| 1. |
- Høland, Maren, et al.
(författare)
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Transcriptomic subtyping of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours highlights immune signatures, genomic profiles, patient survival and therapeutic targets
- 2023
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Ingår i: EBioMedicine. - 2352-3964. ; 97
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) is an aggressive orphan disease commonly affecting adolescents or young adults. Current knowledge of molecular tumour biology has been insufficient for development of rational treatment strategies. We aimed to discover molecular subtypes of potential clinical relevance. Methods: Fresh frozen samples of MPNSTs (n = 94) and benign neurofibromas (n = 28) from 115 patients in a European multicentre study were analysed by DNA copy number and/or transcriptomic profiling. Unsupervised transcriptomic subtyping was performed and the subtypes characterized for genomic aberrations, clinicopathological associations and patient survival. Findings: MPNSTs were classified into two transcriptomic subtypes defined primarily by immune signatures and proliferative processes. “Immune active” MPNSTs (44%) had sustained immune signals relative to neurofibromas, were more frequently low-grade (P = 0.01) and had favourable prognostic associations in a multivariable model of disease-specific survival with clinicopathological factors (hazard ratio 0.25, P = 0.003). “Immune deficient” MPNSTs were more aggressive and characterized by proliferative signatures, high genomic complexity, aberrant TP53 and PRC2 loss, as well as high relative expression of several potential actionable targets (EGFR, ERBB2, EZH2, KIF11, PLK1, RRM2). Integrated gene-wise analyses suggested a DNA copy number-basis for proliferative transcriptomic signatures in particular, and the tumour copy number burden further stratified the transcriptomic subtypes according to patient prognosis (P < 0.01). Interpretation: Approximately half of MPNSTs belong to an “immune deficient” transcriptomic subtype associated with an aggressive disease course, PRC2 loss and expression of several potential therapeutic targets, providing a rationale for molecularly-guided intervention trials. Funding: Research grants from non-profit organizations, as stated in the Acknowledgements.
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| 2. |
- Berg, Ina, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
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Curcumin alleviates Aβ indcuced neurotoxicity and vice versa without removing amyloid deposits in transgenic Drosophila
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Curcumin has been proposed to facilitate clearance of toxic amyloid formed by the Aβ peptide. To further address this notion, different concentrations of curcumin were tried for its effects in various Drosophila Alzheimer’s disease (AD) models. This study entailed five different Drosophila AD models (four Aβ expressing lines, and one tau expressing line), expressing the AD associated proteins using the Gal4/UAS system. These were assayed for several aspects of neurological impairment, including survival, climbing behavior, as well as locomotor activity. In addition, amyloid deposition was assessed by histological analysis. Curcumin treatment substantially prolonged the lifespan and improved climbing and locomotor activity for flies with severe disease geneotypes (Aβ1-42 E22G and double expressing Aβ1-42). In comparison, curcumin feeding of control flies resulted in a concentration-dependent shortened lifespan, whereas no such toxic side effects were found for AD genotypes with a mild phenotype (single expressors of Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42). All flies expressing Aβ and tau displayed a higher total locomotor activity, and a continuation of the activity over a larger number of hours upon curcumin treatment. Unexpectedly, no change in tissue amyloid deposition upon curcumin treatment was observed. In vitro fibrillation of Aβ1-42, followed by Western blot and transmission electron microscopy in the presence and absence of curcumin, displayed enhanced fibrillation into large aggregates and decreased population of oligomers in curcumin samples. The decrease in oligomer formation by curcumin may explain why it increases the lifespan and activity without removing of the amyloid deposits seen in tissues. We also suggest that Aβ, at least in the context of Drosophila, functions as a chemical detoxifier sequestering curcumin and thereby mitigating its toxicity.
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| 3. |
- Berg, Ina, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
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Efficient imaging of amyloid deposits in Drosophila models of human amyloidoses
- 2010
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Ingår i: Nature Protocols. - : Macmillan Publishers Ltd.. - 1754-2189 .- 1750-2799. ; 5:5, s. 935-944
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Drosophila melanogaster is emerging as an important model system for neurodegenerative disease research. In this protocol, we describe an efficient method for imaging amyloid deposits in the Drosophila brain, by the use of a luminescent-conjugated oligothiophene (lco), p-Ftaa polymer probe. We also demonstrate the feasibility of co-staining with antibodies and compare the lco staining with standard amyloid-specific probes. the lco protocol enables high-resolution imaging of several different protein aggregates, such as aβ1-42, aβ1-42e22G, transthyretin V30M and human tau, in the Drosophila brain. aβ and tau aggregates could also be distinguished from each other because of distinct lco emission spectra. Furthermore, this protocol enables threedimensional brain mapping of amyloid distribution in whole-mount Drosophila brains. the use of p-Ftaa combined with other probes, antibodies and/or dyes will aid the rapid characterization of various amyloid deposits in the rapidly growing number of Drosophila models of neurodegenerative diseases.
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| 4. |
- Berg, Ina, 1982-
(författare)
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Modeling Amyloid Disease in Drosophila melanogaster
- 2010
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Amyloid diseases are caused by protein misfolding and aggregation. To date there are 27 known proteins causing amyloid disorders involving brain and peripheral protein deposition. The proteins involved in this mechanism do not share sequence homology, but the amyloid fibrils share biophysical properties and possibly a common pathogenic mechanism. Amyloid deposits are known to be involved in a broad range of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, as well as in non-neuropathic diseases, such as senile systemic amyloidosis and type II diabetes.During the last decade the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster (Drosophila), have increasingly been used as a model for neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy. The advantages of using the Drosophila model are the well-defined genetic characteristics, the quantity, short life span, simplicity in genetic manipulation and the powerful binary UAS-Gal4 transgenic system. The UAS-Gal4 system allows for rapid generation of individual strains in which expression of a specific gene of interest can be directed to different tissues or cell types. The system allows the target gene to be activated in different cell- and tissue-types by altering the activator-expressing lines.This thesis has been focused on modeling amyloid diseases in Drosophila. This has been performed by:Creating new model systems of senile systemic amyloidosis and familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy in DrosophilaDeveloping a new staining protocol for detection of amyloid in DrosophilaInitiate a compound screen of Alzheimer’s disease modeled in Drosophila
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| 5. |
- Berg, Ina, et al.
(författare)
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Modeling Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy (Transthyretin V30M) in Drosophila melanogaster
- 2009
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Ingår i: NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES. - : S. Karger AG. - 1660-2854 .- 1660-2862. ; 6:3, s. 127-138
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background/Aims: Transthyretin (TTR) is a prevalent plasma and cerebrospinal fluid protein associated with sporadic and heritable amyloidosis. TTR amyloidosis is linked to a vast number of mutations with varying phenotype, tissue distribution and age of onset. The most prevalent mutation associated with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is the V30M mutation. Studies of transgenic mouse models of TTR V30M FAP have been hampered by variable phenotype, low disease penetrance, and slow onset. Methods/Results: To model TTR-associated amyloid disease in the Drosophila model system, transgenic Drosophila were generated, expressing wild-type (wt) TTR or TTR V30M, associated with sporadic senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA) and inherited FAP, respectively. We found that expression of FAP-associated TTR V30M mutant in the nervous system resulted in reduced lifespan and in reduced climbing ability indicating neurological impairment, whereas expression of TTR wt showed a milder phenotype. Congo red staining of the Drosophila brain shows positive amyloid binding in the aged TTR V30M flies. Extensive brain vacuole formation was evident for the aged TTR V30M flies, whereas a milder phenotype was shown by the TTR wt flies. In addition, expression of TTR V30M in the eye leads to tissue damage, including rough eye, morphological changes and fibrous deposition. Conclusion: Our results suggest that Drosophila is a promising complementary system for studies of TTR-associated amyloid diseases.
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| 6. |
- Ceasar (Berg), Ina, et al.
(författare)
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Curcumin Promotes A-beta Fibrillation and Reduces Neurotoxicity in Transgenic Drosophila
- 2012
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 7:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The pathology of Alzheimers disease (AD) is characterized by the presence of extracellular deposits of misfolded and aggregated amyloid-beta (A beta) peptide and intraneuronal accumulation of tangles comprised of hyperphosphorylated Tau protein. For several years, the natural compound curcumin has been proposed to be a candidate for enhanced clearance of toxic A beta amyloid. In this study we have studied the potency of feeding curcumin as a drug candidate to alleviate A beta toxicity in transgenic Drosophila. The longevity as well as the locomotor activity of five different AD model genotypes, measured relative to a control line, showed up to 75% improved lifespan and activity for curcumin fed flies. In contrast to the majority of studies of curcumin effects on amyloid we did not observe any decrease in the amount of A beta deposition following curcumin treatment. Conformation-dependent spectra from p-FTAA, a luminescent conjugated oligothiophene bound to A beta deposits in different Drosophila genotypes over time, indicated accelerated pre-fibrillar to fibril conversion of A beta(1-42) in curcumin treated flies. This finding was supported by in vitro fibrillation assays of recombinant A beta(1-42). Our study shows that curcumin promotes amyloid fibril conversion by reducing the pre-fibrillar/oligomeric species of A beta, resulting in a reduced neurotoxicity in Drosophila.
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| 7. |
- Høland, Maren, et al.
(författare)
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Inferior survival for patients with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors defined by aberrant TP53
- 2018
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Ingår i: Modern Pathology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0893-3952. ; 31:11, s. 1694-1707
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor is a rare and aggressive disease with poor treatment response, mainly affecting adolescents and young adults. Few molecular biomarkers are used in the management of this cancer type, and although TP53 is one of few recurrently mutated genes in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, the mutation prevalence and the corresponding clinical value of the TP53 network remains unsettled. We present a multi-level molecular study focused on aberrations in the TP53 network in relation to patient outcome in a series of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors from 100 patients and 38 neurofibromas, including TP53 sequencing, high-resolution copy number analyses of TP53 and MDM2, and gene expression profiling. Point mutations in TP53 were accompanied by loss of heterozygosity, resulting in complete loss of protein function in 8.2% of the malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Another 5.5% had MDM2 amplification. TP53 mutation and MDM2 amplification were mutually exclusive and patients with either type of aberration in their tumor had a worse prognosis, compared to those without (hazard ratio for 5-year disease-specific survival 3.5, 95% confidence interval 1.78–6.98). Both aberrations had similar consequences on the gene expression level, as analyzed by a TP53-associated gene signature, a property also shared with the copy number aberrations and/or loss of heterozygosity at the TP53 locus, suggesting a common “TP53-mutated phenotype” in as many as 60% of the tumors. This was a poor prognostic phenotype (hazard ratio = 4.1, confidence interval:1.7–9.8), thus revealing a TP53-non-aberrant patient subgroup with a favorable outcome. The frequency of the “TP53-mutated phenotype” warrants explorative studies of stratified treatment strategies in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.
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| 8. |
- Nilsson, K. Peter R., et al.
(författare)
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Imaging distinct conformational states of amyloid-beta fibrils in Alzheimer's disease using novel luminescent probes
- 2007
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Ingår i: ACS Chemical Biology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1554-8929 .- 1554-8937. ; 2:8, s. 553-560
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Using luminescent conjugated polyelectrolyte probes (LCPs), we demonstrate the possibility to distinguish amyloid-β 1–42 peptide (Aβ1–42) fibril conformations, by analyzing in vitro generated amyloid fibrils of Aβ1–42 formed under quiescent and agitated conditions. LCPs were then shown to resolve such conformational heterogeneity of amyloid deposits in vivo. A diversity of amyloid deposits depending upon morphology and anatomic location was illustrated with LCPs in frozen ex vivo brain sections from a transgenic mouse model (tg-APP swe) of Alzheimer’s disease. Comparative LCP fluorescence showed that compact-core plaques of amyloid β precursor protein transgenic mice were composed of rigid dense amyloid. A more abundant form of amyloid plaque displayed morphology of a compact center with a protruding diffuse exterior. Surprisingly, the compact center of these plaques showed disordered conformations of the fibrils, and the exterior was composed of rigid amyloid protruding from the disordered center. This type of plaque appears to grow from more loosely assembled regions toward solidified amyloid tentacles. This work demonstrates how application of LCPs can prove helpful to monitor aggregate structure of in vivo formed amyloid deposits such as architecture, maturity, and origin.
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| 9. |
- Nilsson, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Imaging distinct conformational states of amyloid-β fibrils in Alzheimer's disease using novel luminescent probes
- 2007
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Ingår i: ACS Chemical Biology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1554-8929 .- 1554-8937. ; 2:8, s. 553-560
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Using luminescent conjugated polyelectrolyte probes (LCPs), we demonstrate the possibility to distinguish amyloid-β 1-42 peptide (Aβ1-42) fibril conformations, by analyzing in vitro generated amyloid fibrils of Aβ1-42 formed under quiescent and agitated conditions. LCPs were then shown to resolve such conformational heterogeneity of amyloid deposits in vivo. A diversity of amyloid deposits depending upon morphology and anatomic location was illustrated with LCPs in frozen ex vivo brain sections from a transgenic mouse model (tg-APPswe) of Alzheimer's disease. Comparative LCP fluorescence showed that compact-core plaques of amyloid β precursor protein transgenic mice were composed of rigid dense amyloid. A more abundant form of amyloid plaque displayed morphology of a compact center with a protruding diffuse exterior. Surprisingly, the compact center of these plaques showed disordered conformations of the fibrils, and the exterior was composed of rigid amyloid protruding from the disordered center. This type of plaque appears to grow from more loosely assembled regions toward solidified amyloid tentacles. This work demonstrates how application of LCPs can prove helpful to monitor aggregate structure of in vivo formed amyloid deposits such as architecture, maturity, and origin.
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| 10. |
- Sörgjerd, Karin, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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BiP can function as a molecular shepherd that alleviates oligomer toxicity and amass amyloid
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- A wide range of diseases are linked to protein misfolding and aggregation inside and outside the cell. It is of utmost interest to understand how the molecular chaperone machinery of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) handles the expression of highly amyloidogenic proteins. We explored the hypothesis that the ER located Hsp70 molecular chaperone BiP plays a crucial role in amyloid diseases and influence the misfolding process and disease progression. We used the transthyretin mutant TTR D18G associated with an unusual central nervous system amyloid disease as the model substrate because it represents the most destabilized and degraded TTR variant known. Over-expression of TTR D18G in concert with BiP showed that BiP selectively recognize the amyloidogenic mutant protein as compared to wild type in human cells and collects the mutant in stable intermediate size oligomers within the ER. Furthermore, whereas TTR D18G was found to be highly cytotoxic to neuroblastoma cells, TTR D18G preincubated with BiP was non-toxic indicating that BiP protects the cell from cytotoxicity. BiP was also found present in cerebellar amyloid deposits and co-localized with TTR in a TTR D18G patient suggesting that the complex can be found in the extracellular space. We promote a fundamental role of BiP in misfolding diseases and describe a molecular shepharding function of BiP in sequestrating amyloidogenic protein molecules in benign oligomeric states.
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
- van Es, Michael A, et al.
(författare)
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Genome-wide association study identifies 19p13.3 (UNC13A) and 9p21.2 as susceptibility loci for sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- 2009
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Ingår i: Nature genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1546-1718 .- 1061-4036. ; 41:10, s. 1083-1087
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We conducted a genome-wide association study among 2,323 individuals with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 9,013 control subjects and evaluated all SNPs with P < 1.0 x 10(-4) in a second, independent cohort of 2,532 affected individuals and 5,940 controls. Analysis of the genome-wide data revealed genome-wide significance for one SNP, rs12608932, with P = 1.30 x 10(-9). This SNP showed robust replication in the second cohort (P = 1.86 x 10(-6)), and a combined analysis over the two stages yielded P = 2.53 x 10(-14). The rs12608932 SNP is located at 19p13.3 and maps to a haplotype block within the boundaries of UNC13A, which regulates the release of neurotransmitters such as glutamate at neuromuscular synapses. Follow-up of additional SNPs showed genome-wide significance for two further SNPs (rs2814707, with P = 7.45 x 10(-9), and rs3849942, with P = 1.01 x 10(-8)) in the combined analysis of both stages. These SNPs are located at chromosome 9p21.2, in a linkage region for familial ALS with frontotemporal dementia found previously in several large pedigrees.
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