Biallelic mutations in FDXR cause neurodegeneration associated with inflammation.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2018

JAX Source

J Hum Genet 2018 Dec; 63(12):1211-1222

Volume

63

Issue

12

First Page

1211

Last Page

1222

ISSN

1435-232X

PMID

30250212

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1038/s10038-018-0515-y

Grant

OD021325, The Jackson Laboratory

Abstract

Mitochondrial dysfunction lies behind many neurodegenerative disorders, owing largely to the intense energy requirements of most neurons. Such mitochondrial dysfunction may work through a variety of mechanisms, from direct disruption of the electron transport chain to abnormal mitochondrial biogenesis. Recently, we have identified biallelic mutations in the mitochondrial flavoprotein "ferredoxin reductase" (FDXR) gene as a novel cause of mitochondriopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and optic atrophy. In this report, we expand upon those results by describing two new cases of disease-causing FDXR variants in patients with variable severity of phenotypes, including evidence of an inflammatory response in brain autopsy. To investigate the underlying pathogenesis, we examined neurodegeneration in a mouse model. We found that Fdxr mutant mouse brain tissues share pathological changes similar to those seen in patient autopsy material, including increased astrocytes. Furthermore, we show that these abnormalities are associated with increased levels of markers for both neurodegeneration and gliosis, with the latter implying inflammation as a major factor in the pathology of Fdxr mutations. These data provide further insight into the pathogenic mechanism of FDXR-mediated central neuropathy, and suggest an avenue for mechanistic studies that will ultimately inform treatment.

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