Early differences in membrane properties at the neuromuscular junctions of ALS model mice: Effects of 25-hydroxycholesterol

Aims: Plasma hyperlipidemia is a protective factor in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) while cholesterol-lowering drugs aggravate the pathology. We hypothesize that this phenomenon can be linked with membrane lipid alterations in the neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) occurring before motor neuron loss. Methods: Neurotransmitter release in parallel with lipid membrane properties in diaphragm NMJs of SOD1G93A (mSOD) mice at nine weeks of age (pre-onset stage) were assessed. Key findings: Despite on slight changes in spontaneous and evoked quantum release of acetylcholine, extracellular levels of choline at resting conditions, an indicator of non-quantum release, were significantly increased in mSOD mice. The use of lipid-sensitive fluorescent probes points to lipid raft disruption in the NMJs of mSOD mice. However, content of cholesterol, a key raft component was unchanged implying another pathway responsible for the loss of raft integrity. In the mSOD mice we found marked increase in levels of raft-destabilizing lipid ceramide. This was accompanied by enhanced ability to uptake of exogenous ceramide in NMJs. Acute and chronic administration of 25-hydroxycholesterol, whose levels increase due to hypercholesterolemia, recovered early alterations in membrane properties. Furthermore, chronic treatment with 25-hydroxycholesterol prevented increase in ceramide and extracellular choline levels as well as suppressed lipid peroxidation of NMJ membranes and fragmentation of end plates. Significance: Thus, lipid raft disruption likely due to ceramide accumulation could be early event in ALS which may trigger neuromuscular abnormalities. Cholesterol derivative 25-hydroxycholesterol may serve as a molecule restoring the membrane and functional properties of NMJs at the early stage.

Automated summary

The study suggests that disruptions in membrane lipids at neuromuscular junctions could be an early event in ALS, with ceramide accumulation potentially triggering neuromuscular abnormalities. The cholesterol derivative 25-hydroxycholesterol may be a promising molecule for restoring membrane and functional properties at the early stage of the disease.