scholarly journals Integrating molecular, histopathological, neuroimaging and clinical neuroscience data with NeuroPM-box

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasser Iturria-Medina ◽  
Félix Carbonell ◽  
Atousa Assadi ◽  
Quadri Adewale ◽  
Ahmed F. Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alpha Synuclein ◽  
Clinical Neuroscience ◽  
Disease Heterogeneity ◽  
Synergistic Interactions ◽  
Clinical Evaluations ◽  
Cross Platform ◽  
Therapeutic Needs ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Synuclein Proteins

AbstractUnderstanding and treating heterogeneous brain disorders requires specialized techniques spanning genetics, proteomics, and neuroimaging. Designed to meet this need, NeuroPM-box is a user-friendly, open-access, multi-tool cross-platform software capable of characterizing multiscale and multifactorial neuropathological mechanisms. Using advanced analytical modeling for molecular, histopathological, brain-imaging and/or clinical evaluations, this framework has multiple applications, validated here with synthetic (N > 2900), in-vivo (N = 911) and post-mortem (N = 736) neurodegenerative data, and including the ability to characterize: (i) the series of sequential states (genetic, histopathological, imaging or clinical alterations) covering decades of disease progression, (ii) concurrent intra-brain spreading of pathological factors (e.g., amyloid, tau and alpha-synuclein proteins), (iii) synergistic interactions between multiple biological factors (e.g., toxic tau effects on brain atrophy), and (iv) biologically-defined patient stratification based on disease heterogeneity and/or therapeutic needs. This freely available toolbox (neuropm-lab.com/neuropm-box.html) could contribute significantly to a better understanding of complex brain processes and accelerating the implementation of Precision Medicine in Neurology.

scholarly journals NeuroPM toolbox: integrating Molecular, Neuroimaging and Clinical data for Characterizing Neuropathological Progression and Individual Therapeutic Needs

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasser Iturria-Medina ◽  
Felix Carbonell ◽  
Atoussa Assadi ◽  
Quadri Adewale ◽  
Ahmed F. Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Synergistic Interactions ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
Cross Platform ◽  
Therapeutic Needs ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Performance Computing

There is a critical need for a better multiscale and multifactorial understanding of neurological disorders, covering from genes to neuroimaging to clinical factors and treatments effects. Here we present NeuroPM-box, a cross-platform, user-friendly and open-access software for characterizing multiscale and multifactorial brain pathological mechanisms and identifying individual therapeutic needs. The implemented methods have been extensively tested and validated in the neurodegenerative context, but there is not restriction in the kind of disorders that can be analyzed. By using advanced analytic modeling of molecular, neuroimaging and/or cognitive/behavioral data, this framework allows multiple applications, including characterization of: (i) the series of sequential states (e.g. transcriptomic, imaging or clinical alterations) covering decades of disease progression, (ii) intra-brain spreading of pathological factors (e.g. amyloid and tau misfolded proteins), (iii) synergistic interactions between multiple brain biological factors (e.g. direct tau effects on vascular and structural properties), and (iv) biologically-defined patients stratification based on therapeutic needs (i.e. optimum treatments for each patient). All models outputs are biologically interpretable. A 4D-viewer allows visualization of spatiotemporal brain (dis)organization. Originally implemented in MATLAB, NeuroPM-box is compiled as standalone application for Windows, Linux and Mac environments: neuropm-lab.com/software. In a regular workstation, it can analyze over 150 subjects per day, reducing the need for using clusters or High-Performance Computing (HPC) for large-scale datasets. This open-access tool for academic researchers may significantly contribute to a better understanding of complex brain processes and to accelerating the implementation of Precision Medicine (PM) in neurology.

In vitro and in vivo synergistic interactions between the flavonoid rutin with paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Ramón Zapata-Morales ◽  
Angel Josabad Alonso-Castro ◽  
Gloria Sarahí Muñoz-Martínez ◽  
María Mayela Martínez-Rodríguez ◽  
Mónica Esther Nambo-Arcos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synergistic Interactions ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

scholarly journals Multiple system atrophy-associated oligodendroglial protein p25α stimulates formation of novel α-synuclein strain with enhanced neurodegenerative potential

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson Ferreira ◽  
Hjalte Gram ◽  
Zachary A. Sorrentino ◽  
Emil Gregersen ◽  
Sissel Ida Schmidt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple System Atrophy ◽  
Protein Misfolding ◽  
Resonance Energy Transfer ◽  
Lewy Bodies ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Alpha Synuclein ◽  
Striatal Neurons ◽  
End Stage ◽  
Intracellular Aggregates

AbstractPathology consisting of intracellular aggregates of alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn) spread through the nervous system in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. The discovery of structurally distinct α-Syn polymorphs, so-called strains, supports a hypothesis where strain-specific structures are templated into aggregates formed by native α-Syn. These distinct strains are hypothesised to dictate the spreading of pathology in the tissue and the cellular impact of the aggregates, thereby contributing to the variety of clinical phenotypes. Here, we present evidence of a novel α-Syn strain induced by the multiple system atrophy-associated oligodendroglial protein p25α. Using an array of biophysical, biochemical, cellular, and in vivo analyses, we demonstrate that compared to α-Syn alone, a substoichiometric concentration of p25α redirects α-Syn aggregation into a unique α-Syn/p25α strain with a different structure and enhanced in vivo prodegenerative properties. The α-Syn/p25α strain induced larger inclusions in human dopaminergic neurons. In vivo, intramuscular injection of preformed fibrils (PFF) of the α-Syn/p25α strain compared to α-Syn PFF resulted in a shortened life span and a distinct anatomical distribution of inclusion pathology in the brain of a human A53T transgenic (line M83) mouse. Investigation of α-Syn aggregates in brain stem extracts of end-stage mice demonstrated that the more aggressive phenotype of the α-Syn/p25α strain was associated with an increased load of α-Syn aggregates based on a Förster resonance energy transfer immunoassay and a reduced α-Syn aggregate seeding activity based on a protein misfolding cyclic amplification assay. When injected unilaterally into the striata of wild-type mice, the α-Syn/p25α strain resulted in a more-pronounced motoric phenotype than α-Syn PFF and exhibited a “tropism” for nigro-striatal neurons compared to α-Syn PFF. Overall, our data support a hypothesis whereby oligodendroglial p25α is responsible for generating a highly prodegenerative α-Syn strain in multiple system atrophy.

scholarly journals The C-Terminal Domain of LRRK2 with the G2019S Substitution Increases Mutant A53T α-Synuclein Toxicity in Dopaminergic Neurons In Vivo

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6760
Author(s):  
Noémie Cresto ◽  
Camille Gardier ◽  
Marie-Claude Gaillard ◽  
Francesco Gubinelli ◽  
Pauline Roost ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Alpha Synuclein ◽  
Post Injection ◽  
Terminal Portion ◽  
Contrast Injection ◽  
Neuron Degeneration ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
G2019s Mutation ◽  
A53t Mutation

Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) and leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) play crucial roles in Parkinson’s disease (PD). They may functionally interact to induce the degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons via mechanisms that are not yet fully understood. We previously showed that the C-terminal portion of LRRK2 (ΔLRRK2) with the G2019S mutation (ΔLRRK2G2019S) was sufficient to induce neurodegeneration of DA neurons in vivo, suggesting that mutated LRRK2 induces neurotoxicity through mechanisms that are (i) independent of the N-terminal domains and (ii) “cell-autonomous”. Here, we explored whether ΔLRRK2G2019S could modify α-syn toxicity through these two mechanisms. We used a co-transduction approach in rats with AAV vectors encoding ΔLRRK2G2019S or its “dead” kinase form, ΔLRRK2DK, and human α-syn with the A53T mutation (AAV-α-synA53T). Behavioral and histological evaluations were performed at 6- and 15-weeks post-injection. Results showed that neither form of ΔLRRK2 alone induced the degeneration of neurons at these post-injection time points. By contrast, injection of AAV-α-synA53T alone resulted in motor signs and degeneration of DA neurons. Co-injection of AAV-α-synA53T with AAV-ΔLRRK2G2019S induced DA neuron degeneration that was significantly higher than that induced by AAV-α-synA53T alone or with AAV-ΔLRRK2DK. Thus, mutated α-syn neurotoxicity can be enhanced by the C-terminal domain of LRRK2G2019 alone, through cell-autonomous mechanisms.

scholarly journals Generation of Alpha-Synuclein Preformed Fibrils from Monomers and Use In Vivo

10.3791/59758 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph R. Patterson ◽  
Nicole K. Polinski ◽  
Megan F. Duffy ◽  
Christopher J. Kemp ◽  
Kelvin C. Luk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alpha Synuclein

scholarly journals In vivo electrophysiology of nigral and thalamic neurons in alpha-synuclein-overexpressing mice highlights differences from toxin-based models of parkinsonism

2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (12) ◽  
pp. 2792-2805 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Lobb ◽  
A. K. Zaheer ◽  
Y. Smith ◽  
D. Jaeger
Keyword(s):  
Primary Motor Cortex ◽  
Alpha Synuclein ◽  
Motor Dysfunction ◽  
Motor Deficits ◽  
Dopamine Depletion ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Beta Oscillations ◽  
Nigrostriatal Dopamine ◽  
6 Hydroxydopamine

Numerous studies have suggested that alpha-synuclein plays a prominent role in both familial and idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). Mice in which human alpha-synuclein is overexpressed (ASO) display progressive motor deficits and many nonmotor features of PD. However, it is unclear what in vivo pathophysiological mechanisms drive these motor deficits. It is also unknown whether previously proposed pathophysiological features (i.e., increased beta oscillations, bursting, and synchronization) described in toxin-based, nigrostriatal dopamine-depletion models are also present in ASO mice. To address these issues, we first confirmed that 5- to 6-mo-old ASO mice have robust motor dysfunction, despite the absence of significant nigrostriatal dopamine degeneration. In the same animals, we then recorded simultaneous single units and local field potentials (LFPs) in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr), the main basal ganglia output nucleus, and one of its main thalamic targets, the ventromedial nucleus, as well as LFPs in the primary motor cortex in anesthetized ASO mice and their age-matched, wild-type littermates. Neural activity was examined during slow wave activity and desynchronized cortical states, as previously described in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats. In contrast to toxin-based models, we found a small decrease, rather than an increase, in beta oscillations in the desynchronized state. Similarly, synchronized burst firing of nigral neurons observed in toxin-based models was not observed in ASO mice. Instead, we found more subtle changes in pauses of SNpr firing compared with wild-type control mice. Our results suggest that the pathophysiology underlying motor dysfunction in ASO mice is distinctly different from striatal dopamine-depletion models of parkinsonism.

scholarly journals In Vitro Activities of Voriconazole in Combination with Three Other Antifungal Agents against Candida glabrata

2004 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 3317-3322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Barchiesi ◽  
Elisabetta Spreghini ◽  
Monia Maracci ◽  
Annette W. Fothergill ◽  
Isabella Baldassarri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Glabrata ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Synergistic Interactions ◽  
Microdilution Method ◽  
Broth Microdilution Method ◽  
Disk Diffusion Assay ◽  
Combination Regimens

ABSTRACT Candida glabrata has recently emerged as a significant pathogen involved in both superficial and deep-seated infections. In the present study, a checkerboard broth microdilution method was performed to investigate the in vitro activities of voriconazole (VOR) in combination with terbinafine (TRB), amphotericin B (AMB), and flucytosine (5FC) against 20 clinical isolates of C. glabrata. Synergy, defined as a fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index of ≤0.50, was observed in 75% of VOR-TRB, 10% of VOR-AMB, and 5% of VOR-5FC interactions. None of these combinations yielded antagonistic interactions (FIC index > 4). When synergy was not achieved, there was still a decrease in the MIC of one or both drugs used in the combination. In particular, the MICs were reduced to ≤1.0 μg/ml as a result of the combination for all isolates for which the AMB MIC at the baseline was ≥2.0 μg/ml. By a disk diffusion assay, the halo diameters produced by antifungal agents in combination were greater that those produced by each drug alone. Finally, killing curves showed that VOR-AMB exhibited synergistic interactions, while VOR-5FC sustained fungicidal activities against C. glabrata. These studies demonstrate that the in vitro activity of VOR against this important yeast pathogen can be enhanced upon combination with other drugs that have different modes of action or that target a different step in the ergosterol pathway. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the potential beneficial effects of such combination regimens in vivo.

Preparation of fibrils for intracerebral injection v1

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
The Michael J Fox Foundation Pff Standardization Consortium
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
External Validation ◽  
Alpha Synuclein ◽  
Intracerebral Injection ◽  
Primary Neuron ◽  
Consensus Protocol ◽  
Reference Section

This is a consensus protocol developed through discussions with Laura Volpicelli-Daley, Caryl Sortwell, Kelvin Luk, Lindsey Gottler, and Virginia Lee. This protocol is intended for research purposes only, using specially-formulated monomeric alpha-synuclein protein available for purchase at Proteos, Inc as the result of efforts by The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF). Each batch of the “Alpha-Synuclein Monomer Protein for Making Pre- Formed Fibrils” has undergone internal purification and quality control at Proteos in addition to external validation to confirm successful generation of pathogenic aSyn PFFs. See Reference section for methods and results from application of alpha-synuclein pre-formed fibrils (aSyn PFFs) in primary neuron cultures in vitro or in mice in vivo. This protocol is referenced in the Polinski et al 2018 paper entitled "Best Practices for Generating and Using Alpha-Synuclein Pre-Formed Fibrils to Model Parkinson's Disease in Rodents" (doi: 10.3233/JPD-171248).

Protocol for Generation of Pre-Formed Fibrils from Alpha-Synuclein Monomer v1

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
The Michael J Fox Foundation Pff Standardization Consortium
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Quality Control ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
External Validation ◽  
Alpha Synuclein ◽  
Primary Neuron ◽  
Consensus Protocol ◽  
Reference Section

This is a consensus protocol developed through discussions with Laura Volpicelli-Daley, Caryl Sortwell, Kelvin Luk, Lindsey Gottler, and Virginia Lee. This protocol is intended for research purposes only, using specially-formulated monomeric alpha-synuclein protein available for purchase at Proteos, Inc as the result of efforts by The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF). Each batch of the “Alpha-Synuclein Monomer Protein for Making Pre- Formed Fibrils” has undergone internal purification and quality control at Proteos in addition to external validation to confirm successful generation of pathogenic aSyn PFFs. See Reference section for methods and results from application of alpha-synuclein pre-formed fibrils (aSyn PFFs) in primary neuron cultures in vitro or in mice in vivo. This protocol is referenced in the Polinski et al 2018 paper entitled "Best Practices for Generating and Using Alpha-Synuclein Pre-Formed Fibrils to Model Parkinson's Disease in Rodents" (doi: 10.3233/JPD-171248).

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