Discovery of a CLN7 model of Batten disease in non-human primates.

Discovery of a CLN7 model of Batten disease in non-human primates.
Neurobiol Dis. 2018 Jul 23;:
Authors: McBride JL, Neuringer M, Ferguson B, Kohama SG, Tagge IJ, Zweig R, Renner LM, McGill TJ, Stoddard J, Peterson S, Su W, Sherman LS, Domire JS, Ducore RM, Colgin LM, Lewis AD
Abstract
We have identified a natural Japanese macaque model of the childhood neurodegenerative disorder neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, commonly known as Batten Disease, caused by a homozygous frameshift mutation in the CLN7 gene (CLN7-/-). Affected macaques display progressive neurological deficits including visual impairment, tremor, incoordination, ataxia and impaired balance. Imaging, functional and pathological studies revealed that CLN7-/- macaques have reduced retinal thickness and retinal function early in disease, followed by profound cerebral and cerebellar atrophy that progresses over a five to six-year disease course. Histological analyses showed an accumulation of cerebral, cerebellar and cardiac storage material as well as degeneration of neurons, white matter fragmentation and reactive gliosis throughout the brain of affected animals. This novel CLN7-/- macaque model recapitulates key behavioral and neuropathological features of human Batten Disease and provides novel insights into the pathophysiology linked to CLN7 mutations. These animals will be invaluable for evaluating promising therapeutic strategies for this devastating disease.
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Source: Neurobiology of Disease - July 23, 2018 Category: Neurology Authors: McBride JL, Neuringer M, Ferguson B, Kohama SG, Tagge IJ, Zweig R, Renner LM, McGill TJ, Stoddard J, Peterson S, Su W, Sherman LS, Domire JS, Ducore RM, Colgin LM, Lewis AD Tags: Neurobiol Dis Source Type: research