Polak Urszula, Li Yanjie, Butler Jill Sergesketter, and Napierala Marek. Stem Cells and Development. October 2016, ahead of print. doi:10.1089/scd.2016.0147.
Taken together, these results demonstrate that transcriptional repression caused by long GAA repeat tracts can be partially or transiently reversed by altering particular epigenetic modifications, thus revealing possibilities for detailed analyses of silencing mechanism and development of new therapeutic approaches for FRDA.
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE OF FRIEDREICH’S ATAXIA
Dr. Archana Mogili, Dr. Mrudula Sankaramanchi, Dr. C H.Sadanandam. International Ayurvedic medical Journal, Volume 4; Issue 10; October- 2016
The Ayurveda approach to Friedreich’s ataxia is aimed at controlling the symptoms, treating the degeneration of nervous system and preventing long term complications by considering it as PRANA AVRUTA VYANA UDANA VATA VYADHI.
In FRDA which as no direct reference from the classics, the treatment protocol can be planned by understanding the underlying pathology of the disease in Ayurveda perspective. Here it can be interpreted FRDA has prana avruta vyana, udana vata vyadhi and avarana chikitsa in general and specific to particular avarana can be adopted.
NOTE: Ayurvedic medicine (also called Ayurveda) is one of the world’s oldest medical systems. It originated in India more than 3,000 years ago and remains one of the country’s traditional health care systems. Its concepts about health and disease promote the use of herbal compounds, special diets, and other unique health practices. India’s government and other institutes throughout the world support clinical and laboratory research on Ayurvedic medicine, within the context of the Eastern belief system. But Ayurvedic medicine isn’t widely studied as part of conventional (Western) medicine. This fact sheet provides a general overview of Ayurvedic medicine and suggests sources for additional information. (Recommended reading: Ayurvedic Medicine: In Dept, see the links clicking on the title)
The Ayurveda approach to Friedreich’s ataxia is aimed at controlling the symptoms, treating the degeneration of nervous system and preventing long term complications by considering it as PRANA AVRUTA VYANA UDANA VATA VYADHI.
In FRDA which as no direct reference from the classics, the treatment protocol can be planned by understanding the underlying pathology of the disease in Ayurveda perspective. Here it can be interpreted FRDA has prana avruta vyana, udana vata vyadhi and avarana chikitsa in general and specific to particular avarana can be adopted.
NOTE: Ayurvedic medicine (also called Ayurveda) is one of the world’s oldest medical systems. It originated in India more than 3,000 years ago and remains one of the country’s traditional health care systems. Its concepts about health and disease promote the use of herbal compounds, special diets, and other unique health practices. India’s government and other institutes throughout the world support clinical and laboratory research on Ayurvedic medicine, within the context of the Eastern belief system. But Ayurvedic medicine isn’t widely studied as part of conventional (Western) medicine. This fact sheet provides a general overview of Ayurvedic medicine and suggests sources for additional information. (Recommended reading: Ayurvedic Medicine: In Dept, see the links clicking on the title)
Monday, October 17, 2016
Human neuron-astrocyte 3D co-culture-based assay for evaluation of neuroprotective compounds
Ana Paula Terrasso, Ana Carina Silva, Augusto Filipe, Pedro Pedroso, Ana Lúcia Ferreira, Paula Marques Alves, Catarina Brito, Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods, Available online 11 October 2016, ISSN 1056-8719, doi: 10.1016/j.vascn.2016.10.001.
Central nervous system drug development has registered high attrition rates, mainly due to the lack of efficacy of drug candidates, highlighting the low reliability of the models used in early-stage drug development and the need for new in vitro human cell-based models and assays to accurately identify and validate drug candidates.
For the assay validation, we have used Idebenone, an antioxidant benzoquinone, shortchain analogue of coenzyme Q10 ; and positive control for neuroprotection over the tBHP insult. It has been widely investigated for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia. The Idebenone treatment led to a reduction in oxidative stress markers (Jaber & Polster, 2015). Consistently with its antioxidant activity, Idebenone prevents lipid peroxidation in isolated brain mitochondria, synaptosomes and human hepatic cells (Erb et al., 2012). It was also shown to protect against ROS-induced damage in several in vitro cultures, as primary cortical neurons and immortalized neural cells. We observed a dose-dependent neuroprotective effect over tBHP insult when Idebenone is administrated in pre-incubation.
The specificity of the neuroprotective effect observed for Idebenone over tBHP insult was evaluated using a non-oxidative lesion induced by chloramphenicol. Idebenone did not confer a neuroprotective effect over the chloramphenicol insult indicating that the neuroprotection observed for tBHP is specific and not an assay artefact.
Central nervous system drug development has registered high attrition rates, mainly due to the lack of efficacy of drug candidates, highlighting the low reliability of the models used in early-stage drug development and the need for new in vitro human cell-based models and assays to accurately identify and validate drug candidates.
For the assay validation, we have used Idebenone, an antioxidant benzoquinone, shortchain analogue of coenzyme Q10 ; and positive control for neuroprotection over the tBHP insult. It has been widely investigated for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia. The Idebenone treatment led to a reduction in oxidative stress markers (Jaber & Polster, 2015). Consistently with its antioxidant activity, Idebenone prevents lipid peroxidation in isolated brain mitochondria, synaptosomes and human hepatic cells (Erb et al., 2012). It was also shown to protect against ROS-induced damage in several in vitro cultures, as primary cortical neurons and immortalized neural cells. We observed a dose-dependent neuroprotective effect over tBHP insult when Idebenone is administrated in pre-incubation.
The specificity of the neuroprotective effect observed for Idebenone over tBHP insult was evaluated using a non-oxidative lesion induced by chloramphenicol. Idebenone did not confer a neuroprotective effect over the chloramphenicol insult indicating that the neuroprotection observed for tBHP is specific and not an assay artefact.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Applications of CRISPR/Cas9 for Gene Editing in Hereditary Movement Disorders
Wooseok Im, Jangsup Moon, Manho Kim; Review Article, J Mov Disord 2016; 9(3): 136-143. Published online: September 21, 2016 DOI:10.14802/jmd.16029
Genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 is possible in various cell lines, including human induced pluripotent stem cells, which can be utilized as a valuable in vitro tool for the investigation of specific mutations in the pathogenesis of various disorders. For example, Vannocci et al. developed a novel cellular model of Friedreich’s ataxia, which is an autosomal recessive ataxia caused by reduced levels of frataxin, using CRISPR/Cas9 to stably introduce the disease frataxin gene into cells.
Genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 is possible in various cell lines, including human induced pluripotent stem cells, which can be utilized as a valuable in vitro tool for the investigation of specific mutations in the pathogenesis of various disorders. For example, Vannocci et al. developed a novel cellular model of Friedreich’s ataxia, which is an autosomal recessive ataxia caused by reduced levels of frataxin, using CRISPR/Cas9 to stably introduce the disease frataxin gene into cells.
Friday, October 14, 2016
hiPSC Disease Modeling of Rare Hereditary Cerebellar Ataxias Opportunities and Future Challenges
Dunja Lukovic, Victoria Moreno-Manzano, Francisco Javier Rodriguez-Jimenez, Angel Vilches, Eva Sykova, Pavla Jendelova, Miodrag Stojkovic, Slaven Erceg; Neuroscientist 1073858416672652, first published on October 6, 2016 DOI:10.1177/1073858416672652
This work, for the first time, bridges the preclinical drug evaluation in FRDA-specific patient neurons derived from hiPSC and clearly shows the advantages of using hiPSC differentiated cells compared with other widely used cellular models, such as immortalized cell lines and those tested on rodent cells. Although these studies have provided insights into the pathogenesis of FRDA in cardiomyocytes and neurons, additional work is required to elucidate the role of frataxin deficits in other affected cell types, such as the cerebellar neurons.
This work, for the first time, bridges the preclinical drug evaluation in FRDA-specific patient neurons derived from hiPSC and clearly shows the advantages of using hiPSC differentiated cells compared with other widely used cellular models, such as immortalized cell lines and those tested on rodent cells. Although these studies have provided insights into the pathogenesis of FRDA in cardiomyocytes and neurons, additional work is required to elucidate the role of frataxin deficits in other affected cell types, such as the cerebellar neurons.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
New Reasons to Pursue the Therapeutic Potential of Synthetic Nucleic Acids for Neurological Diseases
Jill Sergesketter Butler, PhD; Marek Napierala, PhD; Editorial. JAMA Neurol. 2016;73(10):1175-1177. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.2571
Findings published by Corey’s group demonstrate a novel use for synthetic nucleic acids in restoring frataxin (FXN) levels in cell line models derived from patients with FRDA.The mechanism of increased expression does not rely merely on activating transcription at the FXN locus, nor is the RNA interference pathway required. Instead, data from either approach indicate that the ability of the engineered nucleic acids to specifically bind the mutant FXN pre–messenger RNA and block its interaction with the genomic locus is sufficient to restore FXN messenger RNA and protein levels. Thus, in addition to relieving transcription inhibition, elimination of detrimental R-loops might also result in stabilization of the expanded repeat sequences and prevention of somatic instability. Extensive data related to dosing, toxicity, and biodistribution, to name a few, have already been collected and can be used to pave the way for moving R-loop specific nucleic acids to the clinic much more quickly.
Findings published by Corey’s group demonstrate a novel use for synthetic nucleic acids in restoring frataxin (FXN) levels in cell line models derived from patients with FRDA.The mechanism of increased expression does not rely merely on activating transcription at the FXN locus, nor is the RNA interference pathway required. Instead, data from either approach indicate that the ability of the engineered nucleic acids to specifically bind the mutant FXN pre–messenger RNA and block its interaction with the genomic locus is sufficient to restore FXN messenger RNA and protein levels. Thus, in addition to relieving transcription inhibition, elimination of detrimental R-loops might also result in stabilization of the expanded repeat sequences and prevention of somatic instability. Extensive data related to dosing, toxicity, and biodistribution, to name a few, have already been collected and can be used to pave the way for moving R-loop specific nucleic acids to the clinic much more quickly.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Synthetic Nucleic Acids and Treatment of Neurological Diseases
David R. Corey, PhD; JAMA Neurol. 2016;73(10):1238-1242. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.2089
Emerging Target: Frataxin/Friedreich’s Ataxia: We reasoned that oligonucleotides that blocked the expanded repeat could prevent R-loop formation and release the break on transcription We designed duplex RNAs or ASOs to be complementary to the AAG repeat. Both approaches led to increased expression of RNA and protein. Levels of FXN protein were similar to those observed in wild-type cells. Our data suggest that the mechanism of action of either the ASOs or the duplex RNAs involves binding to the expanded repeat and physically preventing it from associating chromosomal DNA to form the critical R-loop structure. Antisense oligonucleotides efficiently inhibit gene expression in liver and the central nervous system.Using them to treat the broad range of tissues necessary to fully treat Friedreich’s ataxia will require more potent compounds and more effective strategies for delivering oligonucleotides in to all tissues that are affected.
Emerging Target: Frataxin/Friedreich’s Ataxia: We reasoned that oligonucleotides that blocked the expanded repeat could prevent R-loop formation and release the break on transcription We designed duplex RNAs or ASOs to be complementary to the AAG repeat. Both approaches led to increased expression of RNA and protein. Levels of FXN protein were similar to those observed in wild-type cells. Our data suggest that the mechanism of action of either the ASOs or the duplex RNAs involves binding to the expanded repeat and physically preventing it from associating chromosomal DNA to form the critical R-loop structure. Antisense oligonucleotides efficiently inhibit gene expression in liver and the central nervous system.Using them to treat the broad range of tissues necessary to fully treat Friedreich’s ataxia will require more potent compounds and more effective strategies for delivering oligonucleotides in to all tissues that are affected.
Monday, October 10, 2016
Modeling and correction of structural variations in patient-derived iPSCs using CRISPR/Cas9
Chul-Yong Park, Jin Jea Sung, Sang-Hwi Choi, Dongjin R Lee, In-Hyun Park & Dong-Wook Kim; Nature Protocols 11, 2154–2169 (2016) doi:10.1038/nprot.2016.129 Published online 06 October 2016
This protocol enables the correction of large inverted segments and short nucleotide repeat expansions in diseases such as hemophilia A, fragile X syndrome, Hunter syndrome, and Friedreich's ataxia.
This protocol enables the correction of large inverted segments and short nucleotide repeat expansions in diseases such as hemophilia A, fragile X syndrome, Hunter syndrome, and Friedreich's ataxia.
Sunday, October 9, 2016
The rare and undiagnosed diseases diagnostic service – application of massively parallel sequencing in a state-wide clinical service
Gareth Baynam, Nicholas Pachter, Fiona McKenzie, Sharon Townshend, Jennie Slee, Cathy Kiraly-Borri, Anand Vasudevan, Anne Hawkins, Stephanie Broley, Lyn Schofield, Hedwig Verhoef, Caroline E. Walker, Caron Molster, Jenefer M. Blackwell, Sarra Jamieson, Dave Tang, Timo Lassmann, Kym Mina, John Beilby, Mark Davis, Nigel Laing, Lesley Murphy, Tarun Weeramanthri, Hugh Dawkins and Jack Goldblatt. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases 201611:77 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-016-0462-7
OPEN ACCESS
This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
We describe an iteratively improving diagnostic platform provided within a public health service that is aligned to the unmet needs of people living with rare and undiagnosed diseases, by supporting equitable state-wide diagnostic health care provision for the world’s geographically largest public health jurisdiction. It is largely been performed within existing budgets through a patient-centric approach and clinically informed re-alignment of existing resources.
OPEN ACCESS
This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
We describe an iteratively improving diagnostic platform provided within a public health service that is aligned to the unmet needs of people living with rare and undiagnosed diseases, by supporting equitable state-wide diagnostic health care provision for the world’s geographically largest public health jurisdiction. It is largely been performed within existing budgets through a patient-centric approach and clinically informed re-alignment of existing resources.
Friday, October 7, 2016
Systematic review on the evaluation criteria of orphan medicines in Central and Eastern European countries
Tamás Zelei, Mária J. Molnár, Márta Szegedi and Zoltán Kaló. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases 201611:72 DOI:10.1186/s13023-016-0455-6 Published: 4 June 2016
Open Access.
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Open Access.
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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