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Lin KP, Yang CC, Lee YC, Lee MJ, Vest J, Sweetser MT, White MT, Badri P, Hsieh ST, Chao CC. Patisiran, an RNAi therapeutic for hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis: Sub-analysis in Taiwanese patients from the APOLLO study. J Formos Med Assoc 2024; 123:975-984. [PMID: 38548524 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To examine the efficacy and safety of patisiran, an RNA interference therapeutic, in patients from Taiwan with hereditary transthyretin-mediated (hATTR) amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. METHODS The APOLLO phase 3 trial included patients from Taiwan who received patisiran 0.3 mg/kg intravenously or placebo once every 3 weeks (q3w) for 18 months (18 M), followed by patisiran 0.3 mg/kg q3w in an ongoing global open-label extension (OLE) study. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in modified Neuropathy Impairment Score +7 (mNIS+7) at 18 M. RESULTS Eighteen Taiwanese patients were enrolled in APOLLO (patisiran, n = 8; placebo, n = 10; all A97S gene variant) and 14 continued in the global OLE. In this Taiwanese sub-population, beneficial treatment effects at 18 M were observed in mNIS+7 (least squares mean difference in change from baseline [patisiran-placebo], -26.5 points; 95% confidence interval: -45.5, -7.5). Patients who switched from placebo to patisiran demonstrated slowing of polyneuropathy progression at month 12 in the global OLE, while those who received patisiran in APOLLO maintained the beneficial treatment effects. Patisiran had an acceptable safety profile in the Taiwanese sub-population. CONCLUSION This analysis suggests that patisiran is well tolerated and may provide a substantial clinical benefit for Taiwanese patients with hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION The studies were registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov. The APOLLO study ClinicalTrials.gov identifier is NCT01960348 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01960348), with the registration date of October 10, 2013, and the first patient was enrolled on December 13, 2013. For the global OLE, the ClinicalTrials.gov identifier is NCT02510261 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02510261) with the registration date of July 29, 2015, and the first patient was enrolled on July 13, 2015. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class II evidence that treatment with patisiran is safe and efficacious in Taiwanese patients with hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis with polyneuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kon-Ping Lin
- Department of Neurology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipeo, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chao Yang
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chung Lee
- Department of Neurology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipeo, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Jen Lee
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - John Vest
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sung-Tsang Hsieh
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chao Chao
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Carroll AS, Park SB, Lin CSY, Taylor MS, Kwok F, Simon NG, Reilly MM, Kiernan MC, Vucic S. Axonal excitability as an early biomarker of nerve involvement in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 159:81-95. [PMID: 38377648 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The treatment of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) has been revolutionised by genetic therapies, with dramatic improvements in patient outcomes. Whilst the optimal timing of treatment initiation remains unknown, early treatment is desirable. Consequently, the aim of the study was to develop biomarkers of early nerve dysfunction in ATTRv-PN. METHODS Ulnar motor and sensory axonal excitability studies were prospectively undertaken on 22 patients with pathogenic hereditary transthyretin amyloid (ATTRv) gene variants, 12 with large fibre neuropathy (LF+) and 10 without (LF-), with results compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. RESULTS In motor axons we identified a continuum of change from healthy controls, to LF- and LF+ ATTRv with progressive reduction in hyperpolarising threshold electrotonus (TEh40(10-20 ms): p = 0.04, TEh40(20-40 ms): p = 0.01 and TEh40(90-10 ms): p = 0.01), suggestive of membrane depolarisation. In sensory axons lower levels of subexcitability were observed on single (SubEx) and double pulse (SubEx2) recovery cycle testing in LF+ (SubEx: p = 0.015, SubEx2: p = 0.015, RC(2-1): p = 0.04) suggesting reduced nodal slow potassium conductance, which promotes sensory hyperexcitability, paraesthesia and pain. There were no differences in sensory or motor excitability parameters when comparing different ATTRv variants. CONCLUSIONS These progressive changes seen across the disease spectrum in ATTRv-PN suggest that axonal excitability has utility to identify early and progressive nerve dysfunction in ATTRv, regardless of genotype. SIGNIFICANCE Axonal excitability is a promising early biomarker of nerve dysfunction in ATTRv-PN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia S Carroll
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Translational Research Collective University of Sydney, and Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Westmead Amyloidosis Centre, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
| | - Susanna B Park
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Cindy S Y Lin
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Translational Research Collective University of Sydney, and Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mark S Taylor
- Westmead Amyloidosis Centre, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Fiona Kwok
- Westmead Amyloidosis Centre, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Neil G Simon
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mary M Reilly
- Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Translational Research Collective University of Sydney, and Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Steve Vucic
- Brain and Nerve Centre, Concord Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Wang Y, Huang C, Liou G, Hsueh H, Liang C, Tseng H, Huang S, Chao C, Hsieh S, Tzeng S. A molecular basis for tetramer destabilization and aggregation of transthyretin Ala97Ser. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4610. [PMID: 36851846 PMCID: PMC10037696 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR)-related amyloidosis (ATTR) is a syndrome of diseases characterized by the extracellular deposition of fibrillar materials containing TTR variants. Ala97Ser (A97S) is the major mutation reported in Taiwanese ATTR patients. Here, we combine atomic resolution structural information together with the biochemical data to demonstrate that substitution of polar Ser for a small hydrophobic side chain of Ala at residue 97 of TTR largely influences the local packing density of the FG-loop, thus leading to the conformational instability of native tetramer, the increased monomeric species, and thus the enhanced amyloidogenicity of apo-A97S. Based on calorimetric studies, the tetramer destabilization of A97S can be substantially altered by interacting with native stabilizers via similarly energetic patterns compared to that of wild-type (WT) TTR; however, stabilizer binding partially rearranges the networks of hydrogen bonding in TTR variants while FG-loops of tetrameric A97S still remain relatively flexible. Moreover, TTR in complexed with holo-retinol binding protein 4 is slightly influenced by the structural and dynamic changes of FG-loop caused by A97S substitution with an approximately five-fold difference in binding affinity. Collectively, our findings suggest that the amyloidogenic A97S mutation destabilizes TTR by increasing the flexibility of the FG-loop in the monomer, thus modulating the rate of amyloid fibrillization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi‐Shiang Wang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyCollege of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chun‐Hsiang Huang
- Protein diffraction group, Experimental instrumentation divisionNational Synchrotron Radiation Research CenterHsinchuTaiwan
| | - Gunn‐Guang Liou
- Office of Research and Development, College of MedicineNational Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Hsueh‐Wen Hsueh
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of MedicineNational Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chi‐Ting Liang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyCollege of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Hsi‐Ching Tseng
- Instrumentation CenterNational Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | | | - Chi‐Chao Chao
- Department of NeurologyNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Sung‐Tsang Hsieh
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind SciencesTaipeiTaiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical MedicineTaipeiTaiwan
- Center of Precision MedicineNational Taiwan University College of MedicineTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Shiou‐Ru Tzeng
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyCollege of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
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Chiang MC, Yeh TY, Sung JY, Hsueh HW, Kao YH, Hsueh SJ, Chang KC, Feng FP, Lin YH, Chao CC, Hsieh ST. Early changes of nerve integrity in preclinical carriers of hereditary transthyretin Ala117Ser amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. Eur J Neurol 2021; 28:982-991. [PMID: 33369810 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Disease-modifying therapies provide new horizons for hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) to slow neuropathic progression. Initiating treatment at the earliest time requires biomarkers reflecting both small- and large-fiber degeneration in carriers. METHODS This study included examinations of pathology (intraepidermal nerve fiber [IENF] density), physiology (nerve conduction studies, autonomic function test, and nerve excitability), and psychophysics (thermal thresholds) in carriers to compare to healthy controls and asymptomatic diabetic patients. RESULTS There were 43 carriers (44.2 ± 11.4 years, p.Ala117Ser in 42 carriers), 43 controls (43.4 ± 12.7 years) including 26 noncarrier families, and 50 asymptomatic diabetic patients (58.1 ± 9.5 years). Carriers had lower IENF densities than controls and similar densities as diabetic patients. Median nerve conduction parameters, especially distal motor latency, were the most frequent neurophysiological abnormality in carriers, could differentiate carriers from controls and diabetic patients, were correlated with IENF densities in carriers but not in controls and diabetic patients, and were correlated with nerve excitability parameters in carriers but not in controls. Fifteen carriers (34.9%) with electrophysiological evidence of median nerve entrapment at the wrist had lower IENF densities and more abnormal conduction parameters than carriers without. We defined nerve dysfunction index-the ratio of median distal motor latency to IENF density-which differentiated carriers from controls. CONCLUSIONS In late-onset ATTRv-PN carriers with predominant p.Ala117Ser, median conduction parameters were the most common neurophysiological abnormalities and served as surrogate signatures of small- and large-fiber impairment. Combination of median distal motor latency and IENF density can reflect early neuropathy in carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Chang Chiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ti-Yen Yeh
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Ying Sung
- Department of Neurology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Wen Hsueh
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hui Kao
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Ju Hsueh
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Chieh Chang
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Ping Feng
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yea-Huey Lin
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chao Chao
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Tsang Hsieh
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center of Precision Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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5
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Zhang Y, Liu Z, Zhang Y, Wang H, Liu X, Zhang S, Liu X, Fan D. Corneal sub-basal whorl-like nerve plexus: a landmark for early and follow-up evaluation in transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy. Eur J Neurol 2020; 28:630-638. [PMID: 33098366 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Small-fiber nerves are the first to be involved in transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) patients. In vivo corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is a noninvasive technique to detect small-fiber polyneuropathy (SFN) by quantifying corneal nerve morphology. The characteristic whorl-like pattern of the corneal nerve provides a static landmark for observation. We aimed to evaluate whether CCM images of the whorl-like plexus can sensitively evaluate and monitor disease progression in FAP patients. METHODS Fifteen FAP patients and 15 controls underwent neurological evaluation and CCM observation. Corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD) detected by conventional method and inferior whorl length (IWL), inferior whorl fiber density (IWFD), and inferior whorl branch density (IWBD) were compared in controls and patients. The Langerhans cell (LC) density in each image was calculated. RESULTS All CCM parameters were significantly reduced with disease progression. Preclinical patients had significantly lower IWL (P = 0.008) than age-matched controls. IWL (P = 0.006), CNFL (P = 0.005), CNBD (P = 0.008), and CNFD (P = 0.014) were significantly lower in early-phase patients. LC density was significantly increased around the central whorl in early-phase patients and was relatively lower in progressive patients. Both IWL and CNFL correlated with the severity of neuropathy, and IWL was more significantly reduced. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for FAP with CNFL and IWL was 88.0% (95% CI, 70.9%-96.9%) and 89.3% (95% CI, 72.6%-97.6%), respectively, exceeding other parameters. CONCLUSIONS IWL is a more sensitive surrogate to detect preclinical SFN in FAP and can best discriminate patients from controls. The clustering of immature LCs at the inferior whorl area might reflect the inflammatory response of small-fiber nerves at the early stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Z Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Y Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - H Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - X Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - S Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - X Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - D Fan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
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Casanova I, Caetano A, Díaz A, Conceição I, Brum M, de Carvalho M. Motor excitability measurements in early stage familial amyloid polyneuropathy: The influence of tafamidis treatment. Neurophysiol Clin 2020; 50:145-153. [PMID: 32507631 DOI: 10.1016/j.neucli.2020.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test motor fiber excitability in early affected patients with transthyretin (TTR)-type familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) before and during tafamidis treatment. METHODS We examined the left median nerve of 21 healthy-matched controls and 10 early affected TTR-FAP patients using the automated threshold-tracking program, QTRAC. TTR-FAP patients were tested one day before the initiation of tafamidis treatment, 3 and 6 months later. RESULTS The drug was well-tolerated in all patients; there was no drop-out. No statistical difference was found between healthy controls and TTR-FAP patients at study entry. On treatment, both stimulus intensity for 50% of the maximal motor response and rheobase increased significantly from entry to the last evaluation at 6 months (P<0.05). Strength duration time constant decreased significantly from the 3rd to the 6th month of evaluation (P<0.05). There was also a "fanning-out" effect on the late depolarization phase (TEd 90-100ms) as well as a shortened relative refractory period from study entry to the 6th month of evaluation. CONCLUSIONS Threshold-tracking of median nerve motor fibers is not a helpful technique for the early diagnosis of TTR-FAP patients. Tafamidis was well-tolerated. We observed possible membrane hyperpolarization during treatment. Threshold tracking can contribute to documenting the action of new drugs to treat neuropathies. Tafamidis may change nerve electrical properties by reducing the burden of amyloid fibrils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Casanova
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - André Caetano
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Neurology, Hospital de Egas Moniz, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andrés Díaz
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Isabel Conceição
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Neurosciences, Centro Hospitalar Universário Lisboa-Norte, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marisa Brum
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Neurosciences, Centro Hospitalar Universário Lisboa-Norte, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal.
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Lai HJ, Lai WT, Jin L, Kuo KT, Lee MJ. Electrophysiological parameters that contribute to the pathogenesis of familial amyloid polyneuropathy caused by transthyretin mutations. J Neurol Sci 2020; 413:116810. [PMID: 32247966 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.116810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is a rare, hereditary peripheral neuropathy commonly caused by mutations in human transthyretin (TTR) gene. Clinically, FAP caused by TTR mutations (TTR-FAP) involves both large and small nerve fibers. Details of early electrophysiological features in TTR-FAP remain unclear. To address this issue, we evaluated nerve excitability (NET) results in motor axons of control mice and two transgenic mouse models carrying V30M (TTRV30M) or A97S (TTRA97S) mutations that simulate clinical features of TTR-FAP. Transgenic TTRV30M and TTRA97S mice demonstrated significant increases in latency in hindlimb withdraw tests, as well as, poor rotarod test performance, compared to TTRORF mice. NET evaluation showed reduced S2 accommodation, and increased TEdundershoot during threshold electrotonus (TE) in motor axons of both TTRV30M and TTRA97S mice, indicating that axonal membranes were in a depolarized state. Decreased rheobase combined with increased refractoriness in the transgenic mice suggested that there were reduced sodium currents. Further immunohistochemical study of the sciatic nerves revealed the significantly decrease of voltage-gated sodium channel expression in the transgenic mice. Moreover, superexcitability during the recovery cycle is significantly increased in transgenic mice compared with control mice, which is attributed to increased internodal capacitance. Finally, the electron microscopy demonstrated the reduced g-ratio in TTRA97S mice may correlate with an atrophic change of axons and/or increase of myelin thickness. In summary, we evaluated NET results in transgenic mice which modeled the clinical features presented in TTR-FAP patients. Reduced sodium channel expression and increased internodal capacitance are factors contributing to the electrophysiological changes in TTR-FAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsing-Jung Lai
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ting Lai
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lu Jin
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Ting Kuo
- Graduate Institute of Pathology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan; Department of Pathology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Biomedical Park Branch, Hsinchu County, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Jen Lee
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan.
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Chao CC, Hsueh HW, Kan HW, Liao CH, Jiang HH, Chiang H, Lin WM, Yeh TY, Lin YH, Cheng YY, Hsieh ST. Skin nerve pathology: Biomarkers of premanifest and manifest amyloid neuropathy. Ann Neurol 2020; 85:560-573. [PMID: 30737830 DOI: 10.1002/ana.25433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Small-fiber sensory and autonomic symptoms are early presentations of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) with transthyretin (TTR) mutations. This study aimed to explore the potential of skin nerve pathologies as early and disease-progression biomarkers and their relationship with skin amyloid deposits. METHODS Skin biopsies were performed in patients and carriers to measure intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density, sweat gland innervation index of structural protein gene product 9.5 (SGII[PGP9.5]) and peptidergic vasoactive intestinal peptide (SGII[VIP]), and cutaneous amyloid index. These skin pathologies were analyzed with clinical disability assessed by FAP stage score (stage 0-4) and compared to neurophysiological and psychophysical tests. RESULTS There were 70 TTR-mutant subjects (22 carriers and 48 patients), and 66 cases were TTR-A97S. Skin nerve pathologies were distinct according to stage. In carriers, both skin denervation and peptidergic sudomotor denervation were evident: (1) IENF density was gradually reduced from stage 0 through 4, and (2) SGII(VIP) was markedly reduced from stage 1 to 2. In contrast, SGII(PGP9.5) was similar between carriers and controls, but it declined in patients from stage 2. Skin amyloids were absent in carriers and became detectable from stage 1. Cutaneous amyloid index was correlated with SGII(PGP9.5) and stage in a multivariate mixed-effect model. When all tests were compared, only IENF density, SGII(PGP9.5), and cutaneous amyloid index were correlated with stage, and IENF density had the highest abnormal rate in carriers. INTERPRETATION Biomarkers of sensory and sudomotor innervation exhibited a stage-dependent progression pattern, with sensory nerve degeneration as the early skin nerve pathology. Ann Neurol 2019;85:560-573.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Chao Chao
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Wen Hsueh
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Wei Kan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hua Liao
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Hua Jiang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hao Chiang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Whei-Min Lin
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ti-Yen Yeh
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yea-Huey Lin
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Yin Cheng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Tsang Hsieh
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center of Precision Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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9
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Kiernan MC, Bostock H, Park SB, Kaji R, Krarup C, Krishnan AV, Kuwabara S, Lin CSY, Misawa S, Moldovan M, Sung J, Vucic S, Wainger BJ, Waxman S, Burke D. Measurement of axonal excitability: Consensus guidelines. Clin Neurophysiol 2019; 131:308-323. [PMID: 31471200 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2019.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Measurement of axonal excitability provides an in vivo indication of the properties of the nerve membrane and of the ion channels expressed on these axons. Axonal excitability techniques have been utilised to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying neurological diseases. This document presents guidelines derived for such studies, based on a consensus of international experts, and highlights the potential difficulties when interpreting abnormalities in diseased axons. The present manuscript provides a state-of-the-art review of the findings of axonal excitability studies and their interpretation, in addition to suggesting guidelines for the optimal performance of excitability studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney and Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney 2006, Australia.
| | - Hugh Bostock
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Susanna B Park
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney and Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Ryuji Kaji
- National Utano Hospital, 8-Narutaki Ondoyamacho, Ukyoku, Kyoto 616-8255, Japan
| | - Christian Krarup
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen and Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Arun V Krishnan
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Satoshi Kuwabara
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan
| | - Cindy Shin-Yi Lin
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney and Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Sonoko Misawa
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan
| | - Mihai Moldovan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen and Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jiaying Sung
- Taipei Medical University, Wanfang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Steve Vucic
- Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital, Western Clinical School, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Brian J Wainger
- Department of Neurology and Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Stephen Waxman
- Department of Neurology, Yale Medical School, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Neurorehabilitation Research Center, Veterans Affairs Hospital, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - David Burke
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney and Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney 2006, Australia
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10
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Familial amyloid polyneuropathy with chronic paroxysmal dry cough in Mainland China: A Chinese family with a proven heterozygous missense mutation c.349G>T in the transthyretin gene. J Clin Neurosci 2019; 60:164-166. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2018.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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11
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Kan HW, Chiang H, Lin WM, Yu IS, Lin SW, Hsieh ST. Sensory nerve degeneration in a mouse model mimicking early manifestations of familial amyloid polyneuropathy due to transthyretin Ala97Ser. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2018; 44:673-686. [PMID: 29423915 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Sensory nerve degeneration and consequent abnormal sensations are the earliest and most prevalent manifestations of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) due to amyloidogenic transthyretin (TTR). FAP is a relentlessly progressive degenerative disease of the peripheral nervous system. However, there is a lack of mouse models to replicate the early neuropathic manifestations of FAP. METHODS We established human TTR knock-in mice by replacing one allele of the mouse Ttr locus with human wild-type TTR (hTTRwt ) or human TTR with the A97S mutation (hTTRA97S ). Given the late onset of neuropathic manifestations in A97S-FAP, we investigated nerve pathology, physiology, and behavioural tests in these mice at two age points: the adult group (8 - 56 weeks) and the ageing group (> 104 weeks). RESULTS In the adult group, nerve profiles, neurophysiology and behaviour were similar between hTTRwt and hTTRA97S mice. By contrast, ageing hTTRA97S mice showed small fibre neuropathy with decreased intraepidermal nerve fibre density and behavioural signs of mechanical allodynia. Furthermore, significant reductions in sural nerve myelinated nerve fibre density and sensory nerve action potential amplitudes in these mice indicated degeneration of large sensory fibres. The unaffected motor nerve physiology replicated the early symptoms of FAP patients, that is, sensory nerves were more vulnerable to mutant TTR than motor nerves. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that the hTTRA97S mouse model develops sensory nerve pathology and corresponding physiology mimicking A97S-FAP and provides a platform to develop new therapies for the early stage of A97S-FAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- H-W Kan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - H Chiang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - W-M Lin
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-S Yu
- Laboratory Animal Center, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - S-W Lin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - S-T Hsieh
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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12
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Lai HJ, Chen CL, Tsai LK. Increase of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated current in the aberrant excitability of spinal muscular atrophy. Ann Neurol 2018; 83:494-507. [PMID: 29394509 DOI: 10.1002/ana.25168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The pathophysiology of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is still unclear. METHODS The nerve excitability test in SMA patients and a mouse model of SMA was carried out to explore the pathophysiology of nodal and internodal currents, and quantitative PCR, western blotting, and whole-cell patch-clamp recording were used for the identified hypothesis. RESULTS The nerve excitability test in SMA patients showed increased inward rectification in the current-threshold relationship and increased overshoot after hyperpolarizing threshold electrotonus, which indicates increased hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) current; these findings correlated with disease severity. Increased inward rectification in the current-threshold relationship was reproducible in a mouse model of mild SMA, and the abnormality preceded the decline of compound motor action potential amplitudes. Furthermore, quantitative PCR of spinal cord tissues and western blotting of the spinal cord and sciatic nerves showed increased HCN1 and HCN2 expression in SMA mice, and voltage-clamp recording in dissociated spinal motor neurons from SMA mice also showed increased HCN current density. Treatment with ZD7288, an HCN channel blocker, also reduced early mortality, improved motor function, and restored neuromuscular junction architecture in a mouse model of severe SMA. INTERPRETATION This study shows that increased HCN current underlies the pathophysiology of SMA and can be a novel non-SMN target for SMA therapy. Ann Neurol 2018;83:494-507.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsing-Jung Lai
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Physiology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Lin Chen
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Kai Tsai
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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