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Nijs M, Van Damme P. The genetics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Curr Opin Neurol 2024:00019052-990000000-00178. [PMID: 38967083 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000001294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has a strong genetic basis, but the genetic landscape of ALS appears to be complex. The purpose of this article is to review recent developments in the genetics of ALS. RECENT FINDINGS Large-scale genetic studies have uncovered more than 40 genes contributing to ALS susceptibility. Both rare variants with variable effect size and more common variants with small effect size have been identified. The most common ALS genes are C9orf72 , SOD1 , TARDBP and FUS . Some of the causative genes of ALS are shared with frontotemporal dementia, confirming the molecular link between both diseases. Access to diagnostic gene testing for ALS has to improve, as effective gene silencing therapies for some genetic subtypes of ALS are emerging, but there is no consensus about which genes to test for. SUMMARY Our knowledge about the genetic basis of ALS has improved and the first effective gene silencing therapies for specific genetic subtypes of ALS are underway. These therapeutic advances underline the need for better access to gene testing for people with ALS. Further research is needed to further map the genetic heterogeneity of ALS and to establish the best strategy for gene testing in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Nijs
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Leuven Brain Institute, University of Leuven (KU Leuven)
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Leuven Brain Institute, University of Leuven (KU Leuven)
- Neurology Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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2
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Pelaez MC, Fiore F, Larochelle N, Dabbaghizadeh A, Comaduran MF, Arbour D, Minotti S, Marcadet L, Semaan M, Robitaille R, Nalbantoglu JN, Sephton CF, Durham HD. Reversal of cognitive deficits in FUS R521G amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice by arimoclomol and a class I histone deacetylase inhibitor independent of heat shock protein induction. Neurotherapeutics 2024:e00388. [PMID: 38972779 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein misfolding and mislocalization are common to both familial and sporadic forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Maintaining proteostasis through induction of heat shock proteins (HSP) to increase chaperoning capacity is a rational therapeutic strategy in the treatment of ALS. However, the threshold for upregulating stress-inducible HSPs remains high in neurons, presenting a therapeutic obstacle. This study used mouse models expressing the ALS variants FUSR521G or SOD1G93A to follow up on previous work in cultured motor neurons showing varied effects of the HSP co-inducer, arimoclomol, and class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors on HSP expression depending on the ALS variant being expressed. As in cultured neurons, neither expression of the transgene nor drug treatments induced expression of HSPs in cortex, spinal cord or muscle of FUSR521G mice, indicating suppression of the heat shock response. Nonetheless, arimoclomol, and RGFP963, restored performance on cognitive tests and improved cortical dendritic spine densities. In SOD1G93A mice, multiple HSPs were upregulated in hindlimb skeletal muscle, but not in lumbar spinal cord with the exception of HSPB1 associated with astrocytosis. Drug treatments improved contractile force but reduced the increase in HSPs in muscle rather than facilitating their expression. The data point to mechanisms other than amplification of the heat shock response underlying recovery of cognitive function in ALS-FUS mice by arimoclomol and class I HDAC inhibition and suggest potential benefits in counteracting cognitive impairment in ALS, frontotemporal dementia and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Carmen Pelaez
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Laval University, Quebec City, QC Canada.
| | - Frédéric Fiore
- Département de Neurosciences and Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Université de Montréal, and Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur le Cerveau et l'apprentissage, Montréal, QC Canada.
| | - Nancy Larochelle
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery and Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC Canada.
| | - Afrooz Dabbaghizadeh
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery and Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC Canada.
| | - Mario Fernández Comaduran
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery and Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC Canada.
| | - Danielle Arbour
- Département de Neurosciences and Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Université de Montréal, and Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur le Cerveau et l'apprentissage, Montréal, QC Canada.
| | - Sandra Minotti
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery and Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC Canada.
| | - Laetitia Marcadet
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Laval University, Quebec City, QC Canada.
| | - Martine Semaan
- Département de Neurosciences and Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Université de Montréal, and Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur le Cerveau et l'apprentissage, Montréal, QC Canada.
| | - Richard Robitaille
- Département de Neurosciences and Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Université de Montréal, and Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur le Cerveau et l'apprentissage, Montréal, QC Canada.
| | - Josephine N Nalbantoglu
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery and Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC Canada.
| | - Chantelle F Sephton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Laval University, Quebec City, QC Canada.
| | - Heather D Durham
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery and Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC Canada.
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3
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Jiang Q, Lin J, Wei Q, Yang T, Hou Y, Zhang L, Ou R, Xiao Y, Wang S, Zheng X, Li C, Shang H. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with various gene mutations show diverse motor phenotypes and survival in China. J Med Genet 2024:jmg-2024-109909. [PMID: 38886047 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2024-109909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterised by progressive degeneration of motor neurons. Genetic factors have a substantial impact on ALS. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the correlation between genotype (SOD1, TARDBP, FUS, C9orf72) and phenotype in ALS. METHODS Genetic analysis was performed on 2038 patients with ALS, among which 1696 patients with sporadic ALS (SALS) as controls for genotype-phenotype analysis, and 1602 SALS as controls for survival analysis. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS A total of 172 patients with ALS with the gene mutations were included in the statistical analysis (SOD1, n=65; FUS, n=43; TARDBP, n=27; C9orf72, n=37). SOD1 mutations were more frequent in flail leg phenotype (OR 7.317, p=0.001) and less in bulbar phenotype (OR 0.222, p=0.038). C9orf72 expansions exhibited higher frequency in bulbar phenotype (OR 2.770, p=0.008). SOD1 and FUS mutations were significantly associated with earlier age of onset (HR 2.039, p<0.001; HR 1.762, p=0.001). The patients with SOD1 mutations, C9orf72 expansions and those carrying pathogenic FUS mutations had significantly increased death risk (HR 2.217, p<0.001; HR 1.694, p=0.008; HR 1.652, p=0.036). The increased risk of death in ALS with C9orf72 expansions was significant in females (HR 2.419, p=0.014) but not in males (HR 1.442, p=0.128). CONCLUSION Our study revealed distinct motor phenotypic tendencies in patients with ALS with different genotypes, indicating variations in the vulnerability of motor neurons during the disease's progression. Furthermore, we made novel discoveries regarding survival of different gene mutations, warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qirui Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junyu Lin
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianqian Wei
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Tianmi Yang
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanbing Hou
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lingyu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ruwei Ou
- Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shichan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaoting Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chunyu Li
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huifang Shang
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Nguyen L. Updates on Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutics for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2024; 13:888. [PMID: 38891021 PMCID: PMC11172142 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110888] [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: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a motor neuron disease. In ALS, upper and lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord progressively degenerate during the course of the disease, leading to the loss of the voluntary movement of the arms and legs. Since its first description in 1869 by a French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, the scientific discoveries on ALS have increased our understanding of ALS genetics, pathology and mechanisms and provided novel therapeutic strategies. The goal of this review article is to provide a comprehensive summary of the recent findings on ALS mechanisms and related therapeutic strategies to the scientific audience. Several highlighted ALS research topics discussed in this article include the 2023 FDA approved drug for SOD1 ALS, the updated C9orf72 GGGGCC repeat-expansion-related mechanisms and therapeutic targets, TDP-43-mediated cryptic splicing and disease markers and diagnostic and therapeutic options offered by these recent discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Nguyen
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
- Center for NeuroGenetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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5
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Libonati L, Cambieri C, Colavito D, Moret F, D'Andrea E, Del Giudice E, Leon A, Inghilleri M, Ceccanti M. Genetics screening in an Italian cohort of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: the importance of early testing and its implication. J Neurol 2024; 271:1921-1936. [PMID: 38112783 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12142-x] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with an elusive etiology. While environmental factors have been considered, familial ALS cases have raised the possibility of genetic involvement. This genetic connection is increasingly evident, even in patients with sporadic ALS. We allowed access to the genetic test to all patients attending our clinic to identify the prevalence and the role of genetic variants in the development of the disease and to identify patients with potentially treatable forms of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS 194 patients with probable or definite ALS, were enrolled. A comprehensive genetic testing was performed, including sequencing all exons of the SOD1 gene and testing for hexanucleotide intronic repeat expansions (G4C2) in the C9orf72 gene using fluorescent repeat-primed PCR (RP-PCR). Whole Exome NGS Sequencing (WES) was performed, followed by an in silico multigene panel targeting neuromuscular diseases, spastic paraplegia, and motor distal neuropathies. We conducted statistical analyses to compare different patient groups. RESULTS Clinically significant pathogenetic variants were detected in 14.43% of cases. The highest prevalence of pathogenetic variants was observed in fALS patients, but a substantial proportion of sALS patients also displayed at least one variant, either pathogenetic or of uncertain significance (VUS). The most observed pathogenetic variant was the expansion of the C9orf72 gene, which was associated with a shorter survival. SOD1 variants were found in 1.6% of fALS and 2.5% of sALS patients. DISCUSSION The study reveals a significant number of ALS patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants, with a higher prevalence in familial ALS cases. The expansion of the C9orf72 gene emerges as the most common genetic cause of ALS, affecting familial and sporadic cases. Additionally, SOD1 variants are detected at an unexpectedly higher rate, even in patients without a familial history of ALS, underscoring the crucial role of genetic testing in treatment decisions and potential participation in clinical trials. We also investigated variants in genes such as TARDBP, FUS, NEK1, TBK1, and DNAJC7, shedding light on their potential involvement in ALS. These findings underscore the complexity of interpreting variants of uncertain significance (VUS) and their ethical implications in patient communication and genetic counseling for patients' relatives. CONCLUSION This study emphasizes the diverse genetic basis of ALS and advocates for integrating comprehensive genetic testing into diagnostic protocols. The evolving landscape of genetic therapies requires identifying all eligible patients transcending traditional familial boundaries. The presence of VUS highlights the multifaceted nature of ALS genetics, prompting further exploration of complex interactions among genetic variants, environmental factors, and disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Libonati
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Sapienza University, Viale Dell'Università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Chiara Cambieri
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Sapienza University, Viale Dell'Università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Colavito
- R & I Genetics, C.So Stati Uniti 4int.F, 35127, Padua, Italy
| | - Federica Moret
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Sapienza University, Viale Dell'Università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo D'Andrea
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Sapienza University, Viale Dell'Università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alberta Leon
- R & I Genetics, C.So Stati Uniti 4int.F, 35127, Padua, Italy
| | - Maurizio Inghilleri
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Sapienza University, Viale Dell'Università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Ceccanti
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Centre, Sapienza University, Viale Dell'Università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy
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6
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Ivantsik O, John A, Kydonopoulou K, Mitropoulos K, Gerou S, Ali BR, Patrinos GP. Novel Pathogenic Variants Leading to Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Greek Patients. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:309. [PMID: 38540370 PMCID: PMC10970271 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive disease that affects motor neurons, leading to paralysis and death usually 3-5 years after the onset of symptoms. The investigation of both sporadic and familial ALS highlighted four main genes that contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease: SOD1, FUS, TARDBP and C9orf72. This study aims to provide a comprehensive investigation of genetic variants found in SOD1, FUS and TARDBP genes in Greek sporadic ALS (sALS) cases. Our sequencing analysis of the coding regions of the abovementioned genes that include the majority of the variants that lead to ALS in 32 sALS patients and 3 healthy relatives revealed 6 variants in SOD1, 19 variants in FUS and 37 variants in TARDBP, of which the SOD1 p.D90A and the FUS c.*356G>A (rs886051940) variants have been previously associated with ALS, while two novel nonsense pathogenic variants were also identified, namely FUS p.R241* and TDP-43 p.Y214*. Our study contributes to the worldwide effort toward clarifying the genetic basis of sALS to better understand the disease's molecular pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ouliana Ivantsik
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, Division of Pharmacology and Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Rion, Greece
| | - Anne John
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Konstantinos Mitropoulos
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 10679 Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Gerou
- ANALYSI Biomedical Laboratories S.A., 54623 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Bassam R Ali
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- ASPIRE Abu Dhabi Precision Medicine Ρesearch Institute, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - George P Patrinos
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, Division of Pharmacology and Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Rion, Greece
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- ASPIRE Abu Dhabi Precision Medicine Ρesearch Institute, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Clinical Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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7
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Zhu Y, Burg T, Neyrinck K, Vervliet T, Nami F, Vervoort E, Ahuja K, Sassano ML, Chai YC, Tharkeshwar AK, De Smedt J, Hu H, Bultynck G, Agostinis P, Swinnen JV, Van Den Bosch L, da Costa RFM, Verfaillie C. Disruption of MAM integrity in mutant FUS oligodendroglial progenitors from hiPSCs. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:6. [PMID: 38170217 PMCID: PMC10764485 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02666-x] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by selective loss of motor neurons (MNs). A number of causative genetic mutations underlie the disease, including mutations in the fused in sarcoma (FUS) gene, which can lead to both juvenile and late-onset ALS. Although ALS results from MN death, there is evidence that dysfunctional glial cells, including oligodendroglia, contribute to neurodegeneration. Here, we used human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) with a R521H or a P525L mutation in FUS and their isogenic controls to generate oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) by inducing SOX10 expression from a TET-On SOX10 cassette. Mutant and control iPSCs differentiated efficiently into OPCs. RNA sequencing identified a myelin sheath-related phenotype in mutant OPCs. Lipidomic studies demonstrated defects in myelin-related lipids, with a reduction of glycerophospholipids in mutant OPCs. Interestingly, FUSR521H OPCs displayed a decrease in the phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine ratio, known to be associated with maintaining membrane integrity. A proximity ligation assay further indicated that mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAM) were diminished in both mutant FUS OPCs. Moreover, both mutant FUS OPCs displayed increased susceptibility to ER stress when exposed to thapsigargin, and exhibited impaired mitochondrial respiration and reduced Ca2+ signaling from ER Ca2+ stores. Taken together, these results demonstrate a pathological role of mutant FUS in OPCs, causing defects in lipid metabolism associated with MAM disruption manifested by impaired mitochondrial metabolism with increased susceptibility to ER stress and with suppressed physiological Ca2+ signaling. As such, further exploration of the role of oligodendrocyte dysfunction in the demise of MNs is crucial and will provide new insights into the complex cellular mechanisms underlying ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingli Zhu
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Institute, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Thibaut Burg
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Center for Brain and Disease Research, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien Neyrinck
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Institute, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim Vervliet
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Signalling, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fatemeharefeh Nami
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Institute, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ellen Vervoort
- Laboratory of Cell Death Research and Therapy, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karan Ahuja
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Institute, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Section, Department of Biology, Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maria Livia Sassano
- Laboratory of Cell Death Research and Therapy, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yoke Chin Chai
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Institute, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arun Kumar Tharkeshwar
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Center for Brain and Disease Research, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jonathan De Smedt
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Institute, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Haibo Hu
- National Engineering Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Hakka Medical Resources Branch, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Geert Bultynck
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Signalling, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrizia Agostinis
- Laboratory of Cell Death Research and Therapy, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johannes V Swinnen
- Laboratory of Lipid Metabolism and Cancer, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Center for Brain and Disease Research, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Catherine Verfaillie
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Institute, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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8
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Kour S, Fortuna T, Anderson EN, Mawrie D, Bilstein J, Sivasubramanian R, Ward C, Roy R, Rajasundaram D, Sterneckert J, Pandey UB. Drosha-dependent microRNAs modulate FUS-mediated neurodegeneration in vivo. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:11258-11276. [PMID: 37791873 PMCID: PMC10639082 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the Fused in Sarcoma (FUS) gene cause the familial and progressive form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). FUS is a nuclear RNA-binding protein involved in RNA processing and the biogenesis of a specific set of microRNAs. Here we report that Drosha and two previously uncharacterized Drosha-dependent miRNAs are strong modulators of FUS expression and prevent the cytoplasmic segregation of insoluble mutant FUS in vivo. We demonstrate that depletion of Drosha mitigates FUS-mediated degeneration, survival and motor defects in Drosophila. Mutant FUS strongly interacts with Drosha and causes its cytoplasmic mis-localization into the insoluble FUS inclusions. Reduction in Drosha levels increases the solubility of mutant FUS. Interestingly, we found two Drosha dependent microRNAs, miR-378i and miR-6832-5p, which differentially regulate the expression, solubility and cytoplasmic aggregation of mutant FUS in iPSC neurons and mammalian cells. More importantly, we report different modes of action of these miRNAs against mutant FUS. Whereas miR-378i may regulate mutant FUS inclusions by preventing G3BP-mediated stress granule formation, miR-6832-5p may affect FUS expression via other proteins or pathways. Overall, our research reveals a possible association between ALS-linked FUS mutations and the Drosha-dependent miRNA regulatory circuit, as well as a useful perspective on potential ALS treatment via microRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukhleen Kour
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Tyler Fortuna
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Eric N Anderson
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Darilang Mawrie
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Jessica Bilstein
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität (TU) Dresden, Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Ramakrishnan Sivasubramanian
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität (TU) Dresden, Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Caroline Ward
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Rishit Roy
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Dhivyaa Rajasundaram
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Jared Sterneckert
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität (TU) Dresden, Dresden, 01307, Germany
- Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden, Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Udai Bhan Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
- Children's Neuroscience Institute, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
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9
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Ali Z, Godoy-Corchuelo JM, Martins-Bach AB, Garcia-Toledo I, Fernández-Beltrán LC, Nair RR, Spring S, Nieman BJ, Jimenez-Coca I, Bains RS, Forrest H, Lerch JP, Miller KL, Fisher EMC, Cunningham TJ, Corrochano S. Mutation in the FUS nuclear localisation signal domain causes neurodevelopmental and systemic metabolic alterations. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050200. [PMID: 37772684 PMCID: PMC10642611 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050200] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Variants in the ubiquitously expressed DNA/RNA-binding protein FUS cause aggressive juvenile forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Most FUS mutation studies have focused on motor neuron degeneration; little is known about wider systemic or developmental effects. We studied pleiotropic phenotypes in a physiological knock-in mouse model carrying the pathogenic FUSDelta14 mutation in homozygosity. RNA sequencing of multiple organs aimed to identify pathways altered by the mutant protein in the systemic transcriptome, including metabolic tissues, given the link between ALS-frontotemporal dementia and altered metabolism. Few genes were commonly altered across all tissues, and most genes and pathways affected were generally tissue specific. Phenotypic assessment of mice revealed systemic metabolic alterations related to the pathway changes identified. Magnetic resonance imaging brain scans and histological characterisation revealed that homozygous FUSDelta14 brains were smaller than heterozygous and wild-type brains and displayed significant morphological alterations, including a thinner cortex, reduced neuronal number and increased gliosis, which correlated with early cognitive impairment and fatal seizures. These findings show that the disease aetiology of FUS variants can include both neurodevelopmental and systemic alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Ali
- Neurological Disorders Group, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdiSSC), Madrid 28040, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 ORD, UK
| | - Juan M. Godoy-Corchuelo
- Neurological Disorders Group, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdiSSC), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Aurea B. Martins-Bach
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9D, UK
| | - Irene Garcia-Toledo
- Neurological Disorders Group, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdiSSC), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Luis C. Fernández-Beltrán
- Neurological Disorders Group, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdiSSC), Madrid 28040, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Remya R. Nair
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 ORD, UK
| | - Shoshana Spring
- Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M57 3H7, Canada
| | - Brian J. Nieman
- Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M57 3H7, Canada
| | - Irene Jimenez-Coca
- Neurological Disorders Group, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdiSSC), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Rasneer S. Bains
- Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 ORD, UK
| | - Hamish Forrest
- Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 ORD, UK
| | - Jason P. Lerch
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9D, UK
| | - Karla L. Miller
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9D, UK
| | - Elizabeth M. C. Fisher
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Thomas J. Cunningham
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 ORD, UK
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London, London W1W 7FF, UK
| | - Silvia Corrochano
- Neurological Disorders Group, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdiSSC), Madrid 28040, Spain
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 ORD, UK
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10
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Kandhavivorn W, Glaß H, Herrmannsdörfer T, Böckers TM, Uhlarz M, Gronemann J, Funk RHW, Pietzsch J, Pal A, Hermann A. Restoring Axonal Organelle Motility and Regeneration in Cultured FUS-ALS Motoneurons through Magnetic Field Stimulation Suggests an Alternative Therapeutic Approach. Cells 2023; 12:1502. [PMID: 37296623 PMCID: PMC10252208 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111502] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating motoneuron disease characterized by sustained loss of neuromuscular junctions, degenerating corticospinal motoneurons and rapidly progressing muscle paralysis. Motoneurons have unique features, essentially a highly polarized, lengthy architecture of axons, posing a considerable challenge for maintaining long-range trafficking routes for organelles, cargo, mRNA and secretion with a high energy effort to serve crucial neuronal functions. Impaired intracellular pathways implicated in ALS pathology comprise RNA metabolism, cytoplasmic protein aggregation, cytoskeletal integrity for organelle trafficking and maintenance of mitochondrial morphology and function, cumulatively leading to neurodegeneration. Current drug treatments only have marginal effects on survival, thereby calling for alternative ALS therapies. Exposure to magnetic fields, e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulations (TMS) on the central nervous system (CNS), has been broadly explored over the past 20 years to investigate and improve physical and mental activities through stimulated excitability as well as neuronal plasticity. However, studies of magnetic treatments on the peripheral nervous system are still scarce. Thus, we investigated the therapeutic potential of low frequency alternating current magnetic fields on cultured spinal motoneurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells of FUS-ALS patients and healthy persons. We report a remarkable restoration induced by magnetic stimulation on axonal trafficking of mitochondria and lysosomes and axonal regenerative sprouting after axotomy in FUS-ALS in vitro without obvious harmful effects on diseased and healthy neurons. These beneficial effects seem to derive from improved microtubule integrity. Thus, our study suggests the therapeutic potential of magnetic stimulations in ALS, which awaits further exploration and validation in future long-term in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonphorn Kandhavivorn
- Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory (HLD-EMFL), Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, D-01328 Dresden, Germany; (W.K.); (T.H.); (M.U.); (J.G.)
- Institute of Anatomy, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Hannes Glaß
- Division for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01307 Dresden, Germany;
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, D-18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Thomas Herrmannsdörfer
- Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory (HLD-EMFL), Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, D-01328 Dresden, Germany; (W.K.); (T.H.); (M.U.); (J.G.)
| | - Tobias M. Böckers
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Ulm, D-89081 Ulm, Germany;
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) Ulm, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Marc Uhlarz
- Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory (HLD-EMFL), Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, D-01328 Dresden, Germany; (W.K.); (T.H.); (M.U.); (J.G.)
| | - Jonas Gronemann
- Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory (HLD-EMFL), Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, D-01328 Dresden, Germany; (W.K.); (T.H.); (M.U.); (J.G.)
| | - Richard H. W. Funk
- Institute of Anatomy, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
- Dresden International University, D-01067 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Department of Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, D-01328 Dresden, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, School of Science, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Arun Pal
- Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory (HLD-EMFL), Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, D-01328 Dresden, Germany; (W.K.); (T.H.); (M.U.); (J.G.)
- Division for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Andreas Hermann
- Division for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01307 Dresden, Germany;
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, D-18147 Rostock, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) Rostock/Greifswald, D-18147 Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, D-18147 Rostock, Germany
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11
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FUS Alters circRNA Metabolism in Human Motor Neurons Carrying the ALS-Linked P525L Mutation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043181. [PMID: 36834591 PMCID: PMC9968238 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043181] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of RNA metabolism has emerged as one of the key events leading to the degeneration of motor neurons (MNs) in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) disease. Indeed, mutations on RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) or on proteins involved in aspects of RNA metabolism account for the majority of familiar forms of ALS. In particular, the impact of the ALS-linked mutations of the RBP FUS on many aspects of RNA-related processes has been vastly investigated. FUS plays a pivotal role in splicing regulation and its mutations severely alter the exon composition of transcripts coding for proteins involved in neurogenesis, axon guidance, and synaptic activity. In this study, by using in vitro-derived human MNs, we investigate the effect of the P525L FUS mutation on non-canonical splicing events that leads to the formation of circular RNAs (circRNAs). We observed altered levels of circRNAs in FUSP525L MNs and a preferential binding of the mutant protein to introns flanking downregulated circRNAs and containing inverted Alu repeats. For a subset of circRNAs, FUSP525L also impacts their nuclear/cytoplasmic partitioning, confirming its involvement in different processes of RNA metabolism. Finally, we assess the potential of cytoplasmic circRNAs to act as miRNA sponges, with possible implications in ALS pathogenesis.
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