title: Expression of mutant SOD1 in astrocytes induces functional deficits in motoneuron mitochondria.
abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motoneuron degeneration resulting in paralysis and eventual death. ALS is regarded as a motoneuron-specific disorder but increasing evidence indicates non-neuronal cells play a significant role in disease pathogenesis. Although the precise aetiology of ALS remains unclear, mutations in the superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene are known to account for approximately 20% of familial ALS. We examined the influence of SOD1(G93A) expression in astrocytes on mitochondrial homeostasis in motoneurons in a primary astrocyte : motoneuron co-culture model. SOD1(G93A) expression in astrocytes induced changes in mitochondrial function of both SOD1(G93A) and wild-type motoneurons. In the presence of SOD1(G93A) astrocytes, mitochondrial redox state of both wild-type and SOD1(G93A) motoneurons was more reduced and mitochondrial membrane potential decreased. While intra-mitochondrial calcium levels [Ca(2+)](m) were elevated in SOD1(G93A) motoneurons, changes in mitochondrial function did not correlate with [Ca(2+)](m). Thus, expression of SOD1(G93A) in astrocytes directly alters mitochondrial function even in embryonic motoneurons, irrespective of genotype. These early deficits in mitochondrial function induced by surrounding astrocytes may increase the vulnerability of motoneurons to other neurotoxic mechanisms involved in ALS pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Sobell Department of Movement Disorders and Motor Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK.
authors.forename: Lynsey G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Bilsland
authors.forename: Niranjanan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nirmalananthan
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Greensmith
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Duchen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D005452:Fluoresceins / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006836:Hydro-Lyases / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018350:alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D005452:Fluoresceins; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; C079240:Mtap2 protein, mouse; D018350:alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid; C109415:SOD1 G93A protein; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D006836:Hydro-Lyases; C045581:lactate dehydratase; D002118:Calcium; C007740:fluorexon