Project description:Microarray analysis has been applied to the study of ALS in order to investigate gene expression in whole spinal cord homogenates of SOD1 G93A mice and human ALS cases, although the massive presence of glial cells and inflammatory factors has made it difficult to define which gene expression changes were motor neuron specific. Recently, laser capture microdissection (LCM), combined with microarray analysis, has allowed the identification of motor neuron specific changes in gene expression in human ALS cases. The aim of the present study is to combine LCM and microarray analysis to study how motor neurons in the spinal cord of transgenic SOD1 G93A mice and transgenic SOD1 WT respond to stimuli determined by the presence of the human mutant protein throughout the evolution of the stages in motor neuron injury Experiment Overall Design: Motor neurons have been isolated from the spinal cord of G93A mice and non transgenic littermates at different time points and the transcription expression profile of the isolated motor neurons has been analysed
Project description:SOD1*G93A transgenic mice were treated with PF-04457845 (a FAAH inhibitor)or vehicle . PF-04457845 extended survival of SOD1*G93A transgenic mice and resucued loss of motor neurons.
Project description:SOD1*G93A transgenic mice were treated with PF-04457845 (a FAAH inhibitor)or vehicle . PF-04457845 extended survival of SOD1*G93A transgenic mice and resucued loss of motor neurons.
Project description:Microarray analysis has been applied to the study of ALS in order to investigate gene expression in whole spinal cord homogenates of SOD1 G93A mice and human ALS cases, although the massive presence of glial cells and inflammatory factors has made it difficult to define which gene expression changes were motor neuron specific. Recently, laser capture microdissection (LCM), combined with microarray analysis, has allowed the identification of motor neuron specific changes in gene expression in human ALS cases. The aim of the present study is to combine LCM and microarray analysis to study how motor neurons in the spinal cord of transgenic SOD1 G93A mice and transgenic SOD1 WT respond to stimuli determined by the presence of the human mutant protein throughout the evolution of the stages in motor neuron injury Keywords: Murine motor neurons
Project description:Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the selective loss of motor neurons. While the contribution of peripheral organs remains incompletely understood, recent evidence suggests that brown adipose tissue (BAT) and its secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) could play a role in diseased context as ALS. In this study, we employed a multi-omics approach, including RNA sequencing and proteomics, to investigate the alterations in BAT and its EVs in the SOD1-G93A mouse model of ALS. Our results revealed significant changes in the proteomic and transcriptomic profiles of BAT from SOD1-G93A mice, highlighting ALS-related features such as mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired differentiation capacity. Specifically, primary brown adipocytes (PBAs) from SOD1-G93A mice exhibited differentiation impairment, respiratory defects, and alterations in mitochondrial dynamics. Furthermore, the BAT-derived EVs from SOD1-G93A mice displayed distinct changes in size distribution and cargo content, which negatively impacted the differentiation and homeostasis of C2C12 murine myoblasts, as well as induced atrophy in C2C12-derived myotubes. These findings suggest that BAT undergoes pathological perturbations in ALS, contributing to skeletal muscle degeneration through the secretion of dysfunctional EVs. This study provides novel insights into the role of BAT in ALS pathogenesis and highlights potential therapeutic targets for mitigating muscle wasting in ALS patients.
Project description:Microarray analysis has been applied to the study of ALS in order to investigate gene expression in whole spinal cord homogenates of SOD1 G93A mice and human ALS cases, although the massive presence of glial cells and inflammatory factors has made it difficult to define which gene expression changes were motor neuron specific. Recently, laser capture microdissection (LCM), combined with microarray analysis, has allowed the identification of motor neuron specific changes in gene expression in mouse and human ALS cases. The aim of the present study is to combine LCM and microarray analysis to compare the gene expression profiles of motor neurons from two SOD1G93A mouse strains (129Sv and C57) with different progression of the disease in order to discover the molecular mechanisms that may contribute to the distinct phenotypes and to uncover factors underlying fast and slow disease progression Motor neurons have been isolated from the spinal cord of 129SvG93A mice, C57G93A mice and non transgenic littermates at different time points and the transcription expression profile of the isolated motor neurons has been analysed
Project description:The transgenic mice expressing the human mutated form (G93A) of the SOD1 gene represent a valuable model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). SOD1 is one of the main causative genes of familial ALS which accounts for 10% of cases. These transgenic animals develop a motorneuronal pathology that recapitulates well the neuropathological features occuring in ALS patients, and the progression of the disease can be monitored by a series of motor tests. Gastrocnemius is the first and most affected muscle in the disease, while triceps is relatively spared. Gene expression data of degenerating motor neurons at different disease stages are already available, while gene expression data on the muscle tissue are missing. Our aim is to define the role of muscle in motor neuron degeneration in ALS. Keywords: Single stage analysis (presymptomatic stage, 7 week-old mice) We considered two sets of muscle at presymptomatic stage (7 weeks): gastrocnemius and triceps from 4 transgenic SOD1G93A and 4 non-transgenic mice (NTg).
Project description:Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) involves the degeneration of brain and spinal cord motor neurons. Mutations in Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1), TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) and Fused-in-Sarcoma (FUS) account for 20-30 % of the familial ALS (fALS) cases. The RNA-binding proteins TDP-43 and FUS function in mRNA and miRNA biogenesis. MiRNAs are required for survival of neurons and deregulation of miRNA expression has been reported in several neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we report the dysregulation of DROSHA, DGCR8, and DICER in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells expressing the ALS-associated SOD1(G93A) mutant protein. MiRNA profiling in SH-SY5Y/SOD1(G93A) cells and transgenic SOD1(G93A) mice revealed upregulation of miR-129-5p at the early stage of disease. Moreover, miR-129-5p is also upregulated in lymphocytes of sporadic ALS patients. We demonstrate that miR-129-5p targets ELAVL4/HuD mRNA by binding to its 3’ UTR, which reduces HuD expression and impairs differentiation and neurite outgrowth. Conversely, treatment with an antagomir or complementation with HuD protein restores neuritogenesis. Collectively, our study identifies miR-129-5p and HuD as key regulators of neuronal differentiation and as potential therapeutic targets for ALS.
Project description:Gene expression changes in spinal motor neurons of the SOD1G93A-transgenic model for ALS after treatment with G-CSF. To gain insight into the mode of action of G-CSF, we performed gene expression profiling on isolated lumbar motor neurons from SOD1G93A mice, the most frequently studied animal model for ALS, with and without G-CSF treatment.
Project description:The transgenic mice expressing the human mutated form (G93A) of the SOD1 gene represent a valuable model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). SOD1 is one of the main causative genes of familial ALS which accounts for 10% of cases. These transgenic animals develop a motorneuronal pathology that recapitulates well the neuropatological features occuring in ALS patients, and the progression of the disease can be monitored by a series of motor tests. Gastrocnemius is first and most affected muscle in the disease, while triceps is relatively spared. Gene expression data of degenerating motor neurons at different disease stages are already available, while gene expression data on the muscle tissue are missing. Our aim is to define the role of muscle in motor neuron degeneration in ALS. Keywords: Single stage analysis (early symptomatic stage, 14 weeks-old mice) We considered two sets of muscle at symptomatic stage (14 weeks): gastrocnemius and triceps from 4 transgenic SOD1G93A and 4 non-transgenic mice (NTg). Gastrocnemius from 4 nerve-crushed mice were also considered as controls for the denervation process