PolyGR and polyPR knock-in mice reveal a conserved neuroprotective extracellular matrix signature in C9orf72 ALS/FTD neurons

ABSTRACT: A GGGGCC repeat expansion in C9orf72 is the most common genetic cause of ALS and FTD (C9ALS/FTD). Dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins, generated by translation of the expanded repeat, are a major pathogenic feature of C9ALS/FTD pathology, but their physiological impact has yet to be fully determined. Here, we generated C9orf72 DPR knock-in mouse models characterised by expression of 400 codon-optimised polyGR or polyPR repeats, and heterozygous C9orf72 reduction. (GR)400 and (PR)400 knock-in mice recapitulate key features of C9ALS/FTD, including cortical neuronal hyperexcitability, age-dependent spinal motor neuron loss and progressive motor dysfunction. Quantitative proteomics revealed an increase in extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in (GR)400 and (PR)400 spinal cord, with the collagen COL6A1 the most increased protein. This increase in ECM protein levels looked to be a conserved feature of C9ALS/FTD, with a similar signature also present in C9ALS patient iPSC-motor neurons. TGF-β1 was one of the top predicted regulators of this ECM signature and polyGR expression in human iPSC-neurons was sufficient to induce TGF-β1 followed by COL6A1. Knockdown of TGF-β1 or COL6A1 orthologues in polyGR model Drosophila exacerbated neurodegeneration, while expression of TGF-β1 or COL6A1 in C9ALS/FTD patient iPSC motor neurons protected against glutamate-induced cell death. Altogether, our C9orf72 DPR knock-in mice have revealed a neuroprotective and conserved ECM signature in C9ALS/FTD.

INSTRUMENT(S): Orbitrap Fusion Lumos

ORGANISM(S): Mus Musculus (mouse)

TISSUE(S): Brain, Cerebral Cortex, Diploid Cell

SUBMITTER: Raja Sekhar Nirujogi  

LAB HEAD: Adrian Isaacs

PROVIDER: PXD047502 | Pride | 2024-03-04

REPOSITORIES: Pride