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Strohm AO, Majewska AK. Physical exercise regulates microglia in health and disease. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1420322. [PMID: 38911597 PMCID: PMC11192042 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1420322] [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: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
There is a well-established link between physical activity and brain health. As such, the effectiveness of physical exercise as a therapeutic strategy has been explored in a variety of neurological contexts. To determine the extent to which physical exercise could be most beneficial under different circumstances, studies are needed to uncover the underlying mechanisms behind the benefits of physical activity. Interest has grown in understanding how physical activity can regulate microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. Microglia are key mediators of neuroinflammatory processes and play a role in maintaining brain homeostasis in healthy and pathological settings. Here, we explore the evidence suggesting that physical activity has the potential to regulate microglia activity in various animal models. We emphasize key areas where future research could contribute to uncovering the therapeutic benefits of engaging in physical exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra O. Strohm
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Ania K. Majewska
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
- Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
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2
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Moceri S, Bäuerle N, Habermeyer J, Ratz-Wirsching V, Harrer J, Distler J, Schulze-Krebs A, Timotius IK, Bluhm A, Hartlage-Rübsamen M, Roßner S, Winkler J, Xiang W, Hörsten SV. Young human alpha synuclein transgenic (BAC-SNCA) mice display sex- and gene-dose-dependent phenotypic disturbances. Behav Brain Res 2024; 460:114781. [PMID: 38043677 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114781] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative movement disorder, characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and the accumulation of aggregated alpha synuclein (aSyn). The disease often presents with early prodromal non-motor symptoms and later motor symptoms. Diagnosing PD based purely on motor symptoms is often too late for successful intervention, as a significant neuronal loss has already occurred. Furthermore, the lower prevalence of PD in females is not well understood, highlighting the need for a better understanding of the interaction between sex and aSyn, the crucial protein for PD pathogenesis. Here, we conducted a comprehensive phenotyping study in 1- to 5-month-old mice overexpressing human aSyn gene (SNCA) in a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC-SNCA). We demonstrate a SNCA gene-dose-dependent increase of human aSyn and phosphorylated aSyn, as well as a decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase expression in BAC-SNCA mice, with more pronounced effects in male mice. Phosphorylated aSyn was already found in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve of 2-month-old mice. This was time-wise associated with significant gait altrations in BAC-SNCA mice as early as 1 and 3 months of age using CatWalk gait analysis. Furthermore, anxiety-related behavioral tests revealed an increase in anxiety levels in male BAC-SNCA mice. Finally, 5-month-old male BAC-SNCA mice exhibited a SNCA gene-dose-dependent elevation in energy expenditure in automated home-cage monitoring. For the first time, these findings describe early-onset, sex- and gene-dose-dependent, aSyn-mediated disturbances in BAC-SNCA mice, providing a model for sex-differences, early-onset neuropathology, and prodromal symptoms of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Moceri
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Natascha Bäuerle
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johanna Habermeyer
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Veronika Ratz-Wirsching
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julia Harrer
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jörg Distler
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anja Schulze-Krebs
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ivanna K Timotius
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; Department of Electronic Engineering, Satya Wacana Christian University, 50711 Salatiga, Indonesia
| | - Alexandra Bluhm
- Paul-Flechsig-Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Steffen Roßner
- Paul-Flechsig-Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jürgen Winkler
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Wei Xiang
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Stephan von Hörsten
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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Gallas-Lopes M, Benvenutti R, Donzelli NIZ, Marcon M. A systematic review of the impact of environmental enrichment in zebrafish. Lab Anim (NY) 2023; 52:332-343. [PMID: 38017181 DOI: 10.1038/s41684-023-01288-w] [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: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) consists of a series of interventions carried out in the home environment to promote greater exposure to sensory stimuli and mimic the natural habitat of laboratory-housed animals, providing environments closer to those found in nature. Some studies have shown the positive effects of EE in zebrafish housed in a laboratory environment. However, this evidence is still recent and accompanied by contradictory results. Furthermore, there is great variability in the protocols applied and in the conditions of the tests, tanks and materials used to generate an enriched environment. This substantial variability can bring many uncertainties to the development of future studies and hinder the reproducibility and replicability of research. Here, in this context, we carried out a systematic review of the literature, aiming to provide an overview of the EE protocols used in zebrafish research. The literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science and the studies were selected on the basis of predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. A total of 901 articles were identified in the databases, and 27 of those studies were included in this review. We conducted data extraction and risk-of-bias analysis in the included studies. Among these studies, the effect of EE was evaluated in two different ways: (1) for animal welfare and (2) as an intervention to prevent behavioral, biochemical, molecular, developmental and breeding dysfunctions. Although the EE protocols in zebrafish presented a series of experimental differences, the results showed that the benefits of the EE for zebrafish were consistent. According to the results described here, the use of EE in the zebrafish home tank improves welfare and may reduce sources of bias in scientific research. However, it is still necessary to develop standardized protocols to improve the application of EE in scientific studies using zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Gallas-Lopes
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Radharani Benvenutti
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nayne I Z Donzelli
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Farmacologia e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
- Laboratório de Zebrafish (ZebLab), Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Matheus Marcon
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Farmacologia e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Zebrafish (ZebLab), Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil.
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Schaffner SL, Wassouf Z, Hentrich T, Nuesch-Germano M, Kobor MS, Schulze-Hentrich JM. Distinct impacts of alpha-synuclein overexpression on the hippocampal epigenome of mice in standard and enriched environments. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 186:106274. [PMID: 37648037 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Elevated alpha-synuclein (SNCA) gene expression is associated with transcriptional deregulation and increased risk of Parkinson's disease, which may be partially ameliorated by environmental enrichment. At the molecular level, there is emerging evidence that excess alpha-synuclein protein (aSyn) impacts the epigenome through direct and/or indirect mechanisms. However, the extents to which the effects of both aSyn and the environment converge at the epigenome and whether epigenetic alterations underpin the preventive effects of environmental factors on transcription remain to be elucidated. Here, we profiled five DNA and histone modifications in the hippocampus of wild-type and transgenic mice overexpressing human SNCA. Mice of each genotype were housed under either standard conditions or in an enriched environment (EE) for 12 months. SNCA overexpression induced hippocampal CpG hydroxymethylation and histone H3K27 acetylation changes that associated with genotype more than environment. Excess aSyn was also associated with genotype- and environment-dependent changes in non-CpG (CpH) DNA methylation and H3K4 methylation. These H3K4 methylation changes included loci where the EE ameliorated the impacts of the transgene as well as loci resistant to the effects of environmental enrichment in transgenic mice. In addition, select H3K4 monomethylation alterations were associated with changes in mRNA expression. Our results suggested an environment-dependent impact of excess aSyn on some functionally relevant parts of the epigenome, and will ultimately enhance our understanding of the molecular etiology of Parkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Schaffner
- Edwin S. H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine, 117-2194 Health Sciences Mall, University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z3 Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, V5Z 4H4 Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Zinah Wassouf
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Thomas Hentrich
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Michael S Kobor
- Edwin S. H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine, 117-2194 Health Sciences Mall, University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z3 Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, V5Z 4H4 Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Julia M Schulze-Hentrich
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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Alarcón TA, Presti-Silva SM, Simões APT, Ribeiro FM, Pires RGW. Molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotection of environmental enrichment in Parkinson's disease. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:1450-1456. [PMID: 36571341 PMCID: PMC10075132 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.360264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is the most common movement disorder, affecting about 1% of the population over the age of 60 years. Parkinson's disease is characterized clinically by resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity and postural instability, as a result of the progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. In addition to this neuronal cell loss, Parkinson's disease is characterized by the accumulation of intracellular protein aggregates, Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, composed primarily of the protein α-synuclein. Although it was first described almost 200 years ago, there are no disease-modifying drugs to treat patients with Parkinson's disease. In addition to conventional therapies, non-pharmacological treatment strategies are under investigation in patients and animal models of neurodegenerative disorders. Among such strategies, environmental enrichment, comprising physical exercise, cognitive stimulus, and social interactions, has been assessed in preclinical models of Parkinson's disease. Environmental enrichment can cause structural and functional changes in the brain and promote neurogenesis and dendritic growth by modifying gene expression, enhancing the expression of neurotrophic factors and modulating neurotransmission. In this review article, we focus on the current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms underlying environmental enrichment neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease, highlighting its influence on the dopaminergic, cholinergic, glutamatergic and GABAergic systems, as well as the involvement of neurotrophic factors. We describe experimental pre-clinical data showing how environmental enrichment can act as a modulator in a neurochemical and behavioral context in different animal models of Parkinson's disease, highlighting the potential of environmental enrichment as an additional strategy in the management and prevention of this complex disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Andrea Alarcón
- Department of Physiological Sciences; Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
| | - Sarah Martins Presti-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria; Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute o Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Toniato Simões
- Department of Physiological Sciences; Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
| | - Fabiola Mara Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute o Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rita Gomes Wanderley Pires
- Department of Physiological Sciences; Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
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Vaquero-Rodríguez A, Razquin J, Zubelzu M, Bidgood R, Bengoetxea H, Miguelez C, Morera-Herreras T, Ruiz-Ortega JA, Lafuente JV, Ortuzar N. Efficacy of invasive and non-invasive methods for the treatment of Parkinson's disease: Nanodelivery and enriched environment. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 172:103-143. [PMID: 37833010 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2023.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and the subsequent motor disability. The most frequently used treatments in clinics, such as L-DOPA, restore dopaminergic neurotransmission in the brain. However, these treatments are only symptomatic, have temporary efficacy, and produce side effects. Part of the side effects are related to the route of administration as the consumption of oral tablets leads to unspecific pulsatile activation of dopaminergic receptors. For this reason, it is necessary to not only find alternative treatments, but also to develop new administration systems with better security profiles. Nanoparticle delivery systems are new administration forms designed to reach the pharmacological target in a highly specific way, leading to better drug bioavailability, efficacy and safety. Some of these delivery systems have shown promising results in animal models of PD not only when dopaminergic drugs are administered, but even more when neurotrophic factors are released. These latter compounds promote maturation and survival of dopaminergic neurons and can be exogenously administered in the form of pharmacological therapy or endogenously generated by non-pharmacological methods. In this sense, experimental exposure to enriched environments, a non-invasive strategy based on the combination of social and inanimate stimuli, enhances the production of neurotrophic factors and produces a neuroprotective effect in parkinsonian animals. In this review, we will discuss new nanodelivery systems in PD with a special focus on therapies that increase the release of neurotrophic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Vaquero-Rodríguez
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain; Neurodegenerative diseases Group, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Jone Razquin
- Neurodegenerative diseases Group, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Maider Zubelzu
- Neurodegenerative diseases Group, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Raphaelle Bidgood
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Harkaitz Bengoetxea
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain; Neurodegenerative diseases Group, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Cristina Miguelez
- Neurodegenerative diseases Group, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Teresa Morera-Herreras
- Neurodegenerative diseases Group, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Jose Angel Ruiz-Ortega
- Neurodegenerative diseases Group, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria, Spain
| | - José Vicente Lafuente
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain; Neurodegenerative diseases Group, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Naiara Ortuzar
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain; Neurodegenerative diseases Group, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain.
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Sugeno N, Hasegawa T. Unraveling the Complex Interplay between Alpha-Synuclein and Epigenetic Modification. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076645. [PMID: 37047616 PMCID: PMC10094812 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (αS) is a small, presynaptic neuronal protein encoded by the SNCA gene. Point mutations and gene multiplication of SNCA cause rare familial forms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Misfolded αS is cytotoxic and is a component of Lewy bodies, which are a pathological hallmark of PD. Because SNCA multiplication is sufficient to cause full-blown PD, gene dosage likely has a strong impact on pathogenesis. In sporadic PD, increased SNCA expression resulting from a minor genetic background and various environmental factors may contribute to pathogenesis in a complementary manner. With respect to genetic background, several risk loci neighboring the SNCA gene have been identified, and epigenetic alterations, such as CpG methylation and regulatory histone marks, are considered important factors. These alterations synergistically upregulate αS expression and some post-translational modifications of αS facilitate its translocation to the nucleus. Nuclear αS interacts with DNA, histones, and their modifiers to alter epigenetic status; thereby, influencing the stability of neuronal function. Epigenetic changes do not affect the gene itself but can provide an appropriate transcriptional response for neuronal survival through DNA methylation or histone modifications. As a new approach, publicly available RNA sequencing datasets from human midbrain-like organoids may be used to compare transcriptional responses through epigenetic alterations. This informatic approach combined with the vast amount of transcriptomics data will lead to the discovery of novel pathways for the development of disease-modifying therapies for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoto Sugeno
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience & Sensory Organs, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8574, Japan
| | - Takafumi Hasegawa
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience & Sensory Organs, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8574, Japan
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Xylaki M, Paiva I, Al-Azzani M, Gerhardt E, Jain G, Islam MR, Vasili E, Wassouf Z, Schulze-Hentrich JM, Fischer A, Outeiro TF. miR-101a-3p Impairs Synaptic Plasticity and Contributes to Synucleinopathy. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2023; 13:179-196. [PMID: 36744345 PMCID: PMC10041420 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-225055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Synucleinopathies are disorders characterized by the abnormal accumulation of α-synuclein (aSyn). Synaptic compromise is observed in synucleinopathies parallel to aSyn aggregation and is accompanied by transcript deregulation. OBJECTIVE We sought to identify microRNAs associated with synaptic processes that may contribute to synaptic dysfunction and degeneration in synucleinopathies. METHODS We performed small RNA-sequencing of midbrain from 6-month-old transgenic mice expressing A30P mutant aSyn, followed by comparative expression analysis. We then used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for validation. Functional analysis was performed in primary neurons by biochemical assays and imaging. RESULTS We found several deregulated biological processes linked to the synapse. miR-101a-3p was validated as a synaptic miRNA upregulated in aSyn Tg mice and in the cortex of dementia with Lewy bodies patients. Mice and primary cultured neurons overexpressing miR-101a-3p showed downregulation of postsynaptic proteins GABA Ab2 and SAPAP3 and altered dendritic morphology resembling synaptic plasticity impairments and/or synaptic damage. Interestingly, primary cultured neuron exposure to recombinant wild-type aSyn species efficiently increased miR-101a-3p levels. Finally, a dynamic role of miR-101a-3p in synapse plasticity was shown by identifying downregulation of miR-101a-3p in a condition of enhanced synaptic plasticity modelled in Wt animals housed in enriched environment. CONCLUSION To conclude, we correlated pathologic aSyn with high levels of miR-101a-3p and a novel dynamic role of the miRNA in synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Xylaki
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Centre for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Isabel Paiva
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Centre for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Present address: Laboratory of Cognitive and Adaptive Neuroscience, UMR 7364 (CNRS/ Strasbourg University), Strasbourg, France
| | - Mohammed Al-Azzani
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Centre for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ellen Gerhardt
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Centre for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gaurav Jain
- Department for Epigenetics and Systems Medicine in Neurodegenerative Diseases, German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Md Rezaul Islam
- Department for Epigenetics and Systems Medicine in Neurodegenerative Diseases, German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Eftychia Vasili
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Centre for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Zinah Wassouf
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Centre for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - André Fischer
- Department for Epigenetics and Systems Medicine in Neurodegenerative Diseases, German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre, Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Centre for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
- Scientific employee with an honorary contract at German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
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An Early Enriched Experience Drives an Activated Microglial Profile at Site of Corrective Neuroplasticity in Ten-m3 Knock-Out Mice. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0162-22.2022. [PMID: 36635245 PMCID: PMC9831145 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0162-22.2022] [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: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) is beneficial for brain development and function, but our understanding of its capacity to drive circuit repair, the underlying mechanisms, and how this might vary with age remains limited. Ten-m3 knock-out (KO) mice exhibit a dramatic and stereotyped mistargeting of ipsilateral retinal inputs to the thalamus, resulting in visual deficits. We have recently shown a previously unexpected capacity for EE during early postnatal life (from birth for six weeks) to drive the partial elimination of miswired axonal projections, along with a recovery of visually mediated behavior, but the timeline of this repair was unclear. Here, we reveal that with just 3.5 weeks of EE from birth, Ten-m3 KOs exhibit a partial behavioral rescue, accompanied by pruning of the most profoundly miswired retinogeniculate terminals. Analysis suggests that the pruning is underway at this time point, providing an ideal opportunity to probe potential mechanisms. With the shorter EE-period, we found a localized increase in microglial density and activation profile within the identified geniculate region where corrective pruning was observed. No comparable response to EE was found in age-matched wild-type (WT) mice. These findings identify microglia as a potential mechanistic link through which EE drives the elimination of miswired neural circuits during early postnatal development. Activity driven, atypical recruitment of microglia to prune aberrant connectivity and restore function may have important therapeutic implications for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autistic spectrum disorder.
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Schaffner SL, Kobor MS. DNA methylation as a mediator of genetic and environmental influences on Parkinson's disease susceptibility: Impacts of alpha-Synuclein, physical activity, and pesticide exposure on the epigenome. Front Genet 2022; 13:971298. [PMID: 36061205 PMCID: PMC9437223 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.971298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with a complex etiology and increasing prevalence worldwide. As PD is influenced by a combination of genetic and environment/lifestyle factors in approximately 90% of cases, there is increasing interest in identification of the interindividual mechanisms underlying the development of PD as well as actionable lifestyle factors that can influence risk. This narrative review presents an outline of the genetic and environmental factors contributing to PD risk and explores the possible roles of cytosine methylation and hydroxymethylation in the etiology and/or as early-stage biomarkers of PD, with an emphasis on epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of PD conducted over the past decade. Specifically, we focused on variants in the SNCA gene, exposure to pesticides, and physical activity as key contributors to PD risk. Current research indicates that these factors individually impact the epigenome, particularly at the level of CpG methylation. There is also emerging evidence for interaction effects between genetic and environmental contributions to PD risk, possibly acting across multiple omics layers. We speculated that this may be one reason for the poor replicability of the results of EWAS for PD reported to date. Our goal is to provide direction for future epigenetics studies of PD to build upon existing foundations and leverage large datasets, new technologies, and relevant statistical approaches to further elucidate the etiology of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L. Schaffner
- Edwin S. H. Leong Healthy Aging Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michael S. Kobor
- Edwin S. H. Leong Healthy Aging Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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11
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Schaffner SL, Wassouf Z, Lazaro DF, Xylaki M, Gladish N, Lin DTS, MacIsaac J, Ramadori K, Hentrich T, Schulze-Hentrich JM, Outeiro TF, Kobor MS. Alpha-synuclein overexpression induces epigenomic dysregulation of glutamate signaling and locomotor pathways. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:3694-3714. [PMID: 35567546 PMCID: PMC9616577 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac104] [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: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disorder with complex interindividual etiology that is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. Elevated alpha-synuclein levels can increase risk of PD and may influence epigenetic regulation of PD pathways. Here, we report genome-wide DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation alterations associated with overexpression of two PD-linked alpha-synuclein variants (wild-type and A30P) in LUHMES cells differentiated to dopaminergic neurons. Alpha-synuclein altered DNA methylation at thousands of CpGs and DNA hydroxymethylation at hundreds of CpGs in both genotypes, primarily in locomotor behavior and glutamate signaling pathway genes. In some cases, epigenetic changes were associated with transcription. SMITE network analysis incorporating H3K4me1 ChIP-seq to score DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation changes across promoters, enhancers, and gene bodies confirmed epigenetic and transcriptional deregulation of glutamate signaling modules in both genotypes. Our results identify distinct and shared impacts of alpha-synuclein variants on the epigenome, and associate alpha-synuclein with the epigenetic etiology of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Schaffner
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Zinah Wassouf
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.,German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Diana F Lazaro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mary Xylaki
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nicole Gladish
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - David T S Lin
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Julia MacIsaac
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Katia Ramadori
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Thomas Hentrich
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Julia M Schulze-Hentrich
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tiago F Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.,German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 37075 Göttingen, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.,Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Michael S Kobor
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
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12
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Berlet R, Galang Cabantan DA, Gonzales-Portillo D, Borlongan CV. Enriched Environment and Exercise Enhance Stem Cell Therapy for Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, and Huntington’s Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:798826. [PMID: 35309929 PMCID: PMC8927702 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.798826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells, specifically embryonic stem cells (ESCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs), and neural progenitor stem cells (NSCs), are a possible treatment for stroke, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD). Current preclinical data suggest stem cell transplantation is a potential treatment for these chronic conditions that lack effective long-term treatment options. Finding treatments with a wider therapeutic window and harnessing a disease-modifying approach will likely improve clinical outcomes. The overarching concept of stem cell therapy entails the use of immature cells, while key in recapitulating brain development and presents the challenge of young grafted cells forming neural circuitry with the mature host brain cells. To this end, exploring strategies designed to nurture graft-host integration will likely enhance the reconstruction of the elusive neural circuitry. Enriched environment (EE) and exercise facilitate stem cell graft-host reconstruction of neural circuitry. It may involve at least a two-pronged mechanism whereby EE and exercise create a conducive microenvironment in the host brain, allowing the newly transplanted cells to survive, proliferate, and differentiate into neural cells; vice versa, EE and exercise may also train the transplanted immature cells to learn the neurochemical, physiological, and anatomical signals in the brain towards better functional graft-host connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reed Berlet
- Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | | | - Cesar V. Borlongan
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: Cesar V. Borlongan,
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13
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Cooper DD, Frenguelli BG. The influence of sensory experience on the glutamatergic synapse. Neuropharmacology 2021; 193:108620. [PMID: 34048870 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The ability of glutamatergic synaptic strength to change in response to prevailing neuronal activity is believed to underlie the capacity of animals, including humans, to learn from experience. This learning better equips animals to safely navigate challenging and potentially harmful environments, while reinforcing behaviours that are conducive to survival. Early descriptions of the influence of experience on behaviour were provided by Donald Hebb who showed that an enriched environment improved performance of rats in a variety of behavioural tasks, challenging the widely-held view at the time that psychological development and intelligence were largely predetermined through genetic inheritance. Subsequent studies in a variety of species provided detailed cellular and molecular insights into the neurobiological adaptations associated with enrichment and its counterparts, isolation and deprivation. Here we review those experience-dependent changes that occur at the glutamatergic synapse, and which likely underlie the enhanced cognition associated with enrichment. We focus on the importance of signalling initiated by the release of BDNF and a prime downstream effector, MSK1, in orchestrating the many structural and functional neuronal adaptations associated with enrichment. In particular we discuss the MSK1-dependent expansion of the dynamic range of the glutamatergic synapse, which may allow enhanced information storage or processing, and the establishment of a genomic homeostasis that may both stabilise the enriched brain, and may make it better able to respond to novel experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel D Cooper
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
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14
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Espeso-Gil S, Holik AZ, Bonnin S, Jhanwar S, Chandrasekaran S, Pique-Regi R, Albaigès-Ràfols J, Maher M, Permanyer J, Irimia M, Friedländer MR, Pons-Espinal M, Akbarian S, Dierssen M, Maass PG, Hor CN, Ossowski S. Environmental Enrichment Induces Epigenomic and Genome Organization Changes Relevant for Cognition. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:664912. [PMID: 34025350 PMCID: PMC8131874 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.664912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In early development, the environment triggers mnemonic epigenomic programs resulting in memory and learning experiences to confer cognitive phenotypes into adulthood. To uncover how environmental stimulation impacts the epigenome and genome organization, we used the paradigm of environmental enrichment (EE) in young mice constantly receiving novel stimulation. We profiled epigenome and chromatin architecture in whole cortex and sorted neurons by deep-sequencing techniques. Specifically, we studied chromatin accessibility, gene and protein regulation, and 3D genome conformation, combined with predicted enhancer and chromatin interactions. We identified increased chromatin accessibility, transcription factor binding including CTCF-mediated insulation, differential occupancy of H3K36me3 and H3K79me2, and changes in transcriptional programs required for neuronal development. EE stimuli led to local genome re-organization by inducing increased contacts between chromosomes 7 and 17 (inter-chromosomal). Our findings support the notion that EE-induced learning and memory processes are directly associated with the epigenome and genome organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Espeso-Gil
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Aliaksei Z. Holik
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sarah Bonnin
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Shalu Jhanwar
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sandhya Chandrasekaran
- MD/PhD Program in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Roger Pique-Regi
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Júlia Albaigès-Ràfols
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michael Maher
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jon Permanyer
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Irimia
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Pg. Lluis Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc R. Friedländer
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Meritxell Pons-Espinal
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- Department of Psychiatry and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Mara Dierssen
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Philipp G. Maass
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Charlotte N. Hor
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stephan Ossowski
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
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15
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Kummari E, Guo-Ross SX, Partington HS, Nutter JM, Eells JB. Quantitative Immunohistochemistry to Measure Regional Expression of Nurr1 in the Brain and the Effect of the Nurr1 Heterozygous Genotype. Front Neuroanat 2021; 15:563854. [PMID: 33994958 PMCID: PMC8119777 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.563854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Nurr1 is a member of the steroid hormone nuclear receptor superfamily. Ablation of Nurr1 expression arrests mesencephalic dopamine neuron differentiation while attenuation of Nurr1 in the subiculum and hippocampus impairs learning and memory. Additionally, reduced Nurr1 expression has been reported in patients with Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. In order to better understand the overall function of Nurr1 in the brain, quantitative immunohistochemistry was used to measure cellular Nurr1 protein expression, across Nurr1 immunoreactive neuronal populations. Additionally, neuronal Nurr1 expression levels were compared between different brain regions in wild-type mice (+/+) and Nurr1 heterozygous mice (+/−). Regional Nurr1 protein was also investigated at various time points after a seizure induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). Nurr1 protein is expressed in various regions throughout the brain, however, a wide range of Nurr1 expression levels were observed among various neuronal populations. Neurons in the parietal and temporal cortex (secondary somatosensory, insular, auditory, and temporal association cortex) had the highest relative Nurr1 expression (100%) followed closely by the claustrum/dorsal endopiriform cortex (85%) and then subiculum (76%). Lower Nurr1 protein levels were found in neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area (39%) followed by CA1 (25%) and CA3 (19%) of the hippocampus. Additionally, in the parietal and temporal cortex, two distinct populations of high and medium Nurr1 expressing neurons were observed. Comparisons between +/− and +/+ mice revealed Nurr1 protein was reduced in +/− mice by 27% in the parietal/temporal cortex, 49% in the claustrum/dorsal endopiriform cortex, 25% in the subiculum, 33% in substantia nigra pars compacta, 22% in ventral tegmental area, and 21% in CA1 region of the hippocampus. Based on these data, regional mechanisms appear to exist which can compensate for a loss of a Nurr1 allele. Following a single PTZ-induced seizure, Nurr1 protein in the dentate gyrus peaked around 2 h and returned to baseline by 8 h. Since altered Nurr1 expression has been implicated in neurologic disorders and Nurr1 agonists have showed protective effects, understanding regional protein expression of Nurr1, therefore, is necessary to understand how changes in Nurr1 expression can alter brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangel Kummari
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Shirley X Guo-Ross
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Heath S Partington
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Jennifer Makenzie Nutter
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Jeffrey B Eells
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
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16
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Hendrickx DM, Garcia P, Ashrafi A, Sciortino A, Schmit KJ, Kollmus H, Nicot N, Kaoma T, Vallar L, Buttini M, Glaab E. A New Synuclein-Transgenic Mouse Model for Early Parkinson's Reveals Molecular Features of Preclinical Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:576-602. [PMID: 32997293 PMCID: PMC8219584 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02085-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Understanding Parkinson's disease (PD), in particular in its earliest phases, is important for diagnosis and treatment. However, human brain samples are collected post-mortem, reflecting mainly end-stage disease. Because brain samples of mouse models can be collected at any stage of the disease process, they are useful in investigating PD progression. Here, we compare ventral midbrain transcriptomics profiles from α-synuclein transgenic mice with a progressive, early PD-like striatal neurodegeneration across different ages using pathway, gene set, and network analysis methods. Our study uncovers statistically significant altered genes across ages and between genotypes with known, suspected, or unknown function in PD pathogenesis and key pathways associated with disease progression. Among those are genotype-dependent alterations associated with synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission, as well as mitochondria-related genes and dysregulation of lipid metabolism. Age-dependent changes were among others observed in neuronal and synaptic activity, calcium homeostasis, and membrane receptor signaling pathways, many of which linked to G-protein coupled receptors. Most importantly, most changes occurred before neurodegeneration was detected in this model, which points to a sequence of gene expression events that may be relevant for disease initiation and progression. It is tempting to speculate that molecular changes similar to those changes observed in our model happen in midbrain dopaminergic neurons before they start to degenerate. In other words, we believe we have uncovered molecular changes that accompany the progression from preclinical to early PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M. Hendrickx
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Pierre Garcia
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Neuropathology Unit, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Amer Ashrafi
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Present Address: Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Alessia Sciortino
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Kristopher J. Schmit
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Heike Kollmus
- Department of Infection Genetics, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Nathalie Nicot
- Quantitative Biology Unit, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Tony Kaoma
- Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Laurent Vallar
- Genomics Research Unit, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Manuel Buttini
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Enrico Glaab
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
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17
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Hentrich T, Wassouf Z, Riess O, Schulze-Hentrich JM. SNCA overexpression disturbs hippocampal gene expression trajectories in midlife. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 10:4024-4041. [PMID: 30543522 PMCID: PMC6326667 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Synucleinopathies like Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies originate from a complex and still largely enigmatic interplay of genetic predisposition, age, and environmental factors. While progressively declining motor functions hallmark late-life symptoms, first signs of the disease often surface already decades earlier during midlife. To better understand early disease stages with respect to the genetic, temporal, and environmental dimension, we interrogated hippocampal transcriptome data obtained during midlife for a mouse model overexpressing human SNCA, a pivotal gene in synucleinopathies, under different environments. To relate differentially expressed genes to human, we integrated expression signatures for aging and Parkinson's disease. We identified two distinctive modes of age-dependent disturbances: First, cellular processes seemingly activated too early that reflected advanced stages of age and, second, typical longitudinal adaptations of the system that no longer occurred during midlife. Environmental enrichment prevented both disturbances modes despite persistent SNCA overload. Together, our results caution the view that expression changes characterising early stages of SNCA-related pathology reflect accelerated aging alone. Instead, we provide evidence that failure to undergo healthy adaptions during midlife represents a second origin of disturbances. This bimodal disturbance principle could inform therapeutic efforts to distinguish between preventive and restorative attempts to target the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hentrich
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Zinah Wassouf
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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18
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Kilzheimer A, Hentrich T, Burkhardt S, Schulze-Hentrich JM. The Challenge and Opportunity to Diagnose Parkinson's Disease in Midlife. Front Neurol 2019; 10:1328. [PMID: 31920948 PMCID: PMC6928126 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.01328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder that affects extensive regions of the nervous system. Its current clinical diagnosis is based on motor symptoms that appear late during disease progression when substantial proportions of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuron population are lost already. Although disturbances in sleep and other biofunctions often surface years prior to motor impairments and point to a long prodromal phase, these phenotypic signs in a person's midlife lack predictive power. They do, however, signal the unfolding of the disease and suggest molecular correlates that begin deviating early on. Revealing such trajectories, hence, promises not only a better understanding of prodromal PD but may also enable a much-needed earlier diagnosis. A nexus that may harbor such molecular trajectories is the epigenome as key etiological factors of PD-genetics, age, and environment-influence this substrate. An earlier diagnosis would also allow earlier interventions and lifestyle adjustments to improve brain function and reduce symptoms. In this review, we describe the challenges of diagnosing PD early on and highlight the opportunities that may arise from steering research efforts towards comprehensive interrogations of molecular layers during the long-time neglected midlife phase. In particular, we emphasize how existing cohorts of at-risk individuals, available animal models, and suitable markers may come together and aid in revealing molecular trajectories that offer diagnostic utility for PD in its prodromal stage.
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19
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Singh Y, El-Hadidi M, Admard J, Wassouf Z, Schulze-Hentrich JM, Kohlhofer U, Quintanilla-Martinez L, Huson D, Riess O, Casadei N. Enriched Environmental Conditions Modify the Gut Microbiome Composition and Fecal Markers of Inflammation in Parkinson's Disease. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:1032. [PMID: 31749671 PMCID: PMC6842954 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent findings suggest an implication of the gut microbiome in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. PD onset and progression has also been linked with various environmental factors such as physical activity, exposure to pesticides, head injury, nicotine, and dietary factors. In this study, we used a mouse model, overexpressing the complete human SNCA gene (SNCA-TG mice) modeling familial and sporadic forms of PD to study whether environmental conditions such as standard vs. enriched environment changes the gut microbiome and influences disease progression. We performed 16S rRNA DNA sequencing on fecal samples for microbiome analysis and studied fecal inflammatory calprotectin from the colon of control and SNCA-TG mice kept under standard environment (SE) and enriched environment (EE) conditions. The overall composition of the gut microbiota was not changed in SNCA-TG mice compared with WT in EE with respect to SE. However, individual gut bacteria at genus level such as Lactobacillus sp. was a significant changed in the SNCA-TG mice. EE significantly reduced colon fecal inflammatory calprotectin protein in WT and SNCA-TG EE compared to SE. Moreover, EE reduces the pro-inflammatory cytokines in the feces and inflammation inducing genes in the colon. Our data suggest that an enriched social environment has a positive effect on the induction of SNCA mediated inflammation in the intestine and by modulating anti-inflammatory gut bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogesh Singh
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mohamed El-Hadidi
- Algorithms in Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Bioinformatics, Center for Informatics Science, Nile University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Jakob Admard
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Zinah Wassouf
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Ursula Kohlhofer
- Institute of Pathology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Leticia Quintanilla-Martinez
- Institute of Pathology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Huson
- Bioinformatics, Center for Informatics Science, Nile University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nicolas Casadei
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Timotius IK, Canneva F, Minakaki G, Moceri S, Plank AC, Casadei N, Riess O, Winkler J, Klucken J, Eskofier B, von Hörsten S. Systematic data analysis and data mining in CatWalk gait analysis by heat mapping exemplified in rodent models for neurodegenerative diseases. J Neurosci Methods 2019; 326:108367. [PMID: 31351096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.108367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motor impairment appears as a characteristic symptom of several diseases and injuries. Therefore, tests for analyzing motor dysfunction are widely applied across preclinical models and disease stages. Among those, gait analysis tests are commonly used, but they generate a huge number of gait parameters. Thus, complications in data analysis and reporting raise, which often leads to premature parameter selection. NEW METHODS In order to avoid arbitrary parameter selection, we present here a systematic initial data analysis by utilizing heat-maps for data reporting. We exemplified this approach within an intervention study, as well as applied it to two longitudinal studies in rodent models related to Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington disease (HD). RESULTS The systematic initial data analysis (IDA) is feasible for exploring gait parameters, both in experimental and longitudinal studies. The resulting heat maps provided a visualization of gait parameters within a single chart, highlighting important clusters of differences. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD Often, premature parameter selection is practiced, lacking comprehensiveness. Researchers often use multiple separated graphs on distinct gait parameters for reporting. Additionally, negative results are often not reported. CONCLUSIONS Heat mapping utilized in initial data analysis is advantageous for reporting clustered gait parameter differences in one single chart and improves data mining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivanna K Timotius
- Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab, Dept. of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany; Dept. of Electronics Engineering, Satya Wacana Christian University, Salatiga, Indonesia
| | - Fabio Canneva
- Dept. Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Georgia Minakaki
- Dept. of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Sandra Moceri
- Dept. Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Anne-Christine Plank
- Dept. Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Nicolas Casadei
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Winkler
- Dept. of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Jochen Klucken
- Dept. of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Bjoern Eskofier
- Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab, Dept. of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Stephan von Hörsten
- Dept. Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany.
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Wassouf Z, Schulze-Hentrich JM. Alpha-synuclein at the nexus of genes and environment: the impact of environmental enrichment and stress on brain health and disease. J Neurochem 2019; 150:591-604. [PMID: 31165472 PMCID: PMC6771760 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Accumulation of alpha‐synuclein protein aggregates is the hallmark neuropathologic feature of synucleinopathies such as Parkinson’s disease. Rare point mutations and multiplications in SNCA, the gene encoding alpha‐synuclein, as well as other genetic alterations are linked to familial Parkinson’s disease cases with high penetrance and hence constitute major genetic risk factors for Parkinson’s disease. However, the preponderance of cases seems sporadic, most likely based on a complex interplay between genetic predispositions, aging processes and environmental influences. Deciphering the impact of these environmental factors and their interactions with the individual genetic background in humans is challenging and often requires large cohorts, complicated study designs, and longitudinal set‐ups. In contrast, rodent models offer an ideal system to study the influence of individual environmental aspects under controlled genetic background and standardized conditions. In this review, we highlight findings from studies examining effects of environmental enrichment mimicking stimulation of the brain by its physical and social surroundings as well as of environmental stressors on brain health in the context of Parkinson’s disease. We discuss possible internal molecular transducers of such environmental cues in Parkinson’s disease rodent models and emphasize their potential in developing novel avenues to much‐needed therapies for this still incurable disease. ![]()
This article is part of the Special Issue “Synuclein”
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinah Wassouf
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Göttingen, Germany.,Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Treadmill exercise intervention improves gait and postural control in alpha-synuclein mouse models without inducing cerebral autophagy. Behav Brain Res 2019; 363:199-215. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Wassouf Z, Hentrich T, Casadei N, Jaumann M, Knipper M, Riess O, Schulze-Hentrich JM. Distinct Stress Response and Altered Striatal Transcriptome in Alpha-Synuclein Overexpressing Mice. Front Neurosci 2019; 12:1033. [PMID: 30686992 PMCID: PMC6336091 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.01033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with motor symptoms and a plethora of non-motor and neuropsychiatric features that accompany the disease from prodromal to advanced stages. While several genetic defects have been identified in familial forms of PD, the predominance of cases are sporadic and result from a complex interplay of genetic and non-genetic factors. Clinical evidence, moreover, indicates a role of environmental stress in PD, supported by analogies between stress-induced pathological consequences and neuronal deterioration observed in PD. From this perspective, we set out to investigate the effects of chronic stress exposure in the context of PD by using a genetic mouse model that overexpresses human wildtype SNCA. Mimicking chronic stress was achieved by adapting a chronic unpredictable mild stress protocol (CUMS) comprising eight different stressors that were applied randomly over a period of eight weeks starting at an age of four months. A distinctive stress response with an impact on anxiety-related behavior was observed upon SNCA overexpression and CUMS exposure. SNCA-overexpressing mice showed prolonged elevation of cortisol metabolites during CUMS exposure, altered anxiety-related traits, and declined motor skills surfacing with advanced age. To relate our phenotypic observations to molecular events, we profiled the striatal and hippocampal transcriptome and used a 2 × 2 factorial design opposing genotype and environment to determine differentially expressed genes. Disturbed striatal gene expression and minor hippocampal gene expression changes were observed in SNCA-overexpressing mice at six months of age. Irrespective of the CUMS-exposure, genes attributed to the terms neuroinflammation, Parkinson's signaling, and plasticity of synapses were altered in the striatum of SNCA-overexpressing mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinah Wassouf
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Hentrich
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nicolas Casadei
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mirko Jaumann
- Molecular Physiology of Hearing, Department of Otolaryngology, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marlies Knipper
- Molecular Physiology of Hearing, Department of Otolaryngology, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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