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Villavicencio-Tejo F, Olesen MA, Navarro L, Calisto N, Iribarren C, García K, Corsini G, Quintanilla RA. Gut-Brain Axis Deregulation and Its Possible Contribution to Neurodegenerative Disorders. Neurotox Res 2023; 42:4. [PMID: 38103074 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-023-00681-0] [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: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The gut-brain axis is an essential communication pathway between the central nervous system (CNS) and the gastrointestinal tract. The human microbiota is composed of a diverse and abundant microbial community that compasses more than 100 trillion microorganisms that participate in relevant physiological functions such as host nutrient metabolism, structural integrity, maintenance of the gut mucosal barrier, and immunomodulation. Recent evidence in animal models has been instrumental in demonstrating the possible role of the microbiota in neurodevelopment, neuroinflammation, and behavior. Furthermore, clinical studies suggested that adverse changes in the microbiota can be considered a susceptibility factor for neurological disorders (NDs), such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this review, we will discuss evidence describing the role of gut microbes in health and disease as a relevant risk factor in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, including AD, PD, HD, and ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Villavicencio-Tejo
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, El Llano Subercaseaux 2801, 5to Piso, San Miguel 8910060, Santiago, Chile
| | - Margrethe A Olesen
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, El Llano Subercaseaux 2801, 5to Piso, San Miguel 8910060, Santiago, Chile
| | - Laura Navarro
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Compuestos Bioactivos, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nancy Calisto
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Compuestos Bioactivos, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristian Iribarren
- Laboratorio de Patógenos Gastrointestinales, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Katherine García
- Laboratorio de Patógenos Gastrointestinales, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gino Corsini
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Compuestos Bioactivos, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo A Quintanilla
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, El Llano Subercaseaux 2801, 5to Piso, San Miguel 8910060, Santiago, Chile.
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2
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Bräuer S, Falkenburger B. [Gene Therapy for Huntington Disease]. FORTSCHRITTE DER NEUROLOGIE-PSYCHIATRIE 2023; 91:141-146. [PMID: 37040787 PMCID: PMC10089766 DOI: 10.1055/a-2042-2338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Englisch: Being one of the most common genetic neurodegenerative disease, Huntington's disease has been a model disease - also for gene therapy. Among the various options, the development of antisense oligonucleotides is the most advanced. Further options at the RNA level include micro-RNAs and modulators of RNA processing (splicing), at the DNA level zinc finger proteins. Several products are in clinical trials. These differ in their mode of application and in the extent of systemic availability. Another important difference between therapeutic strategies could be whether all forms of the huntingtin protein are targeted in the same extent, or whether a therapy preferentially targets particular toxic forms such as the exon1 protein. The results of the recently terminated GENERATION HD1 trial were somewhat sobering, most likely due to the side effect-related hydrocephalus. Therefore they represent just one step towards the development of an effective gene therapy against Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Bräuer
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum an der TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Björn Falkenburger
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum an der TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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3
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Martin JL, Dawson SJ, Gale JE. An emerging role for stress granules in neurodegenerative disease and hearing loss. Hear Res 2022; 426:108634. [PMID: 36384053 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2022.108634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Stress granules (SGs) are membrane-less cytosolic assemblies that form in response to stress (e.g., heat, oxidative stress, hypoxia, viral infection and UV). Composed of mRNA, RNA binding proteins and signalling proteins, SGs minimise stress-related damage and promote cell survival. Recent research has shown that the stress granule response is vital to the cochlea's response to stress. However, emerging evidence suggests stress granule dysfunction plays a key role in the pathophysiology of multiple neurodegenerative diseases, several of which present with hearing loss as a symptom. Hearing loss has been identified as the largest potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia. The underlying reason for the link between hearing loss and dementia remains to be established. However, several possible mechanisms have been proposed including a common pathological mechanism. Here we will review the role of SGs in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases and explore possible links and emerging evidence that they may play an important role in maintenance of hearing and may be a common mechanism underlying age-related hearing loss and dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack L Martin
- UCL Ear Institute, 332 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8EE, UK
| | - Sally J Dawson
- UCL Ear Institute, 332 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8EE, UK.
| | - Jonathan E Gale
- UCL Ear Institute, 332 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8EE, UK.
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4
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Cannabinoid CB2 Receptors in Neurodegenerative Proteinopathies: New Insights and Therapeutic Potential. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123000. [PMID: 36551756 PMCID: PMC9775106 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Some of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, are proteinopathies characterized by the accumulation of specific protein aggregates in the brain. Such misfolded protein aggregates can trigger modulation of the innate and adaptive immune systems and subsequently lead to chronic neuroinflammation that drives the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Since there is still no effective disease-modifying treatment, new therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative proteinopathies have been sought. The endocannabinoid system, and in particular the cannabinoid CB2 receptors, have been extensively studied, due to their important role in neuroinflammation, especially in microglial cells. Several studies have shown promising effects of CB2 receptor activation on reducing protein aggregation-based pathology as well as on attenuating inflammation and several dementia-related symptoms. In this review, we discuss the available data on the role of CB2 receptors in neuroinflammation and the potential benefits and limitations of specific agonists of these receptors in the therapy of neurodegenerative proteinopathies.
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5
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Pradhan S, Gao R, Bush K, Zhang N, Wairkar YP, Sarkar PS. Polyglutamine Expansion in Huntingtin and Mechanism of DNA Damage Repair Defects in Huntington’s Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:837576. [PMID: 35444517 PMCID: PMC9013776 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.837576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that DNA repair deficiency and genome instability may be the impending signs of many neurological diseases. Genome-wide association (GWAS) studies have established a strong correlation between genes that play a role in DNA damage repair and many neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington’s disease (HD), and several other trinucleotides repeat expansion-related hereditary ataxias. Recently, many reports have documented a significant role played by the DNA repair processes in aging and in modifying many neurodegenerative diseases, early during their progression. Studies from our lab and others have now begun to understand the mechanisms that cause defective DNA repair in HD and surprisingly, many proteins that have a strong link to known neurodegenerative diseases seem to be important players in these cellular pathways. Mutations in huntingtin (HTT) gene that lead to polyglutamine repeat expansion at the N-terminal of HTT protein has been shown to disrupt transcription-coupled DNA repair process, a specialized DNA repair process associated with transcription. Due to the recent progress made in understanding the mechanisms of DNA repair in relation to HD, in this review, we will mainly focus on the mechanisms by which the wild-type huntingtin (HTT) protein helps in DNA repair during transcription, and the how polyglutamine expansions in HTT impedes this process in HD. Further studies that identify new players in DNA repair will help in our understanding of this process in neurons. Furthermore, it should help us understand how various DNA repair mechanism(s) coordinate to maintain the normal physiology of neurons, and provide insights for the development of novel drugs at prodromal stages of these neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subrata Pradhan
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Rui Gao
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Keegan Bush
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yogesh P. Wairkar
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Partha S. Sarkar
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Partha S. Sarkar,
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6
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Okada N, Yako T, Nakamura S, Shimazawa M, Hara H. Reduced mitochondrial complex II activity enhances cell death via intracellular reactive oxygen species in STHdhQ111 striatal neurons with mutant huntingtin. J Pharmacol Sci 2021; 147:367-375. [PMID: 34663519 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. Here, we examined the effects of antioxidants on 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP; a mitochondrial complex II inhibitor)-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death in STHdhQ111 striatal cells carrying homozygous mutant HTT with extended CAG repeats compared with those in STHdhQ7 striatal cells. 3-NP reduced cell viability and increased cell death both in STHdhQ111 and STHdhQ7, and the cytotoxicity was markedly attenuated by antioxidants (N-acetyl-l-cysteine and edaravone). Furthermore, 3-NP increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in both cell lines, and this increase was inhibited by antioxidants. Mitochondrial ROS was also increased by 3-NP in STHdhQ111 but not in STHdhQ7, and this increase was significantly inhibited by edaravone. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was lower in STHdhQ111 than that in STHdhQ7, and antioxidants prevented 3-NP-induced MMP decrease in STHdhQ111.3-NP enhanced oligomerization of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), a protein that promotes mitochondrial fission in both cells, and both antioxidants prevented the increase in oligomerization. These results suggest that reduced mitochondrial complex II activity enhances cell death via intracellular ROS production and Drp1 oligomerization in striatal cells with mutant HTT and antioxidants may reduce striatal cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noria Okada
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Yako
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Nakamura
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Masamitsu Shimazawa
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan.
| | - Hideaki Hara
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
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7
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Ramirez-Phillips AC, Liu D. Therapeutic Genome Editing and In Vivo Delivery. AAPS JOURNAL 2021; 23:80. [PMID: 34080099 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-021-00613-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Improvements in the understanding of human genetics and its roles in disease development and prevention have led to an increased interest in therapeutic genome editing via the use of engineered nucleases. Various approaches have been explored in the past focusing on the development of an effective and safe system for sequence-specific editing. Compared to earlier nucleases such as zinc finger nuclease and transcription activator-like effector nuclease, the relatively low cost and ease of producing clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) systems have made therapeutic genome editing significantly more feasible. CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing has shown great potential to correct genetic mutations implicated in monogenic diseases and to eradicate latent or chronic viral infections in preclinical studies. Several CRISPR/Cas9-based therapeutics have reached the clinical stage, including treatments for inherited red blood cell disorders and Leber Congenital Amaurosis 10, as well as CRISPR/Cas9-edited T cells designed to target and destroy cancer cells. Further advances in therapeutic genome editing will rely on a safe and more efficient method of in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 delivery and improved efficiency of homology-directed repair for site-specific gene insertion or replacement. While other reviews have focused on one or two aspects of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, this review aims to provide a summary of the mechanisms of genome editing, the reasons for the emerging interest in CRISPR/Cas9 compared to other engineered nucleases, the current progress in developing CRISPR/Cas9 delivery systems, and the current preclinical and clinical applications of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dexi Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA.
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8
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Moreno-Delgado D, Puigdellívol M, Moreno E, Rodríguez-Ruiz M, Botta J, Gasperini P, Chiarlone A, Howell LA, Scarselli M, Casadó V, Cortés A, Ferré S, Guzmán M, Lluís C, Alberch J, Canela EI, Ginés S, McCormick PJ. Modulation of dopamine D 1 receptors via histamine H 3 receptors is a novel therapeutic target for Huntington's disease. eLife 2020; 9:51093. [PMID: 32513388 PMCID: PMC7282811 DOI: 10.7554/elife.51093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Early Huntington's disease (HD) include over-activation of dopamine D1 receptors (D1R), producing an imbalance in dopaminergic neurotransmission and cell death. To reduce D1R over-activation, we present a strategy based on targeting complexes of D1R and histamine H3 receptors (H3R). Using an HD mouse striatal cell model and HD mouse organotypic brain slices we found that D1R-induced cell death signaling and neuronal degeneration, are mitigated by an H3R antagonist. We demonstrate that the D1R-H3R heteromer is expressed in HD mice at early but not late stages of HD, correlating with HD progression. In accordance, we found this target expressed in human control subjects and low-grade HD patients. Finally, treatment of HD mice with an H3R antagonist prevented cognitive and motor learning deficits and the loss of heteromer expression. Taken together, our results indicate that D1R - H3R heteromers play a pivotal role in dopamine signaling and represent novel targets for treating HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Moreno-Delgado
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Puigdellívol
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Institut of Neuroscience, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d´Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Estefanía Moreno
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Rodríguez-Ruiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquín Botta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Gasperini
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Chiarlone
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, School of Biology, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica, and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lesley A Howell
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Scarselli
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vicent Casadó
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antoni Cortés
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergi Ferré
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Baltimore, United States
| | - Manuel Guzmán
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, School of Biology, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica, and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Lluís
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Alberch
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Institut of Neuroscience, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d´Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Enric I Canela
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia Ginés
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Institut of Neuroscience, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d´Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Peter J McCormick
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain.,School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom.,William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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9
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Ardan T, Baxa M, Levinská B, Sedláčková M, Nguyen TD, Klíma J, Juhás Š, Juhásová J, Šmatlíková P, Vochozková P, Motlík J, Ellederová Z. Transgenic minipig model of Huntington's disease exhibiting gradually progressing neurodegeneration. Dis Model Mech 2019; 13:dmm.041319. [PMID: 31645369 PMCID: PMC6918760 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.041319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently developed therapeutic approaches for the treatment of Huntington's disease (HD) require preclinical testing in large animal models. The minipig is a suitable experimental animal because of its large gyrencephalic brain, body weight of 70-100 kg, long lifespan, and anatomical, physiological and metabolic resemblance to humans. The Libechov transgenic minipig model for HD (TgHD) has proven useful for proof of concept of developing new therapies. However, to evaluate the efficacy of different therapies on disease progression, a broader phenotypic characterization of the TgHD minipig is needed. In this study, we analyzed the brain tissues of TgHD minipigs at the age of 48 and 60-70 months, and compared them to wild-type animals. We were able to demonstrate not only an accumulation of different forms of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) in TgHD brain, but also pathological changes associated with cellular damage caused by mHTT. At 48 months, we detected pathological changes that included the demyelination of brain white matter, loss of function of striatal neurons in the putamen and activation of microglia. At 60-70 months, we found a clear marker of neurodegeneration: significant cell loss detected in the caudate nucleus, putamen and cortex. This was accompanied by clusters of structures accumulating in the neurites of some neurons, a sign of their degeneration that is also seen in Alzheimer's disease, and a significant activation of astrocytes. In summary, our data demonstrate age-dependent neuropathology with later onset of neurodegeneration in TgHD minipigs. Summary: Longitudinal phenotyping of the minipig model for Huntington's disease demonstrates a slow and age-dependent neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taras Ardan
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Baxa
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Božena Levinská
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslava Sedláčková
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Masaryk University in Brno, Faculty of Medicine, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - The Duong Nguyen
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Klíma
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Štefan Juhás
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Juhásová
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Šmatlíková
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Vochozková
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Motlík
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Zdenka Ellederová
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic
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10
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Egorova PA, Bezprozvanny IB. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors and neurodegenerative disorders. FEBS J 2018; 285:3547-3565. [PMID: 29253316 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3 R) is an intracellular ion channel that mediates the release of calcium ions from the endoplasmic reticulum. It plays a role in basic biological functions, such as cell division, differentiation, fertilization and cell death, and is involved in developmental processes including learning, memory and behavior. Deregulation of neuronal calcium signaling results in disturbance of cell homeostasis, synaptic loss and dysfunction, eventually leading to cell death. Three IP3 R subtypes have been identified in mammalian cells and the predominant isoform in neurons is IP3 R type 1. Dysfunction of IP3 R type 1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of certain neurodegenerative diseases as enhanced activity of the IP3 R was observed in models of Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxias and Alzheimer's disease. These results suggest that IP3 R-mediated signaling is a potential target for treatment of these disorders. In this review we discuss the structure, functions and regulation of the IP3 R in healthy neurons and in conditions of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polina A Egorova
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ilya B Bezprozvanny
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St Petersburg, Russia.,Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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11
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Scior A, Buntru A, Arnsburg K, Ast A, Iburg M, Juenemann K, Pigazzini ML, Mlody B, Puchkov D, Priller J, Wanker EE, Prigione A, Kirstein J. Complete suppression of Htt fibrilization and disaggregation of Htt fibrils by a trimeric chaperone complex. EMBO J 2017; 37:282-299. [PMID: 29212816 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201797212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded CAG trinucleotide repeat in the huntingtin gene (HTT). Molecular chaperones have been implicated in suppressing or delaying the aggregation of mutant Htt. Using in vitro and in vivo assays, we have identified a trimeric chaperone complex (Hsc70, Hsp110, and J-protein) that completely suppresses fibrilization of HttExon1Q48 The composition of this chaperone complex is variable as recruitment of different chaperone family members forms distinct functional complexes. The trimeric chaperone complex is also able to resolubilize Htt fibrils. We confirmed the biological significance of these findings in HD patient-derived neural cells and on an organismal level in Caenorhabditis elegans Among the proteins in this chaperone complex, the J-protein is the concentration-limiting factor. The single overexpression of DNAJB1 in HEK293T cells is sufficient to profoundly reduce HttExon1Q97 aggregation and represents a target of future therapeutic avenues for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Scior
- Leibniz-Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) im Forschungsverbund Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Kristin Arnsburg
- Leibniz-Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) im Forschungsverbund Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Ast
- Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Manuel Iburg
- Leibniz-Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) im Forschungsverbund Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katrin Juenemann
- Leibniz-Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) im Forschungsverbund Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Lucia Pigazzini
- Leibniz-Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) im Forschungsverbund Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin and NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Mlody
- Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dmytro Puchkov
- Leibniz-Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) im Forschungsverbund Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Josef Priller
- Department of Neuropsychiatry and Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Erich E Wanker
- Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Janine Kirstein
- Leibniz-Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP) im Forschungsverbund Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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12
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A selective inhibitor of histone deacetylase 3 prevents cognitive deficits and suppresses striatal CAG repeat expansions in Huntington's disease mice. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6082. [PMID: 28729730 PMCID: PMC5519595 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05125-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder whose major symptoms include progressive motor and cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive decline is a critical quality of life concern for HD patients and families. The enzyme histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) appears to be important in HD pathology by negatively regulating genes involved in cognitive functions. Furthermore, HDAC3 has been implicated in the aberrant transcriptional patterns that help cause disease symptoms in HD mice. HDAC3 also helps fuel CAG repeat expansions in human cells, suggesting that HDAC3 may power striatal expansions in the HTT gene thought to drive disease progression. This multifaceted role suggests that early HDAC3 inhibition offers an attractive mechanism to prevent HD cognitive decline and to suppress striatal expansions. This hypothesis was investigated by treating HdhQ111 knock-in mice with the HDAC3-selective inhibitor RGFP966. Chronic early treatment prevented long-term memory impairments and normalized specific memory-related gene expression in hippocampus. Additionally, RGFP966 prevented corticostriatal-dependent motor learning deficits, significantly suppressed striatal CAG repeat expansions, partially rescued striatal protein marker expression and reduced accumulation of mutant huntingtin oligomeric forms. These novel results highlight RGFP966 as an appealing multiple-benefit therapy in HD that concurrently prevents cognitive decline and suppresses striatal CAG repeat expansions.
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13
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Lin S, Mortimer M, Chen R, Kakinen A, Riviere JE, Davis TP, Ding F, Ke PC. NanoEHS beyond Toxicity - Focusing on Biocorona. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. NANO 2017; 7:1433-1454. [PMID: 29123668 PMCID: PMC5673284 DOI: 10.1039/c6en00579a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The first phase of environmental health and safety of nanomaterials (nanoEHS) studies has been mainly focused on evidence-based investigations that probe the impact of nanoparticles, nanomaterials and nano-enabled products on biological and ecological systems. The integration of multiple disciplines, including colloidal science, nanomaterial science, chemistry, toxicology/immunology and environmental science, is necessary to understand the implications of nanotechnology for both human health and the environment. While strides have been made in connecting the physicochemical properties of nanomaterials with their hazard potential in tiered models, fundamental understanding of nano-biomolecular interactions and their implications for nanoEHS is largely absent from the literature. Research on nano-biomolecular interactions within the context of natural systems not only provides important clues for deciphering nanotoxicity and nanoparticle-induced pathology, but also presents vast new opportunities for screening beneficial material properties and designing greener products from bottom up. This review highlights new opportunities concerning nano-biomolecular interactions beyond the scope of toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijie Lin
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Monika Mortimer
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, Earth Research Institute and University of California Center for the Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (UC CEIN), University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Ran Chen
- Nanotechnology Innovation Center of Kansas State, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
| | - Aleksandr Kakinen
- ARC Center of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Jim E. Riviere
- Nanotechnology Innovation Center of Kansas State, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
| | - Thomas P. Davis
- ARC Center of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Feng Ding
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States
| | - Pu Chun Ke
- ARC Center of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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14
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Diaz-Hidalgo L, Altuntas S, Rossin F, D'Eletto M, Marsella C, Farrace MG, Falasca L, Antonioli M, Fimia GM, Piacentini M. Transglutaminase type 2-dependent selective recruitment of proteins into exosomes under stressful cellular conditions. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2016; 1863:2084-92. [PMID: 27169926 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2016.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies are revealing a role of exosomes in intercellular communication, and growing evidence indicates an important function for these vesicles in the progression and pathogenesis of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the biogenesis process of exosomes is still unclear. Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is a multifunctional enzyme with different subcellular localizations. Particularly, under stressful conditions, the enzyme has been also detected in the extracellular matrix, but the mechanism(s) by which TG2 is released outside the cells requires further investigation. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to determine whether exosomes might be a vehicle for TG2 to reach the extracellular space, and whether TG2 could be involved in exosomes biogenesis. To address this issue, we isolated and characterized exosomes derived from cells either expressing or not TG2, under stressful conditions (i.e. proteasome impairment or expressing a mutated form of huntingtin (mHtt) containing 84 polyglutamine repeats). Our results show that TG2 is present in the exosomes only upon proteasome blockade, a condition in which TG2 interacts with TSG101 and ALIX, two key proteins involved in exosome biogenesis. Interestingly, we found that TG2 favours the assembly of a protein complex including mHtt, ALIX, TSG101 and BAG3, a co-chaperone involved in the clearance of mHtt. The formation of this complex is paralleled by the selective recruitment of mHtt and BAG3 in the exosomes derived from TG2 proficient cells only. Overall, our data indicate that TG2 is an important player in the biogenesis of exosomes controlling the selectivity of their cargo under stressful cellular conditions. In addition, these vesicles represent the way by which cells can release TG2 into the extracellular space under proteostasis impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Altuntas
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Rossin
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela D'Eletto
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Marsella
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases, IRCCS "Lazzaro Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Laura Falasca
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases, IRCCS "Lazzaro Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Antonioli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Fimia
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases, IRCCS "Lazzaro Spallanzani", Rome, Italy; Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology (Di.S.Te.B.A.), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Mauro Piacentini
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy; National Institute for Infectious Diseases, IRCCS "Lazzaro Spallanzani", Rome, Italy.
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15
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Morozova OA, Gupta S, Colby DW. Prefibrillar huntingtin oligomers isolated from HD brain potently seed amyloid formation. FEBS Lett 2015; 589:1897-903. [PMID: 26037141 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2015.05.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Revised: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Many neurodegenerative diseases are associated with deposits of aggregated protein in the brain. The molecular pathways through which soluble proteins misfold to form amyloids and large protein aggregates often include diverse oligomeric species, only some of which progress to the amyloid state. Here we show that prefibrillar huntingtin (HTT) oligomers, isolated from Huntington's disease (HD) affected human brain samples or mouse models, stimulate polyglutamine amyloid formation. Fibrillar HTT oligomers have been shown to be unstable under denaturing conditions and appear not to lead to amyloid formation. Here we show that prefibrillar HTT oligomers are remarkably stable and are potent seeds of polyglutamine amyloid formation. Therefore, our findings help to dissect the complex molecular pathway of HTT misfolding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga A Morozova
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Sharad Gupta
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - David W Colby
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
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16
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Radic S, Davis TP, Ke PC, Ding F. Contrasting effects of nanoparticle-protein attraction on amyloid aggregation. RSC Adv 2015; 5:105498. [PMID: 26989481 PMCID: PMC4792304 DOI: 10.1039/c5ra20182a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) have been experimentally found to either promote or inhibit amyloid aggregation of proteins, but the molecular mechanisms for such complex behaviors remain unknown. Using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, we investigated the effects of varying the strength of nonspecific NP-protein attraction on amyloid aggregation of a model protein, the amyloid-beta peptide implicated in Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, with increasing NP-peptide attraction, amyloid aggregation on the NP surface was initially promoted due to increased local protein concentration on the surface and destabilization of the folded state. However, further increase of NP-peptide attraction decreased the stability of amyloid fibrils and reduced their lateral diffusion on the NP surface necessary for peptide conformational changes and self-association, thus prohibiting amyloid aggregation. Moreover, we found that the relative concentration between protein and NPs also played an important role in amyloid aggregation. With a high NP/protein ratio, NPs that intrinsically promote protein aggregation may display an inhibitive effect by depleting the proteins in solution while having a low concentration of the proteins on each NP's surface. Our coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation study offers a molecular mechanism for delineating the contrasting and seemingly conflicting effects of NP-protein attraction on amyloid aggregation and highlights the potential of tailoring anti-aggregation nanomedicine against amyloid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slaven Radic
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Thomas P Davis
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Chemistry, Warwick University, Gibbet Hill, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Pu Chun Ke
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Feng Ding
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
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17
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Oono M, Okado-Matsumoto A, Shodai A, Ido A, Ohta Y, Abe K, Ayaki T, Ito H, Takahashi R, Taniguchi N, Urushitani M. Transglutaminase 2 accelerates neuroinflammation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis through interaction with misfolded superoxide dismutase 1. J Neurochem 2013; 128:403-18. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2013] [Revised: 08/09/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miki Oono
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center; Shiga University of Medical Science; Otsu Shiga Japan
- Department of Neurology; Kyoto University Graduate school of Medicine; Kyoto Japan
| | | | - Akemi Shodai
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center; Shiga University of Medical Science; Otsu Shiga Japan
| | - Akemi Ido
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center; Shiga University of Medical Science; Otsu Shiga Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Ohta
- Department of Neurology; Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine; Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Okayama Japan
| | - Koji Abe
- Department of Neurology; Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine; Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Okayama Japan
| | - Takashi Ayaki
- Department of Neurology; Kyoto University Graduate school of Medicine; Kyoto Japan
| | - Hidefumi Ito
- Department of Neurology; Wakayama Medical University; Graduate School of Medicine; Wakayama Japan
| | - Ryosuke Takahashi
- Department of Neurology; Kyoto University Graduate school of Medicine; Kyoto Japan
| | | | - Makoto Urushitani
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center; Shiga University of Medical Science; Otsu Shiga Japan
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18
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Single-chain fragment variable passive immunotherapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:19109-27. [PMID: 24048248 PMCID: PMC3794823 DOI: 10.3390/ijms140919109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2013] [Revised: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 08/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of misfolded proteins has been implicated in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases including prion diseases, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD). In the past decade, single-chain fragment variable (scFv) -based immunotherapies have been developed to target abnormal proteins or various forms of protein aggregates including Aβ, SNCA, Htt, and PrP proteins. The scFvs are produced by fusing the variable regions of the antibody heavy and light chains, creating a much smaller protein with unaltered specificity. Because of its small size and relative ease of production, scFvs are promising diagnostic and therapeutic reagents for protein misfolded diseases. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of scFvs in preventing amyloid protein aggregation in preclinical models. Herein, we discuss recent developments of these immunotherapeutics. We review efforts of our group and others using scFv in neurodegenerative disease models. We illustrate the advantages of scFvs, including engineering to enhance misfolded conformer specificity and subcellular targeting to optimize therapeutic action.
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Caspase-6 activity in a BACHD mouse modulates steady-state levels of mutant huntingtin protein but is not necessary for production of a 586 amino acid proteolytic fragment. J Neurosci 2012; 32:7454-65. [PMID: 22649225 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.6379-11.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by a mutation in the huntingtin (htt) gene encoding an expansion of glutamine repeats at the N terminus of the Htt protein. Proteolysis of Htt has been identified as a critical pathological event in HD models. In particular, it has been postulated that proteolysis of Htt at the putative caspase-6 cleavage site (at amino acid Asp-586) plays a critical role in disease progression and pathogenesis. However, whether caspase-6 is indeed the essential enzyme that cleaves Htt at this site in vivo has not been determined. To evaluate, we crossed the BACHD mouse model with a caspase-6 knock-out mouse (Casp6(-/-)). Western blot and immunocytochemistry confirmed the lack of caspase-6 protein in Casp6(-/-) mice, regardless of HD genotype. We predicted the Casp6(-/-) mouse would have reduced levels of caspase-6 Htt fragments and increased levels of full-length Htt protein. In contrast, we found a significant reduction of full-length mutant Htt (mHtt) and fragments in the striatum of BACHD Casp6(-/-) mice. Importantly, we detected the presence of Htt fragments consistent with cleavage at amino acid Asp-586 of Htt in the BACHD Casp6(-/-) mouse, indicating that caspase-6 activity cannot fully account for the generation of the Htt 586 fragment in vivo. Our data are not consistent with the hypothesis that caspase-6 activity is critical in generating a potentially toxic 586 aa Htt fragment in vivo. However, our studies do suggest a role for caspase-6 activity in clearance pathways for mHtt protein.
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20
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Huntington's Disease: An Immune Perspective. Neurol Res Int 2011; 2011:563784. [PMID: 21876800 PMCID: PMC3163125 DOI: 10.1155/2011/563784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2010] [Revised: 03/31/2011] [Accepted: 05/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by abnormal expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeats. Neuroinflammation is a typical feature of most neurodegenerative diseases that leads to an array of pathological changes within the affected areas in the brain. The neurodegeneration in HD is also caused by aberrant immune response in the presence of aggregated mutant huntingtin protein. The effects of immune activation in HD nervous system are a relatively unexplored area of research. This paper summarises immunological features associated with development and progression of HD.
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