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McCormack NM, Calabrese KA, Sun CM, Tully CB, Heier CR, Fiorillo AA. Deletion of miR-146a enhances therapeutic protein restoration in model of dystrophin exon skipping. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102228. [PMID: 38975000 PMCID: PMC11225849 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle disease caused by the absence of dystrophin protein. One current DMD therapeutic strategy, exon skipping, produces a truncated dystrophin isoform using phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs). However, the potential of exon skipping therapeutics has not been fully realized as increases in dystrophin protein have been minimal in clinical trials. Here, we investigate how miR-146a-5p, which is highly elevated in dystrophic muscle, impacts dystrophin protein levels. We find inflammation strongly induces miR-146a in dystrophic, but not wild-type myotubes. Bioinformatics analysis reveals that the dystrophin 3' UTR harbors a miR-146a binding site, and subsequent luciferase assays demonstrate miR-146a binding inhibits dystrophin translation. In dystrophin-null mdx52 mice, co-injection of miR-146a reduces dystrophin restoration by an exon 51 skipping PMO. To directly investigate how miR-146a impacts therapeutic dystrophin rescue, we generated mdx52 with body-wide miR-146a deletion (146aX). Administration of an exon skipping PMO via intramuscular or intravenous injection markedly increases dystrophin protein levels in 146aX vs. mdx52 muscles while skipped dystrophin transcript levels are unchanged supporting a post-transcriptional mechanism of action. Together, these data show that miR-146a expression opposes therapeutic dystrophin restoration, suggesting miR-146a inhibition warrants further research as a potential DMD exon skipping co-therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki M. McCormack
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kelsey A. Calabrese
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Christina M. Sun
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Christopher B. Tully
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Christopher R. Heier
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Alyson A. Fiorillo
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
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Jama A, Alshudukhi AA, Burke S, Dong L, Kamau JK, Morris B, Alkhomsi IA, Finck BN, Voss AA, Ren H. Exploring lipin1 as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. J Transl Med 2024; 22:664. [PMID: 39014470 PMCID: PMC11253568 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05494-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive and devastating muscle disease, resulting from the absence of dystrophin. This leads to cell membrane instability, susceptibility to contraction-induced muscle damage, subsequent muscle degeneration, and eventually disability and early death of patients. Currently, there is no cure for DMD. Our recent studies identified that lipin1 plays a critical role in maintaining myofiber stability and integrity. However, lipin1 gene expression levels are dramatically reduced in the skeletal muscles of DMD patients and mdx mice. METHODS To identify whether increased lipin1 expression could prevent dystrophic pathology, we employed unique muscle-specific mdx:lipin1 transgenic (mdx:lipin1Tg/0) mice in which lipin1 was restored in the dystrophic muscle of mdx mice, intramuscular gene delivery, as well as cell culture system. RESULTS We found that increased lipin1 expression suppressed muscle degeneration and inflammation, reduced fibrosis, strengthened membrane integrity, and resulted in improved muscle contractile and lengthening force, and muscle performance in mdx:lipin1Tg/0 compared to mdx mice. To confirm the role of lipin1 in dystrophic muscle, we then administered AAV1-lipin1 via intramuscular injection in mdx mice. Consistently, lipin1 restoration inhibited myofiber necroptosis and lessened muscle degeneration. Using a cell culture system, we further found that differentiated primary mdx myoblasts had elevated expression levels of necroptotic markers and medium creatine kinase (CK), which could be a result of sarcolemmal damage. Most importantly, increased lipin1 expression levels in differentiated myoblasts from mdx:lipin1Tg/0 mice substantially inhibited the elevation of necroptotic markers and medium CK levels. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our data suggest that lipin1 is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of dystrophic muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulrahman Jama
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Dayton, OH, 45435-0001, USA
| | - Abdullah A Alshudukhi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Dayton, OH, 45435-0001, USA
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Steve Burke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
| | - Lixin Dong
- Mumetel LLC, University Technology Park at IIT, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - John Karanja Kamau
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Dayton, OH, 45435-0001, USA
| | - Brooklyn Morris
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Dayton, OH, 45435-0001, USA
| | - Ibrahim A Alkhomsi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Dayton, OH, 45435-0001, USA
| | - Brian N Finck
- Division of Geriatrics & Nutritional Science, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
| | - Andrew Alvin Voss
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
| | - Hongmei Ren
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Dayton, OH, 45435-0001, USA.
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Vincik LY, Dautel AD, Staples AA, Lauck LV, Armstrong CJ, Howard JT, McGregor D, Ahmadzadeh S, Shekoohi S, Kaye AD. Evolving Role of Viltolarsen for Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Adv Ther 2024; 41:1338-1350. [PMID: 38376743 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-024-02801-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most prevalent X-linked inherited neuromuscular disorders, with an estimated incidence between 1 in 3500 and 5000 live male births. The median life expectancy at birth is around 30 years due to a rapid and severe disease progression. Currently, there is no cure for DMD, and the standard of care is mainly palliative therapy and glucocorticoids to mitigate symptoms and improve quality of life. Recent advances in phosphorodiamidate morpholino antisense oligonucleotide (PMO) technology has proven optimistic in providing a disease-modifying therapy rather than a palliative treatment option through correcting the primary genetic defect of DMD by exon skipping. However, as a result of the high variance in mutations of the dystrophin gene causing DMD, it has been challenging to tailor an effective therapy in most patients. Viltolarsen is effective in 8% of patients and accurately skips exon 53, reestablishing the reading frame and producing a functional form of dystrophin and milder disease phenotype. Results of recently concluded preclinical and clinical trials show significantly increased dystrophin protein expression, no severe adverse effects, and stabilization of motor function. In summary, viltolarsen has provided hope for those working toward giving patients a safe and viable treatment option for managing DMD. This review summarizes an overview of the presentation, pathophysiology, genetics, and current treatment guidelines of DMD, pharmacological profile of viltolarsen, and a summary of the safety and efficacy with additional insights using recent clinical trial data.
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Affiliation(s)
- LeighAnn Y Vincik
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Alexandra D Dautel
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Abigail A Staples
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Lillian V Lauck
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Catherine J Armstrong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Jeffery T Howard
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - David McGregor
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Shahab Ahmadzadeh
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Sahar Shekoohi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA.
| | - Alan D Kaye
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neurosciences, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
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4
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Takeda S. Memories of Professor François Gros. C R Biol 2024; 346:45-49. [PMID: 38113106 DOI: 10.5802/crbiol.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
I joined the laboratory of Professor Francois Gros in 1987 and worked there as a postdoc with Robert Whalen until 1992. I recount the research we carried out and mention that of the other scientists also working on skeletal muscle on the 6th floor of the Molecular Biology Department of the Institut Pasteur at that time. I then present my subsequent research when I returned to Japan. I pay tribute to the influence of Professor Gros and to his support in establishing Japanese/French meetings on muscle biology and muscular dystrophy. I also invoke personal memories of Robert Whalen and Margaret Buckingham and remember the occasions when I returned to Paris to honour François Gros.
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Haque US, Yokota T. Enhancing Antisense Oligonucleotide-Based Therapeutic Delivery with DG9, a Versatile Cell-Penetrating Peptide. Cells 2023; 12:2395. [PMID: 37830609 PMCID: PMC10572411 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide-based (ASO) therapeutics have emerged as a promising strategy for the treatment of human disorders. Charge-neutral PMOs have promising biological and pharmacological properties for antisense applications. Despite their great potential, the efficient delivery of these therapeutic agents to target cells remains a major obstacle to their widespread use. Cellular uptake of naked PMO is poor. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) appear as a possibility to increase the cellular uptake and intracellular delivery of oligonucleotide-based drugs. Among these, the DG9 peptide has been identified as a versatile CPP with remarkable potential for enhancing the delivery of ASO-based therapeutics due to its unique structural features. Notably, in the context of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs), DG9 has shown promise in enhancing delivery while maintaining a favorable toxicity profile. A few studies have highlighted the potential of DG9-conjugated PMOs in DMD (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) and SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy), displaying significant exon skipping/inclusion and functional improvements in animal models. The article provides an overview of a detailed understanding of the challenges that ASOs face prior to reaching their targets and continued advances in methods to improve their delivery to target sites and cellular uptake, focusing on DG9, which aims to harness ASOs' full potential in precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umme Sabrina Haque
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
- The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research & Muscular Dystrophy Canada HM Toupin Neurological Science Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
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Bez Batti Angulski A, Hosny N, Cohen H, Martin AA, Hahn D, Bauer J, Metzger JM. Duchenne muscular dystrophy: disease mechanism and therapeutic strategies. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1183101. [PMID: 37435300 PMCID: PMC10330733 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1183101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe, progressive, and ultimately fatal disease of skeletal muscle wasting, respiratory insufficiency, and cardiomyopathy. The identification of the dystrophin gene as central to DMD pathogenesis has led to the understanding of the muscle membrane and the proteins involved in membrane stability as the focal point of the disease. The lessons learned from decades of research in human genetics, biochemistry, and physiology have culminated in establishing the myriad functionalities of dystrophin in striated muscle biology. Here, we review the pathophysiological basis of DMD and discuss recent progress toward the development of therapeutic strategies for DMD that are currently close to or are in human clinical trials. The first section of the review focuses on DMD and the mechanisms contributing to membrane instability, inflammation, and fibrosis. The second section discusses therapeutic strategies currently used to treat DMD. This includes a focus on outlining the strengths and limitations of approaches directed at correcting the genetic defect through dystrophin gene replacement, modification, repair, and/or a range of dystrophin-independent approaches. The final section highlights the different therapeutic strategies for DMD currently in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Joseph M. Metzger
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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Filonova G, Aartsma-Rus A. Next steps for the optimization of exon therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2023; 23:133-143. [PMID: 36655939 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2023.2169070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It is established that the exon-skipping approach can restore dystrophin in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. However, dystrophin restoration levels are low, and the field is evolving to provide solutions for improved exon skipping. DMD is a neuromuscular disorder associated with chronic muscle tissue loss attributed to the lack of dystrophin, which causes muscle inflammation, fibrosis formation, and impaired regeneration. Currently, four antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) based on phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) chemistry are approved by US Food and Drug Administration for exon skipping therapy of eligible DMD patients. AREAS COVERED This review describes a preclinical and clinical experience with approved and newly developed AONs for DMD, outlines efforts that have been done to enhance AON efficiency, reviews challenges of clinical trials, and summarizes the current state of the exon skipping approach in the DMD field. EXPERT OPINION The exon skipping approach for DMD is under development, and several chemical modifications with improved properties are under (pre)-clinical investigation. Despite existing advantages of these modifications, their safety and effectiveness have to be examined in clinical trials, which are planned or ongoing. Furthermore, we propose clinical settings using natural history controls to facilitate studying the functional effect of the therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annemieke Aartsma-Rus
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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8
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Zalcman AR, Hakim CH, Lattimer JC, Holland JR, Dodam JR, Duan D. MRI Evaluation of Gene Therapy in the Canine Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2587:339-352. [PMID: 36401037 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2772-3_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well-established and widely used technique to characterize and quantify skeletal and cardiac muscle changes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Recently, MRI has been explored to study disease progression and response to gene therapy in the canine DMD model. Using traditional sequences, delayed gadolinium enhancement, novel sequences, and spectroscopy, investigators have begun to (i) establish the baseline MRI characteristics of the muscles in normal and affected dogs and (ii) evaluate gene therapy outcomes in treated dogs. As a noninvasive assay, MRI offers an excellent opportunity to study longitudinal muscle changes in long-term gene therapy studies in the canine model. In this chapter, we outline the MRI method used to study DMD in the canine model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy R Zalcman
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- VetCT, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Chady H Hakim
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Jimmy C Lattimer
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - James R Holland
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - John R Dodam
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- Department of Biomedical, Biological & Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
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Wilton-Clark H, Yokota T. Biological and genetic therapies for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2023; 23:49-59. [PMID: 36409820 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2022.2150543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a lethal genetic disease which currently has no cure, and poor standard treatment options largely focused on symptom relief. The development of multiple biological and genetic therapies is underway across various stages of clinical progress which could markedly affect how DMD patients are treated in the future. AREAS COVERED The purpose of this review is to provide an introduction to the different therapeutic modalities currently being studied, as well as a brief description of their progress to date and relative advantages and disadvantages for the treatment of DMD. This review discusses exon skipping therapy, microdystrophin therapy, stop codon readthrough therapy, CRISPR-based gene editing, cell-based therapy, and utrophin upregulation. Secondary therapies addressing nonspecific symptoms of DMD were excluded. EXPERT OPINION Despite the vast potential held by gene replacement therapy options such as microdystrophin production and utrophin upregulation, safety risks inherent to the adeno-associated virus delivery vector might hamper the clinical viability of these approaches until further improvements can be made. Of the mutation-specific therapies, exon skipping therapy remains the most extensively validated and explored option, and the cell-based CAP-1002 therapy may prove to be a suitable adjunct therapy filling the urgent need for cardiac-specific therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Wilton-Clark
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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10
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Shah MNA, Yokota T. Restoring Dystrophin Expression by Skipping Exons 6 and 8 in Neonatal Dystrophic Dogs. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2587:107-124. [PMID: 36401026 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2772-3_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by the mutations in the DMD gene resulting in no dystrophin production. Skipping DMD exons using phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) is an emerging treatment strategy that can restore the reading frame of the mutated gene and produce truncated but functional dystrophin protein. To date, four PMOs, including eteplirsen, casimersen, viltolarsen, and golodirsen, have been conditionally approved by the FDA for the treatment of DMD. Since degeneration of muscle fibers and irreversible fibrosis occur from childhood, the earlier treatment is preferred. The canine X-linked muscular dystrophy in Japan (CXMDj), a dog model of DMD, produces no dystrophin and exhibits a severe phenotype similar to human patients from early childhood. As such, CXMDj, which harbors a splice site mutation in intron 6, is a useful model for examining the long-term effects of early PMO treatment. In this chapter, we describe the systemic delivery of a cocktail of four PMOs that can successfully induce multiple exon skipping (exons 6-9) in neonatal dystrophic dogs. We also describe the procedures to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity, including clinical grading of dystrophic dogs, ELISA-based quantification of PMOs, histology, RT-PCR, and western blotting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Nur Ahad Shah
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Muscular Dystrophy Canada Research Chair, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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Abstract
Viltolarsen is a phosphorodiamidate morpholino antisense oligonucleotide (PMO) designed to skip exon 53 of the DMD gene for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), one of the most common lethal genetic disorders characterized by progressive degeneration of skeletal muscles and cardiomyopathy. It was developed by Nippon Shinyaku in collaboration with the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP) in Japan based on the preclinical studies conducted in the DMD dog model at the NCNP. After showing hopeful results in pre-clinical trials and several clinical trials across North America and Japan, it received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for DMD in 2020. Viltolarsen restores the reading frame of the DMD gene by skipping exon 53 and produces a truncated but functional form of dystrophin. It can treat approximately 8-10% of the DMD patient population. This paper aims to summarize the development of viltolarsen from preclinical trials to clinical trials to, finally, FDA approval, and discusses the challenges that come with fighting DMD using antisense therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohini Roy Roshmi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
- The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research & Muscular Dystrophy Canada, HM Toupin Neurological Science Research Chair, Edmonton, Canada.
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Gushchina LV, Vetter TA, Frair EC, Bradley AJ, Grounds KM, Lay JW, Huang N, Suhaiba A, Schnell FJ, Hanson G, Simmons TR, Wein N, Flanigan KM. Systemic PPMO-mediated dystrophin expression in the Dup2 mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 30:479-492. [PMID: 36420217 PMCID: PMC9678653 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating muscle-wasting disease that arises due to the loss of dystrophin expression, leading to progressive loss of motor and cardiorespiratory function. Four exon-skipping approaches using antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) have been approved by the FDA to restore a DMD open reading frame, resulting in expression of a functional but internally deleted dystrophin protein, but in patients with single-exon duplications, exon skipping has the potential to restore full-length dystrophin expression. Cell-penetrating peptide-conjugated PMOs (PPMOs) have demonstrated enhanced cellular uptake and more efficient dystrophin restoration than unconjugated PMOs. In the present study, we demonstrate widespread PPMO-mediated dystrophin restoration in the Dup2 mouse model of exon 2 duplication, representing the most common single-exon duplication among patients with DMD. In this proof-of-concept study, a single intravenous injection of PPMO targeting the exon 2 splice acceptor site induced 45% to 68% exon 2-skipped Dmd transcripts in Dup2 skeletal muscles 15 days post-injection. Muscle dystrophin restoration peaked at 77% to 87% average dystrophin-positive fibers and 41% to 51% of normal signal intensity by immunofluorescence, and 15.7% to 56.8% of normal by western blotting 15 to 30 days after treatment. These findings indicate that PPMO-mediated exon skipping is a promising therapeutic strategy for muscle dystrophin restoration in the context of exon 2 duplications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liubov V. Gushchina
- The Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tatyana A. Vetter
- The Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Emma C. Frair
- The Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Adrienne J. Bradley
- The Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kelly M. Grounds
- The Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jacob W. Lay
- The Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Nianyuan Huang
- The Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Aisha Suhaiba
- The Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Tabatha R. Simmons
- The Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Nicolas Wein
- The Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kevin M. Flanigan
- The Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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13
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Batti Angulski AB, Cohen H, Kim M, Hahn D, Van Zee N, Lodge TP, Hillmyer MA, Hackel BJ, Bates FS, Metzger JM. Molecular homing and retention of muscle membrane stabilizing copolymers by non-invasive optical imaging in vivo. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 28:162-176. [PMID: 36654800 PMCID: PMC9829555 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
First-in-class membrane stabilizer Poloxamer 188 (P188) has been shown to confer membrane protection in an extensive range of clinical conditions; however, elements of the systemic distribution and localization of P188 at the organ, tissue, and muscle fiber levels in vivo have not yet been elucidated. Here we used non-invasive fluorescence imaging to directly visualize and track the distribution and localization of P188 in vivo. The results demonstrated that the Alx647 probe did not alter the fundamental properties of P188 to protect biological membranes. Distribution kinetics in mdx mice demonstrated that Alx647 did not interface with muscle membranes and had fast clearance kinetics. In contrast, the distribution kinetics for P188-Alx647 was significantly slower, indicating a dramatic depot and retention effect of P188. Results further demonstrated the significant retention of P188-Alx647 in the skeletal muscle of mdx mice, showing a significant genotype effect with a higher fluorescence signal in the mdx muscles over BL10 mice. High-resolution optical imaging provided direct evidence of P188 surrounding the sarcolemma of skeletal and cardiac muscle cells. Taken together, these findings provide direct evidence of muscle-disease-dependent molecular homing and retention of synthetic copolymers in striated muscles thereby facilitating advanced studies of copolymer-membrane association in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Addeli Bez Batti Angulski
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 6-125 Jackson Hall, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Houda Cohen
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 6-125 Jackson Hall, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Mihee Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Dongwoo Hahn
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 6-125 Jackson Hall, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Nicholas Van Zee
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Timothy P. Lodge
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Marc A. Hillmyer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Benjamin J. Hackel
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Corresponding author Benjamin J. Hackel, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, 356 Amundsun Hall, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Frank S. Bates
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Joseph M. Metzger
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 6-125 Jackson Hall, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Corresponding author Joseph M. Metzger, Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, 6-125 Jackson Hall, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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14
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A cell-penetrating peptide enhances delivery and efficacy of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers in mdx mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 30:17-27. [PMID: 36189424 PMCID: PMC9483789 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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15
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Wein N, Vetter TA, Vulin A, Simmons TR, Frair EC, Bradley AJ, Gushchina LV, Almeida CF, Huang N, Lesman D, Rajakumar D, Weiss RB, Flanigan KM. Systemic delivery of an AAV9 exon-skipping vector significantly improves or prevents features of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the Dup2 mouse. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 26:279-293. [PMID: 35949298 PMCID: PMC9356240 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is typically caused by mutations that disrupt the DMD reading frame, but nonsense mutations in the 5′ part of the gene induce utilization of an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) in exon 5, driving expression of a highly functional N-truncated dystrophin. We have developed an AAV9 vector expressing U7 small nuclear RNAs targeting DMD exon 2 and have tested it in a mouse containing a duplication of exon 2, in which skipping of both exon 2 copies induces IRES-driven expression, and skipping of one copy leads to wild-type dystrophin expression. One-time intravascular injection either at postnatal days 0–1 or at 2 months results in efficient exon skipping and dystrophin expression, and significant protection from functional and pathologic deficits. Immunofluorescence quantification showed 33%–53% average dystrophin intensity and 55%–79% average dystrophin-positive fibers in mice treated in adulthood, with partial amelioration of DMD pathology and correction of DMD-associated alterations in gene expression. In mice treated neonatally, dystrophin immunofluorescence reached 49%–85% of normal intensity and 76%–99% dystrophin-positive fibers, with near-complete correction of dystrophic pathology, and these beneficial effects persisted for at least 6 months. Our results demonstrate the robustness, durability, and safety of exon 2 skipping using scAAV9.U7snRNA.ACCA, supporting its clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Wein
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tatyana A Vetter
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Adeline Vulin
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Tabatha R Simmons
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Emma C Frair
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Adrienne J Bradley
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Liubov V Gushchina
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Camila F Almeida
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Nianyuan Huang
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Daniel Lesman
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Dhanarajan Rajakumar
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Robert B Weiss
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Kevin M Flanigan
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.,Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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16
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Liu J, Bailbé D, Raynal S, Carbonne C, Zhen D, Dairou J, Gausseres B, Armanet M, Domet T, Pitasi CL, Movassat J, Lim CK, Guillemin GJ, Autier V, Kergoat M, Portha B. Kynurenine-3-monooxygenase expression is activated in the pancreatic endocrine cells by diabetes and its blockade improves glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022; 1868:166509. [PMID: 35914653 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes is associated with an inflammatory phenotype in the pancreatic islets. We previously demonstrated that proinflammatory cytokines potently activate the tryptophan/kynurenine pathway (TKP) in INS-1 cells and in normal rat islets. Here we examined: (1) the TKP enzymes expression in the diabetic GK islets; (2) the TKP enzymes expression profiles in the GK islets before and after the onset of diabetes; (3) The glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in vitro in GK islets after KMO knockdown using specific morpholino-oligonucleotides against KMO or KMO blockade using the specific inhibitor Ro618048; (4) The glucose tolerance and GSIS after acute in vivo exposure to Ro618048 in GK rats. We report a remarkable induction of the kmo gene in GK islets and in human islets exposed to proinflammatory conditions. It occurred prominently in beta cells. The increased expression and activity of KMO reflected an acquired adaptation. Both KMO knockdown and specific inhibitor Ro618048 enhanced GSIS in vitro in GK islets. Moreover, acute administration of Ro618048 in vivo improved glucose tolerance, GSIS and basal blood glucose levels in GK rats. These results demonstrate that targeting islet TKP is able to correct defective GSIS. KMO inhibition could represent a potential therapeutic strategy for type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjun Liu
- Laboratoire B2PE (Biologie et Pathologie du Pancréas Endocrine), Unité BFA (Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptive), CNRS UMR 8251, Université Paris-Cité, Paris, France; Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China; MetaBrain Research, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Danielle Bailbé
- Laboratoire B2PE (Biologie et Pathologie du Pancréas Endocrine), Unité BFA (Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptive), CNRS UMR 8251, Université Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Delong Zhen
- Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Julien Dairou
- Laboratoire de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, CNRS UMR8601, Université Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Blandine Gausseres
- Laboratoire B2PE (Biologie et Pathologie du Pancréas Endocrine), Unité BFA (Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptive), CNRS UMR 8251, Université Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Armanet
- Cell Therapy Unit, Hôpital Saint-Louis, AP-HP, Université Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Domet
- Cell Therapy Unit, Hôpital Saint-Louis, AP-HP, Université Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Caterina L Pitasi
- Laboratoire B2PE (Biologie et Pathologie du Pancréas Endocrine), Unité BFA (Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptive), CNRS UMR 8251, Université Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Jamileh Movassat
- Laboratoire B2PE (Biologie et Pathologie du Pancréas Endocrine), Unité BFA (Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptive), CNRS UMR 8251, Université Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Chai K Lim
- Neuroinflammation Group, Macquarie Medicine School, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gilles J Guillemin
- Neuroinflammation Group, Macquarie Medicine School, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Bernard Portha
- Laboratoire B2PE (Biologie et Pathologie du Pancréas Endocrine), Unité BFA (Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptive), CNRS UMR 8251, Université Paris-Cité, Paris, France.
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17
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Bengtsson NE, Crudele JM, Klaiman JM, Halbert CL, Hauschka SD, Chamberlain JS. Comparison of dystrophin expression following gene editing and gene replacement in an aged preclinical DMD animal model. Mol Ther 2022; 30:2176-2185. [PMID: 35143959 PMCID: PMC9171147 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene editing has shown promise for correcting or bypassing dystrophin mutations in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). However, preclinical studies have focused on young animals with limited muscle fibrosis and wasting, thereby favoring muscle transduction, myonuclear editing, and prevention of disease progression. Here, we explore muscle-specific dystrophin gene editing following intramuscular delivery of AAV6:CK8e-CRISPR/SaCas9 in 3- and 8-year-old dystrophic CXMD dogs and provide a qualitative comparison to AAV6:CK8e-micro-dystrophin gene replacement at 6 weeks post-treatment. Gene editing restored the dystrophin reading frame in ∼1.3% of genomes and in up to 4.0% of dystrophin transcripts following excision of a 105-kb mutation containing region spanning exons 6-8. However, resulting dystrophin expression levels and effects on muscle pathology were greater with the use of micro-dystrophin gene transfer. This study demonstrates that our muscle-specific multi-exon deletion strategy can correct a frequently mutated region of the dystrophin gene in an aged large animal DMD model, but underscores that further enhancements are required to reach efficiencies comparable to AAV micro-dystrophin. Our observations also indicate that treatment efficacy and state of muscle pathology at the time of intervention are linked, suggesting the need for additional methodological optimizations related to age and disease progression to achieve relevant clinical translation of CRISPR-based therapies to all DMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niclas E Bengtsson
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA.
| | - Julie M Crudele
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA
| | - Jordan M Klaiman
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA
| | - Christine L Halbert
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA
| | - Stephen D Hauschka
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Chamberlain
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA
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18
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Stirm M, Fonteyne LM, Shashikadze B, Stöckl JB, Kurome M, Keßler B, Zakhartchenko V, Kemter E, Blum H, Arnold GJ, Matiasek K, Wanke R, Wurst W, Nagashima H, Knieling F, Walter MC, Kupatt C, Fröhlich T, Klymiuk N, Blutke A, Wolf E. Pig models for Duchenne muscular dystrophy – from disease mechanisms to validation of new diagnostic and therapeutic concepts. Neuromuscul Disord 2022; 32:543-556. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2022.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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19
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Antisense and Gene Therapy Options for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Arising from Mutations in the N-Terminal Hotspot. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13020257. [PMID: 35205302 PMCID: PMC8872079 DOI: 10.3390/genes13020257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal genetic disease affecting children that is caused by a mutation in the gene encoding for dystrophin. In the absence of functional dystrophin, patients experience progressive muscle deterioration, leaving them wheelchair-bound by age 12 and with few patients surviving beyond their third decade of life as the disease advances and causes cardiac and respiratory difficulties. In recent years, an increasing number of antisense and gene therapies have been studied for the treatment of muscular dystrophy; however, few of these therapies focus on treating mutations arising in the N-terminal encoding region of the dystrophin gene. This review summarizes the current state of development of N-terminal antisense and gene therapies for DMD, mainly focusing on exon-skipping therapy for duplications and deletions, as well as microdystrophin therapy.
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20
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Roshmi RR, Yokota T. Pharmacological Profile of Viltolarsen for the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Japanese Experience. Clin Pharmacol 2021; 13:235-242. [PMID: 34938127 PMCID: PMC8688746 DOI: 10.2147/cpaa.s288842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal, X-linked recessive disorder characterized by progressive muscle loss and cardiorespiratory complications. Mutations in the DMD gene that eliminate the production of dystrophin protein are the underlying causes of DMD. Viltolarsen is a drug of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) chemistry, designed to skip exon 53 of the DMD gene. It aims to produce truncated but partially functional dystrophin in DMD patients and restore muscle function. Based on a preclinical study showing the ability of antisense PMOs targeting the DMD gene to improve muscle function in a large animal model, viltolarsen was developed by Nippon Shinyaku and the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry in Japan. Following clinical trials conducted in Japan, Canada, and the United States showing significant improvements in muscle function, viltolarsen was approved for medical use in Japan in March 2020 and the United States in August 2020, respectively. Viltolarsen is a mutation-specific drug and will work for 8% of the persons with DMD who carry mutations amenable to exon 53 skipping. This review summarizes the pharmacological profile of viltolarsen, important clinical trials, and challenges, focusing on the contribution of Japanese patients and researchers in its development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohini Roy Roshmi
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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21
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A Dystrophin Exon-52 Deleted Miniature Pig Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Evaluation of Exon Skipping. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222313065. [PMID: 34884867 PMCID: PMC8657897 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222313065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal X-linked recessive disorder caused by mutations in the DMD gene and the subsequent lack of dystrophin protein. Recently, phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO)-antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting exon 51 or 53 to reestablish the DMD reading frame have received regulatory approval as commercially available drugs. However, their applicability and efficacy remain limited to particular patients. Large animal models and exon skipping evaluation are essential to facilitate ASO development together with a deeper understanding of dystrophinopathies. Using recombinant adeno-associated virus-mediated gene targeting and somatic cell nuclear transfer, we generated a Yucatan miniature pig model of DMD with an exon 52 deletion mutation equivalent to one of the most common mutations seen in patients. Exon 52-deleted mRNA expression and dystrophin deficiency were confirmed in the skeletal and cardiac muscles of DMD pigs. Accordingly, dystrophin-associated proteins failed to be recruited to the sarcolemma. The DMD pigs manifested early disease onset with severe bodywide skeletal muscle degeneration and with poor growth accompanied by a physical abnormality, but with no obvious cardiac phenotype. We also demonstrated that in primary DMD pig skeletal muscle cells, the genetically engineered exon-52 deleted pig DMD gene enables the evaluation of exon 51 or 53 skipping with PMO and its advanced technology, peptide-conjugated PMO. The results show that the DMD pigs developed here can be an appropriate large animal model for evaluating in vivo exon skipping efficacy.
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22
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Benny Klimek ME, Vila MC, Edwards K, Boehler J, Novak J, Zhang A, Van der Meulen J, Tatum K, Quinn J, Fiorillo A, Burki U, Straub V, Lu QL, Hathout Y, van Den Anker J, Partridge TA, Morales M, Hoffman E, Nagaraju K. Effects of Chronic, Maximal Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomer (PMO) Dosing on Muscle Function and Dystrophin Restoration in a Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. J Neuromuscul Dis 2021; 8:S369-S381. [PMID: 34569970 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-210701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO)-mediated exon skipping is currently used in clinical development to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), with four exon-skipping drugs achieving regulatory approval. Exon skipping elicits a truncated, but semi-functional dystrophin protein, similar to the truncated dystrophin expressed in patients with Becker Muscular dystrophy (BMD) where the disease phenotype is less severe than DMD. Despite promising results in both dystrophic animal models and DMD boys, restoration of dystrophin by exon skipping is highly variable, leading to contradictory functional outcomes in clinical trials. OBJECTIVE To develop optimal PMO dosing protocols that result in increased dystrophin and improved outcome measures in preclinical models of DMD. METHODS Tested effectiveness of multiple chronic, high dose PMO regimens using biochemical, histological, molecular, and imaging techniques in mdx mice. RESULTS A chronic, monthly regimen of high dose PMO increased dystrophin rescue in mdx mice and improved specific force in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. However, monthly high dose PMO administration still results in variable dystrophin expression localized throughout various muscles. CONCLUSIONS High dose monthly PMO administration restores dystrophin expression and increases muscle force; however, the variability of dystrophin expression at both the inter-and intramuscular level remains. Additional strategies to optimize PMO uptake including increased dosing frequencies or combination treatments with other yet-to-be-defined therapies may be necessary to achieve uniform dystrophin restoration and increases in muscle function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Candida Vila
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA.,The George Washington University, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Katie Edwards
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, USA
| | - Jessica Boehler
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA.,The George Washington University, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - James Novak
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Aiping Zhang
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jack Van der Meulen
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kathleen Tatum
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA
| | - James Quinn
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Alyson Fiorillo
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Umar Burki
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Volker Straub
- The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases at Newcastle, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Qi Long Lu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Neuromuscular/ALS Center, Department of Neurology, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Yetrib Hathout
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA.,The George Washington University, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.,School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, USA
| | - John van Den Anker
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA.,Center for Translational Science, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Terence A Partridge
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA.,The George Washington University, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Melissa Morales
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, USA
| | - Eric Hoffman
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA.,The George Washington University, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.,School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, USA
| | - Kanneboyina Nagaraju
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA.,The George Washington University, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.,School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, USA
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23
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Contractile Activity of Myotubes Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: A Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102556. [PMID: 34685536 PMCID: PMC8534131 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder that results from deficiency of the dystrophin protein. In recent years, DMD pathological models have been created using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells derived from DMD patients. In addition, gene therapy using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to repair the dystrophin gene has been proposed as a new treatment method for DMD. However, it is not known whether the contractile function of myotubes derived from gene-repaired iPS cells can be restored. We therefore investigated the maturation of myotubes in electrical pulse stimulation culture and examined the effect of gene repair by observing the contractile behaviour of myotubes. The contraction activity of myotubes derived from dystrophin-gene repaired iPS cells was improved by electrical pulse stimulation culture. The iPS cell method used in this study for evaluating muscle contractile activity is a useful technique for analysing the mechanism of hereditary muscular disease pathogenesis and for evaluating the efficacy of new drugs and gene therapy.
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24
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Biswas K, Couillard M, Cavallone L, Burkett S, Stauffer S, Martin BK, Southon E, Reid S, Plona TM, Baugher RN, Mellott SD, Pike KM, Albaugh ME, Maedler-Kron C, Hamel N, Tessarollo L, Marcus V, Foulkes WD, Sharan SK. A novel mouse model of PMS2 founder mutation that causes mismatch repair defect due to aberrant splicing. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:838. [PMID: 34489406 PMCID: PMC8421400 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04130-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, now known as Lynch syndrome (LS) is one of the most common cancer predisposition syndromes and is caused by germline pathogenic variants (GPVs) in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. A common founder GPV in PMS2 in the Canadian Inuit population, NM_000535.5: c.2002A>G, leads to a benign missense (p.I668V) but also acts as a de novo splice site that creates a 5 bp deletion resulting in a truncated protein (p.I668*). Individuals homozygous for this GPV are predisposed to atypical constitutional MMR deficiency with a delayed onset of first primary malignancy. We have generated mice with an equivalent germline mutation (Pms2c.1993A>G) and demonstrate that it results in a splicing defect similar to those observed in humans. Homozygous mutant mice are viable like the Pms2 null mice. However, unlike the Pms2 null mice, these mutant mice are fertile, like humans homozygous for this variant. Furthermore, these mice exhibit a significant increase in microsatellite instability and intestinal adenomas on an Apc mutant background. Rectification of the splicing defect in human and murine fibroblasts using antisense morpholinos suggests that this novel mouse model can be valuable in evaluating the efficacy aimed at targeting the splicing defect in PMS2 that is highly prevalent among the Canadian Inuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kajal Biswas
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Martin Couillard
- The Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Luca Cavallone
- The Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sandra Burkett
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Stacey Stauffer
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Betty K Martin
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
- Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Eileen Southon
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
- Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Susan Reid
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Teri M Plona
- CLIA Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Ryan N Baugher
- CLIA Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Stephanie D Mellott
- CLIA Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Kristen M Pike
- CLIA Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Mary E Albaugh
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
- Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | | | - Nancy Hamel
- Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lino Tessarollo
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Victoria Marcus
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - William D Foulkes
- The Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3T 1E2, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics and Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4A 3JI, Canada
| | - Shyam K Sharan
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA.
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Animal models for researching approaches to therapy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Transgenic Res 2021; 30:709-725. [PMID: 34409525 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-021-00278-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a relatively widespread genetic disease which develops as a result of a mutation in the gene DMD encoding dystrophin. In this review, animal models of DMD are described. These models are used in preclinical studies to elucidate the pathogenesis of the disease or to develop effective treatments; each animal model has its own advantages and disadvantages. For instance, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, and zebrafish (sapje) are suitable for large-scale chemical screening of large numbers of small molecules, but their disease phenotype differs from that of mammals. The use of larger animals is important for understanding of the potential efficacy of various treatments for DMD. While mdx mice have their advantages, they exhibit a milder disease phenotype compared to humans or dogs, making it difficult to evaluate the efficacy of new treatment for DMD. The disease in dogs and pigs is more severe and progresses faster than in mice, but it is more difficult to breed and obtain sufficient numbers of specimens in order to achieve statistically significant results. Moreover, working with large animals is also more labor-intensive. Therefore, when choosing the optimal animal model for research, it is worth considering all the goals and objectives.
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Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating, rare disease. While clinically described in the 19th century, the genetic foundation of DMD was not discovered until more than 100 years later. This genetic understanding opened the door to the development of genetic treatments for DMD. Over the course of the last 30 years, the research that supports this development has moved into the realm of clinical trials and regulatory drug approvals. Exon skipping to therapeutically restore the frame of an out-of-frame dystrophin mutation has taken center stage in drug development for DMD. The research reviewed here focuses on the clinical development of exon skipping for the treatment of DMD. In addition to the generation of clinical treatments that are being used for patient care, this research sets the stage for future therapeutic development with a focus on increasing efficacy while providing safety and addressing the multi-systemic aspects of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin'ichi Takeda
- Honorary Director General, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Kodaira, Japan
| | - Paula R Clemens
- Professor and Vice Chair of VA Affairs, Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Division Chief, Neurology, Medical Service Line, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Eric P Hoffman
- Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University - State University of New York, Binghamton, NY USA
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27
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Kuraoka M, Aoki Y, Takeda S. Development of outcome measures according to dystrophic phenotypes in canine X-linked muscular dystrophy in Japan. Exp Anim 2021; 70:419-430. [PMID: 34135266 PMCID: PMC8614006 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.21-0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked lethal muscle disorder characterized by primary muscle degeneration. Therapeutic strategies for DMD have been extensively explored, and some are in the stage of human clinical trials. Along with the development of new therapies, sensitive outcome measures are needed to monitor the effects of new treatments. Therefore, we investigated outcome measures such as biomarkers and motor function evaluation in a dystrophic model of beagle dogs, canine X-linked muscular dystrophy in Japan (CXMDJ). Osteopontin (OPN), a myogenic inflammatory cytokine, was explored as a potential biomarker in dystrophic dogs over the disease course. The serum OPN levels of CXMDJ dystrophic dogs were elevated, even in the early disease phase, and this could be related to the presence of regenerating muscle fibers; as such, OPN would be a promising biomarker for muscle regeneration. Next, accelerometry, which is an efficient method to quantify performance in validated tasks, was used to evaluate motor function longitudinally in dystrophic dogs. We measured three-axis acceleration and angular velocity with wireless hybrid sensors during gait evaluations. Multiple parameters of acceleration and angular velocity showed notedly lower values in dystrophic dogs compared with wild-type dogs, even at the onset of muscle weakness. These parameters accordingly decreased with exacerbation of clinical manifestations along with the disease course. Multiple parameters also indicated gait abnormalities in dystrophic dogs, such as a waddling gait. These outcome measures could be applicable in clinical trials of patients with DMD or other muscle disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutsuki Kuraoka
- Laboratory of Experimental Animal Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University.,Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
| | - Yoshitsugu Aoki
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
| | - Shin'ichi Takeda
- National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
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Restoring Protein Expression in Neuromuscular Conditions: A Review Assessing the Current State of Exon Skipping/Inclusion and Gene Therapies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Spinal Muscular Atrophy. BioDrugs 2021; 35:389-399. [PMID: 34097287 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-021-00486-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The debilitating neuromuscular disorders Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which harm 1 in 5000 newborn males and 1 in 11,000 newborns, respectively, are marked by progressive muscle wasting among other complications. While DMD causes generalized muscle weakness due to the absence of the dystrophin protein, SMA patients generally face motor neuron degeneration because of the lack of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Many of the most promising therapies for both conditions restore the absent proteins dystrophin and SMN. Antisense oligonucleotide-mediated exon skipping and inclusion therapies are advancing clinically with the approved DMD therapies casimersen, eteplirsen, golodirsen, and viltolarsen, and the SMA therapy nusinersen. Existing antisense therapies focus on skeletal muscle for DMD and motor neurons for SMA, respectively. Through innovative techniques, such as peptide conjugation and multi-exon skipping, these therapies could be optimized for efficacy and applicability. By contrast, gene replacement therapy is administered only once to patients during treatment. Currently, only onasemnogene abeparvovec for SMA has been approved. Safety shortcomings remain a major challenge for gene therapy. Nevertheless, gene therapy for DMD has strong potential to restore dystrophin expression in patients. In light of promising functional improvements, antisense and gene therapies stand poised to elevate the lives of patients with DMD and SMA.
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El Marabti E, Abdel-Wahab O. Therapeutic Modulation of RNA Splicing in Malignant and Non-Malignant Disease. Trends Mol Med 2021; 27:643-659. [PMID: 33994320 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2021.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
RNA splicing is the enzymatic process by which non-protein coding sequences are removed from RNA to produce mature protein-coding mRNA. Splicing is thereby a major mediator of proteome diversity as well as a dynamic regulator of gene expression. Genetic alterations disrupting splicing of individual genes or altering the function of splicing factors contribute to a wide range of human genetic diseases as well as cancer. These observations have resulted in the development of therapies based on oligonucleotides that bind to RNA sequences and modulate splicing for therapeutic benefit. In parallel, small molecules that bind to splicing factors to alter their function or modify RNA processing of individual transcripts are being pursued for monogenic disorders as well as for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettaib El Marabti
- Clinical Transplant Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Omar Abdel-Wahab
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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30
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The increasing role of muscle MRI to monitor changes over time in untreated and treated muscle diseases. Curr Opin Neurol 2021; 33:611-620. [PMID: 32796278 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aims to discuss the recent results of studies published applying quantitative MRI sequences to large cohorts of patients with neuromuscular diseases. RECENT FINDINGS Quantitative MRI sequences are now available to identify and quantify changes in muscle water and fat content. These two components have been associated with acute and chronic injuries, respectively. Studies show that the increase in muscle water is not only reversible if therapies are applied successfully but can also predict fat replacement in neurodegenerative diseases. Muscle fat fraction correlates with muscle function tests and increases gradually over time in parallel with the functional decline of patients with neuromuscular diseases. There are new spectrometry-based sequences to quantify other components, such as glycogen, electrolytes or the pH of the muscle fibre, extending the applicability of MRI to the study of several processes in neuromuscular diseases. SUMMARY The latest results obtained from the study of long cohorts of patients with various neuromuscular diseases open the door to the use of this technology in clinical trials, which would make it possible to obtain a new measure for assessing the effectiveness of new treatments. The challenge is currently the popularization of these studies and their application to the monitoring of patients in the daily clinic.
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Tone Y, Mamchaoui K, Tsoumpra MK, Hashimoto Y, Terada R, Maruyama R, Gait MJ, Arzumanov AA, McClorey G, Imamura M, Takeda S, Yokota T, Wood MJ, Mouly V, Aoki Y. Immortalized Canine Dystrophic Myoblast Cell Lines for Development of Peptide-Conjugated Splice-Switching Oligonucleotides. Nucleic Acid Ther 2021; 31:172-181. [PMID: 33567244 PMCID: PMC7997716 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2020.0907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe muscle-wasting disease caused by frameshift or nonsense mutations in the DMD gene, resulting in the loss of dystrophin from muscle membranes. Exon skipping using splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) restores the reading frame of DMD pre-mRNA by generating internally truncated but functional dystrophin protein. To potentiate effective tissue-specific targeting by functional SSOs, it is essential to perform accelerated and reliable in vitro screening-based assessment of novel oligonucleotides and drug delivery technologies, such as cell-penetrating peptides, before their in vivo pharmacokinetic and toxicity evaluation. We have established novel canine immortalized myoblast lines by transducing murine cyclin-dependent kinase-4 and human telomerase reverse transcriptase genes into myoblasts isolated from beagle-based wild-type or canine X-linked muscular dystrophy in Japan (CXMDJ) dogs. These myoblast lines exhibited improved myogenic differentiation and increased proliferation rates compared with passage-15 primary parental myoblasts, and their potential to differentiate into myotubes was maintained in later passages. Using these dystrophin-deficient immortalized myoblast lines, we demonstrate that a novel cell-penetrating peptide (Pip8b2)-conjugated SSO markedly improved multiexon skipping activity compared with the respective naked phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers. In vitro screening using immortalized canine cell lines will provide a basis for further pharmacological studies on drug delivery tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichiro Tone
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
- Discovery Research Laboratories in Tsukuba, Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd., Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kamel Mamchaoui
- Center of Research in Myology, Sorbonne University, INSERM, Institute of Myology, Paris, France
| | - Maria K. Tsoumpra
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Yasumasa Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Reiko Terada
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Rika Maruyama
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Michael J. Gait
- Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Andrey A. Arzumanov
- Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Graham McClorey
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michihiro Imamura
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Shin'ichi Takeda
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Matthew J.A. Wood
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Harrington Rare Disease Centre, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Vincent Mouly
- Center of Research in Myology, Sorbonne University, INSERM, Institute of Myology, Paris, France
| | - Yoshitsugu Aoki
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
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Alic L, Griffin JF, Eresen A, Kornegay JN, Ji JX. Using MRI to quantify skeletal muscle pathology in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A systematic mapping review. Muscle Nerve 2021; 64:8-22. [PMID: 33269474 PMCID: PMC8247996 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
There is a great demand for accurate non‐invasive measures to better define the natural history of disease progression or treatment outcome in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and to facilitate the inclusion of a large range of participants in DMD clinical trials. This review aims to investigate which MRI sequences and analysis methods have been used and to identify future needs. Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Inspec, and Compendex databases were searched up to 2 November 2019, using keywords “magnetic resonance imaging” and “Duchenne muscular dystrophy.” The review showed the trend of using T1w and T2w MRI images for semi‐qualitative inspection of structural alterations of DMD muscle using a diversity of grading scales, with increasing use of T2map, Dixon, and MR spectroscopy (MRS). High‐field (>3T) MRI dominated the studies with animal models. The quantitative MRI techniques have allowed a more precise estimation of local or generalized disease severity. Longitudinal studies assessing the effect of an intervention have also become more prominent, in both clinical and animal model subjects. Quality assessment of the included longitudinal studies was performed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale adapted to comprise bias in selection, comparability, exposure, and outcome. Additional large clinical trials are needed to consolidate research using MRI as a biomarker in DMD and to validate findings against established gold standards. This future work should use a multiparametric and quantitative MRI acquisition protocol, assess the repeatability of measurements, and correlate findings to histologic parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lejla Alic
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, Doha, Qatar.,Magnetic Detection and Imaging group, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, The Netherlands
| | - John F Griffin
- College of Vet. Med. & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Aydin Eresen
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Joe N Kornegay
- College of Vet. Med. & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Jim X Ji
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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Sheikh O, Yokota T. Developing DMD therapeutics: a review of the effectiveness of small molecules, stop-codon readthrough, dystrophin gene replacement, and exon-skipping therapies. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2021; 30:167-176. [PMID: 33393390 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2021.1868434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin (DMD) gene. Most patients die from respiratory failure or cardiomyopathy. There are significant unmet needs for treatments for DMD as the standard of care is principally limited to symptom relief through treatments including steroids. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes safety and efficacy in promising areas of DMD therapeutics - small molecules, stop codon readthrough, gene replacement, and exon skipping - under clinical examination from 2015-2020 as demonstrated in the NIH Clinical Trials and PubMed search engines. EXPERT OPINION Currently, steroids persist as the most accessible medicine for DMD. Stop-codon readthrough, gene replacement, and exon-skipping therapies all aim to restore dystrophin expression. Of these strategies, gene replacement therapy has recently gained momentum while exon-skipping retains great traction. The FDA approval of three exon-skipping antisense oligonucleotides illustrate this regulatory momentum, though the effectiveness and sequence design of eteplirsen remain controversial. Cell-penetrating peptides promise to more efficaciously treat DMD-related cardiomyopathy.The recent success of antisense therapies, however, poses major regulatory challenges. To fully realize the benefits of exon-skipping, including cocktail oligonucleotide-mediated multiple exon-skipping and oligonucleotide drugs for very rare mutations, regulatory challenges need to be addressed in coordination with scientific advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Sheikh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Canada
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Abstract
Research and drug development concerning rare diseases are at the cutting edge of scientific technology. To date, over 7,000 rare diseases have been identified. Despite their individual rarity, 1 in 10 individuals worldwide is affected by a rare condition. For the majority of these diseases, there is no treatment, much less cure; therefore, there is an urgent need for new therapies to extend and improve quality of life for persons who suffer from them. Here we focus specifically on rare neuromuscular diseases. Currently, genetic medicines using short antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) or small interfering ribonucleic acids that target RNA transcripts are achieving spectacular success in treating these diseases. For Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the state-of-the-art is an exon skipping therapy using an antisense oligonucleotide, which is prototypical of advanced precision medicines. Very recently, golodirsen and viltolarsen, for treatment of DMD patients amenable to skipping exon 53, have been approved by regulatory agencies in the USA and Japan, respectively. Here, we review scientific and clinical progress in developing new oligonucleotide therapeutics for selected rare neuromuscular diseases, discussing their efficacy and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitsugu Aoki
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Centre of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Matthew J.A. Wood
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Harrington Rare Disease Centre, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
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35
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Solberg MH, Shariatzadeh M, Wilson SL. Gene modification strategies using AO‐mediated exon skipping and CRISPR/Cas9 as potential therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. ENGINEERING BIOLOGY 2020; 4:37-42. [PMID: 36968157 PMCID: PMC9996716 DOI: 10.1049/enb.2020.0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked genetic disease affecting 1 in 5000 young males worldwide annually. Patients experience muscle weakness and loss of ambulation at an early age, with ∼75% reduced life expectancy. Recently developed genetic editing strategies aim to convert severe DMD phenotypes to a milder disease course. Among these, the antisense oligonucleotide (AO)-mediated exon skipping and the adeno-associated viral-delivered clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) associated protein 9 (adeno-associated viral (AAV)-delivered CRISPR/Cas9) gene editing have shown promising results in restoring dystrophin protein expression and functionality in skeletal and heart muscle in both animals and human cells in vivo and in vitro. However, therapeutic benefits currently remain unclear. The aim of this review is to compare the potential therapeutic benefits, efficacy, safety, and clinical progress of AO-mediated exon skipping and CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing strategies. Both techniques have demonstrated therapeutic benefit and long-term efficacy in clinical trials. AAV-delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 may potentially correct disease-causing mutations following a single treatment compared to the required continuous AO/PMO-delivery of exon skipping drugs. The latter has the potential to increase the dystrophin expression in skeletal/heart muscle with sustained effects. However, therapeutic challenges including the need for optimised delivery must be overcome in to advance current clinical data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marthe Helene Solberg
- National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport Exercise and Health Sciences Loughborough University Epinal Way, Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 3TU UK
| | - Maryam Shariatzadeh
- Centre for Biological Engineering, Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering Loughborough University Epinal Way, Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 3TU UK
| | - Samantha L Wilson
- Centre for Biological Engineering, Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering Loughborough University Epinal Way, Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 3TU UK
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36
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Advances in Genetic Characterization and Genotype-Phenotype Correlation of Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy in the Personalized Medicine Era. J Pers Med 2020; 10:jpm10030111. [PMID: 32899151 PMCID: PMC7565713 DOI: 10.3390/jpm10030111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and the related condition Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) can be usually diagnosed using physical examination and genetic testing. While BMD features partially functional dystrophin protein due to in-frame mutations, DMD largely features no dystrophin production because of out-of-frame mutations. However, BMD can feature a range of phenotypes from mild to borderline DMD, indicating a complex genotype–phenotype relationship. Despite two mutational hot spots in dystrophin, mutations can arise across the gene. The use of multiplex ligation amplification (MLPA) can easily assess the copy number of all exons, while next-generation sequencing (NGS) can uncover novel or confirm hard-to-detect mutations. Exon-skipping therapy, which targets specific regions of the dystrophin gene based on a patient’s mutation, is an especially prominent example of personalized medicine for DMD. To maximize the benefit of exon-skipping therapies, accurate genetic diagnosis and characterization including genotype–phenotype correlation studies are becoming increasingly important. In this article, we present the recent progress in the collection of mutational data and optimization of exon-skipping therapy for DMD/BMD.
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37
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Clemens PR, Niizawa G, Feng J, Florence J, DʼAlessandro AS, Morgenroth LP, Gorni K, Guglieri M, Connolly A, Wicklund M, Bertorini T, Mah JK, Thangarajh M, Smith E, Kuntz N, McDonald CM, Henricson EK, Upadhyayula S, Byrne B, Manousakis G, Harper A, Bravver E, Iannaccone S, Spurney C, Cnaan A, Gordish-Dressman H. The CINRG Becker Natural History Study: Baseline characteristics. Muscle Nerve 2020; 62:369-376. [PMID: 32564389 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
We performed an observational, natural history study of males with in-frame dystrophin gene deletions causing Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). A prospective natural history study collected longitudinal medical, strength, and timed function assessments. Eighty-three participants with genetically confirmed BMD were enrolled (age range 5.6-75.4 years). Lower extremity function and the percentage of participants who retained ambulation declined across the age span. The largest single group of participants had in-frame deletions that corresponded to an out-of-frame deletion treated with an exon 45 skip to restore the reading frame. This group of 54 participants showed similarities in baseline motor functional assessments when compared to the group of all others in the study. A prospective natural history cohort with in-frame dystrophin gene deletions offers the potential to contribute to clinical trial readiness for BMD and to analyze therapeutic benefit of exon skipping for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula R Clemens
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gabriela Niizawa
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jia Feng
- Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jean K Mah
- Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Edward Smith
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nancy Kuntz
- Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | | | | | - Barry Byrne
- University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Amy Harper
- Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Elena Bravver
- Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Susan Iannaccone
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | - Avital Cnaan
- Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
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Sun C, Shen L, Zhang Z, Xie X. Therapeutic Strategies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: An Update. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11080837. [PMID: 32717791 PMCID: PMC7463903 DOI: 10.3390/genes11080837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular disorders encompass a heterogeneous group of conditions that impair the function of muscles, motor neurons, peripheral nerves, and neuromuscular junctions. Being the most common and most severe type of muscular dystrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), is caused by mutations in the X-linked dystrophin gene. Loss of dystrophin protein leads to recurrent myofiber damage, chronic inflammation, progressive fibrosis, and dysfunction of muscle stem cells. Over the last few years, there has been considerable development of diagnosis and therapeutics for DMD, but current treatments do not cure the disease. Here, we review the current status of DMD pathogenesis and therapy, focusing on mutational spectrum, diagnosis tools, clinical trials, and therapeutic approaches including dystrophin restoration, gene therapy, and myogenic cell transplantation. Furthermore, we present the clinical potential of advanced strategies combining gene editing, cell-based therapy with tissue engineering for the treatment of muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengmei Sun
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China; (C.S.); (L.S.); (Z.Z.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Luoan Shen
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China; (C.S.); (L.S.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China; (C.S.); (L.S.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Xin Xie
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China; (C.S.); (L.S.); (Z.Z.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-0571-87572326
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Hoffman EP. The discovery of dystrophin, the protein product of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene. FEBS J 2020; 287:3879-3887. [PMID: 32608079 PMCID: PMC7540009 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy was a well‐established medical and genetic enigma by the 1970s. Why was the new mutation rate so high in all world populations? Why were affected boys doing well in early childhood, but then showed relentless progression of muscle wasting? What was wrong with the muscle? The identification of the first fragments of DMD gene cDNA in 1986, prediction of the entire 3685 amino acid protein sequence, and production of antibodies to dystrophin, both in 1987, provided key tools to understand DMD genetics and molecular pathology. The identification of dystrophin nucleated extensive research on myofiber membrane cytoskeleton, membrane repair, muscle regeneration, and failure of regeneration. This in turn led to molecular therapeutics based on understanding of dystrophin structure and function. This historical perspective describes the events surrounding the initial identification of the dystrophin protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P Hoffman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University - State University of New York, Binghamton, NY, USA
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Dzierlega K, Yokota T. Optimization of antisense-mediated exon skipping for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Gene Ther 2020; 27:407-416. [DOI: 10.1038/s41434-020-0156-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Barthélémy I, Hitte C, Tiret L. The Dog Model in the Spotlight: Legacy of a Trustful Cooperation. J Neuromuscul Dis 2020; 6:421-451. [PMID: 31450509 PMCID: PMC6918919 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-190394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Dogs have long been used as a biomedical model system and in particular as a preclinical proof of concept for innovative therapies before translation to humans. A recent example of the utility of this animal model is the promising myotubularin gene delivery in boys affected by X-linked centronuclear myopathy after successful systemic, long-term efficient gene therapy in Labrador retrievers. Mostly, this is due to unique features that make dogs an optimal system. The continuous emergence of spontaneous inherited disorders enables the identification of reliable complementary molecular models for human neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). Dogs’ characteristics including size, lifespan and unprecedented medical care level allow a comprehensive longitudinal description of diseases. Moreover, the highly similar pathogenic mechanisms with human patients yield to translational robustness. Finally, interindividual phenotypic heterogeneity between dogs helps identifying modifiers and anticipates precision medicine issues. This review article summarizes the present list of molecularly characterized dog models for NMDs and provides an exhaustive list of the clinical and paraclinical assays that have been developed. This toolbox offers scientists a sensitive and reliable system to thoroughly evaluate neuromuscular function, as well as efficiency and safety of innovative therapies targeting these NMDs. This review also contextualizes the model by highlighting its unique genetic value, shaped by the long-term coevolution of humans and domesticated dogs. Because the dog is one of the most protected research animal models, there is considerable opposition to include it in preclinical projects, posing a threat to the use of this model. We thus discuss ethical issues, emphasizing that unlike many other models, the dog also benefits from its contribution to comparative biomedical research with a drastic reduction in the prevalence of morbid alleles in the breeding stock and an improvement in medical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inès Barthélémy
- U955 - IMRB, Team 10 - Biology of the neuromuscular system, Inserm, UPEC, EFS, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Christophe Hitte
- CNRS, University of Rennes 1, UMR 6290, IGDR, Faculty of Medicine, SFR Biosit, Rennes, France
| | - Laurent Tiret
- U955 - IMRB, Team 10 - Biology of the neuromuscular system, Inserm, UPEC, EFS, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
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Hofmann I, Kemter E, Theobalt N, Fiedler S, Bidlingmaier M, Hinrichs A, Aichler M, Burkhardt K, Klymiuk N, Wolf E, Wanke R, Blutke A. Linkage between growth retardation and pituitary cell morphology in a dystrophin-deficient pig model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Growth Horm IGF Res 2020; 51:6-16. [PMID: 31926372 DOI: 10.1016/j.ghir.2019.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Human patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) commonly exhibit a short stature, but the pathogenesis of this growth retardation is not completely understood. Due to the suspected involvement of the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor 1 (GH/IGF1) system, controversial therapeutic approaches have been developed, including both GH- administration, as well as GH-inhibition. In the present study, we examined relevant histomorphological and ultrastructural features of adenohypophyseal GH-producing somatotroph cells in a porcine DMD model. METHODS The numbers and volumes of immunohistochemically labelled somatotroph cells were determined in consecutive semi-thin sections of plastic resin embedded adenohypophyseal tissue samples using unbiased state-of-the-art quantitative stereological analysis methods. RESULTS DMD pigs displayed a significant growth retardation, accounting for a 55% reduction of body weight, accompanied by a significant 50% reduction of the number of somatotroph cells, as compared to controls. However, the mean volumes of somatotroph cells and the volume of GH-granules per cell were not altered. Western blot analyses of the adenohypophyseal protein samples showed no differences in the relative adenohypophyseal GH-abundance between DMD pigs and controls. CONCLUSION The findings of this study do not provide evidence for involvement of somatotroph cells in the pathogenesis of growth retardation of DMD pigs. These results are in contrast with previous findings in other dystrophin-deficient animal models, such as the golden retriever model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, where increased mean somatotroph cell volumes and elevated volumes of intracellular GH-granules were reported and associated with DMD-related growth retardation. Possible reasons for the differences of somatotroph morphology observed in different DMD models are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Hofmann
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology at the Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - E Kemter
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Centre and Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany; Centre for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - N Theobalt
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology at the Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - S Fiedler
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology at the Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - M Bidlingmaier
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - A Hinrichs
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Centre and Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany; Centre for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - M Aichler
- Research Unit Analytical Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - K Burkhardt
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Centre and Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany; Centre for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - N Klymiuk
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Centre and Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany; Centre for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - E Wolf
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Centre and Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany; Centre for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Oberschleißheim, Germany; Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Centre, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - R Wanke
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology at the Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - A Blutke
- Research Unit Analytical Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.
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Forand A, Muchir A, Mougenot N, Sevoz-Couche C, Peccate C, Lemaitre M, Izabelle C, Wood M, Lorain S, Piétri-Rouxel F. Combined Treatment with Peptide-Conjugated Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomer-PPMO and AAV-U7 Rescues the Severe DMD Phenotype in Mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 17:695-708. [PMID: 32346547 PMCID: PMC7177166 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating neuromuscular disease caused by an absence of the dystrophin protein, which is essential for muscle fiber integrity. Among the developed therapeutic strategies for DMD, the exon-skipping approach corrects the frameshift and partially restores dystrophin expression. It could be achieved through the use of antisense sequences, such as peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PPMO) or the small nuclear RNA-U7 carried by an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector. AAV-based gene therapy approaches have potential for use in DMD treatment but are subject to a major limitation: loss of the AAV genome, necessitating readministration of the vector, which is not currently possible, due to the immunogenicity of the capsid. The PPMO approach requires repeated administrations and results in only weak cardiac dystrophin expression. Here, we evaluated a combination of PPMO- and AAV-based therapy in a mouse model of severe DMD. Striking benefits of this combined therapy were observed in striated muscles, with marked improvements in heart and diaphragm structure and function, with unrivalled extent of survival, opening novel therapeutic perspectives for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Forand
- Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Sorbonne Université, UMRS974, INSERM, Institut de Myologie-Faculté de Médecine de la Pitié Salpêtrière, 105 boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Antoine Muchir
- Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Sorbonne Université, UMRS974, INSERM, Institut de Myologie-Faculté de Médecine de la Pitié Salpêtrière, 105 boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Mougenot
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Paris 06, INSERM UMS28, Phénotypage du petit animal, Faculté de Médecine Pierre et Marie Curie, 91 boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Caroline Sevoz-Couche
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM UMRS1158, Neurophysiologie Respiratoire Expérimentale et Clinique, Faculté de Médecine Pierre et Marie Curie, 91 boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Cécile Peccate
- Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Sorbonne Université, UMRS974, INSERM, Institut de Myologie-Faculté de Médecine de la Pitié Salpêtrière, 105 boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Mégane Lemaitre
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Paris 06, INSERM UMS28, Phénotypage du petit animal, Faculté de Médecine Pierre et Marie Curie, 91 boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Charlotte Izabelle
- Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Sorbonne Université, UMRS974, INSERM, Institut de Myologie-Faculté de Médecine de la Pitié Salpêtrière, 105 boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Matthew Wood
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom.,MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Stéphanie Lorain
- Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Sorbonne Université, UMRS974, INSERM, Institut de Myologie-Faculté de Médecine de la Pitié Salpêtrière, 105 boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - France Piétri-Rouxel
- Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Sorbonne Université, UMRS974, INSERM, Institut de Myologie-Faculté de Médecine de la Pitié Salpêtrière, 105 boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
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Story BD, Miller ME, Bradbury AM, Million ED, Duan D, Taghian T, Faissler D, Fernau D, Beecy SJ, Gray-Edwards HL. Canine Models of Inherited Musculoskeletal and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:80. [PMID: 32219101 PMCID: PMC7078110 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse models of human disease remain the bread and butter of modern biology and therapeutic discovery. Nonetheless, more often than not mouse models do not reproduce the pathophysiology of the human conditions they are designed to mimic. Naturally occurring large animal models have predominantly been found in companion animals or livestock because of their emotional or economic value to modern society and, unlike mice, often recapitulate the human disease state. In particular, numerous models have been discovered in dogs and have a fundamental role in bridging proof of concept studies in mice to human clinical trials. The present article is a review that highlights current canine models of human diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, degenerative myelopathy, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, globoid cell leukodystrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, mucopolysaccharidosis, and fucosidosis. The goal of the review is to discuss canine and human neurodegenerative pathophysiologic similarities, introduce the animal models, and shed light on the ability of canine models to facilitate current and future treatment trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett D. Story
- Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL, United States
- University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Matthew E. Miller
- Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Allison M. Bradbury
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Emily D. Million
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Biomedical, Biological and Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Toloo Taghian
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Dominik Faissler
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, United States
| | - Deborah Fernau
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Sidney J. Beecy
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, United States
| | - Heather L. Gray-Edwards
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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Frank DE, Schnell FJ, Akana C, El-Husayni SH, Desjardins CA, Morgan J, Charleston JS, Sardone V, Domingos J, Dickson G, Straub V, Guglieri M, Mercuri E, Servais L, Muntoni F. Increased dystrophin production with golodirsen in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Neurology 2020; 94:e2270-e2282. [PMID: 32139505 PMCID: PMC7357297 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000009233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To report safety, pharmacokinetics, exon 53 skipping, and dystrophin expression in golodirsen-treated patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) amenable to exon 53 skipping. Methods Part 1 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week dose titration of once-weekly golodirsen; part 2 is an ongoing, open-label evaluation. Safety and pharmacokinetics were primary and secondary objectives of part 1. Primary biological outcome measures of part 2 were blinded exon skipping and dystrophin protein production on muscle biopsies (baseline, week 48) evaluated, respectively, using reverse transcription PCR and Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results Twelve patients were randomized to receive golodirsen (n = 8) or placebo (n = 4) in part 1. All from part 1 plus 13 additional patients received 30 mg/kg golodirsen in part 2. Safety findings were consistent with those previously observed in pediatric patients with DMD. Most of the study drug was excreted within 4 hours following administration. A significant increase in exon 53 skipping was associated with ∼16-fold increase over baseline in dystrophin protein expression at week 48, with a mean percent normal dystrophin protein standard of 1.019% (range, 0.09%–4.30%). Sarcolemmal localization of dystrophin was demonstrated by significantly increased dystrophin-positive fibers (week 48, p < 0.001) and a positive correlation (Spearman r = 0.663; p < 0.001) with dystrophin protein change from baseline, measured by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Conclusion Golodirsen was well-tolerated; muscle biopsies from golodirsen-treated patients showed increased exon 53 skipping, dystrophin production, and correct dystrophin sarcolemmal localization. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02310906. Classification of evidence This study provides Class I evidence that golodirsen is safe and Class IV evidence that it induces exon skipping and novel dystrophin as confirmed by 3 different assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane E Frank
- From Sarepta Therapeutics (D.E.F., F.J.S., C.A., S.H.E.-H., C.A.D., J.S.C.), Cambridge, MA; University College London (J.M., V.S., J.D., F.M.); Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and Centre for Biomedical Sciences (G.D.), Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey; Newcastle University John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (V.S., M.G.), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Neurology and Centro Clinico Nemo (E.M.), Catholic University and Policlinico Gemelli, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy; Institute I-Motion (L.S.), Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France; Neuromuscular Reference Center (L.S.), CHU Liège, Belgium; Great Ormond Street Hospital (F.M.); and NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (F.M.), London, UK
| | - Frederick J Schnell
- From Sarepta Therapeutics (D.E.F., F.J.S., C.A., S.H.E.-H., C.A.D., J.S.C.), Cambridge, MA; University College London (J.M., V.S., J.D., F.M.); Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and Centre for Biomedical Sciences (G.D.), Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey; Newcastle University John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (V.S., M.G.), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Neurology and Centro Clinico Nemo (E.M.), Catholic University and Policlinico Gemelli, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy; Institute I-Motion (L.S.), Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France; Neuromuscular Reference Center (L.S.), CHU Liège, Belgium; Great Ormond Street Hospital (F.M.); and NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (F.M.), London, UK
| | - Cody Akana
- From Sarepta Therapeutics (D.E.F., F.J.S., C.A., S.H.E.-H., C.A.D., J.S.C.), Cambridge, MA; University College London (J.M., V.S., J.D., F.M.); Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and Centre for Biomedical Sciences (G.D.), Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey; Newcastle University John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (V.S., M.G.), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Neurology and Centro Clinico Nemo (E.M.), Catholic University and Policlinico Gemelli, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy; Institute I-Motion (L.S.), Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France; Neuromuscular Reference Center (L.S.), CHU Liège, Belgium; Great Ormond Street Hospital (F.M.); and NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (F.M.), London, UK
| | - Saleh H El-Husayni
- From Sarepta Therapeutics (D.E.F., F.J.S., C.A., S.H.E.-H., C.A.D., J.S.C.), Cambridge, MA; University College London (J.M., V.S., J.D., F.M.); Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and Centre for Biomedical Sciences (G.D.), Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey; Newcastle University John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (V.S., M.G.), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Neurology and Centro Clinico Nemo (E.M.), Catholic University and Policlinico Gemelli, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy; Institute I-Motion (L.S.), Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France; Neuromuscular Reference Center (L.S.), CHU Liège, Belgium; Great Ormond Street Hospital (F.M.); and NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (F.M.), London, UK
| | - Cody A Desjardins
- From Sarepta Therapeutics (D.E.F., F.J.S., C.A., S.H.E.-H., C.A.D., J.S.C.), Cambridge, MA; University College London (J.M., V.S., J.D., F.M.); Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and Centre for Biomedical Sciences (G.D.), Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey; Newcastle University John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (V.S., M.G.), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Neurology and Centro Clinico Nemo (E.M.), Catholic University and Policlinico Gemelli, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy; Institute I-Motion (L.S.), Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France; Neuromuscular Reference Center (L.S.), CHU Liège, Belgium; Great Ormond Street Hospital (F.M.); and NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (F.M.), London, UK
| | - Jennifer Morgan
- From Sarepta Therapeutics (D.E.F., F.J.S., C.A., S.H.E.-H., C.A.D., J.S.C.), Cambridge, MA; University College London (J.M., V.S., J.D., F.M.); Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and Centre for Biomedical Sciences (G.D.), Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey; Newcastle University John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (V.S., M.G.), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Neurology and Centro Clinico Nemo (E.M.), Catholic University and Policlinico Gemelli, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy; Institute I-Motion (L.S.), Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France; Neuromuscular Reference Center (L.S.), CHU Liège, Belgium; Great Ormond Street Hospital (F.M.); and NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (F.M.), London, UK
| | - Jay S Charleston
- From Sarepta Therapeutics (D.E.F., F.J.S., C.A., S.H.E.-H., C.A.D., J.S.C.), Cambridge, MA; University College London (J.M., V.S., J.D., F.M.); Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and Centre for Biomedical Sciences (G.D.), Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey; Newcastle University John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (V.S., M.G.), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Neurology and Centro Clinico Nemo (E.M.), Catholic University and Policlinico Gemelli, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy; Institute I-Motion (L.S.), Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France; Neuromuscular Reference Center (L.S.), CHU Liège, Belgium; Great Ormond Street Hospital (F.M.); and NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (F.M.), London, UK
| | - Valentina Sardone
- From Sarepta Therapeutics (D.E.F., F.J.S., C.A., S.H.E.-H., C.A.D., J.S.C.), Cambridge, MA; University College London (J.M., V.S., J.D., F.M.); Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and Centre for Biomedical Sciences (G.D.), Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey; Newcastle University John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (V.S., M.G.), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Neurology and Centro Clinico Nemo (E.M.), Catholic University and Policlinico Gemelli, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy; Institute I-Motion (L.S.), Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France; Neuromuscular Reference Center (L.S.), CHU Liège, Belgium; Great Ormond Street Hospital (F.M.); and NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (F.M.), London, UK
| | - Joana Domingos
- From Sarepta Therapeutics (D.E.F., F.J.S., C.A., S.H.E.-H., C.A.D., J.S.C.), Cambridge, MA; University College London (J.M., V.S., J.D., F.M.); Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and Centre for Biomedical Sciences (G.D.), Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey; Newcastle University John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (V.S., M.G.), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Neurology and Centro Clinico Nemo (E.M.), Catholic University and Policlinico Gemelli, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy; Institute I-Motion (L.S.), Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France; Neuromuscular Reference Center (L.S.), CHU Liège, Belgium; Great Ormond Street Hospital (F.M.); and NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (F.M.), London, UK
| | - George Dickson
- From Sarepta Therapeutics (D.E.F., F.J.S., C.A., S.H.E.-H., C.A.D., J.S.C.), Cambridge, MA; University College London (J.M., V.S., J.D., F.M.); Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and Centre for Biomedical Sciences (G.D.), Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey; Newcastle University John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (V.S., M.G.), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Neurology and Centro Clinico Nemo (E.M.), Catholic University and Policlinico Gemelli, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy; Institute I-Motion (L.S.), Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France; Neuromuscular Reference Center (L.S.), CHU Liège, Belgium; Great Ormond Street Hospital (F.M.); and NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (F.M.), London, UK
| | - Volker Straub
- From Sarepta Therapeutics (D.E.F., F.J.S., C.A., S.H.E.-H., C.A.D., J.S.C.), Cambridge, MA; University College London (J.M., V.S., J.D., F.M.); Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and Centre for Biomedical Sciences (G.D.), Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey; Newcastle University John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (V.S., M.G.), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Neurology and Centro Clinico Nemo (E.M.), Catholic University and Policlinico Gemelli, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy; Institute I-Motion (L.S.), Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France; Neuromuscular Reference Center (L.S.), CHU Liège, Belgium; Great Ormond Street Hospital (F.M.); and NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (F.M.), London, UK
| | - Michela Guglieri
- From Sarepta Therapeutics (D.E.F., F.J.S., C.A., S.H.E.-H., C.A.D., J.S.C.), Cambridge, MA; University College London (J.M., V.S., J.D., F.M.); Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and Centre for Biomedical Sciences (G.D.), Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey; Newcastle University John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (V.S., M.G.), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Neurology and Centro Clinico Nemo (E.M.), Catholic University and Policlinico Gemelli, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy; Institute I-Motion (L.S.), Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France; Neuromuscular Reference Center (L.S.), CHU Liège, Belgium; Great Ormond Street Hospital (F.M.); and NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (F.M.), London, UK
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- From Sarepta Therapeutics (D.E.F., F.J.S., C.A., S.H.E.-H., C.A.D., J.S.C.), Cambridge, MA; University College London (J.M., V.S., J.D., F.M.); Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and Centre for Biomedical Sciences (G.D.), Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey; Newcastle University John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (V.S., M.G.), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Neurology and Centro Clinico Nemo (E.M.), Catholic University and Policlinico Gemelli, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy; Institute I-Motion (L.S.), Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France; Neuromuscular Reference Center (L.S.), CHU Liège, Belgium; Great Ormond Street Hospital (F.M.); and NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (F.M.), London, UK
| | - Laurent Servais
- From Sarepta Therapeutics (D.E.F., F.J.S., C.A., S.H.E.-H., C.A.D., J.S.C.), Cambridge, MA; University College London (J.M., V.S., J.D., F.M.); Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and Centre for Biomedical Sciences (G.D.), Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey; Newcastle University John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (V.S., M.G.), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Neurology and Centro Clinico Nemo (E.M.), Catholic University and Policlinico Gemelli, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy; Institute I-Motion (L.S.), Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France; Neuromuscular Reference Center (L.S.), CHU Liège, Belgium; Great Ormond Street Hospital (F.M.); and NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (F.M.), London, UK
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- From Sarepta Therapeutics (D.E.F., F.J.S., C.A., S.H.E.-H., C.A.D., J.S.C.), Cambridge, MA; University College London (J.M., V.S., J.D., F.M.); Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and Centre for Biomedical Sciences (G.D.), Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey; Newcastle University John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (V.S., M.G.), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Neurology and Centro Clinico Nemo (E.M.), Catholic University and Policlinico Gemelli, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Rome, Italy; Institute I-Motion (L.S.), Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France; Neuromuscular Reference Center (L.S.), CHU Liège, Belgium; Great Ormond Street Hospital (F.M.); and NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre (F.M.), London, UK.
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Wasala NB, Chen SJ, Duan D. Duchenne muscular dystrophy animal models for high-throughput drug discovery and precision medicine. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 15:443-456. [PMID: 32000537 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1718100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked handicapping disease due to the loss of an essential muscle protein dystrophin. Dystrophin-null animals have been extensively used to study disease mechanisms and to develop experimental therapeutics. Despite decades of research, however, treatment options for DMD remain very limited.Areas covered: High-throughput high-content screening and precision medicine offer exciting new opportunities. Here, the authors review animal models that are suitable for these studies.Expert opinion: Nonmammalian models (worm, fruit fly, and zebrafish) are particularly attractive for cost-effective large-scale drug screening. Several promising lead compounds have been discovered using these models. Precision medicine for DMD aims at developing mutation-specific therapies such as exon-skipping and genome editing. To meet these needs, models with patient-like mutations have been established in different species. Models that harbor hotspot mutations are very attractive because the drugs developed in these models can bring mutation-specific therapies to a large population of patients. Humanized hDMD mice carry the entire human dystrophin gene in the mouse genome. Reagents developed in the hDMD mouse-based models are directly translatable to human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nalinda B Wasala
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Shi-Jie Chen
- Department of Physics, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Biomedical, Biological & Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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Annalora AJ, Marcus CB, Iversen PL. Alternative Splicing in the Nuclear Receptor Superfamily Expands Gene Function to Refine Endo-Xenobiotic Metabolism. Drug Metab Dispos 2020; 48:272-287. [DOI: 10.1124/dmd.119.089102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Recent advancements in exon-skipping therapies using antisense oligonucleotides and genome editing for the treatment of various muscular dystrophies. Expert Rev Mol Med 2019; 21:e5. [PMID: 31576784 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2019.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic disorders characterised by degeneration of muscles. Different forms of muscular dystrophy can show varying phenotypes with a wide range of age, severity and location of muscle deterioration. Many palliative care options are available for muscular dystrophy patients, but no curative treatment is available. Exon-skipping therapy aims to induce skipping of exons with disease-causing mutations and/or nearby exons to restore the reading frame, which results in an internally truncated, partially functional protein. In antisense-mediated exon-skipping synthetic antisense oligonucleotide binds to pre-mRNA to induce exon skipping. Recent advances in exon skipping have yielded promising results; the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved eteplirsen (Exondys51) as the first exon-skipping drug for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and in vivo exon skipping has been demonstrated in animal models of dysferlinopathy, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2C and congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A. Novel methods that induce exon skipping utilizing Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) are also being developed where splice site mutations are created within the genome to induce exon skipping. Challenges remain as exon-skipping agents can have deleterious non-specific effects and different in-frame deletions show phenotypic variance. This article reviews the state of the art of exon skipping for treating muscular dystrophy and discusses challenges and future prospects.
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Sato M, Shiba N, Miyazaki D, Shiba Y, Echigoya Y, Yokota T, Takizawa H, Aoki Y, Takeda S, Nakamura A. Amelioration of intracellular Ca 2+ regulation by exon-45 skipping in Duchenne muscular dystrophy-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 520:179-185. [PMID: 31585729 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.09.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating muscle disorder caused by frameshift mutations in the DMD gene. DMD involves cardiac muscle, and the presence of ventricular arrhythmias or congestive failure is critical for prognosis. Several novel therapeutic approaches are being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials. Among them, exon-skipping therapy to correct frameshift mutations with antisense oligonucleotides is promising; however, their therapeutic efficacies on cardiac muscle in vivo remain unknown. In this study, we established induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from T cells from a DMD patient carrying a DMD-exon 46-55 deletion, differentiated the iPSCs into cardiomyocytes, and treated them with phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers. The efficiency of exon-45 skipping increased in a dose-dependent manner and enabled restoration of the DMD gene product, dystrophin. Further, Ca2+-imaging analysis showed a decreased number of arrhythmic cells and improved transient Ca2+ signaling after exon skipping. Thus, exon-45 skipping may be effective for cardiac involvement in DMD patients harboring the DMD-exon 46-55 deletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuto Sato
- Third Department of Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan
| | - Naoko Shiba
- Department of Regenerative Science and Medicine, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan
| | - Daigo Miyazaki
- Third Department of Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan; Intractable Disease Care Center, Shinshu University Hospital, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan
| | - Yuji Shiba
- Department of Regenerative Science and Medicine, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan
| | - Yusuke Echigoya
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Hotake Takizawa
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8502, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Aoki
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8502, Japan
| | - Shin'ichi Takeda
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8502, Japan
| | - Akinori Nakamura
- Third Department of Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan; Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Matsumoto Medical Center, Murai-Machi Minami, Matsumoto, 399-8701, Japan.
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Barthélémy F, Wang RT, Hsu C, Douine ED, Marcantonio EE, Nelson SF, Miceli MC. Targeting RyR Activity Boosts Antisense Exon 44 and 45 Skipping in Human DMD Skeletal or Cardiac Muscle Culture Models. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2019; 18:580-589. [PMID: 31678734 PMCID: PMC6838898 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Systemic delivery of antisense oligonucleotides (AO) for DMD exon skipping has proven effective for reframing DMD mRNA, rescuing dystrophin expression, and slowing disease progression in animal models. In humans with Duchenne muscular dystrophy treated with AOs, low levels of dystrophin have been induced, and modest slowing of disease progression has been observed, highlighting the need for improved efficiency of human skipping drugs. Here, we demonstrate that dantrolene and Rycals S107 and ARM210 potentiate AO-mediated exon skipping of exon 44 or exon 45 in patient-derived myotube cultures with appropriate mutations. Further, dantrolene is shown to boost AO-mediated exon skipping in patient-derived, induced cardiomyocyte cultures. Our findings further validate the ryanodine receptors (RyR) as the likely target responsible for exon skip boosting and demonstrate potential applicability beyond exon 51 skipping. These data provide preclinical support of dantrolene trial as an adjuvant to AO-mediated exon-skipping therapy in humans and identify a novel Rycal, ARM210, for development as a potential exon-skipping booster. Further, they highlight the value of mutation-specific DMD culture models for basic discovery, preclinical drug screening and translation of personalized genetic medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Barthélémy
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, and College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Richard T Wang
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christopher Hsu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, and College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Emilie D Douine
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Stanley F Nelson
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Eli & Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - M Carrie Miceli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, and College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Eli & Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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