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Al Mutairi F, Joueidi F, Alshalan M, Aloyouni E, Ballow M, Aldrees M, Al Abdulrahman A, Al Tuwaijri A, Abbas S, Umair M, Alfadhel M. Biallelic HMGXB4 loss-of-function variant causes intellectual disability, developmental delay, and dysmorphic features. Heliyon 2024; 10:e35361. [PMID: 39166056 PMCID: PMC11334805 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35361] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background HMGXB4 (additionally known as HMG2L1) is a non-histone DNA-binding protein that contains a single HMG-box domain. HMGXB4 was originally described in Xenopus where it was seen to negatively regulate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Materials and methods In this study, we conducted a genetic and clinical evaluation of a single family with three affected individuals suffering from intellectual disability (ID), global developmental delay (GDD) and dysmorphic facial features.Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and Sanger sequencing were performed on the affected individuals' DNA to identify genetic variations. Additionally, a reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to assess gene expression in both the affected and unaffected individuals in the family. Result WGS identified a homozygous frameshift variant c.1193_1196del p. (Lys398Argfs × 25) in exon 5 of the HMGXB4 gene (OMIM 604702), which completely segregated the disease phenotype in the family. Furthermore, RT-qPCR revealed a substantial decrease in the HMGXB4 gene expression in the affected individuals as compared to the unaffected individuals of the family. Conclusions The current study is the first evidence linking a genetic variant in the HMGXB4 gene to ID, GDD, and dysmorphic facial features. Therefore, it is possible that HMGXB4 contributes significantly to developmental milestones and may be responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuad Al Mutairi
- Genetic and Precision Medicine Department, King Abdullah Specialized Children Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNGHA), Riyadh, 11426, Saudi Arabia
- Medical Genomics Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNG-HA), Riyadh, 11481, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal Joueidi
- College of Medicine, Al Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maha Alshalan
- Genetic and Precision Medicine Department, King Abdullah Specialized Children Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNGHA), Riyadh, 11426, Saudi Arabia
| | - Essra Aloyouni
- Medical Genomics Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNG-HA), Riyadh, 11481, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mariam Ballow
- Medical Genomics Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNG-HA), Riyadh, 11481, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Aldrees
- Medical Genomics Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNG-HA), Riyadh, 11481, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulkareem Al Abdulrahman
- Medical Genomics Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNG-HA), Riyadh, 11481, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer Al Tuwaijri
- Medical Genomics Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNG-HA), Riyadh, 11481, Saudi Arabia
- Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, 11426, Saudi Arabia
| | - Safdar Abbas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States
| | - Muhammad Umair
- Medical Genomics Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNG-HA), Riyadh, 11481, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majid Alfadhel
- Genetic and Precision Medicine Department, King Abdullah Specialized Children Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNGHA), Riyadh, 11426, Saudi Arabia
- Medical Genomics Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNG-HA), Riyadh, 11481, Saudi Arabia
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Wang Z, Zhang Y, Chai J, Wu Y, Zhang W, Zhang Z. Roflumilast: Modulating neuroinflammation and improving motor function and depressive symptoms in multiple sclerosis. J Affect Disord 2024; 350:761-773. [PMID: 38220100 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.12.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease causing central nervous system demyelination, often associated with depression. Current treatments for MS do not effectively address both physical disability and depression. Roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor with anti-inflammatory properties, has shown promise for autoimmune diseases. METHODS We used an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) rat model to study roflumilast's effects. Motor dysfunction and depression symptoms were assessed, and histopathological analysis evaluated its anti-inflammatory properties. Flow cytometry examined the drug's impact on brain microglia. TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels in hippocampal tissue were assessed using ELISA kits. RESULTS Roflumilast improved motor dysfunction and depression symptoms in EAE rats. Histopathological analysis revealed reduced inflammation, demyelination, and axonal loss in the spinal cord. Roflumilast suppressed microglial cell activation and conversion to pro-inflammatory M1-type cells. Flow cytometry showed roflumilast inhibited inflammatory marker expression in microglia and their activation in the hippocampus. IL-6 was identified as a roflumilast target for suppressing hippocampal inflammation. LIMITATIONS This study used an animal model and did not assess long-term or potential side effects of roflumilast treatment. CONCLUSIONS Roflumilast holds promise as a treatment for depression and motor impairment in MS. Its anti-inflammatory properties, reducing inflammation and inhibiting microglial activation, suggest its potential for MS therapy. However, further research is needed to evaluate long-term effects and safety in MS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaowei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Research Institution of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China; Department of Neurology, Shaoxing People's Hospital, 568 Zhonxin Bei Road, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province 312000, China
| | - Yanxin Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Shaoxing People's Hospital, 568 Zhonxin Bei Road, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province 312000, China
| | - Jiaqing Chai
- Department of Neurology, Shaoxing People's Hospital, 568 Zhonxin Bei Road, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province 312000, China
| | - Yingying Wu
- Department of Neurology, Shaoxing People's Hospital, 568 Zhonxin Bei Road, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province 312000, China
| | - Weiying Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Shaoxing People's Hospital, 568 Zhonxin Bei Road, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province 312000, China
| | - Zhijun Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Research Institution of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Depression, Department of Mental Health and Public Health, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China.
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Speers AB, Wright KM, Brandes MS, Kedjejian N, Matthews DG, Caruso M, Harris CJ, Koike S, Nguyen T, Quinn JF, Soumyanath A, Gray NE. Mode of administration influences plasma levels of active Centella asiatica compounds in 5xFAD mice while markers of neuroinflammation remain unaltered. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1277626. [PMID: 38591068 PMCID: PMC10999680 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1277626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction A water extract of Centella asiatica (L.) Urban [Apiaceae] (CAW) has demonstrated cognitive-enhancing effects in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease and aging, the magnitude of which is influenced by whether CAW is delivered in the drinking water or the diet. These cognitive benefits are accompanied by improvements in oxidative stress and mitochondrial function in the brain, two pathways related to the neuroinflammatory response. The effect of CAW on neuroinflammation, however, has not been directly studied. Here, we investigated the effect of CAW on neuroinflammation in 5xFAD mice and compared plasma levels of CAW's active compounds following two modes of CAW administration. Methods Eight-to-nine-month-old male and female 5xFAD mice and their wild-type littermates were administered CAW in their diet or drinking water (0 or 1,000 mg/kg/day) for five weeks. Immunohistochemistry was performed for β-amyloid (Aβ), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and Griffonia simplicifolia lectin I (GSL I) in the cortex and hippocampus. Gene expression of inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNFα, IL-1β, TREM2, AIF1, CX3CR1, CX3CL1, CD36, C3AR1, RAGE, CCR6, CD3E) was measured in the deep grey matter. Results CAW decreased cortical Aβ plaque burden in female 5xFAD mice administered CAW in the drinking water but had no effect on Aβ plaques in other treatment groups. CAW did not impact elevated levels of GFAP or GSL I in 5xFAD mice, regardless of sex, brain region, or mode of CAW administration. In the deep grey matter, CAW increased C3AR1 expression in 5xFAD females administered CAW in the drinking water and decreased IL-1β expression in 5xFAD males administered CAW in the diet. CAW had no effect, however, on gene expression levels of any other inflammatory mediator in the deep grey, for either sex or mode of CAW administration. Mice administered CAW in the drinking water versus the diet had significantly higher plasma levels of CAW compounds. Discussion CAW had little impact on the neuroinflammatory markers selected for evaluation in the present study, suggesting that the cognitive benefits of CAW may not be mediated by an anti-inflammatory effect or that additional molecular markers are needed to fully characterize the effect of CAW on neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex B. Speers
- BENFRA Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Kirsten M. Wright
- BENFRA Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Mikah S. Brandes
- BENFRA Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Nareg Kedjejian
- BENFRA Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Donald G. Matthews
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Maya Caruso
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Christopher J. Harris
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Seiji Koike
- BENFRA Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Thuan Nguyen
- BENFRA Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Joseph F. Quinn
- BENFRA Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Parkinson’s Disease Research Education and Clinical Care Center, Veterans’ Administration Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Amala Soumyanath
- BENFRA Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Nora E. Gray
- BENFRA Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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