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Chatterjee D, D’Brant LY, Hiller BM, Marmion DJ, Sandoval IM, Luk KC, Manfredsson FP, Messer A, Kordower JH, Butler DC. ENGINEERED NANOBODIES WITH PROGRAMMABLE TARGET ANTIGEN PROTEOLYSIS (PTAP) FUSIONS REGULATE INTRACELLULAR ALPHA-SYNUCLEIN IN VITRO AND IN VIVO. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4088206. [PMID: 38585932 PMCID: PMC10996777 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4088206/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (αSyn) aggregation and the formation of Lewy pathology (LP) is a foundational pathophysiological phenomenon in synucleinopathies. Delivering therapeutic single-chain and single-domain antibodies that bind pathogenic targets can disrupt intracellular aggregation. The fusion of antibody fragments to a negatively-charged proteasomal targeting motif (PEST) creates bifunctional constructs that enhance both solubility and turnover. With sequence-specific point mutations of PEST sequences that modulate proteasomal degradation efficiency, we report the creation of Programmable Target Antigen Proteolysis (PTAP) technology that can provide graded control over the levels of target antigens. We have previously demonstrated our lead anti-αSyn intrabody, VH14-PEST, is capable of reducing the pathological burden of synucleinopathy in vitro and in vivo. Here, we report a family of fully humanized VH14-PTAP constructs for controllable, therapeutic targeting of intracellular α-Syn. In cells, we demonstrate successful target engagement and efficacy of VH14-hPEST intrabodies, and validate proof-of-principle in human cells using 3D human organoids derived from PD-patient induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). In two synuclein-based rat models, PTAP intrabodies attenuated nigral αSyn pathology, preserved nigrostriatal dopaminergic tone, and slowed the propagation of αSyn pathology. These data demonstrate the potency of intracellular αSyn targeting as a method to alleviate pathology and highlight the potential clinical utility of PTAP intrabodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diptaman Chatterjee
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Lianna Y. D’Brant
- Regenerative Research Foundation, Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144
| | - Benjamin M. Hiller
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - David J. Marmion
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Ivette M. Sandoval
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013
| | - Kelvin C. Luk
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19147
| | - Fredric P. Manfredsson
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013
| | - Anne Messer
- Regenerative Research Foundation, Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12208
| | - Jeffrey H. Kordower
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612
- ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
| | - David C. Butler
- Regenerative Research Foundation, Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12208
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Fredlund F, Jimenez-Ferrer I, Grabert K, Belfiori LF, Luk K, Swanberg M. Ciita Regulates Local and Systemic Immune Responses in a Combined rAAV-α-synuclein and Preformed Fibril-Induced Rat Model for Parkinson's Disease. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2024; 14:693-711. [PMID: 38728204 PMCID: PMC11191526 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-240062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Background Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) pathology, neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) variants associated with PD and α-Syn specific CD4+ T lymphocytes in PD patients highlight the importance of antigen presentation in PD etiology. The class II transactivator (CIITA) regulates major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) expression. Reduced Ciita levels significantly increase α-Syn pathology, nigrostriatal neurodegeneration and behavioral deficits in α-Syn-induced rat PD models. Objective Characterize immune profiles associated with enhanced PD-like pathology observed in rats expressing lower Ciita levels (DA.VRA4) compared to the background strain (DA). Methods To model PD, we combined rAAV-mediated α-Syn overexpression in the substantia nigra with striatal injection of α-Syn preformed fibrils. Immune profiles in brain and blood were analyzed by flow cytometry and multiplexed ELISA in naïve rats, 4- and 8 weeks post rAAV injection. Results Flow cytometry showed Ciita-dependent regulation of MHCII on microglia, brain macrophages and circulating myeloid cells. The MHCII-dependent microglial response was highest at 4 weeks post rAAV injection, whereas the MHCII levels in circulating myeloid cells was highest at 8 weeks. There was no major infiltration of macrophages or T lymphocytes into the CNS in response to α-Syn and only subtle Ciita- and/or α-Syn-dependent changes in the T lymphocyte compartment. Lower Ciita levels were consistently associated with higher TNF levels in serum. Conclusions Ciita regulates susceptibility to PD-like pathology through minor but detectable changes in resident and peripheral immune cells and TNF levels, indicating that mild immunomodulatory therapies could have therapeutic effects in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Fredlund
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Translational Neurogenetics Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Inflammation and Stem Cell Therapy Group, Division of Clinical Neurophysiology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Itzia Jimenez-Ferrer
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Translational Neurogenetics Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kathleen Grabert
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Toxicology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lautaro Francisco Belfiori
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Translational Neurogenetics Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kelvin Luk
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maria Swanberg
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Translational Neurogenetics Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Protective mechanisms by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor against the α-synuclein accumulation in Parkinson's disease. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:245-257. [PMID: 36794783 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Synucleinopathies constitute a disease family named after alpha-synuclein protein, which is a significant component of the intracellular inclusions called Lewy bodies. Accompanying the progressive neurodegeneration, Lewy bodies and neurites are the main histopathologies of synucleinopathies. The complicated role of alpha-synuclein in the disease pathology makes it an attractive therapeutic target for disease-modifying treatments. GDNF is one of the most potent neurotrophic factors for dopamine neurons, whereas CDNF is protective and neurorestorative with entirely different mechanisms of action. Both have been in the clinical trials for the most common synucleinopathy, Parkinson's disease. With the AAV-GDNF clinical trials ongoing and the CDNF trial being finalized, their effects on abnormal alpha-synuclein accumulation are of great interest. Previous animal studies with an alpha-synuclein overexpression model have shown that GDNF was ineffective against alpha-synuclein accumulation. However, a recent study with cell culture and animal models of alpha-synuclein fibril inoculation has demonstrated the opposite by revealing that the GDNF/RET signaling cascade is required for the protective effect of GDNF on alpha-synuclein aggregation. CDNF, an ER resident protein, was shown to bind alpha-synuclein directly. CDNF reduced the uptake of alpha-synuclein fibrils by the neurons and alleviated the behavioral deficits induced by fibrils injected into the mouse brain. Thus, GDNF and CDNF can modulate different symptoms and pathologies of Parkinson's disease, and perhaps, similarly for other synucleinopathies. Their unique mechanisms for preventing alpha-synuclein-related pathology should be studied more carefully to develop disease-modifying therapies.
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Bloem BR, Kalia LV. Kathrin Brockmann, Milan Zimmermann, and Dareia Roos, Recipients of The Parkinson Prize 2023. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2023; 13:1273-1276. [PMID: 38143375 PMCID: PMC10741366 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-239006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
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Gubinelli F, Sarauskyte L, Venuti C, Kulacz I, Cazzolla G, Negrini M, Anwer D, Vecchio I, Jakobs F, Manfredsson F, Davidsson M, Heuer A. Characterisation of functional deficits induced by AAV overexpression of alpha-synuclein in rats. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2022; 4:100065. [PMID: 36632447 PMCID: PMC9827042 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2022.100065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the last decades different preclinical animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD) have been generated, aiming to mimic the progressive neuronal loss of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) cells as well as motor and non-motor impairment. Among all the available models, AAV-based models of human alpha-synuclein (h-aSYN) overexpression are promising tools for investigation of disease progression and therapeutic interventions. Objectives The goal with this work was to characterise the impairment in motor and non-motor domains following nigrostriatal overexpression of h-aSYN and correlate the behavioural deficits with histological assessment of associated pathology. Methods Intranigral injection of an AAV9 expressing h-aSYN was compared with untreated animals, 6-OHDA and AAV9 expressing either no transgene or GFP. The animals were assessed on a series of simple and complex behavioural tasks probing motor and non-motor domains. Post-mortem neuropathology was analysed using immunohistochemical methods. Results Overexpression of h-aSYN led to progressive degeneration of DA neurons of the SN and axonal terminals in the striatum (STR). We observed extensive nigral and striatal pathology, resembling that of human PD brain, as well as the development of stable progressive deficit in simple motor tasks and in non-motor domains such as deficits in motivation and lateralised neglect. Conclusions In the present work we characterized a rat model of PD that closely resembles human PD pathology at the histological and behavioural level. The correlation of cell loss with behavioural performance enables the selection of rats which can be used in neuroprotective or neurorestorative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Gubinelli
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - L. Sarauskyte
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - C. Venuti
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - I. Kulacz
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - G. Cazzolla
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - M. Negrini
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - D. Anwer
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - I. Vecchio
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - F. Jakobs
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - F.P. Manfredsson
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - M. Davidsson
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA,Molecular Neuromodulation, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - A. Heuer
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden,Corresponding author. Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Sölvegatan 19, 22 184, Lund, Sweden.
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Björklund A, Nilsson F, Mattsson B, Hoban DB, Parmar M. A Combined α-Synuclein/Fibril (SynFib) Model of Parkinson-Like Synucleinopathy Targeting the Nigrostriatal Dopamine System. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2022; 12:2307-2320. [PMID: 36189605 PMCID: PMC9837691 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-223452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Injections of pre-formed α-synuclein fibrils (PFFs) or overexpression of α-synuclein using AAV vectors are commonly used as models of Parkinson-like synucleinopathy in rats and mice. In the modified method reviewed here, the "SynFib" model, the PFFs and the AAV vector are administered together unilaterally into the substantia nigra. This approach combines the key features of these two models, i.e., the generation of toxic α-synuclein aggregates and Lewy body-like inclusions, in combination with the increased vulnerability caused by increased cellular levels of α-synuclein. The combined AAV/PFF delivery offers several advantages over the standard PFF model due to the enhanced and accelerated α-synuclein pathology and microglial response induced by the PFF seeds in the presence of an elevated α-synuclein level. Injection of the AAV/PFF mixture into the substantia nigra makes it possible to target a larger proportion of the nigral dopamine neurons and obtain a level of dopamine cell loss (>60%) needed to induce significant impairments in drug-induced and spontaneous motor tests. The SynFib model shares attractive features of the standard 6-OHDA lesion model: a single unilateral stereotaxic intervention; pathology and cell loss developing over a short time span; and the possibility to monitor the degenerative changes using tests of motor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Björklund
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden,Correspondence to: Anders Björklund, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, BMCA11, 22184 Lund, Sweden. Tel.: +46703146761; E-mail:
| | - Fredrik Nilsson
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Bengt Mattsson
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Deirdre B. Hoban
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Malin Parmar
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Pandey SK, Singh RK. Recent developments in nucleic acid-based therapies for Parkinson’s disease: Current status, clinical potential, and future strategies. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:986668. [PMID: 36339626 PMCID: PMC9632735 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.986668] [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: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disease diagnosed mainly based on clinical symptoms caused by loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. Although currently available pharmacological therapies provide symptomatic relief, however, the disease continues to progress eventually leading to severe motor and cognitive decline and reduced quality of life. The hallmark pathology of Parkinson’s disease includes intraneuronal inclusions known as Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, including fibrillar α-synuclein aggregates. These aggregates can progressively spread across synaptically connected brain regions leading to emergence of disease symptoms with time. The α-synuclein level is considered important in its fibrillization and aggregation. Nucleic acid therapeutics have recently been shown to be effective in treating various neurological diseases, raising the possibility of developing innovative molecular therapies for Parkinson’s disease. In this review, we have described the advancements in genetic dysregulations in Parkinson’s disease along with the disease-modifying strategies involved in genetic regulation with particular focus on downregulation of α-synuclein gene using various novel technologies, notably antisense oligonucleotides, microRNA, short interfering RNA, short hairpin RNAs, DNA aptamers, and gene therapy of vector-assisted delivery system-based therapeutics. In addition, the current status of preclinical and clinical development for nucleic acid-based therapies for Parkinson’s disease have also been discussed along with their limitations and opportunities.
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García-Revilla J, Herrera AJ, de Pablos RM, Venero JL. Inflammatory Animal Models of Parkinson’s Disease. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2022; 12:S165-S182. [PMID: 35662128 PMCID: PMC9535574 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-213138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that microglia and peripheral immune cells may play determinant roles in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Consequently, there is a need to take advantage of immune-related models of PD to study the potential contribution of microglia and peripheral immune cells to the degeneration of the nigrostriatal system and help develop potential therapies for PD. In this review, we have summarised the main PD immune models. From a historical perspective, we highlight first the main features of intranigral injections of different pro-inflammogens, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), thrombin, neuromelanin, etc. The use of adenoviral vectors to promote microglia-specific overexpression of different molecules in the ventral mesencephalon, including α-synuclein, IL-1β, and TNF, are also presented and briefly discussed. Finally, we summarise different models associated with peripheral inflammation whose contribution to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases is now an outstanding question. Illustrative examples included systemic LPS administration and dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan García-Revilla
- Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio J. Herrera
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Rocío M. de Pablos
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - José Luis Venero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
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Lateralized deficits after unilateral AAV-vector based overexpression of alpha-synuclein in the midbrain of rats on drug-free behavioural tests. Behav Brain Res 2022; 429:113887. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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