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Coles CA, Woodman KG, Gibbs EM, Crosbie RH, White JD, Lamandé SR. Benfotiamine improves dystrophic pathology and exercise capacity in mdx mice by reducing inflammation and fibrosis. Hum Mol Genet 2024:ddae066. [PMID: 38710523 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae066] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease. Cycles of myofibre degeneration and regeneration are hallmarks of the disease where immune cells infiltrate to repair damaged skeletal muscle. Benfotiamine is a lipid soluble precursor to thiamine, shown clinically to reduce inflammation in diabetic related complications. We assessed whether benfotiamine administration could reduce inflammation related dystrophic pathology. Benfotiamine (10 mg/kg/day) was fed to male mdx mice (n = 7) for 15 weeks from 4 weeks of age. Treated mice had an increased growth weight (5-7 weeks) and myofibre size at treatment completion. Markers of dystrophic pathology (area of damaged necrotic tissue, central nuclei) were reduced in benfotiamine mdx quadriceps. Grip strength was increased and improved exercise capacity was found in mdx treated with benfotiamine for 12 weeks, before being placed into individual cages and allowed access to an exercise wheel for 3 weeks. Global gene expression profiling (RNAseq) in the gastrocnemius revealed benfotiamine regulated signalling pathways relevant to dystrophic pathology (Inflammatory Response, Myogenesis) and fibrotic gene markers (Col1a1, Col1a2, Col4a5, Col5a2, Col6a2, Col6a2, Col6a3, Lum) towards wildtype levels. In addition, we observed a reduction in gene expression of inflammatory gene markers in the quadriceps (Emr1, Cd163, Cd4, Cd8, Ifng). Overall, these data suggest that benfotiamine reduces dystrophic pathology by acting on inflammatory and fibrotic gene markers and signalling pathways. Given benfotiamine's excellent safety profile and current clinical use, it could be used in combination with glucocorticoids to treat DMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal A Coles
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Keryn G Woodman
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Genetics, Yale Medical School, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Gibbs
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, 612 Charles E Young Dr S, Los Angeles 90095, California, USA
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, 615 Charles E Young Dr S, Los Angeles 90095, California, USA
| | - Rachelle H Crosbie
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, 612 Charles E Young Dr S, Los Angeles 90095, California, USA
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, 615 Charles E Young Dr S, Los Angeles 90095, California, USA
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 610 Charles E Young Dr S, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Jason D White
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Charles Sturt University, Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Boorooma Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Shireen R Lamandé
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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Alix JJP, Plesia M, Dudgeon AP, Kendall CA, Hewamadduma C, Hadjivassiliou M, Gorman GS, Taylor RW, McDermott CJ, Shaw PJ, Mead RJ, Day JC. Conformational fingerprinting with Raman spectroscopy reveals protein structure as a translational biomarker of muscle pathology. Analyst 2024; 149:2738-2746. [PMID: 38533726 PMCID: PMC11056770 DOI: 10.1039/d4an00320a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Neuromuscular disorders are a group of conditions that can result in weakness of skeletal muscles. Examples include fatal diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and conditions associated with high morbidity such as myopathies (muscle diseases). Many of these disorders are known to have abnormal protein folding and protein aggregates. Thus, easy to apply methods for the detection of such changes may prove useful diagnostic biomarkers. Raman spectroscopy has shown early promise in the detection of muscle pathology in neuromuscular disorders and is well suited to characterising the conformational profiles relating to protein secondary structure. In this work, we assess if Raman spectroscopy can detect differences in protein structure in muscle in the setting of neuromuscular disease. We utilise in vivo Raman spectroscopy measurements from preclinical models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and the myopathy Duchenne muscular dystrophy, together with ex vivo measurements of human muscle samples from individuals with and without myopathy. Using quantitative conformation profiling and matrix factorisation we demonstrate that quantitative 'conformational fingerprinting' can be used to identify changes in protein folding in muscle. Notably, myopathic conditions in both preclinical models and human samples manifested a significant reduction in α-helix structures, with concomitant increases in β-sheet and, to a lesser extent, nonregular configurations. Spectral patterns derived through non-negative matrix factorisation were able to identify myopathy with a high accuracy (79% in mouse, 78% in human tissue). This work demonstrates the potential of conformational fingerprinting as an interpretable biomarker for neuromuscular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J P Alix
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, UK.
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK
- National Institute for Health and Care Research Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield, UK
| | - Maria Plesia
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, UK.
| | - Alexander P Dudgeon
- Biophotonics Research Unit, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Catherine A Kendall
- Biophotonics Research Unit, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Channa Hewamadduma
- National Institute for Health and Care Research Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Neurology, Academic Directorate of Neurosciences, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, UK
| | - Marios Hadjivassiliou
- National Institute for Health and Care Research Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Neurology, Academic Directorate of Neurosciences, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, UK
| | - Gráinne S Gorman
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- NHS Highly Specialised Service for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- National Institute for Health and Care Research Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Robert W Taylor
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- NHS Highly Specialised Service for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Christopher J McDermott
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, UK.
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK
- National Institute for Health and Care Research Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield, UK
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, UK.
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK
- National Institute for Health and Care Research Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield, UK
| | - Richard J Mead
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, UK.
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK
| | - John C Day
- Interface Analysis Centre, School of Physics, University of Bristol, UK
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Subhan F, Zizzo MG, Serio R. Motor dysfunction of the gut in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A review. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2024:e14804. [PMID: 38651673 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe type of hereditary, neuromuscular disorder caused by a mutation in the dystrophin gene resulting in the absence or production of truncated dystrophin protein. Conventionally, clinical descriptions of the disorder focus principally on striated muscle defects; however, DMD manifestations involving gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscle have been reported, even if not rigorously studied. PURPOSE The objective of the present review is to offer a comprehensive perspective on the existing knowledge concerning GI manifestations in DMD, focusing the attention on evidence in DMD patients and mdx mice. This includes an assessment of symptomatology, etiological pathways, and potential corrective approaches. This paper could provide helpful information about DMD gastrointestinal implications that could serve as a valuable orientation for prospective research endeavors in this field. This manuscript emphasizes the effectiveness of mdx mice, a DMD animal model, in unraveling mechanistic insights and exploring the pathological alterations in the GI tract. The gastrointestinal consequences evident in patients with DMD and the mdx mice models are a significant area of focus for researchers. The exploration of this area in depth could facilitate the development of more efficient therapeutic approaches and improve the well-being of individuals impacted by the condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fazal Subhan
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Zizzo
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Palermo, Italy
- ATeN (Advanced Technologies Network) Center, Viale delle Scienze, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosa Serio
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Palermo, Italy
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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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Hiyoshi T, Zhao F, Baba R, Hirakawa T, Kuboki R, Suzuki K, Tomimatsu Y, O'Donnell P, Han S, Zach N, Nakashima M. Electrical impedance myography detects dystrophin-related muscle changes in mdx mice. Skelet Muscle 2023; 13:19. [PMID: 37980539 PMCID: PMC10657153 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-023-00331-1] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lack of functional dystrophin protein in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) causes chronic skeletal muscle inflammation and degeneration. Therefore, the restoration of functional dystrophin levels is a fundamental approach for DMD therapy. Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is an emerging tool that provides noninvasive monitoring of muscle conditions and has been suggested as a treatment response biomarker in diverse indications. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of skeletal muscles has become a standard measurement in clinical trials for DMD, EIM offers distinct advantages, such as portability, user-friendliness, and reduced cost, allowing for remote monitoring of disease progression or response to therapy. To investigate the potential of EIM as a biomarker for DMD, we compared longitudinal EIM data with MRI/histopathological data from an X-linked muscular dystrophy (mdx) mouse model of DMD. In addition, we investigated whether EIM could detect dystrophin-related changes in muscles using antisense-mediated exon skipping in mdx mice. METHODS The MRI data for muscle T2, the magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) data for fat fraction, and three EIM parameters with histopathology were longitudinally obtained from the hindlimb muscles of wild-type (WT) and mdx mice. In the EIM study, a cell-penetrating peptide (Pip9b2) conjugated antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PPMO), designed to induce exon-skipping and restore functional dystrophin production, was administered intravenously to mdx mice. RESULTS MRI imaging in mdx mice showed higher T2 intensity at 6 weeks of age in hindlimb muscles compared to WT mice, which decreased at ≥ 9 weeks of age. In contrast, EIM reactance began to decline at 12 weeks of age, with peak reduction at 18 weeks of age in mdx mice. This decline was associated with myofiber atrophy and connective tissue infiltration in the skeletal muscles. Repeated dosing of PPMO (10 mg/kg, 4 times every 2 weeks) in mdx mice led to an increase in muscular dystrophin protein and reversed the decrease in EIM reactance. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that muscle T2 MRI is sensitive to the early inflammatory response associated with dystrophin deficiency, whereas EIM provides a valuable biomarker for the noninvasive monitoring of subsequent changes in skeletal muscle composition. Furthermore, EIM reactance has the potential to monitor dystrophin-deficient muscle abnormalities and their recovery in response to antisense-mediated exon skipping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuaki Hiyoshi
- Neuroscience Translational Medicine, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Fuqiang Zhao
- Center of Excellence for Imaging, Preclinical and Translational Sciences, Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., 95 Hayden Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02141, USA
| | - Rina Baba
- Muscular Disease and Neuropathy Unit, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Takeshi Hirakawa
- Muscular Disease and Neuropathy Unit, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Kuboki
- Muscular Disease and Neuropathy Unit, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Kazunori Suzuki
- Muscular Disease and Neuropathy Unit, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshiro Tomimatsu
- Neuroscience Translational Medicine, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan
| | - Patricio O'Donnell
- Neuroscience Translational Medicine, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., 95 Hayden Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02141, USA
| | - Steve Han
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Unit, Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., 95 Hayden Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02141, USA
| | - Neta Zach
- Neuroscience Translational Medicine, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., 95 Hayden Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02141, USA
| | - Masato Nakashima
- Neuroscience Translational Medicine, Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 251-8555, Japan.
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Lorena MDSV, Santos EKD, Ferretti R, Nagana Gowda GA, Odom GL, Chamberlain JS, Matsumura CY. Biomarkers for Duchenne muscular dystrophy progression: impact of age in the mdx tongue spared muscle. Skelet Muscle 2023; 13:16. [PMID: 37705069 PMCID: PMC10500803 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-023-00325-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe form of muscular dystrophy without an effective treatment, caused by mutations in the DMD gene, leading to the absence of dystrophin. DMD results in muscle weakness, loss of ambulation, and death at an early age. Metabolomics studies in mdx mice, the most used model for DMD, reveal changes in metabolites associated with muscle degeneration and aging. In DMD, the tongue muscles exhibit unique behavior, initially showing partial protection against inflammation but later experiencing fibrosis and loss of muscle fibers. Certain metabolites and proteins, like TNF-α and TGF-β, are potential biomarkers for dystrophic muscle characterization. METHODS To investigate disease progression and aging, we utilized young (1 month old) and old (21-25 months old) mdx and wild-type tongue muscles. Metabolite changes were analyzed using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, while TNF-α and TGF-β were assessed using Western blotting to examine inflammation and fibrosis. Morphometric analysis was conducted to assess the extent of myofiber damage between groups. RESULTS The histological analysis of the mid-belly tongue showed no differences between groups. No differences were found between the concentrations of metabolites from wild-type or mdx whole tongues of the same age. The metabolites alanine, methionine, and 3-methylhistidine were higher, and taurine and glycerol were lower in young tongues in both wild type and mdx (p < 0.001). The metabolites glycine (p < 0.001) and glutamic acid (p = 0.0018) were different only in the mdx groups, being higher in young mdx mice. Acetic acid, phosphocreatine, isoleucine, succinic acid, creatine, and the proteins TNF-α and TGF-β had no difference in the analysis between groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Surprisingly, histological, metabolite, and protein analysis reveal that the tongue of old mdx remains partially spared from the severe myonecrosis observed in other muscles. The metabolites alanine, methionine, 3-methylhistidine, taurine, and glycerol may be effective for specific assessments, although their use for disease progression monitoring should be cautious due to age-related changes in the tongue muscle. Acetic acid, phosphocreatine, isoleucine, succinate, creatine, TNF-α, and TGF-β do not vary with aging and remain constant in spared muscles, suggesting their potential as specific biomarkers for DMD progression independent of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Dos Santos Voltani Lorena
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Estela Kato Dos Santos
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renato Ferretti
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - G A Nagana Gowda
- Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Northwest Metabolomics Research Center, Mitochondria and Metabolism Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Guy L Odom
- Department of Neurology, Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Chamberlain
- Department of Neurology, Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cintia Yuri Matsumura
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Kakimoto T, Ogasawara A, Ishikawa K, Kurita T, Yoshida K, Harada S, Nonaka T, Inoue Y, Uchida K, Tateoka T, Ohta T, Kumagai S, Sasaki T, Aihara H. A Systemically Administered Unconjugated Antisense Oligonucleotide Targeting DUX4 Improves Muscular Injury and Motor Function in FSHD Model Mice. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2339. [PMID: 37760780 PMCID: PMC10525656 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092339] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), one of the most common muscular dystrophies, is caused by an abnormal expression of the DUX4 gene in skeletal muscles, resulting in muscle weakness. In this study, we investigated MT-DUX4-ASO, a novel gapmer antisense oligonucleotide (ASO). MT-DUX4-ASO decreased the expression of DUX4 and its target genes in FSHD patient-derived myoblasts. For the first time, we demonstrated that a systemically administered ASO, even without a ligand for drug delivery, could significantly improve muscle injury and motor function in the ACTA1-MCM/FLExDUX4 (DUX4-TG) mouse model of FSHD. Tamoxifen (TMX) injection transiently induces skeletal-muscle-specific DUX4 expression in DUX4-TG mice, while the skeletal muscles of TMX-untreated DUX4-TG mice have leaky DUX4 expression in a small subset of myofibers similar to those of FSHD patients. Subcutaneous 10 mg/kg of MT-DUX4-ASO at two-week intervals significantly suppressed muscular DUX4 target gene expression, histological muscle injury, and blood muscle injury marker elevation in TMX-untreated DUX4-TG mice. Notably, MT-DUX4-ASO at 10 mg/kg every other week significantly prevented the TMX-induced declines in treadmill test running speed and muscle force in DUX4-TG mice. Thus, the systemically administered unconjugated MT-DUX4-ASO suppressed disease progression in DUX4-TG mice, extending the potential of unconjugated ASOs as a promising FSHD treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuhiro Kakimoto
- Sohyaku. Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-26-1 Muraoka-Higashi, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
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De Paepe B. What Nutraceuticals Can Do for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Lessons Learned from Amino Acid Supplementation in Mouse Models. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2033. [PMID: 37509672 PMCID: PMC10377666 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11072033] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the severest form of muscular dystrophy, is characterized by progressive muscle weakness with fatal outcomes most often before the fourth decade of life. Despite the recent addition of molecular treatments, DMD remains a disease without a cure, and the need persists for the development of supportive therapies aiming to help improve patients' quality of life. This review focuses on the therapeutical potential of amino acid and derivative supplements, summarizing results obtained in preclinical studies in murine disease models. Several promising compounds have emerged, with L-arginine, N-acetylcysteine, and taurine featuring among the most intensively investigated. Their beneficial effects include reduced inflammatory, oxidative, fibrotic, and necrotic damage to skeletal muscle tissues. Improvement of muscle strength and endurance have been reported; however, mild side effects have also surfaced. More explorative, placebo-controlled and long-term clinical trials would need to be conducted in order to identify amino acid formulae that are safe and of true benefit to DMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boel De Paepe
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University & Neuromuscular Reference Center, Ghent University Hospital, Route 830, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Waters EA, Haney CR, Vaught LA, McNally EM, Demonbreun AR. New semi-automated tool for the quantitation of MR imaging to estimate in vivo muscle disease severity in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.23.541310. [PMID: 37293050 PMCID: PMC10245844 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.23.541310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The pathology in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by degenerating muscle fibers, inflammation, fibro-fatty infiltrate, and edema, and these pathological processes replace normal healthy muscle tissue. The mdx mouse model is one of the most commonly used preclinical models to study DMD. Mounting evidence has emerged illustrating that muscle disease progression varies considerably in mdx mice, with inter-animal differences as well as intra-muscular differences in pathology in individual mdx mice. This variation is important to consider when conducting assessments of drug efficacy and in longitudinal studies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive method that can be used qualitatively or quantitatively to measure muscle disease progression in the clinic and in preclinical models. Although MR imaging is highly sensitive, image acquisition and analysis can be time intensive. The purpose of this study was to develop a semi-automated muscle segmentation and quantitation pipeline that can quickly and accurately estimate muscle disease severity in mice. Herein, we show that the newly developed segmentation tool accurately divides muscle. We show that measures of skew and interdecile range based on segmentation sufficiently estimate muscle disease severity in healthy wildtype and diseased mdx mice. Moreover, the semi-automated pipeline reduced analysis time by nearly 10-fold. Use of this rapid, non-invasive, semi-automated MR imaging and analysis pipeline has the potential to transform preclinical studies, allowing for pre-screening of dystrophic mice prior to study enrollment to ensure more uniform muscle disease pathology across treatment groups, improving study outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A. Waters
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute and Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Chad R. Haney
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute and Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lauren. A Vaught
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. McNally
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Alexis R. Demonbreun
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Krishna S, Spaulding HR, Koltes JE, Quindry JC, Valentine RJ, Selsby JT. Indicators of increased ER stress and UPR in aged D2-mdx and human dystrophic skeletal muscles. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1152576. [PMID: 37179835 PMCID: PMC10166835 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1152576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle disease that results in muscle wasting, wheelchair dependence, and eventual death due to cardiac and respiratory complications. In addition to muscle fragility, dystrophin deficiency also results in multiple secondary dysfunctions, which may lead to the accumulation of unfolded proteins causing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR). The purpose of this investigation was to understand how ER stress and the UPR are modified in muscle from D2-mdx mice, an emerging DMD model, and from humans with DMD. We hypothesized that markers of ER stress and the UPR are upregulated in D2-mdx and human dystrophic muscles compared to their healthy counterparts. Immunoblotting in diaphragms from 11-month-old D2-mdx and DBA mice indicated increased ER stress and UPR in dystrophic diaphragms compared to healthy, including increased relative abundance of ER stress chaperone CHOP, canonical ER stress transducers ATF6 and pIRE1α S724, and transcription factors that regulate the UPR such as ATF4, XBP1s, and peIF2α S51. The publicly available Affymetrix dataset (GSE38417) was used to analyze the expression of ER stress and UPR-related transcripts and processes. Fifty-eight upregulated genes related to ER stress and the UPR in human dystrophic muscles suggest pathway activation. Further, based on analyses using iRegulon, putative transcription factors that regulate this upregulation profile were identified, including ATF6, XBP1, ATF4, CREB3L2, and EIF2AK3. This study adds to and extends the emerging knowledge of ER stress and the UPR in dystrophin deficiency and identifies transcriptional regulators that may be responsible for these changes and be of therapeutic interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swathy Krishna
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Hannah R. Spaulding
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - James E. Koltes
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - John C. Quindry
- School of Integrative Physiology and Athletic Training, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
| | - Rudy J. Valentine
- Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Joshua T. Selsby
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
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11
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Redwan A, Kiriaev L, Kueh S, Morley JW, Houweling P, Perry BD, Head SI. Six weeks of N-acetylcysteine antioxidant in drinking water decreases pathological fiber branching in MDX mouse dystrophic fast-twitch skeletal muscle. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1109587. [PMID: 36866174 PMCID: PMC9971923 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1109587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: It has been proposed that an increased susceptivity to oxidative stress caused by the absence of the protein dystrophin from the inner surface of the sarcolemma is a trigger of skeletal muscle necrosis in the destructive dystrophin deficient muscular dystrophies. Here we use the mdx mouse model of human Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy to test the hypothesis that adding the antioxidant NAC at 2% to drinking water for six weeks will treat the inflammatory phase of the dystrophic process and reduce pathological muscle fiber branching and splitting resulting in a reduction of mass in mdx fast-twitch EDL muscles. Methods: Animal weight and water intake was recorded during the six weeks when 2% NAC was added to the drinking water. Post NAC treatment animals were euthanised and the EDL muscles dissected out and placed in an organ bath where the muscle was attached to a force transducer to measure contractile properties and susceptibility to force loss from eccentric contractions. After the contractile measurements had been made the EDL muscle was blotted and weighed. In order to assess the degree of pathological fiber branching mdx EDL muscles were treated with collagenase to release single fibers. For counting and morphological analysis single EDL mdx skeletal muscle fibers were viewed under high magnification on an inverted microscope. Results: During the six-week treatment phase NAC reduced body weight gain in three- to nine-week-old mdx and littermate control mice without effecting fluid intake. NAC treatment also significantly reduced the mdx EDL muscle mass and abnormal fiber branching and splitting. Discussion: We propose chronic NAC treatment reduces the inflammatory response and degenerative cycles in the mdx dystrophic EDL muscles resulting in a reduction in the number of complexed branched fibers reported to be responsible for the dystrophic EDL muscle hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Redwan
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Leonit Kiriaev
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sindy Kueh
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John W. Morley
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Houweling
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ben D. Perry
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stewart I. Head
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,*Correspondence: Stewart I. Head,
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12
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Wang T, Guan RL, Zou YF, Zheng G, Shen XF, Cao ZP, Yang RH, Liu MC, Du KJ, Li XH, Aschner M, Zhao MG, Chen JY, Luo WJ. MiR-130/SNAP-25 axis regulate presynaptic alteration in anterior cingulate cortex involved in lead induced attention deficits. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 443:130249. [PMID: 36332276 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Brain volume decrease in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) after lead (Pb) exposure has been linked to persistent impairment of attention behavior. However, the precise structural change and molecular mechanism for the Pb-induced ACC alteration and its contribution to inattention have yet to be fully characterized. The present study determined the role of miRNA regulated synaptic structural and functional impairment in the ACC and its relationship to attention deficit disorder in Pb exposed mice. Results showed that Pb exposure induced presynaptic impairment and structural alterations in the ACC. Furthermore, we screened for critical miRNA targets responsible for the synaptic alteration. We found that miR-130, which regulates presynaptic vesicle releasing protein SNAP-25, was responsible for the presynaptic impairment in the ACC and attention deficits in mice. Blocking miR-130 function reversed the Pb-induced decrease in the expression of its presynaptic target SNAP-25, leading to the redistribution of presynaptic vesicles, as well as improved presynaptic function and attention in Pb exposed mice. We report, for the first time, that miR-130 regulating SNAP-25 mediates Pb-induced presynaptic structural and functional impairment in the ACC along with attention deficit disorder in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health and the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Rui-Li Guan
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health and the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yun-Feng Zou
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Gang Zheng
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health and the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Xue-Feng Shen
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health and the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Zi-Peng Cao
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health and the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Rui-Hua Yang
- Department of Nutrition & Food Hygiene and the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Ming-Chao Liu
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health and the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Ke-Jun Du
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health and the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Xue-Hang Li
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health and the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Ming-Gao Zhao
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Jing Yuan Chen
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health and the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Wen-Jing Luo
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health and the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
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13
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Lazzarin MC, Dos Santos JF, Quintana HT, Pidone FAM, de Oliveira F. Duchenne muscular dystrophy progression induced by downhill running is accompanied by increased endomysial fibrosis and oxidative damage DNA in muscle of mdx mice. J Mol Histol 2023; 54:41-54. [PMID: 36348131 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-022-10109-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by progressive muscle necrosis. One of the major challenges for prescribing physical rehabilitation exercises for DMD patients is associated with the lack of a thorough knowledge of dystrophic muscle responsiveness to exercise. This study aims to understand the relationship between myogenic regulation, inflammation and oxidative stress parameters, and disease progression induced by downhill running in the skeletal muscle of an experimental model of DMD. Six-month-old C57BL/10 and C57BL/10-DMDmdx male mice were distributed into three groups: Control (C), mdx, and mdx + Exercise (mdx + Ex). Animals were trained in a downhill running protocol for seven weeks. The gastrocnemius muscle was subjected to histopathology, muscle regeneration (myoD and myogenin), inflammation (COX-2), oxidative stress (8-OHdG) immunohistochemistry markers, and gene expression (qPCR) of NF-kB and NADP(H)Oxidase 2 (NOX-2) analysis. In the mdx + Ex group, the gastrocnemius muscle showed a higher incidence of endomysial fibrosis and a lower myonecrosis percentage area. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed decreased myogenin immunoexpression in the mdx group, as well as accentuated immunoexpression of nuclear 8-OHdG in both mdx groups and increase in cytoplasmic 8-OHdG only in the mdx + Ex. COX-2 immunoexpression was related to areas of regeneration process and inflammatory infiltrate in the mdx group, while associated with areas of muscle fibrosis in the mdx + Ex. Moreover, the NF-kB gene expression was not influenced by exercise; however, a NAD(P)HOxidase 2 increase was observed. Oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage play a significant role in the DMD phenotype progression induced by exercise, compromising cellular patterns resulting in increased endomysial fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Cruz Lazzarin
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP, Rua Silva Jardim, 136 - Lab 328, Santos, SP, CEP: 11015-020, Brazil.,Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Institute Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - José Fontes Dos Santos
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP, Rua Silva Jardim, 136 - Lab 328, Santos, SP, CEP: 11015-020, Brazil
| | - Hananiah Tardivo Quintana
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP, Rua Silva Jardim, 136 - Lab 328, Santos, SP, CEP: 11015-020, Brazil
| | - Flavia Andressa Mazzuco Pidone
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP, Rua Silva Jardim, 136 - Lab 328, Santos, SP, CEP: 11015-020, Brazil
| | - Flavia de Oliveira
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP, Rua Silva Jardim, 136 - Lab 328, Santos, SP, CEP: 11015-020, Brazil.
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14
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Hermes TDA, Mâncio RD, Mizobutti DS, Macedo AB, Kido LA, Cagnon Quitete VHA, Minatel E. Cilostazol attenuates oxidative stress and apoptosis in the quadriceps muscle of the dystrophic mouse experimental model. Int J Exp Pathol 2023; 104:13-22. [PMID: 36565167 PMCID: PMC9845609 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12461] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most severe and frequent form of muscular dystrophy. The mdx mouse is one of the most widely used experimental models to understand aspects of the biology of dystrophic skeletal muscles and the mechanisms of DMD. Oxidative stress and apoptosis are present in early stages of the disease in mdx mice. The high production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causes activation of apoptotic death regulatory proteins due to DNA damage and breakdown of nuclear and mitochondrial membranes. The quadriceps (QUA) muscle of the mdx mouse is a good tool to study oxidative events. Previous studies have demonstrated that cilostazol exerts an anti-oxidant effect by decreasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of cilostazol to modulate oxidative stress and apoptosis in the QUA muscle of mdx mice. Fourteen-day-old mdx mice received cilostazol or saline for 14 days. C57BL/10 mice were used as a control. In the QUA muscle of mdx mice, cilostazol treatment decreased ROS production (-74%), the number of lipofuscin granules (-47%), lipid peroxidation (-11%), and the number of apoptotic cells (-66%). Thus cilostazol showed anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic action in the QUA muscle of mdx mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Túlio de Almeida Hermes
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of BiologyState University of Campinas (UNICAMP)São PauloBrazil
- Departament of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical SciencesFederal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL‐MG)AlfenasBrazil
| | - Rafael Dias Mâncio
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of BiologyState University of Campinas (UNICAMP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Daniela Sayuri Mizobutti
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of BiologyState University of Campinas (UNICAMP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Aline Barbosa Macedo
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of BiologyState University of Campinas (UNICAMP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Larissa Akemi Kido
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of BiologyState University of Campinas (UNICAMP)São PauloBrazil
| | | | - Elaine Minatel
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of BiologyState University of Campinas (UNICAMP)São PauloBrazil
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15
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Kiriaev L, Baumann CW, Lindsay A. Eccentric contraction-induced strength loss in dystrophin-deficient muscle: Preparations, protocols, and mechanisms. J Gen Physiol 2023; 155:213810. [PMID: 36651896 PMCID: PMC9856740 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202213208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The absence of dystrophin hypersensitizes skeletal muscle of lower and higher vertebrates to eccentric contraction (ECC)-induced strength loss. Loss of strength can be accompanied by transient and reversible alterations to sarcolemmal excitability and disruption, triad dysfunction, and aberrations in calcium kinetics and reactive oxygen species production. The degree of ECC-induced strength loss, however, appears dependent on several extrinsic and intrinsic factors such as vertebrate model, skeletal muscle preparation (in vivo, in situ, or ex vivo), skeletal muscle hierarchy (single fiber versus whole muscle and permeabilized versus intact), strength production, fiber branching, age, and genetic background, among others. Consistent findings across research groups show that dystrophin-deficient fast(er)-twitch muscle is hypersensitive to ECCs relative to wildtype muscle, but because preparations are highly variable and sensitivity to ECCs are used repeatedly to determine efficacy of many preclinical treatments, it is critical to evaluate the impact of skeletal muscle preparations on sensitivity to ECC-induced strength loss in dystrophin-deficient skeletal muscle. Here, we review and discuss variations in skeletal muscle preparations to evaluate the factors responsible for variations and discrepancies between research groups. We further highlight that dystrophin-deficiency, or loss of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex in skeletal muscle, is not a prerequisite for accelerated strength loss-induced by ECCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonit Kiriaev
- Muscle Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia,School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cory W. Baumann
- Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI), Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Angus Lindsay
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia,Correspondence to Angus Lindsay:
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16
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MSCs-derived apoptotic extracellular vesicles promote muscle regeneration by inducing Pannexin 1 channel-dependent creatine release by myoblasts. Int J Oral Sci 2023; 15:7. [PMID: 36646698 PMCID: PMC9842731 DOI: 10.1038/s41368-022-00205-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe muscle injury is hard to heal and always results in a poor prognosis. Recent studies found that extracellular vesicle-based therapy has promising prospects for regeneration medicine, however, whether extracellular vesicles have therapeutic effects on severe muscle injury is still unknown. Herein, we extracted apoptotic extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs-ApoEVs) to treat cardiotoxin induced tibialis anterior (TA) injury and found that MSCs-ApoEVs promoted muscles regeneration and increased the proportion of multinucleated cells. Besides that, we also found that apoptosis was synchronized during myoblasts fusion and MSCs-ApoEVs promoted the apoptosis ratio as well as the fusion index of myoblasts. Furthermore, we revealed that MSCs-ApoEVs increased the relative level of creatine during myoblasts fusion, which was released via activated Pannexin 1 channel. Moreover, we also found that activated Pannexin 1 channel was highly expressed on the membrane of myoblasts-derived ApoEVs (Myo-ApoEVs) instead of apoptotic myoblasts, and creatine was the pivotal metabolite involved in myoblasts fusion. Collectively, our findings firstly revealed that MSCs-ApoEVs can promote muscle regeneration and elucidated that the new function of ApoEVs as passing inter-cell messages through releasing metabolites from activated Pannexin 1 channel, which will provide new evidence for extracellular vesicles-based therapy as well as improving the understanding of new functions of extracellular vesicles.
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17
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Merckx C, Zschüntzsch J, Meyer S, Raedt R, Verschuere H, Schmidt J, De Paepe B, De Bleecker JL. Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Ectoine in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Comparison with Taurine, a Supplement with Known Beneficial Effects in the mdx Mouse. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179567. [PMID: 36076964 PMCID: PMC9455265 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a debilitating muscle disorder that condemns patients to year-long dependency on glucocorticoids. Chronic glucocorticoid use elicits many unfavourable side-effects without offering satisfying clinical improvement, thus, the search for alternative treatments to alleviate muscle inflammation persists. Taurine, an osmolyte with anti-inflammatory effects, mitigated pathological features in the mdx mouse model for DMD but interfered with murine development. In this study, ectoine is evaluated as an alternative for taurine in vitro in CCL-136 cells and in vivo in the mdx mouse. Pre-treating CCL-136 cells with 0.1 mM taurine and 0.1 mM ectoine prior to exposure with 300 U/mL IFN-γ and 20 ng/mL IL-1β partially attenuated cell death, whilst 100 mM taurine reduced MHC-I protein levels. In vivo, histopathological features of the tibialis anterior in mdx mice were mitigated by ectoine, but not by taurine. Osmolyte treatment significantly reduced mRNA levels of inflammatory disease biomarkers, respectively, CCL2 and SPP1 in ectoine-treated mdx mice, and CCL2, HSPA1A, TNF-α and IL-1β in taurine-treated mdx mice. Functional performance was not improved by osmolyte treatment. Furthermore, ectoine-treated mdx mice exhibited reduced body weight. Our results confirmed beneficial effects of taurine in mdx mice and, for the first time, demonstrated similar and differential effects of ectoine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Merckx
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jana Zschüntzsch
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Meyer
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Robrecht Raedt
- 4BRAIN, Department Head and Skin, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hanne Verschuere
- Unit of Molecular Signaling and Cell Death, Center for Inflammation Research, Flemish Institute for Biotechnology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jens Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology and Pain Treatment, Immanuel Klinik Rüdersdorf, University Hospital of the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 15562 Rüdersdorf bei Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 15562 Rüdersdorf bei Berlin, Germany
| | - Boel De Paepe
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence:
| | - Jan L. De Bleecker
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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18
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Dullin C, Svetlove A, Zschüntzsch J, Alves F. Simultaneous assessment of lung morphology and respiratory motion in retrospectively gated in-vivo microCT of free breathing anesthetized mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13299. [PMID: 35918439 PMCID: PMC9345384 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17335-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Retrospective gating (RG) is a well established technique in preclinical computed tomography (CT) to assess 3D morphology of the lung. In RG additional angular projections are recorded typically by performing multiple rotations. Consequently, the projections are sorted according to the expansion state of the chest and those sets are then reconstructed separately. Thus, the breathing motion artefacts are suppressed at a cost of strongly elevated X-ray dose levels. Here we propose to use the entire raw data to assess respiratory motion in addition to retrospectively gated 3D reconstruction that visualize anatomical structures of the lung. Using this RG based X-ray respiratory motion measurement approach, which will be referred to as RG based X-ray lung function measurement (rgXLF) on the example of the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscle dystrophy (mdx) we accurately obtained both the 3D anatomical morphology of the lung and the thoracic bones as well as functional temporal parameters of the lung. Thus, rgXLF will remove the necessity for separate acquisition procedures by being able to reproduce comparable results to the previously established planar X-ray based lung function measurement approach in a single low dose CT scan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Dullin
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany. .,Max-Plank-Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Translational Molecular Imaging, Goettingen, Germany. .,Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Angelika Svetlove
- Max-Plank-Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Translational Molecular Imaging, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Jana Zschüntzsch
- Clinic for Neurology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Göettingen, Germany
| | - Frauke Alves
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.,Max-Plank-Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Translational Molecular Imaging, Goettingen, Germany.,Clinic for Haematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
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19
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van Putten M. The predictive value of models of neuromuscular disorders to potentiate clinical translation. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:276168. [PMID: 35912512 PMCID: PMC9366891 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) are a heterogenous group of rare inherited diseases that compromise the function of peripheral nerves and/or muscles. With limited treatment options available, there is a growing need to design effective preclinical studies that can lead to greater success in clinical trials for novel therapeutics. Here, I discuss recent advances in modelling NMDs to improve preclinical studies as well as two articles from this issue that work in parallel to enable a deeper understanding of a particularly rare NMD, known as X-linked myotubular myopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike van Putten
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Human Genetics, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
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20
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Alix JJP, Plesia M, Hool SA, Coldicott I, Kendall CA, Shaw PJ, Mead RJ, Day JC. Fibre optic Raman spectroscopy for the evaluation of disease state in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: an assessment using the mdx model and human muscle. Muscle Nerve 2022; 66:362-369. [PMID: 35762576 PMCID: PMC9541045 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27671] [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: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Introduction/Aims Raman spectroscopy is an emerging technique for the evaluation of muscle disease. In this study we evaluate the ability of in vivo intramuscular Raman spectroscopy to detect the effects of voluntary running in the mdx model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). We also compare mdx data with muscle spectra from human DMD patients. Methods Thirty 90‐day‐old mdx mice were randomly allocated to an exercised group (48‐hour access to a running wheel) and an unexercised group (n = 15 per group). In vivo Raman spectra were collected from both gastrocnemius muscles and histopathological assessment subsequently performed. Raman data were analyzed using principal component analysis–fed linear discriminant analysis (PCA‐LDA). Exercised and unexercised mdx muscle spectra were compared with human DMD samples using cosine similarity. Results Exercised mice ran an average of 6.5 km over 48 hours, which induced a significant increase in muscle necrosis (P = .03). PCA‐LDA scores were significantly different between the exercised and unexercised groups (P < .0001) and correlated significantly with distance run (P = .01). Raman spectra from exercised mice more closely resembled human spectra than those from unexercised mice. Discussion Raman spectroscopy provides a readout of the biochemical alterations in muscle in both the mdx mouse and human DMD muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J P Alix
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield.,Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield
| | - Maria Plesia
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield
| | - Sarah A Hool
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield
| | - Ian Coldicott
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield
| | | | - Pamela J Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield.,Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield
| | - Richard J Mead
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield.,Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield
| | - John C Day
- Interface Analysis Centre, School of Physics, University of Bristol
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21
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Chan S, Kueh SLL, Morley JW, Head SI. Sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium handling in unbranched, immediately post-necrotic fast-twitch mdx fibres is similar to wild-type littermates. Exp Physiol 2022; 107:601-614. [PMID: 35471703 DOI: 10.1113/ep090057] [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: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS Central question: What are the early effects of dystrophin deficiency on SR Ca2+ handling in the mdx mouse? MAIN FINDING In the mdx mouse, Ca2+ handling by the SR is little affected by the absence of dystrophin when looking at fibres without branches that have just regenerated following massive myonecrosis. This has important implications for our understanding of Ca2+ pathology in the mdx mouse. ABSTRACT There is a variety of results in the literature regarding the effects of dystrophin deficiency on the Ca2+ -handling properties of the SR in mdx mice, an animal model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. One possible source of variation is the presence of branched fibres. Fibre branching, a consequence of degenerative-regenerative processes such as muscular dystrophy, has in itself a significant influence on the function of the SR. In our present study we attempt to detect early effects of dystrophin deficiency on SR Ca2+ handling by using unbranched fibres from the immediate post-necrotic stage in mdx mice (just regenerated following massive necrosis). Using kinetically-corrected Fura-2 fluorescence signals measured during twitch and tetanus, we analysed the amplitude, rise time and decay time of Δ[Ca2+ ]i in unfatigued and fatigued fibres. Decay was also resolved into SR pump and SR leak components. Fibres from mdx mice were similar in all respects to fibres from wt littermates apart from: (i) a smaller amplitude of the initial spike of Δ[Ca2+ ]i during a tetanus; and (ii) a mitigation of the fall in Δ[Ca2+ ]i amplitude during the course of fatigue. Our findings suggest that the early effects of a loss of dystrophin on SR Ca2+ handling in mdx mice are subtle, and emphasise the importance of distinguishing between Ca2+ pathology that is due to lack of dystrophin and Ca2+ pathology that is due to muscle degeneration. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Chan
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Ratchatewi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sindy L L Kueh
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John W Morley
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stewart I Head
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
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22
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Description of Osmolyte Pathways in Maturing Mdx Mice Reveals Altered Levels of Taurine and Sodium/Myo-Inositol Co-Transporters. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063251. [PMID: 35328671 PMCID: PMC8955384 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration. Osmotic stress participates to DMD pathology and altered levels of osmolyte pathway members have been reported. The goal of this study was to gain insight in osmoregulatory changes in the mdx mouse model by examining the expression of osmolyte pathway members, including taurine transporter (TauT), sodium myo-inositol co-transporter (SMIT), betaine GABA transporter (BGT), and aldose reductase (AR) in the skeletal muscles and diaphragm of mdx mice aged 4, 8, 12, and 26 weeks. Necrosis was most prominent in 12 week-old mdx mice, whereas the amount of regenerated fibers increased until week 26 in the tibialis anterior. TauT protein levels were downregulated in the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius of 4 to 12 week-old mdx mice, but not in 26 week-old mice, whereas TauT levels in the diaphragm remained significantly lower in 26 week-old mdx mice. In contrast, SMIT protein levels were significantly higher in the muscles of mdx mice when compared to controls. Our study revealed differential regulation of osmolyte pathway members in mdx muscle, which points to their complex involvement in DMD pathogenesis going beyond general osmotic stress responses. These results highlight the potential of osmolyte pathway members as a research interest and future therapeutic target in dystrophinopathy.
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23
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Svetlove A, Albers J, Hülsmann S, Markus MA, Zschüntzsch J, Alves F, Dullin C. Non-Invasive Optical Motion Tracking Allows Monitoring of Respiratory Dynamics in Dystrophin-Deficient Mice. Cells 2022; 11:cells11050918. [PMID: 35269540 PMCID: PMC8909479 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common x-chromosomal inherited dystrophinopathy which leads to progressive muscle weakness and a premature death due to cardiorespiratory dysfunction. The mdx mouse lacks functional dystrophin protein and has a comparatively human-like diaphragm phenotype. To date, diaphragm function can only be inadequately mapped in preclinical studies and a simple reliable translatable method of tracking the severity of the disease still lacks. We aimed to establish a sensitive, reliable, harmless and easy way to assess the effects of respiratory muscle weakness and subsequent irregularity in breathing pattern. Optical respiratory dynamics tracking (ORDT) was developed utilising a camera to track the movement of paper markers placed on the thoracic-abdominal region of the mouse. ORDT successfully distinguished diseased mdx phenotype from healthy controls by measuring significantly higher expiration constants (k) in mdx mice compared to wildtype (wt), which were also observed in the established X-ray based lung function (XLF). In contrast to XLF, with ORDT we were able to distinguish distinct fast and slow expiratory phases. In mdx mice, a larger part of the expiratory marker displacement was achieved in this initial fast phase as compared to wt mice. This phenomenon could not be observed in the XLF measurements. We further validated the simplicity and reliability of our approach by demonstrating that it can be performed using free-hand smartphone acquisition. We conclude that ORDT has a great preclinical potential to monitor DMD and other neuromuscular diseases based on changes in the breathing patterns with the future possibility to track therapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika Svetlove
- Translational Molecular Imaging, Max-Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, City Campus, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (A.S.); (M.A.M.); (F.A.)
| | - Jonas Albers
- X-ray Based Preclinical Imaging Technologies, Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
| | - Swen Hülsmann
- Central Breathing Control, Clinic for Anesthesiology, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
| | - Marietta Andrea Markus
- Translational Molecular Imaging, Max-Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, City Campus, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (A.S.); (M.A.M.); (F.A.)
| | - Jana Zschüntzsch
- Neuromuscular Disease Research, Clinic for Neurology, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
| | - Frauke Alves
- Translational Molecular Imaging, Max-Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, City Campus, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (A.S.); (M.A.M.); (F.A.)
- X-ray Based Preclinical Imaging Technologies, Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
- Clinic for Haematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Multiscale Bioimaging—From Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells, Cluster of Excellence (MBExC), 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Dullin
- X-ray Based Preclinical Imaging Technologies, Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence:
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24
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Shirakawa T, Ikushima A, Maruyama N, Nambu Y, Awano H, Osawa K, Nirasawa K, Negishi Y, Nishio H, Fukushima S, Matsuo M. A sandwich ELISA kit reveals marked elevation of titin N‐terminal fragment levels in the urine of
mdx
mice. Animal Model Exp Med 2022; 5:48-55. [PMID: 35229992 PMCID: PMC8879618 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The mdx mouse is a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a fatal progressive muscle wasting disease caused by dystrophin deficiency, and is used most widely in preclinical studies. Mice with dystrophin deficiency, however, show milder muscle strength phenotypes than humans. In human, the introduction of a sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit revealed a more than 700‐fold increase in titin N‐terminal fragment levels in the urine of pediatric patients with DMD. Notably, the urinary titin level declines with aging, reflecting progression of muscle wasting. In mouse, development of a highly sensitive ELISA kit has been awaited. Here, a sandwich ELISA kit to measure titin N‐terminal fragment levels in mouse urine was developed. The developed kit showed good linearity, recovery, and repeatability in measuring recombinant or natural mouse titin N‐terminal fragment levels. The titin N‐terminal fragment concentration in the urine of mdx mice was more than 500‐fold higher than that of normal mice. Urinary titin was further analyzed by extending the collection of urine samples to both young (3–11 weeks old) and aged (56–58 weeks old) mdx mice. The concentration in the young group was significantly higher than that in the aged group. It was concluded that muscle protein breakdown is active and persistent in mdx mice even though the muscle phenotype is mild. Our results provide an opportunity to develop DMD treatments that aim to alleviate muscle protein breakdown by monitoring urinary titin levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taku Shirakawa
- Research Center for Locomotion Biology Kobe Gakuin University Kobe Japan
- KNC Department of Nucleic Acid Drug Discovery Faculty of Rehabilitation Kobe Gakuin University Kobe Japan
| | - Ayumu Ikushima
- Department of Pharmaceutics Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Kobe Gakuin University Kobe Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Maruyama
- Diagnostic & Research Reagents Division Immuno‐Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd Fujioka Japan
| | - Yoshinori Nambu
- Department of Pediatrics Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine Kobe Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Awano
- Department of Pediatrics Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine Kobe Japan
| | - Kayo Osawa
- Department of Medical Technology Faculty of Health Sciences Kobe Tokiwa University Kobe Japan
| | - Kei Nirasawa
- Department of Drug Delivery and Molecular Biopharmaceutics School of Pharmacy Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences Tokyo Japan
| | - Yoichi Negishi
- Department of Drug Delivery and Molecular Biopharmaceutics School of Pharmacy Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences Tokyo Japan
| | - Hisahide Nishio
- Research Center for Locomotion Biology Kobe Gakuin University Kobe Japan
| | - Shoji Fukushima
- Department of Pharmaceutics Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Kobe Gakuin University Kobe Japan
| | - Masafumi Matsuo
- Research Center for Locomotion Biology Kobe Gakuin University Kobe Japan
- KNC Department of Nucleic Acid Drug Discovery Faculty of Rehabilitation Kobe Gakuin University Kobe Japan
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25
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MUNNO PAULAM, BARROSO POLIANAR, VASCONCELOS BRUNAF, SILVA GEOVANNEBDA, SALGUEIRO THIAGOM, AGUIAR HELOISAH, VITORINO LETÍCIAM, OLIVEIRA MURILOX, MARTINS HELENR, GAIAD THAISP, MACHADO ALEXS. Acute toxicity and regenerative dose finding of an extract of Miconia ferruginata DC. in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2022; 94:e20210190. [DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202220210190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- PAULA M. MUNNO
- Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - HELEN R. MARTINS
- Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Brazil
| | - THAIS P. GAIAD
- Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Brazil
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26
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Kiriaev L, Kueh S, Morley JW, North KN, Houweling PJ, Head SI. Lifespan Analysis of Dystrophic mdx Fast-Twitch Muscle Morphology and Its Impact on Contractile Function. Front Physiol 2021; 12:771499. [PMID: 34950049 PMCID: PMC8689589 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.771499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by the absence of the protein dystrophin from skeletal muscle and is characterized by progressive cycles of necrosis/regeneration. Using the dystrophin deficient mdx mouse model, we studied the morphological and contractile chronology of dystrophic skeletal muscle pathology in fast-twitch Extensor Digitorum Longus muscles from animals 4–22 months of age containing 100% regenerated muscle fibers. Catastrophically, the older age groups lost ∼80% of their maximum force after one eccentric contraction (EC) of 20% strain with the greatest loss of ∼92% recorded in senescent 22-month-old mdx mice. In old age groups, there was minimal force recovery ∼24% after 120 min, correlated with a dramatic increase in the number and complexity of branched fibers. This data supports our two-phase model where a “tipping point” is reached when branched fibers rupture irrevocably on EC. These findings have important implications for pre-clinical drug studies and genetic rescue strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonit Kiriaev
- Myogenica Laboratory, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Leonit Kiriaev,
| | - Sindy Kueh
- Myogenica Laboratory, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John W. Morley
- Myogenica Laboratory, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kathryn N. North
- Muscle Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter J. Houweling
- Muscle Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stewart I. Head
- Myogenica Laboratory, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Muscle Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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27
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Hematopoietic Prostaglandin D Synthase Inhibitor PK007 Decreases Muscle Necrosis in DMD mdx Model Mice. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11090994. [PMID: 34575143 PMCID: PMC8469723 DOI: 10.3390/life11090994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and wasting due to the lack of dystrophin protein. The acute phase of DMD is characterized by muscle necrosis and increased levels of the pro-inflammatory mediator, prostaglandin D2 (PGD2). Inhibiting the production of PGD2 by inhibiting hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase (HPGDS) may alleviate inflammation and decrease muscle necrosis. We tested our novel HPGDS inhibitor, PK007, in the mdx mouse model of DMD. Our results show that hindlimb grip strength was two-fold greater in the PK007-treated mdx group, compared to untreated mdx mice, and displayed similar muscle strength to strain control mice (C57BL/10ScSn). Histological analyses showed a decreased percentage of regenerating muscle fibers (~20% less) in tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius muscles and reduced fibrosis in the TA muscle in PK007-treated mice. Lastly, we confirmed that the DMD blood biomarker, muscle creatine kinase activity, was also reduced by ~50% in PK007-treated mdx mice. We conclude that our HPGDS inhibitor, PK007, has effectively reduced muscle inflammation and fibrosis in a DMD mdx mouse model.
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28
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Ataluren-Promising Therapeutic Premature Termination Codon Readthrough Frontrunner. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080785. [PMID: 34451881 PMCID: PMC8398184 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Around 12% of hereditary disease-causing mutations are in-frame nonsense mutations. The expression of genes containing nonsense mutations potentially leads to the production of truncated proteins with residual or virtually no function. However, the translation of transcripts containing premature stop codons resulting in full-length protein expression can be achieved using readthrough agents. Among them, only ataluren was approved in several countries to treat nonsense mutation Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. This review summarizes ataluren’s journey from its identification, via first in vitro activity experiments, to clinical trials in DMD, cystic fibrosis, and aniridia. Additionally, data on its pharmacokinetics and mechanism of action are presented. The range of diseases with underlying nonsense mutations is described for which ataluren therapy seems to be promising. What is more, experiments in which ataluren did not show its readthrough activity are also included, and reasons for their failures are discussed.
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29
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Phelps M, Yablonka-Reuveni Z. Female Outperformance in Voluntary Running Persists in Dystrophin-Null and Klotho-Overexpressing Mice. J Neuromuscul Dis 2021; 8:S271-S281. [PMID: 34275905 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-210703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a degenerative muscle disease that results from impairment of the dystrophin gene. The disease causes progressive loss in muscle mass and function. OBJECTIVE The anti-aging protein, α-klotho, has been implicated in the regulation of muscle regeneration. We previously discovered that mice harboring reduced α-klotho levels exhibited a decline in muscle strength and running endurance. METHOD To investigate the ability of α-klotho to improve overall endurance in a dystrophin null murine model, we examined the voluntary wheel running performance of dystrophin-null, mdx4cv mice overexpressing an α-klotho transgene. RESULTS As expected, compared to wild type, both male and female dystrophic mice exhibited reduced running ability that was characterized by shorter running duration and longer periods of rest between cycles of activity. While our results did not detect an improvement in running performance with α-klotho overexpression, we identified distinct differences in the running patterns between females and males from all mouse strains analyzed (i.e., mdx4cv, mdx4cv overexpressing α-klotho, α-klotho overexpressing, α-klotho hypomorph, and wild type). For all strains, male mice displayed significantly reduced voluntary running ability compared to females. Further analysis of the mdx4cv strains demonstrated that male mice ran for shorter lengths of time and took longer breaks. However, we did not identify gender-associated differences in the actual speed at which mdx4cv mice ran. CONCLUSION Our data suggest key differences in the running capabilities of female and male mice, which are of particular relevance to studies of dystrophin-null mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Phelps
- Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Zipora Yablonka-Reuveni
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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30
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Murphy AP, Greally E, O'Hogain D, Blamire A, Caravan P, Straub V. Use of EP3533-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging as a Measure of Disease Progression in Skeletal Muscle of mdx Mice. Front Neurol 2021; 12:636719. [PMID: 34220666 PMCID: PMC8248789 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.636719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As putative treatments are developed for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), sensitive, non-invasive measures are increasingly important to quantify disease progression. Fibrosis is one of the histological hallmarks of muscular dystrophy and has been directly linked to prognosis. EP3533 is a novel contrast agent with an affinity to collagen 1 that has demonstrated a significant and high correlation to ex vivo fibrosis quantification. Halofuginone is an established anti-fibrotic compound shown to reduce collagen skeletal muscle fibrosis in murine models of DMD. This experiment explored whether EP3533 could be used to detect signal change in skeletal muscle of mdx mice before and after a 12 week course of halofuginone compared to controls. Four age-matched groups of treated and untreated mice were evaluated: 2 groups of mdx (n = 8 and n = 13, respectively), and 2 groups of BL10 mice (n = 5 and n = 3, respectively). Treated mice received an intraperitoneal injection with halofuginone three times per week for 12 weeks, with the remaining mice being given vehicle. Both mdx groups and the untreated BL10 were scanned at baseline, then all groups were scanned on week 13. All subjects were scanned using a 7T Varian scanner before and after administration of EP3533 using a T1 mapping technique. Mice underwent grip testing in week 13 prior to dissection. Skeletal muscle was used for Masson's trichrome quantification, hydroxyproline assay, and immunofluorescent antibody staining. Untreated mdx mice demonstrated a significant increase in R1 signal from pre- to post-treatment scan in three out of four muscles (gastrocnemius p = 0.04, hamstrings p = 0.009, and tibialis anterior p = 0.01), which was not seen in either the treated mdx or the BL10 groups. Histological quantification of fibrosis also demonstrated significantly higher levels in the untreated mdx mice with significant correlation seen between histology and EP3533 signal change. Forelimb weight adjusted-grip strength was significantly lower in the untreated mdx group, compared to the treated group. EP3533 can be used over time as an outcome measure to quantify treatment effect of an established anti-fibrotic drug. Further studies are needed to evaluate the use of this contrast agent in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Peter Murphy
- The Institute of Cancer and Genomics, Birmingham University, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Translational and Clinical Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Greally
- The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Translational and Clinical Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Dara O'Hogain
- Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Blamire
- Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Caravan
- Department of Radiology, Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Volker Straub
- The Institute of Cancer and Genomics, Birmingham University, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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31
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Ban J, Beqaj B, Phillips WD. Vector-mediated expression of muscle specific kinase restores specific force to muscles in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Exp Physiol 2021; 106:1794-1805. [PMID: 34114278 DOI: 10.1113/ep089439] [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: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? The (dystrophin-deficient) muscles of mdx mice generate less contractile force per cross-sectional area (specific force) than those of healthy wild-type mice: what is the influence of muscle specific kinase (MuSK) upon the properties of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle in mdx mice? What is the main finding and its importance? Injection of adeno-associated viral vector encoding MuSK into the TA muscle of young mdx mice increased the specific force of the muscle, suggesting the MuSK signalling system has the potential to restore healthy growth to dystrophin-deficient muscles. ABSTRACT In the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, muscle fibres are fragile and prone to injury and degeneration. Compared to wild-type mice, muscles of mdx mice also develop less specific force (contractile force/cross-sectional area). We recently reported that injecting adeno-associated viral vector encoding muscle specific kinase (AAV-MuSK) into muscles of mdx mice increased utrophin expression and made the muscles more resistant to acute stretch-induced injury. Here we injected AAV-MuSK unilaterally into the tibialis anterior muscle of mdx mice at a younger age (4 weeks), and recorded contraction force from the muscles in situ at 12 weeks of age. Compared to contralateral empty-vector control muscles, muscles injected with AAV-MuSK produced 28% greater specific force (P = 0.0005). They did not undergo the compensatory hypertrophy that normally occurs in muscles of mdx mice. Injection of AAV encoding rapsyn (a downstream effector of MuSK signalling) caused no such improvement in muscle strength. Muscles injected with AAV-MuSK displayed a 10% reduction in the number of fibres with centralized nuclei (P = 0.0015). Our results in mdx mice suggest that elevating the expression of MuSK can reduce the incidence of muscle fibre regeneration and improve the strength of dystrophin-deficient muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Ban
- Physiology and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Besa Beqaj
- Physiology and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - William D Phillips
- Physiology and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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32
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Plesia M, Stevens OA, Lloyd GR, Kendall CA, Coldicott I, Kennerley AJ, Miller G, Shaw PJ, Mead RJ, Day JCC, Alix JJP. In Vivo Fiber Optic Raman Spectroscopy of Muscle in Preclinical Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1768-1776. [PMID: 33950665 PMCID: PMC8154326 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular diseases result in muscle weakness, disability, and, in many instances, death. Preclinical models form the bedrock of research into these disorders, and the development of in vivo and potentially translational biomarkers for the accurate identification of disease is crucial. Spontaneous Raman spectroscopy can provide a rapid, label-free, and highly specific molecular fingerprint of tissue, making it an attractive potential biomarker. In this study, we have developed and tested an in vivo intramuscular fiber optic Raman technique in two mouse models of devastating human neuromuscular diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (SOD1G93A and mdx, respectively). The method identified diseased and healthy muscle with high classification accuracies (area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC): 0.76-0.92). In addition, changes in diseased muscle over time were also identified (AUROCs 0.89-0.97). Key spectral changes related to proteins and the loss of α-helix protein structure. Importantly, in vivo recording did not cause functional motor impairment and only a limited, resolving tissue injury was seen on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. Lastly, we demonstrate that ex vivo muscle from human patients with these conditions produced similar spectra to those observed in mice. We conclude that spontaneous Raman spectroscopy of muscle shows promise as a translational research tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Plesia
- Sheffield
Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Oliver A. Stevens
- Interface
Analysis Centre, School of Physics, University
of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK
| | - Gavin R. Lloyd
- Phenome
Centre Birmingham, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- Biophotonics
Research Unit, Gloucestershire Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester GL1 3NN, UK
| | - Catherine A. Kendall
- Biophotonics
Research Unit, Gloucestershire Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester GL1 3NN, UK
| | - Ian Coldicott
- Sheffield
Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
| | | | - Gaynor Miller
- Department
of Oncology and Metabolism, University of
Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Pamela J. Shaw
- Sheffield
Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
- Cross-Faculty
Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Richard J. Mead
- Sheffield
Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
- Cross-Faculty
Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
| | - John C. C. Day
- Interface
Analysis Centre, School of Physics, University
of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK
| | - James J. P. Alix
- Sheffield
Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
- Cross-Faculty
Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
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33
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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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34
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Mareedu S, Million ED, Duan D, Babu GJ. Abnormal Calcium Handling in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Mechanisms and Potential Therapies. Front Physiol 2021; 12:647010. [PMID: 33897454 PMCID: PMC8063049 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.647010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked muscle-wasting disease caused by the loss of dystrophin. DMD is associated with muscle degeneration, necrosis, inflammation, fatty replacement, and fibrosis, resulting in muscle weakness, respiratory and cardiac failure, and premature death. There is no curative treatment. Investigations on disease-causing mechanisms offer an opportunity to identify new therapeutic targets to treat DMD. An abnormal elevation of the intracellular calcium (Cai2+) concentration in the dystrophin-deficient muscle is a major secondary event, which contributes to disease progression in DMD. Emerging studies have suggested that targeting Ca2+-handling proteins and/or mechanisms could be a promising therapeutic strategy for DMD. Here, we provide an updated overview of the mechanistic roles the sarcolemma, sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria play in the abnormal and sustained elevation of Cai2+ levels and their involvement in DMD pathogenesis. We also discuss current approaches aimed at restoring Ca2+ homeostasis as potential therapies for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satvik Mareedu
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Emily D Million
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Department of Biomedical, Biological & Chemical Engineering, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Gopal J Babu
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
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35
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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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36
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Pedrazzani PS, Araújo TOP, Sigoli E, da Silva IR, da Roza DL, Chesca DL, Rassier DE, Cornachione AS. Twenty-one days of low-intensity eccentric training improve morphological characteristics and function of soleus muscles of mdx mice. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3579. [PMID: 33574358 PMCID: PMC7878734 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79168-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchene muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by the absence of the protein dystrophin, which leads to muscle weakness, progressive degeneration, and eventually death due to respiratory failure. Low-intensity eccentric training (LIET) has been used as a rehabilitation method in skeletal muscles after disuse. Recently, LIET has also been used for rehabilitating dystrophic muscles, but its effects are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 21 days of LIET in dystrophic soleus muscle. Thirty-six male mdx mice were randomized into six groups (n = 6/each): mdx sedentary group; mdx training group-3 days; mdx training group-21 days; wild-type sedentary group; wild-type training group-3 days and wild-type training group-21 days. After the training sessions, animals were euthanized, and fragments of soleus muscles were removed for immunofluorescence and histological analyses, and measurements of active force and Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile apparatus. Muscles of the mdx training group-21 days showed an improvement in morphological characteristics and an increase of active force when compared to the sedentary mdx group. The results show that LIET can improve the functionality of dystrophic soleus muscle in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo S Pedrazzani
- Department of Physiological Science, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Tatiana O P Araújo
- Department of Physiological Science, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Emilly Sigoli
- Department of Physiological Science, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Isabella R da Silva
- Department of Physiological Science, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Daiane Leite da Roza
- Department of Neurosciences and Behaviour, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Deise Lucia Chesca
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Dilson E Rassier
- Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Anabelle S Cornachione
- Department of Physiological Science, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil.
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37
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Micheletto MLJ, Hermes TDA, Bertassoli BM, Petri G, Perez MM, Fonseca FLA, Carvalho AADS, Feder D. Ixazomib, an oral proteasome inhibitor, exhibits potential effect in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice. Int J Exp Pathol 2021; 102:11-21. [PMID: 33296126 PMCID: PMC7839951 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystrophin deficiency makes the sarcolemma fragile and susceptible to degeneration in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The proteasome is a multimeric protease complex and is central to the regulation of cellular proteins. Previous studies have shown that proteasome inhibition improved pathological changes in mdx mice. Ixazomib is the first oral proteasome inhibitor used as a therapy in multiple myeloma. This study investigated the effects of ixazomib on the dystrophic muscle of mdx mice. MDX mice were treated with ixazomib (7.5 mg/kg/wk by gavage) or 0.2 mL of saline for 12 weeks. The Kondziela test was performed to measure muscle strength. The tibialis anterior (TA) and diaphragm (DIA) muscles were used for morphological analysis, and blood samples were collected for biochemical measurement. We observed maintenance of the muscle strength in the animals treated with ixazomib. Treatment with ixazomib had no toxic effect on the mdx mouse. The morphological analysis showed a reduction in the inflammatory area and fibres with central nuclei in the TA and DIA muscles and an increase in the number of fibres with a diameter of 20 µm2 in the DIA muscle after treatment with ixazomib. There was an increase in the expression of dystrophin and utrophin in the TA and DIA muscles and a reduction in the expression of osteopontin and TGF-β in the DIA muscle of mdx mice treated with ixazomib. Ixazomib was thus shown to increase the expression of dystrophin and utrophin associated with improved pathological and functional changes in the dystrophic muscles of mdx mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tulio de Almeida Hermes
- Departament of Morphology and PhysiologyMedical Faculty of the ABCSanto AndréBrazil
- Departament of AnatomyFederal University of AlfenasAlfenasBrazil
| | | | - Giuliana Petri
- Departament of Morphology and PhysiologyMedical Faculty of the ABCSanto AndréBrazil
| | | | | | | | - David Feder
- Departament of Morphology and PhysiologyMedical Faculty of the ABCSanto AndréBrazil
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38
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Relaix F, Bencze M, Borok MJ, Der Vartanian A, Gattazzo F, Mademtzoglou D, Perez-Diaz S, Prola A, Reyes-Fernandez PC, Rotini A, Taglietti. Perspectives on skeletal muscle stem cells. Nat Commun 2021; 12:692. [PMID: 33514709 PMCID: PMC7846784 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20760-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle has remarkable regeneration capabilities, mainly due to its resident muscle stem cells (MuSCs). In this review, we introduce recently developed technologies and the mechanistic insights they provide to the understanding of MuSC biology, including the re-definition of quiescence and Galert states. Additionally, we present recent studies that link MuSC function with cellular heterogeneity, highlighting the complex regulation of self-renewal in regeneration, muscle disorders and aging. Finally, we discuss MuSC metabolism and its role, as well as the multifaceted regulation of MuSCs by their niche. The presented conceptual advances in the MuSC field impact on our general understanding of stem cells and their therapeutic use in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Relaix
- grid.462410.50000 0004 0386 3258Univ Paris Est Creteil, INSERM, IMRB, 94010 Creteil, France ,EnvA, IMRB, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France ,grid.462410.50000 0004 0386 3258EFS, IMRB, 94010 Creteil, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109AP-HP, Hopital Mondor, Service d’histologie, 94010 Creteil, France
| | - M. Bencze
- grid.462410.50000 0004 0386 3258Univ Paris Est Creteil, INSERM, IMRB, 94010 Creteil, France
| | - M. J. Borok
- grid.462410.50000 0004 0386 3258Univ Paris Est Creteil, INSERM, IMRB, 94010 Creteil, France
| | - A. Der Vartanian
- grid.462410.50000 0004 0386 3258Univ Paris Est Creteil, INSERM, IMRB, 94010 Creteil, France
| | - F. Gattazzo
- grid.462410.50000 0004 0386 3258Univ Paris Est Creteil, INSERM, IMRB, 94010 Creteil, France ,grid.462410.50000 0004 0386 3258EFS, IMRB, 94010 Creteil, France
| | - D. Mademtzoglou
- grid.462410.50000 0004 0386 3258Univ Paris Est Creteil, INSERM, IMRB, 94010 Creteil, France
| | - S. Perez-Diaz
- grid.462410.50000 0004 0386 3258Univ Paris Est Creteil, INSERM, IMRB, 94010 Creteil, France
| | - A. Prola
- grid.462410.50000 0004 0386 3258Univ Paris Est Creteil, INSERM, IMRB, 94010 Creteil, France ,EnvA, IMRB, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - P. C. Reyes-Fernandez
- grid.462410.50000 0004 0386 3258Univ Paris Est Creteil, INSERM, IMRB, 94010 Creteil, France
| | - A. Rotini
- grid.462410.50000 0004 0386 3258Univ Paris Est Creteil, INSERM, IMRB, 94010 Creteil, France
| | - Taglietti
- grid.462410.50000 0004 0386 3258Univ Paris Est Creteil, INSERM, IMRB, 94010 Creteil, France
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39
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Mele A, Mantuano P, Fonzino A, Rana F, Capogrosso RF, Sanarica F, Rolland JF, Cappellari O, De Luca A. Ultrasonography validation for early alteration of diaphragm echodensity and function in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245397. [PMID: 33434240 PMCID: PMC7802948 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy is characterized by functional and structural alterations of the diaphragm since early stages of pathology, closely resembling patients' condition. In recent years, ultrasonography has been proposed as a useful longitudinal non-invasive technique to assess mdx diaphragm dysfunction and evaluate drug efficacy over time. To date, only a few preclinical studies have been conducted. Therefore, an independent validation of this method by different laboratories is needed to increase results reliability and reduce biases. Here, we performed diaphragm ultrasonography in 3- and 6-month-old mdx mice, the preferred age-window for pharmacology studies. The alteration of diaphragm function over time was measured as diaphragm ultrasound movement amplitude. At the same time points, a first-time assessment of diaphragm echodensity was performed, as an experimental index of progressive loss of contractile tissue. A parallel evaluation of other in vivo and ex vivo dystrophy-relevant readouts was carried out. Both 3- and 6-month-old mdx mice showed a significant decrease in diaphragm amplitude compared to wild type (wt) mice. This index was well-correlated either with in vivo running performance or ex vivo isometric tetanic force of isolated diaphragm. In addition, diaphragms from 6-month-old dystrophic mice were also highly susceptible to eccentric contraction ex vivo. Importantly, we disclosed an age-dependent increase in echodensity in mdx mice not observed in wt animals, which was independent from abdominal wall thickness. This was accompanied by a notable increase of pro-fibrotic TGF-β1 levels in the mdx diaphragm and of non-muscle tissue amount in diaphragm sections stained by hematoxylin & eosin. Our findings corroborate the usefulness of diaphragm ultrasonography in preclinical drug studies as a powerful tool to monitor mdx pathology progression since early stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Mele
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy—Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Paola Mantuano
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy—Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Adriano Fonzino
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy—Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Rana
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy—Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Sanarica
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy—Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | | | - Ornella Cappellari
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy—Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Annamaria De Luca
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy—Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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40
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Gibbs EM, McCourt JL, Shin KM, Hammond KG, Marshall JL, Crosbie RH. Loss of sarcospan exacerbates pathology in mdx mice, but does not affect utrophin amelioration of disease. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:149-159. [PMID: 33432327 PMCID: PMC8091037 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) is a membrane adhesion complex that provides structural stability at the sarcolemma by linking the myocyte's internal cytoskeleton and external extracellular matrix. In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the absence of dystrophin leads to the loss of the DGC at the sarcolemma, resulting in sarcolemmal instability and progressive muscle damage. Utrophin (UTRN), an autosomal homolog of dystrophin, is upregulated in dystrophic muscle and partially compensates for the loss of dystrophin in muscle from patients with DMD. Here, we examine the interaction between Utr and sarcospan (SSPN), a small transmembrane protein that is a core component of both UTRN-glycoprotein complex (UGC) and DGC. We show that additional loss of SSPN causes an earlier onset of disease in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice by reducing the expression of the UGC at the sarcolemma. In order to further evaluate the role of SSPN in maintaining therapeutic levels of Utr at the sarcolemma, we tested the effect of Utr transgenic overexpression in mdx mice lacking SSPN (mdx:SSPN -/-:Utr-Tg). We found that overexpression of Utr restored SSPN to the sarcolemma in mdx muscle but that the ablation of SSPN in mdx muscle reduced Utr at the membrane. Nevertheless, Utr overexpression reduced central nucleation and improved grip strength in both lines. These findings demonstrate that high levels of Utr transgenic overexpression ameliorate the mdx phenotype independently of SSPN expression but that loss of SSPN may impair Utr-based mechanisms that rely on lower levels of Utr protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Gibbs
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jackie L McCourt
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Kara M Shin
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Katherine G Hammond
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jamie L Marshall
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Rachelle H Crosbie
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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41
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Rybalka E, Timpani CA, Debruin DA, Bagaric RM, Campelj DG, Hayes A. The Failed Clinical Story of Myostatin Inhibitors against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Exploring the Biology behind the Battle. Cells 2020; 9:E2657. [PMID: 33322031 PMCID: PMC7764137 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Myostatin inhibition therapy has held much promise for the treatment of muscle wasting disorders. This is particularly true for the fatal myopathy, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Following on from promising pre-clinical data in dystrophin-deficient mice and dogs, several clinical trials were initiated in DMD patients using different modality myostatin inhibition therapies. All failed to show modification of disease course as dictated by the primary and secondary outcome measures selected: the myostatin inhibition story, thus far, is a failed clinical story. These trials have recently been extensively reviewed and reasons why pre-clinical data collected in animal models have failed to translate into clinical benefit to patients have been purported. However, the biological mechanisms underlying translational failure need to be examined to ensure future myostatin inhibitor development endeavors do not meet with the same fate. Here, we explore the biology which could explain the failed translation of myostatin inhibitors in the treatment of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Rybalka
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia; (D.A.D.); (R.M.B.); (D.G.C.); (A.H.)
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Victoria University, St Albans, Victoria 3021, Australia
| | - Cara A. Timpani
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia; (D.A.D.); (R.M.B.); (D.G.C.); (A.H.)
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Victoria University, St Albans, Victoria 3021, Australia
| | - Danielle A. Debruin
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia; (D.A.D.); (R.M.B.); (D.G.C.); (A.H.)
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Victoria University, St Albans, Victoria 3021, Australia
| | - Ryan M. Bagaric
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia; (D.A.D.); (R.M.B.); (D.G.C.); (A.H.)
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Victoria University, St Albans, Victoria 3021, Australia
| | - Dean G. Campelj
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia; (D.A.D.); (R.M.B.); (D.G.C.); (A.H.)
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Victoria University, St Albans, Victoria 3021, Australia
| | - Alan Hayes
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia; (D.A.D.); (R.M.B.); (D.G.C.); (A.H.)
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Victoria University, St Albans, Victoria 3021, Australia
- Department of Medicine—Western Health, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3021 Victoria, Australia
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42
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PMO-based let-7c site blocking oligonucleotide (SBO) mediated utrophin upregulation in mdx mice, a therapeutic approach for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Sci Rep 2020; 10:21492. [PMID: 33298994 PMCID: PMC7726560 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76338-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Upregulation of utrophin, a dystrophin related protein, is considered a promising therapeutic approach for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Utrophin expression is repressed at the post-transcriptional level by a set of miRNAs, among which let-7c is evolutionarily highly conserved. We designed PMO-based SBOs complementary to the let-7c binding site in UTRN 3′UTR, with the goal of inhibiting let-7c interaction with UTRN mRNA and thus upregulating utrophin. We used the C2C12UTRN5′luc3′ reporter cell line in which the 5′- and 3′-UTRs of human UTRN sequences flank luciferase, for reporter assays and the C2C12 cell line for utrophin western blots, to independently evaluate the site blocking efficiency of a series of let-7c PMOs in vitro. Treatment of one-month old mdx mice with the most effective let-7c PMO (i.e. S56) resulted in ca. two-fold higher utrophin protein expression in skeletal muscles and the improvement in dystrophic pathophysiology in mdx mice, in vivo. In summary, we show that PMO-based let-7c SBO has potential applicability for upregulating utrophin expression as a therapeutic approach for DMD.
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Cadilla R, Deaton DN, Do Y, Elkins PA, Ennulat D, Guss JH, Holt J, Jeune MR, King AG, Klapwijk JC, Kramer HF, Kramer NJ, Laffan SB, Masuria PI, McDougal AV, Mortenson PN, Musetti C, Peckham GE, Pietrak BL, Poole C, Price DJ, Rendina AR, Sati G, Saxty G, Shearer BG, Shewchuk LM, Sneddon HF, Stewart EL, Stuart JD, Thomas DN, Thomson SA, Ward P, Wilson JW, Xu T, Youngman MA. The exploration of aza-quinolines as hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase (H-PGDS) inhibitors with low brain exposure. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115791. [PMID: 33059303 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
GlaxoSmithKline and Astex Pharmaceuticals recently disclosed the discovery of the potent H-PGDS inhibitor GSK2894631A 1a (IC50 = 9.9 nM) as part of a fragment-based drug discovery collaboration with Astex Pharmaceuticals. This molecule exhibited good murine pharmacokinetics, allowing it to be utilized to explore H-PGDS pharmacology in vivo. Yet, with prolonged dosing at higher concentrations, 1a induced CNS toxicity. Looking to attenuate brain penetration in this series, aza-quinolines, were prepared with the intent of increasing polar surface area. Nitrogen substitutions at the 6- and 8-positions of the quinoline were discovered to be tolerated by the enzyme. Subsequent structure activity studies in these aza-quinoline scaffolds led to the identification of 1,8-naphthyridine 1y (IC50 = 9.4 nM) as a potent peripherally restricted H-PGDS inhibitor. Compound 1y is efficacious in four in vivo inflammatory models and exhibits no CNS toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Cadilla
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - David N Deaton
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Young Do
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Patricia A Elkins
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Daniela Ennulat
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Jeffrey H Guss
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Jason Holt
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Michael R Jeune
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Andrew G King
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Jan C Klapwijk
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - H Fritz Kramer
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Nicholas J Kramer
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Susan B Laffan
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Paresh I Masuria
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Alan V McDougal
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Paul N Mortenson
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0QA, UK
| | - Caterina Musetti
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Gregory E Peckham
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Beth L Pietrak
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Chuck Poole
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Daniel J Price
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Alan R Rendina
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Girish Sati
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Gordon Saxty
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0QA, UK
| | - Barry G Shearer
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Lisa M Shewchuk
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Helen F Sneddon
- GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Eugene L Stewart
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - J Darren Stuart
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Dean N Thomas
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Stephen A Thomson
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Paris Ward
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Joseph W Wilson
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Tiahshun Xu
- GlaxoSmithKline, 5 Moore Drive, P.O. Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Mark A Youngman
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
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Sztretye M, Szabó L, Dobrosi N, Fodor J, Szentesi P, Almássy J, Magyar ZÉ, Dienes B, Csernoch L. From Mice to Humans: An Overview of the Potentials and Limitations of Current Transgenic Mouse Models of Major Muscular Dystrophies and Congenital Myopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21238935. [PMID: 33255644 PMCID: PMC7728138 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies are a group of more than 160 different human neuromuscular disorders characterized by a progressive deterioration of muscle mass and strength. The causes, symptoms, age of onset, severity, and progression vary depending on the exact time point of diagnosis and the entity. Congenital myopathies are rare muscle diseases mostly present at birth that result from genetic defects. There are no known cures for congenital myopathies; however, recent advances in gene therapy are promising tools in providing treatment. This review gives an overview of the mouse models used to investigate the most common muscular dystrophies and congenital myopathies with emphasis on their potentials and limitations in respect to human applications.
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Hermes TDA, Mizobuti DS, da Rocha GL, da Silva HNM, Covatti C, Pereira ECL, Ferretti R, Minatel E. Tempol improves redox status in mdx dystrophic diaphragm muscle. Int J Exp Pathol 2020; 101:289-297. [PMID: 33098599 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a critical element in relationship to the pathophysiology of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In the mice the diaphragm (DIA) is most resembles the dystrophic human pathology. In this study we have evaluated the consequences of a synthetic antioxidant (tempol) on oxidative stress parameters in the DIA muscle of mdx mice. The mdx mice were separated into two groups: mdx, the control group receiving intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of saline solution (100 µL), and mdxT, the treated group receiving i.p. injections of tempol (100 mg/kg). The tempol-treated group showed reduced oxidative stress markers, decreasing the dihydroethidium reaction (DHE) area; autofluorescent lipofuscin granules; and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE)-protein adduct levels. DIA muscle of mdx mice. At the same time, the manganese-superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) levels were increased in the tempol-treated group. In addition, the tempol-treated group showed reduced levels of glutathione-disulphide reductase (GSR), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) and catalase (CAT) in immunoblots. The tempol-treated group has also shown lower relative gene expression of SOD1, CAT and GPx than the non-treated group. Our data demonstrated that tempol treatment reduced oxidant parameters and increased anti-oxidant SOD2 levels in the DIA muscle of mdx mice, which may contribute to the normalization of the redox homeostasis of dystrophic muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Túlio de Almeida Hermes
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Daniela Sayuri Mizobuti
- 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
| | | | - Caroline Covatti
- 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 Ceilandia, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Renato Ferretti
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Bioscience of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Elaine Minatel
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
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Interleukin-6: A neuro-active cytokine contributing to cognitive impairment in Duchenne muscular dystrophy? Cytokine 2020; 133:155134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Zschüntzsch J, Jouvenal PV, Zhang Y, Klinker F, Tiburcy M, Liebetanz D, Malzahn D, Brinkmeier H, Schmidt J. Long-term human IgG treatment improves heart and muscle function in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2020; 11:1018-1031. [PMID: 32436338 PMCID: PMC7432639 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle-wasting disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, which leads to structural instability of the dystrophin-glycoprotein-complex with subsequent muscle degeneration. In addition, muscle inflammation has been implicated in disease progression and therapeutically addressed with glucocorticosteroids. These have numerous adverse effects. Treatment with human immunoglobulin G (IgG) improved clinical and para-clinical parameters in the early disease phase in the well-established mdx mouse model. The aim of the present study was to confirm the efficacy of IgG in a long-term pre-clinical study in mdx mice. METHODS IgG (2 g/kg body weight) or NaCl solution as control was administered monthly over 18 months by intraperitoneal injection in mdx mice beginning at 3 weeks of age. Several clinical outcome measures including endurance, muscle strength, and echocardiography were assessed. After 18 months, the animals were sacrificed, blood was collected for analysis, and muscle samples were obtained for ex vivo muscle contraction tests, quantitative PCR, and histology. RESULTS IgG significantly improved the daily voluntary running performance (1.9 m more total daily running distance, P < 0.0001) and slowed the decrease in grip strength by 0.1 mN, (P = 0.018). IgG reduced fatigability of the diaphragm (improved ratio to maximum force by 0.09 ± 0.04, P = 0.044), but specific tetanic force remained unchanged in the ex vivo muscle contraction test. Cardiac function was significantly better after IgG, especially fractional area shortening (P = 0.012). These results were accompanied by a reduction in cardiac fibrosis and the infiltration of T cells (P = 0.0002) and macrophages (P = 0.0027). In addition, treatment with IgG resulted in a significant reduction of the infiltration of T cells (P ≤ 0.036) in the diaphragm, gastrocnemius, quadriceps, and a similar trend in tibialis anterior and macrophages (P ≤ 0.045) in gastrocnemius, quadriceps, tibialis anterior, and a similar trend in the diaphragm, as well as a decrease in myopathic changes as reflected by a reduced central nuclear index in the diaphragm, tibialis anterior, and quadriceps (P ≤ 0.002 in all). CONCLUSIONS The present study underscores the importance of an inflammatory contribution to the disease progression of DMD. The data demonstrate the long-term efficacy of IgG in the mdx mouse. IgG is well tolerated by humans and could preferentially complement gene therapy in DMD. The data call for a clinical trial with IgG in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Zschüntzsch
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Pia Vanessa Jouvenal
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yaxin Zhang
- Institute of Pathophysiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Karlsburg, Germany
| | - Florian Klinker
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Malte Tiburcy
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - David Liebetanz
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dörthe Malzahn
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,mzBiostatistics, Statistical Consultancy, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Heinrich Brinkmeier
- Institute of Pathophysiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Karlsburg, Germany
| | - Jens Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Short-Term ONX-0914 Administration: Performance and Muscle Phenotype in Mdx Mice. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17145211. [PMID: 32707682 PMCID: PMC7399807 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17145211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe muscle-wasting disease. Although the lack of dystrophin protein is the primary defect responsible for the development of DMD, secondary disease complications such as persistent inflammation contribute greatly to the pathogenesis and the time-dependent progression of muscle destruction. The immunoproteasome is a potential therapeutic target for conditions or diseases mechanistically linked to inflammation. In this study, we explored the possible effects of ONX-0914 administration, an inhibitor specific for the immunoproteasome subunit LMP7 (ß5i), on motor performance, muscular pathology and protein degradation in 7-week old MDX mice, an age when the dystrophic muscles show extensive degeneration and regeneration. ONX-0914 (10 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously on Day 2, 4, and 6. The mice were evaluated for physical performance (walking speed and strength) on Day 1 and 8. We show that this short-term treatment of ONX-0914 in MDX mice did not alter strength nor walking speed. The physical performance findings were consistent with no change in muscle inflammatory infiltration, percentage of central nuclei and proteasome content. Taken together, muscle structure and function in the young adult MDX mouse model are not altered with ONX-0914 treatment, indicating the administration of ONX-0914 during this critical time period does not exhibit any detrimental effects and may be an effective treatment of secondary complications of muscular dystrophy after further investigations.
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The omentum harbors unique conditions in the peritoneal cavity to promote healing and regeneration for diaphragm muscle repair in mdx mice. Cell Tissue Res 2020; 382:447-455. [PMID: 32661578 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03238-1] [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: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Although the primary cause of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic mutation, the inflammatory response contributes directly to severity and exacerbation of the diaphragm muscle pathology. The omentum is a lymphoid organ with unique structural and immune functions serving as a sanctuary of hematopoietic and mesenchymal progenitors that coordinate immune responses in the peritoneal cavity. Upon activation, these progenitors expand and the organ produces large amounts of growth factors orchestrating tissue regeneration. The omentum of mdx mouse, a DMD murine model, is rich in milky spots and produces growth factors that promote diaphragm muscle regeneration. The present review summarizes the current knowledge of the omentum as an important immunologic structure and highlights its contribution to resolution of dystrophic muscle injury by providing an adequate environment for muscle regeneration, thus being a potential site for therapeutic interventions in DMD.
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Cappellari O, Mantuano P, De Luca A. "The Social Network" and Muscular Dystrophies: The Lesson Learnt about the Niche Environment as a Target for Therapeutic Strategies. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071659. [PMID: 32660168 PMCID: PMC7407800 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The muscle stem cells niche is essential in neuromuscular disorders. Muscle injury and myofiber death are the main triggers of muscle regeneration via satellite cell activation. However, in degenerative diseases such as muscular dystrophy, regeneration still keep elusive. In these pathologies, stem cell loss occurs over time, and missing signals limiting damaged tissue from activating the regenerative process can be envisaged. It is unclear what comes first: the lack of regeneration due to satellite cell defects, their pool exhaustion for degeneration/regeneration cycles, or the inhibitory mechanisms caused by muscle damage and fibrosis mediators. Herein, Duchenne muscular dystrophy has been taken as a paradigm, as several drugs have been tested at the preclinical and clinical levels, targeting secondary events in the complex pathogenesis derived from lack of dystrophin. We focused on the crucial roles that pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines play in triggering muscle necrosis after damage and stimulating satellite cell activation and self-renewal, along with growth and mechanical factors. These processes contribute to regeneration and niche maintenance. We review the main effects of drugs on regeneration biomarkers to assess whether targeting pathogenic events can help to protect niche homeostasis and enhance regeneration efficiency other than protecting newly formed fibers from further damage.
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