Specific Biomarkers in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3: A Systematic Review of Their Potential Uses in Disease Staging and Treatment Assessment.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common type of disease related to poly-glutamine (polyQ) repeats. Its hallmark pathology is related to the abnormal accumulation of ataxin 3 with a longer polyQ tract (polyQ-ATXN3). However, there are other mechanisms related to SCA3 progression that require identifying trait and state biomarkers for a more accurate diagnosis and prognosis. Moreover, the identification of potential pharmacodynamic targets and assessment of therapeutic efficacy necessitates valid biomarker profiles. The aim of this review was to identify potential trait and state biomarkers and their potential value in clinical trials. Our results show that, in SCA3, there are different fluid biomarkers involved in neurodegeneration, oxidative stress, metabolism, miRNA and novel genes. However, neurofilament light chain NfL and polyQ-ATXN3 stand out as the most prevalent in body fluids and SCA3 stages. A heterogeneity analysis of NfL revealed that it may be a valuable state biomarker, particularly when measured in plasma. Nonetheless, since it could be a more beneficial approach to tracking SCA3 progression and clinical trial efficacy, it is more convenient to perform a biomarker profile evaluation than to rely on only one.

Polymeric nanoparticles decorated with fragmented chitosan as modulation systems for neuronal drug uptake.

This study aimed to modify chitosan (CS) by gamma irradiation and use it as a surface coating of nanoparticles (NPs) fabricated of poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) to create mostly biocompatible nanosystems that can transport drugs to neurons. Gamma irradiation produced irradiated CS (CSγ) with a very low molecular weight (15.2-19.2 kDa). Coating NPs-PLGA with CSγ caused significant changes in their Z potential, making it slightly positive (from -21.7 ± 2.8 mV to +7.1 ± 2.3 mV) and in their particle size (184.4 0.4 ± 7.9 nm to 211.9 ± 14.04 nm). However, these changes were more pronounced in NPs coated with non-irradiated CS (Z potential = +54.0 ± 1.43 mV, size = 348.1 ± 16.44 nm). NPs coated with CSγ presented lower cytotoxicity and similar internalization levels in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells than NPs coated with non-irradiated CS, suggesting higher biocompatibility. Highly biocompatible NPs are desirable as nanocarriers to deliver drugs to the brain, as they help maintain the structure and function of the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, the NPs developed in this study could be evaluated as drug-delivery systems for treating brain diseases.

La electroforesis capilar como una nueva estrategia en la medicina y el diagnóstico clínico / Capillary electrophoresis, a new diagnostic tool

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) may replace many conventional clinical laboratory methods, such as electrophoresis, Southern blotting, sequencing and HPLC (High-performance liquid chromatography). It is an ideal technique due to analytical speed, the possibility of handling great amount of samples, its capacity to separate small molecules according to their size, charge, hydrophobic and stereo-specificity its good reproducibility the use of small amounts of sample and reagents, its low costs and easy handling. The diagnosis of hereditary diseases or the predisposition to polygenic diseases related to specific mutations or polymorphisms can be carried out with this method. In clinical laboratories, this technique is being used for the analysis of several substrates present in urine or serum and for the diagnosis of some infectious agents. It is also a firsthand tool in forensic medicine for human identification and anthropology.

Análisis molecular de los repetidos CAG en pacientes mexicanos con ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2 / Molecular analysis of the CAG repeat among patients with Type-2 spinocerebellar ataxia in the Mexican population

Antecedentes: La ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2 es causada por la expansión del repetido CAG presente en el exón 1 del gen de la ataxina-2, lo cual origina la incorporación de un segmento de poliglutaminas en la proteína mutante. Métodos: Mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa y electroforesis capilar se determinó el número de repetidos CAG del gen de la ataxina-2 en 66 individuos pertenecientes a tres familias mexicanas diagnosticadas clínicamente con ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2, y en 400 individuos de una muestra de población mestiza mexicana. Resultados: Se identificó la expansión del repetido CAG en 11 sujetos con sintomatología de ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2 y en cuatro individuos asintomáticos, lo que confirmó el diagnóstico en dos de las tres familias analizadas. Se determinó que los pacientes con mayor número de repetidos desarrollaron la sintomatología de la enfermedad a una edad más temprana, fenómeno conocido como “anticipación”. Los alelos silvestres presentaron un rango entre 13 y 30 repetidos CAG, siendo el alelo de 22 repetidos el más frecuente, mientras que los alelos mutados mostraron un rango de 36 a 54 repetidos. Conclusiones: La identificación de la expansión del repetido CAG del gen de la ataxina-2 confirmó el diagnóstico clínico de ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2.

BACKGROUND: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) results from the expansion of a CAG triplet located within the coding sequence of the ataxin-2 gene, which ultimately provokes the incorporation of a stretch of polyglutamines in the mutant protein. METHODS: We determined by PCR and capillary electrophoresis the number of ataxin2 gene CAG repeats in 66 individuals belonging to 3 families, clinically diagnosed with SCA2, and 400 subjects from a sample of the mestizo Mexican population. RESULTS: The CAG repeat expansion was found in 11 symptomatic subjects and four asymptomatic individuals, confirming the SCA2 clinical diagnosis in two out of the three families studied. We noted that patients with longer CAG repeat numbers have an early disease onset, a phenomenon known as anticipation. Wild-type alleles showed a CAG repeat range between 13 and 30, and the allele carrying 22 CAG repeats was the most common among our sample. Mutant alleles also displayed a range between 36 and 54 CAG repeats. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of the CAG repeat expansion facilitates an accurate SCA2 diagnosis.