1
|
Miguel Sanz C, Martinez Navarro M, Caballero Diaz D, Sanchez-Elexpuru G, Di Donato V. Toward the use of novel alternative methods in epilepsy modeling and drug discovery. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1213969. [PMID: 37719765 PMCID: PMC10501616 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1213969] [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: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease and, considering the amount of people affected of all ages worldwide, one of the most common neurological disorders. Over 20 novel antiseizure medications (ASMs) have been released since 1993, yet despite substantial advancements in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind epileptogenesis, over one-third of patients continue to be resistant to available therapies. This is partially explained by the fact that the majority of existing medicines only address seizure suppression rather than underlying processes. Understanding the origin of this neurological illness requires conducting human neurological and genetic studies. However, the limitation of sample sizes, ethical concerns, and the requirement for appropriate controls (many patients have already had anti-epileptic medication exposure) in human clinical trials underscore the requirement for supplemental models. So far, mammalian models of epilepsy have helped to shed light on the underlying causes of the condition, but the high costs related to breeding of the animals, low throughput, and regulatory restrictions on their research limit their usefulness in drug screening. Here, we present an overview of the state of art in epilepsy modeling describing gold standard animal models used up to date and review the possible alternatives for this research field. Our focus will be mainly on ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo larval zebrafish models contributing to the 3R in epilepsy modeling and drug screening. We provide a description of pharmacological and genetic methods currently available but also on the possibilities offered by the continued development in gene editing methodologies, especially CRISPR/Cas9-based, for high-throughput disease modeling and anti-epileptic drugs testing.
Collapse
|
2
|
D'Amora M, Galgani A, Marchese M, Tantussi F, Faraguna U, De Angelis F, Giorgi FS. Zebrafish as an Innovative Tool for Epilepsy Modeling: State of the Art and Potential Future Directions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097702. [PMID: 37175408 PMCID: PMC10177843 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097702] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This article discusses the potential of Zebrafish (ZF) (Danio Rerio), as a model for epilepsy research. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting both children and adults, and many aspects of this disease are still poorly understood. In vivo and in vitro models derived from rodents are the most widely used for studying both epilepsy pathophysiology and novel drug treatments. However, researchers have recently obtained several valuable insights into these two fields of investigation by studying ZF. Despite the relatively simple brain structure of these animals, researchers can collect large amounts of data in a much shorter period and at lower costs compared to classical rodent models. This is particularly useful when a large number of candidate antiseizure drugs need to be screened, and ethical issues are minimized. In ZF, seizures have been induced through a variety of chemoconvulsants, primarily pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), kainic acid (KA), and pilocarpine. Furthermore, ZF can be easily genetically modified to test specific aspects of monogenic forms of human epilepsy, as well as to discover potential convulsive phenotypes in monogenic mutants. The article reports on the state-of-the-art and potential new fields of application of ZF research, including its potential role in revealing epileptogenic mechanisms, rather than merely assessing iatrogenic acute seizure modulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta D'Amora
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56125 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Galgani
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Marchese
- Molecular Medicine and Neurobiology-ZebraLab, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Ugo Faraguna
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Filippo Sean Giorgi
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pozo-Morales M, Garteizgogeascoa I, Perazzolo C, So J, Shin D, Singh SP. In vivo imaging of calcium dynamics in zebrafish hepatocytes. Hepatology 2023; 77:789-801. [PMID: 35829917 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatocytes were the first cell type for which oscillations of cytoplasmic calcium levels in response to hormones were described. Since then, investigation of calcium dynamics in liver explants and culture has greatly increased our understanding of calcium signaling. A bottleneck, however, exists in observing calcium dynamics in a noninvasive manner because of the optical inaccessibility of the mammalian liver. Here, we aimed to take advantage of the transparency of the zebrafish larvae to image hepatocyte calcium dynamics in vivo at cellular resolution. APPROACH AND RESULTS We developed a transgenic model expressing a calcium sensor, GCaMP6s, specifically in zebrafish hepatocytes. Using this, we provide a quantitative assessment of intracellular calcium dynamics during multiple contexts, including growth, feeding, ethanol-induced stress, and cell ablation. Specifically, we show that synchronized calcium oscillations are present in vivo , which are lost upon starvation. Starvation induces lipid accumulation in the liver. Feeding recommences calcium waves in the liver, but in a spatially restricted manner, as well as resolves starvation-induced hepatic steatosis. By using a genetically encoded scavenger for calcium, we show that dampening of calcium signaling accelerates the accumulation of starvation-related lipid droplets in the liver. Furthermore, ethanol treatment, as well as cell ablation, induces calcium flux, but with different dynamics. The former causes asynchronous calcium oscillations, whereas the latter leads to a single calcium spike. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate the presence of oscillations, waves, and spikes in vivo . Calcium waves are present in response to nutrition and negatively regulate starvation-induced accumulation of lipid droplets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Macarena Pozo-Morales
- IRIBHM , Free University of Brussels, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) , Brussels , Belgium
| | - Inés Garteizgogeascoa
- IRIBHM , Free University of Brussels, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) , Brussels , Belgium
| | - Camille Perazzolo
- IRIBHM , Free University of Brussels, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) , Brussels , Belgium
| | - Juhoon So
- Department of Developmental Biology , McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine , Pittsburgh Liver Research Center , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , USA
| | - Donghun Shin
- Department of Developmental Biology , McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine , Pittsburgh Liver Research Center , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , USA
| | - Sumeet Pal Singh
- IRIBHM , Free University of Brussels, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) , Brussels , Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Seizurogenic effect of perfluorooctane sulfonate in zebrafish larvae. Neurotoxicology 2022; 93:257-264. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2022.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
|
5
|
From the North Sea to Drug Repurposing, the Antiseizure Activity of Halimide and Plinabulin. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020247. [PMID: 35215359 PMCID: PMC8878679 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PharmaSea performed large-scale in vivo screening of marine natural product (MNP) extracts, using zebrafish embryos and larvae, to identify compounds with the potential to treat epilepsy. In this study, we report the discovery of two new antiseizure compounds, the 2,5-diketopiperazine halimide and its semi-synthetic analogue, plinabulin. Interestingly, these are both known microtubule destabilizing agents, and plinabulin could have the potential for drug repurposing, as it is already in clinical trials for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Both halimide and plinabulin were found to have antiseizure activity in the larval zebrafish pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) seizure model via automated locomotor analysis and non-invasive local field potential recordings. The efficacy of plinabulin was further characterized in animal models of drug-resistant seizures, i.e., the larval zebrafish ethyl ketopentenoate (EKP) seizure model and the mouse 6 Hz psychomotor seizure model. Plinabulin was observed to be highly effective against EKP-induced seizures, on the behavioral and electrophysiological level, and showed activity in the mouse model. These data suggest that plinabulin could be of interest for the treatment of drug-resistant seizures. Finally, the investigation of two functional analogues, colchicine and indibulin, which were observed to be inactive against EKP-induced seizures, suggests that microtubule depolymerization does not underpin plinabulin’s antiseizure action.
Collapse
|
6
|
Fusco F, Perottoni S, Giordano C, Riva A, Iannone LF, De Caro C, Russo E, Albani D, Striano P. The microbiota‐gut‐brain axis and epilepsy from a multidisciplinary perspective: clinical evidence and technological solutions for improvement of
in vitro
preclinical models. Bioeng Transl Med 2022; 7:e10296. [PMID: 35600638 PMCID: PMC9115712 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Fusco
- Dipartimento di Chimica, materiali e ingegneria chimica "Giulio Natta" Politecnico di Milano Milan Italy
| | - Simone Perottoni
- Dipartimento di Chimica, materiali e ingegneria chimica "Giulio Natta" Politecnico di Milano Milan Italy
| | - Carmen Giordano
- Dipartimento di Chimica, materiali e ingegneria chimica "Giulio Natta" Politecnico di Milano Milan Italy
| | - Antonella Riva
- Paediatric Neurology and Muscular Disease Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini Genova Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health Università degli Studi di Genova Genova Italy
| | | | - Carmen De Caro
- Science of Health Department Magna Graecia University Catanzaro Italy
| | - Emilio Russo
- Science of Health Department Magna Graecia University Catanzaro Italy
| | - Diego Albani
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS Milan Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Paediatric Neurology and Muscular Disease Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini Genova Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health Università degli Studi di Genova Genova Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Choo BKM, Kundap UP, Faudzi SMM, Abas F, Shaikh MF, Samarut É. Identification of curcumin analogues with anti-seizure potential in vivo using chemical and genetic zebrafish larva seizure models. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 142:112035. [PMID: 34411917 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Seizures are the outward manifestation of abnormally excessive or synchronous brain activity. While seizures can be somewhat symptomatically managed with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), many patients are still refractory to the currently available AEDs. As a result, there is a need to identify new molecules with anti-seizure properties. Curcumin is the principle curcuminoid of Curcuma longa, or colloquially turmeric, and has been experimentally proven to have anti-convulsive properties, but its poor bioavailability has dampened further therapeutic interest. Hence, this study aimed to ask if structural analogues of curcumin with an adequate bioavailability could have an anti-seizure effect in vivo. To do so, we tested these analogues following a multipronged approach combining the use of several zebrafish seizure models (chemically-induced and genetic) and complementary assays (behavioural and brain activity). Overall, from the 68 analogues tested, we found 15 different derivatives that were able to significantly decrease the behavioural hyperactivity induced by pentylenetetrazol. Of those, only a few showed an effect on the hyperactivity phenotype of two genetic models of brain seizures that are the gabra1 and gabrg2 knockouts. Two analogues, CA 80(1) and CA 74(1), were able to significantly alleviate brain seizures of gabrg2-mutant larvae. As a result, these analogues are good candidates as novel anti-seizure agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Kar Meng Choo
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Uday Praful Kundap
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Center of the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Siti Munirah Mohd Faudzi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; Institute Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Faridah Abas
- Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Farooq Shaikh
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Éric Samarut
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Center of the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; Modelis inc., Montreal, QC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zebrafish Models of Autosomal Recessive Ataxias. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040836. [PMID: 33917666 PMCID: PMC8068028 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autosomal recessive ataxias are much less well studied than autosomal dominant ataxias and there are no clearly defined systems to classify them. Autosomal recessive ataxias, which are characterized by neuronal and multisystemic features, have significant overlapping symptoms with other complex multisystemic recessive disorders. The generation of animal models of neurodegenerative disorders increases our knowledge of their cellular and molecular mechanisms and helps in the search for new therapies. Among animal models, the zebrafish, which shares 70% of its genome with humans, offer the advantages of being small in size and demonstrating rapid development, making them optimal for high throughput drug and genetic screening. Furthermore, embryo and larval transparency allows to visualize cellular processes and central nervous system development in vivo. In this review, we discuss the contributions of zebrafish models to the study of autosomal recessive ataxias characteristic phenotypes, behavior, and gene function, in addition to commenting on possible treatments found in these models. Most of the zebrafish models generated to date recapitulate the main features of recessive ataxias.
Collapse
|
9
|
Prentzell MT, Rehbein U, Cadena Sandoval M, De Meulemeester AS, Baumeister R, Brohée L, Berdel B, Bockwoldt M, Carroll B, Chowdhury SR, von Deimling A, Demetriades C, Figlia G, de Araujo MEG, Heberle AM, Heiland I, Holzwarth B, Huber LA, Jaworski J, Kedra M, Kern K, Kopach A, Korolchuk VI, van 't Land-Kuper I, Macias M, Nellist M, Palm W, Pusch S, Ramos Pittol JM, Reil M, Reintjes A, Reuter F, Sampson JR, Scheldeman C, Siekierska A, Stefan E, Teleman AA, Thomas LE, Torres-Quesada O, Trump S, West HD, de Witte P, Woltering S, Yordanov TE, Zmorzynska J, Opitz CA, Thedieck K. G3BPs tether the TSC complex to lysosomes and suppress mTORC1 signaling. Cell 2021; 184:655-674.e27. [PMID: 33497611 PMCID: PMC7868890 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Ras GTPase-activating protein-binding proteins 1 and 2 (G3BP1 and G3BP2, respectively) are widely recognized as core components of stress granules (SGs). We report that G3BPs reside at the cytoplasmic surface of lysosomes. They act in a non-redundant manner to anchor the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) protein complex to lysosomes and suppress activation of the metabolic master regulator mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) by amino acids and insulin. Like the TSC complex, G3BP1 deficiency elicits phenotypes related to mTORC1 hyperactivity. In the context of tumors, low G3BP1 levels enhance mTORC1-driven breast cancer cell motility and correlate with adverse outcomes in patients. Furthermore, G3bp1 inhibition in zebrafish disturbs neuronal development and function, leading to white matter heterotopia and neuronal hyperactivity. Thus, G3BPs are not only core components of SGs but also a key element of lysosomal TSC-mTORC1 signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirja Tamara Prentzell
- Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany; Department of Pediatrics, Section Systems Medicine of Metabolism and Signaling, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen 9700 RB, The Netherlands; Department of Bioinformatics and Molecular Genetics (Faculty of Biology), University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Ulrike Rehbein
- Department of Pediatrics, Section Systems Medicine of Metabolism and Signaling, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen 9700 RB, The Netherlands; Department for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany; Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Marti Cadena Sandoval
- Department of Pediatrics, Section Systems Medicine of Metabolism and Signaling, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen 9700 RB, The Netherlands; Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Ann-Sofie De Meulemeester
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven BE-3000, Belgium
| | - Ralf Baumeister
- Department of Bioinformatics and Molecular Genetics (Faculty of Biology), University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany; Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS & ZBMZ Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Research (Faculty of Medicine), University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Laura Brohée
- Cell Growth Control in Health and Age-Related Disease Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing (MPI-AGE), Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Bianca Berdel
- Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Mathias Bockwoldt
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway
| | - Bernadette Carroll
- School of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Suvagata Roy Chowdhury
- Cell Signaling and Metabolism Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Andreas von Deimling
- German Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany; Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Constantinos Demetriades
- Cell Growth Control in Health and Age-Related Disease Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing (MPI-AGE), Cologne 50931, Germany; CECAD Cluster of Excellence, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Gianluca Figlia
- Signal Transduction in Cancer and Metabolism, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany; Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | | | - Alexander M Heberle
- Department of Pediatrics, Section Systems Medicine of Metabolism and Signaling, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen 9700 RB, The Netherlands; Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Ines Heiland
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway
| | - Birgit Holzwarth
- Department of Bioinformatics and Molecular Genetics (Faculty of Biology), University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Lukas A Huber
- Institute of Cell Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020, Austria; Austrian Drug Screening Institute (ADSI), Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Jacek Jaworski
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw 02-109, Poland
| | - Magdalena Kedra
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw 02-109, Poland
| | - Katharina Kern
- Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Andrii Kopach
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw 02-109, Poland
| | - Viktor I Korolchuk
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Ineke van 't Land-Kuper
- Department of Pediatrics, Section Systems Medicine of Metabolism and Signaling, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen 9700 RB, The Netherlands; Department for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
| | - Matylda Macias
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw 02-109, Poland
| | - Mark Nellist
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015 GD, The Netherlands
| | - Wilhelm Palm
- Cell Signaling and Metabolism Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Stefan Pusch
- German Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany; Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Jose Miguel Ramos Pittol
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Michèle Reil
- Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Anja Reintjes
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Friederike Reuter
- Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Julian R Sampson
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University Medical School, Cardiff CF14 4AY, UK
| | - Chloë Scheldeman
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven BE-3000, Belgium; Neurogenetics Research Group, VUB, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Aleksandra Siekierska
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven BE-3000, Belgium
| | - Eduard Stefan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Aurelio A Teleman
- Signal Transduction in Cancer and Metabolism, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany; Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Laura E Thomas
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Omar Torres-Quesada
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Saskia Trump
- Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin 13353, Germany
| | - Hannah D West
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University Medical School, Cardiff CF14 4AY, UK
| | - Peter de Witte
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven BE-3000, Belgium
| | - Sandra Woltering
- Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Teodor E Yordanov
- Institute of Cell Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020, Austria; Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Justyna Zmorzynska
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw 02-109, Poland
| | - Christiane A Opitz
- Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) & German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Heidelberg and National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
| | - Kathrin Thedieck
- Department of Pediatrics, Section Systems Medicine of Metabolism and Signaling, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen 9700 RB, The Netherlands; Department for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany; Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cho SJ, Park E, Baker A, Reid AY. Age Bias in Zebrafish Models of Epilepsy: What Can We Learn From Old Fish? Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:573303. [PMID: 33015065 PMCID: PMC7511771 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.573303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish are a powerful tool for investigating epilepsy. Mammalian seizures can be recapitulated molecularly, behaviorally, and electrophysiologically, using a fraction of the resources required for experiments in mammals. Larval zebrafish offer exceptionally economical and high-throughput approaches and are amenable to state-of-the-art genetic engineering techniques, providing valuable transgenic models of human diseases. For these reasons, larvae tend to be chosen for studying epilepsy, but the value of adult zebrafish may be underappreciated. Zebrafish exhibit transient larval - adult duality. The incompletely developed neural system of larval zebrafish may limit the translation of complex neurological disorders. Larval zebrafish go through dynamic changes during ontogenesis, whereas adult zebrafish are physiologically more stable. Adult zebrafish have a full range of complex brain structures and functions, such as an endothelial blood-brain barrier and adult neurogenesis, both are significant factors in epilepsy research. This review highlights the differences between larval and adult zebrafish that should be considered in pathophysiological and pharmacological studies of epilepsy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Joon Cho
- Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Keenan Research Center, St. Michael’s Hospital, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Eugene Park
- Keenan Research Center, St. Michael’s Hospital, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew Baker
- Keenan Research Center, St. Michael’s Hospital, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Anesthesia and Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Aylin Y. Reid
- Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Tomasello DL, Sive H. Noninvasive Multielectrode Array for Brain and Spinal Cord Local Field Potential Recordings from Live Zebrafish Larvae. Zebrafish 2020; 17:271-277. [PMID: 32758083 PMCID: PMC7455471 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2020.1874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish are an important and expanding experimental system for brain research. We describe a noninvasive electrophysiology technique that can be used in living larvae to measure spontaneous activity in the brain and spinal cord simultaneously. This easy-to-use method uses a commercially available multielectrode array to detect local field potential parameters, and allows for relative coordinated (network) measurements of activity. We demonstrate sensitivity of this system by measuring activity in larvae treated with the antiepileptic drug valproic acid. Valproic acid decreased larval movement and startle response, and decreased spontaneous brain activity. Spinal cord activity did not change after treatment, suggesting valproic acid primarily affects brain function. The observed differences in brain activity, but not spinal cord activity, after valproic acid treatment indicates that brain activity differences are not a secondary effect of decreased startle response and movement. We provide a step-by-step protocol for experiments presented that a novice could easily follow. This electrophysiological method will be useful to the zebrafish neuroscience community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hazel Sive
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Gawel K, Langlois M, Martins T, van der Ent W, Tiraboschi E, Jacmin M, Crawford AD, Esguerra CV. Seizing the moment: Zebrafish epilepsy models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 116:1-20. [PMID: 32544542 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish are now widely accepted as a valuable animal model for a number of different central nervous system (CNS) diseases. They are suitable both for elucidating the origin of these disorders and the sequence of events culminating in their onset, and for use as a high-throughput in vivo drug screening platform. The availability of powerful and effective techniques for genome manipulation allows the rapid modelling of different genetic epilepsies and of conditions with seizures as a core symptom. With this review, we seek to summarize the current knowledge about existing epilepsy/seizures models in zebrafish (both pharmacological and genetic) and compare them with equivalent rodent and human studies. New findings obtained from the zebrafish models are highlighted. We believe that this comprehensive review will highlight the value of zebrafish as a model for investigating different aspects of epilepsy and will help researchers to use these models to their full extent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Gawel
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), University of Oslo, Gaustadalléen 21, Forskningsparken, 0349, Oslo, Norway; Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego St. 8b, 20-090, Lublin, Poland
| | | | - Teresa Martins
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - Wietske van der Ent
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), University of Oslo, Gaustadalléen 21, Forskningsparken, 0349, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ettore Tiraboschi
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), University of Oslo, Gaustadalléen 21, Forskningsparken, 0349, Oslo, Norway; Neurophysics Group, Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Piazza Manifattura 1, Building 14, 38068, Rovereto, TN, Italy
| | - Maxime Jacmin
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - Alexander D Crawford
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Oslo, Norway
| | - Camila V Esguerra
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), University of Oslo, Gaustadalléen 21, Forskningsparken, 0349, Oslo, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cozzolino O, Sicca F, Paoli E, Trovato F, Santorelli FM, Ratto GM, Marchese M. Evolution of Epileptiform Activity in Zebrafish by Statistical-Based Integration of Electrophysiology and 2-Photon Ca 2+ Imaging. Cells 2020; 9:cells9030769. [PMID: 32245158 PMCID: PMC7140665 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of sources and spatiotemporal evolution of ictal bursts is critical for the mechanistic understanding of epilepsy and for the validation of anti-epileptic drugs. Zebrafish is a powerful vertebrate model representing an excellent compromise between system complexity and experimental accessibility. We performed the quantitative evaluation of the spatial recruitment of neuronal populations during physiological and pathological activity by combining local field potential (LFP) recordings with simultaneous 2-photon Ca2+ imaging. We developed a method to extract and quantify electrophysiological transients coupled with Ca2+ events and we applied this tool to analyze two different epilepsy models and to assess the efficacy of the anti-epileptic drug valproate. Finally, by cross correlating the imaging data with the LFP, we demonstrated that the cerebellum is the main source of epileptiform transients. We have also shown that each transient was preceded by the activation of a sparse subset of neurons mostly located in the optic tectum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga Cozzolino
- National Enterprise for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (NEST), Istituto Nanoscienze Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) and Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (O.C.); (E.P.); (F.T.)
| | - Federico Sicca
- Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Via dei Giacinti 2, 56028 Pisa, Italy; (F.S.); (F.M.S.)
| | - Emanuele Paoli
- National Enterprise for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (NEST), Istituto Nanoscienze Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) and Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (O.C.); (E.P.); (F.T.)
| | - Francesco Trovato
- National Enterprise for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (NEST), Istituto Nanoscienze Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) and Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (O.C.); (E.P.); (F.T.)
| | - Filippo M. Santorelli
- Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Via dei Giacinti 2, 56028 Pisa, Italy; (F.S.); (F.M.S.)
| | - Gian Michele Ratto
- National Enterprise for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (NEST), Istituto Nanoscienze Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) and Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (O.C.); (E.P.); (F.T.)
- Correspondence: (G.M.R.); (M.M.); Tel.: +39-050-3153168 (G.M.R.); +39-050-886332 (M.M.)
| | - Maria Marchese
- Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Via dei Giacinti 2, 56028 Pisa, Italy; (F.S.); (F.M.S.)
- Correspondence: (G.M.R.); (M.M.); Tel.: +39-050-3153168 (G.M.R.); +39-050-886332 (M.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ibhazehiebo K, Rho JM, Kurrasch DM. Metabolism-based drug discovery in zebrafish: An emerging strategy to uncover new anti-seizure therapies. Neuropharmacology 2020; 167:107988. [PMID: 32070912 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.107988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
As one of the most common neurological disorders, epilepsy can occur throughout the lifespan and from a multiplicity of causes, including genetic mutations, inflammation, neurotrauma, or brain malformations. Although pharmacological agents are the mainstay of treatment for seizure control, an unyielding 30-40% of patients remain refractory to these medications and continue to experience spontaneous recurrent seizures with attendant life-long cognitive, behavioural, and mental health issues, as well as an increased risk for sudden unexpected death. Despite over eight decades of antiseizure drug (ASD) discovery and the approval of dozens of new medications, the percentage of this refractory population remains virtually unchanged, suggesting that drugs with new and unexpected mechanisms of action are needed. In this brief review, we discuss the need for new animal models of epilepsy, with a particular focus on the advantages and disadvantages of zebrafish. We also outline the evidence that epilepsy is characterized by derangements in mitochondrial function and introduce the rationale and promise of bioenergetics as a functional readout assay to uncover novel ASDs. We also consider limitations of a zebrafish metabolism-based drug screening approach. Our goal is to discuss the opportunities and challenges of further development of mitochondrial screening strategies for the development of novel ASDs. This article is part of the special issue entitled 'New Epilepsy Therapies for the 21st Century - From Antiseizure Drugs to Prevention, Modification and Cure of Epilepsy'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kingsley Ibhazehiebo
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Jong M Rho
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Neurosciences and Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, California, USA
| | - Deborah M Kurrasch
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Burrows DRW, Samarut É, Liu J, Baraban SC, Richardson MP, Meyer MP, Rosch RE. Imaging epilepsy in larval zebrafish. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2020; 24:70-80. [PMID: 31982307 PMCID: PMC7035958 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2020.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of the genetic aetiology of paediatric epilepsies has grown substantially over the last decade. However, in order to translate improved diagnostics to personalised treatments, there is an urgent need to link molecular pathophysiology in epilepsy to whole-brain dynamics in seizures. Zebrafish have emerged as a promising new animal model for epileptic seizure disorders, with particular relevance for genetic and developmental epilepsies. As a novel model organism for epilepsy research they combine key advantages: the small size of larval zebrafish allows high throughput in vivo experiments; the availability of advanced genetic tools allows targeted modification to model specific human genetic disorders (including genetic epilepsies) in a vertebrate system; and optical access to the entire central nervous system has provided the basis for advanced microscopy technologies to image structure and function in the intact larval zebrafish brain. There is a growing body of literature describing and characterising features of epileptic seizures and epilepsy in larval zebrafish. Recently genetically encoded calcium indicators have been used to investigate the neurobiological basis of these seizures with light microscopy. This approach offers a unique window into the multiscale dynamics of epileptic seizures, capturing both whole-brain dynamics and single-cell behaviour concurrently. At the same time, linking observations made using calcium imaging in the larval zebrafish brain back to an understanding of epileptic seizures largely derived from cortical electrophysiological recordings in human patients and mammalian animal models is non-trivial. In this review we briefly illustrate the state of the art of epilepsy research in zebrafish with particular focus on calcium imaging of epileptic seizures in the larval zebrafish. We illustrate the utility of a dynamic systems perspective on the epileptic brain for providing a principled approach to linking observations across species and identifying those features of brain dynamics that are most relevant to epilepsy. In the following section we survey the literature for imaging features associated with epilepsy and epileptic seizures and link these to observations made from humans and other more traditional animal models. We conclude by identifying the key challenges still facing epilepsy research in the larval zebrafish and indicate strategies for future research to address these and integrate more directly with the themes and questions that emerge from investigating epilepsy in other model systems and human patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D R W Burrows
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - É Samarut
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Center of the University of Montreal Hospital Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - J Liu
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Weill Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - S C Baraban
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Weill Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - M P Richardson
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - M P Meyer
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - R E Rosch
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Paediatric Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Bandara SB, Carty DR, Singh V, Harvey DJ, Vasylieva N, Pressly B, Wulff H, Lein PJ. Susceptibility of larval zebrafish to the seizurogenic activity of GABA type A receptor antagonists. Neurotoxicology 2019; 76:220-234. [PMID: 31811871 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2019.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies demonstrated that pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), a GABA type A receptor (GABAAR) antagonist, elicits seizure-like phenotypes in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio). Here, we determined whether the GABAAR antagonists, tetramethylenedisulfotetramine (TETS) and picrotoxin (PTX), both listed as credible chemical threat agents, similarly trigger seizures in zebrafish larvae. Larvae of three, routinely used laboratory zebrafish lines, Tropical 5D, NHGRI and Tupfel long fin, were exposed to varying concentrations of PTZ (used as a positive control), PTX or TETS for 20 min at 5 days post fertilization (dpf). Acute exposure to PTZ, PTX or TETS triggered seizure behavior in the absence of morbidity or mortality. While the concentration-effect relationship for seizure behavior was similar across zebrafish lines for each GABAAR antagonist, significantly less TETS was required to trigger seizures relative to PTX or PTZ. Recordings of extracellular field potentials in the optic tectum of 5 dpf Tropical 5D zebrafish confirmed that all three GABAAR antagonists elicited extracellular spiking patterns consistent with seizure activity, although the pattern varied between chemicals. Post-exposure treatment with the GABAAR positive allosteric modulators (PAMs), diazepam, midazolam or allopregnanolone, attenuated seizure behavior and activity but did not completely normalize electrical field recordings in the optic tectum. These data are consistent with observations of seizure responses in mammalian models exposed to these same GABAAR antagonists and PAMs, further validating larval zebrafish as a higher throughput-screening platform for antiseizure therapeutics, and demonstrating its appropriateness for identifying improved countermeasures for TETS and other convulsant chemical threat agents that trigger seizures via GABAAR antagonism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suren B Bandara
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
| | - Dennis R Carty
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
| | - Vikrant Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
| | - Danielle J Harvey
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
| | - Natalia Vasylieva
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
| | - Brandon Pressly
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
| | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
| | - Pamela J Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Copmans D, Kildgaard S, Rasmussen SA, Ślęzak M, Dirkx N, Partoens M, Esguerra CV, Crawford AD, Larsen TO, de Witte PAM. Zebrafish-Based Discovery of Antiseizure Compounds from the North Sea: Isoquinoline Alkaloids TMC-120A and TMC-120B. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17110607. [PMID: 31731399 PMCID: PMC6891649 DOI: 10.3390/md17110607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a high need for the development of new and improved antiseizure drugs (ASDs) to treat epilepsy. Despite the potential of marine natural products (MNPs), the EU marine biodiscovery consortium PharmaSea has made the only effort to date to perform ASD discovery based on large-scale screening of MNPs. To this end, the embryonic zebrafish photomotor response assay and the larval zebrafish pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) model were used to screen MNP extracts for neuroactivity and antiseizure activity, respectively. Here we report the identification of the two known isoquinoline alkaloids TMC-120A and TMC-120B as novel antiseizure compounds, which were isolated by bioactivity-guided purification from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus insuetus. TMC-120A and TMC-120B were observed to significantly lower PTZ-induced seizures and epileptiform brain activity in the larval zebrafish PTZ seizure model. In addition, their structural analogues TMC-120C, penicisochroman G, and ustusorane B were isolated and also significantly lowered PTZ-induced seizures. Finally, TMC-120A and TMC-120B were investigated in a mouse model of drug-resistant focal seizures. Compound treatment significantly shortened the seizure duration, thereby confirming their antiseizure activity. These data underscore the possibility to translate findings in zebrafish to mice in the field of epilepsy and the potential of the marine environment for ASD discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniëlle Copmans
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 824, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.C.); (M.Ś.); (N.D.); (M.P.); (C.V.E.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Sara Kildgaard
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 221, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; (S.K.); (S.A.R.)
| | - Silas A. Rasmussen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 221, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; (S.K.); (S.A.R.)
| | - Monika Ślęzak
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 824, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.C.); (M.Ś.); (N.D.); (M.P.); (C.V.E.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Nina Dirkx
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 824, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.C.); (M.Ś.); (N.D.); (M.P.); (C.V.E.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Michèle Partoens
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 824, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.C.); (M.Ś.); (N.D.); (M.P.); (C.V.E.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Camila V. Esguerra
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 824, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.C.); (M.Ś.); (N.D.); (M.P.); (C.V.E.); (A.D.C.)
- Current affiliation: Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexander D. Crawford
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 824, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.C.); (M.Ś.); (N.D.); (M.P.); (C.V.E.); (A.D.C.)
- Current affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ullevålsveien 72, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Thomas O. Larsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Building 221, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; (S.K.); (S.A.R.)
- Correspondence: (T.O.L.); (P.A.M.-d.W.); Tel.: +45-4525-2632 (T.O.L.); +32-16-32-34-32 (P.A.M.-d.W.)
| | - Peter A. M. de Witte
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 824, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.C.); (M.Ś.); (N.D.); (M.P.); (C.V.E.); (A.D.C.)
- Correspondence: (T.O.L.); (P.A.M.-d.W.); Tel.: +45-4525-2632 (T.O.L.); +32-16-32-34-32 (P.A.M.-d.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Copmans D, Rateb M, Tabudravu JN, Pérez-Bonilla M, Dirkx N, Vallorani R, Diaz C, Pérez del Palacio J, Smith AJ, Ebel R, Reyes F, Jaspars M, de Witte PAM. Zebrafish-Based Discovery of Antiseizure Compounds from the Red Sea: Pseurotin A 2 and Azaspirofuran A. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:1652-1662. [PMID: 29672015 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In search for novel antiseizure drugs (ASDs), the European FP7-funded PharmaSea project used zebrafish embryos and larvae as a drug discovery platform to screen marine natural products to identify promising antiseizure hits in vivo for further development. Within the framework of this project, seven known heterospirocyclic γ-lactams, namely, pseurotin A, pseurotin A2, pseurotin F1, 11- O-methylpseurotin A, pseurotin D, azaspirofuran A, and azaspirofuran B, were isolated from the bioactive marine fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, and their antiseizure activity was evaluated in the larval zebrafish pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) seizure model. Pseurotin A2 and azaspirofuran A were identified as antiseizure hits, while their close chemical analogues were inactive. Besides, electrophysiological analysis from the zebrafish midbrain demonstrated that pseurotin A2 and azaspirofuran A also ameliorate PTZ-induced epileptiform discharges. Next, to determine whether these findings translate to mammalians, both compounds were analyzed in the mouse 6 Hz (44 mA) psychomotor seizure model. They lowered the seizure duration dose-dependently, thereby confirming their antiseizure properties and suggesting activity against drug-resistant seizures. Finally, in a thorough ADMET assessment, pseurotin A2 and azaspirofuran A were found to be drug-like. Based on the prominent antiseizure activity in both species and the drug-likeness, we propose pseurotin A2 and azaspirofuran A as lead compounds that are worth further investigation for the treatment of epileptic seizures. This study not only provides the first evidence of antiseizure activity of pseurotins and azaspirofurans, but also demonstrates the value of the zebrafish model in (marine) natural product drug discovery in general, and for ASD discovery in particular.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniëlle Copmans
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mostafa Rateb
- Marine Biodiscovery Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacognosy Department, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62513, Egypt
| | - Jioji N. Tabudravu
- Marine Biodiscovery Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Mercedes Pérez-Bonilla
- Fundación
MEDINA, Centro de Excelencia en Investigación de Medicamentos
Innovadores en Andalucía, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias
de la Salud, E-18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Nina Dirkx
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Riccardo Vallorani
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caridad Diaz
- Fundación
MEDINA, Centro de Excelencia en Investigación de Medicamentos
Innovadores en Andalucía, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias
de la Salud, E-18016 Granada, Spain
| | - José Pérez del Palacio
- Fundación
MEDINA, Centro de Excelencia en Investigación de Medicamentos
Innovadores en Andalucía, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias
de la Salud, E-18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Alan J. Smith
- Marine Biodiscovery Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Rainer Ebel
- Marine Biodiscovery Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Fernando Reyes
- Fundación
MEDINA, Centro de Excelencia en Investigación de Medicamentos
Innovadores en Andalucía, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias
de la Salud, E-18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Marcel Jaspars
- Marine Biodiscovery Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Peter A. M. de Witte
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Martín-Jiménez R, Faccenda D, Allen E, Reichel HB, Arcos L, Ferraina C, Strobbe D, Russell C, Campanella M. Reduction of the ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (IF 1) leads to visual impairment in vertebrates. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:669. [PMID: 29867190 PMCID: PMC5986772 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0578-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In vertebrates, mitochondria are tightly preserved energy producing organelles, which sustain nervous system development and function. The understanding of proteins that regulate their homoeostasis in complex animals is therefore critical and doing so via means of systemic analysis pivotal to inform pathophysiological conditions associated with mitochondrial deficiency. With the goal to decipher the role of the ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) in brain development, we employed the zebrafish as elected model reporting that the Atpif1a-/- zebrafish mutant, pinotage (pnt tq209 ), which lacks one of the two IF1 paralogous, exhibits visual impairment alongside increased apoptotic bodies and neuroinflammation in both brain and retina. This associates with increased processing of the dynamin-like GTPase optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), whose ablation is a direct cause of inherited optic atrophy. Defects in vision associated with the processing of OPA1 are specular in Atpif1-/- mice thus confirming a regulatory axis, which interlinks IF1 and OPA1 in the definition of mitochondrial fitness and specialised brain functions. This study unveils a functional relay between IF1 and OPA1 in central nervous system besides representing an example of how the zebrafish model could be harnessed to infer the activity of mitochondrial proteins during development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Martín-Jiménez
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, NW1 0TU, London, United Kingdom
| | - Danilo Faccenda
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, NW1 0TU, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Emma Allen
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, NW1 0TU, London, United Kingdom
| | - Holly Beatrice Reichel
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, NW1 0TU, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Arcos
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, NW1 0TU, London, United Kingdom
| | - Caterina Ferraina
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00144, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS- Regina Elena, National Cancer Institute, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Strobbe
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Claire Russell
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, NW1 0TU, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michelangelo Campanella
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, NW1 0TU, London, United Kingdom.
- IRCCS- Regina Elena, National Cancer Institute, 00133, Rome, Italy.
- University College London Consortium for Mitochondrial Research, University College London, WC1 6BT, London, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Swaminathan A, Hassan-Abdi R, Renault S, Siekierska A, Riché R, Liao M, de Witte PAM, Yanicostas C, Soussi-Yanicostas N, Drapeau P, Samarut É. Non-canonical mTOR-Independent Role of DEPDC5 in Regulating GABAergic Network Development. Curr Biol 2018; 28:1924-1937.e5. [PMID: 29861134 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.04.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in DEPDC5 are causal factors for a broad spectrum of focal epilepsies, but the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are still largely unknown. To address this question, a zebrafish depdc5 knockout model showing spontaneous epileptiform events in the brain, increased drug-induced seizure susceptibility, general hypoactivity, premature death at 2-3 weeks post-fertilization, as well as the expected hyperactivation of mTOR signaling was developed. Using this model, the role of DEPDC5 in brain development was investigated using an unbiased whole-transcriptomic approach. Surprisingly, in addition to mTOR-associated genes, many genes involved in synaptic function, neurogenesis, axonogenesis, and GABA network activity were found to be dysregulated in larval brains. Although no gross defects in brain morphology or neuron loss were observed, immunostaining of depdc5-/- brains for several GABAergic markers revealed specific defects in the fine branching of the GABAergic network. Consistently, some defects in depdc5-/- could be compensated for by treatment with GABA, corroborating that GABA signaling is indeed involved in DEPDC5 pathogenicity. Further, the mTOR-independent nature of these neurodevelopmental defects was demonstrated by the inability of rapamycin to rescue the GABAergic network defects observed in depdc5-/- brains and, conversely, the inability of GABA to rescue the hypoactivity in another genetic model showing mTOR hyperactivation. This study hence provides the first in vivo evidence that DEPDC5 plays previously unknown roles apart from its canonical function as an mTOR inhibitor. Moreover, these results propose that defective neurodevelopment of GABAergic networks could be a key factor in epileptogenesis when DEPDC5 is mutated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amrutha Swaminathan
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Center of the University of Montréal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada H2X 0A9
| | - Rahma Hassan-Abdi
- Inserm, U1141, F-75019 Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMRS 1141, F-75019 Paris, France
| | - Solène Renault
- Inserm, U1141, F-75019 Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMRS 1141, F-75019 Paris, France
| | - Aleksandra Siekierska
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Raphaëlle Riché
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Center of the University of Montréal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada H2X 0A9
| | - Meijiang Liao
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Center of the University of Montréal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada H2X 0A9
| | - Peter A M de Witte
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Constantin Yanicostas
- Inserm, U1141, F-75019 Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMRS 1141, F-75019 Paris, France
| | - Nadia Soussi-Yanicostas
- Inserm, U1141, F-75019 Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMRS 1141, F-75019 Paris, France
| | - Pierre Drapeau
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Center of the University of Montréal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada H2X 0A9; DanioDesign, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - Éric Samarut
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Center of the University of Montréal Hospital Center (CRCHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada H2X 0A9; DanioDesign, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ibhazehiebo K, Gavrilovici C, de la Hoz CL, Ma SC, Rehak R, Kaushik G, Meza Santoscoy PL, Scott L, Nath N, Kim DY, Rho JM, Kurrasch DM. A novel metabolism-based phenotypic drug discovery platform in zebrafish uncovers HDACs 1 and 3 as a potential combined anti-seizure drug target. Brain 2018; 141:744-761. [PMID: 29373639 PMCID: PMC5837409 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awx364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Revised: 10/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the development of newer anti-seizure medications over the past 50 years, 30-40% of patients with epilepsy remain refractory to treatment. One explanation for this lack of progress is that the current screening process is largely biased towards transmembrane channels and receptors, and ignores intracellular proteins and enzymes that might serve as efficacious molecular targets. Here, we report the development of a novel drug screening platform that harnesses the power of zebrafish genetics and combines it with in vivo bioenergetics screening assays to uncover therapeutic agents that improve mitochondrial health in diseased animals. By screening commercially available chemical libraries of approved drugs, for which the molecular targets and pathways are well characterized, we were able to reverse-identify the proteins targeted by efficacious compounds and confirm the physiological roles that they play by utilizing other pharmacological ligands. Indeed, using an 870-compound screen in kcna1-morpholino epileptic zebrafish larvae, we uncovered vorinostat (Zolinza™; suberanilohydroxamic acid, SAHA) as a potent anti-seizure agent. We further demonstrated that vorinostat decreased average daily seizures by ∼60% in epileptic Kcna1-null mice using video-EEG recordings. Given that vorinostat is a broad histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, we then delineated a specific subset of HDACs, namely HDACs 1 and 3, as potential drug targets for future screening. In summary, we have developed a novel phenotypic, metabolism-based experimental therapeutics platform that can be used to identify new molecular targets for future drug discovery in epilepsy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kingsley Ibhazehiebo
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Cezar Gavrilovici
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
- Departments of Pediatrics, Clinical Neurosciences, Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Cristiane L de la Hoz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Shun-Chieh Ma
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Renata Rehak
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Gaurav Kaushik
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Paola L Meza Santoscoy
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Lucas Scott
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
- Departments of Pediatrics, Clinical Neurosciences, Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Nandan Nath
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Do-Young Kim
- Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Jong M Rho
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
- Departments of Pediatrics, Clinical Neurosciences, Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Deborah M Kurrasch
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Kleta R, Bockenhauer D. Salt-Losing Tubulopathies in Children: What's New, What's Controversial? J Am Soc Nephrol 2018; 29:727-739. [PMID: 29237739 PMCID: PMC5827598 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2017060600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal tubulopathies provide insights into the inner workings of the kidney, yet also pose therapeutic challenges. Because of the central nature of sodium in tubular transport physiology, disorders of sodium handling may affect virtually all aspects of the homeostatic functions of the kidney. Yet, owing to the rarity of these disorders, little clinical evidence regarding treatment exists. Consequently, treatment can vary widely between individual physicians and centers and is based mainly on understanding of renal physiology, reported clinical observations, and individual experiences. Salt-losing tubulopathies can affect all tubular segments, from the proximal tubule to the collecting duct. But the more frequently observed disorders are Bartter and Gitelman syndrome, which affect salt transport in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and/or the distal convoluted tubule, and these disorders generate the greatest controversies regarding management. Here, we review clinical and molecular aspects of salt-losing tubulopathies and discuss novel insights provided mainly by genetic investigations and retrospective clinical reviews. Additionally, we discuss controversial topics in the management of these disorders to highlight areas of importance for future clinical trials. International collaboration will be required to perform clinical studies to inform the treatment of these rare disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Kleta
- UCL Centre for Nephrology and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Detlef Bockenhauer
- UCL Centre for Nephrology and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Copmans D, Orellana-Paucar AM, Steurs G, Zhang Y, Ny A, Foubert K, Exarchou V, Siekierska A, Kim Y, De Borggraeve W, Dehaen W, Pieters L, de Witte PAM. Methylated flavonoids as anti-seizure agents: Naringenin 4',7-dimethyl ether attenuates epileptic seizures in zebrafish and mouse models. Neurochem Int 2017; 112:124-133. [PMID: 29174382 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurological disease that affects more than 70 million people worldwide and is characterized by the presence of spontaneous unprovoked recurrent seizures. Existing anti-seizure drugs (ASDs) have side effects and fail to control seizures in 30% of patients due to drug resistance. Hence, safer and more efficacious drugs are sorely needed. Flavonoids are polyphenolic structures naturally present in most plants and consumed daily with no adverse effects reported. These structures have shown activity in several seizure and epilepsy animal models through allosteric modulation of GABAA receptors, but also via potent anti-inflammatory action in the brain. As such, dietary flavonoids offer an interesting source for ASD and anti-epileptogenic drug (AED) discovery, but their pharmaceutical potential is often hampered by metabolic instability and low oral bioavailability. It has been argued that their drug-likeness can be improved via methylation of the free hydroxyl groups, thereby dramatically enhancing metabolic stability and membrane transport, facilitating absorption and highly increasing bioavailability. Since no scientific data is available regarding the use of methylated flavonoids in the fight against epilepsy, we studied naringenin (NRG), kaempferol (KFL), and three methylated derivatives, i.e., naringenin 7-O-methyl ether (NRG-M), naringenin 4',7-dimethyl ether (NRG-DM), and kaempferide (4'-O-methyl kaempferol) (KFD) in the zebrafish pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) seizure model. We demonstrate that the methylated flavanones NRG-DM and NRG-M are highly effective against PTZ-induced seizures in larval zebrafish, whereas NRG and the flavonols KFL and KFD possess only a limited activity. Moreover, we show that NRG-DM is active in two standard acute mouse seizure models, i.e., the timed i.v. PTZ seizure model and the 6-Hz psychomotor seizure model. Based on these results, NRG-DM is proposed as a lead compound that is worth further investigation for the treatment of generalized seizures and drug-resistant focal seizures. Our data therefore highlights the potential of methylated flavonoids in the search for new and improved ASDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniëlle Copmans
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Adriana M Orellana-Paucar
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Carrera de Bioquímica y Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Gert Steurs
- Molecular Design and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annelii Ny
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kenn Foubert
- Natural Products & Food Research and Analysis (NatuRA), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Vasiliki Exarchou
- Natural Products & Food Research and Analysis (NatuRA), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Aleksandra Siekierska
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Youngju Kim
- Molecular Design and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim De Borggraeve
- Molecular Design and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Dehaen
- Molecular Design and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luc Pieters
- Natural Products & Food Research and Analysis (NatuRA), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter A M de Witte
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Khan KM, Collier AD, Meshalkina DA, Kysil EV, Khatsko SL, Kolesnikova T, Morzherin YY, Warnick JE, Kalueff AV, Echevarria DJ. Zebrafish models in neuropsychopharmacology and CNS drug discovery. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:1925-1944. [PMID: 28217866 PMCID: PMC5466539 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the high prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders, their aetiology and molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is increasingly utilized as a powerful animal model in neuropharmacology research and in vivo drug screening. Collectively, this makes zebrafish a useful tool for drug discovery and the identification of disordered molecular pathways. Here, we discuss zebrafish models of selected human neuropsychiatric disorders and drug-induced phenotypes. As well as covering a broad range of brain disorders (from anxiety and psychoses to neurodegeneration), we also summarize recent developments in zebrafish genetics and small molecule screening, which markedly enhance the disease modelling and the discovery of novel drug targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kanza M Khan
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Southern MississippiHattiesburgMSUSA
| | - Adam D Collier
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Southern MississippiHattiesburgMSUSA
- The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC)SlidellLAUSA
| | - Darya A Meshalkina
- The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC)SlidellLAUSA
- Institute of Translational BiomedicineSt. Petersburg State UniversitySt. PetersburgRussia
| | - Elana V Kysil
- Institute of Translational BiomedicineSt. Petersburg State UniversitySt. PetersburgRussia
| | | | | | | | - Jason E Warnick
- The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC)SlidellLAUSA
- Department of Behavioral SciencesArkansas Tech UniversityRussellvilleARUSA
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC)SlidellLAUSA
- Institute of Translational BiomedicineSt. Petersburg State UniversitySt. PetersburgRussia
- Ural Federal UniversityEkaterinburgRussia
- Research Institute of Marine Drugs and Nutrition, College of Food Science and TechnologyGuangdong Ocean UniversityZhanjiangGuangdongChina
| | - David J Echevarria
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Southern MississippiHattiesburgMSUSA
- The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC)SlidellLAUSA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Cho SJ, Byun D, Nam TS, Choi SY, Lee BG, Kim MK, Kim S. Zebrafish as an animal model in epilepsy studies with multichannel EEG recordings. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3099. [PMID: 28596539 PMCID: PMC5465065 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03482-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent interest in using zebrafish in human disease studies, sparked by their economics, fecundity, easy handling, and homologies to humans, the electrophysiological tools or methods for zebrafish are still inaccessible. Although zebrafish exhibit more significant larval–adult duality than any other animal, most electrophysiological studies using zebrafish are biased by using larvae these days. The results of larval studies not only differ from those conducted with adults but also are unable to delicately manage electroencephalographic montages due to their small size. Hence, we enabled non-invasive long-term multichannel electroencephalographic recording on adult zebrafish using custom-designed electrodes and perfusion system. First, we exploited demonstration of long-term recording on pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure models, and the results were quantified. Second, we studied skin–electrode impedance, which is crucial to the quality of signals. Then, seizure propagations and gender differences in adult zebrafish were exhibited for the first time. Our results provide a new pathway for future neuroscience research using zebrafish by overcoming the challenges for aquatic organisms such as precision, serviceability, and continuous water seepage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Joon Cho
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghak Byun
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Tai-Seung Nam
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Yong Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Geun Lee
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Myeong-Kyu Kim
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohee Kim
- Department of Robotics Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Optical mapping of neuronal activity during seizures in zebrafish. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3025. [PMID: 28596596 PMCID: PMC5465210 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03087-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mapping neuronal activity during the onset and propagation of epileptic seizures can provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying this pathology and improve our approaches to the development of new drugs. Recently, zebrafish has become an important model for studying epilepsy both in basic research and in drug discovery. Here, we employed a transgenic line with pan-neuronal expression of the genetically-encoded calcium indicator GCaMP6s to measure neuronal activity in zebrafish larvae during seizures induced by pentylenetretrazole (PTZ). With this approach, we mapped neuronal activity in different areas of the larval brain, demonstrating the high sensitivity of this method to different levels of alteration, as induced by increasing PTZ concentrations, and the rescuing effect of an anti-epileptic drug. We also present simultaneous measurements of brain and locomotor activity, as well as a high-throughput assay, demonstrating that GCaMP measurements can complement behavioural assays for the detection of subclinical epileptic seizures, thus enabling future investigations on human hypomorphic mutations and more effective drug screening methods. Notably, the methodology described here can be easily applied to the study of many human neuropathologies modelled in zebrafish, allowing a simple and yet detailed investigation of brain activity alterations associated with the pathological phenotype.
Collapse
|
27
|
Hunyadi B, Siekierska A, Sourbron J, Copmans D, de Witte PAM. Automated analysis of brain activity for seizure detection in zebrafish models of epilepsy. J Neurosci Methods 2017; 287:13-24. [PMID: 28577986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition, with over 30% of cases unresponsive to treatment. Zebrafish larvae show great potential to serve as an animal model of epilepsy in drug discovery. Thanks to their high fecundity and relatively low cost, they are amenable to high-throughput screening. However, the assessment of seizure occurrences in zebrafish larvae remains a bottleneck, as visual analysis is subjective and time-consuming. NEW METHOD For the first time, we present an automated algorithm to detect epileptic discharges in single-channel local field potential (LFP) recordings in zebrafish. First, candidate seizure segments are selected based on their energy and length. Afterwards, discriminative features are extracted from each segment. Using a labeled dataset, a support vector machine (SVM) classifier is trained to learn an optimal feature mapping. Finally, this SVM classifier is used to detect seizure segments in new signals. RESULTS We tested the proposed algorithm both in a chemically-induced seizure model and a genetic epilepsy model. In both cases, the algorithm delivered similar results to visual analysis and found a significant difference in number of seizures between the epileptic and control group. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS Direct comparison with multichannel techniques or methods developed for different animal models is not feasible. Nevertheless, a literature review shows that our algorithm outperforms state-of-the-art techniques in terms of accuracy, precision and specificity, while maintaining a reasonable sensitivity. CONCLUSION Our seizure detection system is a generic, time-saving and objective method to analyze zebrafish LPF, which can replace visual analysis and facilitate true high-throughput studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Borbála Hunyadi
- STADIUS Center for Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing and Data Analytics, Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; imec, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Aleksandra Siekierska
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, O&N II, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jo Sourbron
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, O&N II, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniëlle Copmans
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, O&N II, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter A M de Witte
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, O&N II, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Sourbron J, Smolders I, de Witte P, Lagae L. Pharmacological Analysis of the Anti-epileptic Mechanisms of Fenfluramine in scn1a Mutant Zebrafish. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:191. [PMID: 28428755 PMCID: PMC5382218 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Dravet syndrome (DS) is a genetic encephalopathy that is characterized by severe seizures and prominent co-morbidities (e.g., physical, intellectual disabilities). More than 85% of the DS patients carry an SCN1A mutation (sodium channel, voltage gated, type I alpha subunit). Although numerous anti-epileptic drugs have entered the market since 1990, these drugs often fail to adequately control seizures in DS patients. Nonetheless, current clinical data shows significant seizure reduction in DS patients treated with the serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) drug fenfluramine (FA). Recent preclinical research confirmed the anti-epileptiform activity of FA in homozygous scn1a mutant zebrafish larvae that mimic DS well. Here we explored the anti-epileptiform mechanisms of FA by investigating whether selective agonists/antagonists of specific receptor subtypes were able to counteract the FA-induced inhibition of seizures and abnormal brain discharges observed in the scn1a mutants. We show that antagonists of 5-HT1D and 5-HT2C receptor subtypes were able to do so (LY 310762 and SB 242084, respectively), but notably, a 5-HT2A-antagonist (ketanserin) was not. In addition, exploring further the mechanism of action of FA beyond its serotonergic profile, we found that the anti-epileptiform brain activity of FA was significantly abolished when it was administered in combination with a σ1-agonist (PRE 084). Our study therefore provides the first evidence of an involvement of the σ1 receptor in the mechanism of FA. We further show that the level of some neurotransmitters [i.e., dopamine and noradrenaline (NAD)] in head homogenates was altered after FA treatment, whereas γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate levels were not. Of interest, NAD-decreasing drugs have been employed successfully in the treatment of neurological diseases; including epilepsy and this effect could contribute to the therapeutic effect of the compound. In summary, we hypothesize that the anti-epileptiform activity of FA not only originates from its 5-HT1D- and 5-HT2C-agonism, but likely also from its ability to block σ1 receptors. These findings will help in better understanding the pharmacological profile of compounds that is critical for their applicability in the treatment of DS and possibly also other drug-resistant epilepsies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jo Sourbron
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU LeuvenLeuven, Belgium
| | | | - Peter de Witte
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU LeuvenLeuven, Belgium
| | - Lieven Lagae
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Section Pediatric Neurology, University Hospital KU LeuvenLeuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Kersten S, Arjona FJ. Ion transport in the zebrafish kidney from a human disease angle: possibilities, considerations, and future perspectives. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2017; 312:F172-F189. [DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00425.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Unique experimental advantages, such as its embryonic/larval transparency, high-throughput nature, and ease of genetic modification, underpin the rapid emergence of the zebrafish ( Danio rerio) as a preeminent model in biomedical research. Particularly in the field of nephrology, the zebrafish provides a promising model for studying the physiological implications of human solute transport processes along consecutive nephron segments. However, although the zebrafish might be considered a valuable model for numerous renal ion transport diseases and functional studies of many channels and transporters, not all human renal electrolyte transport mechanisms and human diseases can be modeled in the zebrafish. With this review, we explore the ontogeny of zebrafish renal ion transport, its nephron structure and function, and thereby demonstrate the clinical translational value of this model. By critical assessment of genomic and amino acid conservation of human proteins involved in renal ion handling (channels, transporters, and claudins), kidney and nephron segment conservation, and renal electrolyte transport physiology in the zebrafish, we provide researchers and nephrologists with an indication of the possibilities and considerations of the zebrafish as a model for human renal ion transport. Combined with advanced techniques envisioned for the future, implementation of the zebrafish might expand beyond unraveling pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie distinct genetic or environmentally, i.e., pharmacological and lifestyle, induced renal transport deficits. Specifically, the ease of drug administration and the exploitation of improved genetic approaches might argue for the adoption of the zebrafish as a model for preclinical personalized medicine for distinct renal diseases and renal electrolyte transport proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Kersten
- Department of Physiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; and
- Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts
| | - Francisco J. Arjona
- Department of Physiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; and
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Wager K, Zdebik AA, Fu S, Cooper JD, Harvey RJ, Russell C. Neurodegeneration and Epilepsy in a Zebrafish Model of CLN3 Disease (Batten Disease). PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157365. [PMID: 27327661 PMCID: PMC4915684 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses are a group of lysosomal storage disorders that comprise the most common, genetically heterogeneous, fatal neurodegenerative disorders of children. They are characterised by childhood onset, visual failure, epileptic seizures, psychomotor retardation and dementia. CLN3 disease, also known as Batten disease, is caused by autosomal recessive mutations in the CLN3 gene, 80–85% of which are a ~1 kb deletion. Currently no treatments exist, and after much suffering, the disease inevitably results in premature death. The aim of this study was to generate a zebrafish model of CLN3 disease using antisense morpholino injection, and characterise the pathological and functional consequences of Cln3 deficiency, thereby providing a tool for future drug discovery. The model was shown to faithfully recapitulate the pathological signs of CLN3 disease, including reduced survival, neuronal loss, retinopathy, axonopathy, loss of motor function, lysosomal storage of subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase, and epileptic seizures, albeit with an earlier onset and faster progression than the human disease. Our study provides proof of principle that the advantages of the zebrafish over other model systems can be utilised to further our understanding of the pathogenesis of CLN3 disease and accelerate drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kim Wager
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, United Kingdom
| | - Anselm A. Zdebik
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, UCL Medical School, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
- Department of Nephrology, UCL Medical School, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (CR); (AAZ)
| | - Sonia Fu
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan D. Cooper
- Pediatric Storage Disorders Laboratory, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, 5 Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RX, United Kingdom
| | - Robert J. Harvey
- Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Russell
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (CR); (AAZ)
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Meyer M, Dhamne SC, LaCoursiere CM, Tambunan D, Poduri A, Rotenberg A. Microarray Noninvasive Neuronal Seizure Recordings from Intact Larval Zebrafish. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156498. [PMID: 27281339 PMCID: PMC4900632 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish epilepsy models are emerging tools in experimental epilepsy. Zebrafish larvae, in particular, are advantageous because they can be easily genetically altered and used for developmental and drug studies since agents applied to the bath penetrate the organism easily. Methods for electrophysiological recordings in zebrafish are new and evolving. We present a novel multi-electrode array method to non-invasively record electrical activity from up to 61 locations of an intact larval zebrafish head. This method enables transcranial noninvasive recording of extracellular field potentials (which include multi-unit activity and EEG) to identify epileptic seizures. To record from the brains of zebrafish larvae, the dorsum of the head of an intact larva was secured onto a multi-electrode array. We recorded from individual electrodes for at least three hours and quantified neuronal firing frequency, spike patterns (continuous or bursting), and synchrony of neuronal firing. Following 15 mM potassium chloride- or pentylenetetrazole-infusion into the bath, spike and burst rate increased significantly. Additionally, synchrony of neuronal firing across channels, a hallmark of epileptic seizures, also increased. Notably, the fish survived the experiment. This non-invasive method complements present invasive zebrafish neurophysiological techniques: it affords the advantages of high spatial and temporal resolution, a capacity to measure multiregional activity and neuronal synchrony in seizures, and fish survival for future experiments, such as studies of epileptogenesis and development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Meyer
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Epilepsy Genetics Program, Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Neuromodulation Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sameer C. Dhamne
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Neuromodulation Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Christopher M. LaCoursiere
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Epilepsy Genetics Program, Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Dimira Tambunan
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Epilepsy Genetics Program, Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Annapurna Poduri
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Epilepsy Genetics Program, Neurogenetics Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alexander Rotenberg
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Neuromodulation Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Abdelhadi O, Iancu D, Tekman M, Stanescu H, Bockenhauer D, Kleta R. Founder mutation in KCNJ10 in Pakistani patients with EAST syndrome. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2016; 4:521-6. [PMID: 27652280 PMCID: PMC5023937 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background EAST syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by loss‐of‐function mutations in the gene KCNJ10. Among the 14 pathogenic mutations described so far, the p.R65P mutation stands out as the most frequent one and is particularly associated with patients of Pakistani origin. As a result we aimed to establish the existence of a potential founder effect in the Pakistani population. Methods To this end, we genotyped 12 patients from seven families and we compared disease haplotypes with ethnically matched control chromosomes. This haplotype was used together with demographic data for Pakistan to estimate the age of this founder mutation. Results We identified a small homozygous 0.694 Mb region around the KCNJ10 p.R65P mutation that had identical haplotypes in all of the patients which were completely absent in the control sample. Based on current demographic data and knowledge about disease frequency, we estimate that this particular p.R65P mutation arose 20 generations (about 500 years) ago. Conclusion By knowing the prevalent mutation in a given population more efficient diagnostics can be performed and the families can benefit from specific counseling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ola Abdelhadi
- Centre for Nephrology University College London London UK
| | - Daniela Iancu
- Centre for Nephrology University College London London UK
| | - Mehmet Tekman
- Centre for Nephrology University College London London UK
| | - Horia Stanescu
- Centre for Nephrology University College London London UK
| | | | - Robert Kleta
- Centre for Nephrology University College London London UK
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Abstract
This review attempts to give a concise and up-to-date overview on the role of potassium channels in epilepsies. Their role can be defined from a genetic perspective, focusing on variants and de novo mutations identified in genetic studies or animal models with targeted, specific mutations in genes coding for a member of the large potassium channel family. In these genetic studies, a demonstrated functional link to hyperexcitability often remains elusive. However, their role can also be defined from a functional perspective, based on dynamic, aggravating, or adaptive transcriptional and posttranslational alterations. In these cases, it often remains elusive whether the alteration is causal or merely incidental. With ∼80 potassium channel types, of which ∼10% are known to be associated with epilepsies (in humans) or a seizure phenotype (in animals), if genetically mutated, a comprehensive review is a challenging endeavor. This goal may seem all the more ambitious once the data on posttranslational alterations, found both in human tissue from epilepsy patients and in chronic or acute animal models, are included. We therefore summarize the literature, and expand only on key findings, particularly regarding functional alterations found in patient brain tissue and chronic animal models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rüdiger Köhling
- Oscar Langendorff Institute of Physiology, University of Rostock, Rostock 18057, Germany
| | - Jakob Wolfart
- Oscar Langendorff Institute of Physiology, University of Rostock, Rostock 18057, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
The zebrafish model is the only available high-throughput vertebrate assessment system, and it is uniquely suited for studies of in vivo cell biology. A sequenced and annotated genome has revealed a large degree of evolutionary conservation in comparison to the human genome. Due to our shared evolutionary history, the anatomical and physiological features of fish are highly homologous to humans, which facilitates studies relevant to human health. In addition, zebrafish provide a very unique vertebrate data stream that allows researchers to anchor hypotheses at the biochemical, genetic, and cellular levels to observations at the structural, functional, and behavioral level in a high-throughput format. In this review, we will draw heavily from toxicological studies to highlight advances in zebrafish high-throughput systems. Breakthroughs in transgenic/reporter lines and methods for genetic manipulation, such as the CRISPR-Cas9 system, will be comprised of reports across diverse disciplines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gloria R Garcia
- Oregon State University, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Pamela D Noyes
- Oregon State University, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Robert L Tanguay
- Oregon State University, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Cunliffe VT. Building a zebrafish toolkit for investigating the pathobiology of epilepsy and identifying new treatments for epileptic seizures. J Neurosci Methods 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
|
36
|
Phillips JB, Westerfield M. Zebrafish models in translational research: tipping the scales toward advancements in human health. Dis Model Mech 2015; 7:739-43. [PMID: 24973743 PMCID: PMC4073263 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.015545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in genomics and next-generation sequencing have provided clinical researchers with unprecedented opportunities to understand the molecular basis of human genetic disorders. This abundance of information places new requirements on traditional disease models, which have the potential to be used to confirm newly identified pathogenic mutations and test the efficacy of emerging therapies. The unique attributes of zebrafish are being increasingly leveraged to create functional disease models, facilitate drug discovery, and provide critical scientific bases for the development of new clinical tools for the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. In this short review and the accompanying poster, we highlight a few illustrative examples of the applications of the zebrafish model to the study of human health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer B Phillips
- Institute of Neuroscience, 1254 University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403-1254, USA
| | - Monte Westerfield
- Institute of Neuroscience, 1254 University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403-1254, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Cunliffe VT, Baines RA, Giachello CNG, Lin WH, Morgan A, Reuber M, Russell C, Walker MC, Williams RSB. Epilepsy research methods update: Understanding the causes of epileptic seizures and identifying new treatments using non-mammalian model organisms. Seizure 2014; 24:44-51. [PMID: 25457452 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2014.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
This narrative review is intended to introduce clinicians treating epilepsy and researchers familiar with mammalian models of epilepsy to experimentally tractable, non-mammalian research models used in epilepsy research, ranging from unicellular eukaryotes to more complex multicellular organisms. The review focuses on four model organisms: the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum, the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the zebrafish Danio rerio. We consider recent discoveries made with each model organism and discuss the importance of these advances for the understanding and treatment of epilepsy in humans. The relative ease with which mutations in genes of interest can be produced and studied quickly and cheaply in these organisms, together with their anatomical and physiological simplicity in comparison to mammalian species, are major advantages when researchers are trying to unravel complex disease mechanisms. The short generation times of most of these model organisms also mean that they lend themselves particularly conveniently to the investigation of drug effects or epileptogenic processes across the lifecourse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent T Cunliffe
- Bateson Centre, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, United Kingdom.
| | - Richard A Baines
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, AV Hill Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom.
| | - Carlo N G Giachello
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, AV Hill Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Wei-Hsiang Lin
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, AV Hill Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Morgan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom.
| | - Markus Reuber
- Academic Neurology Unit, University of Sheffield, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2JF, United Kingdom.
| | - Claire Russell
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, United Kingdom.
| | - Matthew C Walker
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom.
| | - Robin S B Williams
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway College, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|