Affiliations: [a]
Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| [b]
Department of Neurology, Xinxiang medical university, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| [c]
Department of Neurology, Henan University People’s Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
Correspondence:
[*]
Correspondence to: Jiewen Zhang and Junkui Shang, Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. E-mails: zhangjiewen9900@126.com (J. Zhang), shangjunkui@yeah.net (J. Shang).
Note: [1] These authors contributed equally to this work.
Abstract: Background:Cerebral autosomal-dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarction and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is an inherited small-vessel disease that affects the white matter of the brain. Recent studies have confirmed that the deposition of NOTCH3ECD is the main pathological basis of CADASIL; however, whether different mutations present the same pathological characteristics remains to be further studied. Some studies have found that mitochondrial dysfunction is related to CADASIL; however, the specific effects of NOTCH3ECD on mitochondrial remain to be determined. Objective:We aimed to explore the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in CADASIL. Methods:We established transgenic human embryonic kidney-293T cell models (involving alterations in cysteine and non-cysteine residues) via lentiviral transfection. Mitochondrial function and structure were assessed using flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Mitophagy was assessed using western blotting and immunofluorescence. Results:We demonstrated that NOTCH3ECD deposition affects mitochondrial morphology and function, and that its protein levels are significantly correlated with mitochondrial quality and can directly bind to mitochondria. Moreover, NOTCH3ECD deposition promoted the induction of autophagy and mitophagy. However, these processes were impaired, leading to abnormal mitochondrial accumulation. Conclusions:This study revealed a common pathological feature of NOTCH3ECD deposition caused by different NOTCH3 mutations and provided new insights into the role of NOTCH3ECD in mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy.
