The Potential Connection between Molecular Changes and Biomarkers Related to ALS and the Development and Regeneration of CNS

Int. J. Mol. Sci., 2022 · DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911360 · Published: September 26, 2022

Simple Explanation

This review explores the connection between genes/proteins related to ALS and neuroregeneration and development, focusing on changes during early postnatal development in mammalian spinal cord tissue. It looks into biomarkers for ALS prognosis and diagnosis. The paper proposes that studying changes in non-coding RNA molecules in ALS patients and the developing CNS of opossums could reveal potential biomarkers. The authors suggest a possible link between ALS, neuroregeneration, and abnormal early central nervous system (CNS) development, where complex pathophysiology might be orchestrated by non-coding RNAs that could be useful biomarkers.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

ALS patients and developing central nervous (CNS) system of the opossum

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Fifteen risk loci with distinct genetic architectures and neuron-speciﬁc biology were identiﬁed as linked to ALS.
2
The quantity of proteins related to these genes changes during early postnatal development in mammalian spinal cord tissue (opossum Monodelphis domestica).
3
ALS-related proteins were detected, among which were those connected to the 15 risk loci linked to ALS.

Research Summary

This review discusses the potential connection between ALS-related genes/proteins and neuroregeneration and development, particularly focusing on the timing when neuroregeneration ceases. The authors propose studying non-coding RNA changes in ALS patients and developing opossum CNS to identify potential biomarkers for ALS prognosis and diagnosis. The study highlights the overlap and correlation in the expression of selected biomarkers during early CNS development and in ALS patients, which could provide new insights into disease pathogenesis.

Practical Implications

Diagnostic Biomarkers

Identification of non-coding RNAs as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of ALS.

Therapeutic Targets

Understanding the role of ALS-related genes/proteins in neuroregeneration could lead to new therapeutic strategies.

Disease Pathogenesis Insights

Correlation between CNS development, neuroregeneration, and ALS could provide a deeper understanding of the molecular basis of ALS.

Study Limitations

1
The precise roles of speciﬁc miRNAs and/or combinations of miRNAs for the development of disease-speciﬁc biomarkers is a focus of current research
2
Data on miRNAs as biomarkers in ALS are sometimes contradictory and currently still not clear enough for translation into clinical practice.
3
The roles of lncRNA in ALS have just started to be explored

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