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Jurcau A, Simion A, Jurcau MC. Emerging antibody-based therapies for Huntington's disease: current status and perspectives for future development. Expert Rev Neurother 2024; 24:299-312. [PMID: 38324338 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2024.2314183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Being an inherited neurodegenerative disease with an identifiable genetic defect, Huntington's disease (HD) is a suitable candidate for early intervention, possibly even in the pre-symptomatic stage. Our recent advances in elucidating the pathogenesis of HD have revealed a series of novel potential therapeutic targets, among which immunotherapies are actively pursued in preclinical experiments. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on the potential of antibody-based treatments targeting various epitopes (of mutant huntingtin as well as phosphorylated tau) that are currently evaluated in vitro and in animal experiments. The references used in this review were retrieved from the PubMed database, searching for immunotherapies in HD, and clinical trial registries were reviewed for molecules already evaluated in clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION Antibody-based therapies have raised considerable interest in a series of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by deposition of aggregated of aberrantly folded proteins, HD included. Intrabodies and nanobodies can interact with mutant huntingtin inside the nervous cells. However, the conflicting results obtained with some of these intrabodies highlight the need for proper choice of epitopes and for developing animal models more closely mimicking human disease. Approval of these strategies will require a considerable financial and logistic effort on behalf of healthcare systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamaria Jurcau
- Department of Psycho-Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
| | - Aurel Simion
- Department of Psycho-Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
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2
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Dinamarca MC, Colombo L, Brykczynska U, Grimm A, Fruh I, Hossain I, Gabriel D, Eckert A, Müller M, Pecho-Vrieseling E. Transmission-selective muscle pathology induced by the active propagation of mutant huntingtin across the human neuromuscular synapse. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 16:1287510. [PMID: 38235149 PMCID: PMC10791992 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1287510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuron-to-neuron transmission of aggregation-prone, misfolded proteins may potentially explain the spatiotemporal accumulation of pathological lesions in the brains of patients with neurodegenerative protein-misfolding diseases (PMDs). However, little is known about protein transmission from the central nervous system to the periphery, or how this propagation contributes to PMD pathology. To deepen our understanding of these processes, we established two functional neuromuscular systems derived from human iPSCs. One was suitable for long-term high-throughput live-cell imaging and the other was adapted to a microfluidic system assuring that connectivity between motor neurons and muscle cells was restricted to the neuromuscular junction. We show that the Huntington's disease (HD)-associated mutant HTT exon 1 protein (mHTTEx1) is transmitted from neurons to muscle cells across the human neuromuscular junction. We found that transmission is an active and dynamic process that starts before aggregate formation and is regulated by synaptic activity. We further found that transmitted mHTTEx1 causes HD-relevant pathology at both molecular and functional levels in human muscle cells, even in the presence of the ubiquitous expression of mHTTEx1. In conclusion, we have uncovered a causal link between mHTTEx1 synaptic transmission and HD pathology, highlighting the therapeutic potential of blocking toxic protein transmission in PMDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita C. Dinamarca
- Neuronal Development and Degeneration Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Laura Colombo
- Neuronal Development and Degeneration Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Urszula Brykczynska
- Neuronal Development and Degeneration Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Amandine Grimm
- Neurobiology Laboratory for Brain Aging and Mental Health, Transfaculty Research Platform, Molecular and Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Fruh
- Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Imtiaz Hossain
- Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Gabriel
- Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne Eckert
- Neurobiology Laboratory for Brain Aging and Mental Health, Transfaculty Research Platform, Molecular and Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Müller
- Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Novartis Campus, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eline Pecho-Vrieseling
- Neuronal Development and Degeneration Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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3
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Li C, Lin Y, Chen Y, Song X, Zheng X, Li J, He J, Chen X, Huang C, Wang W, Wu J, Wu J, Gao J, Tu Z, Li XJ, Yan S, Li S. A Specific Mini-Intrabody Mediates Lysosome Degradation of Mutant Huntingtin. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2023; 10:e2301120. [PMID: 37688357 PMCID: PMC10625127 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Accumulation of misfolded proteins leads to many neurodegenerative diseases that can be treated by lowering or removing mutant proteins. Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by the intracellular accumulation of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) that can be soluble and aggregated in the central nervous system and causes neuronal damage and death. Here, an intracellular antibody (intrabody) fragment is generated that can specifically bind mHTT and link to the lysosome for degradation. It is found that delivery of this peptide by either brain injection or intravenous administration can efficiently clear the soluble and aggregated mHTT by activating the lysosomal degradation pathway, resulting in amelioration of gliosis and dyskinesia in HD knock-in (KI-140Q) mice. These findings suggest that the small intrabody peptide linked to lysosomes can effectively lower mutant proteins and provide a new approach for treating neurodegenerative diseases that are caused by the accumulation of mutant proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caijuan Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yingqi Lin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yizhi Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xichen Song
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiao Zheng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jiawei Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jun He
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiusheng Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Chunhui Huang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jianhao Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jiaxi Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jiale Gao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Zhuchi Tu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiao-Jiang Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Sen Yan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Shihua Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
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4
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Dagar S, Subramaniam S. Tunneling Nanotube: An Enticing Cell-Cell Communication in the Nervous System. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12:1288. [PMID: 37886998 PMCID: PMC10604474 DOI: 10.3390/biology12101288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
The field of neuroscience is rapidly progressing, continuously uncovering new insights and discoveries. Among the areas that have shown immense potential in research, tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) have emerged as a promising subject of study. These minute structures act as conduits for the transfer of cellular materials between cells, representing a mechanism of communication that holds great significance. In particular, the interplay facilitated by TNTs among various cell types within the brain, including neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, glial cells, and microglia, can be essential for the normal development and optimal functioning of this complex organ. The involvement of TNTs in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease, has attracted significant attention. These disorders are characterized by the progressive degeneration of neurons and the subsequent decline in brain function. Studies have predicted that TNTs likely play critical roles in the propagation and spread of pathological factors, contributing to the advancement of these diseases. Thus, there is a growing interest in understanding the precise functions and mechanisms of TNTs within the nervous system. This review article, based on our recent work on Rhes-mediated TNTs, aims to explore the functions of TNTs within the brain and investigate their implications for neurodegenerative diseases. Using the knowledge gained from studying TNTs could offer novel opportunities for designing targeted treatments that can stop the progression of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunayana Dagar
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Srinivasa Subramaniam
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, 130 Scripps Way, C323, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
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5
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Abstract
There is increasing evidence for the presence of pathological forms of tau in tissues of both Huntington's disease (HD) patients and animal models of this condition. While cumulative studies of the past decade have led to the proposition that this disorder could also be considered a tauopathy, the implications of tau in cellular toxicity and consequent behavioral impairments are largely unknown. In fact, recent animal work has challenged the contributory role of tau in HD pathogenesis/pathophysiology. This review presents the supporting and opposing arguments for the involvement of tau in HD, highlighting the discrepancies that have emerged. Reflecting on what is known in other tauopathies, the putative mechanisms through which tau could initiate and/or contribute to pathology are discussed, shedding light on the future research directions that could be considered to confirm, or rule out, the clinical relevance of tau in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shireen Salem
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Francesca Cicchetti
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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6
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Estrada-Sánchez AM, Rebec GV, Galvan L. Editorial: New insight into Huntington's disease: From neuropathology to possible therapeutic targets. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1138712. [PMID: 36816128 PMCID: PMC9933495 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1138712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ana María Estrada-Sánchez
- División de Biología Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (IPICYT), San Luis Potosí, Mexico,*Correspondence: Ana María Estrada-Sánchez ✉
| | - George V. Rebec
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Laurie Galvan
- Sciences Department, Université de Nîmes, Nîmes, France
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7
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Fão L, Coelho P, Duarte L, Vilaça R, Hayden MR, Mota SI, Rego AC. Restoration of c-Src/Fyn Proteins Rescues Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Huntington's Disease. Antioxid Redox Signal 2023; 38:95-114. [PMID: 35651273 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2022.0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Aims: Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disorder with no effective therapies. Mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT), the main HD proteinaceous hallmark, has been linked to reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and mitochondrial dysfunction, among other pathological mechanisms. Importantly, Src-related kinases, c-Src and Fyn, are activated by ROS and regulate mitochondrial activity. However, c-Src/Fyn involvement in HD is largely unexplored. Thus, in this study, we aimed at exploring changes in Src/Fyn proteins in HD models and their role in defining altered mitochondrial function and dynamics and redox regulation. Results: We show, for the first time, that c-Src/Fyn phosphorylation/activation and proteins levels are decreased in several human and mouse HD models mainly due to autophagy degradation, concomitantly with mHtt-expressing cells showing enhanced TFEB-mediated autophagy induction and autophagy flux. c-Src/Fyn co-localization with mitochondria is also reduced. Importantly, the expression of constitutive active c-Src/Fyn to restore active Src kinase family (SKF) levels improves mitochondrial morphology and function, namely through improved mitochondrial transmembrane potential, mitochondrial basal respiration, and ATP production, but it did not affect mitophagy. In addition, constitutive active c-Src/Fyn expression diminishes the levels of reactive species in cells expressing mHTT. Innovation: This work supports a relevant role for c-Src/Fyn proteins in controlling mitochondrial function and redox regulation in HD, revealing a potential HD therapeutic target. Conclusion: c-Src/Fyn restoration in HD improves mitochondrial morphology and function, precluding the rise in oxidant species and cell death. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 38, 95-114.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lígia Fão
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Coelho
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís Duarte
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rita Vilaça
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Michael R Hayden
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sandra I Mota
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Cristina Rego
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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8
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Abstract
Huntington’s disease is an inherited neurodegenerative disease described 150 years ago by George Huntington. The genetic defect was identified in 1993 to be an expanded CAG repeat on exon 1 of the huntingtin gene located on chromosome 4. In the following almost 30 years, a considerable amount of research, using mainly animal models or in vitro experiments, has tried to unravel the complex molecular cascades through which the transcription of the mutant protein leads to neuronal loss, especially in the medium spiny neurons of the striatum, and identified excitotoxicity, transcriptional dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, impaired proteostasis, altered axonal trafficking and reduced availability of trophic factors to be crucial contributors. This review discusses the pathogenic cascades described in the literature through which mutant huntingtin leads to neuronal demise. However, due to the ubiquitous presence of huntingtin, astrocytes are also dysfunctional, and neuroinflammation may additionally contribute to Huntington’s disease pathology. The quest for therapies to delay the onset and reduce the rate of Huntington’s disease progression is ongoing, but is based on findings from basic research.
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Turner EC, Gantman EC, Sampaio C, Sivakumaran S. Huntington's Disease Regulatory Science Consortium: Accelerating Medical Product Development. J Huntingtons Dis 2022; 11:97-104. [PMID: 35466945 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-220533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that urgently needs disease-modifying therapeutics. To this end, collaboration to standardize clinical research practices in the field and drive progress in addressing drug development challenges is paramount. At a meeting in 2017 organized by CHDI Foundation and the Critical Path Institute, stakeholders across the pharmaceutical industry, academia, regulatory agencies, and patient advocacy groups discussed the need for and potential impact of a consortium dedicated to HD regulatory science. Consequently, the Huntington's Disease Regulatory Science Consortium (HD-RSC) was formed, a precompetitive consortium that is dedicated to building a regulatory strategy to expedite the approval of HD therapeutics.
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Saba J, Couselo FL, Bruno J, Carniglia L, Durand D, Lasaga M, Caruso C. Neuroinflammation in Huntington's Disease: A Starring Role for Astrocyte and Microglia. Curr Neuropharmacol 2022; 20:1116-1143. [PMID: 34852742 PMCID: PMC9886821 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666211201094608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene. HD causes motor, cognitive, and behavioral dysfunction. Since no existing treatment affects the course of this disease, new treatments are needed. Inflammation is frequently observed in HD patients before symptom onset. Neuroinflammation, characterized by the presence of reactive microglia, astrocytes and inflammatory factors within the brain, is also detected early. However, in comparison to other neurodegenerative diseases, the role of neuroinflammation in HD is much less known. Work has been dedicated to altered microglial and astrocytic functions in the context of HD, but less attention has been given to glial participation in neuroinflammation. This review describes evidence of inflammation in HD patients and animal models. It also discusses recent knowledge on neuroinflammation in HD, highlighting astrocyte and microglia involvement in the disease and considering anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta Saba
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico López Couselo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julieta Bruno
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lila Carniglia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Durand
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Lasaga
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carla Caruso
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina,Address correspondence to this author at the Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155 Piso 10, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tel: +54 11 5285 3380; E-mail:
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11
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Gu X, Richman J, Langfelder P, Wang N, Zhang S, Bañez-Coronel M, Wang HB, Yang L, Ramanathan L, Deng L, Park CS, Choi CR, Cantle JP, Gao F, Gray M, Coppola G, Bates GP, Ranum LPW, Horvath S, Colwell CS, Yang XW. Uninterrupted CAG repeat drives striatum-selective transcriptionopathy and nuclear pathogenesis in human Huntingtin BAC mice. Neuron 2022; 110:1173-1192.e7. [PMID: 35114102 PMCID: PMC9462388 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In Huntington's disease (HD), the uninterrupted CAG repeat length, but not the polyglutamine length, predicts disease onset. However, the underlying pathobiology remains unclear. Here, we developed bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mice expressing human mutant huntingtin (mHTT) with uninterrupted, and somatically unstable, CAG repeats that exhibit progressive disease-related phenotypes. Unlike prior mHTT transgenic models with stable, CAA-interrupted, polyglutamine-encoding repeats, BAC-CAG mice show robust striatum-selective nuclear inclusions and transcriptional dysregulation resembling those in murine huntingtin knockin models and HD patients. Importantly, the striatal transcriptionopathy in HD models is significantly correlated with their uninterrupted CAG repeat length but not polyglutamine length. Finally, among the pathogenic entities originating from mHTT genomic transgenes and only present or enriched in the uninterrupted CAG repeat model, somatic CAG repeat instability and nuclear mHTT aggregation are best correlated with early-onset striatum-selective molecular pathogenesis and locomotor and sleep deficits, while repeat RNA-associated pathologies and repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation may play less selective or late pathogenic roles, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Gu
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Richman
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Peter Langfelder
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nan Wang
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shasha Zhang
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Monica Bañez-Coronel
- Center for Neurogenetics, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, Genetics Institute, McKnight Brain Institute, Norman Fixel Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Huei-Bin Wang
- Department Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lucia Yang
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lalini Ramanathan
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Linna Deng
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chang Sin Park
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christopher R Choi
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey P Cantle
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Fuying Gao
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Gray
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Giovanni Coppola
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gillian P Bates
- Huntington's Disease Centre, Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura P W Ranum
- Center for Neurogenetics, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, Genetics Institute, McKnight Brain Institute, Norman Fixel Institute of Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Steve Horvath
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christopher S Colwell
- Department Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - X William Yang
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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12
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Moharir SC, Raghawan AK, Ramaswamy R, Swarup G. Autophagy-independent cytoprotection by optineurin from toxicity of aggregates formed by mutant huntingtin and mutant ataxin-3. J Biochem 2022; 171:555-565. [PMID: 35134975 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvac011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An important feature of several neurodegenerative diseases is the formation of pathological structures containing aggregated proteins. The autophagy receptor optineurin/OPTN is frequently observed in these structures. The role played by optineurin in these aggregates is not clear. In this study, we explored whether optineurin has a cytoprotective role in the cells having mutant protein aggregates. We overexpressed mutant huntingtin having 97 glutamine repeats (mHtt), and mutant ataxin-3 having 130 glutamine repeats (mAtax-3) in wild-type and optineurin-deficient neuronal (N2A) and non-neuronal cells (Optn-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts), and determined the percentage of dead cells with mutant protein aggregates. Optineurin-deficient cells having mHtt or mAtax-3 aggregates showed higher cell death as compared to wild-type cells having mutant protein aggregates. Confocal microscopy revealed that optineurin formed a shell around mHtt and mAtax-3 aggregates through its C-terminal domain. The C-terminal domain of optineurin, which lacks LC3-interacting region required for autophagy, was necessary and sufficient to reduce cytotoxicity of mHtt and mAtax-3 aggregates. Our results show that in the absence of optineurin, mutant protein aggregates are highly toxic, revealing an autophagy-independent cytoprotective function of optineurin, which is mediated by its C-terminal domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivranjani C Moharir
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad-500007, India.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Bangalore, India
| | | | | | - Ghanshyam Swarup
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad-500007, India
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13
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Lin YH, Maaroufi HO, Kucerova L, Rouhova L, Filip T, Zurovec M. Adenosine Receptor and Its Downstream Targets, Mod(mdg4) and Hsp70, Work as a Signaling Pathway Modulating Cytotoxic Damage in Drosophila. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:651367. [PMID: 33777958 PMCID: PMC7994771 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.651367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenosine (Ado) is an important signaling molecule involved in stress responses. Studies in mammalian models have shown that Ado regulates signaling mechanisms involved in “danger-sensing” and tissue-protection. Yet, little is known about the role of Ado signaling in Drosophila. In the present study, we observed lower extracellular Ado concentration and suppressed expression of Ado transporters in flies expressing mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT). We altered Ado signaling using genetic tools and found that the overexpression of Ado metabolic enzymes, as well as the suppression of Ado receptor (AdoR) and transporters (ENTs), were able to minimize mHTT-induced mortality. We also identified the downstream targets of the AdoR pathway, the modifier of mdg4 (Mod(mdg4)) and heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70), which modulated the formation of mHTT aggregates. Finally, we showed that a decrease in Ado signaling affects other Drosophila stress reactions, including paraquat and heat-shock treatments. Our study provides important insights into how Ado regulates stress responses in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hsien Lin
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Houda Ouns Maaroufi
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Lucie Kucerova
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Lenka Rouhova
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Tomas Filip
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Michal Zurovec
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
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14
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Abstract
Significance: The molecular processes that determine Huntington's disease (HD) pathogenesis are not yet fully understood, and until now no effective neuroprotective therapeutic strategies have been developed. Mitochondria are one of most important organelles required for neuronal homeostasis, by providing metabolic pathways relevant for energy production, regulating calcium homeostasis, or controlling free radical generation and cell death. Because augmented reactive oxygen species (ROS) accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction are relevant early HD mechanisms, targeting these cellular mechanisms may constitute relevant therapeutic approaches. Recent Advances: Previous findings point toward a close relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and redox changes in HD. Mutant huntingtin (mHTT) can directly interact with mitochondrial proteins, as translocase of the inner membrane 23 (TIM23), disrupting mitochondrial proteostasis and favoring ROS production and HD progression. Furthermore, abnormal brain and muscle redox signaling contributes to altered proteostasis and motor impairment in HD, which can be improved with the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant mitoquinone or resveratrol, an SIRT1 activator that ameliorates mitochondrial biogenesis and function. Critical Issues: Various antioxidants and metabolic enhancers have been studied in HD; however, the real outcome of these molecules is still debatable. New compounds have proven to ameliorate mitochondrial and redox-based signaling pathways in early stages of HD, potentially precluding selective neurodegeneration. Future Directions: Unraveling the molecular etiology of deregulated mitochondrial function and dynamics, and oxidative stress opens new prospects for HD therapeutics. In this review, we explore the role of redox unbalance and mitochondrial dysfunction in HD progression, and further describe advances on clinical trials in HD based on mitochondrial and redox-based therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lígia Fão
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Cristina Rego
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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15
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Abstract
The purpose of our article is to critically assess the role of phosphorylated tau in Huntington's disease (HD) progression and pathogenesis. HD is a fatal and pure genetic disease, characterized by chorea, seizures, involuntary movements, dystonia, cognitive decline, intellectual impairment, and emotional disturbances. HD is caused by expanded polyglutamine (polyQ or CAG) repeats within the exon 1 of the HD gene. HD has an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance with genetic anticipation. Although the HD gene was discovered 26 years ago, there is no complete understanding of how mutant huntingtin (mHTT) selectively targets medium spiny projection neurons in the basal ganglia of the brain in patients with HD. Several years of intense research revealed that multiple cellular changes are involved in disease process, including transcriptional dysregulation, mitochondrial abnormalities and impaired bioenergetics, defective axonal transport, calcium dyshomeostasis, synaptic damage and caspase, and NMDAR activations. Recent research also revealed that phosphorylated tau and defective GSK-3β signaling are strongly linked to progression of the disease. This article summarizes the recent developments of cellular and pathological changes in disease progression of HD. This article also highlights recent developments in phosphorylated tau and defective GSK-3β signaling and the involvement of calcineurin in HD progression and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Sawant
- Internal Medicine Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - P Hemachandra Reddy
- Internal Medicine Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Cell Biology & Biochemistry Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Pharmacology & Neuroscience Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Neurology Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Departments, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.,Garrison Institute on Aging, South West Campus, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
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16
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Cybulska K, Perk L, Booij J, Laverman P, Rijpkema M. Huntington's Disease: A Review of the Known PET Imaging Biomarkers and Targeting Radiotracers. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25030482. [PMID: 31979301 PMCID: PMC7038198 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25030482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by a CAG expansion mutation in the huntingtin gene. As a result, intranuclear inclusions of mutant huntingtin protein are formed, which damage striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs). A review of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) studies relating to HD was performed, including clinical and preclinical data. PET is a powerful tool for visualisation of the HD pathology by non-invasive imaging of specific radiopharmaceuticals, which provide a detailed molecular snapshot of complex mechanistic pathways within the brain. Nowadays, radiochemists are equipped with an impressive arsenal of radioligands to accurately recognise particular receptors of interest. These include key biomarkers of HD: adenosine, cannabinoid, dopaminergic and glutamateric receptors, microglial activation, phosphodiesterase 10 A and synaptic vesicle proteins. This review aims to provide a radiochemical picture of the recent developments in the field of HD PET, with significant attention devoted to radiosynthetic routes towards the tracers relevant to this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Cybulska
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 10, 6525 EZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (J.B.); (P.L.); (M.R.)
- Radboud Translational Medicine B.V., Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 21 (route 142), 6525 EZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
- Correspondence:
| | - Lars Perk
- Radboud Translational Medicine B.V., Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 21 (route 142), 6525 EZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Jan Booij
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 10, 6525 EZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (J.B.); (P.L.); (M.R.)
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Laverman
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 10, 6525 EZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (J.B.); (P.L.); (M.R.)
| | - Mark Rijpkema
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 10, 6525 EZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (J.B.); (P.L.); (M.R.)
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17
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Yablonska S, Ganesan V, Ferrando LM, Kim J, Pyzel A, Baranova OV, Khattar NK, Larkin TM, Baranov SV, Chen N, Strohlein CE, Stevens DA, Wang X, Chang YF, Schurdak ME, Carlisle DL, Minden JS, Friedlander RM. Mutant huntingtin disrupts mitochondrial proteostasis by interacting with TIM23. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:16593-602. [PMID: 31346086 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1904101116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutant huntingtin (mHTT), the causative protein in Huntington's disease (HD), associates with the translocase of mitochondrial inner membrane 23 (TIM23) complex, resulting in inhibition of synaptic mitochondrial protein import first detected in presymptomatic HD mice. The early timing of this event suggests that it is a relevant and direct pathophysiologic consequence of mHTT expression. We show that, of the 4 TIM23 complex proteins, mHTT specifically binds to the TIM23 subunit and that full-length wild-type huntingtin (wtHTT) and mHTT reside in the mitochondrial intermembrane space. We investigated differences in mitochondrial proteome between wtHTT and mHTT cells and found numerous proteomic disparities between mHTT and wtHTT mitochondria. We validated these data by quantitative immunoblotting in striatal cell lines and human HD brain tissue. The level of soluble matrix mitochondrial proteins imported through the TIM23 complex is lower in mHTT-expressing cell lines and brain tissues of HD patients compared with controls. In mHTT-expressing cell lines, membrane-bound TIM23-imported proteins have lower intramitochondrial levels, whereas inner membrane multispan proteins that are imported via the TIM22 pathway and proteins integrated into the outer membrane generally remain unchanged. In summary, we show that, in mitochondria, huntingtin is located in the intermembrane space, that mHTT binds with high-affinity to TIM23, and that mitochondria from mHTT-expressing cells and brain tissues of HD patients have reduced levels of nuclearly encoded proteins imported through TIM23. These data demonstrate the mechanism and biological significance of mHTT-mediated inhibition of mitochondrial protein import, a mechanism likely broadly relevant to other neurodegenerative diseases.
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18
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Baranov SV, Baranova OV, Yablonska S, Suofu Y, Vazquez AL, Kozai TDY, Cui XT, Ferrando LM, Larkin TM, Tyurina YY, Kagan VE, Carlisle DL, Kristal BS, Friedlander RM. Mitochondria modulate programmed neuritic retraction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:650-9. [PMID: 30584104 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1811021116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuritic retraction in the absence of overt neuronal death is a shared feature of normal aging and neurodegenerative disorders, but the intracellular mechanisms modulating this process are not understood. We propose that cumulative distal mitochondrial protein damage results in impaired protein import, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and focal activation of the canonical apoptosis pathway in neurites. This is a controlled process that may not lead to neuronal death and, thus, we term this phenomenon "neuritosis." Consistent with our hypothesis, we show that in primary cerebrocortical neurons, mitochondrial distance from the soma correlates with increased mitochondrial protein damage, PINK1 accumulation, reactive oxygen species production, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and depolarization threshold. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the distance-dependent mitochondrial membrane potential gradient exists in vivo in mice. We demonstrate that impaired distal mitochondria have a lower threshold for focal/nonlethal neuritic caspase-3 activation in normal neurons that is exacerbated in aging, stress, and neurodegenerative conditions, thus delineating a fundamental mechanistic underpinning for synaptic vulnerability.
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19
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Trajkovic K, Krainc D. Novel Approach to Tracking Mutant Huntingtin in Biosamples. Trends Mol Med 2018; 24:978-981. [PMID: 30509361 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Although the established causative agent in Huntington's disease (HD) is a mutation in a single gene encoding huntingtin protein, the pathogenic cascade preceding neuronal death and disease onset is both incompletely understood and clinically undetectable. A new article published in Molecular Cell explores mutant huntingtin (mHtt) aggregate seeding activity as an early pathogenesis-tracking parameter with potential biomarker quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Trajkovic
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Dimitri Krainc
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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20
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Fodale V, Boggio R, Daldin M, Cariulo C, Spiezia MC, Byrne LM, Leavitt BR, Wild EJ, Macdonald D, Weiss A, Bresciani A. Validation of Ultrasensitive Mutant Huntingtin Detection in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid by Single Molecule Counting Immunoassay. J Huntingtons Dis 2018; 6:349-361. [PMID: 29125493 PMCID: PMC5757651 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-170269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background: The measurement of disease-relevant biomarkers has become a major component of clinical trial design, but in the absence of rigorous clinical and analytical validation of detection methodology, interpretation of results may be misleading. In Huntington’s disease (HD), measurement of the concentration of mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients may serve as both a disease progression biomarker and a pharmacodynamic readout for HTT-lowering therapeutic approaches. We recently published the quantification of mHTT levels in HD patient CSF by a novel ultrasensitive immunoassay-based technology and here analytically validate it for use. Objective: This work aims to analytically and clinically validate our ultrasensitive assay for mHTT measurement in human HD CSF, for application as a pharmacodynamic biomarker of CNS mHTT lowering in clinical trials. Methods: The single molecule counting (SMC) assay is an ultrasensitive bead-based immunoassay where upon specific recognition, dye-labeled antibodies are excited by a confocal laser and emit fluorescent light as a readout. The detection of mHTT by this technology was clinically validated following established Food and Drug Administration and European Medicine Agency guidelines. Results: The SMC assay was demonstrated to be accurate, precise, specific, and reproducible. While no matrix influence was detected, a list of interfering substances was compiled as a guideline for proper collection and storage of patient CSF samples. In addition, a set of recommendations on result interpretation is provided. Conclusions: This SMC assay is a robust and ultrasensitive method for the relative quantification of mHTT in human CSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Fodale
- IRBM Science Park, Pomezia, Rome, Italy.,IRBM Promidis, Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Lauren M Byrne
- University College London (UCL) Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Blair R Leavitt
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Edward J Wild
- University College London (UCL) Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
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21
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Jang M, Lee SE, Cho IH. Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Serotype DJ-Mediated Overexpression of N171-82Q- Mutant Huntingtin in the Striatum of Juvenile Mice Is a New Model for Huntington's Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:157. [PMID: 29946240 PMCID: PMC6005874 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, psychiatric and cognitive symptoms. HD is caused by an expansion of CAG repeats in the huntingtin (HTT) gene in various areas of the brain including striatum. There are few suitable animal models to study the pathogenesis of HD and validate therapeutic strategies. Recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors successfully transfer foreign genes to the brain of adult mammalians. In this article, we report a novel mouse model of HD generated by bilateral intrastriatal injection of AAV vector serotype DJ (AAV-DJ) containing N171-82Q mutant HTT (82Q) and N171-18Q wild type HTT (18Q; sham). The AAV-DJ-82Q model displayed motor dysfunctions in pole and rotarod tests beginning 4 weeks after viral infection in juvenile mice (8 weeks after birth). They showed behaviors reflecting neurodegeneration. They also showed increased apoptosis, robust glial activation and upregulated representative inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6), mediators (cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase) and signaling pathways (nuclear factor kappa B and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)) in the striatum at 10 weeks after viral infection (14 weeks after birth) via successful transfection of mutant HTT into neurons, microglia, and astrocytes in the striatum. However, little evidence of any of these events was found in mice infected with the AAV-DJ-18Q expressing construct. Intrastriatal injection of AAV-DJ-82Q might be useful as a novel in vivo model to investigate the biology of truncated N-terminal fragment (N171) in the striatum and to explore the efficacy of therapeutic strategies for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhee Jang
- Department of Convergence Medical Science, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung Eun Lee
- Virus Facility, Research Animal Resource Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ik-Hyun Cho
- Department of Convergence Medical Science, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Plus Program and Institute of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
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22
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Trajkovic K, Jeong H, Krainc D. Mutant Huntingtin Is Secreted via a Late Endosomal/Lysosomal Unconventional Secretory Pathway. J Neurosci 2017; 37:9000-12. [PMID: 28821645 DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0118-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of a CAG triplet in the gene encoding for huntingtin (Htt). The resulting mutant protein (mHtt) with extended polyglutamine (polyQ) sequence at the N terminus leads to neuronal degeneration both in a cell-autonomous and a non-cell-autonomous manner. Recent studies identified mHtt in the extracellular environment and suggested that its spreading contributes to toxicity, but the mechanism of mHtt release from the cell of origin remains unknown. In this study, we performed a comprehensive, unbiased analysis of secretory pathways and identified an unconventional lysosomal pathway as an important mechanism for mHtt secretion in mouse neuroblastoma and striatal cell lines, as well as in primary neurons. mHtt secretion was dependent on synaptotagmin 7, a regulator of lysosomal secretion, and inhibited by chemical ablation of late endosomes/lysosomes, suggesting a lysosomal secretory pattern. mHtt was targeted preferentially to the late endosomes/lysosomes compared with wild-type Htt. Importantly, we found that late endosomal/lysosomal targeting and secretion of mHtt could be inhibited efficiently by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and neutral sphingomyelinase chemical inhibitors, Ly294002 and GW4869, respectively. Together, our data suggest a lysosomal mechanism of mHtt secretion and offer potential strategies for pharmacological modulation of its neuronal secretion.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This is the first study examining the mechanism of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) secretion in an unbiased manner. We found that the protein is secreted via a late endosomal/lysosomal unconventional secretory pathway. Moreover, mHtt secretion can be reduced significantly by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and neutral sphingomyelinase inhibitors. Understanding and manipulating the secretion of mHtt is important because of its potentially harmful propagation in the brain.
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23
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Kolli N, Lu M, Maiti P, Rossignol J, Dunbar GL. CRISPR-Cas9 Mediated Gene-Silencing of the Mutant Huntingtin Gene in an In Vitro Model of Huntington's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E754. [PMID: 28368337 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18040754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative genetic disease characterized by a loss of neurons in the striatum. It is caused by a mutation in the Huntingtin gene (HTT) that codes for the protein huntingtin (HTT). The mutant Huntingtin gene (mHTT) contains extra poly-glutamine (CAG) repeats from which the translated mutant huntingtin proteins (mHTT) undergo inappropriate post-translational modifications, conferring a toxic gain of function, in addition to its non-functional property. In order to curb the production of the mHTT, we have constructed two CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)-Cas9 (CRISPR associate protein) plasmids, among which one nicks the DNA at untranslated region upstream to the open reading frame (uORF), and the other nicks the DNA at exon1-intron boundary. The primary goal of this study was to apply this plasmid into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) extracted from the bone-marrow of YAC128 mice, which carries the transgene for HD. Our results suggest that the disruption of uORF through CRISPR-Cas9 influences the translation of mHTT negatively and, to a lesser extent, disrupts the exon1-intron boundary, which affects the translation of the mHTT. These findings also revealed the pattern of the nucleotide addition or deletion at the site of the DNA-nick in this model.
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24
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Leuchter MK, Donzis EJ, Cepeda C, Hunter AM, Estrada-Sánchez AM, Cook IA, Levine MS, Leuchter AF. Quantitative Electroencephalographic Biomarkers in Preclinical and Human Studies of Huntington's Disease: Are They Fit-for-Purpose for Treatment Development? Front Neurol 2017; 8:91. [PMID: 28424652 PMCID: PMC5371600 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A major focus in development of novel therapies for Huntington's disease (HD) is identification of treatments that reduce the burden of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein in the brain. In order to identify and test the efficacy of such therapies, it is essential to have biomarkers that are sensitive to the effects of mHTT on brain function to determine whether the intervention has been effective at preventing toxicity in target brain systems before onset of clinical symptoms. Ideally, such biomarkers should have a plausible physiologic basis for detecting the effects of mHTT, be measureable both in preclinical models and human studies, be practical to measure serially in clinical trials, and be reliably measurable in HD gene expansion carriers (HDGECs), among other features. Quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) fulfills many of these basic criteria of a "fit-for-purpose" biomarker. qEEG measures brain oscillatory activity that is regulated by the brain structures that are affected by mHTT in premanifest and early symptom individuals. The technology is practical to implement in the laboratory and is well tolerated by humans in clinical trials. The biomarkers are measureable across animal models and humans, with findings that appear to be detectable in HDGECs and translate across species. We review here the literature on recent developments in both preclinical and human studies of the use of qEEG biomarkers in HD, and the evidence for their usefulness as biomarkers to help guide development of novel mHTT lowering treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael K Leuchter
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Elissa J Donzis
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Cepeda
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aimee M Hunter
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Neuromodulation Division, Laboratory of Brain, Behavior, and Pharmacology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ana María Estrada-Sánchez
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ian A Cook
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Neuromodulation Division, Laboratory of Brain, Behavior, and Pharmacology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael S Levine
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andrew F Leuchter
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Neuromodulation Division, Laboratory of Brain, Behavior, and Pharmacology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
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25
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Liu T, Im W, Mook-Jung I, Kim M. MicroRNA-124 slows down the progression of Huntington's disease by promoting neurogenesis in the striatum. Neural Regen Res 2015; 10:786-91. [PMID: 26109954 PMCID: PMC4468771 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.156978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA-124 contributes to neurogenesis through regulating its targets, but its expression both in the brain of Huntington's disease mouse models and patients is decreased. However, the effects of microRNA-124 on the progression of Huntington's disease have not been reported. Results from this study showed that microRNA-124 increased the latency to fall for each R6/2 Huntington's disease transgenic mouse in the rotarod test. 5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) staining of the striatum shows an increase in neurogenesis. In addition, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha protein levels in the striatum were increased and SRY-related HMG box transcription factor 9 protein level was decreased. These findings suggest that microRNA-124 slows down the progression of Huntington's disease possibly through its important role in neuronal differentiation and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Wooseok Im
- Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Inhee Mook-Jung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea ; Department of Biochemistry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Manho Kim
- Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea ; Protein Metabolism Medical Research Center, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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26
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Stanek LM, Yang W, Angus S, Sardi PS, Hayden MR, Hung GH, Bennett CF, Cheng SH, Shihabuddin LS. Antisense oligonucleotide-mediated correction of transcriptional dysregulation is correlated with behavioral benefits in the YAC128 mouse model of Huntington's disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2014; 2:217-28. [PMID: 25063516 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-130057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurological disorder caused by mutations in the huntingtin (HTT) gene, the product of which leads to selective and progressive neuronal cell death in the striatum and cortex. Transcriptional dysregulation has emerged as a core pathologic feature in the CNS of human and animal models of HD. It is still unclear whether perturbations in gene expression are a consequence of the disease or importantly, contribute to the pathogenesis of HD. OBJECTIVE To examine if transcriptional dysregulation can be ameliorated with antisense oligonucleotides that reduce levels of mutant Htt and provide therapeutic benefit in the YAC128 mouse model of HD. METHODS Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was used to evaluate dysregulation of a subset of striatal genes in the YAC128 mouse model. Transcripts were then evaluated following ICV delivery of antisense oligonucleotides (ASO). Rota rod and Porsolt swim tests were used to evaluate phenotypic deficits in these mice following ASO treatment. RESULTS Transcriptional dysregulation was detected in the YAC128 mouse model and appears to progress with age. ICV delivery of ASOs directed against mutant Htt resulted in reduction in mutant Htt levels and amelioration in behavioral deficits in the YAC128 mouse model. These improvements were correlated with improvements in the levels of several dysregulated striatal transcripts. CONCLUSIONS The role of transcriptional dysregulation in the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease is not well understood, however, a wealth of evidence now strongly suggests that changes in transcriptional signatures are a prominent feature in the brains of both HD patients and animal models of the disease. Our study is the first to show that a therapeutic agent capable of improving an HD disease phenotype is concomitantly correlated with normalization of a subset of dysregulated striatal transcripts. Our data suggests that correction of these disease-altered transcripts may underlie, at least in part, the therapeutic efficacy shown associated with ASO-mediated correction of HD phenotypes and may provide a novel set of early biomarkers for evaluating future therapeutic concepts for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wendy Yang
- Genzyme, a Sanofi Company, Framingham, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Michael R Hayden
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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27
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Baxa M, Hruska-Plochan M, Juhas S, Vodicka P, Pavlok A, Juhasova J, Miyanohara A, Nejime T, Klima J, Macakova M, Marsala S, Weiss A, Kubickova S, Musilova P, Vrtel R, Sontag EM, Thompson LM, Schier J, Hansikova H, Howland DS, Cattaneo E, DiFiglia M, Marsala M, Motlik J. A transgenic minipig model of Huntington's Disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2014; 2:47-68. [PMID: 25063429 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-130001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some promising treatments for Huntington's disease (HD) may require pre-clinical testing in large animals. Minipig is a suitable species because of its large gyrencephalic brain and long lifespan. OBJECTIVE To generate HD transgenic (TgHD) minipigs encoding huntingtin (HTT)1-548 under the control of human HTT promoter. METHODS Transgenesis was achieved by lentiviral infection of porcine embryos. PCR assessment of gene transfer, observations of behavior, and postmortem biochemical and immunohistochemical studies were conducted. RESULTS One copy of the human HTT transgene encoding 124 glutamines integrated into chromosome 1 q24-q25 and successful germ line transmission occurred through successive generations (F0, F1, F2 and F3 generations). No developmental or gross motor deficits were noted up to 40 months of age. Mutant HTT mRNA and protein fragment were detected in brain and peripheral tissues. No aggregate formation in brain up to 16 months was seen by AGERA and filter retardation or by immunostaining. DARPP32 labeling in WT and TgHD minipig neostriatum was patchy. Analysis of 16 month old sibling pairs showed reduced intensity of DARPP32 immunoreactivity in neostriatal TgHD neurons compared to those of WT. Compared to WT, TgHD boars by one year had reduced fertility and fewer spermatozoa per ejaculate. In vitro analysis revealed a significant decline in the number of WT minipig oocytes penetrated by TgHD spermatozoa. CONCLUSIONS The findings demonstrate successful establishment of a transgenic model of HD in minipig that should be valuable for testing long term safety of HD therapeutics. The emergence of HD-like phenotypes in the TgHD minipigs will require more study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Baxa
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., AS CR, Libechov, Czech Republic Faculty of Science, Department of Cell Biology, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marian Hruska-Plochan
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., AS CR, Libechov, Czech Republic Faculty of Science, Department of Cell Biology, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Neurodegeneration Laboratory, Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Stefan Juhas
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., AS CR, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Vodicka
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., AS CR, Libechov, Czech Republic Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Antonin Pavlok
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., AS CR, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Juhasova
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., AS CR, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Atsushi Miyanohara
- Vector Development Laboratory, Human Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tetsuya Nejime
- Neurodegeneration Laboratory, Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jiri Klima
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., AS CR, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Macakova
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., AS CR, Libechov, Czech Republic Faculty of Science, Department of Cell Biology, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Silvia Marsala
- Neurodegeneration Laboratory, Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andreas Weiss
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Neuroscience Discovery, Basel, Switzerland IRBM Promidis, Pomezia, Italy
| | - Svatava Kubickova
- Department of Genetics and Reproduction, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Musilova
- Department of Genetics and Reproduction, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Vrtel
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Fetal Medicine, Palacky University, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Emily M Sontag
- Department of Biological Chemistry University of California, Irvine, CA, USA Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Leslie M Thompson
- Department of Biological Chemistry University of California, Irvine, CA, USA Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA Department of Neurobiology and Behavior University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jan Schier
- Institute of Information Theory and Automation v.v.i., AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Hansikova
- Laboratory for Study of Mitochondrial Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Elena Cattaneo
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Centre for Stem Cell Research, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marian DiFiglia
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Martin Marsala
- Neurodegeneration Laboratory, Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA Institute of Neurobiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Jan Motlik
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., AS CR, Libechov, Czech Republic
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28
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Liu Y, Hettinger CL, Zhang D, Rezvani K, Wang X, Wang H. Sulforaphane enhances proteasomal and autophagic activities in mice and is a potential therapeutic reagent for Huntington's disease. J Neurochem 2014; 129:539-47. [PMID: 24383989 PMCID: PMC3997618 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2013] [Revised: 12/21/2013] [Accepted: 12/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is impaired in Huntington's disease, a devastating neurodegenerative disorder. Sulforaphane, a naturally occurring compound, has been shown to stimulate UPS activity in cell cultures. To test whether sulforaphane enhances UPS function in vivo, we treated UPS function reporter mice ubiquitously expressing the green fluorescence protein (GFP) fused to a constitutive degradation signal that promotes its rapid degradation in the conditions of a healthy UPS. The modified GFP is termed GFP UPS reporter (GFPu). We found that both GFPu and ubiquitinated protein levels were significantly reduced and the three peptidase activities of the proteasome were increased in the brain and peripheral tissues of the mice. Interestingly, sulforaphane treatment also enhanced autophagy activity in the brain and the liver. To further examine whether sulforaphane promotes mutant huntingtin (mHtt) degradation, we treated Huntington's disease cells with sulforaphane and found that sulforaphane not only enhanced mHtt degradation but also reduced mHtt cytotoxicity. Sulforaphane-mediated mHtt degradation was mainly through the UPS pathway as the presence of a proteasome inhibitor abolished this effect. Taken together, these data indicate that sulforaphane activates protein degradation machineries in both the brain and peripheral tissues and may be a therapeutic reagent for Huntington's disease and other intractable disorders. Accumulation of mutant huntingtin (mHtt) protein causes Huntington's disease (HD). Sulforaphane (SFN), a naturally occurring compound, increased proteasome and autophagy activities in vivo and enhanced mHtt turnover and cell survival in HD cell models. SFN-mediated mHtt degradation is mainly through the proteasome pathway. These data suggest that SFN can be a therapeutic reagent for treating HD and other intractable disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanying Liu
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, USA
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29
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Schipper-Krom S, Juenemann K, Jansen AH, Wiemhoefer A, van den Nieuwendijk R, Smith DL, Hink MA, Bates GP, Overkleeft H, Ovaa H, Reits E. Dynamic recruitment of active proteasomes into polyglutamine initiated inclusion bodies. FEBS Lett 2013; 588:151-9. [PMID: 24291262 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2013] [Revised: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's disease are hallmarked by neuronal intracellular inclusion body formation. Whether proteasomes are irreversibly recruited into inclusion bodies in these protein misfolding disorders is a controversial subject. In addition, it has been proposed that the proteasomes may become clogged by the aggregated protein fragments, leading to impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Here, we show by fluorescence pulse-chase experiments in living cells that proteasomes are dynamically and reversibly recruited into inclusion bodies. As these recruited proteasomes remain catalytically active and accessible to substrates, our results challenge the concept of proteasome sequestration and impairment in Huntington's disease, and support the reported absence of proteasome impairment in mouse models of Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Schipper-Krom
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Katrin Juenemann
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Anne H Jansen
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Wiemhoefer
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Rianne van den Nieuwendijk
- Department of Bio-Organic Synthesis, Institute of Chemistry, University of Leiden, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Donna L Smith
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, SE1 9RT London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A Hink
- Section Molecular Cytology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Sciencepark 904, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gillian P Bates
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, SE1 9RT London, United Kingdom
| | - Hermen Overkleeft
- Department of Bio-Organic Synthesis, Institute of Chemistry, University of Leiden, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Huib Ovaa
- Department of Cell Biology II, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Reits
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands.
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30
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Ribeiro M, Silva AC, Rodrigues J, Naia L, Rego AC. Oxidizing effects of exogenous stressors in Huntington's disease knock-in striatal cells--protective effect of cystamine and creatine. Toxicol Sci 2013; 136:487-99. [PMID: 24008831 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kft199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a polyglutamine-expansion disease associated to degeneration of striatal and cortical neurons. Previously, we showed that oxidative stress occurs in HD knock-in striatal cells, but little is known regarding cell antioxidant response against exogenous stimuli. Therefore, in the present study we analyzed cellular antioxidant profile following hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and staurosporine (STS) exposure and tested the protective effect of cystamine and creatine in striatal cells expressing mutant huntingtin with 111 glutamines (STHdh (Q111/Q111); mutant cells) versus wild-type cells (STHdh (Q7/Q7)). Mutant cells displayed increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased NADPH oxidase and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities, reflecting lower superoxide cytosolic generation, along with increased superoxide dismutases (SODs) and components of glutathione redox cycle. Exposure to H2O2 and STS enhanced ROS in mutant cells and largely increased XO activity; STS further boosted the generation of mitochondrial ROS and caspase-3 activity. Both stimuli slightly increased SOD1 activity, without affecting SOD2 activity, and decreased glutathione reductase with a consequent rise in oxidized glutathione or glutathione disulfide in mutant cells, whereas H2O2 only increased glutathione peroxidase activity. Additionally, creatine and cystamine increased mutant cells viability and prevented ROS formation in HD cells subjected to H2O2 and STS. These results indicate that elevation of the antioxidant systems accompanies mitochondrial-driven ROS generation in mutant striatal cells and that exposure to noxious stimuli induces a higher susceptibility to oxidative stress by increasing XO activity and lowering the antioxidant response. Furthermore, creatine and cystamine are efficient in preventing H2O2- and STS-evoked ROS formation in HD striatal cells.
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31
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Bhide PG, Day M, Sapp E, Schwarz C, Sheth A, Kim J, Young AB, Penney J, Golden J, Aronin N, DiFiglia M. Expression of normal and mutant huntingtin in the developing brain. J Neurosci 1996; 16:5523-35. [PMID: 8757264 PMCID: PMC6578889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by a genetic mutation that results in a polyglutamine expansion in huntingtin. The time course of neuronal loss in the HD striatum and other affected brain regions before the onset of symptoms is unknown. To determine the potential influence of huntingtin on brain development, we examined its expression in the developing mouse and in human control and HD brain. By Western blot, huntingtin was detected throughout the adult mouse brain and at all stages of embryonic and postnatal brain development. The protein increased significantly between postnatal day 7 (P7) and P15, which marks a period of active neuronal differentiation and enhanced sensitivity to excitotoxic injury in the rodent striatum. Immunoreactivity was found in neurons throughout the brain and localized mostly to the somatodendritic cytoplasm and to axons in fiber bundles. Staining was variable in different groups of neurons and within the same cell population. In developing brain, huntingtin was limited primarily to neuronal perikarya. Increased immunoreactivity in large neurons followed the gradient of neurogenesis and appeared in the basal forebrain and brainstem by embryonic days 15-17, in regions of cortex by P0-P1, and in the striatum by P7. In human brain at midgestation (19-21 weeks), huntingtin was detected in all regions. The brain of a 10-week-old infant with the expanded HD allele expressed a higher molecular weight mutant form of huntingtin at levels comparable to those of the wild-type protein. Thus, mutant huntingtin is expressed before neuronal maturation is complete. Results suggest that huntingtin has an important constitutive role in neurons during brain development, that heterogeneity in neuronal expression of the protein is developmentally regulated, and that the intraneuronal distribution of huntingtin increases in parallel with neuronal maturation. The presence of mutant huntingtin in the immature HD brain raises the possibility that neurons may be affected during brain development and possibly in the postnatal period when vulnerability to excitotoxic injury is at its peak.
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Affiliation(s)
- P G Bhide
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114, USA
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