Biology subjects

Robbins, A. B.

Publications and source records attributed to Robbins, A. B..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Temporal single-cell atlas of full-length Huntington's disease mouse model defines stage-specific signatures of corticostriatal dysfunction

Huntingtons disease involves progressive corticostriatal dysfunction; however, the timing of region-specific transcriptional changes remains unresolved at cellular resolution. Here, we provide a temporal single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas of striatum and motor cortex from zQ175 knock-in mice at 6 and 18 months. This full-length Huntingtin model enables staging of progressive circuit dysfunction. Striatal projection neurons show extensive early dysregulation with progressive striosomal identity erosion, whereas cortical pyramidal neuron dysfunction was layer-specific and coincided with motor symptom onset. By modeling genotype-dependent effects, we distinguish region- and cell type-specific signatures of core disease mechanisms from age-related changes and compensatory adaptations. Integrating gene co-expression and transcription factor regulatory networks, we predict candidate regulators of stage-specific dysfunction. These findings, validated across human HD and mouse model datasets, reveal temporal dynamics of disease pathogenesis in regionally distinct and interconnected neuronal populations, establishing a framework for understanding cell type-selective vulnerability.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Modeling and Prediction of Body Segment Inertial Properties of Sheep from Tomographic Imaging

Estimation of body segment inertial properties (BSIPs) is a crucial step in development of inverse dynamics models. The goal of this study was to develop predictive models to estimate the mass, center of mass, and inertia tensor of the hindlimbs of sheep using easily obtainable morphometric data. In addition, this study presents a more comprehensive and repeatable method for defining each hindlimb body segment when calculating BSIPs from CT data. CT scans from 16 sheep of varying age, weight, sex, and phenotype were used to develop predictive models to estimate the BSIPs of the pelvis, thigh, crus, metatarsus, and pastern segments. The predictive models developed enable investigators to create inverse dynamics models of sheep hindlimbs. These models are particularly informative and expand the use of ovine models of human musculoskeletal disease.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2024

AAV-based delivery of RNAi targeting Ataxin-2 improves survival, strength, and pathology in mouse models of rapidly and slowly progressive sporadic ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by motor neuron death due to nuclear loss and cytoplasmic aggregation of the splice factor TDP-43. Pathologic TDP-43 associates with stress granules (SGs) and downregulating the SG-associated protein Ataxin-2 (Atxn2) using antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) prolongs survival in the TAR4/4 sporadic ALS mouse model, a strategy now in clinical trials. Here, we used AAV-mediated RNAi delivery to achieve lasting and targeted Atxn2 knockdown after a single injection. To achieve this, a novel AAV with improved transduction potency of our target cells was used to deliver Atxn2-targeting miRNAs. Mouse dosing studies demonstrated 55% Atxn2 knockdown in frontal cortex and 25% knockdown throughout brainstem and spinal cord after intracerebroventricular injection at a dose 40x lower than used in other recent studies. In TAR4/4 mice, miAtxn2 treatment increased mean and median survival by 54% and 45% respectively (p<0.0003). Mice showed robust improvement across strength-related measures ranging from 24-75%. Interestingly, treated mice showed increased vertical activity above wildtype, suggesting unmasking of an FTD phenotype with improved strength. Histologically, lower motor neuron survival improved with a concomitant reduction in CNS inflammatory markers. Additionally, phosphorylated TDP-43 was reduced to wildtype levels. Bulk RNA sequencing revealed correction of 153 genes in the markedly dysregulated transcriptome of mutant mice, several of which are described in the human ALS literature. In slow progressing hemizygous mice, treatment rescued weight loss and improved gait at late time points. Cumulatively the data support the utility of AAV-mediated RNAi against Atxn2 as a robust and translatable treatment strategy for sporadic ALS.

neuroscience↗