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Li M, Liao Y, Luo Z, Song H, Yang Z. Work-related factors and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A multivariable Mendelian randomization study. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3317. [PMID: 37960974 PMCID: PMC10726785 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The causal relationship between work-related factors and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is unclear. We used a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the unconfounded association between work-related factors and ALS. METHODS Univariable MR analyses were conducted to evaluate the causal effects of work-related factors on ALS. Instrumental variables from the UK Biobank on work-related factors (n = 263,615) were used as proxies. The outcome dataset used ALS (n case = 20,806, n control = 59,804) summary-level data from a large-scale genome-wide association study based on European ancestry. MR analysis used inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median (WM) to assess causal effects and other methods of MR for sensitivity analysis. Further multivariable MR analyses were performed to explore potential mediating effects. RESULTS In univariable MR, IVW methods support evidence that genetically determined job involves heavy manual or physical work (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.26-3.31; p = .004) was associated with an increased risk of ALS, and the WM methods also confirm this result (OR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.30-4.28; p = .005). No evidence of heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy was found in the results. In multivariable MR, the association was absent after adjusting for smoking and blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS Our MR analysis results demonstrate the potential causal relationship between jobs that involve heavy manual or physical work and ALS, which might be mediated by smoking and high systolic blood pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- Department of NeurologyChangning County Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineYibinChina
- School of Acupuncture and MassageChengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduChina
| | - Yile Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine ResourcesSchool of Basic Medical SciencesChengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduChina
| | - Zhangkun Luo
- Department of NeurologyChangning County Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineYibinChina
| | - Hongfei Song
- School of Basic Medical SciencesChengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduChina
| | - Zhi Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care MedicineChangning County Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineYibinChina
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López-Pingarrón L, Almeida H, Soria-Aznar M, Reyes-Gonzales MC, Terrón MP, García JJ. Role of Oxidative Stress on the Etiology and Pathophysiology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Its Relation with the Enteric Nervous System. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:3315-3332. [PMID: 37185741 PMCID: PMC10136958 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45040217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons in the spinal cord, cerebral cortex, and medulla oblongata. Most patients present a clinical phenotype of classic ALS-with predominant atrophy, muscle weakness, and fasciculations-and survival of 3 to 5 years following diagnosis. In the present review, we performed a literature search to provide an update on the etiology and pathophysiological mechanisms involved in ALS. There are two types of ALS: the familial form with genetic involvement, and the sporadic form with a multifactorial origin. ALS pathophysiology is characterized by involvement of multiple processes, including oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, and neuroinflammation. Moreover, it is proposed that conditioning risk factors affect ALS development, such as susceptibility to neurodegeneration in motor neurons, the intensity of performed physical activity, and intestinal dysbiosis with involvement of the enteric nervous system, which supports the existing theories of disease generation. To improve patients' prognosis and survival, it is necessary to further deepen our understanding of the etiopathogenesis of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura López-Pingarrón
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Legal and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Henrique Almeida
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Porto University, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Porto University, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital-CUF Porto, 4100-180 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marisol Soria-Aznar
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Legal and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Marcos C Reyes-Gonzales
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Legal and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - María Pilar Terrón
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Badajoz, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Joaquín J García
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Legal and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
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Vasta R, Chia R, Traynor BJ, Chiò A. Unraveling the complex interplay between genes, environment, and climate in ALS. EBioMedicine 2022; 75:103795. [PMID: 34974309 PMCID: PMC8728044 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Various genetic and environmental risk factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Despite this, the cause of most ALS cases remains obscure. In this review, we describe the current evidence implicating genetic and environmental factors in motor neuron degeneration. While the risk exerted by many environmental factors may appear small, their effect could be magnified by the presence of a genetic predisposition. We postulate that gene-environment interactions account for at least a portion of the unknown etiology in ALS. Climate underlies multiple environmental factors, some of which have been implied in ALS etiology, and the impact of global temperature increase on the gene-environment interactions should be carefully monitored. We describe the main concepts underlying such interactions. Although a lack of large cohorts with detailed genetic and environmental information hampers the search for gene-environment interactions, newer algorithms and machine learning approaches offer an opportunity to break this stalemate. Understanding how genetic and environmental factors interact to cause ALS may ultimately pave the way towards precision medicine becoming an integral part of ALS care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Vasta
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, via Cherasco 15, Turin 1026, Italy; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ruth Chia
- Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Bryan J Traynor
- Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 1PJ, UK; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA; ASO Rapid Development Laboratory, Therapeutics Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Adriano Chiò
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, via Cherasco 15, Turin 1026, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, C.N.R., Rome 00185, Italy; Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy.
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4
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Canosa A, D'Ovidio F, Calvo A, Moglia C, Manera U, Torrieri MC, Vasta R, Cistaro A, Gallo S, Iazzolino B, Nobili FM, Casale F, Chiò A, Pagani M. Lifetime sport practice and brain metabolism in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2020; 27:102312. [PMID: 32622315 PMCID: PMC7334468 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The possible impact of lifetime physical activity on the risk of ALS is debated. Brain18F-FDG-PET is a marker of neuronal integrity in vivo. We compared cases who did not practice sport (N), cases who did (Y) and controls. N had more extensive changes in areas involved in ALS at the same disability level. N might cope better with the neurodegenerative process compared to Y.
Objective To evaluate the metabolic correlates of lifetime sport practice in ALS through brain 18F-FDG-PET. Methods 131 patients completed a questionnaire about lifetime exposures, including physical activity related to sports, hobbies and occupations, and underwent brain 18F-FDG-PET. Exposure to sports was expressed as MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task). We considered only regular practice (at least 2 h/week, for at least three months). We compared brain metabolism between two groups: subjects who did not report regular sport practice during life (N-group) and patients who did (Y-group). The resulting significant clusters were used in each group as seed regions in an interregional correlation analysis (IRCA) to evaluate the impact of lifetime sport practice on brain networks typically involved by the neurodegenerative process of ALS. Each group was compared to healthy controls (HC, n = 40). Results We found a significant, relative cerebellar hypermetabolism in the N-group compared to the Y-group. The metabolism of such cerebellar cluster resulted correlated to more significant and widespread metabolic changes in areas known to be affected by ALS (i.e. frontotemporal regions and corticospinal tracts) in the N-group as compared to the Y-group, despite the same level of disability as expressed by the ALS FRS-R. Such findings resulted independent of age, sex, site of onset (bulbar/spinal), presence/absence of C9ORF72 expansion, cognitive status and physical activity related to hobbies and occupations. When compared to HC, the N-group showed more widespread metabolic changes than the Y-group in cortical regions known to be relatively hypometabolic in ALS patients as compared to HC. Conclusions We hypothesize that patients of the N-group might cope better with the neurodegenerative process, since they show more widespread metabolic changes as compared to the Y-group, despite the same level of disability. Nevertheless, further studies are necessary to corroborate this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Canosa
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, SC Neurologia 1U, Turin, Italy.
| | - Fabrizio D'Ovidio
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, SC Neurologia 1U, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, SC Neurologia 1U, Turin, Italy
| | - Umberto Manera
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Maria Claudia Torrieri
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Rosario Vasta
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Angelina Cistaro
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Nuclear Medicine Advisor for the ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Silvia Gallo
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Barbara Iazzolino
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Flavio Mariano Nobili
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Clinica Neurologica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Casale
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Adriano Chiò
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, SC Neurologia 1U, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, C.N.R., Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Pagani
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, C.N.R., Rome, Italy; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Pritchard C, Silk A, Hansen L. Are rises in Electro-Magnetic Field in the human environment, interacting with multiple environmental pollutions, the tripping point for increases in neurological deaths in the Western World? Med Hypotheses 2019; 127:76-83. [PMID: 31088653 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2019.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Whilst humans evolved in the earth's Electro-Magnetic-Field (EMF) and sun-light, both being essential to life but too much sun and we burn. What happens if background EMF rise to critical levels, coinciding with increasing environmental pollutants? Two of the authors can look back over 50 clinical years and appreciate the profound changes in human morbidity across a range of disparate conditions - autoimmune diseases, asthma, earlier cancer incidence and reduced male sperm counts. In particular have been increased autism, dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and neurological diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Early Onset Dementia, Multiple System Atrophy and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. What might have caused these changes-whilst genetic factors are taken as given, multiple environmental pollutants are associated with neurological disease although the mechanisms are unclear. The pace of increased neurological deaths far exceeds any Gompertzian explanation - that because people are living longer they are more likely to develop more age-related problems such as neurological disease. Using WHO global mortality categories of Neurological Disease Deaths (NDD) and Alzheimer's and Dementia deaths (Alz), updated June 2018, together they constitute Total Neurological Mortality (TNM), to calculate mortality rates per million for people aged 55-74 and for the over-75's in twenty-one Western countries. Recent increases in American people aged over-75's rose 49% from 1989 to 2015 but US neurological deaths increased five-fold. In 1989 based on Age-Standardised-Deaths-Rates America USA was 17th at 324 pm but rising to 539 pm became second highest. Different environmental/occupational factors have been found to be associated with neuro-degenerative diseases, including background EMF. We briefly explore how levels of EMF interact upon the human body, which can be described as a natural antennae and provide new evidence that builds upon earlier research to propose the following hypothesis. Based upon recent and new evidence we hypothesise that a major contribution for the relative sudden upsurge in neurological morbidity in the Western world (1989-2015), is because of increased background EMF that has become the tipping point-impacting upon any genetic predisposition, increasing multiple-interactive pollutants, such as rises in petro-chemicals, hormone disrupting chemicals, industrial, agricultural and domestic chemicals. The unprecedented neurological death rates, all within just twenty-five years, demand a re-examination of long-term EMF safety related to the increasing background EMF on human health. We do not wish to 'stop the modern world', only make it safer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Pritchard
- Faculty of Health & Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, United Kingdom.
| | - Anne Silk
- Faculty of Health & Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, United Kingdom
| | - Lars Hansen
- Southern Health, Dept of Psychiatry, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
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6
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Palese F, Sartori A, Verriello L, Ros S, Passadore P, Manganotti P, Barbone F, Pisa FE. Epidemiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, North-Eastern Italy, 2002-2014: a retrospective population-based study. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2018; 20:90-99. [PMID: 30430867 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2018.1511732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the epidemiology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG) region, Italy, over a 13-year period (2002-2014), estimating ALS (a) incidence, prevalence, and clinical features; (b) mortality, also comparing Udine municipality to the rest of FVG. METHODS We conducted a retrospective population-based study. ALS incident cases were ascertained using multiple sources and validated through expert review. We calculated crude and standardized incidence rate (IR), point prevalence and mortality rate (MR), each with 95% confidence interval. Standardized incidence (SIR) and mortality (SMR) ratio were calculated to compare Udine to FVG. RESULTS Among 444 incident cases (50.0% men, median age 68.5 years), onset was bulbar in 30.2%, spinal in 59.9%, mixed in 9.9%; 3.6% had familial ALS. Crude and 2000 European population standardized IR was respectively 2.81 (2.56-3.09) and 2.09 (1.89-2.29) per 100,000 person-years. Standardized male-to-female incidence ratio was 1.05. IR peaked at age 65-74 years (men: 9.93, 8.04-12.32; women: 7.74, 6.18-9.67) and decreased thereafter. Prevalence was 8.36 (6.74-9.97) cases per 100,000 inhabitants on 30 June 2009 and 7.98 (6.40-9.56) on 30 June 2014. SIR was 1.20 and SMR 1.11. CONCLUSIONS When assessed over a long period, incidence of ALS was in the range of Italian and European population-based registries and showed a consistent pattern by age and sex. IR and MR were only slightly higher in Udine vs. FVG.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arianna Sartori
- b Neurologic Clinic, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences , Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, University Hospital of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | - Lorenzo Verriello
- c Neurologic Clinic, Department of Neurological Sciences , Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine , Udine , Italy
| | - Silvia Ros
- d Neurologic Clinic , Hospital of Gorizia , Gorizia , Italy
| | - Paolo Passadore
- e Neurologic Clinic , Hospital of Pordenone , Pordenone , Italy
| | - Paolo Manganotti
- b Neurologic Clinic, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences , Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, University Hospital of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | - Fabio Barbone
- a Medical Area Department , University of Udine , Udine , Italy
| | - Federica Edith Pisa
- a Medical Area Department , University of Udine , Udine , Italy.,f Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS , Bremen , Germany.,g Institute of Hygiene and Clinical Epidemiology , University Hospital of Udine , Udine , Italy
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Castanedo-Vazquez D, Bosque-Varela P, Sainz-Pelayo A, Riancho J. Infectious agents and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: another piece of the puzzle of motor neuron degeneration. J Neurol 2018; 266:27-36. [PMID: 29845377 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-018-8919-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons (MN). This fatal disease is characterized by progressive muscle wasting and lacks an effective treatment. ALS pathogenesis has not been elucidated yet. In a small proportion of ALS patients, the disease has a familial origin, related to mutations in specific genes, which directly result in MN degeneration. By contrast, the vast majority of cases are though to be sporadic, in which genes and environment interact leading to disease in genetically predisposed individuals. Lately, the role of the environment has gained relevance in this field and an extensive list of environmental conditions have been postulated to be involved in ALS. Among them, infectious agents, particularly viruses, have been suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. These agents could act by interacting with some crucial pathways in MN degeneration, such as gene processing, oxidative stress or neuroinflammation. In this article, we will review the main studies about the involvement of microorganisms in ALS, subsequently discussing their potential pathogenic effect and integrating them as another piece in the puzzle of ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pilar Bosque-Varela
- Service of Neurology, University Hospital Marques de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
| | | | - Javier Riancho
- Service of Neurology, Hospital Sierrallana-IDIVAL, Torrelavega, Spain. .,CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain.
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Cappello V, Francolini M. Neuromuscular Junction Dismantling in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18102092. [PMID: 28972545 PMCID: PMC5666774 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18102092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular junction assembly and plasticity during embryonic, postnatal, and adult life are tightly regulated by the continuous cross-talk among motor nerve endings, muscle fibers, and glial cells. Altered communications among these components is thought to be responsible for the physiological age-related changes at this synapse and possibly for its destruction in pathological states. Neuromuscular junction dismantling plays a crucial role in the onset of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is characterized by the degeneration and death of motor neurons leading to skeletal muscle denervation, atrophy and, most often, death of the patient within five years from diagnosis. ALS is a non-cell autonomous disease as, besides motor neuron degeneration, glial cells, and possibly muscle fibers, play a role in its onset and progression. Here, we will review the recent literature regarding the mechanisms leading to neuromuscular junction disassembly and muscle denervation focusing on the role of the three players of this peripheral tripartite synapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Cappello
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation@NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Maura Francolini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano-Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milano, Italy.
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Barschke P, Oeckl P, Steinacker P, Ludolph A, Otto M. Proteomic studies in the discovery of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Expert Rev Proteomics 2017; 14:769-777. [PMID: 28799854 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2017.1365602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive degenerative motor neuron disease, which usually leads to death within a few years. The diagnosis is mainly based on clinical symptoms and there is a need for ALS-specific biomarkers to make an early and precise diagnosis, for development of disease-modifying drugs and to gain new insights into pathophysiology. Areas covered: In the present review, we summarize studies using mass spectrometric (MS) approaches to identify protein alterations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of ALS patients. In total, we identified 11 studies fulfilling our criteria by searching in the PubMed database using the keywords 'ALS' and 'CSF' combined with 'proteome', 'proteomic', 'mass spectrometry' or 'protein biomarker'. Ten proteins were differently regulated in ALS CSF compared to controls in at least 2 studies. We will discuss the relevance of the identified proteins regarding the frequency of identification, extent of alteration and brain-specificity. Expert commentary: Most of the identified CSF biomarker candidates are irreproducible or mainly blood-derived. We assign the missing success of CSF proteomic studies in biomarker discovery to a lack of sensitivity, unsuitable normalization, low quality assurance and variations originating from sample preparation. These issues must be improved in future proteomic studies in CSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peggy Barschke
- a Department of Neurology , Ulm University Hospital , Ulm , Germany
| | - Patrick Oeckl
- a Department of Neurology , Ulm University Hospital , Ulm , Germany
| | - Petra Steinacker
- a Department of Neurology , Ulm University Hospital , Ulm , Germany
| | - Albert Ludolph
- a Department of Neurology , Ulm University Hospital , Ulm , Germany
| | - Markus Otto
- a Department of Neurology , Ulm University Hospital , Ulm , Germany
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10
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Lam MMW, Mapletoft JP, Miller MS. Abnormal regulation of the antiviral response in neurological/neurodegenerative diseases. Cytokine 2016; 88:251-258. [PMID: 27697702 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are a few examples of debilitating neurological/neurodegenerative diseases for which there are currently no curative treatments. Recent evidence has strongly suggested a role for neuroinflammation in both the onset and progression of these diseases. However, the mechanisms that initiate neuroinflammation are presently unclear. Mounting evidence suggests that environmental factors are likely involved. One proposed mechanism linking both genetic and environmental factors is dysregulation of the antiviral response. Indeed, many mutations that have been linked to neurological conditions occur in genes related to the antiviral response. Although the products of these genes may have potent antiviral activities - they can also have deleterious effects when their expression is not appropriately regulated. For that reason, expression of antiviral genes is a tightly controlled process. Herein, we review the various antiviral genes that have been linked to neurological conditions. We focus specifically on type I interferonopathies, the symptoms of which are often evident at birth, and neurodegenerative diseases, which frequently onset later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mannie Man Wai Lam
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Infectious Diseases Research, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan P Mapletoft
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Infectious Diseases Research, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew S Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Infectious Diseases Research, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada.
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Lacorte E, Ferrigno L, Leoncini E, Corbo M, Boccia S, Vanacore N. Physical activity, and physical activity related to sports, leisure and occupational activity as risk factors for ALS: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 66:61-79. [PMID: 27108217 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is considered a multifactorial, multisystem neurodegenerative disease due to an interaction between environmental and genetic factors. This systematic review aims at gathering all available evidence on the association between physical activity (PA) and the risk of ALS. METHODS Relevant literature published up to January 2015 was gathered through structured searches on Medline, The Cochrane Library, and the ISI Web of Science databases. Studies considering any type of PA as the main exposure and a diagnosis of ALS or motor neuron disease were selected. Data were extracted in standardized forms, and the quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). RESULTS Bibliographic searches yielded 3168 records. Nineteen case control studies and 7 cohort studies met the inclusion criteria, and were included in the analysis. Evidence on cumulative measures of PA as a risk factor for ALS remain inconclusive. However, cohort studies report a significantly higher number of cases of ALS in professional soccer and American football players, and a slightly increased risk of ALS in varsity athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Lacorte
- National Center for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, via Giano della Bella 34, 00162 Rome, Italy.
| | - Luigina Ferrigno
- National Center for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, via Giano della Bella 34, 00162 Rome, Italy.
| | - Emanuele Leoncini
- Institute of Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Massimo Corbo
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa Cura Policlinico (CCP), Via Giuseppe Dezza, 48, 20144, Milan, Italy.
| | - Stefania Boccia
- Institute of Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Nicola Vanacore
- National Center for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, via Giano della Bella 34, 00162 Rome, Italy.
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12
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Gupta G, Song J. C-Terminal Auto-Regulatory Motif of Hepatitis C Virus NS5B Interacts with Human VAPB-MSP to Form a Dynamic Replication Complex. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0147278. [PMID: 26784321 PMCID: PMC4718513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a pathogen of global importance and nearly 200 million people are chronically infected with HCV. HCV is an enveloped single-stranded RNA virus, which is characteristic of the formation of the host membrane associated replication complex. Previous functional studies have already established that the human ER-anchored VAPB protein acts as a host factor to form a complex with HCV NS5A and NS5B, which may be established as a drug target. However, there is lacking of biophysical characterization of the structures and interfaces of the complex, partly due to the dynamic nature of the complex formation and dissociation, which is extensively involved in intrinsically-disordered domains. Here by an integrated use of domain dissection and NMR spectroscopy, for the first time we have successfully deciphered that the HCV NS5B utilizes its auto-regulatory C-linker to bind the VAPB-MSP domain to form a dynamic complex. This finding implies that the NS5B C-linker is capable of playing dual roles by a switch between the folded and disordered states. Interestingly, our previous and present studies together reveal that both HCV NS5A and NS5B bind to the MSP domains of the dimeric VAP with significantly overlapped interfaces and similar affinities. The identification that EphA2 and EphA5 bind to the MSP domain with higher affinity than EphA4 provides a biophysical basis for further exploring whether other than inducing ALS-like syndrome, the HCV infection might also trigger pathogenesis associated with signalling pathways mediated by EphA2 and EphA5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garvita Gupta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jianxing Song
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- * E-mail:
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13
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Additive Neuroprotective Effects of the Multifunctional Iron Chelator M30 with Enriched Diet in a Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurotox Res 2015; 29:208-17. [PMID: 26581376 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-015-9574-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common degenerative disease of the motoneuron system, involving various abnormalities, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, transitional metal accumulation, neuroinflammation, glutamate excitotoxicity, apoptosis, decreased supply of trophic factors, cytoskeletal abnormalities, and extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD)-1 toxicity. These multiple disease etiologies implicated in ALS gave rise to the perception that future therapeutic approaches for the disease should be aimed at targeting multiple pathological pathways. In line with this view, we have evaluated in the current study the therapeutic effects of low doses of the novel multifunctional monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor/iron-chelating compound, M30 in combination with high Calorie Energy supplemented Diet (CED) in the SOD1-G93A transgenic mouse model of ALS. Our results demonstrated that the combined administration of M30 with CED produced additive neuroprotective effects on motor performance and increased survival of SOD1-G93A mice. We also found that both M30 and M30/CED regimens caused a significant inhibition of MAO-A and -B activities and decreased the turnover of dopamine in the brain of SOD1-G93A mice. In addition, M30/CED combined treatment resulted in a significant increase in mRNA expression levels of various mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolism regulators, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ)-co activator 1 alpha (PGC-1α), PPARγ, uncoupling protein 1, and insulin receptor in the gastrocnemius muscle of SOD1-G93A mice. These results suggest that a combination of drug/agents with different, but complementary mechanisms may be beneficial in the treatment of ALS.
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14
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Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a dreadful, devastating and incurable motor neuron disease. Aetiologically, it is a multigenic, multifactorial and multiorgan disease. Despite intense research, ALS pathology remains unexplained. Following extensive literature review, this paper posits a new integrative explanation. This framework proposes that ammonia neurotoxicity is a main player in ALS pathogenesis. According to this explanation, a combination of impaired ammonia removal- mainly because of impaired hepatic urea cycle dysfunction-and increased ammoniagenesis- mainly because of impaired glycolytic metabolism in fast twitch skeletal muscle-causes chronic hyperammonia in ALS. In the absence of neuroprotective calcium binding proteins (calbindin, calreticulin and parvalbumin), elevated ammonia-a neurotoxin-damages motor neurons. Ammonia-induced motor neuron damage occurs through multiple mechanisms such as macroautophagy-endolysosomal impairment, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, CDK5 activation, oxidative/nitrosative stress, neuronal hyperexcitability and neuroinflammation. Furthermore, the regional pattern of calcium binding proteins' loss, owing to either ER stress and/or impaired oxidative metabolism, determines clinical variability of ALS. Most importantly, this new framework can be generalised to explain other neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's disease and Parkinsonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavin Parekh
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
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15
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Valera P, Zavattari P, Albanese S, Cicchella D, Dinelli E, Lima A, De Vivo B. A correlation study between multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes incidences and geochemical data in Europe. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2014; 36:79-98. [PMID: 23567975 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-013-9520-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Complex multifactorial disorders usually arise in individuals genetically at risk in the presence of permissive environmental factors. For many of these diseases, predisposing gene variants are partly known while the identification of the environmental component is much more difficult. This study aims to investigate whether there are correlations between the incidence of two complex traits, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes, and some chemical elements and compounds present in soils and stream sediments in Europe. Data were obtained from the published literature and analyzed by calculating the mean values of each element and of disease incidence for each Country, respectively, 17 for multiple sclerosis and 21 for type 1 diabetes. Correlation matrices and regression analyses were used in order to compare incidence data and geochemical data. R correlation index and significance were evaluated. The analyses performed in this study have revealed significant positive correlations between barium and sodium oxide on one hand and multiple sclerosis and diabetes incidences on the other hand that may suggest interactions to be evaluated between silicon-rich lithologies and/or marine environments. The negative correlations shown by cobalt, chromium and nickel (typical of silicon-poor environment), which in this case can be interpreted as protective effects against the two diseases onset, make the split between favorable and protective environments even more obvious. In conclusion, if other studies will confirm the involvement of the above elements and compounds in the etiology of these pathologies, then it will be possible to plan strategies to reduce the spread of these serious pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Valera
- Department of Civil-Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 3, 09123, Cagliari, Italy,
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16
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Piotrkiewicz M, Hausmanowa-Petrusewicz I. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a dying motor unit? Front Aging Neurosci 2013; 5:7. [PMID: 23533375 PMCID: PMC3607785 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2013.00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Piotrkiewicz
- Department of Engineering of Nervous and Muscular System, Nałęcz Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences Warsaw, Poland
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17
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Gallo V, Wark PA, Jenab M, Pearce N, Brayne C, Vermeulen R, Andersen PM, Hallmans G, Kyrozis A, Vanacore N, Vahdaninia M, Grote V, Kaaks R, Mattiello A, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, Peeters PH, Travis RC, Petersson J, Hansson O, Arriola L, Jimenez-Martin JM, Tjønneland A, Halkjær J, Agnoli C, Sacerdote C, Bonet C, Trichopoulou A, Gavrila D, Overvad K, Weiderpass E, Palli D, Quirós JR, Tumino R, Khaw KT, Wareham N, Barricante-Gurrea A, Fedirko V, Ferrari P, Clavel-Chapelon F, Boutron-Ruault MC, Boeing H, Vigl M, Middleton L, Riboli E, Vineis P. Prediagnostic body fat and risk of death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: the EPIC cohort. Neurology 2013; 80:829-38. [PMID: 23390184 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0b013e3182840689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate for the first time the association between body fat and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with an appropriate prospective study design. METHODS The EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) study included 518,108 individuals recruited from the general population across 10 Western European countries. At recruitment, information on lifestyle was collected and anthropometric characteristics were measured. Cox hazard models were fitted to investigate the associations between anthropometric measures and ALS mortality. RESULTS Two hundred twenty-two ALS deaths (79 men and 143 women) occurred during the follow-up period (mean follow-up = 13 years). There was a statistically significant interaction between categories of body mass index and sex regarding ALS risk (p = 0.009): in men, a significant linear decrease of risk per unit of body mass index was observed (hazard ratio = 0.93, 95% confidence interval 0.86-0.99 per kg/m(2)); among women, the risk was more than 3-fold increased for underweight compared with normal-weight women. Among women, a significant risk reduction increasing the waist/hip ratio was also evident: women in the top quartile had less than half the risk of ALS compared with those in the bottom quartile (hazard ratio = 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.25-0.93) with a borderline significant p value for trend across quartiles (p = 0.056). CONCLUSION Increased prediagnostic body fat is associated with a decreased risk of ALS mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Gallo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK.
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Migliaretti G, Berchialla P, Dalmasso P, Cavallo F, Chiò A. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Piedmont (Italy): a Bayesian spatial analysis of the incident cases. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2012; 14:58-65. [PMID: 23134503 DOI: 10.3109/21678421.2012.733401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In the analysis of risk factors in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), few ecological studies, based on the relationship between the distribution of the patients in a given area and the environmental exposures, have been performed. The aim of our study was to depict the spatial risk distribution of ALS in Piedmont's resident population during the period 1995-2004. Data were collected from the Piedmont and Aosta Valley Register for ALS, which is a prospective epidemiological archive for gathering all the ALS incident cases in north-western Italy. Only cases from Piedmont were considered. The Besag, York and Molliè model was used to estimate smoothed standardized incidence ratios (SIR) by municipalities either overall or stratified by gender and age class. Results demonstrated that excess of risk was particularly evident in the area of Cuneo, Alessandria and Vercelli (SIR > 1.2). The results were evident for both genders, but in particular for males aged 35-60 years. Given the geographic distribution of rural areas, our results suggest that the environmental exposure to agricultural chemicals could be possibly linked to this pattern. Despite some limits of the spatial analysis in the study of rare diseases, results appear coherent with literature data, stimulating other in-depth analysis in this field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Migliaretti
- Department of Public Health and Microbiology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
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Gupta G, Qin H, Song J. Intrinsically unstructured domain 3 of hepatitis C Virus NS5A forms a "fuzzy complex" with VAPB-MSP domain which carries ALS-causing mutations. PLoS One 2012; 7:e39261. [PMID: 22720086 PMCID: PMC3374797 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Accepted: 05/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects nearly 200 million people worldwide and is a leading factor for serious chronic liver diseases. For replicating HCV genome, the membrane-associated replication machinery needs to be formed by both HCV non-structural proteins including NS5A and human host factors. Recently NS5A has been identified to bind ER-anchored human VAP proteins and consequently this interaction may serve as a novel target for design of anti-HCV drugs. So far no biophysical characterization of this interaction has been reported. Here, we dissected the 243-residue VAPB into 4 and 447-residue NS5A into 10 fragments, followed by CD and NMR characterization of their structural properties. Subsequently, binding interactions between these fragments have been extensively assessed by NMR HSQC titration which is very powerful in detecting even very weak binding. The studies lead to three important findings: 1). a "fuzzy complex" is formed between the intrinsically-unstructured third domain (D3) of NS5A and the well-structured MSP domain of VAPB, with an average dissociation constant (Kd) of ~5 µM. 2). The binding-important residues on both NS5A-D3 and VAPB-MSP have been successfully mapped out, which provided experimental constraints for constructing the complex structure. In the complex, unstructured D3 binds to three surface pockets on one side of the MSP structure. Interestingly, two ALS-causing mutations T46I and P56S are also located on the D3-MSP interface. Moreover, NS5A-D3, FFAT-containing proteins and EphA4 appear to have overlapped binding interfaces on the MSP domain. 3). NS5A-D3 has been experimentally confirmed to competes with EphA4 in binding to the MSP domain, and T46I mutation of MSP dramatically abolishes its binding ability to D3. Our study not only provides essential foundation for further deciphering structure and function of the HCV replication machinery, but may also shed light on rationalizing a recent observation that a chronic HCV patient surprisingly developed ALS-like syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garvita Gupta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Haina Qin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jianxing Song
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- * E-mail:
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