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Brown SJ, Šoltić D, Synowsky SA, Shirran SL, Chilcott E, Shorrock HK, Gillingwater TH, Yáñez-Muñoz RJ, Schneider B, Bowerman M, Fuller HR. AAV9-mediated SMN gene therapy rescues cardiac desmin but not lamin A/C and elastin dysregulation in Smn2B/- spinal muscular atrophy mice. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:2950-2965. [PMID: 37498175 PMCID: PMC10549791 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Structural, functional and molecular cardiac defects have been reported in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients and mouse models. Previous quantitative proteomics analyses demonstrated widespread molecular defects in the severe Taiwanese SMA mouse model. Whether such changes are conserved across different mouse models, including less severe forms of the disease, has yet to be established. Here, using the same high-resolution proteomics approach in the less-severe Smn2B/- SMA mouse model, 277 proteins were found to be differentially abundant at a symptomatic timepoint (post-natal day (P) 18), 50 of which were similarly dysregulated in severe Taiwanese SMA mice. Bioinformatics analysis linked many of the differentially abundant proteins to cardiovascular development and function, with intermediate filaments highlighted as an enriched cellular compartment in both datasets. Lamin A/C was increased in the cardiac tissue, whereas another intermediate filament protein, desmin, was reduced. The extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, elastin, was also robustly decreased in the heart of Smn2B/- mice. AAV9-SMN1-mediated gene therapy rectified low levels of survival motor neuron protein and restored desmin levels in heart tissues of Smn2B/- mice. In contrast, AAV9-SMN1 therapy failed to correct lamin A/C or elastin levels. Intermediate filament proteins and the ECM have key roles in cardiac function and their dysregulation may explain cardiac impairment in SMA, especially since mutations in genes encoding these proteins cause other diseases with cardiac aberration. Cardiac pathology may need to be considered in the long-term care of SMA patients, as it is unclear whether currently available treatments can fully rescue peripheral pathology in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon J Brown
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK
- Wolfson Centre for Inherited Neuromuscular Disease, TORCH Building, RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry SY10 7AG, UK
| | - Darija Šoltić
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK
- Wolfson Centre for Inherited Neuromuscular Disease, TORCH Building, RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry SY10 7AG, UK
| | - Silvia A Synowsky
- BSRC Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Sally L Shirran
- BSRC Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Ellie Chilcott
- AGCTlab.org, Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy, Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Hannah K Shorrock
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Thomas H Gillingwater
- Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences, Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Rafael J Yáñez-Muñoz
- AGCTlab.org, Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy, Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Bernard Schneider
- Bertarelli Platform for Gene Therapy, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Melissa Bowerman
- Wolfson Centre for Inherited Neuromuscular Disease, TORCH Building, RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry SY10 7AG, UK
- School of Medicine, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Heidi R Fuller
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK
- Wolfson Centre for Inherited Neuromuscular Disease, TORCH Building, RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry SY10 7AG, UK
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Sewry CA, Feng L, Chambers D, Matthews E, Phadke R. Importance of immunohistochemical evaluation of developmentally regulated myosin heavy chains in human muscle biopsies. Neuromuscul Disord 2021; 31:371-384. [PMID: 33685841 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Our retrospective immunohistochemical study of normal quadriceps muscle biopsies shows that embryonic myosin heavy chains are down-regulated by, or soon after, birth. Fetal myosin heavy chains are down-regulated by 4-6 months. Thus the presence of an appreciable number of fibres with embryonic myosin heavy chains at birth or of fetal myosin heavy chains after 6 months of age suggests a delay in maturation or an underlying abnormality. Regenerating fibres in dystrophic muscle often co-express both embryonic and fetal myosin heavy chains but more fibres with fetal than embryonic myosin heavy chains can occur. Embryonic myosin heavy chains are a useful marker of regeneration but effects of denervation, stress, disuse, and fibre maintenance also have to be taken into account. In neurogenic disorders fibres with embryonic myosin heavy chains are rare but fetal myosin heavy chain expression is common, particularly in 5q spinal muscle atrophy. Nuclear clumps in denervated muscle show fetal and sometimes embryonic myosin heavy chains. Developmentally regulated myosins are useful for highlighting the perifascicular atrophy in juvenile dermatomyositis. Our studies highlight the importance of baseline data for embryonic and fetal myosin heavy chains in human muscle biopsies and the importance of assessing them in a spectrum of neuromuscular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Sewry
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology Division of Neuropathology & National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom; Department of Musculoskeletal Histopathology and the Wolfson Centre for Inherited Neuromuscular Diseases, RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Oswestry, SY10 7AG, United Kingdom; Department of Cellular Pathology, Salford Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Northern Care Alliance NHS Group, Stott Lane, Salford M6 8HD, United Kingdom; The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London WC1N 3JH, United Kingdom.
| | - L Feng
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology Division of Neuropathology & National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom; The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London WC1N 3JH, United Kingdom
| | - D Chambers
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology Division of Neuropathology & National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom; The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London WC1N 3JH, United Kingdom; The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health 30 Guildford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - E Matthews
- Atkinson-Morley Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, SW17 0QT, United Kingdom; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - R Phadke
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology Division of Neuropathology & National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom; The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London WC1N 3JH, United Kingdom; Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
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Abnormalities in Early Markers of Muscle Involvement Support a Delay in Myogenesis in Spinal Muscular Atrophy. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2014; 73:559-67. [DOI: 10.1097/nen.0000000000000078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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The Developmental Pattern of Myotubes in Spinal Muscular Atrophy Indicates Prenatal Delay of Muscle Maturation. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2009; 68:474-81. [DOI: 10.1097/nen.0b013e3181a10ea1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Millino C, Fanin M, Vettori A, Laveder P, Mostacciuolo ML, Angelini C, Lanfranchi G. Different atrophy-hypertrophy transcription pathways in muscles affected by severe and mild spinal muscular atrophy. BMC Med 2009; 7:14. [PMID: 19351384 PMCID: PMC2676312 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-7-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2009] [Accepted: 04/07/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with mutations of the survival motor neuron gene SMN and is characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy caused by degeneration of spinal motor neurons. SMN has a role in neurons but its deficiency may have a direct effect on muscle tissue. METHODS We applied microarray and quantitative real-time PCR to study at transcriptional level the effects of a defective SMN gene in skeletal muscles affected by the two forms of SMA: the most severe type I and the mild type III. RESULTS The two forms of SMA generated distinct expression signatures: the SMA III muscle transcriptome is close to that found under normal conditions, whereas in SMA I there is strong alteration of gene expression. Genes implicated in signal transduction were up-regulated in SMA III whereas those of energy metabolism and muscle contraction were consistently down-regulated in SMA I. The expression pattern of gene networks involved in atrophy signaling was completed by qRT-PCR, showing that specific pathways are involved, namely IGF/PI3K/Akt, TNF-alpha/p38 MAPK and Ras/ERK pathways. CONCLUSION Our study suggests a different picture of atrophy pathways in each of the two forms of SMA. In particular, p38 may be the regulator of protein synthesis in SMA I. The SMA III profile appears as the result of the concurrent presence of atrophic and hypertrophic fibers. This more favorable condition might be due to the over-expression of MTOR that, given its role in the activation of protein synthesis, could lead to compensatory hypertrophy in SMA III muscle fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Millino
- CRIBI Biotechnology Centre, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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Stevens L, Bastide B, Maurage CA, Dupont E, Montel V, Cieniewski-Bernard C, Cuisset JM, Vallée L, Mounier Y. Childhood spinal muscular atrophy induces alterations in contractile and regulatory protein isoform expressions. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2008; 34:659-70. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2990.2008.00950.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Stathas D, Kalfakis N, Kararizou E, Manta P. Spinal muscular atrophy: DNA fragmentation and immaturity of muscle fibers. Acta Histochem 2007; 110:53-8. [PMID: 17761239 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2007.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2006] [Revised: 06/09/2007] [Accepted: 06/11/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The presence of apoptotic fibers and the embryonic proteins desmin and vimentin were investigated in muscle biopsy specimens from patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Apoptosis was studied in 24 cases of SMA by means of in situ end labeling of nuclear DNA fragmentation using TUNEL staining and immunohistochemistry. Apoptotic nuclei were observed in 54.1% of the cases, and desmin and vimentin positive fibers were found in the majority of cases. A significant negative correlation was observed between the number of apoptotic nuclei and the duration of the disease, as well as between the number of desmin and vimentin positive fibers and the age of onset. These findings indicate that apoptosis, although probably a secondary phenomenon following denervation, plays a role in the progress of spinal muscular atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetrios Stathas
- Myopathology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Athens National University, Eginition Hospital, 74 Vas. Sofias Ave., GR-115 28 Athens, Greece
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Ince PG, Wharton SB. Chapter 5 Cytopathology of the motor neuron. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2007; 82:89-119. [PMID: 18808890 DOI: 10.1016/s0072-9752(07)80008-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
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Chapter 2 Pathology of Motor Neuron Disorders. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1016/s1877-3419(09)70103-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
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Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease caused by homozygous deletions or mutations in the SMN1 gene on Chr.5q13. SMA spans from severe Werdnig-Hoffmann disease (SMA 1) to relatively benign Kugelberg-Welander disease (SMA 3). Onset before birth possibly aggravates the clinical course, because immature motoneurons do not show compensatory sprouting and collateral reinnervation, and motor units in SMA 1, in contrast to those in SMA 3, are not enlarged. Genetic evidence indicates that SMN2, a gene 99% identical to SMN1, can attenuate SMA severity: in patients, more SMN2 copies and higher SMN protein levels are correlated with milder SMA. There is evidence that SMN plays a role in motoneuron RNA metabolism, but it has also been linked to apoptosis. Several mouse models with motoneuron disease have been successfully treated with neurotrophic factors. None of these models is, however, homologous to SMA. Recently, genetic mouse models of SMA have been created by introducing human SMN2 transgenes into Smn knockout mice or by targeting the Smn gene knockout to neurons. These mice not only provide important insights into the pathogenesis of SMA but are also crucial for testing new therapeutic strategies. These include SMN gene transfer, molecules capable to up-regulate SMN expression and trophic or antiapoptotic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Schmalbruch
- Department of Medical Physiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Soubrouillard C, Pellissier JF, Lepidi H, Mancini J, Rougon G, Figarella-Branger D. Expression of developmentally regulated cytoskeleton and cell surface proteins in childhood spinal muscular atrophies. J Neurol Sci 1995; 133:155-63. [PMID: 8583219 DOI: 10.1016/0022-510x(95)00182-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Expression of some developmentally regulated cytoskeleton components (desmin, vimentin and myosin heavy chain isoforms) and cell surface proteins (including neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), its polysialylated (PSA) isoform and CD24) have been studied by immunohistochemical detection in a series of 23 infantile spinal muscular atrophies (SMA). According to the clinical classification established by Byers and Banker in 1961, 8 cases were type I SMA (Werdnig-Hoffmann's disease), 10 cases were type II (intermediate form), and 5 cases were type III (Kugelberg-Welander's disease). In 15 cases, the percentage of immunoreactive fibers with the various antibodies used has been quantified and the results correlated with clinical data. The aim of the study was to search for variations in the pattern of expression of the proteins to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and prognosis, and to gain an understanding of the pathological processes involved in SMA. The results showed that the pattern of expression of these cytoskeleton and cell surface proteins is abnormal in all types of SMA. However, it was strikingly different in type I and II SMA as opposed to type III. In type I and II SMA, strong NCAM and developmental myosin heavy chain (MHC) expression was observed in atrophic fibers. Numerous atrophic fibers co-expressed desmin and vimentin as well as slow and fast adult MHC. Very few of them expressed PSA NCAM, fetal MHC and CD24. In type III SMA, the number of fibers expressing NCAM, developmental MHC and co-expressing slow and fast adult MHC was low and virtually none of them expressed vimentin or desmin. These findings are in favor of a denervation process occurring very early in life, probably even in utero, in type I and II SMA and leading to a severe impairment of muscle fibers maturation. In contrast, in type III SMA, the process is initiated well after birth and affects mature muscle fibers. In all types of SMA, the ability of muscle fibers to regenerate is low, although some fibers may be reinnervated. Immunohistochemical data was not related to the patients follow-up and thus has no prognostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Soubrouillard
- Laboratoire de Biopathologie Nerveuse et Musculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
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Hamida CB, Soussi-Yanicostas N, Bejaoui K, Butler-Browne GS, Hentati F, Ben Hamida M. Expression of myosin isoforms and of desmin, vimentin and titin in Tunisian Duchenne-like autosomal recessive muscular dystrophy. J Neurol Sci 1994; 123:114-21. [PMID: 8064303 DOI: 10.1016/0022-510x(94)90212-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Morphological, morphometrical, histoenzymological, immunocytochemical and biochemical analysis were performed on muscle biopsies taken from patients suffering from tunisian autosomal recessive Duchenne-like muscular dystrophy (TDLMD) selected both by Duchenne-like clinical criteria and by the presence of normal dystrophin. Data were compared to that obtained from DMD biopsies characterized by the absence of dystrophin. The distribution of myosin heavy chain isoforms, desmin, vimentin and titin were determined in type I and type II muscle fibers. The protein pattern appeared to be less affected in TDLMD than in DMD biopsies. The regenerating fibers were mainly but not exclusively type IIC; a noticeable percentage of both type I and type II fibers coexpressed fast and slow MHC isoforms in TDLMD. This percentage was lower than in DMD. The expression of embryonic, fetal, and fast/slow myosin isoforms in type IIC fibers in TDLMD and DMD suggest different fiber type transformations in these two diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- C B Hamida
- Institut National de Neurologie, Laboratoire de Neuropathologie et de Neurobiologie Moléculaire, Tunisia
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Ben Hamida C, Soussi-Yanicostas N, Butler-Browne GS, Bejaoui K, Hentati F, Ben Hamida M. Biochemical and immunocytochemical analysis in chronic proximal spinal muscular atrophy. Muscle Nerve 1994; 17:400-10. [PMID: 8170486 DOI: 10.1002/mus.880170407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Immunocytochemical and biochemical analyses were carried out on patients affected by chronic SMA. Three groups of patients were identified. In group I, the muscle presented a fascicular atrophy; a high percentage of atrophic type II fibers; and fibers expressing fast, slow, embryonic, and fetal myosin isoforms. In group II, the muscle was characterized by atrophic fibers and normal/hypertrophic fibers expressing only slow myosin isoforms. In group III, the muscle was characterized by fiber type grouping and fibers coexpressing fast and slow myosin isoforms but never embryonic or fetal MHC isoforms. The muscles of groups I and III contained both fast and slow myosins whereas group II muscles were predominantly slow by immunocytochemical analysis or only slow by biochemical analysis. In view of these results, immunocytochemical and histochemical analyses could help to classify chronic SMA and help to understand the different pathogenic processes which seem to be related to the maturational stage of the muscle at the age of onset of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ben Hamida
- Institut National de Neurologie, Laboratoire de Neuropathologie et de Neurobiologie Moléculaire, La Rabta, Tunis, Tunisia
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