1
|
Matsubara K, Kuki I, Yamada Y, Mori J, Okazaki S. Myoclonus-Dystonia Plus Syndrome With Early-Onset Multiple Cerebral Cavernous Malformation Type 1 and Growth Hormone Deficiency Associated With Novel 7q21.13-q21.3 Deletion: A Pediatric Case Report. Cureus 2024; 16:e56294. [PMID: 38628998 PMCID: PMC11018385 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Myoclonus-dystonia syndrome (MDS) presents with both rapid myoclonus and dystonia, which is caused by mutations in the sarcoglycan (SGCE) gene. However, its complications and management remain unclear. Here, we report a case involving a girl with MDS due to a 7q21.13-q21.3 microdeletion complicated by early-onset multiple cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs). The patient presented with myoclonus and dystonia at two and eight years of age, respectively. In addition to MDS, the patient developed growth hormone (GH) deficiency and mild intellectual disability. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed multiple CCMs. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization revealed 7q21.13-21.3 microdeletion. The deletion size was 4.11 Mb, which included SCGE and KRIT1. After the introduction of zonisamide, both myoclonus and dystonia showed improvement, and GH therapy led to an increase in patient height. In cases of MDS, multiple early-onset CCMs and GH deficiency may occur; moreover, careful follow-up management may be necessary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Matsubara
- Pediatric Neurology, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, JPN
| | - Ichiro Kuki
- Pediatric Neurology, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, JPN
| | - Yuki Yamada
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, JPN
| | - Jun Mori
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, JPN
| | - Shin Okazaki
- Pediatric Neurology, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, JPN
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Passos V, Henkel LM, Wang J, Zapatero-Belinchón FJ, Möller R, Sun G, Waltl I, Schneider T, Wachs A, Ritter B, Kropp KA, Zhu S, Deleidi M, Kalinke U, Schulz TF, Höglinger G, Gerold G, Wegner F, Viejo-Borbolla A. Innate immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection contributes to neuronal damage in human iPSC-derived peripheral neurons. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29455. [PMID: 38323709 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29455] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes neurological disease in the peripheral and central nervous system (PNS and CNS, respectively) of some patients. It is not clear whether SARS-CoV-2 infection or the subsequent immune response are the key factors that cause neurological disease. Here, we addressed this question by infecting human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived CNS and PNS neurons with SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 infected a low number of CNS neurons and did not elicit a robust innate immune response. On the contrary, SARS-CoV-2 infected a higher number of PNS neurons. This resulted in expression of interferon (IFN) λ1, several IFN-stimulated genes and proinflammatory cytokines. The PNS neurons also displayed alterations characteristic of neuronal damage, as increased levels of sterile alpha and Toll/interleukin receptor motif-containing protein 1, amyloid precursor protein and α-synuclein, and lower levels of cytoskeletal proteins. Interestingly, blockade of the Janus kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway by Ruxolitinib did not increase SARS-CoV-2 infection, but reduced neuronal damage, suggesting that an exacerbated neuronal innate immune response contributes to pathogenesis in the PNS. Our results provide a basis to study coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related neuronal pathology and to test future preventive or therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vania Passos
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Virology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lisa M Henkel
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jiayi Wang
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Virology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Francisco J Zapatero-Belinchón
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence-Resolving Infection Susceptibility (RESIST), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Rebecca Möller
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Guorong Sun
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Virology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Inken Waltl
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, A Joint Venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Talia Schneider
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Virology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Amelie Wachs
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Virology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Birgit Ritter
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Virology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kai A Kropp
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Virology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Shuyong Zhu
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Virology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michela Deleidi
- Center of Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kalinke
- Cluster of Excellence-Resolving Infection Susceptibility (RESIST), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, A Joint Venture between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas F Schulz
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Virology, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence-Resolving Infection Susceptibility (RESIST), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Günter Höglinger
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence-Resolving Infection Susceptibility (RESIST), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gisa Gerold
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence-Resolving Infection Susceptibility (RESIST), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Florian Wegner
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Abel Viejo-Borbolla
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Virology, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence-Resolving Infection Susceptibility (RESIST), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Thomsen M, Lange LM, Zech M, Lohmann K. Genetics and Pathogenesis of Dystonia. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 19:99-131. [PMID: 37738511 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-051122-110756] [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: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Dystonia is a clinically and genetically highly heterogeneous neurological disorder characterized by abnormal movements and postures caused by involuntary sustained or intermittent muscle contractions. A number of groundbreaking genetic and molecular insights have recently been gained. While they enable genetic testing and counseling, their translation into new therapies is still limited. However, we are beginning to understand shared pathophysiological pathways and molecular mechanisms. It has become clear that dystonia results from a dysfunctional network involving the basal ganglia, cerebellum, thalamus, and cortex. On the molecular level, more than a handful of, often intertwined, pathways have been linked to pathogenic variants in dystonia genes, including gene transcription during neurodevelopment (e.g., KMT2B, THAP1), calcium homeostasis (e.g., ANO3, HPCA), striatal dopamine signaling (e.g., GNAL), endoplasmic reticulum stress response (e.g., EIF2AK2, PRKRA, TOR1A), autophagy (e.g., VPS16), and others. Thus, different forms of dystonia can be molecularly grouped, which may facilitate treatment development in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirja Thomsen
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany;
| | - Lara M Lange
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany;
| | - Michael Zech
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Lohmann
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Peall KJ, Owen MJ, Hall J. Rare genetic brain disorders with overlapping neurological and psychiatric phenotypes. Nat Rev Neurol 2024; 20:7-21. [PMID: 38001363 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00896-x] [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] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Understanding rare genetic brain disorders with overlapping neurological and psychiatric phenotypes is of increasing importance given the potential for developing disease models that could help to understand more common, polygenic disorders. However, the traditional clinical boundaries between neurology and psychiatry result in frequent segregation of these disorders into distinct silos, limiting cross-specialty understanding that could facilitate clinical and biological advances. In this Review, we highlight multiple genetic brain disorders in which neurological and psychiatric phenotypes are observed, but for which in-depth, cross-spectrum clinical phenotyping is rarely undertaken. We describe the combined phenotypes observed in association with genetic variants linked to epilepsy, dystonia, autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. We also consider common underlying mechanisms that centre on synaptic plasticity, including changes to synaptic and neuronal structure, calcium handling and the balance of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal activity. Further investigation is needed to better define and replicate these phenotypes in larger cohorts, which would help to gain greater understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms and identify common therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn J Peall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Michael J Owen
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Di Fonzo A, Jinnah HA, Zech M. Dystonia genes and their biological pathways. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 169:61-103. [PMID: 37482402 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2023.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput sequencing has been instrumental in uncovering the spectrum of pathogenic genetic alterations that contribute to the etiology of dystonia. Despite the immense heterogeneity in monogenic causes, studies performed during the past few years have highlighted that many rare deleterious variants associated with dystonic presentations affect genes that have roles in certain conserved pathways in neural physiology. These various gene mutations that appear to converge towards the disruption of interconnected cellular networks were shown to produce a wide range of different dystonic disease phenotypes, including isolated and combined dystonias as well as numerous clinically complex, often neurodevelopmental disorder-related conditions that can manifest with dystonic features in the context of multisystem disturbances. In this chapter, we summarize the manifold dystonia-gene relationships based on their association with a discrete number of unifying pathophysiological mechanisms and molecular cascade abnormalities. The themes on which we focus comprise dopamine signaling, heavy metal accumulation and calcifications in the brain, nuclear envelope function and stress response, gene transcription control, energy homeostasis, lysosomal trafficking, calcium and ion channel-mediated signaling, synaptic transmission beyond dopamine pathways, extra- and intracellular structural organization, and protein synthesis and degradation. Enhancing knowledge about the concept of shared etiological pathways in the pathogenesis of dystonia will motivate clinicians and researchers to find more efficacious treatments that allow to reverse pathologies in patient-specific core molecular networks and connected multipathway loops.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Di Fonzo
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neurology Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - H A Jinnah
- Departments of Neurology, Human Genetics, and Pediatrics, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Michael Zech
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany; Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Belli E, Del Prete E, Unti E, Mazzucchi S, Palermo G, Ceravolo R. Perampanel as a novel treatment for subcortical myoclonus in myoclonus-dystonia syndrome. Neurol Sci 2023:10.1007/s10072-023-06803-y. [PMID: 37131084 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-06803-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myoclonus-dystonia (MD) is a syndrome characterized by subcortical myoclonus and milder dystonia. The main causative gene is the epsilon sarcoglycan gene (SGCE), but other genes may be involved. Response to medications is variable, with poor tolerability limiting their use. CASE PRESENTATION We present the case of a patient with severe myoclonic jerks and mild dystonia since childhood. At first neurological visit at the age of 46 years old, she presented brief myoclonic jerks predominating in the upper limbs and neck, mild at rest and elicited by action, posture and tactile stimulus. Myoclonus was accompanied by mild neck and right arm dystonia. Neurophysiological tests suggested subcortical origin of myoclonus, brain MRI was unremarkable. Myoclonus-dystonia was diagnosed, and genetic testing identified a novel mutation in SGCE gene (c.907delC) in heterozygosis. Over time she assumed a large variety of anti-epileptics without beneficial effect on myoclonus and low tolerability. Add-on treatment with Perampanel was started, with a beneficial effect. No adverse events were reported. Perampanel is the first selective non-competitive AMPA receptor antagonist approved in add-on for focal and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. To our knowledge, this is the first trial of Perampanel in MD. CONCLUSIONS We presented the case of a patient with MD due to SGCE mutation who was treated with Perampanel with beneficial effects. We propose Perampanel as a novel treatment for myoclonus in MD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Belli
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Eleonora Del Prete
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisa Unti
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sonia Mazzucchi
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Palermo
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Ceravolo
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
hiPSC-Derived Cells as Models for Drug Discovery 2.0. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065727. [PMID: 36982801 PMCID: PMC10053529 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) serve as a sustainable resource for studying the molecular foundation of disease development, including initiation and deterioration [...]
Collapse
|
8
|
iPSC-Derived Striatal Medium Spiny Neurons from Patients with Multiple System Atrophy Show Hypoexcitability and Elevated α-Synuclein Release. Cells 2023; 12:cells12020223. [PMID: 36672158 PMCID: PMC9856678 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020223] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple system atrophy of the parkinsonian type (MSA-P) is a rare, fatal neurodegenerative disease with sporadic onset. It is still unknown if MSA-P is a primary oligodendropathy or caused by neuronal pathophysiology leading to severe, α-synuclein-associated neurodegeneration, mainly in the striatum. In this study, we generated and differentiated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients with the clinical diagnosis of probable MSA-P (n = 3) and from three matched healthy controls into GABAergic striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs). We found a significantly elevated release and neuronal distribution for α-synuclein, as well as hypoexcitability in the MSNs derived from the MSA-P patients compared to the healthy controls. These data suggest that the striatal hypoexcitable neurons of MSA-P patients contribute to a pathological α-synuclein burden which is likely to spread to neighboring cells and projection targets, facilitating disease progression.
Collapse
|
9
|
Sperandeo A, Tamburini C, Noakes Z, de la Fuente DC, Keefe F, Petter O, Plumbly W, Clifton N, Li M, Peall K. Cortical neuronal hyperexcitability and synaptic changes in SGCE mutation-positive myoclonus dystonia. Brain 2022; 146:1523-1541. [PMID: 36204995 PMCID: PMC10115238 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myoclonus Dystonia is a childhood-onset hyperkinetic movement disorder with a combined motor and psychiatric phenotype. It represents one of the few autosomal dominant inherited dystonic disorders and is caused by mutations in the ε-sarcoglycan (SGCE) gene. Work to date suggests that dystonia is caused by disruption of neuronal networks, principally basal ganglia-cerebello-thalamo-cortical circuits. Investigation of cortical involvement has primarily focused on disruption to interneuron inhibitory activity, rather than the excitatory activity of cortical pyramidal neurons. Here, we have sought to examine excitatory cortical glutamatergic activity using two approaches; the CRISPR/Cas9 editing of a human embryonic cell line, generating an SGCE compound heterozygous mutation, and three patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell lines (iPSC) each gene edited to generate matched wild-type SGCE control lines. Differentiation towards a cortical neuronal phenotype demonstrated no significant differences in neither early- (PAX6, FOXG1) nor late-stage (CTIP2, TBR1) neurodevelopmental markers. However, functional characterisation using Ca2+ imaging and MEA approaches identified an increase in network activity, while single-cell patch clamp studies found a greater propensity towards action potential generation with larger amplitudes and shorter half-widths associated with SGCE-mutations. Bulk-RNA-seq analysis identified gene ontological enrichment for neuron projection development, synaptic signalling, and synaptic transmission. Examination of dendritic morphology found SGCE-mutations to be associated with a significantly higher number of branches and longer branch lengths, together with longer ion-channel dense axon initial segments, particularly towards the latter stages of differentiation (D80 and D100). Gene expression and protein quantification of key synaptic proteins (synaptophysin, synapsin and PSD95), AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits found no significant differences between the SGCE-mutation and matched wild-type lines. By contrast, significant changes to synaptic adhesion molecule expression were identified, namely higher pre-synaptic neurexin-1 and lower post-synaptic neuroligin-4 levels in the SGCE mutation carrying lines. Our study demonstrates an increased intrinsic excitability of cortical glutamatergic neuronal cells in the context of SGCE mutations, coupled with a more complex neurite morphology and disruption to synaptic adhesion molecules. These changes potentially represent key components to the development of the hyperkinetic clinical phenotype observed in Myoclonus Dystonia, as well a central feature to the wider spectrum of dystonic disorders, potentially providing targets for future therapeutic development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Sperandeo
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Claudia Tamburini
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Zoe Noakes
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Daniel Cabezas de la Fuente
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Francesca Keefe
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Olena Petter
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - William Plumbly
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Nicholas Clifton
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Meng Li
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Kathryn Peall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Staege S, Kutschenko A, Baumann H, Glaß H, Henkel L, Gschwendtberger T, Kalmbach N, Klietz M, Hermann A, Lohmann K, Seibler P, Wegner F. Reduced Expression of GABA A Receptor Alpha2 Subunit Is Associated With Disinhibition of DYT-THAP1 Dystonia Patient-Derived Striatal Medium Spiny Neurons. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:650586. [PMID: 34095114 PMCID: PMC8176025 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.650586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
DYT-THAP1 dystonia (formerly DYT6) is an adolescent-onset dystonia characterized by involuntary muscle contractions usually involving the upper body. It is caused by mutations in the gene THAP1 encoding for the transcription factor Thanatos-associated protein (THAP) domain containing apoptosis-associated protein 1 and inherited in an autosomal-dominant manner with reduced penetrance. Alterations in the development of striatal neuronal projections and synaptic function are known from transgenic mice models. To investigate pathogenetic mechanisms, human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived medium spiny neurons (MSNs) from two patients and one family member with reduced penetrance carrying a mutation in the gene THAP1 (c.474delA and c.38G > A) were functionally characterized in comparison to healthy controls. Calcium imaging and quantitative PCR analysis revealed significantly lower Ca2+ amplitudes upon GABA applications and a marked downregulation of the gene encoding the GABAA receptor alpha2 subunit in THAP1 MSNs indicating a decreased GABAergic transmission. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed a significantly lower frequency of miniature postsynaptic currents (mPSCs), whereas the frequency of spontaneous action potentials (APs) was elevated in THAP1 MSNs suggesting that decreased synaptic activity might have resulted in enhanced generation of APs. Our molecular and functional data indicate that a reduced expression of GABAA receptor alpha2 subunit could eventually lead to limited GABAergic synaptic transmission, neuronal disinhibition, and hyperexcitability of THAP1 MSNs. These data give pathophysiological insight and may contribute to the development of novel treatment strategies for DYT-THAP1 dystonia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Selma Staege
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany
| | - Anna Kutschenko
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Hauke Baumann
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hannes Glaß
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section "Albrecht-Kossel", Department of Neurology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Lisa Henkel
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany
| | - Thomas Gschwendtberger
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany
| | - Norman Kalmbach
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Martin Klietz
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Andreas Hermann
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section "Albrecht-Kossel", Department of Neurology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Rostock/Greifswald, Rostock, Germany
| | - Katja Lohmann
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Philip Seibler
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Florian Wegner
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|