanoparticles incorporating miR-320 and Oxa were modified with a ligand, cell-penetrating peptide, and nucleus-targeted peptide. The nanoparticles were coated with a charge/size-tunable shield to prevent peptide degradation and decoated at acidic tumor sites to expose peptides for active targeting. Results indicated that the designed nanoparticles exhibited a uniform size and satisfactory drug encapsulation efficiency. The nanoparticles displayed the pH-responsive release and uptake of Oxa and miR-320 into human tongue squamous carcinoma SAS cells. The nanoparticles successfully delivered Oxa and miR-320 to the nucleus and cytoplasm, respectively. This work is the first to demonstrate the concurrent intracellular modulation of the NRP1/Rac1, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, GSK-3β/FOXM1/β-catenin, P-gp/MRPs, KRAS/Erk/Oct4/Yap1, and N-cadherin/Vimentin/Slug pathways to inhibit the growth, progression, and multidrug resistance of cancer cells. In SAS-bearing mice, co-treatment with Oxa- and miR-320-loaded nanoparticles exhibited superior antitumor efficacy and remarkably decreased Oxa-associated toxicities. The nucleus/cytoplasm-localized nanoparticles with a tumor pH-sensitive and size/charge-adjustable coating may be a useful combinatorial spatiotemporal nanoplatform for nucleic acids and chemotherapeutics to achieve maximum therapeutic safety and efficacy against HNC. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Innovative nanoparticles incorporating miR-320 and oxaliplatin were modified with a ligand, cell-penetrating peptide, and nucleus-targeted peptide. The tumor pH-sensitive and charge/size-adjustable shield of polyglutamic acid-PEG protected against peptide degradation during systemic circulation. This work represents the first example of the concurrent intracellular modulation of the NRP1/Rac1, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, GSK-3β/FOXM1/β-catenin, P-gp/MRPs, KRAS/Erk/Oct4/Yap1, and N-cadherin/Vimentin/Slug pathways to inhibit cancer cell growth, cancer cell progression, and multidrug resistance simultaneously. The versatile nanoparticles with a tumor pH-functionalized coating could deliver chemotherapeutics and miRNA to the nucleus/cytoplasm. The nanoparticles successfully reduced chemotherapy-associated toxicities and maximized the antitumor efficacy of combinatorial therapy against head and neck cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Li Lo
- Department and Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan; Faculty of Pharmacy, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan.
| | - Hua-Ching Lin
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Surgical Department, Chen-Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Healthcare Information and Management, Ming Chuan University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hsuan Tseng
- Department and Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
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Devoy A, Price G, De Giorgio F, Bunton-Stasyshyn R, Thompson D, Gasco S, Allan A, Codner GF, Nair RR, Tibbit C, McLeod R, Ali Z, Noda J, Marrero-Gagliardi A, Brito-Armas JM, Williams C, Öztürk MM, Simon M, O'Neill E, Bryce-Smith S, Harrison J, Atkins G, Corrochano S, Stewart M, Gilthorpe JD, Teboul L, Acevedo-Arozena A, Fisher EM, Cunningham TJ. Generation and analysis of innovative genomically humanized knockin SOD1, TARDBP (TDP-43), and FUS mouse models. iScience 2021; 24:103463. [PMID: 34988393 PMCID: PMC8710557 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder, and continued innovation is needed for improved understanding and for developing therapeutics. We have created next-generation genomically humanized knockin mouse models, by replacing the mouse genomic region of Sod1, Tardbp (TDP-43), and Fus, with their human orthologs, preserving human protein biochemistry and splicing with exons and introns intact. We establish a new standard of large knockin allele quality control, demonstrating the utility of indirect capture for enrichment of a genomic region of interest followed by Oxford Nanopore sequencing. Extensive analysis shows that homozygous humanized animals only express human protein at endogenous levels. Characterization of humanized FUS animals showed that they are phenotypically normal throughout their lifespan. These humanized strains are vital for preclinical assessment of interventions and serve as templates for the addition of coding or non-coding human ALS/FTD mutations to dissect disease pathomechanisms, in a physiological context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anny Devoy
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Georgia Price
- UK MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Francesca De Giorgio
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Rosie Bunton-Stasyshyn
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- UK MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
| | - David Thompson
- UK MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Samanta Gasco
- UK MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Alasdair Allan
- UK MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Gemma F. Codner
- UK MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Remya R. Nair
- UK MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Charlotte Tibbit
- UK MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Ross McLeod
- UK MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Zeinab Ali
- UK MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Judith Noda
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario de Canarias; ITB-ULL and CIBERNED, 38320 La Laguna, Spain
| | | | - José M. Brito-Armas
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario de Canarias; ITB-ULL and CIBERNED, 38320 La Laguna, Spain
| | - Chloe Williams
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Muhammet M. Öztürk
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Michelle Simon
- UK MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Edward O'Neill
- UK MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Sam Bryce-Smith
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Jackie Harrison
- UK MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Gemma Atkins
- UK MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
| | | | - Michelle Stewart
- UK MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
| | | | - Lydia Teboul
- UK MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Abraham Acevedo-Arozena
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario de Canarias; ITB-ULL and CIBERNED, 38320 La Laguna, Spain
| | - Elizabeth M.C. Fisher
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
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Wang CS, Chang CH, Tzeng TY, Lin AMY, Lo YL. Gene-editing by CRISPR-Cas9 in combination with anthracycline therapy via tumor microenvironment-switchable, EGFR-targeted, and nucleus-directed nanoparticles for head and neck cancer suppression. NANOSCALE HORIZONS 2021; 6:729-743. [PMID: 34323910 DOI: 10.1039/d1nh00254f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) has a high incidence and a poor prognosis. Epirubicin, a topoisomerase inhibitor, is a potential anthracycline chemotherapeutic for HNC treatment. HuR (ELAVL1), an RNA-binding protein, plays a critical role in promoting tumor survival, invasion, and resistance. HuR knockout via CRISPR/Cas9 (HuR CRISPR) is a possible strategy for the simultaneous modulation of the various pathways of tumor progression. Multifunctional nanoparticles modified with pH-sensitive epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting and nucleus-directed peptides were designed for the efficient delivery of HuR CRISPR and epirubicin to human tongue squamous carcinoma SAS cells and SAS tumor-bearing mice. The pH-sensitive nanoparticles responded to the acidic pH value as a switch to expose the targeting peptides. The cellular uptake and transfection efficiency of these nanoparticles in SAS cells increased via EGFR targeting, ligand-mediated endocytosis, and endosomal escape. These nanoparticles showed low cytotoxicity towards normal oral keratinocyte NOK cells. CRISPR/Cas9 was transported into the nucleus via the nuclear directing peptide and successfully knocked out HuR to suppress proliferation, metastasis, and resistance in SAS cells. The multiple inhibition of EGFR/β-catenin/epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathways was mediated through modulating the EGFR/PI3K/mTOR/AKT axis. The co-treatment of epirubicin and HuR CRISPR in SAS cells further facilitated apoptosis/necroptosis/autophagy and caused cancer cell death. In combination with HuR CRISPR nanoparticles, the efficacy and safety of epirubicin nanoparticles against cancer in SAS tumor-bearing mice improved significantly. Collectively, these nanoparticles showed a tumor pH response, active EGFR targeting, and nuclear localization and thus offered a combinatorial spatiotemporal platform for chemotherapy and the CRISPR/Cas gene-editing system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Shen Wang
- Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
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Canosa A, Lomartire A, De Marco G, Grassano M, Brunetti M, Manera U, Vasta R, Salamone P, Fuda G, Sbaiz L, Gallone S, Moglia C, Calvo A, Chiò A. A novel splice site FUS mutation in a familial ALS case: effects on protein expression. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2021; 23:128-136. [PMID: 33879000 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2021.1909065] [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: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the impact of a novel heterozygous FUS mutation in the acceptor splice site of intron 14 (c.1542 - 1 g > t) on protein expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) from a familial ALS patient. Methods: PBMC were isolated for mRNA analysis (cDNA synthesis, sequencing and one-step RT-PCR), Western Immunoblot (WI), and Immunofluorescence (IF). Results: cDNA analysis revealed the skipping of exon 15 and a premature stop codon at c.228. RT-PCR showed reduced FUS mRNA by more than half compared to a healthy control (HC) and an ALS patient without genetic mutations (wtALS). In WI FUS band intensity in the proband was 30-50% compared to HC and wtALS. An antibody expected to detect only the wild-type protein did not reveal any reduction of FUS band intensity compared to the other antibodies. IF showed no difference among HC, wtALS, and the proband. Discussion: The reduction of FUS mRNA and protein in PBMC suggests the absence of the truncated protein, probably due to nonsense-mediated decay, leading to loss of function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Canosa
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Neurology Unit 1, Turin, Italy
| | - Annarosa Lomartire
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giovanni De Marco
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Neurology Unit 1, Turin, Italy
| | - Maurizio Grassano
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Maura Brunetti
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Umberto Manera
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Rosario Vasta
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Paolina Salamone
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fuda
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Luca Sbaiz
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Laboratory of Genetics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gallone
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Neurology Unit 1, Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Neurology Unit 1, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Neurology Unit 1, Turin, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), Turin, Italy, and
| | - Adriano Chiò
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Neurology Unit 1, Turin, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), Turin, Italy, and.,Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, C.N.R., Rome, Italy
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Lattante S, Marangi G, Doronzio PN, Conte A, Bisogni G, Zollino M, Sabatelli M. High-Throughput Genetic Testing in ALS: The Challenging Path of Variant Classification Considering the ACMG Guidelines. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11101123. [PMID: 32987860 PMCID: PMC7600768 DOI: 10.3390/genes11101123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of high-throughput sequencing technologies and screening of big patient cohorts with familial and sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) led to the identification of a significant number of genetic variants, which are sometimes difficult to interpret. The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) provided guidelines to help molecular geneticists and pathologists to interpret variants found in laboratory testing. We assessed the application of the ACMG criteria to ALS-related variants, combining data from literature with our experience. We analyzed a cohort of 498 ALS patients using massive parallel sequencing of ALS-associated genes and identified 280 variants with a minor allele frequency < 1%. Examining all variants using the ACMG criteria, thus considering the type of variant, inheritance, familial segregation, and possible functional studies, we classified 20 variants as “pathogenic”. In conclusion, ALS’s genetic complexity, such as oligogenic inheritance, presence of genes acting as risk factors, and reduced penetrance, needs to be considered when interpreting variants. The goal of this work is to provide helpful suggestions to geneticists and clinicians dealing with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Lattante
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Roma, Italy; (S.L.); (P.N.D.); (M.Z.)
- Complex Operational Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, A. Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marangi
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Roma, Italy; (S.L.); (P.N.D.); (M.Z.)
- Complex Operational Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, A. Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0630154606
| | - Paolo Niccolò Doronzio
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Roma, Italy; (S.L.); (P.N.D.); (M.Z.)
- Complex Operational Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, A. Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Amelia Conte
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Complex Operational Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, A. Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Giulia Bisogni
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Complex Operational Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, A. Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Marcella Zollino
- Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Roma, Italy; (S.L.); (P.N.D.); (M.Z.)
- Complex Operational Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Sciences, A. Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Adult NEMO Clinical Center, Complex Operational Unit of Neurology, Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head-Neck Sciences, A. Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (M.S.)
- Section of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Roma, Italy
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