C9orf72 is required for proper macrophage and microglial function in mice.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-18-2016
JAX Source
Science 2016 Mar 18; 351(6279):1324-9.
Volume
351
Issue
6279
First Page
1324
Last Page
1329
ISSN
1095-9203
PMID
26989253
Grant
NS087351
Abstract
Expansions of a hexanucleotide repeat (GGGGCC) in the noncoding region of the C9orf72 gene are the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia. Decreased expression of C9orf72 is seen in expansion carriers, suggesting that loss of function may play a role in disease. We found that two independent mouse lines lacking the C9orf72 ortholog (3110043O21Rik) in all tissues developed normally and aged without motor neuron disease. Instead, C9orf72 null mice developed progressive splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy with accumulation of engorged macrophage-like cells. C9orf72 expression was highest in myeloid cells, and the loss of C9orf72 led to lysosomal accumulation and altered immune responses in macrophages and microglia, with age-related neuroinflammation similar to C9orf72 ALS but not sporadic ALS human patient tissue. Thus, C9orf72 is required for the normal function of myeloid cells, and altered microglial function may contribute to neurodegeneration in C9orf72 expansion carriers. Science 2016 Mar 18; 351(6279):1324-9.
Recommended Citation
O'Rourke J,
Bogdanik LP,
Yáñez A,
Lall D,
Wolf A,
Muhammad A,
Ho R,
Carmona S,
Vit J,
Zarrow J,
Kim K,
Bell S,
Harms M,
Miller T,
Dangler C,
Underhill D,
Goodridge H,
Lutz C,
Baloh R.
C9orf72 is required for proper macrophage and microglial function in mice. Science 2016 Mar 18; 351(6279):1324-9.