Efficacy of AAV serotypes to target Schwann cells after intrathecal and intravenous delivery.

To optimize gene delivery to myelinating Schwann cells we compared clinically relevant AAV serotypes and injection routes. AAV9 and AAVrh10 vectors expressing either EGFP or the neuropathy-associated gene GJB1/Connexin32 (Cx32) under a myelin specific promoter were injected intrathecally or intravenously in wild type and Gjb1-null mice, respectively. Vector biodistribution in lumbar roots and sciatic nerves was higher in AAVrh10 injected mice while EGFP and Cx32 expression rates and levels were similar between the two serotypes. A gradient of biodistribution away from the injection site was seen with both intrathecal and intravenous delivery, while similar expression rates were achieved despite higher vector amounts injected intravenously. Quantified immune cells in relevant tissues were similar to non-injected littermates. Overall, AAV9 and AAVrh10 efficiently transduce Schwann cells throughout the peripheral nervous system with both clinically relevant routes of administration, although AAV9 and intrathecal injection may offer a more efficient approach for treating demyelinating neuropathies.

Gene replacement therapy after neuropathy onset provides therapeutic benefit in a model of CMT1X.

X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT1X), one of the commonest forms of inherited demyelinating neuropathy, results from GJB1 gene mutations causing loss of function of the gap junction protein connexin32 (Cx32). The aim of this study was to examine whether delayed gene replacement therapy after the onset of peripheral neuropathy can provide a therapeutic benefit in the Gjb1-null/Cx32 knockout model of CMT1X. After delivery of the LV-Mpz.GJB1 lentiviral vector by a single lumbar intrathecal injection into 6-month-old Gjb1-null mice, we confirmed expression of Cx32 in lumbar roots and sciatic nerves correctly localized at the paranodal myelin areas. Gjb1-null mice treated with LV-Mpz.GJB1 compared with LV-Mpz.Egfp (mock) vector at the age of 6 months showed improved motor performance at 8 and 10 months. Furthermore, treated mice showed increased sciatic nerve conduction velocities, improvement of myelination and reduced inflammation in lumbar roots and peripheral nerves at 10 months of age, along with enhanced quadriceps muscle innervation. Plasma neurofilament light (NEFL) levels, a clinically relevant biomarker, were also ameliorated in fully treated mice. Intrathecal gene delivery after the onset of peripheral neuropathy offers a significant therapeutic benefit in this disease model, providing a proof of principle for treating patients with CMT1X at different ages.

Intrathecal gene therapy in mouse models expressing CMT1X mutations.

Gap junction beta-1 (GJB1) gene mutations affecting the gap junction protein connexin32 (Cx32) cause the X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT1X), a common inherited neuropathy. Targeted expression of virally delivered Cx32 in Schwann cells following intrathecal injection of lentiviral vectors in the Cx32 knockout (KO) mouse model of the disease has led to morphological and functional improvement. To examine whether this approach could be effective in CMT1X patients expressing different Cx32 mutants, we treated transgenic Cx32 KO mice expressing the T55I, R75W or N175D CMT1X mutations. All three mutants were localized in the perinuclear compartment of myelinating Schwann cells consistent with retention in the ER (T55I) or Golgi (R75W, N175D) and loss of physiological expression in the non-compact myelin. Following intrathecal delivery of the GJB1 gene we detected the virally delivered wild-type (WT) Cx32 in non-compact myelin of T55I KO mice, but only rarely in N175D KO or R75W KO mice, suggesting dominant-negative effects of the R75W and N175D mutants but not of the T55I mutant on co-expressed WT Cx32. GJB1 treated T55I KO mice showed improved motor performance, lower ratios of abnormally myelinated fibers and reduction of inflammatory cells in spinal roots and peripheral nerves compared with mock-treated littermates. Either partial (N175D KO) or no (R75W KO) improvement was observed in the other two mutant lines. Thus, certain CMT1X mutants may interfere with gene addition therapy for CMT1X. Whereas gene addition can be used for non-interfering CMT1X mutations, further studies will be needed to develop treatments for patients harboring interfering mutations.

Titin antibodies in "seronegative" myasthenia gravis--A new role for an old antigen.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease caused by antibodies targeting the neuromuscular junction of skeletal muscles. Triple-seronegative MG (tSN-MG, without detectable AChR, MuSK and LRP4 antibodies), which accounts for ~10% of MG patients, presents a serious gap in MG diagnosis and complicates differential diagnosis of similar disorders. Several AChR antibody positive patients (AChR-MG) also have antibodies against titin, usually detected by ELISA. We have developed a very sensitive radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA) for titin antibodies, by which many previously negative samples were found positive, including several from tSN-MG patients. The validity of the RIPA results was confirmed by western blots. Using this RIPA we screened 667 MG sera from 13 countries; as expected, AChR-MG patients had the highest frequency of titin antibodies (40.9%), while MuSK-MG and LRP4-MG patients were positive in 14.6% and 16.4% respectively. Most importantly, 13.4% (50/372) of the tSN-MG patients were also titin antibody positive. None of the 121 healthy controls or the 90 myopathy patients, and only 3.6% (7/193) of other neurological disease patients were positive. We thus propose that the present titin antibody RIPA is a useful tool for serological MG diagnosis of tSN patients.

MuSK autoantibodies in myasthenia gravis detected by cell based assay--A multinational study.

Seronegative myasthenia gravis (MG) presents a serious gap in MG diagnosis and understanding. We applied a cell based assay (CBA) for the detection of muscle specific kinase (MuSK) antibodies undetectable by radioimmunoassay. We tested 633 triple-seronegative MG patients' sera from 13 countries, detecting 13% as positive. MuSK antibodies were found, at significantly lower frequencies, in 1.9% of healthy controls and 5.1% of other neuroimmune disease patients, including multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica. The clinical data of the newly diagnosed MuSK-MG patients are presented. 27% of ocular seronegative patients were MuSK antibody positive. Moreover, 23% had thymic hyperplasia suggesting that thymic abnormalities are more common than believed.

A comprehensive analysis of the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of anti-LRP4 in myasthenia gravis.

Double-seronegative myasthenia gravis (dSN-MG, without detectable AChR and MuSK antibodies) presents a serious gap in MG diagnosis and understanding. Recently, autoantibodies against the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4) have been identified in several dSN-MG sera, but with dramatic frequency variation (∼2-50%). We have developed a cell based assay (CBA) based on human LRP4 expressing HEK293 cells, for the reliable and efficient detection of LRP4 antibodies. We have screened about 800 MG patient sera from 10 countries for LRP4 antibodies. The overall frequency of LRP4-MG in the dSN-MG group (635 patients) was 18.7% but with variations among different populations (range 7-32.7%). Interestingly, we also identified double positive sera: 8/107 anti-AChR positive and 10/67 anti-MuSK positive sera also had detectable LRP4 antibodies, predominantly originating from only two of the participating groups. No LRP4 antibodies were identified in sera from 56 healthy controls tested, while 4/110 from patients with other neuroimmune diseases were positive. The clinical data, when available, for the LRP4-MG patients were then studied. At disease onset symptoms were mild (81% had MGFA grade I or II), with some identified thymic changes (32% hyperplasia, none with thymoma). On the other hand, double positive patients (AChR/LRP4-MG and MuSK/LRP4-MG) had more severe symptoms at onset compared with any single positive MG subgroup. Contrary to MuSK-MG, 27% of ocular dSN-MG patients were LRP4 antibody positive. Similarly, contrary to MuSK antibodies, which are predominantly of the IgG4 subtype, LRP4 antibodies were predominantly of the IgG1 and IgG2 subtypes. The prevalence was higher in women than in men (female/male ratio 2.5/1), with an average disease onset at ages 33.4 for females and 41.9 for males. Overall, the response of LRP4-MG patients to treatment was similar to published responses of AChR-MG rather than to MuSK-MG patients.

Autoimmune limbic encephalitis in 39 patients: immunophenotypes and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: About 40% of patients with limbic encephalitis do not have detectable CNS antibodies. Some of these patients have immune-mediated limbic encephalitis, but their frequency is unknown. AIMS: (1) To determine the spectrum of limbic encephalitis identified on clinical grounds in a single institution, and compare it with that in patients referred for antibody analysis. (2) To correlate clinical outcomes with the cellular location of the autoantigens. METHODS: Prospective clinical case studies. Immunohistochemistry with rat brain, live hippocampal neurones, HeLa cells expressing Kv potassium channels and immunoblot. RESULTS: In 4 years, 17 patients were identified in the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA, and the serum or CSF samples of 22 patients diagnosed elsewhere were also studied. 9 of our 17 (53%) patients had antibodies to known neuronal antigens (paraneoplastic or voltage gated potassium channels (VGKCs)) and 5 (29%) to novel cell-membrane antigens (nCMAg) typically expressed in the hippocampus and sometimes in the cerebellum. Considering the entire series, 19 of 39 (49%) patients had antibodies to known antigens, and 17 (44%) to nCMAg. Follow-up (2-48 months, median 19 months) was available for 35 patients. When compared with patients with antibodies to intraneuronal antigens, a significant association with response to treatment was found in those with antibodies to cell-membrane antigens in general (VGKC or nCMAg, p = 0.003) or to nCMAg (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: (1) 82% of patients with limbic encephalitis prospectively identified on clinical grounds had CNS antibodies; (2) responsiveness to treatment is not limited to patients with VGKC antibodies; (3) in many patients (29% from a single institution), the autoantigens were unknown but were found to be highly enriched in neuronal cell membranes of the hippocampus; and (4) these antibodies are associated with a favourable outcome.

Phenotypic and cellular expression of two novel connexin32 mutations causing CMT1X.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the phenotypic and cellular expression of two novel connexin32 (Cx32) mutations causing X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT1X). METHODS: The authors evaluated several members of two families with CMT1X clinically, electrophysiologically, pathologically, and by genetic testing. The Cx32 mutations were expressed in vitro and studied by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: In both families, men were more severely affected than women with onset in the second decade of life. In the first family, the phenotype was that of demyelinating polyneuropathy with variable involvement of peripheral nerves. There was clinical evidence of CNS involvement in at least three of the patients, with extensor plantar responses and brisk reflexes. In the second family, the affected man presented with symmetric polyneuropathy and intermediate slowing of conduction velocities, whereas affected women had prominent asymmetric atrophy of the leg muscles. The authors identified two novel missense mutations resulting in L143P amino acid substitution in the first family and in V140E substitution in the second family, both located in the third transmembrane domain of Cx32. Expression of these Cx32 mutations in communication-incompetent HeLa cells and immunocytochemical analysis revealed that both mutants were retained intracellularly and were localized in the Golgi apparatus. In contrast to wild-type protein, they did not form gap junctions. CONCLUSION: These novel connexin32 (Cx32) mutations cause a spectrum of clinical manifestations characteristic of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT1X), including demyelinating or intermediate polyneuropathy, which is often asymmetric, and CNS involvement in one family. The position and cellular expression of Cx32 mutations alone cannot fully predict these phenotypic variations in CMT1X.

Vestibular symptoms and signs are correlated with abnormal neurogenic vestibular evoked potentials in patients with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: Symptoms of disequilibrium in multiple sclerosis (MS) are common. Neurogenic vestibular evoked potentials (NVsEPs) are saccular responses to tone-pip acoustic stimuli and are recordable from the parietal areas ipsilaterally to the stimulated ear. We wished to determine possible correlations of abnormal findings in NVsEP with clinical neurological findings related to the vestibular system, and demyelination seen on MRI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: NVsEPs were performed by delivering a 1 kHz tone-pip stimulus monoaurally with contralateral masking noise via headphones. Brainstem auditory evoked potentials were performed in the standard manner. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients had either been diagnosed with MS or had possible MS. There is statistical evidence that the presence of symptoms is likely to give an abnormal NVsEP, but no correlation exists between the presence or absence of vestibular symptoms and signs and an abnormal BAEP. No correlation was found between the presence of brainstem lesions on MRI and an abnormal NVsEP. Correlation exists between abnormal NVsEP and the level of disability using Expanded Disability Status Scale scores. CONCLUSION: We have found that with increasing involvement of abnormal NVsEPs, there is a significant correlation with symptoms and signs that can be referred to the vestibular system.

Ulnar neuropathy at Guyon's canal: electrophysiological and surgical findings.

Published correlations between electrophysiological and surgical findings are relatively rare in cases of ulnar nerve compression at the wrist, compared to the more common compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. We describe a patient who presented with clinical and electrodiagnostic findings of a pure motor ulnar neuropathy involving the territory of the deep branch. Surgical exploration revealed that a ganglion cyst caused compression of the deep ulnar motor branch at Guyon's canal. This case illustrates the usefulness of electrodiagnostic studies in the localization of nerve entrapment prior to surgery.

Neurogenic vestibular evoked potentials in three cases of vestibular system dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate that neurogenic vestibular evoked potentials (NVsEP) may be specific to the vestibular system using three cases of vestibular system dysfunction and normal auditory function, METHODS: Neurogenic vestibular evoked potentials were performed by recording from the parietal areas of the scalp using a tone-pip auditory stimulus via headphones. Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) and NVsEP were performed in all three cases. RESULTS: Brainstem auditory evoked potentials were within normal limits in all three cases. All three patients showed abnormalities in their NVsEP In the third case, the responses normalized after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support further the hypothesis that NVsEP are specific to the vestibular system and are a separate response from the BAEP SIGNIFICANCE: Neurogenic vestibular evoked potentials is an easy examination to carry out and can be performed in any clinical neurophysiological laboratory that is familiar with BAEPs. Examinations used to diagnose vestibular system disorders at present include the glycerol dehydration test, electrocochleography, myogenic vestibular evoked potentials and electronystagmography. Neurogenic vestibular evoked potentials may also prove to be useful.

Neurogenic vestibular evoked potentials in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the value of neurogenic vesibular evoked potential (NVESTEP) studies in comparison with other paraclinical tests in demonstrating dissemination in time and space in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and in identifying clinically silent lesions. METHOD: All patients in whom MS was suspected but the diagnosis of MS was not possible based on the McDonald criteria were included in this study. We studied 14 patients and performed visual, brainstem auditory, somatosensory and neurogenic vestibular evoked potentials in all patients, together with MRI and CSF analysis of oligoclonal bands (OB). RESULTS: Two out of the thirteen patients could be movedfrom the category of "possible MS" to "MS" using the McDonald criteria based on an abnormal NVESTEP result. CONCLUSION: Neurogenic vestibular evoked potentials are potentially useful in identifying clinically silent lesions in patients with possible MS.

Unobtainable radial nerve F-waves in a case of radial nerve conduction block.

We present here the first known case of an unobtainable radial nerve F-wave in a case of radial nerve conduction block. This case further demonstrates that F-waves are used not only to rule out neuropathy or radiculopathy, but also to detect conduction block.

Mutation of a putative protein degradation gene LITAF/SIMPLE in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 1C.

BACKGROUND: Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathy is a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders of the peripheral nervous system. The authors recently mapped an autosomal dominant demyelinating form of CMT type 1 (CMT1C) to chromosome 16p13.1-p12.3. OBJECTIVE: To find the gene mutations underlying CMT1C. METHODS: The authors used a combination of standard positional cloning and candidate gene approaches to identify the causal gene for CMT1C. Western blot analysis was used to determine relative protein levels in patient and control lymphocyte extracts. Northern blotting was used to characterize gene expression in 1) multiple tissues; 2) developing sciatic nerve; and 3) nerve-crush and nerve-transection experiments. RESULTS: The authors identified missense mutations (G112S, T115N, W116G) in the LITAFgene (lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha factor) in three CMT1C pedigrees. LITAF, which is also referred to as SIMPLE, is a widely expressed gene encoding a 161-amino acid protein that may play a role in protein degradation pathways. The mutations associated with CMT1C were found to cluster, defining a domain of the LITAF protein having a critical role in peripheral nerve function. Western blot analysis suggested that the T115N and W116G mutations do not alter the level of LITAF protein in peripheral blood lymphocytes. The LITAF transcript is expressed in sciatic nerve, but its level of expression is not altered during development or in response to nerve injury. This finding is in stark contrast to that seen for other known genes that cause CMT1. CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in LITAF may account for a significant proportion of CMT1 patients with previously unknown molecular diagnosis and may define a new mechanism of peripheral nerve perturbation leading to demyelinating neuropathy.

Acute axonal neuropathy in maple syrup urine disease.

A 25-year-old woman with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) developed generalized weakness over 1 week. She had severe leg and moderate arm weakness, areflexia, and distal sensory loss. Plasma branched-chain amino acid concentrations were elevated, reflecting an acute exacerbation of the disease. Electrodiagnostic studies indicated an acute axonal polyneuropathy and sural nerve biopsy revealed acute wallerian degeneration without inflammation. Peripheral neuropathy, although not identified previously as a clinical feature of MSUD, may become more common as chronic dietary restrictions and improved management of the disease allow survival into adulthood.

Chronic multiple paraneoplastic syndromes.

A patient presented with symptoms of limbic and brainstem encephalitis, motor and sensory neuronopathy, cerebellar dysfunction, and highly positive anti-Hu antibodies. He also harbored P/Q-type calcium channel antibodies and manifested the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). Small-cell lung cancer was found, and he received both antineoplastic therapy and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). Remission of the malignancy was achieved. Although the anti-Hu-related manifestations improved after therapy, LEMS has persisted, leading to IVIg dependency.

Bipap improves survival and rate of pulmonary function decline in patients with ALS.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive motor neuron disease that frequently causes death within five years of diagnosis. The majority of deaths are due to pulmonary complications resulting from respiratory muscle weakness and bulbar involvement. A promising respiratory intervention is the recently introduced bi-level intermittent positive pressure (Bipap), which is a noninvasive ventilator modality shown to reduce the work of breathing and improve not only gas exchange, but also exercise tolerance and sleep quality. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of Bipap in prolonging survival in ALS. We retrospectively analyzed the results of Bipap use in 122 patients followed at Hahnemann University. All patients in this study were offered Bipap when their forced vital capacity (FVC) dropped below 50% of predicted value. Group 1 (n=38) accepted Bipap and used it more than 4 h/day. Group 2 (n=32) did not tolerate Bipap well and used it less than 4 h/day. Group 3 (n=52) refused to try Bipap. There was a statistically significant improvement in survival from initiation of Bipap in Group 1 (14.2 months) compared to Group 2 (7.0 months, P=0.002) or 3 (4.6 months, P<0.001) respectively. Furthermore, when the slope of vital capacity decline was examined, the group that used Bipap more than 4 h/day had slower decline in vital capacity (-3.5% change/month) compared to Group 2 (-5.9% change/month, P=0.02) and Group 3 (-8.3% change/month, P<0.001). We conclude that Bipap can significantly prolong survival and slow the decline of FVC in ALS. Our results suggest that all patients with ALS be offered Bipap when their FVC drops below 50%, at the onset of dyspnea, or when a rapid drop in %FVC is noted.