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Delaney R, O'Halloran KD. Respiratory performance in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Clinical manifestations and lessons from animal models. Exp Physiol 2024; 109:1426-1445. [PMID: 39023735 PMCID: PMC11363095 DOI: 10.1113/ep091967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal genetic neuromuscular disease. Lack of dystrophin in skeletal muscles leads to intrinsic weakness, injury, subsequent degeneration and fibrosis, decreasing contractile function. Dystropathology eventually presents in all inspiratory and expiratory muscles of breathing, severely curtailing their critical function. In people with DMD, premature death is caused by respiratory or cardiac failure. There is an urgent need to develop therapies that improve quality of life and extend life expectancy in DMD. Surprisingly, there is a dearth of information on respiratory control in animal models of DMD, and respiratory outcome measures are often limited or absent in clinical trials. Characterization of respiratory performance in murine and canine models has revealed extensive remodelling of the diaphragm, the major muscle of inspiration. However, significant compensation by extradiaphragmatic muscles of breathing is evident in early disease, contributing to preservation of peak respiratory system performance. Loss of compensation afforded by accessory muscles in advanced disease is ultimately associated with compromised respiratory performance. A new and potentially more translatable murine model of DMD, the D2.mdx mouse, has recently been developed. Respiratory performance in D2.mdx mice is yet to be characterized fully. However, based on histopathological features, D2.mdx mice might serve as useful preclinical models, facilitating the testing of new therapeutics that rescue respiratory function. This review summarizes the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with DMD both in humans and in animal models, with a focus on breathing. We consider the translational value of each model to human DMD and highlight the urgent need for comprehensive characterization of breathing in representative preclinical models to better inform human trials.
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2
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Dubreil L, Damane N, Fleurisson R, Charrier M, Pichon J, Leroux I, Schleder C, Ledevin M, Larcher T, Jamme F, Puentes J, Rouger K. Specific and label-free endogenous signature of dystrophic muscle by Synchrotron deep ultraviolet radiation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10808. [PMID: 37402811 PMCID: PMC10319894 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37762-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dystrophic muscle is characterized by necrosis/regeneration cycles, inflammation, and fibro-adipogenic development. Conventional histological stainings provide essential topographical data of this remodeling but may be limited to discriminate closely related pathophysiological contexts. They fail to mention microarchitecture changes linked to the nature and spatial distribution of tissue compartment components. We investigated whether label-free tissue autofluorescence revealed by Synchrotron deep ultraviolet (DUV) radiation could serve as an additional tool for monitoring dystrophic muscle remodeling. Using widefield microscopy with specific emission fluorescence filters and microspectroscopy defined by high spectral resolution, we analyzed samples from healthy dogs and two groups of dystrophic dogs: naïve (severely affected) and MuStem cell-transplanted (clinically stabilized) animals. Multivariate statistical analysis and machine learning approaches demonstrated that autofluorescence emitted at 420-480 nm by the Biceps femoris muscle effectively discriminates between healthy, dystrophic, and transplanted dog samples. Microspectroscopy showed that dystrophic dog muscle displays higher and lower autofluorescence due to collagen cross-linking and NADH respectively than that of healthy and transplanted dogs, defining biomarkers to evaluate the impact of cell transplantation. Our findings demonstrate that DUV radiation is a sensitive, label-free method to assess the histopathological status of dystrophic muscle using small amounts of tissue, with potential applications in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Noreddine Damane
- Oniris, INRAE, PAnTher, 44300, Nantes, France
- IMT Atlantique, Lab-STICC, UMR CNRS 6285, 29238, Brest, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Frédéric Jamme
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, BP48, L'Orme Des Merisiers, 91120, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France
| | - John Puentes
- IMT Atlantique, Lab-STICC, UMR CNRS 6285, 29238, Brest, France
| | - Karl Rouger
- Oniris, INRAE, PAnTher, 44300, Nantes, France.
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3
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Riddell DO, Hildyard JCW, Harron RCM, Hornby NL, Wells DJ, Piercy RJ. Serum inflammatory cytokines as disease biomarkers in the DE50-MD dog model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:285901. [PMID: 36444978 PMCID: PMC9789403 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal muscle-wasting disease, caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, characterised by cycles of muscle degeneration, inflammation and regeneration. Recently, there has been renewed interest specifically in drugs that ameliorate muscle inflammation in DMD patients. The DE50-MD dog is a model of DMD that closely mimics the human DMD phenotype. We quantified inflammatory proteins in serum from wild-type (WT) and DE50-MD dogs aged 3-18 months to identify biomarkers for future pre-clinical trials. Significantly higher concentrations of C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF or CSF2), keratinocyte chemotactic-like (KC-like, homologous to mouse CXCL1), TNFα (or TNF), and interleukins IL2, IL6, IL7, IL8 (CXCL8), IL10, IL15 and IL18 were detected in DE50-MD serum compared to WT serum. Of these, CCL2 best differentiated the two genotypes. The relative level of CCL2 mRNA was greater in the vastus lateralis muscle of DE50-MD dogs than in that of WT dogs, and CCL2 was expressed both within and at the periphery of damaged myofibres. Serum CCL2 concentration was significantly associated with acid phosphatase staining in vastus lateralis biopsy samples in DE50-MD dogs. In conclusion, the serum cytokine profile suggests that inflammation is a feature of the DE50-MD phenotype. Quantification of serum CCL2 in particular is a useful non-invasive biomarker of the DE50-MD phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique O. Riddell
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Camden, London NW1 0TU, UK,Authors for correspondence (; )
| | - John C. W. Hildyard
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Camden, London NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Rachel C. M. Harron
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Camden, London NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Natasha L. Hornby
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Camden, London NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Dominic J. Wells
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Camden, London NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Richard J. Piercy
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Camden, London NW1 0TU, UK,Authors for correspondence (; )
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Hildyard JC, Riddell DO, Harron RC, Rawson F, Foster EM, Massey C, Taylor-Brown F, Wells DJ, Piercy RJ. The skeletal muscle phenotype of the DE50-MD dog model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Wellcome Open Res 2022; 7:238. [PMID: 36865375 PMCID: PMC9971692 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18251.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Animal models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are essential to study disease progression and assess efficacy of therapeutic intervention, however dystrophic mice fail to display a clinically relevant phenotype, limiting translational utility. Dystrophin-deficient dogs exhibit disease similar to humans, making them increasingly important for late-stage preclinical evaluation of candidate therapeutics. The DE50-MD canine model of DMD carries a mutation within a human 'hotspot' region of the dystrophin gene, amenable to exon-skipping and gene editing strategies. As part of a large natural history study of disease progression, we have characterised the DE50-MD skeletal muscle phenotype to identify parameters that could serve as efficacy biomarkers in future preclinical trials. Methods: Vastus lateralis muscles were biopsied from a large cohort of DE50-MD dogs and healthy male littermates at 3-monthly intervals (3-18 months) for longitudinal analysis, with multiple muscles collected post-mortem to evaluate body-wide changes. Pathology was characterised quantitatively using histology and measurement of gene expression to determine statistical power and sample sizes appropriate for future work. Results: DE50-MD skeletal muscle exhibits widespread degeneration/regeneration, fibrosis, atrophy and inflammation. Degenerative/inflammatory changes peak during the first year of life, while fibrotic remodelling appears more gradual. Pathology is similar in most skeletal muscles, but in the diaphragm, fibrosis is more prominent, associated with fibre splitting and pathological hypertrophy. Picrosirius red and acid phosphatase staining represent useful quantitative histological biomarkers for fibrosis and inflammation respectively, while qPCR can be used to measure regeneration ( MYH3, MYH8), fibrosis ( COL1A1), inflammation ( SPP1), and stability of DE50-MD dp427 transcripts. Conclusion: The DE50-MD dog is a valuable model of DMD, with pathological features similar to young, ambulant human patients. Sample size and power calculations show that our panel of muscle biomarkers are of strong pre-clinical value, able to detect therapeutic improvements of even 25%, using trials with only six animals per group.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C.W. Hildyard
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK,
| | - Dominique O. Riddell
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK
| | - Rachel C.M. Harron
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK
| | - Faye Rawson
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK,Langford Veterinary Services, University of Bristol, Langford, UK
| | - Emma M.A. Foster
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK
| | - Claire Massey
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK
| | - Frances Taylor-Brown
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK,Cave Veterinary Specialists, George's Farm, West Buckland, UK
| | - Dominic J. Wells
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK
| | - Richard J. Piercy
- Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, London, UK,
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5
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CRISPR-Based Therapeutic Gene Editing for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Advances, Challenges and Perspectives. Cells 2022; 11:cells11192964. [PMID: 36230926 PMCID: PMC9564082 DOI: 10.3390/cells11192964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe neuromuscular disease arising from loss-of-function mutations in the dystrophin gene and characterized by progressive muscle degeneration, respiratory insufficiency, cardiac failure, and premature death by the age of thirty. Albeit DMD is one of the most common types of fatal genetic diseases, there is no curative treatment for this devastating disorder. In recent years, gene editing via the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system has paved a new path toward correcting pathological mutations at the genetic source, thus enabling the permanent restoration of dystrophin expression and function throughout the musculature. To date, the therapeutic benefits of CRISPR genome-editing systems have been successfully demonstrated in human cells, rodents, canines, and piglets with diverse DMD mutations. Nevertheless, there remain some nonignorable challenges to be solved before the clinical application of CRISPR-based gene therapy. Herein, we provide an overview of therapeutic CRISPR genome-editing systems, summarize recent advancements in their applications in DMD contexts, and discuss several potential obstacles lying ahead of clinical translation.
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6
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Polikarpova AV, Egorova TV, Bardina MV. Genetically modified animal models of hereditary diseases for testing of gene-directed therapy. RESEARCH RESULTS IN PHARMACOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/rrpharmacology.8.82618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease-causing genes have been identified for many severe muscular and neurological genetic disorders. Advances in the gene therapy field offer promising solutions for drug development to treat these life-threatening conditions. Depending on how the mutation affects the function of the gene product, different gene therapy approaches may be beneficial. Gene replacement therapy is appropriate for diseases caused by mutations that result in the deficiency of the functional protein. Gene suppression strategy is suggested for disorders caused by the toxic product of the mutant gene. Splicing modulators, genome editing, and base editing techniques can be applied to disorders with different types of underlying mutations. Testing potential drugs in animal models of human diseases is an indispensable step of development. Given the specific gene therapy approach, appropriate animal models can be generated using a variety of technologies ranging from transgenesis to precise genome editing. In this review, we discuss technologies used to generate small and large animal models of the most common muscular and neurological genetic disorders. We specifically focus on animal models that were used to test gene therapies based on adeno-associated vectors and antisense nucleotides.
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7
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Bengtsson NE, Crudele JM, Klaiman JM, Halbert CL, Hauschka SD, Chamberlain JS. Comparison of dystrophin expression following gene editing and gene replacement in an aged preclinical DMD animal model. Mol Ther 2022; 30:2176-2185. [PMID: 35143959 PMCID: PMC9171147 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene editing has shown promise for correcting or bypassing dystrophin mutations in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). However, preclinical studies have focused on young animals with limited muscle fibrosis and wasting, thereby favoring muscle transduction, myonuclear editing, and prevention of disease progression. Here, we explore muscle-specific dystrophin gene editing following intramuscular delivery of AAV6:CK8e-CRISPR/SaCas9 in 3- and 8-year-old dystrophic CXMD dogs and provide a qualitative comparison to AAV6:CK8e-micro-dystrophin gene replacement at 6 weeks post-treatment. Gene editing restored the dystrophin reading frame in ∼1.3% of genomes and in up to 4.0% of dystrophin transcripts following excision of a 105-kb mutation containing region spanning exons 6-8. However, resulting dystrophin expression levels and effects on muscle pathology were greater with the use of micro-dystrophin gene transfer. This study demonstrates that our muscle-specific multi-exon deletion strategy can correct a frequently mutated region of the dystrophin gene in an aged large animal DMD model, but underscores that further enhancements are required to reach efficiencies comparable to AAV micro-dystrophin. Our observations also indicate that treatment efficacy and state of muscle pathology at the time of intervention are linked, suggesting the need for additional methodological optimizations related to age and disease progression to achieve relevant clinical translation of CRISPR-based therapies to all DMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niclas E Bengtsson
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA.
| | - Julie M Crudele
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA
| | - Jordan M Klaiman
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA
| | - Christine L Halbert
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA
| | - Stephen D Hauschka
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Chamberlain
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA
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8
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Oh HJ, Chung E, Kim J, Kim MJ, Kim GA, Lee SH, Ra K, Eom K, Park S, Chae JH, Kim JS, Lee BC. Generation of a Dystrophin Mutant in Dog by Nuclear Transfer Using CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Somatic Cells: A Preliminary Study. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052898. [PMID: 35270040 PMCID: PMC8911381 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Dystrophinopathy is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, which lead to progressive muscle degeneration, necrosis, and finally, death. Recently, golden retrievers have been suggested as a useful animal model for studying human dystrophinopathy, but the model has limitations due to difficulty in maintaining the genetic background using conventional breeding. In this study, we successfully generated a dystrophin mutant dog using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and somatic cell nuclear transfer. The dystrophin mutant dog displayed phenotypes such as elevated serum creatine kinase, dystrophin deficiency, skeletal muscle defects, an abnormal electrocardiogram, and avoidance of ambulation. These results indicate that donor cells with CRISPR/Cas9 for a specific gene combined with the somatic cell nuclear transfer technique can efficiently produce a dystrophin mutant dog, which will help in the successful development of gene therapy drugs for dogs and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Ju Oh
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (H.J.O.); (M.J.K.); (G.A.K.); (S.H.L.); (K.R.)
| | - Eugene Chung
- Center for Genome Engineering, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 08826, Korea;
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Jaehwan Kim
- Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 5029, Korea; (J.K.); (K.E.)
| | - Min Jung Kim
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (H.J.O.); (M.J.K.); (G.A.K.); (S.H.L.); (K.R.)
| | - Geon A. Kim
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (H.J.O.); (M.J.K.); (G.A.K.); (S.H.L.); (K.R.)
- Department of Clinical Pathology, College of Health Science, Eulji University, Uijeongbu 11759, Korea
| | - Seok Hee Lee
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (H.J.O.); (M.J.K.); (G.A.K.); (S.H.L.); (K.R.)
| | - Kihae Ra
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (H.J.O.); (M.J.K.); (G.A.K.); (S.H.L.); (K.R.)
| | - Kidong Eom
- Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 5029, Korea; (J.K.); (K.E.)
| | - Soojin Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (S.P.); (J.-H.C.)
| | - Jong-Hee Chae
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (S.P.); (J.-H.C.)
| | - Jin-Soo Kim
- Center for Genome Engineering, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 08826, Korea;
- Correspondence: (J.-S.K.); (B.C.L.); Tel.: +82-2-880-9327 (J.-S.K.); +82-2-880-1269 (B.C.L.)
| | - Byeong Chun Lee
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (H.J.O.); (M.J.K.); (G.A.K.); (S.H.L.); (K.R.)
- Correspondence: (J.-S.K.); (B.C.L.); Tel.: +82-2-880-9327 (J.-S.K.); +82-2-880-1269 (B.C.L.)
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9
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A Dystrophin Exon-52 Deleted Miniature Pig Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Evaluation of Exon Skipping. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222313065. [PMID: 34884867 PMCID: PMC8657897 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222313065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal X-linked recessive disorder caused by mutations in the DMD gene and the subsequent lack of dystrophin protein. Recently, phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO)-antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting exon 51 or 53 to reestablish the DMD reading frame have received regulatory approval as commercially available drugs. However, their applicability and efficacy remain limited to particular patients. Large animal models and exon skipping evaluation are essential to facilitate ASO development together with a deeper understanding of dystrophinopathies. Using recombinant adeno-associated virus-mediated gene targeting and somatic cell nuclear transfer, we generated a Yucatan miniature pig model of DMD with an exon 52 deletion mutation equivalent to one of the most common mutations seen in patients. Exon 52-deleted mRNA expression and dystrophin deficiency were confirmed in the skeletal and cardiac muscles of DMD pigs. Accordingly, dystrophin-associated proteins failed to be recruited to the sarcolemma. The DMD pigs manifested early disease onset with severe bodywide skeletal muscle degeneration and with poor growth accompanied by a physical abnormality, but with no obvious cardiac phenotype. We also demonstrated that in primary DMD pig skeletal muscle cells, the genetically engineered exon-52 deleted pig DMD gene enables the evaluation of exon 51 or 53 skipping with PMO and its advanced technology, peptide-conjugated PMO. The results show that the DMD pigs developed here can be an appropriate large animal model for evaluating in vivo exon skipping efficacy.
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Animal models for researching approaches to therapy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Transgenic Res 2021; 30:709-725. [PMID: 34409525 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-021-00278-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a relatively widespread genetic disease which develops as a result of a mutation in the gene DMD encoding dystrophin. In this review, animal models of DMD are described. These models are used in preclinical studies to elucidate the pathogenesis of the disease or to develop effective treatments; each animal model has its own advantages and disadvantages. For instance, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, and zebrafish (sapje) are suitable for large-scale chemical screening of large numbers of small molecules, but their disease phenotype differs from that of mammals. The use of larger animals is important for understanding of the potential efficacy of various treatments for DMD. While mdx mice have their advantages, they exhibit a milder disease phenotype compared to humans or dogs, making it difficult to evaluate the efficacy of new treatment for DMD. The disease in dogs and pigs is more severe and progresses faster than in mice, but it is more difficult to breed and obtain sufficient numbers of specimens in order to achieve statistically significant results. Moreover, working with large animals is also more labor-intensive. Therefore, when choosing the optimal animal model for research, it is worth considering all the goals and objectives.
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11
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Kuraoka M, Aoki Y, Takeda S. Development of outcome measures according to dystrophic phenotypes in canine X-linked muscular dystrophy in Japan. Exp Anim 2021; 70:419-430. [PMID: 34135266 PMCID: PMC8614006 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.21-0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked lethal muscle disorder characterized by primary muscle degeneration. Therapeutic strategies for DMD have been extensively explored, and some are in the stage of human clinical trials. Along with the development of new therapies, sensitive outcome measures are needed to monitor the effects of new treatments. Therefore, we investigated outcome measures such as biomarkers and motor function evaluation in a dystrophic model of beagle dogs, canine X-linked muscular dystrophy in Japan (CXMDJ). Osteopontin (OPN), a myogenic inflammatory cytokine, was explored as a potential biomarker in dystrophic dogs over the disease course. The serum OPN levels of CXMDJ dystrophic dogs were elevated, even in the early disease phase, and this could be related to the presence of regenerating muscle fibers; as such, OPN would be a promising biomarker for muscle regeneration. Next, accelerometry, which is an efficient method to quantify performance in validated tasks, was used to evaluate motor function longitudinally in dystrophic dogs. We measured three-axis acceleration and angular velocity with wireless hybrid sensors during gait evaluations. Multiple parameters of acceleration and angular velocity showed notedly lower values in dystrophic dogs compared with wild-type dogs, even at the onset of muscle weakness. These parameters accordingly decreased with exacerbation of clinical manifestations along with the disease course. Multiple parameters also indicated gait abnormalities in dystrophic dogs, such as a waddling gait. These outcome measures could be applicable in clinical trials of patients with DMD or other muscle disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutsuki Kuraoka
- Laboratory of Experimental Animal Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University.,Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
| | - Yoshitsugu Aoki
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
| | - Shin'ichi Takeda
- National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
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Musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging in the DE50-MD dog model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2021; 31:736-751. [PMID: 34384671 PMCID: PMC8449064 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2021.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Normalized muscle volumes distinguish between wild type and DE50-MD dogs. Global muscle T2 signal intensities discriminate between wild type and DE50-MD dogs. Musculoskeletal changes detected by MRI reflect those seen in human DMD patients. Musculoskeletal MRI in this model will be useful to assess treatment efficacy.
The DE50-MD canine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has a dystrophin gene splice site mutation causing deletion of exon 50, an out-of-frame transcript and absence of dystrophin expression in striated muscles. We hypothesized that the musculoskeletal phenotype of DE50-MD dogs could be detected using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), that it would progress with age and that it would reflect those in other canine models and DMD patients. 15 DE50-MD and 10 age-matched littermate wild type (WT) male dogs underwent MRI every 3 months from 3 to 18 months of age. Normalized muscle volumes, global muscle T2 and ratio of post- to pre-gadolinium T1-weighted SI were evaluated in 7 pelvic limb and 4 lumbar muscles bilaterally. DE50-MD dogs, compared to WT, had smaller volumes in all muscles, except the cranial sartorius; global muscle T2 was significantly higher in DE50-MD dogs compared to WT. Muscle volumes plateaued and global muscle T2 decreased with age. Normalized muscle volumes and global muscle T2 revealed significant differences between groups longitudinally and should be useful to determine efficacy of therapeutics in this model with suitable power and low sample sizes. Musculoskeletal changes reflect those of DMD patients and other dog models.
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Gaina G, Popa (Gruianu) A. Muscular dystrophy: Experimental animal models and therapeutic approaches (Review). Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:610. [PMID: 33936267 PMCID: PMC8082581 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The muscular dystrophies are a heterogeneous group of genetically inherited diseases characterized by muscle weakness and progressive wasting, which can cause premature death in severe forms. Although >30 years have passed since the identification of the first protein involved in a type of muscular dystrophy, there is no effective treatment for these disabling disorders. In the last decade, several novel therapeutic approaches have been developed and investigated as promising therapeutic approaches aimed to ameliorate the dystrophic phenotype either by restoring dystrophin expression or by compensating for dystrophin deficiency. Concurrently, with the development of therapeutic approaches, in addition to naturally occurring animal models, a wide range of genetically engineered animal models has been generated. The use of animals as models of muscular dystrophies has greatly improved the understanding of the pathogenicity of these diseases and has proven useful in gene therapy studies. In this review, we summarize these latest innovative therapeutic approaches to muscular dystrophies and the usefulness of the various most common experimental animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela Gaina
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Neuroscience and Experimental Myology, ‘Victor Babes’ National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandra Popa (Gruianu)
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Neuroscience and Experimental Myology, ‘Victor Babes’ National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Animal Production and Public Health, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 050097 Bucharest, Romania
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14
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Martin PT, Zygmunt DA, Ashbrook A, Hamilton S, Packer D, Birch SM, Bettis AK, Balog-Alvarez CJ, Guo LJ, Nghiem PP, Kornegay JN. Short-term treatment of golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dogs with rAAVrh74.MHCK7.GALGT2 induces muscle glycosylation and utrophin expression but has no significant effect on muscle strength. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248721. [PMID: 33770101 PMCID: PMC7997012 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We have examined the effects of intravenous (IV) delivery of rAAVrh74.MHCK7.GALGT2 in the golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). After baseline testing, GRMD dogs were treated at 3 months of age and reassessed at 6 months. This 3–6 month age range is a period of rapid disease progression, thus offering a relatively short window to establish treatment efficacy. Measures analyzed included muscle AAV transduction, GALGT2 transgene expression, GALGT2-induced glycosylation, muscle pathology, and muscle function. A total of five dogs were treated, 4 at 2x1014vg/kg and one at 6x1014vgkg. The 2x1014vg/kg dose led to transduction of regions of the heart with 1–3 vector genomes (vg) per nucleus, while most skeletal muscles were transduced with 0.25–0.5vg/nucleus. GALGT2-induced glycosylation paralleled levels of myofiber vg transduction, with about 90% of cardiomyocytes having increased glycosylation versus 20–35% of all myofibers across the skeletal muscles tested. Conclusions from phenotypic testing were limited by the small number of dogs. Treated dogs had less pronounced fibrosis and overall lesion severity when compared to control groups, but surprisingly no significant changes in limb muscle function measures. GALGT2-treated skeletal muscle and heart had elevated levels of utrophin protein expression and GALGT2-induced expression of glycosylated α dystroglycan, providing further evidence of a treatment effect. Serum chemistry, hematology, and cardiac function measures were largely unchanged by treatment. Cumulatively, these data show that short-term intravenous treatment of GRMD dogs with rAAVrh74.MHCK7.GALGT2 at high doses can induce muscle glycosylation and utrophin expression and may be safe over a short 3-month interval, but that such treatments had only modest effects on muscle pathology and did not significantly improve muscle strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T. Martin
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Deborah A. Zygmunt
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Anna Ashbrook
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Sonia Hamilton
- Neuroscience Undergraduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Davin Packer
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Sharla M. Birch
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Amanda K. Bettis
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Cynthia J. Balog-Alvarez
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Lee-Jae Guo
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Peter P. Nghiem
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Joe N. Kornegay
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
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15
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Fortin JS, Hakim CH, Korte S, Yang NN, Fitzgerald SD, Johnson GC, Smith BF, Duan D. Widespread severe myodegeneration in a compound heterozygote female dog with dystrophin deficiency. Vet Med Sci 2021; 7:654-659. [PMID: 33502125 PMCID: PMC8136971 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The University of Missouri (MU) has established a colony of dystrophin‐deficient dogs with a mixed breed background to mirror the variable pathologic effects of dystrophinopathies between persons of a given kindred to further the understanding of the genetic and molecular basis of the variable phenotype; thus to facilitate discovery of an effective therapeutic strategy. Herein we report the phenotype and genotype of a normal‐appearing 10‐month‐old colony female that died suddenly. At necropsy examination, there were reduced skeletal and laryngeal muscle volume and mild dilatation of the oesophagus. Microscopic findings consisted of extensive degeneration and regeneration of the axial skeletal, tongue, oesophageal, and laryngeal muscles that were characterized by considerable central nucleation, individual fibre mineralization and interstitial fibrosis. The myocardial findings were limited to infiltration of adipose cells in the interstitium. The female dog was a compound heterozygote with one X chromosome carrying a point mutation in intron 6 of the dystrophin gene and the other X chromosome carrying a repetitive element insertion in intron 13 of the dystrophin gene. Although the direct cause of death was uncertain, it might likely be due to sudden cardiac death as has been seen in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. This case demonstrated dystrophinopathy in female dogs that have no ameliorating normal X chromosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica S Fortin
- Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Chady H Hakim
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Scott Korte
- Office of Animal Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - N Nora Yang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Scott D Fitzgerald
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Gayle C Johnson
- Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Bruce F Smith
- Scott-Ritchey Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.,Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Biomedical, Biological & Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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16
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Brands J, Steffen F, Spennes J, Leeb T, Bilzer T. COL6A1 related muscular dystrophy in Landseer dogs: A canine model for Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 2021; 63:608-616. [PMID: 33382107 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Collagen VI related myopathies are congenital diseases of variable phenotype. The severe phenotype is referred to as Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. In this study, we describe analoguos clinical signs and histopathological alterations in Landseer dogs. MATERIALS We collected clinical data from two affected dogs and investigated the neuromuscular changes in five dogs from two different litters with immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. All affected dogs were homozygous for the p.Glu97* nonsense variant in the COL6A1 gene encoding the alpha-1 chain of collagen VI. RESULTS Muscle biopsies revealed alterations similar to those in human patients with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy including the virtual absence of collagen VI in skeletal muscles. CONCLUSIONS The clinical and pathological characterization of the affected Landseer dogs enhances the value of this animal model for human Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Brands
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Frank Steffen
- Neurology Service, Department of Small Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Tosso Leeb
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Bilzer
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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17
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"Betwixt Mine Eye and Heart a League Is Took": The Progress of Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell-Based Models of Dystrophin-Associated Cardiomyopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21196997. [PMID: 32977524 PMCID: PMC7582534 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21196997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The ultimate goal of precision disease modeling is to artificially recreate the disease of affected people in a highly controllable and adaptable external environment. This field has rapidly advanced which is evident from the application of patient-specific pluripotent stem-cell-derived precision therapies in numerous clinical trials aimed at a diverse set of diseases such as macular degeneration, heart disease, spinal cord injury, graft-versus-host disease, and muscular dystrophy. Despite the existence of semi-adequate treatments for tempering skeletal muscle degeneration in dystrophic patients, nonischemic cardiomyopathy remains one of the primary causes of death. Therefore, cardiovascular cells derived from muscular dystrophy patients' induced pluripotent stem cells are well suited to mimic dystrophin-associated cardiomyopathy and hold great promise for the development of future fully effective therapies. The purpose of this article is to convey the realities of employing precision disease models of dystrophin-associated cardiomyopathy. This is achieved by discussing, as suggested in the title echoing William Shakespeare's words, the settlements (or "leagues") made by researchers to manage the constraints ("betwixt mine eye and heart") distancing them from achieving a perfect precision disease model.
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18
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Barthélémy I, Calmels N, Weiss RB, Tiret L, Vulin A, Wein N, Peccate C, Drougard C, Beroud C, Deburgrave N, Thibaud JL, Escriou C, Punzón I, Garcia L, Kaplan JC, Flanigan KM, Leturcq F, Blot S. X-linked muscular dystrophy in a Labrador Retriever strain: phenotypic and molecular characterisation. Skelet Muscle 2020; 10:23. [PMID: 32767978 PMCID: PMC7412789 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-020-00239-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Canine models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are a valuable tool to evaluate potential therapies because they faithfully reproduce the human disease. Several cases of dystrophinopathies have been described in canines, but the Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) model remains the most used in preclinical studies. Here, we report a new spontaneous dystrophinopathy in a Labrador Retriever strain, named Labrador Retriever muscular dystrophy (LRMD). Methods A colony of LRMD dogs was established from spontaneous cases. Fourteen LRMD dogs were followed-up and compared to the GRMD standard using several functional tests. The disease causing mutation was studied by several molecular techniques and identified using RNA-sequencing. Results The main clinical features of the GRMD disease were found in LRMD dogs; the functional tests provided data roughly overlapping with those measured in GRMD dogs, with similar inter-individual heterogeneity. The LRMD causal mutation was shown to be a 2.2-Mb inversion disrupting the DMD gene within intron 20 and involving the TMEM47 gene. In skeletal muscle, the Dp71 isoform was ectopically expressed, probably as a consequence of the mutation. We found no evidence of polymorphism in either of the two described modifier genes LTBP4 and Jagged1. No differences were found in Pitpna mRNA expression levels that would explain the inter-individual variability. Conclusions This study provides a full comparative description of a new spontaneous canine model of dystrophinopathy, found to be phenotypically equivalent to the GRMD model. We report a novel large DNA mutation within the DMD gene and provide evidence that LRMD is a relevant model to pinpoint additional DMD modifier genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inès Barthélémy
- U955 - IMRB, Team 10 - Biology of the neuromuscular system, Inserm, UPEC, EFS, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Nadège Calmels
- Laboratoire de biochimie et génétique moléculaire, hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, université Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Laboratoire de Diagnostic Génétique-Institut de Génétique Médicale d'Alsace, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1 Place de L'Hôpital, 67091, Strasbourg, France
| | - Robert B Weiss
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Laurent Tiret
- U955 - IMRB, Team 10 - Biology of the neuromuscular system, Inserm, UPEC, EFS, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Adeline Vulin
- SQY Therapeutics, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Montigny le Bretonneux, France
| | - Nicolas Wein
- The Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Cécile Peccate
- SQY Therapeutics, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Montigny le Bretonneux, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, INSERM UMRS974, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Institut de Myologie, G.H. Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Carole Drougard
- U955 - IMRB, Team 10 - Biology of the neuromuscular system, Inserm, UPEC, EFS, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Christophe Beroud
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, MMG, Bioinformatics & Genetics, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpital Timone Enfants, Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Marseille, France
| | - Nathalie Deburgrave
- Laboratoire de biochimie et génétique moléculaire, hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, université Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Laurent Thibaud
- U955 - IMRB, Team 10 - Biology of the neuromuscular system, Inserm, UPEC, EFS, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Catherine Escriou
- U955 - IMRB, Team 10 - Biology of the neuromuscular system, Inserm, UPEC, EFS, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Isabel Punzón
- U955 - IMRB, Team 10 - Biology of the neuromuscular system, Inserm, UPEC, EFS, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Luis Garcia
- Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, U1179 INSERM, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, Montigny le Bretonneux, France
| | - Jean-Claude Kaplan
- Laboratoire de biochimie et génétique moléculaire, hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, université Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Kevin M Flanigan
- The Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - France Leturcq
- Laboratoire de biochimie et génétique moléculaire, hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, université Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, INSERM UMRS974, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Institut de Myologie, G.H. Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Blot
- U955 - IMRB, Team 10 - Biology of the neuromuscular system, Inserm, UPEC, EFS, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France.
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19
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Barthélémy I, Hitte C, Tiret L. The Dog Model in the Spotlight: Legacy of a Trustful Cooperation. J Neuromuscul Dis 2020; 6:421-451. [PMID: 31450509 PMCID: PMC6918919 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-190394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Dogs have long been used as a biomedical model system and in particular as a preclinical proof of concept for innovative therapies before translation to humans. A recent example of the utility of this animal model is the promising myotubularin gene delivery in boys affected by X-linked centronuclear myopathy after successful systemic, long-term efficient gene therapy in Labrador retrievers. Mostly, this is due to unique features that make dogs an optimal system. The continuous emergence of spontaneous inherited disorders enables the identification of reliable complementary molecular models for human neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). Dogs’ characteristics including size, lifespan and unprecedented medical care level allow a comprehensive longitudinal description of diseases. Moreover, the highly similar pathogenic mechanisms with human patients yield to translational robustness. Finally, interindividual phenotypic heterogeneity between dogs helps identifying modifiers and anticipates precision medicine issues. This review article summarizes the present list of molecularly characterized dog models for NMDs and provides an exhaustive list of the clinical and paraclinical assays that have been developed. This toolbox offers scientists a sensitive and reliable system to thoroughly evaluate neuromuscular function, as well as efficiency and safety of innovative therapies targeting these NMDs. This review also contextualizes the model by highlighting its unique genetic value, shaped by the long-term coevolution of humans and domesticated dogs. Because the dog is one of the most protected research animal models, there is considerable opposition to include it in preclinical projects, posing a threat to the use of this model. We thus discuss ethical issues, emphasizing that unlike many other models, the dog also benefits from its contribution to comparative biomedical research with a drastic reduction in the prevalence of morbid alleles in the breeding stock and an improvement in medical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inès Barthélémy
- U955 - IMRB, Team 10 - Biology of the neuromuscular system, Inserm, UPEC, EFS, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Christophe Hitte
- CNRS, University of Rennes 1, UMR 6290, IGDR, Faculty of Medicine, SFR Biosit, Rennes, France
| | - Laurent Tiret
- U955 - IMRB, Team 10 - Biology of the neuromuscular system, Inserm, UPEC, EFS, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
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20
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Story BD, Miller ME, Bradbury AM, Million ED, Duan D, Taghian T, Faissler D, Fernau D, Beecy SJ, Gray-Edwards HL. Canine Models of Inherited Musculoskeletal and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:80. [PMID: 32219101 PMCID: PMC7078110 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse models of human disease remain the bread and butter of modern biology and therapeutic discovery. Nonetheless, more often than not mouse models do not reproduce the pathophysiology of the human conditions they are designed to mimic. Naturally occurring large animal models have predominantly been found in companion animals or livestock because of their emotional or economic value to modern society and, unlike mice, often recapitulate the human disease state. In particular, numerous models have been discovered in dogs and have a fundamental role in bridging proof of concept studies in mice to human clinical trials. The present article is a review that highlights current canine models of human diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, degenerative myelopathy, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, globoid cell leukodystrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, mucopolysaccharidosis, and fucosidosis. The goal of the review is to discuss canine and human neurodegenerative pathophysiologic similarities, introduce the animal models, and shed light on the ability of canine models to facilitate current and future treatment trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett D. Story
- Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL, United States
- University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Matthew E. Miller
- Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Allison M. Bradbury
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Emily D. Million
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Biomedical, Biological and Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Toloo Taghian
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Dominik Faissler
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, United States
| | - Deborah Fernau
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Sidney J. Beecy
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, United States
| | - Heather L. Gray-Edwards
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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21
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Wasala NB, Chen SJ, Duan D. Duchenne muscular dystrophy animal models for high-throughput drug discovery and precision medicine. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 15:443-456. [PMID: 32000537 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1718100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked handicapping disease due to the loss of an essential muscle protein dystrophin. Dystrophin-null animals have been extensively used to study disease mechanisms and to develop experimental therapeutics. Despite decades of research, however, treatment options for DMD remain very limited.Areas covered: High-throughput high-content screening and precision medicine offer exciting new opportunities. Here, the authors review animal models that are suitable for these studies.Expert opinion: Nonmammalian models (worm, fruit fly, and zebrafish) are particularly attractive for cost-effective large-scale drug screening. Several promising lead compounds have been discovered using these models. Precision medicine for DMD aims at developing mutation-specific therapies such as exon-skipping and genome editing. To meet these needs, models with patient-like mutations have been established in different species. Models that harbor hotspot mutations are very attractive because the drugs developed in these models can bring mutation-specific therapies to a large population of patients. Humanized hDMD mice carry the entire human dystrophin gene in the mouse genome. Reagents developed in the hDMD mouse-based models are directly translatable to human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nalinda B Wasala
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Shi-Jie Chen
- Department of Physics, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Biomedical, Biological & Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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22
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Bahri OA, Naldaiz-Gastesi N, Kennedy DC, Wheatley AM, Izeta A, McCullagh KJA. The panniculus carnosus muscle: A novel model of striated muscle regeneration that exhibits sex differences in the mdx mouse. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15964. [PMID: 31685850 PMCID: PMC6828975 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52071-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The dermal striated muscle panniculus carnosus (PC), prevalent in lower mammals with remnants in humans, is highly regenerative, and whose function is purported to be linked to defence and shivering thermogenesis. Given the heterogeneity of responses of different muscles to disease, we set out to characterize the PC in wild-type and muscular dystrophic mdx mice. The mouse PC contained mainly fast-twitch type IIB myofibers showing body wide distribution. The PC exemplified heterogeneity in myofiber sizes and a prevalence of central nucleated fibres (CNFs), hallmarks of regeneration, in wild-type and mdx muscles, which increased with age. PC myofibers were hypertrophic in mdx compared to wild-type mice. Sexual dimorphism was apparent with a two-fold increase in CNFs in PC from male versus female mdx mice. To evaluate myogenic potential, PC muscle progenitors were isolated from 8-week old wild-type and mdx mice, grown and differentiated for 7-days. Myogenic profiling of PC-derived myocytes suggested that male mdx satellite cells (SCs) were more myogenic than female counterparts, independent of SC density in PC muscles. Muscle regenerative differences in the PC were associated with alterations in expression of calcium handling regulatory proteins. These studies highlight unique aspects of the PC muscle and its potential as a model to study mechanisms of striated muscle regeneration in health and disease.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Biomarkers
- Calcium-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Cell Differentiation
- Dermis/metabolism
- Dermis/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Immunohistochemistry
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred mdx
- Muscle Development
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/pathology
- Muscle, Striated/pathology
- Muscle, Striated/physiology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/metabolism
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/pathology
- Regeneration
- Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle/cytology
- Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle/metabolism
- Sex Factors
- Stem Cells
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Affiliation(s)
- Ola A Bahri
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Human Biology Building, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, H91 W5P7, Ireland
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | | | - Donna C Kennedy
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Human Biology Building, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, H91 W5P7, Ireland
| | - Antony M Wheatley
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Human Biology Building, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, H91 W5P7, Ireland
| | - Ander Izeta
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Karl J A McCullagh
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Human Biology Building, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, H91 W5P7, Ireland.
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
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23
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Nakamura A. Mutation-Based Therapeutic Strategies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: From Genetic Diagnosis to Therapy. J Pers Med 2019; 9:jpm9010016. [PMID: 30836656 PMCID: PMC6462977 DOI: 10.3390/jpm9010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD) are X-linked muscle disorders caused by mutations of the DMD gene, which encodes the subsarcolemmal protein dystrophin. In DMD, dystrophin is not expressed due to a disruption in the reading frame of the DMD gene, resulting in a severe phenotype. Becker muscular dystrophy exhibits a milder phenotype, having mutations that maintain the reading frame and allow for the production of truncated dystrophin. To date, various therapeutic approaches for DMD have been extensively developed. However, the pathomechanism is quite complex despite it being a single gene disorder, and dystrophin is expressed not only in a large amount of skeletal muscle but also in cardiac, vascular, intestinal smooth muscle, and nervous system tissue. Thus, the most appropriate therapy would be complementation or restoration of dystrophin expression, such as gene therapy using viral vectors, readthrough therapy, or exon skipping therapy. Among them, exon skipping therapy with antisense oligonucleotides can restore the reading frame and yield the conversion of a severe phenotype to one that is mild. In this paper, I present the significance of molecular diagnosis and the development of mutation-based therapeutic strategies to complement or restore dystrophin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akinori Nakamura
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization, Matsumoto Medical Center, 2-20-30 Murai-machi Minami, Matsumoto 399-8701, Japan.
- Third Department of Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan.
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24
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Zhang Y, Long C, Bassel-Duby R, Olson EN. Myoediting: Toward Prevention of Muscular Dystrophy by Therapeutic Genome Editing. Physiol Rev 2018; 98:1205-1240. [PMID: 29717930 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00046.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies represent a large group of genetic disorders that significantly impair quality of life and often progress to premature death. There is no effective treatment for these debilitating diseases. Most therapies, developed to date, focus on alleviating the symptoms or targeting the secondary effects, while the underlying gene mutation is still present in the human genome. The discovery and application of programmable nucleases for site-specific DNA double-stranded breaks provides a powerful tool for precise genome engineering. In particular, the CRISPR/Cas system has revolutionized the genome editing field and is providing a new path for disease treatment by targeting the disease-causing genetic mutations. In this review, we provide a historical overview of genome-editing technologies, summarize the most recent advances, and discuss potential strategies and challenges for permanently correcting genetic mutations that cause muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center and Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas, Texas
| | - Chengzu Long
- Department of Molecular Biology, Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center and Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas, Texas
| | - Rhonda Bassel-Duby
- Department of Molecular Biology, Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center and Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas, Texas
| | - Eric N Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center and Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas, Texas
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25
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Haddix SG, Lee YI, Kornegay JN, Thompson WJ. Cycles of myofiber degeneration and regeneration lead to remodeling of the neuromuscular junction in two mammalian models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205926. [PMID: 30379896 PMCID: PMC6209224 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Mice lacking the sarcolemmal protein dystrophin, designated mdx, have been widely used as a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dystrophic mdx mice as they mature develop notable morphological abnormalities to their neuromuscular junctions, the peripheral cholinergic synapses responsible for activating muscle fibers. Most obviously the acetylcholine receptor aggregates are fragmented into small non-continuous, islands. This contrasts with wild type mice whose acetylcholine receptor aggregates are continuous and pretzel-shaped in appearance. We show here that these abnormalities in mdx mice are also present in a canine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and provide additional evidence to support the hypothesis that NMJ remodeling occurs due to myofiber degeneration and regeneration. Using a method to investigate synaptic AChR replacement, we show that neuromuscular junction remodeling in mdx animals is caused by muscle fiber degeneration and regeneration at the synaptic site and is mimicked by deliberate myofiber injury in wild type mice. Importantly, the innervating motor axon plays a crucial role in directing the remodeling of the neuromuscular junction in dystrophy, as has been recorded in aging and deliberate muscle fiber injury in wild type mice. The remodeling occurs repetitively through the life of the animal and the changes in junctions become greater with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth G. Haddix
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Young il Lee
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Joe N. Kornegay
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Wesley J. Thompson
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
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26
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Abstract
The ability to efficiently modify the genome using CRISPR technology has rapidly revolutionized biology and genetics and will soon transform medicine. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) represents one of the first monogenic disorders that has been investigated with respect to CRISPR-mediated correction of causal genetic mutations. DMD results from mutations in the gene encoding dystrophin, a scaffolding protein that maintains the integrity of striated muscles. Thousands of different dystrophin mutations have been identified in DMD patients, who suffer from a loss of ambulation followed by respiratory insufficiency, heart failure, and death by the third decade of life. Using CRISPR to bypass DMD mutations, dystrophin expression has been efficiently restored in human cells and mouse models of DMD. Here, we review recent progress toward the development of possible CRISPR therapies for DMD and highlight opportunities and potential obstacles in attaining this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Li Min
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, and Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA;
| | - Rhonda Bassel-Duby
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, and Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA;
| | - Eric N Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, and Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA;
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27
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Hermes TDA, Kido LA, Macedo AB, Mizobuti DS, Moraes LHR, Somazz MC, Cagnon VHA, Minatel E. Sex influences diaphragm muscle response in exercised mdx mice. Cell Biol Int 2018; 42:1611-1621. [PMID: 30238549 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Physical exercise promotes increased muscle damage in the mdx mice, the experimental model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Studies suggest that the estrogen level in females makes them less susceptible to muscle injuries. The aim of this study was to characterize the diaphragm (DIA) muscle response to physical exercise in male and female mdx mice. The animals were divided into four groups: female sedentary mdx; male sedentary mdx; female mdx submitted to exercise; and male mdx mice submitted to exercise. Blood samples were used to determine creatine kinase (CK). Regenerated muscle fibers were indicated by the presence of central nucleus and also inflammation areas were determined in DIA muscle sections. The alpha and beta estrogen receptors (ER) were determined by means of immunohistochemistry evaluation in the dystrophic DIA muscle. Male mdx animals submitted to exercise showed increased CK levels and inflammatory area. The quantification of regenerated fibers was higher in male animals, submitted or not to physical exercise. Greater alpha and beta ER expression was verified in the females submitted to exercise in the DIA muscle than in the other experimental groups. Therefore, estrogen may have contributed to the prevention of increased inflammatory process and DIA injury in females submitted to exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Túlio de Almeida Hermes
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil.,Centro Regional Universitário de Espírito Santo do Pinhal (UNIPINHAL), Espírito Santo do Pinhal, São Paulo 13990-000, Brazil
| | - Larissa Akemi Kido
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Aline Barbosa Macedo
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Daniela Sayuri Mizobuti
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Luiz Henrique Rapucci Moraes
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Marco Cesar Somazz
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil.,Centro Regional Universitário de Espírito Santo do Pinhal (UNIPINHAL), Espírito Santo do Pinhal, São Paulo 13990-000, Brazil
| | - Valéria Helena Alves Cagnon
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Elaine Minatel
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
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28
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McAtee BB, Heseltine JC, Guo LT, Willard MD, Shelton GD. Dysphagia and esophageal dysfunction due to dystrophin deficient muscular dystrophy in a male Spanish water spaniel. Vet Q 2018; 38:28-32. [PMID: 29384432 PMCID: PMC6831012 DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2018.1435939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte B McAtee
- a Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences , Texas A&M University , College Station , TX , USA
| | - Johanna C Heseltine
- a Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences , Texas A&M University , College Station , TX , USA
| | - Ling T Guo
- b Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory , University of California San Diego , La Jolla , CA , USA
| | - Michael D Willard
- a Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences , Texas A&M University , College Station , TX , USA
| | - G Diane Shelton
- b Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory , University of California San Diego , La Jolla , CA , USA
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29
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Kodippili K, Hakim CH, Yang HT, Pan X, Yang NN, Laughlin MH, Terjung RL, Duan D. Nitric oxide-dependent attenuation of noradrenaline-induced vasoconstriction is impaired in the canine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. J Physiol 2018; 596:5199-5216. [PMID: 30152022 DOI: 10.1113/jp275672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS We developed a novel method to study sympatholysis in dogs. We showed abolishment of sarcolemmal nNOS, and reduction of total nNOS and total eNOS in the canine Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) model. We showed sympatholysis in dogs involving both nNOS-derived NO-dependent and NO-independent mechanisms. We showed that the loss of sarcolemmal nNOS compromised sympatholysis in the canine DMD model. We showed that NO-independent sympatholysis was not affected in the canine DMD model. ABSTRACT The absence of dystrophin in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) leads to the delocalization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) from the sarcolemma. Sarcolemmal nNOS plays an important role in sympatholysis, a process of attenuating reflex sympathetic vasoconstriction during exercise to ensure blood perfusion in working muscle. Delocalization of nNOS compromises sympatholysis resulting in functional ischaemia and muscle damage in DMD patients and mouse models. Little is known about the contribution of membrane-associated nNOS to blood flow regulation in dystrophin-deficient DMD dogs. We tested the hypothesis that the loss of sarcolemmal nNOS abolishes protective sympatholysis in contracting muscle of affected dogs. Haemodynamic responses to noradrenaline in the brachial artery were evaluated at rest and during contraction in the absence and presence of NOS inhibitors. We found sympatholysis was significantly compromised in DMD dogs, as well as in normal dogs treated with a selective nNOS inhibitor, suggesting that the absence of sarcolemmal nNOS underlies defective sympatholysis in the canine DMD model. Surprisingly, inhibition of all NOS isoforms did not completely abolish sympatholysis in normal dogs, suggesting sympatholysis in canine muscle also involves NO-independent mechanism(s). Our study established a foundation for using the dog model to test therapies aimed at restoring nNOS homeostasis in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasun Kodippili
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Chady H Hakim
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hsiao T Yang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Xiufang Pan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - N Nora Yang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Maurice H Laughlin
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Ronald L Terjung
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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30
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Shrader SM, Jung S, Denney TS, Smith BF. Characterization of Australian Labradoodle dystrophinopathy. Neuromuscul Disord 2018; 28:927-937. [PMID: 30286978 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2018.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 08/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In humans, dystrophin mutations cause the X-linked recessive disorder known as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). These mutations result in skeletal and cardiac muscle damage with mortality increasingly associated with cardiomyopathy. We have identified a novel dystrophin mutation in exon 21 in a line of Australian Labradoodles; affected dogs develop progressive clinical signs including poor weight gain and weight loss, gait abnormalities, exercise intolerance, skeletal muscle atrophy, macroglossa, ptyalism, dysphagia, kyphosis, and a plantigrade stance. Echocardiographic abnormalities include hyperechoic foci in the left ventricular papillary muscles, septal hypokinesis, and decreased left ventricular systolic and diastolic volume and internal diameter. Holter recordings found a Mobitz type II second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block in one affected dog. Analysis of phosphocreatine-to-ATP ratios (PCr/ATP) (obtained via cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy evaluation), found no statistically significant difference in the mean PCr/ATP between groups. Histopathologic skeletal muscle changes included fibrofatty infiltration, myocyte degeneration, necrosis, and regeneration, lymphohistiocytic inflammation, and mineralization; cardiac changes were limited to a focal area of mineralization adjacent to the sinoatrial node in the dog with a second-degree AV block. Due to rapidly progressive clinical signs, a severe phenotype, and potential for cardiac involvement, Australian Labradoodle dystrophinopathy may be a useful model to further study DMD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Shrader
- Department of Pathobiology, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
| | - SeungWoo Jung
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Thomas S Denney
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; Auburn University MRI Research Center, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Bruce F Smith
- Department of Pathobiology, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; Scott-Ritchey Research Center, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
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31
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Shahnoor N, Siebers EM, Brown KJ, Lawlor MW. Pathological Issues in Dystrophinopathy in the Age of Genetic Therapies. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2018; 14:105-126. [PMID: 30148687 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-012418-012945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Dystrophinopathy is a class of genetic skeletal muscle disease characterized by myofiber degeneration and regeneration due to insufficient levels or functioning of dystrophin. Pathological evaluation for dystrophinopathy includes the identification of dystrophic skeletal muscle pathology and the immunohistochemical evaluation of dystrophin epitopes, but biopsies have become rare in recent years. However, the evaluation of dystrophin expression in the research setting has become critically important due to recent advances in genetic therapies, including exon skipping and gene therapy. Given the number of these therapies under evaluation in patients, it is likely that the traditional methods of evaluating dystrophinopathy will need to evolve in the near future. This review discusses current muscle biopsy diagnostic practices in dystrophinopathy and further focuses on how these practices have evolved in the context of therapeutic interventions for dystrophinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazima Shahnoor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, USA; , ,
| | - Emily M Siebers
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, USA; , ,
| | - Kristy J Brown
- Solid Biosciences, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA;
| | - Michael W Lawlor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, USA; , ,
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32
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Sui T, Lau YS, Liu D, Liu T, Xu L, Gao Y, Lai L, Li Z, Han R. A novel rabbit model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy generated by CRISPR/Cas9. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm.032201. [PMID: 29871865 PMCID: PMC6031364 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.032201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked muscle-wasting disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, with an incidence of 1 in 3500 in new male births. Mdx mice are widely used as an animal model for DMD. However, these mice do not faithfully recapitulate DMD patients in many aspects, rendering the preclinical findings in this model questionable. Although larger animal models of DMD, such as dogs and pigs, have been generated, usage of these animals is expensive and only limited to several facilities in the world. Here, we report the generation of a rabbit model of DMD by co-injection of Cas9 mRNA and sgRNA targeting exon 51 into rabbit zygotes. The DMD knockout (KO) rabbits exhibit the typical phenotypes of DMD, including severely impaired physical activity, elevated serum creatine kinase levels, and progressive muscle necrosis and fibrosis. Moreover, clear pathology was also observed in the diaphragm and heart at 5 months of age, similar to DMD patients. Echocardiography recording showed that the DMD KO rabbits had chamber dilation with decreased ejection fraction and fraction shortening. In conclusion, this novel rabbit DMD model generated with the CRISPR/Cas9 system mimics the histopathological and functional defects in DMD patients, and could be valuable for preclinical studies. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: The DMD KO rabbit engineered by CRISPR genome editing faithfully recapitulates the DMD pathologies, and could be a valuable tool for basic and translational studies to combat this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Sui
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Yeh Siang Lau
- Department of Surgery, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, US
| | - Di Liu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Tingjun Liu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Surgery, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, US
| | - Yandi Gao
- Department of Surgery, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, US
| | - Liangxue Lai
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Zhanjun Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Renzhi Han
- Department of Surgery, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, US
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33
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Bersini S, Gilardi M, Mora M, Krol S, Arrigoni C, Candrian C, Zanotti S, Moretti M. Tackling muscle fibrosis: From molecular mechanisms to next generation engineered models to predict drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2018. [PMID: 29518415 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Muscle fibrosis represents the end stage consequence of different diseases, among which muscular dystrophies, leading to severe impairment of muscle functions. Muscle fibrosis involves the production of several growth factors, cytokines and proteolytic enzymes and is strictly associated to inflammatory processes. Moreover, fibrosis causes profound changes in tissue properties, including increased stiffness and density, lower pH and oxygenation. Up to now, there is no therapeutic approach able to counteract the fibrotic process and treatments directed against muscle pathologies are severely impaired by the harsh conditions of the fibrotic environment. The design of new therapeutics thus need innovative tools mimicking the obstacles posed by the fibrotic environment to their delivery. This review will critically discuss the role of in vivo and 3D in vitro models in this context and the characteristics that an ideal model should possess to help the translation from bench to bedside of new candidate anti-fibrotic agents.
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34
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Expression profiling of disease progression in canine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194485. [PMID: 29554127 PMCID: PMC5858769 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) causes progressive disability in 1 of every 5,000 boys due to the lack of functional dystrophin protein. Despite much advancement in knowledge about DMD disease presentation and progression—attributable in part to studies using mouse and canine models of the disease–current DMD treatments are not equally effective in all patients. There remains, therefore, a need for translational animal models in which novel treatment targets can be identified and evaluated. Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) is a phenotypically and genetically homologous animal model of DMD. As with DMD, speed of disease progression in GRMD varies substantially. However, unlike DMD, all GRMD dogs possess the same causal mutation; therefore genetic modifiers of phenotypic variation are relatively easier to identify. Furthermore, the GRMD dogs used in this study reside within the same colony, reducing the confounding effects of environment on phenotypic variation. To detect modifiers of disease progression, we developed gene expression profiles using RNA sequencing for 9 dogs: 6 GRMD dogs (3 with faster-progressing and 3 with slower-progressing disease, based on quantitative, objective biomarkers) and 3 control dogs from the same colony. All dogs were evaluated at 2 time points: early disease onset (3 months of age) and the point at which GRMD stabilizes (6 months of age) using quantitative, objective biomarkers identified as robust against the effects of relatedness/inbreeding. Across all comparisons, the most differentially expressed genes fell into 3 categories: myogenesis/muscle regeneration, metabolism, and inflammation. Our findings are largely in concordance with DMD and mouse model studies, reinforcing the utility of GRMD as a translational model. Novel findings include the strong up-regulation of chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) in faster-progressing GRMD dogs, suggesting previously unexplored mechanisms underlie progression speed in GRMD and DMD. In summary, our findings support the utility of RNA sequencing for evaluating potential biomarkers of GRMD progression speed, and are valuable for identifying new avenues of exploration in DMD research.
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35
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SchÄfer BT, Silveira MP, Palombit K, Mendes CE, Watanabe IS, Miglino MA, Castelucci P. Morphological Characterization of the Myenteric Plexus of the Ileum and Distal colon of Dogs Affected by Muscular Dystrophy. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2017; 301:673-685. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.23708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Tavares SchÄfer
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science; University of São Paulo; Brazil
| | - Mariana Póvoa Silveira
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science; University of São Paulo; Brazil
| | - Kelly Palombit
- Department of Anatomy/Biomedical Sciences Institute; University of São Paulo; Brazil
- Deparment of Morphology; University Federal do Piaui; Teresina-PI Brazil
| | | | - Ii Sei Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy/Biomedical Sciences Institute; University of São Paulo; Brazil
| | - Maria Angélica Miglino
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science; University of São Paulo; Brazil
| | - Patricia Castelucci
- Department of Anatomy/Biomedical Sciences Institute; University of São Paulo; Brazil
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Lardenois A, Jagot S, Lagarrigue M, Guével B, Ledevin M, Larcher T, Dubreil L, Pineau C, Rouger K, Guével L. Quantitative proteome profiling of dystrophic dog skeletal muscle reveals a stabilized muscular architecture and protection against oxidative stress after systemic delivery of MuStem cells. Proteomics 2017; 16:2028-42. [PMID: 27246553 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201600002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Proteomic profiling plays a decisive role in the elucidation of molecular signatures representative of a specific clinical context. MuStem cell based therapy represents a promising approach for clinical applications to cure Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). To expand our previous studies collected in the clinically relevant DMD animal model, we decided to investigate the skeletal muscle proteome 4 months after systemic delivery of allogenic MuStem cells. Quantitative proteomics with isotope-coded protein labeling was used to compile quantitative changes in the protein expression profiles of muscle in transplanted Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dogs as compared to Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy dogs. A total of 492 proteins were quantified, including 25 that were overrepresented and 46 that were underrepresented after MuStem cell transplantation. Interestingly, this study demonstrates that somatic stem cell therapy impacts on the structural integrity of the muscle fascicle by acting on fibers and its connections with the extracellular matrix. We also show that cell infusion promotes protective mechanisms against oxidative stress and favors the initial phase of muscle repair. This study allows us to identify putative candidates for tissue markers that might be of great value in objectively exploring the clinical benefits resulting from our cell-based therapy for DMD. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001768 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD001768).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Lardenois
- INRA, UMR703 PAnTher, Nantes, France.,LUNAM Université, Oniris, École nationale vétérinaire, agro-alimentaire et de l'alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, Nantes, France
| | - Sabrina Jagot
- INRA, UMR703 PAnTher, Nantes, France.,LUNAM Université, Oniris, École nationale vétérinaire, agro-alimentaire et de l'alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, Nantes, France.,Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Mélanie Lagarrigue
- Protim, Irset Inserm UMR 1085, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, France.,Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, France
| | - Blandine Guével
- Protim, Irset Inserm UMR 1085, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, France.,Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, France
| | - Mireille Ledevin
- INRA, UMR703 PAnTher, Nantes, France.,LUNAM Université, Oniris, École nationale vétérinaire, agro-alimentaire et de l'alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, Nantes, France
| | - Thibaut Larcher
- INRA, UMR703 PAnTher, Nantes, France.,LUNAM Université, Oniris, École nationale vétérinaire, agro-alimentaire et de l'alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, Nantes, France
| | - Laurence Dubreil
- INRA, UMR703 PAnTher, Nantes, France.,LUNAM Université, Oniris, École nationale vétérinaire, agro-alimentaire et de l'alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, Nantes, France
| | - Charles Pineau
- Protim, Irset Inserm UMR 1085, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, France.,Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, France
| | - Karl Rouger
- INRA, UMR703 PAnTher, Nantes, France.,LUNAM Université, Oniris, École nationale vétérinaire, agro-alimentaire et de l'alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, Nantes, France
| | - Laëtitia Guével
- INRA, UMR703 PAnTher, Nantes, France.,LUNAM Université, Oniris, École nationale vétérinaire, agro-alimentaire et de l'alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, Nantes, France.,Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
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Nghiem PP, Kornegay JN, Uaesoontrachoon K, Bello L, Yin Y, Kesari A, Mittal P, Schatzberg SJ, Many GM, Lee NH, Hoffman EP. Osteopontin is linked with AKT, FoxO1, and myostatin in skeletal muscle cells. Muscle Nerve 2017; 56:1119-1127. [PMID: 28745831 PMCID: PMC5690863 DOI: 10.1002/mus.25752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Osteopontin (OPN) polymorphisms are associated with muscle size and modify disease progression in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). We hypothesized that OPN may share a molecular network with myostatin (MSTN). Methods: Studies were conducted in the golden retriever (GRMD) and mdx mouse models of DMD. Follow‐up in‐vitro studies were employed in myogenic cells and the mdx mouse treated with recombinant mouse (rm) or human (Hu) OPN protein. Results: OPN was increased and MSTN was decreased and levels correlated inversely in GRMD hypertrophied muscle. RM‐OPN treatment led to induced AKT1 and FoxO1 phosphorylation, microRNA‐486 modulation, and decreased MSTN. An AKT1 inhibitor blocked these effects, whereas an RGD‐mutant OPN protein and an RGDS blocking peptide showed similar effects to the AKT inhibitor. RMOPN induced myotube hypertrophy and minimal Feret diameter in mdx muscle. Discussion: OPN may interact with AKT1/MSTN/FoxO1 to modify normal and dystrophic muscle. Muscle Nerve56: 1119–1127, 2017
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter P Nghiem
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 4458 TAMU, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843-4458, USA
| | - Joe N Kornegay
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 4458 TAMU, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843-4458, USA
| | | | - Luca Bello
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ying Yin
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Akanchha Kesari
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Priya Mittal
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Gina M Many
- Department of Health Sciences, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Washington, USA
| | - Norman H Lee
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Eric P Hoffman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York, USA
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38
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Kodippili K, Hakim CH, Pan X, Yang HT, Yue Y, Zhang Y, Shin JH, Yang NN, Duan D. Dual AAV Gene Therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy with a 7-kb Mini-Dystrophin Gene in the Canine Model. Hum Gene Ther 2017; 29:299-311. [PMID: 28793798 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Dual adeno-associated virus (AAV) technology was developed in 2000 to double the packaging capacity of the AAV vector. The proof of principle has been demonstrated in various mouse models. Yet, pivotal evidence is lacking in large animal models of human diseases. Here we report expression of a 7-kb canine ΔH2-R15 mini-dystrophin gene using a pair of dual AAV vectors in the canine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The ΔH2-R15 minigene is by far the most potent synthetic dystrophin gene engineered for DMD gene therapy. We packaged minigene dual vectors in Y731F tyrosine-modified AAV-9 and delivered to the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle of a 12-month-old affected dog at the dose of 2 × 1013 viral genome particles/vector/muscle. Widespread mini-dystrophin expression was observed 2 months after gene transfer. The missing dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex was restored. Treatment also reduced muscle degeneration and fibrosis and improved myofiber size distribution. Importantly, dual AAV therapy greatly protected the muscle from eccentric contraction-induced force loss. Our data provide the first clear evidence that dual AAV therapy can be translated to a diseased large mammal. Further development of dual AAV technology may lead to effective therapies for DMD and many other diseases in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasun Kodippili
- 1 Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri
| | - Chady H Hakim
- 1 Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri.,2 National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences , Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Xiufang Pan
- 1 Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri
| | - Hsiao T Yang
- 1 Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri.,3 Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri
| | - Yongping Yue
- 1 Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri
| | - Yadong Zhang
- 1 Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri
| | - Jin-Hong Shin
- 1 Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri
| | - N Nora Yang
- 2 National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences , Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- 1 Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri.,3 Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri.,4 Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, The University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri.,5 Department of Bioengineering, The University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri
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Abdullah M, Kornegay JN, Honcoop A, Parry TL, Balog-Alvarez CJ, O'Neal SK, Bain JR, Muehlbauer MJ, Newgard CB, Patterson C, Willis MS. Non-Targeted Metabolomics Analysis of Golden Retriever Muscular Dystrophy-Affected Muscles Reveals Alterations in Arginine and Proline Metabolism, and Elevations in Glutamic and Oleic Acid In Vivo. Metabolites 2017; 7:E38. [PMID: 28758940 PMCID: PMC5618323 DOI: 10.3390/metabo7030038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Like Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the Golden Retriever Muscular Dystrophy (GRMD) dog model of DMD is characterized by muscle necrosis, progressive paralysis, and pseudohypertrophy in specific skeletal muscles. This severe GRMD phenotype includes moderate atrophy of the biceps femoris (BF) as compared to unaffected normal dogs, while the long digital extensor (LDE), which functions to flex the tibiotarsal joint and serves as a digital extensor, undergoes the most pronounced atrophy. A recent microarray analysis of GRMD identified alterations in genes associated with lipid metabolism and energy production. METHODS We, therefore, undertook a non-targeted metabolomics analysis of the milder/earlier stage disease GRMD BF muscle versus the more severe/chronic LDE using GC-MS to identify underlying metabolic defects specific for affected GRMD skeletal muscle. RESULTS Untargeted metabolomics analysis of moderately-affected GRMD muscle (BF) identified eight significantly altered metabolites, including significantly decreased stearamide (0.23-fold of controls, p = 2.89 × 10-3), carnosine (0.40-fold of controls, p = 1.88 × 10-2), fumaric acid (0.40-fold of controls, p = 7.40 × 10-4), lactamide (0.33-fold of controls, p = 4.84 × 10-2), myoinositol-2-phosphate (0.45-fold of controls, p = 3.66 × 10-2), and significantly increased oleic acid (1.77-fold of controls, p = 9.27 × 10-2), glutamic acid (2.48-fold of controls, p = 2.63 × 10-2), and proline (1.73-fold of controls, p = 3.01 × 10-2). Pathway enrichment analysis identified significant enrichment for arginine/proline metabolism (p = 5.88 × 10-4, FDR 4.7 × 10-2), where alterations in L-glutamic acid, proline, and carnosine were found. Additionally, multiple Krebs cycle intermediates were significantly decreased (e.g., malic acid, fumaric acid, citric/isocitric acid, and succinic acid), suggesting that altered energy metabolism may be underlying the observed GRMD BF muscle dysfunction. In contrast, two pathways, inosine-5'-monophosphate (VIP Score 3.91) and 3-phosphoglyceric acid (VIP Score 3.08) mainly contributed to the LDE signature, with two metabolites (phosphoglyceric acid and inosine-5'-monophosphate) being significantly decreased. When the BF and LDE were compared, the most significant metabolite was phosphoric acid, which was significantly less in the GRMD BF compared to control and GRMD LDE groups. CONCLUSIONS The identification of elevated BF oleic acid (a long-chain fatty acid) is consistent with recent microarray studies identifying altered lipid metabolism genes, while alterations in arginine and proline metabolism are consistent with recent studies identifying elevated L-arginine in DMD patient sera as a biomarker of disease. Together, these studies demonstrate muscle-specific alterations in GRMD-affected muscle, which illustrate previously unidentified metabolic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Abdullah
- Department of Biochemistry, QuaidiAzam University, 45320 Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7525, USA.
- McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7126, USA.
| | - Joe N Kornegay
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Aubree Honcoop
- Toxicology Curriculum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Traci L Parry
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7525, USA.
- McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7126, USA.
| | - Cynthia J Balog-Alvarez
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Sara K O'Neal
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
| | - James R Bain
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27703, USA.
| | - Michael J Muehlbauer
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
| | - Christopher B Newgard
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27703, USA.
| | - Cam Patterson
- Presbyterian Hospital/Weill-Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Monte S Willis
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7525, USA.
- McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7126, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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40
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Shiga T, Uchida K, Chambers JK, Nakayama H. Immunohistochemical analysis of canine and feline muscle disorders using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. J Vet Diagn Invest 2017; 29:805-813. [PMID: 28599613 DOI: 10.1177/1040638717715287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Histochemical techniques used in examination of muscle biopsies typically require frozen sections. Given that most of the specimens submitted to a veterinary laboratory for diagnosis are formalin-fixed, the choice of staining methods is limited. We aimed to further advance the diagnostic capabilities of pathologists presented with formalin-fixed muscle samples and to describe the differences in immunohistopathologic findings between neurogenic and myogenic muscle disorders. Based on hematoxylin and eosin staining, we defined in dogs the histologic lesions in 4 neurogenic disorders (degenerative myelopathy and polyneuropathy) and 2 myogenic disorders (dystrophin-deficient muscular dystrophy). In cats, we defined the lesions in 2 neurogenic disorders (lymphoma of nerve roots and spinal cords) and 1 myogenic disorder (laminin α2-deficient muscular dystrophy). Immunohistochemistry for slow and fast myosins revealed angular and group atrophy of type 1 and type 2 fibers in dogs and cats, and fiber type grouping in dogs. These immunohistopathologic findings were specific to neurogenic muscle disorders. Immunohistochemistry for nestin and myogenin revealed nestin-positive fibers and myogenin-positive nuclei in dogs and cats. They were not specific, but these fibers in myogenic disorders can be interpreted as regenerating fibers. The immunohistochemical method described herein appears to be useful for discriminating neurogenic and myogenic disorders in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded muscle tissue of dogs and cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Shiga
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Uchida
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - James K Chambers
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nakayama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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41
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Moving towards successful exon-skipping therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. J Hum Genet 2017; 62:871-876. [DOI: 10.1038/jhg.2017.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked disease caused by mutations in the DMD gene and loss of the protein dystrophin. The absence of dystrophin leads to myofiber membrane fragility and necrosis, with eventual muscle atrophy and contractures. Affected boys typically die in their second or third decade due to either respiratory failure or cardiomyopathy. Despite extensive attempts to develop definitive therapies for DMD, the standard of care remains prednisone, which has only palliative benefits. Animal models, mainly the mdx mouse and golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dog, have played a key role in studies of DMD pathogenesis and treatment development. Because the GRMD clinical syndrome is more severe than in mice, better aligning with the progressive course of DMD, canine studies may translate better to humans. The original founder dog for all GRMD colonies worldwide was identified in the early 1980s before the discovery of the DMD gene and dystrophin. Accordingly, analogies to DMD were initially drawn based on similar clinical features, ranging from the X-linked pattern of inheritance to overlapping histopathologic lesions. Confirmation of genetic homology between DMD and GRMD came with identification of the underlying GRMD mutation, a single nucleotide change that leads to exon skipping and an out-of-frame DMD transcript. GRMD colonies have subsequently been established to conduct pathogenetic and preclinical treatment studies. Simultaneous with the onset of GRMD treatment trials, phenotypic biomarkers were developed, allowing definitive characterization of treatment effect. Importantly, GRMD studies have not always substantiated findings from mdx mice and have sometimes identified serious treatment side effects. While the GRMD model may be more clinically relevant than the mdx mouse, usage has been limited by practical considerations related to expense and the number of dogs available. This further complicates ongoing broader concerns about the poor rate of translation of animal model preclinical studies to humans with analogous diseases. Accordingly, in performing GRMD trials, special attention must be paid to experimental design to align with the approach used in DMD clinical trials. This review provides context for the GRMD model, beginning with its original description and extending to its use in preclinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe N Kornegay
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, Mail Stop 4458, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA.
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Nghiem PP, Bello L, Balog-Alvarez C, López SM, Bettis A, Barnett H, Hernandez B, Schatzberg SJ, Piercy RJ, Kornegay JN. Whole genome sequencing reveals a 7 base-pair deletion in DMD exon 42 in a dog with muscular dystrophy. Mamm Genome 2016; 28:106-113. [PMID: 28028563 PMCID: PMC5371640 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-016-9675-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Dystrophin is a key cytoskeletal protein coded by the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene located on the X-chromosome. Truncating mutations in the DMD gene cause loss of dystrophin and the classical DMD clinical syndrome. Spontaneous DMD gene mutations and associated phenotypes occur in several other species. The mdx mouse model and the golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) canine model have been used extensively to study DMD disease pathogenesis and show efficacy and side effects of putative treatments. Certain DMD gene mutations in high-risk, the so-called hot spot areas can be particularly helpful in modeling molecular therapies. Identification of specific mutations has been greatly enhanced by new genomic methods. Whole genome, next generation sequencing (WGS) has been recently used to define DMD patient mutations, but has not been used in dystrophic dogs. A dystrophin-deficient Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS) dog was evaluated at the functional, histopathological, biochemical, and molecular level. The affected dog's phenotype was compared to the previously reported canine dystrophinopathies. WGS was then used to detect a 7 base pair deletion in DMD exon 42 (c.6051-6057delTCTCAAT mRNA), predicting a frameshift in gene transcription and truncation of dystrophin protein translation. The deletion was confirmed with conventional PCR and Sanger sequencing. This mutation is in a secondary DMD gene hotspot area distinct from the one identified earlier at the 5' donor splice site of intron 50 in the CKCS breed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter P Nghiem
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (Mail Stop 4458), College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA.
| | - Luca Bello
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 5, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Cindy Balog-Alvarez
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (Mail Stop 4458), College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
| | - Sara Mata López
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (Mail Stop 4458), College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
| | - Amanda Bettis
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (Mail Stop 4458), College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
| | - Heather Barnett
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (Mail Stop 4458), College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
| | - Briana Hernandez
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (Mail Stop 4458), College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
| | - Scott J Schatzberg
- Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of Santa Fe, 2001 Vivigen Way, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, USA
| | - Richard J Piercy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
| | - Joe N Kornegay
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (Mail Stop 4458), College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
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44
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Acosta AR, Van Wie E, Stoughton WB, Bettis AK, Barnett HH, LaBrie NR, Balog-Alvarez CJ, Nghiem PP, Cummings KJ, Kornegay JN. Use of the six-minute walk test to characterize golden retriever muscular dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2016; 26:865-872. [PMID: 27818009 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2016.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive disorder in which loss of the dystrophin protein causes progressive skeletal/cardiac muscle degeneration and death within the third decade. For clinical trials and supportive animal studies, DMD disease progression and response to treatment must be established using outcome parameters (biomarkers). The 6-minute walk test (6MWT), defined as the distance an individual can walk in 6 minutes, is commonly used in DMD clinical trials and has been employed in dogs to characterize cardiac and respiratory disease severity. Building on methods established in DMD and canine clinical studies, we assessed the 6MWT in dogs with the DMD genetic homolog, golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD). Twenty-one cross-bred golden retrievers were categorized as affected (DMD mutation and GRMD phenotype), carrier (female heterozygous for DMD mutation and no phenotype), and normal (wild type DMD gene and normal phenotype). When compared to grouped normal/carrier dogs, GRMD dogs walked shorter height-adjusted distances at 6 and 12 months of age and their distances walked declined with age. Percent change in creatine kinase after 6MWT was greater in GRMD versus normal/carrier dogs at 6 months, providing another potential biomarker. While these data generally support use of the 6MWT as a biomarker for preclinical GRMD treatment trials, there were certain limitations. Results of the 6MWT did not correlate with other outcome parameters for GRMD dogs when considered alone and an 80% increase in mean distance walked would be necessary to achieve satisfactory power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin R Acosta
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA; Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA
| | - Emiko Van Wie
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA; Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA
| | - William B Stoughton
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA; Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA
| | - Amanda K Bettis
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA; Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA
| | - Heather H Barnett
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA; Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA
| | - Nicholas R LaBrie
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA; Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA
| | - Cynthia J Balog-Alvarez
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA; Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA
| | - Peter P Nghiem
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA; Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA
| | - Kevin J Cummings
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA
| | - Joe N Kornegay
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA; Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA.
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Martins AA, Favaron PO, de Jesus Oliveira L, Schäfer BT, Oliveira FD, Miglino MA. Development of the cardiorespiratory system in dogs from days 16 to 46 of pregnancy. Reprod Domest Anim 2016; 51:804-12. [PMID: 27558767 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Dogs have been studied for several reasons, such as the genetic improvement, their use as experimental models, in zoonotic research, cell therapy and as a model for human diseases. However, many features relating to the embryonic development of dogs remain unknown because of the absence of embryological studies. Considering the importance of the cardiorespiratory system in the development of embryos, the aim of this study was to investigate the development of the main cardiorespiratory organs of dog embryos and foetuses with estimated gestational ages from 16 to 46 days using macro- and microscopic descriptions. On day 16 of development, the neural tube and crest were formed, the anterior and posterior neuropore closure had begun and the somites had developed. Between days 22 and 27 of gestation, the lung buds and the initial formation of the primary bronchi and heart chambers were observed. The heart chambers exhibited the endo-, myo- and epicardial layers but did not have obvious differences in thickness among each other. Between days 41 and 46 of gestation, the nasal conchae and septa and trachea were formed, which exhibited characteristic epithelia. The lung formation and lobation were complete. The heart and major vessels exhibited mature histological architecture when their anatomical development was complete. The results of this study contribute to a more accurate definition of the embryonic and foetal developmental stages in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Martins
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - P O Favaron
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - L de Jesus Oliveira
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Food Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - B T Schäfer
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - F D Oliveira
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M A Miglino
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Brinkmeyer-Langford C, Balog-Alvarez C, Cai JJ, Davis BW, Kornegay JN. Genome-wide association study to identify potential genetic modifiers in a canine model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:665. [PMID: 27549615 PMCID: PMC4994242 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2948-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) causes progressive muscle degeneration, cardiomyopathy and respiratory failure in approximately 1/5,000 boys. Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) resembles DMD both clinically and pathologically. Like DMD, GRMD exhibits remarkable phenotypic variation among affected dogs, suggesting the influence of modifiers. Understanding the role(s) of genetic modifiers of GRMD may identify genes and pathways that also modify phenotypes in DMD and reveal novel therapies. Therefore, our objective in this study was to identify genetic modifiers that affect discrete GRMD phenotypes. Results We performed a linear mixed-model (LMM) analysis using 16 variably-affected dogs from our GRMD colony (8 dystrophic, 8 non-dystrophic). All of these dogs were either full or half-siblings, and phenotyped for 19 objective, quantitative biomarkers at ages 6 and 12 months. Each biomarker was individually assessed. Gene expression profiles of 59 possible candidate genes were generated for two muscle types: the cranial tibialis and medial head of the gastrocnemius. SNPs significantly associated with GRMD biomarkers were identified on multiple chromosomes (including the X chromosome). Gene expression levels for candidate genes located near these SNPs correlated with biomarker values, suggesting possible roles as GRMD modifiers. Conclusions The results of this study enhance our understanding of GRMD pathology and represent a first step toward the characterization of GRMD modifiers that may be relevant to DMD pathology. Such modifiers are likely to be useful for DMD treatment development based on their relationships to GRMD phenotypes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2948-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cynthia Balog-Alvarez
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - James J Cai
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Brian W Davis
- Cancer Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joe N Kornegay
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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Adaptive Immune Response Impairs the Efficacy of Autologous Transplantation of Engineered Stem Cells in Dystrophic Dogs. Mol Ther 2016; 24:1949-1964. [PMID: 27506452 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2016.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common genetic muscular dystrophy. It is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, leading to absence of muscular dystrophin and to progressive degeneration of skeletal muscle. We have demonstrated that the exon skipping method safely and efficiently brings to the expression of a functional dystrophin in dystrophic CD133+ cells injected scid/mdx mice. Golden Retriever muscular dystrophic (GRMD) dogs represent the best preclinical model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, mimicking the human pathology in genotypic and phenotypic aspects. Here, we assess the capacity of intra-arterial delivered autologous engineered canine CD133+ cells of restoring dystrophin expression in Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy. This is the first demonstration of five-year follow up study, showing initial clinical amelioration followed by stabilization in mild and severe affected Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy dogs. The occurrence of T-cell response in three Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy dogs, consistent with a memory response boosted by the exon skipped-dystrophin protein, suggests an adaptive immune response against dystrophin.
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Smith LR, Hammers DW, Sweeney HL, Barton ER. Increased collagen cross-linking is a signature of dystrophin-deficient muscle. Muscle Nerve 2016; 54:71-8. [PMID: 26616495 PMCID: PMC5067682 DOI: 10.1002/mus.24998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Collagen cross‐linking is a key parameter in extracellular matrix (ECM) maturation, turnover, and stiffness. We examined aspects of collagen cross‐linking in dystrophin‐deficient murine, canine, and human skeletal muscle. Methods DMD patient biopsies and samples from mdx mice and golden retriever muscular dystrophy dog samples (with appropriate controls) were analyzed. Collagen cross‐linking was evaluated using solubility and hydroxyproline assays. Expression of the cross‐linking enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX) was determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence. Results LOX protein levels are increased in dystrophic muscle from all species evaluated. Dystrophic mice and dogs had significantly higher cross‐linked collagen than controls, especially in the diaphragm. Distribution of intramuscular LOX was heterogeneous in all samples, but it increased in frequency and intensity in dystrophic muscle. Conclusion These findings implicate elevated collagen cross‐linking as an important component of the disrupted ECM in dystrophic muscles, and heightened cross‐linking is evident in mouse, dog, and man. Muscle Nerve54: 71–78, 2016
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas R Smith
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Pennsylvania Muscle Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David W Hammers
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Pennsylvania Muscle Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.,Myology Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - H Lee Sweeney
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Pennsylvania Muscle Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.,Myology Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Elisabeth R Barton
- Pennsylvania Muscle Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Myology Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.,Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, 1864 Stadium Road, 124 Florida Gym, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
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49
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Allen DG, Whitehead NP, Froehner SC. Absence of Dystrophin Disrupts Skeletal Muscle Signaling: Roles of Ca2+, Reactive Oxygen Species, and Nitric Oxide in the Development of Muscular Dystrophy. Physiol Rev 2016; 96:253-305. [PMID: 26676145 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00007.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 272] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystrophin is a long rod-shaped protein that connects the subsarcolemmal cytoskeleton to a complex of proteins in the surface membrane (dystrophin protein complex, DPC), with further connections via laminin to other extracellular matrix proteins. Initially considered a structural complex that protected the sarcolemma from mechanical damage, the DPC is now known to serve as a scaffold for numerous signaling proteins. Absence or reduced expression of dystrophin or many of the DPC components cause the muscular dystrophies, a group of inherited diseases in which repeated bouts of muscle damage lead to atrophy and fibrosis, and eventually muscle degeneration. The normal function of dystrophin is poorly defined. In its absence a complex series of changes occur with multiple muscle proteins showing reduced or increased expression or being modified in various ways. In this review, we will consider the various proteins whose expression and function is changed in muscular dystrophies, focusing on Ca(2+)-permeable channels, nitric oxide synthase, NADPH oxidase, and caveolins. Excessive Ca(2+) entry, increased membrane permeability, disordered caveolar function, and increased levels of reactive oxygen species are early changes in the disease, and the hypotheses for these phenomena will be critically considered. The aim of the review is to define the early damage pathways in muscular dystrophy which might be appropriate targets for therapy designed to minimize the muscle degeneration and slow the progression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Allen
- Sydney Medical School & Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; and Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Nicholas P Whitehead
- Sydney Medical School & Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; and Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Stanley C Froehner
- Sydney Medical School & Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; and Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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50
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Canine-Inherited Dystrophinopathies and Centronuclear Myopathies. REGENERATIVE MEDICINE FOR DEGENERATIVE MUSCLE DISEASES 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3228-3_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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