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Sundaram MV, Pujol N. The Caenorhabditis elegans cuticle and precuticle: a model for studying dynamic apical extracellular matrices in vivo. Genetics 2024:iyae072. [PMID: 38995735 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyae072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Apical extracellular matrices (aECMs) coat the exposed surfaces of animal bodies to shape tissues, influence social interactions, and protect against pathogens and other environmental challenges. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, collagenous cuticle and zona pellucida protein-rich precuticle aECMs alternately coat external epithelia across the molt cycle and play many important roles in the worm's development, behavior, and physiology. Both these types of aECMs contain many matrix proteins related to those in vertebrates, as well as some that are nematode-specific. Extensive differences observed among tissues and life stages demonstrate that aECMs are a major feature of epithelial cell identity. In addition to forming discrete layers, some cuticle components assemble into complex substructures such as ridges, furrows, and nanoscale pillars. The epidermis and cuticle are mechanically linked, allowing the epidermis to sense cuticle damage and induce protective innate immune and stress responses. The C. elegans model, with its optical transparency, facilitates the study of aECM cell biology and structure/function relationships and all the myriad ways by which aECM can influence an organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meera V Sundaram
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nathalie Pujol
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, CNRS, CIML, Turing Centre for Living Systems, 13009 Marseille, France
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Nakakura T, Horiguchi K, Suzuki T. Collagen XIII Is the Key Molecule of Neurovascular Junctions in the Neuroendocrine System. Neuroendocrinology 2024; 114:658-669. [PMID: 38643753 DOI: 10.1159/000538976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Axons of magnocellular neurosecretory cells project from the hypothalamus to the posterior lobe (PL) of the pituitary. In the PL, a wide perivascular space exists between the outer basement membrane (BM), where nerve axons terminate, and the inner BM lining the fenestrated capillaries. Hypothalamic axon terminals and outer BMs in the PL form neurovascular junctions. We previously had found that collagen XIII is strongly localized in the outer BMs. In this study, we investigated the role of collagen XIII in the PL of rat pituitaries. METHODS We first studied the expression of Col13a1, the gene encoding the α1 chains of collagen XIII, in rat pituitaries via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. We observed the distribution of COL13A1 in the rat pituitary using immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy. We examined the expression of Col13a1 and the distribution of COL13A1 during the development of the pituitary. In addition, we examined the effects of water deprivation and arginine vasopressin (AVP) signaling on the expression of Col13a1 in the PL. RESULTS Col13a1 was expressed in NG2-positive pericytes, and COL13A1 signals were localized in the outer BM of the PL. The expression of Col13a1 was increased by water deprivation and was regulated via the AVP/AVPR1A/Gαq/11 cascade in pericytes of the PL. CONCLUSION These results suggest that pericytes surrounding fenestrated capillaries in the PL secrete COL13A1 and are involved in the construction of neurovascular junctions. COL13A1 is localized in the outer BM surrounding capillaries in the PL and may be involved in the connection between capillaries and axon terminals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Nakakura
- Department of Anatomy, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kotaro Horiguchi
- Laboratory of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Health Sciences, Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Suzuki
- Department of Biology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
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3
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Norman O, Vornanen T, Franssila H, Liinamaa J, Karvonen E, Kotkavaara T, Pohjanen VM, Ylikärppä R, Pihlajaniemi T, Hurskainen M, Heikkinen A. Expression of Collagen XIII in Tissues of the Thyroid and Orbit With Relevance to Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:6. [PMID: 38564194 PMCID: PMC10996972 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.4.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Antibodies against collagen XIII have previously been identified in patients with active thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Although collagen XIII expression has been described in extraocular muscles and orbital fat, its detailed localization in extraocular and thyroid tissues and the connection to autoimmunity for collagen XIII remain unclear. Our objective was to map the potential targets for these antibodies in the tissues of the orbit and thyroid. Methods We evaluated the expression of collagen XIII in human patient and mouse orbital and thyroid tissues with immunostainings and RT-qPCR using Col13a1-/- mice as negative controls. COL13A1 expression in Graves' disease and goiter thyroid samples was compared with TGF-β1 and TNF, and these were also studied in human thyroid epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Results Collagen XIII expression was found in the neuromuscular and myotendinous junctions of extraocular muscles, blood vessels of orbital connective tissue and fat and the thyroid, and in the thyroid epithelium. Thyroid expression was also seen in germinal centers in Graves' disease and in neoplastic epithelium. The expression of COL13A1 in goiter samples correlated with levels of TGF-B1. Upregulation of COL13A1 was reproduced in thyroid epithelial cells treated with TGF-β1. Conclusions We mapped the expression of collagen XIII to various locations in the orbit, demonstrated its expression in the pathologies of the Graves' disease thyroid and confirmed the relationship between collagen XIII and TGF-β1. Altogether, these data add to our understanding of the targets of anti-collagen XIII autoantibodies in TAO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oula Norman
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tuuli Vornanen
- Department of General Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, and Medical Research Centre, University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Hanna Franssila
- Department of General Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, and Medical Research Centre, University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Johanna Liinamaa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oulu University Hospital, and Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Medical Research Centre, University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Elina Karvonen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oulu University Hospital, and Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Medical Research Centre, University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tommi Kotkavaara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oulu University Hospital, and Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Medical Research Centre, University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Vesa-Matti Pohjanen
- Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, Medical Research Centre Oulu, University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Ritva Ylikärppä
- Department of General Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, and Medical Research Centre, University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Taina Pihlajaniemi
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Merja Hurskainen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oulu University Hospital, and Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Medical Research Centre, University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Anne Heikkinen
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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Li L, Ye H, Chen Q, Wei L. COL28 promotes proliferation, migration, and EMT of renal tubular epithelial cells. Ren Fail 2023; 45:2187236. [PMID: 36883360 PMCID: PMC10013395 DOI: 10.1080/0886022x.2023.2187236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Type XXVIII collagen (COL28) is involved in cancer and lung fibrosis. COL28 polymorphisms and mutations might be involved in kidney fibrosis, but the exact role of COL28 in renal fibrosis is unknown. This study explored the function of COL28 in renal tubular cells by examining the expression of COL28 mRNA and the effects of COL28 overexpression in human tubular cells. COL28 mRNA expression and localization were observed in normal and fibrotic kidney tissues from humans and mice using real-time PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. The consequences of COL28 overexpression on cell proliferation, migration, cell polarity, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by TGF-β1 were examined in human tubular HK-2 cells. COL28 expression was low in human normal renal tissues, mainly observed in the renal tubular epithelial cells and especially in proximal renal tubules. COL28 protein expression in human and mouse obstructive kidney disease was higher than in normal tissues (p < 0.05) and more significant in the UUO2-Week than the UUO1-Week group. The overexpression of COL28 promoted HK-2 cell proliferation and enhanced their migration ability (all p < 0.05). TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml) induced COL28 mRNA expression in HK-2 cells, decreased E-cadherin and increased α-SMA in the COL28-overexpression group compared with controls (p < 0.05). ZO-1 expression decreased while COL6 increased in the COL28-overexpression group compared with controls (p < 0.05). In conclusion, COL28 overexpression promotes the migration and proliferation of renal tubular epithelial cells. The EMT could also be involved. COL28 could be a therapeutic target against renal- fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Li
- Department of nephrology, Fujian Medical University, Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Hong Ye
- Department of nephrology, Fujian Medical University, Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Qiaoling Chen
- Department of nephrology, Fujian Medical University, Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Lixin Wei
- Department of nephrology, Fujian Medical University, Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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5
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Qaisar R. Targeting neuromuscular junction to treat neuromuscular disorders. Life Sci 2023; 333:122186. [PMID: 37858716 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
The integrity and preservation of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the interface between the motor neuron and skeletal muscle, is critical for maintaining a healthy skeletal muscle. The structural and/or functional defects in the three cellular components of NMJ, namely the pre-synaptic terminal, synaptic cleft, and post-synaptic region, negatively affect skeletal muscle mass and/or strength. Therefore, NMJ repair appears to be an appropriate therapy for muscle disorders. Mouse models provide a detailed molecular characterization of various cellular components of NMJ with relevance to human diseases. This review discusses different molecular targets on the three cellular components of NMJ for treating muscle diseases. The potential effects of these therapies on NMJ morphology and motor performance, their therapeutic efficacy, and clinical relevance are discussed. Collectively, the available data supports targeting NMJ alone or as an adjunct therapy in treating muscle disorders. However, the potential impact of such interventions on human patients with muscle disorders requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rizwan Qaisar
- Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Space Medicine Research Group, Sharjah Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Cardiovascular Research Group, Sharjah Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
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Ohno K, Ohkawara B, Shen XM, Selcen D, Engel AG. Clinical and Pathologic Features of Congenital Myasthenic Syndromes Caused by 35 Genes-A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043730. [PMID: 36835142 PMCID: PMC9961056 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by impaired neuromuscular signal transmission due to germline pathogenic variants in genes expressed at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). A total of 35 genes have been reported in CMS (AGRN, ALG14, ALG2, CHAT, CHD8, CHRNA1, CHRNB1, CHRND, CHRNE, CHRNG, COL13A1, COLQ, DOK7, DPAGT1, GFPT1, GMPPB, LAMA5, LAMB2, LRP4, MUSK, MYO9A, PLEC, PREPL, PURA, RAPSN, RPH3A, SCN4A, SLC18A3, SLC25A1, SLC5A7, SNAP25, SYT2, TOR1AIP1, UNC13A, VAMP1). The 35 genes can be classified into 14 groups according to the pathomechanical, clinical, and therapeutic features of CMS patients. Measurement of compound muscle action potentials elicited by repetitive nerve stimulation is required to diagnose CMS. Clinical and electrophysiological features are not sufficient to identify a defective molecule, and genetic studies are always required for accurate diagnosis. From a pharmacological point of view, cholinesterase inhibitors are effective in most groups of CMS, but are contraindicated in some groups of CMS. Similarly, ephedrine, salbutamol (albuterol), amifampridine are effective in most but not all groups of CMS. This review extensively covers pathomechanical and clinical features of CMS by citing 442 relevant articles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinji Ohno
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
- Correspondence: (K.O.); (A.G.E.)
| | - Bisei Ohkawara
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Xin-Ming Shen
- Department of Neurology and Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Duygu Selcen
- Department of Neurology and Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Andrew G. Engel
- Department of Neurology and Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Correspondence: (K.O.); (A.G.E.)
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Kemppainen AV, Finnilä MA, Heikkinen A, Härönen H, Izzi V, Kauppinen S, Saarakkala S, Pihlajaniemi T, Koivunen J. The CMS19 disease model specifies a pivotal role for collagen XIII in bone homeostasis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5866. [PMID: 35393492 PMCID: PMC8990013 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09653-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the COL13A1 gene result in congenital myasthenic syndrome type 19 (CMS19), a disease of neuromuscular synapses and including various skeletal manifestations, particularly facial dysmorphisms. The phenotypic consequences in Col13a1 null mice (Col13a1−/−) recapitulate the muscle findings of the CMS19 patients. Collagen XIII (ColXIII) is exists as two forms, a transmembrane protein and a soluble molecule. While the Col13a1−/− mice have poorly formed neuromuscular junctions, the prevention of shedding of the ColXIII ectodomain in the Col13a1tm/tm mice results in acetylcholine receptor clusters of increased size and complexity. In view of the bone abnormalities in CMS19, we here studied the tubular and calvarial bone morphology of the Col13a1−/− mice. We discovered several craniofacial malformations, albeit less pronounced ones than in the human disease, and a reduction of cortical bone mass in aged mice. In the Col13a1tm/tm mice, where ColXIII is synthesized but the ectodomain shedding is prevented due to a mutation in a protease recognition sequence, the cortical bone mass decreased as well with age and the cephalometric analyses revealed significant craniofacial abnormalities but no clear phenotypical pattern. To conclude, our data indicates an intrinsic role for ColXIII, particularly the soluble form, in the upkeep of bone with aging and suggests the possibility of previously undiscovered bone pathologies in patients with CMS19.
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Kemppainen
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5400, 90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - M A Finnilä
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - A Heikkinen
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5400, 90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - H Härönen
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5400, 90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - V Izzi
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5400, 90014, Oulu, Finland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, 90014, Oulu, Finland.,Foundation for the Finnish Cancer Institute, Tukholmankatu 8, 00130, Helsinki, Finland
| | - S Kauppinen
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - S Saarakkala
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland.,Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - T Pihlajaniemi
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5400, 90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - J Koivunen
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5400, 90014, Oulu, Finland.
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8
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Kediha MI, Tazir M, Sternberg D, Eymard B, Alipacha L. Moderate phenotype of a congenital myasthenic syndrome type 19 caused by mutation of the COL13A1 gene: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2022; 16:134. [PMID: 35337379 PMCID: PMC8957144 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-022-03268-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Congenital myasthenic syndromes caused by mutations in the COL13A1 gene are very rare and have a phenotype described as severe. We present the first case of congenital myasthenic syndrome described in Algeria and the Maghreb with a new mutation of this gene. Case presentation We present an 8-year-old Algerian female patient, who presented with a moderate phenotype with bilateral ptosis that fluctuates during the day and has occurred since birth. During the investigation, and despite the very probable congenital origin, we ruled out other diagnoses that could induce pathology of the neuromuscular junction. The genetic study confirmed our diagnosis suspicion by highlighting a new mutation in the COL13A1 gene. Conclusion We report a case with a mutation of the Col13A1 gene, reported in the Maghreb (North Africa), and whose phenotype is moderate compared with the majority of cases found in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Islam Kediha
- Neurology Department, Mustapha Bacha University Hospital, Benyoucef Benkhedda University, Algiers, Algeria. .,Neurology Department, Pitié Salpetriére University Hospital, Paris, France.
| | - Meriem Tazir
- Neurology Department, Mustapha Bacha University Hospital, Benyoucef Benkhedda University, Algiers, Algeria.,Neurology Department, Pitié Salpetriére University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Damien Sternberg
- Myogenetics Laboratory, Pitié Salpetriére University Hospital, Paris, France.,Neurology Department, Pitié Salpetriére University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Eymard
- Myogenetics Laboratory, Pitié Salpetriére University Hospital, Paris, France.,Neurology Department, Pitié Salpetriére University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Lamia Alipacha
- Neurology Department, Mustapha Bacha University Hospital, Benyoucef Benkhedda University, Algiers, Algeria.,Neurology Department, Pitié Salpetriére University Hospital, Paris, France
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9
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Mennen R, Hallmark N, Pallardy M, Bars R, Tinwell H, Piersma A. Genome-wide expression screening in the cardiac embryonic stem cell test shows additional differentiation routes that are regulated by morpholines and piperidines. Curr Res Toxicol 2022; 3:100086. [PMID: 36157598 PMCID: PMC9489494 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2022.100086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The cardiac embryonic stem cell test showed additional differentiation routes. Morpholines and piperidines regulated the alternative differentiation routes. The gene expression levels help in understanding the applicability domain.
The cardiac embryonic stem cell test (ESTc) is a well-studied non-animal alternative test method based on cardiac cell differentiation inhibition as a measure for developmental toxicity of tested chemicals. In the ESTc, a heterogenic cell population is generated besides cardiomyocytes. Using the full biological domain of ESTc may improve the sensitivity of the test system, possibly broadening the range of chemicals for which developmental effects can be detected in the test. In order to improve our knowledge of the biological and chemical applicability domains of the ESTc, we applied a hypothesis-generating data-driven approach on control samples as follows. A genome-wide expression screening was performed, using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), to map the range of developmental pathways in the ESTc and to search for a predictive embryotoxicity biomarker profile, instead of the conventional read-out of beating cardiomyocytes. The detected developmental pathways included circulatory system development, skeletal system development, heart development, muscle and organ tissue development, and nervous system and cell development. Two pesticidal chemical classes, the morpholines and piperidines, were assessed for perturbation of differentiation in the ESTc using NGS. In addition to the anticipated impact on cardiomyocyte differentiation, the other developmental pathways were also regulated, in a concentration–response fashion. Despite the structural differences between the morpholine and piperidine pairs, their gene expression effect patterns were largely comparable. In addition, some chemical-specific gene regulation was also observed, which may help with future mechanistic understanding of specific effects with individual test compounds. These similar and unique regulations of gene expression profiles by the test compounds, adds to our knowledge of the chemical applicability domain, specificity and sensitivity of the ESTc. Knowledge of both the biological and chemical applicability domain contributes to the optimal placement of ESTc in test batteries and in Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA).
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Affiliation(s)
- R.H. Mennen
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
- Corresponding author at: National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Centre for Health Protection (GZB), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - N. Hallmark
- Bayer AG Crop Science Division, Monheim, Germany
| | - M. Pallardy
- Inflammation, Microbiome and Immunosurveillance, Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM UMR996, Châtenay-Malabry 92296, France
| | - R. Bars
- Bayer Crop Science, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - H. Tinwell
- Bayer Crop Science, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - A.H. Piersma
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, the Netherlands
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Ramdas S, Beeson D. Congenital myasthenic syndromes: where do we go from here? Neuromuscul Disord 2021; 31:943-954. [PMID: 34736634 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2021.07.400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Congenital myasthenia syndromes are rare but often treatable conditions affecting neuromuscular transmission. They result from loss or impaired function of one of a number of proteins secondary to a genetic defect. An estimate of the prevalence in the UK gave 9.2 cases per million, however, this is likely an underestimate since the adoption of next generation sequencing for diagnosis away from specialist centres is enhancing the 'pick up' rate. Next generation sequencing has helped identify a series of novel genes that harbour mutations causative for congenital myasthenic syndrome that include not only genes that encode proteins specifically expressed at the neuromuscular junction but also those that are ubiquitously expressed. The list of genes harbouring disease-causing mutations for congenital myasthenic syndrome continues to expand and is now over 30, but with many of the newly identified genes it is increasingly being recognised that abnormal neuromuscular transmission is only one component of a multifaceted phenotype in which muscle, the central nervous system, and other organs may also be affected. Treatment can be tailored to the underlying molecular mechanism for impaired neuromuscular transmission but treating the more complex multifaceted disorders and will require development of new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sithara Ramdas
- MDUK Neuromuscular centre, Children's Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - David Beeson
- Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, The John Radcliffe, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK.
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11
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Amran A, Pigatto L, Pocock R, Gopal S. Functions of the extracellular matrix in development: Lessons from Caenorhabditis elegans. Cell Signal 2021; 84:110006. [PMID: 33857577 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110006] [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: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cell-extracellular matrix interactions are crucial for the development of an organism from the earliest stages of embryogenesis. The main constituents of the extracellular matrix are collagens, laminins, proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans that form a network of interactions. The extracellular matrix and its associated molecules provide developmental cues and structural support from the outside of cells during development. The complex nature of the extracellular matrix and its ability for continuous remodeling poses challenges when investigating extracellular matrix-based signaling during development. One way to address these challenges is to employ invertebrate models such as Caenorhabditis elegans, which are easy to genetically manipulate and have an invariant developmental program. C. elegans also expresses fewer extracellular matrix protein isoforms and exhibits reduced redundancy compared to mammalian models, thus providing a simpler platform for exploring development. This review summarizes our current understanding of how the extracellular matrix controls the development of neurons, muscles and the germline in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aqilah Amran
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Lara Pigatto
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Roger Pocock
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Sandeep Gopal
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia; Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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12
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Li L, Li H, Wang L, Bu T, Liu S, Mao B, Cheng CY. A local regulatory network in the testis mediated by laminin and collagen fragments that supports spermatogenesis. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 56:236-254. [PMID: 33761828 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2021.1901255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
It is almost five decades since the discovery of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. This refers to the hormonal axis that connects the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and testes, which in turn, regulates the production of spermatozoa through spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules, and testosterone through steroidogenesis by Leydig cells in the interstitium, of the testes. Emerging evidence has demonstrated the presence of a regulatory network across the seminiferous epithelium utilizing bioactive molecules produced locally at specific domains of the epithelium. Studies have shown that biologically active fragments are produced from structural laminin and collagen chains in the basement membrane. Additionally, bioactive peptides are also produced locally in non-basement membrane laminin chains at the Sertoli-spermatid interface known as apical ectoplasmic specialization (apical ES, a testis-specific actin-based anchoring junction type). These bioactive peptides are derived from structural laminins and/or collagens at the corresponding sites through proteolytic cleavage by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). They in turn serve as autocrine and/or paracrine factors to modulate and coordinate cellular events across the epithelium by linking the apical and basal compartments, the apical and basal ES, the blood-testis barrier (BTB), and the basement membrane of the tunica propria. The cellular events supported by these bioactive peptides/fragments include the release of spermatozoa at spermiation, remodeling of the immunological barrier to facilitate the transport of preleptotene spermatocytes across the BTB, and the transport of haploid spermatids across the epithelium to support spermiogenesis. In this review, we critically evaluate these findings. Our goal is to identify research areas that deserve attentions in future years. The proposed research also provides the much needed understanding on the biology of spermatogenesis supported by a local network of regulatory biomolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxi Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
| | - Huitao Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lingling Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tiao Bu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shiwen Liu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
| | - Baiping Mao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
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13
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Wakabayashi T. Transmembrane Collagens in Neuromuscular Development and Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 13:635375. [PMID: 33536873 PMCID: PMC7848082 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.635375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular development is a multistep process and involves interactions among various extracellular and transmembrane molecules that facilitate the precise targeting of motor axons to synaptogenic regions of the target muscle. Collagenous proteins with transmembrane domains have recently emerged as molecules that play essential roles in multiple aspects of neuromuscular formation. Membrane-associated collagens with interrupted triple helices (MACITs) are classified as an unconventional subtype of the collagen superfamily and have been implicated in cell adhesion in a variety of tissues, including the neuromuscular system. Collagen XXV, the latest member of the MACITs, plays an essential role in motor axon growth within the developing muscle. In humans, loss-of-function mutations of collagen XXV result in developmental ocular motor disorders. In contrast, collagen XIII contributes to the formation and maintenance of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), and disruption of its function leads to the congenital myasthenic syndrome. Transmembrane collagens are conserved not only in mammals but also in organisms such as C. elegans, where a single MACIT, COL-99, has been documented to function in motor innervation. Furthermore, in C. elegans, a collagen-like transmembrane protein, UNC-122, is implicated in the structural and functional integrity of the NMJ. This review article summarizes recent advances in understanding the roles of transmembrane collagens and underlying molecular mechanisms in multiple aspects of neuromuscular development and disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Wakabayashi
- Department of Innovative Dementia Prevention, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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14
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Abstract
Collagen XIII is a conserved transmembrane collagen mainly expressed in mesenchymal tissues. Previously, we have shown that collagen XIII modulates tissue development and homeostasis. Integrins are a family of receptors that mediate signals from the environment into the cells and vice versa. Integrin α11β1 is a collagen receptor known to recognize the GFOGER (O=hydroxyproline) sequence in collagens. Interestingly, collagen XIII and integrin α11β1 both have a role in the regulation of bone homeostasis. To study whether α11β1 is a receptor for collagen XIII, we utilized C2C12 cells transfected to express α11β1 as their only collagen receptor. The interaction between collagen XIII and integrin α11β1 was also confirmed by surface plasmon resonance and pull-down assays. We discovered that integrin α11β1 mediates cell adhesion to two collagenous motifs, namely GPKGER and GF(S)QGEK, that were shown to act as the recognition sites for the integrin α11-I domain. Furthermore, we studied the in vivo significance of the α11β1-collagen XIII interaction by crossbreeding α11 null mice (Itga11−/−) with mice overexpressing Col13a1 (Col13a1oe). When we evaluated the bone morphology by microcomputed tomography, Col13a1oe mice had a drastic bone overgrowth followed by severe osteoporosis, whereas the double mutant mouse line showed a much milder bone phenotype. To conclude, our data identifies integrin α11β1 as a new collagen XIII receptor and demonstrates that this ligand-receptor pair has a role in the maintenance of bone homeostasis.
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15
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Rodríguez Cruz PM, Cossins J, Beeson D, Vincent A. The Neuromuscular Junction in Health and Disease: Molecular Mechanisms Governing Synaptic Formation and Homeostasis. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:610964. [PMID: 33343299 PMCID: PMC7744297 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.610964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a highly specialized synapse between a motor neuron nerve terminal and its muscle fiber that are responsible for converting electrical impulses generated by the motor neuron into electrical activity in the muscle fibers. On arrival of the motor nerve action potential, calcium enters the presynaptic terminal, which leads to the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). ACh crosses the synaptic gap and binds to ACh receptors (AChRs) tightly clustered on the surface of the muscle fiber; this leads to the endplate potential which initiates the muscle action potential that results in muscle contraction. This is a simplified version of the events in neuromuscular transmission that take place within milliseconds, and are dependent on a tiny but highly structured NMJ. Much of this review is devoted to describing in more detail the development, maturation, maintenance and regeneration of the NMJ, but first we describe briefly the most important molecules involved and the conditions that affect their numbers and function. Most important clinically worldwide, are myasthenia gravis (MG), the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) and congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS), each of which causes specific molecular defects. In addition, we mention the neurotoxins from bacteria, snakes and many other species that interfere with neuromuscular transmission and cause potentially fatal diseases, but have also provided useful probes for investigating neuromuscular transmission. There are also changes in NMJ structure and function in motor neuron disease, spinal muscle atrophy and sarcopenia that are likely to be secondary but might provide treatment targets. The NMJ is one of the best studied and most disease-prone synapses in the nervous system and it is amenable to in vivo and ex vivo investigation and to systemic therapies that can help restore normal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M Rodríguez Cruz
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Judith Cossins
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David Beeson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Vincent
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
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16
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Nyström A, Kiritsi D. Transmembrane collagens-Unexplored mediators of epidermal-dermal communication and tissue homeostasis. Exp Dermatol 2020; 30:10-16. [PMID: 32869371 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Tissue homeostasis is maintained through constant, dynamic and heterogeneous communication between cells and their microenvironment. Proteins that are at the same time active at the intracellular, cell periphery and deeper extracellular levels possess the ability to, on the individual molecular level, influence the cells and their microenvironment in a bidirectional manner. The transmembrane collagens are a family of such proteins, which are of notable interest for tissue development and homeostasis. In skin, expression of all transmembrane collagens has been reported and deficiency of transmembrane collagen XVII manifests with distinct skin phenotypes. Nevertheless, transmembrane collagens in skin remain understudied despite the association of them with epidermal wound healing and dermal fibrotic processes. Here, we present an overview of transmembrane collagens and put a spotlight on them as regulators of epidermal-dermal communication and as potential players in fibrinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Nyström
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dimitra Kiritsi
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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17
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Collagens at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction, from structure to pathologies. Neurosci Lett 2020; 735:135155. [PMID: 32534096 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix at the neuromuscular junction is built upon components secreted by the motoneuron, the muscle cell and terminal Schwann cells, the cells constituting this specific synapse. This compartment contains glycoproteins, proteoglycans and collagens that form a dense and specialized layer, the synaptic basal lamina. A number of these molecules are known to play a crucial role in anterograde and retrograde signalings that are active in neuromuscular junction formation, maintenance and function. Here, we focus on the isoforms of collagens which are enriched at the synapse. We summarize what we know of their structure, their function and their interactions with transmembrane receptors and other components of the synaptic basal lamina. A number of neuromuscular diseases, congenital myastenic syndromes and myasthenia gravis are caused by human mutations and autoantibodies against these proteins. Analysis of these diseases and of the specific collagen knock-out mice highlights the roles of some of these collagens in promoting a functional synapse.
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18
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Xiao T, Wu LW. [Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital myasthenic syndrome]. ZHONGGUO DANG DAI ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PEDIATRICS 2020; 22:672-676. [PMID: 32571471 PMCID: PMC7390217 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.1912095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) is a group of clinical and genetic heterogeneous diseases caused by impaired neuromuscular transmission due to genetic defects. At present, it has been reported that more than 30 genes can cause CMS. All CMS subtypes have the clinical features of fatigue and muscle weakness, but age of onset, symptoms, and treatment response vary with the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic defects. Pharmacotherapy and symptomatic/supportive treatment are the main methods for the treatment of CMS, and antisense oligonucleotide technology has been proven to be beneficial for CHRNA 1-related CMS in animals. Since CMS is a group of increasingly recognized clinical and genetic heterogeneous diseases, an understanding of the latest knowledge and research advances in its clinical features, genetic research, and treatment helps to give early diagnosis and treatment as well as gain a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of CMS, so as to make new breakthroughs in the treatment of CMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xiao
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
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19
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Xiao T, Wu LW. [Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital myasthenic syndrome]. ZHONGGUO DANG DAI ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PEDIATRICS 2020; 22:672-676. [PMID: 32571471 PMCID: PMC7390217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) is a group of clinical and genetic heterogeneous diseases caused by impaired neuromuscular transmission due to genetic defects. At present, it has been reported that more than 30 genes can cause CMS. All CMS subtypes have the clinical features of fatigue and muscle weakness, but age of onset, symptoms, and treatment response vary with the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic defects. Pharmacotherapy and symptomatic/supportive treatment are the main methods for the treatment of CMS, and antisense oligonucleotide technology has been proven to be beneficial for CHRNA 1-related CMS in animals. Since CMS is a group of increasingly recognized clinical and genetic heterogeneous diseases, an understanding of the latest knowledge and research advances in its clinical features, genetic research, and treatment helps to give early diagnosis and treatment as well as gain a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of CMS, so as to make new breakthroughs in the treatment of CMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xiao
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
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20
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Takamori M. Myasthenia Gravis: From the Viewpoint of Pathogenicity Focusing on Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering, Trans-Synaptic Homeostasis and Synaptic Stability. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:86. [PMID: 32547365 PMCID: PMC7272578 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a disease of the postsynaptic neuromuscular junction (NMJ) where nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (AChRs) are targeted by autoantibodies. Search for other pathogenic antigens has detected the antibodies against muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) and low-density lipoprotein-related protein 4 (Lrp4), both causing pre- and post-synaptic impairments. Agrin is also suspected as a fourth pathogen. In a complex NMJ organization centering on MuSK: (1) the Wnt non-canonical pathway through the Wnt-Lrp4-MuSK cysteine-rich domain (CRD)-Dishevelled (Dvl, scaffold protein) signaling acts to form AChR prepatterning with axonal guidance; (2) the neural agrin-Lrp4-MuSK (Ig1/2 domains) signaling acts to form rapsyn-anchored AChR clusters at the innervated stage of muscle; (3) adaptor protein Dok-7 acts on MuSK activation for AChR clustering from “inside” and also on cytoskeleton to stabilize AChR clusters by the downstream effector Sorbs1/2; (4) the trans-synaptic retrograde signaling contributes to the presynaptic organization via: (i) Wnt-MuSK CRD-Dvl-β catenin-Slit 2 pathway; (ii) Lrp4; and (iii) laminins. The presynaptic Ca2+ homeostasis conditioning ACh release is modified by autoreceptors such as M1-type muscarinic AChR and A2A adenosine receptors. The post-synaptic structure is stabilized by: (i) laminin-network including the muscle-derived agrin; (ii) the extracellular matrix proteins (including collagen Q/perlecan and biglycan which link to MuSK Ig1 domain and CRD); and (iii) the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex. The study on MuSK ectodomains (Ig1/2 domains and CRD) recognized by antibodies suggested that the MuSK antibodies were pathologically heterogeneous due to their binding to multiple functional domains. Focussing one of the matrix proteins, biglycan which functions in the manner similar to collagen Q, our antibody assay showed the negative result in MG patients. However, the synaptic stability may be impaired by antibodies against MuSK ectodomains because of the linkage of biglycan with MuSK Ig1 domain and CRD. The pathogenic diversity of MG is discussed based on NMJ signaling molecules.
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21
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Shen Y, Wang B, Zheng X, Zhang W, Wu H, Hei M. A Neonate With MuSK Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome Presenting With Refractory Respiratory Failure. Front Pediatr 2020; 8:166. [PMID: 32373561 PMCID: PMC7176811 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.00166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
This was a Chinese neonatal congenital myasthenic syndromes case caused by muscle skeletal receptor tyrosine kinase gene mutations, which have not been recorded in the Human Gene Mutation Database. The newborn girl had refractory respiratory failure from birth to death, and failed extubation seven times. She had two heterozygous mutations: a non-sense mutation c.2062C>T (p.Q688X) inherited from father and a missense mutation c.2324T>C (p.F775S) inherited from mother, which was predicted pathogenic and harmful by bioinformatic softwares SIFT, PolyPhen_2 and REVEL. She positively responded to Neostigmine, but her parent quitted treatment when Pyridostigmine Bromide (2 mg/kg Q12 h) had been given for 8 days. She died 2 days after she was taken home by her parents on age of 56 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Shen
- Neonatal Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Neonatal Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Xia Zheng
- Neonatal Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Wenwen Zhang
- Neonatal Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Hailan Wu
- Neonatal Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Mingyan Hei
- Neonatal Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
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22
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Rodríguez Cruz PM, Cossins J, Estephan EDP, Munell F, Selby K, Hirano M, Maroofin R, Mehrjardi MYV, Chow G, Carr A, Manzur A, Robb S, Munot P, Wei Liu W, Banka S, Fraser H, De Goede C, Zanoteli E, Conti Reed U, Sage A, Gratacos M, Macaya A, Dusl M, Senderek J, Töpf A, Hofer M, Knight R, Ramdas S, Jayawant S, Lochmüller H, Palace J, Beeson D. The clinical spectrum of the congenital myasthenic syndrome resulting from COL13A1 mutations. Brain 2020; 142:1547-1560. [PMID: 31081514 PMCID: PMC6752227 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Next generation sequencing techniques were recently used to show mutations in COL13A1 cause synaptic basal lamina-associated congenital myasthenic syndrome type 19. Animal studies showed COL13A1, a synaptic extracellular-matrix protein, is involved in the formation and maintenance of the neuromuscular synapse that appears independent of the Agrin-LRP4-MuSK-DOK7 acetylcholine receptor clustering pathway. Here, we report the phenotypic spectrum of 16 patients from 11 kinships harbouring homozygous or heteroallelic mutations in COL13A1. Clinical presentation was mostly at birth with hypotonia and breathing and feeding difficulties often requiring ventilation and artificial feeding. Respiratory crisis related to recurrent apnoeas, sometimes triggered by chest infections, were common early in life but resolved over time. The predominant pattern of muscle weakness included bilateral ptosis (non-fatigable in adulthood), myopathic facies and marked axial weakness, especially of neck flexion, while limb muscles were less involved. Other features included facial dysmorphism, skeletal abnormalities and mild learning difficulties. All patients tested had results consistent with abnormal neuromuscular transmission. Muscle biopsies were within normal limits or showed non-specific changes. Muscle MRI and serum creatine kinase levels were normal. In keeping with COL13A1 mutations affecting both synaptic structure and presynaptic function, treatment with 3,4-diaminopyridine and salbutamol resulted in motor and respiratory function improvement. In non-treated cases, disease severity and muscle strength improved gradually over time and several adults recovered normal muscle strength in the limbs. In summary, patients with COL13A1 mutations present mostly with severe early-onset myasthenic syndrome with feeding and breathing difficulties. Axial weakness is greater than limb weakness. Disease course improves gradually over time, which could be consistent with the less prominent role of COL13A1 once the neuromuscular junction is mature. This report emphasizes the role of collagens at the human muscle endplate and should facilitate the recognition of this disorder, which can benefit from pharmacological treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M Rodríguez Cruz
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Judith Cossins
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Eduardo de Paula Estephan
- Departamento de Neurologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Francina Munell
- Neuromuscular disorders Group, Child Neurology Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kathryn Selby
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michio Hirano
- Department of Neurology, H. Houston Merritt Neuromuscular Research Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Reza Maroofin
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St. George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, UK
| | | | - Gabriel Chow
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, UK
| | - Aisling Carr
- MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Adnan Manzur
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre and MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Stephanie Robb
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre and MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Pinki Munot
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre and MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Wei Wei Liu
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Siddharth Banka
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Health Innovation Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Harry Fraser
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Health Innovation Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Edmar Zanoteli
- Departamento de Neurologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Umbertina Conti Reed
- Departamento de Neurologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Abigail Sage
- Department of Neurology, H. Houston Merritt Neuromuscular Research Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Margarida Gratacos
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona Spain
| | - Alfons Macaya
- Neuromuscular disorders Group, Child Neurology Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Dusl
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Senderek
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ana Töpf
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Monika Hofer
- Department of Neuropathology, John Radcliffe Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Ravi Knight
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, John Radcliffe Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Sithara Ramdas
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Sandeep Jayawant
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Hans Lochmüller
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany.,Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG-CRG), Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.,Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Jacqueline Palace
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David Beeson
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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23
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Mukund K, Subramaniam S. Skeletal muscle: A review of molecular structure and function, in health and disease. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2020; 12:e1462. [PMID: 31407867 PMCID: PMC6916202 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Decades of research in skeletal muscle physiology have provided multiscale insights into the structural and functional complexity of this important anatomical tissue, designed to accomplish the task of generating contraction, force and movement. Skeletal muscle can be viewed as a biomechanical device with various interacting components including the autonomic nerves for impulse transmission, vasculature for efficient oxygenation, and embedded regulatory and metabolic machinery for maintaining cellular homeostasis. The "omics" revolution has propelled a new era in muscle research, allowing us to discern minute details of molecular cross-talk required for effective coordination between the myriad interacting components for efficient muscle function. The objective of this review is to provide a systems-level, comprehensive mapping the molecular mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle structure and function, in health and disease. We begin this review with a focus on molecular mechanisms underlying muscle tissue development (myogenesis), with an emphasis on satellite cells and muscle regeneration. We next review the molecular structure and mechanisms underlying the many structural components of the muscle: neuromuscular junction, sarcomere, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, and vasculature surrounding muscle. We highlight aberrant molecular mechanisms and their possible clinical or pathophysiological relevance. We particularly emphasize the impact of environmental stressors (inflammation and oxidative stress) in contributing to muscle pathophysiology including atrophy, hypertrophy, and fibrosis. This article is categorized under: Physiology > Mammalian Physiology in Health and Disease Developmental Biology > Developmental Processes in Health and Disease Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Cellular Models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavitha Mukund
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoCalifornia
| | - Shankar Subramaniam
- Department of Bioengineering, Bioinformatics & Systems BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoCalifornia
- Department of Computer Science and EngineeringUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoCalifornia
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and NanoengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoCalifornia
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24
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Romero-Ortuno R, Kenny RA, McManus R. Collagens and elastin genetic variations and their potential role in aging-related diseases and longevity in humans. Exp Gerontol 2019; 129:110781. [PMID: 31740390 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2019.110781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Collagens and elastin are 'building blocks' of tissues and extracellular matrix. Mutations in these proteins cause severe congenital syndromes. Adverse genetic variations may accelerate the aging process in adults contributing to premature morbidity, disability and/or mortality. Favorable variants may contribute to longevity and/or healthy aging, but this is much less studied. We reviewed the association between variation in the genes of collagens and elastin and premature aging, accelerated aging, age-related diseases and/or frailty; and the association between genetic variation in those and longevity and/or healthy aging in humans. A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE and other online databases (OMIM, Genetics Home Reference, Orphanet, ClinVar). Results suggest that genetic variants lead to aging phenotypes of known congenital disease, but also to association with common age-related diseases in adults without known congenital disease. This may be due to the variable penetrance and expressivity of many variants. Some collagen variants have been associated with longevity or healthy aging. A limitation is that most studies had <1000 participants and their criterion for statistical significance was p < 0.05. Results highlight the importance of adopting a lifecourse approach to the study of the genomics of aging. Gerontology can help with new methodologies that operationalize biological aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Romero-Ortuno
- Trinity College Dublin, Discipline of Medical Gerontology, Mercer's Institute for Successful Ageing, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland..
| | - Rose Anne Kenny
- Trinity College Dublin, Discipline of Medical Gerontology, Mercer's Institute for Successful Ageing, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ross McManus
- Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
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25
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Nicolau S, Kao JC, Liewluck T. Trouble at the junction: When myopathy and myasthenia overlap. Muscle Nerve 2019; 60:648-657. [PMID: 31449669 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Although myopathies and neuromuscular junction disorders are typically distinct, their coexistence has been reported in several inherited and acquired conditions. Affected individuals have variable clinical phenotypes but typically display both a decrement on repetitive nerve stimulation and myopathic findings on muscle biopsy. Inherited causes include myopathies related to mutations in BIN1, DES, DNM2, GMPPB, MTM1, or PLEC and congenital myasthenic syndromes due to mutations in ALG2, ALG14, COL13A1, DOK7, DPAGT1, or GFPT1. Additionally, a decrement due to muscle fiber inexcitability is observed in certain myotonic disorders. The identification of a defect of neuromuscular transmission in an inherited myopathy may assist in establishing a molecular diagnosis and in selecting patients who would benefit from pharmacological correction of this defect. Acquired cases meanwhile stem from the co-occurrence of myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome with an immune-mediated myopathy, which may be due to paraneoplastic disorders or exposure to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Nicolau
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Justin C Kao
- Department of Neurology, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
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26
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Exploring the roles of MACIT and multiplexin collagens in stem cells and cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 62:134-148. [PMID: 31479735 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is ubiquitously involved in neoplastic transformation, tumour growth and metastatic dissemination, and the interplay between tumour and stromal cells and the ECM is now considered crucial for the formation of a tumour-supporting microenvironment. The 28 different collagens (Col) form a major ECM protein family and display extraordinary functional diversity in tissue homeostasis as well as in pathological conditions, with functions ranging from structural support for tissues to regulatory binding activities and storage of biologically active cryptic domains releasable through ECM proteolysis. Two subfamilies of collagens, namely the plasma membrane-associated collagens with interrupted triple-helices (MACITs, including ColXIII, ColXXIII and ColXXV) and the basement membrane-associated collagens with multiple triple-helix domains with interruptions (multiplexins, including ColXV and ColXVIII), have highly interesting regulatory functions in tissue and organ development, as well as in various diseases, including cancer. An increasing, albeit yet sparse, data suggest that these collagens play crucial roles in conveying regulatory signals from the extracellular space to cells. We summarize here the current knowledge about MACITs and multiplexins as regulators of stemness and oncogenic processes, as well as their roles in influencing cell fate decisions in healthy and cancerous tissues. In addition, we present a bioinformatic analysis of the impacts of MACITs and multiplexins transcript levels on the prognosis of patients representing a wide array of malignant diseases, to aid future diagnostic and therapeutic efforts.
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27
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Owens DDG, Caulder A, Frontera V, Harman JR, Allan AJ, Bucakci A, Greder L, Codner GF, Hublitz P, McHugh PJ, Teboul L, de Bruijn MFTR. Microhomologies are prevalent at Cas9-induced larger deletions. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:7402-7417. [PMID: 31127293 PMCID: PMC6698657 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR system is widely used in genome editing for biomedical research. Here, using either dual paired Cas9D10A nickases or paired Cas9 nuclease we characterize unintended larger deletions at on-target sites that frequently evade common genotyping practices. We found that unintended larger deletions are prevalent at multiple distinct loci on different chromosomes, in cultured cells and mouse embryos alike. We observed a high frequency of microhomologies at larger deletion breakpoint junctions, suggesting the involvement of microhomology-mediated end joining in their generation. In populations of edited cells, the distribution of larger deletion sizes is dependent on proximity to sgRNAs and cannot be predicted by microhomology sequences alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic D G Owens
- MRC Molecular Hematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Adam Caulder
- The Mary Lyon Centre, MRC Harwell Institute, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Vincent Frontera
- MRC Molecular Hematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Joe R Harman
- MRC Molecular Hematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Alasdair J Allan
- The Mary Lyon Centre, MRC Harwell Institute, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Akin Bucakci
- MRC Molecular Hematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Lucas Greder
- MRC Molecular Hematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Gemma F Codner
- The Mary Lyon Centre, MRC Harwell Institute, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Philip Hublitz
- WIMM Genome Engineering Facility, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Peter J McHugh
- Department of Oncology, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Lydia Teboul
- The Mary Lyon Centre, MRC Harwell Institute, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Marella F T R de Bruijn
- MRC Molecular Hematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
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28
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Thompson R, Papakonstantinou Ntalis A, Beltran S, Töpf A, de Paula Estephan E, Polavarapu K, 't Hoen PAC, Missier P, Lochmüller H. Increasing phenotypic annotation improves the diagnostic rate of exome sequencing in a rare neuromuscular disorder. Hum Mutat 2019; 40:1797-1812. [PMID: 31231902 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Phenotype-based filtering and prioritization contribute to the interpretation of genetic variants detected in exome sequencing. However, it is currently unclear how extensive this phenotypic annotation should be. In this study, we compare methods for incorporating phenotype into the interpretation process and assess the extent to which phenotypic annotation aids prioritization of the correct variant. Using a cohort of 29 patients with congenital myasthenic syndromes with causative variants in known or newly discovered disease genes, exome data and the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)-coded phenotypic profiles, we show that gene-list filters created from phenotypic annotations perform similarly to curated disease-gene virtual panels. We use Exomiser, a prioritization tool incorporating phenotypic comparisons, to rank candidate variants while varying phenotypic annotation. Analyzing 3,712 combinations, we show that increasing phenotypic annotation improved prioritization of the causative variant, from 62% ranked first on variant alone to 90% with seven HPO annotations. We conclude that any HPO-based phenotypic annotation aids variant discovery and that annotation with over five terms is recommended in our context. Although focused on a constrained cohort, this provides real-world validation of the utility of phenotypic annotation for variant prioritization. Further research is needed to extend this concept to other diseases and more diverse cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Thompson
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Anastasios Papakonstantinou Ntalis
- Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG-CRG), Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Beltran
- Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG-CRG), Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra-UPF, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Töpf
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Eduardo de Paula Estephan
- Departamento de Neurologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kiran Polavarapu
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
| | - Peter A C 't Hoen
- Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paolo Missier
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG-CRG), Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.,Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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29
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Koivunen J, Kemppainen AV, Finnilä MA, Keski-Filppula R, Härönen H, Tu H, Pellikka H, Heikkinen A, Kylmäoja E, Sormunen R, Miinalainen I, Saarakkala S, Izzi V, Pihlajaniemi T. Collagen XIII-derived ectodomain regulates bone angiogenesis and intracortical remodeling. Matrix Biol 2019; 83:6-25. [PMID: 31220558 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Osteoporosis is the most common degenerative bone disease that occurs when the balance of bone production and resorption is perturbed. Loss of bone mass or alteration in its quality leads to significant weakening of the bones and subsequently to higher fracture risk. Collagen XIII (ColXIII) is a conserved transmembrane protein expressed in many mesenchymal tissues. Here we show that ColXIII is a regulator of bone remodeling niche. In this study, we found that ColXIII expression is significantly upregulated in osteoporotic patients. In view of that, we studied bone homeostasis in ColXIII-overexpressing mice (Col13a1oe) up to 72 weeks of age and observed a cortical bone overgrowth followed by a drastic bone loss, together with increased bone vascularization. Moreover, our results demonstrate that the ColXIII-derived ectodomain enhances angiogenesis through β1-integrins and the JNK pathway. Consequently, these data suggest that ColXIII has a role in age-dependent cortical bone deterioration with possible implications for osteoporosis and fracture risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarkko Koivunen
- Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research and Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, P.O. Box 5400, FIN-90014, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Antti V Kemppainen
- Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research and Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, P.O. Box 5400, FIN-90014, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Mikko A Finnilä
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, P.O. Box 5000, FIN-90014, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Riikka Keski-Filppula
- Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research and Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, P.O. Box 5400, FIN-90014, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Heli Härönen
- Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research and Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, P.O. Box 5400, FIN-90014, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Hongmin Tu
- Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research and Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, P.O. Box 5400, FIN-90014, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Henri Pellikka
- Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research and Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, P.O. Box 5400, FIN-90014, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Anne Heikkinen
- Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research and Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, P.O. Box 5400, FIN-90014, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Elina Kylmäoja
- Institute of Cancer Research and Translational Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Research Center, P.O. Box 5000, FIN-90014, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Raija Sormunen
- Biocenter Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FIN-90014, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Ilkka Miinalainen
- Biocenter Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FIN-90014, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Simo Saarakkala
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, P.O. Box 5000, FIN-90014, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Valerio Izzi
- Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research and Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, P.O. Box 5400, FIN-90014, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Taina Pihlajaniemi
- Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research and Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, P.O. Box 5400, FIN-90014, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
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30
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Marquardt RJ, Li Y. Congenital myasthenic syndrome type 19 due to a novel mutation in the COL13A1 GENE. Muscle Nerve 2019; 60:E3-E4. [PMID: 31018245 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Marquardt
- Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Yuebing Li
- Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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31
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Heikkinen A, Härönen H, Norman O, Pihlajaniemi T. Collagen XIII and Other ECM Components in the Assembly and Disease of the Neuromuscular Junction. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2019; 303:1653-1663. [PMID: 30768864 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alongside playing structural roles, the extracellular matrix (ECM) acts as an interaction platform for cellular homeostasis, organ development, and maintenance. The necessity of the ECM is highlighted by the diverse, sometimes very serious diseases that stem from defects in its components. The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a large peripheral motor synapse differing from its central counterparts through the ECM included at the synaptic cleft. Such synaptic basal lamina (BL) is specialized to support NMJ establishment, differentiation, maturation, stabilization, and function and diverges in molecular composition from the extrasynaptic ECM. Mutations, toxins, and autoantibodies may compromise NMJ integrity and function, thereby leading to congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMSs), poisoning, and autoimmune diseases, respectively, and all these conditions may involve synaptic ECM molecules. With neurotransmission degraded or blocked, muscle function is impaired or even prevented. At worst, this can be fatal. The article reviews the synaptic BL composition required for assembly and function of the NMJ molecular machinery through the lens of studies primarily with mouse models but also with human patients. In-depth focus is given to collagen XIII, a postsynaptic-membrane-spanning but also shed ECM protein that in recent years has been revealed to be a significant component for the NMJ. Its deficiency in humans causes CMS, and autoantibodies against it have been recognized in autoimmune myasthenia gravis. Mouse models have exposed numerous details that appear to recapitulate human NMJ phenotypes relatively faithfully and thereby can be readily used to generate information necessary for understanding and ultimately treating human diseases. Anat Rec, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Heikkinen
- Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Heli Härönen
- Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Oula Norman
- Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Taina Pihlajaniemi
- Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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32
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMSs) are a genotypically and phenotypically heterogeneous group of neuromuscular disorders, which have in common an impaired neuromuscular transmission. Since the field of CMSs is steadily expanding, the present review aimed at summarizing and discussing current knowledge and recent advances concerning the etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of CMSs. METHODS Systematic literature review. RESULTS Currently, mutations in 32 genes are made responsible for autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive CMSs. These mutations concern 8 presynaptic, 4 synaptic, 15 post-synaptic, and 5 glycosilation proteins. These proteins function as ion-channels, enzymes, or structural, signalling, sensor, or transporter proteins. The most common causative genes are CHAT, COLQ, RAPSN, CHRNE, DOK7, and GFPT1. Phenotypically, these mutations manifest as abnormal fatigability or permanent or fluctuating weakness of extra-ocular, facial, bulbar, axial, respiratory, or limb muscles, hypotonia, or developmental delay. Cognitive disability, dysmorphism, neuropathy, or epilepsy are rare. Low- or high-frequency repetitive nerve stimulation may show an abnormal increment or decrement, and SF-EMG an increased jitter or blockings. Most CMSs respond favourably to acetylcholine-esterase inhibitors, 3,4-diamino-pyridine, salbutamol, albuterol, ephedrine, fluoxetine, or atracurium. CONCLUSIONS CMSs are an increasingly recognised group of genetically transmitted defects, which usually respond favorably to drugs enhancing the neuromuscular transmission. CMSs need to be differentiated from neuromuscular disorders due to muscle or nerve dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Finsterer
- Krankenanstalt Rudolfstiftung, Messerli Institute, Veterinary University of Vienna, Postfach 20, 1180, Vienna, Austria.
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33
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Congenital myasthenic syndrome caused by novel COL13A1 mutations. J Neurol 2019; 266:1107-1112. [PMID: 30767057 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-019-09239-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Collagen XIII is a non-fibrillar transmembrane collagen which has been long recognized for its critical role in synaptic maturation of the neuromuscular junction. More recently, biallelic COL13A1 loss-of-function mutations were identified in three patients with congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS), a rare inherited condition with defective neuromuscular transmission, causing abnormal fatigability and fluctuating muscle weakness and often successfully treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Here we report six additional CMS patients from three unrelated families with previously unreported homozygous COL13A1 loss-of-function mutations (p.Tyr216*, p.Glu543fs and p.Thr629fs). The phenotype of our cases was similar to the previously reported patients including respiratory distress and severe dysphagia at birth that often resolved or improved in the first days or weeks of life. All individuals had prominent eyelid ptosis with only minor ophthalmoparesis as well as generalized muscle weakness, predominantly affecting facial, bulbar, respiratory and axial muscles. Response to acetylcholinesterase inhibitor treatment was generally negative while salbutamol proved beneficial. Our data further support the causality of COL13A1 variants for CMS and suggest that this type of CMS might be clinically homogenous and requires alternative pharmacological therapy.
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34
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Härönen H, Zainul Z, Naumenko N, Sormunen R, Miinalainen I, Shakirzyanova A, Santoleri S, Kemppainen AV, Giniatullin R, Pihlajaniemi T, Heikkinen A. Correct expression and localization of collagen XIII are crucial for the normal formation and function of the neuromuscular system. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 49:1491-1511. [PMID: 30667565 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Transmembrane collagen XIII has been linked to maturation of the musculoskeletal system. Its absence in mice (Col13a1-/- ) results in impaired neuromuscular junction (NMJ) differentiation and function, while transgenic overexpression (Col13a1oe ) leads to abnormally high bone mass. Similarly, loss-of-function mutations in COL13A1 in humans produce muscle weakness, decreased motor synapse function and mild dysmorphic skeletal features. Here, analysis of the exogenous overexpression of collagen XIII in various muscles revealed highly increased transcript and protein levels, especially in the diaphragm. Unexpectedly, the main location of exogenous collagen XIII in the muscle was extrasynaptic, in fibroblast-like cells, while some motor synapses were devoid of collagen XIII, possibly due to a dominant negative effect. Concomitantly, phenotypical changes in the NMJs of the Col13a1oe mice partly resembled those previously observed in Col13a1-/- mice. Namely, the overall increase in collagen XIII expression in the muscle produced both pre- and postsynaptic abnormalities at the NMJ, especially in the diaphragm. We discovered delayed and compromised acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering, axonal neurofilament aggregation, patchy acetylcholine vesicle (AChV) accumulation, disrupted adhesion of the nerve and muscle, Schwann cell invagination and altered evoked synaptic function. Furthermore, the patterns of the nerve trunks and AChR clusters in the diaphragm were broader in the adult muscles, and already prenatally in the Col13a1oe mice, suggesting collagen XIII involvement in the development of the neuromuscular system. Overall, these results confirm the role of collagen XIII at the neuromuscular synapses and highlight the importance of its correct expression and localization for motor synapse formation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heli Härönen
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Zarin Zainul
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Nikolay Naumenko
- Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Raija Sormunen
- Biocenter Oulu Electron Microscopy Core Facility, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Ilkka Miinalainen
- Biocenter Oulu Electron Microscopy Core Facility, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Anastasia Shakirzyanova
- Department of Neurobiology, A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Physiology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Sabrina Santoleri
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Antti V Kemppainen
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Rashid Giniatullin
- Department of Neurobiology, A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Physiology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Taina Pihlajaniemi
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Anne Heikkinen
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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35
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Targeted therapies for congenital myasthenic syndromes: systematic review and steps towards a treatabolome. Emerg Top Life Sci 2019; 3:19-37. [PMID: 30931400 PMCID: PMC6436731 DOI: 10.1042/etls20180100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent scientific advances, most rare genetic diseases — including most neuromuscular diseases — do not currently have curative gene-based therapies available. However, in some cases, such as vitamin, cofactor or enzyme deficiencies, channelopathies and disorders of the neuromuscular junction, a confirmed genetic diagnosis provides guidance on treatment, with drugs available that may significantly alter the disease course, improve functional ability and extend life expectancy. Nevertheless, many treatable patients remain undiagnosed or do not receive treatment even after genetic diagnosis. The growth of computer-aided genetic analysis systems that enable clinicians to diagnose their undiagnosed patients has not yet been matched by genetics-based decision-support systems for treatment guidance. Generating a ‘treatabolome’ of treatable variants and the evidence for the treatment has the potential to increase treatment rates for treatable conditions. Here, we use the congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS), a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous but frequently treatable neuromuscular conditions, to illustrate the steps in the creation of a treatabolome for rare inherited diseases. We perform a systematic review of the evidence for pharmacological treatment of each CMS type, gathering evidence from 207 studies of over 1000 patients and stratifying by genetic defect, as treatment varies depending on the underlying cause. We assess the strength and quality of the evidence and create a dataset that provides the foundation for a computer-aided system to enable clinicians to gain easier access to information about treatable variants and the evidence they need to consider.
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36
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Summarize features of the currently recognized congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) with emphasis on novel findings identified in the past 6 years. RECENT FINDINGS Since the last review of the CMS in this journal in 2012, several novel CMS were identified. The identified disease proteins are SNAP25B, synaptotagmin 2, Munc13-1, synaptobrevin-1, GFPT1, DPAGT1, ALG2, ALG14, Agrin, GMPPB, LRP4, myosin 9A, collagen 13A1, the mitochondrial citrate carrier, PREPL, LAMA5, the vesicular ACh transporter, and the high-affinity presynaptic choline transporter. Exome sequencing has provided a powerful tool for identifying novel CMS. Identifying the disease genes is essential for determining optimal therapy. The landscape of the CMS is still unfolding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Engel
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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37
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Rodríguez Cruz PM, Palace J, Beeson D. The Neuromuscular Junction and Wide Heterogeneity of Congenital Myasthenic Syndromes. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19061677. [PMID: 29874875 PMCID: PMC6032286 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are genetic disorders characterised by impaired neuromuscular transmission. This review provides an overview on CMS and highlights recent advances in the field, including novel CMS causative genes and improved therapeutic strategies. CMS due to mutations in SLC5A7 and SLC18A3, impairing the synthesis and recycling of acetylcholine, have recently been described. In addition, a novel group of CMS due to mutations in SNAP25B, SYT2, VAMP1, and UNC13A1 encoding molecules implicated in synaptic vesicles exocytosis has been characterised. The increasing number of presynaptic CMS exhibiting CNS manifestations along with neuromuscular weakness demonstrate that the myasthenia can be only a small part of a much more extensive disease phenotype. Moreover, the spectrum of glycosylation abnormalities has been increased with the report that GMPPB mutations can cause CMS, thus bridging myasthenic disorders with dystroglycanopathies. Finally, the discovery of COL13A1 mutations and laminin α5 deficiency has helped to draw attention to the role of extracellular matrix proteins for the formation and maintenance of muscle endplates. The benefit of β2-adrenergic agonists alone or combined with pyridostigmine or 3,4-Dyaminopiridine is increasingly being reported for different subtypes of CMS including AChR-deficiency and glycosylation abnormalities, thus expanding the therapeutic repertoire available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M Rodríguez Cruz
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
- Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK.
| | - Jacqueline Palace
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
| | - David Beeson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
- Neurosciences Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK.
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Arseni L, Lombardi A, Orioli D. From Structure to Phenotype: Impact of Collagen Alterations on Human Health. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19051407. [PMID: 29738498 PMCID: PMC5983607 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Revised: 04/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a highly dynamic and heterogeneous structure that plays multiple roles in living organisms. Its integrity and homeostasis are crucial for normal tissue development and organ physiology. Loss or alteration of ECM components turns towards a disease outcome. In this review, we provide a general overview of ECM components with a special focus on collagens, the most abundant and diverse ECM molecules. We discuss the different functions of the ECM including its impact on cell proliferation, migration and differentiation by highlighting the relevance of the bidirectional cross-talk between the matrix and surrounding cells. By systematically reviewing all the hereditary disorders associated to altered collagen structure or resulting in excessive collagen degradation, we point to the functional relevance of the collagen and therefore of the ECM elements for human health. Moreover, the large overlapping spectrum of clinical features of the collagen-related disorders makes in some cases the patient clinical diagnosis very difficult. A better understanding of ECM complexity and molecular mechanisms regulating the expression and functions of the various ECM elements will be fundamental to fully recognize the different clinical entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Arseni
- Department of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Anita Lombardi
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Donata Orioli
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
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Animal Models of the Neuromuscular Junction, Vitally Informative for Understanding Function and the Molecular Mechanisms of Congenital Myasthenic Syndromes. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19051326. [PMID: 29710836 PMCID: PMC5983836 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction is the point of contact between motor nerve and skeletal muscle, its vital role in muscle function is reliant on the precise location and function of many proteins. Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are a heterogeneous group of disorders of neuromuscular transmission with 30 or more implicated proteins. The use of animal models has been instrumental in determining the specific role of many CMS-related proteins. The mouse neuromuscular junction (NMJ) has been extensively studied in animal models of CMS due to its amenability for detailed electrophysiological and histological investigations and relative similarity to human NMJ. As well as their use to determine the precise molecular mechanisms of CMS variants, where an animal model accurately reflects the human phenotype they become useful tools for study of therapeutic interventions. Many of the animal models that have been important in deconvolving the complexities of neuromuscular transmission and revealing the molecular mechanisms of disease are highlighted.
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40
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Fidler AL, Boudko SP, Rokas A, Hudson BG. The triple helix of collagens - an ancient protein structure that enabled animal multicellularity and tissue evolution. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:jcs203950. [PMID: 29632050 PMCID: PMC5963836 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.203950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular microenvironment, characterized by an extracellular matrix (ECM), played an essential role in the transition from unicellularity to multicellularity in animals (metazoans), and in the subsequent evolution of diverse animal tissues and organs. A major ECM component are members of the collagen superfamily -comprising 28 types in vertebrates - that exist in diverse supramolecular assemblies ranging from networks to fibrils. Each assembly is characterized by a hallmark feature, a protein structure called a triple helix. A current gap in knowledge is understanding the mechanisms of how the triple helix encodes and utilizes information in building scaffolds on the outside of cells. Type IV collagen, recently revealed as the evolutionarily most ancient member of the collagen superfamily, serves as an archetype for a fresh view of fundamental structural features of a triple helix that underlie the diversity of biological activities of collagens. In this Opinion, we argue that the triple helix is a protein structure of fundamental importance in building the extracellular matrix, which enabled animal multicellularity and tissue evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron L Fidler
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Center for Matrix Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Sergei P Boudko
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Center for Matrix Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Billy G Hudson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Center for Matrix Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Medical Education and Administration, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
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41
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Collagen XIII Is Required for Neuromuscular Synapse Regeneration and Functional Recovery after Peripheral Nerve Injury. J Neurosci 2018; 38:4243-4258. [PMID: 29626165 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3119-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Collagen XIII occurs as both a transmembrane-bound and a shed extracellular protein and is able to regulate the formation and function of neuromuscular synapses. Its absence results in myasthenia: presynaptic and postsynaptic defects at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), leading to destabilization of the motor nerves, muscle regeneration and atrophy. Mutations in COL13A1 have recently been found to cause congenital myasthenic syndrome, characterized by fatigue and chronic muscle weakness, which may be lethal. We show here that muscle defects in collagen XIII-deficient mice stabilize in adulthood, so that the disease is not progressive until very late. Sciatic nerve crush was performed to examine how the lack of collagen XIII or forced expression of its transmembrane form affects the neuromuscular synapse regeneration and functional recovery following injury. We show that collagen XIII-deficient male mice are unable to achieve complete NMJ regeneration and functional recovery. This is mainly attributable to presynaptic defects that already existed in the absence of collagen XIII before injury. Shedding of the ectodomain is not required, as the transmembrane form of collagen XIII alone fully rescues the phenotype. Thus, collagen XIII could serve as a therapeutic agent in cases of injury-induced PNS regeneration and functional recovery. We conclude that intrinsic alterations at the NMJ in Col13a1-/- mice contribute to impaired and incomplete NMJ regeneration and functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury. However, such alterations do not progress once they have stabilized in early adulthood, emphasizing the role of collagen XIII in NMJ maturation.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Collagen XIII is required for gaining and maintaining the normal size, complexity, and functional capacity of neuromuscular synapses. Loss-of-function mutations in COL13A1 cause congenital myasthenic syndrome 19, characterized by postnatally progressive muscle fatigue, which compromises patients' functional capacity. We show here in collagen XIII-deficient mice that the disease stabilizes in adulthood once the NMJs have matured. This study also describes a relevant contribution of the altered NMJ morphology and function to neuromuscular synapses, and PNS regeneration and functional recovery in collagen XIII-deficient mice after peripheral nerve injury. Correlating the animal model data on collagen XIII-associated congenital myasthenic syndrome, it can be speculated that neuromuscular connections in congenital myasthenic syndrome patients are not able to fully regenerate and restore normal functionality if exposed to peripheral nerve injury.
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42
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Ito M, Ohno K. Protein-anchoring therapy to target extracellular matrix proteins to their physiological destinations. Matrix Biol 2018; 68-69:628-636. [PMID: 29475025 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2018.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Endplate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) deficiency is a form of congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) caused by mutations in COLQ, which encodes collagen Q (ColQ). ColQ is an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein that anchors AChE to the synaptic basal lamina. Biglycan, encoded by BGN, is another ECM protein that binds to the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) on skeletal muscle, which links the actin cytoskeleton and ECM proteins to stabilize the sarcolemma during repeated muscle contractions. Upregulation of biglycan stabilizes the DPAC. Gene therapy can potentially ameliorate any disease that can be recapitulated in cultured cells. However, the difficulty of tissue-specific and developmental stage-specific regulated expression of transgenes, as well as the difficulty of introducing a transgene into all cells in a specific tissue, prevents us from successfully applying gene therapy to many human diseases. In contrast to intracellular proteins, an ECM protein is anchored to the target tissue via its specific binding affinity for protein(s) expressed on the cell surface within the target tissue. Exploiting this unique feature of ECM proteins, we developed protein-anchoring therapy in which a transgene product expressed even in remote tissues can be delivered and anchored to a target tissue using specific binding signals. We demonstrate the application of protein-anchoring therapy to two disease models. First, intravenous administration of adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 8-COLQ to Colq-deficient mice, resulting in specific anchoring of ectopically expressed ColQ-AChE at the NMJ, markedly improved motor functions, synaptic transmission, and the ultrastructure of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). In the second example, Mdx mice, a model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, were intravenously injected with AAV8-BGN. The treatment ameliorated motor deficits, mitigated muscle histopathologies, decreased plasma creatine kinase activities, and upregulated expression of utrophin and DAPC component proteins. We propose that protein-anchoring therapy could be applied to hereditary/acquired defects in ECM and secreted proteins, as well as therapeutic overexpression of such factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikako Ito
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
| | - Kinji Ohno
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
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43
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Maselli RA, Arredondo J, Vázquez J, Chong JX, Bamshad MJ, Nickerson DA, Lara M, Ng F, Lo VL, Pytel P, McDonald CM. A presynaptic congenital myasthenic syndrome attributed to a homozygous sequence variant in LAMA5. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018; 1413:119-125. [PMID: 29377152 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 11/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
We report a severe defect of neuromuscular transmission in a consanguineous patient with a homozygous variant in the laminin α5 subunit gene (LAMA5). The variant c.8046C > T (p.Arg2659Trp) is rare and has a predicted deleterious effect. The affected individual, who also carries a rare homozygous sequence variant in LAMA1, had normal cognitive function, but magnetic resonance brain imaging showed mild volume loss and periventricular T2 prolongation. Repetitive nerve stimulation at 2 Hz showed 50% decrement of compound muscle action potential amplitudes but 250% facilitation immediately after exercise, similar to that seen in Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. Endplate studies demonstrated a profound reduction of the endplate potential quantal content but normal amplitudes of miniature endplate potentials. Electron microscopy showed endplates with increased postsynaptic folding that were denuded or only partially occupied by small nerve terminals. Expression studies revealed that p.Arg2659Trp caused decreased binding of laminin α5 to SV2A and impaired laminin-521 cell adhesion and cell projection support in primary neuronal cultures. In summary, this report describing severe neuromuscular transmission failure in a patient with a LAMA5 mutation expands the list of phenotypes associated with defects in genes encoding α-laminins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo A Maselli
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Juan Arredondo
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Jessica Vázquez
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Jessica X Chong
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Michael J Bamshad
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Division of Genetic Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington
| | - Deborah A Nickerson
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Marian Lara
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Fiona Ng
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Victoria Lee Lo
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Peter Pytel
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Craig M McDonald
- Department of Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California
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44
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Beeson D, Cossins J, Rodriguez-Cruz P, Maxwell S, Liu WW, Palace J. Myasthenic syndromes due to defects in COL13A1 and in the N-linked glycosylation pathway. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018; 1413:163-169. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David Beeson
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience; Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine; The John Radcliffe Oxford UK
| | - Judith Cossins
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience; Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine; The John Radcliffe Oxford UK
| | - Pedro Rodriguez-Cruz
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience; Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine; The John Radcliffe Oxford UK
| | - Susan Maxwell
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience; Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine; The John Radcliffe Oxford UK
| | - Wei-Wei Liu
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience; Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine; The John Radcliffe Oxford UK
| | - Jacqueline Palace
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience; Level 3 The West Wing; The John Radcliffe Oxford UK
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45
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are a group of heterogeneous inherited disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding proteins essential for the integrity of neuromuscular transmission. This review updates the reader on recent findings that have expanded the phenotypic spectrum and suggested improved treatment strategies. RECENT FINDINGS The use of next-generation sequencing is continuing to unearth new genes in which mutations can give rise to defective neuromuscular transmission. The defective transmission may be part of an overall more complex phenotype in which there may be muscle, central nervous system or other involvement. Notably, mutations in series of genes encoding presynaptic proteins are being identified. Further work on mutations found in the AGRN-MUSK acetylcholine receptor clustering pathway has helped characterize the role of LRP4 and broadened the phenotypic spectrum for AGRN mutations. Mutations in another extracellular matrix protein, collagen 13A1 and in GMPPB have also been found to cause a CMS. Finally, there are an increasing number of reports for the beneficial effects of treatment with β2-adrenergic receptor agonists. SUMMARY Recent studies of the CMS illustrate the increasing complexity of the genetics, pathophysiological mechanisms and the need to tailor therapy for the genetic disorders of the neuromuscular junction.
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46
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Tu H, Pirskanen-Matell R, Heikkinen A, Oikarainen T, Risteli J, Pihlajaniemi T. Autoimmune antibodies to collagen XIII in myasthenia gravis patients. Muscle Nerve 2017; 57:506-510. [DOI: 10.1002/mus.25969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hongmin Tu
- Centre of Excellence in Cell-Extracellular Matrix Research, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Biocenter Oulu; University of Oulu; FIN 90014 Oulu Finland
| | | | - Anne Heikkinen
- Centre of Excellence in Cell-Extracellular Matrix Research, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Biocenter Oulu; University of Oulu; FIN 90014 Oulu Finland
| | - Tuomo Oikarainen
- Centre of Excellence in Cell-Extracellular Matrix Research, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Biocenter Oulu; University of Oulu; FIN 90014 Oulu Finland
| | - Juha Risteli
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, Medical Research Center; University of Oulu and Northern Finland Laboratory Centre NordLab, Oulu University Hospital; Oulu Finland
| | - Taina Pihlajaniemi
- Centre of Excellence in Cell-Extracellular Matrix Research, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Biocenter Oulu; University of Oulu; FIN 90014 Oulu Finland
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47
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Ding Q, Shen D, Dai Y, Hu Y, Guan Y, Liu M, Cui L. Mechanism hypotheses for the electrophysiological manifestations of two cases of endplate acetylcholinesterase deficiency related congenital myasthenic syndrome. J Clin Neurosci 2017; 48:229-232. [PMID: 29150079 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2017.10.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To summarize the electrophysiological characteristics of two cases of endplate acetylcholinesterase deficiency (EAD) related congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) caused by COLQ mutation and to discuss the possible mechanism of these electrophysiological phenomena. METHODS Electrophysiological examinations were conducted including nerve conduction studies, routine electromyography (EMG), repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) and single fiber EMG (SFEMG). The ulnar nerve was also stimulated at 50 Hz followed by 0.5 Hz to record the recovery process of compound muscle action potential (CMAP). RESULTS Repetitive CMAP (R-CMAP) was found in motor nerve conduction in both cases. Needle EMG showed myogenic damages and SFEMG showed remarkably increased jitter values. Of note, the amplitude of CMAP and R-CMAP showed regular changing trends, and so did their time intervals in RNS studies. CONCLUSIONS The change patterns of CMAP and R-CMAP, in combination with other electrophysiological features are very useful for the diagnosis of EAD related CMS, especially in predicting the presence of correct gene mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyun Ding
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
| | - Dongchao Shen
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
| | - Yi Dai
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
| | - Youfang Hu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
| | - Yuzhou Guan
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
| | - Mingsheng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China; Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
| | - Liying Cui
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China; Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
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48
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Monavarfeshani A, Knill CN, Sabbagh U, Su J, Fox MA. Region- and Cell-Specific Expression of Transmembrane Collagens in Mouse Brain. Front Integr Neurosci 2017; 11:20. [PMID: 28912695 PMCID: PMC5583603 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2017.00020] [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: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Unconventional collagens are nonfribrillar proteins that not only contribute to the structure of extracellular matrices but exhibit unique bio-activities. Although roles for unconventional collagens have been well-established in the development and function of non-neural tissues, only recently have studies identified roles for these proteins in brain development, and more specifically, in the formation and refinement of synaptic connections between neurons. Still, our understanding of the full cohort of unconventional collagens that are generated in the mammalian brain remains unclear. Here, we sought to address this gap by assessing the expression of transmembrane collagens (i.e., collagens XIII, XVII, XXIII and XXV) in mouse brain. Using quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization (ISH), we demonstrate both region- and cell-specific expression of these unique collagens in the developing brain. For the two most highly expressed transmembrane collagens (i.e., collagen XXIII and XXV), we demonstrate that they are expressed by select subsets of neurons in different parts of the brain. For example, collagen XXIII is selectively expressed by excitatory neurons in the mitral/tufted cell layer of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) and by cells in the inner nuclear layer (INL) of the retina. On the other hand, collagen XXV, which is more broadly expressed, is generated by subsets of excitatory neurons in the dorsal thalamus and midbrain and by inhibitory neurons in the retina, ventral thalamus and telencephalon. Not only is col25a1 expression present in retina, it appears specifically enriched in retino-recipient nuclei within the brain (including the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), lateral geniculate complex, olivary pretectal nucleus (OPN) and superior colliculus). Taken together, the distinct region- and cell-specific expression patterns of transmembrane collagens suggest that this family of unconventional collagens may play unique, yet-to-be identified roles in brain development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aboozar Monavarfeshani
- Developmental and Translational Neurobiology Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research InstituteRoanoke, VA, United States.,Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia TechBlacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Courtney N Knill
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Virginia TechRoanoke, VA, United States
| | - Ubadah Sabbagh
- Developmental and Translational Neurobiology Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research InstituteRoanoke, VA, United States.,Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program, Virginia TechBlacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Jianmin Su
- Developmental and Translational Neurobiology Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research InstituteRoanoke, VA, United States
| | - Michael A Fox
- Developmental and Translational Neurobiology Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research InstituteRoanoke, VA, United States.,Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia TechBlacksburg, VA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Tech Carilion School of MedicineRoanoke, VA, United States
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49
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Härönen H, Zainul Z, Tu H, Naumenko N, Sormunen R, Miinalainen I, Shakirzyanova A, Oikarainen T, Abdullin A, Martin P, Santoleri S, Koistinaho J, Silman I, Giniatullin R, Fox MA, Heikkinen A, Pihlajaniemi T. Collagen XIII secures pre- and postsynaptic integrity of the neuromuscular synapse. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:2076-2090. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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50
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Doetschman T, Georgieva T. Gene Editing With CRISPR/Cas9 RNA-Directed Nuclease. Circ Res 2017; 120:876-894. [DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.116.309727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Genetic engineering of model organisms and cultured cells has for decades provided important insights into the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular development and disease. In the past few years the development of several nuclease systems has broadened the range of model/cell systems that can be engineered. Of these, the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9) system has become the favorite for its ease of application. Here we will review this RNA-guided nuclease system for gene editing with respect to its usefulness for cardiovascular studies and with an eye toward potential therapy. Studies on its off-target activity, along with approaches to minimize this activity will be given. The advantages of gene editing versus gene targeting in embryonic stem cells, including the breadth of species and cell types to which it is applicable, will be discussed. We will also cover its use in iPSC for research and possible therapeutic purposes; and we will review its use in muscular dystrophy studies where considerable progress has been made toward dystrophin correction in mice. The CRISPR/Ca9s system is also being used for high-throughput screening of genes, gene regulatory regions, and long noncoding RNAs. In addition, the CRISPR system is being used for nongene-editing purposes such as activation and inhibition of gene expression, as well as for fluorescence tagging of chromosomal regions and individual mRNAs to track their cellular location. Finally, an approach to circumvent the inability of post-mitotic cells to support homologous recombination-based gene editing will be presented. In conclusion, applications of the CRISPR/Cas system are expanding at a breath-taking pace and are revolutionizing approaches to gain a better understanding of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Doetschman
- From the BIO5 Institute (T.D., T.G.) and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (T.D.), University of Arizona, Tucson
| | - Teodora Georgieva
- From the BIO5 Institute (T.D., T.G.) and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (T.D.), University of Arizona, Tucson
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