1
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Wilton DK, Mastro K, Heller MD, Gergits FW, Willing CR, Fahey JB, Frouin A, Daggett A, Gu X, Kim YA, Faull RLM, Jayadev S, Yednock T, Yang XW, Stevens B. Microglia and complement mediate early corticostriatal synapse loss and cognitive dysfunction in Huntington's disease. Nat Med 2023; 29:2866-2884. [PMID: 37814059 PMCID: PMC10667107 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02566-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a devastating monogenic neurodegenerative disease characterized by early, selective pathology in the basal ganglia despite the ubiquitous expression of mutant huntingtin. The molecular mechanisms underlying this region-specific neuronal degeneration and how these relate to the development of early cognitive phenotypes are poorly understood. Here we show that there is selective loss of synaptic connections between the cortex and striatum in postmortem tissue from patients with HD that is associated with the increased activation and localization of complement proteins, innate immune molecules, to these synaptic elements. We also found that levels of these secreted innate immune molecules are elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid of premanifest HD patients and correlate with established measures of disease burden.In preclinical genetic models of HD, we show that complement proteins mediate the selective elimination of corticostriatal synapses at an early stage in disease pathogenesis, marking them for removal by microglia, the brain's resident macrophage population. This process requires mutant huntingtin to be expressed in both cortical and striatal neurons. Inhibition of this complement-dependent elimination mechanism through administration of a therapeutically relevant C1q function-blocking antibody or genetic ablation of a complement receptor on microglia prevented synapse loss, increased excitatory input to the striatum and rescued the early development of visual discrimination learning and cognitive flexibility deficits in these models. Together, our findings implicate microglia and the complement cascade in the selective, early degeneration of corticostriatal synapses and the development of cognitive deficits in presymptomatic HD; they also provide new preclinical data to support complement as a therapeutic target for early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel K Wilton
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US.
| | - Kevin Mastro
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US
| | - Molly D Heller
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US
| | - Frederick W Gergits
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US
| | - Carly Rose Willing
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US
| | - Jaclyn B Fahey
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US
| | - Arnaud Frouin
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US
| | - Anthony Daggett
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Gu
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yejin A Kim
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US
| | - Richard L M Faull
- Department of Anatomy with Radiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Suman Jayadev
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ted Yednock
- Annexon Biosciences, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - X William Yang
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Beth Stevens
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US.
- Stanley Center, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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2
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Environmental stimulation in Huntington disease patients and animal models. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 171:105725. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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3
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Kadriu B, Musazzi L, Johnston JN, Kalynchuk LE, Caruncho HJ, Popoli M, Zarate CA. Positive AMPA receptor modulation in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders: A long and winding road. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:2816-2838. [PMID: 34358693 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Glutamatergic transmission is widely implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders, and the discovery that ketamine elicits rapid-acting antidepressant effects by modulating α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) signaling has spurred a resurgence of interest in the field. This review explores agents in various stages of development for neuropsychiatric disorders that positively modulate AMPARs, both directly and indirectly. Despite promising preclinical research, few direct and indirect AMPAR positive modulators have progressed past early clinical development. Challenges such as low potency have created barriers to effective implementation. Nevertheless, the functional complexity of AMPARs sets them apart from other drug targets and allows for specificity in drug discovery. Additional effective treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders that work through positive AMPAR modulation may eventually be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashkim Kadriu
- Experimental Therapeutics & Pathophysiology Branch, Division of Intramural Research Programs, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Laura Musazzi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
| | - Jenessa N Johnston
- Experimental Therapeutics & Pathophysiology Branch, Division of Intramural Research Programs, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Lisa E Kalynchuk
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Hector J Caruncho
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Maurizio Popoli
- Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology and Functional Neurogenomics, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Carlos A Zarate
- Experimental Therapeutics & Pathophysiology Branch, Division of Intramural Research Programs, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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4
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Chuang CL, Demontis F. Systemic manifestation and contribution of peripheral tissues to Huntington's disease pathogenesis. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 69:101358. [PMID: 33979693 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease that is caused by expansion of cytosine/adenosine/guanine repeats in the huntingtin (HTT) gene, which leads to a toxic, aggregation-prone, mutant HTT-polyQ protein. Beyond the well-established mechanisms of HD progression in the central nervous system, growing evidence indicates that also peripheral tissues are affected in HD and that systemic signaling originating from peripheral tissues can influence the progression of HD in the brain. Herein, we review the systemic manifestation of HD in peripheral tissues, and the impact of systemic signaling on HD pathogenesis. Mutant HTT induces a body wasting syndrome (cachexia) primarily via its activity in skeletal muscle, bone, adipose tissue, and heart. Additional whole-organism effects induced by mutant HTT include decline in systemic metabolic homeostasis, which stems from derangement of pancreas, liver, gut, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and circadian functions. In addition to spreading via the bloodstream and a leaky blood brain barrier, HTT-polyQ may travel long distance via its uptake by neurons and its axonal transport from the peripheral to the central nervous system. Lastly, signaling factors that are produced and/or secreted in response to therapeutic interventions such as exercise or in response to mutant HTT activity in peripheral tissues may impact HD. In summary, these studies indicate that HD is a systemic disease that is influenced by intertissue signaling and by the action of pathogenic HTT in peripheral tissues. We propose that treatment strategies for HD should include the amelioration of HD symptoms in peripheral tissues. Moreover, harnessing signaling between peripheral tissues and the brain may provide a means for reducing HD progression in the central nervous system.
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5
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Choudhury H, Chellappan DK, Sengupta P, Pandey M, Gorain B. Adenosine Receptors in Modulation of Central Nervous System Disorders. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 25:2808-2827. [PMID: 31309883 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666190712181955] [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: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The ubiquitous signaling nucleoside molecule, adenosine is found in different cells of the human body to provide its numerous pharmacological role. The associated actions of endogenous adenosine are largely dependent on conformational change of the widely expressed heterodimeric G-protein-coupled A1, A2A, A2B, and A3 adenosine receptors (ARs). These receptors are well conserved on the surface of specific cells, where potent neuromodulatory properties of this bioactive molecule reflected by its easy passage through the rigid blood-brainbarrier, to simultaneously act on the central nervous system (CNS). The minimal concentration of adenosine in body fluids (30-300 nM) is adequate to exert its neuromodulatory action in the CNS, whereas the modulatory effect of adenosine on ARs is the consequence of several neurodegenerative diseases. Modulatory action concerning the activation of such receptors in the CNS could be facilitated towards neuroprotective action against such CNS disorders. Our aim herein is to discuss briefly pathophysiological roles of adenosine on ARs in the modulation of different CNS disorders, which could be focused towards the identification of potential drug targets in recovering accompanying CNS disorders. Researches with active components with AR modulatory action have been extended and already reached to the bedside of the patients through clinical research in the improvement of CNS disorders. Therefore, this review consist of recent findings in literatures concerning the impact of ARs on diverse CNS disease pathways with the possible relevance to neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hira Choudhury
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Dinesh K Chellappan
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Pallav Sengupta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, MA`HSA University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Manisha Pandey
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Bapi Gorain
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
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6
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Treadmill exercise rescues mitochondrial function and motor behavior in the CAG140 knock-in mouse model of Huntington's disease. Chem Biol Interact 2020; 315:108907. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.108907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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7
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Blum D, Chern Y, Domenici MR, Buée L, Lin CY, Rea W, Ferré S, Popoli P. The Role of Adenosine Tone and Adenosine Receptors in Huntington's Disease. J Caffeine Adenosine Res 2018; 8:43-58. [PMID: 30023989 PMCID: PMC6049521 DOI: 10.1089/caff.2018.0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the IT15 gene that encodes for the huntingtin protein. Mutated hungtingtin, although widely expressed in the brain, predominantly affects striato-pallidal neurons, particularly enriched with adenosine A2A receptors (A2AR), suggesting a possible involvement of adenosine and A2AR is the pathogenesis of HD. In fact, polymorphic variation in the ADORA2A gene influences the age at onset in HD, and A2AR dynamics is altered by mutated huntingtin. Basal levels of adenosine and adenosine receptors are involved in many processes critical for neuronal function and homeostasis, including modulation of synaptic activity and excitotoxicity, the control of neurotrophin levels and functions, and the regulation of protein degradation mechanisms. In the present review, we critically analyze the current literature involving the effect of altered adenosine tone and adenosine receptors in HD and discuss why therapeutics that modulate the adenosine system may represent a novel approach for the treatment of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Blum
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172 - JPArc, LabEx DISTALZ, Lille, France
| | - Yijuang Chern
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Maria Rosaria Domenici
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Luc Buée
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172 - JPArc, LabEx DISTALZ, Lille, France
| | - Chien-Yu Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - William Rea
- Integrative Neurobiology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sergi Ferré
- Integrative Neurobiology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Patrizia Popoli
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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8
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Abstract
Accumulating research in rodents and humans indicates that exercise benefits brain function and may prevent or delay onset of neurodegenerative conditions. In particular, exercise modifies the structure and function of the hippocampus, a brain area important for learning and memory. This review addresses the central and peripheral mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of exercise on the hippocampus. We focus on running-induced changes in adult hippocampal neurogenesis, neural circuitry, neurotrophins, synaptic plasticity, neurotransmitters, and vasculature. The role of peripheral factors in hippocampal plasticity is also highlighted. We discuss recent evidence that systemic factors released from peripheral organs such as muscle (myokines), liver (hepatokines), and adipose tissue (adipokines) during exercise contribute to hippocampal neurotrophin and neurogenesis levels, and memory function. A comprehensive understanding of the body-brain axis is needed to elucidate how exercise improves hippocampal plasticity and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- C'iana Cooper
- Neuroplasticity and Behavior Unit, Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Biomedical Research Center, Baltimore, Maryland 21224
| | - Hyo Youl Moon
- Neuroplasticity and Behavior Unit, Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Biomedical Research Center, Baltimore, Maryland 21224
- Institute of Sport Science, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Henriette van Praag
- Neuroplasticity and Behavior Unit, Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Biomedical Research Center, Baltimore, Maryland 21224
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9
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Holley SM, Kamdjou T, Reidling JC, Fury B, Coleal-Bergum D, Bauer G, Thompson LM, Levine MS, Cepeda C. Therapeutic effects of stem cells in rodent models of Huntington's disease: Review and electrophysiological findings. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 24:329-342. [PMID: 29512295 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The principal symptoms of Huntington's disease (HD), chorea, cognitive deficits, and psychiatric symptoms are associated with the massive loss of striatal and cortical projection neurons. As current drug therapies only partially alleviate symptoms, finding alternative treatments has become peremptory. Cell replacement using stem cells is a rapidly expanding field that offers such an alternative. In this review, we examine recent studies that use mesenchymal cells, as well as pluripotent, cell-derived products in animal models of HD. Additionally, we provide further electrophysiological characterization of a human neural stem cell line, ESI-017, which has already demonstrated disease-modifying properties in two mouse models of HD. Overall, the field of regenerative medicine represents a viable and promising avenue for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders including HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra M Holley
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Talia Kamdjou
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jack C Reidling
- Institute for Memory Impairment and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Brian Fury
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Dane Coleal-Bergum
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Gerhard Bauer
- Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Leslie M Thompson
- Institute for Memory Impairment and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.,Department of Neurobiology & Behavior and Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.,Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Michael S Levine
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Cepeda
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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10
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Puigdellívol M, Saavedra A, Pérez-Navarro E. Cognitive dysfunction in Huntington's disease: mechanisms and therapeutic strategies beyond BDNF. Brain Pathol 2018; 26:752-771. [PMID: 27529673 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main focuses in Huntington's disease (HD) research, as well as in most neurodegenerative diseases, is the development of new therapeutic strategies, as currently there is no treatment to delay or prevent the progression of the disease. Neuronal dysfunction and neuronal death in HD are caused by a combination of interrelated pathogenic processes that lead to motor, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms. Understanding how mutant huntingtin impacts on a plethora of cellular functions could help to identify new molecular targets. Although HD has been classically classified as a neurodegenerative disease affecting voluntary movement, lately cognitive dysfunction is receiving increased attention as it is very invalidating for patients. Thus, an ambitious goal in HD research is to find altered molecular mechanisms that contribute to cognitive decline. In this review, we have focused on those findings related to corticostriatal and hippocampal cognitive dysfunction in HD, as well as on the underlying molecular mechanisms, which constitute potential therapeutic targets. These include alterations in synaptic plasticity, transcriptional machinery and neurotrophic and neurotransmitter signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Puigdellívol
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Ana Saavedra
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Esther Pérez-Navarro
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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11
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Abstract
The transgenic mouse model R6/2 exhibits Huntington's disease (HD)-like deficits and basic pathophysiological similarities. We also used the pheochromocytoma-12 (PC12)-cell-line-model to investigate the effect of laquinimod on metabolic activity. Laquinimod is an orally administered immunomodulatory substance currently under development for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) and HD. As an essential effect, increased levels of BDNF were observed. Therefore, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of laquinimod in the R6/2 model, focusing on its neuroprotective capacity. Weight course and survival were not influenced by laquinimod. Neither were any metabolic effects seen in an inducible PC12-cell-line model of HD. As a positive effect, motor functions of R6/2 mice at the age of 12 weeks significantly improved. Preservation of morphologically intact neurons was found after treatment in the striatum, as revealed by NeuN, DARPP-32, and ubiquitin. Biochemical analysis showed a significant increase in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level in striatal but not in cortical neurons. The number of mutant huntingtin (mhtt) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) positive cells was reduced in both the striatum and motor cortex following treatment. These findings suggest that laquinimod could provide a mild effect on motor function and striatal histopathology, but not on survival. Besides influences on the immune system, influence on BDNF-dependent pathways in HD are discussed.
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12
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Stefanko DP, Shah VD, Yamasaki WK, Petzinger GM, Jakowec MW. Treadmill exercise delays the onset of non-motor behaviors and striatal pathology in the CAG 140 knock-in mouse model of Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2017; 105:15-32. [PMID: 28502806 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression, cognitive impairments, and other neuropsychiatric disturbances are common during the prodromal phase of Huntington's disease (HD) well before the onset of classical motor symptoms of this degenerative disorder. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential impact of physical activity in the form of exercise on a motorized treadmill on non-motor behavioral features including depression-like behavior and cognition in the CAG140 knock-in (KI) mouse model of HD. The CAG140 KI mouse model has a long lifespan compared to other HD rodent models with HD motor deficits emerging after 12months of age and thus provides the opportunity to investigate early life interventions such as exercise on disease progression. Motorized treadmill running was initiated at 4weeks of age (1h per session, 3 times per week) and continued for 6months. Non-motor behaviors were assessed up to 6months of age and included analysis of depression-like behavior (using the tail-suspension and forced-swim tests) and cognition (using the T-maze and object recognition tests). At both 4 and 6months of age, CAG140 KI mice displayed significant depression-like behavior in the forced swim and tail suspension tests and cognitive impairment by deficits in reversal relearning in the T-maze test. These deficits were not evident in mice engaged in treadmill running. In addition, exercise restored striatal dopamine D2 receptor expression and dopamine neurotransmitter levels both reduced in sedentary HD mice. Finally, we examined the pattern of striatal expression of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein and showed that the number and intensity of immunohistochemical staining patterns of intranuclear aggregates were significantly reduced with exercise. Altogether these findings begin to address the potential impact of lifestyle and early intervention such as exercise on modifying HD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- D P Stefanko
- Department of Neurology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 91007, United States
| | - V D Shah
- Department of Neurology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 91007, United States
| | - W K Yamasaki
- Department of Neurology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 91007, United States
| | - G M Petzinger
- Department of Neurology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 91007, United States; Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 91007, United States
| | - M W Jakowec
- Department of Neurology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 91007, United States; Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 91007, United States.
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13
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Tyebji S, Hannan AJ. Synaptopathic mechanisms of neurodegeneration and dementia: Insights from Huntington's disease. Prog Neurobiol 2017; 153:18-45. [PMID: 28377290 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2017.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2016] [Revised: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Dementia encapsulates a set of symptoms that include loss of mental abilities such as memory, problem solving or language, and reduces a person's ability to perform daily activities. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, however dementia can also occur in other neurological disorders such as Huntington's disease (HD). Many studies have demonstrated that loss of neuronal cell function manifests pre-symptomatically and thus is a relevant therapeutic target to alleviate symptoms. Synaptopathy, the physiological dysfunction of synapses, is now being approached as the target for many neurological and psychiatric disorders, including HD. HD is an autosomal dominant and progressive degenerative disorder, with clinical manifestations that encompass movement, cognition, mood and behaviour. HD is one of the most common tandem repeat disorders and is caused by a trinucleotide (CAG) repeat expansion, encoding an extended polyglutamine tract in the huntingtin protein. Animal models as well as human studies have provided detailed, although not exhaustive, evidence of synaptic dysfunction in HD. In this review, we discuss the neuropathology of HD and how the changes in synaptic signalling in the diseased brain lead to its symptoms, which include dementia. Here, we review and discuss the mechanisms by which the 'molecular orchestras' and their 'synaptic symphonies' are disrupted in neurodegeneration and dementia, focusing on HD as a model disease. We also explore the therapeutic strategies currently in pre-clinical and clinical testing that are targeted towards improving synaptic function in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiraz Tyebji
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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14
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Leuchter MK, Donzis EJ, Cepeda C, Hunter AM, Estrada-Sánchez AM, Cook IA, Levine MS, Leuchter AF. Quantitative Electroencephalographic Biomarkers in Preclinical and Human Studies of Huntington's Disease: Are They Fit-for-Purpose for Treatment Development? Front Neurol 2017; 8:91. [PMID: 28424652 PMCID: PMC5371600 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A major focus in development of novel therapies for Huntington's disease (HD) is identification of treatments that reduce the burden of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein in the brain. In order to identify and test the efficacy of such therapies, it is essential to have biomarkers that are sensitive to the effects of mHTT on brain function to determine whether the intervention has been effective at preventing toxicity in target brain systems before onset of clinical symptoms. Ideally, such biomarkers should have a plausible physiologic basis for detecting the effects of mHTT, be measureable both in preclinical models and human studies, be practical to measure serially in clinical trials, and be reliably measurable in HD gene expansion carriers (HDGECs), among other features. Quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) fulfills many of these basic criteria of a "fit-for-purpose" biomarker. qEEG measures brain oscillatory activity that is regulated by the brain structures that are affected by mHTT in premanifest and early symptom individuals. The technology is practical to implement in the laboratory and is well tolerated by humans in clinical trials. The biomarkers are measureable across animal models and humans, with findings that appear to be detectable in HDGECs and translate across species. We review here the literature on recent developments in both preclinical and human studies of the use of qEEG biomarkers in HD, and the evidence for their usefulness as biomarkers to help guide development of novel mHTT lowering treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael K Leuchter
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Elissa J Donzis
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Cepeda
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aimee M Hunter
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Neuromodulation Division, Laboratory of Brain, Behavior, and Pharmacology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ana María Estrada-Sánchez
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ian A Cook
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Neuromodulation Division, Laboratory of Brain, Behavior, and Pharmacology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael S Levine
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andrew F Leuchter
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Neuromodulation Division, Laboratory of Brain, Behavior, and Pharmacology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
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15
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Nguyen KQ, Rymar VV, Sadikot AF. Impaired TrkB Signaling Underlies Reduced BDNF-Mediated Trophic Support of Striatal Neurons in the R6/2 Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:37. [PMID: 27013968 PMCID: PMC4783409 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The principal projection neurons of the striatum are critically dependent on an afferent supply of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) for neurotrophic support. These neurons express TrkB, the cognate receptor for BDNF, which activates signaling pathways associated with neuronal survival and phenotypic maintenance. Impairment of the BDNF-TrkB pathway is suspected to underlie the early dysfunction and prominent degeneration of striatal neurons in Huntington disease (HD). Some studies in HD models indicate that BDNF supply is reduced, while others suggest that TrkB signaling is impaired earlier in disease progression. It remains important to determine whether a primary defect in TrkB signaling underlies reduced neurotrophic support and the early vulnerability of striatal neurons in HD. Using the transgenic R6/2 mouse model of HD we found that prior to striatal degeneration there are early deficits in striatal protein levels of activated phospho-TrkB and the downstream-regulated protein DARPP-32. In contrast, total-TrkB and BDNF protein levels remained normal. Primary neurons cultured from R6/2 striatum exhibited reduced survival in response to exogenous BDNF applications. Moreover, BDNF activation of phospho-TrkB and downstream signal transduction was attenuated in R6/2 striatal cultures. These results suggest that neurotrophic support of striatal neurons is attenuated early in disease progression due to defects in TrkB signal transduction in the R6/2 model of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khanh Q Nguyen
- Cone Laboratory, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Vladimir V Rymar
- Cone Laboratory, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Abbas F Sadikot
- Cone Laboratory, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University Montreal, QC, Canada
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16
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Mo C, Hannan AJ, Renoir T. Environmental factors as modulators of neurodegeneration: Insights from gene–environment interactions in Huntington's disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015; 52:178-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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17
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Li W, Silva HB, Real J, Wang YM, Rial D, Li P, Payen MP, Zhou Y, Muller CE, Tomé AR, Cunha RA, Chen JF. Inactivation of adenosine A2A receptors reverses working memory deficits at early stages of Huntington's disease models. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 79:70-80. [PMID: 25892655 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Revised: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairments in Huntington's disease (HD) are attributed to a dysfunction of the cortico-striatal pathway and significantly affect the quality of life of the patients, but this has not been a therapeutic focus in HD to date. We postulated that adenosine A(2A) receptors (A(2A)R), located at pre- and post-synaptic elements of the cortico-striatal pathways, modulate striatal neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity and cognitive behaviors. To critically evaluate the ability of A(2A)R inactivation to prevent cognitive deficits in early HD, we cross-bred A(2A)R knockout (KO) mice with two R6/2 transgenic lines of HD (CAG120 and CAG240) to generate two double transgenic R6/2-CAG120-A(2A)R KO and R6/2-CAG240-A(2A)R KO mice and their corresponding wild-type (WT) littermates. Genetic inactivation of A(2A)R prevented working memory deficits induced by R6/2-CAG120 at post-natal week 6 and by R6/2-CAG240 at post-natal month 2 and post-natal month 3, without modifying motor deficits. Similarly the A2(A)R antagonist KW6002 selectively reverted working memory deficits in R6/2-CAG240 mice at post-natal month 3. The search for possible mechanisms indicated that the genetic inactivation of A(2A)R did not affect ubiquitin-positive neuronal inclusions, astrogliosis or Thr-75 phosphorylation of DARPP-32 in the striatum. Importantly, A(2A)R blockade preferentially controlled long-term depression at cortico-striatal synapses in R6/2-CAG240 at post-natal week 6. The reported reversal of working memory deficits in R6/2 mice by the genetic and pharmacological inactivation of A(2A)R provides a proof-of-principle for A(2A)R as novel targets to reverse cognitive deficits in HD, likely by controlling LTD deregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Henrique B Silva
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Real
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Yu-Mei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Rial
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Molecular Biology Center, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn, and Combined Injury, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Marie-Pierce Payen
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yuanguo Zhou
- Molecular Biology Center, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn, and Combined Injury, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Christa E Muller
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Angelo R Tomé
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo A Cunha
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal; FMUC-Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jiang-Fan Chen
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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18
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Pardue MT, Chrenek MA, Schmidt RH, Nickerson JM, Boatright JH. Potential Role of Exercise in Retinal Health. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2015; 134:491-502. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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19
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Lee CF, Chern Y. Adenosine receptors and Huntington's disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2014; 119:195-232. [PMID: 25175968 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801022-8.00010-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Adenosine regulates important pathophysiological functions via four distinct adenosine receptor subtypes (A1, A2A, A2B, and A3). The A1 and A2A adenosine receptors (A1R and A2AR) are major targets of caffeine and have been extensively investigated. Huntington's disease (HD) is a dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by an abnormal CAG expansion in the Huntingtin gene. Since the first genetic HD model was created almost two decades ago, tremendous progress regarding the function of the adenosine receptors in HD has been made. Chronic intake of caffeine was recently shown to be positively associated with the disease onset of HD. Moreover, genetic polymorphism of A2AR is believed to impact the age of onset. Given the importance of adenosine receptors as drug targets for human diseases, this review highlights the recent findings that delineate the roles of adenosine receptors in HD and discusses their potential for serving as drug targets and/or biomarkers for HD. Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that regulates important physiological functions via four different adenosine receptors (A1, A2A, A2B, and A3). These adenosine receptors have seven transmembrane domains and belong to the G protein-coupled receptor family. The functions of the A1 adenosine receptor (A1R) and A2A adenosine receptor (A2AR) have been investigated relative to HD. In this review, we summarize the recent findings regarding the role of adenosine receptors in HD and discuss the potential application of adenosine receptors as drug targets and biomarkers for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-fei Lee
- Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yijuang Chern
- Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Exercise attenuates neuropathology and has greater benefit on cognitive than motor deficits in the R6/1 Huntington's disease mouse model. Exp Neurol 2013; 248:457-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2013.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2013] [Revised: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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21
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Bari M, Battista N, Valenza M, Mastrangelo N, Malaponti M, Catanzaro G, Centonze D, Finazzi-Agrò A, Cattaneo E, Maccarrone M. In vitro and in vivo models of Huntington's disease show alterations in the endocannabinoid system. FEBS J 2013; 280:3376-88. [PMID: 23659592 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Revised: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we analyzed the components of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in R6/2 mice, a widely used model of Huntington's disease (HD). We measured the endogenous content of N-arachidonoylethanolamine and 2-arachidonoylglycerol and the activity of their biosynthetic enzymes (N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D and diacylglycerol lipase, respectively) and hydrolytic enzymes [fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase, respectively] and of their target receptors (type 1 cannabinoid receptor, type 2 cannabinoid receptor, and transient receptor potential vanilloid-1) in the brains of wild-type and R6/2 mice of different ages, as well as in the striatum and cortex of 12-week-old animals. In addition, we measured FAAH activity in lymphocytes of R6/2 mice. In the whole brains of 12-week-old R6/2 mice, we found reductions in N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D activity, diacylglycerol lipase activity and cannabinoid receptor binding, mostly associated with changes in the striatum but not in the cortex, as well as an increase in 2-arachidonoylglycerol content as compared with wild-type littermates, without any other change in ECS elements. Then, our analysis was extended to HD43 cells, an inducible cellular model of HD derived from rat ST14A cells. In both induced and noninduced conditions, we demonstrated a fully functional ECS. Overall, our data suggest that the ECS is differently affected in mouse and human HD, and that HD43 cells are suitable for high-throughput screening of FAAH-oriented drugs affecting HD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Bari
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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22
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Regulation of feedback between protein kinase A and the proteasome system worsens Huntington's disease. Mol Cell Biol 2012; 33:1073-84. [PMID: 23275441 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01434-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansion of a CAG repeat in the Huntingtin (HTT) gene. Abnormal regulation of the cyclic AMP (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway occurs during HD progression. Here we found that lower PKA activity was associated with proteasome impairment in the striatum for two HD mouse models (R6/2 and N171-82Q) and in mutant HTT (mHTT)-expressing striatal cells. Because PKA regulatory subunits (PKA-Rs) are proteasome substrates, the mHTT-evoked proteasome impairment caused accumulation of PKA-Rs and subsequently inhibited PKA activity. Conversely, activation of PKA enhanced the phosphorylation of Rpt6 (a component of the proteasome), rescued the impaired proteasome activity, and reduced mHTT aggregates. The dominant-negative Rpt6 mutant (Rpt6(S120A)) blocked the ability of a cAMP-elevating reagent to enhance proteasome activity, whereas the phosphomimetic Rpt6 mutant (Rpt6(S120D)) increased proteasome activity, reduced HTT aggregates, and ameliorated motor impairment. Collectively, our data demonstrated that positive feedback regulation between PKA and the proteasome is critical for HD pathogenesis.
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Gil-Mohapel J, Simpson JM, Ghilan M, Christie BR. Neurogenesis in Huntington's disease: Can studying adult neurogenesis lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies? Brain Res 2011; 1406:84-105. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2011.06.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2011] [Revised: 06/14/2011] [Accepted: 06/15/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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24
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Huang NK, Lin JH, Lin JT, Lin CI, Liu EM, Lin CJ, Chen WP, Shen YC, Chen HM, Chen JB, Lai HL, Yang CW, Chiang MC, Wu YS, Chang C, Chen JF, Fang JM, Lin YL, Chern Y. A new drug design targeting the adenosinergic system for Huntington's disease. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20934. [PMID: 21713039 PMCID: PMC3119665 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2011] [Accepted: 05/13/2011] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a CAG trinucleotide expansion in the Huntingtin (Htt) gene. The expanded CAG repeats are translated into polyglutamine (polyQ), causing aberrant functions as well as aggregate formation of mutant Htt. Effective treatments for HD are yet to be developed. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we report a novel dual-function compound, N6-(4-hydroxybenzyl)adenine riboside (designated T1-11) which activates the A2AR and a major adenosine transporter (ENT1). T1-11 was originally isolated from a Chinese medicinal herb. Molecular modeling analyses showed that T1-11 binds to the adenosine pockets of the A2AR and ENT1. Introduction of T1-11 into the striatum significantly enhanced the level of striatal adenosine as determined by a microdialysis technique, demonstrating that T1-11 inhibited adenosine uptake in vivo. A single intraperitoneal injection of T1-11 in wildtype mice, but not in A2AR knockout mice, increased cAMP level in the brain. Thus, T1-11 enters the brain and elevates cAMP via activation of the A2AR in vivo. Most importantly, addition of T1-11 (0.05 mg/ml) to the drinking water of a transgenic mouse model of HD (R6/2) ameliorated the progressive deterioration in motor coordination, reduced the formation of striatal Htt aggregates, elevated proteasome activity, and increased the level of an important neurotrophic factor (brain derived neurotrophic factor) in the brain. These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of T1-11 for treating HD. Conclusions/Significance The dual functions of T1-11 enable T1-11 to effectively activate the adenosinergic system and subsequently delay the progression of HD. This is a novel therapeutic strategy for HD. Similar dual-function drugs aimed at a particular neurotransmitter system as proposed herein may be applicable to other neurotransmitter systems (e.g., the dopamine receptor/dopamine transporter and the serotonin receptor/serotonin transporter) and may facilitate the development of new drugs for other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nai-Kuei Huang
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Hsin Lin
- Division of Mechanics, Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Tsai Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-I Lin
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Eric Minwei Liu
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Jung Lin
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ping Chen
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Chiang Shen
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Mei Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jhih-Bin Chen
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Lin Lai
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Wen Yang
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chang Chiang
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Shuo Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jiang-Fan Chen
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jim-Min Fang
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- The Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (YC); (YLL); (JMF)
| | - Yun-Lian Lin
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (YC); (YLL); (JMF)
| | - Yijuang Chern
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (YC); (YLL); (JMF)
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Bobrowska A, Paganetti P, Matthias P, Bates GP. Hdac6 knock-out increases tubulin acetylation but does not modify disease progression in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington's disease. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20696. [PMID: 21677773 PMCID: PMC3108987 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2011] [Accepted: 05/06/2011] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no effective disease modifying treatment. Following-on from studies in HD animal models, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition has emerged as an attractive therapeutic option. In parallel, several reports have demonstrated a role for histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) in the modulation of the toxicity caused by the accumulation of misfolded proteins, including that of expanded polyglutamine in an N-terminal huntingtin fragment. An important role for HDAC6 in kinesin-1 dependent transport of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) from the cortex to the striatum has also been demonstrated. To elucidate the role that HDAC6 plays in HD progression, we evaluated the effects of the genetic depletion of HDAC6 in the R6/2 mouse model of HD. Loss of HDAC6 resulted in a marked increase in tubulin acetylation throughout the brain. Despite this, there was no effect on the onset and progression of a wide range of behavioural, physiological, molecular and pathological HD-related phenotypes. We observed no change in the aggregate load or in the levels of soluble mutant exon 1 transprotein. HDAC6 genetic depletion did not affect the efficiency of BDNF transport from the cortex to the striatum. Therefore, we conclude that HDAC6 inhibition does not modify disease progression in R6/2 mice and HDAC6 should not be prioritized as a therapeutic target for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bobrowska
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paolo Paganetti
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Neuroscience Discovery, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Matthias
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Novartis Research Foundation, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gillian P. Bates
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Hickey MA, Chesselet MF. Behavioral Assessment of Genetic Mouse Models of Huntington’s Disease. NEUROMETHODS 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-301-1_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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Potter MC, Yuan C, Ottenritter C, Mughal M, van Praag H. Exercise is not beneficial and may accelerate symptom onset in a mouse model of Huntington's disease. PLOS CURRENTS 2010; 2:RRN1201. [PMID: 21152076 PMCID: PMC2998194 DOI: 10.1371/currents.rrn1201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Exercise benefits both general health and brain function in rodents and humans. However, it is less clear whether physical activity prevents or ameliorates neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine whether voluntary wheel running can delay the onset or reduce the severity of Huntington’s disease (HD) in a mouse model. To investigate whether running may delay HD symptoms lifespan, disease onset, locomotor activity, glucose levels, weight, striatal volume, inclusions, cognition and hippocampal neurogenesis were studied in male N171-82Q transgenic HD mice. Running started in pre-symptomatic (44±1 days old) male HD mice, did not improve function and appeared to accelerate disease onset. In particular, HD runners had an earlier onset of disease symptoms (shaking, hunched back and poor grooming), reduced striatal volume and impaired motor behavior, including a shorter latency to fall from the rotarod compared to sedentary controls. Furthermore, weight loss, reduced lifespan, hyperglycemia, Morris water maze learning deficits, diminished hippocampal neurogenesis, deficits in immature neuronal morphology, intranuclear inclusions and decreased dentate gyrus volume were refractory to physical activity. Taken together our research indicates that exercise is not beneficial, and may be detrimental to a vulnerable nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle C Potter
- NIA; NIA/NIH, Baltimore,Maryland; National Institute of Aging, National Institute of Health and Neuroplasticity and Behavior Unit NIA/NIH
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