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Xie M, Miller AS, Pallegar PN, Umpierre A, Liang Y, Wang N, Zhang S, Nagaraj NK, Fogarty ZC, Ghayal NB, Oskarsson B, Zhao S, Zheng J, Qi F, Nguyen A, Dickson DW, Wu LJ. Rod-shaped microglia interact with neuronal dendrites to regulate cortical excitability in TDP-43 related neurodegeneration. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.30.601396. [PMID: 39005475 PMCID: PMC11244918 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.30.601396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Motor cortical hyperexcitability is well-documented in the presymptomatic stage of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the mechanisms underlying this early dysregulation are not fully understood. Microglia, as the principal immune cells of the central nervous system, have emerged as important players in sensing and regulating neuronal activity. Here we investigated the role of microglia in the motor cortical circuits in a mouse model of TDP-43 neurodegeneration (rNLS8). Utilizing multichannel probe recording and longitudinal in vivo calcium imaging in awake mice, we observed neuronal hyperactivity at the initial stage of disease progression. Spatial and single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that microglia are the primary responders to motor cortical hyperactivity. We further identified a unique subpopulation of microglia, rod-shaped microglia, which are characterized by a distinct morphology and transcriptional profile. Notably, rod-shaped microglia predominantly interact with neuronal dendrites and excitatory synaptic inputs to attenuate motor cortical hyperactivity. The elimination of rod-shaped microglia through TREM2 deficiency increased neuronal hyperactivity, exacerbated motor deficits, and further decreased survival rates of rNLS8 mice. Together, our results suggest that rod-shaped microglia play a neuroprotective role by attenuating cortical hyperexcitability in the mouse model of TDP-43 related neurodegeneration.
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Salzinger A, Ramesh V, Das Sharma S, Chandran S, Thangaraj Selvaraj B. Neuronal Circuit Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2024; 13:792. [PMID: 38786016 PMCID: PMC11120636 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100792] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The primary neural circuit affected in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients is the corticospinal motor circuit, originating in upper motor neurons (UMNs) in the cerebral motor cortex which descend to synapse with the lower motor neurons (LMNs) in the spinal cord to ultimately innervate the skeletal muscle. Perturbation of these neural circuits and consequent loss of both UMNs and LMNs, leading to muscle wastage and impaired movement, is the key pathophysiology observed. Despite decades of research, we are still lacking in ALS disease-modifying treatments. In this review, we document the current research from patient studies, rodent models, and human stem cell models in understanding the mechanisms of corticomotor circuit dysfunction and its implication in ALS. We summarize the current knowledge about cortical UMN dysfunction and degeneration, altered excitability in LMNs, neuromuscular junction degeneration, and the non-cell autonomous role of glial cells in motor circuit dysfunction in relation to ALS. We further highlight the advances in human stem cell technology to model the complex neural circuitry and how these can aid in future studies to better understand the mechanisms of neural circuit dysfunction underpinning ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Salzinger
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; (A.S.); (V.R.); (S.D.S.); (S.C.)
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Vidya Ramesh
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; (A.S.); (V.R.); (S.D.S.); (S.C.)
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Shreya Das Sharma
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; (A.S.); (V.R.); (S.D.S.); (S.C.)
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; (A.S.); (V.R.); (S.D.S.); (S.C.)
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic (ARRNC), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Bhuvaneish Thangaraj Selvaraj
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; (A.S.); (V.R.); (S.D.S.); (S.C.)
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic (ARRNC), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
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Odierna GL, Vucic S, Dyer M, Dickson T, Woodhouse A, Blizzard C. How do we get from hyperexcitability to excitotoxicity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis? Brain 2024; 147:1610-1621. [PMID: 38408864 PMCID: PMC11068114 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that, at present, has no effective cure. Evidence of increased circulating glutamate and hyperexcitability of the motor cortex in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have provided an empirical support base for the 'dying forward' excitotoxicity hypothesis. The hypothesis postulates that increased activation of upper motor neurons spreads pathology to lower motor neurons in the spinal cord in the form of excessive glutamate release, which triggers excitotoxic processes. Many clinical trials have focused on therapies that target excitotoxicity via dampening neuronal activation, but not all are effective. As such, there is a growing tension between the rising tide of evidence for the 'dying forward' excitotoxicity hypothesis and the failure of therapies that target neuronal activation. One possible solution to these contradictory outcomes is that our interpretation of the current evidence requires revision in the context of appreciating the complexity of the nervous system and the limitations of the neurobiological assays we use to study it. In this review we provide an evaluation of evidence relevant to the 'dying forward' excitotoxicity hypothesis and by doing so, identify key gaps in our knowledge that need to be addressed. We hope to provide a road map from hyperexcitability to excitotoxicity so that we can better develop therapies for patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We conclude that studies of upper motor neuron activity and their synaptic output will play a decisive role in the future of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Lorenzo Odierna
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Steve Vucic
- Brain and Nerve Research Center, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2050, Australia
| | - Marcus Dyer
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tracey Dickson
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Adele Woodhouse
- The Wicking Dementia Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Catherine Blizzard
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
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Tilsley P, Moutiez A, Brodovitch A, Mendili MME, Testud B, Zaaraoui W, Verschueren A, Attarian S, Guye M, Boucraut J, Grapperon AM, Stellmann JP. Neurofilament Light Chain Levels Interact with Neurodegenerative Patterns and Motor Neuron Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2024; 45:494-503. [PMID: 38548305 PMCID: PMC11288555 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a8154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease involving rapid motor neuron degeneration leading to brain, primarily precentral, atrophy. Neurofilament light chains are a robust prognostic biomarker highly specific to ALS, yet associations between neurofilament light chains and MR imaging outcomes are not well-understood. We investigated the role of neurofilament light chains as mediators among neuroradiologic assessments, precentral neurodegeneration, and disability in ALS. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed a prospective cohort of 29 patients with ALS (mean age, 56 [SD, 12] years; 18 men) and 36 controls (mean age, 49 [SD, 11] years; 18 men). Patients underwent 3T (n = 19) or 7T (n = 10) MR imaging, serum (n = 23) and CSF (n = 15) neurofilament light chains, and clinical (n = 29) and electrophysiologic (n = 27) assessments. The control group had equivalent 3T (n = 25) or 7T (n = 11) MR imaging. Two trained neuroradiologists performed blinded qualitative assessments of MR imaging anomalies (n = 29 patients, n = 36 controls). Associations between precentral cortical thickness and neurofilament light chains and clinical and electrophysiologic data were analyzed. RESULTS We observed extensive cortical thinning in patients compared with controls. MR imaging analyses showed significant associations between precentral cortical thickness and bulbar or arm impairment following distributions corresponding to the motor homunculus. Finally, uncorrected results showed positive interactions among precentral cortical thickness, serum neurofilament light chains, and electrophysiologic outcomes. Qualitative MR imaging anomalies including global atrophy (P = .003) and FLAIR corticospinal tract hypersignal anomalies (P = .033), correlated positively with serum neurofilament light chains. CONCLUSIONS Serum neurofilament light chains may be an important mediator between clinical symptoms and neuronal loss according to cortical thickness. Furthermore, MR imaging anomalies might have underestimated prognostic value because they seem to indicate higher serum neurofilament light chain levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penelope Tilsley
- From the Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (P.T., M.M.E.M., B.T., W.Z., A.V., M.G., A.-M.G., J.-P.S.), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Assistance Publique-Marseille Hospitals (P.T., M.M.E.M., B.T., W.Z., M.G., J.-P.S.), Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
| | - Antoine Moutiez
- Department of Neuroradiology (A.M., B.T., J.-P.S.), Assistance Publique-Marseille Hospitals, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Alexandre Brodovitch
- Immunology Laboratory (A.B., J.B.), Assistance Publique-Marseille Hospitals, Conception Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Mohamed Mounir El Mendili
- From the Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (P.T., M.M.E.M., B.T., W.Z., A.V., M.G., A.-M.G., J.-P.S.), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Assistance Publique-Marseille Hospitals (P.T., M.M.E.M., B.T., W.Z., M.G., J.-P.S.), Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
| | - Benoit Testud
- From the Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (P.T., M.M.E.M., B.T., W.Z., A.V., M.G., A.-M.G., J.-P.S.), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Assistance Publique-Marseille Hospitals (P.T., M.M.E.M., B.T., W.Z., M.G., J.-P.S.), Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
- Department of Neuroradiology (A.M., B.T., J.-P.S.), Assistance Publique-Marseille Hospitals, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Wafaa Zaaraoui
- From the Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (P.T., M.M.E.M., B.T., W.Z., A.V., M.G., A.-M.G., J.-P.S.), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Assistance Publique-Marseille Hospitals (P.T., M.M.E.M., B.T., W.Z., M.G., J.-P.S.), Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
| | - Annie Verschueren
- From the Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (P.T., M.M.E.M., B.T., W.Z., A.V., M.G., A.-M.G., J.-P.S.), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Referral Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS (A.V., S.A., A.-M.G.), Assistance Publique-Marseille Hospitals, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Shahram Attarian
- Referral Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS (A.V., S.A., A.-M.G.), Assistance Publique-Marseille Hospitals, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (S.A.,), Marseille Medical Genetics Center, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Maxime Guye
- From the Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (P.T., M.M.E.M., B.T., W.Z., A.V., M.G., A.-M.G., J.-P.S.), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Assistance Publique-Marseille Hospitals (P.T., M.M.E.M., B.T., W.Z., M.G., J.-P.S.), Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
| | - José Boucraut
- Immunology Laboratory (A.B., J.B.), Assistance Publique-Marseille Hospitals, Conception Hospital, Marseille, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (J.B.) Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Aude-Marie Grapperon
- From the Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (P.T., M.M.E.M., B.T., W.Z., A.V., M.G., A.-M.G., J.-P.S.), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Jan-Patrick Stellmann
- From the Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (P.T., M.M.E.M., B.T., W.Z., A.V., M.G., A.-M.G., J.-P.S.), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Assistance Publique-Marseille Hospitals (P.T., M.M.E.M., B.T., W.Z., M.G., J.-P.S.), Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
- Department of Neuroradiology (A.M., B.T., J.-P.S.), Assistance Publique-Marseille Hospitals, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
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Xie M, Pallegar PN, Parusel S, Nguyen AT, Wu LJ. Regulation of cortical hyperexcitability in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: focusing on glial mechanisms. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:75. [PMID: 37858176 PMCID: PMC10585818 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00665-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of both upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in muscle weakness, atrophy, paralysis, and eventually death. Motor cortical hyperexcitability is a common phenomenon observed at the presymptomatic stage of ALS. Both cell-autonomous (the intrinsic properties of motor neurons) and non-cell-autonomous mechanisms (cells other than motor neurons) are believed to contribute to cortical hyperexcitability. Decoding the pathological relevance of these dynamic changes in motor neurons and glial cells has remained a major challenge. This review summarizes the evidence of cortical hyperexcitability from both clinical and preclinical research, as well as the underlying mechanisms. We discuss the potential role of glial cells, particularly microglia, in regulating abnormal neuronal activity during the disease progression. Identifying early changes such as neuronal hyperexcitability in the motor system may provide new insights for earlier diagnosis of ALS and reveal novel targets to halt the disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manling Xie
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Praveen N Pallegar
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Sebastian Parusel
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Aivi T Nguyen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Long-Jun Wu
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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Shibuya K, Otani R, Suzuki YI, Kuwabara S, Kiernan MC. Neuronal Hyperexcitability and Free Radical Toxicity in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Established and Future Targets. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040433. [PMID: 35455429 PMCID: PMC9025031 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disease with evidence of degeneration involving upper and lower motor neuron compartments of the nervous system. Presently, two drugs, riluzole and edaravone, have been established as being useful in slowing disease progression in ALS. Riluzole possesses anti-glutamatergic properties, while edaravone eliminates free radicals (FRs). Glutamate is the excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord and binds to several inotropic receptors. Excessive activation of these receptors generates FRs, inducing neurodegeneration via damage to intracellular organelles and upregulation of proinflammatory mediators. FRs bind to intracellular structures, leading to cellular impairment that contributes to neurodegeneration. As such, excitotoxicity and FR toxicities have been considered as key pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to the cascade of degeneration that envelopes neurons in ALS. Recent advanced technologies, including neurophysiological, imaging, pathological and biochemical techniques, have concurrently identified evidence of increased excitability in ALS. This review focuses on the relationship between FRs and excitotoxicity in motor neuronal degeneration in ALS and introduces concepts linked to increased excitability across both compartments of the human nervous system. Within this cellular framework, future strategies to promote therapeutic development in ALS, from the perspective of neuronal excitability and function, will be critically appraised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumoto Shibuya
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8677, Japan; (K.S.); (R.O.); (Y.-i.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Ryo Otani
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8677, Japan; (K.S.); (R.O.); (Y.-i.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Yo-ichi Suzuki
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8677, Japan; (K.S.); (R.O.); (Y.-i.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Satoshi Kuwabara
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8677, Japan; (K.S.); (R.O.); (Y.-i.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Matthew C. Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, Department of Neurology, University of Sydney, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney 2050, Australia
- Correspondence:
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