Friedreich ataxia: Investigating the relationships between mismatch repair gene expression, FXN gene expression and GAA repeat instability in human and mouse cells and tissues

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is the most common inherited ataxia disorder, caused by a GAA repeat expansion mutation within the first intron of the FXN gene. The subsequent deficiency of frataxin protein leads to neurological disability, increased risk of diabetes mellitus, cardiomyopathy and premature death. The exact FRDA disease mechanism is not yet clear, despite some understanding of epigenetic, transcriptional and DNA repair system effects that lead to frataxin reduction. Previous studies have shown that mismatch repair (MMR) genes can affect other trinucleotide repeat disorders by destabilisation of the repeats. Furthermore, it has been proposed that frataxin deficiency might lead to cell malignancy by an as yet undefined mode of action. Therefore, the principle aim of this thesis was to use human and genetically altered mouse cells and tissues to understand the effects of MMR proteins on GAA repeat instability and FXN transcription, and also to identify potential changes in MMR transcription that might cause malignancy in FXN-defective human cells. Firstly, by using FXN and MMR genetically altered mice, MMR proteins were shown to be involved in both intergenerational and somatic GAA repeat instability, although their effects in the two systems were different. Thus, Msh2 or Msh3 were both found to protect against intergenerational transmission of GAA contractions, while loss of Msh2 or Msh3 reduced somatic GAA repeat expansions and increased levels of FXN transcription in brain and cerebellum tissues. Loss of Msh6 induced both intergenerational GAA repeat expansions and contractions, while the frequency of somatic GAA repeat expansions was reduced. Curiously, the level of FXN transcription was also reduced in Msh6-deficient brain and cerebellum tissues. On the other hand, Pms2 was found to protect against both intergenerational and somatic GAA repeat expansions, with loss of Pms2 causing increased GAA repeat expansions and decreased levels of FXN transcription in brain and cerebellum tissues. Finally, loss of Mlh1 led to a reduced frequency of both intergenerational and somatic GAA repeat expansions, but the level of FXN transcription was also reduced in brain and cerebellum tissues. Furthermore, upregulation of MMR mRNA expression was detected in human FRDA fibroblast cells, but downregulation was seen in FRDA cerebellum tissues, suggesting tissue-dependent control of FXN and MMR expression. In summary, these studies indicate that the MMR system can affect GAA repeat expansion instability and FXN transcription through different mechanisms of action. Furthermore, frataxin deficiency can also affect the levels of MMR mRNA expression in a tissue-dependent manner. These findings will assist future investigations aimed at identifying novel FRDA therapies.This study is funded by Ataxia UK, GoFAR (Italy), FARA (USA) and the NIH

Prolonged treatment with pimelic o-aminobenzamide HDAC inhibitors ameliorates the disease phenotype of a Friedreich ataxia mouse model

NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Neurobiology of Disease. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication.Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by GAA repeat expansion within the FXN gene, leading to epigenetic changes and heterochromatin-mediated gene silencing that result in a frataxin protein deficit. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, including pimelic o-aminobenzamide compounds 106, 109 and 136, have previously been shown to reverse FXN gene silencing in short-term studies of FRDA patient cells and a knock-in mouse model, but the functional consequences of such therapeutic intervention have thus far not been described. We have now investigated the long-term therapeutic effects of 106, 109 and 136 in our GAA repeat expansion mutation-containing YG8R FRDA mouse model. We show that there is no overt toxicity up to 5 months of treatment and there is amelioration of the FRDA-like disease phenotype. Thus, while the neurological deficits of this model are mild, 109 and 106 both produced an improvement of motor coordination, whereas 109 and 136 produced increased locomotor activity. All three compounds increased global histone H3 and H4 acetylation of brain tissue, but only 109 significantly increased acetylation of specific histone residues at the FXN locus. Effects on FXN mRNA expression in CNS tissues were modest, but 109 significantly increased frataxin protein expression in brain tissue. 109 also produced significant increases in brain aconitase enzyme activity, together with reduction of neuronal pathology of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Overall, these results support further assessment of HDAC inhibitors for treatment of Friedreich ataxia.This work was supported by Repligen Corporation; Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) USA; Ataxia UK; Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA); GoFAR; and the Wellcome Trust [089757]

MutLα heterodimers modify the molecular phenotype of Friedreich ataxia

This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.Background: Friedreich ataxia (FRDA), the most common autosomal recessive ataxia disorder, is caused by a dynamic GAA repeat expansion mutation within intron 1 of FXN gene, resulting in down-regulation of frataxin expression. Studies of cell and mouse models have revealed a role for the mismatch repair (MMR) MutS-heterodimer complexes and the PMS2 component of the MutLα complex in the dynamics of intergenerational and somatic GAA repeat expansions: MSH2, MSH3 and MSH6 promote GAA repeat expansions, while PMS2 inhibits GAA repeat expansions. Methodology/Principal Findings: To determine the potential role of the other component of the MutLα complex, MLH1, in GAA repeat instability in FRDA, we have analyzed intergenerational and somatic GAA repeat expansions from FXN transgenic mice that have been crossed with Mlh1 deficient mice. We find that loss of Mlh1 activity reduces both intergenerational and somatic GAA repeat expansions. However, we also find that loss of either Mlh1 or Pms2 reduces FXN transcription, suggesting different mechanisms of action for Mlh1 and Pms2 on GAA repeat expansion dynamics and regulation of FXN transcription. Conclusions/Significance: Both MutLα components, PMS2 and MLH1, have now been shown to modify the molecular phenotype of FRDA. We propose that upregulation of MLH1 or PMS2 could be potential FRDA therapeutic approaches to increase FXN transcription. © 2014 Ezzatizadeh et al.This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund

Generation and characterisation of Friedreich ataxia YG8R mouse fibroblast and neural stem cell models

This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.Background: Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease caused by GAA repeat expansion in the first intron of the FXN gene, which encodes frataxin, an essential mitochondrial protein. To further characterise the molecular abnormalities associated with FRDA pathogenesis and to hasten drug screening, the development and use of animal and cellular models is considered essential. Studies of lower organisms have already contributed to understanding FRDA disease pathology, but mammalian cells are more related to FRDA patient cells in physiological terms. Methodology/Principal Findings: We have generated fibroblast cells and neural stem cells (NSCs) from control Y47R mice (9 GAA repeats) and GAA repeat expansion YG8R mice (190+120 GAA repeats). We then differentiated the NSCs in to neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes as confirmed by immunocytochemical analysis of cell specific markers. The three YG8R mouse cell types (fibroblasts, NSCs and differentiated NSCs) exhibit GAA repeat stability, together with reduced expression of frataxin and reduced aconitase activity compared to control Y47R cells. Furthermore, YG8R cells also show increased sensitivity to oxidative stress and downregulation of Pgc-1α and antioxidant gene expression levels, especially Sod2. We also analysed various DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene expression levels and found that YG8R cells displayed significant reduction in expression of several MMR genes, which may contribute to the GAA repeat stability. Conclusions/Significance: We describe the first fibroblast and NSC models from YG8R FRDA mice and we confirm that the NSCs can be differentiated into neurons and glia. These novel FRDA mouse cell models, which exhibit a FRDA-like cellular and molecular phenotype, will be valuable resources to further study FRDA molecular pathogenesis. They will also provide very useful tools for preclinical testing of frataxin-increasing compounds for FRDA drug therapy, for gene therapy, and as a source of cells for cell therapy testing in FRDA mice. © 2014 Sandi et al

Unrestricted somatic stem cells, as a novel feeder layer: Ex vivo culture of human limbal stem cells

Ex vivo culture of limbal stem cells (LSCs) is a current promising approach for reconstruction of the ocular surface. In this context, 3T3 feeder layer cells (mouse embryo fibroblast) are generally utilized to maintain and expand LSCs. The aim of this study is to develop a novel culture method (animal-derived products free) to expand LSCs, using umbilical cord derived human unrestricted somatic stem cells (hUSSCs) instead of 3T3 cell with an emphasis on maintaining of the Stemness in LSCs. Using flow-cytometer, isolated hUSSCs were characterized for CD105, CD90, CD166, CD34, CD45, CD31 cell surface markers and their differentiation capability into adipogenic as well as osteogenic lineages were evaluated. In addition to colony-forming efficiency (CFE), epithelial lineage differentiation and karyotyping, LSC properties were evaluated for ABCG2, ΔNP63-α, CK19, CK3, and CK12 mRNA and protein expressions using quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry, when these cells were co-cultured with hUSSCs (in comparison with 3T3 feeder layer). LSCs, co-cultured with hUSSCs, showed normal karyotype (46, XX), while they could efficiently form colony (86 ± 3) and display up-regulation of the genes associated with stemness and down-regulation of corneal epithelial differentiation genes. Consistent with 3T3 feeder cells, hUSSCs with spindle-shaped morphology and quick splitting up properties had ability to preserve the stem like-cell phenotype of LSCs. These findings were confirmed by qRT-PCR and flow-cytometer. Findings of present study suggest hUSSCs as a promising alternative method for 3T3 feeder layer cells, to preserve growth and stemness of LSCs ex vivo culture

Conditioned Media Derived from Human Adipose Tissue Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Improves Primary Hepatocyte Maintenance

Objective Recent advances in cell therapy have encouraged researchers to provide an alternative for treatment and restoration of damaged liver through using hepatocytes. However, these cells quickly lose their functional capabilities in vitro. Here, we aim to use the secretome of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to improve in vitro maintenance conditions for hepatocytes. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, following serum deprivation, human adipose tissue-derived MSCs (hAT-MSCs) were cultured for 24 hours under normoxic (N) and hypoxic (H) conditions. Their conditioned media (CM) were subsequently collected and labeled as N-CM (normoxia) and H-CM (hypoxia). Murine hepatocytes were isolated by perfusion of mouse liver with collagenase, and were cultured in hepatocyte basal (William’s) medium supplemented with 4% N-CM or H-CM. Untreated William’s and hepatocyte-specific media (HepZYM) were used as controls. Finally, we evaluated the survival and proliferation rates, as well as functionality and hepatocyte-specific gene expressions of the cells. Results We observed a significant increase in viability of hepatocytes in the presence of N-CM and H-CM compared to HepZYM on day 5, as indicated by MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)- 2H-tetrazolium) assay. Indocyanine green (ICG) uptake of hepatocytes in the H-CM and HepZYM groups on days 3 and 5 also suggested that H-CM maintained the hepatocytes at about the same level as the hepatocyte-specific medium. The HepZYM group had significantly higher levels of albumin (Alb) and urea secretion compared to the other groups (P<0.0001). However, there were no significant differences in cytochrome activity and cytochrome gene expression profiles among these groups. Finally, we found a slightly, but not significantly higher concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the H-CM group compared to the N-CM group (P=0.063). Conclusion The enrichment of William’s basal medium with 4% hAT-MSC-H-CM improved some physiologic parameters in a primary hepatocyte culture

χ² and <i>p</i> value analyses of intergenerational GAA repeat transmissions.

<p>χ² and <i>p</i> value analyses of intergenerational GAA repeat transmissions.</p

Effect of Mlh1 on somatic GAA repeat dynamics.

<p>Representative image of the ethidium bromide-stained agarose gels used to determine GAA repeat expansion dynamics from different tissues of 3–5 month-old mice in absence of presence of Mlh1. M = 100 bp size marker, B = brain, C = cerebellum, H = heart, L = liver. WT (<i>Mlh1^+/+</i>) n = 2, KO (<i>Mlh</i>^−/−) n = 7.</p