1
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Benati D, Cattin E, Corradi F, Ferrari T, Pedrazzoli E, Patrizi C, Marchionni M, Bertorelli R, De Sanctis V, Merlini L, Ferlini A, Sabatelli P, Gualandi F, Recchia A. Restored Collagen VI Microfilaments Network in the Extracellular Matrix of CRISPR-Edited Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Fibroblasts. Biomolecules 2024; 14:1412. [PMID: 39595588 PMCID: PMC11591638 DOI: 10.3390/biom14111412] [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: 09/19/2024] [Revised: 10/29/2024] [Accepted: 11/04/2024] [Indexed: 11/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Collagen VI is an essential component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) composed by α1, α2 and α3 chains and encoded by COL6A1, COL6A2 and COL6A3 genes. Dominant negative pathogenic variants in COL6A genes result in defects in collagen VI protein and are implicated in the pathogenesis of muscular diseases, including Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD). Here, we designed a CRISPR genome editing strategy to tackle a dominant heterozygous deletion c.824_838del in exon 9 of the COL6A1 gene, causing a lack of secreted collagen VI in a patient's dermal fibroblasts. The evaluation of efficiency and specificity of gene editing in treating patient's fibroblasts revealed the 32% efficiency of editing the mutated allele but negligible editing of the wild-type allele. CRISPR-treated UCMD skin fibroblasts rescued the secretion of collagen VI in the ECM, which restored the ultrastructure of the collagen VI microfibril network. By using normal melanocytes as surrogates of muscle cells, we found that collagen VI secreted by the corrected patient's skin fibroblasts recovered the anchorage to the cell surface, pointing to a functional improvement of the protein properties. These results support the application of the CRISPR editing approach to knock out COL6A1 mutated alleles and rescue the UCMD phenotype in patient-derived fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Benati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (D.B.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (T.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Eleonora Cattin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (D.B.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (T.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Federico Corradi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (D.B.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (T.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Tommaso Ferrari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (D.B.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (T.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Eleonora Pedrazzoli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (D.B.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (T.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Clarissa Patrizi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (D.B.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (T.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Matteo Marchionni
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (D.B.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (T.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Roberto Bertorelli
- Next Generation Sequencing Core Facility Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biomedicine—CIBIO LaBSSAH, University of Trento, 38122 Trento, Italy; (R.B.); (V.D.S.)
| | - Veronica De Sanctis
- Next Generation Sequencing Core Facility Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biomedicine—CIBIO LaBSSAH, University of Trento, 38122 Trento, Italy; (R.B.); (V.D.S.)
| | - Luciano Merlini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, DIBINEM, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Ferlini
- Section of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Mother and Child, University Hospital S. Anna Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Patrizia Sabatelli
- CNR-Institute of Molecular Genetics, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Gualandi
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Mother and Child, University Hospital S. Anna Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Recchia
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (D.B.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (T.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.); (M.M.)
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Bolduc V, Sizov K, Brull A, Esposito E, Chen GS, Uapinyoying P, Sarathy A, Johnson KR, Bönnemann CG. Allele-specific CRISPR-Cas9 editing inactivates a single nucleotide variant associated with collagen VI muscular dystrophy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102269. [PMID: 39171142 PMCID: PMC11338111 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
The application of allele-specific gene editing tools can expand the therapeutic options for dominant genetic conditions, either via gene correction or via allelic gene inactivation in situations where haploinsufficiency is tolerated. Here, we used allele-targeted CRISPR-Cas9 guide RNAs (gRNAs) to introduce inactivating frameshifting indels at an SNV in the COL6A1 gene (c.868G>A; G290R), a variant that acts as dominant negative and that is associated with a severe form of congenital muscular dystrophy. We expressed SpCas9 along with allele-targeted gRNAs, without providing a repair template, in primary fibroblasts derived from four patients and one control subject. Amplicon deep sequencing for two gRNAs tested showed that single-nucleotide deletions accounted for the majority of indels introduced. While activity of the two gRNAs was greater at the G290R allele, both gRNAs were also active at the wild-type allele. To enhance allele selectivity, we introduced deliberate additional mismatches to one gRNA. One of these optimized gRNAs showed minimal activity at the WT allele, while generating productive edits and improving collagen VI matrix in cultured patient fibroblasts. This study strengthens the potential of gene editing to treat dominant-negative disorders, but also underscores the challenges in achieving allele selectivity with gRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Véronique Bolduc
- Neurogenetics and Neuromuscular Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Katherine Sizov
- Neurogenetics and Neuromuscular Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Astrid Brull
- Neurogenetics and Neuromuscular Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Eric Esposito
- Neurogenetics and Neuromuscular Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Grace S. Chen
- Neurogenetics and Neuromuscular Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Prech Uapinyoying
- Neurogenetics and Neuromuscular Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Research and Innovation Campus, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20012, USA
| | - Apurva Sarathy
- Neurogenetics and Neuromuscular Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kory R. Johnson
- Bioinformatics Core, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Carsten G. Bönnemann
- Neurogenetics and Neuromuscular Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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3
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Aguti S, Cheng S, Ala P, Briggs S, Muntoni F, Zhou H. Strategies to improve the design of gapmer antisense oligonucleotide on allele-specific silencing. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102237. [PMID: 38993932 PMCID: PMC11238192 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Gapmer antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) hold therapeutic promise for allele-specific silencing, but face challenges in distinguishing between mutant and wild-type transcripts. This study explores new design strategies to enhance ASO specificity, focusing on a common dominant mutation in COL6A3 gene associated with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. Initial gapmer ASO design exhibited high efficiency but poor specificity for the mutant allele. We then adopted a mixmer design, incorporating additional RNA bases based on computational predictions of secondary structures for both mutant and wild-type alleles, aiming to enhance ASO accessibility to mutant transcripts. The mixmer ASO design demonstrated up to a 3-fold increase in specificity compared with the classical gapmer design. Further refinement involved introducing a nucleotide mismatch as a structural modification, resulting in a 10-fold enhancement in specificity compared with the gapmer design and a 3-fold over the mixmer design. Additionally, we identified for the first time a potential role of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), alongside RNase H1, in gapmer-mediated silencing, in contrast with what was observed with mixmer ASOs, where only RNase H1 was involved. In conclusion, this study presents a novel design concept for allele-specific ASOs leveraging mRNA secondary structures and nucleotide mismatching and suggests a potential involvement of RISC in gapmer-mediated silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Aguti
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Shuzhi Cheng
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Pierpaolo Ala
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Sean Briggs
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Haiyan Zhou
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London WC1N 1EH, UK
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4
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Henriksen K, Genovese F, Reese-Petersen A, Audoly LP, Sun K, Karsdal MA, Scherer PE. Endotrophin, a Key Marker and Driver for Fibroinflammatory Disease. Endocr Rev 2024; 45:361-378. [PMID: 38091968 PMCID: PMC11492497 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnad036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Our overview covers several key areas related to recent results obtained for collagen type VI and endotrophin (ETP). (1) An introduction to the history of ETP, including how it was identified, how it is released, and its function and potential receptors. (2) An introduction to the collagen family, with a focus on what differentiates collagen type VI from an evolutionary standpoint. (3) An overview of collagen type VI, the 6 individual chains (COL6A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, and A6), their differences and similarities, as well as their expression profiles and function. (4) A detailed analysis of COL6A3, including the cleaved product endotrophin, and what separates it from the other 5 collagen 6 molecules, including its suggested function based on insights gained from knockout and gain of function mouse models. (5) The pathology of ETP. What leads to its presence and release and what are the consequences thereof? (6) Functional implications of circulating ETP. Here we review the data with the functional roles of ETP in mind. (7) We propose that ETP is a mediator for fibrotic (or fibroinflammatory) disorders. Based on what we know about ETP, we have to consider it as a target for the treatment of fibrotic (or fibroinflammatory) disorders. What segment(s) of the patient population would most dramatically respond to an ETP-targeted intervention? How can we find the population that would profit most from an intervention? We aim to present a broad overview over the ETP field at large, providing an assessment of where the future research efforts need to be placed to tap into the vast potential of ETP, both as a marker and as a target in different diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Henriksen
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Nordic Bioscience A/S, DK-2730 Herlev, Denmark
| | - Federica Genovese
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Nordic Bioscience A/S, DK-2730 Herlev, Denmark
| | | | | | - Kai Sun
- Center for Metabolic and Degenerative Diseases, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Morten A Karsdal
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Nordic Bioscience A/S, DK-2730 Herlev, Denmark
| | - Philipp E Scherer
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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5
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Bolduc V, Sizov K, Brull A, Esposito E, Chen GS, Uapinyoying P, Sarathy A, Johnson K, Bönnemann CG. Allele-specific CRISPR/Cas9 editing inactivates a single nucleotide variant associated with collagen VI muscular dystrophy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.22.586265. [PMID: 38585815 PMCID: PMC10996683 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.22.586265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The application of allele-specific gene editing tools can expand the therapeutic options for dominant genetic conditions, either via gene correction or via allelic gene inactivation in situations where haploinsufficiency is tolerated. Here, we used allele-targeted CRISPR/Cas9 guide RNAs (gRNAs) to introduce inactivating frameshifting indels at a single nucleotide variant in the COL6A1 gene (c.868G>A; G290R), a variant that acts as dominant negative and that is associated with a severe form of congenital muscular dystrophy. We expressed spCas9 along with allele-targeted gRNAs, without providing a repair template, in primary fibroblasts derived from four patients and one control subject. Amplicon deep-sequencing for two gRNAs tested showed that single nucleotide deletions accounted for the majority of indels introduced. While activity of the two gRNAs was greater at the G290R allele, both gRNAs were also active at the wild-type allele. To enhance allele-selectivity, we introduced deliberate additional mismatches to one gRNA. One of these optimized gRNAs showed minimal activity at the WT allele, while generating productive edits and improving collagen VI matrix in cultured patient fibroblasts. This study strengthens the potential of gene editing to treat dominant-negative disorders, but also underscores the challenges in achieving allele selectivity with gRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Véronique Bolduc
- Neurogenetics and Neuromuscular Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Katherine Sizov
- Neurogenetics and Neuromuscular Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Astrid Brull
- Neurogenetics and Neuromuscular Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Eric Esposito
- Neurogenetics and Neuromuscular Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Grace S Chen
- Neurogenetics and Neuromuscular Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Prech Uapinyoying
- Neurogenetics and Neuromuscular Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Research and Innovation Campus, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, 20012, USA
| | - Apurva Sarathy
- Neurogenetics and Neuromuscular Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kory Johnson
- Bioinformatics Core, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carsten G Bönnemann
- Neurogenetics and Neuromuscular Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Picker SM, Parker G, Gissen P. Features of Congenital Arthrogryposis Due to Abnormalities in Collagen Homeostasis, a Scoping Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13545. [PMID: 37686358 PMCID: PMC10487887 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713545] [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: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital arthrogryposis (CA) refers to the presence of multiple contractures at birth. It is a feature of several inherited syndromes, notable amongst them are disorders of collagen formation. This review aims to characterize disorders that directly or indirectly impact collagen structure and function leading to CA in search for common phenotypic or pathophysiological features, possible genotype-phenotype correlation, and potential novel treatment approaches based on a better understanding of the underlying pathomechanism. Nine genes, corresponding to five clinical phenotypes, were identified after a literature search. The most notable trend was the extreme phenotype variability. Clinical features across all syndromes ranged from subtle with minimal congenital contractures, to severe with multiple congenital contractures and extra-articular features including skin, respiratory, or other manifestations. Five of the identified genes were involved in the function of the Lysyl Hydroxylase 2 or 3 enzymes, which enable the hydroxylation and/or glycosylation of lysyl residues to allow the formation of the collagen superstructure. Whilst current treatment approaches are post-natal surgical correction, there are also potential in-utero therapies being developed. Cyclosporin A showed promise in treating collagen VI disorders although there is an associated risk of immunosuppression. The treatments that could be in the clinical trials soon are the splice correction therapies in collagen VI-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - George Parker
- Newcastle University Medical School, Newcastle NE2 4HH, UK;
| | - Paul Gissen
- National Institute for Health Research Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
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7
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Barington M, Dunø M, Birkedal U, Vissing J, Born AP, Krag T, Hansen TVO, Østergaard E. Homozygous splice variant (c.1741-6G>A) of the COL6A1 gene in three patients with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2023; 33:539-545. [PMID: 37315421 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The three major collagen VI genes: COL6A1, COL6A2, and COL6A3 encode microfibrillar components of extracellular matrices in multiple tissues including muscles and tendons. Pathogenic variants in the collagen VI genes cause collagen VI-related dystrophies representing a continuum of conditions from Bethlem myopathy at the milder end to Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy at the more severe end. Here we describe a pathogenic variant in the COL6A1 gene (NM_001848.3; c.1741-6G>A) found in homozygosity in three patients with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. The patients suffered from severe muscle impairment characterised by proximal weakness, distal hyperlaxity, joint contractures, wheelchair-dependency, and use of nocturnal non-invasive ventilation. The pathogenicity was verified by RNA analyses showing that the variant induced aberrant splicing leading to a frameshift and loss of function. The analyses were in line with immunocytochemistry studies of patient-derived skin fibroblasts and muscle tissue demonstrating impaired secretion of collagen VI into the extracellular matrix. Thereby, we add the variant c.1741-6G>A to the list of pathogenic, recessive, splice variants in COL6A1 causing Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. The variant is listed in ClinVar as of "uncertain significance" and "likely benign" and may presumably have been overlooked in other patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Barington
- Department of Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Morten Dunø
- Department of Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulf Birkedal
- Department of Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - John Vissing
- Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alfred Peter Born
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Krag
- Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas van Overeem Hansen
- Department of Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elsebet Østergaard
- Department of Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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8
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Castroflorio E, Pérez Berná AJ, López-Márquez A, Badosa C, Loza-Alvarez P, Roldán M, Jiménez-Mallebrera C. The Capillary Morphogenesis Gene 2 Triggers the Intracellular Hallmarks of Collagen VI-Related Muscular Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147651. [PMID: 35886995 PMCID: PMC9322809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Collagen VI-related disorders (COL6-RD) represent a severe form of congenital disease for which there is no treatment. Dominant-negative pathogenic variants in the genes encoding α chains of collagen VI are the main cause of COL6-RD. Here we report that patient-derived fibroblasts carrying a common single nucleotide variant mutation are unable to build the extracellular collagen VI network. This correlates with the intracellular accumulation of endosomes and lysosomes triggered by the increased phosphorylation of the collagen VI receptor CMG2. Notably, using a CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool to silence the dominant-negative mutation in patients’ cells, we rescued the normal extracellular collagen VI network, CMG2 phosphorylation levels, and the accumulation of endosomes and lysosomes. Our findings reveal an unanticipated role of CMG2 in regulating endosomal and lysosomal homeostasis and suggest that mutated collagen VI dysregulates the intracellular environment in fibroblasts in collagen VI-related muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Castroflorio
- ICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860 Castelldefels, Spain;
- Correspondence: (E.C.); (C.J.-M.)
| | | | - Arístides López-Márquez
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada en Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Unidad de Patología Neuromuscular, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; (A.L.-M.); (C.B.)
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain;
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Rara (CIBERER), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Badosa
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada en Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Unidad de Patología Neuromuscular, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; (A.L.-M.); (C.B.)
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain;
| | - Pablo Loza-Alvarez
- ICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860 Castelldefels, Spain;
| | - Mónica Roldán
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain;
- Unitat de Microscòpia Confocal i Imatge Cellular, Servei de Medicina Genètica i Molecular, Institut Pediàtric de Malaties Rares (IPER), Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Cecilia Jiménez-Mallebrera
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada en Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Unidad de Patología Neuromuscular, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; (A.L.-M.); (C.B.)
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain;
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Rara (CIBERER), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Genetics, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (E.C.); (C.J.-M.)
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9
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Morciano G, Pedriali G, Mikus E, Cimaglia P, Calvi S, Pavasini R, Albertini A, Ferrari R, Wieckowski MR, Giorgi C, Campo G, Pinton P. Similarities between fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes in the study of the permeability transition pore. Eur J Clin Invest 2022; 52:e13764. [PMID: 35289397 PMCID: PMC9286368 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giampaolo Morciano
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Experimental Medicine, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Gaia Pedriali
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Elisa Mikus
- Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Paolo Cimaglia
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Simone Calvi
- Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Rita Pavasini
- Cardiovascular Institute, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alberto Albertini
- Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Ravenna, Italy
| | | | - Mariusz R Wieckowski
- Department of Biochemistry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Carlotta Giorgi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Experimental Medicine, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gianluca Campo
- Cardiovascular Institute, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paolo Pinton
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Experimental Medicine, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Ravenna, Italy
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10
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Almici E, Chiappini V, López-Márquez A, Badosa C, Blázquez B, Caballero D, Montero J, Natera-de Benito D, Nascimento A, Roldán M, Lagunas A, Jiménez-Mallebrera C, Samitier J. Personalized in vitro Extracellular Matrix Models of Collagen VI-Related Muscular Dystrophies. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:851825. [PMID: 35547158 PMCID: PMC9081367 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.851825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Collagen VI-related dystrophies (COL6-RDs) are a group of rare congenital neuromuscular dystrophies that represent a continuum of overlapping clinical phenotypes that go from the milder Bethlem myopathy (BM) to the severe Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy, for which there is no effective treatment. Mutations in one of the three Collagen VI genes alter the incorporation of this protein into the extracellular matrix (ECM), affecting the assembly and the structural integrity of the whole fibrillar network. Clinical hallmarks of COL6-RDs are secondary to the ECM disruption and include muscle weakness, proximal joint contractures, and distal hyperlaxity. Although some traits have been identified in patients’ ECMs, a correlation between the ECM features and the clinical phenotype has not been established, mainly due to the lack of predictive and reliable models of the pathology. Herein, we engineered a new personalized pre-clinical model of COL6-RDs using cell-derived matrices (CDMs) technology to better recapitulate the complexity of the native scenario. We found that CDMs from COL6-RD patients presented alterations in ECM structure and composition, showing a significantly decreased Collagen VI secretion, especially in the more severe phenotypes, and a decrease in Fibrillin-1 inclusion. Next, we examined the Collagen VI-mediated deposition of Fibronectin in the ECM, finding a higher alignment, length, width, and straightness than in patients with COL6-RDs. Overall, these results indicate that CDMs models are promising tools to explore the alterations that arise in the composition and fibrillar architecture due to mutations in Collagen VI genes, especially in early stages of matrix organization. Ultimately, CDMs derived from COL6-RD patients may become relevant pre-clinical models, which may help identifying novel biomarkers to be employed in the clinics and to investigate novel therapeutic targets and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Almici
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Electronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking, Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanessa Chiappini
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Electronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Arístides López-Márquez
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada en Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Unidad de Patología Neuromuscular, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Badosa
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada en Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Unidad de Patología Neuromuscular, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Blanca Blázquez
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking, Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - David Caballero
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Electronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking, Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Joan Montero
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Natera-de Benito
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada en Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Unidad de Patología Neuromuscular, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrés Nascimento
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada en Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Unidad de Patología Neuromuscular, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mònica Roldán
- Unitat de Microscòpia Confocal i Imatge Cel·lular, Servei de Medicina Genètica i Molecular, Institut Pediàtric de Malalties Rares (IPER), Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Lagunas
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking, Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Anna Lagunas, ; Cecilia Jiménez-Mallebrera,
| | - Cecilia Jiménez-Mallebrera
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada en Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Unidad de Patología Neuromuscular, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barselona, Spain
- *Correspondence: Anna Lagunas, ; Cecilia Jiménez-Mallebrera,
| | - Josep Samitier
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Electronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking, Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
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11
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López-Márquez A, Morín M, Fernández-Peñalver S, Badosa C, Hernández-Delgado A, Natera-de Benito D, Ortez C, Nascimento A, Grinberg D, Balcells S, Roldán M, Moreno-Pelayo MÁ, Jiménez-Mallebrera C. CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Allele-Specific Disruption of a Dominant COL6A1 Pathogenic Variant Improves Collagen VI Network in Patient Fibroblasts. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084410. [PMID: 35457228 PMCID: PMC9025481 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Collagen VI-related disorders are the second most common congenital muscular dystrophies for which no treatments are presently available. They are mostly caused by dominant-negative pathogenic variants in the genes encoding α chains of collagen VI, a heteromeric network forming collagen; for example, the c.877G>A; p.Gly293Arg COL6A1 variant, which alters the proper association of the tetramers to form microfibrils. We tested the potential of CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing to silence or correct (using a donor template) a mutant allele in the dermal fibroblasts of four individuals bearing the c.877G>A pathogenic variant. Evaluation of gene-edited cells by next-generation sequencing revealed that correction of the mutant allele by homologous-directed repair occurred at a frequency lower than 1%. However, the presence of frameshift variants and others that provoked the silencing of the mutant allele were found in >40% of reads, with no effects on the wild-type allele. This was confirmed by droplet digital PCR with allele-specific probes, which revealed a reduction in the expression of the mutant allele. Finally, immunofluorescence analyses revealed a recovery in the collagen VI extracellular matrix. In summary, we demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edition can specifically reverse the pathogenic effects of a dominant negative variant in COL6A1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arístides López-Márquez
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada en Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Unidad de Patología Neuromuscular, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; (C.B.); (A.H.-D.); (D.N.-d.B.); (C.O.); (A.N.); (C.J.-M.)
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (D.G.); (S.B.); (M.Á.M.-P.)
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain;
- Correspondence:
| | - Matías Morín
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (D.G.); (S.B.); (M.Á.M.-P.)
- Servicio de Genética, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Ctra. de Colmenar Viejo Km. 9.100, 28034 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Sergio Fernández-Peñalver
- Servicio de Genética, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Ctra. de Colmenar Viejo Km. 9.100, 28034 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Carmen Badosa
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada en Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Unidad de Patología Neuromuscular, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; (C.B.); (A.H.-D.); (D.N.-d.B.); (C.O.); (A.N.); (C.J.-M.)
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain;
| | - Alejandro Hernández-Delgado
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada en Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Unidad de Patología Neuromuscular, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; (C.B.); (A.H.-D.); (D.N.-d.B.); (C.O.); (A.N.); (C.J.-M.)
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain;
| | - Daniel Natera-de Benito
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada en Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Unidad de Patología Neuromuscular, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; (C.B.); (A.H.-D.); (D.N.-d.B.); (C.O.); (A.N.); (C.J.-M.)
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain;
| | - Carlos Ortez
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada en Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Unidad de Patología Neuromuscular, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; (C.B.); (A.H.-D.); (D.N.-d.B.); (C.O.); (A.N.); (C.J.-M.)
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain;
| | - Andrés Nascimento
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada en Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Unidad de Patología Neuromuscular, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; (C.B.); (A.H.-D.); (D.N.-d.B.); (C.O.); (A.N.); (C.J.-M.)
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (D.G.); (S.B.); (M.Á.M.-P.)
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain;
| | - Daniel Grinberg
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (D.G.); (S.B.); (M.Á.M.-P.)
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain;
- Departamento de Genética, Microbiología y Estadística, Facultad de Biología, Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susanna Balcells
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (D.G.); (S.B.); (M.Á.M.-P.)
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain;
- Departamento de Genética, Microbiología y Estadística, Facultad de Biología, Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mónica Roldán
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain;
- Unidad de Microscopia Confocal e Imagen Celular, Servicio de Medicina Genética y Molecular, Institut Pediàtric de Malalties Rares (IPER), Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Passeig Sant Joan de Deu, 2, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Moreno-Pelayo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (D.G.); (S.B.); (M.Á.M.-P.)
- Servicio de Genética, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Ctra. de Colmenar Viejo Km. 9.100, 28034 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Cecilia Jiménez-Mallebrera
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada en Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Unidad de Patología Neuromuscular, Servicio de Neuropediatría, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; (C.B.); (A.H.-D.); (D.N.-d.B.); (C.O.); (A.N.); (C.J.-M.)
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (D.G.); (S.B.); (M.Á.M.-P.)
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain;
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12
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Sabatelli P, Merlini L, Di Martino A, Cenni V, Faldini C. Early Morphological Changes of the Rectus Femoris Muscle and Deep Fascia in Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031252. [PMID: 35162283 PMCID: PMC8834967 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD) is a severe form of muscular dystrophy caused by the loss of function of collagen VI, a critical component of the muscle-tendon matrix. Magnetic resonance imaging of UCMD patients’ muscles shows a peculiar rim of abnormal signal at the periphery of each muscle, and a relative sparing of the internal part. The mechanism/s involved in the early fat substitution of muscle fiber at the periphery of muscles remain elusive. We studied a muscle biopsy of the rectus femoris/deep fascia (DF) of a 3-year-old UCMD patient, with a homozygous mutation in the COL6A2 gene. By immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis, we found a marked fatty infiltration at the interface of the muscle with the epimysium/DF and an atrophic phenotype, primarily in fast-twitch fibers, which has never been reported before. An unexpected finding was the widespread increase of interstitial cells with long cytoplasmic processes, consistent with the telocyte phenotype. Our study documents for the first time in a muscle biopsy the peculiar pattern of outside-in muscle degeneration followed by fat substitution as already shown by muscle imaging, and an increase of telocytes in the interstitium of the deep fascia, which highlights a potential involvement of this structure in the pathogenesis of UCMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Sabatelli
- Unit of Bologna, CNR-Institute of Molecular Genetics “Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza”, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-051-6366755; Fax: +39-051-4689922
| | - Luciano Merlini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (L.M.); or (A.D.M.); (C.F.)
| | - Alberto Di Martino
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (L.M.); or (A.D.M.); (C.F.)
- Clinica Ortopedica e Traumatologica I, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Vittoria Cenni
- Unit of Bologna, CNR-Institute of Molecular Genetics “Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza”, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Cesare Faldini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (L.M.); or (A.D.M.); (C.F.)
- Clinica Ortopedica e Traumatologica I, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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13
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Williams L, Layton T, Yang N, Feldmann M, Nanchahal J. Collagen VI as a driver and disease biomarker in human fibrosis. FEBS J 2021; 289:3603-3629. [PMID: 34109754 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis of visceral organs such as the lungs, heart, kidneys and liver remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality and is also associated with many other disorders, including cancer and metabolic disease. In this review, we focus upon the microfibrillar collagen VI, which is present in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of most tissues. However, expression is elevated in numerous fibrotic conditions, such as idiopathic pulmonary disease (IPF), and chronic liver and kidney diseases. Collagen VI is composed of three subunits α1, α2 and α3, which can be replaced with alternate chains of α4, α5 or α6. The C-terminal globular domain (C5) of collagen VI α3 can be proteolytically cleaved to form a biologically active fragment termed endotrophin, which has been shown to actively drive fibrosis, inflammation and insulin resistance. Tissue biopsies have long been considered the gold standard for diagnosis and monitoring of progression of fibrotic disease. The identification of neoantigens from enzymatically processed collagen chains have revolutionised the biomarker field, allowing rapid diagnosis and evaluation of prognosis of numerous fibrotic conditions, as well as providing valuable clinical trial endpoint determinants. Collagen VI chain fragments such as endotrophin (PRO-C6), C6M and C6Mα3 are emerging as important biomarkers for fibrotic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Williams
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Thomas Layton
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Nan Yang
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Marc Feldmann
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Jagdeep Nanchahal
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford, UK
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14
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Morciano G, Pedriali G, Bonora M, Pavasini R, Mikus E, Calvi S, Bovolenta M, Lebiedzinska-Arciszewska M, Pinotti M, Albertini A, Wieckowski MR, Giorgi C, Ferrari R, Galluzzi L, Campo G, Pinton P. A naturally occurring mutation in ATP synthase subunit c is associated with increased damage following hypoxia/reoxygenation in STEMI patients. Cell Rep 2021; 35:108983. [PMID: 33852870 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Preclinical models of ischemia/reperfusion injury (RI) demonstrate the deleterious effects of permeability transition pore complex (PTPC) opening in the first minutes upon revascularization of the occluded vessel. The ATP synthase c subunit (Csub) influences PTPC activity in cells, thus impacting tissue injury. A conserved glycine-rich domain in Csub is classified as critical because, when mutated, it modifies ATP synthase properties, protein interaction with the mitochondrial calcium (Ca2+) uniporter complex, and the conductance of the PTPC. Here, we document the role of a naturally occurring mutation in the Csub-encoding ATP5G1 gene at the G87 position found in two ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients and how PTPC opening is related to RI in patients affected by the same disease. We report a link between the expression of ATP5G1G87E and the response to hypoxia/reoxygenation of human cardiomyocytes, which worsen when compared to those expressing the wild-type protein, and a positive correlation between PTPC and RI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giampaolo Morciano
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, Ravenna, Italy; Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Experimental Medicine, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gaia Pedriali
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Massimo Bonora
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Experimental Medicine, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Rita Pavasini
- Cardiovascular Institute, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara, Cona, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elisa Mikus
- Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Simone Calvi
- Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Matteo Bovolenta
- Genethon, INSERM UMR951, 1 bis, rue de l'Internationale BP60, 91002 Evry Cedex, France
| | - Magdalena Lebiedzinska-Arciszewska
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology and Metabolism, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mirko Pinotti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alberto Albertini
- Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Mariusz R Wieckowski
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology and Metabolism, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Carlotta Giorgi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Experimental Medicine, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto Ferrari
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, Ravenna, Italy; Cardiovascular Institute, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara, Cona, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Gianluca Campo
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, Ravenna, Italy; Cardiovascular Institute, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara, Cona, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paolo Pinton
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, Ravenna, Italy; Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Experimental Medicine, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
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15
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Zhong J, Xie Y, Dang Y, Zhang J, Song Y, Lan D. Use of RNA‑sequencing to detect abnormal transcription of the collagen α‑2 (VI) chain gene that can lead to Bethlem myopathy. Int J Mol Med 2021; 47:28. [PMID: 33537799 PMCID: PMC7895517 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2021.4861] [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: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bethlem myopathy (BM) is an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive disorder and is usually associated with mutations in the collagen VI genes. In the present study, the pathogenicity of a novel splice-site mutation was explored using RNA-sequencing in a family with suspected BM, and a myopathy panel was performed in the proband. The genetic status of all family members was confirmed using Sanger sequencing. Clinical data and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features were also documented. In silico analysis was performed to predict the effects of the splice mutation. RNA-sequencing and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR were used to assess aberrant splicing. Immunocytochemistry was conducted to measure collagen VI protein levels within the gastrocnemius and in cultured skin fibroblasts. The results revealed that three patients in the family shared a similar classic BM presentation. MRI revealed distinct patterns of fatty infiltration in the lower extremities. A novel splicing mutation c.736-1G>C in the collagen α-2 (VI) chain (COL6A2) gene was found in all three patients. In silico analysis predicted that the mutation would destroy the normal splice acceptor site. RNA-sequencing detected two abnormal splicing variants adjacent to the mutation site, and RT-PCR confirmed the RNA-sequencing findings. Furthermore, a defect in the collagen protein within cultured fibroblasts was detected using immunocytochemistry. The mutation c.736-1G>C in the COL6A2 gene caused aberrant splicing and led to premature termination of protein translation. In conclusion, these findings may improve our knowledge of mutations of the COL6A2 gene associated with BM and demonstrated that RNA-sequencing can be a powerful tool for finding the underlying mechanism of a disease-causing mutations at a splice site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingzi Zhong
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yanshu Xie
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yiwu Dang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Jiapeng Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yingru Song
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Dan Lan
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
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16
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Aguti S, Bolduc V, Ala P, Turmaine M, Bönnemann CG, Muntoni F, Zhou H. Exon-Skipping Oligonucleotides Restore Functional Collagen VI by Correcting a Common COL6A1 Mutation in Ullrich CMD. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 21:205-216. [PMID: 32585628 PMCID: PMC7321786 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Collagen VI-related congenital muscular dystrophies (COL6-CMDs) are the second most common form of congenital muscular dystrophy. Currently, there is no effective treatment available. COL6-CMDs are caused by recessive or dominant mutations in one of the three genes encoding for the α chains of collagen type VI (COL6A1, COL6A2, and COL6A3). One of the most common mutations in COL6-CMD patients is a de novo deep intronic c.930+189C > T mutation in COL6A1 gene. This mutation creates a cryptic donor splice site and induces incorporation of a novel in-frame pseudo-exon in the mature transcripts. In this study, we systematically evaluated the splice switching approach using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to correct this mutation. Fifteen ASOs were designed using the RNA-tiling approach to target the misspliced pseudo-exon and its flanking sequences. The efficiency of ASOs was evaluated at RNA, protein, and structural levels in skin fibroblasts established from four patients carrying the c.930+189C > T mutation. We identified two additional lead ASO candidates that efficiently induce pseudo-exon exclusion from the mature transcripts, thus allowing for the restoration of a functional collagen VI microfibrillar matrix. Our findings provide further evidence for ASO exon skipping as a therapeutic approach for COL6-CMD patients carrying this common intronic mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Aguti
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Molecular Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Véronique Bolduc
- Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland MD 20892, USA
| | - Pierpaolo Ala
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Molecular Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Mark Turmaine
- Division of Biosciences, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Carsten G Bönnemann
- Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland MD 20892, USA
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Molecular Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK; NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London WC1N 1EH, UK.
| | - Haiyan Zhou
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London WC1N 1EH, UK; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK.
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17
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Zanoteli E, Soares PS, Silva AMSD, Camelo CG, Fonseca ATQSM, Albuquerque MAV, Moreno CAM, Lopes Abath Neto O, Novo Filho GM, Kulikowski LD, Reed UC. Clinical features of collagen VI-related dystrophies: A large Brazilian cohort. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2020; 192:105734. [PMID: 32065942 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2020.105734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Collagen VI-related dystrophies (COL6-RDs) have a broad clinical spectrum and are caused by mutations in the COL6A1, COL6A2 and COL6A3 genes. Despite the clinical variability, two phenotypes are classically recognized: Bethlem myopathy (BM, milder form) and Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD, more severe form), with many patients presenting an intermediate phenotype. In this work, we present clinical and genetic data from 28 patients (27 families), aged 6-38 years (mean of 16.96 years), with COL6-RDs. PATIENTS AND METHODS Clinical, muscle histology and genetic data are presented. COL6A1, COL6A2 and COL6A3 genes were analyzed by next-generation sequencing (NGS). RESULTS Homozygous or heterozygous variants were found in COL6A1 (12 families), COL6A2 (12 families) and COL6A3 (3 families). Patients with the severe UCMD phenotype (three cases) had a homogeneous clinical picture characterized by neonatal onset of manifestations, no gait acquisition and a stable course, but with severe respiratory involvement. Most of the patients with the mild UCMD phenotype had neonatal onset of manifestations (88.8 %), delayed motor development (66.6 %), slowly progressive course, pulmonary involvement (55.5 %) and loss of the walking capacity before the age of 10 (66.6 %). In the intermediate group (nine patients), some children had neonatal onset of manifestations (44.5 %) and delayed motor development (88.9 %); but all of them achieved the ability to walk and were still ambulatory. Some patients that had the BM phenotype presented neonatal manifestations (57.1 %); however, all of them had normal motor development and normal pulmonary function. Only one patient from the group of BM lost the walking capacity during the evolution of the disease. Other frequent findings observed in all groups were joint retractions, spinal deformities, distal hyperextensibility, congenital hip dislocation and keloid formation. CONCLUSION COL6-RDs present variable clinical manifestations, but common findings are helpful for the clinical suspicion. NGS is a valuable approach for diagnosis, providing useful information for the genetic counseling of families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmar Zanoteli
- Department of Neurology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Priscilla Souza Soares
- Department of Neurology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Clara Gontijo Camelo
- Department of Neurology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Osório Lopes Abath Neto
- Department of Neurology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gil Monteiro Novo Filho
- Department of Pathology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Umbertina Conti Reed
- Department of Neurology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
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18
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Bazaga A, Roldán M, Badosa C, Jiménez-Mallebrera C, Porta JM. A Convolutional Neural Network for the automatic diagnosis of collagen VI-related muscular dystrophies. Appl Soft Comput 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.asoc.2019.105772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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19
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Castagnaro S, Chrisam M, Cescon M, Braghetta P, Grumati P, Bonaldo P. Extracellular Collagen VI Has Prosurvival and Autophagy Instructive Properties in Mouse Fibroblasts. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1129. [PMID: 30174616 PMCID: PMC6107713 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Collagen VI (ColVI) is an abundant and distinctive extracellular matrix protein secreted by fibroblasts in different tissues. Human diseases linked to mutations on ColVI genes are primarily affecting skeletal muscle due to non-cell autonomous myofiber defects. To date, it is not known whether and how fibroblast homeostasis is affected by ColVI deficiency, a critical missing information as this may strengthen the use of patients' fibroblasts for preclinical purposes. Here, we established primary and immortalized fibroblast cultures from ColVI null (Col6a1-/-) mice, the animal model of ColVI-related diseases. We found that, under nutrient-stringent condition, lack of ColVI affects fibroblast survival, leading to increased apoptosis. Moreover, Col6a1-/- fibroblasts display defects in the autophagy/lysosome machinery, with impaired clearance of autophagosomes and failure of Parkin-dependent mitophagy. Col6a1-/- fibroblasts also show an increased activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway, compatible with the autophagy impairment, and adhesion onto purified ColVI elicits a major effect on the autophagic flux. Our findings reveal that ColVI ablation in fibroblasts impacts on autophagy regulation and cell survival, thus pointing at the new concept that this cell type may contribute to the pathological features of ColVI-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Castagnaro
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Martina Chrisam
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Matilde Cescon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Paola Braghetta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Grumati
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Paolo Bonaldo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- CRIBI Biotechnology Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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20
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Cruz S, Figueroa-Bonaparte S, Gallardo E, de Becdelièvre A, Gartioux C, Allamand V, Piñol P, Garcia MAR, Jiménez-Mallebriera C, Llauger J, González-Rodríguez L, Cortes-Vicente E, Illa I, Díaz-Manera J. Bethlem Myopathy Phenotypes and Follow Up: Description of 8 Patients at the Mildest End of the Spectrum. J Neuromuscul Dis 2018; 3:267-274. [PMID: 27854213 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-150135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The classical phenotypes of collagen VI-associated myopathies are well described. Little is known, however, about the progression of patients at the mildest end of the clinical spectrum. In this report, we describe the clinical findings and the results of MRI, muscle biopsy, collagen VI expression in cultured skin fibroblasts and genetic tests of a series of patients with Bethlem myopathy. Our series highlights the existence of mild presentations of this disorder that progresses only slightly and can easily be overlooked. Analysis of the genetic studies suggests that missense mutations can be associated to a milder clinical presentation. Muscle MRI is extremely useful as it shows a pathognomonic pattern in most patients, especially those with some degree of muscle weakness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simao Cruz
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau de Barcelona, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Neurology, Hospital Prof, Doutor Fernando Fonseca, Amadora, Portugal
| | - Sebastian Figueroa-Bonaparte
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau de Barcelona, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Básica en Red en Enfermedaded Raras (CIBERER), Spain
| | - Eduard Gallardo
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau de Barcelona, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Básica en Red en Enfermedaded Raras (CIBERER), Spain
| | - Alix de Becdelièvre
- Unité Fonctionnelle de Cardiogénétique et Myogénétique Moléculaire, Hôpitaux Universitaires Pitié Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, Paris, France
| | - Corine Gartioux
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm UMRS974, CNRS FRE3617, Center for Research in Myology, Institut de Myologie, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Allamand
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm UMRS974, CNRS FRE3617, Center for Research in Myology, Institut de Myologie, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Patricia Piñol
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau de Barcelona, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Básica en Red en Enfermedaded Raras (CIBERER), Spain
| | | | | | - Jaume Llauger
- Department of Radiology, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau de Barcelona, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lidia González-Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigación Básica en Red en Enfermedaded Raras (CIBERER), Spain.,Department of Genetic, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Cortes-Vicente
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau de Barcelona, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Básica en Red en Enfermedaded Raras (CIBERER), Spain
| | - Isabel Illa
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau de Barcelona, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Básica en Red en Enfermedaded Raras (CIBERER), Spain
| | - Jordi Díaz-Manera
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau de Barcelona, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Básica en Red en Enfermedaded Raras (CIBERER), Spain
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21
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Fan Y, Liu A, Wei C, Yang H, Chang X, Wang S, Yuan Y, Bonnemann C, Wu Q, Wu X, Xiong H. Genetic and clinical findings in a Chinese cohort of patients with collagen VI-related myopathies. Clin Genet 2018; 93:1159-1171. [PMID: 29419890 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Collagen VI-related myopathy, caused by pathogenic variants in the genes encoding collagen VI, represents a clinical continuum from Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD) to Bethlem myopathy (BM). Clinical data of 60 probands and their family members were collected and muscle biopsies of 26 patients were analyzed. COL6A1, COL6A2 and COL6A3 exons were analyzed by direct sequencing or next generation sequencing (NGS). Sixty patients were characterized by delayed motor milestones, muscle weakness, skin and joint changes with 40 UCMD and 20 BM. Muscle with biopsies revealed dystrophic changes and showed completely deficiency of collagen VI or sarcolemma specific collagen VI deficiency. We identified 62 different pathogenic variants in these 60 patients, with 34 were first reported while 28 were previously known; 72 allelic pathogenic variants in COL6A1 (25/72, 34.7%), COL6A2 (33/72, 45.8%) and COL6A3 (14/72, 19.4%). We also found somatic mosaic variant in the parent of 1 proband by personal genome machine amplicon deep sequencing for mosaicism. Here we provide clinical, histological and genetic evidence of collagen VI-related myopathy in 60 Chinese patients. NGS is a valuable approach for diagnosis and accurate diagnosis provides useful information for genetic counseling of related families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Fan
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - A Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - C Wei
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - H Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - X Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - S Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Y Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - C Bonnemann
- Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Q Wu
- Human Genetics Resources Core Facility, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - X Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - H Xiong
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
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22
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Lamandé SR, Bateman JF. Collagen VI disorders: Insights on form and function in the extracellular matrix and beyond. Matrix Biol 2017; 71-72:348-367. [PMID: 29277723 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the three canonical collagen VI genes, COL6A1, COL6A2 and COL6A3, cause a spectrum of muscle disease from Bethlem myopathy at the mild end to the severe Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. Mutations can be either dominant or recessive and the resulting clinical severity is influenced by the way mutations impact the complex collagen VI assembly process. Most mutations are found towards the N-terminus of the triple helical collagenous domain and compromise extracellular microfibril assembly. Outside the triple helix collagen VI is highly polymorphic and discriminating mutations from rare benign changes remains a major diagnostic challenge. Collagen VI deficiency alters extracellular matrix structure and biomechanical properties and leads to increased apoptosis and oxidative stress, decreased autophagy, and impaired muscle regeneration. Therapies that target these downstream consequences have been tested in a collagen VI null mouse and also in small human trials where they show modest clinical efficacy. An important role for collagen VI in obesity, cancer and diabetes is emerging. A major barrier to developing effective therapies is the paucity of information about how collagen VI deficiency in the extracellular matrix signals the final downstream consequences - the receptors involved and the intracellular messengers await further characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shireen R Lamandé
- Musculoskeletal Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Vic, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia.
| | - John F Bateman
- Musculoskeletal Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Vic, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
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23
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Butterfield RJ, Dunn DM, Hu Y, Johnson K, Bönnemann CG, Weiss RB. Transcriptome profiling identifies regulators of pathogenesis in collagen VI related muscular dystrophy. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189664. [PMID: 29244830 PMCID: PMC5731705 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The collagen VI related muscular dystrophies (COL6-RD), Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD) and Bethlem myopathy (BM) are among the most common congenital muscular dystrophies and are characterized by distal joint laxity and a combination of distal and proximal joint contractures. Inheritance can be dominant negative (DN) or recessive depending on the type and location of the mutation. DN mutations allow incorporation of abnormal chains into secreted tetramers and are the most commonly identified mutation type in COL6-RD. Null alleles (nonsense, frameshift, and large deletions) do not allow incorporation of abnormal chains and act recessively. To better define the pathways disrupted by mutations in collagen VI, we have used a transcriptional profiling approach with RNA-Seq to identify differentially expressed genes in COL6-RD individuals from controls. Methods RNA-Seq allows precise detection of all expressed transcripts in a sample and provides a tool for quantification of expression data on a genomic scale. We have used RNA-Seq to identify differentially expressed genes in cultured dermal fibroblasts from 13 COL6-RD individuals (8 dominant negative and 5 null) and 6 controls. To better assess the transcriptional changes induced by abnormal collagen VI in the extracellular matrix (ECM); we compared transcriptional profiles from subjects with DN mutations and subjects with null mutations to transcriptional profiles from controls. Results Differentially expressed transcripts between COL6-RD and control fibroblasts include upregulation of ECM components and downregulation of factors controlling matrix remodeling and repair. DN and null samples are differentiated by downregulation of genes involved with DNA replication and repair in null samples. Conclusions Differentially expressed genes identified here may help identify new targets for development of therapies and biomarkers to assess the efficacy of treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell J. Butterfield
- University of Utah, Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Diane M. Dunn
- University of Utah, Department of Human Genetics, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Ying Hu
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kory Johnson
- Bioinformatics section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Carsten G. Bönnemann
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Robert B. Weiss
- University of Utah, Department of Human Genetics, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
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24
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Chakrabarty B, Sharma MC, Gulati S, Sarkar C. Skin Biopsy for Diagnosis of Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy: An Observational Study. J Child Neurol 2017; 32:1099-1103. [PMID: 29129153 DOI: 10.1177/0883073817738466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The gold standard diagnostic test for Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD) is molecular testing for COL6 mutation. The facility for genetic testing is sparingly available and it is usually diagnosed by muscle biopsy. The latter is an invasive procedure requiring expertise and sedation. Skin biopsy has shown promise as a simpler diagnostic modality. Eleven and 7 cases, respectively, of phenotypically suspected Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy and dystrophinopathy underwent simultaneous skin and muscle biopsies, which were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemistry staining for collagen VI and dystrophin 1, 2, and 3. Of the 8 and 5 muscle biopsy-confirmed cases of Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy and dystrophinopathy, 6 Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy and 5 dystrophinopathy cases showed absent and preserved COL6 staining, respectively, in the skin biopsy. Skin biopsy as a diagnostic option has shown encouraging results in Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. These should be evaluated in larger studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswaroop Chakrabarty
- 1 Child Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - M C Sharma
- 2 Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sheffali Gulati
- 1 Child Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Chitra Sarkar
- 2 Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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25
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Endicott J, Holden P, Fitzgerald J. Authentication of collagen VI antibodies. BMC Res Notes 2017; 10:358. [PMID: 28755659 PMCID: PMC5534245 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2674-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Collagen VI is a ubiquitously-expressed macromolecule that forms unique microfibrillar assemblies in the extracellular matrix. Mutations in the COL6A1, COL6A2 and COL6A3 genes result in congenital muscular dystrophy, arguing that collagen is critical for skeletal muscle development and function. Antibodies against collagen VI are important clinical and diagnostic tools in muscular dystrophy. They are used to confirm genetic findings by detecting abnormalities in the distribution, organization and overall levels of collagen VI in cells and tissues isolated from patients. Methods Many antibodies have been raised against tissue-purified collagen VI and individual collagen VI chains, however few have been properly validated for sensitivity and chain specificity. To address this deficiency, we compared the ability of 23 commercially-available antibodies to detect extracellular collagen VI by immunohistochemistry on frozen tissue sections. To determine chain specificity, immunoblot analyses were conducted on cell lysates isolated from cells transfected with cDNAs for each individual chain and cells expressing all three chains together. Results Our analyses identified 15 antibodies that recognized tissue collagen VI by immunohistochemistry at varying intensities and 20 that successfully detected collagen VI by immunoblotting. Three antibodies failed to recognize collagen VI by either method under the conditions tested. All chain-specific antibodies that worked by immunoblotting specifically recognized their correct chain, and no other chains. Conclusions This series of side-by-side comparisons reveal at least two antibodies specific for each chain that work well for immunohistochemistry on frozen sections. This validation study expands the repertoire of antibodies available for muscular dystrophy studies caused by defects in collagen VI. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-017-2674-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Endicott
- Bone and Joint Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital System, Integrative Biosciences Building, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Paul Holden
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Jamie Fitzgerald
- Bone and Joint Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital System, Integrative Biosciences Building, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA. .,Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
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26
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Marrosu E, Ala P, Muntoni F, Zhou H. Gapmer Antisense Oligonucleotides Suppress the Mutant Allele of COL6A3 and Restore Functional Protein in Ullrich Muscular Dystrophy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2017; 8:416-427. [PMID: 28918041 PMCID: PMC5537204 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2017.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Dominant-negative mutations in the genes that encode the three major α chains of collagen type VI, COL6A1, COL6A2, and COL6A3, account for more than 50% of Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy patients and nearly all Bethlem myopathy patients. Gapmer antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) are usually used for gene silencing by stimulating RNA cleavage through the recruitment of an endogenous endonuclease known as RNase H to cleave the RNA strand of a DNA-RNA duplex. In this study, we exploited the application of the allele-specific silencing approach by gapmer AON as a potential therapy for Collagen-VI-related congenital muscular dystrophy (COL6-CMD). A series of AONs were designed to selectively target an 18-nt heterozygous genomic deletion in exon 15 of COL6A3 at the mRNA and pre-mRNA level. We showed that gapmer AONs can selectively suppress the expression of mutant transcripts at both pre-mRNA and mRNA levels, and that the latter strategy had a far stronger efficiency than the former. More importantly, we found that silencing of the mutant transcripts by gapmer AONs increased the deposition of collagen VI protein into the extracellular matrix, thus restoring functional protein production. Our findings provide a clear proof of concept for AON allele-specific silencing as a therapeutic approach for COL6-CMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Marrosu
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Molecular Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Pierpaolo Ala
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Molecular Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Molecular Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK.
| | - Haiyan Zhou
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Molecular Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK.
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27
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Khadilkar SV, Faldu HD, Patil SB, Singh R. Limb-girdle Muscular Dystrophies in India: A Review. Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2017; 20:87-95. [PMID: 28615891 PMCID: PMC5470147 DOI: 10.4103/aian.aian_81_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs) are common in India. Information on LGMDs has been gradually evolving in the recent years. This information is scattered in case series and case studies. The aim of this study is to collate available Indian information on LGMDs and put it in perspective. PubMed search using keywords such as limb-girdle muscular dystrophies in India, sarcoglycanopathies, dysferlinopathy, calpainopathy, and GNE myopathy was carried out. The published information on LGMDs in Indian context suggests that dysferlinopathy, calpainopathy, sarcoglycanopathies, and other myopathies such as GNE myopathy are frequently seen in India. Besides these, anecdotal reports of many other forms are available, some with genetic support and others showing immunocytochemical defects. The genotypic information on LGMDs is gradually evolving and founder mutations have been detected in selected populations. Further multicenter studies are necessary to document the incidence and prevalence of these common conditions in India.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hinaben Dayalal Faldu
- Department of Neurology, Grant Government Medical College and J. J. Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sarika Bapuso Patil
- Department of Neurology, Grant Government Medical College and J. J. Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rakesh Singh
- Department of Neurology, Grant Government Medical College and J. J. Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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28
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Haliloglu G, Topaloglu H. Evidence-based guideline summary: Evaluation, diagnosis, and management of congenital muscular dystrophy: Report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Issues Review Panel of the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine. Neurology 2016; 85:1432. [PMID: 26481930 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000002051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
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29
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Izu Y, Ezura Y, Koch M, Birk DE, Noda M. Collagens VI and XII form complexes mediating osteoblast interactions during osteogenesis. Cell Tissue Res 2016; 364:623-635. [PMID: 26753503 PMCID: PMC4875952 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-015-2345-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Bone formation is precisely regulated by cell-cell communication in osteoblasts. We have previously demonstrated that genetic deletion of Col6a1 or Col12a1 impairs osteoblast connections and/or communication in mice, resulting in bone mass reduction and bone fragility. Mutations of the genes encoding collagen VI cause Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD) and Bethlem myopathy (BM), which have overlapping phenotypes involving connective tissue and muscle. Recent studies have identified COL12A1 gene mutations in patients with UCMD- and BM-like disorders harboring no COL6 mutations, indicating the shared functions of these collagens in connective tissue homeostasis. The purpose of this investigation has been to test the hypothesis that collagens VI and XII have coordinate regulatory role(s) during bone formation. We analyzed the localization of collagens VI and XII relative to primary osteoblasts during osteogenesis. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that collagens VI and XII colocalized in matrix bridges between adjacent cells during periods when osteoblasts were establishing cell-cell connections. Quantification of cells harboring collagen bridges demonstrated that matrix bridges were composed of collagens VI and XII but not collagen I. Interestingly, matrix bridge formation was impaired in osteoblasts deficient in either Col6a1 or Col12a1, suggesting that both collagens were indispensable for matrix bridge formation. These data demonstrate, for the first time, a functional relationship between collagens VI and XII during osteogenesis and indicate that a complex containing collagens VI and XII is essential for the formation of a communicating cellular network during bone formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yayoi Izu
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, M&D Tower 24th, 5-45 1-Chome Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8549, Japan.
| | - Yoichi Ezura
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, M&D Tower 24th, 5-45 1-Chome Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8549, Japan
| | - Manuel Koch
- Institute for Dental Research and Musculoskeletal Biology, Center for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - David E Birk
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Masaki Noda
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, M&D Tower 24th, 5-45 1-Chome Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8549, Japan
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30
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Type VI Collagen Regulates Dermal Matrix Assembly and Fibroblast Motility. J Invest Dermatol 2016; 136:74-83. [DOI: 10.1038/jid.2015.352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Revised: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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31
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Paco S, Casserras T, Rodríguez MA, Jou C, Puigdelloses M, Ortez CI, Diaz-Manera J, Gallardo E, Colomer J, Nascimento A, Kalko SG, Jimenez-Mallebrera C. Transcriptome Analysis of Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Fibroblasts Reveals a Disease Extracellular Matrix Signature and Key Molecular Regulators. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0145107. [PMID: 26670220 PMCID: PMC4686057 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Collagen VI related myopathies encompass a range of phenotypes with involvement of skeletal muscle, skin and other connective tissues. They represent a severe and relatively common form of congenital disease for which there is no treatment. Collagen VI in skeletal muscle and skin is produced by fibroblasts. Aims & Methods In order to gain insight into the consequences of collagen VI mutations and identify key disease pathways we performed global gene expression analysis of dermal fibroblasts from patients with Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy with and without vitamin C treatment. The expression data were integrated using a range of systems biology tools. Results were validated by real-time PCR, western blotting and functional assays. Findings We found significant changes in the expression levels of almost 600 genes between collagen VI deficient and control fibroblasts. Highly regulated genes included extracellular matrix components and surface receptors, including integrins, indicating a shift in the interaction between the cell and its environment. This was accompanied by a significant increase in fibroblasts adhesion to laminin. The observed changes in gene expression profiling may be under the control of two miRNAs, miR-30c and miR-181a, which we found elevated in tissue and serum from patients and which could represent novel biomarkers for muscular dystrophy. Finally, the response to vitamin C of collagen VI mutated fibroblasts significantly differed from healthy fibroblasts. Vitamin C treatment was able to revert the expression of some key genes to levels found in control cells raising the possibility of a beneficial effect of vitamin C as a modulator of some of the pathological aspects of collagen VI related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Paco
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropaediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Fundación Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa Casserras
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Angels Rodríguez
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropaediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Fundación Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Jou
- Pathology Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Puigdelloses
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropaediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Fundación Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos I. Ortez
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropaediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Fundación Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Diaz-Manera
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduardo Gallardo
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaume Colomer
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropaediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Fundación Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrés Nascimento
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropaediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Fundación Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana G. Kalko
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cecilia Jimenez-Mallebrera
- Neuromuscular Unit, Neuropaediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Fundación Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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32
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Donkervoort S, Hu Y, Stojkovic T, Voermans NC, Foley AR, Leach ME, Dastgir J, Bolduc V, Cullup T, de Becdelièvre A, Yang L, Su H, Meilleur K, Schindler AB, Kamsteeg EJ, Richard P, Butterfield RJ, Winder TL, Crawford TO, Weiss RB, Muntoni F, Allamand V, Bönnemann CG. Mosaicism for dominant collagen 6 mutations as a cause for intrafamilial phenotypic variability. Hum Mutat 2015; 36:48-56. [PMID: 25204870 DOI: 10.1002/humu.22691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Collagen 6-related dystrophies and myopathies (COL6-RD) are a group of disorders that form a wide phenotypic spectrum, ranging from severe Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy, intermediate phenotypes, to the milder Bethlem myopathy. Both inter- and intrafamilial variable expressivity are commonly observed. We present clinical, immunohistochemical, and genetic data on four COL6-RD families with marked intergenerational phenotypic heterogeneity. This variable expression seemingly masquerades as anticipation is due to parental mosaicism for a dominant mutation, with subsequent full inheritance and penetrance of the mutation in the heterozygous offspring. We also present an additional fifth simplex patient identified as a mosaic carrier. Parental mosaicism was confirmed in the four families through quantitative analysis of the ratio of mutant versus wild-type allele (COL6A1, COL6A2, and COL6A3) in genomic DNA from various tissues, including blood, dermal fibroblasts, and saliva. Consistent with somatic mosaicism, parental samples had lower ratios of mutant versus wild-type allele compared with the fully heterozygote offspring. However, there was notable variability of the mutant allele levels between tissues tested, ranging from 16% (saliva) to 43% (fibroblasts) in one mosaic father. This is the first report demonstrating mosaicism as a cause of intrafamilial/intergenerational variability of COL6-RD, and suggests that sporadic and parental mosaicism may be more common than previously suspected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Donkervoort
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Neurogenetics Branch, Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Disorders of Childhood Section, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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33
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Sabatelli P, Gualandi F, Bonaldo P, Merlini L. Detecting collagen VI in Bethlem myopathy. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:8011. [PMID: 25795730 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.l115.639088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Sabatelli
- Institute of molecular Genetics-CNR, SC Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Cell Biology, IOR, 40136 Bologna, Italy,
| | | | - Paolo Bonaldo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy, and
| | - Luciano Merlini
- SC Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Cell Biology, IOR, Bologna, Italy
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34
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Chae JH, Vasta V, Cho A, Lim BC, Zhang Q, Eun SH, Hahn SH. Utility of next generation sequencing in genetic diagnosis of early onset neuromuscular disorders. J Med Genet 2015; 52:208-16. [DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2014-102819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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35
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Zamurs LK, Idoate MA, Hanssen E, Gomez-Ibañez A, Pastor P, Lamandé SR. Aberrant mitochondria in a Bethlem myopathy patient with a homozygous amino acid substitution that destabilizes the collagen VI α2(VI) chain. J Biol Chem 2014; 290:4272-81. [PMID: 25533456 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.632208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Bethlem myopathy and Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD) sit at opposite ends of a clinical spectrum caused by mutations in the extracellular matrix protein collagen VI. Bethlem myopathy is relatively mild, and patients remain ambulant in adulthood while many UCMD patients lose ambulation by their teenage years and require respiratory interventions. Dominant and recessive mutations are found across the entire clinical spectrum; however, recessive Bethlem myopathy is rare, and our understanding of the molecular pathology is limited. We studied a patient with Bethlem myopathy. Electron microscopy of his muscle biopsy revealed abnormal mitochondria. We identified a homozygous COL6A2 p.D871N amino acid substitution in the C-terminal C2 A-domain. Mutant α2(VI) chains are unable to associate with α1(VI) and α3(VI) and are degraded by the proteasomal pathway. Some collagen VI is assembled, albeit more slowly than normal, and is secreted. These molecules contain the minor α2(VI) C2a splice form that has an alternative C terminus that does include the mutation. Collagen VI tetramers containing the α2(VI) C2a chain do not assemble efficiently into microfibrils and there is a severe collagen VI deficiency in the extracellular matrix. We expressed wild-type and mutant α2(VI) C2 domains in mammalian cells and showed that while wild-type C2 domains are efficiently secreted, the mutant p.D871N domain is retained in the cell. These studies shed new light on the protein domains important for intracellular and extracellular collagen VI assembly and emphasize the importance of molecular investigations for families with collagen VI disorders to ensure accurate diagnosis and genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura K Zamurs
- From the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville 3052, Australia
| | | | - Eric Hanssen
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute and
| | - Asier Gomez-Ibañez
- Neurology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, University of Navarra School of Medicine, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pau Pastor
- Neurology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, University of Navarra School of Medicine, 31008 Pamplona, Spain, Neurogenetics Laboratory, Division of Neurosciences, Center for Applied Medical Research, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Shireen R Lamandé
- From the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville 3052, Australia, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia,
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36
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Lettmann S, Bloch W, Maaß T, Niehoff A, Schulz JN, Eckes B, Eming SA, Bonaldo P, Paulsson M, Wagener R. Col6a1 null mice as a model to study skin phenotypes in patients with collagen VI related myopathies: expression of classical and novel collagen VI variants during wound healing. PLoS One 2014; 9:e105686. [PMID: 25158062 PMCID: PMC4144880 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients suffering from collagen VI related myopathies caused by mutations in COL6A1, COL6A2 and COL6A3 often also display skin abnormalities, like formation of keloids or "cigarette paper" scars, dry skin, striae rubrae and keratosis pilaris (follicular keratosis). Here we evaluated if Col6a1 null mice, an established animal model for the muscle changes in collagen VI related myopathies, are also suitable for the study of mechanisms leading to the skin pathology. We performed a comprehensive study of the expression of all six collagen VI chains in unwounded and challenged skin of wild type and Col6a1 null mice. Expression of collagen VI chains is regulated in both skin wounds and bleomycin-induced fibrosis and the collagen VI α3 chain is proteolytically processed in both wild type and Col6a1 null mice. Interestingly, we detected a decreased tensile strength of the skin and an altered collagen fibril and basement membrane architecture in Col6a1 null mice, the latter being features that are also found in collagen VI myopathy patients. Although Col6a1 null mice do not display an overt wound healing defect, these mice are a relevant animal model to study the skin pathology in collagen VI related disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Lettmann
- Center for Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Bloch
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tobias Maaß
- Center for Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Anja Niehoff
- Institute of Biomechanics and Orthopaedics, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Center for Musculoskeletal Biomechanics, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Beate Eckes
- Department of Dermatology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sabine A. Eming
- Department of Dermatology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Paolo Bonaldo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Mats Paulsson
- Center for Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Raimund Wagener
- Center for Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Chakrabarty B, Sharma MC, Gulati S, Kabra M, Pandey RM, Sarkar C. Skin biopsy: a new tool to diagnose sarcoglycanopathy. J Child Neurol 2014; 29:NP5-8. [PMID: 23680947 DOI: 10.1177/0883073813488662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Accepted: 04/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies are progressive, genetic disorders of muscle degeneration. The current gold standard for diagnosis is muscle biopsy or genetic studies. Muscle biopsy is an invasive procedure and genetic testing facilities are available only in a few centers. Thus, a diagnostic test that is easily available, simpler, and less invasive is desirable. Over the past 2 decades, skin biopsy has been evolving as a suitable option. Two cases of sarcoglycanopathy are described here, which have been correctly diagnosed by skin biopsy. Muscle biopsy has been used as the gold-standard diagnostic method. Skin biopsy can substitute for muscle biopsy as the preliminary diagnostic tool directing appropriate molecular testing. However, these results require validation in studies with an adequate sample size. This holds promise for the future when repeated biopsies will be required for evaluating protein rescue in trials of novel treatment options in these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M C Sharma
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sheffali Gulati
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Madhulika Kabra
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - R M Pandey
- Department of Biostatistics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Chitra Sarkar
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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38
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Butterfield RJ, Foley AR, Dastgir J, Asman S, Dunn DM, Zou Y, Hu Y, Donkervoort S, Flanigan KM, Swoboda KJ, Winder TL, Weiss RB, Bönnemann CG. Position of glycine substitutions in the triple helix of COL6A1, COL6A2, and COL6A3 is correlated with severity and mode of inheritance in collagen VI myopathies. Hum Mutat 2014; 34:1558-67. [PMID: 24038877 DOI: 10.1002/humu.22429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Glycine substitutions in the conserved Gly-X-Y motif in the triple helical (TH) domain of collagen VI are the most commonly identified mutations in the collagen VI myopathies including Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy, Bethlem myopathy, and intermediate (INT) phenotypes. We describe clinical and genetic characteristics of 97 individuals with glycine substitutions in the TH domain of COL6A1, COL6A2, or COL6A3 and add a review of 97 published cases, for a total of 194 cases. Clinical findings include severe, INT, and mild phenotypes even from patients with identical mutations. INT phenotypes were most common, accounting for almost half of patients, emphasizing the importance of INT phenotypes to the overall phenotypic spectrum. Glycine substitutions in the TH domain are heavily clustered in a short segment N-terminal to the 17th Gly-X-Y triplet, where they are acting as dominants. The most severe cases are clustered in an even smaller region including Gly-X-Y triplets 10-15, accounting for only 5% of the TH domain. Our findings suggest that clustering of glycine substitutions in the N-terminal region of collagen VI is not based on features of the primary sequence. We hypothesize that this region may represent a functional domain within the triple helix.
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39
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Zhang YZ, Zhao DH, Yang HP, Liu AJ, Chang XZ, Hong DJ, Bonnemann C, Yuan Y, Wu XR, Xiong H. Novel collagen VI mutations identified in Chinese patients with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. World J Pediatr 2014; 10:126-32. [PMID: 24801232 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-014-0481-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We determined the clinical and molecular genetic characteristics of 8 Chinese patients with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD). METHODS Clinical data of probands were collected and muscle biopsies of patients were analyzed. Exons of COL6A1, COL6A2 and COL6A3 were analyzed by direct sequencing. Mutations in COL6A1, COL6A2 and COL6A3 were identified in 8 patients. RESULTS Among these mutations, 5 were novel [three in the triple helical domain (THD) and 2 in the second C-terminal (C2) domain]. We also identified five known missense or in-frame deletion mutations in THD and C domains. Immunohistochemical studies on muscle biopsies from patients showed reduced level of collagen VI at the muscle basement membrane and mis-localization of the protein in interstitial and perivascular regions. CONCLUSIONS The novel mutations we identified underscore the importance of THD and C2 domains in the assembly and function of collagen VI, thereby providing useful information for the genetic counseling of UCMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Zhi Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
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40
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Chakrabarty B, Sharma MC, Gulati S, Kabra M, Pandey RM, Sarkar C. Dystrophinopathy diagnosis made easy: skin biopsy, an emerging novel tool. J Child Neurol 2014; 29:469-74. [PMID: 23562947 DOI: 10.1177/0883073813482769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Dystrophinopathies are diagnosed by genetic studies and muscle biopsy. Most centers have multiplex polymerase chain reaction facilities diagnosing 65% to 70% of dystrophinopathy cases. Muscle biopsy is a time-consuming, invasive procedure whereas skin biopsy is a simple procedure done under local anesthesia. The current study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of skin biopsy in dystrophinopathy. Overall, 119 confirmed cases of muscular dystrophy (111 males and 8 females) were included in the final analysis, of which 100 (all males) were dystrophinopathy. Skin biopsy diagnosed dystrophinopathy in suspected muscular dystrophy patients with a sensitivity of 98% (92.3%-99.7%), specificity of 99% (93.7%-99.9%), positive predictive value of 94.7% (71.9%-99.7%), and negative predictive value of 90% (66.9%-98.2%). Skin biopsy can be used for screening dystrophinopathy in muscular dystrophy patients (high sensitivity and positive predictive value). It being a simple and minimally invasive procedure, histopathologic and molecular markers of disease progression and response to novel treatment options can be assessed serially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswaroop Chakrabarty
- 1Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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41
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Bönnemann CG, Wang CH, Quijano-Roy S, Deconinck N, Bertini E, Ferreiro A, Muntoni F, Sewry C, Béroud C, Mathews KD, Moore SA, Bellini J, Rutkowski A, North KN. Diagnostic approach to the congenital muscular dystrophies. Neuromuscul Disord 2014; 24:289-311. [PMID: 24581957 PMCID: PMC5258110 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2013.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 12/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Congenital muscular dystrophies (CMDs) are early onset disorders of muscle with histological features suggesting a dystrophic process. The congenital muscular dystrophies as a group encompass great clinical and genetic heterogeneity so that achieving an accurate genetic diagnosis has become increasingly challenging, even in the age of next generation sequencing. In this document we review the diagnostic features, differential diagnostic considerations and available diagnostic tools for the various CMD subtypes and provide a systematic guide to the use of these resources for achieving an accurate molecular diagnosis. An International Committee on the Standard of Care for Congenital Muscular Dystrophies composed of experts on various aspects relevant to the CMDs performed a review of the available literature as well as of the unpublished expertise represented by the members of the committee and their contacts. This process was refined by two rounds of online surveys and followed by a three-day meeting at which the conclusions were presented and further refined. The combined consensus summarized in this document allows the physician to recognize the presence of a CMD in a child with weakness based on history, clinical examination, muscle biopsy results, and imaging. It will be helpful in suspecting a specific CMD subtype in order to prioritize testing to arrive at a final genetic diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten G Bönnemann
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
| | - Ching H Wang
- Driscoll Children's Hospital, Corpus Christi, TX, United States
| | - Susana Quijano-Roy
- Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, Garches, and UFR des sciences de la santé Simone Veil (UVSQ), France
| | - Nicolas Deconinck
- Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Brussels and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Ana Ferreiro
- UMR787 INSERM/UPMC and Reference Center for Neuromuscular Disorders, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Sewry
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christophe Béroud
- INSERM U827, Laboratoire de Génétique Moleculaire, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Jonathan Bellini
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | | | - Kathryn N North
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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siRNA-mediated Allele-specific Silencing of a COL6A3 Mutation in a Cellular Model of Dominant Ullrich Muscular Dystrophy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2014; 3:e147. [PMID: 24518369 PMCID: PMC3950771 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2013.74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Congenital muscular dystrophy type Ullrich (UCMD) is a severe disorder of early childhood onset for which currently there is no effective treatment. UCMD commonly is caused by dominant-negative mutations in the genes coding for collagen type VI, a major microfibrillar component of the extracellular matrix surrounding the muscle fibers. To explore RNA interference (RNAi) as a potential therapy for UCMD, we designed a series of small interfering RNA (siRNA) oligos that specifically target the most common mutations resulting in skipping of exon 16 in the COL6A3 gene and tested them in UCMD-derived dermal fibroblasts. Transcript analysis by semiquantitative and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR showed that two of these siRNAs were the most allele-specific, i.e., they efficiently knocked down the expression from the mutant allele, without affecting the normal allele. In HEK293T cells, these siRNAs selectively suppressed protein expression from a reporter construct carrying the mutation, with no or minimal suppression of the wild-type (WT) construct, suggesting that collagen VI protein levels are as also reduced in an allele-specific manner. Furthermore, we found that treating UCMD fibroblasts with these siRNAs considerably improved the quantity and quality of the collagen VI matrix, as assessed by confocal microscopy. Our current study establishes RNAi as a promising molecular approach for treating dominant COL6-related dystrophies.
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Hermanns-Lê T, Piérard GE, Piérard-Franchimont C, Delvenne P. Dermal Ultrastructure in Collagen VI Myopathy. Ultrastruct Pathol 2013; 38:164-6. [DOI: 10.3109/01913123.2013.829151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Plonka C, Wearden PD, Morell VO, Miller SA, Webber SA, Feingold B. Successful heart transplantation from a donor with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. Am J Transplant 2013; 13:1915-7. [PMID: 23668812 PMCID: PMC3782115 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.12246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2013] [Revised: 02/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Heart transplantation is the most effective therapy for children with end-stage heart disease; however, its use is limited by the number of donor organs available. This shortage may be further compounded by concerns about organ quality, leading to refusal of potential donor organ offers. We report on the successful transplantation and 5-year follow-up of a heart from a donor with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD). The candidate was critically ill at the time of the transplant and the donor organ was declined repeatedly on the match run list due to concerns about organ quality, despite having normal cardiac function by echocardiography on minimal inotropic support. We believe the diagnosis of "muscular dystrophy" in the donor combined with a lack of understanding about the specifics of the diagnosis of UCMD enabled our candidate to receive a primary offer for this organ. We are unaware of any previous reports of the use of a heart from a donor with UCMD for orthotopic heart transplantation in adults or children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn Plonka
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Peter D. Wearden
- Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of
Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Victor O. Morell
- Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of
Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Steven A. Miller
- Pediatric Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of
UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | - Brian Feingold
- Pediatric Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of
UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA,Clinical and Translational Science, University of Pittsburgh School
of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
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Bernardi P, Bonaldo P. Mitochondrial dysfunction and defective autophagy in the pathogenesis of collagen VI muscular dystrophies. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2013; 5:a011387. [PMID: 23580791 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a011387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (UCMD), Bethlem Myopathy (BM), and Congenital Myosclerosis are diseases caused by mutations in the genes encoding the extracellular matrix protein collagen VI. A dystrophic mouse model, where collagen VI synthesis was prevented by targeted inactivation of the Col6a1 gene, allowed the investigation of pathogenesis, which revealed the existence of a Ca(2+)-mediated dysfunction of mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum, and of defective autophagy. Key events are dysregulation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, an inner membrane high-conductance channel that for prolonged open times causes mitochondrial dysfunction, and inadequate removal of defective mitochondria, which amplifies the damage. Consistently, the Col6a1(-/-) myopathic mice could be cured through inhibition of cyclophilin D, a matrix protein that sensitizes the pore to opening, and through stimulation of autophagy. Similar defects contribute to disease pathogenesis in patients irrespective of the genetic lesion causing the collagen VI defect. These studies indicate that permeability transition pore opening and defective autophagy represent key elements for skeletal muscle fiber death, and provide a rationale for the use of cyclosporin A and its nonimmunosuppressive derivatives in patients affected by collagen VI myopathies, a strategy that holds great promise for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Bernardi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, I-35121 Padova, Italy.
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46
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Abstract
Collagen VI is a component of the extracellular matrix of almost all connective tissues, including cartilage, bone, tendon, muscles and cornea, where it forms abundant and structurally unique microfibrils organized into different suprastructural assemblies. The precise role of collagen VI is not clearly defined although it is most abundant in the interstitial matrix of tissues and often found in close association with basement membranes. Three genetically distinct collagen VI chains, α1(VI), α2(VI) and α3(VI), encoded by the COL6A1. COL6A2 and COL6A3 genes, were first described more than 20 years ago. Their molecular assembly and role in congenital muscular dystrophy has been broadly characterized. In 2008, three additional collagen VI genes arrayed in tandem at a single gene locus on chromosome 3q in humans, and chromosome 9 in mice, were described. Following the naming scheme for collagens the new genes were designated COL6A4. COL6A5 and COL6A6 encoding the α4(VI), α5(VI) and α6(VI) chains, respectively. This review will focus on the current state of knowledge of the three new chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Fitzgerald
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA,Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Paul Holden
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Uwe Hansen
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University Hospital of Muenster, 48129 Muenster, Germany
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48
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Abstract
The congenital muscular dystrophies are a heterogeneous group of disorders in which weakness and dystrophic pattern on muscle biopsy are present at birth or during the first months of life. This chapter reviews the most common forms of congenital muscular dystrophies, including laminin α-2 (merosin) deficiency, Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy, fukutin-related proteinopathy, rigid spine syndrome, and glycosylation disorders of α-dystroglycan. The latter group is often associated with neuronal migration defects including lissencephaly, pachygyria, cerebellar and brainstem abnormalities, and variable ocular anomalies. Typical clinical findings and underlying genetic defects are discussed to assist in the differential diagnosis and diagnostic work-up of patients with congenital muscular dystrophies. There are still no curative treatment options for patients with congenital muscular dystrophies but regular follow-up and symptomatic care by a multidisciplinary team considering the peculiarities of each disorder are important to maintain or improve patients' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janbernd Kirschner
- Division of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, Germany.
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Clement EM, Feng L, Mein R, Sewry CA, Robb SA, Manzur AY, Mercuri E, Godfrey C, Cullup T, Abbs S, Muntoni F. Relative frequency of congenital muscular dystrophy subtypes: analysis of the UK diagnostic service 2001-2008. Neuromuscul Disord 2012; 22:522-7. [PMID: 22480491 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2012.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2011] [Accepted: 01/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre is the UK National Commissioning Group referral centre for congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD). This retrospective review reports the diagnostic outcome of 214 UK patients referred to the centre for assessment of 'possible CMD' between 2001 and 2008 with a view to commenting on the variety of disorders seen and the relative frequency of CMD subtypes in this patient population. A genetic diagnosis was reached in 53 of 116 patients fulfilling a strict criteria for the diagnosis of CMD. Within this group the most common diagnoses were collagen VI related disorders (19%), dystroglycanopathy (12%) and merosin deficient congenital muscular dystrophy (10%). Among the patients referred as 'possible CMD' that did not meet our inclusion criteria, congenital myopathies and congenital myasthenic syndromes were the most common diagnoses. In this large study on CMD the diagnostic outcomes compared favourably with other CMD population studies, indicating the importance of an integrated clinical and pathological assessment of this group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Clement
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
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50
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Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides a solid scaffold and signals to cells through ECM receptors. The cell-matrix interactions are crucial for normal biological processes and when disrupted they may lead to pathological processes. In particular, the biological importance of ECM-cell membrane-cytoskeleton interactions in skeletal muscle is accentuated by the number of inherited muscle diseases caused by mutations in proteins conferring these interactions. In this review we introduce laminins, collagens, dystroglycan, integrins, dystrophin and sarcoglycans. Mutations in corresponding genes cause various forms of muscular dystrophy. The muscle disorders are presented as well as advances toward the development of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Carmignac
- Muscle Biology Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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