Optineurin defects cause TDP43-pathology with autophagic vacuolar formation

We previously showed that optineurin (OPTN) mutations lead to the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The association between OPTN mutations and the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis remains unclear. To investigate the mechanism underlying its pathogenesis, we generated Opm knockout mice. We evaluated histopathological observations of these mice and compared with those of OPTN- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases to investigate the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis caused by OPTN mutations. The Opm (-/-) mice presented neuronal autophagic vacuoles immunopositive for charged multivesicular body protein 2b, one of the hallmarks of granulovacuolar degenerations, in the cytoplasm of spinal cord motor neurons at the age of 8 months and the OPTN- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis case with homozygous Q398X mutation. In addition, Opm (-/-) mice showed TAR DNA binding protein 43/sequestosomel/p62 -positive cytoplasmic inclusions and the clearance of nuclear TAR-DNA binding protein 43. The axonal degeneration of the sciatic nerves was observed in Opm (-/-) mice. However, we could not observe significant differences in survival time, body weight, and motor functions, at 24 months. Our findings suggest that homozygous OPTN deletion or mutations might result in autophagic dysfunction and TAR DNA binding protein 43 mislocalization, thereby leading to neurodegeneration of motor neurons. These findings indicate that the Opm (-/-) mice recapitulate both common and specific pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated with autophagic abnormalities. Opm (-/-) mice could serve as a mouse model for the development of therapeutic strategies.

Automated summary

OPTN mutations may lead to autophagic dysfunction and neurodegeneration of motor neurons, potentially causing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Opm knockout mice exhibit similar pathogenic features, suggesting they could serve as a model for developing therapeutic strategies for this disease.