Biomaterial Database

SREBP2 gene therapy targeting striatal astrocytes ameliorates Huntington's disease phenotypes. 2021

Giulia Birolini, and Gianluca Verlengia, and Francesca Talpo, and Claudia Maniezzi, and Lorena Zentilin, and Mauro Giacca, and Paola Conforti, and Chiara Cordiglieri, and Claudio Caccia, and Valerio Leoni, and Franco Taroni, and Gerardo Biella, and Michele Simonato, and Elena Cattaneo, and Marta Valenza

Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy.

Brain cholesterol is produced mainly by astrocytes and is important for neuronal function. Its biosynthesis is severely reduced in mouse models of Huntington's disease. One possible mechanism is a diminished nuclear translocation of the transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) and, consequently, reduced activation of SREBP2-controlled genes in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. Here we evaluated the efficacy of a gene therapy based on the unilateral intra-striatal injection of a recombinant adeno-associated virus 2/5 (AAV2/5) targeting astrocytes specifically and carrying the transcriptionally active N-terminal fragment of human SREBP2 (hSREBP2). Robust hSREBP2 expression in striatal glial cells in R6/2 Huntington's disease mice activated the transcription of cholesterol biosynthesis pathway genes, restored synaptic transmission, reversed dopamine receptor D2 (Drd2) transcript levels decline, cleared mutant huntingtin aggregates and attenuated behavioural deficits. We conclude that glial SREBP2 participates in Huntington's disease brain pathogenesis in vivo and that AAV-based delivery of SREBP2 to astrocytes counteracts key features of the disease.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008808	Mice, Inbred CBA	An inbred strain of mouse that is widely used in BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH.	Mice, CBA,Mouse, CBA,Mouse, Inbred CBA,CBA Mice,CBA Mice, Inbred,CBA Mouse,CBA Mouse, Inbred,Inbred CBA Mice,Inbred CBA Mouse
D008822	Mice, Transgenic	Laboratory mice that have been produced from a genetically manipulated EGG or EMBRYO, MAMMALIAN.	Transgenic Mice,Founder Mice, Transgenic,Mouse, Founder, Transgenic,Mouse, Transgenic,Mice, Transgenic Founder,Transgenic Founder Mice,Transgenic Mouse
D010641	Phenotype	The outward appearance of the individual. It is the product of interactions between genes, and between the GENOTYPE and the environment.	Phenotypes
D003342	Corpus Striatum	Striped GRAY MATTER and WHITE MATTER consisting of the NEOSTRIATUM and paleostriatum (GLOBUS PALLIDUS). It is located in front of and lateral to the THALAMUS in each cerebral hemisphere. The gray substance is made up of the CAUDATE NUCLEUS and the lentiform nucleus (the latter consisting of the GLOBUS PALLIDUS and PUTAMEN). The WHITE MATTER is the INTERNAL CAPSULE.	Lenticular Nucleus,Lentiform Nucleus,Lentiform Nuclei,Nucleus Lentiformis,Lentiformis, Nucleus,Nuclei, Lentiform,Nucleus, Lenticular,Nucleus, Lentiform,Striatum, Corpus
D005822	Genetic Vectors	DNA molecules capable of autonomous replication within a host cell and into which other DNA sequences can be inserted and thus amplified. Many are derived from PLASMIDS; BACTERIOPHAGES; or VIRUSES. They are used for transporting foreign genes into recipient cells. Genetic vectors possess a functional replicator site and contain GENETIC MARKERS to facilitate their selective recognition.	Cloning Vectors,Shuttle Vectors,Vectors, Genetic,Cloning Vector,Genetic Vector,Shuttle Vector,Vector, Cloning,Vector, Genetic,Vector, Shuttle,Vectors, Cloning,Vectors, Shuttle
D006816	Huntington Disease	A familial disorder inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and characterized by the onset of progressive CHOREA and DEMENTIA in the fourth or fifth decade of life. Common initial manifestations include paranoia; poor impulse control; DEPRESSION; HALLUCINATIONS; and DELUSIONS. Eventually intellectual impairment; loss of fine motor control; ATHETOSIS; and diffuse chorea involving axial and limb musculature develops, leading to a vegetative state within 10-15 years of disease onset. The juvenile variant has a more fulminant course including SEIZURES; ATAXIA; dementia; and chorea. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1060-4)	Huntington Chorea,Juvenile Huntington Disease,Akinetic-Rigid Variant of Huntington Disease,Chorea, Chronic Progressive Hereditary (Huntington),Chronic Progressive Hereditary Chorea (Huntington),Huntington Chronic Progressive Hereditary Chorea,Huntington Disease, Akinetic-Rigid Variant,Huntington Disease, Juvenile,Huntington Disease, Juvenile-Onset,Huntington Disease, Late Onset,Huntington's Chorea,Huntington's Disease,Juvenile-Onset Huntington Disease,Late-Onset Huntington Disease,Progressive Chorea, Chronic Hereditary (Huntington),Progressive Chorea, Hereditary, Chronic (Huntington),Akinetic Rigid Variant of Huntington Disease,Chorea, Huntington,Chorea, Huntington's,Huntington Disease, Akinetic Rigid Variant,Huntington Disease, Juvenile Onset,Huntington Disease, Late-Onset,Juvenile Onset Huntington Disease,Late Onset Huntington Disease
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001253	Astrocytes	A class of large neuroglial (macroglial) cells in the central nervous system - the largest and most numerous neuroglial cells in the brain and spinal cord. Astrocytes (from "star" cells) are irregularly shaped with many long processes, including those with "end feet" which form the glial (limiting) membrane and directly and indirectly contribute to the BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER. They regulate the extracellular ionic and chemical environment, and "reactive astrocytes" (along with MICROGLIA) respond to injury.	Astroglia,Astroglia Cells,Astroglial Cells,Astrocyte,Astroglia Cell,Astroglial Cell,Astroglias,Cell, Astroglia,Cell, Astroglial
D015316	Genetic Therapy	Techniques and strategies which include the use of coding sequences and other conventional or radical means to transform or modify cells for the purpose of treating or reversing disease conditions.	Gene Therapy,Somatic Gene Therapy,DNA Therapy,Gene Therapy, Somatic,Genetic Therapy, Gametic,Genetic Therapy, Somatic,Therapy, DNA,Therapy, Gene,Therapy, Somatic Gene,Gametic Genetic Therapies,Gametic Genetic Therapy,Genetic Therapies,Genetic Therapies, Gametic,Genetic Therapies, Somatic,Somatic Genetic Therapies,Somatic Genetic Therapy,Therapies, Gametic Genetic,Therapies, Genetic,Therapies, Somatic Genetic,Therapy, Gametic Genetic,Therapy, Genetic,Therapy, Somatic Genetic