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Usage Information

Leukocytes mediate disease pathogenesis in the Ndufs4(KO) mouse model of Leigh syndrome
Julia C. Stokes, Rebecca L. Bornstein, Katerina James, Kyung Yeon Park, Kira A. Spencer, Katie Vo, John C. Snell, Brittany M. Johnson, Philip G. Morgan, Margaret M. Sedensky, Nathan A. Baertsch, Simon C. Johnson
Julia C. Stokes, Rebecca L. Bornstein, Katerina James, Kyung Yeon Park, Kira A. Spencer, Katie Vo, John C. Snell, Brittany M. Johnson, Philip G. Morgan, Margaret M. Sedensky, Nathan A. Baertsch, Simon C. Johnson
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Research Article Inflammation Neuroscience

Leukocytes mediate disease pathogenesis in the Ndufs4(KO) mouse model of Leigh syndrome

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Abstract

Symmetric, progressive, necrotizing lesions in the brainstem are a defining feature of Leigh syndrome (LS). A mechanistic understanding of the pathogenesis of these lesions has been elusive. Here, we report that leukocyte proliferation is causally involved in the pathogenesis of LS. Depleting leukocytes with a colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor disrupted disease progression, including suppression of CNS lesion formation and a substantial extension of survival. Leukocyte depletion rescued diverse symptoms, including seizures, respiratory center function, hyperlactemia, and neurologic sequelae. These data reveal a mechanistic explanation for the beneficial effects of mTOR inhibition. More importantly, these findings dramatically alter our understanding of the pathogenesis of LS, demonstrating that immune involvement is causal in disease. This work has important implications for the mechanisms of mitochondrial disease and may lead to novel therapeutic strategies.

Authors

Julia C. Stokes, Rebecca L. Bornstein, Katerina James, Kyung Yeon Park, Kira A. Spencer, Katie Vo, John C. Snell, Brittany M. Johnson, Philip G. Morgan, Margaret M. Sedensky, Nathan A. Baertsch, Simon C. Johnson

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Usage data is cumulative from February 2025 through February 2026.

Usage JCI PMC
Text version 1,384 238
PDF 287 37
Figure 530 0
Supplemental data 105 30
Citation downloads 92 0
Totals 2,398 305
Total Views 2,703
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