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Waters EA, Haney CR, Vaught LA, McNally EM, Demonbreun AR. Distribution of MRI-derived T2 values as a biomarker for in vivo rapid screening of phenotype severity in mdx mice. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0310551. [PMID: 39298449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pathology in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by degenerating muscle fibers, inflammation, fibro-fatty infiltrate, and edema, and these pathological processes replace normal healthy muscle tissue. The mdx mouse model is one of the most commonly used preclinical models to study DMD. Mounting evidence has emerged illustrating that muscle disease progression varies considerably in mdx mice, with inter-animal differences as well as intra-muscular differences in pathology in individual mdx mice. This variation is important to consider when conducting assessments of drug efficacy and in longitudinal studies. We developed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) segmentation and analysis pipeline to rapidly and non-invasively measure the severity of muscle disease in mdx mice. METHODS Wildtype and mdx mice were imaged with MRI and T2 maps were obtained axially across the hindlimbs. A neural network was trained to rapidly and semi-automatically segment the muscle tissue, and the distribution of resulting T2 values was analyzed. Interdecile range and Pearson Skew were identified as biomarkers to quickly and accurately estimate muscle disease severity in mice. RESULTS The semiautomated segmentation tool reduced image processing time approximately tenfold. Measures of Pearson skew and interdecile range based on that segmentation were repeatable and reflected muscle disease severity in healthy wildtype and diseased mdx mice based on both qualitative observation of images and correlation with Evans blue dye uptake. CONCLUSION Use of this rapid, non-invasive, semi-automated MR image segmentation and analysis pipeline has the potential to transform preclinical studies, allowing for pre-screening of dystrophic mice prior to study enrollment to ensure more uniform muscle disease pathology across treatment groups, improving study outcomes.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Mice, Inbred mdx
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods
- Mice
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/diagnostic imaging
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/pathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/metabolism
- Biomarkers/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/diagnostic imaging
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Phenotype
- Severity of Illness Index
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A Waters
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute and Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Chad R Haney
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute and Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Lauren A Vaught
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth M McNally
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Alexis R Demonbreun
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America
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McDonald C, Camino E, Escandon R, Finkel RS, Fischer R, Flanigan K, Furlong P, Juhasz R, Martin AS, Villa C, Sweeney HL. Draft Guidance for Industry Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Becker Muscular Dystrophy, and Related Dystrophinopathies - Developing Potential Treatments for the Entire Spectrum of Disease. J Neuromuscul Dis 2024; 11:499-523. [PMID: 38363616 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-230219] [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: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and related dystrophinopathies are neuromuscular conditions with great unmet medical needs that require the development of effective medical treatments. Objective To aid sponsors in clinical development of drugs and therapeutic biological products for treating DMD across the disease spectrum by integrating advancements, patient registries, natural history studies, and more into a comprehensive guidance. Methods This guidance emerged from collaboration between the FDA, the Duchenne community, and industry stakeholders. It entailed a structured approach, involving multiple committees and boards. From its inception in 2014, the guidance underwent revisions incorporating insights from gene therapy studies, cardiac function research, and innovative clinical trial designs. Results The guidance provides a deeper understanding of DMD and its variants, focusing on patient engagement, diagnostic criteria, natural history, biomarkers, and clinical trials. It underscores patient-focused drug development, the significance of dystrophin as a biomarker, and the pivotal role of magnetic resonance imaging in assessing disease progression. Additionally, the guidance addresses cardiomyopathy's prominence in DMD and the burgeoning field of gene therapy. Conclusions The updated guidance offers a comprehensive understanding of DMD, emphasizing patient-centric approaches, innovative trial designs, and the importance of biomarkers. The focus on cardiomyopathy and gene therapy signifies the evolving realm of DMD research. It acts as a crucial roadmap for sponsors, potentially leading to improved treatments for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric Camino
- Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Rafael Escandon
- DGBI Consulting, LLC, Bainbridge Island, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Ryan Fischer
- Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kevin Flanigan
- Center for Experimental Neurotherapeutics, Department of Pediatric Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Pat Furlong
- Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Rose Juhasz
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ann S Martin
- Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Chet Villa
- Trinity Health Michigan, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - H Lee Sweeney
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center within the UC Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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3
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Hiyoshi T, Zhao F, Baba R, Hirakawa T, Kuboki R, Suzuki K, Tomimatsu Y, O'Donnell P, Han S, Zach N, Nakashima M. Electrical impedance myography detects dystrophin-related muscle changes in mdx mice. Skelet Muscle 2023; 13:19. [PMID: 37980539 PMCID: PMC10657153 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-023-00331-1] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lack of functional dystrophin protein in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) causes chronic skeletal muscle inflammation and degeneration. Therefore, the restoration of functional dystrophin levels is a fundamental approach for DMD therapy. Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is an emerging tool that provides noninvasive monitoring of muscle conditions and has been suggested as a treatment response biomarker in diverse indications. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of skeletal muscles has become a standard measurement in clinical trials for DMD, EIM offers distinct advantages, such as portability, user-friendliness, and reduced cost, allowing for remote monitoring of disease progression or response to therapy. To investigate the potential of EIM as a biomarker for DMD, we compared longitudinal EIM data with MRI/histopathological data from an X-linked muscular dystrophy (mdx) mouse model of DMD. In addition, we investigated whether EIM could detect dystrophin-related changes in muscles using antisense-mediated exon skipping in mdx mice. METHODS The MRI data for muscle T2, the magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) data for fat fraction, and three EIM parameters with histopathology were longitudinally obtained from the hindlimb muscles of wild-type (WT) and mdx mice. In the EIM study, a cell-penetrating peptide (Pip9b2) conjugated antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PPMO), designed to induce exon-skipping and restore functional dystrophin production, was administered intravenously to mdx mice. RESULTS MRI imaging in mdx mice showed higher T2 intensity at 6 weeks of age in hindlimb muscles compared to WT mice, which decreased at ≥ 9 weeks of age. In contrast, EIM reactance began to decline at 12 weeks of age, with peak reduction at 18 weeks of age in mdx mice. This decline was associated with myofiber atrophy and connective tissue infiltration in the skeletal muscles. Repeated dosing of PPMO (10 mg/kg, 4 times every 2 weeks) in mdx mice led to an increase in muscular dystrophin protein and reversed the decrease in EIM reactance. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that muscle T2 MRI is sensitive to the early inflammatory response associated with dystrophin deficiency, whereas EIM provides a valuable biomarker for the noninvasive monitoring of subsequent changes in skeletal muscle composition. Furthermore, EIM reactance has the potential to monitor dystrophin-deficient muscle abnormalities and their recovery in response to antisense-mediated exon skipping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuaki Hiyoshi
- Neuroscience Translational Medicine, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Fuqiang Zhao
- Center of Excellence for Imaging, Preclinical and Translational Sciences, Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., 95 Hayden Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02141, USA
| | - Rina Baba
- Muscular Disease and Neuropathy Unit, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Takeshi Hirakawa
- Muscular Disease and Neuropathy Unit, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Kuboki
- Muscular Disease and Neuropathy Unit, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Kazunori Suzuki
- Muscular Disease and Neuropathy Unit, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshiro Tomimatsu
- Neuroscience Translational Medicine, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Patricio O'Donnell
- Neuroscience Translational Medicine, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., 95 Hayden Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02141, USA
| | - Steve Han
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Unit, Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., 95 Hayden Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02141, USA
| | - Neta Zach
- Neuroscience Translational Medicine, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., 95 Hayden Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02141, USA
| | - Masato Nakashima
- Neuroscience Translational Medicine, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan.
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4
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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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5
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Iyer SR, Xu S, Shah SB, Lovering RM. Muscle phenotype of a rat model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 2020; 62:757-761. [PMID: 32918339 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Our aim was to assess key muscle imaging and contractility parameters in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) rat model (Dmd-KO rat), which have not yet been characterized sufficiently. METHODS We performed in-vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for thigh and leg muscles, and performed hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and in-vivo muscle contractility testing in specific hindlimb muscles. RESULTS MRI prior to testing muscle contractility revealed multiple, unevenly distributed focal hyperintensities in the Dmd-KO rat quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscles. H&E staining showed corresponding areas of inflammation and ongoing regeneration. In-vivo contractile testing showed maximal force generated by Dmd-KO muscles was significantly lower, and susceptibility to injury was ~ two-fold greater in the Dmd-KO rats compared to wild-type (WT) rats. DISCUSSION Together, the MRI findings, histological findings, and the low strength and high susceptibility to injury in muscles support use of the Dmd-KO rat as an animal model of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shama R Iyer
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Su Xu
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sameer B Shah
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Richard M Lovering
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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6
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Datson NA, Bijl S, Janson A, Testerink J, van den Eijnde R, Weij R, Puoliväli J, Lehtimäki K, Bragge T, Ahtoniemi T, van Deutekom JC. Using a State-of-the-Art Toolbox to Evaluate Molecular and Functional Readouts of Antisense Oligonucleotide-Induced Exon Skipping in mdx Mice. Nucleic Acid Ther 2020; 30:50-65. [PMID: 31821107 PMCID: PMC7049912 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2019.0824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe childhood muscle disease primarily caused by the lack of functional dystrophin at the muscle fiber membranes. Multiple therapeutic approaches are currently in (pre)clinical development, aimed at restoring expression of (truncated) dystrophin. Key questions in this phase relate to route of drug administration, dose regimen, and levels of dystrophin required to improve muscle function. A series of studies applying antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) in the mdx mouse model for DMD has been reported over the last two decades, claiming a variable range of exon skipping and increased dystrophin levels correlated to some functional improvement. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of subcutaneous (SC) versus intravenous (IV) dosing routes of an mdx-specific AON at both the molecular and functional level, using state-of-the-art quantitative technologies, including digital droplet polymerase chain reaction, capillary Western immunoassay, magnetic resonance imaging, and automated kinematic analysis. The majority of all readouts we quantified, both molecular and functional, showed that IV dosing of the AON had a more pronounced beneficial effect than SC dosing in mdx mice. Last, but not least, the more quantitative molecular and functional data obtained in this study suggest that low levels of dystrophin protein of at least 2.5% of wild type may already have a beneficial effect on muscle leakiness and may improve motor performance of mdx mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Rudie Weij
- BioMarin Nederland BV, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Timo Bragge
- Charles River Discovery Research Services, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Toni Ahtoniemi
- Charles River Discovery Research Services, Kuopio, Finland
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7
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Lee-McMullen B, Chrzanowski SM, Vohra R, Forbes S, Vandenborne K, Edison AS, Walter GA. Age-dependent changes in metabolite profile and lipid saturation in dystrophic mice. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2019; 32:e4075. [PMID: 30848538 PMCID: PMC6777843 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal X-linked genetic disorder. In DMD, the absence of the dystrophin protein causes decreased sarcolemmal integrity resulting in progressive replacement of muscle with fibrofatty tissue. The effects of lacking dystrophin on muscle and systemic metabolism are still unclear. Therefore, to determine the impact of the absence of dystrophin on metabolism, we investigated the metabolic and lipid profile at two different, well-defined stages of muscle damage and stabilization in mdx mice. We measured NMR-detectable metabolite and lipid profiles in the serum and muscles of mdx mice at 6 and 24 weeks of age. Metabolites were determined in muscle in vivo using 1 H MRI/MRS, in isolated muscles using 1 H-HR-MAS NMR, and in serum using high resolution 1 H/13 C NMR. Dystrophic mice were found to have a unique lipid saturation profile compared with control mice, revealing an age-related metabolic change. In the 6-week-old mdx mice, serum lipids were increased and the degree of lipid saturation changed between 6 and 24 weeks. The serum taurine-creatine ratio increased over the life span of mdx, but not in control mice. Furthermore, the saturation index of lipids increased in the serum but decreased in the tissue over time. Finally, we demonstrated associations between MRI-T2 , a strong indicator of inflammation/edema, with tissue and serum lipid profiles. These results indicate the complex temporal changes of metabolites in the tissue and serum during repetitive bouts of muscle damage and regeneration that occur in dystrophic muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany Lee-McMullen
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southeast Center for Integrated Metabolomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Ravneet Vohra
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sean Forbes
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Krista Vandenborne
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Arthur S. Edison
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southeast Center for Integrated Metabolomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Current address: Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Glenn A. Walter
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southeast Center for Integrated Metabolomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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8
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Park JS, Vohra R, Klussmann T, Bengtsson NE, Chamberlain JS, Lee D. Non-invasive tracking of disease progression in young dystrophic muscles using multi-parametric MRI at 14T. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206323. [PMID: 30365532 PMCID: PMC6203357 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was conducted to monitor skeletal muscle changes in dystrophic (mdx4cv) and age-matched control (C57BL/6J) mice starting at 3 weeks of age. The objective of this study was to evaluate and characterize changes in muscle tissue characteristics of hind limbs in young, dystrophic mice using MRI. Mdx4cv (n = 25) and age-matched C57BL/6J (n = 5) were imaged at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 weeks of age. Multiple MR measurements were taken from the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles. There were significant differences between dystrophic and control groups for all three muscle types when comparing transverse relaxation times (T2) in lower hind limb muscles. Additionally, fractional anisotropy, radial diffusivity, and eigenvalue analysis of diffusion tensor imaging also demonstrated significant differences between groups. Longitudinal relaxation times (T1) displayed no significant differences between groups. The earliest time points in the magnetization transfer ratio measurements displayed a significant difference. Histological analysis revealed significant differences in the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles between groups with the mdx mice displaying greater variability in muscle fiber size in later time points. The multi-parametric MRI approach offers a promising alternative for future development of a noninvasive avenue for tracking both disease progression and treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua S. Park
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Ravneet Vohra
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Thomas Klussmann
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Niclas E. Bengtsson
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey S. Chamberlain
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Donghoon Lee
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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9
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Chrzanowski SM, Vohra RS, Lee-McMullen BA, Batra A, Spradlin RA, Morales J, Forbes S, Vandenborne K, Barton ER, Walter GA. Contrast-Enhanced Near-Infrared Optical Imaging Detects Exacerbation and Amelioration of Murine Muscular Dystrophy. Mol Imaging 2018; 16:1536012117732439. [PMID: 29271299 PMCID: PMC5985549 DOI: 10.1177/1536012117732439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessment of muscle pathology is a key outcome measure to measure the success of
clinical trials studying muscular dystrophies; however, few robust minimally invasive
measures exist. Indocyanine green (ICG)-enhanced near-infrared (NIR) optical imaging
offers an objective, minimally invasive, and longitudinal modality that can quantify
pathology within muscle by imaging uptake of ICG into the damaged muscles. Dystrophic mice
lacking dystrophin (mdx) or gamma-sarcoglycan (Sgcg−/−) were compared to
control mice by NIR optical imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We determined
that optical imaging could be used to differentiate control and dystrophic mice, visualize
eccentric muscle induced by downhill treadmill running, and restore the membrane integrity
in Sgcg−/− mice following adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivery of recombinant
human SGCG (desAAV8hSGCG). We conclude that NIR optical imaging is comparable to MRI and
can be used to detect muscle damage in dystrophic muscle as compared to unaffected
controls, monitor worsening of muscle pathology in muscular dystrophy, and assess
regression of pathology following therapeutic intervention in muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Chrzanowski
- 1 Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ravneet S Vohra
- 1 Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Abhinandan Batra
- 3 Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ray A Spradlin
- 4 Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jazmine Morales
- 4 Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sean Forbes
- 3 Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Krista Vandenborne
- 3 Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Elisabeth R Barton
- 4 Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Glenn A Walter
- 1 Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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10
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Carlier PG, Marty B, Scheidegger O, Loureiro de Sousa P, Baudin PY, Snezhko E, Vlodavets D. Skeletal Muscle Quantitative Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy as an Outcome Measure for Clinical Trials. J Neuromuscul Dis 2018; 3:1-28. [PMID: 27854210 PMCID: PMC5271435 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-160145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent years have seen tremendous progress towards therapy of many previously incurable neuromuscular diseases. This new context has acted as a driving force for the development of novel non-invasive outcome measures. These can be organized in three main categories: functional tools, fluid biomarkers and imagery. In the latest category, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) offers a considerable range of possibilities for the characterization of skeletal muscle composition, function and metabolism. Nowadays, three NMR outcome measures are frequently integrated in clinical research protocols. They are: 1/ the muscle cross sectional area or volume, 2/ the percentage of intramuscular fat and 3/ the muscle water T2, which quantity muscle trophicity, chronic fatty degenerative changes and oedema (or more broadly, “disease activity”), respectively. A fourth biomarker, the contractile tissue volume is easily derived from the first two ones. The fat fraction maps most often acquired with Dixon sequences have proven their capability to detect small changes in muscle composition and have repeatedly shown superior sensitivity over standard functional evaluation. This outcome measure will more than likely be the first of the series to be validated as an endpoint by regulatory agencies. The versatility of contrast generated by NMR has opened many additional possibilities for characterization of the skeletal muscle and will result in the proposal of more NMR biomarkers. Ultra-short TE (UTE) sequences, late gadolinium enhancement and NMR elastography are being investigated as candidates to evaluate skeletal muscle interstitial fibrosis. Many options exist to measure muscle perfusion and oxygenation by NMR. Diffusion NMR as well as texture analysis algorithms could generate complementary information on muscle organization at microscopic and mesoscopic scales, respectively. 31P NMR spectroscopy is the reference technique to assess muscle energetics non-invasively during and after exercise. In dystrophic muscle, 31P NMR spectrum at rest is profoundly perturbed, and several resonances inform on cell membrane integrity. Considerable efforts are being directed towards acceleration of image acquisitions using a variety of approaches, from the extraction of fat content and water T2 maps from one single acquisition to partial matrices acquisition schemes. Spectacular decreases in examination time are expected in the near future. They will reinforce the attractiveness of NMR outcome measures and will further facilitate their integration in clinical research trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre G Carlier
- Institute of Myology, Pitie-Salpetriere University Hospital, Paris, France.,CEA, DSV, I2BM, MIRCen, NMR Laboratory, Paris, France.,National Academy of Sciences, United Institute for Informatics Problems, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Benjamin Marty
- Institute of Myology, Pitie-Salpetriere University Hospital, Paris, France.,CEA, DSV, I2BM, MIRCen, NMR Laboratory, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Scheidegger
- Institute of Myology, Pitie-Salpetriere University Hospital, Paris, France.,Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN), Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Eduard Snezhko
- National Academy of Sciences, United Institute for Informatics Problems, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Dmitry Vlodavets
- N.I. Prirogov Russian National Medical Research University, Clinical Research Institute of Pediatrics, Moscow, Russian Federation
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11
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Chrzanowski SM, Batra A, Lee-McMullen B, Vohra RS, Forbes SC, Jiang H, Vandenborne K, Walter GA. Near-Infrared Optical Imaging Noninvasively Detects Acutely Damaged Muscle. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2016; 186:2692-700. [PMID: 27565039 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2016.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 05/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Muscle damage is currently assessed through methods such as muscle biopsy, serum biomarkers, functional testing, and imaging procedures, each with its own inherent limitations, and a pressing need for a safe, repeatable, inexpensive, and noninvasive modality to assess the state of muscle health remains. Our aim was to develop and assess near-infrared (NIR) optical imaging as a novel noninvasive method of detecting and quantifying muscle damage. An immobilization-reambulation model was used for inducing muscle damage and recovery in the lower hindlimbs in mice. Confirmation of muscle damage was obtained using in vivo indocyanine green-enhanced NIR optical imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, and ex vivo tissue analysis. The soleus of the immobilized-reambulated hindlimb was found to have a greater amount of muscle damage compared to that in the contralateral nonimmobilized limb, confirmed by in vivo indocyanine green-enhanced NIR optical imaging (3.86-fold increase in radiant efficiency), magnetic resonance imaging (1.41-fold increase in T2), and an ex vivo spectrophotometric assay of indocyanine green uptake (1.87-fold increase in normalized absorbance). Contrast-enhanced NIR optical imaging provides a sensitive, rapid, and noninvasive screening method that can be used for imaging and quantifying muscle damage and recovery in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Chrzanowski
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Abhinandan Batra
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | | | - Ravneet S Vohra
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Sean C Forbes
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Huabei Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Krista Vandenborne
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Glenn A Walter
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
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12
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Quantifying disease activity in fatty-infiltrated skeletal muscle by IDEAL-CPMG in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2016; 26:650-658. [PMID: 27593185 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2016.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the use of iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (IDEAL-CPMG) to simultaneously measure skeletal muscle apparent fat fraction and water T2 (T2,w) in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In twenty healthy volunteer boys and thirteen subjects with DMD, thigh muscle apparent fat fraction was measured by Dixon and IDEAL-CPMG, with the IDEAL-CPMG also providing T2,w as a measure of muscle inflammatory activity. A subset of subjects with DMD was followed up during a 48-week clinical study. The study was in compliance with the Patient Privacy Act and approved by the Institutional Review Board. Apparent fat fraction in the thigh muscles of subjects with DMD was significantly increased compared to healthy volunteer boys (p <0.001). There was a strong correlation between Dixon and IDEAL-CPMG apparent fat fraction. Muscle T2,w measured by IDEAL-CPMG was independent of changes in apparent fat fraction. Muscle T2,w was higher in the biceps femoris and vastus lateralis muscles of subjects with DMD (p <0.05). There was a strong correlation (p <0.004) between apparent fat fraction in all thigh muscles and six-minute walk distance (6MWD) in subjects with DMD. IDEAL-CPMG allowed independent and simultaneous quantification of skeletal muscle fatty degeneration and disease activity in DMD. IDEAL-CPMG apparent fat fraction and T2,w may be useful as biomarkers in clinical trials of DMD as the technique disentangles two competing biological processes.
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13
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Damon BM, Li K, Bryant ND. Magnetic resonance imaging of skeletal muscle disease. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2016; 136:827-42. [PMID: 27430444 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-53486-6.00041-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neuromuscular diseases often exhibit a temporally varying, spatially heterogeneous, and multifaceted pathology. The goals of this chapter are to describe and evaluate the use of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods to characterize muscle pathology. The following criteria are used for this evaluation: objective measurement of continuously distributed variables; clear and well-understood relationship to the pathology of interest; sensitivity to improvement or worsening of clinical status; and the measurement properties of accuracy and precision. Two major classes of MRI methods meet all of these criteria: (1) MRI methods for measuring muscle contractile volume or cross-sectional area by combining structural MRI and quantitative fat-water MRI; and (2) an MRI method for characterizing the edema caused by inflammation, the measurement of the transverse relaxation time constant (T2). These methods are evaluated with respect to the four criteria listed above and examples from neuromuscular disorders are provided. Finally, these methods are summarized and synthesized and recommendations for additional quantitative MRI developments are made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce M Damon
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science and the Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Ke Li
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science and the Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Nathan D Bryant
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science and the Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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14
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Vohra R, Accorsi A, Kumar A, Walter G, Girgenrath M. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Is Sensitive to Pathological Amelioration in a Model for Laminin-Deficient Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (MDC1A). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138254. [PMID: 26379183 PMCID: PMC4575026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To elucidate the reliability of MRI as a non-invasive tool for assessing in vivo muscle health and pathological amelioration in response to Losartan (Angiotensin II Type 1 receptor blocker) in DyW mice (mouse model for Laminin-deficient Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Type 1A). Methods Multiparametric MR quantifications along with histological/biochemical analyses were utilized to measure muscle volume and composition in untreated and Losartan-treated 7-week old DyW mice. Results MRI shows that DyW mice have significantly less hind limb muscle volume and areas of hyperintensity that are absent in WT muscle. DyW mice also have significantly elevated muscle levels (suggestive of inflammation and edema). Muscle T2 returned to WT levels in response to Losartan treatment. When considering only muscle pixels without T2 elevation, DyW T2 levels are significantly lower than WT (suggestive of fibrosis) whereas Losartan-treated animals do not demonstrate this decrease in muscle T2. MRI measurements suggestive of elevated inflammation and fibrosis corroborate with increased Mac-1 positive cells as well as increased Picrosirius red staining/COL1a gene expression that is returned to WT levels in response to Losartan. Conclusions MRI is sensitive to and tightly corresponds with pathological changes in DyW mice and thus is a viable and effective non-invasive tool for assessing pathological changes.
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MESH Headings
- Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers/pharmacology
- Animals
- Disease Models, Animal
- Fibrosis/drug therapy
- Fibrosis/metabolism
- Fibrosis/pathology
- Laminin/metabolism
- Losartan/pharmacology
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods
- Mice
- Muscle, Skeletal/drug effects
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Muscular Dystrophies/drug therapy
- Muscular Dystrophies/metabolism
- Muscular Dystrophies/pathology
- Muscular Dystrophies, Limb-Girdle/diet therapy
- Muscular Dystrophies, Limb-Girdle/metabolism
- Muscular Dystrophies, Limb-Girdle/pathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Animal/drug therapy
- Muscular Dystrophy, Animal/metabolism
- Muscular Dystrophy, Animal/pathology
- Reproducibility of Results
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravneet Vohra
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Anthony Accorsi
- Department of Health Sciences, Sargent College, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Ajay Kumar
- Department of Health Sciences, Sargent College, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Glenn Walter
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Mahasweta Girgenrath
- Department of Health Sciences, Sargent College, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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15
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Vohra RS, Mathur S, Bryant ND, Forbes SC, Vandenborne K, Walter GA. Age-related T2 changes in hindlimb muscles of mdx mice. Muscle Nerve 2015; 53:84-90. [PMID: 25846867 DOI: 10.1002/mus.24675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to monitor changes in the transverse relaxation time constant (T2) in lower hindlimb muscles of mdx mice at different ages. METHODS Young (5 weeks), adult (44 weeks), and old mdx (96 weeks), and age-matched control mice were studied. Young mdx mice were imaged longitudinally, whereas adult and old mdx mice were imaged at a single time-point. RESULTS Mean muscle T2 and percent of pixels with elevated T2 were significantly different between mdx and control mice at all ages. In young mdx mice, mean muscle T2 peaked at 7-8 weeks and declined at 9-11 weeks. In old mdx mice, mean muscle T2 was decreased compared with young and adult mice, which could be attributed to fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS MRI captured longitudinal changes in skeletal muscle integrity of mdx mice. This information will be valuable for pre-clinical testing of potential therapeutic interventions for muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravneet S Vohra
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Sunita Mathur
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nathan D Bryant
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Box 100274, Gainesville, Florida, 32610-0274, USA
| | - Sean C Forbes
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Krista Vandenborne
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Glenn A Walter
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Box 100274, Gainesville, Florida, 32610-0274, USA
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16
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Carlier PG, Azzabou N, de Sousa PL, Hicks A, Boisserie JM, Amadon A, Carlier RY, Wary C, Orlikowski D, Laforêt P. Skeletal muscle quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance imaging follow-up of adult Pompe patients. J Inherit Metab Dis 2015; 38:565-72. [PMID: 25749708 PMCID: PMC4432102 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-015-9825-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Revised: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Adult late-onset Pompe disease is most often a slowly progressive limb-girdle and spine extensor muscle dystrophy, due to defective lysosomal acid maltase. With the exception of the few patients who present with a dramatically accelerated clinical course, standard diagnostic imaging fail to detect and evaluate disease progression between two successive visits. In muscle dystrophy of very rapid evolution, like the Duchenne disease, quantitative NMR imaging has successfully demonstrated its capacity to objectivate both disease activity and degenerative changes progression over short follow-up periods. The purpose of this retrospective monocentric open-label study was to investigate whether quantitative NMR imaging can monitor disease progression in adult Pompe patients despite its very slow nature. Quantitative imaging of Pompe patients succeeded in demonstrating that muscle fatty infiltration increased on average by 0.9%/year, with the hamstring and adductor muscles showing the fastest degradation. Muscle water T2 mapping revealed that 32% of all muscles had abnormally high T2 in at least one of two successive examinations. When muscle water T2 was abnormal, fatty degenerative changes were further increased by 0.61%/year. Enzyme replacement therapy resulted in 0.68%/year slowdown of the muscle fatty infiltration, in both muscles with normal and high T2s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre G Carlier
- Institut de Myologie and CEA, DSV, IBM, MIRCen, Laboratoire de RMN, Pitie-Salpetriere University Hospital, Bd de l'Hôpital, 75651, Paris Cedex 13, France,
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17
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Quantitative T2 combined with texture analysis of nuclear magnetic resonance images identify different degrees of muscle involvement in three mouse models of muscle dystrophy: mdx, Largemyd and mdx/Largemyd. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117835. [PMID: 25710816 PMCID: PMC4339395 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been considered a promising non-invasive tool for monitoring therapeutic essays in small size mouse models of muscular dystrophies. Here, we combined MRI (anatomical images and transverse relaxation time constant—T2—measurements) to texture analyses in the study of four mouse strains covering a wide range of dystrophic phenotypes. Two still unexplored mouse models of muscular dystrophies were analyzed: The severely affected Largemyd mouse and the recently generated and worst double mutant mdx/Largemyd mouse, as compared to the mildly affected mdx and normal mice. The results were compared to histopathological findings. MRI showed increased intermuscular fat and higher muscle T2 in the three dystrophic mouse models when compared to the wild-type mice (T2: mdx/Largemyd: 37.6±2.8 ms; mdx: 35.2±4.5 ms; Largemyd: 36.6±4.0 ms; wild-type: 29.1±1.8 ms, p<0.05), in addition to higher muscle T2 in the mdx/Largemyd mice when compared to mdx (p<0.05). The areas with increased muscle T2 in the MRI correlated spatially with the identified histopathological alterations such as necrosis, inflammation, degeneration and regeneration foci. Nevertheless, muscle T2 values were not correlated with the severity of the phenotype in the 3 dystrophic mouse strains, since the severely affected Largemyd showed similar values than both the mild mdx and worst mdx/Largemyd lineages. On the other hand, all studied mouse strains could be unambiguously identified with texture analysis, which reflected the observed differences in the distribution of signals in muscle MRI. Thus, combined T2 intensity maps and texture analysis is a powerful approach for the characterization and differentiation of dystrophic muscles with diverse genotypes and phenotypes. These new findings provide important noninvasive tools in the evaluation of the efficacy of new therapies, and most importantly, can be directly applied in human translational research.
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18
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Heier CR, Guerron AD, Korotcov A, Lin S, Gordish-Dressman H, Fricke S, Sze RW, Hoffman EP, Wang P, Nagaraju K. Non-invasive MRI and spectroscopy of mdx mice reveal temporal changes in dystrophic muscle imaging and in energy deficits. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112477. [PMID: 25390038 PMCID: PMC4229202 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a genetic disruption of dystrophin protein expression results in repeated muscle injury and chronic inflammation. Magnetic resonance imaging shows promise as a surrogate outcome measure in both DMD and rehabilitation medicine that is capable of predicting clinical benefit years in advance of functional outcome measures. The mdx mouse reproduces the dystrophin deficiency that causes DMD and is routinely used for preclinical drug testing. There is a need to develop sensitive, non-invasive outcome measures in the mdx model that can be readily translatable to human clinical trials. Here we report the use of magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy techniques for the non-invasive monitoring of muscle damage in mdx mice. Using these techniques, we studied dystrophic mdx muscle in mice from 6 to 12 weeks of age, examining both the peak disease phase and natural recovery phase of the mdx disease course. T2 and fat-suppressed imaging revealed significant levels of tissue with elevated signal intensity in mdx hindlimb muscles at all ages; spectroscopy revealed a significant deficiency of energy metabolites in 6-week-old mdx mice. As the mdx mice progressed from the peak disease stage to the recovery stage of disease, each of these phenotypes was either eliminated or reduced, and the cross-sectional area of the mdx muscle was significantly increased when compared to that of wild-type mice. Histology indicates that hyper-intense MRI foci correspond to areas of dystrophic lesions containing inflammation as well as regenerating, degenerating and hypertrophied myofibers. Statistical sample size calculations provide several robust measures with the ability to detect intervention effects using small numbers of animals. These data establish a framework for further imaging or preclinical studies, and they support the development of MRI as a sensitive, non-invasive outcome measure for muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R. Heier
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Alfredo D. Guerron
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Alexandru Korotcov
- Department of Radiology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Stephen Lin
- Department of Radiology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Heather Gordish-Dressman
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C., United States of America
- Department of Integrative Systems Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Stanley Fricke
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Raymond W. Sze
- Department of Radiology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Eric P. Hoffman
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C., United States of America
- Department of Integrative Systems Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Paul Wang
- Department of Radiology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, D.C., United States of America
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kanneboyina Nagaraju
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C., United States of America
- Department of Integrative Systems Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, D.C., United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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Azzabou N, Loureiro de Sousa P, Caldas E, Carlier PG. Validation of a generic approach to muscle water T2 determination at 3T in fat-infiltrated skeletal muscle. J Magn Reson Imaging 2014; 41:645-53. [PMID: 24590466 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.24613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To introduce a novel method for skeletal muscle water T2 determination in fat-infiltrated tissues, using a tri-exponential fit of the global muscle signal decay. MATERIALS AND METHODS In all, 48 patients with various neuromuscular diseases were retrospectively selected and their thigh muscles analyzed. Each patient was imaged using a multispin-echo (MSME) sequence with a 17-echo train. The transmit field (B1+) inhomogeneities were evaluated using the actual flip angle imaging method toward voxel sorting. Muscle water T2 was quantified using a tri-exponential signal decay model. The difference between water T2 of voxels within the same muscle but having different fat ratio was analyzed using nonparametric statistical tests. In addition, we evaluated the correlation between fat ratio and T2 values obtained using both a mono- and tri-exponential approach. RESULTS The results showed that muscle water T2 values obtained using a tri-exponential approach combined with B1+ map-based voxel sorting were independent of the fat infiltration degree inside the muscle (R(2) < 0.03). This was not the case using the mono-exponential model, which measured different T2s between voxels of the same muscle but with various fat ratio (R(2) > 0.67; P < 10e(-4) ). CONCLUSION The tri-exponential model is an accurate tool to monitor muscle tissue disease activity devoid of bias introduced by fat infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noura Azzabou
- Institute of Myology, NMR Laboratory, Paris, France; CEA, I2BM MIRCen IdM NMR Laboratory, Paris, France
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20
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Carlier PG. Global T2 versus water T2 in NMR imaging of fatty infiltrated muscles: different methodology, different information and different implications. Neuromuscul Disord 2014; 24:390-2. [PMID: 24656605 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2014.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre G Carlier
- AIM and CEA NMR Laboratory, Institute of Myology, CHU Pitié-Salpêtriere, 47-83 boulevard de l'hôpital, 75651 Paris Cedex 13, France.
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21
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Yang X, Lorenser D, McLaughlin RA, Kirk RW, Edmond M, Simpson MC, Grounds MD, Sampson DD. Imaging deep skeletal muscle structure using a high-sensitivity ultrathin side-viewing optical coherence tomography needle probe. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2013; 5:136-48. [PMID: 24466482 PMCID: PMC3891326 DOI: 10.1364/boe.5.000136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Revised: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 11/30/2013] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
We have developed an extremely miniaturized optical coherence tomography (OCT) needle probe (outer diameter 310 µm) with high sensitivity (108 dB) to enable minimally invasive imaging of cellular structure deep within skeletal muscle. Three-dimensional volumetric images were acquired from ex vivo mouse tissue, examining both healthy and pathological dystrophic muscle. Individual myofibers were visualized as striations in the images. Degradation of cellular structure in necrotic regions was seen as a loss of these striations. Tendon and connective tissue were also visualized. The observed structures were validated against co-registered hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) histology sections. These images of internal cellular structure of skeletal muscle acquired with an OCT needle probe demonstrate the potential of this technique to visualize structure at the microscopic level deep in biological tissue in situ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Yang
- Optical + Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, School of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Dirk Lorenser
- Optical + Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, School of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Robert A. McLaughlin
- Optical + Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, School of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Rodney W. Kirk
- Optical + Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, School of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Matthew Edmond
- Photon Factory, School of Chemical Sciences & Department of Physics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - M. Cather Simpson
- Photon Factory, School of Chemical Sciences & Department of Physics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Miranda D. Grounds
- School of Anatomy, Physiology, and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia
| | - David D. Sampson
- Optical + Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, School of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
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22
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Yang X, Chin L, Klyen BR, Shavlakadze T, McLaughlin RA, Grounds MD, Sampson DD. Quantitative assessment of muscle damage in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2013; 115:1393-401. [DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00265.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Minimally invasive, high-resolution imaging of muscle necrosis has the potential to aid in the assessment of diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Undamaged muscle tissue possesses high levels of optical birefringence due to its anisotropic ultrastructure, and this birefringence decreases when the tissue undergoes necrosis. In this study, we present a novel technique to image muscle necrosis using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT). From PS-OCT scans, our technique is able to quantify the birefringence in muscle tissue, generating an image indicative of the tissue ultrastructure, with areas of abnormally low birefringence indicating necrosis. The technique is demonstrated on excised skeletal muscles from exercised dystrophic mdx mice and control C57BL/10ScSn mice with the resulting images validated against colocated histological sections. The technique additionally gives a measure of the proportion (volume fraction) of necrotic tissue within the three-dimensional imaging field of view. The percentage necrosis assessed by this technique is compared against the percentage necrosis obtained from manual assessment of histological sections, and the difference between the two methods is found to be comparable to the interobserver variability of the histological assessment. This is the first published demonstration of PS-OCT to provide automated assessment of muscle necrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Yang
- Optical+Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, School of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Lixin Chin
- Optical+Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, School of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Blake R. Klyen
- Optical+Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, School of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Tea Shavlakadze
- Skeletal Muscle Research Group, School of Anatomy, Physiology & Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; and
| | - Robert A. McLaughlin
- Optical+Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, School of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Miranda D. Grounds
- Skeletal Muscle Research Group, School of Anatomy, Physiology & Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; and
| | - David D. Sampson
- Optical+Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, School of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation & Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
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23
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Feng S, Chen D, Kushmerick M, Lee D. Multiparameter MRI analysis of the time course of induced muscle damage and regeneration. J Magn Reson Imaging 2013; 40:779-88. [PMID: 24923472 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.24417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To test the ability of different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modalities to discriminate the time course of damage and regeneration in a model of acute, toxin-induced muscle damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed the time course of tissue and cellular changes in mouse lower limb musculature following localized injection of myotoxin by T2 , magnetization transfer (MT), and diffusion-weighted MRI. We also used T1 -weighted imaging to measure leg muscle volume. In addition, postmortem histological analysis of toxin-injected muscles was compared to uninjected controls. RESULTS The damages detected by the MRI modalities are transient and recover within 3 weeks. Muscle water diffusivity and edema measured by leg volume increased within the first hours after injection of the toxin. The rate constant for volume increase was 0.65 ± 0.11 hr(-1) , larger than the increase in T2 (0.045 ± 0.013 hr(-1) ) and change in MT ratio (0.028 ± 0.021 hr(-1) ). During repair phase, the rate constants were much smaller: 0.022 ± 0.004 hr(-1) , 0.013 ± 0.0019 hr(-1) and 0.0042 ± 0.0016 hr(-1) for volume, T2 , and MT ratio, respectively. Histological analyses confirmed the underlying cellular changes that matched the progression of MR images. CONCLUSION The kinetics of change in the MRI measurements during the progression of damage and repair shows MRI modalities can be used to distinguish these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Feng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Fan Z, Wang J, Ahn M, Shiloh-Malawsky Y, Chahin N, Elmore S, Bagnell CR, Wilber K, An H, Lin W, Zhu H, Styner M, Kornegay JN. Characteristics of magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers in a natural history study of golden retriever muscular dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2013; 24:178-91. [PMID: 24295811 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2013] [Revised: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to assess whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers can quantify disease progression in golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) via a natural history study. The proximal pelvic limbs of ten GRMD and eight normal dogs were scanned at 3, 6, and 9-12 months of age. Several MRI imaging and texture analysis biomarkers were quantified in seven muscles. Almost all MRI biomarkers readily distinguished GRMD from control dogs; however, only selected biomarkers tracked with longitudinal disease progression. The biomarkers that performed best were full-length muscle volume and a texture analysis biomarker, termed heterogeneity index. The biceps femoris, semitendinosus and cranial sartorius muscles showed differential progression in GRMD versus control dogs. MRI features in GRMD dogs showed dynamic progression that was most pronounced over the 3- to 6-month period. Volumetric biomarkers and water map values correlated with histopathological features of necrosis/regeneration at 6-months. In conclusion, selected MRI biomarkers (volume and heterogeneity index) in particular muscles (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and cranial sartorius) adjusted for age effect allow distinction of differential longitudinal progression in GRMD dogs. These biomarkers may be used as surrogate outcome measures in preclinical GRMD trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Fan
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
| | - Jiahui Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Mihye Ahn
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Yael Shiloh-Malawsky
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Nizar Chahin
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Sandra Elmore
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - C Robert Bagnell
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Kathy Wilber
- Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Hongyu An
- Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Weili Lin
- Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Hongtu Zhu
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Martin Styner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Joe N Kornegay
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
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Hollingsworth KG, Garrood P, Eagle M, Bushby K, Straub V. Magnetic resonance imaging in duchenne muscular dystrophy: Longitudinal assessment of natural history over 18 months. Muscle Nerve 2013; 48:586-8. [DOI: 10.1002/mus.23879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kieren G. Hollingsworth
- Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre; Institute of Cellular Medicine, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL UK
| | - Penny Garrood
- Institute of Genetic Medicine; International Centre for Life Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| | - Michelle Eagle
- Institute of Genetic Medicine; International Centre for Life Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| | - Kate Bushby
- Institute of Genetic Medicine; International Centre for Life Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| | - Volker Straub
- Institute of Genetic Medicine; International Centre for Life Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne UK
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Multimodal MRI and (31)P-MRS investigations of the ACTA1(Asp286Gly) mouse model of nemaline myopathy provide evidence of impaired in vivo muscle function, altered muscle structure and disturbed energy metabolism. PLoS One 2013; 8:e72294. [PMID: 23977274 PMCID: PMC3748127 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Nemaline myopathy (NM), the most common non-dystrophic congenital disease of skeletal muscle, can be caused by mutations in the skeletal muscle α-actin gene (ACTA1) (~25% of all NM cases and up to 50% of severe forms of NM). Muscle function of the recently generated transgenic mouse model carrying the human Asp286Gly mutation in the ACTA1 gene (Tg(ACTA1)(Asp286Gly)) has been mainly investigated in vitro. Therefore, we aimed at providing a comprehensive picture of the in vivo hindlimb muscle function of Tg(ACTA1)(Asp286Gly) mice by combining strictly noninvasive investigations. Skeletal muscle anatomy (hindlimb muscles, intramuscular fat volumes) and microstructure were studied using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (Dixon, T2, Diffusion Tensor Imaging [DTI]). Energy metabolism was studied using 31-phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ((31)P-MRS). Skeletal muscle contractile performance was investigated while applying a force-frequency protocol (1-150 Hz) and a fatigue protocol (6 min-1.7 Hz). Tg(ACTA1)(Asp286Gly) mice showed a mild muscle weakness as illustrated by the reduction of both absolute (30%) and specific (15%) maximal force production. Dixon MRI did not show discernable fatty infiltration in Tg(ACTA1)(Asp286Gly) mice indicating that this mouse model does not reproduce human MRI findings. Increased T2 values were observed in Tg(ACTA1)(Asp286Gly) mice and might reflect the occurrence of muscle degeneration/regeneration process. Interestingly, T2 values were linearly related to muscle weakness. DTI experiments indicated lower λ2 and λ3 values in Tg(ACTA1)(Asp286Gly) mice, which might be associated to muscle atrophy and/or the presence of histological anomalies. Finally (31)P-MRS investigations illustrated an increased anaerobic energy cost of contraction in Tg(ACTA1)(Asp286Gly) mice, which might be ascribed to contractile and non-contractile processes. Overall, we provide a unique set of information about the anatomic, metabolic and functional consequences of the Asp286Gly mutation that might be considered as relevant biomarkers for monitoring the severity and/or the progression of NM and for assessing the efficacy of potential therapeutic interventions.
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Temporal changes in magnetic resonance imaging in the mdx mouse. BMC Res Notes 2013; 6:262. [PMID: 23837666 PMCID: PMC3716616 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-6-262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized clinically by severe, progressive loss of skeletal muscle. The phenotype is much less severe in the mdx mouse model of DMD than that seen in patients with DMD. However, a “critical period” has been described for the mdx mouse, during which there is a peak in muscle weakness and degeneration/regeneration between the 2nd and 5th weeks of life. A number of studies have employed small animal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine skeletal muscle in various dystrophic models, but such studies represent a snapshot in time rather than a longitudinal view. Results The in vivo cross-sectional T2-weighted image of the healthy (wild type, WT) muscles is homogeneously dark and this homogeneity does not change with time, as there is no disease. We, and others, have shown marked changes in MRI in dystrophic muscle, with multiple, unevenly distributed focal hyperintensities throughout the bulk of the muscles. Here we monitored an mdx mouse using MRI from 5 to 80 weeks of age. Temporal MRI scans show an increase in heterogeneity shortly after the critical period, at 9 and 13 weeks of age, with a decrease in heterogeneity thereafter. The 4.3-fold increase in percent heterogeneity at week 9 and 13 is consistent with the notion of an early critical period described for mdx mice. Conclusions Age is a significant variable in quantitative MR studies of the mdx mouse. The mdx mouse is typically studied during the critical period, at a time that most closely mimics the DMD pathology, but the preliminary findings here, albeit based on imaging only one mdx mouse over time, suggest that the changes in MRI can occur shortly after this period, when the muscles are still recovering.
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Gineste C, Le Fur Y, Vilmen C, Le Troter A, Pecchi E, Cozzone PJ, Hardeman EC, Bendahan D, Gondin J. Combined MRI and ³¹P-MRS investigations of the ACTA1(H40Y) mouse model of nemaline myopathy show impaired muscle function and altered energy metabolism. PLoS One 2013; 8:e61517. [PMID: 23613869 PMCID: PMC3629063 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2012] [Accepted: 03/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nemaline myopathy (NM) is the most common disease entity among non-dystrophic skeletal muscle congenital diseases. Mutations in the skeletal muscle α-actin gene (ACTA1) account for ∼25% of all NM cases and are the most frequent cause of severe forms of NM. So far, the mechanisms underlying muscle weakness in NM patients remain unclear. Additionally, recent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies reported a progressive fatty infiltration of skeletal muscle with a specific muscle involvement in patients with ACTA1 mutations. We investigated strictly noninvasively the gastrocnemius muscle function of a mouse model carrying a mutation in the ACTA1 gene (H40Y). Skeletal muscle anatomy (hindlimb muscles and fat volumes) and energy metabolism were studied using MRI and 31Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Skeletal muscle contractile performance was investigated while applying a force-frequency protocol (from 1–150 Hz) and a fatigue protocol (80 stimuli at 40 Hz). H40Y mice showed a reduction of both absolute (−40%) and specific (−25%) maximal force production as compared to controls. Interestingly, muscle weakness was associated with an improved resistance to fatigue (+40%) and an increased energy cost. On the contrary, the force frequency relationship was not modified in H40Y mice and the extent of fatty infiltration was minor and not different from the WT group. We concluded that the H40Y mouse model does not reproduce human MRI findings but shows a severe muscle weakness which might be related to an alteration of intrinsic muscular properties. The increased energy cost in H40Y mice might be related to either an impaired mitochondrial function or an alteration at the cross-bridges level. Overall, we provided a unique set of anatomic, metabolic and functional biomarkers that might be relevant for monitoring the progression of NM disease but also for assessing the efficacy of potential therapeutic interventions at a preclinical level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Gineste
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (CRMBM) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR), Marseille, France
| | - Yann Le Fur
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (CRMBM) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR), Marseille, France
| | - Christophe Vilmen
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (CRMBM) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR), Marseille, France
| | - Arnaud Le Troter
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (CRMBM) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR), Marseille, France
| | - Emilie Pecchi
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (CRMBM) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR), Marseille, France
| | - Patrick J. Cozzone
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (CRMBM) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR), Marseille, France
| | - Edna C. Hardeman
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - David Bendahan
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (CRMBM) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR), Marseille, France
| | - Julien Gondin
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (CRMBM) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR), Marseille, France
- * E-mail:
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Comprehensive longitudinal characterization of canine muscular dystrophy by serial NMR imaging of GRMD dogs. Neuromuscul Disord 2012; 22 Suppl 2:S85-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2012.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2011] [Accepted: 04/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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30
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Xu S, Pratt SJP, Spangenburg EE, Lovering RM. Early metabolic changes measured by 1H MRS in healthy and dystrophic muscle after injury. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2012; 113:808-16. [PMID: 22744967 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00530.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle injury is often assessed by clinical findings (history, pain, tenderness, strength loss), by imaging, or by invasive techniques. The purpose of this work was to determine if in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) could reveal metabolic changes in murine skeletal muscle after contraction-induced injury. We compared findings in the tibialis anterior muscle from both healthy wild-type (WT) muscles (C57BL/10 mice) and dystrophic (mdx mice) muscles (an animal model for human Duchenne muscular dystrophy) before and after contraction-induced injury. A mild in vivo eccentric injury protocol was used due to the high susceptibility of mdx muscles to injury. As expected, mdx mice sustained a greater loss of force (81%) after injury compared with WT (42%). In the uninjured muscles, choline (Cho) levels were 47% lower in the mdx muscles compared with WT muscles. In mdx mice, taurine levels decreased 17%, and Cho levels increased 25% in injured muscles compared with uninjured mdx muscles. Intramyocellular lipids and total muscle lipid levels increased significantly after injury but only in WT. The increase in lipid was confirmed using a permeable lipophilic fluorescence dye. In summary, loss of torque after injury was associated with alterations in muscle metabolite levels that may contribute to the overall injury response in mdx mice. These results show that it is possible to obtain meaningful in vivo (1)H MRS regarding skeletal muscle injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Xu
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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31
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Bo Li Z, Zhang J, Wagner KR. Inhibition of myostatin reverses muscle fibrosis through apoptosis. J Cell Sci 2012; 125:3957-65. [PMID: 22685331 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.090365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle fibrosis is a defining feature of the muscular dystrophies in which contractile myofibers are replaced by fibroblasts, adipocytes and extracellular matrix. This maladaptive response of muscle to repetitive injury is progressive, self-perpetuating and thus far, has been considered irreversible. We have previously shown that myostatin, a known endogenous modulator of muscle growth, stimulates normal muscle fibroblasts to proliferate. Here, we demonstrate that myostatin also regulates the proliferation of dystrophic muscle fibroblasts, and increases resistance of fibroblasts to apoptosis through Smad and MAPK signaling. Inhibition of myostatin signaling pathways with a soluble activin IIB receptor (ActRIIB.Fc) reduces resistance of muscle fibroblasts to apoptosis in vitro. Systemic administration of ActRIIB.Fc in senescent mdx mice, a model of muscular dystrophy, significantly increases the number of muscle fibroblasts undergoing apoptosis. This leads to the reversal of pre-existing muscle fibrosis as determined by histological, biochemical and radiographical criteria. These results demonstrate that skeletal muscle fibrosis can be pharmacologically reversed through induction of fibroblast apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Bo Li
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders, Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Diffusion tensor MRI to assess damage in healthy and dystrophic skeletal muscle after lengthening contractions. J Biomed Biotechnol 2011; 2011:970726. [PMID: 22190860 PMCID: PMC3228693 DOI: 10.1155/2011/970726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2011] [Revised: 07/02/2011] [Accepted: 08/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine if variables calculated from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) would serve as a reliable marker of damage after a muscle strain injury in dystrophic (mdx) and wild type (WT) mice. Unilateral injury to the tibialis anterior muscle (TA) was induced in vivo by 10 maximal lengthening contractions. High resolution T1- and T2-weighted structural MRI, including T2 mapping and spin echo DTI was acquired on a 7T small animal MRI system. Injury was confirmed by a significant loss of isometric torque (85% in mdx versus 42% in WT). Greater increases in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), axial, and radial diffusivity (AD and RD) of the injured muscle were present in the mdx mice versus controls. These changes were paralleled by decreases in fractional anisotropy (FA). Additionally, T2 was increased in the mdx mice, but the spatial extent of the changes was less than those in the DTI parameters. The data suggest that DTI is an accurate indicator of muscle injury, even at early time points where the MR signal changes are dominated by local edema.
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Odintsov B, Chun JL, Mulligan JA, Berry SE. 14.1 T whole body MRI for detection of mesoangioblast stem cells in a murine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Magn Reson Med 2011; 66:1704-14. [PMID: 22086733 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.22942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2010] [Revised: 02/22/2011] [Accepted: 03/07/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Noninvasive imaging procedures will be important for stem cell therapy for muscular dystrophy (MD). Mesoangioblasts regenerate muscle in animal models of muscular dystrophy. In this study, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were used to visualize mesoangioblasts in vivo with MRI. Mesoangioblasts incorporated superparamagnetic iron oxide without transfection reagents, and cell differentiation was not negatively impacted. A custom-built radiofrequency coil with an adjustable field of view and 14.1 T magnet were used for whole-body MRI of mice. High-resolution images of mesoangioblasts in skeletal and cardiac muscle of Mdx mice were obtained following local delivery. Labeled cells were verified by Prussian blue staining and dystrophin expression, indicating that the wild-type mesoangioblasts survived and differentiated in muscle. Iron-labeled cells were detected with MRI in vivo 6 months following intracardiac injection but were determined to be activated macrophages. Iron-labeled cells were not detected by MRI following systemic delivery but were present in skeletal and cardiac muscle, visualized by Prussian blue staining. Systemically delivered mesoangioblasts were detected in lungs by Prussian blue staining and DiI but not by MRI in our study. MRI may be useful for short-term tracking of mesoangioblasts delivered locally but not for long-term monitoring or detection after systemic delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Odintsov
- Biomedical Imaging Center, Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA
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de Sousa PL, Vignaud A, Caldas de Almeida Araújo E, Carlier PG. Factors controlling T2 mapping from partially spoiled SSFP sequence: optimization for skeletal muscle characterization. Magn Reson Med 2011; 67:1379-90. [PMID: 22189505 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.23131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2011] [Revised: 07/07/2011] [Accepted: 07/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
A fast and robust methodology for in vivo T(2) mapping is presented. The approach is based on the partially spoiled steady state free precession technique recently proposed by Bieri et al. (Magn Reson Med 2011). The accuracy of this method was demonstrated in simulations and phantom experiments. Variations in skeletal muscle T(2) relaxation time have been correlated with cell damage and inflammatory response. Nonetheless, the lack of easily implementable, fast, accurate and reproducible methods has hampered the adoption of T(2) measurement as a noninvasive tool for skeletal muscle characterization. The applicability of the partially spoiled steady state free precession method for tissue characterization in muscle disease is illustrated in this work by several examples. Quantitative MRI, in particular T(2) mapping based on partially spoiled steady state free precession acquisitions, might provide objective markers of muscle damage and degenerative changes, and an alternative to serial muscle biopsies.
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Klyen BR, Shavlakadze T, Radley-Crabb HG, Grounds MD, Sampson DD. Identification of muscle necrosis in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy using three-dimensional optical coherence tomography. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2011; 16:076013. [PMID: 21806274 DOI: 10.1117/1.3598842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (3D-OCT) was used to image the structure and pathology of skeletal muscle tissue from the treadmill-exercised mdx mouse model of human Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of excised muscle samples were compared with co-registered hematoxylin and eosin-stained and Evans blue dye fluorescence histology. We show, for the first time, structural 3D-OCT images of skeletal muscle dystropathology well correlated with co-located histology. OCT could identify morphological features of interest and necrotic lesions within the muscle tissue samples based on intrinsic optical contrast. These findings demonstrate the utility of 3D-OCT for the evaluation of small-animal skeletal muscle morphology and pathology, particularly for studies of mouse models of muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake R Klyen
- The University of Western Australia, School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Optical+Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, M018, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
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Janiczek RL, Gambarota G, Sinclair CDJ, Yousry TA, Thornton JS, Golay X, Newbould RD. Simultaneous T
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and lipid quantitation using IDEAL-CPMG. Magn Reson Med 2011; 66:1293-302. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.22916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2010] [Revised: 01/12/2011] [Accepted: 02/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Mathur S, Vohra RS, Germain SA, Forbes S, Bryant ND, Vandenborne K, Walter GA. Changes in muscle T2 and tissue damage after downhill running in mdx mice. Muscle Nerve 2011; 43:878-86. [PMID: 21488051 DOI: 10.1002/mus.21986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In this study we compared the effects of downhill or horizontal treadmill running on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) transverse relaxation time constant (T(2)) in mdx mice. METHODS Mice underwent either downhill (n = 11 mdx, n = 6 controls) or horizontal running (n = 9, mdx only) on a treadmill. MRI was conducted prior to exercise, immediately afterward (∽20 minutes), and then 24 and 48 hours after exercise. RESULTS A higher percentage of pixels with elevated T(2) in the lower hindlimb muscles was observed in the mdx mice compared with controls both pre-exercise (P < 0.001) and at each time-point after downhill running (P < 0.05), but not with horizontal running. The medial compartment muscles appeared to be the most susceptible to increased T(2). CONCLUSIONS Downhill running provides a stimulus for inducing acute changes in muscle T(2) in mdx mice. MRI is a non-invasive approach for examining acute muscle damage and recovery in multiple muscle groups simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunita Mathur
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Giannesini B, Vilmen C, Le Fur Y, Dalmasso C, Cozzone PJ, Bendahan D. A strictly noninvasive MR setup dedicated to longitudinal studies of mechanical performance, bioenergetics, anatomy, and muscle recruitment in contracting mouse skeletal muscle. Magn Reson Med 2010; 64:262-70. [PMID: 20572140 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.22386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
MR techniques have proven their ability to investigate skeletal muscle function in situ. Their benefit in terms of noninvasiveness is, however, lost in animal research, given that muscle stimulation and force output measurements are usually achieved using invasive surgical procedures, thereby excluding repeated investigations in the same animal. This study describes a new setup allowing strictly noninvasive investigations of mouse gastrocnemius muscle function using (1)H-MRI and (31)P-MR spectroscopy. Its originality is to integrate noninvasive systems for inducing muscle contraction through transcutaneous stimulation and for measuring mechanical performance with a dedicated ergometer. In order to test the setup, muscle function was investigated using a fatiguing stimulation protocol (6 min of repeated isometric contractions at 1.7 Hz). T(2)-weighted imaging demonstrated that transcutaneous stimulation mainly activated the gastrocnemius. Moreover, investigations repeated twice with a 7-day interval between bouts did show a high reproducibility in measurements with regard to changes in isometric force and energy metabolism. In conclusion, this setup enables us for the first time to access mechanical performance, energy metabolism, anatomy, and physiology strictly noninvasively in contracting mouse skeletal muscle. The possibility for implementing longitudinal studies opens up new perspectives in many research areas, including ageing, pharmaceutical research, and gene and cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoît Giannesini
- Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (CRMBM) UMR 6612 CNRS - Université de la Méditerranée, Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, 27, bd Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France.
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Wang Z, Storb R, Lee D, Kushmerick MJ, Chu B, Berger C, Arnett A, Allen J, Chamberlain JS, Riddell SR, Tapscott SJ. Immune responses to AAV in canine muscle monitored by cellular assays and noninvasive imaging. Mol Ther 2009; 18:617-24. [PMID: 20040912 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2009.294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that direct intramuscular injection of rAAV2 or rAAV6 in wild-type dogs resulted in robust T-cell responses to viral capsid proteins, and others have shown that cellular immunity to adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid proteins coincided with liver toxicity and elimination of transgene expression in a human trial of hemophilia B. Here, we show that the heparin-binding ability of a given AAV serotype does not determine the induction of T-cell responses following intramuscular injection in dogs, and identify multiple epitopes in the AAV capsid protein that are recognized by T cells elicited by AAV injection. We also demonstrate that noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can accurately detect local inflammatory responses following intramuscular rAAV injection in dogs. These studies suggest that pseudotyping rAAV vectors to remove heparin-binding activity will not be sufficient to abrogate immunogenicity, and validate the utility of enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISpot) assay and MRI for monitoring immune and inflammatory responses following intramuscular injection of rAAV vectors in preclinical studies in dogs. These assays should be incorporated into future human clinical trials of AAV gene therapy to monitor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zejing Wang
- Program in Transplantation Biology, Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
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40
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Kobayashi M, Nakamura A, Hasegawa D, Fujita M, Orima H, Takeda S. Evaluation of dystrophic dog pathology by fat-suppressed T2-weighted imaging. Muscle Nerve 2009; 40:815-26. [DOI: 10.1002/mus.21384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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41
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Molecular imaging: a primer for interventionalists and imagers. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2009; 20:S505-22. [PMID: 19560036 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2009.04.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2006] [Revised: 06/15/2006] [Accepted: 06/19/2006] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The characterization of human diseases by their underlying molecular and genomic aberrations has been the hallmark of molecular medicine. From this, molecular imaging has emerged as a potentially revolutionary discipline that aims to visually characterize normal and pathologic processes at the cellular and molecular levels within the milieu of living organisms. Molecular imaging holds promise to provide earlier and more precise disease diagnosis, improved disease characterization, and timely assessment of therapeutic response. This primer is intended to provide a broad overview of molecular imaging with specific focus on future clinical applications relevant to interventional radiology.
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Bogdanovich S, McNally EM, Khurana TS. Myostatin blockade improves function but not histopathology in a murine model of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2C. Muscle Nerve 2008; 37:308-16. [PMID: 18041051 DOI: 10.1002/mus.20920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Myostatin is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth. Myostatin mutations and pharmacological strategies increase muscle mass in vivo, suggesting that myostatin blockade may prove useful in diseases characterized by muscle wasting, such as the muscular dystrophies. We subjected the gamma-sarcoglycan-deficient (Sgcg(-/-)) mouse model of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) 2C to antibody-mediated myostatin blockade in vivo. Myostatin inhibition led to increased fiber size, muscle mass, and absolute force. However, no clear improvement in muscle histopathology was evident, demonstrating discordance between physiological and histological improvement. These results and previous studies on the dyw/dyw mouse model of congenital muscular dystrophy and in the late-stage delta-sarcoglycan-deficient (Sgcd(-/-)) mouse model of LGMD2F document disease-specific limitations to therapeutic strategies based on myostatin blockade in the more severe mouse models of different muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha Bogdanovich
- Department of Physiology and Pennsylvania Muscle Institute, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3700 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6085, USA
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43
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Grounds MD, Radley HG, Lynch GS, Nagaraju K, De Luca A. Towards developing standard operating procedures for pre-clinical testing in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Neurobiol Dis 2008; 31:1-19. [PMID: 18499465 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2008.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2008] [Revised: 03/20/2008] [Accepted: 03/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This review discusses various issues to consider when developing standard operating procedures for pre-clinical studies in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The review describes and evaluates a wide range of techniques used to measure parameters of muscle pathology in mdx mice and identifies some basic techniques that might comprise standardised approaches for evaluation. While the central aim is to provide a basis for the development of standardised procedures to evaluate efficacy of a drug or a therapeutic strategy, a further aim is to gain insight into pathophysiological mechanisms in order to identify other therapeutic targets. The desired outcome is to enable easier and more rigorous comparison of pre-clinical data from different laboratories around the world, in order to accelerate identification of the best pre-clinical therapies in the mdx mouse that will fast-track translation into effective clinical treatments for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda D Grounds
- School of Anatomy and Human Biology, the University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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44
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Non-invasive assessment of lower extremity muscle composition after incomplete spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord 2008; 46:565-70. [PMID: 18347608 DOI: 10.1038/sc.2008.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE (1) To quantify intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) content of the soleus muscle. (2) To assess the T(2) relaxation rates in the lower extremity skeletal muscles in persons with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING Academic Institution, Florida. METHODS Eight subjects (42+/-10 years old; 70+/-12 kg; 176+/-10 cm) with chronic (17+/-9 months post injury) motor SCI (C4-T12; ASIA C or D) and eight matched healthy controls were tested. Localized unsuppressed proton spectroscopy (H-MRS) was performed to estimate total lipid content and individual lipid components; IMCL and extramyocellular lipid (EMCL) from the soleus muscle. T(2)-weighted imaging of lower extremity muscles yielded muscle T(2) rates. RESULTS The IMCL content of the soleus muscle was 3.3 times higher in the patient group as compared to controls (P=0.002; 0.0401 (0.0234-0.0849) versus 0.0123 (0.0090-0.0175)). Similarly, EMCL measures were 4.5 times higher as compared to the controls (P=0.002). Significant differences were observed in the T(2) relaxation times of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The increased levels of IMCL might interfere with the glucose uptake in skeletal muscle; potentially predisposing persons with incomplete SCI to the development of peripheral insulin resistance. Marked elevations in the T(2) relaxation times of the locomotor muscles are reflective of an altered muscle composition.
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Abstract
Gene therapy is a very attractive strategy in experimental cancer therapy. Ideally, the approach aims to deliver therapeutic genes selectively to cancer cells. However, progress in the improvement of gene therapy formulations has been hampered by difficulties in measuring transgene delivery and in quantifying transgene expression in vivo. In clinical trials, endpoints rely almost exclusively on the analysis of biopsies, which provide limited information. Non-invasive monitoring of gene delivery and expression is a very attractive approach as it can be repeated over time in the same patient to provide spatiotemporal information on gene expression on a whole body scale. Thus, imaging methods can uniquely provide researchers and clinicians the ability to directly and serially assess morphological, functional and metabolic changes consequent to molecular and cellular based therapies. This review highlights the various methods currently being developed in preclinical models.
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Klyen BR, Armstrong JJ, Adie SG, Radley HG, Grounds MD, Sampson DD. Three-dimensional optical coherence tomography of whole-muscle autografts as a precursor to morphological assessment of muscular dystrophy in mice. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2008; 13:011003. [PMID: 18315352 DOI: 10.1117/1.2870170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (3D-OCT) is used to evaluate the structure and pathology of regenerating mouse skeletal muscle autografts for the first time. The death of myofibers with associated inflammation and subsequent new muscle formation in this graft model represents key features of necrosis and inflammation in the human disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We perform 3D-OCT imaging of excised autografts and compare OCT images with coregistered histology. The OCT images readily distinguish the necrotic and inflammatory tissue of the graft from the intact healthy muscle fibers in the underlying host tissue. These preliminary findings suggest that, with further development, 3D-OCT could be used as a tool for the evaluation of small-animal muscle morphology and pathology, in particular, for analysis of mouse models of muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake R Klyen
- The University of Western Australia, School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Optical+Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
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Vigen KK, Hegge JO, Zhang G, Mukherjee R, Braun S, Grist TM, Wolff JA. Magnetic resonance imaging-monitored plasmid DNA delivery in primate limb muscle. Hum Gene Ther 2007; 18:257-68. [PMID: 17376006 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2006.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this work is to investigate the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor the effects of high-pressure naked plasmid DNA (pDNA) intravascular injections in primate limbs, studying both the distribution of the injected solution in the muscle space, as well as the effects on the vascular system. The distal portion of the four limbs of each of six rhesus monkeys were hydrodynamically injected with naked pDNA, which expressed the luciferase reporter gene. Three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted gradient echo and 2D multislice T2-weighted fast spin echo (FSE) series were acquired before and immediately after the injection to confirm the volume of solution injected into the limb, and to study the distribution of the injected solution in the individual muscle groups. Time-resolved contrast-enhanced 3D magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was performed several days before, immediately after, and in a follow-up examination after the pDNA injection to study the effects of the procedure on the primate peripheral vascular system. T1-weighted gradient echo imaging confirmed the delivery of the majority of the solution after successful pDNA injections. T2-weighted FSE imaging demonstrated the distribution of the saline solution in individual muscles in the target limbs, with enhancement showing a weak but significant correlation with the level of gene expression. Time-resolved contrast-enhanced MRA demonstrated effects of the injection procedure on the arterial and venous vascular systems, and the intramuscular compartments; and these effects largely returned to normal on short-term follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl K Vigen
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA.
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48
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Pacak CA, Walter GA, Gaidosh G, Bryant N, Lewis MA, Germain S, Mah CS, Campbell KP, Byrne BJ. Long-term skeletal muscle protection after gene transfer in a mouse model of LGMD-2D. Mol Ther 2007; 15:1775-81. [PMID: 17653106 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mt.6300246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) describes a group of inherited diseases resulting from mutations in genes encoding proteins involved in maintaining skeletal muscle membrane stability. LGMD type-2D is caused by mutations in alpha-sarcoglycan (sgca). Here we describe muscle-specific gene delivery of the human sgca gene into dystrophic muscle using an adeno-associated virus 1 (AAV1) capsid and creatine kinase promoter. Delivery of this construct to adult sgca(-/-) mice resulted in localization of the sarcoglycan complex to the sarcolemma and a reduction in muscle fiber damage. Sgca expression prevented disease progression as observed in vivo by T(2)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and confirmed in vitro by decreased Evan's blue dye accumulation. The ability of recombinant AAV-mediated gene delivery to restore normal muscle mechanical properties in sgca(-/-) mice was verified by in vitro force mechanics on isolated extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles, with a decrease in passive resistance to stretch as compared with untreated controls. In summary, AAV/AAV-sgca gene transfer provides long-term muscle protection from LGMD and can be non-invasively evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina A Pacak
- Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
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Brunelli S, Rovere-Querini P, Sciorati C, Manfredi AA, Clementi E. Nitric oxide: emerging concepts about its use in cell-based therapies. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2006; 16:33-43. [PMID: 17155852 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.16.1.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Regenerative medicine is an emerging clinical discipline in which cell-based therapies are used to restore the functions of damaged or defective tissues and organs. Along with the well-established use of cells derived from bone marrow or pancreatic islets, novel approaches of cell therapy have recently emerged that appear particularly promising; that is, those using cell-based vaccines and stem cells. This review focuses on the recent developments of these experimental therapeutic approaches and their drawbacks, with specific focus on dendritic cell vaccines in tumours and mesoangioblasts in muscular dystrophies. The authors discuss how the unique properties of a gaseous messenger, NO, may be exploited to overcome some of the drawbacks of these cell-based approaches in combined therapies based on NO-releasing drugs and cell delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Brunelli
- University of Milano-Bicocca, Department of Experimental, Environmental Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, 20052 Monza, Italy
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50
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Wang DS, Dake MD, Park JM, Kuo MD. Molecular Imaging: A Primer for Interventionalists and Imagers. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2006; 17:1405-23. [PMID: 16990461 DOI: 10.1097/01.rvi.0000235746.86332.df] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The characterization of human diseases by their underlying molecular and genomic aberrations has been the hallmark of molecular medicine. From this, molecular imaging has emerged as a potentially revolutionary discipline that aims to visually characterize normal and pathologic processes at the cellular and molecular levels within the milieu of living organisms. Molecular imaging holds promise to provide earlier and more precise disease diagnosis, improved disease characterization, and timely assessment of therapeutic response. This primer is intended to provide a broad overview of molecular imaging with specific focus on future clinical applications relevant to interventional radiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Wang
- Department of Radiology and Center for Translational Medical Systems, University of California San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
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