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De Grado A, Pisciotta C, Saveri P, Pareyson D. Will new investigational drugs change the way we treat Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease? Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:653-656. [PMID: 38712465 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2352635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo De Grado
- Unit of Rare Neurological Diseases, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Pisciotta
- Unit of Rare Neurological Diseases, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Saveri
- Unit of Rare Neurological Diseases, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Pareyson
- Unit of Rare Neurological Diseases, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
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2
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Nam YH, Park S, Yum Y, Jeong S, Park HE, Kim HJ, Lim J, Choi BO, Jung SC. Preclinical Efficacy of Peripheral Nerve Regeneration by Schwann Cell-like Cells Differentiated from Human Tonsil-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in C22 Mice. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3334. [PMID: 38137555 PMCID: PMC10741921 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a hereditary disease with heterogeneous phenotypes and genetic causes. CMT type 1A (CMT1A) is a type of disease affecting the peripheral nerves and is caused by the duplication of the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene. Human tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs) are useful for stem cell therapy in various diseases and can be differentiated into Schwann cell-like cells (TMSC-SCs). We investigated the potential of TMSC-SCs called neuronal regeneration-promoting cells (NRPCs) for peripheral nerve and muscle regeneration in C22 mice, a model for CMT1A. We transplanted NRPCs manufactured in a good manufacturing practice facility into the bilateral thigh muscles of C22 mice and performed behavior and nerve conduction tests and histological and ultrastructural analyses. Significantly, the motor function was much improved, the ratio of myelinated axons was increased, and the G-ratio was reduced by the transplantation of NRPCs. The sciatic nerve and gastrocnemius muscle regeneration of C22 mice following the transplantation of NRPCs downregulated PMP22 overexpression, which was observed in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that NRPCs are feasible for clinical research for the treatment of CMT1A patients. Research applying NRPCs to other peripheral nerve diseases is also needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Hwa Nam
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Republic of Korea; (Y.H.N.); (S.P.); (Y.Y.); (S.J.)
- Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Republic of Korea
| | - Saeyoung Park
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Republic of Korea; (Y.H.N.); (S.P.); (Y.Y.); (S.J.)
| | - Yoonji Yum
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Republic of Korea; (Y.H.N.); (S.P.); (Y.Y.); (S.J.)
| | - Soyeon Jeong
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Republic of Korea; (Y.H.N.); (S.P.); (Y.Y.); (S.J.)
| | - Hyo Eun Park
- Cellatoz Therapeutics Inc., Seongnam-si 13487, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea; (H.E.P.); (H.J.K.); (J.L.)
| | - Ho Jin Kim
- Cellatoz Therapeutics Inc., Seongnam-si 13487, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea; (H.E.P.); (H.J.K.); (J.L.)
| | - Jaeseung Lim
- Cellatoz Therapeutics Inc., Seongnam-si 13487, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea; (H.E.P.); (H.J.K.); (J.L.)
| | - Byung-Ok Choi
- Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea;
| | - Sung-Chul Jung
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Republic of Korea; (Y.H.N.); (S.P.); (Y.Y.); (S.J.)
- Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Republic of Korea
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Pipis M, Won S, Poh R, Efthymiou S, Polke JM, Skorupinska M, Blake J, Rossor AM, Moran JJ, Munot P, Muntoni F, Laura M, Svaren J, Reilly MM. Post-transcriptional microRNA repression of PMP22 dose in severe Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1. Brain 2023; 146:4025-4032. [PMID: 37337674 PMCID: PMC10545524 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad203] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Copy number variation (CNV) may lead to pathological traits, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A), the commonest inherited peripheral neuropathy, is due to a genomic duplication encompassing the dosage-sensitive PMP22 gene. MicroRNAs act as repressors on post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression and in rodent models of CMT1A, overexpression of one such microRNA (miR-29a) has been shown to reduce the PMP22 transcript and protein level. Here we present genomic and functional evidence, for the first time in a human CNV-associated phenotype, of the 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR)-mediated role of microRNA repression on gene expression. The proband of the family presented with an early-onset, severe sensorimotor demyelinating neuropathy and harboured a novel de novo deletion in the PMP22 3'-UTR. The deletion is predicted to include the miR-29a seed binding site and transcript analysis of dermal myelinated nerve fibres using a novel platform, revealed a marked increase in PMP22 transcript levels. Functional evidence from Schwann cell lines harbouring the wild-type and mutant 3'-UTR showed significantly increased reporter assay activity in the latter, which was not ameliorated by overexpression of a miR-29a mimic. This shows the importance of miR-29a in regulating PMP22 expression and opens an avenue for therapeutic drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menelaos Pipis
- Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Seongsik Won
- Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Roy Poh
- Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Stephanie Efthymiou
- Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - James M Polke
- Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Mariola Skorupinska
- Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Julian Blake
- Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich NR4 7UY, UK
| | - Alexander M Rossor
- Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - John J Moran
- Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Pinki Munot
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Matilde Laura
- Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - John Svaren
- Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Mary M Reilly
- Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
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Pisciotta C, Pareyson D. Gene therapy and other novel treatment approaches for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Neuromuscul Disord 2023; 33:627-635. [PMID: 37455204 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
There is still no effective drug treatment available for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). Current management relies on rehabilitation therapy, surgery for skeletal deformities, and symptomatic treatment. The challenge is to find disease-modifying therapies. Several approaches, including gene silencing (by means of ASO, siRNA, shRNA, miRNA, CRISPR-Cas9 editing), to counteract the PMP22 gene overexpression in the most frequent CMT1A type are under investigation. PXT3003 is the compound in the most advanced phase for CMT1A, as a second phase-III trial is ongoing. Gene therapy to substitute defective genes (particularly in recessive forms associated with loss-of-function mutations) or insert novel ones (e.g., NT3 gene) are being developed and tested in animal models and in still exceptional cases have reached the clinical trial phase in humans. Novel treatment approaches are also aimed at developing compounds acting on pathways important for different CMT types. Modulation of the neuregulin pathway determining myelin thickness is promising for both hypo-demyelinating and hypermyelinating neuropathies; intervention on Unfolded Protein Response seems effective for rescuing misfolded myelin proteins such as MPZ in CMT1B. HDAC6 inhibitors improved axonal transport and ameliorated phenotypes in different CMT models. Other potential therapeutic strategies include targeting macrophages, lipid metabolism, and Nav1.8 sodium channel in demyelinating CMT and the P2×7 receptor, which regulates calcium influx into Schwann cells, in CMT1A. Further approaches are aimed at correcting metabolic abnormalities, including the accumulation of sorbitol caused by biallelic mutations in the sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD) gene and of neurotoxic glycosphingolipids in HSN1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pisciotta
- Unit of Rare Neurological Diseases, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Pareyson
- Unit of Rare Neurological Diseases, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy.
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Stavrou M, Kleopa KA. CMT1A current gene therapy approaches and promising biomarkers. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:1434-1440. [PMID: 36571339 PMCID: PMC10075121 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.361538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathies (CMT) constitute a group of common but highly heterogeneous, non-syndromic genetic disorders affecting predominantly the peripheral nervous system. CMT type 1A (CMT1A) is the most frequent type and accounts for almost ~50% of all diagnosed CMT cases. CMT1A results from the duplication of the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene. Overexpression of PMP22 protein overloads the protein folding apparatus in Schwann cells and activates the unfolded protein response. This leads to Schwann cell apoptosis, dys- and de- myelination and secondary axonal degeneration, ultimately causing neurological disabilities. During the last decades, several different gene therapies have been developed to treat CMT1A. Almost all of them remain at the pre-clinical stage using CMT1A animal models overexpressing PMP22. The therapeutic goal is to achieve gene silencing, directly or indirectly, thereby reversing the CMT1A genetic mechanism allowing the recovery of myelination and prevention of axonal loss. As promising treatments are rapidly emerging, treatment-responsive and clinically relevant biomarkers are becoming necessary. These biomarkers and sensitive clinical evaluation tools will facilitate the design and successful completion of future clinical trials for CMT1A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Stavrou
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Kleopas A Kleopa
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics; Center for Neuromuscular Disorders, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Saidia AR, Ruel J, Bahloul A, Chaix B, Venail F, Wang J. Current Advances in Gene Therapies of Genetic Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12030738. [PMID: 36769387 PMCID: PMC9918155 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12030738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) refers to a range of hearing impairments characterized by an impaired transmission of sound from the cochlea to the brain. This defect can be due to a lesion or defect in the inner hair cell (IHC), IHC ribbon synapse (e.g., pre-synaptic release of glutamate), postsynaptic terminals of the spiral ganglion neurons, or demyelination and axonal loss within the auditory nerve. To date, the only clinical treatment options for ANSD are hearing aids and cochlear implantation. However, despite the advances in hearing-aid and cochlear-implant technologies, the quality of perceived sound still cannot match that of the normal ear. Recent advanced genetic diagnostics and clinical audiology made it possible to identify the precise site of a lesion and to characterize the specific disease mechanisms of ANSD, thus bringing renewed hope to the treatment or prevention of auditory neurodegeneration. Moreover, genetic routes involving the replacement or corrective editing of mutant sequences or defected genes to repair damaged cells for the future restoration of hearing in deaf people are showing promise. In this review, we provide an update on recent discoveries in the molecular pathophysiology of genetic lesions, auditory synaptopathy and neuropathy, and gene-therapy research towards hearing restoration in rodent models and in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anissa Rym Saidia
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), University Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Jérôme Ruel
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), University Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, UMR 7291, 13331 Marseille, France
| | - Amel Bahloul
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), University Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Benjamin Chaix
- Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Frédéric Venail
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), University Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
- Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Jing Wang
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), University Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
- Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-499-63-60-48
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Zhang F, Zhou Y, Ding J. The current landscape of microRNAs (miRNAs) in bacterial pneumonia: opportunities and challenges. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:70. [PMID: 35986232 PMCID: PMC9392286 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00368-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which were initially discovered in Caenorhabditis elegans, can regulate gene expression by recognizing cognate sequences and interfering with the transcriptional or translational machinery. The application of bioinformatics tools for structural analysis and target prediction has largely driven the investigation of certain miRNAs. Notably, it has been found that certain miRNAs which are widely involved in the inflammatory response and immune regulation are closely associated with the occurrence, development, and outcome of bacterial pneumonia. It has been shown that certain miRNA techniques can be used to identify related targets and explore associated signal transduction pathways. This enhances the understanding of bacterial pneumonia, notably for “refractory” or drug-resistant bacterial pneumonia. Although these miRNA-based methods may provide a basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of this disease, they still face various challenges, such as low sensitivity, poor specificity, low silencing efficiency, off-target effects, and toxic reactions. The opportunities and challenges of these methods have been completely reviewed, notably in bacterial pneumonia. With the continuous improvement of the current technology, the miRNA-based methods may surmount the aforementioned limitations, providing promising support for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of “refractory” or drug-resistant bacterial pneumonia.
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Stavrou M, Kagiava A, Choudury SG, Jennings MJ, Wallace LM, Fowler AM, Heslegrave A, Richter J, Tryfonos C, Christodoulou C, Zetterberg H, Horvath R, Harper SQ, Kleopa KA. A translatable RNAi-driven gene therapy silences PMP22/Pmp22 genes and improves neuropathy in CMT1A mice. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:159814. [PMID: 35579942 PMCID: PMC9246392 DOI: 10.1172/jci159814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A), the most common inherited demyelinating peripheral neuropathy, is caused by PMP22 gene duplication. Overexpression of WT PMP22 in Schwann cells destabilizes the myelin sheath, leading to demyelination and ultimately to secondary axonal loss and disability. No treatments currently exist that modify the disease course. The most direct route to CMT1A therapy will involve reducing PMP22 to normal levels. To accomplish this, we developed a gene therapy strategy to reduce PMP22 using artificial miRNAs targeting human PMP22 and mouse Pmp22 mRNAs. Our lead therapeutic miRNA, miR871, was packaged into an adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9) vector and delivered by lumbar intrathecal injection into C61-het mice, a model of CMT1A. AAV9-miR871 efficiently transduced Schwann cells in C61-het peripheral nerves and reduced human and mouse PMP22 mRNA and protein levels. Treatment at early and late stages of the disease significantly improved multiple functional outcome measures and nerve conduction velocities. Furthermore, myelin pathology in lumbar roots and femoral motor nerves was ameliorated. The treated mice also showed reductions in circulating biomarkers of CMT1A. Taken together, our data demonstrate that AAV9-miR871–driven silencing of PMP22 rescues a CMT1A model and provides proof of principle for treating CMT1A using a translatable gene therapy approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Stavrou
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Alexia Kagiava
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Sarah G Choudury
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, United States of America
| | - Matthew J Jennings
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Lindsay M Wallace
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, United States of America
| | - Allison M Fowler
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, United States of America
| | - Amanda Heslegrave
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Richter
- Department of Molecular Virology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Christina Tryfonos
- Department of Molecular Virology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Christina Christodoulou
- Department of Molecular Virology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Göteborgs University, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Rita Horvath
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Scott Q Harper
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, United States of America
| | - Kleopas A Kleopa
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Jeon H, Kim HJ, Doo HM, Chang EH, Kwak G, Mo WM, Jang SY, Lee MW, Choi BO, Hong YB. Cytokines secreted by mesenchymal stem cells reduce demyelination in an animal model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 597:1-7. [PMID: 35121177 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.01.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Demyelinating Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is caused by mutations in the genes that encode myelinating proteins or their transcription factors. Our study thus sought to assess the therapeutic effects of cytokines secreted from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on this disease. METHODS The therapeutic potential of Wharton's jelly MSCs (WJ-MSCs) and cytokines secreted by WJ-MSCs was evaluated on Schwann cells (SCs) exhibiting demyelination features, as well as a mouse model of demyelinating CMT. RESULTS Co-culture with WJ-MSC protected PMP22-overexpressing SCs from apoptotic cell death. Using a cytokine array, the secretion of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) and amphiregulin (AREG) was found to be elevated in WJ-MSCs when co-incubated with the PMP22-overexpressing SCs. Administration of both cytokines into trembler-J (Tr-J) mice, an animal model of CMT, significantly enhanced motor nerve conduction velocity compared to the control group. More importantly, this treatment alleviated the demyelinating phenotype of Tr-J mice, as demonstrated by an improvement in the mean diameter and g-ratio of the myelinated axons. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrated that WJ-MSCs alleviate the demyelinating phenotype of CMT via the secretion of several cytokines. Further elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of GDF-15 and AREG in myelination might provide a robust basis for the development of effective therapies against demyelinating CMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeonjin Jeon
- Department of Translational Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Hye Jin Kim
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, 06351, South Korea
| | - Hyun Myung Doo
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, 06351, South Korea
| | - Eun Hyuk Chang
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd, Seoul, 06351, South Korea
| | - Geon Kwak
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, 06351, South Korea
| | - Won Min Mo
- Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, South Korea
| | - So Young Jang
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, 49201, South Korea
| | | | - Byung-Ok Choi
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, 06351, South Korea; Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, South Korea.
| | - Young Bin Hong
- Department of Translational Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan, South Korea; Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, 49201, South Korea.
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Gada Y, Pandey A, Jadhav N, Ajgaonkar S, Mehta D, Nair S. New Vistas in microRNA Regulatory Interactome in Neuropathic Pain. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:778014. [PMID: 35280258 PMCID: PMC8914318 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.778014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain condition seen in patients with diabetic neuropathy, cancer chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, idiopathic neuropathy as well as other diseases affecting the nervous system. Only a small percentage of people with neuropathic pain benefit from current medications. The complexity of the disease, poor identification/lack of diagnostic and prognostic markers limit current strategies for the management of neuropathic pain. Multiple genes and pathways involved in human diseases can be regulated by microRNA (miRNA) which are small non-coding RNA. Several miRNAs are found to be dysregulated in neuropathic pain. These miRNAs regulate expression of various genes associated with neuroinflammation and pain, thus, regulating neuropathic pain. Some of these key players include adenylate cyclase (Ac9), toll-like receptor 8 (Tlr8), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (Socs3), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) and RAS p21 protein activator 1 (Rasa1). With advancements in high-throughput technology and better computational power available for research in present-day pharmacology, biomarker discovery has entered a very exciting phase. We dissect the architecture of miRNA biological networks encompassing both human and rodent microRNAs involved in the development of neuropathic pain. We delineate various microRNAs, and their targets, that may likely serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic intervention in neuropathic pain. miRNAs mediate their effects in neuropathic pain by signal transduction through IRAK/TRAF6, TLR4/NF-κB, TXIP/NLRP3 inflammasome, MAP Kinase, TGFβ and TLR5 signaling pathways. Taken together, the elucidation of the landscape of signature miRNA regulatory networks in neuropathic pain will facilitate the discovery of novel miRNA/target biomarkers for more effective management of neuropathic pain.
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Park NY, Kwak G, Doo HM, Kim HJ, Jang SY, Lee YI, Choi BO, Hong YB. Farnesol Ameliorates Demyelinating Phenotype in a Cellular and Animal Model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 1A. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2021; 43:2011-2021. [PMID: 34889893 PMCID: PMC8928981 DOI: 10.3390/cimb43030138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a genetically heterogeneous disease affecting the peripheral nervous system that is caused by either the demyelination of Schwann cells or degeneration of the peripheral axon. Currently, there are no treatment options to improve the degeneration of peripheral nerves in CMT patients. In this research, we assessed the potency of farnesol for improving the demyelinating phenotype using an animal model of CMT type 1A. In vitro treatment with farnesol facilitated myelin gene expression and ameliorated the myelination defect caused by PMP22 overexpression, the major causative gene in CMT. In vivo administration of farnesol enhanced the peripheral neuropathic phenotype, as shown by rotarod performance in a mouse model of CMT1A. Electrophysiologically, farnesol-administered CMT1A mice exhibited increased motor nerve conduction velocity and compound muscle action potential compared with control mice. The number and diameter of myelinated axons were also increased by farnesol treatment. The expression level of myelin protein zero (MPZ) was increased, while that of the demyelination marker, neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), was reduced by farnesol administration. These data imply that farnesol is efficacious in ameliorating the demyelinating phenotype of CMT, and further elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of farnesol’s effect on myelination might provide a potent therapeutic strategy for the demyelinating type of CMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na-Young Park
- Department of Translational Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea;
| | - Geon Kwak
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Korea; (G.K.); (H.-M.D.); (H.-J.K.)
| | - Hyun-Myung Doo
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Korea; (G.K.); (H.-M.D.); (H.-J.K.)
| | - Hye-Jin Kim
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Korea; (G.K.); (H.-M.D.); (H.-J.K.)
| | - So-Young Jang
- Departments of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea;
| | - Yun-Il Lee
- Well Aging Research Center, Division of Biotechnology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea;
| | - Byung-Ok Choi
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Korea; (G.K.); (H.-M.D.); (H.-J.K.)
- Samsung Medical Center, Department of Neurology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea
- Correspondence: (B.-O.C.); (Y.-B.H.); Tel.: +82-2-3410-1296 (B.-O.C.); +82-51-240-2762 (Y.-B.H.); Fax: +82-3410-0052 (B.-O.C.); +82-51-240-2971 (Y.-B.H.)
| | - Young-Bin Hong
- Department of Translational Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea;
- Departments of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea;
- Correspondence: (B.-O.C.); (Y.-B.H.); Tel.: +82-2-3410-1296 (B.-O.C.); +82-51-240-2762 (Y.-B.H.); Fax: +82-3410-0052 (B.-O.C.); +82-51-240-2971 (Y.-B.H.)
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12
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Abstract
Demyelinating forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) are genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous and result from highly diverse biological mechanisms including gain of function (including dominant negative effects) and loss of function. While no definitive treatment is currently available, rapid advances in defining the pathomechanisms of demyelinating CMT have led to promising pre-clinical studies, as well as emerging clinical trials. Especially promising are the recently completed pre-clinical genetic therapy studies in PMP-22, GJB1, and SH3TC2-associated neuropathies, particularly given the success of similar approaches in humans with spinal muscular atrophy and transthyretin familial polyneuropathy. This article focuses on neuropathies related to mutations in PMP-22, MPZ, and GJB1, which together comprise the most common forms of demyelinating CMT, as well as on select rarer forms for which promising treatment targets have been identified. Clinical characteristics and pathomechanisms are reviewed in detail, with emphasis on therapeutically targetable biological pathways. Also discussed are the challenges facing the CMT research community in its efforts to advance the rapidly evolving biological insights to effective clinical trials. These considerations include the limitations of currently available animal models, the need for personalized medicine approaches/allele-specific interventions for select forms of demyelinating CMT, and the increasing demand for optimal clinical outcome assessments and objective biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Fridman
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12631 E 17th Avenue, Mailstop B185, Room 5113C, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| | - Mario A Saporta
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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13
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Stavrou M, Sargiannidou I, Georgiou E, Kagiava A, Kleopa KA. Emerging Therapies for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Inherited Neuropathies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6048. [PMID: 34205075 PMCID: PMC8199910 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited neuropathies known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease are genetically heterogeneous disorders affecting the peripheral nerves, causing significant and slowly progressive disability over the lifespan. The discovery of their diverse molecular genetic mechanisms over the past three decades has provided the basis for developing a wide range of therapeutics, leading to an exciting era of finding treatments for this, until now, incurable group of diseases. Many treatment approaches, including gene silencing and gene replacement therapies, as well as small molecule treatments are currently in preclinical testing while several have also reached clinical trial stage. Some of the treatment approaches are disease-specific targeted to the unique disease mechanism of each CMT form, while other therapeutics target common pathways shared by several or all CMT types. As promising treatments reach the stage of clinical translation, optimal outcome measures, novel biomarkers and appropriate trial designs are crucial in order to facilitate successful testing and validation of novel treatments for CMT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Stavrou
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (M.S.); (I.S.); (E.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Irene Sargiannidou
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (M.S.); (I.S.); (E.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Elena Georgiou
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (M.S.); (I.S.); (E.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Alexia Kagiava
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (M.S.); (I.S.); (E.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Kleopas A. Kleopa
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (M.S.); (I.S.); (E.G.); (A.K.)
- Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
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14
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Wang H, Davison M, Wang K, Xia TH, Call KM, Luo J, Wu X, Zuccarino R, Bacha A, Bai Y, Gutmann L, Feely SME, Grider T, Rossor AM, Reilly MM, Shy ME, Svaren J. MicroRNAs as Biomarkers of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 1A. Neurology 2021; 97:e489-e500. [PMID: 34031204 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000012266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether microRNAs (miRs) are elevated in the plasma of individuals with the inherited peripheral neuropathy Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A), miR profiling was employed to compare control and CMT1A plasma. METHODS We performed a screen of CMT1A and control plasma samples to identify miRs that are elevated in CMT1A using next-generation sequencing, followed by validation of selected miRs by quantitative PCR, and correlation with protein biomarkers and clinical data: Rasch-modified CMT Examination and Neuropathy Scores, ulnar compound muscle action potentials, and motor nerve conduction velocities. RESULTS After an initial pilot screen, a broader screen confirmed elevated levels of several muscle-associated miRNAs (miR1, -133a, -133b, and -206, known as myomiRs) along with a set of miRs that are highly expressed in Schwann cells of peripheral nerve. Comparison to other candidate biomarkers for CMT1A (e.g., neurofilament light) measured on the same sample set shows a comparable elevation of several miRs (e.g., miR133a, -206, -223) and ability to discriminate cases from controls. Neurofilament light levels were most highly correlated with miR133a. In addition, the putative Schwann cell miRs (e.g., miR223, -199a, -328, -409, -431) correlate with the recently described transmembrane protease serine 5 (TMPRSS5) protein biomarker that is most highly expressed in Schwann cells and also elevated in CMT1A plasma. CONCLUSIONS These studies identify a set of miRs that are candidate biomarkers for clinical trials in CMT1A. Some of the miRs may reflect Schwann cell processes that underlie the pathogenesis of the disease. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class III evidence that a set of plasma miRs are elevated in patients with CMT1A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongge Wang
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Matthew Davison
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Kathryn Wang
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Tai-He Xia
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Katherine M Call
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Jun Luo
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Xingyao Wu
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Riccardo Zuccarino
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Alexa Bacha
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Yunhong Bai
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Laurie Gutmann
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Shawna M E Feely
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Tiffany Grider
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Alexander M Rossor
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Mary M Reilly
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Michael E Shy
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - John Svaren
- From Translational Sciences (H.W., M.D., K.W., T.X., K.M.C.), Sanofi Research; Biostatistics and Programming (J.L.), Sanofi Development, Framingham, MA; Department of Neurology (X.W., R.Z., A.B., Y.B., L.G., S.M.E.F., T.G., M.E.S.), Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.R., M.M.R.), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, UK; and Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences (J.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison.
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15
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AAV2/9-mediated silencing of PMP22 prevents the development of pathological features in a rat model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 1 A. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2356. [PMID: 33883545 PMCID: PMC8060274 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22593-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 1 A (CMT1A) results from a duplication of the PMP22 gene in Schwann cells and a deficit of myelination in peripheral nerves. Patients with CMT1A have reduced nerve conduction velocity, muscle wasting, hand and foot deformations and foot drop walking. Here, we evaluate the safety and efficacy of recombinant adeno-associated viral vector serotype 9 (AAV2/9) expressing GFP and shRNAs targeting Pmp22 mRNA in animal models of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 1 A. Intra-nerve delivery of AAV2/9 in the sciatic nerve allowed widespread transgene expression in resident myelinating Schwann cells in mice, rats and non-human primates. A bilateral treatment restore expression levels of PMP22 comparable to wild-type conditions, resulting in increased myelination and prevention of motor and sensory impairments over a twelve-months period in a rat model of CMT1A. We observed limited off-target transduction and immune response using the intra-nerve delivery route. A combination of previously characterized human skin biomarkers is able to discriminate between treated and untreated animals, indicating their potential use as part of outcome measures.
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16
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Hwang SH, Chang EH, Kwak G, Jeon H, Choi BO, Hong YB. Gait parameters as tools for analyzing phenotypic alterations of a mouse model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2021; 25:11-18. [PMID: 33717412 PMCID: PMC7935128 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2021.1880967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a genetically heterogeneous group of diseases in the peripheral nervous system, is characterized by progressive and symmetrical distal weakness resulting in gait abnormality. The necessity of the diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers has been raised for both basic research and clinical practice in CMT. Since biomarkers for animal study of CMT are limited, we evaluated the feasibility of gait parameters as tool for measuring disease phenotype of CMT mouse model. Using a Trembler-J (Tr-J) mouse, a CMT type 1 (CMT1) mouse model, we analyzed kinematic parameters such as angles of hip, knee and ankle (sagittal plane), and spatial parameters including step width and stride length (transverse plane). Regarding of kinematic parameters, Tr-J mice exhibited less plantarflexed ankle during the swing phase and more dorsiflexed ankle at the terminal stance compared to control mice. The range of motion in ankle angle of Tr-J mice was significantly greater than that of control mice. In spatial parameter, Tr-J mice exhibited wider step width compared to control mice. These results are similar to previously reported gait patterns of CMT1 patients. In comparison with other markers such as nerve conduction study and rotarod test, gait parameters dynamically reflected the disease progression of CMT1 mice. Therefore, these data imply that gait parameters can be used as useful tools to analyzed the disease phenotype and progression during preclinical study of peripheral neuropathy such as CMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Hee Hwang
- Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Hyuk Chang
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Geon Kwak
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeonjin Jeon
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea.,Department of Translational Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Byung-Ok Choi
- Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Bin Hong
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea.,Department of Translational Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
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17
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Addressing the Need of a Translational Approach in Peripheral Neuropathy Research: Morphology Meets Function. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11020139. [PMID: 33499072 PMCID: PMC7911498 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral neuropathies (PNs) are a type of common disease that hampers the quality of life of affected people. Treatment, in most cases, is just symptomatic and often ineffective. To improve drug discovery in this field, preclinical evidence is warranted. In vivo rodent models allow a multiparametric approach to test new therapeutic strategies, since they can allow pathogenetic and morphological studies different from the clinical setting. However, human readouts are warranted to promptly translate data from the bench to the bedside. A feasible solution would be neurophysiology, performed similarly at both sides. We describe a simple protocol that reproduces the standard clinical protocol of a neurophysiology hospital department. We devised the optimal montage for sensory and motor recordings (neurography) in mice, and we also implemented F wave testing and a short electromyography (EMG) protocol at rest. We challenged this algorithm by comparing control animals (BALB/c mice) with a model of mild neuropathy to grasp even subtle changes. The neurophysiological results were confirmed with neuropathology. The treatment group showed all expected alterations. Moreover, the neurophysiology matched the neuropathological analyses. Therefore, our protocol can be suggested to promptly translate data from the bench to the bedside and vice versa.
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18
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Fang H, Li HF, Yan JY, Yang M, Zhang JP. Dexmedetomidine-up-regulated microRNA-381 exerts anti-inflammatory effects in rats with cerebral ischaemic injury via the transcriptional factor IRF4. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 25:2098-2109. [PMID: 33314611 PMCID: PMC7882963 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Dexmedetomidine (Dex) possesses analgesic and anaesthetic values and reported being used in cerebral ischaemic injury therapeutics. Accumulating studies have determined the effect of microRNAs (miRNAs) on the cerebral ischaemic injury. Thus, the present study aimed to unravel the molecular mechanism of miR-381 and Dex in cerebral ischaemic injury. For this purpose, the cerebral ischaemic injury rat model was established by induction of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and expression of miR-381 and IRF4 was determined. Thereafter, MCAO rats were treated with Dex, miR-381 mimic, miR-381 inhibitor and oe-IRF4 respectively, followed by evaluation of neurological function. Furthermore, neuron cells were isolated from the hippocampus of rats and subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Then, OGD-treated neuron cells and primary neuron cells were examined by gain- and loss-of-function assay. Neuron cell apoptosis was detected using TUNEL staining and flow cytometry. The correlation between interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) and interleukin (IL)-9 was detected. Our results showed down-regulated miR-38 and up-regulated IRF4 in MCAO rats. Besides, IRF4 was targeted by miR-381 in neuron cells. Dex and overexpressed miR-381, or silenced IRF4 improved the neurological function and inhibited neuron cell apoptosis in MCAO rats. Additionally, in MCAO rats, Dex was found to increase the miR-381 expression and reduced IRF4 expression to decrease the IL-9 expression, which suppressed the inflammatory response and cell apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, our study demonstrated that Dex elevated the expression of miR-381, which ultimately results in the inhibition of inflammation response in rats with cerebral ischaemic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Fang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Guizhou University People's Hospital, Guiyang, China.,Laboratory of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Guizhou University School of Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Hua-Feng Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian-Yong Yan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Guizhou University People's Hospital, Guiyang, China.,Laboratory of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Guizhou University School of Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Miao Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Guizhou University People's Hospital, Guiyang, China.,Laboratory of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Guizhou University School of Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Jian-Ping Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Guizhou University People's Hospital, Guiyang, China.,Laboratory of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Guizhou University School of Medicine, Guiyang, China
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Genetic mechanisms of peripheral nerve disease. Neurosci Lett 2020; 742:135357. [PMID: 33249104 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral neuropathies of genetic etiology are a very diverse group of disorders manifesting either as non-syndromic inherited neuropathies without significant manifestations outside the peripheral nervous system, or as part of a systemic or syndromic genetic disorder. The former and most frequent group is collectively known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), with prevalence as high as 1:2,500 world-wide, and has proven to be genetically highly heterogeneous. More than 100 different genes have been identified so far to cause various CMT forms, following all possible inheritance patterns. CMT causative genes belong to several common functional pathways that are essential for the integrity of the peripheral nerve. Their discovery has provided insights into the normal biology of axons and myelinating cells, and has highlighted the molecular mechanisms including both loss of function and gain of function effects, leading to peripheral nerve degeneration. Demyelinating neuropathies result from dysfunction of genes primarily affecting myelinating Schwann cells, while axonal neuropathies are caused by genes affecting mostly neurons and their long axons. Furthermore, mutation in genes expressed outside the nervous system, as in the case of inherited amyloid neuropathies, may cause peripheral neuropathy resulting from accumulation of β-structured amyloid fibrils in peripheral nerves in addition to various organs. Increasing insights into the molecular-genetic mechanisms have revealed potential therapeutic targets. These will enable the development of novel therapeutics for genetic neuropathies that remain, in their majority, without effective treatment.
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20
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Kuebart A, Wollborn V, Huhn R, Hermanns H, Werdehausen R, Brandenburger T. Intraneural Application of microRNA-1 Mimetic Nucleotides Does Not Resolve Neuropathic Pain After Chronic Constriction Injury in Rats. J Pain Res 2020; 13:2907-2914. [PMID: 33223847 PMCID: PMC7671483 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s266937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alterations of the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in chronic pain models seem to play a crucial role in the development of neuropathic pain, with microRNA-1 (miR-1) being of particular interest. Recently, we were able to show that decreased miR-1 levels were associated with increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Connexin 43 (Cx43). We hypothesized that miR-1 mimetic nucleotides could alleviate neuropathic pain caused by chronic constriction injury in rats. Methods MiR-1 mimetic nucleotides were evaluated for effectiveness, functionality, and intracellular stability by transfecting human glioblastoma cells (U-87 MG). In vivo transfection with miR-1 mimics and corresponding scrambled miRNAs serving as control was performed by repetitive injection (days 0, 3, and 7) into the sciatic nerve following chronic constriction injury (CCI) in rats. Quantitative PCR was used to measure miR-1 content. Cx43 expression was determined by Western blot analysis. Effects on neuropathic pain were assessed by detecting paw withdrawal thresholds using an automated filament application. Results Transfection of miR-1 mimics was confirmed in U-87 MG cells, with miR-1 content being increased significantly after 48 h and after 96 h (p<0.05). Effective downregulation of Cx43 expression was observed 48 and 96 h after transfection (−44 ± 0.07% and −40 ± 0.11%; p<0.05). In vivo, repetitive transfection with miR-1 mimetic nucleotides led to a 17.9-fold (± 14.2) increase of miR-1 in the sciatic nerve. However, the protein expression of Cx43 in sciatic nerves as well as paw withdrawal thresholds for mechanical stimulation was not significantly increased 10 days after chronic constriction injury. Conclusion While transfection with miR-1 mimics effective reduces Cx43 expression in vitro and restores miR-1 after CCI, we did neither observe altered levels of Cx43 protein level in nerves nor a beneficial effect on mechanical allodynia in vivo, most likely caused by insufficient Cx43 suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kuebart
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Verena Wollborn
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Ragnar Huhn
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Henning Hermanns
- Department of Anesthesiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Werdehausen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Leipzig, Medical Faculty, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Timo Brandenburger
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
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21
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Thenmozhi R, Lee JS, Park NY, Choi BO, Hong YB. Gene Therapy Options as New Treatment for Inherited Peripheral Neuropathy. Exp Neurobiol 2020; 29:177-188. [PMID: 32624504 PMCID: PMC7344374 DOI: 10.5607/en20004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited peripheral neuropathy (IPN) is caused by heterogeneous genetic mutations in more than 100 genes. So far, several treatment options for IPN have been developed and clinically evaluated using small molecules. However, gene therapy-based therapeutic strategies have not been aggressively investigated, likely due to the complexities of inheritance in IPN. Indeed, because the majority of the causative mutations of IPN lead to gain-of-function rather than loss-of-function, developing a therapeutic strategy is more difficult, especially considering gene therapy for genetic diseases began with the simple idea of replacing a defective gene with a functional copy. Recent advances in gene manipulation technology have brought novel approaches to gene therapy and its clinical application for IPN treatment. For example, in addition to the classically used gene replacement for mutant genes in recessively inherited IPN, other techniques including gene addition to modify the disease phenotype, modulations of target gene expression, and techniques to edit mutant genes have been developed and evaluated as potent therapeutic strategies for dominantly inherited IPN. In this review, the current status of gene therapy for IPN and future perspectives will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ji-Su Lee
- Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicne Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Korea.,Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Na Young Park
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea
| | - Byung-Ok Choi
- Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicne Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Korea.,Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea.,Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Young Bin Hong
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea
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22
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Zhang L, Geng Z, Wan Y, Meng F, Meng X, Wang L. Functional analysis of miR-767-5p during the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma and the clinical relevance of its dysregulation. Histochem Cell Biol 2020; 154:231-243. [PMID: 32333091 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-020-01878-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression is a central hallmark of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and identification of the mechanisms underlying the miRNA actions should provide invaluable resource for revealing the molecular basis of different malignant behaviors in HCC. Previous high-throughput analysis has identified miR-767-5p as a unique miRNA signature of HCC, but the biological relevance and corresponding molecular basis of miR-767-5p in HCC is still in its infancy. The current study was, therefore, designed to elucidate whether changes in miR-767-5p expression levels affect HCC pathogenesis, and to further identify the putative targets. miR-767-5p expression was observed to be upregulated by ~ 3.7-fold in surgical HCC specimens as compared to that in adjacent normal hepatic tissues, and this up-regulation trend correlated well to disease progression and predicted a poor prognosis in HCC patients. Functionally, miR-767-5p-overexpressing cells had a significantly higher proliferative, migratory, and invasive potential, and exhibited an enhanced anchorage-dependent clonogenesis and a tumor formation potential in vivo. Mechanistically, PMP22, a core component of integral membrane glycoprotein of peripheral nervous system myelin, was further identified as a direct down-stream target of miR-767-5p in HCC cells. Conversely, stable ectopic expression of PMP22 abrogated the promoting effects of miR-767-5p on HCC aggressive phenotype. Collectively, the available data suggest that as a potent oncomiR, miR-767-5p actions along HCC progression are in part mediated by its function as a posttranscriptional repressor of PMP22 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Department of Geriatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 177 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Zhimin Geng
- Department of Geriatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 177 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Yong Wan
- Department of Geriatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 177 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Fandi Meng
- Department of Geriatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 177 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Xiankui Meng
- Department of Geriatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 177 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Geriatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 177 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, China.
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Pantera H, Shy ME, Svaren J. Regulating PMP22 expression as a dosage sensitive neuropathy gene. Brain Res 2019; 1726:146491. [PMID: 31586623 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Structural variation in the human genome has emerged as a major cause of disease as genomic data have accumulated. One of the most common structural variants associated with human disease causes the heritable neuropathy known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease type 1A. This 1.4 Mb duplication causes nearly half of the CMT cases that are genetically diagnosed. The PMP22 gene is highly induced in Schwann cells during development, although its precise role in myelin formation and homeostasis is still under active investigation. The PMP22 gene can be considered as a nucleoprotein complex with enzymatic activity to produce the PMP22 transcript, and the complex is allosterically regulated by transcription factors that respond to intracellular signals and epigenomic modifications. The control of PMP22 transcript levels has been one of the major therapeutic targets of therapy development, and this review summarizes those approaches as well as efforts to characterize the regulation of the PMP22 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison Pantera
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Michael E Shy
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - John Svaren
- Waisman Center and Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
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