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Padilla CJ, Harris H, Volek JS, Clark BC, Arnold WD. Effects of a ketogenic diet on motor function and motor unit number estimation in aged C57BL/6 mice. J Nutr Health Aging 2024; 28:100219. [PMID: 38582033 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnha.2024.100219] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pathological, age-related loss of muscle function, commonly referred to as sarcopenia, contributes to loss of mobility, impaired independence, as well as increased risk of adverse health events. Sarcopenia has been attributed to changes in both neural and muscular integrity during aging. Current treatment options are primarily limited to exercise and dietary protein fortification, but the therapeutic impact of these approaches are often inadequate. Prior work has suggested that a ketogenic diet (KD) might improve healthspan and lifespan in aging mice. Thus, we sought to investigate the effects of a KD on neuromuscular indices of sarcopenia in aged C57BL/6 mice. DESIGN A randomized, controlled pre-clinical experiment consisting of longitudinal assessments performed starting at 22-months of age (baseline) as well as 2, 6 and 10 weeks after the start of a KD vs. regular chow intervention. SETTING Preclinical laboratory study. SAMPLE SIZE Thirty-six 22-month-old mice were randomized into 2 dietary groups: KD [n = 22 (13 female and 9 male)], and regular chow [n = 15 (7 female and 8 male)]. MEASUREMENTS Measures included body mass, hindlimb and all limb grip strength, rotarod for motor performance, plantarflexion muscle contractility, motor unit number estimations (MUNE), and repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) as an index of neuromuscular junction transmission efficacy recorded from the gastrocnemius muscle. At end point, muscle wet weight and blood samples were collected to assess blood beta-hydroxybutyrate levels. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Primary analyses were two-way mixed effects ANOVA (diet and time × diet) to determine the effect of a KD on indices of motor function (grip, rotarod) and indices of motor unit (MUNE) and muscle (contractility) function. RESULTS Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) was significantly higher at 10 weeks in mice on a KD vs control group (0.83 ± 0.44 mmol/l versus 0.42 ± 0.21 mmol/l, η2 = 0.265, unpaired t-test, p = 0.0060). Mice on the KD intervention demonstrated significantly increased hindlimb grip strength (diet, p = 0.0001; time × diet, p = 0.0030), all limb grip strength (diet, p = 0.0005; time × diet, p = 0.0523), and rotarod latency to fall (diet, p = 0.0126; time × diet, p = 0.0021). Mice treated with the KD intervention also demonstrated increased MUNE (diet, p = 0.0465; time × diet, p = 0.0064), but no difference in muscle contractility (diet, p = 0.5248; time × diet, p = 0.5836) or RNS (diet, p = 0.3562; time × diet, p = 0.9871). CONCLUSION KD intervention improved neuromuscular and motor function in aged mice. This pre-clinical work suggests that further research is needed to assess the efficacy and physiological effects of a KD on indices of sarcopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J Padilla
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Hallie Harris
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Jeff S Volek
- Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Brian C Clark
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA; Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI), Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA.
| | - W David Arnold
- University of Missouri, School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA; NextGen Precision Health Initiative, University of Missouri System, Columbia, MO, USA.
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Mehrotra P, Jablonski J, Toftegard J, Zhang Y, Shahini S, Wang J, Hung CW, Ellis R, Kayal G, Rajabian N, Liu S, Roballo K, Udin SB, Andreadis ST, Personius KE. Skeletal muscle reprogramming enhances reinnervation after peripheral nerve injury. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3463557. [PMID: 38260278 PMCID: PMC10802751 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3463557/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Peripheral Nerve Injuries (PNI) affect more than 20 million Americans and severely impact quality of life by causing long-term disability. The onset of PNI is characterized by nerve degeneration distal to the nerve injury resulting in long periods of skeletal muscle denervation. During this period, muscle fibers atrophy and frequently become incapable of "accepting" innervation because of the slow speed of axon regeneration post injury. We hypothesize that reprogramming the skeletal muscle to an embryonic-like state may preserve its reinnervation capability following PNI. To this end, we generated a mouse model in which NANOG, a pluripotency-associated transcription factor can be expressed locally upon delivery of doxycycline (Dox) in a polymeric vehicle. NANOG expression in the muscle upregulated the percentage of Pax7+ nuclei and expression of eMYHC along with other genes that are involved in muscle development. In a sciatic nerve transection model, NANOG expression led to upregulation of key genes associated with myogenesis, neurogenesis and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) formation, and downregulation of key muscle atrophy genes. Further, NANOG mice demonstrated extensive overlap between synaptic vesicles and NMJ acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) indicating restored innervation. Indeed, NANOG mice showed greater improvement in motor function as compared to wild-type (WT) animals, as evidenced by improved toe-spread reflex, EMG responses and isometric force production. In conclusion, we demonstrate that reprogramming the muscle can be an effective strategy to improve reinnervation and functional outcomes after PNI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pihu Mehrotra
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - James Jablonski
- Department of Department of Rehabilitation Science, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - John Toftegard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, NY, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Yali Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Shahryar Shahini
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Carey W Hung
- Biomedical Affairs and Research, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Reilly Ellis
- Biomedical Affairs and Research, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Gabriella Kayal
- Biomedical Affairs and Research, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Nika Rajabian
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Kelly Roballo
- Biomedical Affairs and Research, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Susan B. Udin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University at Buffalo, Amherst, NY 14203, USA
| | - Stelios T. Andreadis
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, NY, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
- Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Center for Cell, Gene and Tissue Engineering (CGTE), University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Kirkwood E. Personius
- Department of Department of Rehabilitation Science, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
- Center for Cell, Gene and Tissue Engineering (CGTE), University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
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Fish LA, Ewing MD, Jaime D, Rich KA, Xi C, Wang X, Feder RE, Wharton KA, Rich MM, Arnold WD, Fallon JR. The MuSK-BMP pathway regulates synaptic Nav1.4 localization and muscle excitability. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.24.563837. [PMID: 37961580 PMCID: PMC10634800 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.24.563837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is the linchpin of nerve-evoked muscle contraction. Broadly considered, the function of the NMJ is to transduce a nerve action potential into a muscle fiber action potential (MFAP). Efficient information transfer requires both cholinergic signaling, responsible for the generation of endplate potentials (EPPs), and excitation, the activation of postsynaptic voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav1.4) to trigger MFAPs. In contrast to the cholinergic apparatus, the signaling pathways that organize Nav1.4 and muscle fiber excitability are poorly characterized. Muscle-specific kinase (MuSK), in addition to its Ig1 domain-dependent role as an agrin-LRP4 receptor, is also a BMP co-receptor that binds BMPs via its Ig3 domain and shapes BMP-induced signaling and transcriptional output. Here we probed the function of the MuSK-BMP pathway at the NMJ using mice lacking the MuSK Ig3 domain ('ΔIg3-MuSK'). Synapses formed normally in ΔIg3-MuSK animals, but the postsynaptic apparatus was fragmented from the first weeks of life. Anatomical denervation was not observed at any age examined. Moreover, spontaneous and nerve-evoked acetylcholine release, AChR density, and endplate currents were comparable to WT. However, trains of nerve-evoked MFAPs in ΔIg3-MuSK muscle were abnormal as revealed by increased jitter and blocking in single fiber electromyography. Further, nerve-evoked compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs), as well as twitch and tetanic muscle torque force production, were also diminished. Finally, Nav1.4 levels were reduced at ΔIg3-MuSK synapses but not at the extrajunctional sarcolemma, indicating that the observed excitability defects are the result of impaired localization of this voltage-gated ion channel at the NMJ. We propose that MuSK plays two distinct roles at the NMJ: as an agrin-LRP4 receptor necessary for establishing and maintaining cholinergic signaling, and as a BMP co-receptor required for maintaining proper Nav1.4 density, nerve-evoked muscle excitability and force production. The MuSK-BMP pathway thus emerges as a target for modulating excitability and functional innervation, which are defective in conditions such as congenital myasthenic syndromes and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. A. Fish
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
| | - M. D. Ewing
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
| | - D. Jaime
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
| | - K. A. Rich
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - C. Xi
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, Brown University, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
| | - X. Wang
- Department of Neuroscience Cell Biology and Physiology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435
| | - R. E. Feder
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
| | - K. A. Wharton
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
| | - M. M. Rich
- Department of Neuroscience Cell Biology and Physiology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435
| | - W. D. Arnold
- NextGen Precision Health Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 62511
| | - J. R. Fallon
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
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Padilla CJ, Harris H, Volek JS, Clark BC, Arnold WD. Ketogenic Diet Improves Motor Function and Motor Unit Connectivity in Aged C57BL/6 Mice. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3335211. [PMID: 37961656 PMCID: PMC10635299 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3335211/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Objective Pathological, age-related loss of muscle function, commonly referred to as sarcopenia, contributes to loss of mobility, impaired independence, as well as increased risk of adverse health events. Sarcopenia has been attributed to changes in both neural and muscular integrity during aging. Current treatment options are primarily limited to exercise and dietary protein fortification, but the therapeutic impact of these approaches are often inadequate. Prior work has suggested that a ketogenic diet (KD) might improve healthspan and lifespan in aging mice. Thus, we sought to investigate the effects of a KD on neuromuscular indices of sarcopenia in aged C57BL/6 mice. Design A randomized, controlled pre-clinical experiment consisting of longitudinal assessments performed starting at 22-months of age (baseline) as well as 2, 6 and 10 weeks after the start of a KD vs. regular chow intervention. Setting Preclinical laboratory study. Sample size Thirty-six 22-month-old mice were randomized into 2 dietary groups: KD [n = 22 (13 female and 9 male)], and regular chow [n = 15 (7 female and 8 male)]. Measurements Measures included body mass, hindlimb and all limb grip strength, rotarod for motor performance, plantarflexion muscle contractility, motor unit number estimations (MUNE), and repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) as an index of neuromuscular junction transmission efficacy recorded from the gastrocnemius muscle. At end point, blood samples were collected to assess blood beta-hydroxybutyrate levels. Statistical Analysis Two-way ANOVA mixed-effects analysis (time x diet) were performed to analyze grip, rotarod, MUNE, and muscle contractility data. Results Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) was significantly higher at 10 weeks in mice on a KD vs control group (0.83 ± 0.44 mmol/l versus 0.42 ± 0.21 mmol/l, η2 = 0.265, unpaired t-test, p = 0.0060). Mice on the KD intervention demonstrated significantly increased hindlimb grip strength (time x diet, p = 0.0030), all limb grip strength (time x diet, p = 0.0523), and rotarod latency to fall (time x diet, p = 0.0021). Mice treated with the KD intervention also demonstrated significantly greater MUNE (time x diet, p = 0.0064), but no difference in muscle contractility (time x diet, p = 0.5836) or RNS (time x diet, p = 0.9871). Conclusion KD intervention improved neuromuscular and motor function in aged mice. This pre-clinical work suggests that further research is needed to assess the efficacy and physiological effects of a KD on indices of sarcopenia.
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Necarsulmer JC, Simon JM, Evangelista BA, Chen Y, Tian X, Nafees S, Marquez AB, Jiang H, Wang P, Ajit D, Nikolova VD, Harper KM, Ezzell JA, Lin FC, Beltran AS, Moy SS, Cohen TJ. RNA-binding deficient TDP-43 drives cognitive decline in a mouse model of TDP-43 proteinopathy. eLife 2023; 12:RP85921. [PMID: 37819053 PMCID: PMC10567115 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
TDP-43 proteinopathies including frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by aggregation and mislocalization of the nucleic acid-binding protein TDP-43 and subsequent neuronal dysfunction. Here, we developed endogenous models of sporadic TDP-43 proteinopathy based on the principle that disease-associated TDP-43 acetylation at lysine 145 (K145) alters TDP-43 conformation, impairs RNA-binding capacity, and induces downstream mis-regulation of target genes. Expression of acetylation-mimic TDP-43K145Q resulted in stress-induced nuclear TDP-43 foci and loss of TDP-43 function in primary mouse and human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cortical neurons. Mice harboring the TDP-43K145Q mutation recapitulated key hallmarks of FTLD, including progressive TDP-43 phosphorylation and insolubility, TDP-43 mis-localization, transcriptomic and splicing alterations, and cognitive dysfunction. Our study supports a model in which TDP-43 acetylation drives neuronal dysfunction and cognitive decline through aberrant splicing and transcription of critical genes that regulate synaptic plasticity and stress response signaling. The neurodegenerative cascade initiated by TDP-43 acetylation recapitulates many aspects of human FTLD and provides a new paradigm to further interrogate TDP-43 proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie C Necarsulmer
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Jeremy M Simon
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Genetics, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Baggio A Evangelista
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Youjun Chen
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Xu Tian
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Sara Nafees
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Ariana B Marquez
- Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Huijun Jiang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Deepa Ajit
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Viktoriya D Nikolova
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Kathryn M Harper
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - J Ashley Ezzell
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, Histology Research Core Facility, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Feng-Chang Lin
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Adriana S Beltran
- Department of Genetics, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Sheryl S Moy
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Todd J Cohen
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
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Shen Z, Li M, He F, Huang C, Zheng Y, Wang Z, Ma S, Chen L, Liu Z, Zheng H, Xiong F. Intravenous Administration of an AAV9 Vector Ubiquitously Expressing C1orf194 Gene Improved CMT-Like Neuropathy in C1orf194 -/- Mice. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:1835-1846. [PMID: 37843769 PMCID: PMC10684460 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01429-6] [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] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, also known as hereditary motor sensory neuropathy, is a group of rare genetically heterogenous diseases characterized by progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, along with sensory deficits. Despite extensive pre-clinical and clinical research, no FDA-approved therapy is available for any CMT type. We previously identified C1ORF194, a novel causative gene for CMT, and found that both C1orf194 knock-in (I121N) and knockout mice developed clinical phenotypes similar to those in patients with CMT. Encouraging results of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy have stimulated the use of AAVs as vehicles for CMT gene therapy. Here, we present a gene therapy approach to restore C1orf194 expression in a knockout background. We used C1orf194-/- mice treated with AAV serotype 9 (AAV9) vector carrying a codon-optimized WT human C1ORF194 cDNA whose expression was driven by a ubiquitously expressed chicken β-actin promoter with a CMV enhancer. Our preclinical evaluation demonstrated the efficacy of AAV-mediated gene therapy in improving sensory and motor abilities, thus achieving largely normal gross motor performance and minimal signs of neuropathy, on the basis of neurophysiological and histopathological evaluation in C1orf194-/- mice administered AAV gene therapy. Our findings advance the techniques for delivering therapeutic interventions to individuals with CMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongrui Shen
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meiyi Li
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fei He
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingchun Zheng
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhikui Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shunfei Ma
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhengshan Liu
- Division of Translational Neuroscience in Schizophrenia, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Hui Zheng
- Department of Neurology, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Fu Xiong
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- Department of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Mandeville R, Sanchez B, Johnston B, Bazarek S, Thum JA, Birmingham A, See RHB, Leochico CFD, Kumar V, Dowlatshahi AS, Brown J, Stashuk D, Rutkove SB. A scoping review of current and emerging techniques for evaluation of peripheral nerve health, degeneration, and regeneration: part 1, neurophysiology. J Neural Eng 2023; 20:041001. [PMID: 37279730 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/acdbeb] [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: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Peripheral neuroregeneration research and therapeutic options are expanding exponentially. With this expansion comes an increasing need to reliably evaluate and quantify nerve health. Valid and responsive measures that can serve as biomarkers of the nerve status are essential for both clinical and research purposes for diagnosis, longitudinal follow-up, and monitoring the impact of any intervention. Furthermore, such biomarkers can elucidate regeneration mechanisms and open new avenues for research. Without these measures, clinical decision-making falls short, and research becomes more costly, time-consuming, and sometimes infeasible. As a companion to Part 2, which is focused on non-invasive imaging, Part 1 of this two-part scoping review systematically identifies and critically examines many current and emerging neurophysiological techniques that have the potential to evaluate peripheral nerve health, particularly from the perspective of regenerative therapies and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross Mandeville
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Sanchez
- Department Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Johnston
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Stanley Bazarek
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Jasmine A Thum
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Austin Birmingham
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Reiner Henson B See
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Carl Froilan D Leochico
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, St. Luke's Medical Center, Global City, Taguig, The Philippines
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, The Philippines
| | - Viksit Kumar
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Arriyan S Dowlatshahi
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Justin Brown
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Daniel Stashuk
- Department of Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Seward B Rutkove
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
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Rich KA, Pino MG, Yalvac ME, Fox A, Harris H, Balch MHH, Arnold WD, Kolb SJ. Impaired motor unit recovery and maintenance in a knock-in mouse model of ALS-associated Kif5a variant. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 182:106148. [PMID: 37164288 PMCID: PMC10874102 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106148] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Kinesin family member 5A (KIF5A) is an essential, neuron-specific microtubule-associated motor protein responsible for the anterograde axonal transport of various cellular cargos. Loss of function variants in the N-terminal, microtubule-binding domain are associated with hereditary spastic paraplegia and hereditary motor neuropathy. These variants result in a loss of the ability of the mutant protein to process along microtubules. Contrastingly, gain of function splice-site variants in the C-terminal, cargo-binding domain of KIF5A are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease involving death of upper and lower motor neurons, ultimately leading to degradation of the motor unit (MU; an alpha motor neuron and all the myofibers it innervates) and death. These ALS-associated variants result in loss of autoinhibition, increased procession of the mutant protein along microtubules, and altered cargo binding. To study the molecular and cellular consequences of ALS-associated variants in vivo, we introduced the murine homolog of an ALS-associated KIF5A variant into C57BL/6 mice using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing which produced mutant Kif5a mRNA and protein in neuronal tissues of heterozygous (Kif5a+/c.3005+1G>A; HET) and homozygous (Kif5ac.3005+1G>A/c.3005+1G>A; HOM) mice. HET and HOM mice appeared normal in behavioral and electrophysiological (compound muscle action potential [CMAP] and MU number estimation [MUNE]) outcome measures at one year of age. When subjected to sciatic nerve injury, HET and HOM mice have delayed and incomplete recovery of the MUNE compared to wildtype (WT) mice suggesting an impairment in MU repair. Moreover, aged mutant Kif5a mice (aged two years) had reduced MUNE independent of injury, and exacerbation of the delayed and incomplete recovery after injury compared to aged WT mice. These data suggest that ALS-associated variants may result in an impairment of the MU to respond to biological challenges such as injury and aging, leading to a failure of MU repair and maintenance. In this report, we present the behavioral, electrophysiological and pathological characterization of mice harboring an ALS-associated Kif5a variant to understand the functional consequences of KIF5A C-terminal variants in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A Rich
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Megan G Pino
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Mehmet E Yalvac
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ashley Fox
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Hallie Harris
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Maria H H Balch
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - W David Arnold
- NextGen Precision Health, University of Missouri, MO, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Missouri, MO, USA
| | - Stephen J Kolb
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry & Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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9
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Gong GQ, Bilanges B, Allsop B, Masson GR, Roberton V, Askwith T, Oxenford S, Madsen RR, Conduit SE, Bellini D, Fitzek M, Collier M, Najam O, He Z, Wahab B, McLaughlin SH, Chan AWE, Feierberg I, Madin A, Morelli D, Bhamra A, Vinciauskaite V, Anderson KE, Surinova S, Pinotsis N, Lopez-Guadamillas E, Wilcox M, Hooper A, Patel C, Whitehead MA, Bunney TD, Stephens LR, Hawkins PT, Katan M, Yellon DM, Davidson SM, Smith DM, Phillips JB, Angell R, Williams RL, Vanhaesebroeck B. A small-molecule PI3Kα activator for cardioprotection and neuroregeneration. Nature 2023; 618:159-168. [PMID: 37225977 PMCID: PMC7614683 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05972-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Harnessing the potential beneficial effects of kinase signalling through the generation of direct kinase activators remains an underexplored area of drug development1-5. This also applies to the PI3K signalling pathway, which has been extensively targeted by inhibitors for conditions with PI3K overactivation, such as cancer and immune dysregulation. Here we report the discovery of UCL-TRO-1938 (referred to as 1938 hereon), a small-molecule activator of the PI3Kα isoform, a crucial effector of growth factor signalling. 1938 allosterically activates PI3Kα through a distinct mechanism by enhancing multiple steps of the PI3Kα catalytic cycle and causes both local and global conformational changes in the PI3Kα structure. This compound is selective for PI3Kα over other PI3K isoforms and multiple protein and lipid kinases. It transiently activates PI3K signalling in all rodent and human cells tested, resulting in cellular responses such as proliferation and neurite outgrowth. In rodent models, acute treatment with 1938 provides cardioprotection from ischaemia-reperfusion injury and, after local administration, enhances nerve regeneration following nerve crush. This study identifies a chemical tool to directly probe the PI3Kα signalling pathway and a new approach to modulate PI3K activity, widening the therapeutic potential of targeting these enzymes through short-term activation for tissue protection and regeneration. Our findings illustrate the potential of activating kinases for therapeutic benefit, a currently largely untapped area of drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Q Gong
- Cell Signalling, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Benoit Bilanges
- Cell Signalling, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ben Allsop
- Drug Discovery Group, Translational Research Office, University College London, London, UK
| | - Glenn R Masson
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
- Division of Cellular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Victoria Roberton
- UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Trevor Askwith
- Drug Discovery Group, Translational Research Office, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sally Oxenford
- Drug Discovery Group, Translational Research Office, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ralitsa R Madsen
- Cell Signalling, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sarah E Conduit
- Cell Signalling, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dom Bellini
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Martina Fitzek
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, UK
| | - Matt Collier
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, UK
| | - Osman Najam
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Zhenhe He
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ben Wahab
- Medicines Discovery Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - A W Edith Chan
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Andrew Madin
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Daniele Morelli
- Cell Signalling, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Amandeep Bhamra
- Proteomics Research Translational Technology Platform, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Vanesa Vinciauskaite
- Division of Cellular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | - Silvia Surinova
- Proteomics Research Translational Technology Platform, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nikos Pinotsis
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, UK
| | | | - Matthew Wilcox
- UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alice Hooper
- Drug Discovery Group, Translational Research Office, University College London, London, UK
| | - Chandni Patel
- Drug Discovery Group, Translational Research Office, University College London, London, UK
| | - Maria A Whitehead
- Cell Signalling, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Tom D Bunney
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Matilda Katan
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Derek M Yellon
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sean M Davidson
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - David M Smith
- Emerging Innovations, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - James B Phillips
- UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Richard Angell
- Drug Discovery Group, Translational Research Office, University College London, London, UK
- Medicines Discovery Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Roger L Williams
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
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10
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Baertsch HC, Cvancara D, Bhatt NK. Utilizing novel recurrent laryngeal motor nerve conduction studies to characterize the aging larynx: A pilot study. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol 2023; 8:739-745. [PMID: 37342107 PMCID: PMC10278111 DOI: 10.1002/lio2.1071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Age-related changes to the larynx are associated with dysphonia and contribute to reduced quality of life. This study utilizes recurrent laryngeal motor nerve conduction studies (rlMNCS) to determine if neurophysiologic changes occur in the aging larynx using an aging rat model. Study Design Animal study. Methods In vivo rlMNCS were performed in 10 young hemi-larynges (3-4 months) and 10 aged hemi-larynges (18-19 months) rats (Fischer 344 × Brown Norway F344BN). Recording electrodes were placed into the thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle through direct laryngoscopy. Recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLNs) were directly stimulated with bipolar electrodes. Compound motor action potentials (CMAPs) were obtained. RLN cross-sections were stained with toluidine blue. Axon count, myelination, and g-ratio were quantified utilizing AxonDeepSeg analysis software. Results rlMNCS were successfully obtained in all animals. Mean CMAP amplitude and negative durations in young rats were 3.58 ± 2.20 mV and 0.93 ± 0.14 mS (mean dif: 0.17; 95% CI: -2.21 to 2.54), respectively, and 3.74 ± 2.81 mV and 0.98 ± 0.11 mS (mean dif: 0.050; 95% CI: -0.07 to 0.17). No significant differences in onset latency or negative area were observed. Mean axon count in young rats (176 ± 35) was comparable to that in old rats (173 ± 31). Myelin thickness and g-ratio did not differ between groups. Conclusions There were no statistically significant differences in RLN conduction or axon histology between young and aged rats in this pilot study. This work provides a basis for future, adequately powered studies, and may lead to a tractable animal model to study the aging larynx. Level of Evidence 5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans C. Baertsch
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Keck School of MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - David Cvancara
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck SurgeryUniversity of Washington School of MedicineSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Neel K. Bhatt
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck SurgeryUniversity of Washington School of MedicineSeattleWashingtonUSA
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11
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Yeoh S, Warner WS, Bromberg M, Mahan MA. Retrograde labeling correlates with motor unit number estimation in rapid-stretch nerve injury. Muscle Nerve 2023; 67:169-176. [PMID: 36420650 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27756] [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: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Rapid-stretch nerve injuries represent a substantial treatment challenge. No study has examined motor neuron connection after rapid-stretch injury. Our objective in this study was to characterize the electrophysiological properties of graded rapid-stretch nerve injury and assess motor neuron health using retrograde labeling and muscle adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) histology. METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 6 per group) were rapid-stretch injured at four levels of severity: sham injury, stretch within elastic modulus, inelastic deformation, and stretch rupture. Serial compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and motor unit number estimation (MUNE) measurements were made for 48 days, followed by retrograde labeling and muscle ATPase histology. RESULTS Elastic injuries showed no durable abnormalities. Inelastic injury demonstrated profound initial reduction in CMAP and MUNE (P < .036) on day 2, with partial recovery by day 14 after injury (CMAP: 40% baseline, P = .003; MUNE: 55% baseline, P = .033). However, at the experimental endpoint, CMAP had recovered to baseline with only limited improvement in MUNE. Inelastic injury led to reduced retrograde-labeled neurons and grouped fiber type histology. Rupture injury had severe and nonrecovering electrophysiological impairment, dramatically reducing labeled neurons (P = .005), and atrophic or type 1 muscle fibers. There was an excellent correlation between MUNE and retrograde-labeled tibial motor neurons across injury severities (R2 = 0.96). DISCUSSION There was no significant electrophysiological derangement in low-severity injuries but there was recoverable conduction block in inelastic injury with slow recovery, potentially due to collateral sprouting. Rupture injuries yielded permanent failure of injured axons to reinnervate. These results provide insight into the pathophysiology of clinical injuries and recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart Yeoh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neurosciences Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Wesley S Warner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neurosciences Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Mark Bromberg
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neurosciences Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Mark A Mahan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neurosciences Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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12
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Liu T, Woo JAA, Bukhari MZ, Wang X, Yan Y, Buosi SC, Ermekbaeva A, Sista A, Kotsiviras P, LePochat P, Chacko A, Zhao X, Kang DE. Modulation of synaptic plasticity, motor unit physiology, and TDP-43 pathology by CHCHD10. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:95. [PMID: 35787294 PMCID: PMC9254494 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01386-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in CHCHD10, a gene coding for a mitochondrial intermembrane space protein, are associated with Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)-Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) spectrum disorders, which are pathologically characterized by cytoplasmic inclusions containing TDP-43. FTD/ALS-linked CHCHD10 mutations and TDP-43 inclusions similarly induce mitochondrial defects in respiration, fusion/fission, mtDNA stability, and cristae structure, while sizeable amounts of cytoplasmic TDP-43 aggregates are found in mitochondria. However, the mechanistic link between CHCHD10 and TDP-43 pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we present immunohistochemical and biochemical evidence demonstrating that insoluble CHCHD10 aggregates accumulate and colocalize with phospho-TDP-43 inclusions in brains of FTLD-TDP and AD patients, and that insoluble CHCHD10 levels tightly correlate with insoluble TDP-43 levels in control and FTLD-TDP brains. In an experimental exploration of this pathological phenotype, transgenic mice neuronally expressing FTD/ALS-linked CHCHD10R15L or CHCHDS59L mutations but not CHCHD10WT transgenic mice exhibit significantly increased CHCHD10 aggregation and phospho-TDP-43 pathology, which often colocalize within the same inclusions. Such pathologies are reflected in poor functional outcomes in long-term synaptic plasticity, motor unit physiology, and behavior in CHCHD10R15L and CHCHDS59L transgenic mice. In contrast, expression of CHCHD10WT in hTDP-43 transgenic mice (TAR4;CHCHD10WT) significantly mitigates phospho-TDP-43 pathology and rescues TDP-43-induced impairments in synaptic integrity and long-term synaptic plasticity. In isolated mitochondria, the S59L mutation induces the aggregation of resident CHCHD10S59L protein as well as the aggregation and slower turnover of recombinant TDP-43 imported into mitochondria. Likewise, in an in vitro cell-free system, the S59L mutation induces the aggregation of CHCHD10S59L protein while simultaneously enhancing the aggregation of recombinant TDP-43, as evidenced by filter trap assays and atomic force microscopy. In contrast, recombinant CHCHD10WT inhibits the growth of TDP-43 aggregates. These results in human brains, transgenic mice, and in vitro systems substantiate the role of wild type and mutant CHCHD10 in modulating mitochondrial CHCHD10 and TDP-43 pathogenesis together with associated phenotypes in long-term synaptic plasticity and motor unit physiology in mice and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Liu
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
| | - Jung-A A Woo
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Mohammed Zaheen Bukhari
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Xinming Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Yan Yan
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Sara Cazzaro Buosi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Aizara Ermekbaeva
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Apoorva Sista
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Peter Kotsiviras
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Patrick LePochat
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Ann Chacko
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Xingyu Zhao
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - David E Kang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
- Louis Strokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA.
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13
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Morozzi G, Rothen J, Toussaint G, De Lange K, Westritschnig K, Doelemeyer A, Ueberschlag VP, Kahle P, Lambert C, Obrecht M, Beckmann N, Ritter V, Panesar M, Stauffer D, Garnier I, Mueller M, Guerini D, Keller CG, Knehr J, Roma G, Bidinosti M, Brachat S, Morvan F, Fornaro M. STING regulates peripheral nerve regeneration and colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) processing in microglia. iScience 2021; 24:103434. [PMID: 34877494 PMCID: PMC8633968 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory responses are crucial for regeneration following peripheral nerve injury (PNI). PNI triggers inflammatory responses at the site of injury. The DNA-sensing receptor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and its downstream effector stimulator of interferon genes (STING) sense foreign and self-DNA and trigger type I interferon (IFN) immune responses. We demonstrate here that following PNI, the cGAS/STING pathway is upregulated in the sciatic nerve of naive rats and dysregulated in old rats. In a nerve crush mouse model where STING is knocked out, myelin content in sciatic nerve is increased resulting in accelerated functional axon recovery. STING KO mice have lower macrophage number in sciatic nerve and decreased microglia activation in spinal cord 1 week post injury. STING activation regulated processing of colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) and microglia survival in vitro. Taking together, these data highlight a previously unrecognized role of STING in the regulation of nerve regeneration. The cGAS/STING pathway is upregulated in sciatic nerve post nerve injury and in aging STING ablation increases myelin content and accelerates functional axon recovery STING KO mice reduces macrophage number in sciatic nerve and microglia activation post injury
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Morozzi
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julian Rothen
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gauthier Toussaint
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katrina De Lange
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katrin Westritschnig
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Arno Doelemeyer
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Peter Kahle
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Lambert
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Obrecht
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicolau Beckmann
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Veronique Ritter
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Moh Panesar
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Stauffer
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Garnier
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Mueller
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danilo Guerini
- Autoimmunity and Inflammation, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Gubser Keller
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Judith Knehr
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Guglielmo Roma
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Bidinosti
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Brachat
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frederic Morvan
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mara Fornaro
- Musculoskeletal Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
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14
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Rich KA, Fox A, Yalvac M, Heintzman S, Tellez M, Bartlett A, Severyn S, Linsenmayer M, Kelly K, Reynolds J, Sterling GB, Weaver T, Rajneesh K, Pino MG, Arnold WD, Elsheikh B, Kolb SJ. Neurofilament Levels in CSF and Serum in an Adult SMA Cohort Treated with Nusinersen. J Neuromuscul Dis 2021; 9:111-119. [PMID: 34776417 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-210735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To retrospectively evaluate the utility of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNfH) as biomarkers for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) progression and response to nusinersen treatment. METHODS NfL and pNfH levels were quantified using single molecular array (SIMOA) in CSF of 33 adult SMA patients (SMN copy number 3-5) before and in response to nusinersen treatment. In 11 of the patients, blood serum samples were also collected. CSF NfL and pNfH from patients were compared to CSF Nfs from age-matched controls without neurological disease (n = 6). For patients, pearson correlation coefficients (r) were calculated to investigate associations between Nf levels and other functional outcome measures. RESULTS Nf levels were similar between SMA and control adults and showed no change in response to nusinersen treatment in CSF or serum. Cross-sectional analyses showed an increase in CSF NfL and pNfH with age in patients (NfL p = 0.0013; pNfH p = 0.0035) and an increase in CSF NfL in controls (p = 0.002). In non-ambulatory patients, baseline serum pNfH showed a negative correlation with multiple strength and functional assessment metrics including Revised Upper Limb Module (r = -0.822, p = 0.04), upper extremity strength (r = -0.828, p = 0.042), lower extremity strength (r = -0.860, p = 0.028), and total strength (r = -0.870, p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS Nf levels did not change in response to nusinersen in adults with SMA and were not different from controls. In patients and controls, we detected an age-related increase in baseline CSF NfL and pNfH levels. Though some associations were identified, our results suggest Nf levels are not preditive or prognostic biomarkers in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A Rich
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State UniversityWexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ashley Fox
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State UniversityWexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Mehmet Yalvac
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State UniversityWexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sarah Heintzman
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State UniversityWexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Marco Tellez
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State UniversityWexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Amy Bartlett
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State UniversityWexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Steven Severyn
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Ohio StateUniversity Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Mathew Linsenmayer
- Assistive Technology Department, The Ohio StateUniversity Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kristina Kelly
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State UniversityWexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jerry Reynolds
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State UniversityWexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Gary Brent Sterling
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State UniversityWexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tristan Weaver
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Ohio StateUniversity Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kiran Rajneesh
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State UniversityWexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Megan G Pino
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State UniversityWexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - W David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State UniversityWexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Bakri Elsheikh
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State UniversityWexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Stephen J Kolb
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State UniversityWexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry &Pharmacology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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15
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Kray KM, McGovern VL, Chugh D, Arnold WD, Burghes AHM. Dual SMN inducing therapies can rescue survival and motor unit function in symptomatic ∆7SMA mice. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 159:105488. [PMID: 34425216 PMCID: PMC8502210 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by survival motor neuron (SMN) protein deficiency which results in motor neuron loss and muscle atrophy. SMA is caused by a mutation or deletion of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene and retention of the nearly identical SMN2 gene. SMN2 contains a C to T change in exon 7 that results in exon 7 exclusion from 90% of transcripts. SMN protein lacking exon 7 is unstable and rapidly degraded. The remaining full-length transcripts from SMN2 are insufficient for normal motor neuron function leading to the development of SMA. Three different therapeutic approaches that increase full-length SMN (FL-SMN) protein production are approved for treatment of SMA patients. Studies in both animal models and humans have demonstrated increasing SMN levels prior to onset of symptoms provides the greatest therapeutic benefit. Treatment of SMA, after some motor neuron loss has occurred, is also effective but to a lesser degree. The SMN∆7 mouse model is a well characterized model of severe or type 1 SMA, dying at 14 days of age. Here we treated three groups of ∆7SMA mice starting before, roughly during, and after symptom onset to determine if combining two mechanistically distinct SMN inducing therapies could improve the therapeutic outcome both before and after motor neuron loss. We found, compared with individual therapies, that morpholino antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) directed against ISS-N1 combined with the small molecule compound RG7800 significantly increased FL-SMN transcript and protein production resulting in improved survival and weight of ∆7SMA mice. Moreover, when give late symptomatically, motor unit function was completely rescued with no loss in function at 100 days of age in the dual treatment group. We have therefore shown that this dual therapeutic approach successfully increases SMN protein and rescues motor function in symptomatic ∆7SMA mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn M Kray
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 1060 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Vicki L McGovern
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 1060 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Deepti Chugh
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 W. 12(th) Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - W David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 W. 12(th) Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Arthur H M Burghes
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 1060 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 W. 12(th) Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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16
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Iyer CC, Chugh D, Bobbili PJ, Iii AJB, Crum AE, Yi AF, Kaspar BK, Meyer KC, Burghes AHM, Arnold WD. Follistatin-induced muscle hypertrophy in aged mice improves neuromuscular junction innervation and function. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 104:32-41. [PMID: 33964607 PMCID: PMC8225567 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Sarcopenia, or age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, is an important contributor to loss of physical function in older adults. The pathogenesis of sarcopenia is likely multifactorial, but recently the role of neurological degeneration, such as motor unit loss, has received increased attention. Here, we investigated the longitudinal effects of muscle hypertrophy (via overexpression of human follistatin, a myostatin antagonist) on neuromuscular integrity in C57BL/6J mice between the ages of 24 and 27 months. Following follistatin overexpression (delivered via self-complementary adeno-associated virus subtype 9 injection), muscle weight and torque production were significantly improved. Follistatin treatment resulted in improvements of neuromuscular junction innervation and transmission but had no impact on age-related losses of motor units. These studies demonstrate that follistatin overexpression-induced muscle hypertrophy not only increased muscle weight and torque production but also countered age-related degeneration at the neuromuscular junction in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chitra C Iyer
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Deepti Chugh
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Prameela J Bobbili
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Anton J Blatnik Iii
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Alexander E Crum
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Allen F Yi
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Brian K Kaspar
- The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kathrin C Meyer
- The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Arthur H M Burghes
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - W David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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17
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Huot JR, Pin F, Bonetto A. Muscle weakness caused by cancer and chemotherapy is associated with loss of motor unit connectivity. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:2990-3001. [PMID: 34249440 PMCID: PMC8263661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle wasting and weakness caused by cancer and its treatments (known as "cachexia") drastically impair quality of life and worsen survival outcomes in cancer patients. There are currently no approved treatments for cachexia. Hence, further investigation into the causes of cachexia induced by cancer and chemotherapy is warranted. Here, we sought to investigate skeletal muscle wasting, weakness and loss of motor unit function in mice bearing cancers or administered chemotherapeutics. Mice bearing colorectal cancers, including C26, MC38 and HCT116, and mice receiving the chemotherapeutics folfiri and cisplatin were assessed for in vivo and ex vivo muscle force, and for in vivo electrophysiological indices of motor unit connectivity, including compound muscle action potential and motor unit number estimation (MUNE). In vivo and ex vivo muscle force, as well as MUNE were reduced in C26, MC38, HCT116 hosts, and in mice receiving folfiri and cisplatin compared to their respective experimental controls. In addition, MUNE was correlated with muscle force and muscle mass in all experimental conditions, while assessment of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) protein expression and changes in presynaptic morphology suggested that cancer and chemotherapy significantly alter muscle innervation. The present results demonstrate that the loss of motor unit connectivity may contribute to skeletal muscle wasting and weakness that occur with cancer and chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua R Huot
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Fabrizio Pin
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Andrea Bonetto
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolis, IN, USA
- Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolis, IN, USA
- Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolis, IN, USA
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18
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Chugh D, Iyer CC, Bobbili P, Blatnik AJ, Kaspar BK, Meyer K, Burghes AH, Clark BC, Arnold WD. Voluntary wheel running with and without follistatin overexpression improves NMJ transmission but not motor unit loss in late life of C57BL/6J mice. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 101:285-296. [PMID: 33678425 PMCID: PMC8122043 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Sarcopenia, or pathological loss of muscle mass and strength during aging, is an important contributor to loss of physical function in older adults. Sarcopenia is a multifactorial syndrome associated with intrinsic muscle and upstream neurological dysfunction. Exercise is well-established as an effective intervention for sarcopenia, but less is known about the long-term neurobiological impact of exercise. The goals of this study were to investigate the effects of exercise, alone or in combination with follistatin (FST) overexpression (antagonist of myostatin), on neuromuscular junction transmission and motor unit numbers in mice between the age of 22 and 27 months, ages at which prior studies have demonstrated that some motor unit loss is already evident. C57BL/6J mice underwent baseline assessment and were randomized to housing with or without voluntary running wheels and injection with adeno-associated virus to overexpress FST or vehicle. Groups for comparison included sedentary and running with and without FST. Longitudinal assessments showed significantly increased muscle mass and contractility in the 'running plus FST' group, but running, with and without FST, showed no effect on motor unit degeneration. In contrast, running, with and without FST, demonstrated marked improvement of neuromuscular junction transmission stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepti Chugh
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Chitra C Iyer
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Prameela Bobbili
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Anton J Blatnik
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Brian K Kaspar
- The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kathrin Meyer
- The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Arthur Hm Burghes
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Brian C Clark
- Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute & the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Athens, OH, USA
| | - W David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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19
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Reedich EJ, Kalski M, Armijo N, Cox GA, DiDonato CJ. Spinal motor neuron loss occurs through a p53-and-p21-independent mechanism in the Smn 2B/- mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy. Exp Neurol 2020; 337:113587. [PMID: 33382987 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a pediatric neuromuscular disease caused by genetic deficiency of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Pathological hallmarks of SMA are spinal motor neuron loss and skeletal muscle atrophy. The molecular mechanisms that elicit and drive preferential motor neuron degeneration and death in SMA remain unclear. Transcriptomic studies consistently report p53 pathway activation in motor neurons and spinal cord tissue of SMA mice. Recent work has identified p53 as an inducer of spinal motor neuron loss in severe Δ7 SMA mice. Additionally, the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor P21 (Cdkn1a), an inducer of cell cycle arrest and mediator of skeletal muscle atrophy, is consistently increased in motor neurons, spinal cords, and other tissues of various SMA models. p21 is a p53 transcriptional target but can be independently induced by cellular stressors. To ascertain whether p53 and p21 signaling pathways mediate spinal motor neuron death in milder SMA mice, and how they affect the overall SMA phenotype, we introduced Trp53 and P21 null alleles onto the Smn2B/- background. We found that p53 and p21 depletion did not modulate the timing or degree of Smn2B/- motor neuron loss as evaluated using electrophysiological and immunohistochemical methods. Moreover, we determined that Trp53 and P21 knockout differentially affected Smn2B/- mouse lifespan: p53 ablation impaired survival while p21 ablation extended survival through Smn-independent mechanisms. These results demonstrate that p53 and p21 are not primary drivers of spinal motor neuron death in Smn2B/- mice, a milder SMA mouse model, as motor neuron loss is not alleviated by their ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Reedich
- Human Molecular Genetics and Physiology Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Martin Kalski
- Human Molecular Genetics and Physiology Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nicholas Armijo
- Human Molecular Genetics and Physiology Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gregory A Cox
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Christine J DiDonato
- Human Molecular Genetics and Physiology Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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20
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Moore JT, Wier CG, Lemmerman LR, Ortega-Pineda L, Dodd DJ, Lawrence WR, Duarte-Sanmiguel S, Dathathreya K, Diaz-Starokozheva L, Harris HN, Sen CK, Valerio IL, Higuita-Castro N, Arnold WD, Kolb SJ, Gallego-Perez D. Nanochannel-Based Poration Drives Benign and Effective Nonviral Gene Delivery to Peripheral Nerve Tissue. ADVANCED BIOSYSTEMS 2020; 4:e2000157. [PMID: 32939985 PMCID: PMC7704786 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
While gene and cell therapies have emerged as promising treatment strategies for various neurological conditions, heavy reliance on viral vectors can hamper widespread clinical implementation. Here, the use of tissue nanotransfection as a platform nanotechnology to drive nonviral gene delivery to nerve tissue via nanochannels, in an effective, controlled, and benign manner is explored. TNT facilitates plasmid DNA delivery to the sciatic nerve of mice in a voltage-dependent manner. Compared to standard bulk electroporation (BEP), impairment in toe-spread and pinprick response is not caused by TNT, and has limited to no impact on electrophysiological parameters. BEP, however, induces significant nerve damage and increases macrophage immunoreactivity. TNT is subsequently used to deliver vasculogenic cell therapies to crushed nerves via delivery of reprogramming factor genes Etv2, Foxc2, and Fli1 (EFF). The results indicate the TNT-based delivery of EFF in a sciatic nerve crush model leads to increased vascularity, reduced macrophage infiltration, and improved recovery in electrophysiological parameters compared to crushed nerves that are TNT-treated with sham/empty plasmids. Altogether, the results indicate that TNT can be a powerful platform nanotechnology for localized nonviral gene delivery to nerve tissue, in vivo, and the deployment of reprogramming-based cell therapies for nerve repair/regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan T. Moore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Luke R. Lemmerman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Daniel J. Dodd
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - William R. Lawrence
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Silvia Duarte-Sanmiguel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kavya Dathathreya
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Hallie N. Harris
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Chandan K. Sen
- School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ian L. Valerio
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Natalia Higuita-Castro
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - W. David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Stephen J. Kolb
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Daniel Gallego-Perez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
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21
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Van Winckel G, Ballhausen D, Wolf B, Procter M, Mao R, Burda P, Strambo D, Kuntzer T, Tran C. Severe Distal Motor Involvement in a Non-compliant Adult With Biotinidase Deficiency: The Necessity of Life-Long Biotin Therapy. Front Neurol 2020; 11:516799. [PMID: 33192963 PMCID: PMC7649240 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.516799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Biotinidase deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder in which affected individuals are unable to recycle biotin. Untreated, children usually exhibit hypotonia, seizures, ataxia, developmental delay, and/or hearing loss. Individuals diagnosed by newborn screening have an excellent prognosis with life-long biotin supplementation. We report a young adult diagnosed with profound biotinidase deficiency by newborn screening who was asymptomatic while on therapy. At 18 years of age, 6 months after voluntarily discontinuation of biotin, he developed a progressive distal muscle weakness. Molecular analysis of the BTD gene showed a pathogenic homozygous duplication c.1372_1373dupT p.(Cys458LeufsTer26) (1). Despite 16 months since reintroduction of biotin, muscle strength only partially recovered. Transition to adulthood in chronic metabolic diseases is known to be associated with an increased risk for non-compliance. Neurological findings in this adult are similar to those described in others with adult-onset biotinidase deficiency. Long-term prognosis in non-compliant symptomatic adult with biotinidase deficiency likely depends on the delay and/or severity of intervening symptoms until reintroduction of biotin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Géraldine Van Winckel
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Center for Molecular Diseases, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Diana Ballhausen
- Pediatric Metabolic Disease Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Barry Wolf
- Division of Genetics, Birth Defects and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Ann and Robert H. Lurie, Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Research Administration, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Melinda Procter
- Research and Development, ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Rong Mao
- ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.,Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Patricie Burda
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Davide Strambo
- Nerve-Muscle Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology Service, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thierry Kuntzer
- Nerve-Muscle Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology Service, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christel Tran
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Center for Molecular Diseases, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
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22
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Tavoian D, Arnold WD, Mort SC, de Lacalle S. Sex differences in body composition but not neuromuscular function following long-term, doxycycline-induced reduction in circulating levels of myostatin in mice. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225283. [PMID: 31751423 PMCID: PMC6872155 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related declines in muscle function result from changes in muscle structure and contractile properties, as well as from neural adaptations. Blocking myostatin to drive muscle growth is one potential therapeutic approach. While the effects of myostatin depletion on muscle characteristics are well established, we have very little understanding of its effects on the neural system. Here we assess the effects of long-term, post-developmental myostatin reduction on electrophysiological motor unit characteristics and body composition in aging mice. We used male (N = 21) and female (N = 26) mice containing a tetracycline-inducible system to delete the myostatin gene in skeletal muscle. Starting at 12 months of age, half of the mice were administered doxycycline (tetracycline) through their chow for one year. During that time we measured food intake, body composition, and hindlimb electromyographic responses. Doxycycline-induced myostatin reduction had no effect on motor unit properties for either sex, though significant age-dependent declines in motor unit number occurred in all mice. However, treatment with doxycycline induced different changes in body composition between sexes. All female mice increased in total, lean and fat mass, but doxycycline-treated female mice experienced a significantly larger increase in lean mass than controls. All male mice also increased total and lean mass, but administration of doxycycline had no effect. Additionally, doxycycline-treated male mice maintained their fat mass at baseline levels, while the control group experienced a significant increase from baseline and compared to the doxycycline treated group. Our results show that long-term administration of doxycycline results in body composition adaptations that are distinctive between male and female mice, and that the effects of myostatin reduction are most pronounced during the first three months of treatment. We also report that age-related changes in motor unit number are not offset by reduced myostatin levels, despite increased lean mass exhibited by female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dallin Tavoian
- Program in Translational Biomedical Sciences, 1 Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States of America
| | - W. David Arnold
- Departments of Neurology, PM&R, and Neuroscience, and Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Sophia C. Mort
- Program in Translational Biomedical Sciences, 1 Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States of America
| | - Sonsoles de Lacalle
- Sonsoles de Lacalle, Department of Biomedical Sciences,1 Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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23
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Harrigan ME, Filous AR, Tosolini AP, Morris R, Schwab JM, Arnold WD. Assessing Rat Forelimb and Hindlimb Motor Unit Connectivity as Objective and Robust Biomarkers of Spinal Motor Neuron Function. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16699. [PMID: 31723233 PMCID: PMC6853930 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53235-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensitive and objective biomarkers of neuronal injury, degeneration, and regeneration can help facilitate translation of experimental findings into clinical testing. Whereas measures of upper motor neuron connectivity have been readily established, functional assessments of lower motor neuron (LMN) innervation of forelimb muscles are lacking. Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and motor unit (MU) number estimation (MUNE) are well-established methods that allow longitudinal MU integrity monitoring in patients. In analogy we refined CMAP and MUNE methods for assessing spinal MU input in the rat forelimb and hindlimb. Repeated CMAP and MUNE recordings are robust (coefficients of variability: 4.5-11.3%), and MUNE measurements from forelimb wrist flexor muscles (415 ± 8 [SEM]) align with back-traced anatomical LMN counts (336 ± 16 [SEM]). For disease validation, cross-sectional blinded electrophysiological and muscle contractility measurements were obtained in a cohort of G93A SOD1 mutant overexpressing rats and compared with controls. Longitudinal assessment of mutant animals demonstrated progressive motor unit decline in the hindlimb to a greater extent than the forelimb. Hindlimb CMAP and MUNE demonstrated strong correlations with plantarflexion muscle contractility. Cross-species assessment of upper/fore- limb and lower/hind- limb motor units using objective electrophysiological CMAP and MUNE values as biomarkers will guide and improve bi-directional translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus E Harrigan
- Department of Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine (Paraplegiology), The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Angela R Filous
- Department of Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine (Paraplegiology), The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Andrew P Tosolini
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Renee Morris
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Jan M Schwab
- Department of Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine (Paraplegiology), The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - W David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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24
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Neuromuscular junction transmission failure is a late phenotype in aging mice. Neurobiol Aging 2019; 86:182-190. [PMID: 31866157 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegeneration has increasingly been considered an important factor in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia or age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. Experiments were designed to investigate the fidelity of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) transmission across the lifespan in hindlimb muscles of male and female C57BL/6J mice (at 12, 20, 24, 27, and 29 months of age). Single-fiber electromyography recordings demonstrated abrupt onset of NMJ transmission failure at 27 months of age. Failed NMJ transmission was a later onset phenotype as compared with other assessments of motor unit numbers, muscle contractility, and frailty which showed alterations at 20 months of age. Ex vivo NMJ recordings demonstrated no reduction of endplate current amplitude in support of reduced muscle fiber excitability as the cause of failed NMJ transmission in aged mice. Improved understanding of age-related neurodegeneration will likely have important implications in designing novel therapeutic interventions specific for different stages of sarcopenia. Our findings suggest reduced muscle excitability may be a potential therapeutic target for improvement of physical function in older adults.
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25
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging as a Biomarker in Rodent Peripheral Nerve Injury Models Reveals an Age-Related Impairment of Nerve Regeneration. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13508. [PMID: 31534149 PMCID: PMC6751200 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49850-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessment of myelin integrity in peripheral nerve injuries and pathologies has largely been limited to post-mortem analysis owing to the difficulty in obtaining biopsies without affecting nerve function. This is further encumbered by the small size of the tissue and its location. Therefore, the development of robust, non-invasive methods is highly attractive. In this study, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, including magnetization transfer ratio (MTR), to longitudinally and non-invasively characterize both the sciatic nerve crush and lysolecithin (LCP) demyelination models of peripheral nerve injury in rodents. Electrophysiological, gene expression and histological assessments complemented the extensive MRI analyses in young and aged animals. In the nerve crush model, MTR analysis indicated a slower recovery in regions distal to the site of injury in aged animals, as well as incomplete recovery at six weeks post-crush when analyzing across the entire nerve surface. Similar regional impairments were also found in the LCP demyelination model. This research underlines the power of MTR for the study of peripheral nerve injury in small tissues such as the sciatic nerve of rodents and contributes new knowledge to the effect of aging on recovery after injury. A particular advantage of the approach is the translational potential to human neuropathies.
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26
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Kariyawasam DST, D'Silva A, Lin C, Ryan MM, Farrar MA. Biomarkers and the Development of a Personalized Medicine Approach in Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Front Neurol 2019; 10:898. [PMID: 31481927 PMCID: PMC6709682 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent unprecedented advances in treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) enabled patients to access the first approved disease modifying therapy for the condition. There are however many uncertainties, regarding timing of treatment initiation, response to intervention, treatment effects and long-term outcomes, which are complicated by the evolving phenotypes seen in the post-treatment era for patients with SMA. Biomarkers of disease, with diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, and pharmacodynamic value are thus urgently required, to facilitate a wider understanding in this dynamic landscape. A spectrum of these candidate biomarkers, will be evaluated in this review, including genetic, epigenetic, proteomic, electrophysiological, and imaging measures. Of these, SMN2 appears to be the most significant modifier of phenotype to date, and its use in prognostication shows considerable clinical utility. Longitudinal studies in patients with SMA highlight an emerging role of circulatory markers such as neurofilament, in tracking disease progression and response to treatment. Furthermore, neurophysiological biomarkers such as CMAP and MUNE values show considerable promise in the real word setting, in following the dynamic response and output of the motor unit to therapeutic intervention. The specific value for these possible biomarkers across diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of treatment response, efficacy, and safety will be central to guide future patient-targeted treatments, the design of clinical trials, and understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of disease and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didu S T Kariyawasam
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Arlene D'Silva
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Cindy Lin
- Department of Neurophysiology, Brain and Mind Center, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Monique M Ryan
- Department of Neurology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michelle A Farrar
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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27
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Quinlan KA, Reedich EJ, Arnold WD, Puritz AC, Cavarsan CF, Heckman CJ, DiDonato CJ. Hyperexcitability precedes motoneuron loss in the Smn2B/- mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy. J Neurophysiol 2019; 122:1297-1311. [PMID: 31365319 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00652.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal motoneuron dysfunction and loss are pathological hallmarks of the neuromuscular disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Changes in motoneuron physiological function precede cell death, but how these alterations vary with disease severity and motoneuron maturational state is unknown. To address this question, we assessed the electrophysiology and morphology of spinal motoneurons of presymptomatic Smn2B/- mice older than 1 wk of age and tracked the timing of motor unit loss in this model using motor unit number estimation (MUNE). In contrast to other commonly used SMA mouse models, Smn2B/- mice exhibit more typical postnatal development until postnatal day (P)11 or 12 and have longer survival (~3 wk of age). We demonstrate that Smn2B/- motoneuron hyperexcitability, marked by hyperpolarization of the threshold voltage for action potential firing, was present at P9-10 and preceded the loss of motor units. Using MUNE studies, we determined that motor unit loss in this mouse model occurred 2 wk after birth. Smn2B/- motoneurons were also larger in size, which may reflect compensatory changes taking place during postnatal development. This work suggests that motoneuron hyperexcitability, marked by a reduced threshold for action potential firing, is a pathological change preceding motoneuron loss that is common to multiple models of severe SMA with different motoneuron maturational states. Our results indicate voltage-gated sodium channel activity may be altered in the disease process.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Changes in spinal motoneuron physiologic function precede cell death in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), but how they vary with maturational state and disease severity remains unknown. This study characterized motoneuron and neuromuscular electrophysiology from the Smn2B/- model of SMA. Motoneurons were hyperexcitable at postnatal day (P)9-10, and specific electrophysiological changes in Smn2B/- motoneurons preceded functional motor unit loss at P14, as determined by motor unit number estimation studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Quinlan
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island.,George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island.,Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - E J Reedich
- Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.,Human Molecular Genetics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, Illinois
| | - W D Arnold
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.,Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - A C Puritz
- Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - C F Cavarsan
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island.,George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island
| | - C J Heckman
- Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - C J DiDonato
- Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.,Human Molecular Genetics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, Illinois
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28
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Janzen E, Mendoza-Ferreira N, Hosseinibarkooie S, Schneider S, Hupperich K, Tschanz T, Grysko V, Riessland M, Hammerschmidt M, Rigo F, Bennett CF, Kye MJ, Torres-Benito L, Wirth B. CHP1 reduction ameliorates spinal muscular atrophy pathology by restoring calcineurin activity and endocytosis. Brain 2019; 141:2343-2361. [PMID: 29961886 PMCID: PMC6061875 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awy167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autosomal recessive spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the leading genetic cause of infant lethality, is caused by homozygous loss of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. SMA disease severity inversely correlates with the number of SMN2 copies, which in contrast to SMN1, mainly produce aberrantly spliced transcripts. Recently, the first SMA therapy based on antisense oligonucleotides correcting SMN2 splicing, namely SPINRAZATM, has been approved. Nevertheless, in type I SMA-affected individuals—representing 60% of SMA patients—the elevated SMN level may still be insufficient to restore motor neuron function lifelong. Plastin 3 (PLS3) and neurocalcin delta (NCALD) are two SMN-independent protective modifiers identified in humans and proved to be effective across various SMA animal models. Both PLS3 overexpression and NCALD downregulation protect against SMA by restoring impaired endocytosis; however, the exact mechanism of this protection is largely unknown. Here, we identified calcineurin-like EF-hand protein 1 (CHP1) as a novel PLS3 interacting protein using a yeast-two-hybrid screen. Co-immunoprecipitation and pull-down assays confirmed a direct interaction between CHP1 and PLS3. Although CHP1 is ubiquitously present, it is particularly abundant in the central nervous system and at SMA-relevant sites including motor neuron growth cones and neuromuscular junctions. Strikingly, we found elevated CHP1 levels in SMA mice. Congruently, CHP1 downregulation restored impaired axonal growth in Smn-depleted NSC34 motor neuron-like cells, SMA zebrafish and primary murine SMA motor neurons. Most importantly, subcutaneous injection of low-dose SMN antisense oligonucleotide in pre-symptomatic mice doubled the survival rate of severely-affected SMA mice, while additional CHP1 reduction by genetic modification prolonged survival further by 1.6-fold. Moreover, CHP1 reduction further ameliorated SMA disease hallmarks including electrophysiological defects, smaller neuromuscular junction size, impaired maturity of neuromuscular junctions and smaller muscle fibre size compared to low-dose SMN antisense oligonucleotide alone. In NSC34 cells, Chp1 knockdown tripled macropinocytosis whereas clathrin-mediated endocytosis remained unaffected. Importantly, Chp1 knockdown restored macropinocytosis in Smn-depleted cells by elevating calcineurin phosphatase activity. CHP1 is an inhibitor of calcineurin, which collectively dephosphorylates proteins involved in endocytosis, and is therefore crucial in synaptic vesicle endocytosis. Indeed, we found marked hyperphosphorylation of dynamin 1 in SMA motor neurons, which was restored to control level by the heterozygous Chp1 mutant allele. Taken together, we show that CHP1 is a novel SMA modifier that directly interacts with PLS3, and that CHP1 reduction ameliorates SMA pathology by counteracting impaired endocytosis. Most importantly, we demonstrate that CHP1 reduction is a promising SMN-independent therapeutic target for a combinatorial SMA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Janzen
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Natalia Mendoza-Ferreira
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Seyyedmohsen Hosseinibarkooie
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Svenja Schneider
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kristina Hupperich
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Theresa Tschanz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Vanessa Grysko
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Markus Riessland
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, USA
| | - Matthias Hammerschmidt
- Institute for Zoology, Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | | | - Min Jeong Kye
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Laura Torres-Benito
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Brunhilde Wirth
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Rare Diseases Cologne, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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29
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NCALD Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapy in Addition to Nusinersen further Ameliorates Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Mice. Am J Hum Genet 2019; 105:221-230. [PMID: 31230718 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disease causing the most frequent genetic childhood lethality. Recently, nusinersen, an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that corrects SMN2 splicing and thereby increases full-length SMN protein, has been approved by the FDA and EMA for SMA therapy. However, the administration of nusinersen in severe and/or post-symptomatic SMA-affected individuals is insufficient to counteract the disease. Therefore, additional SMN-independent therapies are needed to support the function of motoneurons and neuromuscular junctions. We recently identified asymptomatic SMN1-deleted individuals who were protected against SMA by reduced expression of neurocalcin delta (NCALD). NCALD reduction is proven to be a protective modifier of SMA across species, including worm, zebrafish, and mice. Here, we identified Ncald-ASO3-out of 450 developed Ncald ASOs-as the most efficient and non-toxic ASO for the CNS, by applying a stepwise screening strategy in cortical neurons and adult and neonatal mice. In a randomized-blinded preclinical study, a single subcutaneous low-dose SMN-ASO and a single intracerebroventricular Ncald-ASO3 or control-ASO injection were presymptomatically administered in a severe SMA mouse model. NCALD reduction of >70% persisted for about 1 month. While low-dose SMN-ASO rescues multiorgan impairment, additional NCALD reduction significantly ameliorated SMA pathology including electrophysiological and histological properties of neuromuscular junctions and muscle at P21 and motoric deficits at 3 months. The present study shows the additional benefit of a combinatorial SMN-dependent and SMN-independent ASO-based therapy for SMA. This work illustrates how a modifying gene, identified in some asymptomatic individuals, helps to develop a therapy for all SMA-affected individuals.
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30
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Wier CG, Crum AE, Reynolds AB, Iyer CC, Chugh D, Palettas MS, Heilman PL, Kline DM, Arnold WD, Kolb SJ. Muscle contractility dysfunction precedes loss of motor unit connectivity in SOD1(G93A) mice. Muscle Nerve 2018; 59:254-262. [PMID: 30370671 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Electrophysiological measurements are used in longitudinal clinical studies to provide insight into the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the relationship between muscle weakness and motor unit (MU) degeneration. Here, we used a similar longitudinal approach in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1[G93A]) mouse model of ALS. METHODS In vivo muscle contractility and MU connectivity assays were assessed longitudinally in SOD1(G93A) and wild type mice from postnatal days 35 to 119. RESULTS In SOD1(G93A) males, muscle contractility was reduced by day 35 and preceded MU loss. Muscle contractility and motor unit reduction were delayed in SOD1(G93A) females compared with males, but, just as with males, muscle contractility reduction preceded MU loss. DISCUSSION The longitudinal contractility and connectivity paradigm employed here provides additional insight into the SOD1(G93A) mouse model and suggests that loss of muscle contractility is an early finding that may precede loss of MUs and motor neuron death. Muscle Nerve 59:254-262, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G Wier
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Alexander E Crum
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - Anthony B Reynolds
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Chitra C Iyer
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - Deepti Chugh
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - Marilly S Palettas
- Center for Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Patrick L Heilman
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - David M Kline
- Center for Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - W David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Stephen J Kolb
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Neurology, Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
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31
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Iyer CC, Corlett KM, Massoni-Laporte A, Duque SI, Madabusi N, Tisdale S, McGovern VL, Le TT, Zaworski PG, Arnold WD, Pellizzoni L, Burghes AHM. Mild SMN missense alleles are only functional in the presence of SMN2 in mammals. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 27:3404-3416. [PMID: 29982416 PMCID: PMC6140769 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by reduced levels of full-length SMN (FL-SMN). In SMA patients with one or two copies of the Survival Motor Neuron 2 (SMN2) gene there are a number of SMN missense mutations that result in milder-than-predicted SMA phenotypes. These mild SMN missense mutation alleles are often assumed to have partial function. However, it is important to consider the contribution of FL-SMN as these missense alleles never occur in the absence of SMN2. We propose that these patients contain a partially functional oligomeric SMN complex consisting of FL-SMN from SMN2 and mutant SMN protein produced from the missense allele. Here we show that mild SMN missense mutations SMND44V, SMNT74I or SMNQ282A alone do not rescue mice lacking wild-type FL-SMN. Thus, missense mutations are not functional in the absence of FL-SMN. In contrast, when the same mild SMN missense mutations are expressed in a mouse containing two SMN2 copies, functional SMN complexes are formed with the small amount of wild-type FL-SMN produced by SMN2 and the SMA phenotype is completely rescued. This contrasts with SMN missense alleles when studied in C. elegans, Drosophila and zebrafish. Here we demonstrate that the heteromeric SMN complex formed with FL-SMN is functional and sufficient to rescue small nuclear ribonucleoprotein assembly, motor neuron function and rescue the SMA mice. We conclude that mild SMN missense alleles are not partially functional but rather they are completely non-functional in the absence of wild-type SMN in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chitra C Iyer
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kaitlyn M Corlett
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Aurélie Massoni-Laporte
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sandra I Duque
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Narasimhan Madabusi
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sarah Tisdale
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vicki L McGovern
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Thanh T Le
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - W David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Livio Pellizzoni
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arthur H M Burghes
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
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32
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Wang L, Gao J, Liu J, Siedlak SL, Torres S, Fujioka H, Huntley ML, Jiang Y, Ji H, Yan T, Harland M, Termsarasab P, Zeng S, Jiang Z, Liang J, Perry G, Hoppel C, Zhang C, Li H, Wang X. Mitofusin 2 Regulates Axonal Transport of Calpastatin to Prevent Neuromuscular Synaptic Elimination in Skeletal Muscles. Cell Metab 2018; 28:400-414.e8. [PMID: 30017354 PMCID: PMC6125186 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Skeletal muscles undergo atrophy in response to diseases and aging. Here we report that mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) acts as a dominant suppressor of neuromuscular synaptic loss to preserve skeletal muscles. Mfn2 is reduced in spinal cords of transgenic SOD1G93A and aged mice. Through preserving neuromuscular synapses, increasing neuronal Mfn2 prevents skeletal muscle wasting in both SOD1G93A and aged mice, whereas deletion of neuronal Mfn2 produces neuromuscular synaptic dysfunction and skeletal muscle atrophy. Neuromuscular synaptic loss after sciatic nerve transection can also be alleviated by Mfn2. Mfn2 coexists with calpastatin largely in mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) to regulate its axonal transport. Genetic inactivation of calpastatin abolishes Mfn2-mediated protection of neuromuscular synapses. Our results suggest that, as a potential key component of a novel and heretofore unrecognized mechanism of cytoplasmic protein transport, Mfn2 may play a general role in preserving neuromuscular synapses and serve as a common therapeutic target for skeletal muscle atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luwen Wang
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ju Gao
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jingyi Liu
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sandra L Siedlak
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sandy Torres
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Hisashi Fujioka
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Mikayla L Huntley
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Yinfei Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Haiyan Ji
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Tingxiang Yan
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Micah Harland
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Pichet Termsarasab
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sophia Zeng
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Zhen Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jingjing Liang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - George Perry
- College of Sciences, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Charles Hoppel
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Hu Li
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Xinglong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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33
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Sheth KA, Iyer CC, Wier CG, Crum AE, Bratasz A, Kolb SJ, Clark BC, Burghes AHM, Arnold WD. Muscle strength and size are associated with motor unit connectivity in aged mice. Neurobiol Aging 2018; 67:128-136. [PMID: 29656012 PMCID: PMC5981861 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In older adults, the loss of muscle strength (dynapenia) and the loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) are important contributors to the loss of physical function. We sought to investigate dynapenia, sarcopenia, and the loss of motor unit function in aging mice. C57BL/6J mice were analyzed with cross-sectional (males: 3 vs. 27 months; males and females: 8 vs. 12 vs. 20 months) and longitudinal studies (males: 10-25 months) using in vivo electrophysiological measures of motor unit connectivity (triceps surae compound muscle action potential and motor unit number estimation), in vivo measures of plantar flexion torque, magnetic resonance imaging of hind limb muscle volume, and grip strength. Compound muscle action potential amplitude, motor unit number estimation, and plantar flexion torque were decreased at 20 months. In contrast, grip strength was reduced at 24 months. Motor unit number estimates correlated with muscle torque and hind limb muscle volume. Our results demonstrate that the loss of motor unit connectivity is an early finding in aging male and female mice and that muscle size and contractility are both associated with motor unit number.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kajri A Sheth
- Department of Neurology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Chitra C Iyer
- Department of Neurology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Christopher G Wier
- Department of Neurology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Alexander E Crum
- Department of Neurology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Anna Bratasz
- Small Animal Imaging Core, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Stephen J Kolb
- Department of Neurology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Brian C Clark
- Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Arthur H M Burghes
- Department of Neurology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - W David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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34
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Pollari E, Prior R, Robberecht W, Van Damme P, Van Den Bosch L. In Vivo Electrophysiological Measurement of Compound Muscle Action Potential from the Forelimbs in Mouse Models of Motor Neuron Degeneration. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29985328 PMCID: PMC6101751 DOI: 10.3791/57741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessing the functionality of the nerve axon provides detailed information on the progression of neuromuscular disorders. Electrophysiological recordings provide a sensitive approach to measure nerve conduction in humans and rodent models. To broaden the technical possibilities for electromyography in mice, the measurement of compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) from the brachial plexus nerve in the forelimb using needle electrodes is described here. CMAP recordings after stimulating the sciatic nerve in hindlimbs have been previously described. The newly introduced method here allows for the evaluation of the nerve conductivity at an additional site, and thus provides a more profound overview of the neuromuscular functionality. The technique provides information on both the relative number of functional axons and the myelination level. Thereby, this method can be applied to assess both axonal diseases as well as demyelinating conditions. This minimally invasive method does not require extraction of the nerve and therefore it is suitable for repeated measurements for longitudinal follow-up in the same animal. Similar recordings are performed in clinical setups to emphasize the translational relevance of the method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eveliina Pollari
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB
| | - Robert Prior
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB
| | - Wim Robberecht
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB; Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB; Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB;
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Lüningschrör P, Binotti B, Dombert B, Heimann P, Perez-Lara A, Slotta C, Thau-Habermann N, R von Collenberg C, Karl F, Damme M, Horowitz A, Maystadt I, Füchtbauer A, Füchtbauer EM, Jablonka S, Blum R, Üçeyler N, Petri S, Kaltschmidt B, Jahn R, Kaltschmidt C, Sendtner M. Plekhg5-regulated autophagy of synaptic vesicles reveals a pathogenic mechanism in motoneuron disease. Nat Commun 2017; 8:678. [PMID: 29084947 PMCID: PMC5662736 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00689-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy-mediated degradation of synaptic components maintains synaptic homeostasis but also constitutes a mechanism of neurodegeneration. It is unclear how autophagy of synaptic vesicles and components of presynaptic active zones is regulated. Here, we show that Pleckstrin homology containing family member 5 (Plekhg5) modulates autophagy of synaptic vesicles in axon terminals of motoneurons via its function as a guanine exchange factor for Rab26, a small GTPase that specifically directs synaptic vesicles to preautophagosomal structures. Plekhg5 gene inactivation in mice results in a late-onset motoneuron disease, characterized by degeneration of axon terminals. Plekhg5-depleted cultured motoneurons show defective axon growth and impaired autophagy of synaptic vesicles, which can be rescued by constitutively active Rab26. These findings define a mechanism for regulating autophagy in neurons that specifically targets synaptic vesicles. Disruption of this mechanism may contribute to the pathophysiology of several forms of motoneuron disease. Accumulating evidence suggests that disruption of autophagy is associated with neurodegeneration. Here the authors show that Plekhg5 acts as a GEF for Rab26, a small GTPase that promotes the autophagy of synaptic vesicles in neurons; mice lacking Plekgh5 develop late-onset motoneuron degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Lüningschrör
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97078, Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Cell Biology, University of Bielefeld, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Beyenech Binotti
- Department of Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Dombert
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Heimann
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Bielefeld, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Angel Perez-Lara
- Department of Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Carsten Slotta
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Bielefeld, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Cora R von Collenberg
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Franziska Karl
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Damme
- Institut für Biochemie, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Arie Horowitz
- Cardeza Vascular Biology Center, Departments of Medicine and Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Isabelle Maystadt
- Centre de Génétique Humaine, Institut de Pathologie et de Génétique, 6041, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Annette Füchtbauer
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Sibylle Jablonka
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Robert Blum
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nurcan Üçeyler
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation (IFB-Tx) Hannover, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Barbara Kaltschmidt
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Bielefeld, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany.,Molecular Neurobiology, University of Bielefeld, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Reinhard Jahn
- Department of Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Michael Sendtner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97078, Würzburg, Germany.
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Arnold WD, Taylor RS, Li J, Nagy JA, Sanchez B, Rutkove SB. Electrical impedance myography detects age-related muscle change in mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185614. [PMID: 29049394 PMCID: PMC5648130 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of muscle mass and strength represents one of the most significant contributors to impaired function in older adults. Convenient and non-invasive biomarkers are needed that can readily identify and track age-related muscle change. Previous data has suggested electrical impedance myography (EIM) has the potential to serve in this capacity. In this study we investigated how changes in EIM compared with other standard measures of muscle structure and function in aged compared with young mice. A total of 19 male mice aged approximately 25 months and 19 male mice aged 3 months underwent surface multifrequency EIM of the right gastrocnemius muscle using standard methods. Fore and hind limb grip strength, sciatic compound muscle action potential amplitude, and in-situ force of the gastrocnemius were also measured; after sacrifice, gastrocnemius myofiber size was assessed using standard histology. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to investigate the association between EIM and muscle characteristics. EIM in aged animals demonstrated significantly lower 50 kHz impedance phase (p<0.001) and reactance (p<0.01) values as well as reduced multifrequency parameters. In contrast, absolute gastrocnemius muscle mass was no different between young and aged mice (p = 0.58) but was reduced in aged mice after normalization to body mass (p<0.001). Median myofiber size in the aged mice was not different from that of young mice (p = 0.72). Aged mice showed reduced muscle function on the basis of normalized fore limb (p<0.001) and normalized hind limb (p<0.001) grip strength, as well as normalized gastrocnemius twitch (p<0.001) and normalized maximal isometric force (p<0.001). Sciatic compound muscle action potential amplitude was reduced in aged mice (p<0.05). EIM parameters showed good correlation with reduced standard physiological and electrophysiological measures of muscle health. Our study suggests that EIM is sensitive to aged-related muscle change and may represent a convenient and valuable method of quantifying loss of muscle health.
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Affiliation(s)
- W. David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Rebecca S. Taylor
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jia Li
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Janice A. Nagy
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Sanchez
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Seward B. Rutkove
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Xu Z, Feng X, Dong J, Wang ZM, Lee J, Furdui C, Files DC, Beavers KM, Kritchevsky S, Milligan C, Jin JP, Delbono O, Zhang T. Cardiac troponin T and fast skeletal muscle denervation in ageing. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2017; 8:808-823. [PMID: 28419739 PMCID: PMC5659053 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ageing skeletal muscle undergoes chronic denervation, and the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the key structure that connects motor neuron nerves with muscle cells, shows increased defects with ageing. Previous studies in various species have shown that with ageing, type II fast-twitch skeletal muscle fibres show more atrophy and NMJ deterioration than type I slow-twitch fibres. However, how this process is regulated is largely unknown. A better understanding of the mechanisms regulating skeletal muscle fibre-type specific denervation at the NMJ could be critical to identifying novel treatments for sarcopenia. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT), the heart muscle-specific isoform of TnT, is a key component of the mechanisms of muscle contraction. It is expressed in skeletal muscle during early development, after acute sciatic nerve denervation, in various neuromuscular diseases and possibly in ageing muscle. Yet the subcellular localization and function of cTnT in skeletal muscle is largely unknown. METHODS Studies were carried out on isolated skeletal muscles from mice, vervet monkeys, and humans. Immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, and mass spectrometry were used to analyse protein expression, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure gene expression, immunofluorescence staining was performed for subcellular distribution assay of proteins, and electromyographic recording was used to analyse neurotransmission at the NMJ. RESULTS Levels of cTnT expression in skeletal muscle increased with ageing in mice. In addition, cTnT was highly enriched at the NMJ region-but mainly in the fast-twitch, not the slow-twitch, muscle of old mice. We further found that the protein kinase A (PKA) RIα subunit was largely removed from, while PKA RIIα and RIIβ are enriched at, the NMJ-again, preferentially in fast-twitch but not slow-twitch muscle in old mice. Knocking down cTnT in fast skeletal muscle of old mice: (i) increased PKA RIα and reduced PKA RIIα at the NMJ; (ii) decreased the levels of gene expression of muscle denervation markers; and (iii) enhanced neurotransmission efficiency at NMJ. CONCLUSIONS Cardiac troponin T at the NMJ region contributes to NMJ functional decline with ageing mainly in the fast-twitch skeletal muscle through interfering with PKA signalling. This knowledge could inform useful targets for prevention and therapy of age-related decline in muscle function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zherong Xu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatic Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.,Department of Geriatrics, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin Feng
- Department of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Juan Dong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatic Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Zhong-Min Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatic Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Jingyun Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Cristina Furdui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Daniel Clark Files
- Internal Medicine-Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Immunology, Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine and the Critical Illness Injury and Recovery Research Center, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Kristen M Beavers
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Stephen Kritchevsky
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatic Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.,Sticht Center for Healthy Aging and Alzheimer's Prevention, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Carolanne Milligan
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Jian-Ping Jin
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Osvaldo Delbono
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatic Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.,Sticht Center for Healthy Aging and Alzheimer's Prevention, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Tan Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatic Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.,Sticht Center for Healthy Aging and Alzheimer's Prevention, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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Selective Motor Neuron Resistance and Recovery in a New Inducible Mouse Model of TDP-43 Proteinopathy. J Neurosci 2017; 36:7707-17. [PMID: 27445147 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1457-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Motor neurons (MNs) are the neuronal class that is principally affected in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but it is widely known that individual motor pools do not succumb to degeneration simultaneously. Because >90% of ALS patients have an accumulation of cytoplasmic TDP-43 aggregates in postmortem brain and spinal cord (SC), it has been suggested that these inclusions in a given population may trigger its death. We investigated seven MN pools in our new inducible rNLS8 transgenic (Tg) mouse model of TDP-43 proteinopathy and found striking differences in MN responses to TDP-43 pathology. Despite widespread neuronal expression of cytoplasmic human TDP-43, only MNs in the hypoglossal nucleus and the SC are lost after 8 weeks of transgene expression, whereas those in the oculomotor, trigeminal, and facial nuclei are spared. Within the SC, slow MNs survive to end stage, whereas fast fatigable MNs are lost. Correspondingly, axonal dieback occurs first from fast-twitch muscle fibers, whereas slow-twitch fibers remain innervated. Individual pools show differences in the downregulation of endogenous nuclear TDP-43, but this does not fully account for vulnerability to degenerate. After transgene suppression, resistant MNs sprout collaterals to reinnervate previously denervated neuromuscular junctions concurrently with expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), a marker of fast MNs. Therefore, although pathological TDP-43 is linked to MN degeneration, the process is not stochastic and mirrors the highly selective patterns of MN degeneration observed in ALS patients. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Because TDP-43 is the major pathological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we generated mice in which mutant human TDP-43 expression causes progressive neuron loss. We show that these rNLS8 mice have a pattern of axonal dieback and cell death that mirrors that often observed in human patients. This finding demonstrates the diversity of motor neuron (MN) populations in their response to pathological TDP-43. Furthermore, we demonstrate that resistant MNs are able to compensate for the loss of their more vulnerable counterparts and change their phenotype in the process. These findings are important because using a mouse model that closely models human ALS in both the disease pathology and the pattern of degeneration is critical to studying and eventually treating progressive paralysis in ALS patients.
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Arnold WD, Duque S, Iyer CC, Zaworski P, McGovern VL, Taylor SJ, von Herrmann KM, Kobayashi DT, Chen KS, Kolb SJ, Paushkin SV, Burghes AHM. Normalization of Patient-Identified Plasma Biomarkers in SMNΔ7 Mice following Postnatal SMN Restoration. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167077. [PMID: 27907033 PMCID: PMC5132001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive motor neuron disorder. SMA is caused by homozygous loss of the SMN1 gene and retention of the SMN2 gene resulting in reduced levels of full length SMN protein that are insufficient for motor neuron function. Various treatments that restore levels of SMN are currently in clinical trials and biomarkers are needed to determine the response to treatment. Here, we sought to investigate in SMA mice a set of plasma analytes, previously identified in patients with SMA to correlate with motor function. The goal was to determine whether levels of plasma markers were altered in the SMNΔ7 mouse model of SMA and whether postnatal SMN restoration resulted in normalization of the biomarkers. METHODS SMNΔ7 and control mice were treated with antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) targeting ISS-N1 to increase SMN protein from SMN2 or scramble ASO (sham treatment) via intracerebroventricular injection on postnatal day 1 (P1). Brain, spinal cord, quadriceps muscle, and liver were analyzed for SMN protein levels at P12 and P90. Ten plasma biomarkers (a subset of biomarkers in the SMA-MAP panel available for analysis in mice) were analyzed in plasma obtained at P12, P30, and P90. RESULTS Of the eight plasma biomarkers assessed, 5 were significantly changed in sham treated SMNΔ7 mice compared to control mice and were normalized in SMNΔ7 mice treated with ASO. CONCLUSION This study defines a subset of the SMA-MAP plasma biomarker panel that is abnormal in the most commonly used mouse model of SMA. Furthermore, some of these markers are responsive to postnatal SMN restoration. These findings support continued clinical development of these potential prognostic and pharmacodynamic biomarkers.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Biomarkers/metabolism
- Brain/metabolism
- Brain/pathology
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Genetic Complementation Test
- Humans
- Injections, Intraventricular
- Liver/metabolism
- Liver/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Motor Neurons/metabolism
- Motor Neurons/pathology
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/genetics
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/metabolism
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/pathology
- Oligonucleotides, Antisense/genetics
- Oligonucleotides, Antisense/metabolism
- Spinal Cord/metabolism
- Spinal Cord/pathology
- Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein/genetics
- Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein/metabolism
- Survival of Motor Neuron 2 Protein/genetics
- Survival of Motor Neuron 2 Protein/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- W. David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus Ohio, United States of America
| | - Sandra Duque
- VIB Center for the Biology of Disease – KU Leuven Department of Human Genetics, Leuven Belgium, United States of America
| | - Chitra C. Iyer
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus Ohio, United States of America
| | | | - Vicki L. McGovern
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus Ohio, United States of America
| | | | | | | | - Karen S. Chen
- SMA Foundation, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Stephen J. Kolb
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus Ohio, United States of America
| | | | - Arthur H. M. Burghes
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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40
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Arnold W, McGovern VL, Sanchez B, Li J, Corlett KM, Kolb SJ, Rutkove SB, Burghes AH. The neuromuscular impact of symptomatic SMN restoration in a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 87:116-23. [PMID: 26733414 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Revised: 12/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Significant advances in the development of SMN-restoring therapeutics have occurred since 2010 when very effective biological treatments were reported in mouse models of spinal muscular atrophy. As these treatments are applied in human clinical trials, there is pressing need to define quantitative assessments of disease progression, treatment stratification, and therapeutic efficacy. The electrophysiological measures Compound Muscle Action Potential and Motor Unit Number Estimation are reliable measures of nerve function. In both the SMN∆7 mouse and a pig model of spinal muscular atrophy, early SMN restoration results in preservation of electrophysiological measures. Currently, clinical trials are underway in patients at post-symptomatic stages of disease progression. In this study, we present results from both early and delayed SMN restoration using clinically-relevant measures including electrical impedance myography, compound muscle action potential, and motor unit number estimation to quantify the efficacy and time-sensitivity of SMN-restoring therapy. METHODS SMA∆7 mice were treated via intracerebroventricular injection with antisense oligonucleotides targeting ISS-N1 to increase SMN protein from the SMN2 gene on postnatal day 2, 4, or 6 and compared with sham-treated spinal muscular atrophy and control mice. Compound muscle action potential and motor unit number estimation of the triceps surae muscles were performed at day 12, 21, and 30 by a single evaluator blinded to genotype and treatment. Similarly, electrical impedance myography was measured on the biceps femoris muscle at 12days for comparison. RESULTS Electrophysiological measures and electrical impedance myography detected significant differences at 12days between control and late-treated (4 or 6days) and sham-treated spinal muscular atrophy mice, but not in mice treated at 2days (p<0.01). EIM findings paralleled and correlated with compound muscle action potential and motor unit number estimation (r=0.61 and r=0.50, respectively, p<0.01). Longitudinal measures at 21 and 30days show that symptomatic therapy results in reduced motor unit number estimation associated with delayed normalization of compound muscle action potential. CONCLUSIONS The incomplete effect of symptomatic treatment is accurately identified by both electrophysiological measures and electrical impedance myography. There is strong correlation between these measures and with weight and righting reflex. This study predicts that measures of compound muscle action potential, motor unit number estimation, and electrical impedance myography are promising biomarkers of treatment stratification and effect for future spinal muscular atrophy trials. The ease of application and simplicity of electrical impedance myography compared with standard electrophysiological measures may be particularly valuable in future pediatric clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Arnold
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 W. 12th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 480 Medical Center Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 480 Medical Center Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Vicki L McGovern
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 363 Hamilton Hall, 1645 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Benjamin Sanchez
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Jia Li
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Kaitlyn M Corlett
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 363 Hamilton Hall, 1645 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Stephen J Kolb
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 W. 12th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 480 Medical Center Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 363 Hamilton Hall, 1645 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Seward B Rutkove
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Arthur H Burghes
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 W. 12th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 363 Hamilton Hall, 1645 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
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