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Age-related motor neuron degeneration in DNA repair-deficient Ercc1 mice.

ABSTRACT: Degeneration of motor neurons contributes to senescence-associated loss of muscle function and underlies human neurodegenerative conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy. The identification of genetic factors contributing to motor neuron vulnerability and degenerative phenotypes in vivo are therefore important for our understanding of the neuromuscular system in health and disease. Here, we analyzed neurodegenerative abnormalities in the spinal cord of progeroid Ercc1(Delta/-) mice that are impaired in several DNA repair systems, i.e. nucleotide excision repair, interstrand crosslink repair, and double strand break repair. Ercc1(Delta/-) mice develop age-dependent motor abnormalities, and have a shortened life span of 6-7 months. Pathologically, Ercc1(Delta/-) mice develop widespread astrocytosis and microgliosis, and motor neuron loss and denervation of skeletal muscle fibers. Degenerating motor neurons in many occasions expressed genotoxic-responsive transcription factors p53 or ATF3, and in addition, displayed a range of Golgi apparatus abnormalities. Furthermore, Ercc1(Delta/-) motor neurons developed perikaryal and axonal intermediate filament abnormalities reminiscent of cytoskeletal pathology observed in aging spinal cord. Our findings support the notion that accumulation of DNA damage and genotoxic stress may contribute to neuronal aging and motor neuron vulnerability in human neuromuscular disorders.

SUBMITTER: de Waard MC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2923326 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Age-related motor neuron degeneration in DNA repair-deficient Ercc1 mice.

de Waard Monique C MC van der Pluijm Ingrid I Zuiderveen Borgesius Nils N Comley Laura H LH Haasdijk Elize D ED Rijksen Yvonne Y Ridwan Yanto Y Zondag Gerben G Hoeijmakers Jan H J JH Elgersma Ype Y Gillingwater Thomas H TH Jaarsma Dick D

Acta neuropathologica 20100704 4

Degeneration of motor neurons contributes to senescence-associated loss of muscle function and underlies human neurodegenerative conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy. The identification of genetic factors contributing to motor neuron vulnerability and degenerative phenotypes in vivo are therefore important for our understanding of the neuromuscular system in health and disease. Here, we analyzed neurodegenerative abnormalities in the spinal cord of progero ...[more]

PMID: 20602234

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Project description:BackgroundThe functional deterioration and loss of motor neurons are tightly associated with degenerative motor neuron diseases and aging-related muscle wasting. Motor neuron diseases or aging-related muscle wasting in turn contribute to increased risk of adverse health outcomes in the elderly. Cdon (cell adhesion molecule-downregulated oncogene) belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecule and plays essential roles in multiple signalling pathways, including sonic hedgehog (Shh), netrin, and cadherin-mediated signalling. Cdon as a Shh coreceptor plays a critical role in motor neuron specification during embryonic development. However, its role in adult motor neuron function is unknown.MethodsHb9-Cre recombinase-driven motor neuron-specific Cdon deficient mice (mnKO) and a compound mutant mice (mnKO::SOD1G93A ) were generated to investigate the role of Cdon in motor neuron degeneration. Motor neuron regeneration was examined by using a sciatic nerve crush injury model. To investigate the phenotype, physical activity, compound muscle action potential, immunostaining, and transmission electron microscopy were carried out. In the mechanism study, RNA sequencing and RNA/protein analyses were employed.ResultsMice lacking Cdon in motor neurons exhibited middle age onset lethality and aging-related decline in motor function. In the sciatic nerve crush injury model, mnKO mice exhibited an impairment in motor function recovery evident by prolonged compound muscle action potential duration (4.63 ± 0.35 vs. 3.93 ± 0.22 s for f/f, P < 0.01) and physical activity. Consistently, neuromuscular junctions of mnKO muscles were incompletely occupied (49.79 ± 5.74 vs. 79.39 ± 3.77% fully occupied neuromuscular junctions for f/f, P < 0.0001), suggesting an impaired reinnervation. The transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that mnKO sciatic nerves had smaller axon diameter (0.88 ± 0.13 vs. 1.43 ± 0.48 μm for f/f, P < 0.0001) and myelination defects. RNA sequencing of mnKO lumbar spinal cords showed alteration in genes related to neurogenesis, inflammation and cell death. Among the altered genes, ErbB4 and FgfR expressions were significantly altered in mnKO as well as in Cdon-depleted NSC34 motor neuron cells. Consistently, Cdon-depleted NSC34 cells exhibited elevated levels of cleaved Caspase3 and γH2AX proteins, as well as Bax transcription. Cdon-depleted NSC34 cells also exhibited impaired activation of Akt in response to neuregulin-1 (NRG1) treatment.ConclusionsOur current data demonstrate the functional importance of Cdon in motor neuron function and nerve repair. Cdon ablation causes alterations in neurotrophin signalling that leads to motor neuron degeneration.

Project description:The first goal of the study was to find the genes that explain the difference in progression of age-related retinal degeneration (ageRD) between the inbred strains C57BL/6J-c2J (B6a) and BALB/cByJ (C). The specific goal was to find the candidate genes that explain the chromosome 6 and chromosome 10 quantitative trait loci (QTL) found in a previous study. Genes differentially expressed in retina between both strains and that map to the QTL are candidate genes. By integrating different approaches: microarray study, knowledge-based candidate gene search and screening of genetic variants, we found 35 candidate genes for chromosome 6 QTL and 14 candidate genes for chromosome 10 QTL. Five genes for each QTL were selected for sequencing and qPCR analysis. One gene, Tnfaip3 was selected for phenotypic testing and was excluded as the quantitative trait gene for chr10 QTL. The second goal of the study was to find biological processes and pathways associated with ageRD by Gene Ontology analysis of the microarray data. We concentrated on GO terms overrepresented in either strain at 8 months; the age when there is a difference in the phenotype (outer nuclear layer thickness). The GO analysis revealed that transcripts associated with inflammation, mitochondrial envelope, DNA repairing and oxidative stress were increased in the ageRD sensitive C strain with age (8 months). In the ageRD resistant B6a strain transcripts associated with antioxidant response, regulation of blood vessel size and growth factor activity were increased with age. Transcripts associated with cell remodeling and lipid metabolism were increased in either strain with age. This study aims to identify gene expression differences in posterior eyecups between the strains C and B6a at 4 months and at 8 months. Twelve animals were used per strain and time point for a total of 48 mice. Total RNA for 3 animals (6 eyes) were pooled giving a total of 4 biological replicates per strain and time point. The 4-month C samples labeled with Cy5 were hybridized with the 4-month B6a samples labeled with Cy3 (4 biological replicates); the 8-month C samples labeled with Cy5 were hybridized with the 8-month B6a samples labeled with Cy3, for 8 arrays (4 biological replicates). A second set of eight arrays were used to analyzed the same RNA samples but with the dye orientation reversed, yielding a total of 16 arrays in the experiment. Set of arrays organized by shared biological context, such as organism, tumors types, processes, etc.

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Age-related motor neuron degeneration in DNA repair-deficient Ercc1 mice.

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Age-related motor neuron degeneration in DNA repair-deficient Ercc1 mice.

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