The new missense G376V-TDP-43 variant induces late-onset distal myopathy but not amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

TAR DNA binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43)-positive inclusions in neurons are a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases including familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) caused by pathogenic TARDBP variants as well as more common non-Mendelian sporadic ALS (sALS). Here we report a G376V-TDP-43 missense variant in the C-terminal prion-like domain of the protein in two French families affected by an autosomal dominant myopathy but not fulfilling diagnostic criteria for ALS.Patients from both families presented with progressive weakness and atrophy of distal muscles, starting in their fifth to seventh decade. Muscle biopsies revealed a degenerative myopathy characterized by accumulation of rimmed (autophagic) vacuoles, disruption of sarcomere integrity and severe myofibrillar disorganization. The G376V variant altered a highly conserved amino acid residue and was absent in databases on human genome variation. Variant pathogenicity was supported by in silico analyses and functional studies.The G376V mutant increased the formation of cytoplasmic TDP-43 condensates in cell culture models, promoted assembly into high molecular weight oligomers and aggregates in vitro, and altered morphology of TDP-43 condensates arising from phase separation. Moreover, the variant led to the formation of cytoplasmic TDP-43 condensates in patient-derived myoblasts and induced abnormal mRNA splicing in patient muscle tissue.The identification of individuals with TDP-43-related myopathy, but not ALS, implies that TARDBP missense variants may have more pleiotropic effects than previously anticipated and support a primary role for TDP-43 in skeletal muscle pathophysiology. We propose to include TARDBP screening in the genetic work-up of patients with late-onset distal myopathy. Further research is warranted to examine the precise pathogenic mechanisms of TARDBP variants causing either a neurodegenerative or myopathic phenotype. Zibold et al. identify a new TDP-43 missense variant (G376V) in two French families affected by late-onset distal myopathy but not ALS. The findings support a primary role for TDP-43 in skeletal muscle pathophysiology and suggest that TARDBP screening should be included in the genetic work-up of patients with distal myopathy

Photocatalysis and disinfection of water: Identification of potential bacterial targets

3-4 Pigeot-Remy, S. Simonet, F. Errazuriz-Cerda, E. Lazzaroni, J. C. Atlan, D. Guillard, C.In order to identify some of the potential bacterial targets, the effects of TiO2 nanoparticles on bacteria in aqueous suspension were assessed in the dark and under UV-A (lambda > 340 nm) radiation exposure, using the microorganism model Escherichia coli K-12. Illumination was produced with a HPK 125W lamp and suspended TiO2 Degussa P-25 was used as the photocatalyst, absorbing all the incident UV-A radiations. The impact of the photocatalyst on the bacteria was investigated by monitoring cell cultivability, cell wall integrity and nucleic acid stability. The contact of TiO2 particles with bacteria in the dark increased the bacterial sensitivity to membrane-perturbing agents, suggesting an increase in outer membrane permeability. In contrast, the contact between SiO2 particles, with an average particle size similar to that of TiO2 P-25, and bacteria did not induce any alteration of the cell permeability. The TiO2 deleterious action on the envelope integrity continued during the UV-A radiations exposure. Impacts on bacterial permeability precede the total loss of cultivability. After 2.5 h of photocatalytic treatment at 3.45 mW/cm(2), bacteria were no longer cultivable on their standard growth medium. However, some of them could become cultivable again under specific environmental conditions appropriate to their survival. These resilient bacteria exposed again to UV-A photocatalysis were more resistant to the treatment. Some chemical by-products released during photocatalytic inactivation of the bacteria were also monitored. The appearance of oxamic and oxalic acids as well as ammonium cations, sulfate and nitrate anions were observed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study the morphological damages to E. coli structure during the photocatalytic inactivation of the microorganisms. After 1.5 h of treatment, bacteria showed disorganized membrane structures, while bacteria were still visible although they were no longer cultivable after a longer exposure time. These results were correlated with damages of nucleic acids at in vivo level. An analysis by electrophoresis revealed that bacterial DNA and RNA molecules completely disappeared after 7 h of photocatalytic treatment. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V

Photocatalysis and disinfection of water.

internationa

Photocatalysis and disinfection of water.

internationa

Differential effect of glucose on ER-mitochondria Ca(2+) exchange participates to insulin secretion and to glucotoxicity-mediated dysfunction of beta cells

Glucotoxicity-induced beta cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes is associated with alterations of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Both organelles interact at contact sites, defined as mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs), which were recently implicated in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. The role of MAMs in beta cells is still largely unknown and their implication in glucotoxicity-associated beta cell dysfunction remains to be defined. Here, we report that acute glucose stimulation stimulated ER-mitochondria interactions and calcium (Ca(2+)) exchange in INS-1E cells, whereas disruption of MAMs altered glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Conversely, chronic incubations with high glucose of either INS-1E cells or human pancreatic islets altered GSIS, and concomitantly reduced ER Ca(2+) store, increased basal mitochondrial Ca(2+) and reduced ATP-stimulated ER-mitochondria Ca(2+) exchanges, despite an increase of organelle interactions. Furthermore, glucotoxicity-induced perturbations of Ca(2+) signaling are associated with ER stress, altered mitochondrial respiration and mitochondria fragmentation, and these organelle stresses may participate to increased organelle tethering, as a protective mechanism. Lastly, sustained induction of ER-mitochondria interactions using a linker reduced organelle Ca(2+) exchange, induced mitochondrial fission and altered GSIS. Therefore, dynamic organelle coupling participates to GSIS in beta cells and over-time disruption of organelle Ca(2+) exchange might be a novel mechanism contributing to glucotoxicity-induced beta cell dysfunction

M1-derived extracellular vesicles polarize recipient macrophages into M2-like macrophages and alter skeletal muscle homeostasis in a hyper-glucose environment

International audienceBACKGROUND: Macrophages release not only cytokines but also extracellular vesicles (EVs). which are small membrane-derived nanovesicles with virus-like properties transferring cellular material between cells. Until now, the consequences of macrophage plasticity on the release and the composition of EVs have been poorly explored. In this study, we determined the impact of high-glucose (HG) concentrations on macrophage metabolism, and characterized their derived-EV subpopulations. Finally, we determined whether HG-treated macrophage-derived EVs participate in immune responses and in metabolic alterations of skeletal muscle cells. METHODS: THP1-macrophages were treated with 15mM (MG15) or 30mM (MG30) glucose. Then, M1/M2 canonical markers, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, activities of proteins involved in glycolysis or oxidative phosphorylation were evaluated. Macrophage-derived EVs were characterized by TEM, NTA, MRSP, and (1)H-Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for lipid composition. Macrophages or C2C12 muscle cells were used as recipients of MG15 and MG30-derived EVs. The lipid profiles of recipient cells were determined, as well as proteins and mRNA levels of relevant genes for macrophage polarization or muscle metabolism. RESULTS: Untreated macrophages released small and large EVs (sEVs, lEVs) with different lipid distributions. Proportionally to the glucose concentration, glycolysis was induced in macrophages, associated to mitochondrial dysfunction, triacylglycerol and cholesterol accumulation. In addition, MG15 and MG30 macrophages had increased level of CD86 and increase release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. HG also affected macrophage sphingolipid and phospholipid compositions. The differences in the lipid profiles between sEVs and lEVs were abolished and reflected the lipid alterations in MG15 and MG30 macrophages. Interestingly, MG15 and MG30 macrophages EVs induced the expression of CD163, Il-10 and increased the contents of triacylglycerol and cholesterol in recipient macrophages. MG15 lEVs and sEVs induced insulin-induced AKT hyper-phosphorylation and accumulation of triacylglycerol in myotubes, a state observed in pre-diabetes. Conversely, MG30 lEVs and sEVs induced insulin-resistance in myotubes. CONCLUSIONS: As inflammation involves first M1 macrophages, then the activation of M2 macrophages to resolve inflammation, this study demonstrates that the dialog between macrophages through the EV route is an intrinsic part of the inflammatory response. In a hyperglycemic context, EV macrophages could participate in the development of muscle insulin-resistance and chronic inflammation