Genomic studies of neudegeneration in Parkinson’s disease associated with glucocerebrosodase dysfunction on cell and animals models
- Authors: Pchelina S.N.1,2, Bezrukova A.I.1, Rudenok M.M.1, Zhuravlev A.S.1, Rybolovlev I.N.1, Baydakova G.V.3, Nesterov M.S.4, Abaimov D.A.5, Usenko T.S.1, Zakharova E.Y.3, Emelyanov A.K.1,2, Shadrina M.I.1, Slominsky P.A.1
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Affiliations:
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”
- Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
- Research Center for Medical Genetics
- Scientific Center of Biomedical Technologies of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia
- Research Centre of Neurology
- Issue: Vol 18, No 4 (2023)
- Pages: 528-531
- Section: Conference proceedings
- URL: https://genescells.ru/2313-1829/article/view/623253
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.17816/gc623253
- ID: 623253
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Abstract
Mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA1), which encodes the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase), can cause Gaucher disease, an autosomal recessive disease, and increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The risk of developing PD for carriers of homozygous and heterozygous GBA1 mutations increases by 8–10 times, but not all carriers develop PD during their lifetime. Additionally, GBA-associated PD (GBA-PD) represents 10 to 30% of all forms of parkinsonism. The development mechanism of GBA-PD remains unknown. A decrease in GCase activity and accumulation of lysosphingolipids in patients with GBA-PD was shown by us and other researchers [1, 2]. GCase dysfunction is thought to result in impaired autophagy and accumulation of the alpha-synuclein protein, which is a crucial process in neurodegeneration in PD.
Several techniques based on modeling parkinsonism in mice with GCase dysfunction were used to study the impact of GCase dysfunction on DA neuron neurodegeneration [3, 4]. In this study, we evaluated GCase activity, lysosphingolipids level, and the degree of neurodegeneration in DA-neurons of the substantia nigra’s compact (SNc) and reticular part (SNr), as well as the levels of dopamine and alpha-synuclein (total and oligomeric) in the brains of mice with a double “soft” neurotoxic model induced by the introduction of the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1. This is the first time such an evaluation has been made. The presymptomatic stage of parkinsonism induced by 2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) involved the double administration of 12 μg/kg at a 2-hour interval, in combination with a single injection of the selective GCase inhibitor conduritol-B-epoxide (CBE) at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Additionally, we compared the transcriptomes of primary macrophage cultures from GBA-PD patients [5] with the transcriptome of SN brain tissue in model mice.
We demonstrated that a singular injection of CBE resulted in a 50% decrease in GCase activity in the mouse brain and an elevation in lysosphingolipid levels. Additionally, the introduction of both MPTP and CBE led to an increase in the level of oligomeric forms of alpha-synuclein in the striatum. Simultaneously, degeneration of DA neurons in SNc, assessed by tyrosine hybroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry 14 days after injection, was comparable to MPTP and CBE (decreasing to 50 and 60%, respectively). The neurotoxic model, when combined, demonstrates a significantly greater reduction in dopamine concentration, accumulation of total alpha-synuclein in the striatum, and more severe neurodegeneration of DA neurons in SNr (70% compared to 45% with MPTP administration).
A comparison of differential gene expression in primary macrophage cultures from patients with GBA-PD and controls revealed a reduction in the expression of genes associated with neurogenesis, such as JUNB, NR4A2, and EGR1. In both the GBA-PD patient group (TRIM13, BCL6) and the MPTP-induced parkinsonism mouse group with GCase dysfunction (MPTP+CBE), genes related to the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway, which regulates autophagy, were found to be activated. These genes include Pdk4, Sgk, and Ppp2r3d.
The data obtained indicates that dysfunctional GCase leads to the accumulation of toxic forms of alpha-synuclein and degeneration of DA neurons, similar to the effects of small doses of MPTP. Combining neurotoxins (MPTP+CBE) causes a greater accumulation of alpha-synuclein and a higher degree of neuron degeneration. Transcriptomic analysis conducted on GBA-PD patients’ cells and a combined neurotoxic mouse model (MPTP+CBE) brain revealed modifications in gene expression of autophagy regulation. Approaches focused on enhancing GCase activity and autophagy exhibit potential in developing neuroprotective agents.
Keywords
Full Text
Mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA1), which encodes the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase), can cause Gaucher disease, an autosomal recessive disease, and increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The risk of developing PD for carriers of homozygous and heterozygous GBA1 mutations increases by 8–10 times, but not all carriers develop PD during their lifetime. Additionally, GBA-associated PD (GBA-PD) represents 10 to 30% of all forms of parkinsonism. The development mechanism of GBA-PD remains unknown. A decrease in GCase activity and accumulation of lysosphingolipids in patients with GBA-PD was shown by us and other researchers [1, 2]. GCase dysfunction is thought to result in impaired autophagy and accumulation of the alpha-synuclein protein, which is a crucial process in neurodegeneration in PD.
Several techniques based on modeling parkinsonism in mice with GCase dysfunction were used to study the impact of GCase dysfunction on DA neuron neurodegeneration [3, 4]. In this study, we evaluated GCase activity, lysosphingolipids level, and the degree of neurodegeneration in DA-neurons of the substantia nigra’s compact (SNc) and reticular part (SNr), as well as the levels of dopamine and alpha-synuclein (total and oligomeric) in the brains of mice with a double “soft” neurotoxic model induced by the introduction of the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1. This is the first time such an evaluation has been made. The presymptomatic stage of parkinsonism induced by 2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) involved the double administration of 12 μg/kg at a 2-hour interval, in combination with a single injection of the selective GCase inhibitor conduritol-B-epoxide (CBE) at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Additionally, we compared the transcriptomes of primary macrophage cultures from GBA-PD patients [5] with the transcriptome of SN brain tissue in model mice.
We demonstrated that a singular injection of CBE resulted in a 50% decrease in GCase activity in the mouse brain and an elevation in lysosphingolipid levels. Additionally, the introduction of both MPTP and CBE led to an increase in the level of oligomeric forms of alpha-synuclein in the striatum. Simultaneously, degeneration of DA neurons in SNc, assessed by tyrosine hybroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry 14 days after injection, was comparable to MPTP and CBE (decreasing to 50 and 60%, respectively). The neurotoxic model, when combined, demonstrates a significantly greater reduction in dopamine concentration, accumulation of total alpha-synuclein in the striatum, and more severe neurodegeneration of DA neurons in SNr (70% compared to 45% with MPTP administration).
A comparison of differential gene expression in primary macrophage cultures from patients with GBA-PD and controls revealed a reduction in the expression of genes associated with neurogenesis, such as JUNB, NR4A2, and EGR1. In both the GBA-PD patient group (TRIM13, BCL6) and the MPTP-induced parkinsonism mouse group with GCase dysfunction (MPTP+CBE), genes related to the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway, which regulates autophagy, were found to be activated. These genes include Pdk4, Sgk, and Ppp2r3d.
The data obtained indicates that dysfunctional GCase leads to the accumulation of toxic forms of alpha-synuclein and degeneration of DA neurons, similar to the effects of small doses of MPTP. Combining neurotoxins (MPTP+CBE) causes a greater accumulation of alpha-synuclein and a higher degree of neuron degeneration. Transcriptomic analysis conducted on GBA-PD patients’ cells and a combined neurotoxic mouse model (MPTP+CBE) brain revealed modifications in gene expression of autophagy regulation. Approaches focused on enhancing GCase activity and autophagy exhibit potential in developing neuroprotective agents.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Funding sources. The study was conducted within the context of the state assignment on “Investigating the molecular and cellular components of pathogenesis of socially significant diseases to develop methods for early diagnosis and treatment” (registration No. 121060200125-2).
Authors' contribution. All authors made a substantial contribution to the conception of the work, acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data for the work, drafting and revising the work, and final approval of the version to be published and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Competing interests. The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
About the authors
S. N. Pchelina
National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”; Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
Author for correspondence.
Email: sopchelina@hotmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow; Saint Petersburg
A. I. Bezrukova
National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”
Email: sopchelina@hotmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow
M. M. Rudenok
National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”
Email: sopchelina@hotmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow
A. S. Zhuravlev
National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”
Email: sopchelina@hotmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow
I. N. Rybolovlev
National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”
Email: sopchelina@hotmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow
G. V. Baydakova
Research Center for Medical Genetics
Email: sopchelina@hotmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow
M. S. Nesterov
Scientific Center of Biomedical Technologies of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia
Email: sopchelina@hotmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow Region
D. A. Abaimov
Research Centre of Neurology
Email: sopchelina@hotmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow
T. S. Usenko
National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”
Email: sopchelina@hotmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow
E. Yu. Zakharova
Research Center for Medical Genetics
Email: sopchelina@hotmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow
A. K. Emelyanov
National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”; Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
Email: sopchelina@hotmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow; Saint Petersburg
M. I. Shadrina
National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”
Email: sopchelina@hotmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow
P. A. Slominsky
National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”
Email: sopchelina@hotmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow
References
- Kopytova AE, Usenko TS, Baydakova GV, et al. Could Blood Hexosylsphingosine Be a Marker for Parkinson’s Disease Linked with GBA1 Mutations? Movement Disorders. 2022;37(8):1779–1781. doi: 10.1002/mds.29132
- Menozzi E, Schapira AHV. Exploring the Genotype-Phenotype Correlation in GBA-Parkinson Disease: Clinical Aspects, Biomarkers, and Potential Modifiers. Frontiers in Neurology. 2021;12:694764. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2021.694764
- Yun SP, Kim D, Kim S, et al. α-Synuclein accumulation and GBA deficiency due to L444P GBA mutation contributes to MPTP-induced parkinsonism. Molecular Neurodegeneration. 2018;13(1):1. doi: 10.1186/s13024-017-0233-5
- Mus L, Siani F, Giuliano C, et al. Development and biochemical characterization of a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease bearing defective glucocerebrosidase activity. Neurobiology of Disease. 2019;124:289–296. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.12.001
- Usenko T, Bezrukova A, Basharova K, et al. Comparative Transcriptome Analysis in Monocyte-Derived Macrophages of Asymptomatic GBA Mutation Carriers and Patients with GBA-Associated Parkinson’s Disease. Genes. 2021;12(10):1545. doi: 10.3390/genes12101545
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