TY - JOUR A1 - Niemann, Axel A1 - Huber, Nina A1 - Wagner, Konstanze M. A1 - Somandin, Christian A1 - Horn, Michael A1 - Lebrun-Julien, Frédéric A1 - Angst, Brigitte A1 - Pereira, Jorge A. A1 - Halfter, Hartmut A1 - Welzl, Hans A1 - Feltri, M. Laura A1 - Wrabetz, Lawrence A1 - Young, Peter A1 - Wessig, Carsten A1 - Toyka, Klaus V. A1 - Suter, Ueli T1 - The Gdap1 knockout mouse mechanistically links redox control to Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease JF - Brain N2 - The ganglioside-induced differentiation-associated protein 1 (GDAP1) is a mitochondrial fission factor and mutations in GDAP1 cause Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease. We found that Gdap1 knockout mice (\(Gdap1^{−/−}\)), mimicking genetic alterations of patients suffering from severe forms of Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease, develop an age-related, hypomyelinating peripheral neuropathy. Ablation of Gdap1 expression in Schwann cells recapitulates this phenotype. Additionally, intra-axonal mitochondria of peripheral neurons are larger in \(Gdap1^{−/−}\) mice and mitochondrial transport is impaired in cultured sensory neurons of \(Gdap1^{−/−}\) mice compared with controls. These changes in mitochondrial morphology and dynamics also influence mitochondrial biogenesis. We demonstrate that mitochondrial DNA biogenesis and content is increased in the peripheral nervous system but not in the central nervous system of \(Gdap1^{−/−}\) mice compared with control littermates. In search for a molecular mechanism we turned to the paralogue of GDAP1, GDAP1L1, which is mainly expressed in the unaffected central nervous system. GDAP1L1 responds to elevated levels of oxidized glutathione by translocating from the cytosol to mitochondria, where it inserts into the mitochondrial outer membrane. This translocation is necessary to substitute for loss of GDAP1 expression. Accordingly, more GDAP1L1 was associated with mitochondria in the spinal cord of aged \(Gdap1^{−/−}\) mice compared with controls. Our findings demonstrate that Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease caused by mutations in GDAP1 leads to mild, persistent oxidative stress in the peripheral nervous system, which can be compensated by GDAP1L1 in the unaffected central nervous system. We conclude that members of the GDAP1 family are responsive and protective against stress associated with increased levels of oxidized glutathione. KW - animal models KW - Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease KW - mitochondria KW - axonal transport KW - demyelinating disease Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-120731 VL - 137 IS - 3 ER - TY - THES A1 - Klein, Dennis T1 - The pathogenic role of endogenous antibodies in a mouse model for Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1B neuropathy T1 - Die pathogenetische Funktion von endogenen Antikörpern in einem Maus-Modell der Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1B Neuropathie N2 - Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) type 1 neuropathies are a genetically heterogeneous group of non-treatable inherited disorders affecting the peripheral nervous system that lead to sensory and motor dysfunction. Secondary low grade inflammation, implicating the innate and adaptive immune system, could previously be identified as a substantial disease modifier in two mouse models for CMT1, CMT1B and 1X, respectively. However, the exact mechanism how the adaptive immune system contributes to disease pathogenesis is not completely understood. Based on observations that the accumulation of endogenous antibodies to myelin components is important for rapid myelin clearance after nerve injury during Wallerian degeneration, a possibly similar mechanism was considered for endogenous antibodies as disease amplifier in mice heterozygously deficient for P0 (P0het), mimicking some typical features of CMT1B. In this study an increased antibody deposition was detected in the affected peripheral nerves of P0het myelin mutant mice. By crossbreeding P0het mutants with mice specifically lacking B-lymphocytes, and therefore antibodies (JHD-/-), a decline of endoneurial macrophages together with a substantially ameliorated demyelination could be demonstrated in 6-month-old mutant mice. Moreover, reconstitution with murine IgGs reverted the neuropathic phenotype, substantiating that endogenous antibodies are potentially pathogenic at this early stage of disease. Unexpectedly, in 12-months-old P0het mutants, JHD deficiency resulted in disease aggravation accompanied by an increased inflammatory reaction and M2-polarized macrophage response. These observations suggest that in a mouse model for CMT1B, the lack of endogenous antibodies has a dichotomous effect: ameliorating early macrophage-mediated demyelination, as opposed to increasing inflammatory reactions leading to disease aggravation at older ages. N2 - Als Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Typ 1 Erkrankungen bezeichnet man eine genetisch heterogene Gruppe von nicht behandelbaren, erblichen Neuropathien, die das periphere Nervensystem betreffen und letztendlich zu starken motorischen und sensorischen Defiziten führen. Anhand verschiedener Studien konnte gezeigt werden, dass sekundäre Entzündungsreaktionen, insbesondere des angeborenen und adaptiven Immunsystems, eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Pathogenese von zwei verschiedenen CMT1-Mausmodellen (CMT1B und CMT1X) spielen. Jedoch ist der genaue Mechanismus, in dem das adaptive Immunsystem zur Pathogenese beiträgt, nicht komplett bekannt. In einer veröffentlichten Studie wurden gebundenen endogenen Antiköpern eine wichtige Rolle beim raschen Myelinabbau nach Nervläsion während der Waller´schen Degeneration zugeschrieben. In Mäusen, die heterozygot defizient für P0 (P0het) sind und einige typische Merkmale der CMT1B Neuropathie aufweisen, sollte ein möglicherweise ähnlicher Mechanismus von endogenen Antikörpern untersucht werden, der zur Verstärkung der Krankheitsentwicklung führt. In dieser Studie konnte eine vermehrte Antikörperbindung in den betroffenen peripheren Nerven von P0het Myelinmutanten beobachtet werden. Anhand von Verkreuzungs-Experimenten von P0het Mutanten mit Mäusen, die keine B-Lymphozyten besitzen und daher keine Antikörper bilden können (JHD-/-), konnte zudem in den untersuchten 6 Monate alten Doppelmutanten eine verringerte Anzahl endoneuraler Makrophagen und eine deutliche Verbesserung der Demyelinisierung aufgezeigt werden. Zusätzlich konnte anhand von Rekonstitutions-Experimenten mit mausspezifischen-IgGs der neuropathische Phänotyp in peripheren Nerven wiederhergestellt werden, was die mögliche pathogenetische Rolle endogener Antikörper im frühen Stadium der Erkrankung bekräftigt. Unerwarteterweise führte die JHD-Defizienz jedoch in 12 Monate alten P0het Mausmutanten eher zu einer Verschlechterung der Neuropathie, zusammen mit einer verstärkten Entzündungsreaktion und M2-polarisierten Makrophagen-Aktivierung. Diese Beobachtungen deuten darauf hin, dass das Fehlen von Antikörpern in einem etablierten Mausmodell für CMT1B unterschiedliche Folgen hat, da dies zu einer verringerten Makrophagen-vermittelten Demyelinisierung im frühen Erkrankungsverlauf führt, gleichzeitig aber im späteren Alter in einer verstärkten Entzündungsreaktion und einem vermehrten Nervschaden resultiert. KW - Charcot-Marie-Tooth KW - Demyelinisierung KW - Adaptives Immunsystem KW - Antikörper KW - Makrophagen KW - B-Lymphocyten KW - Fc-Rezeptor KW - Komplement KW - demyelination KW - antibodies KW - macrophages KW - adaptive immune system KW - B-lymphocytes KW - Fc-receptor KW - complement KW - Maus KW - Charcot-Marie-Syndrom KW - Immunsystem KW - Antikörper Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-121941 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Albert-Weissenberger, Christiane A1 - Mencl, Stine A1 - Schuhmann, Michael K. A1 - Salur, Irmak A1 - Göb, Eva A1 - Langhauser, Friederike A1 - Hopp, Sarah A1 - Hennig, Nelli A1 - Meuth, Sven G. A1 - Nolte, Marc W. A1 - Sirén, Anna-Leena A1 - Kleinschnitz, Christoph T1 - C1-Inhibitor protects from focal brain trauma in a cortical cryolesion mice model by reducing thrombo-inflammation JF - Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience N2 - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) induces a strong inflammatory response which includes blood-brain barrier damage, edema formation and infiltration of different immune cell subsets. More recently, microvascular thrombosis has been identified as another pathophysiological feature of TBI. The contact-kinin system represents an interface between inflammatory and thrombotic circuits and is activated in different neurological diseases. C1-Inhibitor counteracts activation of the contact-kinin system at multiple levels. We investigated the therapeutic potential of C1-Inhibitor in a model of TBI. Male and female C57BL/6 mice were subjected to cortical cryolesion and treated with C1-Inhibitor after 1 h. Lesion volumes were assessed between day 1 and day 5 and blood-brain barrier damage, thrombus formation as well as the local inflammatory response were determined post TBI. Treatment of male mice with 15.0 IU C1-Inhibitor, but not 7.5 IU, 1 h after cryolesion reduced lesion volumes by ~75% on day 1. This protective effect was preserved in female mice and at later stages of trauma. Mechanistically, C1-Inhibitor stabilized the blood-brain barrier and decreased the invasion of immune cells into the brain parenchyma. Moreover, C1-Inhibitor had strong antithrombotic effects. C1-Inhibitor represents a multifaceted anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic compound that prevents traumatic neurodegeneration in clinically meaningful settings. KW - thrombosis KW - traumatic brain injury KW - C1-inhibitor KW - blood-brain barrier KW - contact-kinin system KW - edema KW - inflammation Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-119263 SN - 1662-5102 VL - 8 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mencacci, Niccoló E. A1 - Isaias, Ioannis U. A1 - Reich, Martin M. A1 - Ganos, Christos A1 - Plagnol, Vincent A1 - Polke, James M. A1 - Bras, Jose A1 - Hersheson, Joshua A1 - Stamelou, Maria A1 - Pittman, Alan M. A1 - Noyce, Alastair J. A1 - Mok, Kin Y. A1 - Opladen, Thomas A1 - Kunstmann, Erdmute A1 - Hodecker, Sybille A1 - Münchau, Alexander A1 - Volkmann, Jens A1 - Samnick, Samuel A1 - Sidle, Katie A1 - Nanji, Tina A1 - Sweeney, Mary G. A1 - Houlden, Henry A1 - Batla, Amit A1 - Zecchinelli, Anna L. A1 - Pezzoli, Gianni A1 - Marotta, Giorgio A1 - Lees, Andrew A1 - Alegria, Paulo A1 - Krack, Paul A1 - Cormier-Dequaire, Florence A1 - Lesage, Suzanne A1 - Brice, Alexis A1 - Heutink, Peter A1 - Gasser, Thomas A1 - Lubbe, Steven J. A1 - Morris, Huw R. A1 - Taba, Pille A1 - Koks, Sulev A1 - Majounie, Elisa A1 - Gibbs, J. Raphael A1 - Singleton, Andrew A1 - Hardy, John A1 - Klebe, Stephan A1 - Bhatia, Kailash P. A1 - Wood, Nicholas W. T1 - Parkinson’s disease in GTP cyclohydrolase 1 mutation carriers JF - Brain N2 - GTP cyclohydrolase 1, encoded by the GCH1 gene, is an essential enzyme for dopamine production in nigrostriatal cells. Loss-of-function mutations in GCH1 result in severe reduction of dopamine synthesis in nigrostriatal cells and are the most common cause of DOPA-responsive dystonia, a rare disease that classically presents in childhood with generalized dystonia and a dramatic long-lasting response to levodopa. We describe clinical, genetic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic imaging ([(123)I]N-ω-fluoropropyl-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl) tropane single photon computed tomography) findings of four unrelated pedigrees with DOPA-responsive dystonia in which pathogenic GCH1 variants were identified in family members with adult-onset parkinsonism. Dopamine transporter imaging was abnormal in all parkinsonian patients, indicating Parkinson's disease-like nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation. We subsequently explored the possibility that pathogenic GCH1 variants could contribute to the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, even in the absence of a family history for DOPA-responsive dystonia. The frequency of GCH1 variants was evaluated in whole-exome sequencing data of 1318 cases with Parkinson's disease and 5935 control subjects. Combining cases and controls, we identified a total of 11 different heterozygous GCH1 variants, all at low frequency. This list includes four pathogenic variants previously associated with DOPA-responsive dystonia (Q110X, V204I, K224R and M230I) and seven of undetermined clinical relevance (Q110E, T112A, A120S, D134G, I154V, R198Q and G217V). The frequency of GCH1 variants was significantly higher (Fisher's exact test P-value 0.0001) in cases (10/1318 = 0.75%) than in controls (6/5935 = 0.1%; odds ratio 7.5; 95% confidence interval 2.4-25.3). Our results show that rare GCH1 variants are associated with an increased risk for Parkinson's disease. These findings expand the clinical and biological relevance of GTP cycloydrolase 1 deficiency, suggesting that it not only leads to biochemical striatal dopamine depletion and DOPA-responsive dystonia, but also predisposes to nigrostriatal cell loss. Further insight into GCH1-associated pathogenetic mechanisms will shed light on the role of dopamine metabolism in nigral degeneration and Parkinson's disease. KW - DOPA-responsive-dystonia KW - GCH1 KW - Parkinson's disease KW - dopamine KW - exome sequencing Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-121268 VL - 137 IS - 9 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hohnmann, Christopher A1 - Milles, Bianca A1 - Schinke, Michael A1 - Schroeter, Michael A1 - Ulzheimer, Jochen A1 - Kraft, Peter A1 - Kleinschnitz, Christoph A1 - Lehmann, Paul V. A1 - Kuerten, Stefanie T1 - Categorization of multiple sclerosis relapse subtypes by B cell profiling in the blood JF - Acta Neuropathologica Communications N2 - Introduction B cells are attracting increasing attention in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). B cell-targeted therapies with monoclonal antibodies or plasmapheresis have been shown to be successful in a subset of patients. Here, patients with either relapsing-remitting (n = 24) or secondary progressive (n = 6) MS presenting with an acute clinical relapse were screened for their B cell reactivity to brain antigens and were re-tested three to nine months later. Enzyme-linked immunospot technique (ELISPOT) was used to identify brain-reactive B cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) directly ex vivo and after 96 h of polyclonal stimulation. Clinical severity of symptoms was determined using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Results Nine patients displayed B cells in the blood producing brain-specific antibodies directly ex vivo. Six patients were classified as B cell positive donors only after polyclonal B cell stimulation. In 15 patients a B cell response to brain antigens was absent. Based on the autoreactive B cell response we categorized MS relapses into three different patterns. Patients who displayed brain-reactive B cell responses both directly ex vivo and after polyclonal stimulation (pattern I) were significantly younger than patients in whom only memory B cell responses were detectable or entirely absent (patterns II and III; p = 0.003). In one patient a conversion to a positive B cell response as measured directly ex vivo and subsequently also after polyclonal stimulation was associated with the development of a clinical relapse. The evaluation of the predictive value of a brain antigen-specific B cell response showed that seven of eight patients (87.5%) with a pattern I response encountered a clinical relapse during the observation period of 10 months, compared to two of five patients (40%) with a pattern II and three of 14 patients (21.4%) with a pattern III response (p = 0.0005; hazard ratio 6.08 (95% confidence interval 1.87-19.77). Conclusions Our data indicate actively ongoing B cell-mediated immunity against brain antigens in a subset of MS patients that may be causative of clinical relapses and provide new diagnostic and therapeutic options for a subset of patients. KW - predictive value KW - MS KW - ELISPOT KW - B cells KW - relapse Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126124 VL - 2 IS - 138 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Doppler, Kathrin A1 - Appeltshauser, Luise A1 - Krämer, Heidrun H. A1 - King Man Ng, Judy A1 - Meinl, Edgar A1 - Villmann, Carmen A1 - Brophy, Peter A1 - Dib-Hajj, Sulayman D. A1 - Waxman, Stephen G. A1 - Weishaupt, Andreas A1 - Sommer, Claudia T1 - Contactin-1 and Neurofascin-155/-186 Are Not Targets of Auto-Antibodies in Multifocal Motor Neuropathy JF - PLoS One N2 - Multifocal motor neuropathy is an immune mediated disease presenting with multifocal muscle weakness and conduction block. IgM auto-antibodies against the ganglioside GM1 are detectable in about 50% of the patients. Auto-antibodies against the paranodal proteins contactin-1 and neurofascin-155 and the nodal protein neurofascin-186 have been detected in subgroups of patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Recently, auto-antibodies against neurofascin-186 and gliomedin were described in more than 60% of patients with multifocal motor neuropathy. In the current study, we aimed to validate this finding, using a combination of different assays for auto-antibody detection. In addition we intended to detect further auto-antibodies against paranodal proteins, specifically contactin-1 and neurofascin-155 in multifocal motor neuropathy patients’ sera. We analyzed sera of 33 patients with well-characterized multifocal motor neuropathy for IgM or IgG anti-contactin-1, anti-neurofascin-155 or -186 antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, binding assays with transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells and murine teased fibers. We did not detect any IgM or IgG auto-antibodies against contactin-1, neurofascin-155 or -186 in any of our multifocal motor neuropathy patients. We conclude that auto-antibodies against contactin-1, neurofascin-155 and -186 do not play a relevant role in the pathogenesis in this cohort with multifocal motor neuropathy. KW - motor proteins KW - enzyme-linked immunoassays KW - binding analysis KW - neuropathy KW - nerve fibers KW - cell binding assay KW - antibodies KW - enzyme assays Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126156 VL - 10 IS - 7 ER - TY - THES A1 - Ebert, Sönke T1 - Small- und Large-fiber-Beteiligung bei Morbus Parkinson T1 - Small- and large-fiber-neuropathy in Parkinson's disease N2 - Die hier vorliegende Forschungsarbeit überprüfte eine mögliche Beteiligung des peripheren Nervensystems bei M. Parkinson und den atypischen Parkinson-Syndromen. 31 Patienten mit einem idiopathischen Parkinson-Syndrom (IPD-Patienten) und neun Patienten mit einem atypischen Parkinson-Syndrom (APD-Patienten) sowie 35 altersentsprechende Kontrollprobanden wurden zwischen 2011 und 2012 für diese Studie rekrutiert. Neben der Eigenanamnese und der neurologischen Untersuchung erhielten die Patienten eine Suralisneurographie zur Überprüfung der large fibers und eine Quantitative sensorische Testung (QST) zur Detektion einer möglichen Small-fiber-Dysfunktion. Die Vitamin-Bestimmung diente der Untersuchung möglicher Zusammenhänge zwischen der Levodopa-Therapie, eventuell daraus resultierenden Vitamin-Mangelzuständen und einer reduzierten intraepidermalen Nervenfaser-Dichte (IENF-Dichte) beim M. Parkinson. Für die histologische Auswertung der IENF-Dichte und der dermalen, myelinisierten Nervenfaserbündel (PGP 9.5- / MBP- Doppelfärbung) sowie für die immunohistochemische Untersuchung der Nervenfasersubtypen (anti-alpha-CGRP- und anti-Substanz P-Antikörper) wurden bei jedem Probanden vier Hautbiopsien von den Extremitäten und dem Körperstamm entnommen. Sieben IPD-Patienten und ein Proband mit einem atypischen Parkinson-Syndrom wiesen ein vermindertes sensorisches Nervenaktionspotenzial (SNAP) in der Suralisneurographie auf. Dagegen war eine pathologisch reduzierte Nervenleitgeschwindigkeit nur bei einem IPD-Patienten nachweisbar. Auffällig war zudem eine negative Korrelation zwischen der Erkrankungsdauer und dem SNAP (Korrelationskoeffizient -0,367, p<0,03). In der Auswertung der Hautbiopsien konnte eine statistisch signifikante Reduktion der myelinisierten Bündel am Unterschenkel der IPD-Patienten festgestellt werden. Bei zehn von 30 IPD-Patienten, jedoch bei keinem der Probanden mit einem atypischen Parkinson-Syndrom, konnte eine verminderte IENF-Dichte nachgewiesen werden. In der statistischen Überprüfung wurde außerdem am Unterschenkel ein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen den IPD-Patienten und der Kontrollkohorte sowie eine negative Korrelation zwischen der Krankheitsdauer und der IENF-Dichte (Korrelationskoeffizient -0,320, p<0,05) festgestellt. Die QST konnte dagegen keinen statistisch signifikanten Unterschied zwischen den einzelnen Kohorten aufzeigen. Im Kontrast dazu fand sich eine längenunabhängige Reduktion der CGRP-positiven und der Substanz P-positiven IENF-Dichte bei den Patienten mit einem idiopathischen Parkinson-Syndrom. Bemerkenswert war zudem eine signifikante Verminderung der Substanz P-positiven intraepidermalen Nervenfasern am Oberschenkel und Rücken bei den APD-Patienten. Eine statistisch signifikante Abweichung der CGRP- und Substanz P-positiven Bündel konnte dagegen nicht festgestellt werden. In der laborchemischen Untersuchung war ein Zusammenhang zwischen den bestimmten Vitamin-Spiegeln und der kumulativen Levodopa-Dosis sowie zwischen den Vitaminen und der IENF-Dichte lediglich bei dem Vitamin B6 nachweisbar. Zusammengefasst erscheint eine Beteiligung des peripheren Nervensystems beim idiopathischen Parkinson als wahrscheinlich, wohingegen bei den atypischen Parkinson-Syndromen vor allem von einer zentralen Genese ausgegangen werden kann. Basierend auf den Ergebnissen der Suralisneurographie und der Bestimmung der myelinisierten Bündel erscheint eine krankheitsbedingte Large-fiber-Beeinträchtigung beim M.Parkinson möglich. Die nachgewiesene längenabhängige Small-fiber-Reduktion bei IPD-Patienten wird vermutlich durch eine axonale Transportstörung verursacht. Einen krankheitsbedingten Erklärungsansatz für die längenunabhängige Reduktion der CGRP-positiven und der Substanz P-positiven IENF-Dichte bei IPD-Patienten liefert der Nachweis von neurotoxischem α-Synuclein in den sensiblen Spinatganglien mit einem daraus resultierenden Untergang von sensorischen Nervenfasern. Aufgrund der geringen Anzahl an Parkinson-Patienten mit sensiblen Symptomen und dem fehlenden Nachweis eines statistisch signifikanten Unterschiedes in der QST liegt der Verdacht nahe, dass die ermittelte intraepidermale Nervenfaserreduktion der IPD-Patienten nicht stark genug ausgeprägt ist, um eine signifikante Abweichung der QST-Ergebnisse zu verursachen. Weiterhin konnte kein Zusammenhang zwischen der kumulativen Levodopa-Menge, den Vitaminen B12, Methylmalonsäure sowie Homocystein und dem Auftreten einer Nervenfaserverminderung nachgewiesen werden, was gegen eine iatrogene Beteiligung des peripheren Nervensystems als Nebenwirkung der Levodopa-Therapie spricht. Das idiopathische Parkinson-Syndrom geht mit einer Reduktion der kleinen Nervenfasern einher, welche vermutlich auf die Grunderkrankung selbst zurückzuführen ist. Die Untersuchung der Haut erscheint somit vielversprechend für die Erforschung der Pathogenese und für die Differentialdiagnostik des M. Parkinson. N2 - Small- and large-fiber-neuropathy in Parkinson's disease KW - Parkinson-Krankheit KW - Parkinson KW - Nervenfaser KW - Biopsie KW - Fluoreszenzmikroskopie KW - Hautbiopsie KW - Quantitative Sensorische Testung KW - Suralisneurographie KW - Neuropathie Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124647 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Langhauser, Friederike L. A1 - Heiler, Patrick M. A1 - Grudzenski, Saskia A1 - Lemke, Andreas A1 - Alonso, Angelika A1 - Schad, Lothar R. A1 - Hennerici, Michael G. A1 - Meairs, Stephen A1 - Fata, Marc T1 - Thromboembolic stroke in C57BL/6 mice monitored by 9.4 T MRI using a 1H cryo probe JF - Experimental and Translational Stroke Medicine N2 - Background A new thromboembolic animal model showed beneficial effects of t-PA with an infarct volume reduction of 36.8% in swiss mice. Because knock-out animal experiments for stroke frequently used C57BL76 mice we evaluated t-PA effects in this mouse strain and measured infarct volume and vascular recanalisation in-vivo by using high-field 9.4 T MRI and a 1H surface cryo coil. Methods Clot formation was triggered by microinjection of murine thrombin into the right middle cerebral artery (MCA). Animals (n = 28) were treated with 10 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg or no tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) 40 min after MCA occlusion. For MR-imaging a Bruker 9.4 T animal system with a 1H surface cryo probe was used and a T2-weighted RARE sequence, a diffusion weighted multishot EPI sequence and a 3D flow-compensated gradient echo TOF angiography were performed. Results The infarct volume in animals treated with t-PA was significantly reduced (0.67 ± 1.38 mm3 for 10 mg/kg and 10.9 ± 8.79 mm3 for 5 mg/kg vs. 19.76 ± 2.72 mm3 ; p < 0.001) compared to untreated mice. An additional group was reperfused with t-PA inside the MRI. Already ten minutes after beginning of t-PA treatment, reperfusion flow was re-established in the right MCA. However, signal intensity was lower than in the contralateral MCA. This reduction in cerebral blood flow was attenuated during the first 60 minutes after reperfusion. 24 h after MCA occlusion and reperfusion, no difference in signal intensity of the contralateral and ipsilateral MCAs was observed. Conclusions We confirm a t-Pa effect using this stroke model in the C57BL76 mouse strain and demonstrate a chronological sequence MRI imaging after t-PA using a 1H surface cryo coil in a 9.4 T MRI. This setting will allow testing of new thrombolytic strategies for stroke treatment in-vivo in C57BL76 knock-out mice. KW - animal models KW - MRI KW - experimental KW - embolic stroke KW - T-PA Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124218 VL - 4 IS - 18 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Üçeyler, Nurcan A1 - Kewenig, Susanne A1 - Kittel-Schneider, Sarah A1 - Fallgatter, Andreas J. A1 - Sommer, Claudia T1 - Increased cortical activation upon painful stimulation in fibromyalgia syndrome JF - BMC Neurology N2 - Background Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain and associated symptoms. We investigated cerebral activation in FMS patients by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Methods Two stimulation paradigms were applied: a) painful pressure stimulation at the dorsal forearm; b) verbal fluency test (VFT). We prospectively recruited 25 FMS patients, ten patients with unipolar major depression (MD) without pain, and 35 healthy controls. All patients underwent neurological examination and all subjects were investigated with questionnaires (pain, depression, FMS, empathy). Results FMS patients had lower pressure pain thresholds than patients with MD and controls (p < 0.001) and reported higher pain intensity (p < 0.001). Upon unilateral pressure pain stimulation fNIRS recordings revealed increased bilateral cortical activation in FMS patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). FMS patients also displayed a stronger contralateral activity over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in direct comparison to patients with MD (p < 0.05). While all three groups performed equally well in the VFT, a frontal deficit in cortical activation was only found in patients with depression (p < 0.05). Performance and cortical activation correlated negatively in FMS patients (p < 0.05) and positively in patients with MD (p < 0.05). Conclusion Our data give further evidence for altered central nervous processing in patients with FMS and the distinction between FMS and MD. KW - fibromyalgia syndrome KW - depression KW - cortical activation KW - pain KW - near-infrared spectroscopy Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125230 VL - 15 IS - 210 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Horn, Michael A1 - Baumann, Reto A1 - Pereira, Jorge A. A1 - Sidiropoulos, Páris N. M. A1 - Somandin, Christian A1 - Welzl, Hans A1 - Stendel, Claudia A1 - Lühmann, Tessa A1 - Wessig, Carsten A1 - Toyka, Klaus V. A1 - Relvas, João B. A1 - Senderek, Jan A1 - Suter, Ueli T1 - Myelin is dependent on the Charcot–Marie–Tooth Type 4H disease culprit protein FRABIN/FGD4 in Schwann cells JF - Brain N2 - Studying the function and malfunction of genes and proteins associated with inherited forms of peripheral neuropathies has provided multiple clues to our understanding of myelinated nerves in health and disease. Here, we have generated a mouse model for the peripheral neuropathy Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 4H by constitutively disrupting the mouse orthologue of the suspected culprit gene FGD4 that encodes the small RhoGTPase Cdc42-guanine nucleotide exchange factor Frabin. Lack of Frabin/Fgd4 causes dysmyelination in mice in early peripheral nerve development, followed by profound myelin abnormalities and demyelination at later stages. At the age of 60 weeks, this was accompanied by electrophysiological deficits. By crossing mice carrying alleles of Frabin/Fgd4 flanked by loxP sequences with animals expressing Cre recombinase in a cell type-specific manner, we show that Schwann cell-autonomous Frabin/Fgd4 function is essential for proper myelination without detectable primary contributions from neurons. Deletion of Frabin/Fgd4 in Schwann cells of fully myelinated nerve fibres revealed that this protein is not only required for correct nerve development but also for accurate myelin maintenance. Moreover, we established that correct activation of Cdc42 is dependent on Frabin/Fgd4 function in healthy peripheral nerves. Genetic disruption of Cdc42 in Schwann cells of adult myelinated nerves resulted in myelin alterations similar to those observed in Frabin/Fgd4-deficient mice, indicating that Cdc42 and the Frabin/Fgd4–Cdc42 axis are critical for myelin homeostasis. In line with known regulatory roles of Cdc42, we found that Frabin/Fgd4 regulates Schwann cell endocytosis, a process that is increasingly recognized as a relevant mechanism in peripheral nerve pathophysiology. Taken together, our results indicate that regulation of Cdc42 by Frabin/Fgd4 in Schwann cells is critical for the structure and function of the peripheral nervous system. In particular, this regulatory link is continuously required in adult fully myelinated nerve fibres. Thus, mechanisms regulated by Frabin/Fgd4–Cdc42 are promising targets that can help to identify additional regulators of myelin development and homeostasis, which may crucially contribute also to malfunctions in different types of peripheral neuropathies. KW - Frabin/Fgd4 KW - myelination KW - hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy KW - Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease KW - Rho-GTPase Cdc42 Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125390 VL - 135 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Walter, Maggie C. A1 - Reilich, Peter A1 - Thiele, Simone A1 - Schessl, Joachim A1 - Schreiber, Herbert A1 - Reiners, Karlheinz A1 - Kress, Wolfram A1 - Müller-Reible, Clemens A1 - Vorgerd, Matthias A1 - Urban, Peter A1 - Schrank, Bertold A1 - Deschauer, Marcus A1 - Schlotter-Weigel, Beate A1 - Kohnen, Ralf A1 - Lochmüller, Hans T1 - Treatment of dysferlinopathy with deflazacort: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial JF - Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases N2 - Background: Dysferlinopathies are autosomal recessive disorders caused by mutations in the dysferlin (DYSF) gene encoding the dysferlin protein. DYSF mutations lead to a wide range of muscular phenotypes, with the most prominent being Miyoshi myopathy (MM) and limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B). Methods: We assessed the one-year-natural course of dysferlinopathy, and the safety and efficacy of deflazacort treatment in a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over trial. After one year of natural course without intervention, 25 patients with genetically defined dysferlinopathy were randomized to receive deflazacort and placebo for six months each (1 mg/kg/day in month one, 1 mg/kg every 2nd day during months two to six) in one of two treatment sequences. Results: During one year of natural course, muscle strength declined about 2% as measured by CIDD (Clinical Investigation of Duchenne Dystrophy) score, and 76 Newton as measured by hand-held dynamometry. Deflazacort did not improve muscle strength. In contrast, there is a trend of worsening muscle strength under deflazacort treatment, which recovers after discontinuation of the study drug. During deflazacort treatment, patients showed a broad spectrum of steroid side effects. Conclusion: Deflazacort is not an effective therapy for dysferlinopathies, and off-label use is not warranted. This is an important finding, since steroid treatment should not be administered in patients with dysferlinopathy, who may be often misdiagnosed as polymyositis. KW - Deflazacort KW - muscle strength KW - gridle muscular-dystrophy KW - Duchenne dystrphy KW - Miyoshi myopathy KW - mutation KW - prednisone KW - gene KW - 2B KW - children KW - design KW - steroids KW - therapy KW - dysferlinopathy KW - Limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125663 SN - 1750-1172 VL - 8 IS - 26 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Karle, Kathrin N. A1 - Schüle, Rebecca A1 - Klebe, Stephan A1 - Otto, Susanne A1 - Frischholz, Christian A1 - Liepelt-Scarfone, Inga A1 - Schöls, Ludger T1 - Electrophysiological characterisation of motor and sensory tracts in patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) JF - Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases N2 - Background: Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are characterised by lower limb spasticity due to degeneration of the corticospinal tract. We set out for an electrophysiological characterisation of motor and sensory tracts in patients with HSP. Methods: We clinically and electrophysiologically examined a cohort of 128 patients with genetically confirmed or clinically probable HSP. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to arms and legs, somato-sensory evoked potentials of median and tibial nerves, and nerve conduction studies of tibial, ulnar, sural, and radial nerves were assessed. Results: Whereas all patients showed clinical signs of spastic paraparesis, MEPs were normal in 27% of patients and revealed a broad spectrum with axonal or demyelinating features in the others. This heterogeneity can at least in part be explained by different underlying genotypes, hinting for distinct pathomechanisms in HSP subtypes. In the largest subgroup, SPG4, an axonal type of damage was evident. Comprehensive electrophysiological testing disclosed a more widespread affection of long fibre tracts involving peripheral nerves and the sensory system in 40%, respectively. Electrophysiological abnormalities correlated with the severity of clinical symptoms. Conclusions: Whereas HSP is primarily considered as an upper motoneuron disorder, our data suggest a more widespread affection of motor and sensory tracts in the central and peripheral nervous system as a common finding in HSP. The distribution patterns of electrophysiological abnormalities were associated with distinct HSP genotypes and could reflect different underlying pathomechanisms. Electrophysiological measures are independent of symptomatic treatment and may therefore serve as a reliable biomarker in upcoming HSP trials. KW - motor evoked potential (MEP) KW - amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis KW - somatosensory-evoked-potentials KW - Silver-syndrome KW - gene mutations KW - SPG4 KW - mouse model KW - ALSIN gene KW - neuropathy KW - paraparesis KW - protein KW - electrophysiology KW - hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124763 SN - 1750-1172 VL - 8 IS - 158 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hansen, Niels A1 - Kahn, Ann-Kathrin A1 - Zeller, Daniel A1 - Katsarava, Zaza A1 - Sommer, Claudia A1 - Üçeyler, Nurcan T1 - Amplitudes of pain-related evoked potentials are useful to detect small fiber involvement in painful mixed fiber neuropathies in addition to quantitative sensory testing – an electrophysiological study JF - Frontiers in Neurology N2 - To investigate the usefulness of pain-related evoked potentials (PREP) elicited by electrical stimulation for the identification of small fiber involvement in patients with mixed fiber neuropathy (MFN). Eleven MFN patients with clinical signs of large fiber impairment and neuropathic pain and ten healthy controls underwent clinical and electrophysiological evaluation. Small fiber function, electrical conductivity and morphology were examined by quantitative sensory testing (QST), PREP, and skin punch biopsy. MFN was diagnosed following clinical and electrophysiological examination (chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy: n = 6; vasculitic neuropathy: n = 3; chronic axonal ­neuropathy: n = 2). The majority of patients with MFN characterized their pain by descriptors that mainly represent C-fiber-mediated pain. In QST, patients displayed elevated cold, warm, mechanical, and vibration detection thresholds and cold pain thresholds indicative of MFN. PREP amplitudes in patients correlated with cold (p < 0.05) and warm detection thresholds (p < 0.05). Burning pain and the presence of par-/dysesthesias correlated negatively with PREP amplitudes (p < 0.05). PREP amplitudes correlating with cold and warm detection thresholds, burning pain, and par-/dysesthesias support employing PREP amplitudes as an additional tool in conjunction with QST for detecting small fiber impairment in patients with MFN. KW - burning pain KW - quantitative sensory testing KW - mixed fiber neuropathy KW - pain-related evoked potentials KW - Aδ- and C-fibers KW - neuropathic pain Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-124824 VL - 6 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Westermaier, Thomas A1 - Koehler, Stefan A1 - Linsenmann, Thomas A1 - Kinderlen, Michael A1 - Pakos, Paul A1 - Ernestus, Ralf-Ingo T1 - Intraoperative Myelography in Cervical Multilevel Stenosis Using 3D Rotational Fluoroscopy: Assessment of Feasibility and Image Quality JF - Radiology Research and Practice N2 - Background. Intraoperative myelography has been reported for decompression control in multilevel lumbar disease. Cervical myelography is technically more challenging. Modern 3D fluoroscopy may provide a new opportunity supplying multiplanar images. This study was performed to determine the feasibility and image quality of intraoperative cervical myelography using a 3D fluoroscope. Methods. The series included 9 patients with multilevel cervical stenosis. After decompression, 10 mL of water-soluble contrast agent was administered via a lumbar drainage and the operating table was tilted. Thereafter, a 3D fluoroscopy scan (O-Arm) was performed and visually evaluated. Findings. The quality of multiplanar images was sufficient to supply information about the presence of residual stenosis. After instrumentation, metal artifacts lowered image quality. In 3 cases, decompression was continued because myelography depicted residual stenosis. In one case, anterior corpectomy was not completed because myelography showed sufficient decompression after 2-level discectomy. Interpretation. Intraoperative myelography using 3D rotational fluoroscopy is useful for the control of surgical decompression in multilevel spinal stenosis providing images comparable to postmyelographic CT. The long duration of contrast delivery into the cervical spine may be solved by preoperative contrast administration. The method is susceptible to metal artifacts and, therefore, should be applied before metal implants are placed. Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125779 VL - 2015 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Klein, Dennis A1 - Groh, Janos A1 - Weishaupt, Andreas A1 - Martini, Rudolf T1 - Endogenous antibodies contribute to macrophage-mediated demyelination in a mouse model for CMT1B JF - Journal of Neuroinflammation N2 - Background We could previously identify components of both the innate and the adaptive immune system as disease modifiers in the pathogenesis of models for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathies type 1B and 1X. As part of the adaptive immune system, here we investigated the role of antibodies in a model for CMT1B. Methods Antibodies were localized and characterized in peripheral nerves of the CMT1B model by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Experimental ablation of antibodies was performed by cross breeding the CMT1B models with mutants deficient in B-lymphocytes (JHD−/− mutants). Ameliorated demyelination by antibody deficiency was reverted by intravenous injection of mouse IgG fractions. Histopathological analysis was performed by immunocytochemistry and light and quantitative electron microscopy. Results We demonstrate that in peripheral nerves of a mouse model for CMT1B, endogenous antibodies strongly decorate endoneurial tubes of peripheral nerves. These antibodies comprise IgG and IgM subtypes and are preferentially, but not exclusively, associated with nerve fiber aspects nearby the nodes of Ranvier. In the absence of antibodies, the early demyelinating phenotype is substantially ameliorated. Reverting the neuropathy by reconstitution with murine IgG fractions identified accumulating antibodies as potentially pathogenic at this early stage of disease. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that in a mouse model for CMT1B, endogenous antibodies contribute to early macrophage-mediated demyelination and disease progression. Thus, both the innate and adaptive immune system are mutually interconnected in a genetic model for demyelination. Since in Wallerian degeneration antibodies have also been shown to be involved in myelin phagocytosis, our study supports our view that inherited demyelination and Wallerian degeneration share common mechanisms, which are detrimental when activated under nonlesion conditions. KW - adaptive immune system KW - macrophages KW - antibodies KW - demyelination KW - Charcot-Marie-Tooth KW - B-lymphocytes KW - Fc-receptor KW - complement Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125036 VL - 12 IS - 49 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kleinschnitz, Christoph A1 - Linker, Ralf A. A1 - Magnus, Tim A1 - Korn, Thomas A1 - Meuth, Sven G. T1 - Report on the 6th scientific meeting of the “Verein zur Förderung des Wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses in der Neurologie” (NEUROWIND e.V.) held in Motzen, Germany, Oct. 31th – Nov. 2nd, 2014 JF - Experimental & Translational Stroke Medicine N2 - From October 31th – November 2nd, 2014, the 6th NEUROWIND e.V. meeting was held in Motzen, Brandenburg, Germany. 70 doctoral students and postdocs from over 25 different groups working in German and Swiss university hospitals or research institutes attended the meeting to discuss their latest experiments and findings in the fields of neuroimmunology, neurodegeneration and neurovascular research. The meeting was regarded as a very well organized platform to support research of young investigators in Germany and all participants enjoyed the stimulating environment for lively in depth discussions. According to the major aim of NEUROWIND e.V. to support younger researchers in Germany the 4th NEUROWIND YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD for experimental neurology was awarded to Michael Breckwoldt on his work in the group of Thomas Misgeld (Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technische Universität München, Germany). The successful project was published in Nature Medicine entitled “Multiparametric optical analysis of mitochondrial redox signals during neuronal physiology and pathology in vivo”. This outstanding paper deals with a molecular imaging approach in living mice to optically analyze the role of mitochondrial redox signals in axons in health and disease. The award is endowed with 20.000 Euro sponsored by Merck Serono GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany (unrestricted educational grant). This year’s keynote lecture was given by Bernhard Hemmer, Head of the Department of Neurology at the Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München. Dr. Hemmer highlighted the particular role of B cells and (auto)antibodies in multiple sclerosis (MS). As a new highlight Dr. Urbahns, head of global discovery technologies at Merck research laboratories, gave insights from research practice in the pharmaceutical industry and introduced a shift in the view on present-day drug discovery paradigms. Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125049 VL - 7 IS - 1 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Albert-Weissenberger, Christiane A1 - Stetter, Christian A1 - Meuth, Sven G. A1 - Göbel, Kerstin A1 - Bader, Michael A1 - Sirén, Anna-Leena A1 - Kleinschnitz, Christoph T1 - Blocking of Bradykinin Receptor B1 Protects from Focal Closed Head Injury in Mice by Reducing Axonal Damage and Astroglia Activation JF - Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism N2 - The two bradykinin receptors B1R and B2R are central components of the kallikrein–kinin system with different expression kinetics and binding characteristics. Activation of these receptors by kinins triggers inflammatory responses in the target organ and in most situations enhances tissue damage. We could recently show that blocking of B1R, but not B2R, protects from cortical cryolesion by reducing inflammation and edema formation. In the present study, we investigated the role of B1R and B2R in a closed head model of focal traumatic brain injury (TBI; weight drop). Increased expression of B1R in the injured hemispheres of wild-type mice was restricted to the later stages after brain trauma, i.e. day 7 (P<0.05), whereas no significant induction could be observed for the B2R (P>0.05). Mice lacking the B1R, but not the B2R, showed less functional deficits on day 3 (P<0.001) and day 7 (P<0.001) compared with controls. Pharmacological blocking of B1R in wild-type mice had similar effects. Reduced axonal injury and astroglia activation could be identified as underlying mechanisms, while inhibition of B1R had only little influence on the local inflammatory response in this model. Inhibition of B1R may become a novel strategy to counteract trauma-induced neurodegeneration. KW - R-715 KW - kinin receptors KW - closed head injury KW - β-APP KW - astrocytes KW - TNF-α Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125903 VL - 32 IS - 9 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Isaias, Ioannis Ugo A1 - Spiegel, Jörg A1 - Brumberg, Joachim A1 - Cosgrove, Kelly P. A1 - Marotta, Giorgio A1 - Oishi, Naoya A1 - Higuchi, Takahiro A1 - Küsters, Sebastian A1 - Schiller, Markus A1 - Dillmann, Ulrich A1 - van Dyck, Christopher H. A1 - Buck, Andreas A1 - Herrmann, Ken A1 - Schloegl, Susanne A1 - Volkmann, Jens A1 - Lassmann, Michael A1 - Fassbender, Klaus A1 - Lorenz, Reinhard A1 - Samnick, Samuel T1 - Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor density in cognitively intact subjects at an early stage of Parkinson's disease JF - Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience N2 - We investigated in vivo brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) distribution in cognitively intact subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD) at an early stage of the disease. Fourteen patients and 13 healthy subjects were imaged with single photon emission computed tomography and the radiotracer 5-[(123)I]iodo-3-[2(S)-2-azetidinylmethoxy]pyridine ([(123)I]5IA). Patients were selected according to several criteria, including short duration of motor signs (<7 years) and normal scores at an extensive neuropsychological evaluation. In PD patients, nAChR density was significantly higher in the putamen, the insular cortex and the supplementary motor area and lower in the caudate nucleus, the orbitofrontal cortex, and the middle temporal gyrus. Disease duration positively correlated with nAChR density in the putamen ipsilateral (ρ = 0.56, p < 0.05) but not contralateral (ρ = 0.49, p = 0.07) to the clinically most affected hemibody. We observed, for the first time in vivo, higher nAChR density in brain regions of the motor and limbic basal ganglia circuits of subjects with PD. Our findings support the notion of an up-regulated cholinergic activity at the striatal and possibly cortical level in cognitively intact PD patients at an early stage of disease. KW - nicotinic receptors KW - Parkinson disease KW - 5IA-SPECT KW - dopamine acetylcholine KW - cognitive decline Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-119351 VL - 6 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Albert-Weissenberger, Christiane A1 - Mencl, Stine A1 - Hopp, Sarah A1 - Kleinschnitz, Christoph A1 - Siren, Anna-Leena T1 - Role of the kallikrein-kinin system in traumatic brain injury JF - Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience N2 - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite improvements in acute intensive care, there are currently no specific therapies to ameliorate the effects of TBI. Successful therapeutic strategies for TBI should target multiple pathophysiologic mechanisms that occur at different stages of brain injury. The kallikrein-kinin system is a promising therapeutic target for TBI as it mediates key pathologic events of traumatic brain damage, such as edema formation, inflammation, and thrombosis. Selective and specific kinin receptor antagonists and inhibitors of plasma kallikrein and coagulation factor XII have been developed, and have already shown therapeutic efficacy in animal models of stroke and TBI. However, conflicting preclinical evaluation, as well as limited and inconclusive data from clinical trials in TBI, suggests that caution should be taken before transferring observations made in animals to humans. This review summarizes current evidence on the pathologic significance of the kallikrein-kinin system during TBI in animal models and, where available, the experimental findings are compared with human data. KW - bradykinin KW - factor XII KW - kallikrein–kinin system KW - kinin receptor KW - traumatic brain injury Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-118226 SN - 1662-5102 VL - 8 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hohmann, Christopher A1 - Milles, Bianca A1 - Schinke, Michael A1 - Schroeter, Michael A1 - Ulzheimer, Jochen A1 - Kraft, Peter A1 - Kleinschnitz, Christoph A1 - Lehmann, Paul V. A1 - Kuerten, Stefanie T1 - Categorization of multiple sclerosis relapse subtypes by B cell profiling in the blood JF - Acta Neuropathologica Communications N2 - INTRODUCTION: B cells are attracting increasing attention in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). B cell-targeted therapies with monoclonal antibodies or plasmapheresis have been shown to be successful in a subset of patients. Here, patients with either relapsing-remitting (n = 24) or secondary progressive (n = 6) MS presenting with an acute clinical relapse were screened for their B cell reactivity to brain antigens and were re-tested three to nine months later. Enzyme-linked immunospot technique (ELISPOT) was used to identify brain-reactive B cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) directly ex vivo and after 96 h of polyclonal stimulation. Clinical severity of symptoms was determined using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). RESULTS: Nine patients displayed B cells in the blood producing brain-specific antibodies directly ex vivo. Six patients were classified as B cell positive donors only after polyclonal B cell stimulation. In 15 patients a B cell response to brain antigens was absent. Based on the autoreactive B cell response we categorized MS relapses into three different patterns. Patients who displayed brain-reactive B cell responses both directly ex vivo and after polyclonal stimulation (pattern I) were significantly younger than patients in whom only memory B cell responses were detectable or entirely absent (patterns II and III; p = 0.003). In one patient a conversion to a positive B cell response as measured directly ex vivo and subsequently also after polyclonal stimulation was associated with the development of a clinical relapse. The evaluation of the predictive value of a brain antigen-specific B cell response showed that seven of eight patients (87.5%) with a pattern I response encountered a clinical relapse during the observation period of 10 months, compared to two of five patients (40%) with a pattern II and three of 14 patients (21.4%) with a pattern III response (p = 0.0005; hazard ratio 6.08 (95% confidence interval 1.87-19.77). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate actively ongoing B cell-mediated immunity against brain antigens in a subset of MS patients that may be causative of clinical relapses and provide new diagnostic and therapeutic options for a subset of patients. KW - ELISPOT KW - MS KW - predictive value KW - relapse KW - B cells Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-120580 SN - 2051-5960 VL - 2 IS - 138 ER -