@article{JaenschEvdokimovEgenolfetal.2024,
  author    = {J{\"a}nsch, Sarah and Evdokimov, Dimitar and Egenolf, Nadine and Meyer zu Altenschildesche, Caren and Kreß, Luisa and {\"U}{\c{c}}eyler, Nurcan},
  title     = {Distinguishing fibromyalgia syndrome from small fiber neuropathy: a clinical guide},
  series = {Pain Reports},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Pain Reports},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1097/PR9.0000000000001136},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-350306},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {Introduction: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and small fiber neuropathy (SFN) are distinct pain conditions that share commonalities and may be challenging as for differential diagnosis. Objective: To comprehensively investigate clinical characteristics of women with FMS and SFN to determine clinically applicable parameters for differentiation. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 158 women with FMS and 53 with SFN focusing on pain-specific medical and family history, accompanying symptoms, additional diseases, and treatment. We investigated data obtained using standardized pain, depression, and anxiety questionnaires. We further analyzed test results and findings obtained in standardized small fiber tests. Results: FMS patients were on average ten years younger at symptom onset, described higher pain intensities requiring frequent change of pharmaceutics, and reported generalized pain compared to SFN. Pain in FMS was accompanied by irritable bowel or sleep disturbances, and in SFN by paresthesias, numbness, and impaired glucose metabolism (P < 0.01 each). Family history was informative for chronic pain and affective disorders in FMS (P < 0.001) and for neurological disorders in SFN patients (P < 0.001). Small fiber pathology in terms of skin denervation and/or thermal sensory threshold elevation was present in 110/158 (69.7 \%) FMS patients and 39/53 (73.6 \%) SFN patients. FMS patients mainly showed proximally reduced skin innervation and higher corneal nerve branch densities (p<0.001) whereas SFN patients were characterized by reduced cold detection and prolonged electrical A-delta conduction latencies (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our data show that FMS and SFN differ substantially. Detailed pain, drug and family history, investigating blood glucose metabolism, and applying differential small fiber tests may help to improve diagnostic differentiation and targeted therapy.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HartmannsbergerScribaGuidolinetal.2024,
  author    = {Hartmannsberger, Beate and Scriba, Sabrina and Guidolin, Carolina and Becker, Juliane and Mehling, Katharina and Doppler, Kathrin and Sommer, Claudia and Rittner, Heike L.},
  title     = {Transient immune activation without loss of intraepidermal innervation and associated Schwann cells in patients with complex regional pain syndrome},
  series = {Journal of Neuroinflammation},
  volume    = {21},
  journal   = {Journal of Neuroinflammation},
  doi       = {10.1186/s12974-023-02969-6},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-357164},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {Background Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) develops after injury and is characterized by disproportionate pain, oedema, and functional loss. CRPS has clinical signs of neuropathy as well as neurogenic inflammation. Here, we asked whether skin biopsies could be used to differentiate the contribution of these two systems to ultimately guide therapy. To this end, the cutaneous sensory system including nerve fibres and the recently described nociceptive Schwann cells as well as the cutaneous immune system were analysed. Methods We systematically deep-phenotyped CRPS patients and immunolabelled glabrous skin biopsies from the affected ipsilateral and non-affected contralateral finger of 19 acute (< 12 months) and 6 chronic (> 12 months after trauma) CRPS patients as well as 25 sex- and age-matched healthy controls (HC). Murine foot pads harvested one week after sham or chronic constriction injury were immunolabelled to assess intraepidermal Schwann cells. Results Intraepidermal Schwann cells were detected in human skin of the finger—but their density was much lower compared to mice. Acute and chronic CRPS patients suffered from moderate to severe CRPS symptoms and corresponding pain. Most patients had CRPS type I in the warm category. Their cutaneous neuroglial complex was completely unaffected despite sensory plus signs, e.g. allodynia and hyperalgesia. Cutaneous innate sentinel immune cells, e.g. mast cells and Langerhans cells, infiltrated or proliferated ipsilaterally independently of each other—but only in acute CRPS. No additional adaptive immune cells, e.g. T cells and plasma cells, infiltrated the skin. Conclusions Diagnostic skin punch biopsies could be used to diagnose individual pathophysiology in a very heterogenous disease like acute CRPS to guide tailored treatment in the future. Since numbers of inflammatory cells and pain did not necessarily correlate, more in-depth analysis of individual patients is necessary.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Hoerner2024,
  author    = {H{\"o}rner, Michaela},
  title     = {The role of inflammation in hereditary spastic paraplegia type 11},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-30336},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-303368},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are genetically-determined, neurodegenerative disorders characterized by progressive weakness and spasticity of the lower limbs. Spastic paraplegia type 11 (SPG11) is a complicated form of HSP, which is caused by mutations in the SPG11 gene encoding spatacsin, a protein possibly involved in lysosomal reformation. Based on our previous studies demonstrating that secondary neuroinflammation can be a robust amplifier of various genetically-mediated diseases of both the central and peripheral nervous system, we here test the possibility that neuroinflammation may modify the disease outcome also in a mouse model for SPG11. Spg11-knockout (Spg11-/-) mice develop early walking pattern and behavioral abnormalities, at least partially reflecting motor, and behavioral changes typical for patients. Furthermore, we detected a progressive increase in axonal damage and axonal spheroid formation in the white and grey matter compartments of the central nervous system of Spg11-/- mice. This was accompanied by a concomitant substantial increase of secondary inflammation by cytotoxic CD8+ and CD4+ T-lymphocytes. We here provide evidence that disease-related changes can be ameliorated/delayed by the genetic deletion of the adaptive immune system. Accordingly, we provide evidence that repurposing clinically approved immunomodulators (fingolimod/FTY720 or teriflunomide), that are in use for treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), also improve disease symptoms in mice, when administered in an early (before neural damage) or late (after/during neural damage) treatment regime. This work provides strong evidence that immunomodulation can be a therapeutic option for the still untreatable SPG11, including its typical neuropsychological features. This poses the question if inflammation is not only a disease amplifier in SPG11 but can act as a unifying factor also for other genetically mediated disorders of the CNS. If true, this may pave the way to therapeutic options in a wide range of still untreatable, primarily genetic, neurological disorders by repurposing approved immunomodulators.},
  subject      = {Entz{\"u}ndung},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SteinhardtCejkaChenetal.2024,
  author    = {Steinhardt, Maximilian J. and Cejka, Vladimir and Chen, Mengmeng and B{\"a}uerlein, Sabrina and Sch{\"a}fer, Julia and Adrah, Ali and Ihne-Schubert, Sandra M. and Papagianni, Aikaterini and Kort{\"u}m, K. Martin and Morbach, Caroline and St{\"o}rk, Stefan},
  title     = {Safety and tolerability of SGLT2 inhibitors in cardiac amyloidosis — a clinical feasibility study},
  series = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
  number    = {1},
  issn      = {2077-0383},
  doi       = {10.3390/jcm13010283},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-356024},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {Sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) slow the progression of renal dysfunction and improve the prognosis of patients with heart failure. Amyloidosis constitutes an important subgroup for which evidence is lacking. Amyloidotic fibrils originating from misfolded transthyretin and light chains are the causal agents in ATTR and AL amyloidosis. In these most frequent subtypes, cardiac involvement is the most common organ manifestation. Because cardiac and renal function frequently deteriorate over time, even under best available treatment, SGLT2i emerge as a promising treatment option due to their reno- and cardioprotective properties. We retrospectively analyzed patients with cardiac amyloidosis, who received either dapagliflozin or empagliflozin. Out of 79 patients, 5.1\% had urinary tract infections; 2 stopped SGLT2i therapy; and 2.5\% died unrelated to the intake of SGLT2i. No genital mycotic infections were observed. As expected, a slight drop in the glomerular filtration rate was noted, while the NYHA functional status, cardiac and hepatic function, as well as the 6 min walk distance remained stable over time. These data provide a rationale for the use of SGLT2i in patients with amyloidosis and concomitant cardiac or renal dysfunction. Prospective randomized data are desired to confirm safety and to prove efficacy in this increasingly important group of patients.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Behne2024,
  author    = {Behne, Robert Stefan Friedrich},
  title     = {Development Of A Human iPSC-Derived Cortical Neuron Model Of Adaptor- Protein-Complex-4-Deficiency},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-35139},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-351390},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {Adaptor-protein-4-deficiency (AP-4-deficiency) is an autosomal-recessive childhood- onset form of complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) caused by bi-allelic loss- of-function mutations in one of the four subunits of the AP-4-complex. These four conditions are named SPG47 (AP4B1, OMIM \#614066), SPG50 (AP4M1, OMIM \#612936), SPG51 (AP4E1, OMIM \#613744) and SPG52 (AP4S1, OMIM \#614067), respectively and all present with global developmental delay, progressive spasticity and seizures. Imaging features include a thinning of the corpus callosum, ventriculomegaly and white matter changes. AP-4 is a highly conserved heterotetrameric complex, which is responsible for polarized sorting of transmembrane cargo including the autophagy- related protein 9 A (ATG9A). Loss of any of the four subunits leads to an instable complex and defective sorting of AP-4-cargo. ATG9A is implicated in autophagosome formation and neurite outgrowth. It is missorted in AP-4-deficient cells and CNS-specific knockout of Atg9a in mice results in a phenotype reminiscent of AP-4-deficiency. However, the AP-4-related cellular phenotypes including ATG9A missorting have not been investigated in human neurons. Thus, the aim of this study is to provide the first human induced pluripotent stem cell- derived (iPSC) cortical neuron model of AP-4-deficiency to explore AP-4-related phenotypes in preparation for a high-content screening. Under the hypothesis that AP-4- deficiency leads to ATG9A missorting, elevated ATG9A levels, impaired autophagy and neurite outgrowth in human iPSC-derived cortical neurons, in vitro biochemical and imaging assays including automated high-content imaging and analysis were applied. First, these phenotypes were investigated in fibroblasts from three patients with compound heterozygous mutations in the AP4B1 gene and their sex-matched parental controls. The same cell lines were used to generate iPSCs and differentiate them into human excitatory cortical neurons. This work shows that ATG9A is accumulating in the trans-Golgi-network in AP-4- deficient human fibroblasts and that ATG9A levels are increased compared to parental controls and wild type cells suggesting a compensatory mechanism. Protein levels of the AP4E1-subunit were used as a surrogate marker for the AP-4-complex and were decreased in AP-4-deficient fibroblasts with co-immunoprecipitation confirming the instability of the complex. Lentiviral re-expression of the AP4B1-subunit rescues this corroborating the fact that a stable AP-4-complex is needed for ATG9A trafficking. Surprisingly, autophagic flux was present in AP-4-deficient fibroblasts under nutrient- rich and starvation conditions. These phenotypic markers were evaluated in iPSC-derived cortical neurons and here, a robust accumulation of ATG9A in the juxtanuclear area was seen together with elevated ATG9A protein levels. Strikingly, assessment of autophagy markers under nutrient-rich conditions showed alterations in AP-4-deficient iPSC- derived cortical neurons indicating dysfunctional autophagosome formation. These findings point towards a neuron-specific impairment of autophagy and need further investigation. Adding to the range of AP-4-related phenotypes, neurite outgrowth and branching are impaired in AP-4-deficient iPSC-derived cortical neurons as early as 24h after plating and together with recent studies point towards a distinct role of ATG9A in neurodevelopment independent of autophagy. Together, this work provides the first patient-derived neuron model of AP-4-deficiency and shows that ATG9A is sorted in an AP-4-dependent manner. It establishes ATG9A- related phenotypes and impaired neurite outgrowth as robust markers for a high-content screening. This disease model holds the promise of providing a platform to further study AP-4-deficiency and to search for novel therapeutic targets.},
  subject      = {Adaptorproteine},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Knorr2024,
  author    = {Knorr, Susanne},
  title     = {Pathophysiology of early-onset isolated dystonia in a DYT-TOR1A rat model with trauma-induced dystonia-like movements},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-20609},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-206096},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {Early-onset torsion dystonia (DYT-TOR1A, DYT1) is an inherited hyperkinetic movement disorder caused by a mutation of the TOR1A gene encoding the torsinA protein. DYT-TOR1A is characterized as a network disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), including predominantly the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical loop resulting in a severe generalized dystonic phenotype. The pathophysiology of DYTTOR1A is not fully understood. Molecular levels up to large-scale network levels of the CNS are suggested to be affected in the pathophysiology of DYT-TOR1A. The reduced penetrance of 30\% - 40\% indicates a gene-environmental interaction, hypothesized as "second hit". The lack of appropriate and phenotypic DYT-TOR1A animal models encouraged us to verify the "second hit" hypothesis through a unilateral peripheral nerve trauma of the sciatic nerve in a transgenic asymptomatic DYT-TOR1A rat model (∆ETorA), overexpressing the human mutated torsinA protein. In a multiscale approach, this animal model was characterized phenotypically and pathophysiologically. Nerve-injured ∆ETorA rats revealed dystonia-like movements (DLM) with a partially generalized phenotype. A physiomarker of human dystonia, describing increased theta oscillation in the globus pallidus internus (GPi), was found in the entopeduncular nucleus (EP), the rodent equivalent to the human GPi, of nerve-injured ∆ETorA rats. Altered oscillation patterns were also observed in the primary motor cortex. Highfrequency stimulation (HFS) of the EP reduced DLM and modulated altered oscillatory activity in the EP and primary motor cortex in nerve-injured ∆ETorA rats. Moreover, the dopaminergic system in ∆ETorA rats demonstrated a significant increased striatal dopamine release and dopamine turnover. Whole transcriptome analysis revealed differentially expressed genes of the circadian clock and the energy metabolism, thereby pointing towards novel, putative pathways in the pathophysiology of DYTTOR1A dystonia. In summary, peripheral nerve trauma can trigger DLM in genetically predisposed asymptomatic ΔETorA rats leading to neurobiological alteration in the central motor network on multiple levels and thereby supporting the "second hit" hypothesis. This novel symptomatic DYT-TOR1A rat model, based on a DYT-TOR1A genetic background, may prove as a valuable chance for DYT-TOR1A dystonia, to further investigate the pathomechanism in more detail and to establish new treatment strategies.},
  subject      = {Dystonie},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Wilhelmi2024,
  author    = {Wilhelmi, Kai Alexander},
  title     = {Untersuchung von Ver{\"a}nderungen der myelinisierten Nervenfasern durch Entmarkung in Haut- und Nervenbiopsien von Patienten mit Polyneuropathie},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-36004},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-360046},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {In dieser Arbeit wurde durch das immunhistochemische Anf{\"a}rben von nodalen (Natriumkan{\"a}le, NF), paranodalen (Caspr, NF) und internodalen (MBP) Proteinen der in Fingerhautbiopsien vorhanden Nervenfasern untersucht, ob eine Ver{\"a}nderung der typischen Verteilungsmuster dieser Proteine, eine demyelinisierende Polyneuropathie anzeigen kann. Dazu wurden am Universit{\"a}tsklinikum W{\"u}rzburg prospektiv 93 Polyneuropathie-Patienten und 25 Kontrollpersonen rekrutiert. Bei allen Patienten wurden Hautstanzbiospien am Zeigefinger durchgef{\"u}hrt. Bei 35 Patienten mit schweren oder unklaren Verl{\"a}ufen, wurden konsiliarisch Nervus suralis Biopsien durchgef{\"u}hrt. Aus einem Abschnitt von 27 dieser Biopsien, konnten im Rahmen dieser Arbeit Zupfnervenpr{\"a}parate angefertigt und analog zu den Hautbiopsien ausgewertet werden. Aus der Routinediagnostik der Klinik flossen weiterhin die Ergebnisse der elektrophysiologischen Routinediagnostik und der Histologiebefund der Nervus suralis Biopsien in die Auswertung ein. Zusammenfassend kamen ver{\"a}nderte Natriumkanalbanden in Fingerhautbiopsien signifikant h{\"a}ufiger bei Patienten mit elektrophysiologisch als demyelinisierend befundeten Polyneuropathien, als bei Patienten mit elektrophysiologisch als axonal befundeten Polyneuropathien vor. Vielfach fanden sich ver{\"a}nderte Natriumkanalbanden inmitten para- und internodal unauff{\"a}lliger Schn{\"u}rringe und umgekehrt. Diese Beobachtung st{\"u}tzt die bereits in Vorarbeiten vorgeschlagene und in der aktuellen Leitlinie zur Diagnostik f{\"u}r Polyneuropathien aufgegriffene Entit{\"a}t der Paranodopathien (Uncini, Susuki, \& Yuki, 2013). M{\"o}glich w{\"a}re, dass eine ver{\"a}nderte Verteilung der Natriumkan{\"a}le die schnelle Leitf{\"a}higkeit beeintr{\"a}chtigen und somit trotz intakter Bemarkung, elektrophysiologisch das Bild einer demyelinisierenden Neuropathie vermittelt. Ein direkter Zusammenhang zwischen dem Auftreten von doppelten und verl{\"a}ngerten Natriumkanalbanden und einzelnen Messwerten (z.B. Amplituden und Latenzzeiten) fand sich nicht. Auch in den Zupfnervenpr{\"a}paraten der Nervus suralis Biopsien, konnten o.g. Verteilungsmuster untersucht werden. Deren Vorkommen zeigte sich als unabh{\"a}ngig vom elektrophysiologischen und histologischen Befund, von der {\"A}tiologie der PNP und von den gefundenen Ver{\"a}nderungen in den Hautbiopsien des betreffenden Patienten.},
  subject      = {Polyneuropathie},
  language  = {de}
}