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

Open Access 01-05-2019 | Review

Inflammation in ALS/FTD pathogenesis

Authors: Madelyn E. McCauley, Robert H. Baloh

Published in: Acta Neuropathologica | Issue 5/2019

Login to get access

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are neurodegenerative diseases that overlap in their clinical presentation, pathology and genetics, and likely represent a spectrum of one underlying disease. In ALS/FTD patients, neuroinflammation characterized by innate immune responses of tissue-resident glial cells is uniformly present on end-stage pathology, and human imaging studies and rodent models support that neuroinflammation begins early in disease pathogenesis. Additionally, changes in circulating immune cell populations and cytokines are found in ALS/FTD patients, and there is evidence for an autoinflammatory state. However, despite the prominent role of neuro- and systemic inflammation in ALS/FTD, and experimental evidence in rodents that altering microglial function can mitigate pathology, therapeutic approaches to decrease inflammation have thus far failed to alter disease course in humans. Here, we review the characteristics of inflammation in ALS/FTD in both the nervous and peripheral immune systems. We further discuss evidence for direct influence on immune cell function by mutations in ALS/FTD genes including C9orf72, TBK1 and OPTN, and how this could lead to the altered innate immune system “tone” observed in these patients.
Literature
4.
go back to reference Alexianu ME, Kozovska M, Appel SH (2001) Immune reactivity in a mouse model of familial ALS correlates with disease progression. Neurology 57:1282–1289CrossRefPubMed Alexianu ME, Kozovska M, Appel SH (2001) Immune reactivity in a mouse model of familial ALS correlates with disease progression. Neurology 57:1282–1289CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Alshikho MJ, Zurcher NR, Loggia ML, Cernasov P, Reynolds B, Pijanowski O et al (2018) Integrated MRI and [(11) C]-PBR28 PET imaging in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ann Neurol. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.25251 Alshikho MJ, Zurcher NR, Loggia ML, Cernasov P, Reynolds B, Pijanowski O et al (2018) Integrated MRI and [(11) C]-PBR28 PET imaging in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ann Neurol. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1002/​ana.​25251
7.
go back to reference Appel SH, Smith RG, Alexianu M, Siklos L, Engelhardt J, Colom LV et al (1995) Increased intracellular calcium triggered by immune mechanisms in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clin Neurosci 3:368–374PubMed Appel SH, Smith RG, Alexianu M, Siklos L, Engelhardt J, Colom LV et al (1995) Increased intracellular calcium triggered by immune mechanisms in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clin Neurosci 3:368–374PubMed
8.
go back to reference Appel SH, Stewart SS, Appel V, Harati Y, Mietlowski W, Weiss W et al (1988) A double-blind study of the effectiveness of cyclosporine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Arch Neurol 45:381–386CrossRefPubMed Appel SH, Stewart SS, Appel V, Harati Y, Mietlowski W, Weiss W et al (1988) A double-blind study of the effectiveness of cyclosporine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Arch Neurol 45:381–386CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Baumann J (1965) Results of treatment of certain diseases of the central nervous system with ACTH and corticosteroids. Acta Neurol Scand Suppl 13(Pt 2):453–461PubMed Baumann J (1965) Results of treatment of certain diseases of the central nervous system with ACTH and corticosteroids. Acta Neurol Scand Suppl 13(Pt 2):453–461PubMed
15.
go back to reference Ben Younes-Chennoufi A, Rozier A, Dib M, Bouche P, Lacomblez L, Mombo N et al (1995) Anti-sulfoglucuronyl paragloboside IgM antibodies in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neuroimmunol 57:111–115CrossRefPubMed Ben Younes-Chennoufi A, Rozier A, Dib M, Bouche P, Lacomblez L, Mombo N et al (1995) Anti-sulfoglucuronyl paragloboside IgM antibodies in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neuroimmunol 57:111–115CrossRefPubMed
20.
23.
go back to reference Brown RH Jr, Hauser SL, Harrington H, Weiner HL (1986) Failure of immunosuppression with a ten- to 14-day course of high-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide to alter the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Arch Neurol 43:383–384CrossRefPubMed Brown RH Jr, Hauser SL, Harrington H, Weiner HL (1986) Failure of immunosuppression with a ten- to 14-day course of high-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide to alter the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Arch Neurol 43:383–384CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Bruijn LI, Becher MW, Lee MK, Anderson KL, Jenkins NA, Copeland NG et al (1997) ALS-linked SOD1 mutant G85R mediates damage to astrocytes and promotes rapidly progressive disease with SOD1-containing inclusions. Neuron 18:327–338CrossRefPubMed Bruijn LI, Becher MW, Lee MK, Anderson KL, Jenkins NA, Copeland NG et al (1997) ALS-linked SOD1 mutant G85R mediates damage to astrocytes and promotes rapidly progressive disease with SOD1-containing inclusions. Neuron 18:327–338CrossRefPubMed
27.
go back to reference Cheng F, Wang HW, Cuenca A, Huang M, Ghansah T, Brayer J et al (2003) A critical role for Stat3 signaling in immune tolerance. Immunity 19:425–436CrossRefPubMed Cheng F, Wang HW, Cuenca A, Huang M, Ghansah T, Brayer J et al (2003) A critical role for Stat3 signaling in immune tolerance. Immunity 19:425–436CrossRefPubMed
28.
35.
go back to reference Donnenfeld H, Kascsak RJ, Bartfeld H (1984) Deposits of IgG and C3 in the spinal cord and motor cortex of ALS patients. J Neuroimmunol 6:51–57CrossRefPubMed Donnenfeld H, Kascsak RJ, Bartfeld H (1984) Deposits of IgG and C3 in the spinal cord and motor cortex of ALS patients. J Neuroimmunol 6:51–57CrossRefPubMed
37.
go back to reference Duarte F, Binet S, Lacomblez L, Bouche P, Preud’homme JL, Meininger V (1991) Quantitative analysis of monoclonal immunoglobulins in serum of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 104:88–91CrossRefPubMed Duarte F, Binet S, Lacomblez L, Bouche P, Preud’homme JL, Meininger V (1991) Quantitative analysis of monoclonal immunoglobulins in serum of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 104:88–91CrossRefPubMed
38.
go back to reference Engelhardt JI, Tajti J, Appel SH (1993) Lymphocytic infiltrates in the spinal cord in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Arch Neurol 50:30–36CrossRefPubMed Engelhardt JI, Tajti J, Appel SH (1993) Lymphocytic infiltrates in the spinal cord in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Arch Neurol 50:30–36CrossRefPubMed
54.
go back to reference Gijselinck I, Van Langenhove T, van der Zee J, Sleegers K, Philtjens S, Kleinberger G et al (2012) A C9orf72 promoter repeat expansion in a Flanders-Belgian cohort with disorders of the frontotemporal lobar degeneration-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis spectrum: a gene identification study. Lancet Neurol 11:54–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(11)70261-7 CrossRefPubMed Gijselinck I, Van Langenhove T, van der Zee J, Sleegers K, Philtjens S, Kleinberger G et al (2012) A C9orf72 promoter repeat expansion in a Flanders-Belgian cohort with disorders of the frontotemporal lobar degeneration-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis spectrum: a gene identification study. Lancet Neurol 11:54–65. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1016/​S1474-4422(11)70261-7 CrossRefPubMed
59.
go back to reference Graves MC, Fiala M, Dinglasan LA, Liu NQ, Sayre J, Chiappelli F et al (2004) Inflammation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis spinal cord and brain is mediated by activated macrophages, mast cells and T cells. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Motor Neuron Disord 5:213–219CrossRef Graves MC, Fiala M, Dinglasan LA, Liu NQ, Sayre J, Chiappelli F et al (2004) Inflammation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis spinal cord and brain is mediated by activated macrophages, mast cells and T cells. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Motor Neuron Disord 5:213–219CrossRef
60.
go back to reference Gurney ME, Pu H, Chiu AY, Dal Canto MC, Polchow CY, Alexander DD et al (1994) Motor neuron degeneration in mice that express a human Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase mutation. Science 264:1772–1775CrossRefPubMed Gurney ME, Pu H, Chiu AY, Dal Canto MC, Polchow CY, Alexander DD et al (1994) Motor neuron degeneration in mice that express a human Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase mutation. Science 264:1772–1775CrossRefPubMed
61.
go back to reference Hall ED, Oostveen JA, Gurney ME (1998) Relationship of microglial and astrocytic activation to disease onset and progression in a transgenic model of familial ALS. Glia 23:249–256CrossRefPubMed Hall ED, Oostveen JA, Gurney ME (1998) Relationship of microglial and astrocytic activation to disease onset and progression in a transgenic model of familial ALS. Glia 23:249–256CrossRefPubMed
64.
go back to reference Harms MM, Miller TM, Baloh RH (1993) TARDBP-related amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In: Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Bean LJH, Stephens K, Amemiya A (eds) GeneReviews((R)), City Harms MM, Miller TM, Baloh RH (1993) TARDBP-related amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In: Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Bean LJH, Stephens K, Amemiya A (eds) GeneReviews((R)), City
65.
go back to reference Haverkamp LJ, Appel V, Appel SH (1995) Natural history of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a database population. Validation of a scoring system and a model for survival prediction. Brain 118((Pt 3)):707–719CrossRefPubMed Haverkamp LJ, Appel V, Appel SH (1995) Natural history of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a database population. Validation of a scoring system and a model for survival prediction. Brain 118((Pt 3)):707–719CrossRefPubMed
79.
go back to reference Kawamata T, Akiyama H, Yamada T, McGeer PL (1992) Immunologic reactions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis brain and spinal cord tissue. Am J Pathol 140:691–707PubMedPubMedCentral Kawamata T, Akiyama H, Yamada T, McGeer PL (1992) Immunologic reactions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis brain and spinal cord tissue. Am J Pathol 140:691–707PubMedPubMedCentral
80.
go back to reference Kelemen J, Hedlund W, Orlin JB, Berkman EM, Munsat TL (1983) Plasmapheresis with immunosuppression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Arch Neurol 40:752–753CrossRefPubMed Kelemen J, Hedlund W, Orlin JB, Berkman EM, Munsat TL (1983) Plasmapheresis with immunosuppression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Arch Neurol 40:752–753CrossRefPubMed
83.
go back to reference Kreutzberg GW (1996) Microglia: a sensor for pathological events in the CNS. Trends Neurosci 19:312–318CrossRefPubMed Kreutzberg GW (1996) Microglia: a sensor for pathological events in the CNS. Trends Neurosci 19:312–318CrossRefPubMed
86.
go back to reference Leigh PN, Whitwell H, Garofalo O, Buller J, Swash M, Martin JE et al (1991) Ubiquitin-immunoreactive intraneuronal inclusions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Morphology, distribution, and specificity. Brain 114((Pt 2)):775–788CrossRefPubMed Leigh PN, Whitwell H, Garofalo O, Buller J, Swash M, Martin JE et al (1991) Ubiquitin-immunoreactive intraneuronal inclusions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Morphology, distribution, and specificity. Brain 114((Pt 2)):775–788CrossRefPubMed
88.
go back to reference Lomen-Hoerth C, Anderson T, Miller B (2002) The overlap of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Neurology 59:1077–1079CrossRefPubMed Lomen-Hoerth C, Anderson T, Miller B (2002) The overlap of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Neurology 59:1077–1079CrossRefPubMed
105.
go back to reference Monstad I, Dale I, Petlund CF, Sjaastad O (1979) Plasma exchange in motor neuron disease. A controlled study. J Neurol 221:59–66CrossRefPubMed Monstad I, Dale I, Petlund CF, Sjaastad O (1979) Plasma exchange in motor neuron disease. A controlled study. J Neurol 221:59–66CrossRefPubMed
122.
go back to reference Polfliet MM, van de Veerdonk F, Dopp EA, van Kesteren-Hendrikx EM, van Rooijen N, Dijkstra CD et al (2002) The role of perivascular and meningeal macrophages in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. J Neuroimmunol 122:1–8CrossRefPubMed Polfliet MM, van de Veerdonk F, Dopp EA, van Kesteren-Hendrikx EM, van Rooijen N, Dijkstra CD et al (2002) The role of perivascular and meningeal macrophages in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. J Neuroimmunol 122:1–8CrossRefPubMed
123.
go back to reference Popovich PG, Hickey WF (2001) Bone marrow chimeric rats reveal the unique distribution of resident and recruited macrophages in the contused rat spinal cord. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 60:676–685CrossRefPubMed Popovich PG, Hickey WF (2001) Bone marrow chimeric rats reveal the unique distribution of resident and recruited macrophages in the contused rat spinal cord. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 60:676–685CrossRefPubMed
125.
go back to reference Pramatarova A, Laganiere J, Roussel J, Brisebois K, Rouleau GA (2001) Neuron-specific expression of mutant superoxide dismutase 1 in transgenic mice does not lead to motor impairment. J Neurosci 21:3369–3374CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Pramatarova A, Laganiere J, Roussel J, Brisebois K, Rouleau GA (2001) Neuron-specific expression of mutant superoxide dismutase 1 in transgenic mice does not lead to motor impairment. J Neurosci 21:3369–3374CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
131.
go back to reference Sako W, Ito H, Yoshida M, Koizumi H, Kamada M, Fujita K et al (2012) Nuclear factor kappa B expression in patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and hereditary amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with optineurin mutations. Clin Neuropathol 31:418–423. https://doi.org/10.5414/NP300493 CrossRefPubMed Sako W, Ito H, Yoshida M, Koizumi H, Kamada M, Fujita K et al (2012) Nuclear factor kappa B expression in patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and hereditary amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with optineurin mutations. Clin Neuropathol 31:418–423. https://​doi.​org/​10.​5414/​NP300493 CrossRefPubMed
132.
138.
go back to reference Shy ME, Rowland LP, Smith T, Trojaborg W, Latov N, Sherman W et al (1986) Motor neuron disease and plasma cell dyscrasia. Neurology 36:1429–1436CrossRefPubMed Shy ME, Rowland LP, Smith T, Trojaborg W, Latov N, Sherman W et al (1986) Motor neuron disease and plasma cell dyscrasia. Neurology 36:1429–1436CrossRefPubMed
152.
go back to reference Uchitel OD, Appel SH, Crawford F, Sczcupak L (1988) Immunoglobulins from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients enhance spontaneous transmitter release from motor-nerve terminals. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 85:7371–7374CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Uchitel OD, Appel SH, Crawford F, Sczcupak L (1988) Immunoglobulins from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients enhance spontaneous transmitter release from motor-nerve terminals. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 85:7371–7374CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
157.
go back to reference Wong PC, Pardo CA, Borchelt DR, Lee MK, Copeland NG, Jenkins NA et al (1995) An adverse property of a familial ALS-linked SOD1 mutation causes motor neuron disease characterized by vacuolar degeneration of mitochondria. Neuron 14:1105–1116CrossRefPubMed Wong PC, Pardo CA, Borchelt DR, Lee MK, Copeland NG, Jenkins NA et al (1995) An adverse property of a familial ALS-linked SOD1 mutation causes motor neuron disease characterized by vacuolar degeneration of mitochondria. Neuron 14:1105–1116CrossRefPubMed
163.
go back to reference Yi FH, Lautrette C, Vermot-Desroches C, Bordessoule D, Couratier P, Wijdenes J et al (2000) In vitro induction of neuronal apoptosis by anti-Fas antibody-containing sera from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. J Neuroimmunol 109:211–220CrossRefPubMed Yi FH, Lautrette C, Vermot-Desroches C, Bordessoule D, Couratier P, Wijdenes J et al (2000) In vitro induction of neuronal apoptosis by anti-Fas antibody-containing sera from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. J Neuroimmunol 109:211–220CrossRefPubMed
170.
go back to reference Zhao W, Xie W, Le W, Beers DR, He Y, Henkel JS et al (2004) Activated microglia initiate motor neuron injury by a nitric oxide and glutamate-mediated mechanism. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 63:964–977CrossRefPubMed Zhao W, Xie W, Le W, Beers DR, He Y, Henkel JS et al (2004) Activated microglia initiate motor neuron injury by a nitric oxide and glutamate-mediated mechanism. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 63:964–977CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Inflammation in ALS/FTD pathogenesis
Authors
Madelyn E. McCauley
Robert H. Baloh
Publication date
01-05-2019
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/s00401-018-1933-9

Other articles of this Issue 5/2019

Acta Neuropathologica 5/2019 Go to the issue