Jelena Velebit Marković (Author), Anemari Horvat (Author), Tina Smolič (Author), Sonja Prpar (Author), Boris Rogelj (Author), Robert Zorec (Author), Nina Vardjan (Author)

Abstract

Most cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) have cytoplasmic inclusions of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) in neurons and non-neuronal cells, including astrocytes, which metabolically support neurons with nutrients. Neuronal metabolism largely depends on the activation of the noradrenergic system releasing noradrenaline. Activation of astroglial adrenergic receptors with noradrenaline triggers cAMP and Ca2+ signaling and augments aerobic glycolysis with production of lactate, an important neuronal energy fuel. Astrocytes with cytoplasmic TDP-43 inclusions can cause motor neuron death, however, whether astroglial metabolism and metabolic support of neurons is altered in astrocytes with TDP-43 inclusions, is unclear. We measured lipid droplet and glucose metabolisms in astrocytes expressing the inclusion-forming C-terminal fragment of TDP-43 or the wild-type TDP-43 using fluorescent dyes or genetically encoded nanosensors. Astrocytes with TDP-43 inclusions exhibited a 3-fold increase in the accumulation of lipid droplets versus astrocytes expressing wild-type TDP-43, indicating altered lipid droplet metabolism. In these cells the noradrenaline-triggered increases in intracellular cAMP and Ca2+ levels were reduced by 35% and 31%, respectively, likely due to the downregulation of [beta]2-adrenergic receptors. Although noradrenaline triggered a similar increase in intracellular lactate levels in astrocytes with and without TDP-43 inclusions, the probability of activating aerobic glycolysis was facilitated by 1.6-fold in astrocytes with TDP-43 inclusions and lactate MCT1 transporters were downregulated. Thus, while in astrocytes with TDP-43 inclusions noradrenergic signaling is reduced, aerobic glycolysis and lipid droplet accumulation are facilitated, suggesting dysregulated astroglial metabolism and metabolic support of neurons in TDP-43-associated ALS and FTD.

Keywords

astrociti;celična presnova;nevroni;astrocytes;cell metabolism;neurons;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UL MF - Faculty of Medicine
UDC: 616-092
COBISS: 34773465 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 2045-2322
Views: 288
Downloads: 68
Average score: 0 (0 votes)
Metadata: JSON JSON-RDF JSON-LD TURTLE N-TRIPLES XML RDFA MICRODATA DC-XML DC-RDF RDF

Other data

Secondary language: Slovenian
Secondary keywords: astrociti;celična presnova;nevroni;
Type (COBISS): Article
Pages: str. 1-18
Volume: ǂVol. ǂ10
Issue: ǂiss. ǂ1
Chronology: Apr. 2020
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62864-5
ID: 13184881