Isik FI, Katzeff JS, Fu Y, Kim WS. Understanding the Role of CDH4 in Multiple System Atrophy Brain.
JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2023;
13:1303-1311. [PMID:
38143373 PMCID:
PMC10741323 DOI:
10.3233/jpd-230298]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease clinically characterized by parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia, and autonomic dysfunction. A major pathological feature of MSA is the presence of α-synuclein aggregates in oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cells of the central nervous system. A genome-wide association study revealed that the CDH4 gene is associated with MSA. However, virtually nothing is known about the role of CDH4 in the context of MSA.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to compare the expression of CDH4 between MSA and control brains, and to investigate its relationship with α-synuclein in oligodendrocytes.
METHODS
RNA and protein were prepared from putamen, motor cortex white matter, cerebellum, and superior occipital cortex tissues collected from MSA (N = 11) and control (N = 13) brains. The expression of CDH4 was measured at mRNA and protein levels by qPCR and western blotting. Oligodendrocyte cells were cultured on plates and transfected with CDH4 cDNA and its impact on α-synuclein was analyzed.
RESULTS
Firstly, we found that CDH4 in MSA brain was significantly elevated in the disease-affected motor cortex white matter in MSA (N = 11) compared to controls (N = 13) and unaltered in the disease-unaffected superior occipital cortex. Secondly, we determined that increases in CDH4 expression caused changes in the cellular levels of α-synuclein in oligodendrocytes.
CONCLUSIONS
When put together, these results provide evidence that support the GWAS association of CDH4 with MSA.
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