The goal of this grant is to elucidate key mechanisms of TDP-43 aggregation by uncovering how this process leads to pathology and neurotoxicity. TDP-43 aggregation is the pathological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and half of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) cases. In addition, TDP-43 lesions are a secondary pathology in approximately 50% of Alzheimer's disease. A major goal in combatting ALS and FTD has been to reduce the accumulation of TDP-43 inclusions by developing strategies to prevent or reverse TDP-43 aggregation. Recognizing this, we established strategic methods to study the aggregation of this RNA binding protein using purified TDP-43 and have identified previously unknown aggregate intermediates. These are early stage oligomers that share key characteristics with toxic oligomeric species of well-studied proteins linked to neurodegeneration, including Tau, amyloid-? and ?-synuclein. These TDP-43 aggregate intermediates are capable of seeding de novo intracellular TDP-43 aggregation and their formation is accelerated by ALS-linked mutations. Our recent findings provide the unique opportunity to shed light on fundamental mechanisms of TDP-43 aggregation, determine their role in pathogenesis and provide models to block TDP-43 pathology.
Aim 1 will establish the presence of TDP-43 oligomers in cellular models of aggregation and in ALS and FTD- derived tissue. In particular, we will examine recruitment of the intermediates to cytoplasmic stress granules, which are protein-RNA rich bodies considered to be crucibles of pathological aggregation. This will be achieved using our established methods of detection and by developing antibodies specific for the intermediate complexes. To establish the role of the newly found TDP-43 intermediates in aggregation and pathogenesis, Aim 2 will define the molecular determinants of assembly and test how disease-associated conditions upregulate this process. After identifying the protein regions mediating oligomerization, we will ask whether aggregation and intracellular seeding function decrease upon disruption of the newly identified epitopes. The ability of TDP-43 aggregates to act as agents of pathological spread in disease is strongly suggested by recent findings that FTD-derived extracts seed and propagate TDP-43 pathology in mouse brain.
Aim 3 will test whether TDP-43 aggregates alone can indeed initiate de novo aggregation and propagation of pathology in vivo. We will analyze the spread of TDP-43 pathology upon injection of early and late stage TDP-43 aggregates derived from purified protein in the brain of mice. This will establish whether TDP-43 aggregates, and TDP-43 oligomers in particular, are primary sources of nucleation and neurotoxicity. Furthermore, these studies we will determine whether this propagation directly correlates with increased neurodegeneration. With the successful completion of this grant, we will: a) define fundamental processes in TDP-43 aggregation; b) establish in vitro and in vivo models to forestall neurotoxicity in ALS and FTD; and c) provide unprecedented tools for the development of diagnostic markers of disease.
TDP-43 is a protein central to devastating and neurological disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). TDP-43-associated pathology is also present in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Our work has revealed important findings on the aggregation of TDP-43 and promises to be a significant and revolutionary step forward in generating tools for effectively defining therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.
