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Sampaio C. Huntington disease - Update on ongoing therapeutic developments and a look toward the future. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2024; 122:106049. [PMID: 38418319 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2024.106049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Sampaio
- CHDI Management, Inc. Advisors to CHDI Foundation, Princeton, USA; Faculdade Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa (FMUL), Portugal.
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2
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Mah CK, Ahmed N, Lopez NA, Lam DC, Pong A, Monell A, Kern C, Han Y, Prasad G, Cesnik AJ, Lundberg E, Zhu Q, Carter H, Yeo GW. Bento: a toolkit for subcellular analysis of spatial transcriptomics data. Genome Biol 2024; 25:82. [PMID: 38566187 PMCID: PMC11289963 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03217-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The spatial organization of molecules in a cell is essential for their functions. While current methods focus on discerning tissue architecture, cell-cell interactions, and spatial expression patterns, they are limited to the multicellular scale. We present Bento, a Python toolkit that takes advantage of single-molecule information to enable spatial analysis at the subcellular scale. Bento ingests molecular coordinates and segmentation boundaries to perform three analyses: defining subcellular domains, annotating localization patterns, and quantifying gene-gene colocalization. We demonstrate MERFISH, seqFISH + , Molecular Cartography, and Xenium datasets. Bento is part of the open-source Scverse ecosystem, enabling integration with other single-cell analysis tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarence K Mah
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Sanford Stem Cell Institute Innovation Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Noorsher Ahmed
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Sanford Stem Cell Institute Innovation Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nicole A Lopez
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dylan C Lam
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Sanford Stem Cell Institute Innovation Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Avery Pong
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Monell
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Colin Kern
- Center for Epigenomics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Han
- Center for Epigenomics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gino Prasad
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anthony J Cesnik
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Emma Lundberg
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Quan Zhu
- Center for Epigenomics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hannah Carter
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gene W Yeo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Sanford Stem Cell Institute Innovation Center, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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3
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Kim C, Yousefian-Jazi A, Choi SH, Chang I, Lee J, Ryu H. Non-Cell Autonomous and Epigenetic Mechanisms of Huntington's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12499. [PMID: 34830381 PMCID: PMC8617801 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeat located in the exon 1 of Huntingtin (HTT) gene in human chromosome 4. The HTT protein is ubiquitously expressed in the brain. Specifically, mutant HTT (mHTT) protein-mediated toxicity leads to a dramatic degeneration of the striatum among many regions of the brain. HD symptoms exhibit a major involuntary movement followed by cognitive and psychiatric dysfunctions. In this review, we address the conventional role of wild type HTT (wtHTT) and how mHTT protein disrupts the function of medium spiny neurons (MSNs). We also discuss how mHTT modulates epigenetic modifications and transcriptional pathways in MSNs. In addition, we define how non-cell autonomous pathways lead to damage and death of MSNs under HD pathological conditions. Lastly, we overview therapeutic approaches for HD. Together, understanding of precise neuropathological mechanisms of HD may improve therapeutic approaches to treat the onset and progression of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaebin Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea; (C.K.); (A.Y.-J.); (S.-H.C.)
| | - Ali Yousefian-Jazi
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea; (C.K.); (A.Y.-J.); (S.-H.C.)
| | - Seung-Hye Choi
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea; (C.K.); (A.Y.-J.); (S.-H.C.)
| | - Inyoung Chang
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
| | - Junghee Lee
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
| | - Hoon Ryu
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea; (C.K.); (A.Y.-J.); (S.-H.C.)
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4
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Dong X, Cong S. MicroRNAs in Huntington's Disease: Diagnostic Biomarkers or Therapeutic Agents? Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:705348. [PMID: 34421543 PMCID: PMC8377808 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.705348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA) is a non-coding single-stranded small molecule of approximately 21 nucleotides. It degrades or inhibits the translation of RNA by targeting the 3′-UTR. The miRNA plays an important role in the growth, development, differentiation, and functional execution of the nervous system. Dysregulated miRNA expression has been associated with several pathological processes of neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington’s disease (HD). Recent studies have suggested promising roles of miRNAs as biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for HD. Here, we review the emerging role of dysregulated miRNAs in HD and describe general biology of miRNAs, their pathophysiological implications, and their potential roles as biomarkers and therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Dong
- Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shuyan Cong
- Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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5
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Dharmalingam P, Mahalingam R, Yalamanchili HK, Weng T, Karmouty-Quintana H, Guha A, A Thandavarayan R. Emerging roles of alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA) in human disease. J Cell Physiol 2021; 237:149-160. [PMID: 34378793 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In the messenger RNA (mRNA) maturation process, the 3'-end of pre-mRNA is cleaved and a poly(A) sequence is added, this is an important determinant of mRNA stability and its cellular functions. More than 60%-70% of human genes have three or more polyadenylation (APA) sites and can be cleaved at different sites, generating mRNA transcripts of varying lengths. This phenomenon is termed as alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA) and it plays role in key biological processes like gene regulation, cell proliferation, senescence, and also in various human diseases. Loss of regulatory microRNA binding sites and interactions with RNA-binding proteins leading to APA are largely investigated in human diseases. However, the functions of the core APA machinery and related factors during disease conditions remain largely unknown. In this review, we discuss the roles of polyadenylation machinery in relation to brain disease, cardiac failure, pulmonary fibrosis, cancer, infectious conditions, and other human diseases. Collectively, we believe this review will be a useful avenue for understanding the emerging role of APA in the pathobiology of various human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Dharmalingam
- Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Rajasekaran Mahalingam
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Hari Krishna Yalamanchili
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pediatrics - Neurology, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tingting Weng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Divisions of Critical Care, Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Harry Karmouty-Quintana
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Divisions of Critical Care, Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ashrith Guha
- Department of Cardiology, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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6
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Li D, McIntosh CS, Mastaglia FL, Wilton SD, Aung-Htut MT. Neurodegenerative diseases: a hotbed for splicing defects and the potential therapies. Transl Neurodegener 2021; 10:16. [PMID: 34016162 PMCID: PMC8136212 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-021-00240-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing is a fundamental step in eukaryotic gene expression that systematically removes non-coding regions (introns) and ligates coding regions (exons) into a continuous message (mature mRNA). This process is highly regulated and can be highly flexible through a process known as alternative splicing, which allows for several transcripts to arise from a single gene, thereby greatly increasing genetic plasticity and the diversity of proteome. Alternative splicing is particularly prevalent in neuronal cells, where the splicing patterns are continuously changing to maintain cellular homeostasis and promote neurogenesis, migration and synaptic function. The continuous changes in splicing patterns and a high demand on many cis- and trans-splicing factors contribute to the susceptibility of neuronal tissues to splicing defects. The resultant neurodegenerative diseases are a large group of disorders defined by a gradual loss of neurons and a progressive impairment in neuronal function. Several of the most common neurodegenerative diseases involve some form of splicing defect(s), such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and spinal muscular atrophy. Our growing understanding of RNA splicing has led to the explosion of research in the field of splice-switching antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics. Here we review our current understanding of the effects alternative splicing has on neuronal differentiation, neuronal migration, synaptic maturation and regulation, as well as the impact on neurodegenerative diseases. We will also review the current landscape of splice-switching antisense oligonucleotides as a therapeutic strategy for a number of common neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dunhui Li
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Craig Stewart McIntosh
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Frank Louis Mastaglia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Steve Donald Wilton
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - May Thandar Aung-Htut
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. .,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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7
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Current and future applications of induced pluripotent stem cell-based models to study pathological proteins in neurodegenerative disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:2685-2706. [PMID: 33495544 PMCID: PMC8505258 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00999-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders emerge from the failure of intricate cellular mechanisms, which ultimately lead to the loss of vulnerable neuronal populations. Research conducted across several laboratories has now provided compelling evidence that pathogenic proteins can also contribute to non-cell autonomous toxicity in several neurodegenerative contexts, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases as well as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Given the nearly ubiquitous nature of abnormal protein accumulation in such disorders, elucidating the mechanisms and routes underlying these processes is essential to the development of effective treatments. To this end, physiologically relevant human in vitro models are critical to understand the processes surrounding uptake, release and nucleation under physiological or pathological conditions. This review explores the use of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to study prion-like protein propagation in neurodegenerative diseases, discusses advantages and limitations of this model, and presents emerging technologies that, combined with the use of iPSC-based models, will provide powerful model systems to propel fundamental research forward.
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8
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Jiang M, Zhang X, Liu H, LeBron J, Alexandris A, Peng Q, Gu H, Yang F, Li Y, Wang R, Hou Z, Arbez N, Ren Q, Dong JL, Whela E, Wang R, Ratovitski T, Troncoso JC, Mori S, Ross CA, Lim J, Duan W. Nemo-like kinase reduces mutant huntingtin levels and mitigates Huntington's disease. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 29:1340-1352. [PMID: 32242231 PMCID: PMC7254850 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nemo-like kinase (NLK), an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase, is highly expressed in the brain, but its function in the adult brain remains not well understood. In this study, we identify NLK as an interactor of huntingtin protein (HTT). We report that NLK levels are significantly decreased in HD human brain and HD models. Importantly, overexpression of NLK in the striatum attenuates brain atrophy, preserves striatal DARPP32 levels and reduces mutant HTT (mHTT) aggregation in HD mice. In contrast, genetic reduction of NLK exacerbates brain atrophy and loss of DARPP32 in HD mice. Moreover, we demonstrate that NLK lowers mHTT levels in a kinase activity-dependent manner, while having no significant effect on normal HTT protein levels in mouse striatal cells, human cells and HD mouse models. The NLK-mediated lowering of mHTT is associated with enhanced phosphorylation of mHTT. Phosphorylation defective mutation of serine at amino acid 120 (S120) abolishes the mHTT-lowering effect of NLK, suggesting that S120 phosphorylation is an important step in the NLK-mediated lowering of mHTT. A further mechanistic study suggests that NLK promotes mHTT ubiquitination and degradation via the proteasome pathway. Taken together, our results indicate a protective role of NLK in HD and reveal a new molecular target to reduce mHTT levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mali Jiang
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hongshuai Liu
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jared LeBron
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Athanasios Alexandris
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Qi Peng
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hao Gu
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Fanghan Yang
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yuchen Li
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ruiling Wang
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zhipeng Hou
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicolas Arbez
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Qianwei Ren
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jen-Li Dong
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Emma Whela
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ronald Wang
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tamara Ratovitski
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Juan C Troncoso
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Susumu Mori
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christopher A Ross
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Janghoo Lim
- Departments of Genetics and of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Wenzhen Duan
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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9
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Marxreiter F, Stemick J, Kohl Z. Huntingtin Lowering Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062146. [PMID: 32245050 PMCID: PMC7139361 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Trials using antisense oligonucleotide technology to lower Huntingtin levels in Huntington’s disease (HD) are currently ongoing. This progress, taking place only 27 years after the identification of the Huntingtin gene (HTT) in 1993 reflects the enormous development in genetic engineering in the last decades. It is also the result of passionate basic scientific work and large worldwide registry studies that have advanced the understanding of HD. Increased knowledge of the pathophysiology of this autosomal dominantly inherited CAG-repeat expansion mediated neurodegenerative disease has led to the development of several putative treatment strategies, currently under investigation. These strategies span the whole spectrum of potential targets from genome editing via RNA interference to promoting protein degradation. Yet, recent studies revealed the importance of huntingtin RNA in the pathogenesis of the disease. Therefore, huntingtin-lowering by means of RNA interference appears to be a particular promising strategy. As a matter of fact, these approaches have entered, or are on the verge of entering, the clinical trial period. Here, we provide an overview of huntingtin-lowering approaches via DNA or RNA interference in present clinical trials as well as strategies subject to upcoming therapeutic options. We furthermore discuss putative implications for future treatment of HD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Marxreiter
- Huntington’s Disease Outpatient Clinic, Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
- Center for Rare Movement Disorders, Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Judith Stemick
- Huntington’s Disease Outpatient Clinic, Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Zacharias Kohl
- Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 84, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
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10
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Bogomazova AN, Eremeev AV, Pozmogova GE, Lagarkova MA. The Role of Mutant RNA in the Pathogenesis of Huntington’s Disease and Other Polyglutamine Diseases. Mol Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893319060037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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11
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Anderson DG, Ferreira-Correia A, Rodrigues FB, Aziz NA, Carr J, Wild EJ, Margolis RL, Krause A. Comparison of the Huntington's Disease like 2 and Huntington's Disease Clinical Phenotypes. Mov Disord Clin Pract 2019; 6:302-311. [PMID: 31061838 DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.12742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Huntington's disease like 2 (HDL2) is the most common Huntington's disease (HD) phenocopy in many countries and described as the phenocopy with the greatest resemblance to HD. The current clinical description of HDL2 is based on retrospective data. It is unknown whether HDL2 has clinical features that distinguish it from HD. Objective To describe the HDL2 phenotype and compare it to HD systematically. Methods A blinded cross-sectional design was used to compare the HDL2 (n = 15) and HD (n = 13) phenotypes. African ancestry participants underwent assessments, including the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS). The UHDRS motor component was video recorded and evaluated by blinded experts and the inter-rater reliability calculated. Results Both groups were homogeneous in terms of demographics and disease characteristics. However, HDL2 patients presented three years earlier with more prominent dysarthria and dystonia. Raters could not distinguish between the two diseases with a high level of agreement. No significant differences in the TMS between HDL2 and HD were found. In both disorders, disease duration correlated with motor scores, with the exception of chorea. Psychiatric and cognitive scores were not significantly different between the groups. Conclusions The HDL2 phenotype is similar to HD and is initially characterized by dementia, chorea, and oculomotor abnormalities, progressing to a rigid and bradykinetic state, suggesting the UHDRS is useful to monitor disease progression in HDL2. Although HDL2 patients scored higher on some UHDRS domains, this did not differentiate between the two diseases; it may however be emerging evidence of HDL2 having a more severe clinical phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Anderson
- The University of the Witwatersrand Donald Gordon Medical Centre Neurology Johannesburg South Africa.,Division of Human Genetics National Health Laboratory Service and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa
| | - Aline Ferreira-Correia
- Department of Psychology School of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg South Africa
| | - Filipe B Rodrigues
- UCL Huntington's Disease Centre University College London UK.,Clinical Pharmacology Unit Instituto de Medicina Molecular Portugal.,Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics University of Lisbon Portugal
| | - N Ahmad Aziz
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Bonn Germany
| | - Jonathan Carr
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine University of Stellenbosch Cape Town South Africa
| | - Edward J Wild
- UCL Huntington's Disease Centre University College London UK
| | - Russell L Margolis
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD USA
| | - Amanda Krause
- Division of Human Genetics National Health Laboratory Service and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa
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