Mitochondria Transplantation Mitigates Damage in an In Vitro Model of Renal Tubular Injury and in an Ex Vivo Model of DCD Renal Transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: To test whether mitochondrial transplantation (MITO) mitigates damage in 2 models of acute kidney injury (AKI). BACKGROUND: MITO is a process where exogenous isolated mitochondria are taken up by cells. As virtually any morbid clinical condition is characterized by mitochondrial distress, MITO may find a role as a treatment modality in numerous clinical scenarios including AKI. METHODS: For the in vitro experiments, human proximal tubular cells were damaged and then treated with mitochondria or placebo. For the ex vivo experiments, we developed a non-survival ex vivo porcine model mimicking the donation after cardiac death renal transplantation scenario. One kidney was treated with mitochondria, although the mate organ received placebo, before being perfused at room temperature for 24 hours. Perfusate samples were collected at different time points and analyzed with Raman spectroscopy. Biopsies taken at baseline and 24 hours were analyzed with standard pathology, immunohistochemistry, and RNA sequencing analysis. RESULTS: In vitro, cells treated with MITO showed higher proliferative capacity and adenosine 5'-triphosphate production, preservation of physiological polarization of the organelles and lower toxicity and reactive oxygen species production. Ex vivo, kidneys treated with MITO shed fewer molecular species, indicating stability. In these kidneys, pathology showed less damage whereas RNAseq analysis showed modulation of genes and pathways most consistent with mitochondrial biogenesis and energy metabolism and downregulation of genes involved in neutrophil recruitment, including IL1A, CXCL8, and PIK3R1. CONCLUSIONS: MITO mitigates AKI both in vitro and ex vivo.

Myocardial Hypertrophy and Compensatory Increase in Systolic Function in a Mouse Model of Oxidative Stress.

Free radicals, or reactive oxygen species, have been implicated as one of the primary causes of myocardial pathologies elicited by chronic diseases and age. The imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants, termed "oxidative stress", involves several pathological changes in mouse hearts, including hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction. However, the molecular mechanisms and adaptations of the hearts in mice lacking cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase (Sod1KO) have not been investigated. We used echocardiography to characterize cardiac function and morphology in vivo. Protein expression and enzyme activity of Sod1KO were confirmed by targeted mass spectrometry and activity gel. The heart weights of the Sod1KO mice were significantly increased compared with their wildtype peers. The increase in heart weights was accompanied by concentric hypertrophy, posterior wall thickness of the left ventricles (LV), and reduced LV volume. Activated downstream pathways in Sod1KO hearts included serine-threonine kinase and ribosomal protein synthesis. Notably, the reduction in LV volume was compensated by enhanced systolic function, measured by increased ejection fraction and fractional shortening. A regulatory sarcomeric protein, troponin I, was hyper-phosphorylated in Sod1KO, while the vinculin protein was upregulated. In summary, mice lacking cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase were associated with an increase in heart weights and concentric hypertrophy, exhibiting a pathological adaptation of the hearts to oxidative stress.

Restoration of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) Activity Prevents Age-Related Muscle Atrophy and Weakness in Mice.

Sarcopenia has a significant negative impact on healthspan in the elderly and effective pharmacologic interventions remain elusive. We have previously demonstrated that sarcopenia is associated with reduced activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) pump. We asked whether restoring SERCA activity using pharmacologic activation in aging mice could mitigate the sarcopenia phenotype. We treated 16-month male C57BL/6J mice with vehicle or CDN1163, an allosteric SERCA activator, for 10 months. At 26 months, maximal SERCA activity was reduced 41% in gastrocnemius muscle in vehicle-treated mice but maintained in old CDN1163 treated mice. Reductions in gastrocnemius mass (9%) and in vitro specific force generation in extensor digitorum longus muscle (11%) in 26 versus 16-month-old wild-type mice were also reversed by CDN1163. CDN1163 administered by intra-peritoneal injection also prevented the increase in mitochondrial ROS production in gastrocnemius muscles of aged mice. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that these effects are at least in part mediated by enhanced cellular energetics by activation of PGC1-α, UCP1, HSF1, and APMK and increased regenerative capacity by suppression of MEF2C and p38 MAPK signaling. Together, these exciting findings are the first to support that pharmacological targeting of SERCA can be an effective therapy to counter age-related muscle dysfunction.

Small-hairpin RNA and pharmacological targeting of neutral sphingomyelinase prevent diaphragm weakness in rats with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction.

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFREF) increases neutral sphingomyelinase (NSMase) activity and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) emission and causes diaphragm weakness. We tested whether a systemic pharmacological NSMase inhibitor or short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting NSMase isoform 3 (NSMase3) would prevent diaphragm abnormalities induced by HFREF caused by myocardial infarction. In the pharmacological intervention, we used intraperitoneal injection of GW4869 or vehicle. In the genetic intervention, we injected adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) containing shRNA targeting NSMase3 or a scrambled sequence directly into the diaphragm. We also studied acid sphingomyelinase-knockout mice. GW4869 prevented the increase in diaphragm ceramide content, weakness, and tachypnea caused by HFREF. For example, maximal specific forces (in N/cm2) were vehicle [sham 31 ± 2 and HFREF 26 ± 2 ( P < 0.05)] and GW4869 (sham 31 ± 2 and HFREF 31 ± 1). Respiratory rates were (in breaths/min) vehicle [sham 61 ± 3 and HFREF 84 ± 11 ( P < 0.05)] and GW4869 (sham 66 ± 2 and HFREF 72 ± 2). AAV9-NSMase3 shRNA prevented heightening of diaphragm mitochondrial ROS and weakness [in N/cm2, AAV9-scrambled shRNA: sham 31 ± 2 and HFREF 27 ± 2 ( P < 0.05); AAV9-NSMase3 shRNA: sham 30 ± 1 and HFREF 30 ± 1] but displayed tachypnea. Both wild-type and ASMase-knockout mice with HFREF displayed diaphragm weakness. Our study suggests that activation of NSMase3 causes diaphragm weakness in HFREF, presumably through accumulation of ceramide and elevation in mitochondrial ROS. Our data also reveal a novel inhibitory effect of GW4869 on tachypnea in HFREF likely mediated by changes in neural control of breathing.

NAD(P)H oxidase subunit p47phox is elevated, and p47phox knockout prevents diaphragm contractile dysfunction in heart failure.

Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) have dyspnea and exercise intolerance, which are caused in part by diaphragm abnormalities. Oxidants impair diaphragm contractile function, and CHF increases diaphragm oxidants. However, the specific source of oxidants and its relevance to diaphragm abnormalities in CHF is unclear. The p47(phox)-dependent Nox2 isoform of NAD(P)H oxidase is a putative source of diaphragm oxidants. Thus, we conducted our study with the goal of determining the effects of CHF on the diaphragm levels of Nox2 complex subunits and test the hypothesis that p47(phox) knockout prevents diaphragm contractile dysfunction elicited by CHF. CHF caused a two- to sixfold increase (P < 0.05) in diaphragm mRNA and protein levels of several Nox2 subunits, with p47(phox) being upregulated and hyperphosphorylated. CHF increased diaphragm extracellular oxidant emission in wild-type but not p47(phox) knockout mice. Diaphragm isometric force, shortening velocity, and peak power were decreased by 20-50% in CHF wild-type mice (P < 0.05), whereas p47(phox) knockout mice were protected from impairments in diaphragm contractile function elicited by CHF. Our experiments show that p47(phox) is upregulated and involved in the increased oxidants and contractile dysfunction in CHF diaphragm. These findings suggest that a p47(phox)-dependent NAD(P)H oxidase mediates the increase in diaphragm oxidants and contractile dysfunction in CHF.

Diaphragm and ventilatory dysfunction during cancer cachexia.

Cancer cachexia is characterized by a continuous loss of locomotor skeletal muscle mass, which causes profound muscle weakness. If this atrophy and weakness also occurs in diaphragm muscle, it could lead to respiratory failure, which is a major cause of death in patients with cancer. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to determine whether colon-26 (C-26) cancer cachexia causes diaphragm muscle fiber atrophy and weakness and compromises ventilation. All diaphragm muscle fiber types were significantly atrophied in C-26 mice compared to controls, and the atrophy-related genes, atrogin-1 and MuRF1, significantly increased. Maximum isometric specific force of diaphragm strips, absolute maximal calcium activated force, and maximal specific calcium-activated force of permeabilized diaphragm fibers were all significantly decreased in C-26 mice compared to controls. Further, isotonic contractile properties of the diaphragm were affected to an even greater extent than isometric function. Ventilation measurements demonstrated that C-26 mice have a significantly lower tidal volume compared to controls under basal conditions and, unlike control mice, an inability to increase breathing frequency, tidal volume, and, thus, minute ventilation in response to a respiratory challenge. These data demonstrate that C-26 cancer cachexia causes profound respiratory muscle atrophy and weakness and ventilatory dysfunction.

Scaling of VO2max and its relationship with insulin resistance in children.

The relationship between insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), percent body fat, and aerobic fitness (VO2max per unit fat free mass; mL/kgFFM/min) was examined in 1,710 children. Percent body fat was estimated from sum of skinfolds, and VO2max was estimated from submaximal cycle ergometer tests. Overnight fasting blood samples were obtained. VO2max (mL/kgFFM/min) and percent body fat were correlated with HOMA-IR (r = -0.076, p < .002; r = .420, p < .001, respectively); as was VO2max in units of mL/kg/min (r = -0.264, p < .001). When VO2max in mL/kg/min was used, a progressive increase in HOMA-IR was found with decreasing fitness (p < .05). However, when mL/kgFFM/min was used, HOMA-IR scores remained similar between moderate-fit and low-fit group. The stronger association between aerobic fitness (mL/kg/min) and HOMA-IR is partially due to the significant association of fat mass to HOMA-IR. Therefore, our recommendation is to express aerobic fitness in units of mL/kgFFM/min to eliminate the confounding factor of adiposity and better understand the influence of muscle on insulin resistance.

Long-term methamphetamine self-administration increases mesolimbic mitochondrial oxygen consumption and decreases striatal glutathione.

Neurotoxic regimens of methamphetamine (METH) are known to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), affect redox homeostasis, and lead to damage in dopamine neurons. Functional changes induced by long-term METH self-administration on mitochondrial respiratory metabolism and redox homeostasis are less known. To fill this gap, we implanted a jugular catheter into adult male mice and trained them to nose poke for METH infusions. After several weeks of METH exposure, we collected samples of the ventral striatum (vST) and the ventral midbrain (vMB). We used HPLC to determine the levels of the ROS scavenger glutathione in its reduced (GSH) and oxidized forms. Then, we used high-resolution respirometry to determine the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of mitochondrial complexes. Finally, using in vivo electrophysiology, we assessed changes in dopamine neuron firing activity in the VTA. METH self-administration produced a decrease of the GSH pool in vST, correlating with lifetime METH intake. We observed increased mitochondrial respiration across the two mesolimbic regions. METH self-administration decreases firing rate and burst activity but increases the number of spontaneously active dopamine neurons per track. We conclude that METH self-administration progressively decreased the antioxidant pool in sites of higher dopamine release and produced an increase in mitochondrial metabolism in the mesolimbic areas, probably derived from the increased number of dopamine neurons actively firing. However, dopamine neuron firing activity is decreased by METH self-administration, reflecting a new basal level of dopamine neurotransmission.

A Genetically Heterogeneous Rat Model with Divergent Mitochondrial Genomes.

We generated a genetically heterogenous rat model by a 4-way cross strategy using 4 inbred strains (Brown Norway [BN], Fischer 344 [F344], Lewis [LEW], and Wistar Kyoto [KY]) to provide investigators with a highly genetically diverse rat model from commercially available inbred rats. We made reciprocal crosses between males and females from the 2 F1 hybrids to generate genetically heterogeneous rats with mitochondrial genomes from either the BN (OKC-HETB, a.k.a "B" genotype) or WKY (OKC-HETW a.k.a "W" genotype) parental strains. These two mitochondrial genomes differ at 94 nucleotides, more akin to human mitochondrial genome diversity than that available in classical laboratory mouse strains. Body weights of the B and W genotypes were similar. However, mitochondrial genotype antagonistically affected grip strength and treadmill endurance in females only. In addition, mitochondrial genotype significantly affected multiple responses to a high-fat diet (HFD) and treatment with 17α-estradiol. Contrary to findings in mice in which males only are affected by 17α-estradiol supplementation, female rats fed a HFD beneficially responded to 17α-estradiol treatment as evidenced by declines in body mass, adiposity, and liver mass. Male rats, by contrast, differed in a mitochondrial genotype-specific manner, with only B males responding to 17α-estradiol treatment. Mitochondrial genotype and sex differences were also observed in features of brain-specific antioxidant response to a HFD and 17α-estradiol as shown by hippocampal levels of Sod2 acetylation, JNK, and FoxO3a. These results emphasize the importance of mitochondrial genotype in assessing responses to putative interventions in aging processes.

Acylated Ghrelin Receptor Agonist HM01 Decreases Lean Body and Muscle Mass, but Unacylated Ghrelin Protects against Redox-Dependent Sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia, the progressive loss of muscle mass and dysfunction, universally affects the elderly and is closely associated with frailty and reduced quality of life. Despite the inevitable consequences of sarcopenia and its relevance to healthspan, no pharmacological therapies are currently available. Ghrelin is a gut-released hormone that increases appetite and body weight upon acylation, which activates its receptor GHSR1a. Recent studies have demonstrated that acyl and unacylated ghrelin are protective against acute pathological conditions of skeletal muscle. We hypothesized that both acyl ghrelin receptor agonist (HM01) and unacylated ghrelin ameliorate muscle atrophy and contractile dysfunction in oxidative stress-induced sarcopenia. HM01, unacylated ghrelin, or saline was delivered via osmotic pump. HM01 increased food consumption transiently, while the body weight remained elevated. It also decreased lean body mass and muscle mass of wildtype and Sod1KO. In contrast, unacylated ghrelin ameliorated loss of muscle mass by 15-30% in Sod1KO mice without changes in food consumption or body weights. Contractile force was decreased by ~30% in Sod1KO mice, but unacylated ghrelin prevented the force deficit by ~80%. We identified downregulation of transcription factor FoxO3a and its downstream E3 ligase MuRF1 by unacylated ghrelin. Our data show a direct role of unacylated ghrelin in redox-dependent sarcopenia independent of changes of food consumption or body weight.

Impact of aging and oxidative stress on specific components of excitation contraction coupling in regulating force generation.

Muscle weakness associated with sarcopenia is a major contributor to reduced health span and quality of life in the elderly. However, the underlying mechanisms of muscle weakness in aging are not fully defined. We investigated the effect of oxidative stress and aging on specific molecular mechanisms involved in muscle force production in mice and skinned permeabilized single fibers in mice lacking the antioxidant enzyme CuZnSod (Sod1KO) and in aging (24-month-old) wild-type mice. Loss of muscle strength occurs in both models, potentially because of reduced membrane excitability with altered NKA signaling and RyR stability, decreased fiber Ca2+ sensitivity and suppressed SERCA activity via modification of the Cys674 residue, dysregulated SR and cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis, and impaired mitochondrial Ca2+ buffering and respiration. Our results provide a better understanding of the specific impacts of aging and oxidative stress on mechanisms related to muscle weakness that may point to future interventions for countering muscle weakness.

Scavenging mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide by peroxiredoxin 3 overexpression attenuates contractile dysfunction and muscle atrophy in a murine model of accelerated sarcopenia.

Age-related muscle atrophy and weakness, or sarcopenia, are significant contributors to compromised health and quality of life in the elderly. While the mechanisms driving this pathology are not fully defined, reactive oxygen species, neuromuscular junction (NMJ) disruption, and loss of innervation are important risk factors. The goal of this study is to determine the impact of mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide on neurogenic atrophy and contractile dysfunction. Mice with muscle-specific overexpression of the mitochondrial H2 O2  scavenger peroxiredoxin3 (mPRDX3) were crossed to Sod1KO mice, an established mouse model of sarcopenia, to determine whether reduced mitochondrial H2 O2 can prevent or delay the redox-dependent sarcopenia. Basal rates of H2 O2  generation were elevated in isolated muscle mitochondria from Sod1KO, but normalized by mPRDX3 overexpression. The mPRDX3 overexpression prevented the declines in maximum mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate and calcium retention capacity in Sod1KO. Muscle atrophy in Sod1KO was mitigated by ~20% by mPRDX3 overexpression, which was associated with an increase in myofiber cross-sectional area. With direct muscle stimulation, maximum isometric specific force was reduced by ~20% in Sod1KO mice, and mPRDX3 overexpression preserved specific force at wild-type levels. The force deficit with nerve stimulation was exacerbated in Sod1KO compared to direct muscle stimulation, suggesting NMJ disruption in Sod1KO. Notably, this defect was not resolved by overexpression of mPRDX3. Our findings demonstrate that muscle-specific PRDX3 overexpression reduces mitochondrial H2 O2  generation, improves mitochondrial function, and mitigates loss of muscle quantity and quality, despite persisting NMJ impairment in a murine model of redox-dependent sarcopenia.

Transgenic expression of SOD1 specifically in neurons of Sod1 deficient mice prevents defects in muscle mitochondrial function and calcium handling.

Aging is accompanied by loss of muscle mass and force, known as sarcopenia. Muscle atrophy, weakness, and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) degeneration reminiscent of normal muscle aging are observed early in adulthood for mice deficient in Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD, Sod1-/-). Muscles of Sod1-/- mice also display impaired mitochondrial ATP production and increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation implicating oxidative stress in sarcopenia. Restoration of CuZnSOD specifically in neurons of Sod1-/- mice (SynTgSod1-/-) prevents muscle atrophy and loss of force, but whether muscle mitochondrial function is preserved is not known. To establish links among CuZnSOD expression, mitochondrial function, and sarcopenia, we examined contractile properties, mitochondrial function and ROS production, intracellular calcium transients (ICT), and NMJ morphology in lumbrical muscles of 7-9 month wild type (WT), Sod1-/-, and SynTgSod1-/- mice. Compared with WT values, mitochondrial ROS production was increased 2.9-fold under basal conditions and 2.2-fold with addition of glutamate and malate in Sod1-/- muscle fibers while oxygen consumption was not significantly altered. In addition, NADH recovery was blunted following contraction and the peak of the ICT was decreased by 25%. Mitochondrial function, ROS generation and calcium handling were restored to WT values in SynTgSod1-/- mice, despite continued lack of CuZnSOD in muscle. NMJ denervation and fragmentation were also fully rescued in SynTgSod1-/- mice suggesting that muscle mitochondrial and calcium handling defects in Sod1-/- mice are secondary to neuronal oxidative stress and its effects on the NMJ rather than the lack of muscle CuZnSOD. We conclude that intact neuronal function and innervation are key to maintaining excitation-contraction coupling and muscle mitochondrial function.

Comparative Efficacy of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers Against Ventilator-Induced Diaphragm Dysfunction in Rats.

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is a life-saving intervention for many critically ill patients. Unfortunately, prolonged MV results in the rapid development of inspiratory muscle weakness due to diaphragmatic atrophy and contractile dysfunction (termed ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD)). Although VIDD is a major risk factor for problems in weaning patients from MV, a standard therapy to prevent VIDD does not exist. However, emerging evidence suggests that pharmacological blockade of angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT1Rs) protects against VIDD. Nonetheless, the essential characteristics of AT1R blockers (ARBs) required to protect against VIDD remain unclear. To determine the traits of ARBs that are vital for protection against VIDD, we compared the efficacy of two clinically relevant ARBs, irbesartan and olmesartan; these ARBs differ in molecular structure and effects on AT1Rs. Specifically, olmesartan blocks both angiotensin II (AngII) binding and mechanical activation of AT1Rs, whereas irbesartan prevents only AngII binding to AT1Rs. Using a well-established preclinical model of prolonged MV, we tested the hypothesis that compared with irbesartan, olmesartan provides greater protection against VIDD. Our results reveal that irbesartan does not protect against VIDD whereas olmesartan defends against both MV-induced diaphragmatic atrophy and contractile dysfunction. These findings support the hypothesis that olmesartan is superior to irbesartan in protecting against VIDD and are consistent with the concept that blockade of mechanical activation of AT1Rs is a required property of ARBs to shield against VIDD. These important findings provide a foundation for future clinical trials to evaluate ARBs as a therapy to protect against VIDD.

Cancer cachexia in a mouse model of oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is associated with muscle atrophy (cancer cachexia) that is linked to up to 40% of cancer-related deaths. Oxidative stress is a critical player in the induction and progression of age-related loss of muscle mass and weakness (sarcopenia); however, the role of oxidative stress in cancer cachexia has not been defined. The purpose of this study was to examine if elevated oxidative stress exacerbates cancer cachexia. METHODS: Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase knockout (Sod1KO) mice were used as an established mouse model of elevated oxidative stress. Cancer cachexia was induced by injection of one million Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells or phosphate-buffered saline (saline) into the hind flank of female wild-type mice or Sod1KO mice at approximately 4 months of age. The tumour developed for 3 weeks. Muscle mass, contractile function, neuromuscular junction (NMJ) fragmentation, metabolic proteins, mitochondrial function, and motor neuron function were measured in wild-type and Sod1KO saline and tumour-bearing mice. Data were analysed by two-way ANOVA with Tukey-Kramer post hoc test when significant F ratios were determined and α was set at 0.05. Unless otherwise noted, results in abstract are mean ±SEM. RESULTS: Muscle mass and cross-sectional area were significantly reduced, in tumour-bearing mice. Metabolic enzymes were dysregulated in Sod1KO mice and cancer exacerbated this phenotype. NMJ fragmentation was exacerbated in tumour-bearing Sod1KO mice. Myofibrillar protein degradation increased in tumour-bearing wild-type mice (wild-type saline, 0.00847 ± 0.00205; wildtype LLC, 0.0211 ± 0.00184) and tumour-bearing Sod1KO mice (Sod1KO saline, 0.0180 ± 0.00118; Sod1KO LLC, 0.0490 ± 0.00132). Muscle mitochondrial oxygen consumption was reduced in tumour-bearing mice compared with saline-injected wild-type mice. Mitochondrial protein degradation increased in tumour-bearing wild-type mice (wild-type saline, 0.0204 ± 0.00159; wild-type LLC, 0.167 ± 0.00157) and tumour-bearing Sod1KO mice (Sod1KO saline, 0.0231 ± 0.00108; Sod1 KO LLC, 0.0645 ± 0.000631). Sciatic nerve conduction velocity was decreased in tumour-bearing wild-type mice (wild-type saline, 38.2 ± 0.861; wild-type LLC, 28.8 ± 0.772). Three out of eleven of the tumour-bearing Sod1KO mice did not survive the 3-week period following tumour implantation. CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress does not exacerbate cancer-induced muscle loss; however, cancer cachexia may accelerate NMJ disruption.

Neuron-specific deletion of CuZnSOD leads to an advanced sarcopenic phenotype in older mice.

Age-associated loss of muscle mass and function (sarcopenia) has a profound effect on the quality of life in the elderly. Our previous studies show that CuZnSOD deletion in mice (Sod1-/- mice) recapitulates sarcopenia phenotypes, including elevated oxidative stress and accelerated muscle atrophy, weakness, and disruption of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). To determine whether deletion of Sod1 initiated in neurons in adult mice is sufficient to induce muscle atrophy, we treated young (2- to 4-month-old) Sod1flox/SlickHCre mice with tamoxifen to generate i-mn-Sod1KO mice. CuZnSOD protein was 40-50% lower in neuronal tissue in i-mn-Sod1KO mice. Motor neuron number in ventral spinal cord was reduced 28% at 10 months and more than 50% in 18- to 22-month-old i-mn-Sod1KO mice. By 24 months, 22% of NMJs in i-mn-Sod1KO mice displayed a complete lack of innervation and deficits in specific force that are partially reversed by direct muscle stimulation, supporting the loss of NMJ structure and function. Muscle mass was significantly reduced by 16 months of age and further decreased at 24 months of age. Overall, our findings show that neuronal-specific deletion of CuZnSOD is sufficient to cause motor neuron loss in young mice, but that NMJ disruption, muscle atrophy, and weakness are not evident until past middle age. These results suggest that loss of innervation is critical but may not be sufficient until the muscle reaches a threshold beyond which it cannot compensate for neuronal loss or rescue additional fibers past the maximum size of the motor unit.

Using MRI to measure in vivo free radical production and perfusion dynamics in a mouse model of elevated oxidative stress and neurogenic atrophy.

Mitochondrial dysfunction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage have been implicated to play a causative role in age-related skeletal muscle atrophy and weakness (i.e. sarcopenia). Mice lacking the superoxide scavenger CuZnSOD (Sod1-/-) exhibit high levels of oxygen-derived radicals and oxidative damage, associated with neuronal and muscular phenotypes consistent with sarcopenia. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology combined with immunospin-trapping (IST) to measure in vivo free radical levels in skeletal muscle from wildtype, Sod1-/- and SynTgSod1-/- mice, a mouse model generated using targeted expression of the human Sod1 transgene specifically in neuronal tissues to determine the impact of motor neuron degeneration in muscle atrophy. By combining the spin trap DMPO (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide) and molecular MRI (mMRI), we monitored the level of free radicals in mouse hindlimb muscle. The level of membrane-bound macromolecular radicals in the quadriceps muscle was elevated by ~3-fold in Sod1-/- mice, but normalized to wildtype levels in SynTgSod1-/- rescue mice. Skeletal muscle mass was reduced by ~25-30% in Sod1-/- mice, but fully reversed in muscle from SynTgSod1-/- mice. Using perfusion MRI we also measured the dynamics of blood flow within mouse hindlimb. Relative muscle blood flow in Sod1-/- is decreased to ~50% of wildtype and remained low in the SynTgSod1-/- mice. Our findings are significant in that we have shown for the first time that in vivo free radical production in skeletal muscle is directly correlated to muscle atrophy in an experimental model of oxidative stress. Neuron-specific expression of CuZnSOD reverses the in vivo free radical production in skeletal muscle in the Sod1-/- mouse model and prevents muscle atrophy. These results further support the feasibility of using in vivo assessments of redox status in the progression of a pathological process such as sarcopenia. This approach can also be valuable for evaluating responses to pharmacologic interventions.

Metabolic and Stress Response Changes Precede Disease Onset in the Spinal Cord of Mutant SOD1 ALS Mice.

Many Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients experience hypermetabolism, or an increase in measured vs. calculated metabolic rate. The cause of hypermetabolism and the effects on neuronal metabolism in ALS are currently unknown, but the efficacy of dietary interventions shows promise for metabolism as an ALS therapeutic target. The goal of this study is to measure changes in metabolic pathways as a function of disease progression in spinal cords of the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS. We conducted a comprehensive assessment of protein expression for metabolic pathways, antioxidants, chaperones, and proteases in lumbar spinal cord from male SOD1G93A mice at pre-onset, onset, and end-stages of the disease using targeted proteomic analysis. These results reveal that protein content of metabolic proteins including proteins involved in glycolysis, ß-oxidation, and mitochondrial metabolism is altered in SOD1G93A mouse spinal cord well before disease onset. The changes in mitochondrial metabolism proteins are associated with decreased maximal respiration and glycolytic flux in SOD1G93A dermal fibroblasts and increased hydrogen peroxide and lipid hydroperoxide production in mitochondria from sciatic nerve and gastrocnemius muscle fibers at end stage of disease. Consistent with redox dysregulation, expression of the glutathione antioxidant system is decreased, and peroxiredoxins and catalase expression are increased. In addition, stress response proteases and chaperones, including those involved in the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), are induced before disease onset. In summary, we report that metabolic and stress response changes occur in SOD1G93A lumbar spinal cord before motor symptom onset, and are primarily caused by SOD1G93A expression and do not vary greatly as a function of disease course.

Neuroprotective effects of PPARα in retinopathy of type 1 diabetes.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common neurovascular complication of type 1 diabetes. Current therapeutics target neovascularization characteristic of end-stage disease, but are associated with significant adverse effects. Targeting early events of DR such as neurodegeneration may lead to safer and more effective approaches to treatment. Two independent prospective clinical trials unexpectedly identified that the PPARα agonist fenofibrate had unprecedented therapeutic effects in DR, but gave little insight into the physiological and molecular mechanisms of action. The objective of the present study was to evaluate potential neuroprotective effects of PPARα in DR, and subsequently to identify the responsible mechanism of action. Here we reveal that activation of PPARα had a robust protective effect on retinal function as shown by Optokinetic tracking in a rat model of type 1 diabetes, and also decreased retinal cell death, as demonstrated by a DNA fragmentation ELISA. Further, PPARα ablation exacerbated diabetes-induced decline of visual function as demonstrated by ERG analysis. We further found that PPARα improved mitochondrial efficiency in DR, and decreased ROS production and cell death in cultured retinal neurons. Oxidative stress biomarkers were elevated in diabetic Pparα-/- mice, suggesting increased oxidative stress. Mitochondrially mediated apoptosis and oxidative stress secondary to mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to neurodegeneration in DR. Taken together, these findings identify a robust neuroprotective effect for PPARα in DR, which may be due to improved mitochondrial function and subsequent alleviation of energetic deficits, oxidative stress and mitochondrially mediated apoptosis.