Network analysis of the progranulin-deficient mouse brain proteome reveals pathogenic mechanisms shared in human frontotemporal dementia caused byGRNmutations
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA COMMUNICATIONS
Authors: Huang, Meixiang; Modeste, Erica; Dammer, Eric; Merino, Paola; Taylor, Georgia; Duong, Duc M.; Deng, Qiudong; Holler, Christopher J.; Gearing, Marla; Dickson, Dennis; Seyfried, Nicholas T.; Kukar, Thomas
Abstract
Heterozygous, loss-of-function mutations in the granulin gene (GRN) encoding progranulin (PGRN) are a common cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). HomozygousGRNmutations cause neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis-11 (CLN11), a lysosome storage disease. PGRN is a secreted glycoprotein that can be proteolytically cleaved into seven bioactive 6 kDa granulins. However, it is unclear how deficiency of PGRN and granulins causes neurodegeneration. To gain insight into the mechanisms of FTD pathogenesis, we utilized Tandem Mass Tag isobaric labeling mass spectrometry to perform an unbiased quantitative proteomic analysis of whole-brain tissue from wild type (Grn(+/+)) andGrnknockout (Grn(-/-)) mice at 3- and 19-months of age. At 3-months lysosomal proteins (i.e. Gns, Scarb2, Hexb) are selectively increased indicating lysosomal dysfunction is an early consequence of PGRN deficiency. Additionally, proteins involved in lipid metabolism (Acly, Apoc3, Asah1, Gpld1, Ppt1, and Naaa) are decreased; suggesting lysosomal degradation of lipids may be impaired in theGrn(-/-)brain. Systems biology using weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) of theGrn(-/-)brain proteome identified 26 modules of highly co-expressed proteins. Three modules strongly correlated toGrndeficiency and were enriched with lysosomal proteins (Gpnmb, CtsD, CtsZ, and Tpp1) and inflammatory proteins (Lgals3, GFAP, CD44, S100a, and C1qa). We find that lysosomal dysregulation is exacerbated with age in theGrn(-/-)mouse brain leading to neuroinflammation, synaptic loss, and decreased markers of oligodendrocytes, myelin, and neurons. In particular, GPNMB and LGALS3 (galectin-3) were upregulated by microglia and elevated in FTD-GRNbrain samples, indicating common pathogenic pathways are dysregulated in human FTD cases andGrn(-/-)mice. GPNMB levels were significantly increased in the cerebrospinal fluid of FTD-GRNpatients, but not inMAPTorC9orf72carriers, suggesting GPNMB could be a biomarker specific to FTD-GRNto monitor disease onset, progression, and drug response. Our findings support the idea that insufficiency of PGRN and granulins in humans causes neurodegeneration through lysosomal dysfunction, defects in autophagy, and neuroinflammation, which could be targeted to develop effective therapies.
Prokaryotic expression and identification of scavenger receptor B2
ACTA VIROLOGICA
Authors: Xu, T.; Lin, Z.; Wang, Ch.; Li, Y.; Zhao, M.; Hua, L.; Zhu, B.
Abstract
There is still no effective clinical antiviral drug against human enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection, which causes hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children. Scavenger receptor class B member 2 (SCARB2) is an important receptor of EV71 as it plays a vital role in the early steps of viral infection. In this study, recombinant SCARB2 protein was expressed and purified in a prokaryotic expression system, and was identified by western blot with a monoclonal antibody and mass spectrometry analysis. Detection of the sera from mice immunized with the recombinant SCARB2 protein using ELISA and western blot showed good immunogenicity of the recombinant protein. Furthermore, in the neutralization test cytopathic effect was significantly decreased when EV71 was incubated with the immune sera before infection. In summary, the SCARB2 protein was expressed successfully, and the immune sera showed obvious antiviral effect against EV71. This study provides useful information about the interaction mechanism between SCARB2 and EV71, and is also helpful for further clinical treatment research of HFMD.