title: Targeting of monomer/misfolded SOD1 as a therapeutic strategy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
abstract: There is increasing evidence that toxicity of mutant superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is linked to its propensity to misfold and to aggregate. Immunotargeting of differently folded states of SOD1 has provided therapeutic benefit in mutant SOD1 transgenic mice. The specific region(s) of the SOD1 protein to which these immunization approaches target are, however, unknown. In contrast, we have previously shown, using a specific antibody [SOD1 exposed dimer interface (SEDI) antibody], that the dimer interface of SOD1 is abnormally exposed both in mutant SOD1 transgenic mice and in familial ALS cases associated with mutations in the SOD1 gene (fALS1). Here, we show the beneficial effects of an active immunization strategy using the SEDI antigenic peptide displayed on a branched peptide dendrimer to target monomer/misfolded in SOD1(G37R) and SOD1(G93A) mutant SOD1 transgenic mice. Immunization delayed disease onset and extended disease duration, with survival times increased by an average of 40 d in SOD1(G37R) mice. Importantly, this immunization strategy favored a Th2 immune response, thereby precluding deleterious neuroinflammatory effects. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of immunization correlated with a reduction in accumulation of both monomer/misfolded and oligomeric SOD1 species in the spinal cord, the intended targets of the immunization strategy. Our results support that SOD1 misfolding/aggregation plays a central role in SOD1-linked ALS pathogenesis and identifies monomeric/misfolded SOD1 as a therapeutic target for SOD1-related ALS.
authors: Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H2, Canada.
authors: Hsueh-Ning
authors: HN
authors: Liu
authors: Sonja
authors: S
authors: Tjostheim
authors: Kevin
authors: K
authors: Dasilva
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Taylor
authors: Beibei
authors: B
authors: Zhao
authors: Rishi
authors: R
authors: Rakhit
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Brown
authors: Avijit
authors: A
authors: Chakrabartty
authors: Joanne
authors: J
authors: McLaurin
authors: Janice
authors: J
authors: Robertson
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000378:metabolism; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D005911:Gliosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000235:genetics; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D017510:Protein Folding; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C000606290:SOD1 protein, human; C109415:SOD1 G93A protein; C000606291:Sod1 protein, mouse; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1