CLN diseases are mostly fatal lysosomal storage diseases that lead to neurodegeneration in the CNS. We have previously shown that CD8+ T-lymphocytes contribute to axonal perturbation and neuron loss in the CNS of Ppt1(-/-) mice, a model of CLN1 disease. We now investigated the role of the inflammation-related cell adhesion molecule sialoadhesin (Sn) in Ppt1(-/-) and Cln3(-/-) mice, a model of the most frequent form, CLN3 disease. Microglia/macrophages in the CNS of both models showed an upregulation of Sn and markers for proinflammatory M1 polarization and antigen presentation. Sn+ microglia/macrophages associated with SMI32+ axonal spheroids and CD8+ T-lymphocytes. To analyze their pathogenic impact, we crossbred both models with Sn-deficient mice and scored axonal degeneration and neuronal integrity using immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy and optical coherence tomography. Degenerative alterations in the retinotectal pathway of Ppt1(-/-)Sn(-/-) and Cln3(-/-)Sn(-/-) mice were significantly reduced. Ppt1(-/-)Sn(-/-) mice also showed a substantially improved clinical phenotype and extended lifespan, attenuated numbers of M1-polarized microglia/macrophages and reduced expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines. This was accompanied by an increased frequency of CD8+CD122+ T-lymphocytes in the CNS of Ppt1(-/-)Sn(-/-) mice, the regulatory phenotype of which was demonstrated by impaired survival of CD8+CD122- effector T-lymphocytes in co-culture experiments. We show for the first time that increased Sn expression on microglia/macrophages contributes to neural perturbation in two distinct models of CLN disease. Our data also indicate that a rarely described CD8+CD122+ T-cell population can regulate the corresponding diseases. These studies provide insights into CLN pathogenesis and may guide in designing immuno-regulatory treatment strategies.
Keywords: T-lymphocytes; immune regulation; microglia; neurodegeneration; neuroinflammation; neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.
© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.