Reversal of neuropathology and motor dysfunction in a conditional model of Huntington's disease

Cell. 2000 Mar 31;101(1):57-66. doi: 10.1016/S0092-8674(00)80623-6.

Abstract

Neurodegenerative disorders like Huntington's disease (HD) are characterized by progressive and putative irreversible clinical and neuropathological symptoms, including neuronal protein aggregates. Conditional transgenic models of neurodegenerative diseases therefore could be a powerful means to explore the relationship between mutant protein expression and progression of the disease. We have created a conditional model of HD by using the tet-regulatable system. Mice expressing a mutated huntingtin fragment demonstrate neuronal inclusions, characteristic neuropathology, and progressive motor dysfunction. Blockade of expression in symptomatic mice leads to a disappearance of inclusions and an amelioration of the behavioral phenotype. We thus demonstrate that a continuous influx of the mutant protein is required to maintain inclusions and symptoms, raising the possibility that HD may be reversible.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Huntington Disease / genetics
  • Huntington Disease / pathology
  • Huntington Disease / therapy*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Motor Skills Disorders / genetics
  • Motor Skills Disorders / pathology
  • Motor Skills Disorders / therapy
  • Mutation
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nuclear Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Peptides / genetics
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Phenotype

Substances

  • HTT protein, human
  • Htt protein, mouse
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Peptides
  • polyglutamine