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Esen O, Bailey SJ, Stashuk DW, Howatson G, Goodall S. Influence of nitrate supplementation on motor unit activity during recovery following a sustained ischemic contraction in recreationally active young males. Eur J Nutr 2024:10.1007/s00394-024-03440-9. [PMID: 38809323 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-024-03440-9] [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: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Dietary nitrate (NO3-) supplementation enhances muscle blood flow and metabolic efficiency in hypoxia, however, its efficacy on neuromuscular function and specifically, the effect on motor unit (MU) activity is less clear. We investigated whether NO3- supplementation affected MU activity following a 3 min sustained ischemic contraction and whether this is influenced by blood flow restriction (BFR) during the recovery period. METHOD In a randomized, double-blinded, cross-over design, 14 males (mean ± SD, 25 ± 6 years) completed two trials following 5 days of supplementation with NO3--rich (NIT) or NO3--depleted (PLA) beetroot juice to modify plasma nitrite (NO2-) concentration (482 ± 92 vs. 198 ± 48 nmol·L-1, p < 0.001). Intramuscular electromyography was used to assess MU potential (MUP) size (duration and area) and mean firing rates (MUFR) during a 3 min submaximal (25% MVC) isometric contraction with BFR. These variables were also assessed during a 90 s recovery period with the first half completed with, and the second half completed without, BFR. RESULTS The change in MUP area and MUFR, did not differ between conditions (all p > 0.05), but NIT elicited a reduction in MUP recovery time during brief isometric contractions (p < 0.001), and during recoveries with (p = 0.002) and without (p = 0.012) BFR. CONCLUSION These novel observations improve understanding of the effects of NO3- on the recovery of neuromuscular function post-exercise and might have implications for recovery of muscle contractile function. TRIAL REGISTRATION The study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov with ID of NCT05993715 on August 08, 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozcan Esen
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK.
- Department of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK.
| | - Stephen J Bailey
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Daniel W Stashuk
- Department of Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Glyn Howatson
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
- Water Research Group, North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Stuart Goodall
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
- Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation Research Focus Area, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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2
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Cheng YF, Gu XJ, Yang TM, Wei QQ, Cao B, Zhang Y, Shang HF, Chen YP. Signature of miRNAs derived from the circulating exosomes of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1106497. [PMID: 36845651 PMCID: PMC9951117 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1106497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disorder (NDS) with unclear pathophysiology and few therapeutic options. Mutations in SOD1 and C9orf72 are the most common in Asian and Caucasian patients with ALS, respectively. Aberrant (microRNAs) miRNAs found in patients with gene-mutated ALS may be involved in the pathogenesis of gene-specific ALS and sporadic ALS (SALS). The aim of this study was to screen for differentially expressed miRNAs from exosomes in patients with ALS and healthy controls (HCs) and to construct a miRNA-based diagnostic model to classify patients and HCs. Methods We compared circulating exosome-derived miRNAs of patients with ALS and HCs using the following two cohorts: a discovery cohort (three patients with SOD1-mutated ALS, three patients with C9orf72-mutated ALS, and three HCs) analyzed by microarray and a validation cohort (16 patients with gene-mutated ALS, 65 patients with SALS, and 61 HCs) confirmed by RT-qPCR. The support vector machine (SVM) model was used to help diagnose ALS using five differentially expressed miRNAs between SALS and HCs. Results A total of 64 differentially expressed miRNAs in patients with SOD1-mutated ALS and 128 differentially expressed miRNAs in patients with C9orf72-mutated ALS were obtained by microarray compared to HCs. Of these, 11 overlapping dysregulated miRNAs were identified in both groups. Among the 14 top-hit candidate miRNAs validated by RT-qPCR, hsa-miR-34a-3p was specifically downregulated in patients with SOD1-mutated ALS, while hsa-miR-1306-3p was downregulated in ALS patients with both SOD1 and C9orf72 mutations. In addition, hsa-miR-199a-3p and hsa-miR-30b-5p were upregulated significantly in patients with SALS, while hsa-miR-501-3p, hsa-miR-103a-2-5p, and hsa-miR-181d-5p had a trend to be upregulated. The SVM diagnostic model used five miRNAs as features to distinguish ALS from HCs in our cohort with an area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.80. Conclusion Our study identified aberrant miRNAs from exosomes of SALS and ALS patients with SOD1/C9orf72 mutations and provided additional evidence that aberrant miRNAs were involved in the pathogenesis of ALS regardless of the presence or absence of the gene mutation. The machine learning algorithm had high accuracy in predicting the diagnosis of ALS, shedding light on the foundation for the clinical application of blood tests in the diagnosis of ALS, and revealing the pathological mechanisms of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Fan Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Gu
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tian-Mi Yang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian-Qian Wei
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bei Cao
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hui-Fang Shang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Hui-Fang Shang,
| | - Yong-Ping Chen
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Yong-Ping Chen,
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Esen O, Faisal A, Zambolin F, Bailey SJ, Callaghan MJ. Effect of nitrate supplementation on skeletal muscle motor unit activity during isometric blood flow restriction exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 2022; 122:1683-1693. [PMID: 35460359 PMCID: PMC9197866 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-022-04946-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Nitrate (NO3−) supplementation has been reported to lower motor unit (MU) firing rate (MUFR) during dynamic resistance exercise; however, its impact on MU activity during isometric and ischemic exercise is unknown. Purpose To assess the effect of NO3− supplementation on knee extensor MU activities during brief isometric contractions and a 3 min sustained contraction with blood flow restriction (BFR). Methods Sixteen healthy active young adults (six females) completed two trials in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. Trials were preceded by 5 days of either NO3− (NIT) or placebo (PLA) supplementation. Intramuscular electromyography was used to determine the M. vastus lateralis MU potential (MUP) size, MUFR and near fibre (NF) jiggle (a measure of neuromuscular stability) during brief (20 s) isometric contractions at 25% maximal strength and throughout a 3 min sustained BFR isometric contraction. Results Plasma nitrite (NO2−) concentration was elevated after NIT compared to PLA (475 ± 93 vs. 198 ± 46 nmol L−1, p < 0.001). While changes in MUP area, NF jiggle and MUFR were similar between NIT and PLA trials (all p > 0.05), MUP duration was shorter with NIT compared to PLA during brief isometric contractions and the sustained ischemic contraction (p < 0.01). In addition, mean MUP duration, MUP area and NF jiggle increased, and MUFR decreased over the 3 min sustained BFR isometric contraction for both conditions (all p < 0.05). Conclusions These findings provide insight into the effect of NO3− supplementation on MUP properties and reveal faster MUP duration after short-term NO3− supplementation which may have positive implications for skeletal muscle contractile performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozcan Esen
- Department of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M15 6GX, UK.
- Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, Manchester, UK.
| | - Azmy Faisal
- Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, Manchester, UK
- Faculty of Physical Education for Men, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Fabio Zambolin
- Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, Manchester, UK
| | - Stephen J Bailey
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Michael J Callaghan
- Department of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M15 6GX, UK
- Manchester University Hospital Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
- Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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4
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Tang Y, Li Y, Yu G, Ling Z, Zhong K, Zilundu PLM, Li W, Fu R, Zhou LH. MicroRNA-137-3p Protects PC12 Cells Against Oxidative Stress by Downregulation of Calpain-2 and nNOS. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 41:1373-1387. [PMID: 32594381 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00908-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The imbalance between excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and insufficient antioxidant defenses contribute to a range of neurodegenerative diseases. High ROS levels damage cellular macromolecules such as DNA, proteins and lipids, leading to neuron vulnerability and eventual death. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of the ROS regulation is not fully elucidated. Recently, an increasing number of studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNAs) emerge as the targets in regulating oxidative stress. We recently reported the neuroprotective effect of miR-137-3p for brachial plexus avulsion-induced motoneuron death. The present study is sought to investigate whether miR-137-3p also could protect PC12 cells against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced neurotoxicity. By using cell viability assay, ROS assay, gene and protein expression assay, we found that PC-12 cells exposed to H2O2 exhibited decreased cell viability, increased expression levels of calpain-2 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), whereas a decreased miR-137-3p expression. Importantly, restoring the miR-137-3p levels in H2O2 exposure robustly inhibited the elevated nNOS, calpain-2 and ROS expression levels, which subsequently improved the cell viability. Furthermore, the suppressive effect of miR-137-3p on the elevated ROS level under oxidative stress was considerably blunted when we mutated the binding site of calpain-2 targted by miR-137-3p, suggesting the critical role of calpain-2 involving the neuroprotective effect of miR-137-3p. Collectively, these findings highlight the neuroprotective role of miR-137-3p through down-regulating calpain and NOS activity, suggesting its potential role for combating oxidative stress insults in the neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Tang
- Department of Anatomy, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingqin Li
- Department of Radiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 51900, Guangdong, China
| | - Guangyin Yu
- Department of Anatomy, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Zemin Ling
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Department of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Ke Zhong
- Department of Anatomy, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Prince L M Zilundu
- Department of Anatomy, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenfu Li
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Rao Fu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
| | - Li-Hua Zhou
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
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5
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Chang SH, Su YC, Chang M, Chen JA. MicroRNAs mediate precise control of spinal interneuron populations to exert delicate sensory-to-motor outputs. eLife 2021; 10:63768. [PMID: 33787491 PMCID: PMC8075582 DOI: 10.7554/elife.63768] [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: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the function of microRNAs (miRNAs) during embryonic development has been intensively studied in recent years, their postnatal physiological functions remain largely unexplored due to inherent difficulties with the presence of redundant paralogs of the same seed. Thus, it is particularly challenging to uncover miRNA functions at neural circuit level since animal behaviors would need to be assessed upon complete loss of miRNA family functions. Here, we focused on the neural functions of MiR34/449 that manifests a dynamic expression pattern in the spinal cord from embryonic to postnatal stages. Our behavioral assays reveal that the loss of MiR34/449 miRNAs perturb thermally induced pain response thresholds and compromised delicate motor output in mice. Mechanistically, MiR34/449 directly target Satb1 and Satb2 to fine-tune the precise number of a sub-population of motor synergy encoder (MSE) neurons. Thus, MiR34/449 fine-tunes optimal development of Satb1/2on interneurons in the spinal cord, thereby refining explicit sensory-to-motor circuit outputs. The spinal cord is an information superhighway that connects the body with the brain. There, circuits of neurons process information from the brain before sending commands to muscles to generate movement. Each spinal cord circuit contains many types of neurons, whose identity is defined by the set of genes that are active or ‘expressed’ in each cell. When a gene is turned on, its DNA sequence is copied to produce a messenger RNA (mRNA), a type of molecule that the cell then uses as a template to produce a protein. MicroRNAs (or miRNAs), on the other hand, are tiny RNA molecules that help to regulate gene expression by binding to and ‘deactivating’ specific mRNAs, stopping them from being used to make proteins. Mammalian cells contain thousands of types of microRNAs, many of which have unknown roles: this includes MiR34/449, a group of six microRNAs found mainly within the nervous system. By using genetic technology to delete this family from the mouse genome, Chang et al. now show that MiR34/449 has a key role in regulating spinal cord circuits. The first clue came from discovering that mice without the MiR34/449 family had unusual posture and a tendency to walk on tiptoe. The animals were also more sensitive to heat, flicking their tails away from a heat source more readily than control mice. At a finer level, the spinal cords of the mutants contained greater numbers of cells in which two genes, Satb1 and Satb2, were turned on. Compared to their counterparts in control mice, the Satb1/2-positive neurons also showed differences in the rest of the genes they expressed. In essence, these neurons had a different genetic profile in MiR34/449 mutant mice, therefore disrupting the neural circuit they belong to. Based on these findings, Chang et al. propose that in wild-type mice, the MiR34/449 family fine-tunes the expression of Satb1/2 in the spinal cord during development. In doing so, it regulates the formation of the spinal cord circuits that help to control movement. More generally, these results provide clues about how miRNAs help to determine cell identities; further studies could then examine whether other miRNAs contribute to the development and maintenance of neuronal circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Hsin Chang
- Taiwan International Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Neuroscience Program of Academia Sinica, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Su
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mien Chang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jun-An Chen
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Neuroscience Program of Academia Sinica, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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6
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Li C, Chen Y, Chen X, Wei Q, Ou R, Gu X, Cao B, Shang H. MicroRNA-183-5p is stress-inducible and protects neurons against cell death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:8614-8622. [PMID: 32558113 PMCID: PMC7412410 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the death of motor neurons. A fundamental pathogenesis of ALS is the prolonged cell stress in neurons, which is caused by either accumulation of protein aggregates or reactive oxygen species. However, the mechanistic link between stress sensing and cell death is unsettled. Here, we identify that miR-183-5p, a neuron-enriched miRNA, couples stress sensing and cell death programming in ALS. miR-183-5p is immediately induced by hydrogen peroxide, tunicamycin or TNF-α in neurons. The overexpression of miR-183-5p increases neuron survival under stress conditions, whereas its knockdown causes neuron death. miR-183-5p coordinates apoptosis and necroptosis pathways by directly targeting PDCD4 and RIPK3, and thus protects neurons against cell death under stress conditions. The consistent reduction of miR-183-5p in ALS patients and mouse models enhances the notion that miR-183-5p is a central regulator of motor neuron survival under stress conditions. Our study supplements current understanding of the mechanistic link between cell stress and death/survival, and provides novel targets for clinical interventions of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Li
- Department of Neurology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongping Chen
- Department of Neurology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xueping Chen
- Department of Neurology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qianqian Wei
- Department of Neurology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruwei Ou
- Department of Neurology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaojing Gu
- Department of Neurology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bei Cao
- Department of Neurology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Huifang Shang
- Department of Neurology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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7
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Glutamate at the Vertebrate Neuromuscular Junction: From Modulation to Neurotransmission. Cells 2019; 8:cells8090996. [PMID: 31466388 PMCID: PMC6770210 DOI: 10.3390/cells8090996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Although acetylcholine is the major neurotransmitter operating at the skeletal neuromuscular junction of many invertebrates and of vertebrates, glutamate participates in modulating cholinergic transmission and plastic changes in the last. Presynaptic terminals of neuromuscular junctions contain and release glutamate that contribute to the regulation of synaptic neurotransmission through its interaction with pre- and post-synaptic receptors activating downstream signaling pathways that tune synaptic efficacy and plasticity. During vertebrate development, the chemical nature of the neurotransmitter at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction can be experimentally shifted from acetylcholine to other mediators (including glutamate) through the modulation of calcium dynamics in motoneurons and, when the neurotransmitter changes, the muscle fiber expresses and assembles new receptors to match the nature of the new mediator. Finally, in adult rodents, by diverting descending spinal glutamatergic axons to a denervated muscle, a functional reinnervation can be achieved with the formation of new neuromuscular junctions that use glutamate as neurotransmitter and express ionotropic glutamate receptors and other markers of central glutamatergic synapses. Here, we summarize the past and recent experimental evidences in support of a role of glutamate as a mediator at the synapse between the motor nerve ending and the skeletal muscle fiber, focusing on the molecules and signaling pathways that are present and activated by glutamate at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction.
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8
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Vrabec K, Boštjančič E, Koritnik B, Leonardis L, Dolenc Grošelj L, Zidar J, Rogelj B, Glavač D, Ravnik-Glavač M. Differential Expression of Several miRNAs and the Host Genes AATK and DNM2 in Leukocytes of Sporadic ALS Patients. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:106. [PMID: 29670510 PMCID: PMC5893848 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic studies have managed to explain many cases of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) through mutations in several genes. However, the cause of a majority of sporadic cases remains unknown. Recently, epigenetics, especially miRNA studies, show some promising aspects. We aimed to evaluate the differential expression of 10 miRNAs, including miR-9, miR-338, miR-638, miR-663a, miR-124a, miR-143, miR-451a, miR-132, miR-206, and let-7b, for which some connection to ALS was shown previously in ALS culture cells, animal models or patients, and in three miRNA host genes, including C1orf61 (miR-9), AATK (miR-338), and DNM2 (miR-638), in leukocyte samples of 84 patients with sporadic ALS. We observed significant aberrant dysregulation across our patient cohort for miR-124a, miR-206, miR-9, let-7b, and miR-638. Since we did not use neurological controls we cannot rule out that the revealed differences in expression of investigated miRNAs are specific for ALS. Nevertheless, the group of these five miRNAs is worth of additional research in leukocytes of larger cohorts from different populations in order to verify their potential association to ALS disease. We also detected a significant up-regulation of the AAKT gene and down-regulation of the DNM2 gene, and thus, for the first time, we connected these with sporadic ALS cases. These findings open up new research toward miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and epigenetic processes involved in ALS. The detected significant deregulation of AAKT and DNM2 in sporadic ALS also represents an interesting finding. The DNM2 gene was previously found to be mutated in Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy-type CMT2M and centronuclear myopathy (CNM). In addition, as recent studies connected AATK and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and DNM2 and hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), these two genes together with our results genetically connect, at least in part, five diseases, including FTD, HSP, Charcot-Marie-Tooth (type CMT2M), CNM, and ALS, thus opening future research toward a better understanding of the cell biology involved in these partly overlapping pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Vrabec
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Emanuela Boštjančič
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Blaž Koritnik
- Division of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lea Leonardis
- Division of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Leja Dolenc Grošelj
- Division of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janez Zidar
- Division of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Boris Rogelj
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Štefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Biomedical Research Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damjan Glavač
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Metka Ravnik-Glavač
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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9
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Tang Y, Fu R, Ling ZM, Liu LL, Yu GY, Li W, Fang XY, Zhu Z, Wu WT, Zhou LH. MiR-137–3p rescue motoneuron death by targeting calpain-2. Nitric Oxide 2018; 74:74-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2018.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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10
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24S-hydroxycholesterol suppresses neuromuscular transmission in SOD1(G93A) mice: A possible role of NO and lipid rafts. Mol Cell Neurosci 2018; 88:308-318. [PMID: 29550246 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the initial denervation of skeletal muscle and subsequent death of motor neurons. A dying-back pattern of ALS suggests a crucial role for neuromuscular junction dysfunction. In the present study, microelectrode recording of postsynaptic currents and optical detection of synaptic vesicle traffic (FM1-43 dye) and intracellular NO levels (DAF-FM DA) were used to examine the effect of the major brain-derived cholesterol metabolite 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24S-HC, 0.4 μM) on neuromuscular transmission in the diaphragm of transgenic mice carrying a mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SODG93A). We found that 24S-HC suppressed spontaneous neurotransmitter release and neurotransmitter exocytosis during high-frequency stimulation. The latter was accompanied by a decrease in both the rate of synaptic vesicle recycling and activity-dependent enhancement of NO production. Inhibition of NO synthase with L-NAME also attenuated synaptic vesicle exocytosis during high-frequency stimulation and completely abolished the effect of 24S-HC itself. Of note, 24S-HC enhanced the labeling of synaptic membranes with B-subunit of cholera toxin, suggesting an increase in lipid ordering. Lipid raft-disrupting agents (methyl-β-cyclodextrin, sphingomyelinase) prevented the action of 24S-HC on both lipid raft marker labeling and NO synthesis. Together, these experiments indicate that 24S-HC is able to suppress the exocytotic release of neurotransmitter in response to intense activity via a NO/lipid raft-dependent pathway in the neuromuscular junctions of SODG93A mice.
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11
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Li C, Chen Y, Chen X, Wei Q, Cao B, Shang H. Downregulation of MicroRNA-193b-3p Promotes Autophagy and Cell Survival by Targeting TSC1/mTOR Signaling in NSC-34 Cells. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:160. [PMID: 28611587 PMCID: PMC5447700 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the death of upper and lower motor neurons. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are reported to be closely related to the development of ALS. However, the precise functions of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of ALS remain largely unknown. In previous studies, we determined that miRNA-193b-3p was significantly downregulated in patients with sporadic ALS (sALS). Here, we observed that miRNA-193b-3p was downregulated in the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS and promoted cell death in NSC-34 cells. We further found that miR-193b-3p directly targeted tuberous sclerosis 1 (TSC1) to regulate mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity. Downregulation of miR-193b-3p led to TSC1 increase accompanied with mTORC1 inactivation, and vice versa. Moreover, downregulation of miR-193b-3p promoted protective autophagy and cell survival in NSC-34 cells. In contrast, upregulation of miR-193b-3p activated mTORC1 signaling, leading to inhibition of autophagy and promotion of cell death. Taken together, our study suggests that downregulation of miR-193b-3p is required for cell survival by targeting TSC1/mTOR signaling in NSC-34 cells and provides a novel target for improving the clinical therapy of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- ChunYu Li
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China.,West China Brain Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China
| | - YongPing Chen
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China.,West China Brain Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China
| | - XuePing Chen
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China.,West China Brain Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China
| | - QianQian Wei
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China.,West China Brain Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China
| | - Bei Cao
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China.,West China Brain Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China
| | - HuiFang Shang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China.,West China Brain Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China
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12
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Pinto S, Cunha C, Barbosa M, Vaz AR, Brites D. Exosomes from NSC-34 Cells Transfected with hSOD1-G93A Are Enriched in miR-124 and Drive Alterations in Microglia Phenotype. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:273. [PMID: 28567000 PMCID: PMC5434170 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor neurons (MNs). Evidences indicate that ALS is a non-cell autonomous disease in which glial cells participate in both disease onset and progression. Exosomal transfer of mutant copper-zinc superoxide dismutase 1 (mSOD1) from cell-to-cell was suggested to contribute to disease dissemination. Data from our group and others showed that exosomes from activated cells contain inflammatory-related microRNAs (inflamma-miRNAs) that recapitulate the donor cell. While glia-derived exosomes and their effects in neurons have been addressed by several studies, only a few investigated the influence of motor neuron (MN)-derived exosomes in other cell function, the aim of the present study. We assessed a set of inflamma-miRs in NSC-34 MN-like cells transfected with mutant SOD1(G93A) and extended the study into their derived exosomes (mSOD1 exosomes). Then, the effects produced by mSOD1 exosomes in the activation and polarization of the recipient N9 microglial cells were investigated. Exosomes in coculture with N9 microglia and NSC-34 cells [either transfected with either wild-type (wt) human SOD1 or mutant SOD1(G93A)] showed to be transferred into N9 cells. Increased miR-124 expression was found in mSOD1 NSC-34 cells and in their derived exosomes. Incubation of mSOD1 exosomes with N9 cells determined a sustained 50% reduction in the cell phagocytic ability. It also caused a persistent NF-kB activation and an acute generation of NO, MMP-2, and MMP-9 activation, as well as upregulation of IL-1β, TNF-α, MHC-II, and iNOS gene expression, suggestive of induced M1 polarization. Marked elevation of IL-10, Arginase 1, TREM2, RAGE, and TLR4 mRNA levels, together with increased miR-124, miR-146a, and miR-155, at 24 h incubation, suggest the switch to mixed M1 and M2 subpopulations in the exosome-treated N9 microglial cells. Exosomes from mSOD1 NSC-34 MNs also enhanced the number of senescent-like positive N9 cells. Data suggest that miR-124 is translocated from the mSOD1 MNs to exosomes, which determine early and late phenotypic alterations in the recipient N9-microglial cells. In conclusion, modulation of the inflammatory-associated miR-124, in mSOD1 NSC-34 MNs, with potential benefits in the cargo of their exosomes may reveal a promising therapeutic strategy in halting microglia activation and associated effects in MN degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Pinto
- Neuron Glia Biology in Health and Disease, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal
| | - Carolina Cunha
- Neuron Glia Biology in Health and Disease, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Barbosa
- Neuron Glia Biology in Health and Disease, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana R Vaz
- Neuron Glia Biology in Health and Disease, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal.,Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal
| | - Dora Brites
- Neuron Glia Biology in Health and Disease, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal.,Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de LisboaLisbon, Portugal
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13
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Kasimov M, Fatkhrakhmanova M, Mukhutdinova K, Petrov A. 24S-Hydroxycholesterol enhances synaptic vesicle cycling in the mouse neuromuscular junction: Implication of glutamate NMDA receptors and nitric oxide. Neuropharmacology 2017; 117:61-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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14
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Tu WY, Simpson JE, Highley JR, Heath PR. Spinal muscular atrophy: Factors that modulate motor neurone vulnerability. Neurobiol Dis 2017; 102:11-20. [PMID: 28161391 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a leading genetic cause of infant death, is a neurodegenerative disease characterised by the selective loss of particular groups of motor neurones in the anterior horn of the spinal cord with concomitant muscle weakness. To date, no effective treatment is available, however, there are ongoing clinical trials are in place which promise much for the future. However, there remains an ongoing problem in trying to link a single gene loss to motor neurone degeneration. Fortunately, given successful disease models that have been established and intensive studies on SMN functions in the past ten years, we are fast approaching the stage of identifying the underlying mechanisms of SMA pathogenesis Here we discuss potential disease modifying factors on motor neurone vulnerability, in the belief that these factors give insight into the pathological mechanisms of SMA and therefore possible therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yo Tu
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Julie E Simpson
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - J Robin Highley
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Paul R Heath
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
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15
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Boido M, Vercelli A. Neuromuscular Junctions as Key Contributors and Therapeutic Targets in Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Front Neuroanat 2016; 10:6. [PMID: 26869891 PMCID: PMC4737916 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2016.00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a recessive autosomal neuromuscular disease, representing the most common fatal pediatric pathology. Even though, classically and in a simplistic way, it is categorized as a motor neuron (MN) disease, there is an increasing general consensus that its pathogenesis is more complex than expected. In particular, neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are affected by dramatic alterations, including immaturity, denervation and neurofilament accumulation, associated to impaired synaptic functions: these abnormalities may in turn have a detrimental effect on MN survival. Here, we provide a description of NMJ development/maintenance/maturation in physiological conditions and in SMA, focusing on pivotal molecules and on the time-course of pathological events. Moreover, since NMJs could represent an important target to be exploited for counteracting the pathology progression, we also describe several therapeutic strategies that, directly or indirectly, aim at NMJs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Boido
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Torino Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vercelli
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Torino Torino, Italy
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16
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Takahashi I, Hama Y, Matsushima M, Hirotani M, Kano T, Hohzen H, Yabe I, Utsumi J, Sasaki H. Identification of plasma microRNAs as a biomarker of sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Mol Brain 2015; 8:67. [PMID: 26497046 PMCID: PMC4619470 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-015-0161-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease, which leads to the loss of upper and lower motor neurons, with a currently unknown etiology. Specific biomarkers could help in early detection and diagnosis, and could also act as indicators of disease progression and therapy effectiveness. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (18–25 nucleotides), single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules that play important regulatory roles in animals and plants by targeting mRNAs for cleavage or translational repression, and are essential for nervous system development. Many of the genes associated with genetic ALS have pathological biological pathways related to RNA metabolism, and their pathogenesis may be affecting the maturing processes of miRNA. Results We compared miRNA from the plasma of sALS patients and healthy controls using two cohorts; a discovery cohort analyzed with microarray (16 sALS patients and ten healthy controls) and a validation cohort confirmed with qPCR (48 sALS patients, 47 healthy controls and 30 disease controls). We measured the total amount of extracted RNA along with a spike-in control that ensured the quality of our quantification. A percentage of the 10–40 nt RNAs extracted from the total RNA showed a significant increase in ALS patients. There was a negative correlation between total RNA concentration and disease duration from onset to end point. Three of the miRNAs were up-regulated and six were down-regulated significantly in the discovery cohort. Since an internal control is required as a sample stability indicator of both the patients and controls in microarray analysis, we selected the miRNA showing the smallest dispersion and equivalency between the two groups’ mean value, and decided to use hsa-miR-4516. We found hsa-miR-4649-5p to be up-regulated, and hsa-miR-4299 to be down-regulated, where each was not influenced by clinical characteristics. EPHA4, a target gene linked to the nervous system which has also been reported to be a disease modifier of ALS, is the common and most notable target gene of hsa-miR-4649-5p and hsa-miR-4299. Conclusion We have shown the relationship circulating plasma miRNA has with both healthy controls and diseased patients. Hsa-miR-4649-5p and hsa-miR-4299 have the potential to be ALS diagnosis biomarkers. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13041-015-0161-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikuko Takahashi
- Department of Neurology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, North 15 West 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan.
| | - Yuka Hama
- Department of Neurology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, North 15 West 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan.
| | - Masaaki Matsushima
- Department of Neurology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, North 15 West 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan.
| | - Makoto Hirotani
- Department of Neurology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, North 15 West 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Kano
- Department of Neurology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, North 15 West 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan.
| | - Hideki Hohzen
- Department of Neurology, Obihiro Kosei General Hospital, West 6, South 8, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-0016, Japan.
| | - Ichiro Yabe
- Department of Neurology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, North 15 West 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan.
| | - Jun Utsumi
- Department of Neurology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, North 15 West 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan. .,Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31, Ariake, Koto, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan.
| | - Hidenao Sasaki
- Department of Neurology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, North 15 West 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan.
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17
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Cordani N, Pisa V, Pozzi L, Sciorati C, Clementi E. Nitric oxide controls fat deposition in dystrophic skeletal muscle by regulating fibro-adipogenic precursor differentiation. Stem Cells 2015; 32:874-85. [PMID: 24170326 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an hereditary disease characterized by loss of muscle fibers and their progressive substitution by fat and fibrous tissue. Mesenchymal fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) expressing the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) are an important source of fibrosis and adipogenesis in dystrophic skeletal muscle. Among the therapies suggested for dystrophy are those based on nitric oxide (NO) donating drugs, the administration of which slows disease progression. NO has been shown to act by enhancing the regenerative potential of the diseased muscle. Whether it acts also by inhibiting fibrosis and adipogenesis was not known. Here, we show in vitro that NO regulates FAP fate through inhibition of their differentiation into adipocytes. In mdx mice, an animal model of DMD, treatment with the NO donating drug molsidomine reduced the number of PDGFRα(+) cells as well as the deposition of both skeletal muscle fat and connective tissues. Inhibition of adipogenesis was due to NO-induced increased expression of miR-27b leading to downregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma (Pparγ1) expression in a pathway independent of cGMP generation. These findings reveal an additional effect of NO in dystrophic muscle that conceivably synergizes with its known effects on regeneration improvement and explain why NO-based therapies appear effective in the treatment of muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Cordani
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea 23842 Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
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18
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Zhu H, Grajales-Reyes GE, Alicea-Vázquez V, Grajales-Reyes JG, Robinson K, Pytel P, Báez-Pagán CA, Lasalde-Dominicci JA, Gomez CM. Fluoxetine is neuroprotective in slow-channel congenital myasthenic syndrome. Exp Neurol 2014; 270:88-94. [PMID: 25448156 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Revised: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The slow-channel congenital myasthenic syndrome (SCS) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease that caused mutations in the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) affecting neuromuscular transmission. Leaky AChRs lead to Ca(2+) overload and degeneration of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) attributed to activation of cysteine proteases and apoptotic changes of synaptic nuclei. Here we use transgenic mouse models expressing two different mutations found in SCS to demonstrate that inhibition of prolonged opening of mutant AChRs using fluoxetine not only improves motor performance and neuromuscular transmission but also prevents Ca(2+) overload, the activation of cysteine proteases, calpain, caspase-3 and 9 at endplates, and as a consequence, reduces subsynaptic DNA damage at endplates, suggesting a long term benefit to therapy. These studies suggest that prolonged treatment of SCS patients with open ion channel blockers that preferentially block mutant AChRs is neuroprotective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haipeng Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | - KaReisha Robinson
- Department of Neurology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Peter Pytel
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Carlos A Báez-Pagán
- Department of Biology, The University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
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19
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Kye MJ, Niederst ED, Wertz MH, Gonçalves IDCG, Akten B, Dover KZ, Peters M, Riessland M, Neveu P, Wirth B, Kosik KS, Sardi SP, Monani UR, Passini MA, Sahin M. SMN regulates axonal local translation via miR-183/mTOR pathway. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:6318-31. [PMID: 25055867 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Reduced expression of SMN protein causes spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a neurodegenerative disorder leading to motor neuron dysfunction and loss. However, the molecular mechanisms by which SMN regulates neuronal dysfunction are not fully understood. Here, we report that reduced SMN protein level alters miRNA expression and distribution in neurons. In particular, miR-183 levels are increased in neurites of SMN-deficient neurons. We demonstrate that miR-183 regulates translation of mTor via direct binding to its 3' UTR. Interestingly, local axonal translation of mTor is reduced in SMN-deficient neurons, and this can be recovered by miR-183 inhibition. Finally, inhibition of miR-183 expression in the spinal cord of an SMA mouse model prolongs survival and improves motor function of Smn-mutant mice. Together, these observations suggest that axonal miRNAs and the mTOR pathway are previously unidentified molecular mechanisms contributing to SMA pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Jeong Kye
- Department of Neurology, The F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA, Institute of Human Genetics, Institute for Genetics and
| | - Emily D Niederst
- Department of Neurology, The F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mary H Wertz
- Department of Neurology, The F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Bikem Akten
- Department of Neurology, The F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katarzyna Z Dover
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and
| | - Miriam Peters
- Institute of Human Genetics, Institute for Genetics and, Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Markus Riessland
- Institute of Human Genetics, Institute for Genetics and, Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Pierre Neveu
- Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics and, Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA, Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany and
| | - Brunhilde Wirth
- Institute of Human Genetics, Institute for Genetics and, Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kenneth S Kosik
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - S Pablo Sardi
- Genzyme, a Sanofi Company, Framingham, MA 01701, USA
| | - Umrao R Monani
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | - Mustafa Sahin
- Department of Neurology, The F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,
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20
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Kye MJ, Gonçalves IDCG. The role of miRNA in motor neuron disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:15. [PMID: 24523674 PMCID: PMC3906579 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
microRNA is a subset of endogenous non-coding RNA. It binds to partially complementary sequences in mRNAs and inhibits mRNA translation by either blocking translational machinery or degrading mRNAs. It is involved in various cellular processes including cell cycle, development, metabolism, and synaptic plasticity. Dysregulation of miRNA expression and function is reported in various diseases including cancer, metabolic disorders as well as neurological disorders. In nervous system, miRNA related pathways play a very important role in development and function of neuronal cells. Moreover, numerous evidences suggest that dysregulated miRNA related pathways contribute to pathology of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Here, we review current knowledge about the role of miRNAs in motor neuron disorders, especially about two common diseases: SMA and ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Jeong Kye
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne Cologne, Germany ; Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne Cologne, Germany
| | - Inês do Carmo G Gonçalves
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne Cologne, Germany ; Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne Cologne, Germany
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21
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Zhu H, Pytel P, Gomez CM. Selective inhibition of caspases in skeletal muscle reverses the apoptotic synaptic degeneration in slow-channel myasthenic syndrome. Hum Mol Genet 2013; 23:69-77. [PMID: 23943790 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddt397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Slow-channel syndrome (SCS) is a congenital myasthenic disorder caused by point mutations in subunits of skeletal muscle acetylcholine receptor leading to Ca(2+) overload and degeneration of the postsynaptic membrane, nuclei and mitochondria of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). In both SCS muscle biopsies and transgenic mouse models for SCS (mSCS), the endplate regions are shrunken, and there is evidence of DNA damage in the subsynaptic region. Activated caspase-9, -3 and -7 are intensely co-localized at the NMJ, and the Ca(2+)-activated protease, calpain, and the atypical cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk5) are overactivated in mSCS. Thus, the true mediator(s) of the disease process is not clear. Here, we demonstrate that selective inhibition of effector caspases, caspase-3 and -7, or initiator caspase, caspase-9, in limb muscle in vivo by localized expression of recombinant inhibitor proteins dramatically decreases subsynaptic DNA damage, increases endplate area and improves ultrastructural abnormalities in SCS transgenic mice. Calpain and Cdk5 are not affected by this treatment. On the other hand, inhibition of Cdk5 by expression of a dominant-negative form of Cdk5 has no effect on the degeneration. Together with previous studies, these results indicate that focal activation of caspase activity at the NMJ is the principal pathological process responsible for the synaptic apoptosis in SCS. Thus, treatments that reduce muscle caspase activity are likely to be of benefit for SCS patients.
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