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Krishna L, Prashant A, Kumar YH, Paneyala S, Patil SJ, Ramachandra SC, Vishwanath P. Molecular and Biochemical Therapeutic Strategies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Neurol Int 2024; 16:731-760. [PMID: 39051216 PMCID: PMC11270304 DOI: 10.3390/neurolint16040055] [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: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Significant progress has been achieved in understanding Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) mechanisms and developing treatments to slow disease progression. This review article thoroughly assesses primary and secondary DMD therapies, focusing on innovative modalities. The primary therapy addresses the genetic abnormality causing DMD, specifically the absence or reduced expression of dystrophin. Gene replacement therapies, such as exon skipping, readthrough, and gene editing technologies, show promise in restoring dystrophin expression. Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), a recent advancement in viral vector-based gene therapies, have shown encouraging results in preclinical and clinical studies. Secondary therapies aim to maintain muscle function and improve quality of life by mitigating DMD symptoms and complications. Glucocorticoid drugs like prednisone and deflazacort have proven effective in slowing disease progression and delaying loss of ambulation. Supportive treatments targeting calcium dysregulation, histone deacetylase, and redox imbalance are also crucial for preserving overall health and function. Additionally, the review includes a detailed table of ongoing and approved clinical trials for DMD, exploring various therapeutic approaches such as gene therapies, exon skipping drugs, utrophin modulators, anti-inflammatory agents, and novel compounds. This highlights the dynamic research field and ongoing efforts to develop effective DMD treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Krishna
- Department of Biochemistry, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, Karnataka, India; (L.K.); (A.P.); (S.C.R.)
| | - Akila Prashant
- Department of Biochemistry, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, Karnataka, India; (L.K.); (A.P.); (S.C.R.)
- Department of Medical Genetics, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, Karnataka, India
| | - Yogish H. Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysuru, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, Karnataka, India;
| | - Shasthara Paneyala
- Department of Neurology, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, Karnataka, India;
| | - Siddaramappa J. Patil
- Department of Medical Genetics, Narayana Hrudalaya Health Hospital/Mazumdar Shah, Bengaluru 560099, Karnataka, India;
| | - Shobha Chikkavaddaragudi Ramachandra
- Department of Biochemistry, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, Karnataka, India; (L.K.); (A.P.); (S.C.R.)
| | - Prashant Vishwanath
- Department of Biochemistry, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru 570015, Karnataka, India; (L.K.); (A.P.); (S.C.R.)
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Ghosh S, Arshi MU, Ghosh S, Jash M, Sen S, Mamchaoui K, Bhattacharyya S, Rana NK, Ghosh S. Discovery of Quinazoline and Quinoline-Based Small Molecules as Utrophin Upregulators via AhR Antagonism for the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. J Med Chem 2024; 67:9260-9276. [PMID: 38771158 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal muscle-wasting disease caused by the absence of a dystrophin protein. Elevating utrophin, a dystrophin paralogue, offers an alternative therapeutic strategy for treating DMD, irrespective of the mutation type. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of novel quinazoline and quinoline-based small molecules as potent utrophin modulators screened via high throughput In-Cell ELISA in C2C12 cells. Remarkably, lead molecule SG-02, identified from a library of 70 molecules, upregulates utrophin 2.7-fold at 800 nM in a dose-dependent manner, marking the highest upregulation within the nanomolar range. SG-02's efficacy was further validated through DMD patient-derived cells, demonstrating a significant 2.3-fold utrophin expression. Mechanistically, SG-02 functions as an AhR antagonist, with excellent binding affinity (Kd = 41.68 nM). SG-02 also enhances myogenesis, as indicated by an increased MyHC expression. ADME evaluation supports SG-02's oral bioavailability. Overall, SG-02 holds promise for addressing the global DMD population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surojit Ghosh
- Smart Healthcare Department, Interdisciplinary Research Platform, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Mohammad Umar Arshi
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Satyajit Ghosh
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Moumita Jash
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Samya Sen
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Kamel Mamchaoui
- Inserm, Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie,Sorbonne Université, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Sudipta Bhattacharyya
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Nirmal Kumar Rana
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Surajit Ghosh
- Smart Healthcare Department, Interdisciplinary Research Platform, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
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Mahmoudzadeh Laki R, Pourbasheer E. 3D-QSAR Modeling on 2-Pyrimidine Carbohydrazides as Utrophin Modulators for the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by Combining CoMFA, CoMSIA, and Molecular Docking Studies. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:24707-24720. [PMID: 38882130 PMCID: PMC11171099 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c01225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The 3D-QSAR models were developed using CoMFA and CoMSIA techniques to investigate essential molecular fields, optimization strategies, and structure-activity relationships for utrophin-modulating compounds. The data set (71 molecules) was divided into two training and test sets using the hierarchical clustering approach. The training set was aligned based on the most active compound. The built and optimized models based on the PLS approach provided acceptable results. The results were q 2 = 0.528 and r 2 = 0.776 for CoMFA and q 2 = 0.600 and r 2 = 0.811 for CoMSIA models. According to the statistical results, it was found that both the CoMFA models with and without regional focusing and also the CoMSIA model have good estimation ability. Molecular docking was also performed with high-activity compounds (as ligands) and target receptors (protein), and its results, together with the results of 3D-QSAR, give new insights for the design of compounds with higher biological activity. Finally, based on the overall results, the design of new compounds with higher utrophin modulation activity was carried out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Mahmoudzadeh Laki
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, P.O. Box 179, Ardabil 56199-11367, Iran
| | - Eslam Pourbasheer
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, P.O. Box 179, Ardabil 56199-11367, Iran
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Laurent M, Geoffroy M, Pavani G, Guiraud S. CRISPR-Based Gene Therapies: From Preclinical to Clinical Treatments. Cells 2024; 13:800. [PMID: 38786024 PMCID: PMC11119143 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100800] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) protein have emerged as a revolutionary gene editing tool to treat inherited disorders affecting different organ systems, such as blood and muscles. Both hematological and neuromuscular genetic disorders benefit from genome editing approaches but face different challenges in their clinical translation. The ability of CRISPR/Cas9 technologies to modify hematopoietic stem cells ex vivo has greatly accelerated the development of genetic therapies for blood disorders. In the last decade, many clinical trials were initiated and are now delivering encouraging results. The recent FDA approval of Casgevy, the first CRISPR/Cas9-based drug for severe sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia, represents a significant milestone in the field and highlights the great potential of this technology. Similar preclinical efforts are currently expanding CRISPR therapies to other hematologic disorders such as primary immunodeficiencies. In the neuromuscular field, the versatility of CRISPR/Cas9 has been instrumental for the generation of new cellular and animal models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), offering innovative platforms to speed up preclinical development of therapeutic solutions. Several corrective interventions have been proposed to genetically restore dystrophin production using the CRISPR toolbox and have demonstrated promising results in different DMD animal models. Although these advances represent a significant step forward to the clinical translation of CRISPR/Cas9 therapies to DMD, there are still many hurdles to overcome, such as in vivo delivery methods associated with high viral vector doses, together with safety and immunological concerns. Collectively, the results obtained in the hematological and neuromuscular fields emphasize the transformative impact of CRISPR/Cas9 for patients affected by these debilitating conditions. As each field suffers from different and specific challenges, the clinical translation of CRISPR therapies may progress differentially depending on the genetic disorder. Ongoing investigations and clinical trials will address risks and limitations of these therapies, including long-term efficacy, potential genotoxicity, and adverse immune reactions. This review provides insights into the diverse applications of CRISPR-based technologies in both preclinical and clinical settings for monogenic blood disorders and muscular dystrophy and compare advances in both fields while highlighting current trends, difficulties, and challenges to overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Laurent
- INTEGRARE, UMR_S951, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91190 Evry, France
| | | | - Giulia Pavani
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Simon Guiraud
- SQY Therapeutics, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
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Bellissimo CA, Gandhi S, Castellani LN, Murugathasan M, Delfinis LJ, Thuhan A, Garibotti MC, Seo Y, Rebalka IA, Hsu HH, Sweeney G, Hawke TJ, Abdul-Sater AA, Perry CGR. The slow-release adiponectin analog ALY688-SR modifies early-stage disease development in the D2. mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 326:C1011-C1026. [PMID: 38145301 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00638.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis is associated with respiratory and limb muscle atrophy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Current standard of care partially delays the progression of this myopathy but there remains an unmet need to develop additional therapies. Adiponectin receptor agonism has emerged as a possible therapeutic target to lower inflammation and improve metabolism in mdx mouse models of DMD but the degree to which fibrosis and atrophy are prevented remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the recently developed slow-release peptidomimetic adiponectin analog, ALY688-SR, remodels the diaphragm of murine model of DMD on DBA background (D2.mdx) mice treated from days 7-28 of age during early stages of disease. ALY688-SR also lowered interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA but increased IL-6 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) protein contents in diaphragm, suggesting dynamic inflammatory remodeling. ALY688-SR alleviated mitochondrial redox stress by decreasing complex I-stimulated H2O2 emission. Treatment also attenuated fibrosis, fiber type-specific atrophy, and in vitro diaphragm force production in diaphragm suggesting a complex relationship between adiponectin receptor activity, muscle remodeling, and force-generating properties during the very early stages of disease progression in murine model of DMD on DBA background (D2.mdx) mice. In tibialis anterior, the modest fibrosis at this young age was not altered by treatment, and atrophy was not apparent at this young age. These results demonstrate that short-term treatment of ALY688-SR in young D2.mdx mice partially prevents fibrosis and fiber type-specific atrophy and lowers force production in the more disease-apparent diaphragm in relation to lower mitochondrial redox stress and heterogeneous responses in certain inflammatory markers. These diverse muscle responses to adiponectin receptor agonism in early stages of DMD serve as a foundation for further mechanistic investigations.NEW & NOTEWORTHY There are limited therapies for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As fibrosis involves an accumulation of collagen that replaces muscle fibers, antifibrotics may help preserve muscle function. We report that the novel adiponectin receptor agonist ALY688-SR prevents fibrosis in the diaphragm of D2.mdx mice with short-term treatment early in disease progression. These responses were related to altered inflammation and mitochondrial functions and serve as a foundation for the development of this class of therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred mdx
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/drug therapy
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/pathology
- Adiponectin/genetics
- Disease Models, Animal
- Interleukin-6/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism
- Receptors, Adiponectin/genetics
- Receptors, Adiponectin/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred DBA
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Diaphragm/metabolism
- Fibrosis
- Inflammation/metabolism
- Disease Progression
- Atrophy/metabolism
- Atrophy/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Bellissimo
- School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shivam Gandhi
- School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura N Castellani
- School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mayoorey Murugathasan
- School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Luca J Delfinis
- School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Arshdeep Thuhan
- School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Madison C Garibotti
- School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yeji Seo
- School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Irena A Rebalka
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Henry H Hsu
- Allysta Pharmaceuticals Inc, Bellevue, Washington, United States
| | - Gary Sweeney
- Department of Biology, Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thomas J Hawke
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ali A Abdul-Sater
- School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher G R Perry
- School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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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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Hermes TDA, Fratini P, Nascimento BG, Ferreira LL, Petri G, Fonseca FLA, Carvalho AADS, Feder D. Trilobatin contributes to the improvement of myopathy in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Int J Exp Pathol 2024; 105:75-85. [PMID: 38477495 PMCID: PMC10951423 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) occurs due to genetic mutations that lead to a deficiency in dystrophin production and consequent progressive degeneration of skeletal muscle fibres, through oxidative stress and an exacerbated inflammatory process. The flavonoid trilobatin (TLB) demonstrates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Its high safety profile and effective action make it a potent therapy for the process of dystrophic muscle myonecrosis. Thus, we sought to investigate the action of TLB on damage in a DMD model, the mdx mouse. Eight-week-old male animals were treated with 160 mg/kg/day of trilobatin for 8 weeks. Control animals were treated with saline. Following treatment, muscle strength, serum creatine kinase (CK) levels, histopathology (necrotic myofibres, regenerated fibres/central nuclei, Feret's diameter and inflammatory area) and the levels of catalase and NF-κB (western blotting) of the quadriceps (QUA), diaphragm (DIA) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were measured. TLB was able to significantly increase muscle strength and reduce serum CK levels in dystrophic animals. The QUA of mdx mice showed a reduction in catalase and the number of fibres with a centralized nucleus after treatment with TLB. In the DIA of dystrophic animals, TLB reduced the necrotic myofibres, inflammatory area and NF-κB and increased the number of regenerated fibres and the total fibre diameter. In TA, TLB increased the number of regenerated fibres and reduced catalase levels in these animals. It is concluded that in the mdx experimental model, treatment with TLB was beneficial in the treatment of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Túlio de Almeida Hermes
- Department of Anatomy, ICBFederal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL‐MG)AlfenasMinas GeraisBrazil
| | - Paula Fratini
- Department of PharmacologyCentro Universitário FMABC (FMABC)Santo AndréSao PauloBrazil
| | | | - Laís Leite Ferreira
- Department of Anatomy, ICBFederal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL‐MG)AlfenasMinas GeraisBrazil
| | - Giuliana Petri
- Department of PharmacologyCentro Universitário FMABC (FMABC)Santo AndréSao PauloBrazil
| | | | | | - David Feder
- Department of PharmacologyCentro Universitário FMABC (FMABC)Santo AndréSao PauloBrazil
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8
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Saad FA, Saad JF, Siciliano G, Merlini L, Angelini C. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Gene Therapy. Curr Gene Ther 2024; 24:17-28. [PMID: 36411557 DOI: 10.2174/1566523223666221118160932] [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: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies are allelic X-linked recessive neuromuscular diseases affecting both skeletal and cardiac muscles. Therefore, owing to their single X chromosome, the affected boys receive pathogenic gene mutations from their unknowing carrier mothers. Current pharmacological drugs are palliative that address the symptoms of the disease rather than the genetic cause imbedded in the Dystrophin gene DNA sequence. Therefore, alternative therapies like gene drugs that could address the genetic cause of the disease at its root are crucial, which include gene transfer/implantation, exon skipping, and gene editing. Presently, it is possible through genetic reprogramming to engineer AAV vectors to deliver certain therapeutic cargos specifically to muscle or other organs regardless of their serotype. Similarly, it is possible to direct the biogenesis of exosomes to carry gene editing constituents or certain therapeutic cargos to specific tissue or cell type like brain and muscle. While autologous exosomes are immunologically inert, it is possible to camouflage AAV capsids, and lipid nanoparticles to evade the immune system recognition. In this review, we highlight current opportunities for Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy, which has been known thus far as an incurable genetic disease. This article is a part of Gene Therapy of Rare Genetic Diseases thematic issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fawzy A Saad
- Department of Biology, Padua University School of Medicine, Via Trieste 75, Padova 35121, Italy
- Department of Gene Therapy, Saad Pharmaceuticals, Tornimäe 7-26, Tallinn, 10145, Estonia
| | - Jasen F Saad
- Department of Gene Therapy, Saad Pharmaceuticals, Tornimäe 7-26, Tallinn, 10145, Estonia
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pisa University School of Medicine, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luciano Merlini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Bologna University School of Medicine, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Corrado Angelini
- Department Neurosciences, Padova University School of Medicine, Padova, Italy
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9
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Bellissimo CA, Castellani LN, Finch MS, Murugathasan M, Gandhi S, Sweeney G, Abdul‐Sater AA, MacPherson REK, Perry CGR. Memory impairment in the D2.mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy is prevented by the adiponectin receptor agonist ALY688. Exp Physiol 2023; 108:1108-1117. [PMID: 37415288 PMCID: PMC10988430 DOI: 10.1113/ep091274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? Can adiponectin receptor agonism improve recognition memory in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy? What is the main finding and its importance? Short-term treatment with the new adiponectin receptor agonist ALY688 improves recognition memory in D2.mdx mice. This finding suggests that further investigation into adiponectin receptor agonism is warranted, given that there remains an unmet need for clinical approaches to treat this cognitive dysfunction in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. ABSTRACT Memory impairments have been well documented in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, and there is an unmet need to develop new therapies to treat this condition. Using a novel object recognition test, we show that recognition memory impairments in D2.mdx mice are completely prevented by daily treatment with the new adiponectin receptor agonist ALY688 from day 7 to 28 of age. In comparison to age-matched wild-type mice, untreated D2.mdx mice demonstrated lower hippocampal mitochondrial respiration (carbohydrate substrate), greater serum interleukin-6 cytokine content and greater hippocampal total tau and Raptor protein contents. Each of these measures was partly or fully preserved after treatment with ALY688. Collectively, these results indicate that adiponectin receptor agonism improves recognition memory in young D2.mdx mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A. Bellissimo
- School of Kinesiology & Health ScienceYork UniversityTorontoONCanada
- Muscle Health Research CentreYork UniversityTorontoCanada
| | - Laura N. Castellani
- School of Kinesiology & Health ScienceYork UniversityTorontoONCanada
- Muscle Health Research CentreYork UniversityTorontoCanada
| | - Michael S. Finch
- Department of Health SciencesBrock UniversitySt CatharinesONCanada
| | - Mayoorey Murugathasan
- School of Kinesiology & Health ScienceYork UniversityTorontoONCanada
- Muscle Health Research CentreYork UniversityTorontoCanada
| | - Shivam Gandhi
- School of Kinesiology & Health ScienceYork UniversityTorontoONCanada
- Muscle Health Research CentreYork UniversityTorontoCanada
| | - Gary Sweeney
- Muscle Health Research CentreYork UniversityTorontoCanada
- Department of BiologyYork UniversityTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Ali A. Abdul‐Sater
- School of Kinesiology & Health ScienceYork UniversityTorontoONCanada
- Muscle Health Research CentreYork UniversityTorontoCanada
| | | | - Christopher G. R. Perry
- School of Kinesiology & Health ScienceYork UniversityTorontoONCanada
- Muscle Health Research CentreYork UniversityTorontoCanada
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10
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Gorji AE, Ostaszewski P, Urbańska K, Sadkowski T. Does β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate Have Any Potential to Support the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Humans and Animals? Biomedicines 2023; 11:2329. [PMID: 37626825 PMCID: PMC10452677 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082329] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is the protein reservoir of our body and an important regulator of glucose and lipid homeostasis. The dystrophin gene is the largest gene and has a key role in skeletal muscle construction and function. Mutations in the dystrophin gene cause Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy in humans, mice, dogs, and cats. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked neuromuscular condition causing progressive muscle weakness and premature death. β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB) prevents deleterious muscle responses under pathological conditions, including tumor and chronic steroid therapy-related muscle losses. The use of HMB as a dietary supplement allows for increasing lean weight gain; has a positive immunostimulatory effect; is associated with decreased mortality; and attenuates sarcopenia in elderly animals and individuals. This study aimed to identify some genes, metabolic pathways, and biological processes which are common for DMD and HMB based on existing literature and then discuss the consequences of that interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdolvahab Ebrahimpour Gorji
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (A.E.G.); (P.O.)
| | - Piotr Ostaszewski
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (A.E.G.); (P.O.)
| | - Kaja Urbańska
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Tomasz Sadkowski
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (A.E.G.); (P.O.)
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11
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Heezen LGM, Abdelaal T, van Putten M, Aartsma-Rus A, Mahfouz A, Spitali P. Spatial transcriptomics reveal markers of histopathological changes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse models. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4909. [PMID: 37582915 PMCID: PMC10427630 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40555-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by mutations in the DMD gene, leading to lack of dystrophin. Chronic muscle damage eventually leads to histological alterations in skeletal muscles. The identification of genes and cell types driving tissue remodeling is a key step to developing effective therapies. Here we use spatial transcriptomics in two Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse models differing in disease severity to identify gene expression signatures underlying skeletal muscle pathology and to directly link gene expression to muscle histology. We perform deconvolution analysis to identify cell types contributing to histological alterations. We show increased expression of specific genes in areas of muscle regeneration (Myl4, Sparc, Hspg2), fibrosis (Vim, Fn1, Thbs4) and calcification (Bgn, Ctsk, Spp1). These findings are confirmed by smFISH. Finally, we use differentiation dynamic analysis in the D2-mdx muscle to identify muscle fibers in the present state that are predicted to become affected in the future state.
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Affiliation(s)
- L G M Heezen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - T Abdelaal
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Systems and Biomedical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
- Delft Bioinformatics Lab, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - M van Putten
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A Aartsma-Rus
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A Mahfouz
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Delft Bioinformatics Lab, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
- Leiden Computational Biology Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - P Spitali
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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12
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Yu D. An overview of recent US-approved gene therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their respective clinical development programs. DRUGS & THERAPY PERSPECTIVES 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s40267-023-00986-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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13
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Gleneadie HJ, Fernandez-Ruiz B, Sardini A, Van de Pette M, Dimond A, Prinjha RK, McGinty J, French PMW, Bagci H, Merkenschlager M, Fisher AG. Endogenous bioluminescent reporters reveal a sustained increase in utrophin gene expression upon EZH2 and ERK1/2 inhibition. Commun Biol 2023; 6:318. [PMID: 36966198 PMCID: PMC10039851 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04666-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked disorder caused by loss of function mutations in the dystrophin gene (Dmd), resulting in progressive muscle weakening. Here we modelled the longitudinal expression of endogenous Dmd, and its paralogue Utrn, in mice and in myoblasts by generating bespoke bioluminescent gene reporters. As utrophin can partially compensate for Dmd-deficiency, these reporters were used as tools to ask whether chromatin-modifying drugs can enhance Utrn expression in developing muscle. Myoblasts treated with different PRC2 inhibitors showed significant increases in Utrn transcripts and bioluminescent signals, and these responses were independently verified by conditional Ezh2 deletion. Inhibition of ERK1/2 signalling provoked an additional increase in Utrn expression that was also seen in Dmd-mutant cells, and maintained as myoblasts differentiate. These data reveal PRC2 and ERK1/2 to be negative regulators of Utrn expression and provide specialised molecular imaging tools to monitor utrophin expression as a therapeutic strategy for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J Gleneadie
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Beatriz Fernandez-Ruiz
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alessandro Sardini
- Whole Animal Physiology and Imaging Facility, MRC LMS, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Mathew Van de Pette
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
- MRC Toxicology Unit, Gleeson Building, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QR, UK
| | - Andrew Dimond
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Rab K Prinjha
- Immunology and Epigenetics Research Unit, Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - James McGinty
- Photonics Group, Department of Physics, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Paul M W French
- Photonics Group, Department of Physics, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Hakan Bagci
- Lymphocyte Development Group, MRC LMS, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Matthias Merkenschlager
- Lymphocyte Development Group, MRC LMS, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Amanda G Fisher
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, OX1 3QU, Oxford, UK.
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14
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Enzyme Replacement Therapy for FABRY Disease: Possible Strategies to Improve Its Efficacy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054548. [PMID: 36901983 PMCID: PMC10003632 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Enzyme replacement therapy is the only therapeutic option for Fabry patients with completely absent AGAL activity. However, the treatment has side effects, is costly, and requires conspicuous amounts of recombinant human protein (rh-AGAL). Thus, its optimization would benefit patients and welfare/health services (i.e., society at large). In this brief report, we describe preliminary results paving the way for two possible approaches: i. the combination of enzyme replacement therapy with pharmacological chaperones; and ii. the identification of AGAL interactors as possible therapeutic targets on which to act. We first showed that galactose, a low-affinity pharmacological chaperone, can prolong AGAL half-life in patient-derived cells treated with rh-AGAL. Then, we analyzed the interactomes of intracellular AGAL on patient-derived AGAL-defective fibroblasts treated with the two rh-AGALs approved for therapeutic purposes and compared the obtained interactomes to the one associated with endogenously produced AGAL (data available as PXD039168 on ProteomeXchange). Common interactors were aggregated and screened for sensitivity to known drugs. Such an interactor-drug list represents a starting point to deeply screen approved drugs and identify those that can affect (positively or negatively) enzyme replacement therapy.
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15
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Valduga AH, Mizobuti DS, Moraes FDSR, Mâncio RD, Moraes LHR, Hermes TDA, Macedo AB, Minatel E. Protection of dystrophic muscle cells using Idebenone correlates with the interplay between calcium, oxidative stress and inflammation. Int J Exp Pathol 2023; 104:4-12. [PMID: 36565155 PMCID: PMC9845605 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
There is strong cross-talk between abnormal intracellular calcium concentration, high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an exacerbated inflammatory process in the dystrophic muscles of mdx mice, the experimental model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In this study, we investigated effects of Idebenone, a potent anti-oxidant, on oxidative stress markers, the anti-oxidant defence system, intracellular calcium concentrations and the inflammatory process in primary dystrophic muscle cells from mdx mice. Dystrophic muscle cells were treated with Idebenone (0.05 μM) for 24 h. The untreated mdx muscle cells were used as controls. The MTT assay showed that Idebenone did not have a cytotoxic effect on the dystrophic muscle cells. The Idebenone treatment was able to reduce the levels of oxidative stress markers, such as H2 O2 and 4-HNE, as well as decreasing intracellular calcium influx in the dystrophic muscle cells. Regarding Idebenone effects on the anti-oxidant defence system, an up-regulation of catalase levels, glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was observed in the dystrophic muscle cells. In addition, the Idebenone treatment was also associated with reduction in inflammatory molecules, such as nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in mdx muscle cells. These outcomes supported the use of Idebenone as a protective agent against oxidative stress and related signalling mechanisms involved in dystrophinopathies, such as DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Harduim Valduga
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de BiologiaUniversidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasSao PauloBrazil
| | - Daniela Sayuri Mizobuti
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de BiologiaUniversidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasSao PauloBrazil
| | - Fernanda dos Santos Rapucci Moraes
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de BiologiaUniversidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasSao PauloBrazil
| | - Rafael Dias Mâncio
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de BiologiaUniversidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasSao PauloBrazil
| | - Luis Henrique Rapucci Moraes
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de BiologiaUniversidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasSao PauloBrazil
| | - Túlio de Almeida Hermes
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de BiologiaUniversidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasSao PauloBrazil
| | - Aline Barbosa Macedo
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de BiologiaUniversidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasSao PauloBrazil
| | - Elaine Minatel
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de BiologiaUniversidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasSao PauloBrazil
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16
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Monticelli M, Hay Mele B, Allocca M, Liguori L, Lukas J, Monti MC, Morretta E, Cubellis MV, Andreotti G. Curcumin Has Beneficial Effects on Lysosomal Alpha-Galactosidase: Potential Implications for the Cure of Fabry Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021095. [PMID: 36674610 PMCID: PMC9863837 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Fabry disease is a lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in the GLA gene that encodes alpha-galactosidase (AGAL). The disease causes abnormal globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) storage in the lysosomes. Variants responsible for the genotypic spectrum of Fabry disease include mutations that abolish enzymatic activity and those that cause protein instability. The latter can be successfully treated with small molecules that either bind and stabilize AGAL or indirectly improve its cellular activity. This paper describes the first attempt to reposition curcumin, a nutraceutical, to treat Fabry disease. We tested the efficacy of curcumin in a cell model and found an improvement in AGAL activity for 80% of the tested mutant genotypes (four out of five tested). The fold-increase was dependent on the mutant and ranged from 1.4 to 2.2. We produced evidence that supports a co-chaperone role for curcumin when administered with AGAL pharmacological chaperones (1-deoxygalactonojirimycin and galactose). The combined treatment with curcumin and either pharmacological chaperone was beneficial for four out of five tested mutants and showed fold-increases ranging from 1.1 to 2.3 for DGJ and from 1.1 to 2.8 for galactose. Finally, we tested a long-term treatment on one mutant (L300F) and detected an improvement in Gb3 clearance and lysosomal markers (LAMP-1 and GAA). Altogether, our findings confirmed the necessity of personalized therapies for Fabry patients and paved the way to further studies and trials of treatments for Fabry disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Monticelli
- Department of Biology, University of Napoli “Federico II”, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126 Napoli, Italy
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry ICB, CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Bruno Hay Mele
- Department of Biology, University of Napoli “Federico II”, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Allocca
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry ICB, CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Ludovica Liguori
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry ICB, CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Jan Lukas
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University Medical Center Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Maria Chiara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Elva Morretta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Maria Vittoria Cubellis
- Department of Biology, University of Napoli “Federico II”, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126 Napoli, Italy
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry ICB, CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-679-152
| | - Giuseppina Andreotti
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry ICB, CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
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17
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Péladeau C, Jasmin BJ. Identifying FDA-Approved Drugs that Upregulate Utrophin A as a Therapeutic Strategy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2587:495-510. [PMID: 36401046 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2772-3_26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular disease caused by mutations and deletions within the DMD gene, which result in a lack of dystrophin protein at the sarcolemma of skeletal muscle fibers. The absence of dystrophin fragilizes the sarcolemma and compromises its integrity during cycles of muscle contraction, which, progressively, leads to reductions in muscle mass and function. DMD is thus a progressive muscle-wasting disease that results in a loss of ambulation, cardiomyopathy , respiratory impairment, and death. Although there is presently no cure for DMD, recent advances have led to many promising treatments. One such approach entails increasing expression of a homologous protein to dystrophin, named utrophin A, which is endogenously expressed in both healthy and DMD muscle fibers. Upregulation of utrophin A all along the sarcolemma of DMD muscle fibers can, in part, compensate for the absence of dystrophin. Over the years, our laboratory has focused a significant portion of our efforts in identifying and characterizing drugs and small molecules for their ability to target utrophin A and cause its overexpression. As part of these efforts, we have recently developed a novel ELISA-based high-throughput drug screen, to identify FDA-approved drugs that increase the expression of utrophin A in muscle cells in culture as well as in dystrophic mice. Here, we describe our overall strategy to identify and characterize several FDA-approved drugs that upregulate utrophin A expression and provide details on all experimental approaches. Such strategy has the potential to lead to the rapid development of novel therapeutics for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Péladeau
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and the Eric Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Bernard J Jasmin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and the Eric Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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18
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Fortunato F, Ferlini A. Biomarkers in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Current Status and Future Directions. J Neuromuscul Dis 2023; 10:987-1002. [PMID: 37545256 PMCID: PMC10657716 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-221666] [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] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe, X-linked disease characterized by decreased muscle mass and function in children. Genetic and biochemical research over the years has led to the characterization of the cause and the pathophysiology of the disease. Moreover, the elucidation of genetic mechanisms underlining Duchenne muscular dystrophy has allowed for the design of innovative personalized therapies.The identification of specific, accurate, and sensitive biomarkers is becoming crucial for evaluating muscle disease progression and response to therapies, disease monitoring, and the acceleration of drug development and related regulatory processes.This review illustrated the up-to-date progress in the development of candidate biomarkers in DMD at the level of proteins, metabolites, micro-RNAs (miRNAs) and genetic modifiers also highlighting the complexity of translating research results to clinical practice.We highlighted the challenges encountered in translating biomarkers into the clinical context and the existing bottlenecks hampering the adoption of biomarkers as surrogate endpoints. These challenges could be overcome by national and international collaborative efforts, multicenter data sharing, definition of public biobanks and patients' registries, and creation of large cohorts of patients. Novel statistical tools/ models suitable to analyze small patient numbers are also required.Finally, collaborations with pharmaceutical companies would greatly benefit biomarker discovery and their translation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Fortunato
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ferlini
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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19
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Yedigaryan L, Sampaolesi M. Extracellular vesicles and Duchenne muscular dystrophy pathology: Modulators of disease progression. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1130063. [PMID: 36891137 PMCID: PMC9987248 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1130063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating disorder and is considered to be one of the worst forms of inherited muscular dystrophies. DMD occurs as a result of mutations in the dystrophin gene, leading to progressive muscle fiber degradation and weakness. Although DMD pathology has been studied for many years, there are aspects of disease pathogenesis and progression that have not been thoroughly explored yet. The underlying issue with this is that the development of further effective therapies becomes stalled. It is becoming more evident that extracellular vesicles (EVs) may contribute to DMD pathology. EVs are vesicles secreted by cells that exert a multitude of effects via their lipid, protein, and RNA cargo. EV cargo (especially microRNAs) is also said to be a good biomarker for identifying the status of specific pathological processes that occur in dystrophic muscle, such as fibrosis, degeneration, inflammation, adipogenic degeneration, and dilated cardiomyopathy. On the other hand, EVs are becoming more prominent vehicles for custom-engineered cargos. In this review, we will discuss the possible contribution of EVs to DMD pathology, their potential use as biomarkers, and the therapeutic efficacy of both, EV secretion inhibition and custom-engineered cargo delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Yedigaryan
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maurilio Sampaolesi
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Histology and Medical Embryology Unit, Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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20
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Pokrovsky MV, Korokin MV, Krayushkina AM, Zhunusov NS, Lapin KN, Soldatova MO, Kuzmin EA, Gudyrev OS, Kochkarova IS, Deikin AV. CONVENTIONAL APPROACHES TO THE THERAPY OF HEREDITARY MYOPATHIES. PHARMACY & PHARMACOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.19163/2307-9266-2022-10-5-416-431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the work was to analyze the available therapeutic options for the conventional therapy of hereditary myopathies.Materials and methods. When searching for the material for writing a review article, such abstract databases as PubMed and Google Scholar were used. The search was carried out on the publications during the period from 1980 to September 2022. The following words and their combinations were selected as parameters for the literature selection: “myopathy”, “Duchenne”, “myodystrophy”, “metabolic”, “mitochondrial”, “congenital”, “symptoms”, “replacement”, “recombinant”, “corticosteroids”, “vitamins”, “tirasemtiv”, “therapy”, “treatment”, “evidence”, “clinical trials”, “patients”, “dichloracetate”.Results. Congenital myopathies are a heterogeneous group of pathologies that are caused by atrophy and degeneration of muscle fibers due to mutations in genes. Based on a number of clinical and pathogenetic features, hereditary myopathies are divided into: 1) congenital myopathies; 2) muscular dystrophy; 3) mitochondrial and 4) metabolic myopathies. At the same time, treatment approaches vary significantly depending on the type of myopathy and can be based on 1) substitution of the mutant protein; 2) an increase in its expression; 3) stimulation of the internal compensatory pathways expression; 4) restoration of the compounds balance associated with the mutant protein function (for enzymes); 5) impact on the mitochondrial function (with metabolic and mitochondrial myopathies); 6) reduction of inflammation and fibrosis (with muscular dystrophies); as well as 7) an increase in muscle mass and strength. The current review presents current data on each of the listed approaches, as well as specific pharmacological agents with a description of their action mechanisms.Conclusion. Currently, the following pharmacological groups are used or undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of various myopathies types: inotropic, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic drugs, antimyostatin therapy and the drugs that promote translation through stop codons (applicable for nonsense mutations). In addition, metabolic drugs, metabolic enzyme cofactors, mitochondrial biogenesis stimulators, and antioxidants can be used to treat myopathies. Finally, the recombinant drugs alglucosidase and avalglucosidase have been clinically approved for the replacement therapy of metabolic myopathies (Pompe’s disease).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - K. N. Lapin
- V.A. Negovsky Research Institute of General Reanimatology, Federal Scientific and Clinical Center for Resuscitation and Rehabilitology
| | | | - E. A. Kuzmin
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
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21
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Groh WJ, Bhakta D, Tomaselli GF, Aleong RG, Teixeira RA, Amato A, Asirvatham SJ, Cha YM, Corrado D, Duboc D, Goldberger ZD, Horie M, Hornyak JE, Jefferies JL, Kääb S, Kalman JM, Kertesz NJ, Lakdawala NK, Lambiase PD, Lubitz SA, McMillan HJ, McNally EM, Milone M, Namboodiri N, Nazarian S, Patton KK, Russo V, Sacher F, Santangeli P, Shen WK, Sobral Filho DC, Stambler BS, Stöllberger C, Wahbi K, Wehrens XHT, Weiner MM, Wheeler MT, Zeppenfeld K. 2022 HRS expert consensus statement on evaluation and management of arrhythmic risk in neuromuscular disorders. Heart Rhythm 2022; 19:e61-e120. [PMID: 35500790 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2022.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
This international multidisciplinary document is intended to guide electrophysiologists, cardiologists, other clinicians, and health care professionals in caring for patients with arrhythmic complications of neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). The document presents an overview of arrhythmias in NMDs followed by detailed sections on specific disorders: Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2; myotonic dystrophy type 1 and type 2; Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 1B; facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy; and mitochondrial myopathies, including Friedreich ataxia and Kearns-Sayre syndrome, with an emphasis on managing arrhythmic cardiac manifestations. End-of-life management of arrhythmias in patients with NMDs is also covered. The document sections were drafted by the writing committee members according to their area of expertise. The recommendations represent the consensus opinion of the expert writing group, graded by class of recommendation and level of evidence utilizing defined criteria. The recommendations were made available for public comment; the document underwent review by the Heart Rhythm Society Scientific and Clinical Documents Committee and external review and endorsement by the partner and collaborating societies. Changes were incorporated based on these reviews. By using a breadth of accumulated available evidence, the document is designed to provide practical and actionable clinical information and recommendations for the diagnosis and management of arrhythmias and thus improve the care of patients with NMDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Groh
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Deepak Bhakta
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | | | | | - Anthony Amato
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Denis Duboc
- Cardiology Department, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Zachary D Goldberger
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Minoru Horie
- Shiga University of Medical Sciences, Otsu, Japan
| | | | | | - Stefan Kääb
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jonathan M Kalman
- Royal Melbourne Hospital and University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Neal K Lakdawala
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Pier D Lambiase
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, University College London, and St Bartholomew's Hospital London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Hugh J McMillan
- Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | - Narayanan Namboodiri
- Sree Chitra Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | | | | | | | - Frederic Sacher
- Bordeaux University Hospital, LIRYC Institute, Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Claudia Stöllberger
- Second Medical Department with Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Klinik Landstraße, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karim Wahbi
- Cardiology Department, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, Université de Paris, Paris, France
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22
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Chatzopoulou M, Conole D, Emer E, Rowley JA, Willis NJ, Squire SE, Gill B, Brough S, Wilson FX, Wynne GM, Davies SG, Davies KE, Russell AJ. Structure-activity relationships of 2-pyrimidinecarbohydrazides as utrophin modulators for the potential treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 69:116812. [PMID: 35772287 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
A therapeutic approach that holds the potential to treat all Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patient populations is utrophin modulation. Ezutromid, a first generation utrophin modulator which was later found to act via antagonism of the arylhydrocarbon receptor, progressed to Phase 2 clinical trials. Although interim data showed target engagement and functional improvements, ezutromid ultimately failed to meet its clinical endpoints. We recently described the identification of a new class of hydrazide utrophin modulators which has a different mechanism of action to ezutromid. In this study we report our early optimisation studies on this hydrazide series. The new analogues had significantly improved potency in cell-based assays, increased sp3 character and reduced lipophilicity, which also improved their physicochemical properties. A representative new analogue combining these attributes increased utrophin protein in dystrophic mouse cells showing it can be used as a chemical tool to reveal new insights regarding utrophin upregulation as a strategy for DMD therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chatzopoulou
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Daniel Conole
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Enrico Emer
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Jessica A Rowley
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Nicky J Willis
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Sarah E Squire
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Becky Gill
- Key Organics Ltd, Highfield Road Industrial Estate, Camelford, Cornwall PL32 9RA, UK
| | - Steve Brough
- Key Organics Ltd, Highfield Road Industrial Estate, Camelford, Cornwall PL32 9RA, UK
| | - Francis X Wilson
- Summit Therapeutics Plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, UK
| | - Graham M Wynne
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Stephen G Davies
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Kay E Davies
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Angela J Russell
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK; Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3PQ, UK
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23
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Long-Term Biodistribution and Safety of Human Dystrophin Expressing Chimeric Cell Therapy After Systemic-Intraosseous Administration to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Model. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2022; 70:20. [PMID: 35978142 PMCID: PMC9385806 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-022-00656-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal disease caused by X-linked mutations in the dystrophin gene. Dystrophin deficiency results in progressive degeneration of cardiac, respiratory and skeletal muscles leading to premature death due to cardiopulmonary complications. Currently, no cure exists for DMD. Based on our previous reports confirming a protective effect of human dystrophin expressing chimeric (DEC) cell therapy on cardiac, respiratory, and skeletal muscle function after intraosseous administration, now we assessed long-term safety and biodistribution of human DEC therapy for potential clinical applications in DMD patients. Safety of different DEC doses (1 × 106 and 5 × 106) was assessed at 180 days after systemic-intraosseous administration to mdx/scid mice, a model of DMD. Assessments included: single cell gel electrophoresis assay (COMET assay) to confirm lack of genetic toxicology, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for tumorigenicity, and body, muscle and organ weights. Human DEC biodistribution to the target (heart, diaphragm, gastrocnemius muscle) and non-target (blood, bone marrow, lung, liver, spleen) organs was detected by flow cytometry assessment of HLA-ABC markers. Human origin of dystrophin was verified by co-localization of dystrophin and human spectrin by immunofluorescence. No complications were observed after intraosseous transplant of human DEC. COMET assay of donors and fused DEC cells confirmed lack of DNA damage. Biodistribution analysis of HLA-ABC expression revealed dose-dependent presence of human DEC cells in target organs, whereas negligible presence was detected in non-target organs. Human origin of dystrophin in the heart, diaphragm and gastrocnemius muscle was confirmed by co-localization of dystrophin expression with human spectrin. MRI revealed no evidence of tumor formation. Body mass and muscle and organ weights were stable and comparable to vehicle controls, further confirming DEC safety at 180 days post- transplant. This preclinical study confirmed long-term local and systemic safety of human DEC therapy at 180 days after intraosseous administration. Thus, DEC can be considered as a novel myoblast based advanced therapy medicinal product for DMD patients.
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24
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Chung Liang L, Sulaiman N, Yazid MD. A Decade of Progress in Gene Targeted Therapeutic Strategies in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Systematic Review. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:833833. [PMID: 35402409 PMCID: PMC8984139 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.833833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
As one of the most severe forms of muscle dystrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) results in progressive muscle wasting, ultimately resulting in premature death due to cardiomyopathy. In the many years of research, the solution to DMD remains palliative. Although numerous studies including clinical trials have provided promising results, approved drugs, even, the therapeutic window is still minimal with many shortcomings to be addressed. Logically, to combat DMD that arose from a single genetic mutation with gene therapy made sense. However, gene-based strategies as a treatment option are no stranger to drawbacks and limitations such as the size of the dystrophin gene and possibilities of vectors to elicit immune responses. In this systematic review, we aim to provide a comprehensive compilation on gene-based therapeutic strategies and critically evaluate the approaches relative to its efficacy and feasibility while addressing their current limitations. With the keywords “DMD AND Gene OR Genetic AND Therapy OR Treatment,” we reviewed papers published in Science Direct, PubMed, and ProQuest over the past decade (2012–2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lam Chung Liang
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nadiah Sulaiman
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Dain Yazid
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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25
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Sahani R, Wallace CH, Jones BK, Blemker SS. Diaphragm muscle fibrosis involves changes in collagen organization with mechanical implications in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2022; 132:653-672. [PMID: 35050792 PMCID: PMC9076426 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00248.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), diaphragm muscle dysfunction results in respiratory insufficiency, a leading cause of death in patients. Increased muscle stiffness occurs with buildup of fibrotic tissue, characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as collagen, and prevents the diaphragm from achieving the excursion lengths required for respiration. However, changes in mechanical properties are not explained by collagen amount alone and we must consider the complex structure and mechanics of fibrotic tissue. The goals of our study were to 1) determine if and how collagen organization changes with the progression of DMD in diaphragm muscle tissue and 2) predict how collagen organization influences the mechanical properties of the ECM. We first visualized collagen structure with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and then developed an analysis framework to quantify collagen organization and generate image-based finite-element models. Image analysis revealed increased collagen fiber straightness and alignment in mdx over wild type (WT) at 3 mo (straightness: mdx = 0.976 ± 0.0108, WT = 0.887 ± 0.0309, alignment: mdx = 0.876 ± 0.0333, WT = 0.759 ± 0.0416) and 6 mo (straightness: mdx = 0.942 ± 0.0182, WT = 0.881 ± 0.0163, alignment: mdx = 0.840 ± 0.0315, WT = 0.759 ± 0.0368). Collagen fibers retained a transverse orientation relative to muscle fibers (70°-90°) in all groups. Mechanical models predicted an increase in the transverse relative to longitudinal (muscle fiber direction) stiffness, with stiffness ratio (transverse/longitudinal) increased in mdx over WT at 3 mo (mdx = 5.45 ± 2.04, WT = 1.97 ± 0.670) and 6 mo (mdx = 4.05 ± 0.985, WT = 1.96 ± 0.506). This study revealed changes in diaphragm ECM structure and mechanics during disease progression in the mdx muscular dystrophy mouse phenotype, highlighting the need to consider the role of collagen organization on diaphragm muscle function.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Scanning electron microscopy images of decellularized diaphragm muscle from WT and mdx, Duchenne muscular dystrophy model, mice revealed that collagen fibers in the epimysium are oriented transverse to muscle fibers, with age- and disease-dependent changes in collagen arrangement. Finite-element models generated from these images predicted that changes in collagen arrangement during disease progression influence the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix. Thus, changes in collagen fiber-level structure are implicated on tissue-level properties during fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ridhi Sahani
- 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - C. Hunter Wallace
- 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Brian K. Jones
- 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Silvia S. Blemker
- 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia,2Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia,3Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
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26
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He X, Liu J, Gu F, Chen J, Lu YW, Ding J, Guo H, Nie M, Kataoka M, Lin Z, Hu X, Chen H, Liao X, Dong Y, Min W, Deng ZL, Pu WT, Huang ZP, Wang DZ. Cardiac CIP protein regulates dystrophic cardiomyopathy. Mol Ther 2022; 30:898-914. [PMID: 34400329 PMCID: PMC8822131 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart failure is a leading cause of fatality in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Previously, we discovered that cardiac and skeletal-muscle-enriched CIP proteins play important roles in cardiac function. Here, we report that CIP, a striated muscle-specific protein, participates in the regulation of dystrophic cardiomyopathy. Using a mouse model of human DMD, we found that deletion of CIP leads to dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure in young, non-syndromic mdx mice. Conversely, transgenic overexpression of CIP reduces pathological dystrophic cardiomyopathy in old, syndromic mdx mice. Genome-wide transcriptome analyses reveal that molecular pathways involving fibrogenesis and oxidative stress are affected in CIP-mediated dystrophic cardiomyopathy. Mechanistically, we found that CIP interacts with dystrophin and calcineurin (CnA) to suppress the CnA-Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells (NFAT) pathway, which results in decreased expression of Nox4, a key component of the oxidative stress pathway. Overexpression of Nox4 accelerates the development of dystrophic cardiomyopathy in mdx mice. Our study indicates CIP is a modifier of dystrophic cardiomyopathy and a potential therapeutic target for this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin He
- Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 320 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianming Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 320 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Fei Gu
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 320 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jinghai Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 320 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cardiology, Provincial Key Lab of Cardiovascular Research, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Yao Wei Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 320 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jian Ding
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 320 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Haipeng Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 320 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Critical Care and Emergency Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Mao Nie
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 320 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Masaharu Kataoka
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 320 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cardiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Zhiqiang Lin
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 320 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 320 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Huaqun Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 320 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Biology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinxue Liao
- Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yugang Dong
- Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China
| | - Wang Min
- Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhong-Liang Deng
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 320 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - William T Pu
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 320 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Zhan-Peng Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China; National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Da-Zhi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 320 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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27
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Bhagavan SM, Ramaswamy SB, Mehta TR, Govindarajan R. Approach to Limb Weakness. Semin Neurol 2021; 41:644-666. [PMID: 34826869 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1726357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
"Approach to limb weakness" provides an overview of the pathways of the motor system and the type of weakness seen with pathology at each level from the cortex to the muscle. This article provides the clinical pearls needed to identify different patterns of weakness and accurately localize the level of weakness. It offers important pointers that help distinguish among the different etiologies of weakness at each level, as well as various diagnostic approaches and treatments of diseases that lead to limb weakness. The diagnoses discussed are meant to be representative and not exhaustive, as a complete differential for each pattern of weakness is beyond the scope of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tejas R Mehta
- Department of Neurology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
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28
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Fortunato F, Farnè M, Ferlini A. The DMD gene and therapeutic approaches to restore dystrophin. Neuromuscul Disord 2021; 31:1013-1020. [PMID: 34736624 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe X-linked disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness. It is caused by a variety of DMD gene pathogenic variations (large deletions or duplications, and small mutations) which leads to the absence or to a decreased amount of dystrophin protein. The allelic Becker muscular dystrophy is characterized by later onset and milder muscle involvement, and other rarer phenotypes might also be associated, such as dilated cardiomyopathy, cognitive impairment, and other neurological signs. Following the identification of the genetic cause and the disease pathophysiology, innovative personalized therapies emerged. These can be categorized into two main groups: (1) therapies aiming at the restoration of dystrophin at the sarcolemma; (2) therapeutics dealing with secondary consequences of dystrophin deficiency. In this review we provide an overview about DMD genotype-phenotype correlation, and on main approaches to restore dystrophin as stop codon read-through, exon skipping, vector-mediated gene therapy, and genome-editing strategies, some of these are based on approved orphan drugs. Finally, we present the clinical potential of novel strategies combining therapies to correct the genetic defect and other approaches, targeting secondary downstream pathological cascade due to dystrophin deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Fortunato
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marianna Farnè
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ferlini
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Dubowitz Neuromuscular Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College of London, London, UK.
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29
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Lin CW, Tsui PH, Lu CH, Hung YH, Tsai MR, Shieh JY, Weng WC. Quantifying Lower Limb Muscle Stiffness as Ambulation Function Declines in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy with Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Shear Wave Elastography. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2021; 47:2880-2889. [PMID: 34284931 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2021.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscular disease, but validated imaging tools to quantify muscle microstructure alteration as mobility declines are lacking. We aimed to determine the feasibility of using acoustic radiation force impulse shear-wave elastography (ARFI/SWE) in the quantitative assessment of lower limb muscle stiffness in DMD patients. Shear wave velocities (SWVs) of lower limbs were measured in 39 DMD patients and 36 healthy controls aged 3-20 y. Mean SWV values of the controls and of the DMD patients at different ambulatory stages were compared using analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction. The DMD group had increased lower limb muscle stiffness compared with controls. Stiffness of the tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius muscle decreased from ambulatory to early non-ambulatory stages, whereas stiffness of the rectus femoris muscle increased from ambulatory to late non-ambulatory stages. We describe how SWV changes in lower limb muscles have the potential to predict ambulatory decline in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Wei Lin
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hsiang Tsui
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hao Lu
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | | | - Meng-Ru Tsai
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-Yi Shieh
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chin Weng
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatric Neurology, National Taiwan University Children's Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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30
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Marine T, Marielle S, Graziella M, Fabio RMV. Macrophages in Skeletal Muscle Dystrophies, An Entangled Partner. J Neuromuscul Dis 2021; 9:1-23. [PMID: 34542080 PMCID: PMC8842758 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-210737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
While skeletal muscle remodeling happens throughout life, diseases that result in its dysfunction are accountable for many deaths. Indeed, skeletal muscle is exceptionally capable to respond to stimuli modifying its homeostasis, such as in atrophy, hypertrophy, regeneration and repair. In particular conditions such as genetic diseases (muscular dystrophies), skeletal muscle’s capacity to remodel is strongly affected and undergoes continuous cycles of chronic damage. This induces scarring, fatty infiltration, as well as loss of contractibility and of the ability to generate force. In this context, inflammation, primarily mediated by macrophages, plays a central pathogenic role. Macrophages contribute as the primary regulators of inflammation during skeletal muscle regeneration, affecting tissue-resident cells such as myogenic cells and endothelial cells, but also fibro-adipogenic progenitors, which are the main source of the fibro fatty scar. During skeletal muscle regeneration their function is tightly orchestrated, while in dystrophies their fate is strongly disturbed, resulting in chronic inflammation. In this review, we will discuss the latest findings on the role of macrophages in skeletal muscle diseases, and how they are regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theret Marine
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada
| | - Saclier Marielle
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria, Milan, Italy
| | - Messina Graziella
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria, Milan, Italy
| | - Rossi M V Fabio
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada
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31
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Soblechero-Martín P, Albiasu-Arteta E, Anton-Martinez A, de la Puente-Ovejero L, Garcia-Jimenez I, González-Iglesias G, Larrañaga-Aiestaran I, López-Martínez A, Poyatos-García J, Ruiz-Del-Yerro E, Gonzalez F, Arechavala-Gomeza V. Duchenne muscular dystrophy cell culture models created by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and their application in drug screening. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18188. [PMID: 34521928 PMCID: PMC8440673 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97730-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene editing methods are an attractive therapeutic option for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and they have an immediate application in the generation of research models. To generate myoblast cultures that could be useful in in vitro drug screening, we have optimised a CRISPR/Cas9 gene edition protocol. We have successfully used it in wild type immortalised myoblasts to delete exon 52 of the dystrophin gene, modelling a common Duchenne muscular dystrophy mutation; and in patient's immortalised cultures we have deleted an inhibitory microRNA target region of the utrophin UTR, leading to utrophin upregulation. We have characterised these cultures by demonstrating, respectively, inhibition of dystrophin expression and overexpression of utrophin, and evaluating the expression of myogenic factors (Myf5 and MyH3) and components of the dystrophin associated glycoprotein complex (α-sarcoglycan and β-dystroglycan). To demonstrate their use in the assessment of DMD treatments, we have performed exon skipping on the DMDΔ52-Model and have used the unedited DMD cultures/ DMD-UTRN-Model combo to assess utrophin overexpression after drug treatment. While the practical use of DMDΔ52-Model is limited to the validation to our gene editing protocol, DMD-UTRN-Model presents a possible therapeutic gene edition target as well as a useful positive control in the screening of utrophin overexpression drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Soblechero-Martín
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain.,Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Bilbao-Basurto Integrated Health Organisation, Basurto University Hospital, Clinical Laboratory Service, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Edurne Albiasu-Arteta
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Aina Anton-Martinez
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | | | - Iker Garcia-Jimenez
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | | | - Irene Larrañaga-Aiestaran
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Andrea López-Martínez
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | | | - Estíbaliz Ruiz-Del-Yerro
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Federico Gonzalez
- Pluripotent Stem Cells and Activation of Endogenous Tissue Programs for Organ Regeneration (PR Lab), Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Virginia Arechavala-Gomeza
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain. .,Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.
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Yao S, Chen Z, Yu Y, Zhang N, Jiang H, Zhang G, Zhang Z, Zhang B. Current Pharmacological Strategies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:689533. [PMID: 34490244 PMCID: PMC8417245 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.689533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal, X-linked neuromuscular disorder caused by the absence of dystrophin protein, which is essential for muscle fiber integrity. Loss of dystrophin protein leads to recurrent myofiber damage, chronic inflammation, progressive fibrosis, and dysfunction of muscle stem cells. There is still no cure for DMD so far and the standard of care is principally limited to symptom relief through glucocorticoids treatments. Current therapeutic strategies could be divided into two lines. Dystrophin-targeted therapeutic strategies that aim at restoring the expression and/or function of dystrophin, including gene-based, cell-based and protein replacement therapies. The other line of therapeutic strategies aims to improve muscle function and quality by targeting the downstream pathological changes, including inflammation, fibrosis, and muscle atrophy. This review introduces the important developments in these two lines of strategies, especially those that have entered the clinical phase and/or have great potential for clinical translation. The rationale and efficacy of each agent in pre-clinical or clinical studies are presented. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of gene profiling in DMD patients has been performed to understand the molecular mechanisms of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Yao
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Zihao Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Yuanyuan Yu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Ning Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Hewen Jiang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Ge Zhang
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Zongkang Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Baoting Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
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Giovarelli M, Zecchini S, Catarinella G, Moscheni C, Sartori P, Barbieri C, Roux-Biejat P, Napoli A, Vantaggiato C, Cervia D, Perrotta C, Clementi E, Latella L, De Palma C. Givinostat as metabolic enhancer reverting mitochondrial biogenesis deficit in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Pharmacol Res 2021; 170:105751. [PMID: 34197911 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a rare disorder characterized by progressive muscle wasting, weakness, and premature death. Remarkable progress has been made in genetic approaches, restoring dystrophin, or its function. However, the targeting of secondary pathological mechanisms, such as increasing muscle blood flow or stopping fibrosis, remains important to improve the therapeutic benefits, that depend on tackling both the genetic disease and the downstream consequences. Mitochondrial dysfunctions are one of the earliest deficits in DMD, arise from multiple cellular stressors and result in less than 50% of ATP content in dystrophic muscles. Here we establish that there are two temporally distinct phases of mitochondrial damage with depletion of mitochondrial mass at early stages and an accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria at later stages, leading to a different oxidative fibers pattern, in young and adult mdx mice. We also observe a progressive mitochondrial biogenesis impairment associated with increased deacetylation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1 α (PGC-1α) promoter. Such histone deacetylation is inhibited by givinostat that positively modifies the epigenetic profile of PGC-1α promoter, sustaining mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative fiber type switch. We, therefore, demonstrate that givinostat exerts relevant effects at mitochondrial level, acting as a metabolic remodeling agent capable of efficiently promoting mitochondrial biogenesis in dystrophic muscle.
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MESH Headings
- Acetylation
- Animals
- Carbamates/pharmacology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Energy Metabolism/drug effects
- Epigenesis, Genetic
- Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Mice, Inbred mdx
- Mitochondria, Muscle/drug effects
- Mitochondria, Muscle/metabolism
- Mitochondria, Muscle/pathology
- Muscle, Skeletal/drug effects
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/drug therapy
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/metabolism
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/pathology
- Organelle Biogenesis
- Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha/genetics
- Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha/metabolism
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Giovarelli
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Zecchini
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgia Catarinella
- IRCCS, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome 00142, Italy; DAHFMO, Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Moscheni
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Sartori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Barbieri
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Paulina Roux-Biejat
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Napoli
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Vantaggiato
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, via Don Luigi Monza 20, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Davide Cervia
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, largo dell'Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Cristiana Perrotta
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Emilio Clementi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy; Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, via Don Luigi Monza 20, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Lucia Latella
- IRCCS, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome 00142, Italy; Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Clara De Palma
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BioMeTra), Università degli Studi di Milano, via L. Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, Italy.
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34
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Péladeau C, Sandhu JK. Aberrant NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Ignites the Fire of Inflammation in Neuromuscular Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22116068. [PMID: 34199845 PMCID: PMC8200055 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammasomes are molecular hubs that are assembled and activated by a host in response to various microbial and non-microbial stimuli and play a pivotal role in maintaining tissue homeostasis. The NLRP3 is a highly promiscuous inflammasome that is activated by a wide variety of sterile triggers, including misfolded protein aggregates, and drives chronic inflammation via caspase-1-mediated proteolytic cleavage and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β and interleukin-18. These cytokines further amplify inflammatory responses by activating various signaling cascades, leading to the recruitment of immune cells and overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, resulting in a vicious cycle of chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Neuromuscular diseases are a heterogeneous group of muscle disorders that involve injury or dysfunction of peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junctions and muscles. A growing body of evidence suggests that dysregulation, impairment or aberrant NLRP3 inflammasome signaling leads to the initiation and exacerbation of pathological processes associated with neuromuscular diseases. In this review, we summarize the available knowledge about the NLRP3 inflammasome in neuromuscular diseases that affect the peripheral nervous system and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which affects the central nervous system. In addition, we also examine whether therapeutic targeting of the NLRP3 inflammasome components is a viable approach to alleviating the detrimental phenotype of neuromuscular diseases and improving clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Péladeau
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada;
| | - Jagdeep K. Sandhu
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada;
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-613-993-5304
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35
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Sherlock SP, Zhang Y, Binks M, Marraffino S. Quantitative muscle MRI biomarkers in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: cross-sectional correlations with age and functional tests. Biomark Med 2021; 15:761-773. [PMID: 34155911 PMCID: PMC8253163 DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2020-0801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Using baseline data from a clinical trial of domagrozumab in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, we evaluated the correlation between functional measures and quantitative MRI assessments of thigh muscle. Patients & methods: Analysis included timed functional tests, knee extension/strength and North Star Ambulatory Assessment. Patients (n = 120) underwent examinations of one thigh, with MRI sequences to enable measurements of muscle volume (MV), MV index, mean T2 relaxation time via T2-mapping and fat fraction. Results: MV was moderately correlated with strength assessments. MV index, fat fraction and T2-mapping measures had moderate correlations (r ∼ 0.5) to all functional tests, North Star Ambulatory Assessment and age. Conclusion: The moderate correlation between functional tests, age and baseline MRI measures supports MRI as a biomarker in Duchenne muscular dystrophy clinical trials. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02310763; registered 4 November 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yao Zhang
- Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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36
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Liao AH, Chen JR, Liu SH, Lu CH, Lin CW, Shieh JY, Weng WC, Tsui PH. Deep Learning of Ultrasound Imaging for Evaluating Ambulatory Function of Individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11060963. [PMID: 34071811 PMCID: PMC8228495 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11060963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) results in loss of ambulation and premature death. Ultrasound provides real-time, safe, and cost-effective routine examinations. Deep learning allows the automatic generation of useful features for classification. This study utilized deep learning of ultrasound imaging for classifying patients with DMD based on their ambulatory function. A total of 85 individuals (including ambulatory and nonambulatory subjects) underwent ultrasound examinations of the gastrocnemius for deep learning of image data using LeNet, AlexNet, VGG-16, VGG-16TL, VGG-19, and VGG-19TL models (the notation TL indicates fine-tuning pretrained models). Gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) was used to visualize features recognized by the models. The classification performance was evaluated using the confusion matrix and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The results show that each deep learning model endows muscle ultrasound imaging with the ability to enable DMD evaluations. The Grad-CAMs indicated that boundary visibility, muscular texture clarity, and posterior shadowing are relevant sonographic features recognized by the models for evaluating ambulatory function. Of the proposed models, VGG-19 provided satisfying classification performance (the area under the ROC curve: 0.98; accuracy: 94.18%) and feature recognition in terms of physical characteristics. Deep learning of muscle ultrasound is a potential strategy for DMD characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Ho Liao
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 106335, Taiwan; (A.-H.L.); (S.-H.L.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan
| | - Jheng-Ru Chen
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333323, Taiwan; (J.-R.C.); (C.-H.L.)
| | - Shi-Hong Liu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 106335, Taiwan; (A.-H.L.); (S.-H.L.)
| | - Chun-Hao Lu
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333323, Taiwan; (J.-R.C.); (C.-H.L.)
| | - Chia-Wei Lin
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu 300195, Taiwan;
| | - Jeng-Yi Shieh
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100225, Taiwan;
| | - Wen-Chin Weng
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100225, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, National Taiwan University Children’s Hospital, Taipei 100226, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100233, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (W.-C.W.); (P.-H.T.)
| | - Po-Hsiang Tsui
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333323, Taiwan; (J.-R.C.); (C.-H.L.)
- Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan 333323, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 333423, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (W.-C.W.); (P.-H.T.)
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37
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da Silva HNM, Covatti C, da Rocha GL, Mizobuti DS, Mâncio RD, Hermes TDA, Kido LA, Cagnon VHA, Pereira ECL, Minatel E. Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Activators of Mitochondrial Biogenesis: Tempol Targets in the Diaphragm Muscle of Exercise Trained- mdx Mice. Front Physiol 2021; 12:649793. [PMID: 33981250 PMCID: PMC8107395 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.649793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The mdx mouse phenotype aggravated by chronic exercise on a treadmill makes this murine model more reliable for the study of muscular dystrophy. Thus, to better assess the Tempol effect on dystrophic pathways, the analyses in this study were performed in the blood samples and diaphragm muscle from treadmill trained adult (7–11-weeks old) mdx animals. The mdx mice were divided into three groups: mdxSed, sedentary controls (n = 28); mdxEx, exercise-trained animals (n = 28); and mdxEx+T, exercise-trained animals with the Tempol treatment (n = 28). The results demonstrated that the Tempol treatment promoted muscle strength gain, prevented muscle damage, reduced the inflammatory process, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis regulator, and up regulated the activators of mitochondrial biogenesis. The main new findings of this study are that Tempol reduced the NF-κB and increased the PGC1-α and PPARδ levels in the exercise-trained-mdx mice, which are probably related to the ability of this antioxidant to scavenge excessive ROS. These results reinforce the use of Tempol as a potential therapeutic strategy in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caroline Covatti
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Luiz da Rocha
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Daniela Sayuri Mizobuti
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Rafael Dias Mâncio
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Túlio de Almeida Hermes
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Larissa Akemi Kido
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Valéria Helena Alves Cagnon
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Elaine Cristina Leite Pereira
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil.,Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Elaine Minatel
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
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38
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Vuorinen A, Wilkinson IVL, Chatzopoulou M, Edwards B, Squire SE, Fairclough RJ, Bazan NA, Milner JA, Conole D, Donald JR, Shah N, Willis NJ, Martínez RF, Wilson FX, Wynne GM, Davies SG, Davies KE, Russell AJ. Discovery and mechanism of action studies of 4,6-diphenylpyrimidine-2-carbohydrazides as utrophin modulators for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 220:113431. [PMID: 33915371 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a fatal disease with no cure, caused by lack of the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin. Upregulation of utrophin, a dystrophin paralogue, offers a potential therapy independent of mutation type. The failure of first-in-class utrophin modulator ezutromid/SMT C1100 in Phase II clinical trials necessitates development of compounds with better efficacy, physicochemical and ADME properties and/or complementary mechanisms. We have discovered and performed a preliminary optimisation of a novel class of utrophin modulators using an improved phenotypic screen, where reporter expression is derived from the full genomic context of the utrophin promoter. We further demonstrate through target deconvolution studies, including expression analysis and chemical proteomics, that this compound series operates via a novel mechanism of action, distinct from that of ezutromid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aini Vuorinen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Isabel V L Wilkinson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Maria Chatzopoulou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Ben Edwards
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Sarah E Squire
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Rebecca J Fairclough
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Noelia Araujo Bazan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Josh A Milner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Daniel Conole
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - James R Donald
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Nandini Shah
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Nicky J Willis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - R Fernando Martínez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Francis X Wilson
- Summit Therapeutics Plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4SB, UK
| | - Graham M Wynne
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Stephen G Davies
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Kay E Davies
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK.
| | - Angela J Russell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK; Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3PQ, UK.
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39
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Beneficial Role of Exercise in the Modulation of mdx Muscle Plastic Remodeling and Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10040558. [PMID: 33916762 PMCID: PMC8066278 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10040558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive progressive lethal disorder caused by the lack of dystrophin, which determines myofibers mechanical instability, oxidative stress, inflammation, and susceptibility to contraction-induced injuries. Unfortunately, at present, there is no efficient therapy for DMD. Beyond several promising gene- and stem cells-based strategies under investigation, physical activity may represent a valid noninvasive therapeutic approach to slow down the progression of the pathology. However, ethical issues, the limited number of studies in humans and the lack of consistency of the investigated training interventions generate loss of consensus regarding their efficacy, leaving exercise prescription still questionable. By an accurate analysis of data about the effects of different protocol of exercise on muscles of mdx mice, the most widely-used pre-clinical model for DMD research, we found that low intensity exercise, especially in the form of low speed treadmill running, likely represents the most suitable exercise modality associated to beneficial effects on mdx muscle. This protocol of training reduces muscle oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis process, and enhances muscle functionality, muscle regeneration, and hypertrophy. These conclusions can guide the design of appropriate studies on human, thereby providing new insights to translational therapeutic application of exercise to DMD patients.
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40
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Fortunato F, Ferlini A. Clinical application of molecular biomarkers in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: challenges and perspectives. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2021.1903872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Fortunato
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ferlini
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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41
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Fortunato F, Rossi R, Falzarano MS, Ferlini A. Innovative Therapeutic Approaches for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10040820. [PMID: 33671409 PMCID: PMC7922390 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10040820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common childhood muscular dystrophy affecting ~1:5000 live male births. Following the identification of pathogenic variations in the dystrophin gene in 1986, the underlining genotype/phenotype correlations emerged and the role of the dystrophin protein was elucidated in skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles, as well as in the brain. When the dystrophin protein is absent or quantitatively or qualitatively modified, the muscle cannot sustain the stress of repeated contractions. Dystrophin acts as a bridging and anchoring protein between the sarcomere and the sarcolemma, and its absence or reduction leads to severe muscle damage that eventually cannot be repaired, with its ultimate substitution by connective tissue and fat. The advances of an understanding of the molecular pathways affected in DMD have led to the development of many therapeutic strategies that tackle different aspects of disease etiopathogenesis, which have recently led to the first successful approved orphan drugs for this condition. The therapeutic advances in this field have progressed exponentially, with second-generation drugs now entering in clinical trials as gene therapy, potentially providing a further effective approach to the condition.
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42
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Biressi S, Filareto A, Rando TA. Stem cell therapy for muscular dystrophies. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:5652-5664. [PMID: 32946430 DOI: 10.1172/jci142031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies are a heterogeneous group of genetic diseases, characterized by progressive degeneration of skeletal and cardiac muscle. Despite the intense investigation of different therapeutic options, a definitive treatment has not been developed for this debilitating class of pathologies. Cell-based therapies in muscular dystrophies have been pursued experimentally for the last three decades. Several cell types with different characteristics and tissues of origin, including myogenic stem and progenitor cells, stromal cells, and pluripotent stem cells, have been investigated over the years and have recently entered in the clinical arena with mixed results. In this Review, we do a roundup of the past attempts and describe the updated status of cell-based therapies aimed at counteracting the skeletal and cardiac myopathy present in dystrophic patients. We present current challenges, summarize recent progress, and make recommendations for future research and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Biressi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO) and.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, University of Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Antonio Filareto
- Department of Research Beyond Borders, Regenerative Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, Conneticut, USA
| | - Thomas A Rando
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences and.,Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.,Center for Tissue Regeneration, Repair and Restoration, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
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43
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Abstract
Viltolarsen (Viltepso® in Japan) is a phosphorodiamidate morpholino antisense oligonucleotide being developed by Nippon Shinyaku, in collaboration with the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Viltolarsen binds to exon 53 of the dystrophin mRNA precursor and restores the amino acid open-reading frame by skipping exon 53, resulting in the production of a shortened dystrophin protein that contains essential functional portions. In March 2020, intravenous viltolarsen received its first global approval in Japan for the treatment of DMD in patients with confirmed deletion of the dystrophin gene that is amenable to exon 53 skipping. Viltolarsen is under regulatory review in the USA and clinical trials continue in the USA, Canada and globally. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of viltolarsen leading to the first approval for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohita Dhillon
- Springer Nature, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand.
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44
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Chatzopoulou M, Emer E, Lecci C, Rowley JA, Casagrande AS, Moir L, Squire SE, Davies SG, Harriman S, Wynne GM, Wilson FX, Davies KE, Russell AJ. Decreasing HepG2 Cytotoxicity by Lowering the Lipophilicity of Benzo[d]oxazolephosphinate Ester Utrophin Modulators. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:2421-2427. [PMID: 33335663 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Utrophin modulation is a disease-modifying therapeutic strategy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy that would be applicable to all patient populations. To improve the suboptimal profile of ezutromid, the first-in-class clinical candidate, a second generation of utrophin modulators bearing a phosphinate ester moiety was developed. This modification significantly improved the physicochemical and ADME properties, but one of the main lead molecules was found to have dose-limiting hepatotoxicity. In this work we describe how less lipophilic analogues retained utrophin modulatory activity in a reporter gene assay, upregulated utrophin protein in dystrophic mouse muscle cells, but also had improved physicochemical and ADME properties. Notably, ClogP was found to directly correlate with pIC50 in HepG2 cells, hence leading to a potentially safer toxicological profiles in this series. Compound 21 showed a balanced profile (H2K EC50: 4.17 μM, solubility: 477 μM, mouse hepatocyte T 1/2 > 240 min) and increased utrophin protein 1.6-fold in a Western blot assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chatzopoulou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Enrico Emer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Cristina Lecci
- Evoetec (U.K.) Ltd, 114 Innovation Drive, Milton Park, Milton, Abingdon OX14 4RZ, U.K
| | - Jessica A. Rowley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | | | - Lee Moir
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Sarah E. Squire
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Stephen G. Davies
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Shawn Harriman
- Summit Therapeutics plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, U.K
| | - Graham M. Wynne
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Francis X. Wilson
- Summit Therapeutics plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, U.K
| | - Kay E. Davies
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Angela J. Russell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3PQ, U.K
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45
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Miller NF, Alfano LN, Iammarino MA, Connolly AM, Moore-Clingenpeel M, Powers BR, Tsao CY, Waldrop MA, Flanigan KM, Mendell JR, Lowes LP. Natural History of Steroid-Treated Young Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Using the NSAA, 100m, and Timed Functional Tests. Pediatr Neurol 2020; 113:15-20. [PMID: 32979653 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2020.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Clinical trials targeting younger cohorts of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy are necessary as earlier intervention may maximize treatment effect. Boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy often have gross motor delays very early in life, and although they gain skills, they are on a lower trajectory than typical peers. Quantifying the natural rate of motor maturation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy from an early age permits identification of deviations from the expected trajectory related to treatment effects. METHODS The purpose of our study was to define the natural history in boys aged from ≥3 to <8 years using the North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA), 100-meter timed test (100m), 10-meter walk/run (10m), time to rise (Rise), and 4-stair climb (4SC). Assessments were completed as standard of care during regularly scheduled clinic visits. RESULTS One hundred sixty-two boys with DMD aged 3.1 to 7.9 years on glucocorticoids were evaluated using one or more of the following tests as appropriate for age: NSAA (N = 158; 3.1-7.9 years), 100m (N = 131; 3.4-7.9 years), 10m (N = 162; 3.1-7.9 years), Rise (N = 160; 3.1-7.9 years), and 4SC (N = 153; 3.1-7.9 years). Longitudinal data are presented by age in a subcohort (N = 64). CONCLUSIONS Our study documents the baseline function of boys with DMD who are being treated with corticosteroids. These data will be useful to compare ongoing and future therapeutic intervention(s) for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie F Miller
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.
| | - Lindsay N Alfano
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Megan A Iammarino
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Anne M Connolly
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Neurology, The College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Melissa Moore-Clingenpeel
- Biostatistics Resource, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Brenna R Powers
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Chang-Yong Tsao
- Department of Neurology, The College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Megan A Waldrop
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, The College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Kevin M Flanigan
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, The College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jerry R Mendell
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, The College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Linda P Lowes
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Pediatrics, The College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
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46
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Segatto M, Szokoll R, Fittipaldi R, Bottino C, Nevi L, Mamchaoui K, Filippakopoulos P, Caretti G. BETs inhibition attenuates oxidative stress and preserves muscle integrity in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Nat Commun 2020; 11:6108. [PMID: 33257646 PMCID: PMC7705749 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19839-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) affects 1 in 3500 live male births. To date, there is no effective cure for DMD, and the identification of novel molecular targets involved in disease progression is important to design more effective treatments and therapies to alleviate DMD symptoms. Here, we show that protein levels of the Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) protein BRD4 are significantly increased in the muscle of the mouse model of DMD, the mdx mouse, and that pharmacological inhibition of the BET proteins has a beneficial outcome, tempering oxidative stress and muscle damage. Alterations in reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism are an early event in DMD onset and they are tightly linked to inflammation, fibrosis, and necrosis in skeletal muscle. By restoring ROS metabolism, BET inhibition ameliorates these hallmarks of the dystrophic muscle, translating to a beneficial effect on muscle function. BRD4 direct association to chromatin regulatory regions of the NADPH oxidase subunits increases in the mdx muscle and JQ1 administration reduces BRD4 and BRD2 recruitment at these regions. JQ1 treatment reduces NADPH subunit transcript levels in mdx muscles, isolated myofibers and DMD immortalized myoblasts. Our data highlight novel functions of the BET proteins in dystrophic skeletal muscle and suggest that BET inhibitors may ameliorate the pathophysiology of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Segatto
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, Pesche (Is), Italy
| | - Roberta Szokoll
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Fittipaldi
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Bottino
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Nevi
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Kamel Mamchaoui
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Institut de Myologie, U974, Center for Research in Myology, 47 Boulevard de l'hôpital, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Panagis Filippakopoulos
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Old Road Campus Research Building, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Giuseppina Caretti
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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47
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Pryce BR, Labrèche C, Hamoudi D, Abou-Hamad J, Al-Zahrani KN, Hodgins JJ, Boulanger-Piette A, Bossé S, Balog-Alvarez C, Frénette J, Ardolino M, Kornegay JN, Sabourin LA. Muscle-specific deletion of SLK/Stk2 enhances p38 activity and myogenesis in mdx mice. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1868:118917. [PMID: 33259860 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe muscle wasting disorder characterized by the loss of dystrophin expression, muscle necrosis, inflammation and fibrosis. Ongoing muscle regeneration is impaired by persistent cytokine stress, further decreasing muscle function. Patients with DMD rarely survive beyond their early 20s, with cardiac and respiratory dysfunction being the primary cause of death. Despite an increase in our understanding of disease progression as well as promising preclinical animal models for therapeutic intervention, treatment options for muscular dystrophy remain limited and novel therapeutic targets are required. Many reports suggest that the TGFβ signalling pathway is activated in dystrophic muscle and contributes to the pathology of DMD in part by impairing the differentiation of myoblasts into mature myofibers. Here, we show that in vitro knockdown of the Ste20-like kinase, SLK, can partially restore myoblast differentiation downstream of TGFβ in a Smad2/3 independent manner. In an mdx model, we demonstrate that SLK is expressed at high levels in regenerating myofibers. Muscle-specific deletion of SLK reduced leukocyte infiltration, increased myogenin and utrophin expression and enhanced differentiation. This was accompanied by resistance to eccentric contraction-induced injury in slow fiber type-enriched soleus muscles. Finally, we found that these effects were partially dependent on the upregulation of p38 signalling. Collectively, these results demonstrate that SLK downregulation can restore some aspects of disease progression in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R Pryce
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Cédrik Labrèche
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dounia Hamoudi
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Centre Hospitalier de L'Université Laval, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - John Abou-Hamad
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Khalid N Al-Zahrani
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jonathan J Hodgins
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Antoine Boulanger-Piette
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Centre Hospitalier de L'Université Laval, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sabrina Bossé
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Centre Hospitalier de L'Université Laval, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Cindy Balog-Alvarez
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jérôme Frénette
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Centre Hospitalier de L'Université Laval, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; Département de Réadaptation, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michele Ardolino
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Joe N Kornegay
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Luc A Sabourin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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48
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Catapano F, Scaglioni D, Maresh K, Ala P, Domingos J, Selby V, Ricotti V, Phillips L, Servais L, Seferian A, Groot ID, Krom YD, Voit T, Verschuuren JJGM, Niks EH, Straub V, Morgan J, Muntoni F. Novel free-circulating and extracellular vesicle-derived miRNAs dysregulated in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Epigenomics 2020; 12:1899-1915. [PMID: 33215544 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2020-0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To perform cross-sectional and longitudinal miRNA profiling in plasma from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) subjects and find non-invasive biomarkers in DMD. Subjects/materials & methods: Plasma was collected from 14 age and sex matched controls and 46 DMD subjects. Free-circulating and extracellular vesicle (EV)-derived miRNA expression was measured by RT-qPCR. Results: Free-circulating and EVs derived miR-29c-3p and miR-133a-3p are dysregulated in DMD subjects. Free-circulating and EV-derived miR-29c-3p are reduced in DMD subjects undergoing daily corticosteroid treatment. Free-circulating miR-1-3p and miR-122-5p are longitudinally upregulated in ambulant DMD subjects. Conclusion: We detected novel free-circulating and EV-derived dysregulated miRNAs in plasma from DMD subjects and characterized the longitudinal profile of free-circulating miRNA on plasma from DMD subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Catapano
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guildford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Dominic Scaglioni
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guildford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Kate Maresh
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guildford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Pierpaolo Ala
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guildford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Joana Domingos
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guildford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Selby
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guildford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Valeria Ricotti
- National Institute for Health Research, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Lauren Phillips
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Laurent Servais
- Institute I-Motion, Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Paris, France.,Centre de Référence des maladies Neuromusculaires, CHU de Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Imelda de Groot
- Department of Rehabilitation, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud university medical centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Yvonne D Krom
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, Netherlands.,Duchenne Center Netherlands
| | - Thomas Voit
- National Institute for Health Research, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - J J G M Verschuuren
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, Netherlands.,Duchenne Center Netherlands
| | - E H Niks
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, Netherlands.,Duchenne Center Netherlands
| | - Volker Straub
- Northern Genetics Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Institute of Human Genetics, International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Morgan
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guildford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guildford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
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49
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Dubinin MV, Talanov EY, Tenkov KS, Starinets VS, Belosludtseva NV, Belosludtsev KN. The Effect of Deflazacort Treatment on the Functioning of Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8763. [PMID: 33228255 PMCID: PMC7699511 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe hereditary disease caused by a lack of dystrophin, a protein essential for myocyte integrity. Mitochondrial dysfunction is reportedly responsible for DMD. This study examines the effect of glucocorticoid deflazacort on the functioning of the skeletal-muscle mitochondria of dystrophin-deficient mdx mice and WT animals. Deflazacort administration was found to improve mitochondrial respiration of mdx mice due to an increase in the level of ETC complexes (complexes III and IV and ATP synthase), which may contribute to the normalization of ATP levels in the skeletal muscle of mdx animals. Deflazacort treatment improved the rate of Ca2+ uniport in the skeletal muscle mitochondria of mdx mice, presumably by affecting the subunit composition of the calcium uniporter of organelles. At the same time, deflazacort was found to reduce the resistance of skeletal mitochondria to MPT pore opening, which may be associated with a change in the level of ANT2 and CypD. In this case, deflazacort also affected the mitochondria of WT mice. The paper discusses the mechanisms underlying the effect of deflazacort on the functioning of mitochondria and contributing to the improvement of the muscular function of mdx mice.
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MESH Headings
- Adenine Nucleotide Translocator 2/genetics
- Adenine Nucleotide Translocator 2/metabolism
- Adenosine Triphosphate/biosynthesis
- Animals
- Calcium/metabolism
- Calcium Channels/genetics
- Calcium Channels/metabolism
- Peptidyl-Prolyl Isomerase F/genetics
- Peptidyl-Prolyl Isomerase F/metabolism
- Electron Transport Complex III/genetics
- Electron Transport Complex III/metabolism
- Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics
- Electron Transport Complex IV/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred mdx
- Mitochondria, Muscle/drug effects
- Mitochondria, Muscle/genetics
- Mitochondria, Muscle/metabolism
- Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases/genetics
- Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/drug effects
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/drug therapy
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/metabolism
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/pathology
- Pregnenediones/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail V. Dubinin
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Microbiology, Mari State University, pl. Lenina 1, 424001 Yoshkar-Ola, Russia; (K.S.T.); (V.S.S.); (K.N.B.)
| | - Eugeny Yu. Talanov
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Transport, Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institutskaya 3, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (E.Y.T.); (N.V.B.)
| | - Kirill S. Tenkov
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Microbiology, Mari State University, pl. Lenina 1, 424001 Yoshkar-Ola, Russia; (K.S.T.); (V.S.S.); (K.N.B.)
| | - Vlada S. Starinets
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Microbiology, Mari State University, pl. Lenina 1, 424001 Yoshkar-Ola, Russia; (K.S.T.); (V.S.S.); (K.N.B.)
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Transport, Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institutskaya 3, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (E.Y.T.); (N.V.B.)
| | - Natalia V. Belosludtseva
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Transport, Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institutskaya 3, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (E.Y.T.); (N.V.B.)
| | - Konstantin N. Belosludtsev
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Microbiology, Mari State University, pl. Lenina 1, 424001 Yoshkar-Ola, Russia; (K.S.T.); (V.S.S.); (K.N.B.)
- Biophotonics Center, Prokhorov General Physics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov st. 38, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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50
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Farr GH, Morris M, Gomez A, Pham T, Kilroy E, Parker EU, Said S, Henry C, Maves L. A novel chemical-combination screen in zebrafish identifies epigenetic small molecule candidates for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Skelet Muscle 2020; 10:29. [PMID: 33059738 PMCID: PMC7559456 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-020-00251-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe neuromuscular disorder and is one of the most common muscular dystrophies. There are currently few effective therapies to treat the disease, although many small-molecule approaches are being pursued. Certain histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have been shown to ameliorate DMD phenotypes in mouse and zebrafish animal models. The HDACi givinostat has shown promise for DMD in clinical trials. However, beyond a small group of HDACi, other classes of epigenetic small molecules have not been broadly and systematically studied for their benefits for DMD. Methods We used an established animal model for DMD, the zebrafish dmd mutant strain sapje. A commercially available library of epigenetic small molecules was used to treat embryonic-larval stages of dmd mutant zebrafish. We used a quantitative muscle birefringence assay in order to assess and compare the effects of small-molecule treatments on dmd mutant zebrafish skeletal muscle structure. Results We performed a novel chemical-combination screen of a library of epigenetic compounds using the zebrafish dmd model. We identified candidate pools of epigenetic compounds that improve skeletal muscle structure in dmd mutant zebrafish. We then identified a specific combination of two HDACi compounds, oxamflatin and salermide, that ameliorated dmd mutant zebrafish skeletal muscle degeneration. We validated the effects of oxamflatin and salermide on dmd mutant zebrafish in an independent laboratory. Furthermore, we showed that the combination of oxamflatin and salermide caused increased levels of histone H4 acetylation in zebrafish larvae. Conclusions Our results provide novel, effective methods for performing a combination of small-molecule screen in zebrafish. Our results also add to the growing evidence that epigenetic small molecules may be promising candidates for treating DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gist H Farr
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Melanie Morris
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.,Medical Student Research Training Program, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Arianna Gomez
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.,Molecular Medicine and Mechanisms of Disease Program, Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Thao Pham
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.,Molecular Medicine and Mechanisms of Disease Program, Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elisabeth Kilroy
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Elizabeth U Parker
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.,Medical Student Research Training Program, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Shery Said
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Clarissa Henry
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Lisa Maves
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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