Primary mitochondrial myopathies in childhood

Reduced lipid and glucose oxidation and reduced lipid synthesis in AMPKα2-/- myotubes

Adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a crucial role in regulation of metabolic homeostasis. To understand the role of the catalytic α2 subunit of AMPK in skeletal muscle energy metabolism, myotube cultures were established from AMPKα2+/+ and AMPKα2-/- mice. Myotubes from AMPKα2-/- mice had lower basal oleic acid and glucose oxidation compared to myotubes from AMPKα2+/+ mice. However, the relative response to mitochondrial uncoupling was increased for oleic acid oxidation. Incorporation of acetate into lipids was also lower in myotubes from AMPKα2-/- mice. Proteomics analysis revealed that AMPKα2-/- myotubes had upregulated pathways related to mitochondrial function and fatty acid oxidation, and decreased pathways related to fatty acid biosynthesis. In conclusion, ablation of AMPKα2 catalytic subunit in skeletal muscle cells resulted in reduced basal oxidation of glucose and fatty acids, however upregulated pathways related to mitochondrial function and fatty acid oxidation and reduced lipid formation.

Mitochondrial disorder diagnosis and management- what the pediatric neurologist wants to know

Childhood-onset mitochondrial disorders are rare genetic diseases that often manifest with neurological impairment due to altered mitochondrial structure or function. To date, pathogenic variants in 373 genes across the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes have been linked to mitochondrial disease, but the ensuing genetic and clinical complexity of these disorders poses considerable challenges to their diagnosis and management. Nevertheless, despite the current lack of curative treatment, recent advances in next generation sequencing and -omics technologies have laid the foundation for precision mitochondrial medicine through enhanced diagnostic accuracy and greater insight into pathomechanisms. This holds promise for the development of targeted treatments in this group of patients. Against a backdrop of inherent challenges and recent technological advances in mitochondrial medicine, this review discusses the current diagnostic approach to a child with suspected mitochondrial disease and outlines management considerations of particular relevance to paediatric neurologists. We highlight the importance of mitochondrial expertise centres in providing the laboratory infrastructure needed to supplement uninformative first line genomic testing with focused and/or further unbiased investigations where needed, as well as coordinating an integrated multidisciplinary model of care that is paramount to the management of patients affected by these conditions.

Mitochondrial myopathies diagnosed in adulthood: clinico-genetic spectrum and long-term outcomes

Mitochondrial myopathies are frequently recognized in childhood as part of a broader multisystem disorder and often overlooked in adulthood. Herein, we describe the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum and long-term outcomes of mitochondrial myopathies diagnosed in adulthood, focusing on neuromuscular features, electrodiagnostic and myopathological findings and survival. We performed a retrospective chart review of adult patients diagnosed with mitochondrial myopathy at Mayo Clinic (2005-21). We identified 94 patients. Median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 11 years (interquartile range 4-21 years). Median age at diagnosis was 48 years (32-63 years). Primary genetic defects were identified in mitochondrial DNA in 48 patients (10 with single large deletion, 38 with point mutations) and nuclear DNA in 29. Five patients had multiple mitochondrial DNA deletions or depletion without nuclear DNA variants. Twelve patients had histopathological features of mitochondrial myopathy without molecular diagnosis. The most common phenotypes included multisystem disorder (n = 30); mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (14); limb myopathy (13); chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (12); and chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia-plus (12). Isolated skeletal muscle manifestations occurred in 27%. Sixty-nine per cent had CNS and 21% had cardiac involvement. Mutations most frequently involved MT-TL1 (27) and POLG (17); however, a wide spectrum of established and novel molecular defects, with overlapping phenotypes, was identified. Electrodiagnostic studies identified myopathy (77%), fibrillation potentials (27%) and axonal peripheral neuropathy (42%, most common with nuclear DNA variants). Among 42 muscle biopsies available, median percentage counts were highest for cytochrome C oxidase negative fibres (5.1%) then ragged blue (1.4%) and ragged red fibres (0.5%). Skeletal muscle weakness was mild and slowly progressive (decline in strength summated score of 0.01/year). Median time to gait assistance was 5.5 years from diagnosis and 17 years from symptom onset. Thirty patients died, with median survival of 33.4 years from symptom onset and 10.9 years from diagnosis. Median age at death was 55 years. Cardiac involvement was associated with increased mortality [hazard ratio 2.36 (1.05, 5.29)]. There was no difference in survival based on genotype or phenotype. Despite the wide phenotypic and genotypic spectrum, mitochondrial myopathies in adults share similar features with slowly progressive limb weakness, contrasting with common multiorgan involvement and high mortality.

A clinical approach to diagnosis and management of mitochondrial myopathies

This paper provides an overview of the different types of mitochondrial myopathies (MM), associated phenotypes, genotypes as well as a practical clinical approach towards disease diagnosis, surveillance, and management. nDNA-related MM are more common in pediatric-onset disease whilst mtDNA-related MMs are more frequent in adults. Genotype-phenotype correlation in MM is challenging due to clinical and genetic heterogeneity. The multisystemic nature of many MMs adds to the diagnostic challenge. Diagnostic approaches utilizing genetic sequencing with next generation sequencing approaches such as gene panel, exome and genome sequencing are available. This aids molecular diagnosis, heteroplasmy detection in MM patients and furthers knowledge of known mitochondrial genes. Precise disease diagnosis can end the diagnostic odyssey for patients, avoid unnecessary testing, provide prognosis, facilitate anticipatory management, and enable access to available therapies or clinical trials. Adjunctive tests such as functional and exercise testing could aid surveillance of MM patients. Management requires a multi-disciplinary approach, systemic screening for comorbidities, cofactor supplementation, avoidance of substances that inhibit the respiratory chain and exercise training. This update of the current understanding on MMs provides practical perspectives on current diagnostic and management approaches for this complex group of disorders.