Cellular activation patterns of CD10+ fibro-adipogenic progenitors across acquired disease states in human skeletal muscle biopsies.

Background: Fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAP) are muscle resident mesenchymal stem cells pivotal for regulation of myofiber repair. Experimental results show in addition involvement in a range of other pathological conditions and potential for pharmacological intervention. FAP histopathology in human muscle biopsies is largely unknown, but has potential to inform translational research. Methods: CD10+ FAPs in 32 archival muscle biopsies from 8 groups (normal, dermatomyositis, inclusion body myositis (IBM), anti-synthetase syndrome, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), denervation, type 2 atrophy, rhabdomyolysis) were visualized by CD10 immunohistochemistry and their histology compared. Groups are compared by semi-quantitative scoring. Results: Histological activation of endomysial CD10+ FAPs includes prominent expansion of a network of cell processes surrounding muscle fibers, as well as endomysial cell clusters evidencing proliferation. Prominence of periarteriolar processes is a notable feature in some pathologies. FAP activation is often associated with fiber degeneration/regeneration, foci of inflammation, and denervation in keeping with experimental results. Type 2 atrophy shows no evidence of FAP activation. Dermatomyositis and anti-synthetase syndrome associated myositis demonstrate diffuse activation. Conclusion: Assessment of CD10+ FAP activation is routinely possible using CD10 immunohistochemistry and demonstrates several patterns in keeping with preclinical results. Prominent expansion of FAP processes surrounding myofibers suggests enhanced interaction between myofiber/basement membranes and FAPs during activation. The presence of diffuse FAP activation in dermatomyositis biopsies unrelated to fiber repair raises the possibility of FAP activation as part of the autoimmune process. Future diagnostic applications, clinical significance and therapeutic potential remain to be elucidated.

TNFα and IFNγ cooperate for efficient pro- to anti-inflammatory transition of macrophages during muscle regeneration.

IFNγ is traditionally known as a proinflammatory cytokine with diverse roles in antimicrobial and antitumor immunity. Yet, findings regarding its sources and functions during the regeneration process following a sterile injury are conflicting. Here, we show that natural killer (NK) cells are the main source of IFNγ in regenerating muscle. Beyond this cell population, IFNγ production is limited to a small population of T cells. We further show that NK cells do not play a major role in muscle regeneration following an acute injury or in dystrophic mice. Surprisingly, the absence of IFNγ per se also has no effect on muscle regeneration following an acute injury. However, the role of IFNγ is partially unmasked when TNFα is also neutralized, suggesting a compensatory mechanism. Using transgenic mice, we showed that conditional inhibition of IFNGR1 signaling in muscle stem cells or fibro-adipogenic progenitors does not play a major role in muscle regeneration. In contrast to common belief, we found that IFNγ is not present in the early inflammatory phase of the regeneration process but rather peaks when macrophages are acquiring an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Further transcriptomic analysis suggests that IFNγ cooperates with TNFα to regulate the transition of macrophages from pro- to anti-inflammatory states. The absence of the cooperative effect of these cytokines on macrophages, however, does not result in significant regeneration impairment likely due to the presence of other compensatory mechanisms. Our findings support the arising view of IFNγ as a pleiotropic inflammatory regulator rather than an inducer of the inflammatory response.

MYCN amplification drives an aggressive form of spinal ependymoma.

Spinal ependymal tumors form a histologically and molecularly heterogeneous group of tumors with generally good prognosis. However, their treatment can be challenging if infiltration of the spinal cord or dissemination throughout the central nervous system (CNS) occurs and, in these cases, clinical outcome remains poor. Here, we describe a new and relatively rare subgroup of spinal ependymal tumors identified using DNA methylation profiling that is distinct from other molecular subgroups of ependymoma. Copy number variation plots derived from DNA methylation arrays showed MYCN amplification as a characteristic genetic alteration in all cases of our cohort (n = 13), which was subsequently validated using fluorescence in situ hybridization. The histological diagnosis was anaplastic ependymoma (WHO Grade III) in ten cases and classic ependymoma (WHO Grade II) in three cases. Histological re-evaluation in five primary tumors and seven relapses showed characteristic histological features of ependymoma, namely pseudorosettes, GFAP- and EMA positivity. Electron microscopy revealed cilia, complex intercellular junctions and intermediate filaments in a representative sample. Taking these findings into account, we suggest to designate this molecular subgroup spinal ependymoma with MYCN amplification, SP-EPN-MYCN. SP-EPN-MYCN tumors showed distinct growth patterns with intradural, extramedullary localization mostly within the thoracic and cervical spine, diffuse leptomeningeal spread throughout the whole CNS and infiltrative invasion of the spinal cord. Dissemination was observed in 100% of cases. Despite high-intensity treatment, SP-EPN-MYCN showed significantly worse median progression free survival (PFS) (17 months) and median overall survival (OS) (87 months) than all other previously described molecular spinal ependymoma subgroups. OS and PFS were similar to supratentorial ependymoma with RELA-fusion (ST-EPN-RELA) and posterior fossa ependymoma A (PF-EPN-A), further highlighting the aggressiveness of this distinct new subgroup. We, therefore, propose to establish SP-EPN-MYCN as a new molecular subgroup in ependymoma and advocate for testing newly diagnosed spinal ependymal tumors for MYCN amplification.

Calpainopathy with macrophage-rich, regional inflammatory infiltrates.

Mutations in calpain-3 cause limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2A. Biopsy pathology is typically dystrophic, sometimes characterized by frequent lobulated fibres. More recently calpain mutations have been shown in association with eosinophilic myositis, suggesting that calpain mutations may render muscle susceptible to inflammatory change. We present the case of a 33-year old female with mild proximal muscle weakness and high CK levels (6698 IU/L at presentation). Muscle biopsy showed clusters of fibre necrosis associated with very dense macrophage infiltrates and small numbers of lymphocytes, raising the possibility of an inflammatory myopathy. No eosinophils were observed. Immunosuppressive treatment was started without clinical improvement. MRI demonstrated bilateral fatty replacement in posterior thigh and calf muscles. Western blot results prompted Sanger sequencing of the calpain-3 gene revealing compound heterozygous mutations c.643_663del and c.1746-20C>G. Our case widens the myopathological spectrum of calpainopathies to include focal macrophage rich inflammatory change.

Granulomatous herpes simplex encephalitis in an infant with multicystic encephalopathy: a distinct clinicopathologic entity?

BACKGROUND: Herpes simplex virus encephalitis can manifest as a range of clinical presentations including classic adult, neonatal, and biphasic chronic-granulomatous herpes encephalitis. METHOD: We report an infant with granulomatous herpes simplex virus type 2 encephalitis with a subacute course and multicystic encephalopathy. CASE: A 2-month-old girl presented with lethargy and hypothermia. Computed tomography scan of the head showed multicystic encephalopathy and calcifications. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis by polymerase chain reaction testing for herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, enterovirus, and cytomegalovirus was negative. Normal cerebrospinal fluid interferon-α levels argued against Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. The patient died 2 weeks after presentation. At autopsy, multicystic encephalopathy was confirmed with bilateral gliosis, granulomatous inflammation with multinucleated giant cells, and calcifications. Bilateral healing necrotizing retinitis suggested a viral etiology, but retina and brain were free of viral inclusions and immunohistochemically negative for herpes simplex virus-2 and cytomegalovirus. However, polymerase chain reaction analysis showed herpes simplex virus-2 DNA in four cerebral paraffin blocks. Subsequent repeat testing of the initial cerebrospinal fluid sample using a different polymerase chain reaction assay was weakly positive for herpes simplex virus-2 DNA. CONCLUSION: Granulomatous herpes simplex virus encephalitis in infants can present with subacute course and result in multicystic encephalopathy with mineralization and minimal cerebrospinal fluid herpes simplex virus DNA load. Infectious etiologies should be carefully investigated in the differential diagnosis of multicystic encephalopathy with mineralization, in particular if multinucleated giant cells are present.

Protective effects of d-3-hydroxybutyrate and propionate during hypoglycemic coma: clinical and biochemical insights from infant rats.

BACKGROUND: d-3-hydroxybutyrate (3OHB) is an alternative energy substrate for the brain during hypoglycemia, especially during infancy. Supplementation of 3OHB during sustained hypoglycemia in rat pups delays onset of burst suppression coma, but is associated with white matter injury and increased mortality. The biochemical basis for this ambivalent effect is not known. It may be related to an anaplerotic or gluconeogenetic deficit of 3OHB. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied clinical alertness, EEG and brain metabolites (acyl-carnitines, amino acids, glycolytic and pentose phosphate intermediates) in 13 day-old rat pups during insulin induced hypoglycemic coma and after treatment with 3OHB alone or in combination with the anaplerotic substrate propionate. Clinically, treatment with 3OHB and propionate resulted in an alert state and EEG improvement, while treatment with 3OHB alone resulted in an improved EEG but animals remained clinically comatose. Biochemically, both treatments resulted in correction of cerebral glutamate and ammonia levels but not of gluconeogenetic substrates and pentose phosphate metabolites. CONCLUSION: 3OHB treatment restores glutamate metabolism but cannot restore a glycolytic or pentose phosphate pathway deficit. Additional treatment with propionate significantly improved the clinical protective effect of 3OHB in hypoglycemic coma.

Effects of d-3-hydroxybutyrate treatment on hypoglycemic coma in rat pups.

d-3-Hydroxybutyrate (3OHB) is an alternative energy substrate for the brain during hypoglycemia, especially in infancy. Knowledge of the capacity and limits of 3OHB to compensate for cerebral glucose depletion during hypoglycemia in developing brain is important for its potential clinical use, but is scarce. We studied the effect of 3OHB treatment during insulin-induced hypoglycemia in 13-day-old rat pups. 3OHB treatment resulted in increased 3OHB plasma levels in hypoglycemic animals (3-4mM vs. 0.5-1mM untreated), and delayed the onset of clinical coma by 70min and of burst-suppression coma by 90min. 3OHB treated animals did not survive after resuscitation with glucose, compared to 80% survival of untreated hypoglycemic pups. Cleaved-caspase-3 immunohistochemistry and double labeling studies demonstrated a 20-fold increase of apoptotic mature oligodendrocytes in white matter of 3OHB treated animals. 3OHB treatment delays the onset of clinical and burst-suppression coma during hypoglycemia, but the prolonged duration of hypoglycemia is associated with increased mortality after resuscitation and cellular white matter injury.

Cerebral creatine deficiency syndromes: clinical aspects, treatment and pathophysiology.

Cerebral creatine deficiency syndromes (CCDSs) are a group of inborn errors of creatine metabolism comprising two autosomal recessive disorders that affect the biosynthesis of creatine--i.e. arginine:glycine amidinotransferase deficiency (AGAT; MIM 602360) and guanidinoacetate methyltransferase deficiency (GAMT; MIM 601240)--and an X-linked defect that affects the creatine transporter, SLC6A8 deficiency (SLC6A8; MIM 300036). The biochemical hallmarks of these disorders include cerebral creatine deficiency as detected in vivo by 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of the brain, and specific disturbances in metabolites of creatine metabolism in body fluids. In urine and plasma, abnormal guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) levels are found in AGAT deficiency (reduced GAA) and in GAMT deficiency (increased GAA). In urine of males with SLC6A8 deficiency, an increased creatine/creatinine ratio is detected. The common clinical presentation in CCDS includes mental retardation, expressive speech and language delay, autistic like behaviour and epilepsy. Treatment of the creatine biosynthesis defects has yielded clinical improvement, while for creatine transporter deficiency, successful treatment strategies still need to be discovered. CCDSs may be responsible for a considerable fraction of children and adults affected with mental retardation of unknown etiology. Thus, screening for this group of disorders should be included in the differential diagnosis of this population. In this review, also the importance of CCDSs for the unravelling of the (patho)physiology of cerebral creatine metabolism is discussed.