Niclosamide affects intracellular TDP-43 distribution in motor neurons, activates mitophagy, and attenuates morphological changes under stress

Author(s):  
Yosuke Kato ◽  
Kazuichi Sakamoto
2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes L. Nishimura ◽  
Natalia Arias

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a complex neurodegenerative disease caused by degeneration of motor neurons (MNs). ALS pathogenic features include accumulation of misfolded proteins, glutamate excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction at distal axon terminals, and neuronal cytoskeleton changes. Synergies between loss of C9orf72 functions and gain of function by toxic effects of repeat expansions also contribute to C9orf72-mediated pathogenesis. However, the impact of haploinsufficiency of C9orf72 on neurons and in synaptic functions requires further examination. As the motor neurons degenerate, the disease symptoms will lead to neurotransmission deficiencies in the brain, spinal cord, and neuromuscular junction. Altered neuronal excitability, synaptic morphological changes, and C9orf72 protein and DPR localization at the synapses, suggest a potential involvement of C9orf72 at synapses. In this review article, we provide a conceptual framework for assessing the putative involvement of C9orf72 as a synaptopathy, and we explore the underlying and common disease mechanisms with other neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, we reflect on the major challenges of understanding C9orf72-ALS as a synaptopathy focusing on integrating mitochondrial and neuronal cytoskeleton degeneration as biomarkers and potential targets to treat ALS neurodegeneration.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas E Karagas ◽  
Kai Li Tan ◽  
Hugo J. Bellen ◽  
Kartik Venkatachalam ◽  
Ching-On Wong

Mutations in the gene encoding VAPB (vesicle-associated membrane protein B) cause a familial form of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Expression of an ALS-related variant of vapb (vapbP58S) in Drosophila motor neurons results in morphological changes at the larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) characterized by the appearance of fewer, but larger, presynaptic boutons. Although diminished microtubule stability is known to underlie these morphological changes, a mechanism for the loss of presynaptic microtubules has been lacking. Here, we demonstrate the suppression of vapbP58S-induced changes in NMJ morphology by either the loss of ER Ca2+ release channels or the inhibition Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-activated kinase II (CaMKII). These data suggest a model in which decreased stability of presynaptic microtubules at vapbP58S NMJs result from hyperactivation of CaMKII due to elevated cytosolic [Ca2+]. We attribute the Ca2+ dyshomeostasis to delayed extrusion of cytosolic Ca2+ stemming from a paucity of activity-induced mitochondrial ATP production coupled with elevated rates of ATP consumption. Taken together, our data point to bioenergetic dysfunction as the root cause for the synaptic defects in vapbP58S-expressing Drosophila motor neurons.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 807
Author(s):  
Sara Migliarini ◽  
Silvia Scaricamazza ◽  
Cristiana Valle ◽  
Alberto Ferri ◽  
Massimo Pasqualetti ◽  
...  

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the progressive degeneration of spinal motor neurons as well as corticospinal (CSN) large pyramidal neurons within cortex layer V. An intense microglia immune response has been associated with both upper and lower motor neuron degeneration in ALS patients, whereas microgliosis occurrence in the motor cortex of hSOD1G93A mice—the best characterized model of this disease—is not clear and remains under debate. Since the impact of microglia cells in the neuronal environment seems to be crucial for both the initiation and the progression of the disease, here we analyzed the motor cortex of hSOD1G93A mice at the onset of symptoms by the immunolabeling of Iba1/TMEM119 double positive cells and confocal microscopy. By means of Sholl analysis, we were able to identify and quantify the presence of presumably activated Iba1/TMEM119-positive microglia cells with shorter and thicker processes as compared to the normal surveilling and more ramified microglia present in WT cortices. We strongly believe that being able to analyze microglia activation in the motor cortex of hSOD1G93A mice is of great importance for defining the timing and the extent of microglia involvement in CSN degeneration and for the identification of the initiation stages of this disease.


Author(s):  
P. Bagavandoss ◽  
JoAnne S. Richards ◽  
A. Rees Midgley

During follicular development in the mammalian ovary, several functional changes occur in the granulosa cells in response to steroid hormones and gonadotropins (1,2). In particular, marked changes in the content of membrane-associated receptors for the gonadotropins have been observed (1).We report here scanning electron microscope observations of morphological changes that occur on the granulosa cell surface in response to the administration of estradiol, human follicle stimulating hormone (hFSH), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).Immature female rats that were hypophysectcmized on day 24 of age were treated in the following manner. Group 1: control groups were injected once a day with 0.1 ml phosphate buffered saline (PBS) for 3 days; group 2: estradiol (1.5 mg/0.2 ml propylene glycol) once a day for 3 days; group 3: estradiol for 3 days followed by 2 days of hFSH (1 μg/0.1 ml) twice daily, group 4: same as in group 3; group 5: same as in group 3 with a final injection of hCG (5 IU/0.1 ml) on the fifth day.


Author(s):  
A.J. Mia ◽  
L.X. Oakford ◽  
T. Yorio

The amphibian urinary bladder has been used as a ‘model’ system for studies of the mechanism of action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in stimulating transepithelial water flow. The increase in water permeability is accompanied by morphological changes that include the stimulation of apical microvilli, mobilization of microtubules and microfilaments and vesicular membrane fusion events . It has been shown that alterations in the cytosolic calcium concentrations can inhibit ADH transmembrane water flow and induce alterations in the epithelial cell cytomorphology, including the cytoskeletal system . Recently, the subapical granules of the granular cell in the amphibian urinary bladder have been shown to contain high concentrations of calcium, and it was suggested that these cytoplasmic constituents may act as calcium storage sites for intracellular calcium homeostasis. The present study utilizes the calcium antagonist, verapamil, to examine the effect of calcium deprivation on the cytomorphological features of epithelial cells from amphibian urinary bladder, with particular emphasis on subapical granule and microfilament distribution.


Author(s):  
N. Kohyama ◽  
K. Fukushima ◽  
A. Fukami

Since the interlayer or adsorbed water of some clay minerals are quite easily dehydrated in dried air, in vacuum, or at moderate temperatures even in the atmosphere, the hydrated forms have not been observed by a conventional electron microscope(TEM). Recently, specific specimen chambers, “environmental cells(E.C.),” have been developed and confirmed to be effective for electron microscopic observation of wet specimen without dehydration. we observed hydrated forms of some clay minerals and their morphological changes by dehydration using a TEM equipped with an E.C..The E.C., equipped with a single hole copper-microgrid sealed by thin carbon-film, attaches to a TEM(JEM 7A) with an accelerating voltage 100KV and both gas pressure (from 760 Torr to vacuum) and relative humidity can be controlled. The samples collected from various localities in Japan were; tubular halloysite (l0Å) from Gumma Prefecture, sperical halloysite (l0Å) from Tochigi Pref., and intermediate halloysite containing both tubular and spherical types from Fukushima Pref..


Author(s):  
F.G. Lightfoot ◽  
L.E. Grau ◽  
M.M. Cassidy ◽  
G.R. Tadvalkar ◽  
G.V. Vahouny

Psyllium hydrophillic mucilloid is a natural gelling fiber consumed by a large population of our society. It is used as a bulk-producing laxative and in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders such as “Irritable Bowel Syndrome”. The literature pertaining to the ultrastructural effects of this agent is sparse.This study documents morphological changes induced by psyllium. Animals fed a diet containing 2% psyllium for four weeks were subsequently sacrificed and processed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The colon contained fecal material combined with psyllium which conformed to the contour of the luminal surface. This mixture formed surface replicas of the intestinal mucosa. These replicas and their related colonic sites were processed for morphologic analysis.


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