Robustness of topologically protected edge states in quantum walk experiments with neutral atoms

Discrete-time quantum walks allow Floquet topological insulator materials to be explored using controllable systems such as ultracold atoms in optical lattices. By numerical simulations, we study the robustness of topologically protected edge states in the presence of decoherence in one- and two-dimensional discrete-time quantum walks. We also develop a simple analytical model quantifying the robustness of these edge states against either spin or spatial dephasing, predicting an exponential decay of the population of topologically protected edge states. Moreover, we present an experimental proposal based on neutral atoms in spin-dependent optical lattices to realize spatial boundaries between distinct topological phases. Our proposal relies on a new scheme to implement spin-dependent discrete shift operations in a two-dimensional optical lattice. We analyze under realistic decoherence conditions the experimental feasibility of observing unidirectional, dissipationless transport of matter waves along boundaries separating distinct topological domains.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figure

Оптимизация вычисления обратного БПФ на многоядерном процессоре

The article describes the method of calculating the inverse FFT N-point sequence with a N-point complex FFT, also the implementation of similar approach for computing on multi-core computing architecture. The main quality parameters of similar organization such as speedup and efficiency of computing resources were analyzed

Neuroinflammation by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes impairs retrograde axonal transport in an oligodendrocyte mutant mouse

Mice overexpressing proteolipid protein (PLP) develop a leukodystrophy-like disease involving cytotoxic, CD8+ T-lymphocytes. Here we show that these cytotoxic T-lymphocytes perturb retrograde axonal transport. Using fluorogold stereotactically injected into the colliculus superior, we found that PLP overexpression in oligodendrocytes led to significantly reduced retrograde axonal transport in retina ganglion cell axons. We also observed an accumulation of mitochondria in the juxtaparanodal axonal swellings, indicative for a disturbed axonal transport. PLP overexpression in the absence of T-lymphocytes rescued retrograde axonal transport defects and abolished axonal swellings. Bone marrow transfer from wildtype mice, but not from perforin- or granzyme B-deficient mutants, into lymphocyte-deficient PLP mutant mice led again to impaired axonal transport and the formation of axonal swellings, which are predominantly located at the juxtaparanodal region. This demonstrates that the adaptive immune system, including cytotoxic T-lymphocytes which release perforin and granzyme B, are necessary to perturb axonal integrity in the PLP-transgenic disease model. Based on our observations, so far not attended molecular and cellular players belonging to the immune system should be considered to understand pathogenesis in inherited myelin disorders with progressive axonal damage

Clinically approved immunomodulators ameliorate behavioral changes in a mouse model of hereditary spastic paraplegia type 11

We have previously demonstrated that neuroinflammation by the adaptive immune system acts as a robust and targetable disease amplifier in a mouse model of Spastic Paraplegia, type 11 (SPG11), a complicated form of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP). While we identified an impact of neuroinflammation on distinct neuropathological changes and gait performance, neuropsychological features, typical and clinically highly relevant symptoms of complicated HSPs, were not addressed. Here we show that the corresponding SPG11 mouse model shows distinct behavioral abnormalities, particularly related to social behavior thus partially reflecting the neuropsychological changes in patients. We provide evidence that some behavioral abnormalities can be mitigated by genetic inactivation of the adaptive immune system. Translating this into a clinically applicable approach, we show that treatment with the established immunomodulators fingolimod or teriflunomide significantly attenuates distinct behavioral abnormalities, with the most striking effect on social behavior. This study links neuroinflammation to behavioral abnormalities in a mouse model of SPG11 and may thus pave the way for using immunomodulators as a treatment approach for SPG11 and possibly other complicated forms of HSP with neuropsychological involvement

Microglia-mediated demyelination protects against CD8+ T cell-driven axon degeneration in mice carrying PLP defects

Axon degeneration and functional decline in myelin diseases are often attributed to loss of myelin but their relation is not fully understood. Perturbed myelinating glia can instigate chronic neuroinflammation and contribute to demyelination and axonal damage. Here we study mice with distinct defects in the proteolipid protein 1 gene that develop axonal damage which is driven by cytotoxic T cells targeting myelinating oligodendrocytes. We show that persistent ensheathment with perturbed myelin poses a risk for axon degeneration, neuron loss, and behavioral decline. We demonstrate that CD8(+) T cell-driven axonal damage is less likely to progress towards degeneration when axons are efficiently demyelinated by activated microglia. Mechanistically, we show that cytotoxic T cell effector molecules induce cytoskeletal alterations within myelinating glia and aberrant actomyosin constriction of axons at paranodal domains. Our study identifies detrimental axon-glia-immune interactions which promote neurodegeneration and possible therapeutic targets for disorders associated with myelin defects and neuroinflammation. Demyelination is often suggested to cause axonal degeneration. Here, the authors study mice carrying distinct PLP defects and reveal how persistent ensheathment with perturbed myelin poses a risk for CD8+T cell-driven axon loss and behavioral decline

Pathogener Einfluss von Immunzellen in Mausmodellen der Neuronalen Ceroid Lipofuszinose

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are fatal neurodegenerative disorders in which the visual system is affected in early stages of disease. A typical accompanying feature is neuroinflammation, the pathogenic impact of which is presently unknown. In this study, the role of inflammatory cells in the pathogenesis was investigated in Palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1-deficient (Ppt1-/-) and Ceroidlipofuscinosis, neuronal 3-deficient (Cln3-/-) mice, models of the infantile and juvenile forms of NCL, respectively. Focusing predominantly on the visual system, an infiltration of CD8+ cytotoxic Tlymphocytes and an activation of microglia/macrophage-like cells was observed early in disease. To analyze the pathogenic impact of lymphocytes, Ppt1-/- mice were crossbred with mice lacking lymphocytes (Rag1-/-) and axonal transport, perturbation and neuronal survival were scored. Lack of lymphocytes led to a significant amelioration of neuronal disease and reconstitution experiments revealed a crucial role of CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. Lack of lymphocytes also caused an improved clinical phenotype and extended longevity. To investigate the impact of microglia/macrophage-like cells, Ppt1-/- and Cln3-/- mice were crossbred with mice lacking sialoadhesin (Sn-/-), a monocyte lineage-restricted cell adhesion molecule important for interactions between macrophage-like cells and lymphocytes. Similar to the lack of lymphocytes, absence of sialoadhesin significantly ameliorated the disease in Ppt1-/- and Cln3-/- mice. Taken together, both T-lymphocytes and microglia/macrophage-like cells were identified as pathogenic mediators in two distinct forms of fatal inherited neurodegenerative storage disorders. These studies expand the concept of secondary inflammation as a common pathomechanistic feature in some neurological diseases and provide novel insights that may be crucial for developing treatment strategies for different forms of NCL.Die Neuronalen Ceroid Lipofuszinosen (NCL) sind tödlich verlaufende neurodegenerative Erkrankungen, bei denen das visuelle System frühzeitig im Krankheitsverlauf betroffen ist. Eine typische Begleiterscheinung sind Entzündungsreaktionen, deren pathogenetischer Einfluss bisher ungeklärt ist. In dieser Studie wurde die Rolle von Entzündungszellen bei der Pathogenese in Palmitoyl-protein thioestease 1-defizienten (Ppt1-/-) und Ceroid-lipofuscinosis, neuronal 3-defizienten (Cln3-/-) Mäusen untersucht, den jeweiligen Modellen der Infantilen und Juvenilen Formen der NCL. Mit besonderem Augenmerk auf das visuelle System wurde früh in der Krankheit ein Aufkommen von CD8+ zytotoxischen T-Lymphozyten und eine Aktivierung von Mikroglia/Makrophagen-ähnlichen Zellen beobachtet. Um den pathogenetischen Einfluss der Lymphozyten zu klären, wurden Ppt1-/- Mäuse mit Mäusen verkreuzt, welche keine Lymphozyten besitzen (Rag1-/-). An den generierten Doppelmutanten wurden axonaler Transport, axonale Schädigung und neuronales Überleben bestimmt. Die Abwesenheit von Lymphozyten führte zu einer signifikanten Abmilderung der neuronalen Schädigung und Rekonstitutions-Experimente zeigten, dass CD8+ zytotoxische T-Lymphozyten eine entscheidende Rolle spielen. Die Abwesenheit dieser Lymphozyten führte außerdem zu einem abgemilderten klinischen Phänotyp und einem verlängerten Überleben. Um den Einfluss von Mikroglia/Makrophagen zu untersuchen wurden Ppt1-/- und Cln3-/- Mäuse mit Sialoadhesin-defizienten Mäusen (Sn-/-) verkreuzt. Sn ist ein Monozyten-spezifisches Zelladhäsionsmolekül, das wichtig für Interaktionen zwischen Makrophagen-ähnlichen Zellen und Lymphozyten ist. Ähnlich wie die Abwesenheit von Lymphozyten führte die Abwesenheit von Sialoadhesin zu einer signifikanten Abmilderung der Krankheit in Ppt1-/- und Cln3-/- Mäusen. Zusammengefasst wurden sowohl T-Lymphozyten als auch Mikroglia/Makrophagenähnliche Zellen als pathogenetische Mediatoren in zwei verschiedenen Formen von tödlich verlaufenden erblichen neurodegenerativen Speicherkrankheiten identifiziert. Diese Untersuchungen erweitern das Konzept der sekundären Entzündungsreaktion als verbreitete pathomechanistische Erscheinung in einigen neurologischen Erkrankungen und liefern neue Perspektiven für die Entwicklung von Behandlungsstrategien für verschiedene Formen der NCL

Non-invasive assessment of retinal alterations in mouse models of infantile and juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis by spectral domain optical coherence tomography

Introduction The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses constitute a group of fatal inherited lysosomal storage diseases that manifest in profound neurodegeneration in the CNS. Visual impairment usually is an early symptom and selective degeneration of retinal neurons has been described in patients suffering from distinct disease subtypes. We have previously demonstrated that palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1 deficient (Ppt1-/-) mice, a model of the infantile disease subtype, exhibit progressive axonal degeneration in the optic nerve and loss of retinal ganglion cells, faithfully reflecting disease severity in the CNS. Here we performed spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in Ppt1-/- and ceroid lipofuscinosis neuronal 3 deficient (Cln3-/-) mice, which are models of infantile and juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, respectively, in order to establish a non-invasive method to assess retinal alterations and monitor disease severity in vivo. Results Blue laser autofluorescence imaging revealed increased accumulation of autofluorescent storage material in the inner retinae of 7-month-old Ppt1-/- and of 16-month-old Cln3-/- mice in comparison with age-matched control littermates. Additionally, optical coherence tomography demonstrated reduced thickness of retinae in knockout mice in comparison with age-matched control littermates. High resolution scans and manual measurements allowed for separation of different retinal composite layers and revealed a thinning of layers in the inner retinae of both mouse models at distinct ages. OCT measurements correlated well with subsequent histological analysis of the same retinae. Conclusions These results demonstrate the feasibility of OCT to assess neurodegenerative disease severity in mouse models of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis and might have important implications for diagnostic evaluation of disease progression and therapeutic efficacy in patients. Moreover, the non-invasive method allows for longitudinal studies in experimental models, reducing the number of animals used for research

Endogenous antibodies contribute to macrophage-mediated demyelination in a mouse model for CMT1B

Background We could previously identify components of both the innate and the adaptive immune system as disease modifiers in the pathogenesis of models for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathies type 1B and 1X. As part of the adaptive immune system, here we investigated the role of antibodies in a model for CMT1B. Methods Antibodies were localized and characterized in peripheral nerves of the CMT1B model by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Experimental ablation of antibodies was performed by cross breeding the CMT1B models with mutants deficient in B-lymphocytes (JHD−/− mutants). Ameliorated demyelination by antibody deficiency was reverted by intravenous injection of mouse IgG fractions. Histopathological analysis was performed by immunocytochemistry and light and quantitative electron microscopy. Results We demonstrate that in peripheral nerves of a mouse model for CMT1B, endogenous antibodies strongly decorate endoneurial tubes of peripheral nerves. These antibodies comprise IgG and IgM subtypes and are preferentially, but not exclusively, associated with nerve fiber aspects nearby the nodes of Ranvier. In the absence of antibodies, the early demyelinating phenotype is substantially ameliorated. Reverting the neuropathy by reconstitution with murine IgG fractions identified accumulating antibodies as potentially pathogenic at this early stage of disease. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that in a mouse model for CMT1B, endogenous antibodies contribute to early macrophage-mediated demyelination and disease progression. Thus, both the innate and adaptive immune system are mutually interconnected in a genetic model for demyelination. Since in Wallerian degeneration antibodies have also been shown to be involved in myelin phagocytosis, our study supports our view that inherited demyelination and Wallerian degeneration share common mechanisms, which are detrimental when activated under nonlesion conditions

Immune modulation attenuates infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in mice before and after disease onset

Targeting neuroinflammation in models for infantile and juvenile forms of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL, CLN disease) with the clinically established immunomodulators fingolimod and teriflunomide significantly attenuates the neurodegenerative phenotype when applied preventively, i.e. before the development of substantial neural damage and clinical symptoms. Here, we show that in a mouse model for the early onset and rapidly progressing CLN1 form, more complex clinical phenotypes like disturbed motor coordination and impaired visual acuity are also ameliorated by immunomodulation. Moreover, we show that the disease outcome can be attenuated even when fingolimod and teriflunomide treatment starts after disease onset, i.e. when neurodegeneration is ongoing and clinical symptoms are detectable. In detail, treatment with either drug led to a reduction in T-cell numbers and microgliosis in the CNS, although not to the same extent as upon preventive treatment. Pharmacological immunomodulation was accompanied by a reduction of axonal damage, neuron loss and astrogliosis in the retinotectal system and by reduced brain atrophy. Accordingly, the frequency of myoclonic jerks and disturbed motor coordination were attenuated. Overall, disease alleviation was remarkably substantial upon therapeutic treatment with both drugs, although less robust than upon preventive treatment. To test the relevance of putative immune-independent mechanisms of action in this model, we treated CLN1 mice lacking mature T- and B-lymphocytes. Immunodeficient CLN1 mice showed, as previously reported, an improved neurological phenotype in comparison with genuine CLN1 mice which could not be further alleviated by either of the drugs, reflecting a predominantly immune-related therapeutic mechanism of action. The present study supports and strengthens our previous view that repurposing clinically approved immunomodulators may alleviate the course of CLN1 disease in human patients, even though diagnosis usually occurs when symptoms have already emerged

Teriflunomide attenuates neuroinflammation-related neural damage in mice carrying human PLP1 mutations

Background: Genetically caused neurological disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) are mostly characterized by poor or even fatal clinical outcome and few or no causative treatments are available. Often, these disorders are associated with low-grade, disease-promoting inflammation, another feature shared by progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (PMS). We previously generated two mouse lines carrying distinct mutations in the oligodendrocytic PLP1 gene that have initially been identified in patients diagnosed with MS. These mutations cause a loss of PLP function leading to a histopathological and clinical phenotype common to both PMS and genetic CNS disorders, like hereditary spastic paraplegias. Importantly, neuroinflammation promotes disease progression in these models, suggesting that pharmacological modulation of inflammation might ameliorate disease outcome. Methods: We applied teriflunomide, an approved medication for relapsing-remitting MS targeting activated T-lymphocytes, in the drinking water (10 mg/kg body weight/day). Experimental long-term treatment of PLP mutant mice was non-invasively monitored by longitudinal optical coherence tomography and by rotarod analysis. Immunomodulatory effects were subsequently analyzed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry and treatment effects regarding neural damage, and neurodegeneration were assessed by histology and immunohistochemistry. Results: Preventive treatment with teriflunomide attenuated the increase in number of CD8+ cytotoxic effector T cells and fostered the proliferation of CD8+ CD122+ PD-1+ regulatory T cells in the CNS. This led to an amelioration of axonopathic features and neuron loss in the retinotectal system, also reflected by reduced thinning of the innermost retinal composite layer in longitudinal studies and ameliorated clinical outcome upon preventive long-term treatment. Treatment of immune-incompetent PLP mutants did not provide evidence for a direct, neuroprotective effect of the medication. When treatment was terminated, no rebound of neuroinflammation occurred and histopathological improvement was preserved for at least 75 days without treatment. After disease onset, teriflunomide halted ongoing axonal perturbation and enabled a recovery of dendritic arborization by surviving ganglion cells. However, neither neuron loss nor clinical features were ameliorated, likely due to already advanced neurodegeneration before treatment onset. Conclusions: We identify teriflunomide as a possible medication not only for PMS but also for inflammation-related genetic diseases of the nervous system for which causal treatment options are presently lacking