Metabolic Reprogramming in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
Authors: Szelechowski, M.; Amoedo, N.; Obre, E.; Leger, C.; Allard, L.; Bonneu, M.; Claverol, S.; Lacombe, D.; Oliet, S.; Chevallier, S.; Le Masson, G.; Rossignol, R.
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction in the spinal cord is a hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but the neurometabolic alterations during early stages of the disease remain unknown. Here, we investigated the bioenergetic and proteomic changes in ALS mouse motor neurons and patients' skin fibroblasts. We first observed that SODG93A mice presymptomatic motor neurons display alterations in the coupling efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation, along with fragmentation of the mitochondrial network. The proteome of presymptomatic ALS mice motor neurons also revealed a peculiar metabolic signature with upregulation of most energy-transducing enzymes, including the fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and the ketogenic components HADHA and ACAT2, respectively. Accordingly, FAO inhibition altered cell viability specifically in ALS mice motor neurons, while uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) inhibition recovered cellular ATP levels and mitochondrial network morphology. These findings suggest a novel hypothesis of ALS bioenergetics linking FAO and UCP2. Lastly, we provide a unique set of data comparing the molecular alterations found in human ALS patients' skin fibroblasts and SODG93A mouse motor neurons, revealing conserved changes in protein translation, folding and assembly, tRNA aminoacylation and cell adhesion processes.
Recurrent acute fatty liver of pregnancy
GASTROENTEROLOGIE CLINIQUE ET BIOLOGIQUE
Authors: Bacq, Yannick; Assor, Philippe; Gendrot, Chantal; Perrotin, Franck; Scotto, Beatrice; Andres, Christian
Abstract
Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare liver disease unique to pregnancy potentially fatal for both mother and child. Only a few cases of recurrence have been published. We report a new case. A 27-year-old primiparous patient presented a first episode of AFLP in 1991 at 37 week's gestation. Diagnosis was suspected because of vomiting, thrombocytopenia, and liver function tests abnormalities. it was confirmed by liver ultrasonogrophy and abdominal computed tomography. Clinical and biological improvement was observed after caesarean delivery. Six years later, the woman began a second pregnancy. Liver function tests and complete blood count were regularly checked. At 30 weeks' gestation, recurrent AFLP occurred and caesareon section was performed. Again, diagnosis was confirmed by both ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography. In 2006, the mother and the two girls, 15 and 8-year-old respectively, were in good health. The study of the HADHA gene, coding alpha subunit long chain 3-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase (LCHAD) in the patient failed to find mutations, particularly the common mutation c. 1528G>C (Glu474-Gln, p.E474Q). In conclusion, after an episode of AFLP, women should be clearly warned of the risk of recurrence and regularly monitored during the next pregnancy, even if the search of HADHA gene mutation is negative.