Skin TDP-43 pathology as a candidate biomarker for predicting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis decades prior to motor symptom onset

  1. Fergal M. Waldron
  2. Tatiana Langerová
  3. Aydan Rahmanova
  4. Fiona L. Read
  5. Holly Spence
  6. Kristine Roberts
  7. Angus D. Macleod
  8. Samuel B. Pattle
  9. Katie Hanna
  10. Jenna M. Gregory
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Abstract

The recognition that disease-associated proteinopathies can manifest in peripheral organs outside the central nervous system preceding the onset of neurological symptoms, has transformed our understanding of Parkinson’s disease, in wide terms of pathogenesis, detection and diagnosis. For amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, non-motor symptoms, and non-central nervous system pathologies are gaining increased recognition but remain incompletely understood.

Here, using a TDP-43 RNA aptamer and a Stathmin-2 cryptic exon transcript BaseScope TM ISH probe, we identify widespread peripheral organ TDP-43 pathology prior to motor symptom onset in a discovery cohort of ante-mortem tissues from people who went on to develop ALS. Peripheral organs exhibiting both TDP-43 toxic gain- and loss-of function include muscle, lymph node, gallbladder, colon and with notably high incidence, skin. Given the accessibility of skin as a readily biopsiable tissue, representing a promising substrate for the detection of disease-associated proteinopathies and the development of minimally invasive biomarkers, we established an extended cohort of ante-mortem skin samples for TDP-43 pathology validation and further investigation. In skin biopsies taken during life from 17 individuals who went on to develop ALS we identify TDP-43 pathology from all 17 individuals in a wide distribution of anatomical sites, up to 26.5 years before ALS diagnosis – a presymptomatic period comparable to that observed for skin α-synucleinopathy in Parkinson’s disease. TDP-43 pathology was most abundant in skin biopsies from the back and shoulder, with sweat and sebaceous glands showing the highest involvement. TDP-43 pathology was also associated with structural changes.

As skin α-synucleinopathy has been established as a biomarker for both the detection of Parkinson’s disease and the differentiation of Parkinson’s disease from multiple system atrophy, we propose that skin TDP-43 likewise holds diagnostic and discrimination potential for diseases characterised by TDP-43 proteinopathy.

Short Abstract

Peripheral manifestations of neurodegenerative disease can precede neurological symptoms and serve as biomarkers, as shown by α-synuclein in the skin of individuals who later develop Parkinson’s disease. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), however, the distribution and diagnostic potential of peripheral TDP-43 pathology remain unclear. Using a TDP-43 RNA aptamer and a cryptic STMN2 BaseScope™ probe, we examined ante-mortem tissues from individuals who later developed ALS. In a discovery cohort, we detected widespread pre-symptomatic TDP-43 pathology across multiple organs, with skin emerging as the most consistent site. We then validated these findings in a validation cohort comprising 17 individuals, all of whom exhibited TDP-43 pathology enriched in sweat glands and structural changes detectable up to 26.5 years before ALS diagnosis. These findings establish skin as a robust and accessible site of pre-symptomatic TDP-43 pathology, supporting its potential as a minimally invasive biomarker for early diagnosis and disease stratification in ALS.

Summary

Much like skin α-synucleinopathy has transformed biomarker development in Parkinson’s disease, this study identifies skin TDP-43 pathology as a promising early marker of ALS. The results open avenues for earlier diagnosis and stratification in a disease where intervention is most needed before symptoms appear.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

  • Presymptomatic TDP-43 pathology occurs across a range on non-CNS peripheral organ systems including skin, gastrointestinal tract and lymph nodes prior to motor symptom onset in people who went on to develop ALS.

  • In skin, presymptomatic TDP-43 pathology is associated with structural changes and can be detected up to 26.5 years prior to motor symptoms in ALS.

  • As for Parkinson’s disease, shoulder and back represents optimal skin sampling sites for pre-symptomatic pathology in ALS.

  • Sweat and sebaceous glands present with high levels of TDP-43 pathology, offering a promising biomarker target for early pathology detection.

One Sentence Summary

Using distinct biomarker discovery and validation ante-mortem tissue cohorts, we provide evidence of pre-symptomatic TDP-43 pathology across diverse non-CNS peripheral tissues, including skin decades before ALS symptom onset, highlighting skin TDP-43 pathology as a potential early biomarker for ALS and related TDP-43 proteinopathies

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  1. Version published to 10.1101/2025.04.10.648122 on bioRxiv