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Mutations in the gene encoding the fused in sarcoma (FUS) protein are responsible for ~3% of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and <1% of sporadic ALS (ALS-FUS). Descriptions of the associated neuropathology are few and largely restricted to individual case reports. To better define the neuropathology associated with FUS mutations, we have undertaken a detailed comparative analysis of six cases of ALS-FUS that include sporadic and familial cases, with both juvenile and adult onset, and with four different FUS mutations. We found significant pathological heterogeneity among our cases, with two distinct patterns that correlated with the disease severity and the specific mutation. Frequent basophilic inclusions and round FUS-immunoreactive (FUS-ir) neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCI) were a consistent feature of our early-onset cases, including two with the p.P525L mutation. In contrast, our late-onset cases that included two with the p.R521C mutation had tangle-like NCI and numerous FUS-ir glial cytoplasmic inclusions. Double-labeling experiments demonstrated that many of the glial inclusions were in oligodendrocytes. Comparison with the neuropathology of cases of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with FUS-ir pathology showed significant differences and suggests that FUS mutations are associated with a distinct pathobiology.

Original publication

DOI

10.1007/s00401-011-0838-7

Type

Journal article

Journal

Acta Neuropathol

Publication Date

07/2011

Volume

122

Pages

87 - 98

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Female, Humans, Inclusion Bodies, Male, Medulla Oblongata, Middle Aged, Motor Cortex, Motor Neurons, Mutation, Neuroglia, RNA-Binding Protein FUS, Severity of Illness Index, Spinal Cord, Young Adult