Synthetic prions with novel strain-specified properties.

Prions are infectious proteins that possess multiple self-propagating structures. The information for strains and structural specific barriers appears to be contained exclusively in the folding of the pathological isoform, PrP(Sc). Many recent studies determined that de novo prion strains could be generated in vitro from the structural conversion of recombinant (rec) prion protein (PrP) into amyloidal structures. Our aim was to elucidate the conformational diversity of pathological recPrP amyloids and their biological activities, as well as to gain novel insights in characterizing molecular events involved in mammalian prion conversion and propagation. To this end we generated infectious materials that possess different conformational structures. Our methodology for the prion conversion of recPrP required only purified rec full-length mouse (Mo) PrP and common chemicals. Neither infected brain extracts nor amplified PrP(Sc) were used. Following two different in vitro protocols recMoPrP converted to amyloid fibrils without any seeding factor. Mouse hypothalamic GT1 and neuroblastoma N2a cell lines were infected with these amyloid preparations as fast screening methodology to characterize the infectious materials. Remarkably, a large number of amyloid preparations were able to induce the conformational change of endogenous PrPC to harbor several distinctive proteinase-resistant PrP forms. One such preparation was characterized in vivo habouring a synthetic prion with novel strain specified neuropathological and biochemical properties.

Coexistence of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A and anti-MAG neuropathy.

At age 35, a man with a genetic diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) but no family history of neuropathy and no clinical symptoms developed rapidly progressive loss of balance, distal limb numbness, loss of manual dexterity, and hand tremor. Five years later, he walked with support and had mild pes cavus, marked sensory ataxia, severe leg and hand weakness, absent deep tendon reflexes (DTRs), severe sensory loss, and hand tremor. He had dramatically reduced motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), strikingly prolonged motor distal latencies, absent sensory action potentials and lower limb compound muscle action potentials. CMT1A duplication was reconfirmed but the dramatic change in his clinical course suggested a superimposed acquired neuropathy. An IgM-kappa monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS) with high titer anti-myelin associated glycoprotein (anti-MAG) activity was found. Nerve biopsy showed severe loss of myelinated fibers with onion bulbs, no evidence of uncompacted myelin, and few IgM deposits. Rituximab was given and he improved. It is very likely that this is a chance association of two rare and slowly progressive neuropathies; rapidly worsening course may have been due to a "double hit". Interestingly, there are reports of possible superimposition of dysimmune neuropathies on hereditary ones, and the influence of the immune system on inherited neuropathies is matter for debate.

Tackling amyloidogenesis in Alzheimer's disease with A2V variants of Amyloid-ß.

We developed a novel therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) exploiting the properties of a natural variant of Amyloid-ß (Aß) carrying the A2V substitution, which protects heterozygous carriers from AD by its ability to interact with wild-type Aß, hindering conformational changes and assembly thereof. As prototypic compound we designed a six-mer mutated peptide (Aß1-6A2V), linked to the HIV-related TAT protein, which is widely used for brain delivery and cell membrane penetration of drugs. The resulting molecule [Aß1-6A2VTAT(D)] revealed strong anti-amyloidogenic effects in vitro and protected human neuroblastoma cells from Aß toxicity. Preclinical studies in AD mouse models showed that short-term treatment with Aß1-6A2VTAT(D) inhibits Aß aggregation and cerebral amyloid deposition, but a long treatment schedule unexpectedly increases amyloid burden, although preventing cognitive deterioration. Our data support the view that the AßA2V-based strategy can be successfully used for the development of treatments for AD, as suggested by the natural protection against the disease in human A2V heterozygous carriers. The undesirable outcome of the prolonged treatment with Aß1-6A2VTAT(D) was likely due to the TAT intrinsic attitude to increase Aß production, avidly bind amyloid and boost its seeding activity, warning against the use of the TAT carrier in the design of AD therapeutics.

Loss of exosomes in progranulin-associated frontotemporal dementia.

Many cells of the nervous system have been shown to release exosomes, a subclass of secreted vesicles of endosomal origin capable of transferring biomolecules among cells: this transfer modality represents a novel physiological form of intercellular communication between neural cells. Herein, we demonstrated that progranulin (PGRN), a protein targeted to the classical secretory pathway, is also secreted in association with exosomes by human primary fibroblasts. Moreover, we demonstrated that null mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN), a major cause of frontotemporal dementia, strongly reduce the number of released exosomes and alter their composition. In vitro GRN silencing in SHSY-5Y cells confirmed a role of PGRN in the control of exosome release. It is believed that depletion of PGRN in the brain might cause neurodegeneration in GRN-associated frontotemporal dementia. We demonstrated that, along with shortage of the circulating PGRN, GRN null mutations alter intercellular communication. Thus, a better understanding of the role played by exosomes in GRN-associated neurodegeneration is crucial for the development of novel therapies for these diseases.