Inflammation Induces TDP-43 Mislocalization and Aggregation

PLoS One. 2015 Oct 7;10(10):e0140248. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140248. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a major component in aggregates of ubiquitinated proteins in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Here we report that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation can promote TDP-43 mislocalization and aggregation. In culture, microglia and astrocytes exhibited TDP-43 mislocalization after exposure to LPS. Likewise, treatment of the motoneuron-like NSC-34 cells with TNF-alpha (TNF-α) increased the cytoplasmic levels of TDP-43. In addition, the chronic intraperitoneal injection of LPS at a dose of 1mg/kg in TDP-43(A315T) transgenic mice exacerbated the pathological TDP-43 accumulation in the cytoplasm of spinal motor neurons and it enhanced the levels of TDP-43 aggregation. These results suggest that inflammation may contribute to development or exacerbation of TDP-43 proteinopathies in neurodegenerative disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / immunology
  • Astrocytes / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / analysis*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / immunology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microglia / immunology
  • Microglia / metabolism
  • Point Mutation
  • Protein Aggregates*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / immunology

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Protein Aggregates
  • RNA, Messenger