scholarly journals Aggregation chimeras provide evidence of in vivo intercellular correction in ovine CLN6 neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (Batten disease)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy A. Barry ◽  
Graham W. Kay ◽  
Nadia L. Mitchell ◽  
Samantha J. Murray ◽  
Nigel P. Jay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vision Loss ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis ◽  
Batten Disease ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Glial Activation ◽  
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses ◽  
Lysosomal Storage ◽  
Storage Body

AbstractThe neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs; Batten disease) are fatal, mainly childhood, inherited neurodegenerative lysosomal storage diseases. Sheep affected with a CLN6 form display progressive regionally defined glial activation and subsequent neurodegeneration, indicating that neuroinflammation may be causative of pathogenesis. In this study, aggregation chimeras were generated from homozygous unaffected normal and CLN6 affected sheep embryos, resulting in seven chimeric animals with varied proportions of normal to affected cells. These sheep were classified as affected-like, recovering-like or normal-like, based on their cell-genotype ratios and their clinical and neuropathological profiles.Neuropathological examination of the affected-like animals revealed intense glial activation, prominent storage body accumulation and severe neurodegeneration within all cortical brain regions, along with vision loss and decreasing intracranial volumes and cortical thicknesses consistent with ovine CLN6 disease. In contrast, intercellular communication affecting pathology was evident at both the gross and histological level in the normal-like and recovering-like chimeras, resulting in a lack of glial activation and rare storage body accumulation in only a few cells. Initial intracranial volumes of the recovering-like chimeras were below normal but progressively recovered to about normal by two years of age. All had normal cortical thicknesses, and none went blind. Extended neurogenesis was evident in the brains of all the chimeras.This study indicates that although CLN6 is a membrane bound protein, the consequent defect is not cell intrinsic. The lack of glial activation and inflammatory responses in the normal-like and recovering-like chimeras indicate that newly generated cells are borne into a microenvironment conducive to maturation and survival.

VALPROIC ACID EXTENDS LIFESPAN OF THE ZEBRAFISH MODEL OF CLN2 DISEASE (LATE INFANTILE NEURONAL CEROID LIPOFUSCINOSIS)

2015 ◽  
Vol 86 (11) ◽  
pp. e4.153-e4
Author(s):  
Fahad Mahmood ◽  
Anselm Zdebik ◽  
Alexandra Au ◽  
Jennifer Cooke ◽  
Claire Russell
Keyword(s):  
Seizure Activity ◽  
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis ◽  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Intractable Epilepsy ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses ◽  
Lysosomal Storage ◽  
Zebrafish Model ◽  
Lysosomal Protease

CLN2 disease is a subtype of the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), a group of lysosomal storage disorders causing progressive, untreatable, neurodegeneration, intractable epilepsy and premature death in children. We have developed a permanent genetic zebrafish model of CLN2 disease due to a mutation in tpp1 encoding the lysosomal protease Tripeptidyl-peptidase-1 that replicates the neurodegenerative and storage phenotype. We hypothesize that CLN2 zebrafish display electrical and behavioural evidence of seizure activity that responds to established anti-convulsants and can further be used to develop novel therapeutic approaches.To validate the presence of seizures we performed single electrode electroencephalography showing CLN2 zebrafish had increased spiking activity vs wildtype with Fast-Fourier transform showing significantly increased amplitude about 2–4Hz. This was attenuated by Valproate (p=0.049), but not pentobarbitone. We also demonstrate that Valproate significantly reduces seizure-related movement bouts, thereby correlating movements and epileptiform activity. Lastly, we show exposure to Valproate significantly extends the lifespan of our zebrafish model with mortality between 3–6 days post-fertilization 8.33% in treated vs 33.3% in controls (p=0.01).The CLN2 zebrafish model thus displays electrical and behavioural seizure activity that can be attenuated by Valproate, with associated prolongation in survival. Moreover this model can utilize high-throughput in vivo screening assays to develop novel anti-convulsants.

scholarly journals Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Models for Phenotypic Screening in the Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (20) ◽  
pp. 6235
Author(s):  
Ahmed Morsy ◽  
Angelica V. Carmona ◽  
Paul C. Trippier
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis ◽  
Batten Disease ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses ◽  
Phenotypic Screening ◽  
Lysosomal Storage ◽  
Induced Pluripotent

Batten disease or neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is a group of rare, fatal, inherited neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorders. Numerous genes (CLN1–CLN8, CLN10–CLN14) were identified in which mutations can lead to NCL; however, the underlying pathophysiology remains elusive. Despite this, the NCLs share some of the same features and symptoms but vary in respect to severity and onset of symptoms by age. Some common symptoms include the progressive loss of vision, mental and motor deterioration, epileptic seizures, premature death, and in the rare adult-onset, dementia. Currently, all forms of NCL are fatal, and no curative treatments are available. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can differentiate into any cell type of the human body. Cells reprogrammed from a patient have the advantage of acquiring disease pathogenesis along with recapitulation of disease-associated phenotypes. They serve as practical model systems to shed new light on disease mechanisms and provide a phenotypic screening platform to enable drug discovery. Herein, we provide an overview of available iPSC models for a number of different NCLs. More specifically, we highlight findings in these models that may spur target identification and drug development.

scholarly journals Natural History of Retinal Degeneration in Ovine Models of CLN5 and CLN6 Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha J Murray ◽  
Nadia L Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Batten Disease ◽  
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses ◽  
Optimal Timing ◽  
Lysosomal Storage ◽  
Retinal Layers ◽  
Differential Vulnerability ◽  
History Of

Abstract Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL; Batten disease) are a group of inherited neurodegenerative diseases with a common set of symptoms including cognitive and motor decline and vision loss. Naturally occurring sheep models of CLN5 and CLN6 disease display the key clinical features of NCL, including a progressive loss of vision. We assessed retinal histology, inflammation, and lysosomal storage accumulation in CLN5 affected (CLN5−/−) and CLN6 affected (CLN6−/−) sheep eyes and age-matched controls at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months of age to determine the onset and progression of retinal pathology in NCL sheep. The retina of CLN5−/− sheep shows progressive atrophy of the outer retinal layers, widespread inflammation, and accumulation of lysosomal storage in retinal ganglion cells late in disease. In contrast, CLN6−/− retina shows significant atrophy of all retinal layers, progressive inflammation, and earlier accumulation of lysosomal storage. This study has highlighted the differential vulnerability of retinal layers and the time course of retinal atrophy in two distinct models of NCL disease. This data will be valuable in determining potential targets for ocular therapies and the optimal timing of these therapies for protection from retinal dysfunction and degeneration in NCL.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial collapse links PFKFB3-promoted glycolysis with CLN7/MFSD8 neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis pathogenesis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Lopez-Fabuel ◽  
Marina Garcia-Macia ◽  
Costantina Buondelmonte ◽  
Olga Burmistrova ◽  
Nicolo Bonora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis ◽  
Batten Disease ◽  
Glycolytic Enzyme ◽  
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Biochemical Processes ◽  
Lysosomal Accumulation ◽  
Lysosomal Membrane Glycoprotein

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a family of monogenic life-limiting pediatric neurodegenerative disorders collectively known as Batten disease1. Although genetically heterogeneous2, NCLs share several clinical symptoms and pathological hallmarks such as lysosomal accumulation of lipofuscin and astrogliosis2,3. CLN7 disease belongs to a group of NCLs that present in late infancy4–6 and, whereas CLN7/MFSD8 gene is known to encode a lysosomal membrane glycoprotein4,7–9, the biochemical processes affected by CLN7-loss of function are unexplored thus preventing development of potential treatments1,10. Here, we found in the Cln7Δex2 mouse model11 of CLN7 disease that failure in the autophagy-lysosomal pathway causes accumulation of structurally and bioenergetically impaired, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-producing neuronal mitochondria that contribute to CLN7 pathogenesis. Cln7Δex2 neurons exhibit a metabolic shift mediated by pro-glycolytic enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase-3 (PFKFB3). PFKFB3 inhibition in Cln7Δex2 mice in vivo and in CLN7 patients-derived cells rectified key disease hallmarks. Thus, specifically targeting glycolysis may alleviate CLN7 pathogenesis.

scholarly journals Outcomes of Progranulin Gene Therapy in the Retina are Dependent on Time of Delivery

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilia A. Zin ◽  
Daisy Han ◽  
Jennifer Tran ◽  
Nikolas Morisson-Welch ◽  
Meike Visel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis ◽  
Cerebellar Atrophy ◽  
Gene Replacement ◽  
Therapeutic Benefit ◽  
Lysosomal Function ◽  
Knockout Mouse Model

AbstractNeuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is a family of neurodegenerative diseases caused by mutations to genes related to lysosomal function. One variant, CNL11, is caused by mutations to the gene encoding the protein progranulin. Primarily secreted by microglia, progranulin regulates neuronal lysosomal function once endocytosed. Absence of progranulin causes cerebellar atrophy, seizures, ataxia, dementia and vision loss. As progranulin gene therapies targeting the brain are developed, it is also advantageous to focus on the retina, as its characteristics are beneficial for gene therapy development: the retina is easily visible through direct imaging, can be assessed through quantitative methods in vivo, requires smaller amounts of AAV and AAV can be administered via a less invasive surgery. In this study we characterize the retinal degeneration in a progranulin knockout mouse model of CLN11 and study the effects of gene replacement at different time points. All mice heterologously expressing progranulin showed reduction in lipofuscin deposits and microglia infiltration. While mice that receive systemic AAV9.2YF-scCAG-PGRN at post-natal day 3 or 4 show a reduction in retina thinning, mice injected intravitreally at months 1 and 6 with 7m8-scCAG-PGRN show no improvement, and mice injected at 12 months of age show increased retinal thinning in comparison to their controls. Thus, delivery of progranulin proves to be time-sensitive, requiring early administration for optimal therapeutic benefit.

scholarly journals Modelling of Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis Type 2 in Dictyostelium discoideum Suggests That Cytopathological Outcomes Result from Altered TOR Signalling

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paige K. Smith ◽  
Melodi G. Sen ◽  
Paul R. Fisher ◽  
Sarah J. Annesley
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Batten Disease ◽  
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses ◽  
Antisense Inhibition ◽  
Phenotypic Characterisation ◽  
Cellular Slime ◽  
Multiple Cell

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses comprise a group of neurodegenerative disorders with similar clinical manifestations whose precise mechanisms of disease are presently unknown. We created multiple cell lines each with different levels of reduction of expression of the gene coding for the type 2 variant of the disease, Tripeptidyl peptidase (Tpp1), in the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum. Knocking down Tpp1 in Dictyostelium resulted in the accumulation of autofluorescent material, a characteristic trait of Batten disease. Phenotypic characterisation of the mutants revealed phenotypic deficiencies in growth and development, whilst endocytic uptake of nutrients was enhanced. Furthermore, the severity of the phenotypes correlated with the expression levels of Tpp1. We propose that the phenotypic defects are due to altered Target of Rapamycin (TOR) signalling. We show that treatment of wild type Dictyostelium cells with rapamycin (a specific TOR complex inhibitor) or antisense inhibition of expression of Rheb (Ras homologue enriched in the brain) (an upstream TOR complex activator) phenocopied the Tpp1 mutants. We also show that overexpression of Rheb rescued the defects caused by antisense inhibition of Tpp1. These results suggest that the TOR signalling pathway is responsible for the cytopathological outcomes in the Dictyostelium Tpp1 model of Batten disease.

scholarly journals Murine Cathepsin F Deficiency Causes Neuronal Lipofuscinosis and Late-Onset Neurological Disease

2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 2309-2316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Hui Tang ◽  
Je-Wook Lee ◽  
Michael G. Galvez ◽  
Liliane Robillard ◽  
Sara E. Mole ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis ◽  
Lysosomal Storage ◽  
Cysteine Cathepsin ◽  
Lysosomal Cysteine Protease ◽  
Leg Weakness ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Cathepsin F

ABSTRACT Cathepsin F (cat F) is a widely expressed lysosomal cysteine protease whose in vivo role is unknown. To address this issue, mice deficient in cat F were generated via homologous recombination. Although cat F−/− mice appeared healthy and reproduced normally, they developed progressive hind leg weakness and decline in motor coordination at 12 to 16 months of age, followed by significant weight loss and death within 6 months. cat F was found to be expressed throughout the central nervous system (CNS). cat F−/− neurons accumulated eosinophilic granules that had features typical of lysosomal lipofuscin by electron microscopy. Large amounts of autofluorescent lipofuscin, characteristic of the neurodegenerative disease neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), accumulated throughout the CNS but not in visceral organs, beginning as early as 6 weeks of age. Pronounced gliosis, an indicator of neuronal stress and neurodegeneration, was also apparent in older cat F−/− mice. cat F is the only cysteine cathepsin whose inactivation alone causes a lysosomal storage defect and progressive neurological features in mice. The late onset suggests that this gene may be a candidate for adult-onset NCL.

scholarly journals Modulation of CRMP2 via (S)-Lacosamide shows therapeutic promise but is ultimately ineffective in a mouse model of CLN6-Batten disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine A. White ◽  
Jacob T. Cain ◽  
Helen Magee ◽  
Seul Ki Yeon ◽  
Ki Duk Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Batten Disease ◽  
Glial Activation ◽  
Neuronal Cultures ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Collapsin Response Mediator Protein ◽  
Mediator Protein

Abstract CLN6-Batten disease is a rare neurodegenerative disorder with no cure, characterized by accumulation of lipofuscin in the lysosome, glial activation, and neuronal death. Here we test the therapeutic efficacy of modulating collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) activity via S-N-benzy-2-acetamido-3-methoxypropionamide ((S)-Lacosamide) in a mouse model of CLN6-Batten disease. Promisingly, mouse neuronal cultures as well as Cln6 patient fibroblasts treated with varying concentrations of (S)-Lacosamide showed positive restoration of lysosomal associated deficits. However, while acute in vivo treatment enhanced glial activation in 3-month-old Cln6 mutant mice, chronic treatment over several months did not improve behavioral or long-term survival outcomes. Therefore, modulation of CRMP2 activity via (S)-Lacosamide alone is unlikely to be a viable therapeutic target for CLN6-Batten disease.

scholarly journals Release of acidic store calcium is required for effective priming of the NLRP3 inflammasome

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Platt ◽  
Dawn Shepherd ◽  
Yuzhe Weng ◽  
Grant Charles Churchill ◽  
Antony Galione ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nlrp3 Inflammasome ◽  
Calcium Release ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Lysosomal Storage ◽  
Release Channel ◽  
Type C ◽  
Niemann Pick ◽  
Lysosomal Protein

The lysosome is a dynamic signaling organelle that is critical for cell functioning. It is a regulated calcium store that can contribute to Ca2+-regulated processes via both local calcium release and more globally by influencing ER Ca2+release. Here, we provide evidence from studies of an authentic mouse model of the lysosomal storage disease Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) that has reduced lysosomal Ca2+ levels, and genetically modified mice in which the two-pore lysosomal Ca2+ release channel family are deleted that lysosomal Ca2+ signaling is required for normal pro-inflammatory responses. We demonstrate that production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta via the NLRP3 inflammasome is significantly reduced in murine Niemann-Pick Type C, the inhibition is selective because secretion of TNF alpha is not diminished, and it is a consequence of inefficient inflammasome priming. Synthesis of precursor ProIL-1 beta is significantly reduced in macrophages genetically deficient in the lysosomal protein Npc1, which is mutated in most clinical cases of NPC, and in wild type cells in which Npc1 activity is pharmacologically inhibited. Comparable reductions in ProIL-1 beta generation were measured in vitro and in vivo by macrophages genetically altered to lack expression of the two-pore lysosomal Ca2+ release channels Tpcn1 or Tpcn2. These data demonstrate a requirement for lysosome-dependent Ca2+ signaling in the generation of specific pro-inflammatory responses.

scholarly journals Neonatal brain-directed gene therapy rescues a mouse model of neurodegenerative CLN6 Batten disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (23) ◽  
pp. 3867-3879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophia-Martha kleine Holthaus ◽  
Saul Herranz-Martin ◽  
Giulia Massaro ◽  
Mikel Aristorena ◽  
Justin Hoke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Batten Disease ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Lysosomal Storage ◽  
Enzyme Replacement

Abstract The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), more commonly referred to as Batten disease, are a group of inherited lysosomal storage disorders that present with neurodegeneration, loss of vision and premature death. There are at least 13 genetically distinct forms of NCL. Enzyme replacement therapies and pre-clinical studies on gene supplementation have shown promising results for NCLs caused by lysosomal enzyme deficiencies. The development of gene therapies targeting the brain for NCLs caused by defects in transmembrane proteins has been more challenging and only limited therapeutic effects in animal models have been achieved so far. Here, we describe the development of an adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy to treat the neurodegeneration in a mouse model of CLN6 disease, a form of NCL with a deficiency in the membrane-bound protein CLN6. We show that neonatal bilateral intracerebroventricular injections with AAV9 carrying CLN6 increase lifespan by more than 90%, maintain motor skills and motor coordination and reduce neuropathological hallmarks of Cln6-deficient mice up to 23 months post vector administration. These data demonstrate that brain-directed gene therapy is a valid strategy to treat the neurodegeneration of CLN6 disease and may be applied to other forms of NCL caused by transmembrane protein deficiencies in the future.

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