S Dooves1, M Bugiani1,2, L E Wisse1, T E M Abbink1, M S van der Knaap1,3, V M Heine1,4. 1. Department of Pediatrics / Child Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 2. Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
AIM: Vanishing White Matter (VWM) is a devastating leucoencephalopathy without effective treatment options. Patients have mutations in the EIF2B1-5 genes, encoding the five subunits of eIF2B, a guanine exchange factor that is an important regulator of protein translation. We recently developed mouse models for VWM that replicate the human disease. To study disease improvement after treatment in these mice, it is essential to have sensitive biomarkers related to disease stage. The Bergmann glia of the cerebellum, an astrocytic subpopulation, translocate into the molecular layer in symptomatic VWM mice and patients. This study looked at the prospects of using Bergmann glia pathology as an objective disease marker for VWM. METHODS: We defined a new quantitative measurement of Bergmann glia pathology in the cerebellum of VWM mice and patients. To test the sensitivity of this new marker for improvement, VWM mutant mice received long-term treatment with Guanabenz, an FDA-approved anti-hypertensive agent affecting eIF2B activity. RESULTS: Bergmann glia translocation was significantly higher in symptomatic VWM mice and VWM patients than in controls and worsened over the disease course. Both Bergmann glia pathology and cerebellar myelin pathology improved with Guanabenz treatment in mice, showing that Bergmann glia translocation is a sensitive measurement for improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Bergmann glia translocation can be used to objectively assess effects of treatment in VWM mice. Future treatment strategies involving compounds regulating eIF2 phosphorylation might benefit VWM patients.
AIM: Vanishing White Matter (VWM) is a devastating leucoencephalopathy without effective treatment options. Patients have mutations in the EIF2B1-5 genes, encoding the five subunits of eIF2B, a guanine exchange factor that is an important regulator of protein translation. We recently developed mouse models for VWM that replicate the human disease. To study disease improvement after treatment in these mice, it is essential to have sensitive biomarkers related to disease stage. The Bergmann glia of the cerebellum, an astrocytic subpopulation, translocate into the molecular layer in symptomatic VWM mice and patients. This study looked at the prospects of using Bergmann glia pathology as an objective disease marker for VWM. METHODS: We defined a new quantitative measurement of Bergmann glia pathology in the cerebellum of VWM mice and patients. To test the sensitivity of this new marker for improvement, VWM mutant mice received long-term treatment with Guanabenz, an FDA-approved anti-hypertensive agent affecting eIF2B activity. RESULTS: Bergmann glia translocation was significantly higher in symptomatic VWM mice and VWM patients than in controls and worsened over the disease course. Both Bergmann glia pathology and cerebellar myelin pathology improved with Guanabenz treatment in mice, showing that Bergmann glia translocation is a sensitive measurement for improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Bergmann glia translocation can be used to objectively assess effects of treatment in VWM mice. Future treatment strategies involving compounds regulating eIF2 phosphorylation might benefit VWM patients.
Authors: Filipe M Hanson; Rachel E Hodgson; Madalena I Ribeiro de Oliveira; K Elizabeth Allen; Susan Gerarda Campbell Journal: Biosci Rep Date: 2022-06-30 Impact factor: 3.976
Authors: Yao Liang Wong; Lauren LeBon; Ana M Basso; Kathy L Kohlhaas; Arthur L Nikkel; Holly M Robb; Diana L Donnelly-Roberts; Janani Prakash; Andrew M Swensen; Nimrod D Rubinstein; Swathi Krishnan; Fiona E McAllister; Nicole V Haste; Jonathon J O'Brien; Margaret Roy; Andrea Ireland; Jennifer M Frost; Lei Shi; Stephan Riedmaier; Kathleen Martin; Michael J Dart; Carmela Sidrauski Journal: Elife Date: 2019-01-09 Impact factor: 8.140
Authors: Truus E M Abbink; Lisanne E Wisse; Ermelinda Jaku; Michiel J Thiecke; Daniel Voltolini-González; Hein Fritsen; Sander Bobeldijk; Timo J Ter Braak; Emiel Polder; Nienke L Postma; Marianna Bugiani; Eduard A Struijs; Mark Verheijen; Nina Straat; Sophie van der Sluis; Adri A M Thomas; Douwe Molenaar; Marjo S van der Knaap Journal: Ann Clin Transl Neurol Date: 2019-07-18 Impact factor: 4.511