剔除小鼠神经微管运动蛋白Kif1b基因导致类似Charcot-Marie-Tooth病动物模型

目的研究杂合子小鼠Kiflb基因剔除后导致的表现型,探讨其作为类似Charcot-Marie-Tooth （CMT）病动物模型的可行性。方法用Southern blotting和PCR检测同源重组和基因型,Western blotting测定杂合子KIF1B蛋白表达量,行为学实验观察其表现型。结果杂合子Kif1b基因剔除小鼠的KIF1B蛋白表达量减少了一半以上,行为学实验结果表明,杂合子基因剔除小鼠在运动和感觉方面均有异常。Rota-rod实验,Rod walking实验和Wire hanging实验中,野生型小鼠的停留时间均明显长于Kif1b基因剔除小鼠。同时,杂合子Kif1b基因剔除小鼠在热板实验和福尔马林实验中,表现出对温度觉和痛觉反应的迟钝,其反应时间与野生型小鼠相比明显延长,反应强度降低。结论杂合子Kif1b基因剔除小鼠的表现型与人类腓骨肌萎缩症相似,作为疾病模型具备可行性。     

Retrovirus induced motor neuron degeneration

Neurotropic retroviruses are capable of infecting and altering the function of dividing populations of neuron-like cells such as the PC-12 cell line. However, histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural studies have failed to implicate direct infection of neurons by MuLV as the etiologic mechanism responsible for MuLV induced neurodegenerative disease. Indirect mechanisms such as the physical or biochemical disruption of endothelial cell basement membranes or the production of toxic cytokines by virus infected cells may play a role in the development of retrovirus induced neurodegeneration.     

Defective axonal transport in motor neuron disease

Several recent studies have highlighted the role of axonal transport in the pathogenesis of motor neuron diseases. Mutations in genes that control microtubule regulation and dynamics have been shown to cause motor neuron degeneration in mice and in a form of human motor neuron disease. In addition, mutations in the molecular motors dynein and kinesins and several proteins associated with the membranes of intracellular vesicles that undergo transport cause motor neuron degeneration in humans and mice. Paradoxically, evidence from studies on the legs at odd angles (Loa) mouse and a transgenic mouse model for human motor neuron disease suggest that partial limitation of the function of dynein may in fact lead to improved axonal transport in the transgenic mouse, leading to delayed disease onset and increased life span.     

Axonal degeneration in motor neuron disease

Growing evidence from animal models and patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) suggests that distal axonal degeneration begins very early in this disease, long before symptom onset and motor neuron death. The cause of axonal degeneration is unknown, and may involve local axonal damage, withdrawal of trophic support from a diseased cell body, or both. It is increasingly clear that axons are not passive extensions of their parent cell bodies, and may die by mechanisms independent of cell death. This is supported by studies in which protection of motor neurons in models of ALS did not significantly improve symptoms or prolong lifespan, likely due to a failure to protect axons. Here, we will review the evidence for early axonal degeneration in ALS, and discuss possible mechanisms by which it might occur, with a focus on oxidative stress. We contend that axonal degeneration may be a primary feature in the pathogenesis of motor neuron disease, and that preventing axonal degeneration represents an important therapeutic target that deserves increased attention.     

Imaging neuronal and axonal degeneration in multiple sclerosis

Neurological Sciences - Neuronal and axonal damage has become an important issue in multiple sclerosis. This has been emphasised by recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies that have shown...