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Lin BL, Shin JY, Jeffreys WP, Wang N, Lukban CA, Moorer MC, Velarde E, Hanselman OA, Kwon S, Kannan S, Riddle RC, Ward CW, Pullen SS, Filareto A, Kass DA. Pharmacological TRPC6 inhibition improves survival and muscle function in mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e158906. [PMID: 36099033 PMCID: PMC9675567 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.158906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene mutations causing loss of dystrophin result in the severe muscle disease known as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Despite efforts at genetic repair, DMD therapy remains largely palliative. Loss of dystrophin destabilizes the sarcolemmal membrane, inducing mechanosensitive cation channels to increase calcium entry and promote cell damage and, eventually, muscle dysfunction. One putative channel is transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6); we have shown that TRPC6 contributed to abnormal force and calcium stress-responses in cardiomyocytes from mice lacking dystrophin that were haplodeficient for utrophin (mdx/utrn+/- [HET] mice). Here, we show in both the HET mouse and the far more severe homozygous mdx/utrn-/- mouse that TRPC6 gene deletion or its selective pharmacologic inhibition (by BI 749327) prolonged survival 2- to 3-fold, improving skeletal and cardiac muscle and bone defects. Gene pathways reduced by BI 749327 treatment most prominently regulated fat metabolism and TGF-β1 signaling. These results support the testing of TRPC6 inhibitors in human trials for other diseases as a novel DMD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Esteban Velarde
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Antonio Filareto
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - David A. Kass
- Department of Cardiology
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Chu X, Li J, Qiao C, Wang J, Wang Y, Jiang XC, You H, Xiao X, Wang B. Long-term effect of human mini-dystrophin in transgenic mdx mice improves muscle physiological function. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21628. [PMID: 33982338 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100057rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal genetic muscle disorder caused by recessive mutations in dystrophin gene, affecting 1/3000 males. Gene therapy has been proven to ameliorate dystrophic pathology. To investigate therapeutic benefits from long-term effect of human mini-dystrophin and functional outcomes, transgenic mdx mice (Tg-mdx) containing a single copy of human mini-dystrophin (∆hDys3849) gene, five rods (Rods1-2, Rods22-24), and two hinges (H1 and H4) driven by a truncated creatine-kinase promoter (dMCK) in a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector (rAAV) backbone, were generated and used to determine gene expression and improvement of muscle function. Human mini-dystrophin gene expression was found in a majority of the skeletal muscles, but no expression in cardiac muscle. Dystrophin-associated glycoproteins (DAGs) such as sarcoglycans and nNOS were restored at the sarcolemma and coincided with human mini-dystrophin gene expression at the ages of 6, 10, and 20 months; Morphology of dystrophic muscle expressing the human mini-dystrophin gene was improved and central nuclei were reduced. Myofiber membrane integrity was improved by Evans blue dye test. Improvement in treadmill running and grip force was observed in transgenic mice at 6 months. Tetanic force and specific force of tibialis anterior (TA) muscle were significantly increased at the ages of 6, 10, and 20 months. Pseudohypertrophy was not found in TA muscle at 10 and 20 months when compared with wild-type C57 (WT) group. This study demonstrated that the long-term effects of human mini-dystrophin effectively ameliorated pathology and improved the functions of the dystrophic muscles in the transgenic DMD mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Chu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Juan Li
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Chunping Qiao
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiqing Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Xian-Cheng Jiang
- Department of Cell Biology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Hongbo You
- Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 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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McGreevy JW, Hakim CH, McIntosh MA, Duan D. Animal models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy: from basic mechanisms to gene therapy. Dis Model Mech 2015; 8:195-213. [PMID: 25740330 PMCID: PMC4348559 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.018424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 316] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle-wasting disorder. It is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the dystrophin gene. Currently, there is no cure. A highly promising therapeutic strategy is to replace or repair the defective dystrophin gene by gene therapy. Numerous animal models of DMD have been developed over the last 30 years, ranging from invertebrate to large mammalian models. mdx mice are the most commonly employed models in DMD research and have been used to lay the groundwork for DMD gene therapy. After ~30 years of development, the field has reached the stage at which the results in mdx mice can be validated and scaled-up in symptomatic large animals. The canine DMD (cDMD) model will be excellent for these studies. In this article, we review the animal models for DMD, the pros and cons of each model system, and the history and progress of preclinical DMD gene therapy research in the animal models. We also discuss the current and emerging challenges in this field and ways to address these challenges using animal models, in particular cDMD dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe W McGreevy
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Chady H Hakim
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Mark A McIntosh
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
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Judge LM, Arnett ALH, Banks GB, Chamberlain JS. Expression of the dystrophin isoform Dp116 preserves functional muscle mass and extends lifespan without preventing dystrophy in severely dystrophic mice. Hum Mol Genet 2011; 20:4978-90. [PMID: 21949353 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddr433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dp116 is a non-muscle isoform of dystrophin that assembles the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC), but lacks actin-binding domains. To examine the functional role of the DGC, we expressed the Dp116 transgene in mice lacking both dystrophin and utrophin (mdx:utrn(-/-)). Unexpectedly, expression of Dp116 prevented the most severe aspects of the mdx:utrn(-/-) phenotype. Dp116:mdx:utrn(-/-) transgenic mice had dramatic improvements in growth, mobility and lifespan compared with controls. This was associated with increased muscle mass and force generating capacity of limb muscles, although myofiber size and specific force were unchanged. Conversely, Dp116 had no effect on dystrophic injury as determined by muscle histopathology and serum creatine kinase levels. Dp116 also failed to restore normal fiber-type distribution or the post-synaptic architecture of the neuromuscular junction. These data demonstrate that the DGC is critical for growth and maintenance of muscle mass, a function that is independent of the ability to prevent dystrophic pathophysiology. Likewise, this is the first demonstration in skeletal muscle of a positive functional role for a dystrophin protein that lacks actin-binding domains. We conclude that both mechanical and non-mechanical functions of dystrophin are important for its role in skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke M Judge
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA 98195-7720, USA
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Odintsov B, Chun JL, Mulligan JA, Berry SE. 14.1 T whole body MRI for detection of mesoangioblast stem cells in a murine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Magn Reson Med 2011; 66:1704-14. [PMID: 22086733 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.22942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2010] [Revised: 02/22/2011] [Accepted: 03/07/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Noninvasive imaging procedures will be important for stem cell therapy for muscular dystrophy (MD). Mesoangioblasts regenerate muscle in animal models of muscular dystrophy. In this study, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were used to visualize mesoangioblasts in vivo with MRI. Mesoangioblasts incorporated superparamagnetic iron oxide without transfection reagents, and cell differentiation was not negatively impacted. A custom-built radiofrequency coil with an adjustable field of view and 14.1 T magnet were used for whole-body MRI of mice. High-resolution images of mesoangioblasts in skeletal and cardiac muscle of Mdx mice were obtained following local delivery. Labeled cells were verified by Prussian blue staining and dystrophin expression, indicating that the wild-type mesoangioblasts survived and differentiated in muscle. Iron-labeled cells were detected with MRI in vivo 6 months following intracardiac injection but were determined to be activated macrophages. Iron-labeled cells were not detected by MRI following systemic delivery but were present in skeletal and cardiac muscle, visualized by Prussian blue staining. Systemically delivered mesoangioblasts were detected in lungs by Prussian blue staining and DiI but not by MRI in our study. MRI may be useful for short-term tracking of mesoangioblasts delivered locally but not for long-term monitoring or detection after systemic delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Odintsov
- Biomedical Imaging Center, Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA
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Call JA, Ervasti JM, Lowe DA. TAT-μUtrophin mitigates the pathophysiology of dystrophin and utrophin double-knockout mice. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2011; 111:200-5. [PMID: 21565990 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00248.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we demonstrated functional substitution of dystrophin by TAT-μUtrophin (TAT-μUtr) in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice. Herein, we addressed whether TAT-μUtr could improve the phenotype of dystrophin and utrophin double-knockout (mdx:utr(-/-)) mice. Specifically, we quantitatively compared survival and quality of life assessments in mdx:utr(-/-) mice receiving TAT-μUtr protein administration against placebo-treated mdx:utr(-/-) mice (PBS). Additionally, skeletal muscles from TAT-μUtr and PBS mice were tested in vivo and ex vivo for strength and susceptibility to eccentric contraction-induced injury. We found the TAT-μUtr treatment extended life span 45% compared with mice administered PBS. This was attributed to significantly increased food consumption (3.1 vs. 1.8 g/24 h) due to improved ability to search for food as daily cage activities were greater in TAT-μUtr mice (e.g., 364 vs. 201 m ambulation/24 h). The extensor digitorum longus muscles of TAT-μUtr-treated double-knockout mice also displayed increased force-generating capacity ex vivo (8.3 vs. 6.4 N/cm(2)) and decreased susceptibility to injury ex vivo and in vivo. These data indicate that the functional benefits of TAT-μUtr replacement treatment extend to the mdx:utr(-/-) double-knockout mouse and support its development as a therapy to mitigate muscle weakness in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrod A Call
- Program in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Minnesota, 6-155 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Dystrophin: more than just the sum of its parts. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2010; 1804:1713-22. [PMID: 20472103 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2010.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2010] [Revised: 04/30/2010] [Accepted: 05/03/2010] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Dystrophin is one of a number of large cytoskeleton associated proteins that connect between various cytoskeletal elements and often are tethered to the membrane through other transmembrane protein complexes. These cytolinker proteins often provide structure and support to the cells where they are expressed, and mutations in genes encoding these proteins frequently gives rise to disease. Dystrophin is no exception in any of these respects, providing connections between a transmembrane complex known as the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex and the underlying cytoskeleton. The most established connection and possibly the most important is that to F-actin, but more recently evidence has been forthcoming of connections to membrane phospholipids, intermediate filaments and microtubules. Moreover it is becoming increasingly clear that the multiple spectrin-like repeats in the centre of the molecule, that had hitherto been thought to be largely redundant, harbour binding activities that have a significant impact on dystrophin functionality. This functionality is particularly apparent when assessed by the ability to rescue the dystrophic phenotype in mdx mice. This review will focus on the relatively neglected but functionally vital coiled-coil region of dystrophin, highlighting the structural relationships and interactions of the coiled-coil region and providing new insights into the functional role of this region.
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Willmann R, Possekel S, Dubach-Powell J, Meier T, Ruegg MA. Mammalian animal models for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2009; 19:241-9. [PMID: 19217290 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2008.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2008] [Revised: 11/24/2008] [Accepted: 11/27/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal neuromuscular disease that affects boys and leads to early death. In the quest for new treatments that improve the quality of life and in the search for a possible definitive cure, the use of animal models plays undoubtedly an important role. Therefore, a number of different mammalian models for DMD have been described. Much knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease has arisen from studies in these animals. However, the use of different models does not often allow a direct comparison of results obtained in preclinical trials and therefore hinders a straightforward translational research. In the frame of "TREAT-NMD", a European Network of Excellence addressing the fragmentation in the assessment and treatment of neuromuscular diseases, we compare here the currently used mammalian animal models for DMD with the aim of selecting and recommending the most appropriate ones for preclinical efficacy testing of new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Willmann
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
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Liu J, Burkin DJ, Kaufman SJ. Increasing alpha 7 beta 1-integrin promotes muscle cell proliferation, adhesion, and resistance to apoptosis without changing gene expression. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2007; 294:C627-40. [PMID: 18045857 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00329.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The dystrophin-glycoprotein complex maintains the integrity of skeletal muscle by associating laminin in the extracellular matrix with the actin cytoskeleton. Several human muscular dystrophies arise from defects in the components of this complex. The alpha(7)beta(1)-integrin also binds laminin and links the extracellular matrix with the cytoskeleton. Enhancement of alpha(7)-integrin levels alleviates pathology in mdx/utrn(-/-) mice, a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and thus the integrin may functionally compensate for the absence of dystrophin. To test whether increasing alpha(7)-integrin levels affects transcription and cellular functions, we generated alpha(7)-integrin-inducible C2C12 cells and transgenic mice that overexpress the integrin in skeletal muscle. C2C12 myoblasts with elevated levels of integrin exhibited increased adhesion to laminin, faster proliferation when serum was limited, resistance to staurosporine-induced apoptosis, and normal differentiation. Transgenic expression of eightfold more integrin in skeletal muscle did not result in notable toxic effects in vivo. Moreover, high levels of alpha(7)-integrin in both myoblasts and in skeletal muscle did not disrupt global gene expression profiles. Thus increasing integrin levels can compensate for defects in the extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton linkage caused by compromises in the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex without triggering apparent overt negative side effects. These results support the use of integrin enhancement as a therapy for muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianming Liu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, 601 S. Goodwin Ave., B107 Chemical and Life Sciences Laboratory, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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