Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Acta Neuropathologica 5/2019

01-11-2019 | Alzheimer's Disease | Original Paper

Increased prevalence of granulovacuolar degeneration in C9orf72 mutation

Authors: Yuichi Riku, Charles Duyckaerts, Susana Boluda, Isabelle Plu, Isabelle Le Ber, Stéphanie Millecamps, François Salachas, Mari Yoshida, Takashi Ando, Masahisa Katsuno, Gen Sobue, Danielle Seilhean, Brainbank NeuroCEB Neuropathology Network

Published in: Acta Neuropathologica | Issue 5/2019

Login to get access

Abstract

Granulovacuolar degeneration (GVD) is usually found in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cases or in elderly individuals. Its severity correlates positively with the density of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Mechanisms underlying GVD formation are unknown. We assessed the prevalence and distribution of GVD in cases with TDP-43-related frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-TDP) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS-TDP). Consecutively autopsied cases with FTLD/ALS-TDP and C9orf72 mutations (FTLD/ALS-C9; N = 29), cases with FTLD/ALS-TDP without C9orf72 mutations (FTLD/ALS-nonC9; N = 46), and age-matched healthy controls (N = 40) were studied. The prevalence of GVD was significantly higher in the FTLD/ALS-C9 cases (26/29 cases) than in the FTLD/ALS-nonC9 cases (15/46 cases; Fisher exact test; p < 2×10−6) or in the control group (12/40 individuals; p < 1×10−6). Average Braak stages and ages of death were not significantly different among the groups. The CA2 sector was most frequently affected in the FTLD/ALS-C9 group, whereas the CA1/subiculum was the most vulnerable area in the other groups. Extension of GVD correlated with the clinical duration of the disease in the FTLD/ALS-C9 cases but not in the FTLD/ALS-nonC9 cases. The GVD-containing neurons frequently had dipeptide repeat (DPR) protein inclusions. GVD granules labeled with antibodies directed against charged multivesicular body protein 2B or casein kinase 1δ were attached to DPR inclusions within GVD. Our results suggest that development of GVD and DPR inclusions is related to common pathogenic mechanisms and that GVD is not only associated with NFTs seen in AD cases or aging individuals.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Al-Sarraj S, King A, Troakes C, Smith B, Maekawa S, Bodi I et al (2011) p62 positive, TDP-43 negative, neuronal cytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusions in the cerebellum and hippocampus define the pathology of C9orf72-linked FTLD and MND/ALS. Acta Neuropathol 122:691–702CrossRef Al-Sarraj S, King A, Troakes C, Smith B, Maekawa S, Bodi I et al (2011) p62 positive, TDP-43 negative, neuronal cytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusions in the cerebellum and hippocampus define the pathology of C9orf72-linked FTLD and MND/ALS. Acta Neuropathol 122:691–702CrossRef
2.
go back to reference Braak H, Alafuzoff I, Arzberger T, Kretzschmar H, Del Tredici K (2006) Staging of Alzheimer disease-associated neurofibrillary pathology using paraffin sections and immunocytochemistry. Acta Neuropathol 112:389–404CrossRef Braak H, Alafuzoff I, Arzberger T, Kretzschmar H, Del Tredici K (2006) Staging of Alzheimer disease-associated neurofibrillary pathology using paraffin sections and immunocytochemistry. Acta Neuropathol 112:389–404CrossRef
3.
go back to reference Braak H, Thal DR, Ghebremedhin E, Del Tredici K (2011) Stages of the pathologic process in Alzheimer disease: age categories from 1 to 100 years. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 70:960–969CrossRef Braak H, Thal DR, Ghebremedhin E, Del Tredici K (2011) Stages of the pathologic process in Alzheimer disease: age categories from 1 to 100 years. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 70:960–969CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Brat DJ, Gearing M, Goldthwaite PT, Wainer BH, Burger PC (2001) Tau-associated neuropathology in ganglion cell tumours increases with patient age but appears unrelated to ApoE genotype. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 27:197–205CrossRef Brat DJ, Gearing M, Goldthwaite PT, Wainer BH, Burger PC (2001) Tau-associated neuropathology in ganglion cell tumours increases with patient age but appears unrelated to ApoE genotype. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 27:197–205CrossRef
5.
go back to reference Brooks BR, Miller RG, Swash M, Munsat TL, World Federation of Neurology Research Group on Motor Neuron Diseases (2000) El Escorial revisited: revised criteria for the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Other Motor Neuron Disord 1:293–299CrossRef Brooks BR, Miller RG, Swash M, Munsat TL, World Federation of Neurology Research Group on Motor Neuron Diseases (2000) El Escorial revisited: revised criteria for the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Other Motor Neuron Disord 1:293–299CrossRef
6.
go back to reference Castellani RJ, Gupta Y, Sheng B, Siedlak SL, Harris PL, Coller JM et al (2011) A novel origin for granulovacuolar degeneration in aging and Alzheimer’s disease: parallels to stress granules. Lab Invest 91:1777–1786CrossRef Castellani RJ, Gupta Y, Sheng B, Siedlak SL, Harris PL, Coller JM et al (2011) A novel origin for granulovacuolar degeneration in aging and Alzheimer’s disease: parallels to stress granules. Lab Invest 91:1777–1786CrossRef
7.
go back to reference Davidson Y, Robinson AC, Liu X, Wu D, Troakes C, Rollinson S et al (2016) Neurodegeneration in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and motor neurone disease associated with expansions in C9orf72 is linked to TDP-43 pathology and not associated with aggregated forms of dipeptide repeat proteins. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 42:242–254CrossRef Davidson Y, Robinson AC, Liu X, Wu D, Troakes C, Rollinson S et al (2016) Neurodegeneration in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and motor neurone disease associated with expansions in C9orf72 is linked to TDP-43 pathology and not associated with aggregated forms of dipeptide repeat proteins. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 42:242–254CrossRef
8.
go back to reference DeJesus-Hernandez M, Mackenzie IR, Boeve BF, Boxer AL, Baker M, Rutherford NJ et al (2011) Expanded GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat in noncoding region of C9ORF72 causes chromosome 9p-linked FTD and ALS. Neuron 72:245–256CrossRef DeJesus-Hernandez M, Mackenzie IR, Boeve BF, Boxer AL, Baker M, Rutherford NJ et al (2011) Expanded GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat in noncoding region of C9ORF72 causes chromosome 9p-linked FTD and ALS. Neuron 72:245–256CrossRef
9.
go back to reference Funk KE, Mrak RE, Kuret J (2011) Granulovacuolar degeneration (GVD) bodies of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) resemble late-stage autophagic organelles. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 37:295–306CrossRef Funk KE, Mrak RE, Kuret J (2011) Granulovacuolar degeneration (GVD) bodies of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) resemble late-stage autophagic organelles. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 37:295–306CrossRef
10.
go back to reference Geser F, Martinez-Lage M, Robinson J, Uryu K, Neumann M, Brandmeir NJ et al (2009) Clinical and pathological continuum of multisystem TDP-43 proteinopathies. Arch Neurol 66:180–189CrossRef Geser F, Martinez-Lage M, Robinson J, Uryu K, Neumann M, Brandmeir NJ et al (2009) Clinical and pathological continuum of multisystem TDP-43 proteinopathies. Arch Neurol 66:180–189CrossRef
11.
go back to reference Hunter S, Minett T, Polvikoski T, Mukaetova-Ladinska E, Brayne C, Cambridge City over-75s Cohort Collaboration (2015) Re-examining tau-immunoreactive pathology in the population: granulovacuolar degeneration and neurofibrillary tangles. Alzheimers Res Ther 7:57CrossRef Hunter S, Minett T, Polvikoski T, Mukaetova-Ladinska E, Brayne C, Cambridge City over-75s Cohort Collaboration (2015) Re-examining tau-immunoreactive pathology in the population: granulovacuolar degeneration and neurofibrillary tangles. Alzheimers Res Ther 7:57CrossRef
12.
go back to reference Ince PG, Lowe J, Shaw PJ (1998) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: current issues in classification, pathogenesis and molecular pathology. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 24:104–117CrossRef Ince PG, Lowe J, Shaw PJ (1998) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: current issues in classification, pathogenesis and molecular pathology. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 24:104–117CrossRef
13.
go back to reference Kadokura A, Yamazaki T, Kakuda S, Makioka K, Lemere CA, Fujita Y et al (2009) Phosphorylation-dependent TDP-43 antibody detects intraneuronal dot-like structures showing morphological characters of granulovacuolar degeneration. Neurosci Lett 463:87–92CrossRef Kadokura A, Yamazaki T, Kakuda S, Makioka K, Lemere CA, Fujita Y et al (2009) Phosphorylation-dependent TDP-43 antibody detects intraneuronal dot-like structures showing morphological characters of granulovacuolar degeneration. Neurosci Lett 463:87–92CrossRef
14.
go back to reference Köhler C (2016) Granulovacuolar degeneration: a neurodegenerative change that accompanies tau pathology. Acta Neuropathol 132:339–359CrossRef Köhler C (2016) Granulovacuolar degeneration: a neurodegenerative change that accompanies tau pathology. Acta Neuropathol 132:339–359CrossRef
15.
go back to reference Mackenzie IR, Frick P, Grässer FA, Gendron TF, Petrucelli L, Cashman NR (2015) Quantitative analysis and clinico-pathological correlations of different dipeptide repeat protein pathologies in C9ORF72mutation carriers. Acta Neuropathol 130:845–861CrossRef Mackenzie IR, Frick P, Grässer FA, Gendron TF, Petrucelli L, Cashman NR (2015) Quantitative analysis and clinico-pathological correlations of different dipeptide repeat protein pathologies in C9ORF72mutation carriers. Acta Neuropathol 130:845–861CrossRef
16.
go back to reference Mackenzie IR, Neumann M, Baborie A, Sampathu DM, Du Plessis D, Jaros E et al (2011) A harmonized classification system for FTLD-TDP pathology. Acta Neuropathol 122:111–113CrossRef Mackenzie IR, Neumann M, Baborie A, Sampathu DM, Du Plessis D, Jaros E et al (2011) A harmonized classification system for FTLD-TDP pathology. Acta Neuropathol 122:111–113CrossRef
17.
go back to reference May S, Hornburg D, Schludi MH, Arzberger T, Rentzsch K, Schwenk BM et al (2014) C9orf72 FTLD/ALS-associated Gly-Ala dipeptide repeat proteins cause neuronal toxicity and Unc119 sequestration. Acta Neuropathol 128:485–503CrossRef May S, Hornburg D, Schludi MH, Arzberger T, Rentzsch K, Schwenk BM et al (2014) C9orf72 FTLD/ALS-associated Gly-Ala dipeptide repeat proteins cause neuronal toxicity and Unc119 sequestration. Acta Neuropathol 128:485–503CrossRef
18.
go back to reference McKeith IG, Boeve BF, Dickson DW, Halliday G, Taylor JP, Weintraub D et al (2017) Diagnosis and management of dementia with Lewy bodies: fourth consensus report of the DLB Consortium. Neurology 89:88–100CrossRef McKeith IG, Boeve BF, Dickson DW, Halliday G, Taylor JP, Weintraub D et al (2017) Diagnosis and management of dementia with Lewy bodies: fourth consensus report of the DLB Consortium. Neurology 89:88–100CrossRef
19.
go back to reference Millecamps S, Boillee S, Le Ber I, Seilhean D, Teyssou E, Giraudeau M et al (2012) Phenotype difference between ALS patients with expanded repeats in C9ORF72 and patients with mutations in other ALS-related genes. J Med Genet 49:258–263CrossRef Millecamps S, Boillee S, Le Ber I, Seilhean D, Teyssou E, Giraudeau M et al (2012) Phenotype difference between ALS patients with expanded repeats in C9ORF72 and patients with mutations in other ALS-related genes. J Med Genet 49:258–263CrossRef
20.
go back to reference Mori K, Weng SM, Arzberger T, May S, Rentzsch K, Kremmer E et al (2013) The C9orf72 GGGGCC repeat is translated into aggregating dipeptide-repeat proteins in FTLD/ALS. Science 339:1335–1338CrossRef Mori K, Weng SM, Arzberger T, May S, Rentzsch K, Kremmer E et al (2013) The C9orf72 GGGGCC repeat is translated into aggregating dipeptide-repeat proteins in FTLD/ALS. Science 339:1335–1338CrossRef
21.
go back to reference Murray ME, DeJesus-Hernandez M, Rutherford NJ, Baker M, Duara R, Graff-Radford NR et al (2011) Clinical and neuropathologic heterogeneity of c9FTD/ALS associated with hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72. Acta Neuropathol 122:673–690CrossRef Murray ME, DeJesus-Hernandez M, Rutherford NJ, Baker M, Duara R, Graff-Radford NR et al (2011) Clinical and neuropathologic heterogeneity of c9FTD/ALS associated with hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72. Acta Neuropathol 122:673–690CrossRef
22.
go back to reference Neary D, SnowdenJS Gustafson L, Passant U, Stuss D, Black S et al (1998) Frontotemporal lobar degeneration: a consensus on clinical diagnostic criteria. Neurology 51:1546–1554CrossRef Neary D, SnowdenJS Gustafson L, Passant U, Stuss D, Black S et al (1998) Frontotemporal lobar degeneration: a consensus on clinical diagnostic criteria. Neurology 51:1546–1554CrossRef
23.
go back to reference Neumann M, Sampathu DM, Kwong LK, Truax AC, Micsenyi MC, Chou TT et al (2006) Ubiquitinated TDP-43 in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Science 314:130–133CrossRef Neumann M, Sampathu DM, Kwong LK, Truax AC, Micsenyi MC, Chou TT et al (2006) Ubiquitinated TDP-43 in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Science 314:130–133CrossRef
24.
go back to reference Prabowo AS, Iyer AM, Veersema TJ, Anink JJ, Schouten-van Meeteren AY, Spliet WG et al (2015) Expression of neurodegenerative disease-related proteins and caspase-3 in glioneuronal tumours. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 41:e1–e15CrossRef Prabowo AS, Iyer AM, Veersema TJ, Anink JJ, Schouten-van Meeteren AY, Spliet WG et al (2015) Expression of neurodegenerative disease-related proteins and caspase-3 in glioneuronal tumours. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 41:e1–e15CrossRef
25.
go back to reference Raiborg C, Stenmark H (2009) The ESCRT machinery in endosomal sorting of ubiquitylated membrane proteins. Nature 458:445–452CrossRef Raiborg C, Stenmark H (2009) The ESCRT machinery in endosomal sorting of ubiquitylated membrane proteins. Nature 458:445–452CrossRef
26.
go back to reference Riku Y, Watanabe H, Yoshida M, Mimuro M, Iwasaki Y, Masuda M et al (2017) Pathologic involvement of glutamatergic striatal inputs from the cortices in TAR DNA-binding protein 43 kDa-related frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 76:759–768CrossRef Riku Y, Watanabe H, Yoshida M, Mimuro M, Iwasaki Y, Masuda M et al (2017) Pathologic involvement of glutamatergic striatal inputs from the cortices in TAR DNA-binding protein 43 kDa-related frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 76:759–768CrossRef
27.
go back to reference Riku Y, Watanabe H, Yoshida M, Mimuro M, Iwasaki Y, Masuda M et al (2016) Marked involvement of the striatal efferent system in TAR DNA-binding protein 43 kDa-related frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 75:801–811CrossRef Riku Y, Watanabe H, Yoshida M, Mimuro M, Iwasaki Y, Masuda M et al (2016) Marked involvement of the striatal efferent system in TAR DNA-binding protein 43 kDa-related frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 75:801–811CrossRef
28.
go back to reference Riku Y, Watanabe H, Yoshida M, Tatsumi S, Mimuro M, Iwasaki Y et al (2014) Lower motor neuron involvement in TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa-related frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. JAMA Neurol 71:172–179CrossRef Riku Y, Watanabe H, Yoshida M, Tatsumi S, Mimuro M, Iwasaki Y et al (2014) Lower motor neuron involvement in TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa-related frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. JAMA Neurol 71:172–179CrossRef
29.
go back to reference Saito Y, Ruberu NN, Sawabe M, Arai T, Tanaka N, Kakuta Y et al (2004) Staging of argyrophilic grains: an age-associated tauopathy. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 63:911–918CrossRef Saito Y, Ruberu NN, Sawabe M, Arai T, Tanaka N, Kakuta Y et al (2004) Staging of argyrophilic grains: an age-associated tauopathy. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 63:911–918CrossRef
30.
go back to reference Seilhean D, Le Ber I, Sarazin M, Lacomblez L, Millecamps S, Salachas F et al (2011) Fronto-temporal lobar degeneration: neuropathology in 60 cases. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 118:753–764CrossRef Seilhean D, Le Ber I, Sarazin M, Lacomblez L, Millecamps S, Salachas F et al (2011) Fronto-temporal lobar degeneration: neuropathology in 60 cases. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 118:753–764CrossRef
31.
go back to reference Shi Y, Lin S, Staats KA, Li Y, Chang WH, Hung ST et al (2018) Haploinsufficiency leads to neurodegeneration in C9ORF72 ALS/FTD human induced motor neurons. Nat Med 24:313–325CrossRef Shi Y, Lin S, Staats KA, Li Y, Chang WH, Hung ST et al (2018) Haploinsufficiency leads to neurodegeneration in C9ORF72 ALS/FTD human induced motor neurons. Nat Med 24:313–325CrossRef
32.
go back to reference Sullivan PM, Zhou X, Robins AM, Paushter DH, Kim D, Smolka MB et al (2016) The ALS/FTLD associated protein C9orf72 associates with SMCR32 and WDR41 to regulate the autophagy-lysosome pathway. Acta Neuropathol Commun 4:51CrossRef Sullivan PM, Zhou X, Robins AM, Paushter DH, Kim D, Smolka MB et al (2016) The ALS/FTLD associated protein C9orf72 associates with SMCR32 and WDR41 to regulate the autophagy-lysosome pathway. Acta Neuropathol Commun 4:51CrossRef
33.
go back to reference Swinnen B, Bento-Abreu A, Gendron TF, Boeynaems S, Bogaert E, Nuyts R et al (2018) A zebrafish model for C9orf72 ALS reveals RNA toxicity as a pathogenic mechanism. Acta Neuropathol 135:427–443CrossRef Swinnen B, Bento-Abreu A, Gendron TF, Boeynaems S, Bogaert E, Nuyts R et al (2018) A zebrafish model for C9orf72 ALS reveals RNA toxicity as a pathogenic mechanism. Acta Neuropathol 135:427–443CrossRef
34.
go back to reference Takeda T, Seilhean D, Le Ber I, Millecamps S, Sazdovitch V, Kitagawa K et al (2017) Amygdala TDP-43 pathology in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and motor neuron disease. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 76:800–812CrossRef Takeda T, Seilhean D, Le Ber I, Millecamps S, Sazdovitch V, Kitagawa K et al (2017) Amygdala TDP-43 pathology in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and motor neuron disease. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 76:800–812CrossRef
35.
go back to reference Thal DR, Del Tredici K, Ludolph AC, Hoozemans JJ, Rozemuller AJ, Braak H et al (2011) Stages of granulovacuolar degeneration: their relation to Alzheimer’s disease and chronic stress response. Acta Neuropathol 122:577–589CrossRef Thal DR, Del Tredici K, Ludolph AC, Hoozemans JJ, Rozemuller AJ, Braak H et al (2011) Stages of granulovacuolar degeneration: their relation to Alzheimer’s disease and chronic stress response. Acta Neuropathol 122:577–589CrossRef
36.
go back to reference Thal DR, Rüb U, Orantes M, Braak H (2002) Phases of A beta-deposition in the human brain and its relevance for the development of AD. Neurology 58:1791–1800CrossRef Thal DR, Rüb U, Orantes M, Braak H (2002) Phases of A beta-deposition in the human brain and its relevance for the development of AD. Neurology 58:1791–1800CrossRef
37.
go back to reference Vatsavayai SC, Yoon SJ, Gardner RC, Gendron TF, Vargas JN, Trujillo A et al (2016) Timing and significance of pathological features in C9orf72 expansion-associated frontotemporal dementia. Brain 39:3202–3216CrossRef Vatsavayai SC, Yoon SJ, Gardner RC, Gendron TF, Vargas JN, Trujillo A et al (2016) Timing and significance of pathological features in C9orf72 expansion-associated frontotemporal dementia. Brain 39:3202–3216CrossRef
38.
go back to reference Yamazaki Y, Matsubara T, Takahashi T, Kurashige T, Dohi E, Hiji M et al (2011) Granulovacuolar degenerations appear in relation to hippocampal phosphorylated tau accumulation in various neurodegenerative disorders. PLoS One 6:e26996CrossRef Yamazaki Y, Matsubara T, Takahashi T, Kurashige T, Dohi E, Hiji M et al (2011) Granulovacuolar degenerations appear in relation to hippocampal phosphorylated tau accumulation in various neurodegenerative disorders. PLoS One 6:e26996CrossRef
39.
go back to reference Yamazaki Y, Takahashi T, Hiji M, Kurashige T, Izumi Y, Yamawaki T et al (2010) Immunopositivity for ESCRT-III subunit CHMP2B in granulovacuolar degeneration of neurons in the Alzheimer’s disease hippocampus. Neurosci Lett 477:86–90CrossRef Yamazaki Y, Takahashi T, Hiji M, Kurashige T, Izumi Y, Yamawaki T et al (2010) Immunopositivity for ESCRT-III subunit CHMP2B in granulovacuolar degeneration of neurons in the Alzheimer’s disease hippocampus. Neurosci Lett 477:86–90CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Increased prevalence of granulovacuolar degeneration in C9orf72 mutation
Authors
Yuichi Riku
Charles Duyckaerts
Susana Boluda
Isabelle Plu
Isabelle Le Ber
Stéphanie Millecamps
François Salachas
Mari Yoshida
Takashi Ando
Masahisa Katsuno
Gen Sobue
Danielle Seilhean
Brainbank NeuroCEB Neuropathology Network
Publication date
01-11-2019
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Acta Neuropathologica / Issue 5/2019
Print ISSN: 0001-6322
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0533
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-019-02028-6

Other articles of this Issue 5/2019

Acta Neuropathologica 5/2019 Go to the issue