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Zufiría M, Pikatza-Menoio O, Garciandia-Arcelus M, Bengoetxea X, Jiménez A, Elicegui A, Levchuk M, Arnold-García O, Ondaro J, Iruzubieta P, Rodríguez-Gómez L, Fernández-Pelayo U, Muñoz-Oreja M, Aiastui A, García-Verdugo JM, Herranz-Pérez V, Zulaica M, Poza JJ, Ruiz-Onandi R, Fernández-Torrón R, Espinal JB, Bonilla M, Lersundi A, Fernández-Eulate G, Riancho J, Vallejo-Illarramendi A, Holt IJ, Sáenz A, Malfatti E, Duguez S, Blázquez L, López de Munain A, Gerenu G, Gil-Bea F, Alonso-Martín S. Dysregulated FOXO1 activity drives skeletal muscle intrinsic dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 148:43. [PMID: 39283487 PMCID: PMC11405449 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02794-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a multisystemic neurodegenerative disorder, with accumulating evidence indicating metabolic disruptions in the skeletal muscle preceding disease symptoms, rather than them manifesting as a secondary consequence of motor neuron (MN) degeneration. Hence, energy homeostasis is deeply implicated in the complex physiopathology of ALS and skeletal muscle has emerged as a key therapeutic target. Here, we describe intrinsic abnormalities in ALS skeletal muscle, both in patient-derived muscle cells and in muscle cell lines with genetic knockdown of genes related to familial ALS, such as TARDBP (TDP-43) and FUS. We found a functional impairment of myogenesis that parallels defects of glucose oxidation in ALS muscle cells. We identified FOXO1 transcription factor as a key mediator of these metabolic and functional features in ALS muscle, via gene expression profiling and biochemical surveys in TDP-43 and FUS-silenced muscle progenitors. Strikingly, inhibition of FOXO1 mitigated the impaired myogenesis in both the genetically modified and the primary ALS myoblasts. In addition, specific in vivo conditional knockdown of TDP-43 or FUS orthologs (TBPH or caz) in Drosophila muscle precursor cells resulted in decreased innervation and profound dysfunction of motor nerve terminals and neuromuscular synapses, accompanied by motor abnormalities and reduced lifespan. Remarkably, these phenotypes were partially corrected by foxo inhibition, bolstering the potential pharmacological management of muscle intrinsic abnormalities associated with ALS. The findings demonstrate an intrinsic muscle dysfunction in ALS, which can be modulated by targeting FOXO factors, paving the way for novel therapeutic approaches that focus on the skeletal muscle as complementary target tissue.
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Grants
- CB06/05/1126 Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas
- PI2020/08-1 Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas
- P18/01066 Instituto de Salud Carlos III
- PI19/00175 Instituto de Salud Carlos III
- PI21/00153 Instituto de Salud Carlos III
- PI22/00433 Instituto de Salud Carlos III
- IJC2019-039965-I Instituto de Salud Carlos III
- 2020-CIEN-000057-01 Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa
- 2021-CIEN-000020-01 Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa
- 2019-FELL-000010-01 Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa
- 2020-FELL-000016-02-01 Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa
- 2021-FELL-000013-02-01 Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa
- BIO17/ND/023/BD EiTB Maratoia
- 2015111122 Osasun Saila, Eusko Jaurlaritzako
- 2017222027 Osasun Saila, Eusko Jaurlaritzako
- 2018111042 Osasun Saila, Eusko Jaurlaritzako
- 2019222020 Osasun Saila, Eusko Jaurlaritzako
- 2020111032 Osasun Saila, Eusko Jaurlaritzako
- 2020333043 Osasun Saila, Eusko Jaurlaritzako
- 2021333050 Osasun Saila, Eusko Jaurlaritzako
- PRE_2015_1_0023 Hezkuntza, Hizkuntza Politika Eta Kultura Saila, Eusko Jaurlaritza
- PRE_2019_1_0339 Hezkuntza, Hizkuntza Politika Eta Kultura Saila, Eusko Jaurlaritza
- PRE_2020_1_0122 Hezkuntza, Hizkuntza Politika Eta Kultura Saila, Eusko Jaurlaritza
- PRE_2020_1_0191 Hezkuntza, Hizkuntza Politika Eta Kultura Saila, Eusko Jaurlaritza
- PRE_2020_1_0119 Hezkuntza, Hizkuntza Politika Eta Kultura Saila, Eusko Jaurlaritza
- PRE_2018_1_0095 Hezkuntza, Hizkuntza Politika Eta Kultura Saila, Eusko Jaurlaritza
- PRE_2021_1_0125 Hezkuntza, Hizkuntza Politika Eta Kultura Saila, Eusko Jaurlaritza
- PRE_2018_1_0253 Hezkuntza, Hizkuntza Politika Eta Kultura Saila, Eusko Jaurlaritza
- NEURODEGENPROT Hezkuntza, Hizkuntza Politika Eta Kultura Saila, Eusko Jaurlaritza
- PIF18/317 Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
- RYC2018-024397-I Spanish National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation
- RF/2019/001 Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science
- RF/2023/010 Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science
- PP/2022/003 Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science
- BIO19/ROCHE/017/BD Roche España
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Zufiría
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
| | - Oihane Pikatza-Menoio
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
- Stem Cells and Aging Group, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | | | - Xabier Bengoetxea
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Andrés Jiménez
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
| | - Amaia Elicegui
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
- Stem Cells and Aging Group, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - María Levchuk
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Olatz Arnold-García
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jon Ondaro
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Iruzubieta
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Neurology, Donostialdea Integrated Health Organization, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Laura Rodríguez-Gómez
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Uxoa Fernández-Pelayo
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Mikel Muñoz-Oreja
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Ana Aiastui
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
- Cell Culture Platform, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - José Manuel García-Verdugo
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
- Laboratory of Comparative Neurobiology, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, 46980, Paterna, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Vicente Herranz-Pérez
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
- Laboratory of Comparative Neurobiology, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, 46980, Paterna, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Miren Zulaica
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan José Poza
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Neurology, Donostialdea Integrated Health Organization, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Rebeca Ruiz-Onandi
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Galdakao-Usansolo University Hospital, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, 48960, Galdakao, Spain
- Department of Medical-Surgical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940, Leioa, Spain
| | - Roberto Fernández-Torrón
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Neurology, Donostialdea Integrated Health Organization, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Juan Bautista Espinal
- Department of Neurology, Donostialdea Integrated Health Organization, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Mario Bonilla
- Department of Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery, Donostialdea Integrated Health Organization, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Ana Lersundi
- Department of Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery, Donostialdea Integrated Health Organization, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Gorka Fernández-Eulate
- Department of Neurology, Donostialdea Integrated Health Organization, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- Nord/Est/Ile-de-France Neuromuscular Reference Center, Institut de Myologie, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, 75012, Paris, France
- Institut Necker-Enfants Malades, INSERM U1151, BioSPC (ED562), Université Paris Cité, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Javier Riancho
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Neurology, Hospital de Sierrallana-IDIVAL, 39300, Torrelavega, Cantabria, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, 39011, Santander, Spain
| | - Ainara Vallejo-Illarramendi
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Ian James Holt
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
- IKERBASQUE - Basque Foundation for Science, 48009, Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Royal Free Campus, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Amets Sáenz
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
| | - Edoardo Malfatti
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM, IMRB, 94010, Créteil, France
- Hôpital Henri-Mondor, 94010, Créteil, France
- Paris Reference Center for Neuromuscular Disorders, APHP Henri Mondor University Hospital, 94010, Créteil, France
| | - Stéphanie Duguez
- Personalised Medicine Centre, School of Medicine, Ulster University, Derry, BT47 6SB, UK
- Northern Ireland Center for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Londonderry, UK
| | - Lorea Blázquez
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
- IKERBASQUE - Basque Foundation for Science, 48009, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Adolfo López de Munain
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Neurology, Donostialdea Integrated Health Organization, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, 48007, Bilbao, Spain
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Gorka Gerenu
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
- IKERBASQUE - Basque Foundation for Science, 48009, Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940, Leioa, Spain
| | - Francisco Gil-Bea
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain
- IKERBASQUE - Basque Foundation for Science, 48009, Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), 31006, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sonia Alonso-Martín
- Neurosciences Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain.
- CIBERNED, ISCIII (CIBER, Carlos III Institute, Spanish Ministry of Sciences and Innovation), 28031, Madrid, Spain.
- Stem Cells and Aging Group, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain.
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Guha A, Si Y, Smith R, Kazamel M, Jiang N, Smith KA, Thalacker-Mercer A, Singh BK, Ho R, Andrabi SA, Silva Pereira JDTD, Salgado JS, Agrawal M, Velic EH, King PH. The myokine FGF21 associates with enhanced survival in ALS and mitigates stress-induced cytotoxicity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.11.611693. [PMID: 39314333 PMCID: PMC11419072 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.11.611693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an age-related and fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness. There is marked heterogeneity in clinical presentation, progression, and pathophysiology with only modest treatments to slow disease progression. Molecular markers that provide insight into this heterogeneity are crucial for clinical management and identification of new therapeutic targets. In a prior muscle miRNA sequencing investigation, we identified altered FGF pathways in ALS muscle, leading us to investigate FGF21. We analyzed human ALS muscle biopsy samples and found a large increase in FGF21 expression with localization to atrophic myofibers and surrounding endomysium. A concomitant increase in FGF21 was detected in ALS spinal cords which correlated with muscle levels. FGF21 was increased in the SOD1 G93A mouse beginning in presymptomatic stages. In parallel, there was dysregulation of the co-receptor, β-Klotho. Plasma FGF21 levels were increased and high levels correlated with slower disease progression, prolonged survival, and increased body mass index. In NSC-34 motor neurons and C2C12 muscle cells expressing SOD1 G93A or exposed to oxidative stress, ectopic FGF21 mitigated loss of cell viability. In summary, FGF21 is a novel biomarker in ALS that correlates with slower disease progression and exerts trophic effects under conditions of cellular stress.
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Fenili G, Scaricamazza S, Ferri A, Valle C, Paronetto MP. Physical exercise in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a potential co-adjuvant therapeutic option to counteract disease progression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1421566. [PMID: 39156974 PMCID: PMC11327861 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1421566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disorder characterized by the selective degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. The mean survival time is two to five years. Although the hunt for drugs has greatly advanced over the past decade, no cure is available for ALS yet. The role of intense physical activity in the etiology of ALS has been debated for several decades without reaching a clear conclusion. The benefits of organized physical activity on fitness and mental health have been widely described. Indeed, by acting on specific mechanisms, physical activity can influence the physiology of several chronic conditions. It was shown to improve skeletal muscle metabolism and regeneration, neurogenesis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and antioxidant defense. Interestingly, all these pathways are involved in ALS pathology. This review will provide a broad overview of the effect of different exercise protocols on the onset and progression of ALS, both in humans and in animal models. Furthermore, we will discuss challenges and opportunities to exploit physiological responses of imposed exercise training for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Fenili
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Scaricamazza
- Laboratory of Metabolomics, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Ferri
- Laboratory of Metabolomics, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiana Valle
- Laboratory of Metabolomics, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Paronetto
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Wang H, Zeng R. Aberrant protein aggregation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol 2024; 271:4826-4851. [PMID: 38869826 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12485-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease. As its pathological mechanisms are not well understood, there are no efficient therapeutics for it at present. While it is highly heterogenous both etiologically and clinically, it has a common salient hallmark, i.e., aberrant protein aggregation (APA). The upstream pathogenesis and the downstream effects of APA in ALS are sophisticated and the investigation of this pathology would be of consequence for understanding ALS. In this paper, the pathomechanism of APA in ALS and the candidate treatment strategies for it are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaixiu Wang
- Department Neurology, Shanxi Provincial Peoples Hospital: Fifth Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030012, China.
- Beijing Ai-Si-Kang Medical Technology Co. Ltd., No. 18 11th St Economical & Technological Development Zone, Beijing, 100176, China.
| | - Rong Zeng
- Department Neurology, Shanxi Provincial Peoples Hospital: Fifth Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030012, China
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Jacob SM, Lee S, Kim SH, Sharkey KA, Pfeffer G, Nguyen MD. Brain-body mechanisms contribute to sexual dimorphism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 2024; 20:475-494. [PMID: 38965379 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-024-00991-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of human motor neuron disease. It is characterized by the progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons, leading to generalized motor weakness and, ultimately, respiratory paralysis and death within 3-5 years. The disease is shaped by genetics, age, sex and environmental stressors, but no cure or routine biomarkers exist for the disease. Male individuals have a higher propensity to develop ALS, and a different manifestation of the disease phenotype, than female individuals. However, the mechanisms underlying these sex differences remain a mystery. In this Review, we summarize the epidemiology of ALS, examine the sexually dimorphic presentation of the disease and highlight the genetic variants and molecular pathways that might contribute to sex differences in humans and animal models of ALS. We advance the idea that sexual dimorphism in ALS arises from the interactions between the CNS and peripheral organs, involving vascular, metabolic, endocrine, musculoskeletal and immune systems, which are strikingly different between male and female individuals. Finally, we review the response to treatments in ALS and discuss the potential to implement future personalized therapeutic strategies for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Jacob
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sukyoung Lee
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Seung Hyun Kim
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Keith A Sharkey
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gerald Pfeffer
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Minh Dang Nguyen
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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6
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Bradford D, Rodgers KE. Advancements and challenges in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1401706. [PMID: 38846716 PMCID: PMC11155303 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1401706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) continues to pose a significant challenge due to the disease complexity and heterogeneous manifestations. Despite recent drug approvals, there remains a critical need for the development of more effective therapies. This review explores the underlying mechanisms involved; including neuroinflammation, glutamate mediated excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and hypermetabolism, and how researchers are trying to develop novel drugs to target these pathways. While progress has been made, the unmet need of ALS patients highlights the urgency for continued research and resource allocation in the pursuit of effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathleen E. Rodgers
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, United States
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Moțățăianu A, Mănescu IB, Șerban G, Bărcuțean L, Ion V, Bălașa R, Andone S. Exploring the Role of Metabolic Hormones in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5059. [PMID: 38791099 PMCID: PMC11121721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105059] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons. Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between metabolic dysregulation and ALS pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between metabolic hormones and disease progression in ALS patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 44 ALS patients recruited from a tertiary care center. Serum levels of insulin, total amylin, C-peptide, active ghrelin, GIP (gastric inhibitory peptide), GLP-1 active (glucagon-like peptide-1), glucagon, PYY (peptide YY), PP (pancreatic polypeptide), leptin, interleukin-6, MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), and TNFα (tumor necrosis factor alpha) were measured, and correlations with ALSFRS-R, evolution scores, and biomarkers were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficients. Subgroup analyses based on ALS subtypes, progression pattern of disease, and disease progression rate patterns were performed. Significant correlations were observed between metabolic hormones and ALS evolution scores. Insulin and amylin exhibited strong correlations with disease progression and clinical functional outcomes, with insulin showing particularly robust associations. Other hormones such as C-peptide, leptin, and GLP-1 also showed correlations with ALS progression and functional status. Subgroup analyses revealed differences in hormone levels based on sex and disease evolution patterns, with male patients showing higher amylin and glucagon levels. ALS patients with slower disease progression exhibited elevated levels of amylin and insulin. Our findings suggest a potential role for metabolic hormones in modulating ALS progression and functional outcomes. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore the therapeutic implications of targeting metabolic pathways in ALS management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Moțățăianu
- Department of Neurology, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș ‘George Emil Palade’, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
- 1st Neurology Clinic, Mures County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 540136 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Ion Bogdan Mănescu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș ‘George Emil Palade’, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Georgiana Șerban
- Doctoral School, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș ‘George Emil Palade’, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Laura Bărcuțean
- Department of Neurology, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș ‘George Emil Palade’, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
- 1st Neurology Clinic, Mures County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 540136 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Valentin Ion
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Drug Analysis, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș ‘George Emil Palade’, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
- Drug Testing Laboratory, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș ‘George Emil Palade’, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Rodica Bălașa
- Department of Neurology, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș ‘George Emil Palade’, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
- 1st Neurology Clinic, Mures County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 540136 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Sebastian Andone
- Department of Neurology, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș ‘George Emil Palade’, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
- 1st Neurology Clinic, Mures County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 540136 Târgu Mureș, Romania
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8
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Miquel E, Villarino R, Martínez-Palma L, Cassina A, Cassina P. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 2 knockdown restores the ability of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-linked SOD1G93A rat astrocytes to support motor neuron survival by increasing mitochondrial respiration. Glia 2024; 72:999-1011. [PMID: 38372421 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by progressive motor neuron (MN) degeneration. Various studies using cellular and animal models of ALS indicate that there is a complex interplay between MN and neighboring non-neuronal cells, such as astrocytes, resulting in noncell autonomous neurodegeneration. Astrocytes in ALS exhibit a lower ability to support MN survival than nondisease-associated ones, which is strongly correlated with low-mitochondrial respiratory activity. Indeed, pharmacological inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) led to an increase in the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation pathway as the primary source of cell energy in SOD1G93A astrocytes and restored the survival of MN. Among the four PDK isoforms, PDK2 is ubiquitously expressed in astrocytes and presents low expression levels in neurons. Herein, we hypothesize whether selective knockdown of PDK2 in astrocytes may increase mitochondrial activity and, in turn, reduce SOD1G93A-associated toxicity. To assess this, cultured neonatal SOD1G93A rat astrocytes were incubated with specific PDK2 siRNA. This treatment resulted in a reduction of the enzyme expression with a concomitant decrease in the phosphorylation rate of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. In addition, PDK2-silenced SOD1G93A astrocytes exhibited restored mitochondrial bioenergetics parameters, adopting a more complex mitochondrial network. This treatment also decreased lipid droplet content in SOD1G93A astrocytes, suggesting a switch in energetic metabolism. Significantly, PDK2 knockdown increased the ability of SOD1G93A astrocytes to support MN survival, further supporting the major role of astrocyte mitochondrial respiratory activity in astrocyte-MN interactions. These results suggest that PDK2 silencing could be a cell-specific therapeutic tool to slow the progression of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto Miquel
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rosalía Villarino
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Laura Martínez-Palma
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Adriana Cassina
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Patricia Cassina
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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9
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Milani M, Della Valle I, Rossi S, Fabbrizio P, Margotta C, Nardo G, Cozzolino M, D'Ambrosi N, Apolloni S. Neuroprotective effects of niclosamide on disease progression via inflammatory pathways modulation in SOD1-G93A and FUS-associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis models. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00346. [PMID: 38493058 PMCID: PMC11070272 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00346] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex neurodegenerative disease influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, resulting in dysfunction in cellular and molecular pathways. The limited efficacy of current treatments highlights the need for combination therapies targeting multiple aspects of the disease. Niclosamide, an anthelminthic drug listed as an essential medicine, has been repurposed in clinical trials for different diseases due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties. Niclosamide can inhibit various molecular pathways (e.g., STAT3, mTOR) that are dysregulated in ALS, suggesting its potential to disrupt these altered mechanisms associated with the pathology. We administered niclosamide intraperitoneally to two transgenic murine models, SOD1-G93A and FUS mice, mimicking key pathological processes of ALS. The treatment was initiated at the onset of symptoms, and we assessed disease progression by neurological scores, rotarod and wire tests, and monitored survival. Furthermore, we investigated cellular and molecular mechanisms affected by niclosamide in the spinal cord and muscle of ALS mice. In both models, the administration of niclosamide resulted in a slowdown of disease progression, an increase in survival rates, and an improvement in tissue pathology. This was characterised by reduced gliosis, motor neuron loss, muscle atrophy, and inflammatory pathways. Based on these results, our findings demonstrate that niclosamide can impact multiple pathways involved in ALS. This multi-targeted approach leads to a slowdown in the progression of the disease, positioning niclosamide as a promising candidate for repurposing in the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Milani
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Della Valle
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Rossi
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Fabbrizio
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Cassandra Margotta
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Nardo
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Cozzolino
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia D'Ambrosi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Savina Apolloni
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; UniCamillus-Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy.
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10
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King PH. Skeletal muscle as a molecular and cellular biomarker of disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a narrative review. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:747-753. [PMID: 37843208 PMCID: PMC10664124 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.382226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal multisystemic neurodegenerative disease with motor neurons being a primary target. Although progressive weakness is a hallmark feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, there is considerable heterogeneity, including clinical presentation, progression, and the underlying triggers for disease initiation. Based on longitudinal studies with families harboring amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated gene mutations, it has become apparent that overt disease is preceded by a prodromal phase, possibly in years, where compensatory mechanisms delay symptom onset. Since 85-90% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is sporadic, there is a strong need for identifying biomarkers that can detect this prodromal phase as motor neurons have limited capacity for regeneration. Current Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies work by slowing the degenerative process and are most effective early in the disease. Skeletal muscle, including the neuromuscular junction, manifests abnormalities at the earliest stages of the disease, before motor neuron loss, making it a promising source for identifying biomarkers of the prodromal phase. The accessibility of muscle through biopsy provides a lens into the distal motor system at earlier stages and in real time. The advent of "omics" technology has led to the identification of numerous dysregulated molecules in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis muscle, ranging from coding and non-coding RNAs to proteins and metabolites. This technology has opened the door for identifying biomarkers of disease activity and providing insight into disease mechanisms. A major challenge is correlating the myriad of dysregulated molecules with clinical or histological progression and understanding their relevance to presymptomatic phases of disease. There are two major goals of this review. The first is to summarize some of the biomarkers identified in human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis muscle that have a clinicopathological correlation with disease activity, evidence of a similar dysregulation in the SOD1G93A mouse during presymptomatic stages, and evidence of progressive change during disease progression. The second goal is to review the molecular pathways these biomarkers reflect and their potential role in mitigating or promoting disease progression, and as such, their potential as therapeutic targets in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter H. King
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
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11
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Choudhury C, Gill MK, McAleese CE, Butcher NJ, Ngo ST, Steyn FJ, Minchin RF. The Arylamine N-Acetyltransferases as Therapeutic Targets in Metabolic Diseases Associated with Mitochondrial Dysfunction. Pharmacol Rev 2024; 76:300-320. [PMID: 38351074 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.123.000835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In humans, there are two arylamine N-acetyltransferase genes that encode functional enzymes (NAT1 and NAT2) as well as one pseudogene, all of which are located together on chromosome 8. Although they were first identified by their role in the acetylation of drugs and other xenobiotics, recent studies have shown strong associations for both enzymes in a variety of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. There is growing evidence that this association may be causal. Consistently, NAT1 and NAT2 are shown to be required for healthy mitochondria. This review discusses the current literature on the role of both NAT1 and NAT2 in mitochondrial bioenergetics. It will attempt to relate our understanding of the evolution of the two genes with biologic function and then present evidence that several major metabolic diseases are influenced by NAT1 and NAT2. Finally, it will discuss current and future approaches to inhibit or enhance NAT1 and NAT2 activity/expression using small-molecule drugs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) NAT1 and NAT2 share common features in their associations with mitochondrial bioenergetics. This review discusses mitochondrial function as it relates to health and disease, and the importance of NAT in mitochondrial function and dysfunction. It also compares NAT1 and NAT2 to highlight their functional similarities and differences. Both NAT1 and NAT2 are potential drug targets for diseases where mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of onset and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Choudhury
- School of Biomedical Sciences (C.C., M.K.G., C.E.M., N.J.B., F.J.S., R.F.M.) and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (S.T.N.), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Melinder K Gill
- School of Biomedical Sciences (C.C., M.K.G., C.E.M., N.J.B., F.J.S., R.F.M.) and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (S.T.N.), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Courtney E McAleese
- School of Biomedical Sciences (C.C., M.K.G., C.E.M., N.J.B., F.J.S., R.F.M.) and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (S.T.N.), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Neville J Butcher
- School of Biomedical Sciences (C.C., M.K.G., C.E.M., N.J.B., F.J.S., R.F.M.) and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (S.T.N.), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Shyuan T Ngo
- School of Biomedical Sciences (C.C., M.K.G., C.E.M., N.J.B., F.J.S., R.F.M.) and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (S.T.N.), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Frederik J Steyn
- School of Biomedical Sciences (C.C., M.K.G., C.E.M., N.J.B., F.J.S., R.F.M.) and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (S.T.N.), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Rodney F Minchin
- School of Biomedical Sciences (C.C., M.K.G., C.E.M., N.J.B., F.J.S., R.F.M.) and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (S.T.N.), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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12
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Yang K, Liu Y, Zhang M. The Diverse Roles of Reactive Astrocytes in the Pathogenesis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Brain Sci 2024; 14:158. [PMID: 38391732 PMCID: PMC10886687 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14020158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes displaying reactive phenotypes are characterized by their ability to remodel morphologically, molecularly, and functionally in response to pathological stimuli. This process results in the loss of their typical astrocyte functions and the acquisition of neurotoxic or neuroprotective roles. A growing body of research indicates that these reactive astrocytes play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), involving calcium homeostasis imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, abnormal lipid and lactate metabolism, glutamate excitotoxicity, etc. This review summarizes the characteristics of reactive astrocytes, their role in the pathogenesis of ALS, and recent advancements in astrocyte-targeting strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangqin Yang
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
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13
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Cunha-Oliveira T, Montezinho L, Simões RF, Carvalho M, Ferreiro E, Silva FSG. Mitochondria: A Promising Convergent Target for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2024; 13:248. [PMID: 38334639 PMCID: PMC10854804 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030248] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons, for which current treatment options are limited. Recent studies have shed light on the role of mitochondria in ALS pathogenesis, making them an attractive therapeutic intervention target. This review contains a very comprehensive critical description of the involvement of mitochondria and mitochondria-mediated mechanisms in ALS. The review covers several key areas related to mitochondria in ALS, including impaired mitochondrial function, mitochondrial bioenergetics, reactive oxygen species, metabolic processes and energy metabolism, mitochondrial dynamics, turnover, autophagy and mitophagy, impaired mitochondrial transport, and apoptosis. This review also highlights preclinical and clinical studies that have investigated various mitochondria-targeted therapies for ALS treatment. These include strategies to improve mitochondrial function, such as the use of dichloroacetate, ketogenic and high-fat diets, acetyl-carnitine, and mitochondria-targeted antioxidants. Additionally, antiapoptotic agents, like the mPTP-targeting agents minocycline and rasagiline, are discussed. The paper aims to contribute to the identification of effective mitochondria-targeted therapies for ALS treatment by synthesizing the current understanding of the role of mitochondria in ALS pathogenesis and reviewing potential convergent therapeutic interventions. The complex interplay between mitochondria and the pathogenic mechanisms of ALS holds promise for the development of novel treatment strategies to combat this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Cunha-Oliveira
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Liliana Montezinho
- Center for Investigation Vasco da Gama (CIVG), Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama, 3020-210 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Rui F. Simões
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marcelo Carvalho
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Ferreiro
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filomena S. G. Silva
- CNC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Mitotag Lda, Biocant Park, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal
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14
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Dey B, Kumar A, Patel AB. Pathomechanistic Networks of Motor System Injury in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:1778-1806. [PMID: 37622689 PMCID: PMC11284732 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230824091601] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the most common, adult-onset, progressive motor neurodegenerative disorder that results in death within 3 years of the clinical diagnosis. Due to the clinicopathological heterogeneity, any reliable biomarkers for diagnosis or prognosis of ALS have not been identified till date. Moreover, the only three clinically approved treatments are not uniformly effective in slowing the disease progression. Over the last 15 years, there has been a rapid advancement in research on the complex pathomechanistic landscape of ALS that has opened up new avenues for successful clinical translation of targeted therapeutics. Multiple studies suggest that the age-dependent interaction of risk-associated genes with environmental factors and endogenous modifiers is critical to the multi-step process of ALS pathogenesis. In this review, we provide an updated discussion on the dysregulated cross-talk between intracellular homeostasis processes, the unique molecular networks across selectively vulnerable cell types, and the multisystemic nature of ALS pathomechanisms. Importantly, this work highlights the alteration in epigenetic and epitranscriptomic landscape due to gene-environment interactions, which have been largely overlooked in the context of ALS pathology. Finally, we suggest that precision medicine research in ALS will be largely benefitted from the stratification of patient groups based on the clinical phenotype, onset and progression, genome, exposome, and metabolic identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bedaballi Dey
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
- AcSIR-Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Arvind Kumar
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
- AcSIR-Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anant Bahadur Patel
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
- AcSIR-Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
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15
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Zhang Y, Sun M, Zhao H, Wang Z, Shi Y, Dong J, Wang K, Wang X, Li X, Qi H, Zhao X. Neuroprotective Effects and Therapeutic Potential of Dichloroacetate: Targeting Metabolic Disorders in Nervous System Diseases. Int J Nanomedicine 2023; 18:7559-7581. [PMID: 38106446 PMCID: PMC10725694 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s439728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Dichloroacetate (DCA) is an investigational drug used to treat lactic acidosis and malignant tumours. It works by inhibiting pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase and increasing the rate of glucose oxidation. Some studies have documented the neuroprotective benefits of DCA. By reviewing these studies, this paper shows that DCA has multiple pharmacological activities, including regulating metabolism, ameliorating oxidative stress, attenuating neuroinflammation, inhibiting apoptosis, decreasing autophagy, protecting the blood‒brain barrier, improving the function of endothelial progenitor cells, improving mitochondrial dynamics, and decreasing amyloid β-protein. In addition, DCA inhibits the enzyme that metabolizes it, which leads to peripheral neurotoxicity due to drug accumulation that may be solved by individualized drug delivery and nanovesicle delivery. In summary, in this review, we analyse the mechanisms of neuroprotection by DCA in different diseases and discuss the causes of and solutions to its adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine in Colleges and Universities of Shandong Province, School of Anesthesiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meiyan Sun
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine in Colleges and Universities of Shandong Province, School of Anesthesiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongxiang Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine in Colleges and Universities of Shandong Province, School of Anesthesiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhengyan Wang
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine in Colleges and Universities of Shandong Province, School of Anesthesiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanan Shi
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine in Colleges and Universities of Shandong Province, School of Anesthesiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianxin Dong
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine in Colleges and Universities of Shandong Province, School of Anesthesiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kaifang Wang
- Department of Anesthesia, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xian, Shanxi Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xingyue Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haiyan Qi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Jinan Maternity and Child Care Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyong Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine in Colleges and Universities of Shandong Province, School of Anesthesiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
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16
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Shefner JM, Musaro A, Ngo ST, Lunetta C, Steyn FJ, Robitaille R, De Carvalho M, Rutkove S, Ludolph AC, Dupuis L. Skeletal muscle in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain 2023; 146:4425-4436. [PMID: 37327376 PMCID: PMC10629757 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the major adult-onset motor neuron disease, has been viewed almost exclusively as a disease of upper and lower motor neurons, with muscle changes interpreted as a consequence of the progressive loss of motor neurons and neuromuscular junctions. This has led to the prevailing view that the involvement of muscle in ALS is only secondary to motor neuron loss. Skeletal muscle and motor neurons reciprocally influence their respective development and constitute a single functional unit. In ALS, multiple studies indicate that skeletal muscle dysfunction might contribute to progressive muscle weakness, as well as to the final demise of neuromuscular junctions and motor neurons. Furthermore, skeletal muscle has been shown to participate in disease pathogenesis of several monogenic diseases closely related to ALS. Here, we move the narrative towards a better appreciation of muscle as a contributor of disease in ALS. We review the various potential roles of skeletal muscle cells in ALS, from passive bystanders to active players in ALS pathophysiology. We also compare ALS to other motor neuron diseases and draw perspectives for future research and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy M Shefner
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- College of Medicine, Creighton University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Antonio Musaro
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Scuola Superiore di Studi Avanzati Sapienza (SSAS), Rome, Italy
| | - Shyuan T Ngo
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Christian Lunetta
- Neurorehabilitation Department, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Frederik J Steyn
- Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Richard Robitaille
- Département de neurosciences, CIRCA, Université de Montréal, Montréal H7G 1T7, Canada
| | - Mamede De Carvalho
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Seward Rutkove
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Albert C Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
| | - Luc Dupuis
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, UMR-S1118, Mécanismes centraux et périphériques de la neurodégénérescence, CRBS, Strasbourg, France
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17
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Duranti E, Villa C. Muscle Involvement in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Understanding the Pathogenesis and Advancing Therapeutics. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1582. [PMID: 38002264 PMCID: PMC10669302 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal condition characterized by the selective loss of motor neurons in the motor cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. Muscle involvement, muscle atrophy, and subsequent paralysis are among the main features of this disease, which is defined as a neuromuscular disorder. ALS is a persistently progressive disease, and as motor neurons continue to degenerate, individuals with ALS experience a gradual decline in their ability to perform daily activities. Ultimately, muscle function loss may result in paralysis, presenting significant challenges in mobility, communication, and self-care. While the majority of ALS research has traditionally focused on pathogenic pathways in the central nervous system, there has been a great interest in muscle research. These studies were carried out on patients and animal models in order to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved and to develop therapies aimed at improving muscle function. This review summarizes the features of ALS and discusses the role of muscle, as well as examines recent studies in the development of treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Villa
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy;
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18
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Alix JJP, Plesia M, Shaw PJ, Mead RJ, Day JCC. Combining electromyography and Raman spectroscopy: optical EMG. Muscle Nerve 2023; 68:464-470. [PMID: 37477391 PMCID: PMC10952815 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27937] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Electromyography (EMG) remains a key component of the diagnostic work-up for suspected neuromuscular disease, but it does not provide insight into the molecular composition of muscle which can provide diagnostic information. Raman spectroscopy is an emerging neuromuscular biomarker capable of generating highly specific, molecular fingerprints of tissue. Here, we present "optical EMG," a combination of EMG and Raman spectroscopy, achieved using a single needle. METHODS An optical EMG needle was created to collect electrophysiological and Raman spectroscopic data during a single insertion. We tested functionality with in vivo recordings in the SOD1G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), using both transgenic (n = 10) and non-transgenic (NTg, n = 7) mice. Under anesthesia, compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs), spontaneous EMG activity and Raman spectra were recorded from both gastrocnemius muscles with the optical EMG needle. Standard concentric EMG needle recordings were also undertaken. Electrophysiological data were analyzed with standard univariate statistics, Raman data with both univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS A significant difference in CMAP amplitude was observed between SOD1G93A and NTg mice with optical EMG and standard concentric needles (p = .015 and p = .011, respectively). Spontaneous EMG activity (positive sharp waves) was detected in transgenic SOD1G93A mice only. Raman spectra demonstrated peaks associated with key muscle components. Significant differences in molecular composition between SOD1G93A and NTg muscle were identified through the Raman spectra. DISCUSSION Optical EMG can provide standard electrophysiological data and molecular Raman data during a single needle insertion and represents a potential biomarker for neuromuscular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J. P. Alix
- Sheffield Institute for Translational NeuroscienceUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
- Cross‐Faculty Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Maria Plesia
- Sheffield Institute for Translational NeuroscienceUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Pamela J. Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational NeuroscienceUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
- Cross‐Faculty Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Richard J. Mead
- Sheffield Institute for Translational NeuroscienceUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
- Cross‐Faculty Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - John C. C. Day
- Interface Analysis Centre, School of PhysicsUniversity of BristolBristolUK
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19
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Ludolph A, Dupuis L, Kasarskis E, Steyn F, Ngo S, McDermott C. Nutritional and metabolic factors in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:511-524. [PMID: 37500993 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00845-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex neurodegenerative disease that is classically thought to impact the motor system. Over the past 20 years, research has started to consider the contribution of non-motor symptoms and features of the disease, and how they might affect ALS prognosis. Of the non-motor features of the disease, nutritional status (for example, malnutrition) and metabolic balance (for example, weight loss and hypermetabolism) have been consistently shown to contribute to more rapid disease progression and/or earlier death. Several complex cellular changes observed in ALS, including mitochondrial dysfunction, are also starting to be shown to contribute to bioenergetic failure. The resulting energy depletion in high energy demanding neurons makes them sensitive to apoptosis. Given that nutritional and metabolic stressors at the whole-body and cellular level can impact the capacity to maintain optimal function, these factors present avenues through which we can identify novel targets for treatment in ALS. Several clinical trials are now underway evaluating the effectiveness of modifying energy balance in ALS, making this article timely in reviewing the evidence base for metabolic and nutritional interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Site Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Luc Dupuis
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Mécanismes Centraux et Périphériques de la Neurodégénérescence, UMR-S1118, Centre de Recherches en Biomédecine, Strasbourg, France
| | - Edward Kasarskis
- Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Frederik Steyn
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Shyuan Ngo
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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20
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Barone C, Qi X. Altered Metabolism in Motor Neuron Diseases: Mechanism and Potential Therapeutic Target. Cells 2023; 12:1536. [PMID: 37296656 PMCID: PMC10252517 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111536] [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: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Motor Neuron Diseases (MND) are neurological disorders characterized by a loss of varying motor neurons resulting in decreased physical capabilities. Current research is focused on hindering disease progression by determining causes of motor neuron death. Metabolic malfunction has been proposed as a promising topic when targeting motor neuron loss. Alterations in metabolism have also been noted at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and skeletal muscle tissue, emphasizing the importance of a cohesive system. Finding metabolism changes consistent throughout both neurons and skeletal muscle tissue could pose as a target for therapeutic intervention. This review will focus on metabolic deficits reported in MNDs and propose potential therapeutic targets for future intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xin Qi
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-4970, USA;
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21
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Maksimovic K, Youssef M, You J, Sung HK, Park J. Evidence of Metabolic Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Patients and Animal Models. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050863. [PMID: 37238732 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventual death. Research from the past few decades has appreciated that ALS is not only a disease of the motor neurons but also a disease that involves systemic metabolic dysfunction. This review will examine the foundational research of understanding metabolic dysfunction in ALS and provide an overview of past and current studies in ALS patients and animal models, spanning from full systems to various metabolic organs. While ALS-affected muscle tissue exhibits elevated energy demand and a fuel preference switch from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation, adipose tissue in ALS undergoes increased lipolysis. Dysfunctions in the liver and pancreas contribute to impaired glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion. The central nervous system (CNS) displays abnormal glucose regulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased oxidative stress. Importantly, the hypothalamus, a brain region that controls whole-body metabolism, undergoes atrophy associated with pathological aggregates of TDP-43. This review will also cover past and present treatment options that target metabolic dysfunction in ALS and provide insights into the future of metabolism research in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Maksimovic
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Mohieldin Youssef
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Justin You
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Hoon-Ki Sung
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jeehye Park
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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22
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Bolborea M, Vercruysse P, Daria T, Reiners JC, Alami NO, Guillot SJ, Dieterlé S, Sinniger J, Scekic-Zahirovic J, Londo A, Arcay H, Goy MA, de Tapia CN, Thal DR, Shibuya K, Otani R, Arai K, Kuwabara S, Ludolph AC, Roselli F, Yilmazer-Hanke D, Dupuis L. Loss of hypothalamic MCH decreases food intake in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 145:773-791. [PMID: 37058170 PMCID: PMC10175407 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02569-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is associated with impaired energy metabolism, including weight loss and decreased appetite which are negatively correlated with survival. Neural mechanisms underlying metabolic impairment in ALS remain unknown. ALS patients and presymptomatic gene carriers have early hypothalamic atrophy. The lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) controls metabolic homeostasis through the secretion of neuropeptides such as orexin/hypocretin and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH). Here, we show loss of MCH-positive neurons in three mouse models of ALS based on SOD1 or FUS mutations. Supplementation with MCH (1.2 µg/d) through continuous intracerebroventricular delivery led to weight gain in male mutant Sod1G86R mice. MCH supplementation increased food intake, rescued expression of the key appetite-related neuropeptide AgRP (agouti-related protein) and modified respiratory exchange ratio, suggesting increased carbohydrate usage during the inactive phase. Importantly, we document pTDP-43 pathology and neurodegeneration in the LHA of sporadic ALS patients. Neuronal cell loss was associated with pTDP-43-positive inclusions and signs of neurodegeneration in MCH-positive neurons. These results suggest that hypothalamic MCH is lost in ALS and contributes to the metabolic changes, including weight loss and decreased appetite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matei Bolborea
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, Mécanismes centraux et périphériques de la neurodégénérescence, UMR-S1118, Strasbourg, France.
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
| | - Pauline Vercruysse
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, Mécanismes centraux et périphériques de la neurodégénérescence, UMR-S1118, Strasbourg, France
| | - Tselmen Daria
- Clinical Neuroanatomy Section, Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Johanna C Reiners
- Clinical Neuroanatomy Section, Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Institute for Neurobiochemistry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Najwa Ouali Alami
- Clinical Neuroanatomy Section, Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Simon J Guillot
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, Mécanismes centraux et périphériques de la neurodégénérescence, UMR-S1118, Strasbourg, France
| | - Stéphane Dieterlé
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, Mécanismes centraux et périphériques de la neurodégénérescence, UMR-S1118, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jérôme Sinniger
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, Mécanismes centraux et périphériques de la neurodégénérescence, UMR-S1118, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jelena Scekic-Zahirovic
- Department of Neurology, Neurology Clinic, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Laboratory for Neuropathology, Institute for Pathology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Amela Londo
- Department of Neurology, Neurology Clinic, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Laboratory for Neuropathology, Institute for Pathology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Hippolyte Arcay
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, Mécanismes centraux et périphériques de la neurodégénérescence, UMR-S1118, Strasbourg, France
| | - Marc-Antoine Goy
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, Mécanismes centraux et périphériques de la neurodégénérescence, UMR-S1118, Strasbourg, France
| | - Claudia Nelson de Tapia
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, Mécanismes centraux et périphériques de la neurodégénérescence, UMR-S1118, Strasbourg, France
| | - Dietmar R Thal
- Laboratory for Neuropathology, Institute for Pathology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Laboratory for Neuropathology, Department of Imaging and Pathology, and Leuven Brain Institute, KU louvain, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, UZ Leuven, Japan
| | - Kazumoto Shibuya
- Department of Neurology, Chiba University School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ryo Otani
- Department of Neurology, Chiba University School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kimihito Arai
- Department of Neurology, Chiba University School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kuwabara
- Department of Neurology, Chiba University School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Albert C Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, Neurology Clinic, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
| | - Francesco Roselli
- Department of Neurology, Neurology Clinic, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
| | - Deniz Yilmazer-Hanke
- Clinical Neuroanatomy Section, Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Luc Dupuis
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, Mécanismes centraux et périphériques de la neurodégénérescence, UMR-S1118, Strasbourg, France.
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23
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Piol D, Robberechts T, Da Cruz S. Lost in local translation: TDP-43 and FUS in axonal/neuromuscular junction maintenance and dysregulation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neuron 2023; 111:1355-1380. [PMID: 36963381 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
Key early features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are denervation of neuromuscular junctions and axonal degeneration. Motor neuron homeostasis relies on local translation through controlled regulation of axonal mRNA localization, transport, and stability. Yet the composition of the local transcriptome, translatome (mRNAs locally translated), and proteome during health and disease remains largely unexplored. This review covers recent discoveries on axonal translation as a critical mechanism for neuronal maintenance/survival. We focus on two RNA binding proteins, transactive response DNA binding protein-43 (TDP-43) and fused in sarcoma (FUS), whose mutations cause ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Emerging evidence points to their essential role in the maintenance of axons and synapses, including mRNA localization, transport, and local translation, and whose dysfunction may contribute to ALS. Finally, we describe recent advances in omics-based approaches mapping compartment-specific local RNA and protein compositions, which will be invaluable to elucidate fundamental local processes and identify key targets for therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Piol
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tessa Robberechts
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sandrine Da Cruz
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium.
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24
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Kim MJ, Sinam IS, Siddique Z, Jeon JH, Lee IK. The Link between Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Sarcopenia: An Update Focusing on the Role of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase 4. Diabetes Metab J 2023; 47:153-163. [PMID: 36635027 PMCID: PMC10040620 DOI: 10.4093/dmj.2022.0305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcopenia, defined as a progressive loss of muscle mass and function, is typified by mitochondrial dysfunction and loss of mitochondrial resilience. Sarcopenia is associated not only with aging, but also with various metabolic diseases characterized by mitochondrial dyshomeostasis. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases (PDKs) are mitochondrial enzymes that inhibit the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, which controls pyruvate entry into the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the subsequent adenosine triphosphate production required for normal cellular activities. PDK4 is upregulated in mitochondrial dysfunction-related metabolic diseases, especially pathologic muscle conditions associated with enhanced muscle proteolysis and aberrant myogenesis. Increases in PDK4 are associated with perturbation of mitochondria-associated membranes and mitochondrial quality control, which are emerging as a central mechanism in the pathogenesis of metabolic disease-associated muscle atrophy. Here, we review how mitochondrial dysfunction affects sarcopenia, focusing on the role of PDK4 in mitochondrial homeostasis. We discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of PDK4 on mitochondrial dysfunction in sarcopenia and show that targeting mitochondria could be a therapeutic target for treating sarcopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Ji Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Ibotombi Singh Sinam
- Bio-Medical Research Institute, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea
| | - Zerwa Siddique
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
- BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Jae-Han Jeon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - In-Kyu Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
- Corresponding author: In-Kyu Lee https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2261-7269 Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 130 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 41944, Korea E-mail:
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25
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Stacpoole PW, McCall CE. The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex: Life's essential, vulnerable and druggable energy homeostat. Mitochondrion 2023; 70:59-102. [PMID: 36863425 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2023.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Found in all organisms, pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes (PDC) are the keystones of prokaryotic and eukaryotic energy metabolism. In eukaryotic organisms these multi-component megacomplexes provide a crucial mechanistic link between cytoplasmic glycolysis and the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. As a consequence, PDCs also influence the metabolism of branched chain amino acids, lipids and, ultimately, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). PDC activity is an essential determinant of the metabolic and bioenergetic flexibility of metazoan organisms in adapting to changes in development, nutrient availability and various stresses that challenge maintenance of homeostasis. This canonical role of the PDC has been extensively probed over the past decades by multidisciplinary investigations into its causal association with diverse physiological and pathological conditions, the latter making the PDC an increasingly viable therapeutic target. Here we review the biology of the remarkable PDC and its emerging importance in the pathobiology and treatment of diverse congenital and acquired disorders of metabolic integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter W Stacpoole
- Department of Medicine (Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes), and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States.
| | - Charles E McCall
- Department of Internal Medicine and Translational Sciences, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
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26
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Xia K, Witzel S, Witzel C, Klose V, Fan D, Ludolph AC, Dorst J. Mutation-specific metabolic profiles in presymptomatic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:87-95. [PMID: 36169607 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Growing evidence shows that ALS patients feature a disturbed energy metabolism. However, these features have rarely been investigated in the presymptomatic stage. METHODS A total of 60 presymptomatic ALS mutation carriers and 70 age- and gender-matched controls (non-mutation carriers from the same families) were recruited. All subjects underwent assessments of their metabolic profiles under fasting conditions at enrollment, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and serum levels of blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein. RESULTS All mutations combined, no differences between presymptomatic ALS gene carriers and controls were found. From a cardiovascular point of view, presymptomatic chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9ORF72) gene carriers showed lower cardiovascular risk profiles compared to healthy controls, including lower BMI (median 22.9, interquartile range [IQR] 20.6-26.1 kg/m2 vs. 24.9, IQR 22.7-30.5 kg/m2 ; p = 0.007), lower systolic blood pressure (120, IQR 110-130 mmHg vs. 128, IQR 120-140 mmHg; p = 0.02), lower fasting serum glucose (89.0, IQR 85.0-97.0 mg/dl vs. 96.0, IQR 89.3-102.0 mg/dl; p = 0.005) and higher HDL (1.6, IQR 1.3-1.8 mmol/l vs. 1.2, IQR 1.0-1.4 mmol/l; p = 0.04). However, presymptomatic superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene mutation carriers showed higher cardiovascular risk profiles compared to healthy controls, including higher BMI (28.0, IQR 26.1-31.5 kg/m2 vs. 24.9, IQR 22.7-30.5 kg/m2 ; p = 0.02), higher fasting serum glucose (100.0, IQR 94.0-117.0 mg/dl vs. 96.0, IQR 89.3-102.0 mg/dl; p = 0.04) and lower HDL (1.2, IQR 1.0-1.4 mmol/l vs. 1.4, IQR 1.2-1.7 mmol/l; p = 0.01). These features were most prominent in patients carrying SOD1 gene mutations associated with slow disease progression. CONCLUSIONS This study identified distinct metabolic profiles in presymptomatic ALS gene carriers, which might be associated with disease progression in the symptomatic phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailin Xia
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission/Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Simon Witzel
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Veronika Klose
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
| | - Dongsheng Fan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission/Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Albert C Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
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Meanti R, Bresciani E, Rizzi L, Coco S, Zambelli V, Dimitroulas A, Molteni L, Omeljaniuk RJ, Locatelli V, Torsello A. Potential Applications for Growth Hormone Secretagogues Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:2376-2394. [PMID: 36111771 PMCID: PMC10616926 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220915103613] [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: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) arises from neuronal death due to complex interactions of genetic, molecular, and environmental factors. Currently, only two drugs, riluzole and edaravone, have been approved to slow the progression of this disease. However, ghrelin and other ligands of the GHS-R1a receptor have demonstrated interesting neuroprotective activities that could be exploited in this pathology. Ghrelin, a 28-amino acid hormone, primarily synthesized and secreted by oxyntic cells in the stomach wall, binds to the pituitary GHS-R1a and stimulates GH secretion; in addition, ghrelin is endowed with multiple extra endocrine bioactivities. Native ghrelin requires esterification with octanoic acid for binding to the GHS-R1a receptor; however, this esterified form is very labile and represents less than 10% of circulating ghrelin. A large number of synthetic compounds, the growth hormone secretagogues (GHS) encompassing short peptides, peptoids, and non-peptidic moieties, are capable of mimicking several biological activities of ghrelin, including stimulation of GH release, appetite, and elevation of blood IGF-I levels. GHS have demonstrated neuroprotective and anticonvulsant effects in experimental models of pathologies both in vitro and in vivo. To illustrate, some GHS, currently under evaluation by regulatory agencies for the treatment of human cachexia, have a good safety profile and are safe for human use. Collectively, evidence suggests that ghrelin and cognate GHS may constitute potential therapies for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Meanti
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Elena Bresciani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Laura Rizzi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Silvia Coco
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Vanessa Zambelli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Anna Dimitroulas
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Molteni
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Robert J. Omeljaniuk
- Department of Biology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Rd, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Vittorio Locatelli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
| | - Antonio Torsello
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, 20900, Italy
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Fatty acids derived from the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HA-114 suppress age-dependent neurodegeneration. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1340. [PMID: 36477191 PMCID: PMC9729297 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04295-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human microbiota is believed to influence health. Microbiome dysbiosis may be linked to neurological conditions like Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease. We report the ability of a probiotic bacterial strain in halting neurodegeneration phenotypes. We show that Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HA-114 is neuroprotective in C. elegans models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington's disease. Our results show that neuroprotection from L. rhamnosus HA-114 is unique from other L. rhamnosus strains and resides in its fatty acid content. Neuroprotection by L. rhamnosus HA-114 requires acdh-1/ACADSB, kat-1/ACAT1 and elo-6/ELOVL3/6, which are associated with fatty acid metabolism and mitochondrial β-oxidation. Our data suggest that disrupted lipid metabolism contributes to neurodegeneration and that dietary intervention with L. rhamnosus HA-114 restores lipid homeostasis and energy balance through mitochondrial β-oxidation. Our findings encourage the exploration of L. rhamnosus HA-114 derived interventions to modify the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
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29
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Sinam IS, Chanda D, Thoudam T, Kim MJ, Kim BG, Kang HJ, Lee JY, Baek SH, Kim SY, Shim BJ, Ryu D, Jeon JH, Lee IK. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 promotes ubiquitin-proteasome system-dependent muscle atrophy. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2022; 13:3122-3136. [PMID: 36259412 PMCID: PMC9745560 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.13100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Muscle atrophy, leading to muscular dysfunction and weakness, is an adverse outcome of sustained period of glucocorticoids usage. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this detrimental condition is currently unclear. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4), a central regulator of cellular energy metabolism, is highly expressed in skeletal muscle and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases. The current study was designed to investigated and delineate the role of PDK4 in the context of muscle atrophy, which could be identified as a potential therapeutic avenue to protect against dexamethasone-induced muscle wasting. METHODS The dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 myotubes was evaluated at the molecular level by expression of key genes and proteins involved in myogenesis, using immunoblotting and qPCR analyses. Muscle dysfunction was studied in vivo in wild-type and PDK4 knockout mice treated with dexamethasone (25 mg/kg body weight, i.p., 10 days). Body weight, grip strength, muscle weight and muscle histology were assessed. The expression of myogenesis markers were analysed using qPCR, immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation. The study was extended to in vitro human skeletal muscle atrophy analysis. RESULTS Knockdown of PDK4 was found to prevent glucocorticoid-induced muscle atrophy and dysfunction in C2C12 myotubes, which was indicated by induction of myogenin (0.3271 ± 0.102 vs 2.163 ± 0.192, ****P < 0.0001) and myosin heavy chain (0.3901 ± 0.047 vs. 0.7222 ± 0.082, **P < 0.01) protein levels and reduction of muscle atrophy F-box (10.77 ± 2.674 vs. 1.518 ± 0.172, **P < 0.01) expression. In dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy model, mice with genetic ablation of PDK4 revealed increased muscle strength (162.1 ± 22.75 vs. 200.1 ± 37.09 g, ***P < 0.001) and muscle fibres (54.20 ± 11.85% vs. 84.07 ± 28.41%, ****P < 0.0001). To explore the mechanism, we performed coimmunoprecipitation and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and found that myogenin is novel substrate of PDK4. PDK4 phosphorylates myogenin at S43/T57 amino acid residues, which facilitates the recruitment of muscle atrophy F-box to myogenin and leads to its subsequent ubiquitination and degradation. Finally, overexpression of non-phosphorylatable myogenin mutant using intramuscular injection prevented dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy and preserved muscle fibres. CONCLUSIONS We have demonstrated that PDK4 mediates dexamethasone-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. Mechanistically, PDK4 phosphorylates and degrades myogenin via recruitment of E3 ubiquitin ligase, muscle atrophy F-box. Rescue of muscle regeneration by genetic ablation of PDK4 or overexpression of non-phosphorylatable myogenin mutant indicates PDK4 as an amenable therapeutic target in muscle atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibotombi Singh Sinam
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Dipanjan Chanda
- Research Institute of Aging and Metabolism, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Themis Thoudam
- Research Institute of Aging and Metabolism, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Ji Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Gyu Kim
- Center for Genomic Integrity (CGI), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon-Ji Kang
- Research Institute of Aging and Metabolism, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Yi Lee
- Leading-edge Research Center for Drug Discovery and Development for Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hoon Baek
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Shin-Yoon Kim
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Bum Jin Shim
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Dongryeol Ryu
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Jae-Han Jeon
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Kyu Lee
- Research Institute of Aging and Metabolism, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,Leading-edge Research Center for Drug Discovery and Development for Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,Lead Contact
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30
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Anakor E, Duddy WJ, Duguez S. The Cellular and Molecular Signature of ALS in Muscle. J Pers Med 2022; 12:1868. [PMID: 36579600 PMCID: PMC9692882 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12111868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons. Although motor neuron death is the core event of ALS pathology, it is increasingly recognized that other tissues and cell types are affected in the disease, making potentially major contributions to the occurrence and progression of pathology. We review here the known cellular and molecular characteristics of muscle tissue affected by ALS. Evidence of toxicity in skeletal muscle tissue is considered, including metabolic dysfunctions, impaired proteostasis, and deficits in muscle regeneration and RNA metabolism. The role of muscle as a secretory organ, and effects on the skeletal muscle secretome are also covered, including the increase in secretion of toxic factors or decrease in essential factors that have consequences for neuronal function and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephanie Duguez
- Northern Ireland Center for Personalised Medicine, School of Medicine, Ulster University, Derry-Londonderry BT47 6SB, UK
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Agrawal I, Lim YS, Ng SY, Ling SC. Deciphering lipid dysregulation in ALS: from mechanisms to translational medicine. Transl Neurodegener 2022; 11:48. [DOI: 10.1186/s40035-022-00322-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractLipids, defined by low solubility in water and high solubility in nonpolar solvents, can be classified into fatty acids, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and sterols. Lipids not only regulate integrity and fluidity of biological membranes, but also serve as energy storage and bioactive molecules for signaling. Causal mutations in SPTLC1 (serine palmitoyltransferase long chain subunit 1) gene within the lipogenic pathway have been identified in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a paralytic and fatal motor neuron disease. Furthermore, lipid dysmetabolism within the central nervous system and circulation is associated with ALS. Here, we aim to delineate the diverse roles of different lipid classes and understand how lipid dysmetabolism may contribute to ALS pathogenesis. Among the different lipids, accumulation of ceramides, arachidonic acid, and lysophosphatidylcholine is commonly emerging as detrimental to motor neurons. We end with exploring the potential ALS therapeutics by reducing these toxic lipids.
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32
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Latif S, Kang YS. Blood-Brain Barrier Solute Carrier Transporters and Motor Neuron Disease. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:2167. [PMID: 36297602 PMCID: PMC9608738 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Defective solute carrier (SLC) transporters are responsible for neurotransmitter dysregulation, resulting in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We provided the role and kinetic parameters of transporters such as ASCTs, Taut, LAT1, CAT1, MCTs, OCTNs, CHT, and CTL1, which are mainly responsible for the transport of essential nutrients, acidic, and basic drugs in blood-brain barrier (BBB) and motor neuron disease. The affinity for LAT1 was higher in the BBB than in the ALS model cell line, whereas the capacity was higher in the NSC-34 cell lines than in the BBB. Affinity for MCTs was lower in the BBB than in the NSC-34 cell lines. CHT in BBB showed two affinity sites, whereas no expression was observed in ALS cell lines. CTL1 was the main transporter for choline in ALS cell lines. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) analysis of [3H]choline uptake indicated that choline is sensitive in TR-BBB cells, whereas amiloride is most sensitive in ALS cell lines. Knowledge of the transport systems in the BBB and motor neurons will help to deliver drugs to the brain and develop the therapeutic strategy for treating CNS and neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Young-Sook Kang
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women’s University, 100 Cheongpa-ro 47-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04310, Korea
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Vemula SK, Kim SA, Muvavarirwa T, Bell JL, Whitman MC. Impaired Extraocular Muscle Innervation Is Present Before Eye Opening in a Mouse Model of Infantile Nystagmus Syndrome. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:4. [PMID: 36083589 PMCID: PMC9469029 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.10.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To determine if extraocular muscles (EOMs) from mice with nystagmus show abnormalities in myofiber composition and innervation, as seen in EOMs from human nystagmus patients, and to determine when in development those changes occur. Methods Balb/c albino mice were crossed to pigmented mice to generate heterozygous mice, which were mated to create experimental litters containing albinos and wild-type controls. Orbits were harvested from adult animals (12 weeks old); on postnatal day (P)0, P10, P14, and P21; and from 6-week-old animals. EOM sections were collected from the intraorbital portion of the muscles. Sections were immunostained for slow and fast myosin and for neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). The proportion of each myofiber subtype and the density and size of NMJs were quantified. Initial innervation patterns were assessed using whole-mount immunostaining of embryonic day (E)13.5 embryos expressing IslMN:GFP. Results Adult albino EOMs display an increased proportion of slow myofibers, larger slow myofibers, and a decreased density of NMJs—similar to human nystagmus patients. The percentage of NMJs on slow myofibers is also lower in albino animals. The initial innervation pattern of the incoming ocular motor neurons is normal in E13.5 albino embryos. Differences in the proportion of slow and fast myofiber subtypes are present as early as P14, and a lower percentage of NMJs on slow myofibers is present by P21. There is a lower density of NMJs on albino EOMs as early as P10, prior to eye opening. Conclusions Changes in NMJ development observed before eye opening indicate that nystagmus is not solely secondary to poor vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sampath Kumar Vemula
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Seoyoung A Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Tapiwa Muvavarirwa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Jessica L Bell
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Mary C Whitman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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Tosolini AP, Sleigh JN, Surana S, Rhymes ER, Cahalan SD, Schiavo G. BDNF-dependent modulation of axonal transport is selectively impaired in ALS. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:121. [PMID: 35996201 PMCID: PMC9396851 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01418-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Axonal transport ensures long-range delivery of essential cargoes between proximal and distal compartments, and is needed for neuronal development, function, and survival. Deficits in axonal transport have been detected at pre-symptomatic stages in the SOD1G93A and TDP-43M337V mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), suggesting that impairments in this critical process are fundamental for disease pathogenesis. Strikingly, in ALS, fast motor neurons (FMNs) degenerate first whereas slow motor neurons (SMNs) are more resistant, and this is a currently unexplained phenomenon. The main aim of this investigation was to determine the effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on in vivo axonal transport in different α-motor neuron (MN) subtypes in wild-type (WT) and SOD1G93A mice. We report that despite displaying similar basal transport speeds, stimulation of wild-type MNs with BDNF enhances in vivo trafficking of signalling endosomes specifically in FMNs. This BDNF-mediated enhancement of transport was also observed in primary ventral horn neuronal cultures. However, FMNs display selective impairment of axonal transport in vivo in symptomatic SOD1G93A mice, and are refractory to BDNF stimulation, a phenotype that was also observed in primary embryonic SOD1G93A neurons. Furthermore, symptomatic SOD1G93A mice display upregulation of the classical non-pro-survival truncated TrkB and p75NTR receptors in muscles, sciatic nerves, and Schwann cells. Altogether, these data indicate that cell- and non-cell autonomous BDNF signalling is impaired in SOD1G93A MNs, thus identifying a new key deficit in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Tosolini
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
| | - James N Sleigh
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Sunaina Surana
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Elena R Rhymes
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Stephen D Cahalan
- Comparative Neuromuscular Disease Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Giampietro Schiavo
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
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Correlation of weight and body composition with disease progression rate in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13292. [PMID: 35918363 PMCID: PMC9345931 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16229-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to observe the nutritional status of Chinese patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), further investigating its effect on disease progression. One hundred consecutive newly diagnosed ALS patients and fifty controls were included. Weight and body composition were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis at baseline and follow-ups. The revised ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R) was used to calculate the rate of disease progression. Patients with ALS had a significantly lower BMI than controls, while no significant difference was found in body composition. Weight loss occurred in 66 (66%) and 52 (67.5%) patients at diagnosis and follow-up, respectively. Patients with significant weight loss (≥ 5%) at diagnosis had significantly lower BMI, fat mass (FM), and FM in limbs and trunk than those without. Fat-free mass (FFM), FM, and FM in limbs were significantly decreased along with weight loss at follow-up (p < 0.01). Patients with lower visceral fat index, lower proportion of FM, and higher proportion of muscle mass at baseline progressed rapidly during follow-ups (p < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression showed that FFM and weight at follow-up were independently correlated with disease progression rate at follow-up (p < 0.05). Weight loss is a common feature in ALS patients, along with muscle and fat wasting during the disease course. Body composition may serve as a prognostic factor and provide guidance for nutritional management in ALS patients.
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Hertel N, Kuzma-Kozakiewicz M, Gromicho M, Grosskreutz J, de Carvalho M, Uysal H, Dengler R, Petri S, Körner S. Analysis of routine blood parameters in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and evaluation of a possible correlation with disease progression—a multicenter study. Front Neurol 2022; 13:940375. [PMID: 35968316 PMCID: PMC9364810 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.940375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis is still unclear, its course is considerably variable, and prognosis is hard to determine. Despite much research, there is still a lack of easily accessible markers predicting prognosis. We investigated routine blood parameters in ALS patients regarding correlations with disease severity, progression rate, and survival. Additionally, we analyzed disease and patients' characteristics relating to baseline blood parameter levels. Methods We analyzed creatine kinase (CK), albumin (ALB), creatinine (CREA), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and triglycerides (TG) levels around time of diagnosis in 1,084 ALS patients. We carried out linear regression analyses including disease and patients' characteristics with each blood parameter to detect correlations with them. Linear regression models were performed for ALSFRS-R at study entry, its retrospectively defined rate of decay and prospectively collected progression rate. Different survival analysis methods were used to examine associations between blood parameters and survival. Results We found higher CK (p-value 0.001), ALB (p-value <0.001), CREA (p-value <0.001), and HDL levels (p-value 0.044) at time of diagnosis being associated with better functional status according to ALSFRS-R scores at study entry. Additionally, higher CREA levels were associated with lower risk of death (p-value 0.003). Conclusions Our results indicate potential of CK, ALB, CREA, and HDL as disease severity or progression markers, and may also provide clues to ALS pathogenesis. However, these values are highly dependent on other variables, and further careful, longitudinal analyses will be necessary to prove the relevance of our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Hertel
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | | | - Marta Gromicho
- Institute of Physiology-Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Institute of Physiology-Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Hilmi Uysal
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Reinhard Dengler
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hanover, Germany
| | - Sonja Körner
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
- *Correspondence: Sonja Körner
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Marchioretti C, Zuccaro E, Pandey UB, Rosati J, Basso M, Pennuto M. Skeletal Muscle Pathogenesis in Polyglutamine Diseases. Cells 2022; 11:2105. [PMID: 35805189 PMCID: PMC9265456 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine diseases are characterized by selective dysfunction and degeneration of specific types of neurons in the central nervous system. In addition, nonneuronal cells can also be affected as a consequence of primary degeneration or due to neuronal dysfunction. Skeletal muscle is a primary site of toxicity of polyglutamine-expanded androgen receptor, but it is also affected in other polyglutamine diseases, more likely due to neuronal dysfunction and death. Nonetheless, pathological processes occurring in skeletal muscle atrophy impact the entire body metabolism, thus actively contributing to the inexorable progression towards the late and final stages of disease. Skeletal muscle atrophy is well recapitulated in animal models of polyglutamine disease. In this review, we discuss the impact and relevance of skeletal muscle in patients affected by polyglutamine diseases and we review evidence obtained in animal models and patient-derived cells modeling skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Marchioretti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DBS), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (E.Z.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Zuccaro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DBS), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (E.Z.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy
| | - Udai Bhan Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15100, USA;
| | - Jessica Rosati
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, 71100 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Manuela Basso
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38100 Trento, Italy;
| | - Maria Pennuto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DBS), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.M.); (E.Z.)
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy
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Nelson AT, Trotti D. Altered Bioenergetics and Metabolic Homeostasis in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:1102-1118. [PMID: 35773551 PMCID: PMC9587161 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01262-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects motor neurons and causes muscle atrophy, paralysis, and death. While a great deal of progress has been made in deciphering the underlying pathogenic mechanisms, no effective treatments for the disease are currently available. This is mainly due to the high degree of complexity and heterogeneity that characterizes the disease. Over the last few decades of research, alterations to bioenergetic and metabolic homeostasis have emerged as a common denominator across many different forms of ALS. These alterations are found at the cellular level (e.g., mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired expression of monocarboxylate transporters) and at the systemic level (e.g., low BMI and hypermetabolism) and tend to be associated with survival or disease outcomes in patients. Furthermore, an increasing amount of preclinical evidence and some promising clinical evidence suggests that targeting energy metabolism could be an effective therapeutic strategy. This review examines the evidence both for and against these ALS-associated metabolic alterations and highlights potential avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Nelson
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, 900 Walnut Street, JHN Bldg., 4th floor, room 416, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Davide Trotti
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, 900 Walnut Street, JHN Bldg., 4th floor, room 416, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
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Metabolic Dysfunction in Motor Neuron Disease: Shedding Light through the Lens of Autophagy. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12070574. [PMID: 35888698 PMCID: PMC9317837 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12070574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients show a myriad of energetic abnormalities, such as weight loss, hypermetabolism, and dyslipidaemia. Evidence suggests that these indices correlate with and ultimately affect the duration of survival. This review aims to discuss ALS metabolic abnormalities in the context of autophagy, the primordial system acting at the cellular level for energy production during nutrient deficiency. As the primary pathway of protein degradation in eukaryotic cells, the fundamental role of cellular autophagy is the adaptation to metabolic demands. Therefore, autophagy is tightly coupled to cellular metabolism. We review evidence that the delicate balance between autophagy and metabolism is aberrant in ALS, giving rise to intracellular and systemic pathophysiology observations. Understanding the metabolism autophagy crosstalk can lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets for ALS.
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Mensch A, Cordts I, Scholle L, Joshi PR, Kleeberg K, Emmer A, Beck-Woedl S, Park J, Haack TB, Stoltenburg-Didinger G, Zierz S, Deschauer M. GFPT1-Associated Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome Mimicking a Glycogen Storage Disease – Diagnostic Pitfalls in Myopathology Solved by Next-Generation-Sequencing. J Neuromuscul Dis 2022; 9:533-541. [DOI: 10.3233/jnd-220822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
GFPT1-related congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) is characterized by progressive limb girdle weakness, and less prominent involvement of facial, bulbar, or respiratory muscles. While tubular aggregates in muscle biopsy are considered highly indicative in GFPT1-associated CMS, excessive glycogen storage has not been described. Here, we report on three affected siblings with limb-girdle myasthenia due to biallelic pathogenic variants in GFPT1: the previously reported missense variant c.41G > A (p.Arg14Gln) and the novel truncating variant c.1265_1268del (p.Phe422TrpfsTer26). Patients showed progressive proximal atrophic muscular weakness with respiratory involvement, and a lethal disease course in adulthood. In the diagnostic workup at that time, muscle biopsy suggested a glycogen storage disease. Initially, Pompe disease was suspected. However, enzymatic activity of acid alpha-glucosidase was normal, and gene panel analysis including 38 genes associated with limb-girdle weakness (GAA included) remained unevocative. Hence, a non-specified glycogen storage myopathy was diagnosed. A decade later, the diagnosis of GFPT1-related CMS was established by genome sequencing. Myopathological reexamination showed pronounced glycogen accumulations, that were exclusively found in denervated muscle fibers. Only single fibers showed very small tubular aggregates, identified in evaluation of serial sections. This family demonstrates how diagnostic pitfalls can be addressed by an integrative approach including broad genetic analysis and re-evaluation of clinical as well as myopathological findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Mensch
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Isabell Cordts
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Leila Scholle
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Pushpa Raj Joshi
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Kathleen Kleeberg
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Stefanie Beck-Woedl
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Joohyun Park
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tobias B. Haack
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gisela Stoltenburg-Didinger
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Stephan Zierz
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Marcus Deschauer
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
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Lanznaster D, Bruno C, Bourgeais J, Emond P, Zemmoura I, Lefèvre A, Reynier P, Eymieux S, Blanchard E, Vourc’h P, Andres CR, Bakkouche SE, Herault O, Favard L, Corcia P, Blasco H. Metabolic Profile and Pathological Alterations in the Muscle of Patients with Early-Stage Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061307. [PMID: 35740329 PMCID: PMC9220134 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse biomarkers and pathological alterations have been found in muscle of patients with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but the relation between such alterations and dysfunction in energetic metabolism remains to be investigated. We established the metabolome of muscle and serum of ALS patients and correlated these findings with the clinical status and pathological alterations observed in the muscle. We obtained data from 20 controls and 17 ALS patients (disease duration: 9.4 ± 6.8 months). Multivariate metabolomics analysis identified a distinct serum metabolome for ALS compared to controls (p-CV-ANOVA < 0.035) and revealed an excellent discriminant profile for muscle metabolome (p-CV-ANOVA < 0.0012). Citramalate was discriminant for both muscle and serum. High lauroylcarnitine levels in muscle were associated with low Forced Vital Capacity. Transcriptomics analysis of key antioxidant enzymes showed an upregulation of SOD3 (p = 0.0017) and GLRX2(1) (p = 0.0022) in ALS muscle. Analysis of mitochondrial enzymatic activity in muscle revealed higher complex II/CS (p = 0.04) and lower LDH (p = 0.03) activity in ALS than in controls. Our study showed, for the first time, a global dysfunction in the muscle of early-stage ALS patients. Furthermore, we identified novel metabolites to be employed as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Lanznaster
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France; (C.B.); (P.E.); (I.Z.); (A.L.); (P.V.); (C.R.A.); (P.C.); (H.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Clément Bruno
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France; (C.B.); (P.E.); (I.Z.); (A.L.); (P.V.); (C.R.A.); (P.C.); (H.B.)
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, CHU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Jérôme Bourgeais
- CNRS ERL7001, EA 7501 GICC, Université de Tours, 37000 Tours, France; (J.B.); (O.H.)
| | - Patrick Emond
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France; (C.B.); (P.E.); (I.Z.); (A.L.); (P.V.); (C.R.A.); (P.C.); (H.B.)
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire In Vitro, CHU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Ilyess Zemmoura
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France; (C.B.); (P.E.); (I.Z.); (A.L.); (P.V.); (C.R.A.); (P.C.); (H.B.)
- Service de Neurochirurgie, CHU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Antoine Lefèvre
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France; (C.B.); (P.E.); (I.Z.); (A.L.); (P.V.); (C.R.A.); (P.C.); (H.B.)
| | - Pascal Reynier
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, CHU d’Angers, 49000 Angers, France;
- Mitovasc-Mitolab, UMR CNRS6015-INSERM1083, 49000 Angers, France
| | - Sébastien Eymieux
- Plateforme IBiSA de Microscopie Electronique, Université de Tours et CHU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France; (S.E.); (E.B.)
- INSERM U1259, Université de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Emmanuelle Blanchard
- Plateforme IBiSA de Microscopie Electronique, Université de Tours et CHU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France; (S.E.); (E.B.)
- INSERM U1259, Université de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Patrick Vourc’h
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France; (C.B.); (P.E.); (I.Z.); (A.L.); (P.V.); (C.R.A.); (P.C.); (H.B.)
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, CHU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Christian R. Andres
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France; (C.B.); (P.E.); (I.Z.); (A.L.); (P.V.); (C.R.A.); (P.C.); (H.B.)
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, CHU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
| | | | - Olivier Herault
- CNRS ERL7001, EA 7501 GICC, Université de Tours, 37000 Tours, France; (J.B.); (O.H.)
| | - Luc Favard
- Service de Neurologie, CHU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France;
| | - Philippe Corcia
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France; (C.B.); (P.E.); (I.Z.); (A.L.); (P.V.); (C.R.A.); (P.C.); (H.B.)
- Service de Neurologie, CHU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France;
| | - Hélène Blasco
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, 37000 Tours, France; (C.B.); (P.E.); (I.Z.); (A.L.); (P.V.); (C.R.A.); (P.C.); (H.B.)
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, CHU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
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A molecular view of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis through the lens of interaction network modules. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268159. [PMID: 35576218 PMCID: PMC9109932 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Despite the discovery of familial cases with mutations in Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1), Guanine nucleotide exchange C9orf72, TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TARDBP) and RNA-binding protein FUS as well as a number of other genes linked to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the etiology and molecular pathogenesis of this devastating disease is still not understood. As proteins do not act alone, conducting an analysis of ALS at the system level may provide new insights into the molecular biology of ALS and put it into relationship to other neurological diseases.
Methods
A set of ALS-associated genes/proteins were collected from publicly available databases and text mining of scientific literature. We used these as seed proteins to build protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks serving as a scaffold for further analyses. From the collection of networks, a set of core modules enriched in seed proteins were identified. The molecular biology of the core modules was investigated, as were their associations to other diseases. To assess the core modules’ ability to describe unknown or less well-studied ALS biology, they were queried for proteins more recently associated to ALS and not involved in the primary analysis.
Results
We describe a set of 26 ALS core modules enriched in ALS-associated proteins. We show that these ALS core modules not only capture most of the current knowledge about ALS, but they also allow us to suggest biological interdependencies. In addition, new associations of ALS networks with other neurodegenerative diseases, e.g. Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease were found. A follow-up analysis of 140 ALS-associated proteins identified since 2014 reveals a significant overrepresentation of new ALS proteins in these 26 disease modules.
Conclusions
Using protein-protein interaction networks offers a relevant approach for broadening the understanding of the biological context of known ALS-associated genes. Using a bottom-up approach for the analysis of protein-protein interaction networks is a useful method to avoid bias caused by over-connected proteins. Our ALS-enriched modules cover most known biological functions associated with ALS. The presence of recently identified ALS-associated proteins in the core modules highlights the potential for using these as a scaffold for identification of novel ALS disease mechanisms.
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Trolese MC, Scarpa C, Melfi V, Fabbrizio P, Sironi F, Rossi M, Bendotti C, Nardo G. Boosting the peripheral immune response in the skeletal muscles improved motor function in ALS transgenic mice. Mol Ther 2022; 30:2760-2784. [PMID: 35477657 PMCID: PMC9372324 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1) is one of the most powerful pro-inflammatory chemokines. However, its signalling is pivotal in driving injured axon and muscle regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Trolese
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Carlotta Scarpa
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Melfi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Fabbrizio
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Sironi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Rossi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Bendotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy;.
| | - Giovanni Nardo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy;.
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Lipid level alteration in human and cellular models of alpha synuclein mutations. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2022; 8:52. [PMID: 35468903 PMCID: PMC9039073 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-022-00313-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid profiles in biological fluids from patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are increasingly investigated in search of biomarkers. However, the lipid profiles in genetic PD remain to be determined, a gap of knowledge of particular interest in PD associated with mutant α-synuclein (SNCA), given the known relationship between this protein and lipids. The objective of this research is to identify serum lipid composition from SNCA A53T mutation carriers and to compare these alterations to those found in cells and transgenic mice carrying the same genetic mutation. We conducted an unbiased lipidomic analysis of 530 lipid species from 34 lipid classes in serum of 30 participants with SNCA mutation with and without PD and 30 healthy controls. The primary analysis was done between 22 PD patients with SNCA+ (SNCA+/PD+) and 30 controls using machine-learning algorithms and traditional statistics. We also analyzed the lipid composition of human clonal-cell lines and tissue from transgenic mice overexpressing the same SNCA mutation. We identified specific lipid classes that best discriminate between SNCA+/PD+ patients and healthy controls and found certain lipid species, mainly from the glycerophosphatidylcholine and triradylglycerol classes, that are most contributory to this discrimination. Most of these alterations were also present in human derived cells and transgenic mice carrying the same mutation. Our combination of lipidomic and machine learning analyses revealed alterations in glycerophosphatidylcholine and triradylglycerol in sera from PD patients as well as cells and tissues expressing mutant α-Syn. Further investigations are needed to establish the pathogenic significance of these α-Syn-associated lipid changes.
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Alteration of the Neuromuscular Junction and Modifications of Muscle Metabolism in Response to Neuron-Restricted Expression of the CHMP2Bintron5 Mutant in a Mouse Model of ALS-FTD Syndrome. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12040497. [PMID: 35454086 PMCID: PMC9025139 DOI: 10.3390/biom12040497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
CHMP2B is a protein that coordinates membrane scission events as a core component of the ESCRT machinery. Mutations in CHMP2B are an uncommon cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), two neurodegenerative diseases with clinical, genetic, and pathological overlap. Different mutations have now been identified across the ALS-FTD spectrum. Disruption of the neuromuscular junction is an early pathogenic event in ALS. Currently, the links between neuromuscular junction functionality and ALS-associated genes, such as CHMP2B, remain poorly understood. We have previously shown that CHMP2B transgenic mice expressing the CHMP2Bintron5 mutant specifically in neurons develop a progressive motor phenotype reminiscent of ALS. In this study, we used complementary approaches (behavior, histology, electroneuromyography, and biochemistry) to determine the extent to which neuron-specific expression of CHMP2Bintron5 could impact the skeletal muscle characteristics. We show that neuronal expression of the CHMP2Bintron5 mutant is sufficient to trigger progressive gait impairment associated with structural and functional changes in the neuromuscular junction. Indeed, CHMP2Bintron5 alters the pre-synaptic terminal organization and the synaptic transmission that ultimately lead to a switch of fast-twitch glycolytic muscle fibers to more oxidative slow-twitch muscle fibers. Taken together these data indicate that neuronal expression of CHMP2Bintron5 is sufficient to induce a synaptopathy with molecular and functional changes in the motor unit reminiscent of those found in ALS patients.
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Peggion C, Scalcon V, Massimino ML, Nies K, Lopreiato R, Rigobello MP, Bertoli A. SOD1 in ALS: Taking Stock in Pathogenic Mechanisms and the Role of Glial and Muscle Cells. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:614. [PMID: 35453299 PMCID: PMC9032988 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11040614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. While the exact causes of ALS are still unclear, the discovery that familial cases of ALS are related to mutations in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), a key antioxidant enzyme protecting cells from the deleterious effects of superoxide radicals, suggested that alterations in SOD1 functionality and/or aberrant SOD1 aggregation strongly contribute to ALS pathogenesis. A new scenario was opened in which, thanks to the generation of SOD1 related models, different mechanisms crucial for ALS progression were identified. These include excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunctions, and non-cell autonomous toxicity, also implicating altered Ca2+ metabolism. While most of the literature considers motor neurons as primary target of SOD1-mediated effects, here we mainly discuss the effects of SOD1 mutations in non-neuronal cells, such as glial and skeletal muscle cells, in ALS. Attention is given to the altered redox balance and Ca2+ homeostasis, two processes that are strictly related with each other. We also provide original data obtained in primary myocytes derived from hSOD1(G93A) transgenic mice, showing perturbed expression of Ca2+ transporters that may be responsible for altered mitochondrial Ca2+ fluxes. ALS-related SOD1 mutants are also responsible for early alterations of fundamental biological processes in skeletal myocytes that may impinge on skeletal muscle functions and the cross-talk between muscle cells and motor neurons during disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Peggion
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.P.); (V.S.); (K.N.); (R.L.)
| | - Valeria Scalcon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.P.); (V.S.); (K.N.); (R.L.)
| | | | - Kelly Nies
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.P.); (V.S.); (K.N.); (R.L.)
- Department of Radiology, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Raffaele Lopreiato
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.P.); (V.S.); (K.N.); (R.L.)
| | - Maria Pia Rigobello
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.P.); (V.S.); (K.N.); (R.L.)
| | - Alessandro Bertoli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (C.P.); (V.S.); (K.N.); (R.L.)
- CNR—Neuroscience Institute, 35131 Padova, Italy;
- Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
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Combined Treatment with Bojungikgi-Tang and Riluzole Regulates Muscle Metabolism and Dysfunction in the hSOD1 G93A Mouse Model. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11030579. [PMID: 35326229 PMCID: PMC8944858 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11030579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The progressive neurodegenerative disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy owing to selective motoneuron degeneration. The anti-glutamatergic drug, riluzole (RZ), is the standard-of-care treatment for ALS. Bojungikgi-tang (BJIGT), a traditional herbal formula, improves motor function and prolongs the survival of mice with ALS. As ALS is a multicomplex disease, effective therapies must target multiple mechanisms. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of a BJIGT/RZ combination (5-week treatment) in 2-month-old hSOD1G93A mice with ALS. We performed quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme activity assays. BJIGT/RZ significantly attenuated inflammation, autophagy, and metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunctions in the gastrocnemius (GC) compared with the control. It reduced the mRNA and protein levels of muscle denervation-related proteins and creatine kinase levels. The total creatine level was significantly higher in the BJIGT/RZ-treated GC. Moreover, after BJIGT/RZ treatment, the number of Nissl-stained motoneurons and choline acetyl transferase-positive neurons in the spinal cord significantly increased via the regulation of proinflammatory cytokines. Collectively, the BJIGT/RZ treatment was superior to single-drug treatments in alleviating multiple ALS-related pathological mechanisms in the ALS mouse model. Overall, BJIGT can serve as a dietary supplement and be combined with RZ to achieve superior therapeutic effects against ALS.
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Gautam M, Gunay A, Chandel NS, Ozdinler PH. Mitochondrial dysregulation occurs early in ALS motor cortex with TDP-43 pathology and suggests maintaining NAD + balance as a therapeutic strategy. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4287. [PMID: 35277554 PMCID: PMC8917163 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08068-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial defects result in dysregulation of metabolomics and energy homeostasis that are detected in upper motor neurons (UMNs) with TDP-43 pathology, a pathology that is predominantly present in both familial and sporadic cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). While same mitochondrial problems are present in the UMNs of ALS patients with TDP-43 pathology and UMNs of TDP-43 mouse models, and since pathologies are shared at a cellular level, regardless of species, we first analyzed the metabolite profile of both healthy and diseased motor cortex to investigate whether metabolomic changes occur with respect to TDP-43 pathology. High-performance liquid chromatography, high-resolution mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) for metabolite profiling began to suggest that reduced levels of NAD+ is one of the underlying causes of metabolomic problems. Since nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) was reported to restore NAD+ levels, we next investigated whether NMN treatment would improve the health of diseased corticospinal motor neurons (CSMN, a.k.a. UMN in mice). prpTDP-43A315T-UeGFP mice, the CSMN reporter line with TDP-43 pathology, allowed cell-type specific responses of CSMN to NMN treatment to be assessed in vitro. Our results show that metabolomic defects occur early in ALS motor cortex and establishing NAD+ balance could offer therapeutic benefit to UMNs with TDP-43 pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukesh Gautam
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Aksu Gunay
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Navdeep S Chandel
- Department of Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - P Hande Ozdinler
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. .,Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60611, USA. .,Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. .,Feinberg School of Medicine, Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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Chavda V, Patel C, Modh D, Ertas YN, Sonak SS, Munshi NK, Anand K, Soni A, Pandey S. Therapeutic Approaches to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis from the Lab to the Clinic. Curr Drug Metab 2022; 23:200-222. [PMID: 35272595 DOI: 10.2174/1389200223666220310113110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a terminal neuro-degenerative disorder that is clinically recognized as a gradual degeneration of the upper and lower motor neurons, with an average duration of 3 to 5 years from initiation of symptoms to death. The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis and progression of the disease are multifactorial. Therefore, to find effective treatments, it is necessary to understand this heterogeneity underlying the progression of ALS. Recent developments in gene therapy have opened a new avenue to treat this condition, especially for the characterized genetic types. Gene therapy methods have been studied in a variety of pre-clinical settings and clinical trials, and they may be a promising path for developing an effective and safe ALS cure. A growing body of evidence demonstrates abnormalities in energy metabolism at the cellular and whole-body level in animal models and in people living with ALS. The use and incorporation of high-throughput "omics" methods has radically transformed our thought about ALS, strengthening our understanding of the disease's dynamic molecular architecture, differentiating distinct patient subtypes, and creating a reasonable basis for the identification of biomarkers and novel individualised treatments. Future clinical and laboratory trials would also focus on the diverse relationships between metabolism and ALS to address the issue of whether targeting deficient metabolism in ALS is an effective way to change disease progression. In this review, we focus on the detailed pathogenesis of ALS and highlight principal genes, i.e., SOD1, TDP-43, C9orf72, and FUS, targeted therapeutic approaches of ALS. An attempt is made to provide up-to-date information on clinical outcomes, including various biomarkers which are thought to be important players in early ALS detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Chavda
- Department of Pharmaceutic, L M College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad - 380009 (India)
| | - Chirag Patel
- Department of Pharmacology, L M College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad - 380009 (India)
| | - Dharti Modh
- Department of pharmaceutical chemistry, Poona college of pharmacy, Bharti vidhyapith, Pune - 411030 (India)
| | - Yavuz Nuri Ertas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering at Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
- ERNAM - Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Shreya S Sonak
- Department of pharmaceutical chemistry, Poona college of pharmacy, Bharti vidhyapith, Pune - 411030 (India)
| | - Nafisa K Munshi
- Department of pharmaceutical chemistry, Poona college of pharmacy, Bharti vidhyapith, Pune - 411030 (India)
| | - Krishna Anand
- Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences and National Health Laboratory Service, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Arun Soni
- Department of Pharmacology, SSR College of Pharmacy, Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli - 396230(India)
| | - Sonal Pandey
- Research and Development, Meril Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd, Vapi - 396191 (India)
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50
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Kim HS, Son J, Lee D, Tsai J, Wang D, Chocron ES, Jeong S, Kittrell P, Murchison CF, Kennedy RE, Tobon A, Jackson CE, Pickering AM. Gut- and oral-dysbiosis differentially impact spinal- and bulbar-onset ALS, predicting ALS severity and potentially determining the location of disease onset. BMC Neurol 2022; 22:62. [PMID: 35189854 PMCID: PMC8862222 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02586-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior studies on the role of gut-microbiome in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis have yielded conflicting results. We hypothesized that gut- and oral-microbiome may differentially impact two clinically-distinct ALS subtypes (spinal-onset ALS (sALS) vs. bulbar-onset ALS (bALS), driving disagreement in the field. METHODS ALS patients diagnosed within 12 months and their spouses as healthy controls (n = 150 couples) were screened. For eligible sALS and bALS patients (n = 36) and healthy controls (n = 20), 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing was done in fecal and saliva samples after DNA extractions to examine gut- and oral-microbiome differences. Microbial translocation to blood was measured by blood lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) and 16S rDNA levels. ALS severity was assessed by Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R). RESULTS sALS patients manifested significant gut-dysbiosis, primarily driven by increased fecal Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes-ratio (F/B-ratio). In contrast, bALS patients displayed significant oral-dysbiosis, primarily driven by decreased oral F/B-ratio. For sALS patients, gut-dysbiosis (a shift in fecal F/B-ratio), but not oral-dysbiosis, was strongly associated with greater microbial translocation to blood (r = 0.8006, P < 0.0001) and more severe symptoms (r = 0.9470, P < 0.0001). In contrast, for bALS patients, oral-dysbiosis (a shift in oral F/B-ratio), but not gut-dysbiosis, was strongly associated with greater microbial translocation to blood (r = 0.9860, P < 0.0001) and greater disease severity (r = 0.9842, P < 0.0001). For both ALS subtypes, greater microbial translocation was associated with more severe symptoms (sALS: r = 0.7924, P < 0.0001; bALS: r = 0.7496, P = 0.0067). Importantly, both sALS and bALS patients displayed comparable oral-motor deficits with associations between oral-dysbiosis and severity of oral-motor deficits in bALS but not sALS. This suggests that oral-dysbiosis is not simply caused by oral/bulbar/respiratory symptoms but represents a pathological driver of bALS. CONCLUSIONS We found increasing gut-dysbiosis with worsening symptoms in sALS patients and increasing oral-dysbiosis with worsening symptoms in bALS patients. Our findings support distinct microbial mechanisms underlying two ALS subtypes, which have been previously grouped together as a single disease. Our study suggests correcting gut-dysbiosis as a therapeutic strategy for sALS patients and correcting oral-dysbiosis as a therapeutic strategy for bALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harper S Kim
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - John Son
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Donghwan Lee
- School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joy Tsai
- School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Danny Wang
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - E Sandra Chocron
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Seongwoo Jeong
- School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Pamela Kittrell
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Charles F Murchison
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Richard E Kennedy
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Alejandro Tobon
- Department of Neurology, South Texas Veteran Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Carlayne E Jackson
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Andrew M Pickering
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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