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Elasbali AM, Al-Soud WA, Anwar S, Alhassan HH, Adnan M, Hassan MI. A review on mechanistic insights into structure and function of dystrophin protein in pathophysiology and therapeutic targeting of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 264:130544. [PMID: 38428778 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130544] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive genetic disorder characterized by progressive and severe muscle weakening and degeneration. Among the various forms of muscular dystrophy, it stands out as one of the most common and impactful, predominantly affecting boys. The condition arises due to mutations in the dystrophin gene, a key player in maintaining the structure and function of muscle fibers. The manuscript explores the structural features of dystrophin protein and their pivotal roles in DMD. We present an in-depth analysis of promising therapeutic approaches targeting dystrophin and their implications for the therapeutic management of DMD. Several therapies aiming to restore dystrophin protein or address secondary pathology have obtained regulatory approval, and many others are ongoing clinical development. Notably, recent advancements in genetic approaches have demonstrated the potential to restore partially functional dystrophin forms. The review also provides a comprehensive overview of the status of clinical trials for major therapeutic genetic approaches for DMD. In addition, we have summarized the ongoing therapeutic approaches and advanced mechanisms of action for dystrophin restoration and the challenges associated with DMD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelbaset Mohamed Elasbali
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences-Qurayyat, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed Abu Al-Soud
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Sciences-Sakaka, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia; Molekylärbiologi, Klinisk Mikrobiologi och vårdhygien, Region Skåne, Sölvegatan 23B, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Saleha Anwar
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Hassan H Alhassan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Sciences-Sakaka, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohd Adnan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India.
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Fenzl M, Backens M, Bodea S, Wittemann M, Werler F, Brielmaier J, Wolf RC, Reith W. Impact of cannabis use on brain metabolism using 31P and 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Neuroradiology 2023; 65:1631-1648. [PMID: 37735222 PMCID: PMC10567915 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-023-03220-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This prospective cross-sectional study investigated the influence of regular cannabis use on brain metabolism in young cannabis users by using combined proton and phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy. METHODS The study was performed in 45 young cannabis users aged 18-30, who had been using cannabis on a regular basis over a period of at least 2 years and in 47 age-matched controls. We acquired 31P MRS data in different brain regions at 3T with a double-resonant 1H/31P head coil, anatomic images, and 1H MRS data with a standard 20-channel 1H head coil. Absolute concentration values of proton metabolites were obtained via calibration from tissue water as an internal reference, whereas a standard solution of 75 mmol/l KH2PO4 was used as an external reference for the calibration of phosphorus signals. RESULTS We found an overall but not statistically significant lower concentration level of several proton and phosphorus metabolites in cannabis users compared to non-users. In particular, energy-related phosphates such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) were reduced in all regions under investigation. Phosphocreatine (PCr) showed lowered values mainly in the left basal ganglia and the left frontal white matter. CONCLUSION The results suggest that the increased risk of functional brain disorders observed in long-term cannabis users could be caused by an impairment of the energy metabolism of the brain, but this needs to be verified in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Fenzl
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany.
| | - Martin Backens
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany.
| | - Silviu Bodea
- Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, 85748, Munich, Germany
| | - Miriam Wittemann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Florian Werler
- Department of General Psychiatry at the Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jule Brielmaier
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, RKH Clinic Ludwigsburg, 71640, Ludwigsburg, Germany
| | - Robert Christian Wolf
- Department of General Psychiatry at the Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Reith
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany
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Passos-Bueno MR, Costa CIS, Zatz M. Dystrophin genetic variants and autism. DISCOVER MENTAL HEALTH 2022; 2:4. [PMID: 37861890 PMCID: PMC10501027 DOI: 10.1007/s44192-022-00008-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Loss-of-function variants in the dystrophin gene, a well-known cause of muscular dystrophies, have emerged as a mutational risk mechanism for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which in turn is a highly prevalent (~ 1%) genetically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder. Although the association of intellectual disability with the dystrophinopathies Duchenne (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) has been long established, their association with ASD is more recent, and the dystrophin genotype-ASD phenotype correlation is unclear. We therefore present a review of the literature focused on the ASD prevalence among dystrophinopathies, the relevance of the dystrophin isoforms, and most particularly the relevance of the genetic background to the etiology of ASD in these patients. Four families with ASD-DMD/BMD patients are also reported here for the first time. These include a single ASD individual, ASD-discordant and ASD-concordant monozygotic twins, and non-identical ASD triplets. Notably, two unrelated individuals, which were first ascertained because of the ASD phenotype at ages 15 and 5 years respectively, present rare dystrophin variants still poorly characterized, suggesting that some dystrophin variants may compromise the brain more prominently. Whole exome sequencing in these ASD-DMD/BMD individuals together with the literature suggest, although based on preliminary data, a complex and heterogeneous genetic architecture underlying ASD in dystrophinopathies, that include rare variants of large and medium effect. The need for the establishment of a consortia for genomic investigation of ASD-DMD/BMD patients, which may shed light on the genetic architecture of ASD, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rita Passos-Bueno
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células-Tronco, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Claudia Ismania Samogy Costa
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células-Tronco, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mayana Zatz
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células-Tronco, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe, progressive, muscle-wasting disease that leads to difficulties with movement and, eventually, to the need for assisted ventilation and premature death. The disease is caused by mutations in DMD (encoding dystrophin) that abolish the production of dystrophin in muscle. Muscles without dystrophin are more sensitive to damage, resulting in progressive loss of muscle tissue and function, in addition to cardiomyopathy. Recent studies have greatly deepened our understanding of the primary and secondary pathogenetic mechanisms. Guidelines for the multidisciplinary care for Duchenne muscular dystrophy that address obtaining a genetic diagnosis and managing the various aspects of the disease have been established. In addition, a number of therapies that aim to restore the missing dystrophin protein or address secondary pathology have received regulatory approval and many others are in clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and Department of Neurology, School of Medicine; Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine; Department of Biomedical, Biological & Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Nathalie Goemans
- Department of Child Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Centro Clinico Nemo, Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, Italy
- Peadiatric Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Annemieke Aartsma-Rus
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Demirci H, Durmus H, Toksoy G, Uslu A, Parman Y, Hanagasi H. Cognition of the mothers of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 2020; 62:710-716. [PMID: 32893363 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has been found to be associated with cognitive impairment. However, few studies have addressed cognitive impairment among mothers of children with DMD. In the present study, the neuropsychological profiles of both carrier mothers (C-Ms) and noncarrier mothers (NC-Ms) were examined, and the findings were compared with healthy control mothers (HC-Ms). There were 90 participants, consisting of 31 C-Ms, 24 NC-Ms, and 35 HC-Ms, each of whom completed a neuropsychological test battery. C-Ms had poorer cognition performance in attention, working memory, immediate verbal memory, visuospatial skills, and executive functions than NC-Ms, and HC-Ms. This study provides evidence that there may be cognitive impairment in mothers of patients with DMD. The cognitive impairment of C-Ms has similarities to that seen in children with DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Demirci
- Department of Psychiatry, Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hacer Durmus
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Guven Toksoy
- Department of Medical Genetics, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Atilla Uslu
- Department of Physiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yesim Parman
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hasmet Hanagasi
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Interleukin-6: A neuro-active cytokine contributing to cognitive impairment in Duchenne muscular dystrophy? Cytokine 2020; 133:155134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Caudal D, François V, Lafoux A, Ledevin M, Anegon I, Le Guiner C, Larcher T, Huchet C. Characterization of brain dystrophins absence and impact in dystrophin-deficient Dmdmdx rat model. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230083. [PMID: 32160266 PMCID: PMC7065776 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a severe muscle-wasting disease caused by mutations in the DMD gene encoding dystrophin, expressed mainly in muscles but also in other tissues like retina and brain. Non-progressing cognitive dysfunction occurs in 20 to 50% of DMD patients. Furthermore, loss of expression of the Dp427 dystrophin isoform in the brain of mdx mice, the most used animal model of DMD, leads to behavioral deficits thought to be linked to insufficiencies in synaptogenesis and channel clustering at synapses. Mdx mice where the locomotor phenotype is mild also display a high and maladaptive response to stress. Recently, we generated Dmdmdx rats carrying an out-of frame mutation in exon 23 of the DMD gene and exhibiting a skeletal and cardiac muscle phenotype similar to DMD patients. In order to evaluate the impact of dystrophin loss on behavior, we explored locomotion parameters as well as anhedonia, anxiety and response to stress, in Dmdmdx rats aged from 1.5 to 7 months, in comparison to wild-type (WT) littermates. Pattern of dystrophin expression in the brain of WT and Dmdmdx rats was characterized by western-blot analyses and immunohistochemistry. We showed that dystrophin-deficient Dmdmdx rats displayed motor deficits in the beam test, without association with depressive or anxiety-like phenotype. However, Dmdmdx rats exhibited a strong response to restraint-induced stress, with a large increase in freezings frequency and duration, suggesting an alteration in a functional circuit including the amygdala. In brain, large dystrophin isoform Dp427 was not expressed in mutant animals. Dmdmdx rat is therefore a good animal model for preclinical evaluations of new treatments for DMD but care must be taken with their responses to mild stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorian Caudal
- Therassay Platform, CAPACITES, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Virginie François
- Nantes Gene Therapy Laboratory, Université de Nantes, INSERM UMR 1089, Nantes, France
| | - Aude Lafoux
- Therassay Platform, CAPACITES, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | | | | | - Caroline Le Guiner
- Nantes Gene Therapy Laboratory, Université de Nantes, INSERM UMR 1089, Nantes, France
| | | | - Corinne Huchet
- Therassay Platform, CAPACITES, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Nantes Gene Therapy Laboratory, Université de Nantes, INSERM UMR 1089, Nantes, France
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Dickson PE, Mittleman G. Visual Discrimination, Serial Reversal, and Extinction Learning in the mdx Mouse. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:200. [PMID: 31543764 PMCID: PMC6728792 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common form of muscular dystrophy and the most common neuromuscular disorder. In addition to neuromuscular consequences, some individuals with DMD experience global intellectual dysfunction and executive dysfunction of unknown mechanistic origin. The cognitive profile of the mdx mouse, the most commonly used mouse model of DMD, has been incompletely characterized and has never been assessed using the touchscreen operant conditioning paradigm. The touchscreen paradigm allows the use of protocols that are virtually identical to those used in human cognitive testing and may, therefore, provide the most translational paradigm for quantifying mouse cognitive function. In the present study, we used the touchscreen paradigm to assess the effects of the mdx mutation on visual discrimination learning, serial reversal learning, and extinction learning. To enable measuring task-dependent learning and memory processes while holding demands on sensory-driven information processing constant, we developed equally salient visual stimuli and used them on all experimental stages. Acquisition of the initial pairwise visual discrimination was facilitated in mdx mice relative to wildtype littermates; this effect was not explained by genotypic differences in impulsivity, motivation, or motor deficits. The mdx mutation had no effect on serial reversal or extinction learning. Together, findings from this study and previous studies suggest that mdx effects on cognitive function are task-specific and may be influenced by discrimination type (spatial, visual), reward type (food, escape from a non-preferred environment), sex, and genetic background.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guy Mittleman
- Department of Psychological Science, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, United States
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Patel AM, Wierda K, Thorrez L, van Putten M, De Smedt J, Ribeiro L, Tricot T, Gajjar M, Duelen R, Van Damme P, De Waele L, Goemans N, Tanganyika-de Winter C, Costamagna D, Aartsma-Rus A, van Duyvenvoorde H, Sampaolesi M, Buyse GM, Verfaillie CM. Dystrophin deficiency leads to dysfunctional glutamate clearance in iPSC derived astrocytes. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:200. [PMID: 31434868 PMCID: PMC6704264 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0535-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) results, beside muscle degeneration in cognitive defects. As neuronal function is supported by astrocytes, which express dystrophin, we hypothesized that loss of dystrophin from DMD astrocytes might contribute to these cognitive defects. We generated cortical neuronal and astrocytic progeny from induced pluripotent stem cells (PSC) from six DMD subjects carrying different mutations and several unaffected PSC lines. DMD astrocytes displayed cytoskeletal abnormalities, defects in Ca+2 homeostasis and nitric oxide signaling. In addition, defects in glutamate clearance were identified in DMD PSC-derived astrocytes; these deficits were related to a decreased neurite outgrowth and hyperexcitability of neurons derived from healthy PSC. Read-through molecule restored dystrophin expression in DMD PSC-derived astrocytes harboring a premature stop codon mutation, corrected the defective astrocyte glutamate clearance and prevented associated neurotoxicity. We propose a role for dystrophin deficiency in defective astroglial glutamate homeostasis which initiates defects in neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulsamie M. Patel
- 0000 0001 0668 7884grid.5596.fStem Cell Institute Leuven, Dept. of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Keimpe Wierda
- 0000000104788040grid.11486.3aCenter for Brain & Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieven Thorrez
- 0000 0001 0668 7884grid.5596.fKU Leuven Department of Development and Regeneration, Campus Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Maaike van Putten
- 0000000089452978grid.10419.3dDepartment of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan De Smedt
- 0000 0001 0668 7884grid.5596.fStem Cell Institute Leuven, Dept. of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luis Ribeiro
- 0000000104788040grid.11486.3aCenter for Brain & Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tine Tricot
- 0000 0001 0668 7884grid.5596.fStem Cell Institute Leuven, Dept. of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Madhavsai Gajjar
- 0000 0001 0668 7884grid.5596.fStem Cell Institute Leuven, Dept. of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Robin Duelen
- 0000 0001 0668 7884grid.5596.fStem Cell Institute Leuven, Dept. of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ,0000 0001 0668 7884grid.5596.fTranslational Cardiomyology Lab, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- 0000000104788040grid.11486.3aCenter for Brain & Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium ,0000 0001 0668 7884grid.5596.fLaboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ,0000 0004 0626 3338grid.410569.fNeurology Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth De Waele
- 0000 0001 0668 7884grid.5596.fKU Leuven Department of Development and Regeneration, Campus Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium ,0000 0004 0626 3338grid.410569.fDepartment of Paediatric Child Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ,0000 0001 0668 7884grid.5596.fVesalius Research Center, Laboratory of Neurobiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Goemans
- 0000 0004 0626 3338grid.410569.fDepartment of Paediatric Child Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Christa Tanganyika-de Winter
- 0000000089452978grid.10419.3dDepartment of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Domiziana Costamagna
- 0000 0001 0668 7884grid.5596.fStem Cell Institute Leuven, Dept. of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ,0000 0001 0668 7884grid.5596.fTranslational Cardiomyology Lab, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annemieke Aartsma-Rus
- 0000000089452978grid.10419.3dDepartment of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hermine van Duyvenvoorde
- 0000000089452978grid.10419.3dLaboratory for Diagnostic Genome Analysis, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maurilio Sampaolesi
- 0000 0001 0668 7884grid.5596.fStem Cell Institute Leuven, Dept. of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ,0000 0001 0668 7884grid.5596.fTranslational Cardiomyology Lab, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gunnar M. Buyse
- 0000 0004 0626 3338grid.410569.fDepartment of Paediatric Child Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Catherine M. Verfaillie
- 0000 0001 0668 7884grid.5596.fStem Cell Institute Leuven, Dept. of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate executive skills in children with dystrophinopathy and to examine the association between executive functions and dystrophin gene mutation position. METHODS Fifty boys with dystrophinopathy (mean age, 11 years 0 months; ages range, 5 to 17 years) completed measures of intellectual functioning (IF), working memory and executive functioning [including Digit Span (working memory) and measures from the NIH Toolbox (selective attention/inhibitory control, set shifting, working memory, and processing speed)]. Parents completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Mutation positions were categorized into three groups (upstream exon 30, 31-62, and downstream exon 63). Paired-samples t tests compared performance on executive measures to IF, and a one-way (three-group) multivariate analysis of covariance compared cognitive performance with mutation location controlling for motor functioning. RESULTS Mean performance on all executive measures was significantly lower than IF. Parents were also more likely to rate their child with dystrophinopathy as having clinically significant executive difficulties on the Shift, Emotional Control, and Behavior Regulation indices of the BRIEF. Mutation analyses resulted in small groups limiting power to detect subtle differences. Those with a downstream mutation position had significantly poorer performance on IF and Total Digit Span, but not on other measures of executive function including behavior. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with dystrophinopathy have executive skill deficits, but they are not generally associated with more distal mutations. (JINS, 2019, 25, 146-155).
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Quarta E, Fulgenzi G, Bravi R, Cohen EJ, Yanpallewar S, Tessarollo L, Minciacchi D. Deletion of the endogenous TrkB.T1 receptor isoform restores the number of hippocampal CA1 parvalbumin-positive neurons and rescues long-term potentiation in pre-symptomatic mSOD1(G93A) ALS mice. Mol Cell Neurosci 2018; 89:33-41. [PMID: 29580900 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2018.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) causes rapidly progressive paralysis and death within 5 years from diagnosis due to degeneration of the motor circuits. However, a significant population of ALS patients also shows cognitive impairments and progressive hippocampal pathology. Likewise, the mutant SOD1(G93A) mouse model of ALS (mSOD1), in addition to loss of spinal motor neurons, displays altered spatial behavior and hippocampal abnormalities including loss of parvalbumin-positive interneurons (PVi) and enhanced long-term potentiation (LTP). However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these morpho-functional features are not well understood. Since removal of TrkB.T1, a receptor isoform of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, can partially rescue the phenotype of the mSOD1 mice, here we tested whether removal of TrkB.T1 can normalize the number of PVi and the LTP in this model. Stereological analysis of hippocampal PVi in control, TrkB.T1-/-, mSOD1, and mSOD1 mice deficient for TrkB.T1 (mSOD1/T1-/-) showed that deletion of TrkB.T1 restored the number of PVi to physiological level in the mSOD1 hippocampus. The rescue of PVi neuron number is paralleled by a normalization of high-frequency stimulation-induced LTP in the pre-symptomatic mSOD1/T1-/- mice. Our experiments identified TrkB.T1 as a cellular player involved in the homeostasis of parvalbumin expressing interneurons and, in the context of murine ALS, show that TrkB.T1 is involved in the mechanism underlying structural and functional hippocampal degeneration. These findings have potential implications for hippocampal degeneration and cognitive impairments reported in ALS patients at early stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eros Quarta
- Physiological Science Section, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy; Neural Development Section, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, CCR, NCI, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Gianluca Fulgenzi
- Neural Development Section, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, CCR, NCI, Frederick, MD, USA; Department of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Riccardo Bravi
- Physiological Science Section, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Erez James Cohen
- Physiological Science Section, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
| | | | - Lino Tessarollo
- Neural Development Section, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, CCR, NCI, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Diego Minciacchi
- Physiological Science Section, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy.
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Han SH, Hong KB, Suh HJ. Biotransformation of monosodium glutamate to gamma-aminobutyric acid by isolated strain Lactobacillus brevis L-32 for potentiation of pentobarbital-induced sleep in mice. FOOD BIOTECHNOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/08905436.2017.1301821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sung Hee Han
- BK21Plus, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Bae Hong
- Institute for Biomaterials, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Joo Suh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Neural plasticity and network remodeling: From concepts to pathology. Neuroscience 2017; 344:326-345. [PMID: 28069532 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.12.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 12/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Neuroplasticity has been subject to a great deal of research in the last century. Recently, significant emphasis has been placed on the global effect of localized plastic changes throughout the central nervous system, and on how these changes integrate in a pathological context. Specifically, alterations of network functionality have been described in various pathological contexts to which corresponding structural alterations have been proposed. However, considering the amount of literature and the different pathological contexts, an integration of this information is still lacking. In this paper we will review the concepts of neural plasticity as well as their repercussions on network remodeling and provide a possible explanation to how these two concepts relate to each other. We will further examine how alterations in different pathological contexts may relate to each other and will discuss the concept of plasticity diseases, its models and implications.
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Miranda R, Laroche S, Vaillend C. Reduced neuronal density in the CA1 anterodorsal hippocampus of the mdx mouse. Neuromuscul Disord 2016; 26:775-781. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Rae MG, O'Malley D. Cognitive dysfunction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a possible role for neuromodulatory immune molecules. J Neurophysiol 2016; 116:1304-15. [PMID: 27385793 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00248.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X chromosome-linked disease characterized by progressive physical disability, immobility, and premature death in affected boys. Underlying the devastating symptoms of DMD is the loss of dystrophin, a structural protein that connects the extracellular matrix to the cell cytoskeleton and provides protection against contraction-induced damage in muscle cells, leading to chronic peripheral inflammation. However, dystrophin is also expressed in neurons within specific brain regions, including the hippocampus, a structure associated with learning and memory formation. Linked to this, a subset of boys with DMD exhibit nonprogressing cognitive dysfunction, with deficits in verbal, short-term, and working memory. Furthermore, in the genetically comparable dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse model of DMD, some, but not all, types of learning and memory are deficient, and specific deficits in synaptogenesis and channel clustering at synapses has been noted. Little consideration has been devoted to the cognitive deficits associated with DMD compared with the research conducted into the peripheral effects of dystrophin deficiency. Therefore, this review focuses on what is known about the role of full-length dystrophin (Dp427) in hippocampal neurons. The importance of dystrophin in learning and memory is assessed, and the potential importance that inflammatory mediators, which are chronically elevated in dystrophinopathies, may have on hippocampal function is also evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark G Rae
- Department of Physiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; and
| | - Dervla O'Malley
- Department of Physiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; and APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Nichols B, Takeda S, Yokota T. Nonmechanical Roles of Dystrophin and Associated Proteins in Exercise, Neuromuscular Junctions, and Brains. Brain Sci 2015; 5:275-98. [PMID: 26230713 PMCID: PMC4588140 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci5030275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) is an important structural unit in skeletal muscle that connects the cytoskeleton (f-actin) of a muscle fiber to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Several muscular dystrophies, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, congenital muscular dystrophies (dystroglycanopathies), and limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (sarcoglycanopathies), are caused by mutations in the different DGC components. Although many early studies indicated DGC plays a crucial mechanical role in maintaining the structural integrity of skeletal muscle, recent studies identified novel roles of DGC. Beyond a mechanical role, these DGC members play important signaling roles and act as a scaffold for various signaling pathways. For example, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), which is localized at the muscle membrane by DGC members (dystrophin and syntrophins), plays an important role in the regulation of the blood flow during exercise. DGC also plays important roles at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and in the brain. In this review, we will focus on recently identified roles of DGC particularly in exercise and the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey Nichols
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
| | - Shin'ichi Takeda
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1, Ogawa-higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan.
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
- Muscular Dystrophy Canada Research Chair, 8812-112 St, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada.
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